bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thyroid Function and the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality
Authors: Bano Arjola , Chaker Layal , Mattace-Raso Francesco U.S. , van der Lugt Aad , Ikram M. Arfan , Franco Oscar H. , Peeters Robin P. , Kavousi Maryam
Published: October 2017

Rationale:

Thyroid hormones have been linked with various proatherogenic and antiatherogenic processes. However, the relationship of thyroid function with manifestations of atherosclerosis remains unclear.

Objective:

To investigate the association of thyroid function with atherosclerosis throughout its spectrum; that is, subclinical atherosclerosis, incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular (ASCV) events, and ASCV mortality.

Methods and Results:

This population-based study was embedded within the Rotterdam Study. The risk of atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring (1) presence of subclinical atherosclerosis, assessed by coronary artery calcification score >100 AU; (2) ASCV events, defined as fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, other coronary heart disease mortality, or stroke; (3) ASCV mortality, defined as death because of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular or other atherosclerotic diseases. Associations of thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine with the outcomes were assessed through logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for potential confounders, including cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 9420 community-dwelling participants (mean age±SD, 64.8±9.7 years) were included. During a median follow-up of 8.8 years (interquartile range, 4.5–11.8 years), 934 incident ASCV events and 612 ASCV deaths occurred. Free thyroxine levels were positively associated with high coronary artery calcification score (odds ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.30–4.02) and incident ASCV events (hazard ratio, 1.87; confidence interval, 1.34–2.59). The risk of ASCV mortality increased in a linear manner with higher free thyroxine levels (hazard ratio, 2.41; confidence interval, 1.68–3.47 per 1 ng/dL) and lower thyroid-stimulating hormone levels (hazard ratio, 0.92; confidence interval, 0.84–1.00 per 1 logTSH). Results remained similar or became stronger among euthyroid participants.

Conclusions:

Free thyroxine levels in middle-aged and elderly subjects were positively associated with atherosclerosis throughout the whole disease spectrum, independent of cardiovascular risk factors.
Three-Year Outcomes With the Absorb Bioresorbable Scaffold
Authors: Ali Ziad A. , Gao Runlin , Kimura Takeshi , Onuma Yoshinobu , Kereiakes Dean J. , Ellis Stephen G. , Chevalier Bernard , Vu Minh-thien , Zhang Zhen , Simonton Charles A. , Serruys Patrick W. , Stone Gregg W.
Published: October 2017

Background:

The Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) completely resorbs within 3 years after coronary artery implantation. The safety and effectiveness of BVS through this critical 3-year period have not been characterized.

Methods:

We performed an individual-patient-data pooled meta-analysis of the 4 randomized ABSORB trials in which 3389 patients with coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to everolimus-eluting Absorb BVS (n=2164) or cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (n=1225). The primary efficacy outcome measure was target lesion failure (cardiac mortality, target vessel myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization), and the primary safety outcome measure was device thrombosis.

Results:

BVS compared with cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents resulted in higher 3-year rates of target lesion failure (11.7% versus 8.1%; risk ratio [RR], 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–1.73;
P
=0.006), driven by greater target vessel myocardial infarction (7.8% versus 4.2%; RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.26–2.35;
P
=0.0006) and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (6.6% versus 4.4%; RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.05–1.98;
P
=0.02), with comparable cardiac mortality (1.1% versus 1.1%; RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.47–1.88;
P
=0.85). Device thrombosis rates through 3 years were also higher with BVS (2.4% versus 0.6%; RR, 3.71; 95% CI, 1.70–8.11;
P
=0.001). Between 1 and 3 years, target lesion failure rates (6.1% versus 3.9%;
P
=0.02) and device thrombosis rates (1.1% versus 0.0%;
P
<0.0001) were higher with BVS than cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents.

Conclusions:

In the present individual-patient-data pooled meta-analysis of the ABSORB trials, BVS was associated with increased rates of target lesion failure and device thrombosis between 1 and 3 years and cumulatively through 3 years of follow-up compared with everolimus-eluting stents.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifiers: NCT01751906, NCT01844284, NCT01923740, and NCT01425281.
Cerebral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Ritzenthaler Thomas , Cho Tae-Hee , Mechtouff Laura , Ong Elodie , Turjman Francis , Robinson Philip , Berthezène Yves , Nighoghossian Norbert
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose—

Regional brain oxygen saturation (rSO
2
) changes, assessed by cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy, are likely influenced by cerebral hemodynamic fluctuations induced by thrombectomy of acute proximal occlusion. We studied the correlations between rSO
2
and baseline magnetic resonance imaging perfusion parameters and the relationship between rSO
2
changes, recanalization, and clinical outcome.

Methods—

Seventeen acute ischemic stroke patients, treated with mechanical thrombectomy, were monitored using bilateral near-infrared spectroscopy before, during, and continuously for 24 hours after the procedure. All patients had baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging with perfusion weighted imaging.

