bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquired Factor V Inhibitor with Hemorrhagic Symptoms after Prasugrel Hydrochloride Treatment
Authors: Sakatoku Kazuki , Takakuwa Teruhito , Miura Akiko , Araki Taku , Fujitani Yotaro , Yamamura Ryosuke
Published: September 2019

Acquired factor V inhibitor (AFVI) is a rare coagulopathy. It may be triggered by specific antigens such as antibiotics. We herein report the first case of AFVI after treatment with prasugrel hydrochloride (prasugrel) in an 80-year-old male who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention because of angina pectoris 6 years ago and was initiated on aspirin and ticlopidine hydrochloride. He was switched from ticlopidine hydrochloride to prasugrel before undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction. Fifteen days later, he developed sudden nasal hemorrhage, hematuria, and systemic purpura. Coagulation tests revealed prolonged prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (11.35) and activated partial thromboplastin time (170 s). The coagulation factor profile revealed a decreased FV activity (1%). The Bethesda assay for FV inhibitor was positive. AFVI was diagnosed; prasugrel was immediately discontinued, and administration of recombinant activated factor VII and prednisolone were initiated. Hemorrhagic symptoms immediately disappeared; FV activity improved, and the FV inhibitor titer was normalized.
Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: Apoyo familiar a pacientes
Authors: Cisneros-Martínez Jorge Arturo
Published: September 2019

Background: Self-management of exacerbations in COPD patients is important to reduce exacerbation impact. There is a need for more comprehensive and individualized interventions to improve exacerbation-related self-management behavior. The use of mobile health (mHealth) could help to achieve a wide variety of behavioral goals. Understanding of patients and health care providers perspectives towards using mHealth in promoting self-management will greatly enhance the development of solutions with optimal usability and feasibility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore perceptions of COPD patients and their health care providers towards using mHealth for self-management of exacerbations. Methods: A qualitative study using focus group interviews with COPD patients (n = 13) and health care providers (HCPs) (n = 6) was performed to explore perceptions towards using mHealth to support exacerbation-related self-management. Data were analyzed by a thematic analysis. Results: COPD patients and HCPs perceived mostly similar benefits and barriers of using mHealth for exacerbation-related self-management. These perceived benefits and barriers seem to be important drivers in the willingness to use mHealth. Both patients and HCPs strengthen the need for a multi-component and tailored mHealth intervention that improves patients' exacerbation-related self-management by determining their health status and providing adequate information, decision support and feedback on self-management behavior. Most importantly, patients and HCPs considered an mHealth intervention as support to improve self-management and emphasized that it should never replace patients' own feelings nor undermine their own decisions. In addition, the intervention should be complementary to regular contact with HCPs, as personal contact with a HCP was considered to be very important. To optimize engagement with mHealth, patients should have a positive attitude toward using mHealth and an mHealth intervention should be attractive, rewarding and safe. Conclusions: This study provided insight into perceptions of COPD patients and their HCPs towards using mHealth for self-management of exacerbations. This study points out that future mHealth interventions should focus on developing self-management skills over time by providing adequate information, decision support and feedback on self-management behavior and that mHealth should complement regular care. To optimize engagement, mHealth interventions should be attractive, rewarding, safe and tailored to the patient needs.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Mortality Associated with Serum Potassium in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Eriguchi Rieko , Obi Yoshitsugu , Soohoo Melissa , Rhee Connie M. , Kovesdy Csaba P. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Streja Elani
Published: September 2019

Background: Abnormalities in serum potassium are risk factors for sudden cardiac death and arrhythmias among dialysis patients. Although a previous study in hemodialysis patients has shown that race/ethnicity may impact the relationship between serum potassium and mortality, the relationship remains unclear among peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients where the dynamics of serum potassium is more stable. Methods: Among 17,664 patients who started PD between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011 in a large US dialysis organization, we evaluated the association of serum potassium levels with all-cause and arrhythmia-related deaths across race/ethnicity using time-dependent Cox models with adjustments for demographics. We also used restricted cubic spline functions for serum potassium levels to explore non-linear associations. Results: Baseline serum potassium levels were the highest among Hispanics (4.2 ± 0.7 mEq/L) and lowest among non-Hispanic blacks (4.0 ± 0.7 mEq/L). Among 2,949 deaths during the follow-up of median 2.2 (interquartile ranges 1.3–3.2) years, 683 (23%) were arrhythmia-related deaths. Overall, both hyperkalemia and hypokalemia (i.e., serum potassium levels >5.0 and <3.5 mEq/L, respectively) were associated with higher all-cause and arrhythmia-related mortality. In a stratified analysis according to race/ethnicity, the association of hypokalemia with all-cause and arrhythmia-related mortality was consistent with an attenuation for arrhythmia-related mortality in non-Hispanic blacks. Hyperkalemia was associated with all-cause and arrhythmia-related mortality in non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks, but no association was observed in Hispanics. Conclusion: Among incident PD patients, hypokalemia was consistently associated with all-cause and arrhythmia-related deaths irrespective of race/ethnicity. However, while hyperkalemia was associated with both death outcomes in non-Hispanic blacks and whites, it was not associated with either death outcome in Hispanic patients. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether different strategies should be followed for the management of serum potassium levels according to race/ethnicity.
Racial Differences in Cardiovascular Biomarkers in the General Population
Authors: Hackler Eddie , Lew Jeanney , Gore M. Odette , Ayers Colby R. , Atzler Dorothee , Khera Amit , Rohatgi Anand , Lewis Alana , Neeland Ian , Omland Torbjorn , de Lemos James A.
Published: September 2019

