bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymer electrolyte membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone and functionalized layered silicate for direct methanol fuel cell applications
Authors: Prasad M. , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay K.
Published: November 2014

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) of sulfonated polysulfone (SPSf) and sulfonated montmorillonite (SMMT) have been developed. Sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) has been sulfonated with 4-sulfophthalic acid and incorporated into the SPSf matrix for further enhancement of proton conductivity. Sulfonation of NaMMT has been confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The XRD patterns proved that the SMMT layers were completely exfoliated within the SPSf matrix. The performances of the PEM in terms of their liquid uptake, oxidative stability, and proton conductivity were investigated. The morphological characterizations have been carried out using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. SPSf/SMMT membrane with 5 wt% of SMMT loading showed adequate thermal stability and an improved proton conductivity. The reduction in methanol permeability from 8.9 ×10−5 cm2 s−1 to 2.4 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 has been observed when SMMT loading content increased from 1 wt% to 5 wt%. Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance showed a power density value of 49 mW cm−2for SPSf/SMMT membrane, indicating its candidature for DMFC applications.
Coordination mechanism in real-time scheduling of Virtual Cellular Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Liang Feng , Fung Richard YK
Published: November 2014

In recent years, Virtual Cellular Manufacturing Systems, which combine virtual cells to construct new manufacturing systems in response to changing market dynamics, have attracted considerable attention. Especially, the real-time scheduling of Virtual Cellular Manufacturing Systems has been of significant importance. In this article, a hybrid control architecture based on multi-agent technology is introduced to support the coordination mechanism to schedule tasks and resources in real-time. Using the revised resource element approach with the pheromone concept, the real-time scheduling problem is divided into two sub-problems, that is, task ranking and resource load-balancing, which can be solved by explicit and implicit coordination mechanisms, respectively. Finally, the proposed coordination mechanism is proven in illustrative examples to perform more efficiently with reduced processing and holding costs.
Contesting epistemic authority: Conspiracy theories on the boundaries of science
Authors: Harambam Jaron , Aupers Stef
Published: December 2014

Conspiracy theories are immensely popular today, yet in the social sciences they are often dismissed as “irrational,” “bad science,” or “religious belief.” In this study, we take a cultural sociological approach and argue that this persistent disqualification is a form of “boundary work” that obscures rather than clarifies how and why conspiracy theorists challenge the epistemic authority of science. Based on a qualitative study of the Dutch conspiracy milieu, we distinguish three critiques that are motivated by encounters with scientific experts in everyday life: the alleged dogmatism of modern science, the intimate relation of scientific knowledge production with vested interests, and the exclusion of lay knowledge by scientific experts forming a global “power elite.” Given their critique that resonates with social scientific understandings of science, it is concluded that conspiracy theorists compete with (social) scientists in complex battles for epistemic authority in a broader field of knowledge contestation.
Pine needle abortion biomarker detected in bovine fetal fluids
Authors: Snider Douglas B. , Gardner Dale R. , Janke Bruce H. , Ensley Steven M.
Published: November 2014

Pine needle abortion is a naturally occurring condition in free-range cattle caused by the consumption of pine needles from select species of cypress, juniper, pine, and spruce trees. Confirmatory diagnosis of pine needle abortion has previously relied on a combined case history of pine needle consumption and detection of isocupressic acid in a sample from the dam. Stable metabolites of isocupressic acid include agathic acid, dihydroagathic acid, and tetrahydroagathic acid, which have been shown to be present in the serum of mature animals for a few days following consumption of pine needles. As maternal serum is infrequently submitted for diagnosis of cattle abortions, a diagnostic assay capable of confirming isocupressic acid exposure in other matrices would be desirable. To the authors’ knowledge, no previous investigations have indicated whether these stable metabolites of isocupressic acid cross the placenta or are detectable in fetal tissues. Therefore, the presence of agathic acid, dihydroagathic acid, and tetrahydroagathic acid was evaluated using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy on fetal thoracic fluid and stomach contents collected from 2 aborted bovine fetuses with a recent herd history of pine needle consumption by the dams and a subsequent abortion outbreak in the herd. Only tetrahydroagathic acid was detected in the fetal thoracic fluid and fetal stomach contents. The current study encourages diagnosticians to collect fetal thoracic fluids to permit the detection of tetrahydroagathic acid in cases of suspected pine needle abortion.
Balancing Collaborative and Independent Practice Roles in Clinical Pharmacy
Authors: McCullough Megan B. , Solomon Jeffrey L. , Petrakis Beth Ann , Park Angela M. , Ourth Heather , Morreale Anthony P. , Rose Adam J.
Published: November 2014

