bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Market for Heritage: Evidence From eBay Using Natural Language Processing
Authors: Altaweel Mark
Published: August 2019

The trade in antiquities and cultural objects has proven difficult to understand and yet is highly dynamic. Currently, there are few computational tools that allow researchers to systematically understand the nature of the legal market, which can also potentially provide insights into the illegal market such as types of objects traded and countries trading antiquities. Online sales in antiquities and cultural objects are often unstructured data; relevant cultural affiliations, types, and materials for objects are important for distinguishing what might sell, but these data are rarely organized in a format that makes the quantification of sales a simple process. Additionally, sale locations and the total value of sales are relevant to understanding the focus and size of the market. These data all provide potentially useful insights into how the market in antiquities and cultural objects is developing. Based on this, this work presents the results of a machine learning approach using natural language processing and dictionary-based searches that investigate relatively low-end but high sales volume objects sold on eBay’s U.S. site, where sales are often international, between October 2018 and May 2019. The use of named entity recognition, using a conditional random field approach, classifies objects based on the cultures in which they come from, what type of objects they are, and what the objects are made of. The results indicate that objects from the United Kingdom, affiliated with the Roman period, mostly constituting jewelry, and made of metals sell the most. Metal and jewelry objects, in fact, sold more than other object types. Other important countries for selling ancient and cultural objects include the United States, Thailand, Germany, and Cyprus. Some countries appear to more greatly sellspecific types of objects, such as Egypt being a leader in selling Islamic, terracotta, stone, and wood artifacts and Germany selling Viking/early Medieval weapons. Overall, the approach and tool used demonstrate that it is possible to monitor the online antiquities and cultural objects market while potentially gaining useful insights into the market. The tool developed is provided as part of this work so that it can be applied for other cases and online sites, where it can be applied in real time or using historical data.
High Levels of Polypharmacy in Rheumatoid Arthritis—A Challenge Not Covered by Current Management Recommendations: Data From a Large Real-Life Study
Authors: Gomides Ana Paula M. , Albuquerque Cleandro P. , Santos Ana B.V. , Amorim Rodrigo B. C. , Bértolo Manoel B. , Júnior Paulo L. , Santos Isabela A. , Giorgi Rina D. , Sacilotto Nathália C. , Radominski Sebastião C. , Borghi Fernanda M. , Guimarães Maria F. B. R. , Pinto Maria R. C. , Resende Gustavo G. , Bonfiglioli Karina R. , Carriço Henrique , Sauma Maria F. L. C. , Sauma Marcel L. , Medeiros Júlia B. , Pereira Ivânio A. , Castro Gláucio R. W. , Brenol Claiton V. , Xavier Ricardo M. , Mota Licia M. H. , Pinheiro Geraldo R. C.
Published: August 2019

Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with high frequency of comorbidities and increased risk of polypharmacy. Although there is a great potential for complications, there is a gap in literature on polypharmacy in patients with rheumatic arthritis.

Objective:

To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy in a population in a real-life setting.

Methods:

A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in Brazil. Patients underwent clinical evaluation and medical records analysis. Polypharmacy was considered as a dependent variable. To test independent variables, we used Poisson regression.

Results:

We evaluated 792 patients (89% female, median age 56.6 years). Median duration of disease was 12.7 years, 78.73% had a positive rheumatoid factor. The median of disease activity score-28 was 3.5 (disease with mild activity), median of the clinical disease activity index score was 9, and median of health assessment questionnaire-disability index was 0.875; 47% used corticosteroids, 9.1% used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 90.9% used synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, 35.7% used biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In total, 537 (67.9%) patients used 5 or more drugs. Polypharmacy showed a relationship with a number of comorbidities and use of specific drugs (corticosteroids, methotrexate, and biological DMARDs).

Conclusion:

We found a high prevalence of polypharmacy (67.9%) in RA. Solutions to management this problem should be stimulated.
Coupling effect modeling of driver vehicle environment factors influencing speed selections in curves
Authors: Yang Junru , Chu Duanfeng , Wang Rukang , Gao Meng , Wu Chaozhong
Published: August 2019