Results—

rSO
2
was only correlated with baseline Tmax (ρ=−0.42;
P
<0.05) and mean transit time (ρ=−0.45;
P
<0.05) within forehead explored areas. Before thrombectomy, an interhemispheric rSO
2
difference was noted, and this diminished over time when recanalization had occurred (median [interquartile range], −8 [−12 to −5] to 3 [−3 to 7];
P
=0.01). rSO
2
changes were not correlated with clinical outcome.

Conclusions—

rSO
2
was merely correlated with baseline Tmax and mean transit time magnetic resonance imaging perfusion parameters. Multiple sites recording beyond frontal pole explored areas may provide more relevant correlation with hemodynamic parameters.
Effects of parental condition and nesting habitat on sex allocation in the mountain chickadee
Authors: Bonderud Erica S. , Otter Ken A. , Murray Brent W. , Marini Kristen L.D. , Burg Theresa M. , Reudink Matthew W.
Published: October 2017

When the reproductive value of sons vs. daughters differs, sex allocation theory predicts females should bias the sex ratio of their broods towards the higher-value sex. Females in numerous bird species appear to bias offspring sex in response to self and mate condition, and breeding habitat quality. Over three breeding seasons, we monitored mountain chickadees breeding along a rural to urban habitat gradient. We did not find female condition or the condition of the putative father or true genetic father to influence offspring sex. We found marginal evidence for sex allocation in relation to habitat urbanization, though opposite to our predictions. In urban habitat, offspring were more likely to be female as the degree of habitat urbanization increased. We suggest habitat quality may be influential in mountain chickadee reproductive decisions; however, the ecology of mountain chickadees may not fulfill the assumptions of sex allocation theory.
Special Issue: After the Scientific Revolution: Thinking Globally about the Histories of the Modern Sciences
Authors: Shank J.B.
Published: October 2017

History of science today needs to fully escape from the categories and narrative frameworks created during the Cold War formation of the discipline. Most problematic is the portentous notion of science conceived as a uniquely European world-historical singular that founded modernity. The idea of a singular historical birth of science in the portentous singular, this article argues, is not a natural fact of world history, but a very recent conceptual invention that continues to do negative historiographical work. The idea of a history of modern science which takes as its starting point this imagined birth of singular science in the world-historical event called the “Scientific Revolution” is more problematic still. To move forward in a more globally conscious direction, our historiography needs to become comfortable rejecting this Cold War understanding of singular science, along with its origin story in the so-called Scientific Revolution of the early modern period. The result will be a new historiographical space where the global histories of the modern sciences in all of their diversity can be explored. In order to frame the contributions to this project offered in this volume, this introduction traces in outline the rise and fall of the classical early modern birth of singular science paradigm. It also suggests reasons why this framework has come apart in recent years and the new paths forward emerging out of its ruins.
Paying Attention: Early Modern Science Beyond Genealogy
Authors: Nappi Carla
Published: October 2017

To move away from histories of early modern science that are shaped by the notion of a Scientific Revolution, the essay proposes a historiographical methodology that moves away from genealogy and toward juxtaposition as a principle of storytelling. It briefly discusses the study of sound in early modern Manchu texts as an example of this #hashtag (or juxtapositional) history.
Organothrips stongensis sp. n. and Watanabeothrips yasuakii Okajima: new records from Peninsular Malaysia of Thysanoptera: Thripidae
Authors: NG Y. F.
Published: October 2017

Organothrips stongensis sp. n. is described from Malaysia based on two males. These are sharply bicolored in contrast to other males in this genus, and a key is provided to males of the four known species of this genus. Organothrips was not previously known in Malaysia. Watanabeothrips yasuakii Okajima is also a first record from Malaysia, and differences between these females and the holotype decription are discussed.
First records of adult feeding in Megaloptera (Corydalidae, Corydalinae) from Mexico and their possible relationship with the increase in life span
Authors: VILLAGOMEZ FERNANDO , CONTRERAS-RAMOS ATILANO
Published: October 2017

Knowledge of the natural history of the order Megaloptera is incomplete. Immatures are long-lived and widely known for their role as aquatic predators (Contreras-Ramos 1998; Azevêdo & Hamada 2007), yet information on habits of the winged terrestrial adults is limited. Previously, it was thought that adults do not feed (Table 1), perhaps because of the relatively short life span of about one week to a month (Contreras-Ramos 1998, 1999; Hayashi 1993), as well as the inability of males of Corydalus Latreille, 1802 to feed due to their large mandibles. Tierno de Figueroa & Palomino (2002) analyzed the digestive tract of Sialis nigripes Pictet, 1865 in Spain, and found debris and a spermatophore in a female. Also, Contreras-Ramos (1999) recorded the acceptance of sugar water by adults of Platyneuromus soror (Hagen, 1861). However, consumption of solid organic matter in adult Megaloptera has not previously been recorded.
Revision of the Madagascan genera Oncodopus Brongniart and Colossopus Saussure (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae; Euconchophorini), with description of Malagasopus gen. nov.
Authors: ÜNAL MUSTAFA , BECCALONI GEORGE W.
Published: October 2017