Background

The incidence and clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) differ between blacks and whites. Biomarkers that reflect important pathophysiological pathways may provide a window to allow deeper understanding of racial differences in
CVD
.

Methods and Results

The study included 2635 white and black participants from the Dallas Heart Study who were free from existing
CVD
. Cross‐sectional associations between race and 32 biomarkers were evaluated using multivariable linear regression adjusting for age, traditional
CVD
risk factors, imaging measures of body composition, renal function, insulin resistance, left ventricular mass, and socioeconomic factors. In fully adjusted models, black women had higher lipoprotein(a), leptin,
d
‐dimer, osteoprotegerin, antinuclear antibody, homoarginine, suppression of tumorigenicity‐2, and urinary microalbumin, and lower adiponectin, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide versus white women. Black men had higher lipoprotein(a), leptin,
d
‐dimer, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, antinuclear antibody, symmetrical dimethylarginine, homoarginine, high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T, suppression of tumorigenicity‐2, and lower adiponectin, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products, and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide versus white men. Adjustment for biomarkers that were associated with higher
CVD
risk, and that differed between blacks and whites, attenuated the risk for
CVD
events in black women (unadjusted hazard ratio 2.05, 95%
CI
1.32, 3.17 and adjusted hazard ratio 1.15, 95%
CI
0.69, 1.92) and black men (unadjusted hazard ratio 2.39, 95%
CI
1.64, 3.46, and adjusted hazard ratio 1.21, 95%
CI
0.76, 1.95).

Conclusions

Significant racial differences were seen in biomarkers reflecting lipids, adipokines, and biomarkers of endothelial function, inflammation, myocyte injury, and neurohormonal stress, which may contribute to racial differences in the development and complications of
CVD
.
First fecundity observations on female copepods from three northern Patagonian lakes (Pellaifa, Calafquén, Panguipulli; Chile)
Authors: De los Ríos Patricio , Farias-Avendaño Jorge , Suazo Maria J.
Published: September 2019

The crustacean zooplankton in Chilean Patagonian lakes is characterized by a marked dominance of calanoid copepods when under an oligotrophic status. The aim of the present study was to analyse the number of eggs and the relation of that feature with the total length of females of calanoid and cyclopoid copepods reported in three northern Chilean Patagonian lakes. The calanoid copepods found were Boeckella gracilipes in Lake Pellaifa and Tumeodiaptomus diabolicus in the lakes Panguipulli and Calafquén, whereas the cyclopoid Mesocyclops araucanus was found in the lakes Pellaifa and Calafquén. For calanoid copepods, high egg numbers were found and thus also a high value for the ratio of egg number per female length in Lake Panguipulli, whereas for M. araucanus a high value was found in Lake Pellaifa. These differences would presumably be associated with community structure, specifically predator-prey relationships and possibly other interactions, as, e.g., potential interspecific competition.
Ethnographic evidence for the presence of the coconut crab Birgus latro (Linnaeus, 1767) (Anomura, Coenobitidae) on Flores Island, Indonesia
Authors: Forth Gregory
Published: September 2019

Although occurring elsewhere in Indonesia, the coconut crab — the only member of the genus Birgus — has yet to be documented on the island of Flores or adjacent islands in the Lesser Sundas. In the Lio region of Flores, however, people in the district of Mego describe a very large entirely terrestrial crab occasionally encountered between 2 and 7 km from Flores’ south coast and sometimes even further inland. Ethnographic evidence is presented showing how this crab, locally called ‘kepi’, generally corresponds to the coconut crab in regard to morphology, habitat, and behaviour. Because local people prohibit the killing and consumption of kepi, other factors possibly accounting for the reputed rarity of large land crabs possibly corresponding to Birgus are also discussed, and the case is further used to comment on the value of local knowledge for international zoology.
Cloning and expression analysis of a cytoplasmic juvenile hormone-binding protein from the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae)
Authors: Qian Heng , Zhao Ming , Jiang Keji , Wang Wei , Chen Wei , Zhao Junxia , Wang Tian , Diao Le , Ma Lingbo , Zhang Fengying
Published: September 2019