It is of significant importance to select an appropriate speed for a vehicle to drive through an upcoming curve. Previous studies have mainly taken into account the vehicle–road interaction, which lacks quantitative analysis of drivers’ driving behavior related to curve speed selections. In this study, a curve speed model derived from the vehicle–road coupling effect analysis is combined with drivers’ driving styles which are classified into aggressive and moderate styles. Moreover, a driver behavior questionnaire based analysis is carried out for quantitative identification of the above two groups of drivers, compared with the traditional vehicle-motion-indexed classification of driving styles. Unlike previous curve speed models, the proposed model not only takes the vehicle–road coupling effect into consideration, but also introduces a driving style factor which is quantified with both driver behavior questionnaire analysis and vehicle-motion-indexed classification. The proposed curve speed model was validated with the road test data. It is found that the proposed curve speed model considering both the vehicle–road interaction and drivers’ driving styles could effectively guarantee traffic safety and riding comfort in sharp curves.
Self-collected versus clinician-collected samples for HSV-2 and HSV-2/HPV screening in HIV-infected and -uninfected women in the Tapajós region, Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues Luana LS , Pilotto José H , Lima Lyana RP , Gaydos Charlotte A , Hardick Justin , Morgado Mariza G , Martinelli Katrini G , de Paula Vanessa S , Nicol Alcina F
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) and HSV-2/human papillomavirus (HPV) co-infection by self-collected samples compared to clinician-collected samples in human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-infected and -uninfected women from the Tapajós region, Amazon, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 439 anal and cervical scrapings and cervico-vaginal self-collected samples obtained from 153 eligible HIV-infected and -uninfected women. Real-time PCR for HSV-2 and nested PCR for HPV detection were performed. A multivariate analysis identified risk factors for HSV-2/HPV co-infection. The anogenital prevalence of HSV-2 was 9.2% (14/153), HPV was 67.3% (103/153) and HSV-2/HPV co-infection was 6.5% (10/153). There was a significant overall agreement (95.5%, 11/133, kappa 0.64, 95% CI 0.38–0.90, p < 0.0001) for HSV-2 detection by the self-collected and clinician-collected samples. HSV-2 genital infection was more prevalent than anal infection in all participants. HIV-infected women had a higher prevalence of HSV-2 and HSV-2/HPV. No woman with a cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion had HSV-2/HPV co-infection. Risk factors for HSV-2/HPV were age ≤25 years (aOR = 10.07) and being single (aOR = 3.79). In general, young and single women are at greater risk for HSV-2/HPV infection. Self-collection can be a useful strategy for the screening of HSV-2 and HPV in limited-resource settings.
Cooling of a lithium ion battery using phase change material with air/dielectric fluid media: A numerical study
Authors: Amalesh T , Lakshmi Narasimhan N
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes a method of cooling lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries using a phase change material RT35 in combination with air or a dielectric fluid media (STO 50). Three-dimensional numerical investigations have been carried out using Ansys Fluent to assess the cooling performance under different rates of discharging (1C, 2C, and 3C) of a 38120P Li-ion battery. Five different cases have been investigated and the relative benefits of the combined phase change material–air/dielectric liquid cooling compared over an air or dielectric cooling alone for the battery. Actual heat generation data available for the battery was made use of and supplied to the source term of the energy equation in the solver. A separate user-defined macro on the heat generation of the battery was developed by the authors for the purpose. The numerical simulation was validated comparing the present results with published experimental data for a bare adiabatic 38120P Li-ion cell. The results showed that the cooling was better with phase change material–air or phase change material–dielectric liquid combination compared to air or dielectric fluid alone, capable of reducing the cell temperature further by 6 ℃. From the study, employing phase change material in combination with a dielectric liquid has been suggested as a promising option for thermal management of Li-ion batteries at higher discharging rates to maintain the cell temperatures below 37 ℃.
System identification and robust attitude control of an unmanned helicopter using novel low-cost flight control system
Authors: Khalesi Mohammad Hossein , Salarieh Hassan , Saadat Foumani Mahmoud
Published: August 2019

In recent years, unmanned aerial systems have attracted great attention due to the electronic systems technology advancements. Among these vehicles, unmanned helicopters are more important because of their special abilities and superior performance. The complex nonlinear dynamic system (caused by main rotor flapping dynamics coupled with the rigid body rotational motion) and considerable effects of ambient disturbance make their utilization hard in actual missions. Attitude dynamics have the main role in helicopter stabilization, so implementing proper control system for attitude is an important issue for unmanned helicopter hovering and trajectory tracking performance. Besides this, experimental utilization of low-cost flight control system for unmanned helicopters is still a challenging task. In this article, dynamic modeling, system identification, and robust control system implementation of roll and pitch dynamics of an unmanned helicopter is performed. A TRex-600E radio-controlled helicopter is equipped with a novel low-cost flight control system designed and constructed based on Raspberry Pi Linux-based microcomputer. Using Raspberry Pi makes this platform simpler to utilize and more time and cost-effective than similar platforms used before. The experiments are performed on a 5-degree-of-freedom testbed. The robust control system is designed based on [Formula: see text] method and is evaluated in real flight tests. The experiment results show that the proposed platform has the ability to successfully control the roll and pitch dynamics of the unmanned helicopter.
Thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin levels as indicators of oxidative stress in welders’ lung disease
Authors: Karataş M , Öziş TN , Büyükşekerci M , Gündüzöz M , Özakıncı OG , Gök G , Neşelioğlu S , Erel Ö
Published: August 2019