The endemic Madagascan genera Oncodopus Brongniart and Colossopus Saussure are revised using museum specimens, including the types, and recently collected material. A new genus, Malagasopus gen. nov., and seven new species, Malagasopus desutterae sp. nov., Malagasopus meridianus sp. nov., Oncodopus janetae sp. nov., Oncodopus brongniarti sp. nov., Oncodopus saussurei sp. nov., Oncodopus soalalaensis sp. nov. and Colossopus parvicavus sp. nov. are described. Lectotypes are designated for Oncodopus zonatus Brongniart, 1897 and Colossopus redtenbacheri (Brongniart, 1897). A new term, mesothoracic auricle, is proposed for a structure on the episternum of the mesothorax. A tabulated key to the genera and keys to the species are presented. All species are described and diagnosed, and their phylogenetic relationships, geographical distributions, habitat preferences and phenologies are documented. The life history of Colossopus grandidieri is described, and the unusual possible mate-guarding behaviour of several species is discussed. Maps showing the distribution of the species are presented, as too are 57 photographs of museum specimens, 51 drawings of morphological characters, 17 photographs of living specimens and one habitat photograph.
Bulk-Density Representations of Branched Planar Ice Crystals: Errors in the Polarimetric Radar Variables
Authors: Schrom Robert S. , Kumjian Matthew R.
Published: October 2017

Recent interest in interpreting polarimetric radar observations of ice and evaluating microphysical model output with these observations has highlighted the importance of accurately computing the scattering of microwave radiation by branched planar ice crystals. These particles are often represented as spheroids with uniform bulk density, reduced from that of solid ice to account for the complex, nonuniform structure of natural branched crystals. In this study, the potential errors that arise from this assumption are examined by comparing scattering calculations of branched planar crystals with those of homogeneous, reduced-density plate crystals and spheroids with the same mass, aspect ratio, and maximum dimension. The results show that this assumption leads to significant errors in backscatter cross sections at horizontal and vertical polarization, specific differential phase (KDP), and differential reflectivity (ZDR), with the largest ZDR errors for ice crystals with the most extreme aspect ratios (<0.01) and effective densities < 250 kg m−3. For example, the maximum errors in X-band ZDR are 4.5 dB for 5.6-mm branched planar crystals. However, substantial errors are present at all weather radar frequencies, with resonance scattering effects at Ka and W band amplifying the low-frequency errors. The implications of these results on the interpretation of polarimetric radar observations and forward modeling of the polarimetric radar variables from microphysical model output are discussed.
Management of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections Before and After Clinical Pathway Implementation
Authors: Nelson Courtney E. , Chen Aaron , McAndrew Lisa , Tay Khoon-Yen , Balamuth Fran
Published: October 2017

We evaluated if the introduction of a clinical pathway for skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) would reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-directed therapy for simple cellulitis and antibiotic use for simple abscess after drainage. We compared the treatment of SSTI during a 3-month prepathway and 11-month postpathway period. We included patients 57 days to 18 years old discharged from the emergency department (ED) with a diagnosis of cellulitis or abscess. Balancing measures included 72-hour revisit rate and ED length of stay (LOS). A total of 291 patients prepathway and 781 patients postpathway were included. The proportion of patients with simple cellulitis prescribed MRSA-directed therapy decreased from 81% to 54% postpathway. The proportion of patients with a drained abscess prescribed systemic antibiotics decreased from 88% to 75%. There was no increase in 72-hour revisit rates (3.8% vs 3.2%, P = .64) or ED LOS (2.8 vs 2.7 hours, P = .05).
Rallying the troops
Authors: Passmore Timothy JA , Shannon Megan , Hart Andrew F
Published: October 2017

Is the acquisition of personnel for UN peacekeeping missions susceptible to free-riding by UN member states? If so, what drives this behavior and what impact does this have on obtaining required personnel for the mission? Using data from 21 missions in 13 African countries between 1990 and 2010, this article addresses whether UN peacekeeping missions experience a shortfall in personnel due to incentives to free-ride by contributing states. It argues that as the number of states contributing to a mission increases, contributors have a greater incentive to free-ride and make suboptimal personnel contributions, leading to greater overall shortfall in the mission’s personnel. However, this free-riding behavior can be mitigated by the economic incentives of contributor states. The findings support two central tenets of collective action theory: that free-riding by member states contributing to the mission is more prevalent when the number of contributors is larger, and when selective incentives such as economic gains are lower. These findings have implications for the strategic composition and efficacy of peacekeeping forces. More broadly, the results underscore the struggle of international organizations to obtain compliance from member states in achieving their international objectives.
Petechial haemorrhages as a consequence of very short-term strangulation during suicidal fall from a height: Case reconstruction
Authors: Živković Vladimir , Nikolić Slobodan
Published: October 2017