Juvenile hormone (JH) has an important role in regulating the development of arthropods, and methyl farnesoate (MF) is the only juvenile hormone found in Crustacea to date. Juvenile hormone-binding proteins (JHBPs) bind to JHs and transport or deliver JH signals. In this study, the complete cDNA sequence of cytoplasmic JHBP (cJHBP) was obtained from Scylla paramamosain, which we named Sp-cJHBP. The putative protein sequence of Sp-cJHBP contains two conserved glyoxalase domains. Expression analysis revealed that Sp-cJHBP expression varied greatly among larval developmental stages, with a significant reduction at the Zoea-5 stage. Sp-cJHBP had the highest expression in the ovary, with low expression in other tissues of the female adult crabs. During ovarian development, the expression of Sp-cJHBP changed significantly in the ovary, though its trends correlated poorly with the ovarian developmental process. While the expression in the mandibular organ (MO) was similar to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), which is a key gene involved in MF biosynthesis. After unilateral eyestalk ablation (ESA), the expression of Sp-cJHBP altered significantly in the ovary and MO, but not in cerebral ganglion and thoracic ganglion. Altogether, these results suggest that Sp-cJHBP is likely to function primarily in the ovary, probably through binding to MF.
Coptic Vestiges of Basil of Caesarea’s Asceticon Magnum (CPG 2875)
Authors: Suciu Alin
Published: September 2019

This paper introduces the Sahidic Coptic fragments of Basil of Caesarea’s Asceticon Magnum (CPG 2875). The first part of the article is devoted to the study of a Sahidic fragment of the Prooemium to Basil’s Long Rules. The author demonstrates that the Sahidic text did not serve as a basis for the Arabic translation of the Prooemium, as some scholars assumed in the past. In the second part, a newly identified fragment of the Short Rules is presented.
Lactantius on the Death of Galerius: A Re-Reading of De Mortibus Persecutorum 33
Authors: Cook Patrick
Published: September 2019

Lactantius on the Death of Galerius. This paper argues that De mortibus reflects in a practical fashion two central themes in Lactantian thought: firstly, that the existence of divine anger is proof of the action of divine providence in the world, and secondly that the Roman Empire could be made Christian. To illustrate these points, it looks closely at the death of the emperor Galerius, who dies in De mortibus 33 from a disease that causes his body to produce worms, which culminates in the issuing of an edict of toleration. Using a combination of close reading and contextualization, this article argues that Lactantius moves beyond a narrative of divine punishment to suggest that the death of Galerius is necessary for the reshaping of the imperial office, and by extension the entire Roman Empire, in the person of Constantine.
The Disintegration of the Judiciary Within Eurasian Integration
Authors: Karliuk Maksim
Published: September 2019

The Eurasian Economic Union (‘eaeu’) – an international organization for regional economic integration in post-Soviet space – has a judicial body aimed at ensuring uniform application of law. This article argues that the eaeu Court will struggle in achieving its aim as there are issues of independence, it has diminished powers, and limits have been imposed on its interpretative practices, at least as compared to its predecessor. This may lead to problems in respecting the rule of law and ‘dis-integrates’ the judiciary in the sense of a common system involving national courts. At the same time, it is also argued that, although the Court’s procedural and substantive powers have been limited, the attempt to limit certain interpretative powers of the Court can hardly result in meaningful consequences for the development of law.
Good Governance and Property Rights of the State: The Dubovets Case before the European Court of Human Rights and the Russian Constitutional Court
Authors: Vaypan Grigory
Published: September 2019

This contribution discusses the recent Dubovets case before both the European Court of Human Rights and the Russian Constitutional Court, and its implications for the changing design of Russian property law as increasingly shaped by international human rights law and good governance principles. Communicated in December 2016, the application in Dubovets v. Russia continues the line of the European Court’s cases against Russia on the protection of good faith private owners of real estate against property claims by the government. Prompted by this case law, the Russian Constitutional Court in its Judgment of 22 June 2017 No 16-P struck down Article 302 of the Russian Civil Code as unconstitutional insofar as it entitled the government to reclaim possession of state property that had been previously alienated due to the government’s own negligence. This judgment manifests the increasing interdependence between private and public law – of classical property law, on the one hand, and international human rights law and good governance principles, on the other hand. It also contributes to ongoing evolution in the understanding of the state’s property rights in Russia: from the superior status of public property in Soviet times – to formal equality between public and private property rights in the landmark legal instruments of the 1990s – and now to the growing need for special protection of individual property rights vis-à-vis the state, in light of the latter’s double role as both the largest owner and the (quite unrestrained) regulator.
Audiovisual Regulation in Russia in the Context of Council of Europe Standards
Authors: Sherstoboeva Elena
Published: September 2019