Welders’ lung disease refers to mixed exposure to different kinds of metals and chemicals from welding fumes, which affect all parts of the respiratory tract including airways and parenchyma together. This study aimed to investigate the oxidative status in patients with welders’ lung (PWL) by means of thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels. The male welder workers diagnosed with welders’ lung disease and healthy individuals were recruited in the study. Plasma levels of disulfide, disulfide/native thiol ratio, disulfide/total thiol ratio, IMA, and catalase (CAT) were determined. Pulmonary function test parameters of both groups were compared. The thiol-disulfide homeostasis parameters of PWL and control group were as follows: disulfide (20.5 ± 6.3 vs. 16.2 ± 3.9 μmol L−1, p < 0.001), disulfide/native thiol (4.36 (1.59) vs. 4.0 (1.64), p = 0.024), and disulfide/total thiol (4.01 (1.34) vs. 3.71 (1.41), p = 0.024). IMA levels in PWL were significantly higher than the control group (1.37 (0.27) mg dL−1 vs. 0.49 (0.61) mg dL−1, p < 0.001), whereas CAT activities were significantly higher in the control group (106.6 (54.5) kU L−1 vs. 78.3 (67.8) kU L−1, p = 0.003). The findings of the present study revealed that oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of welders’ lung disease. Plasma thiol-disulfide homeostasis and IMA levels might be indicators of oxidative stress in PWL.
Systemic lupus and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome manifesting as cardiogenic shock
Authors: Schultz M , Wimberly K , Guglin M
Published: August 2019

In this case series we present two young female patients presenting in the peripartum period with cardiogenic shock. Both patients had underlying autoimmune diseases, one with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the other with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). In both cases cardiogenic shock was a direct manifestation of their autoimmune condition, and with prompt diagnosis and management both patients were able to recover. This case series illustrates the importance of early recognition of cardiogenic shock as a rare manifestation both of SLE and APS.
Production, Characterization, and Function of Pseudoislets from Perinatal Canine Pancreas
Authors: Czernichow P. , Reynaud K. , Kerr-Conte J. , Furthner E. , Ravassard P.
Published: August 2019

We evaluated the cell composition and function of canine pancreatic pseudoislets (PIs) produced from 42- to 55-day-old fetuses, 1- to 21-day-old pups, and an adult dog pancreas. After mild collagenase treatment, partially digested tissues were cultured for 2–3 weeks. PI production started on culture day 3, was marked for 6 to 9 days, and then stopped. PI production was greatest with the neonatal specimens, reaching about 12 million aggregates per litter (55-day-old fetus) or per pancreas (1-day-old pup). Cell composition at all stages was similar to that in adult pancreatic islets, with predominant β cells, scant α cells and, most importantly, presence of δ cells. Among pancreatic markers assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) mRNA assay, insulin showed the highest expression levels in PIs from newborn and adult pancreas, although these were more than 1000 times lower than in adult islets. Pdx1 mRNA expression was high in PIs from 55-day-old pancreases and was lower at later stages. Consistent with the qRT-PCR results, the insulin content was far lower than reported in adult dog pancreatic islets. However, insulin release by PIs from 1-day-old pups was demonstrated and was stimulated by a high-glucose medium. PIs were transplanted into euglycemic and diabetic SCID mice. In euglycemic animals, the transplant cell composition underwent maturation and transplants were still viable after 6 months. In diabetic mice, the PI transplants produced insulin and partially controlled the hyperglycemia. These data indicate that PIs can be produced ex vivo from canine fetal or postnatal pancreases. Although functional PIs can be obtained, the production yield is most likely insufficient to meet the requirements for diabetic dog transplantation without further innovation in cell culture amplification.
Preservation Solutions for Kidney Transplantation: History, Advances and Mechanisms
Authors: Chen Yimeng , Shi Jian , Xia Terry C. , Xu Renfang , He Xiaozhou , Xia Ying
Published: August 2019

Solid organ transplantation was one of the greatest medical advances during the past few decades. Organ preservation solutions have been applied to diminish ischemic/hypoxic injury during cold storage and improve graft survival. In this article, we provide a general review of the history and advances of preservation solutions for kidney transplantation. Key components of commonly used solutions are listed, and effective supplementations for current available preservation solutions are discussed. At cellular and molecular levels, further insights were provided into the pathophysiological mechanisms of effective ingredients against ischemic/hypoxic renal injury during cold storage. We pay special attention to the cellular and molecular events during transplantation, including ATP depletion, acidosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and other intracellular mechanisms.
Lost Voices in Research: Exposing the Gaps in the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Authors: Heywood Rob , Ryan Hayley , Killett Anne , Langdon Peter , Plenderleith Yvonne , Shiggins Ciara , Bunning Karen
Published: August 2019

