bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interbody Spacer Material Properties and Design Conformity for Reducing Subsidence During Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Chatham Lillian S. , Patel Vikas V. , Yakacki Christopher M. , Dana Carpenter R.
Published: March 2017

There is a need to better understand the effects of intervertebral spacer material and design on the stress distribution in vertebral bodies and endplates to help reduce complications such as subsidence and improve outcomes following lumbar interbody fusion. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of spacer material on the stress and strain in the lumbar spine after interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation. A standard spacer was also compared with a custom-fit spacer, which conformed to the vertebral endplates, to determine if a custom fit would reduce stress on the endplates. A finite element (FE) model of the L4–L5 motion segment was developed from computed tomography (CT) images of a cadaveric lumbar spine. An interbody spacer, pedicle screws, and posterior rods were incorporated into the image-based model. The model was loaded in axial compression, and strain and stress were determined in the vertebra, spacer, and rods. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), titanium, poly(para-phenylene) (PPP), and porous PPP (70% by volume) were used as the spacer material to quantify the effects on stress and strain in the system. Experimental testing of a cadaveric specimen was used to validate the model's results. There were no large differences in stress levels (<3%) at the bone–spacer interfaces and the rods when PEEK was used instead of titanium. Use of the porous PPP spacer produced an 8–15% decrease of stress at the bone–spacer interfaces and posterior rods. The custom-shaped spacer significantly decreased (>37%) the stress at the bone–spacer interfaces for all materials tested. A 28% decrease in stress was found in the posterior rods with the custom spacer. Of all the spacer materials tested with the custom spacer design, 70% porous PPP resulted in the lowest stress at the bone–spacer interfaces. The results show the potential for more compliant materials to reduce stress on the vertebral endplates postsurgery. The custom spacer provided a greater contact area between the spacer and bone, which distributed the stress more evenly, highlighting a possible strategy to decrease the risk of subsidence.
Isotropic Failure Criteria Are Not Appropriate for Anisotropic Fibrous Biological Tissues
Authors: Korenczuk Christopher E. , Votava Lauren E. , Dhume Rohit Y. , Kizilski Shannen B. , Brown George E. , Narain Rahul , Barocas Victor H.
Published: March 2017

The von Mises (VM) stress is a common stress measure for finite element models of tissue mechanics. The VM failure criterion, however, is inherently isotropic, and therefore may yield incorrect results for anisotropic tissues, and the relevance of the VM stress to anisotropic materials is not clear. We explored the application of a well-studied anisotropic failure criterion, the Tsai–Hill (TH) theory, to the mechanically anisotropic porcine aorta. Uniaxial dogbones were cut at different angles and stretched to failure. The tissue was anisotropic, with the circumferential failure stress nearly twice the axial (2.67 ± 0.67 MPa compared to 1.46 ± 0.59 MPa). The VM failure criterion did not capture the anisotropic tissue response, but the TH criterion fit the data well (R2 = 0.986). Shear lap samples were also tested to study the efficacy of each criterion in predicting tissue failure. Two-dimensional failure propagation simulations showed that the VM failure criterion did not capture the failure type, location, or propagation direction nearly as well as the TH criterion. Over the range of loading conditions and tissue geometries studied, we found that problematic results that arise when applying the VM failure criterion to an anisotropic tissue. In contrast, the TH failure criterion, though simplistic and clearly unable to capture all aspects of tissue failure, performed much better. Ultimately, isotropic failure criteria are not appropriate for anisotropic tissues, and the use of the VM stress as a metric of mechanical state should be reconsidered when dealing with anisotropic tissues.
The Effects of Caffeine, Taurine, or Caffeine-Taurine Coingestion on Repeat-Sprint Cycling Performance and Physiological Responses
Authors: Warnock Rory , Jeffries Owen , Patterson Stephen , Waldron Mark
Published: March 2017

Purpose:To investigate the effects of caffeine (C), taurine (T), caffeine and taurine coingestion (C +T), or placebo (P) on repeated Wingate cycling performance and associated physiological responses.Methods:Seven male team-sport players participated in a randomized, single-blind, crossover study, where they completed 3 Wingate tests, each separated by 2 min, an hour after ingesting: C (5 mg/kg body mass [BM]), T (50 mg/kg BM), C +T (5 mg/kg BM + 50 mg/kg BM), or P (5 mg/kg BM) in a gelatin capsule. Performance was measured on an ergometer, and blood lactate, perceived exertion, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and rate pressure product (RPP) were measured at rest (presupplement), baseline (1 h postsupplement), and during and after exercise.Results:Magnitude-based inferences revealed that all of the supplements increased (smalltomoderate, likely to very likely) mean peak power (MPP), peak power (PP), and mean power (MP) compared to P, with greater MPP, PP, and MP in T compared to C (small, possible). Intrasprint fatigue index (%FIIntra) was greater in T compared to P and C (moderate, likely), and %FIInterwas lower in T compared to C (small, possible). C and C +T increased HR, MAP, and RPP compared to P and T at baseline (moderate tovery large, likely to most likely); however, these only remained higher in C compared to all conditions in the final sprint.Conclusions:T elicited greater improvements in performance compared to P, C, or C +T while reducing the typical chronotropic and pressor effects of C.
The Potential for a Targeted Strength-Training Program to Decrease Asymmetry and Increase Performance: A Proof of Concept in Sprinting
Authors: Brown Scott R. , Feldman Erin R. , Cross Matt R. , Helms Eric R. , Marrier Bruno , Samozino Pierre , Morin Jean-Benoît
Published: March 2017