This paper explores, mainly from a legal perspective, the extent to which Russian regulation of traditional TV and online audiovisual media policies has been consistent with Council of Europe (hereinafter CoE) standards. The study compares the CoE and Russian approaches to specific aspects of audiovisual regulation including licensing, media ownership, public service media, digitalization, and national production. The paper first studies the CoE perspective through examining its conventional provisions related to audiovisual media regulation, the case law of the European Court of Human Rights as well as CoE non-binding documents. The study proceeds to consider Russian national law governing audiovisual media and the practice of Russian courts of general jurisdiction on broadcast licensing. The paper suggests that Russian audiovisual regulation is insufficiently compatible with CoE standards and mainly seeks to maintain excessive governmental control over the audiovisual sector in a digital environment.
Time on a Tablet: Early Ivory Sundials Incorporating Wax Writing Tablets
Authors: Schewe Roland , Davis John
Published: September 2019

This article offers the first comprehensive study of a newly discovered type of medieval sundial made of ivory which might well be the precursor of the well-known diptych dial form made from ivory and wood. These sundials are unique for the combination with a wax writing tablet (tabula cerata) on the reverse side, such as has been deployed as a reusable and portable writing surface in Antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages. Three previously unpublished examples of this type of sundial have been located in Germany, Italy and England. This article gives a detailed analysis of the sundials and the underlying construction principles, including considerations from the history of science, chronology and cultural history in order to answer the questions of where, when and by whom these sundials were made.
Who is “Profaned?” Rabbinic and Samaritan (Re)formulations of Leviticus 21:9
Authors: Rothstein David
Published: September 2019

Second Temple, rabbinic, and Samaritan sources preserve a variety of interpretations and (re)formulations of Leviticus 21:9. The pivotal issue informing the various approaches to this verse is the identity of the person “profaned” by the conduct of the priest’s daughter; specifically, is it the daughter, herself, or her father who is (directly) affected? The present essay examines various rabbinic and Samaritan interpretations of this verse, noting the exegetical (i.e., morphological and syntactic) similarities and differences obtaining among these positions. Especial attention is devoted to the formulation of Targum Onqelos, for which two explanations are proposed, and the similar exegetical features reflected in Samaritan renderings of this passage. It is demonstrated that, like Targum Onqelos and additional rabbinic/Jewish targumic sources, Samaritan sources indicate that some Samaritan students of Leviticus understood Lev 21:9 to mean that it is the daughter, herself, who is profaned by her conduct.
The genus Lambulosia Hampson, 1914 from New Guinea (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini)
Authors: de Vos Rob
Published: September 2019

The genus Lambulosia Hampson, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini) is revised. The genus is restricted to New Guinea. Nine new species were discovered to belong to this originally monotypic genus. Two species groups are recognized, the aurantiaca species group with six species, of which five are new to science: Lambulosia aurantiaca (Rothschild, 1912), L. arabuensis sp. n., L. gemmata sp. n., L. metallescens sp. n., L. flavoradiata sp. n. and L. brunnescens sp. n.; and the nigrolineata species group with four species new to science: L. nigrolineata sp. n., L. nigrotriangula sp. n., L. obscurata sp. n. and L. punctilineata sp. n. All species are described and the adults and genitalia are depicted.
Risk Factors of Childhood and Maternal Anemia in India
Authors: Onyeneho Nkechi G. , Ozumba Benjamin C. , Chalupowski Malgorzata , Subramanian SV
Published: September 2019

Anemia is a common nutritional problem, and it has a remarkably high prevalence rate in Southeast Asia. We analyzed a sample of 112,714 mothers aged 15 to 49 years and their children younger than 5 years from the 2005–2006 Indian National Fertility and Health Survey with available data on anemia to determine the anemia statuses and risk factors associated with maternal and childhood anemia. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with anemia. The overall prevalence of maternal anemia was 52.0%, while the overall prevalence of childhood anemia was 66.7%. Predictors of maternal anemia are a young age ( p < .001), maternal health practices ( p < .001), and reproductive health-related infections ( p < .001), among others. On the other hand, predictors of childhood anemia included iron deficiency ( p = .007), vitamin deficiency ( p = .003), and common infections ( p = .008). Other predictors of childhood anemia included poor dietary intake ( p < .01) and childcare practices ( p < .001). Childcare practice has the strongest association with childhood anemia with an odds ratio of 1.67 (95% confidence interval [1.55, 1.79]). With respect to maternal anemia, the strongest risk factor was being infected with reproductive health infections with an odds ratio of 1.157 (95% confidence interval [1.11, 1.21]). Interventions designed to address prevalence of childhood and maternal anemia in India should take the risk factors in a holistic manner. A multifactorial framework should guide such interventions.
The Impact of Welfare Facilities on Happiness of the Elderly: Evidence from Seoul, Korea
Authors: Kim Danya , Jin Jangik
Published: September 2019

Across the world, there are growing concerns about how to care for an increasingly large elderly population. We explore how elderly welfare facilities influence seniors’ subjective well-being, focusing on the city of Seoul, Korea, using the 2005–2015 Seoul Survey data. Through pooled cross-sectional data analysis with time-specific and location-specific fixed-effects, we estimate the effect of the number of local welfare facilities on elderly subjective well-being. Our results show that elderly welfare facilities have a positive effect on elderly subjective well-being after controlling for endogeneity, but these facilities are more important for the more aged elderly and lower income elderly.
Mediating Electronic Dangerscapes: A Multimodal Analysis of a State-sponsored Newspaper Warning Advertisement in Nigeria
Authors: Jibril Ahmed Tanimu
Published: September 2019