Despite laudable intentions, since its inception, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 of England and Wales (MCA) has proved to be a controversial piece of legislation. The majority of legal scholarship has concentrated on the problems created by the Act in relation to the treatment of incapacitated patients. However, there is an additional and somewhat unexplored dimension to the MCA, that of research. We argue here that the research provisions of the MCA are poorly drafted and do not provide an appropriate balance between protection and empowerment. We also assert that contrasting obligations and expectations are placed on different parties in the approval process, which creates a blurred sense of responsibility and a potential chilling effect.
Models for Predicting Sustainable Durable Products Consumption Behaviour: A Review Article
Authors: Ghose Amitabha , Chandra Bibhas
Published: August 2019

This conceptual article examines the theory of reasoned action and theory of planned behaviour and some of its important extension models developed to find out consumers’ purchase behaviour for sustainable products. It has been observed in the first two models that consumers’ attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control influences intention and purchase behaviour for sustainable product consumption. Further, in the extension models, it is observed that consumers’ confidence, environmental attitude, values, past experience, consumers’ willingness, social pressure, perceptions and feelings also influences consumers’ purchase intention and behaviour towards sustainable product consumption. Based on these studies, a conceptual model is proposed where moral obligation (values and ethics) and emotion are incorporated as separate constructs which may influence attitude and purchase intention, and consumers’ habit is taken under perceived behavioural control, which may also influence consumers’ purchase intention. Researchers further may test the proposed model using moderating role of demographic factors between purchase intention and purchase behaviour for sustainable durable products for Indian consumers.
The Impact of Facilitation on the Quality of Deliberation and Attitude Change
Authors: Kuhar Metka , Krmelj Matej , Petrič Gregor
Published: August 2019

Many researchers claim that facilitation is a determining factor, if not a necessary condition, for successful deliberative discussion, but little research has applied randomized experimental designs to empirically test such claim. This article analyzes the effect of professionally facilitated versus non-facilitated discussions in a real-life context on participants’ attitudes and the perceived quality of group deliberation, controlling for various individual- and group-level variables. We conducted 26 deliberative discussions with 226 teachers from 13 primary schools on the topic of school discipline measures. We assessed the teachers’ post-discussion perceptions of the perceived quality of the group deliberation and their attitudes toward school discipline measures pre- and post-discussion. The results show the facilitation’s significant influences on attitude change and the perceived quality of the group deliberation. Quality of deliberation is also influenced by heterogeneity of restorative attitudes in discussion groups, whereas attitude change is to a large extent determined also by pre-discussion attitudes.
Leadership Development: Leadership Emergence to Leadership Effectiveness
Authors: Luria Gil , Kahana Allon , Goldenberg Judith , Noam Yair
Published: August 2019

This study aimed to understand how leadership effectiveness of the trainer in a leadership development program can influence emerging leaders’ development and effectiveness. We hypothesized that the trainer’s leadership effectiveness would be a boundary condition. In this two year longitudinal field study, military cadets’ leadership effectiveness from their emergence as informal peer leaders during basic training through the officer training course (OTC) to their formal leadership roles as active duty officers was followed. The sample included 854 cadets and their 72 trainers. We found that cadets’ effectiveness during OTC mediated the relationship between informal leadership emergence during basic training and their subsequent effectiveness as formal leaders. Furthermore, trainers’ effectiveness moderated the relationship between cadets’ informal leadership emergence and effectiveness in OTC. Results indicate that informal emerging leaders are more likely to develop into highly effective formal leaders when supervised by effective trainers. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
Opioid and Benzodiazepine Requirements in Obese Adult Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Verkerk Brittany S. , Dzierba Amy L. , Muir Justin , Der-Nigoghossian Caroline , Brodie Daniel , Bacchetta Matthew , Rietdijk Wim , Bakker Jan
Published: August 2019

Background: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) sometimes requires deep levels of sedation (Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale [RASS] −5) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The role of obesity in opioid and sedative requirements remains unclear in patients receiving ECMO. Objective: This study sought to determine whether obesity increases midazolam and opioid requirements in patients receiving venovenous (vv)-ECMO up to the first 7 days after initiation. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with ARDS managed with vv-ECMO. Results: The obese (n = 38) and nonobese (n = 43) groups had similar baseline characteristics. Fentanyl equivalents were significantly higher on day 3 in the obese group ( P = 0.02) despite similar RASS scores with no differences in midazolam requirements. There were no differences in duration of ECMO, length of stay, or mortality. Conclusion and Relevance: Daily midazolam requirements were not significantly different, and opioid requirements were only significantly higher in the obese group on day 3 despite similar levels of sedation. The impact of obesity with the addition of ECMO and how to adapt doses of medications remains elusive.
A decision-making framework for environmentally sustainable product design
Authors: Cheaitou Ali , Gardoni Mickael , Hamdan Sadeque
Published: August 2019