The global application of horizontal force (FH) via hip extension is related to improvements in sprint performance (eg, maximal velocity [vmax] and power [Pmax]). Little is known regarding the contribution of individual leg FH and how a difference between the legs (asymmetry) might subsequently affect sprint performance. The authors assessed a single male athlete for pre-post outcomes of a targeted hip-extension training program on FH asymmetry and sprint-performance metrics. An instrumented nonmotorized treadmill was used to obtain individual leg and global sprint kinetics and determine the athlete’s strong and weak leg, with regard to the ability to produce FH while sprinting. Following a 6-wk control block of testing, a 6-wk targeted training program was added to the athlete’s strength-training regimen, which aimed to strengthen the weak leg and improve hip-extension function during sprinting. Preintervention to postintervention, the athlete increased FH (standardized effect [ES] = 2.2; +26%) in his weak leg, decreased the FH asymmetry (ES = −0.64; −19%), and increased vmax (ES = 0.67; +2%) and Pmax (ES = 3.2; +15%). This case study highlighted a promising link between a targeted training intervention to decrease asymmetry in FH and subsequent improvement of sprint-performance metrics. These findings also strengthen the theoretical relationship between the contribution of individual leg FH and global FH while sprinting, indicating that reducing asymmetry may decrease injury risk and increase practical performance measures. This case study may stimulate further research investigating targeted training interventions in the field of strength and conditioning and injury prevention.
Updated Review of the Applied Physiology of American College Football: Physical Demands, Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, and Injury Characteristics of America’s Favorite Game
Authors: Fullagar Hugh H.K. , McCunn Robert , Murray Andrew
Published: March 2017

While there are various avenues for performance improvement in college American football (AF), there is no comprehensive evaluation of the collective array of resources around performance, physical conditioning, and injury and training/game characteristics to guide future research and inform practitioners. Accordingly, the aim of the present review was to provide a current examination of these areas in college AF. Recent studies show that there is a wide range of body compositions and strength characteristics between players, which appear to be influenced by playing position, level of play, training history/programming, and time of season. Collectively, game demands may require a combination of upper- and lower-body strength and power production, rapid acceleration (positive and negative), change of direction, high running speed, high-intensity and repetitive collisions, and muscle-strength endurance. These may be affected by the timing of and between-plays and/or coaching style. AF players appear to possess limited nutrition and hydration practices, which may be disadvantageous to performance. AF injuries appear due to a multitude of factors—strength, movement quality, and previous injury—while there is also potential for extrinsic factors such as playing surface type, travel, time of season, playing position, and training load. Future proof-of-concept studies are required to determine the quantification of game demands with regard to game style, type of opposition, and key performance indicators. Moreover, more research is required to understand the efficacy of recovery and nutrition interventions. Finally, the assessment of the relationship between external/internal-load constructs and injury risk is warranted.
A Novel Method to Compute Breathing Volumes via Motion Capture Systems: Design and Experimental Trials
Authors: Massaroni Carlo , Cassetta Eugenio , Silvestri Sergio
Published: March 2017

Respiratory assessment can be carried out by using motion capture systems. A geometrical model is mandatory in order to compute the breathing volume as a function of time from the markers‘ trajectories. This study describes a novel model to compute volume changes and calculate respiratory parameters by using a motion capture system. The novel method, ie, prism-based method, computes the volume enclosed within the chest by defining 82 prisms from the 89 markers attached to the subject chest. Volumes computed with this method are compared to spirometry volumes and to volumes computed by a conventional method based on the tetrahedron‘s decomposition of the chest wall and integrated in a commercial motion capture system. Eight healthy volunteers were enrolled and 30 seconds of quiet breathing data collected from each of them. Results show a better agreement between volumes computed by the prism-based method and the spirometry (discrepancy of 2.23%, R
2 = .94) compared to the agreement between volumes computed by the conventional method and the spirometry (discrepancy of 3.56%, R
2 = .92). The proposed method also showed better performances in the calculation of respiratory parameters. Our findings open up prospects for the further use of the new method in the breathing assessment via motion capture systems.
A Feasibility Study for Improved Physical Activity After Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Paxton Roger J. , Forster Jeri E. , Miller Matthew J. , Gerron Kristine L. , Stevens-Lapsley Jennifer E. , Christiansen Cory L.
Published: March 2017