In recent years, Nigeria’s image has always been negatively depicted in the global media, as the country’s name is associated with some of the world’s most sophisticated cybercriminals. The situation with the country’s perceived dented reputation, most especially in the Southeast Asia, Western Europe and the United States of America, is ripe for the anti-cybercrime discourse to take root, and subsequently, become a fertile ground for various parties to contribute to the grand discourse from different perspectives. This article highlights the way Nigerian government, through its revenues generating agency, the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), utilizes a print media warning advertisement (WA) to discursively construct and showcase its efforts in combating cybercrimes. The study utilizes Fairclough’s three-layered model for approaching discourse to analyse the FIRS-sponsored WA, which was published in The Guardian newspaper on 2 May 2013. The study incorporates analytical tools from the visual grammar (VG) and the multimodal discourse analysis (MDA) to examine the visual dimensions constituting the frame of the WA. The study revealed how the Nigerian government, through the FIRS sponsored WA, has attempted to discursively draw the attention of the general public to the potential dangers associated with the cybercriminals and their activities as well as suggesting the best ways to escape falling into their traps. The study recommends that governments and other civil societies should explore other means of creating more awareness to the general public, given the speed at which cyber-related crimes upsurge globally at the present time.
Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor for Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: Real-World Experience From Taiwan
Authors: Hsiao Fu-Chih , Wang Chun-Li , Chang Po-Cheng , Lu Yu-Ying , Huang Chien-Ying , Chu Pao-Hsien
Published: September 2019

Background:

Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) was recommended by major guidelines as the frontline therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) since its clinical benefit was proved in the Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure (PARADIGM-HF) trial. However, little is known about its safety and effectiveness in real-world practice, often with sicker and more fragile patients. In addition, East Asia population is underrepresented in PARADIGM-HF trial.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who received ARNI in 3 medical institutes located in Northern Taiwan. Patients who received a prescription of at least 30 days of ARNI were enrolled. The date of first prescription was defined as the index date, and a period of 12 months preceding the index date was defined as the baseline period.

Results:

A total of 452 patients were identified (age: 61.9 ± 15.0, male: 79.4%). Compared to PARADIGM-HF populations, our patients had higher values of baseline serum creatinine (mean: 1.5 vs 1.1 mg/dL) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP; median: 554.5 vs 255 pg/mL). After 12 months, 41.6% of the patients received less than half of the standard dose. Overall, all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and heart failure readmission rate were 3.0%, 1.1%, and 6.9% in 12 months, respectively. In those who had both baseline and 12-month data, renal function did not change (1.7-1.8 mg/dL, P = .091), left ventricular ejection fraction improved (30.8%-36.8%, P < .001), BNP decreased (777.0-655.8 pg/mL, P = .032), and uric acid decreased (7.5-7.1 mg/dL, P = .009).

Conclusion:

In our study, patients with HFrEF had higher BNP and serum creatinine level at baseline and had received lower dose of ARNI than the PARADIGM-HF populations. Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor appeared to be safe as regard renal function and effective in real-world practice. Left ventricular reverse remodeling was observed 1 year after heart failure medication treatment, including ARNI.
An Unusual Lung Mass of Heterotopic Pancreatic Tissue in a Neonate With an Elevated Immunoreactive Trypsinogen on Newborn Screen
Authors: Rao Anita , Wagner Ellen S , Wieck Minna M , Raiji Manish T , Schulte Jefree J , Husain Aliya N , Azzam Ruba
Published: September 2019

We present a case of a neonate with tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia along with a suspicious lung mass who had a false-positive newborn screen for cystic fibrosis due to an elevated serum immunoreactive trypsinogen with an additionally elevated serum lipase. The infant’s lung mass was found to contain heterotopic pancreatic tissue consisting of acini, ducts, and islet cells, without an associated gastrointestinal duplication cyst. This constellation of congenital abnormalities has not been described in previous literature. Also, this is the first reported case of a neonate with elevated serum pancreatic enzymes in which the underlying etiology was discovered to be heterotopic pancreas.
Structural Responses to Gendered Social Problems: Police Agency Adaptations to Human Trafficking
Authors: Jurek Alicia L. , King William R.
Published: September 2019

The identification and investigation of human trafficking cases has lagged behind what prevalence estimates of the scope of the crime have suggested. Previous research has identified the importance of formalized responses to human trafficking for the successful identification of these cases, but little is known about the factors predicting the creation of specialized human trafficking units. The current study uses both primary and secondary data and a theoretical framework informed by structural contingency and representative bureaucracy to identify predictors of specialized human trafficking units in large municipal police departments in the United States. Penalized maximum likelihood estimation revealed only agency size and social disorganization were significant predictors of these specialized units. Directions for future research are included.
Using parent metaphors for learning about the neonatal care experience: An interpretive perspective
Authors: Petty Julia , Jarvis Joy , Thomas Rebecca
Published: September 2019