Design is a process through which customer needs are transformed into product or service specifications, and then used to develop a model or prototype. The prototype is tested, and modifications are brought to it before the production process starts. Moreover, the design process may be divided into different stages, starting from the definition of the customer needs, going through the conceptual design phase and ending up with the detailed design. In this article, we address the conceptual design phase, where the customer needs are assumed to be known. The proposed approach considers, based on customer needs, primary and secondary design criteria. Each design criterion has a set of predetermined possible values (options) from which the designer may select. Making the best selection of all the design features while satisfying the customer needs in terms of cost, quality (customer preference) and environmental performance is a combinatorial problem and therefore a decision-making framework would be helpful for the designers. In this article, the design criteria are evaluated using fuzzy technique for order preference by similarities to ideal solution based on cost, quality and environmental sustainability. A multiobjective and a single-objective binary programming models are then developed and solved, and their optimal solutions are obtained. The multiobjective solutions provide the decision makers with the possible trade-offs, whereas the single-objective model solution can be used as a final decision-making tool. The proposed approach is implemented in a user-friendly software developed by the authors. A case study is conducted using a baby car seat for which three main and six secondary design criteria are considered. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the approach used.
Association of Opioid Use in the Week Before Death Among Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer Having Sepsis
Authors: Choi Hey-ran , Song In-Ae , Oh Tak Kyu
Published: August 2019

Opioid use can induce immunosuppression; however, it is unclear whether opioid use increases infections in patients with advanced cancers. This study assessed the association between opioid use in the week before death and mortality among patients with advanced lung cancer having sepsis. Data on opioid usage in the week before death, general information, and clinical information of the patients were collected retrospectively. The primary outcome was the association between opioid use in the week before death and mortality after sepsis. The study included 980 patients who died of advanced lung cancer between January 2003 and June 2017 (sepsis related: 413, unrelated to sepsis: 567). The average morphine equivalent daily dose in the final week was higher in the sepsis group (313.5 ± 510.5 mg) than in the nonsepsis group (125.2 ± 246.9 mg, P < .001). A significant association was found between the average morphine equivalent daily dose in the final week and mortality due to sepsis (odds ratio: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.02, P < .001). This was especially evident when the dose was increased by 10 mg in the final week. Furthermore, older age, male sex, and a lower body mass index were associated with an increased risk of mortality after developing sepsis. Opioid use in the week before death may be associated with mortality for patients with advanced lung cancer having sepsis.
A Qualitative Study About How Nurses in Belgium Offer Relationship Support to Couples in Palliative Care
Authors: Benoot Charlotte , Enzlin Paul , Peremans Lieve , Bilsen Johan
Published: August 2019

Although palliative care nurses are identified as key players in supporting couples during advanced illness, there is a lack of evidence about their knowledge and experiences with this particular role. The aim of the study was to explore palliative care nurses’ attitudes, roles, and experiences in addressing relationship functioning of couples in daily practice. A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews, observational research, and peer debriefing groups with palliative care nurses in Flanders, Belgium. Nurses support relationship functioning by creating a couple-positive care environment, by being present/acknowledging feelings, and by rectifying imbalances between couples. They do so in a proactive way, backed up by team support. Nurses hesitate toward explicitly unraveling and intervening in relationship problems, in favor of providing comfort or offering a strengths-based approach. The findings offer an urgent call to enhance the educational programs for palliative care nurses by integrating the theories and practice frameworks that guide relational assessment and intervention, which are being used in family nursing.
Meanwhile: Posthuman Intra-Actions in/With a Post-Qualitative Readings Class
Authors: Guyotte Kelly W. , Flint Maureen A. , Kidd Briana Gilbert , Potts Courtney A. , Irwin April J. , Bennett Lauren A.
Published: August 2019

In January 2017, six doctoral students and an assistant professor came together under the guise of a “Readings in Educational Research” course that was created on the topic of post-qualitative inquiry. Using St. Pierre’s descriptor of the “posts,” the course involved engagements with poststructural, posthuman, and new materialist philosophies. Inspired by the concept of the meanwhile, this article pulses with the question: What do intra-active qualitative inquiry pedagogies produce? In this inquiry, we (teacher and students) consider meanwhile as entangled, layered, and complex pedagogical events/enactments produced in the post-qualitative readings course, crossing with/through time, place, space, and bodies.
Clinical oncology pharmacist: Effective contribution to patient safety
Authors: Duarte Natalia C , Barbosa Cristina R , Tavares Mariane GR , Dias Lara P , Souza Rafael N , Moriel Patricia
Published: August 2019