Physical activity outcomes are poor following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose was to evaluate feasibility of a physical activity feedback intervention for patients after TKA. Participants completing conventional TKA rehabilitation were randomized to a physical activity feedback (PAF; n = 22) or control (CTL; n = 23) group. The PAF intervention included real-time activity feedback, weekly action planning, and monthly group support meetings (12 weeks). The CTL group received attention control education. Feasibility was assessed using retention, adherence, dose goal attainment, and responsiveness with pre- and postintervention testing. The PAF group had 100% retention, 92% adherence (frequency of feedback use), and 65% dose goal attainment (frequency of meeting goals). The PAF group average daily step count increased from 5,754 (2,714) (pre) to 6,917 (3,445) steps/day (post). This study describes a feasible intervention to use as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation for people with TKA.
Complete Genome Sequence and Methylome Analysis of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 65
Authors: Fomenkov Alexey , Vincze Tamas , Degtyarev Sergey K. , Roberts Richard J.
Published: March 2017

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
65 is the original source strain for the restriction enzyme Acc65I. Its complete sequence and full methylome were determined using single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing.
Complete Genome Sequences, before and after Mammalian Cell Culture, of Zika Virus Isolated from the Serum of a Symptomatic Male Patient from Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Boukadida Celia , Torres-Flores Jesús M. , Yocupicio-Monroy Martha , Piten-Isidro Elvira , Rivero-Arrieta Amaranta Y. , Luna-Villalobos Yara A. , Martínez-Vargas Liliane , Alcaraz-Estrada Sofía L. , Torres Klintsy J. , Lira Rosalia , Reyes-Terán Gustavo , Sevilla-Reyes Edgar E.
Published: March 2017

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus associated with severe congenital malformations and neurological complications. Although the ZIKV genome is well characterized, there is limited information regarding changes after cell isolation and culture adaptation. We isolated, and passaged in Vero cells, ZIKV from the serum of a symptomatic male patient and compared the viral genomes before and after culture. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were characteristic among serum-circulating genomes, while such diversity decreased after cell culture.
Is there a standard for surgical therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma in healthy and cirrhotic liver? A comparison of eight guidelines
Authors: Manzini Giulia , Henne-Bruns Doris , Porzsolt Franz , Kremer Michael
Published: March 2017

Background and aims

Liver resection (LR) and transplantation are the most reliable treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aim was to compare different guidelines regarding indication for resection and transplantation because of HCC with and without underlying cirrhosis.

Methods

We compared the following guidelines published after 1 January 2010: American (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)), Spanish (Sociedad Espanola de Oncologia Medica (SEOM)), European (European Association for the study of liver-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EASL-EORTC) and European Society for Medical Oncology-European Society of Digestive Oncology (ESMO-ESDO)), Asian (Asian Pacific Association for the Study of Liver (APASL)), Japanese (Japan Society of Hepatology (JSH)), Italian (Associazione Italiana Oncologia Medica (AIOM)) and German (S3) guidelines.

Results

All guidelines recommend resection as therapy of choice in healthy liver. Guidelines based on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system recommend resection for single HCC<2 cm and Child-Pugh A cirrhosis and for HCC≤5 cm with normal bilirubin and portal pressure, whereas transplantation is recommended for multiple tumours between Milan criteria and for single tumours ≤5 cm and advanced liver dysfunction. Patients with HCC and Child-Pugh C cirrhosis are not candidates for transplantation. JSH guidelines recommend LR for patients with Child-Pugh A/B with HCC without tumour size restriction; APASL guidelines in general exclude patients with Child-Pugh A from transplantation. In patients with Child-Pugh B, transplantation is the second-line therapy, if resection is not possible for patients within Milan criteria. German and Italian guidelines recommend transplantation for all patients within Milan criteria.

Conclusions

Whereas resection is the standard therapy of HCC in healthy liver, a standard regarding the indication for LR and transplantation for HCC in cirrhotic liver does not exist, although nearly all guidelines claim to be evidence based. Surprisingly, despite European guidelines, Germany and Italy use their own national guidelines which partially differ from the European. Possible solutions of the problems are discussed.
Identifying possible reasons why female street sex workers have poor drug treatment outcomes: a qualitative study
Authors: Jeal Nikki , Macleod John , Salisbury Chris , Turner Katrina
Published: March 2017

Aims

To explore street sex workers (SSWs) views and experiences of drug treatment, in order to understand why this population tend to experience poor drug treatment outcomes.

Design

In-depth interviews.

Setting

Bristol, UK.

Participants

24 current and exited SSWs with current or previous experience of problematic use of heroin and/or crack cocaine.