This study focuses on how metaphors are used by parents who have had a premature baby to describe their neonatal care experience and how these can contribute to empathic learning of health professionals. In health, metaphors are commonly used to communicate and explain difficult topics. When patients tell their story, metaphor can be a means of expression from which we can learn about their experience of illness or hospitalisation. Limited research exits on how metaphor can improve our understanding of parent’s emotional experience in neonatal care and subsequently inform education in this field. Employing narrative inquiry within an interpretive, constructivist paradigm, 20 narrative interviews with 23 parents of premature babies were analysed using a process of metaphor identification. Findings revealed common metaphors used to describe experience. Metaphor clusters used by parents in order of frequency were journeying, altered reality, darkness, breaking, connections, fighting, salvation and being on the edge. Parents widely used compelling and emotive metaphors to describe and express both difficult and challenging times as well as progression forward. Metaphors serve as a powerful way for health professionals to learn about the emotional experiences of parents and potentially enhance their empathic understanding.
A Systematic Review on 3D-Printed Imaging and Dosimetry Phantoms in Radiation Therapy
Authors: Tino Rance , Yeo Adam , Leary Martin , Brandt Milan , Kron Tomas
Published: September 2019

Introduction:

Additive manufacturing or 3-dimensional printing has become a widespread technology with many applications in medicine. We have conducted a systematic review of its application in radiation oncology with a particular emphasis on the creation of phantoms for image quality assessment and radiation dosimetry. Traditionally used phantoms for quality assurance in radiotherapy are often constraint by simplified geometry and homogenous nature to perform imaging analysis or pretreatment dosimetric verification. Such phantoms are limited due to their ability in only representing the average human body, not only in proportion and radiation properties but also do not accommodate pathological features. These limiting factors restrict the patient-specific quality assurance process to verify image-guided positioning accuracy and/or dose accuracy in “water-like” condition.

Methods and Results:

English speaking manuscripts published since 2008 were searched in 5 databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science). A significant increase in publications over the 10 years was observed with imaging and dosimetry phantoms about the same total number (52 vs 50). Key features of additive manufacturing are the customization with creation of realistic pathology as well as the ability to vary density and as such contrast. Commonly used printing materials, such as polylactic acid, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high-impact polystyrene and many more, are utilized to achieve a wide range of achievable X-ray attenuation values from −1000 HU to 500 HU and higher. Not surprisingly, multimaterial printing using the polymer jetting technology is emerging as an important printing process with its ability to create heterogeneous phantoms for dosimetry in radiotherapy.

Conclusion:

Given the flexibility and increasing availability and low cost of additive manufacturing, it can be expected that its applications for radiation medicine will continue to increase.
Modeling the Use of Mixed Methods–Grounded Theory: Developing Scales for a New Measurement Model
Authors: Howell Smith Michelle C. , Babchuk Wayne A. , Stevens Jared , Garrett Amanda L. , Wang Sherry C. , Guetterman Timothy C.
Published: September 2019

Mixed methods–grounded theory (MM–GT) has emerged as a promising methodology that intersects the value of mixed methods with rigorous qualitative design. However, recent reviews have found that MM–GT empirical studies tend to lack procedural details. The purpose of this article is to apply the “best practices” for conducting MM–GT in a study designed to develop and then test a theoretical model for how undergraduate engineering students develop interest in the engineering PhD. This study contributes to the field of mixed methods research by (a) illustrating best practices for MM–GT, (b) providing an MM–GT scale development example, (c) demonstrating how an MM-GT scale could potentially bypass exploratory factor analysis and proceed directly to confirmatory factor analysis for testing psychometric properties, and showing how a joint display for data collection planning can be used to strengthen integration in an instrument development study.
Does Societal Cost Information Affect Patient Decision-Making in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kortlever Joost T. P. , Zhuang Thompson , Ring David , Reichel Lee M. , Vagner Gregg A. , Kamal Robin N.
Published: September 2019