Background: Clinical pharmacists (CPs) with a scope of practice operate as direct care providers and health care team members. Research often focuses on one role or the other; little is understood about the dynamic relationship between roles in practice settings. Objective: To identify the challenges CPs face in balancing dual roles as direct care providers and health care team members and the implications for CP effectiveness and quality of care. Methods: Pharmacists were interviewed with a primary purpose of informing an implementation effort. Besides the implementation, there were emergent themes regarding the challenges posed for CPs in negotiating dual roles. This study is, therefore, a secondary analysis of semistructured interviews and direct observation of 48 CPs, addressing this phenomenon. Interview data were entered into NVivo 10 and systematically analyzed using an emergent thematic coding strategy. Results: Pharmacists describe role ambiguity, where they perform as direct providers or team members simultaneously or in quick succession. They note the existence of a “transaction cost,” where switching causes loss of momentum or disruption of work flow. Additionally, pharmacists feel that fellow providers lack an understanding of what they do and that CP contributions are not evaluated accurately by other health professionals. Conclusion: It is a challenge for CPs to balance the distinct roles of serving as collaborators and primary providers. Frequent role switching is not conducive to optimal work efficiency or patient care. Our findings suggest concrete steps that medical centers can take to improve both CP worklife and quality of patient care.
An online damage identification approach for numerical control machine tools based on data fusion using vibration signals
Authors: Yuqing Zhou , Xinfang Liu , Fengping Li , Bingtao Sun , Wei Xue
Published: December 2014

In this paper, a new approach is proposed based on data fusing with vibration signals using time-frequency parameters, probabilistic principal component analysis (PPCA) and statistical inference, for improving the accuracy and visibility of damage identification for numerical control (NC) machine tools. Time-frequency feature principal components are put forward, which extracted from eight dimensionless parameters statistically in the time and frequency domains by PPCA. The Chi-2 statistic is established according to statistical inference principle, and the feature figure of principal components is built that can acquire damage distribution of tools by measured data. An empirical analysis in NC milling machine tools is developed, and the result shows high accuracy and visibility of the proposed approach.
Sexuality and the official construction of Occidentalism in Maoist and early post-Mao China
Authors: Zhang Qingfei
Published: November 2014

In Occidentalism, Xiaomei Chen observes that the West was employed by the opponents of official institutions as a liberating force against the Chinese government in the post-Mao period. As her arguments are premised on the basis that the government views the West as the contrary, the book briefly delineates ‘official Occidentalism’ that serves for domestic oppression of its citizens, and occasionally cultural imperialism toward its socialist brother. Nevertheless, this observation, as she admits, does not intend to totalize all cultural aspects and diversities. Encapsulating highly controversial and contested categories, as well as complicated or even contradictory sentiments, sexuality broaches a new subject matter on the study of Occidentalism. Situated in the genealogy of representing the West in Maoist and early post-Mao China by the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, the People’s Daily, this article argues that, while sexuality had been silenced and suppressed under administrative penalties and Party disciplinary sanctions, it was powerfully embedded within and stereotyped by socialist ideologies, serving as a tool for the government to construct socialist superiority and capitalist inferiority, by means of which ‘new China’ gets healed from historical trauma, the socialist regime is justified, Western cultural imperialism is resisted, political allegiance is sustained, sino-centrism is re-established within the domestic sphere and the identity of the party-state is mediated. In doing so, the article aims to provide a theoretical construction of ‘official Occidentalism’ from the multiple lens of sexualities in Maoist and early post-Mao China.
Photographs of newsrooms: From the printing house to open space offices. Analyzing the transformation of workspaces and information production
Authors: Le Cam Florence
Published: November 2014

Evolving from a small room at the heart of the printing house to a large, mobile open office, the newsroom is a concept that allows us to contemplate the changes that have transformed journalism over the past century. This article proposes a preliminary analysis of a corpus of photographs of media newsrooms in France, Canada, and Belgium at various points in history (from the end of the 19th century up to today). The analysis of newsroom photographs is necessarily multidimensional. It allows us to conduct a socio-historical study of how workplaces are created and structured and how information is produced. It paves the way for an analysis of the media’s modes of representation within the logic of external communication (to establish and promote its brand image through videos or pictures). It also permits us to make inferences while analyzing the organizational and managerial aspects of a company, and reveals the value of examining the objects used by journalists in their trade. Our goal is to clarify the various indicators and avenues for research that emerge from this corpus. This step will allow us to defend a specific approach to analyzing the material dimension of journalism.
Selection and Fusion of Categorical Predictors with L0-Type Penalties
Authors: Oelker Margret-Ruth , Pößnecker Wolfgang , Tutz Gerhard
Published: November 2014