Findings

Participants described how feeling unable to discuss their sex work in drug treatment groups undermined their engagement in the treatment process. They outlined how disclosure of sex work resulted in stigma from male and female service users as well as adverse interactions with male service users. Participants highlighted that non-disclosure meant they could not discuss unresolved trauma issues which were common and which emerged or increased when they reduced their drug use. As trauma experiences had usually involved men as perpetrators participants said it was not appropriate to discuss them in mixed treatment groups. SSWs in recovery described how persistent trauma-related symptoms still affected their lives many years after stopping sex work and drug use. Participants suggested SSW-only services and female staff as essential to effective care and highlighted that recent service changes were resulting in loss of trusted staff and SSW-only treatment services. This was reported to be reducing the likelihood of SSWs engaging in drug services, with the resultant loss of continuity of care and reduced time with staff acting as barriers to an effective therapeutic relationship.

Conclusions

SSWs face many barriers to effective drug treatment. SSW-only treatment groups, continuity of care with treatment staff and contact with female staff, particularly individuals who have had similar lived experience, could improve the extent to which SSWs engage and benefit from drug treatment services. Service engagement and outcomes may also be improved by drug services that include identification and treatment of trauma-related symptoms.
Current and potential providers of blood pressure self-screening: a mixed methods study in Oxfordshire
Authors: Tompson A C , Fleming S G , Heneghan C J , McManus R J , Greenfield S M , Hobbs F D R , Ward A M
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To (1) establish the extent of opportunities for members of the public to check their own blood pressure (BP) outside of healthcare consultations (BP self-screening), (2) investigate the reasons for and against hosting such a service and (3) ascertain how BP self-screening data are used in primary care.

Design

A mixed methods, cross-sectional study.

Setting

Primary care and community locations in Oxfordshire, UK.

Participants

325 sites were surveyed to identify where and in what form BP self-screening services were available. 23 semistructured interviews were then completed with current and potential hosts of BP self-screening services.

Results

18/82 (22%) general practices offered BP self-screening and 68/110 (62%) pharmacies offered professional-led BP screening. There was no evidence of permanent BP self-screening activities in other community settings.

Healthcare professionals, managers, community workers and leaders were interviewed. Those in primary care generally felt that practice-based BP self-screening was a beneficial activity that increased the attainment of performance targets although there was variation in its perceived usefulness for patient care. The pharmacists interviewed provided BP checking as a service to the community but were unable to develop self-screening services without a clear business plan. Among potential hosts, barriers to providing a BP self-screening service included a perceived lack of healthcare commissioner and public demand, and a weak—if any—link to their core objectives as an organisation.

Conclusions

BP self-screening currently occurs in a minority of general practices. Any future development of community BP self-screening programmes will require (1) public promotion and (2) careful consideration of how best to support—and reward—the community hosts who currently perceive little if any benefit.
Understanding Dutch practice nurses' adherence to evidence-based smoking cessation guidelines and their needs for web-based adherence support: results from semistructured interviews
Authors: de Ruijter D , Smit E S , de Vries H , Goossens L , Hoving C
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Practice nurses in general practices suboptimally adhere to smoking cessation guidelines. Since the effectiveness of their smoking cessation support is greatest when full adherence to these guidelines is achieved, interventions need to be developed to improve practice nurses' guideline adherence, for example, by tailoring their content to adherence determinants. However, the sociocognitive determinants explaining adherence have not yet been investigated. Therefore, this qualitative needs assessment aimed to explore practice nurses' current counselling practices, as well as their sociocognitive beliefs related to their smoking cessation guideline adherence and their needs regarding web-based adherence support.

Setting

Primary care; general practices in the Netherlands.

Participants

19 practice nurses, actively involved in smoking cessation counselling.

Methods

Semistructured individual interviews, based on the I-Change Model and the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, were conducted from May to September 2014. Data were systematically analysed using the Framework Method and considered reliable (κ 0.77; % agreement 99%).

Results

Respondents felt able to be empathic and collaborative during smoking cessation consultations. They also reported psychological (eg, low self-efficacy to increase patient motivation and arranging adequate follow-up consultations) and practical barriers (eg, outdated information on quit support compensation and a perceived lack of high-quality trainings for practice nurses) to smoking cessation guideline adherence. Most respondents were interested in web-based adherence support to overcome these barriers.

Conclusions

Sociocognitive determinants influence practice nurses' smoking cessation guideline adherence. To improve their adherence, web-based tailored adherence support can provide practice nurses with personally relevant feedback tailored to individually perceived barriers to smoking cessation guideline adherence. More specifically, low self-efficacy levels can be increased by peer modelling (eg, presenting narratives of colleagues) and up-to-date information can be presented online, enabling practice nurses to use it during patient consultations, resulting in more effective communication with their smoking patients.