Background: Despite studies demonstrating the effects of out-of-pocket costs on decision-making, the effect of societal cost information on patient decision-making is unknown. Given the considerable societal impact of cost of care for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), providing societal cost data to patients with CTS could affect decision-making and provide a strategy for reducing national health care costs. Therefore, we assessed the following hypotheses: (1) there is no difference in treatment choice (surgery vs no surgery) in a hypothetical case of mild CTS between patients randomized to receive societal cost information compared with those who did not receive this information; (2) there are no factors (eg, sex, experience with a previous diagnosis of CTS, or receiving societal cost information) independently associated with the choice for surgery; and (3) there is no difference in attitudes toward health care costs between patients choosing surgery and those who did not. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial using a hypothetical scenario, we prospectively enrolled 184 new and return patients with a nontraumatic upper extremity diagnosis. We recorded patient demographics, treatment choice in the hypothetical case of mild CTS, and their attitudes toward health care costs. Results: Treatment choice was not affected by receiving societal cost information. None of the demographic or illness factors assessed were independently associated with the choice for surgery. Patients declining surgery felt more strongly that doctors should consider their out-of-pocket costs when making recommendations. Conclusions: Providing societal cost information does not seem to affect decision-making and may not reduce the overall health care costs. For patients with CTS, health policy could nudge toward better resource utilization and finding the best care pathways for nonoperative and invasive treatments.
Hemiresection Interposition Arthroplasty of the Distal Radioulnar Joint: A Long-term Outcome Study
Authors: Nawijn Femke , Verhiel Svenna H. W. L. , Jupiter Jesse B. , Chen Neal C.
Published: September 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with long-term patient-reported functional, pain, and satisfaction scores in patients who underwent (Bowers) hemiresection interposition technique (HIT) arthroplasty of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). The secondary aims were to determine the complication and reoperation rates. Methods: A retrospective study with long-term follow-up of patients undergoing HIT arthroplasty was performed. Demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics were collected for the 66 included patients. Thirty-one patients completed all surveys, which were the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), our custom-made HIT arthroplasty questionnaire, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain, and NRS for satisfaction. The mean interval between surgery and follow-up by means of questionnaires was 8.6 ± 3.4 years. Results: The mean QuickDASH score was 31.0 ± 20.2. The mean score of the HIT arthroplasty questionnaire was 2 ± 2. The median NRS for pain was 1 (interquartile range [IQR], 0-3), and the median NRS for satisfaction was 9 (IQR, 8-10). The complication rate and reoperation rate were 14% and 8%, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, patients expressed satisfaction with HIT arthroplasty, despite a mean QuickDASH score of 31.0. In our cohort, patients with inflammatory arthritis had higher satisfaction and lower pain scores. Patients who had prior trauma, prior surgery, or DRUJ subluxation are generally less satisfied. Men, older patients, and posttraumatic patients had higher long-term pain scores; however, posterior interosseous nerve neurectomy is associated with improved pain scores. Our findings support the use of HIT arthroplasty in patients with inflammatory arthritis.
Research on kinematics and attitude control model of a surgical interventional catheter
Authors: Xu Zhenyu
Published: September 2019

To solve the problems of poor versatility and inactivity of the traditional interventional catheters, a forward kinematic model of multi-segment catheters in series is established by using D-H parameter method, which is based on the geometrical structure of the designed catheters. In order to ensure the decoupling control of the driver’s length, we look into the relationship between the driver’s length and the posture of the catheter unit. The control model of the catheter’s posture is further presented, in which the characteristics of driver is equivalent to the arc shape. Finally, the fuzzy Proportional-Integral-Differential Control (PID) control is designed to control the catheter unit which greatly improves the precision of the control model. The results show that the relationship between the predicted driver length and the catheter attitude angle is basically consistent with the experimental results, which verifies the effectiveness of the variable universe fuzzy PID control.
Forming the Legal Avant-Garde: A Theory of Art/Law
Authors: Finchett-Maddock Lucy
Published: September 2019

This piece seeks to account for an increased interest in the intersection of art and law within legal thinking, activism and artistic practice, arguing there to exist the phenomena and movement of ‘art/law’. Art/law is the coming together of theory and practice in legal and political aesthetics, understood as a practice, (im)materially performed. It is seen as a natural consequence of thinking law and resistance in terms of space and time, accounting for a turn towards the visual, the practical and the role of affect, within ways of knowing. Art/law is a symptom of the end of art and end of law, synchronically rendered. Divisions between legal and aesthetic form have been well rehearsed within legal aesthetics scholarship, from law and literature, to critical legal studies’ work with images, text and performativity, and now law’s Anthropocene. Art/law as a practice, however, is argued as an emergent onto-epistemic-ethics of necessity, a movement of seeing, being and knowing in response to the advancement of spectacle. It is the simultaneous reunion of law, art and resistance as one, breaking down the institutional artifice of art worlds and law worlds, offering a form of ‘resistant (in)formalism’, that accounts for matter and change and asserts convergence as a medium. It is an inclusion of the uncertain and the disordered, that is an opening for the audience. This resistant (in)formalism describes the role of form, audience and practice within property, legal and aesthetic establishment, offering a countering of separatism at the end of art and the end of law, through a praxeology of art/law in seeing, thinking and action.
A good sine? Seeking math help using crowdsourced online discussion boards
Authors: Kim Ann Y , Thacker Ian
Published: September 2019