In regression modelling, categorical covariates have to be coded. Depending on the number of categorical covariates and on the number of levels they have, the number of coefficients can become huge. To reduce the model complexity, coefficients of similar categories should be fused and coefficients of non-influential categories should be set to zero. To this end, Lasso-type penalties on the differences of coefficients are a standard approach. However, the clustering/selection performance of this approach is sometimes poor–especially when the adaptive weights are badly conditioned or not existing. In some situations, there is no incentive to cluster similar categories. To overcome this, a [Formula: see text] penalty on the differences of coefficients is proposed, whereby the [Formula: see text] ‘norm’ is defined as the number of non-zero entries in a vector. The proposed penalty favours to find clusters of categories that share the same effect on the response variable while the estimation accuracy is comparable to Lasso-type penalties. Numerical experiments within the framework of generalized linear models are promising. For illustration, data on the unemployment rates in Germany is analyzed.
Numerical study of transient harbor resonance induced by solitary waves
Authors: Gao Junliang , Ma Xiaozhou , Dong Guohai , Wang Gang , Ma Yuxiang
Published: November 2014

The main purpose of this article is to decompose the response amplitudes of different resonant modes and to further study the wave energy distributions systematically inside long and narrow rectangular harbors with different bottom slopes when harbor oscillations are induced by normal-incident solitary waves. A series of numerical experiments are carried out using the FUNWAVE 2.0 model. The analysis procedure is mainly based on the improved normal mode decomposition method. Results show that when the incident wave height is small, the resonant wave energy inside harbors is dominated by the lowest few modes, and the higher modes only possess a very small proportion of the resonant energy; when the incident wave height increases, the relative energy distribution becomes uniform, and the proportion of energy in the higher modes increases. In addition, for the same incident wave height, the change of the bottom slope inside the harbor has a negligible effect on the relative energy distribution within the ranges of the variation in bottom slopes and the incident wave heights studied in this article.
Evaluation of the Sagittal Saw Blade as an Intraoperative Fomite During Diabetic Foot Surgery
Authors: Creech Corine L. , Malan Jared R. , Meyr Andrew J.
Published: November 2014

Surgical site infection is a major potential complication of all operative interventions, and the diabetic foot is particularly at risk for bacterial recontamination and infectious sequelae. The objective of this study was to identify whether the sagittal saw blade used during partial foot amputations and diabetic foot debridements carries the potential to serve as a bacterial fomite. We physically cultured the sagittal saw blade during 20 foot debridements involving the resection of bone in patients diagnosed with a diabetic foot infection. The culture was taken after the initial debridement and during the irrigation phase of the procedure. We observed 16 positive routine intraoperative culture results, with positive saw blade culture results in 15 (93.8%; 15/16) of these cases. In 14 (93.3%; 14/15) of these cases, the saw blade culture grew at least one of the same bacteria as our other routine intraoperative cultures. We observed 4 negative routine intraoperative culture results, with negative saw blade culture results in 3 (75.0%; 3/4) of these cases. This results in agreement between routine intraoperative cultures and saw blade culture of 85.0% (17/20). The results of this investigation demonstrate that the sagittal saw blade used for osseous resection during diabetic foot debridements and partial foot amputations carries the potential for intraoperative bacterial transmission. We recommend changing at least the sagittal saw blade if more bone is resected following irrigation, particularly if it is used to obtain a “clean margin” for microbiological or histological examination.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case series
Journalistic Concern about Uncivil Political Talk in Digital News Media
Authors: Meltzer Kimberly
Published: November 2014

Many academics, politicians, and journalists have spoken and written about civility in public discourse and what they think should be done about it. This article investigates what journalists perceive as the forces affecting uncivil, opinionated commentary in news, what their perceptions are of the effects of this shift on audiences and political culture, and how journalists think uncivil political talk affects journalists’ roles and authority in society. This is accomplished through a qualitative textual analysis of intramedia discussion on journalism organizations’ Web sites, journalism blogs, and news Web sites from the past decade. The analysis revealed that most, but not all, of the journalistic writing examined about civility and incivility expressed concern for incivility, a need for improvement, and a belief that journalists or their organizations are responsible for keeping things civil on their own sites. Analysis of journalists’ articles also revealed interest in academic research about civility, and some of the many ways journalists are dealing with incivility online are based on academic research. The study’s findings provide evidence of journalists’ perceptions of civility in digital news, which inform the arguments put forth by advocates for interventions to improve the quality of public political discourse.
The Structure of Cognitive Vulnerabilities to Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Hong Ryan Y. , Cheung Mike W.-L.
Published: November 2014

Cognitive theories of psychopathology posit that maladaptive patterns of cognitions confer elevated risks to individuals in the development of psychological disorders. This meta-analysis examined the extent to which six cognitive vulnerabilities associated with depression (i.e., pessimistic inferential style, dysfunctional attitudes, and ruminative style) and anxiety (i.e., anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, and fear of negative evaluation) were related with one another. A total of 159 effect sizes from 73 articles were obtained to estimate the mean correlations among the vulnerabilities. Results indicated that they were moderately to strongly correlated. Meta-analytic structural equation modeling was applied to evaluate two alternative factor analytic models underlying the associations among the vulnerabilities. A one-factor model provided the best fit to the meta-analytic data, suggesting a common etiologic factor shared among the vulnerabilities. This suggests that the vulnerabilities are not distinct at a broad level and their common core presents an avenue for transdiagnostic interventions.
Can an Anatomical ACL Reconstruction be Performed with Two Standart Portals?
Authors: Avcı Cem Coşkun , Koca Hüseyin , Sağlam Necdet , Kurtulmuş Tuhan , Saka Gürsel
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