Trial registration number

NTR4436; Pre-results.
Cross-sectional associations between dietary intake and carotid intima media thickness in type 2 diabetes: baseline data from a randomised trial
Authors: Chiavaroli Laura , Mirrahimi Arash , Ireland Christopher , Mitchell Sandra , Sahye-Pudaruth Sandhya , Coveney Judy , Olowoyeye Omodele , Patel Darshna , de Souza Russell J , Augustin Livia S A , Bashyam Balachandran , Pichika Sathish Chandra , Blanco Mejia Sonia , Nishi Stephanie K , Leiter Lawrence A , Josse Robert G , McKeown-Eyssen Gail E , Moody Alan R , Kendall Cyril W C , Sievenpiper John L , Jenkins David J A
Published: March 2017

Objective

To assess associations between dietary intake and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) by carotid ultrasound (CUS), a surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, in those with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 325 participants from three randomised controlled trials collected in the same way.

Setting

Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.

Participants

325 participants with type 2 diabetes, taking oral antidiabetic agents, with an HbA1c between 6.5% and 8.0% at screening, without a recent cardiovascular event.

Main outcome measures

CIMT by CUS and associations with dietary intake from 7-day food records, as well as anthropometric measures and fasting serum samples.

Results

CIMT was significantly inversely associated with dietary pulse intake (β=−0.019, p=0.009), available carbohydrate (β=−0.004, p=0.008), glycaemic load (β=−0.001, p=0.007) and starch (β=−0.126, p=0.010), and directly associated with total (β=0.004, p=0.028) and saturated (β=0.012, p=0.006) fat intake in multivariate regression models adjusted for age, smoking, previous CVD event, blood pressure medication, antidiabetic medication and ultrasonographer.

Conclusions

Lower CIMT was significantly associated with greater consumption of dietary pulses and carbohydrates and lower total and saturated fat intake, suggesting a potential role for diet in CVD risk management in type 2 diabetes. Randomised controlled trials are anticipated to explore these associations further.

Trial registration number

NCT01063374.
Engagement and learning in simulation: recommendations of the Simnovate Engaged Learning Domain Group
Authors: Choi Wayne , Dyens Ollivier , Chan Teresa , Schijven Mariles , Lajoie Susanne , Mancini Mary E , Dev Parvati , Fellander-Tsai Li , Ferland Mathieu , Kato Pamela , Lau James , Montonaro Michael , Pineau Joelle , Aggarwal Rajesh
Published: March 2017

Background

Health professions education (HPE) is based on deliberate learning activities and clinical immersion to achieve clinical competence. Simulation is a tool that helps bridge the knowledge-to-action gap through deliberate learning. This paper considers how to optimally engage learners in simulation activities as part of HPE.

Methods

The Simnovate Engaged Learning Domain Group undertook 3 teleconferences to survey the current concepts regarding pervasive learning. Specific attention was paid to engagement in the learning process, with respect to fidelity, realism and emotions, and the use of narratives in HPE simulation.

Results

This paper found that while many types of simulation exist, the current ways to categorise the types of simulation do not sufficiently describe what a particular simulation will entail. This paper introduces a novel framework to describe simulation by deconstructing a simulation activity into 3 core characteristics (scope, modality and environment). Then, the paper discusses how engagement is at the heart of the learning process, but remained an understudied phenomenon with respect to HPE simulation. Building on the first part, a conceptual framework for engaged learning in HPE simulation was derived, with potential use across all HPE methods.

Discussion

The framework considers how the 3 characteristics of simulation interplay with the dimensions of fidelity (physical, conceptual and emotional), and how these can be conveyed by and articulated through beauty (as a proxy for efficiency) as coexisting factors to drive learner engagement. This framework leads to the translation of deliberately taught knowledge, skills and attitudes into clinical competence and subsequent performance.
Evaluating the role of simulation in healthcare innovation: recommendations of the Simnovate Medical Technologies Domain Group
Authors: Madani Amin , Gallix Benoit , Pugh Carla M , Azagury Dan , Bradley Paul , Fowler Dennis , Hannaford Blake , Macdonald Sumaira , Miyasaka Kiyoyuki , Nuño Natalia , Szold Amir , Verter Vedat , Aggarwal Rajesh
Published: March 2017

Background

Innovation in healthcare is the practical application of new concepts, ideas, processes or technologies into clinical practice. Despite its necessity and potential to improve care in measurable ways, there are several issues related to patient safety, high costs, high failure rates and limited adoption by end-users. This mixed-method study aims to explore the role of simulation as a potential testbed for diminishing the risks, pitfalls and resources associated with development and implementation of medical innovations.

Methods

Subject-matter experts consisting of physicians, engineers, scientists and industry leaders participated in four semistructured teleconferences each lasting up to 2 hours each. Verbal data were transcribed verbatim, coded and categorised according to themes using grounded theory, and subsequently synthesised into a conceptual framework. Panelists were then invited to complete an online survey, ranking the (1) current use and (2) potential effectiveness of simulation-based technologies and techniques for evaluating and facilitating the product life cycle pathway. This was performed for each theme of the previously generated conceptual framework using a Likert scale of 1 (no effectiveness) to 9 (highest possible effectiveness) and then segregated according to various forms of simulation.