We examined asynchronous online discussion boards, specifically those that are unmediated by teacher figures, to identify characteristics of these spaces that support or constrain students as they seek help in mathematics. We analyzed 86 questions and 114 associated responses posted to two Khan Academy discussion boards centered around two related trigonometry lessons. The platform created a space where students could ask a variety of questions ranging from those requesting math definitions and explanations of math procedures to justifications for why formulas are true. However, crowdsourced replies to questions were delayed, sometimes taking more than one year for a reply to be posted; content of student replies did not always match the content of the questions posed; and the quality of the replies varied considerably, some replies were helpful or resourceful while others were incorrect or vague. These challenges seemed connected to the unmediated nature of this type of asynchronous online discussion board. We argue that this online learning environment demands additional self-regulated learning strategies such as awareness of one’s needs and the timeframe in which they must be met. We also discuss implications for research and practice.
Prognostic impact of percutaneous coronary intervention in octogenarians with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction: A report from SWEDEHEART
Authors: Völz Sebastian , Petursson Petur , Angerås Oskar , Odenstedt Jacob , Ioanes Dan , Haraldsson Inger , Dworeck Christian , Hirlekar Geir , Redfors Björn , Myredal Anna , Libungan Berglind , Albertsson Per , Råmunddal Truls , Omerovic Elmir
Published: September 2019

Aims:

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves outcomes in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACSs). Octogenarians, however, were underrepresented in the pivotal trials. This study aimed to assess the effect of PCI in patients ≥80 years old.

Methods and results:

We used data from the SWEDEHEART registry for all hospital admissions at eight cardiac care centres within Västra Götaland County. Consecutive patients ≥80 years old admitted for NSTE-ACS between January 2000 and December 2011 were included. We performed instrumental variable analysis with propensity score. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 30 days and one year after index hospitalization. During the study period 5200 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In total, 586 (11.2%) patients underwent PCI, the remaining 4613 patients were treated conservatively. Total mortality at 30 days was 19.4% (1007 events) and 39.4% (1876 events) at one year. Thirty-day mortality was 20.7% in conservatively treated patients and 8.5% in the PCI group (adjusted odds ratio 0.34; 95% confidence interval 0.12–0.97, p = 0.044). One-year mortality was 42.1% in the conservatively treated group and 16.3% in the PCI group (adjusted odds ratio 0.97; 95% confidence interval 0.36–2.51, p = 0.847).

Conclusions:

PCI in octogenarians with NSTE-ACS was associated with a lower risk of mortality at 30 days. However, this survival benefit was not sustained during the entire study-period of one-year.
Cryopreserved Alginate-Encapsulated Islets Can Restore Euglycemia in a Diabetic Animal Model Better than Cryopreserved Non-encapsulated Islets
Authors: Kojayan Greg G , Flores Antonio , Li Shiri , Alexander Michael , Lakey Jonathan RT
Published: September 2019

Islet transplantation has been shown to restore normoglycemia clinically. One of the current limitations to the widespread clinical use of islet transplantation is culturing and preserving more than 1 million islet equivalents in preparation for transplant. One possible solution is to bank frozen islets and use them when needed. Although promising, the standard islet freezing protocol introduces stress and cell death, resulting in high variability of islet quality post thawing. This study aimed to develop an improved cryopreservation protocol using alginate-encapsulated islets to improve islet survival and function for future transplants. Our data showed that encapsulation improved islet survival and function after thawing the frozen islets. Frozen encapsulated islets have an islet yield recovery of 84% when compared to non-encapsulated islets at 72% after thawing. Post-thaw viability was 78% for non-encapsulated islets compared to 88% for encapsulated islets. The stimulation index values after a static glucose test following thawing were 1.9 ± 0.5, 2.9 ± 0.1, and 3.3 ± 0.3 for the non-encapsulated, 1.75% alginate, and 2.5% alginate groups, respectively. In a transplant study, the mice that received 1.75% alginate-encapsulated cryopreserved islets achieved normoglycemia on average 5 days after transplant. In comparison, control mice that received fresh islets took 4 days, while those receiving unencapsulated cryopreserved islets took 18 days. In conclusion, encapsulating islets in 1.75% alginate prior to freezing was shown to improve islet survival, function post thawing, and graft response significantly when compared to islets frozen without encapsulation.
Social Media Discourse About Division-I Football Players’ Early Exit Announcements: The Role of Expressed Fandom
Authors: Cranmer Gregory A. , Cassilo David , Sanderson Jimmy , Troutman Bailey
Published: September 2019

This study sought to understand social media users’ responses to Division-I football players’ early exit announcements as manifestations of BIRGing and CORFing. Researchers analyzed social media users’ replies ( N = 2,009) to six collegiate student-athletes’ early exit announcements on Twitter and Instagram during the 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football season. Results identified four responses to exit announcements: (a) supporting, (b) noting significance, (c) disagreeing, and (d) capitalizing. These reactions varied as a function of fan identification: (a) those who expressed fandom for exited teams supported student-athletes, (b) those who expressed fandom for other teams capitalized on the announcements, and (c) those who expressed no fandom noted the significance of and disagreed with student-athletes. These findings offer unique insights that reinforce and diverge from assertions about fans’ BIRGing and CORFing behaviors. The results also have consequences for how scholars and practitioners come to view the intersections between team/organizational processes, athlete expression, and athlete–fan interaction.