We present the case of a 64-year-old woman who committed suicide by jumping from the open bedroom window of her second-floor apartment. However, during a head-first fall, the victim’s head was caught perpendicularly between two parallel metal strands of wire, used for drying laundry, on the first-floor window. This led to a 180° rotation of the body around the lower part of the neck, bringing the victim’s body into the legs-first position. This chain of events also caused short-term neck strangulation, for fractions of a second or a couple of seconds, which caused rupture of the peripheral venules and apparent neck, facial and conjunctival haemorrhages, above the level of strangulation ligature – the metal strands of wire. The presented case shows that even such incomplete, very short-term neck strangulation could raise venous/capillary pressure sufficiently to cause petechial haemorrhages on the neck and face above the level of ligature.
How to Identify Disadvantage: Taking the Envy Test Seriously
Authors: Parr Tom
Published: October 2017

In this article, I am concerned exclusively with the kind of comparative disadvantage an individual suffers in having less valuable opportunities than another individual and that may entitle her to corrective action, such that we ought to regulate the risk of this disadvantage and/or consider compensating her if she suffers disadvantage. The dominant approach in both political philosophy and public policy proceeds by identifying a metric by which to determine whether an individual’s opportunities are less valuable than another’s. Let’s call this the Metric Test. However, there is another way in which to proceed. Rather than appealing to a metric by which to determine disadvantage, we could instead allow an individual to determine for herself whether or not she is disadvantaged. On the version of this view that I shall defend, we should treat an individual as disadvantaged if and only if that individual envies another’s opportunities. Let’s call this the Envy Test. My overall aim in this article is to illuminate the appeal of the Envy Test and, in particular, to explain its superiority over the Metric Test.
Minority groups in the metropolitan Chicago housing market: 1970–2015
Authors: McDonald John F
Published: October 2017

This paper examines the housing market of metropolitan Chicago from 1970 to 2015, with particular attention on the three largest minority groups – African Americans, Hispanics and Asians. The Hispanic and Asian populations of the metropolitan area have grown rapidly, while the African-American population has actually declined since 2000. Metro Chicago has a much larger Hispanic population than is typical for major northern metro areas in the USA. Suburban growth coupled with population decline in the central city has produced large minority populations in the suburbs along with sharp declines in the traditional African-American areas of the central city. African-American areas of concentrated poverty remain. Sizable mostly white population growth has occurred in and near the downtown area as most of the nearby public housing has been demolished.
Young female adults’ experiences of their relationships with older people: The Mmogo-method®
Authors: Roos Vera , van Biljon Lizanlé , Carstens Ursula
Published: October 2017

Most of the intergenerational research in South Africa has been undertaken on African cultures. This study aims to cast light on the experiences of Afrikaans-speaking young female adults in relation to older people, using the Mmogo-method®, a visual projective data collection method. Eighteen young female adults (aged 21–30), all students, were purposefully selected and willingly participated. The four phases of the Mmogo-method were applied, for which participants used unstructured materials, and based on an open-ended prompt constructed visual representations of their interactional experiences in relation to significant older people. Visual representations were discussed individually as well as in a group setting, thereby obtaining personal and group experiences simultaneously. Visual data were analyzed using Roos and Redelinghuys’s proposed six steps, and textual data (verbatim transcriptions of personal and group discussions) were thematically analyzed. All participants were related to significant older people as grandparents. The relational interactions between young female adults and their grandparents emerged on a continuum of emotional closeness and distance: extremely and uncomfortably close, comfortably close, reasonably distant and inaccessible, and extremely distant and totally inaccessible. From the young adults’ perspective, relational interactions at the extremes of the continuum (too close or too distant) are experienced as ineffective, while comfortably close, as effective. Empathy as a relational characteristic created reciprocal feelings of closeness. Awarenessmaking of an empathic stance in intergenerational relationships might increase the support and care rendered through intergenerational relationships.
Effectiveness of diacutaneous fibrolysis for the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: López-de-Celis Carlos , Barra-López Martin-Eusebio , González-Rueda Vanessa , Bueno-Gracia Elena , Rodríguez-Rubio Pere-Ramón , Tricás-Moreno José-Miguel
Published: October 2017

Objective:

To assess the end of treatment and three months after treatment effects of diacutaneous fibrolysis as adjuvant of physical therapy for chronic lateral epicondylalgia.

Design:

Double-blind (patient and evaluator) randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Primary Care Center of the Spanish NHS.

Subjects:

A total of 54 people with 60 elbows affected with chronic lateral epicondylalgia, 33 women, mean (SD) age was 48.43 (8.69) years.

Interventions:

All three groups (Intervention, Placebo and Control) received three weeks of physical therapy treatment and in addition Intervention Group received six sessions of real diacutaneous fibrolysis and Placebo Group received six sessions of sham diacutaneous fibrolysis.

Main measures:

Pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, pain free grip strength, function and subjective assessment were assessed at baseline, at the end of treatment and three months after treatment.

Results:

Between-group results at three months after treatment showed a statistically significant improvement of the Intervention Group in pain free grip strength (mean, 7.91 km/cm2; SD, 9.23) compared to the Placebo Group (mean, 1.47 km/cm2; SD, 7.86) and to the Control Group (mean, 2.09 km/cm2; SD, 4.45) ( P values <0.01 and <0.03, respectively) and also in function (mean, 20.87; SD, 14.25) compared to the Control Group (mean, 4.17; SD, 18.02) ( P < 0.01). Subjective assessment was statistically better in the Intervention Group both at the end of treatment ( P < 0.01) and three months after treatment ( P < 0.03).