Results

Over 100 hours of data were collected and analysed. After 7 rounds of inductive data analysis, a conceptual framework of the product life cycle was developed. This framework helped to define and characterise the product development pathway. Agreement between reviewers for inclusion of items after the final round of analysis was 100%. A total of 7 themes were synthesised and categorised into 3 phases of the pathway: ‘design and development’, ‘implementation and value creation’ and ‘product launch’. Strong discrepancies were identified between the current and potential roles of simulation in each phase. Simulation was felt to have the strongest potential role for early prototyping, testing for safety and product quality and testing for product effectiveness and ergonomics.

Conclusions

Simulation has great potential to fulfil several unmet needs in healthcare innovation. This framework can be used to help guide innovators and channel resources appropriately. The ultimate goal is a structured, well-defined process that will result in a product development outcome that has the greatest potential to succeed.
Abstracts from international Emergency Medicine journals
Authors: Weber Ellen J
Published: March 2017

Editor’s note: EMJ has partnered with the journals of multiple international emergency medicine societies to share from each a highlighted research study, as selected by their editors. This edition will feature an abstract from each publication.
Defending strong tobacco packaging and labelling regulations in Uruguay: transnational tobacco control network versus Philip Morris International
Authors: Crosbie Eric , Sosa Particia , Glantz Stanton A
Published: March 2017

Objective

Describe the process of enacting and defending strong tobacco packaging and labelling regulations in Uruguay amid Philip Morris International’s (PMI) legal threats and challenges.

Methods

Triangulated government legislation, news sources and interviews with policy-makers and health advocates in Uruguay.

Results

In 2008 and 2009, the Uruguayan government enacted at the time the world’s largest pictorial health warning labels (80% of front and back of package) and prohibited different packaging or presentations for cigarettes sold under a given brand. PMI threatened to sue Uruguay in international courts if these policies were implemented. The Vazquez administration maintained the regulations, but a week prior to President Vazquez’s successor, President Mujica, took office on 1 March 2010 PMI announced its intention to file an investment arbitration dispute against Uruguay in the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. Initially, the Mujica administration announced it would weaken the regulations to avoid litigation. In response, local public health groups in Uruguay enlisted former President Vazquez and international health groups and served as brokers to develop a collaboration with the Mujica administration to defend the regulations. This united front between the Uruguayan government and the transnational tobacco control network paid off when Uruguay defeated PMI’s investment dispute in July 2016.

Conclusion

To replicate Uruguay’s success, other countries need to recognise that strong political support, an actively engaged local civil society and financial and technical support are important factors in overcoming tobacco industry’s legal threats to defend strong public health regulations.
Mediastinal histiocytic sarcoma with abdominal metastasis in a Somali cat
Authors: Bisson Jocelyn , Van den Steen Nele , Hawkins Ian , Cian Francesco , Tappin Simon
Published: March 2017

A nine–year‐old female neutered Somali cat presented with a one‐month history of weight loss and inappetance. Thoracic radiographs revealed an extensive cranial mediastinal mass, and fine needle aspirate cytology and core needle biopsies were initially suggestive of a thymoma. The mass was excised via a mid‐ine sternotomy and partial pericardectomy. Clinical signs recurred four weeks postsurgery and investigations revealed recurrence of a mediastinal mass, pleural effusion and an additional small mass cranial to the right kidney. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry of the previously resected mass prompted a revised diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma (HS) with abdominal metastasis. The cat was treated with doxorubicin and lomustine but did not respond well and was euthanased two months later. HS is an uncommon neoplasm in cats with only two cases of mediastinal involvement reported in the literature. This case underlines the importance of immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of mediastinal masses.
Concurrent development of generalised demodicosis, dermatophytosis and meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius secondary to inappropriate treatment of atopic dermatitis in an adult dog
Authors: Lockwood Samantha Lynn , Mount Rebecca , Lewis Thomas P , Schick Anthea Elliot
Published: March 2017

A four‐year‐old female spayed mongrel dog was presented in May 2015 with a two‐year history of poorly controlled atopic dermatitis (AD) and increased pruritus over the last few months. Current medications included Apoquel, prednisone, diphenhydramine and cephalexin. A deep skin scrape revealed Demodex canis and Demodex cornei and superficial cytology revealed coccoid bacteria. Aerobic skin culture revealed meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and dermatophyte culture grew Microsporum canis. Therapy included discontinuation and taper of immunosuppressive medications, oral enrofloxacin and ivermectin and Malaseb shampoo. Complete resolution of demodicosis, dermatophytosis and MRSP was accomplished in four months. Long‐term control of AD was established by using low‐dose prednisone therapy with no relapse in infectious disease. This case illustrates the risk of development of multiple infectious diseases secondary to immunosuppression with multimodal drug therapy for treatment of AD, and it exemplifies the importance of performing in‐house diagnostic testing.
Geotechnical properties of polymer-amended tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU) oil sands tailings
Authors: Dean Courtney , Siddiqua Sumi , Roberts Deborah June
Published: March 2017