Recent studies have demonstrated that ACL reconstruction via anatomic tunnel placement would provide superior stability. In order to achieve an anatomic femoral tunnel, accessory anteromedial portal (three-portal tecnique) and medial Hoffa excision is necessary. Femoral tunnel drilling through a far anteromedial portal facilitates anatomic tunnel placement but can also results in shorter femoral tunnel and articular cartilage damage of the medial femoral condyle. Our purpose in this study was to evaluate whether an anatomic single bundle ACL reconstruction can be performed with the use of the two standart portals (anteromedial and anterolateral).

Methods:

Fifty seven patient underwent single bundle ACL reconstruction in our clinic between 2012-2014, with the use of either standart portals or three-portal tecnique. We measured the tunnel length and and femoral tunnel angle in coronal plane to assess the reconstruction. Two portals group included thirty -three patients (twenty-nine males, four females with a mean age of 27±2,4) and three portals group included twenty–four patients (twenty-three males, one female with a mean age of 26±2,9). All patients were evaluated with computerized tomography (CT) scans to determine femoral tunnel length and obliquity. Tunnel length was defined as the distance between the intra-articular and extra-articular tunnel apertures in coronal sections. Femoral tunnel angle was measured in the coronal plane on AP radiographs of the knee. For statistical analysis, student t test was used for normal categorical data. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Average tunnel length was 44.2 ±6.8 mm (range: 32.6-55.2) in two portals group and 32.8±7.9 mm (range: 24.8-43.2) in three portal group. The average tunnel length in three portal group was significantly smaller (p<0.05). According to radiographic measurement on the AP view, femoral tunnel angle averaged 48.20±7.10 (range:38.60-56.10) in two portals group and 47.20±6,30 (range: 39.40-55.20) in three portals group. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.2).

Conclusion:

Femoral tunnels drilled with standart two-portal tecnique were longer than three-portal tecnique. However, femoral tunnel angles was not different in two groups. Tunnel characteristic in terms of anatomic position was obtained with standart two-portal tecnique. Consequently, femoral tunnels can be placed anatomically with standart portals.
Achilles Tendon Open Repair Augmented with Volar Turndown Tendon Flap and Deep Posterior Crural Fasciotomy
Authors: Özer Hamza , Selek Hakan , Harput Gülcan , Öznur Ali , Baltacı Gül
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

The aim of the study was to investigate the outcomes after open repair of Achilles tendon rupture with augmented volar turndown gastrocnemius flap and deep posterior crural fasciotomy.

Methods:

Twenty-three (22male/1female) patients with acute Achilles tendon injury were operated. Open end to end repair and augmentation with a volar turndown gastrocnemius flap and fasciotomy of the deep posterior compartment was performed in each patient. Home physiotherapy program was instructed for each patient. Muscle strength, balance and jump performance were assessed.

Results:

All patients returned to their preinjury activity level and repairs healed without any major complication. One patient had serous drainage who did not require surgical intervention (4,3%). There was no significant difference between involved and uninvolved leg in terms of concentric and eccentric muscle strength (p=0.82 and p=0.53, respectively). In Y balance test, there was no significant difference between involved and uninvolved legs in anterior (p=0.06), posteromedial (p=0.97) and posterolateral (p=1.00). In addition, there were no significant differences between leg in vertical jump (p=0.16) and one leg hop (p=0.15) tests. AOFAS Hindfoot score was 98.6±2.3 (93-100).

Conclusion:

Open end to end repair of the Achilles tendon rupture with augmentation and fasciotomy of the deep posterior compartment healed without any major complication. Fasciotomy of the deep posterior compartment decreased the tension at the skin repair site while decompressing the supeficial compartment anteriorly. Additionally, the augmented bulky repair construct of the Achilles tendon cambered volarly through the deep posterior compartment and decreased irritation sense during and after tendon healing.
Indications and Results of Hip Arthroscopy in 288 Consecutive Patients with a Minimum Follow-Up of 6 Months
Authors: Papavasiliou Athanasios V , Koukoulias Nikolaos , Sinopidis Christos
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

We present the indications and results of hip arthroscopy of a series of 288 consecutive patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months (to 4 years).