Conclusion:

Diacutaneous fibrolysis added to physical therapy provides better results in the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylalgia, with greater clinical satisfaction among patients.
Aerobic exercise prevents rarefaction of pial collaterals and increased stroke severity that occur with aging
Authors: Rzechorzek Wojciech , Zhang Hua , Buckley Brian K , Hua Kunjie , Pomp Daniel , Faber James E
Published: October 2017

Variation in extent of the brain’s collateral circulation is an important determinant of variation in the severity of stroke and efficacy of revascularization therapies. However, the number and diameter of pial collateral “arterioles” decrease with aging in associated with reduced eNOS and increased oxidative stress. We tested whether exercise reduces this aging-induced rarefaction. Twelve-month-old mice were randomized to sedentary or voluntary wheel-running. At 26 months’ age, permanent MCA occlusion was followed 72 h later by determination of infarct volume and vascular casting after maximal dilation. The decline in collateral number and diameter and 2.4-fold increase in infarct volume evident in 26-versus 3-month-old sedentary mice were prevented by exercise-training. In contrast, number and diameter of the posterior communicating collateral “arteries” were unaffected by aging or exercise. Interestingly, diameter of the primary intracranial arteries increased with aging. Mechanistically, genetic overexpression of eNOS inhibited age-induced collateral rarefaction, and exercise increased eNOS and SOD2 and decreased the inflammatory marker NFkB assessed in hindlimb arteries. In conclusion, exercise prevented age-induced rarefaction of pial collaterals and reduced infarct volume. Aging also promoted outward remodeling of intracranial arteries. These effects were associated with increased eNOS and reduced markers of inflammation and aging in the vascular wall.
How Should Discrete Choice Experiments with Duration Choice Sets Be Presented for the Valuation of Health States?
Authors: Mulhern Brendan , Norman Richard , Shah Koonal , Bansback Nick , Longworth Louise , Viney Rosalie
Published: October 2017

Background. Discrete Choice Experiments including duration (DCETTO) can be used to generate utility values for health states from measures such as EQ-5D-5L. However, methodological issues concerning the optimum way to present choice sets remain. The aim of the present study was to test a range of task presentation approaches designed to support the DCETTO completion process. Methods. Four separate presentation approaches were developed to examine different task features including dimension level highlighting, and health state severity and duration level presentation. Choice sets included 2 EQ-5D-5L states paired with 1 of 4 duration levels, and a third “immediate death” option. The same design, including 120 choice sets (developed using optimal methods), was employed across all approaches. The online survey was administered to a sample of the Australian population who completed 20 choice sets across 2 approaches. Conditional logit regression was used to assess model consistency, and scale parameter testing investigated poolability. Results. Overall 1,565 respondents completed the survey. Three approaches, using different dimension level highlighting techniques, produced mainly monotonic coefficients that resulted in a larger disutility as the severity level increased (excepting usual activities levels 2/3). The fourth approach, using a level indicator to present the severity levels, has slightly more non-monotonicity and produced larger ordered differences for the more severe dimension levels. Scale parameter testing suggested that the data cannot be pooled. Conclusions. The results provide information regarding how to present DCE tasks for health state valuation. The findings improve our understanding of the impact of different presentation approaches on valuation, and how DCE questions could be presented to be amenable to completion. However, it is unclear if the task presentation impacts online respondent engagement.
Betraying Identities in Mourning with an Ethic of Discomfort
Authors: Beaumont Thomas E.
Published: October 2017

Contemporary practices of grieving those lost to war violence are largely framed by epistemological assumptions that often essentialize the identities of both the dead and those mourning. In addressing the desirability of these identity categories through a critical examination of contemporary practices, I draw on Foucault’s ethic of discomfort to foreground the contingent and the singular that are often obfuscated by practices of mourning and memorialization. If, instead of conflating selfhood and grieving, identities in mourning can be viewed in their contingency as the decision to grieve in certain ways, practices of mourning can facilitate an undoing of the identity politics in play. Ultimately, I argue, we must risk ourselves in ways that surpass the utility of the contemporary identity politics surrounding mourning by refusing the current practices that define expectations regarding intelligible forms of grieving those lost to war violence. It is in the risk of betraying our loved ones in those solidified identities that allow us to rethink the requirements for moral responsibility in ways that undo, rather than solidify, identity categories within practices of grieving. In doing so, we can begin to explore potential for ridding ourselves of claims that stratify and separate communities through an identity politics and claims that justify the use of violence and domination in the preservation of those identities.
Sevoflurane modulates the release of reactive oxygen species, myeloperoxidase, and elastase in human whole blood: Effects of different stimuli on neutrophil response to volatile anesthetic in vitro
Authors: Minguet Grégory , Franck Thierry , Joris Jean , Serteyn Didier
Published: October 2017