Fine tailings from the tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU) in the Athabasca oil sands are known to contain a relatively high pyrite content and a high residual hydrocarbon content, which may alter their geotechnical properties. Little is known about TSRU tailings properties and therefore the potential for subaerial deposition. The goal of this study was to investigate the geotechnical properties of untreated, polymer-amended, and sand-mixed TSRU tailings to provide information for the consideration of subaerial deposition and increase the general knowledge about these unique tailings. The polymer-amended tailings had more desirable properties for subaerial deposition, including a lower final void ratio, less energy required to desaturate, and higher compressibility, when compared with the untreated tailings. The sand-mixed samples enhanced these properties, but may pose issues for transportation. The mineralogy indicated that the polymer-amended TSRU tailings have a high-enough pyrite content for acid generation, which may pose environmental issues for subaerial deposition. Overall, TSRU tailings exhibited different geotechnical properties when compared with the well-studied mature fine tailings, highlighting the need for further studies to provide information for the management of TSRU tailings.
Evaluation of thioesterases fromAcinetobacter baylyifor production of free fatty acids
Authors: Ukey Rahul , Holmes William E. , Bajpai Rakesh , Chistoserdov Andrei Y.
Published: March 2017

Acinetobacter baylyi is one of few Gram-negative bacteria capable of accumulating storage lipids in the form of triacylglycerides and wax esters, which makes it an attractive candidate for production of lipophilic products, including biofuel precursors. Thioesterases play a significant dual role in the triacylglyceride and wax ester biosynthesis by either providing or removing acyl-CoA from this pathway. Therefore, 4 different thioesterase genes were cloned from Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 and expressed in Escherichia coli to investigate their contribution to free fatty acids (FFAs) accumulation. Overexpression of the genes tesA′ (a leaderless form of the gene tesA) and tesC resulted in increased accumulation of FFAs when compared with the host E. coli strain. Overexpression of tesA′ showed a 1.87-fold increase in production of long-chain fatty acids (C16 to C18) over the host strain. Unlike TesC and the other investigated thioesterases, the TesA′ thioesterase also produced shorter chain FFAs (e.g., myristic acid) and unsaturated FFAs (e.g., cis-vaccenic acid (18:1Δ11)). A comparison of the remaining 3 A. baylyi ADP1 thioesterases (encoded by the tesB, tesC, and tesD genes) revealed that only the strain containing the tesC gene produced statistically higher levels of FFAs over the control, suggesting that it possesses the acyl-ACP thioesterase activity. Both E. coli strains containing the tesB and tesD genes produced levels of FFAs similar to those of the plasmid-free control E. coli strain, which indicates that TesB and TesD lack the acyl-ACP thioesterase activity.
Ten years of barcoding at the African Centre for DNA Barcoding
Authors: Bezeng B.S. , Davies T.J. , Daru B.H. , Kabongo R.M. , Maurin O. , Yessoufou K. , van der Bank H. , van der Bank M.
Published: March 2017

The African Centre for DNA Barcoding (ACDB) was established in 2005 as part of a global initiative to accurately and rapidly survey biodiversity using short DNA sequences. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (CO1) was rapidly adopted as the de facto barcode for animals. Following the evaluation of several candidate loci for plants, the Plant Working Group of the Consortium for the Barcoding of Life in 2009 recommended that two plastid genes, rbcLa and matK, be adopted as core DNA barcodes for terrestrial plants. To date, numerous studies continue to test the discriminatory power of these markers across various plant lineages. Over the past decade, we at the ACDB have used these core DNA barcodes to generate a barcode library for southern Africa. To date, the ACDB has contributed more than 21 000 plant barcodes and over 3000 CO1 barcodes for animals to the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). Building upon this effort, we at the ACDB have addressed questions related to community assembly, biogeography, phylogenetic diversification, and invasion biology. Collectively, our work demonstrates the diverse applications of DNA barcoding in ecology, systematics, evolutionary biology, and conservation.
Detection of breast cancer using ultra-wide band beamforming algorithm
Authors: Yang Ze-Kun , Cheng Cong-Cong , Wang Zhaobin , Yang Hong-Wei
Published: March 2017

This paper is based on the general principle of beamforming algorithm of array signal processing. It gives a kind of high precision adaptive time-domain beamforming algorithm, uses ultra-wide band (UWB) microwave signal as an emission source applied to the human body in early breast cancer detection. In this paper, we build a two-dimensional, semicircle breast tissue model, use numerical simulation with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for detection. The result shows the superiority of beamforming algorithm compared with that of confocal imaging algorithms and beamforming algorithms, especially to the Capon beamforming algorithm.
Fusion of Image Storage and Operation Based on Ag-Chalcogenide Memristor with Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Liu Qi , Wang Lidan , Yang Jiu , Wang Yan , Duan Shukai
Published: March 2017