Methods:

288 patients underwent hip arthroscopy between 2009 and 2013. Forty patients were lost in follow-up. For the clinical assessment of the remaining 248 patients, we used the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) pre-operatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-operatively. We documented patients in respect to age (mean age was 36, range 16 to 68), sex (178 males, 70 females), indication for arthroscopy (159 femoroacetabular impingement-FAI, 37 osteoarthritis-OA, 15 diagnostic, 10 for osteonecrosis-AVN, 6 post-traumatic(fracture-dislocation), 15 for traumatic labral tear, 5 for synovial osteochondromatosis and one for post-op adhesions), the correlation of pre-operative imaging and arthroscopic findings, surgical time, use of image intensifier and complications. The patient was placed in lateral position in 105 cases and supine in 143 cases.

Results:

In the majority of patients, FAI was the primary diagnosis where the mHHS showed an improvement from 51 to 92 post-operatively. In 37, OA was the primary diagnosis; 16 required joint replacement within 14 months post arthroscopy. In OA, joint space less than 2 mm and presenceof bone edema of the femoral head in the pre-operative MRI were poor prognostic factors. In ten out of 15 patients diagnostic chondral injuries were present. Complications: One transient femoral nerve palsy, one superficial wound infection, two cases of instrument breakage within the joint which were successfully removed without sequelae and one inability to access safely the central compartment.

Conclusion:

The main indication for hip arthroscopy today is FAI. With proper indications, hip arthroscopy can significantly improve patient’s symptoms in most cases.
Comparison of Knee Proprioception Between Blind and Healthy Sportsmen
Authors: Şilil Mehtap Kaçmaz , Sargın Serdar , Atik Aziz , Meriç Gökhan , Özer Muhammet , Akseki Devrim
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

Visual sense and proprioception have a big role in motion control. Visual communication ensures the data in proprioceptive period. The other senses of blind people are improved because of the lack of the visual ability but there are not enough data for the proprioceptive quality. The purpose of this study is to compare the knee joint proprioception of the blind and normal sportsmen and figure out the prorioceptive quality.

Methods:

16 visually-challenged sportsmen (12 males and 4 females) with an average age 23.6 ±3.1(ranging from 20 to 30), and 16 healthy sportsmen (12 males and 4 females) with an average age 23.5 ±3.5 (ranging from 20 to 29) from the same sport branches were included in the study. Knee joint proprioception of the subjects in the target angle was measured. Angle repeating test was used via digital goniometer which was sensitive to 1 degree. For the statistical analyses of the data Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests were used.

Results:

There were no differences between knee proprioceptions of dominant and non-dominant extremities in both groups. When dominant extremities were compared, blind athletes got less wrong in 15 degrees measurements statistically (p<0.05). All other comparisons revealed no statisticaly significant difference in both groups.

Conclusion:

It has been determined that the knee joint proprioception of the visually-challenged sportsmen are better than the normal sportsmen. If the normal sportsmen do the training with their eyes closed, the quality of their knee joint proprioception may improve.
The Association Between Knee Pain, Symptoms, Function and Quality af Life After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at Short-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Gülbahar Selmin , Aydoğmuş Hüseyin , Velioğlu Merve , Şahin Ebru , Tatari Hasan , Pınar Halit , Akalın Elif
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

To investigate the associations between pain, symptoms, function and knee-related quality of life (QOL) after ACL reconstruction at short-term follow-up

Methods:

Twenty patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction were included in the study. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Turkish (KOOS-T) was used to evaluate knee pain, other symptoms (symptoms), activities of daily living and sport and recreation (Sport/Rec). Quality of life was assessed with Short Form (SF)-36. Lysholm knee scoring scale was used for clinical evaluation.

Results:

The mean age of patients was 28. 2 ± 5.5 and the mean time passed after surgery was 38.22 ± 24.7 weeks. A significant correlation (p<0, 05) was found between KOOS-T pain, activities of daily living subscales and all SF-36 subscale scores and both physical component and mental component summary scores. KOOS symptoms and Sports/Rec subscales were correlated with physical and social functioning subscale scores and mental component summary scores of SF-36. Symptoms subscale was also correlated with vitality subscale of SF-36. There was no correlation between SF-36 scores and age and time passed after surgery. Lysholm score was also correlated with most of the subscales of SF-36 but especially with physical component summary score.

Conclusion:

The QOL of patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction was significantly correlated with pain and activities of daily living. The mental health subscales of SF-36 also correlated with pain, symptoms, ADL and Sports/Rec suggesting that apart from the physical impairment, mental health is also an important clinical issue in patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction.
The Effect of Short-Time Pre-Season Intensive, Neuromuscular Training on Postural Stability on Elite Football Players
Authors: Kowalczyk Małgorzata , Łoboda Natalia , Śmigielski Robert , Popieluch Marcin
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

Adequate neuromuscular training is proven to be of enormous importance in the prevention of injuries. It enhances the ability to use somatosensory information, which improves postural capabilities, reduces injury ratios and improves player’s sport performance. We hypothesized that a short-time (3 week) intensive neuromuscular training would significantly improve postural balance of professional football players. We also hypothesized that the non-dominant leg of football players would show a better level of stability than the dominant leg (kicking leg).