Volatile anesthetics have been shown to modulate polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) functions. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of clinically relevant concentrations of sevoflurane (SEVO), a volatile anesthetic, on the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and elastase (EL) from human activated PMNs. For this purpose, samples of whole blood were collected from healthy volunteers and exposed in vitro to 2.3% or 4.6% SEVO in air. To assess for a stimulus-dependent effect of the volatile anesthetic, PMNs were activated using different validated protocols. Artificial stimulation of neutrophils involved either a combination of cytochalasin B (CB) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In addition, a combination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was also tested as a natural activation mean of PMNs. The production of ROS by PMNs was assessed by L-012 chemiluminescence. Total MPO and EL released in supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, degranulation of the active fraction of MPO was also measured by specific immunological extraction followed by enzymatic detection (SIEFED). Overall, SEVO enhanced the release of ROS, MPO, and EL following artificial stimulation of PMNs but the volatile anesthetic inhibited the degranulation of active MPO and EL after neutrophil exposure to LPS and TNF-α. This study highlighted that the effect of SEVO on activated PMNs is dependent on the conditions of cell stimulation. These properties should be taken into consideration in future studies investigating immunomodulatory effects of volatile anesthetics.
“There’s Not Enough Knowledge Out There”: Examining Older Adults’ Perceptions of Digital Technology Use and Digital Inclusion Classes
Authors: Betts Lucy R. , Hill Rowena , Gardner Sarah E.
Published: October 2017

Older adults’ definitions of digital technology, and experiences of digital inclusion sessions, were examined using qualitative approaches. Seventeen older adults (aged between 54 and 85 years) participated in two focus groups that each lasted approximately 90 min to explore how older adults understood technology within their lived experience. Interpretative phenomenological analysis yielded two main themes: thirst for knowledge and a wish list for digital technology sessions. A separate content analysis was performed to identify what technology older adults identified as digital technology. This analysis revealed that the older adults most frequently defined digital technology as computers and telephones. The findings support the conclusions that this group of older adults, some of whom were “successful users,” have a wide knowledge of digital technology, are interested in gaining more skills, and desire knowledge acquisition through personalized one-to-one learning sessions.
Agreement and Disagreement on Emotional and Behavioral Problems in a Sample of Preschool-Age Children
Authors: Carneiro Alexandra , Dias Pedro , Pinto Raquel , Baião Rita , Mesquita Ana , Soares Isabel
Published: October 2017

The present study aimed to identify predictors of agreement and disagreement concerning emotional and behavioral problems reported by the mothers and teachers of preschool-aged children. Participants included 172 (89 boys) children, their mothers, and their preschool teachers. Mothers were asked to complete the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1½-5 (CBCL 1½-5), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and a sociodemographic questionnaire, and were observed engaging in an interactive task with their child. Preschool teachers completed the Caregiver Teacher Report Form for Ages 1½-5 (CTRF). The results show low cross-informant agreement. None of the studied variables predicted cross-informant agreement; however, maternal psychopathology and the presence of an assistant in the classroom were predictors of disagreement between mothers and teachers. Although these results highlight the influence of maternal and school context variables on the disagreement among informants’ reports on the emotional and behavioral problems of preschool-aged children, additional research in this field is needed.
Accuracy and Applications of Lung Ultrasound to Diagnose Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Staub Leonardo Jönck , Biscaro Roberta Rodolfo Mazzali , Maurici Rosemeri
Published: October 2017

Background:

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an accurate tool to diagnose community-acquired pneumonia. However, it is not yet an established tool to diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Purpose:

To assess the evidence about LUS in the diagnosis of VAP, we conducted a systematic review of the literature.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS. Two researchers independently selected the studies that met the inclusion criteria. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. In a qualitative synthesis, 3 questions guided the review: Q1. What are the sonographic signs of VAP? Q2. How can LUS be combined with others tests or signs of VAP? Q3. What is the role of LUS in VAP screening?

Main Results:

Three studies (n = 377 patients) with different designs were included. In terms of Q1, the 3 studies assessed the accuracy of sonographic consolidations. In patients suspected for VAP, lobar or hemilobar consolidation alone was not sufficient to diagnose VAP but seems useful to exclude it. The most useful signs were small subpleural consolidations (sensitivity: 81%; specificity: 41%) and dynamic air bronchograms (sensitivity: 44%; specificity: 81%). Two studies were assessed for Q2, when the 2 signs above were included in a clinical score (Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Lung Ultrasound Score associated with quantitative culture of endotracheal aspirate—VPLUS-EAquant), the accuracy was amplified (sensitivity: 48% and specificity: 97% for score ≥4; sensitivity: 78% and specificity: 77% for score ≥3 points). Finally, regarding Q3, no studies have assessed the use of LUS in screening of VAP.