Management and prevention of problems related to oncology drugs are particularly important due to the excessive cost, high toxicity, and narrow therapeutic index of the antineoplastic drugs, in addition to the patients' state of health. Therefore, the presence of the pharmacist as a member of the multidisciplinary team is essential to contribute to patient safety. In this work, the interventions performed were identified, quantified, and classified to characterize the work of the clinical oncology pharmacist. This is a prospective and quantitative study, conducted over a period of six months in the outpatient oncology and chemotherapy clinic of the University Hospital of the University of Campinas, Brazil. A total of 3526 medical prescriptions were evaluated for the 780 patients seen and, among these prescriptions, 220 (6.24%) contained errors, representing 6.24% of the total number. The most common error was dose-related with 79 (22.83%) cases of overdosing. Wrong-patient medication error was the least reported (0.29%). Thirty drugs were involved in the pharmaceutical interventions, Carboplatin and Ondansetron being the most frequent. Thirteen types of potential errors were evaluated according to the method proposed by Cardinal and Fernandes. Two (15.38%) included interventions of indication, contraindication, and therapeutic efficacy of a drug. Five of them (38.46%) are related to the treatment regimen, and two (15.38%) were related to prevention of potential adverse events. Four interventions (30.77%) concerned technical interventions in injectable drugs such as dilution, compatibility, and administration time. Of the 346 interventions performed, 1 (0.29%) was classified as potentially lethal, 114 as serious (32.95%), 140 as significant (40.46%), and 91 as minor (26.30%).
Hydration, methylene blue, and thiamine as a prevention regimen for ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy
Authors: Gharaibeh Eyad Z , Telfah Mohammad , Powers Benjamin C , Salacz Michael E
Published: August 2019

Ifosfamide is an alkylating chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of many malignancies. Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy is one potential side effect that represents a major drawback to ifosfamide therapy and often necessitates discontinuation of chemotherapy. Previous reports demonstrate moderate effectiveness of prophylactic methylene blue at thwarting ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy. This is a report of a 64-year-old female with relapsed double-hit diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who developed severe altered mental status and neurological symptoms after receiving a second dose of ifosfamide as part of her salvage standard dose R-IE (rituximab, ifosfamide, etoposide), in preparation for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Ifosfamide was stopped and extensive metabolic and infectious workups, in addition to brain images, were all unremarkable. Her symptoms were attributed to ifosfamide. Prior to initiating cycle 2 of R-IE, she was started on prophylactic oral thiamine 100 mg, once a day, one week prior to her admission, methylene blue 50 mg intravenous every 6 h (for a total of four doses) and intravenous hydration with normal saline starting on day one of admission. Ifosfamide was administered in the standard dose 2000 mg/m2, days 1–3 as continuous intravenous infusion over 24 h. She tolerated the first two days of ifosfamide well and only developed mild encephalopathy during her last dose of ifosfamide. Her symptoms resolved completely without any intervention the following day and she completed all scheduled doses. She eventually received chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. Our report demonstrates the use of hydration, methylene blue, and thiamine as a successful secondary prevention regimen for ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy.
On the Effectiveness of Sexual Offender Treatment in Prisons: A Comparison of Two Different Evaluation Designs in Routine Practice
Authors: Lösel Friedrich , Link Eva , Schmucker Martin , Bender Doris , Breuer Maike , Carl Lena , Endres Johann , Lauchs Lora
Published: August 2019

Although there is less continuity of sexual offending in the life course than stereotypes suggest, treatment should lead to a further reduction of reoffending. Contrary to this aim, a recent large British study using propensity score matching (PSM) showed some negative effects of the core sex offender treatment program (SOTP) in prisons. International meta-analyses on the effects of sex offender treatment revealed that there is considerable variety in the results, and methodological aspects and the context play a significant role. Therefore, this study compared different designs in the evaluation of sex offender treatment in German prisons. PSM was compared with an exact matching (EM) by the Static-99 in a sample of 693 sex offenders from Bavarian prisons. Most results were similar for both methods and not significant due to low base rates. There was a treatment effect at p < .05 on general recidivism in the EM and at p = .06 on serious reoffending in the PSM. For sexual recidivism, EM showed a negative trend, whereas PSM suggested the opposite. Overall, the study underlines the need for more replications of evaluations of routine practice, methodological comparisons, sensitive outcome criteria, and differentiated policy information.
Inhaled Pulmonary Vasodilators and Thoracic Organ Transplantation: Does Evidence Support Its Use and Cost Benefit?
Authors: Krebs Ryan , Morita Yoshihisa
Published: August 2019