Methods:

Sixteen professional soccer players participated in the study. They were tested before and after the 3-week training period. The controlled grup consisted of 20 players that were tested twice in 3-week period. The study was performed with a use of stabliographic platform, which is based on the measurement and analysis of center of pressure movement (COP). Players were tested during one leg stance with eyes opened and closed.

Results:

After a period of neuromuscular training football players show statistically better postural control (p <0.05) for both the dominant and non-dominant leg for the test with eyes open and also comparing to the controlled group. The non-dominant leg did not show a better level of stability than the dominant leg.

Conclusion:

The postural stability of professional football players was better after the 3-week intensive neuromuscular training. A combination of balance, coordination, agility, core and trunk control appears to be a successful training schedule to improve postural balance and reduce injury in football.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Single-Bundle Achilles Allograft with Open Tibial Inlay Fixation
Authors: Zehir Sinan , Elmalı Nurzat , Çalbıyık Murat , Taşdemir Zeki , Sağlam Fevzi
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

PCL reconstruction research has shown that the tibial inlay and transtibial tunnel procedures offer similar biomechanical results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early results of PCL reconstruction using a single-bundle Achilles allograft and tibial inlay fixation.

Methods:

We retrospectively studied 14 patients who had undergone PCL reconstruction using the direct tibial inlay fixation technique from 2009 to 2013, with a mean follow-up of 13.4 months. (6-28 months). The patients were 11males and 3 females with an average age of 29.2 years (17-41 years). Ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures were determined in 2 cases, ipsilateral trochanteric fracture in 1 case and popliteal artery injury in 1 case. Surgery was performed within 2-4 weeks. Spanning-joint external fixation was applied to 2 patients because of gross instability with failure to maintain reduction in a brace. Combined reconstructions involving the posterolateral corner (9/14), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL (11/14)), or medial collateral ligament (MCL (1/14)) were performed. All PCL reconstructions were performed with Achilles allograft. In 1 case with arterial injury, the repair was made by a cardiovascular surgeon. In 2 case, deep infection developed, which was controlled with debridement and antibiotic treatment. Superficial peroneal nerve injury in 1 case was treated with tenolysis in the 6th month, then partial healing was seen at 18 months. In all patients, the preoperative posterior drawer (PD) examination was positive. All patients were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative examination and x-rays. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation was applied to all patients at the final follow-up.

Results:

Postoperative PD examination demonstrated the following: 0 (normal) in 4 patients, 1+ in 7 patients, and 2+ in 3 patients, compared to the preoperative PD of 3+ or greater in all patients. Preoperative IKDC objective evaluation rated all knees as severely abnormal based on instability. The final follow-up objective IKDC evaluation distribution was as follows: A, 4 knees; B, 6 knees; C, 3 knees and D, 1 knee, compared to D in all 14 knees preoperatively. The average final follow-up IKDC subjective score was 74.1 (20-100).

Conclusion:

Despite transtibial PCL reconstruction being advocated by several authors, it has technical difficulties of the arthroscopic approach to the posterior compartment of the knee. In the open inlay technique, posterior arthrotomy allows accurate placement of the tibial PCL insertion, avoiding the killer curve and more closely duplicating the normal PCL anatomy. Based on our initial experience with this technique at early follow-up, we continue to use the tibial inlay technique as our preferred technique for isolated or combined reconstruction of the PCL.
Comparing Effectiveness Between a Power-Drill-Mounted Device and Conventional Free-Handed Technique for Distal Locking of Intramedullary Implants
Authors: Wattanakitkrileart Supachoke , Tangtrakulwanich Boonsin , Yuenyongviwat Varah
Published: December 2014

Objectives:

The procedure for distal locking of intramedullary nails (IM nail) is one of the time-consuming procedures and also exposes the surgical team and patient to high levels of radiation. Many techniques and devices have been created to solve the problems. Nonetheless, conventional free-hand technique is still the most popular due to easy-to-use and no added device needed. This research aims to study the accuracy of a drill-mounted device with free-handed technique in the distal locking of IM nail procedure.

Methods:

This is an experimental study. The device was made from PVC pipes. In this study, IM-nail-inserted synthetic femoral bones (Synbone®) were set as in IM nail procedure. Four orthopedic surgeons were instructed and performed the distal locking procedure with free-handed technique and then with the device (totally 20 times for each technique). The radiation exposure time and operating time were recorded.

Results:

The drill-mounted device reduced the radiation exposure time statistically significant lower than the free-handed technique. However, there was no different in operative time between the two techniques. Screw misdirection occurred two times in free-handed technique but not found in our device-assisted group.