Conclusion:

Small subpleural consolidations and dynamic air bronchograms were the most useful sonographic signs to diagnose VAP in suspected patients. Clinical scores including LUS had better diagnosis accuracy than LUS alone. There are no data on LUS for VAP screening.
Determination of Imminent Brain Death Using the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness Score and the Glasgow Coma Scale: A Prospective, Multicenter, Pilot Feasibility Study
Authors: Zappa Sergio , Fagoni Nazzareno , Bertoni Michele , Selleri Claudio , Venturini Monica Aida , Finazzi Paolo , Metelli Marta , Rasulo Frank , Piva Simone , Latronico Nicola ,   Imminent Brain Death (IBD) Network Investigators
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the accuracy of the imminent brain death (IBD) diagnosis in predicting brain death (BD) by daily assessment of the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) with the assessment of brain stem reflexes.

Materials and Methods:

Prospective multicenter pilot study carried out in 5 adult Italian intensive care units (ICUs). Imminent brain death was established when the FOUR score was 0 (IBD-FOUR) or the GCS score was 3 and at least 3 among pupillary light, corneal, pharyngeal, carinal, oculovestibular, and trigeminal reflexes were absent (IBD-GCS).

Results:

A total of 219 neurologic evaluations were performed in 40 patients with deep coma at ICU admission (median GCS 3). Twenty-six had a diagnosis of IBD-FOUR, 27 of IBD-GCS, 14 were declared BD, and 9 were organ donors. The mean interval between IBD diagnosis and BD was 1.7 days (standard deviation [SD] 2.0 days) using IBD-FOUR and 2.0 days (SD 1.96 days) using IBD-GCS. Both FOUR and GCS had 100% sensitivity and low specificity (FOUR: 53.8%; GCS: 50.0%) in predicting BD.

Conclusions:

Daily IBD evaluation in the ICU is feasible using FOUR and GCS with the assessment of brain stem reflexes. Both scales had 100% sensitivity in predicting IBD, but FOUR may be preferable since it incorporates the pupillary, corneal, and cough reflexes and spontaneous breathing that are easily assessed in the ICU.
Synergistic flame retardant effect between nano-silicon dioxide and layered double hydroxides in ethylene vinyl acetate composites
Authors: Qian Yi , Zhou Shaojie , Chen Xilei
Published: October 2017

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized by a coprecipitation method. The synergistic flame retardant effect of nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2) on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/LDHs composites was studied using limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter test (CCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed that the LOI values of the EVA/LDHs/nano-SiO2 composites were basically higher than that of the EVA/LDHs composite, and the EVA composite with 48% LDHs and 2% nano-SiO2 reached an LOI value of up to 31.2%. The CCT results indicate that the addition of nano-SiO2 greatly reduced the heat release rate, total heat release, mass loss, smoke production rate, total smoke release, and smoke factor. The morphology and structures of residues investigated by SEM gave positive evidence that char layers formed from the EVA/LDHs/nano-SiO2 composites were improved. The TGA data showed that the EVA/LDHs/nano-SiO2 composites show a higher thermal stability than the EVA/LDHs composites.
Strengthening effect of Mullins effect of high- density polyethylene/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer thermoplastic vulcanizates under compression mode
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Zhang Kai , Zhang Xingshuo , Wang Zhaobo
Published: October 2017

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) were prepared via dynamic vulcanization. The mechanical properties and strengthening effect of Mullins effect under compression mode were investigated systematically. Experimental results indicated that the compression strength of TPVs was enhanced greatly compared with that of EPDM vulcanizate. Mullins effect could be observed obviously in the compression stress–strain curves of the TPVs while it was hardly to obverse in that of EPDM vulcanizate during the uniaxial loading–unloading cycles. The maximum compression stress and internal friction loss at specific strain were decreased after the first loading–unloading while only decreased slightly at the later loading–unloading cycles; however, the residual deformation increased with the increasing of the cycle times of compression. Mullins effect could be significantly enhanced with increasing compression strain and HDPE content in TPV.
Translational health economics: The key to accountable adoption of in vitro diagnostic technologies
Authors: Price Christopher P , Wolstenholme Jane , McGinley Patrick , St John Andrew
Published: October 2017

Adoption of new technologies, including diagnostic tests, is often considered not to deliver the expected return on investment. The reasons for this poor link between expectation and outcome include lack of evidence, variation in use of the technology, and an inability of the health system to manage the balance between investment and disinvestment associated with the change in care pathway. The challenges lie in the complex nature of healthcare provision where the investment is likely to be made in the jurisdiction of one stakeholder while the benefits (as well as dis-benefits) accrue to the other stakeholders. A prime example is found in the field of laboratory medicine and the use of diagnostic tests. The current economic tools employed in healthcare are primarily used to make policy and strategic decisions, particularly across health systems, and in purchaser and provider domains. These tools primarily involve cost effectiveness and budget impact analyses, both of which have been applied in health technology assessment of diagnostic technologies. However, they lack the granularity to translate findings down to the financial management and operational decision making at the provider department level. We propose an approach to translational health economics based on information derived from service line management and time-driven activity-based costing, identifying the resource utilisation for each of the units involved in the delivery of a care pathway, before and after adoption of new technology. This will inform investment and disinvestment decisions, along with identifying where the benefits, and dis-benefits, can be achieved for all stakeholders.
Nonvolatile resistive memories utilizing functional PES-based supramolecular film
Authors: Sun Hejing , Zhang Haibo , Chen Zheng , Pang Jinhui , Gao Cong , Jiang Zhenhua
Published: October 2017