In heart transplantation, pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary vascular resistance followed by donor right ventricular dysfunction remain a major cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality. In lung transplantation, primary graft dysfunction remains a major obstacle because it can cause bronchiolitis obliterans and mortality. Pulmonary vasodilators have been used as an adjunct therapy for heart or lung transplantation, mainly to treat pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, and associated refractory hypoxemia. Among pulmonary vasodilators, inhaled nitric oxide is unique in that it is selective in pulmonary circulation and causes fewer systemic complications such as hypotension, flushing, or coagulopathy. Nitric oxide is expected to prevent or attenuate primary graft dysfunction by decreasing ischemia-reperfusion injury in lung transplantation. However, when considering the long-term benefit of these medications, little evidence supports their use in heart or lung transplantation. Current guidelines endorse inhaled vasodilators for managing immediate postoperative right ventricular failure in lung or heart transplantation, but no guidance is offered regarding agent selection, dosing, or administration. This review presents the current evidence of inhaled nitric oxide in lung or heart transplantation as well as comparisons with other pulmonary vasodilators including cost differences in consideration of economic pressures to contain rising pharmacy costs.
Exploring the Relationship Between Social Support and Sleep
Authors: Krause Neal , Rainville Gerard
Published: August 2019

Background. Getting a sufficient amount of sleep is an important component of living a healthy lifestyle. Consequently, it is important for researchers to identify the factors that influence sleep duration. Aims. The current study has a twofold objective. The first is to see if two types of social support are associated with sleep duration. The second objective is to see if meaning in life and depressive symptoms serve as indirect pathways in the relationship between social support and sleep. Method. The data come from an internet survey of a random probability sample of adults who reside in the United States ( N = 2,287). Questions were administered on received support, satisfaction with support, meaning in life, depressive symptoms, and sleep. Results. The findings indicate that the amount of support that is received is associated with satisfaction with support, greater satisfaction with support is associated with a stronger sense of meaning in life, a stronger sense of meaning is related to fewer depressive symptoms, and fewer depressive symptoms is significantly associated with the likelihood of getting the recommended number of hours of sleep. Discussion and Conclusions. Instead of merely showing that social support is associated with sleep, our findings take a modest step toward explaining how this relationship arises (i.e., through an increased sense of meaning in life and, in turn, reduced depressive symptoms). This theoretical specificity is helpful for devising interventions to improve sleep habits.
Home or Away? Pathways to Employment for the Highly Qualified in Armenia After the Velvet Revolution
Authors: Sargsyan Marine , Cairns David
Published: August 2019

In this article, we take a look at transitions to employment in Armenia for the highly qualified, focusing on students and graduates. Theoretically, we acknowledge the importance of insights from prior research, including the idea of the transition-to-work as a journey, with our research questions aimed at highlighting specific challenges facing Armenian youth following spatialized and sedentary transition pathways; moving abroad for work and entering the local labour market respectively. As evidence, we make use of interviews conducted with 51 young Armenians in the months that followed the Velvet Revolution of 2018. Discussion highlights factors that inhibit highly qualified youth from finding jobs at home, including perceptions of corruption in the workplace, difficulties associated with entering foreign labour markets and the salience of recent political events.
Direct anterior versus posterolateral approach for bipolar hip hemiarthroplasty in femoral neck fractures: a prospective randomised study
Authors: Verzellotti Simone , Candrian Christian , Molina Mauro , Filardo Giuseppe , Alberio Riccardo , Grassi Federico A
Published: August 2019

Introduction:

Femoral neck fractures are a major problem in orthopaedic practice, having a huge impact on society, and involving a large number of elderly patients for whom early recovery is paramount. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare 2 surgical approaches, direct anterior (DA group) versus posterolateral (PL group), used for bipolar hip hemiarthroplasty (BHA) with femoral neck fractures in order to assess pain recovery after surgery. Our hypothesis was that early pain recovery would be faster in the DA group.

Methods:

100 patients were randomised to surgery using either a DA group or PL group approach, and were then followed up for 6 months. Surgical time, intra- and postoperative complications were recorded for each patient. The main outcome, pain, was recorded using an NRS scale at 3 days, 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. At the same time, patient status was evaluated using Activities of Daily Living and Cumulated Ambulation Score scales.

Results:

Surgical time was longer in the DA group ( p  < 0.0001). Pain perception at 3 days and at 1 month after surgery was significantly lower in DA group patients ( p  < 0.0001). The results of the other scales were comparable in the 2 groups (at 3 days, 1 and 3 months after surgery).

Discussion:

The DA approach offers a significant advantage in terms of pain perception up to 1 month after the operation. Early recovery in terms of pain perception is an important finding. Future studies should explore whether this early pain reduction could translate into a faster rehabilitation programme for an earlier recovery of full function. Clinical trial registration: Protocol 423/CE; Study n. CE 41/15.
Sonographic visualization and cannulation of the axillary vein in two arm positions during mechanical ventilation: A randomized trial
Authors: T Sivashanmugam , Kulandyan Indu , Velraj Jaya , Murugesan Ravishankar , Srinivasan Parthasarathy
Published: August 2019

Background:

Abduction of the arm has been used for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation. We evaluated the influence of arm position on sonographic visualization and cannulation of the axillary vein in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

Methods:

Sixty patients scheduled to undergo surgery under general anaesthesia with controlled mechanical ventilation were included in this prospective randomized study. The depth, size and distance of axillary vein to the pleura were recorded at three points: Point A, the most proximal part of the axillary vein visualized with adduction; Point A′, Point A in abduction; and Point B, the most proximal part of axillary vein visualized in abduction. Cephalic movement of the clavicle at Point A′ and the distance between Point A and Point B were noted. In Group A, cannulation was performed at Point A in the adducted arm and at Point B with the abducted arm in Group B after randomization.