Conclusion:

In this experiment, the new-designed device can reduce the radiation exposure time in distal IM nail interlocking procedure. Nonetheless, further clinical study is required to confirm our results.
The role of galectin-3 and galectin-3–binding protein in venous thrombosis
Authors: DeRoo Elise P. , Wrobleski Shirley K. , Shea Evelyn M. , Al-Khalil Ramsey K. , Hawley Angela E. , Henke Peter K. , Myers Daniel D. , Wakefield Thomas W. , Diaz Jose A.
Published: November 2014

Key Points

We determined the location of gal3bp and gal3 and their role in promoting VT and leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions for the first time. Gal3bp and gal3 have the potential to be used as targets for future VT therapies.
Toward optimal therapy for inhibitors in hemophilia
Authors: Kempton Christine L. , Meeks Shannon L.
Published: November 2014

Treatment of patients with hemophilia A and B has undergone significant advances during the past 2 decades. However, despite these advances, the development of antibodies that inhibit the function of infused clotting factor remains a major challenge and is considered the most significant complication of hemophilia treatment. This chapter reviews current tools available for the care of patients with inhibitors and highlights areas where progress is imminent or strongly needed. For management of bleeding, bypassing agents remain the mainstay of therapy. Recombinant factor VIIa and activated prothrombin complex concentrates are similarly effective in populations of patients with hemophilia and inhibitors; however, individuals may show a better response to one agent over another. Recent studies have shown that prophylaxis with bypassing agents can reduce bleeding episodes by ∼50%-80%. The prophylactic use of bypassing agents is an important tool to reduce morbidity in patients before they undergo immune tolerance induction (ITI) and in those with persistent high titer inhibitors, but cost and lack of convenience remain barriers. Because of the significant burden that inhibitors add to the individual patient and the health care system, inhibitor eradication should be pursued in as many patients as possible. ITI is an effective tool, particularly in patients with severe hemophilia A and good risk profiles, and leads to a return to a normal factor VIII response in ∼60% of patients. However, for the group of patients who fail to respond to ITI or have hemophilia B, new and improved tools are needed.
Coexistent hyperdiploidy does not abrogate poor prognosis in myeloma with adverse cytogenetics and may precede IGH translocations
Authors: Pawlyn Charlotte , Melchor Lorenzo , Murison Alex , Wardell Christopher P. , Brioli Annamaria , Boyle Eileen M. , Kaiser Martin F. , Walker Brian A. , Begum Dil B. , Dahir Nasrin B. , Proszek Paula , Gregory Walter M. , Drayson Mark T. , Jackson Graham H. , Ross Fiona M. , Davies Faith E. , Morgan Gareth J.
Published: November 2014

Key Points

Coexistent hyperdiploidy or t(11;14) does not abrogate the poor prognosis associated with adverse cytogenetics in myeloma patients. Single-cell analysis reveals that hyperdiploidy may precede IGH translocation in the clonal history of a proportion of patients with both.
Evaluation of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-sparing effect of etanercept in axial spondyloarthritis: results of the multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled SPARSE study
Authors: Dougados Maxime , Wood Emily , Combe Bernard , Schaeverbeke Thierry , Miceli-Richard Corinne , Berenbaum Francis , Koppiker Nandan , Dubanchet Arnaud , Logeart Isabelle
Published: November 2014

Introduction

In clinical practice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly discontinued after response to biologic therapy is achieved in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), but the impact of NSAID discontinuation has not been assessed in prospective controlled trials. The aim of the SPARSE study was to evaluate the effects of the anti-tumor necrosis factor agent etanercept on NSAID intake and conventional clinical outcomes in axSpA patients.

Methods

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled period, patients with active (mini Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ≥4) axSpA despite optimal NSAID intake were randomized to receive etanercept 50 mg or placebo once weekly for 8 weeks. All patients were advised to taper/discontinue their NSAID intake during the treatment period. NSAID intake was self-reported by diary and Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS)-NSAID scores calculated based on ASAS recommendations. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to week 8 in ASAS-NSAID score (analysis of covariance).

Results

In 90 randomized patients at baseline, mean age (standard deviation) was 38.9 (11.8) years; disease duration, 5.7 (8.1) years; 59/90 (66%) were human leukocyte antigen-B27 positive; 51/90 (57%) had radiographic sacroiliitis; and 45/90 (50%) were magnetic resonance imaging sacroiliitis-positive. Mean ASAS-NSAID scores were similar between etanercept and placebo groups at baseline (98.2 (39.0) versus 93.0 (23.4)), as were BASDAI (6.0 (1.7) versus 5.9 (1.5)), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (5.2 (2.1) versus 5.1 (2.2)). Mean changes (SE) in ASAS-NSAID score from baseline to week 8 were –63.9 (6.1) and –36.6 (5.9) in the etanercept and placebo groups (between-group difference, –27.3; P = 0.002). Significantly higher proportions of patients receiving etanercept versus placebo had an ASAS-NSAID score <10 (46% versus 17%; P = 0.008) and ASAS-NSAID score of 0 (41% versus 14%; P = 0.013) at this time point. Significantly more patients in the etanercept versus placebo group achieved BASDAI50 (39% versus 18%; P = 0.032) and ASAS40 (44% versus 21%; P = 0.028) at week 8.