This study reports the fabrication and characterization of polymer resistive switching memory devices fabricated from poly(ether sulfone)s (PESs), containing carboxylic functional groups for hydrogen bonding with disperse red 1. PES-based supramolecular memory devices exhibited write-once read-many-times-type memory effects, with low switching threshold voltages below −5.0 V and high ON/OFF current ratios of 105. It is the first time that the concept of azobenzene supramolecular PES based on hydrogen bonding for electrical memory device application was investigated. A possible switching mechanism based on the charge transfer interaction was proposed through molecular simulation, optical absorption, and cyclic voltammetry. These results render the PES-based supramolecular memory devices as promising components for high-performance polymer memory devices.
Polysulfone membrane treated with NH3-O2 plasma and its property
Authors: Zhang Xuanxuan , Zhang Shengjie , Wang Yufei , Zheng Yi , Han Yu , Lu Yin
Published: October 2017

The character of ammonia-oxygen (NH3-O2) plasma-treated polysulfone (PSF) membrane was studied in this work. The time effect of the plasma-treated PSF membrane was checked with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) detector, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), membrane contact angle, and filtration property. EDX detector and ATR-FTIR spectra have shown that the surface oxygen content of the modified membrane increased in the form of peroxy, hydroxyl, and aromatic carboxide groups. However, nitrogen was not observed in the NH3-O2 plasma-treated membrane surface. The peroxy group disappeared and hydroxyl and aromatic carboxide groups were reduced 3 months later. However, the plasma-treated membrane still shown great hydrophilicity, and the contact angle decreased to 0 within 11 s despite the time effect. During the two rounds of 80 min of bovine serum albumin buffer solution filtration process, the fluxes of newly plasma-treated membrane and that of the membrane 3 months later decreased to 78 L m−2 h−1 and 54 L m−2 h−1, respectively, whereas the flux of the pristine membrane decreased to 12 L m−2 h−1.
Experimental study of charge dynamics in a laboratory-scale ball mill
Authors: Yin Zixin , Peng Yuxing , Zhu Zhencai , Yu Zhangfa , Li Tongqing , Zhao Lala , Xu Jie
Published: October 2017

To understand and describe the behavior of charge dynamics in mills, a series of dry and wet grinding tests were performed on a laboratory-scale ball mill. The comparisons between experimental results and grinding media trajectory simulations were addressed. Results show that the grinding media trajectory simulations exhibit a good agreement with the experimental results. The shoulder angle was proportional to mill speed and ball filling. The toe angle was inversely proportional to ball filling, but the impact point angle was appeared to invariant to ball filling and inversely proportional to mill speed. By means of motion analysis of the charge, a good grinding efficiency can be obtained when the ball filling ranging from 20% to 40% and the mill speed ranging from 70% to 80%. For dry tests, the orthogonal analysis indicates that the influence order of four factors on power-mass ratio is ball filling, mill speed, powder-grinding media ratio and lifter profile and the influence order of four factors on −0.074 mm yield is mill speed, ball filling, powder-grinding media ratio and lifter profile. The best dry tests are a combination of 70% of critical speed, 20% of ball filling, 0.8 of powder-grinding media ratio and waveform lifter. Correspondingly, the power-mass ratio can increase by 28.27% and the production of −0.074 mm can increase by 50.38%. For wet tests, the variations of −0.074 mm yield on mill speed and moisture content increase up to a maximum and then decrease rapidly. The −0.074 mm yield can reach a maximum at the 80% of mill speed and 50% of moisture content.
Dynamic performance of over-constrained planar mechanisms with multiple revolute clearance joints
Authors: Yu Haidong , Zhang Jian , Wang Hao
Published: October 2017

The clearances of joints in a rigid multibody system may deteriorate the motion accuracy and even cause vibrations, noise and fatigue failure of structures. In over-constrained mechanisms, the number of degree-of-freedoms is more than that of independent coordinates which leads to numerical challenges in solving the underdetermined force equilibrium equations. A comprehensive study on the dynamic model and the performance of an over-constrained planar parallelogram mechanism with multiple clearance joints is presented in this paper. Since a common angular coordinate exists in the clearance joint associated with the redundant constraint, the degree-of-freedoms are revised by eliminating the number of redundant constraints. In planar analysis, the location of mass center and the orientation of the body reference with respect to the inertial frame are selected as the generalized coordinates of the components. Clearance joints are equivalent as the spring-damper elements and the contact forces are introduced into the dynamic equations by force constraints. The developed computational algorithm is implemented by MATLAB and may analyze the dynamic performance of this mechanism due to the elimination of kinematic constraints and the nonlinear contact-impact behavior in the clearance joints. Meanwhile, an orthogonal experimental design based on a quantitative analysis method demonstrates that the clearance size and the location of clearance joints affect the kinematic accuracy and counterbalance moment of the mechanism.