With the discovery of the memristor devices, most researchers have focused on the simulation and application of memristive characteristics, especially the nonvolatile storage potential of the memristor. However, the fusion of image storage and operation is seldom discussed. Therefore, this paper focuses on the electrical characterization of silver chalcogenide based on memristor devices, which can be used as a synapse to mimic the STDP and SRDP learning rules in neuromorphic systems. Then on this basis, a improved memristive cross array structure is designed, whose storage and operation are set in a single unit. Furthermore, this improved memristive cross array and image processing are combined with adjusting the memristor resistance by synaptic plasticity to achieve the integration of storage and processing. Finally, the effectiveness of the design is verified by the LTSPICE experiments of the nonlinear grayscale transformation and logic operation of the image. The design breaks the gap between the processing and storage in the Von Neumann architecture, which will be helpful to the development of the parallel computing in the future.
A Low-Power Mixed-Mode SIMO Universal Gm–C Filter
Authors: Parvizi Mostafa , Taghizadeh Abouzar , Mahmoodian Hamid , Kozehkanani Ziaadin Daei
Published: March 2017

This paper describes a new single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mixed-mode universal biquad [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] filter. It can realize all kinds of filter responses including high-pass, band-pass, low-pass, band-stop and all-pass filters, simultaneously. Moreover, in this structure, all of these filters in all states of voltage mode, current mode, transresistance mode and transconductance mode are achieved by the same topology without any convertor. The proposed filter employs three operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) with four inputs and one output, three fully differential OTAs and two grounded capacitors. In other words, this filter is composed of six [Formula: see text] blocks and two grounded capacitors. The grounded capacitors are suitable for integrated circuit implementation. In order to reduce the power consumption, the OTAs are biased in subthreshold region. In addition, sensitivity analysis is included to show the low active and passive sensitivity performances of the filter. This filter is designed and simulated in HSPICE with 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m model CMOS technology parameters. The simulation results show that the filter consumes only 75[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W and operates at 1.5[Formula: see text]MHz with [Formula: see text]0.5[Formula: see text]V supply voltages and capacitors [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]pF.
Shift of the EU Energy Policy and China’s Strategic Opportunity
Authors: Mayer Maximilian , Peters Susanne
Published: March 2017

The core idea of the European Union (EU) is to foster economic and political integration among its member states based on liberal principles, a common market, and the establishment of a business-friendly environment. What is surprising is the new rhetoric originating in Brussels and connected to the “Energy Union” that portrays its energy dependence on Russia as a potential threat. One important dimension of this newly launched “Energy Union” is the replacement of the EU’s market orientation in its energy relations with Russia by a “securitization” of Russia’s intention vis-à-vis Europe. These securitizing moves culminate in a vigorous and costly diversification strategy for natural gas supply. The construction of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and gas storage, as well as a new gas mega pipeline passing through Central Asia is part of this new strategy. The recently inaugurated “Energy Union,” at the same time, includes improved infrastructure connections and the approval of domestically produced shale gas. As a result, natural gas has gained the status of a “bridge fuel” while related large-scale infrastructure would lock European economies into a fossil path that ultimately undermines the EU’s goal toward a decarbonized economy. Analyzing the European Commission’s emphasis on natural gas, produced either by conventional or unconventional extraction methods, bears critical insights for China’s energy strategy. As the EU appears to have shifted its emphasis from sustainability to energy security, a vacuum would be left for China to fill, thus rendering it eligible to play the role of the next global leader in climate politics.
Methods and resources for computing semantic relatedness
Authors: Feng Yue , Bagheri Ebrahim
Published: March 2017

Semantic relatedness (SR) is defined as a measurement that quantitatively identifies some form of lexical or functional association between two words or concepts based on the contextual or semantic similarity of those two words regardless of their syntactical differences. Section 1 of the entry outlines the working definition of SR and its applications and challenges. Section 2 identifies the knowledge resources that are popular among SR methods. Section 3 reviews the primary measurements used to calculate SR. Section 4 reviews the evaluation methodology which includes gold standard dataset and methods. Finally, Sec. 5 introduces further reading.

In order to develop appropriate SR methods, there are three key aspects that need to be examined: (1) the knowledge resources that are used as the source for extracting SR; (2) the methods that are used to quantify SR based on the adopted knowledge resource; and (3) the datasets and methods that are used for evaluating SR techniques. The first aspect involves the selection of knowledge bases such as WordNet or Wikipedia. Each knowledge base has its merits and downsides which can directly affect the accuracy and the coverage of the SR method. The second aspect relies on different methods for utilizing the beforehand selected knowledge resources, for example, methods that depend on the path between two words, or a vector representation of the word. As for the third aspect, the evaluation for SR methods consists of two aspects, namely (1) the datasets that are used and (2) the various performance measurement methods.

SR measures are increasingly applied in information retrieval to provide semantics between query and documents to reveal relatedness between non-syntactically-related content. Researchers have already applied many different information and knowledge sources in order to compute SR between two words. Empirical research has already shown that results of many of these SR techniques have reasonable correlation with human subjects interpretation of relatedness between two words.