Conclusions

In patients with axSpA, etanercept was associated with clinically relevant NSAID-sparing effects in addition to significant improvements in conventional clinical outcomes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01298531. Registered 16 February 2011.
Intra-articular injection of synthetic microRNA-210 accelerates avascular meniscal healing in rat medial meniscal injured model
Authors: Kawanishi Yoshitaka , Nakasa Tomoyuki , Shoji Takeshi , Hamanishi Michio , Shimizu Ryo , Kamei Naosuke , Usman Muhammad Andry , Ochi Mitsuo
Published: November 2014

Introduction

The important functions of the meniscus are shock absorption, passive stabilization and load transmission of the knee. Because of the avascularity of two-thirds of the meniscal center region, the treatment of tears in this area is hard. Recently, microRNAs have been proven to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases. We focused on microRNA (miR)-210, which plays a wide spectrum of roles comprising mitochondrial metabolism, angiogenesis, DNA repair and cell survival. This study aimed to investigate the effect of intra-articular injection of synthetic miR-210 on the injured meniscus in the avascular zone.

Methods

The middle segments of the medial meniscus of Spraque Dawley rats were incised longitudinally with a scalpel. An intra-articular injection of double-stranded (ds) miR-210 (for control group using control dsRNA) with atelocollagen was administered immediately after injury. Four weeks and 12 weeks after the injection, we conducted a histologic evaluation, immunohistochemical evaluation and Real-time PCR analysis. In vitro, the inner meniscus and synovial cells were isolated from rat knee joint, and were transfected with ds miR-210 or control dsRNA. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed.

Results

Twenty-four hours after the injection, FAM (Fluorescein amidite) labeled miR-210 was observed in the cells around the injured site. Four weeks after the injection, the injured site of the miR-210 group was filled with repaired tissue while that of the control was not repaired. In gene expression analysis of the meniscus, the expression of miR-210, Collagen type 2 alpha 1 (Col2a1), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) in the miR-210 group was significantly higher than that in the control. At 12 weeks, the intra-articular injection of miR-210 had healed the injured site of the meniscus and had prevented articular cartilage degeneration. In vitro, miR-210 upregulated Col2a1 expression in the meniscus cells and VEGF and FGF2 expression in the synovial cells.

Conclusions

An intra-articular injection of ds miR-210 was effective in the healing of the damaged white zone meniscus through promotion of the collagen type 2 production from meniscus cells and through upregulated of VEGF and FGF2 from synovial cells.
Optimal surveillance network design: a value of information model
Authors: Convertino Matteo , Liu Yang , Hwang Haejin
Published: November 2014

Purpose

Infectious diseases are the second leading cause of deaths worldwide, accounting for 15 million deaths – that is more than 25% of all deaths – each year. Food plays a crucial role, contributing to 1.5 million deaths, most of which are children, through foodborne diarrheal disease alone. Thus, the ability to timely detect outbreak pathways via high-efficiency surveillance system is essential to the physical and social well being of populations. For this purpose, a traceability model inspired by wavepattern recognition models to detect “zero-patient” areas based on outbreak spread is proposed.

Methods

Model effectiveness is assessed for data from the 2010 Cholera epidemic in Cameroon, the 2012 foodborne Salmonella epidemic in USA, and the 2004-2007 H5N1 avian influenza pandemic. Previous models are complemented by the introduction of an optimal selection algorithm of surveillance networks based on the Value of Information (VoI) of reporting nodes that are subnetworks of mobility networks in which people, food, and species move. The surveillance network is considered the response variable to be determined in maximizing the accuracy of outbreak source detections while minimizing detection error. Surveillance network topologies are selected by considering their integrated network resilience expressing the rewiring probability that is related to the ability to report outbreak information even in case of network destruction or missing information.

Results

Independently of the outbreak epidemiology, the maximization of the VoI leads to a minimum increase in accuracy of 40% compared to the random surveillance model. Such accuracy is accompanied by an average reduction of 25% in required surveillance nodes with respect to random surveillance. Accuracy in systems diagnosis increases when system syndromic signs are the most informative in a way they reveal linkages between outbreak patterns and network transmission processes.

Conclusions

The model developed is extremely useful for the optimization of surveillance networks to drastically reduce the burden of food-borne and other infectious diseases. The model can be the framework of a cyber-technology that governments and industries can utilize in a real-time manner to avoid catastrophic and costly health and economic outcomes. Further applications are envisioned for chronic diseases, socially communicable diseases, biodefense and other detection related problems at different scales.