Results:

Abduction moved the clavicle cephalad by 2.2 ± 0.6 cm and increased sonographic visualization of the axillary vein by 2.2 ± 0.5 cm in length, when compared with adduction. The distance from the vein to pleura was higher in Point A′ (p < 0.001). No differences were found during cannulation in terms of first-pass success rate or number of attempts.

Conclusion:

Abducted position moved the clavicle cephalad and allowed sonographic visualization of infraclavicular axillary vein approximately 2 cm more proximally than with the adducted arm, with a comparable rate of cannulation success.
Dedicator of Cytokinesis 4: A Potential Prognostic and Predictive Biomarker Within the Metastatic Spread of Breast Cancer to Bone
Authors: Brown Janet E , Westbrook Jules A , Wood Steven L
Published: August 2019

Metastasis to bone occurs in over 70% of patients with advanced breast cancer resulting in skeletal complications, including pathological fractures, hypercalcaemia, and bone pain. Significant advances have been made in the treatment of bone metastases, including the use of antiresorptive drugs, such as bisphosphonates, as well as antibody-based therapies targeting key signalling intermediates within the process of cancer-mediated bone destruction. Despite these advances, treatment is not without side effects, including osteonecrosis of the jaw therefore biomarkers predictive of which patients are at high risk of developing bone spread are required to enable personalized medicine initiatives within this important disease area. We used proteomic analysis to compare the protein expression within (1) a parental triple negative human breast cancer cell line, (2) a fully bone homing cell line and (3) a lung homing cell line. The bone and lung homing cell-lines were derived by intra-cardiac injection of fluorescently labelled cells within immune-compromised mice. Proteomics identified Dedicator of Cytokinesis 4 as a biomarker predictive of bone spread, and this finding was further supported by the observation that high levels of Dedicator of Cytokinesis 4 within primary breast tumours were predictive of breast cancer spread to bone. Here, we provide an overview of this study and put the findings into context.
Health-Information Seeking and Intention to Quit Smoking: Do Health Beliefs Have a Mediating Role?
Authors: Upadhyay Soumya , Lord Justin , Gakh Maxim
Published: August 2019

Background:

Smoking is a leading cause of preventable deaths. Smoking cessation can reduce the risk of smoking-associated disease and death. But smoking cessation involves behaviour change. Existing research indicates that health-information seeking and health-promoting behaviours can be positively associated. However, in the context of smoking, the relationship between seeking health information and intending to quit smoking remains only partially understood.

Aim:

This study aimed to examine the relationship between seeking health information and intending to quit smoking and to determine whether this relationship is mediated by health beliefs.

Methods:

We used data from the fourth cycle of the US National Cancer Institute’s Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Logistic regression was used to assess the independent variable (ie, health-information seeking) and dependent variable (ie, intention to quit smoking) as mediated by health belief.

Results:

Our findings suggest that smokers who seek health information have a 2.67 times higher odds of intending to quit smoking than smokers who do not seek health information. However, health beliefs do not have an intervening effect between seeking health information and intending to quit smoking.

Discussion:

Seeking health information is important in predicting attempts to quit smoking, regardless of the smokers’ pre-existing health beliefs. Our findings support cessation efforts that encourage smokers to seek health information. Determining optimal ways to encourage smokers to seek smoking-related information could support achieving and maintaining smoking cessation.

Conclusion:

Cessation programmes and policies should encourage smokers to seek health information. Additional research should further examine smokers’ motivators and cues for health-information seeking and should further probe smokers’ beliefs about the risks of smoking.
Psychological significance of Chinese myth of Yi: Signing and symbolizing, cultural and personal
Authors: Guo Ruitong , Zhang Yancui , Shen Heyong
Published: August 2019

Chinese classical myth of “Yi” has accumulated in the long history as a huge and complex cultural imagery system with three levels. The first is the narrative level of mythological text and image; the second is the interpretation level of multi-leveled meaning through interpretation of Yi’s myth; the third is the application level of transferring and selecting specific meaning or employing/imitating certain narrative elements in different fields to achieve certain purposes. Around the three levels, this paper attempts to explore the psychological significance of superficial signing and underlying symbolism of Yi’s myth with Cultural Representation Theory and C. G. Jung’s Symbolism Theory.