bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Campana Mario , Chatzidakis Andreas , Laamanen Mikko
Published: March 2017

Alternative economies respond to the precarious conditions underpinning the everyday lives of individuals, and their lack of access to and scarcity of resources and competences. Recently there has been increasing interest in the field of macromarketing towards such alternative forms of exchange and marketplaces. Nonetheless, current studies of alternative economies remain fragmented. The objective of this special issue is to advance our understanding of alternative economies and stimulate future research within this domain. Seven articles are included in this special issue of the Journal of Macromarketing. Each article presents forward-looking research exploring one of three aspects of alternative economies: (1) the paradigms used within alternative economies, (2) the institutional logics that guide action within these systems and (3) the implications to individuals, localities, markets, and society. The editors of the special issue briefly introduce the topic, provide a definition of alternative economies, offer an overview of the articles and their contributions, and direction for future research bringing together alternative economies and macromarketing.
Effect of Vertical Stretching on the Extraction of Mean Identity From Faces
Authors: Bagaïni Alexandra , Hole Graham
Published: March 2017

Observers can extract the mean identity from a set of faces and falsely recognise it as a genuine set member. The current experiment demonstrated that this ‘perceptual averaging’ also occurs with vertically stretched faces. On each trial, participants decided whether a target face was present in a preceding set of four faces. In the control condition, the faces were all normally proportioned; in the stretched set condition, the face sets were stretched but the targets were normal; and in the stretched target condition, the face sets were normal but the targets were stretched. In all three conditions, participants falsely identified the set mean as a face that had been presented within the set, implying that this identity-averaging effect is based on high-level identity information rather than the low-level physical characteristics of the face stimuli.
Advantages of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair With a Transosseous Suture Technique: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Randelli Pietro , Stoppani Carlo Alberto , Zaolino Carlo , Menon Alessandra , Randelli Filippo , Cabitza Paolo
Published: March 2017

Background:

Rotator cuff tear is a common finding in patients with painful, poorly functioning shoulders. The surgical management of this disorder has improved greatly and can now be fully arthroscopic.

Purpose:

To evaluate clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using 2 different techniques: single-row anchor fixation versus transosseous hardware-free suture repair.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

Sixty-nine patients with rotator cuff tears were enrolled: 35 patients were operated with metal anchors and 34 with standardized transosseous repair. The patients were clinically evaluated before surgery, during the 28 days after surgery, and at least 1 year after the operation by the use of validated rating scores (Constant score, QuickDASH, and numerical rating scale [NRS]). Final follow-up was obtained at more than 3 years by a QuickDASH evaluation to detect any difference from the previous follow-up. During the follow-up, rotator cuff integrity was determined through magnetic resonance imaging and was classified according to the 5 Sugaya categories.

Results:

Patients operated with the transosseous technique had significantly less pain, especially from the 15th postoperative day: In the third week, the mean NRS value for the anchor group was 3.00 while that for transosseous group was 2.46 ( P = .02); in the fourth week, the values were 2.44 and 1.76, respectively ( P < .01). No differences in functional outcome were noted between the 2 groups at the final evaluation. In the evaluation of rotator cuff repair integrity, based on Sugaya magnetic resonance imaging classification, no significant difference was found between the 2 techniques in terms of retear rate ( P = .81).

Conclusion:

No significant differences were found between the 2 arthroscopic repair techniques in terms of functional and radiological results. However, postoperative pain decreased more quickly after the transosseous procedure, which therefore emerges as a possible improvement in the surgical repair of the rotator cuff.

Registration:

NCT01815177 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).
Would Congestion Pricing Harm the Poor? Do Free Roads Help the Poor?
Authors: Manville Michael , Goldman Emily
Published: March 2017

Congestion pricing could reduce urban congestion, but might disproportionately benefit the affluent and burden the poor. We show that this common concern also applies to free roads. Free urban highways primarily subsidize richer people, and the resulting congestion creates pollution that disproportionately burdens poorer people. Furthermore, the poor drivers burdened by peak-hour road pricing would be a small minority of total peak-hour drivers and a minority of the poor. These facts suggest that the revenue generated by pricing could compensate any poor drivers harmed. Free roads, in contrast, generate no revenue to compensate the people they harm.
Is All Parental “Noninvolvement” Equal? Barriers to Involvement and Their Relationship to Latino Academic Achievement
Authors: Alexander Jamie D. , Cox Ronald B. , Behnke Andrew , Larzelere Robert E.
Published: March 2017

High parental involvement has consistently been shown to enhance academic achievement among Latino youth. Still, some youth continue to thrive academically despite low parental involvement. The Theory of Rationality suggests that the impact of even potentially negative behaviors depends on how the behavior is interpreted. To test the application of this theory to parental “noninvolvement” among Latinos, we assessed how adolescent rationales about their parents’ noninvolvement in their schooling affected grade point average (GPA). Results showed that parental lack of transportation and feeling unwelcomed at school as reasons for noninvolvement were significantly and negatively related to GPA, and conflict with work schedule was significantly and positively related to GPA. Other reasons for noninvolvement were not significantly associated with GPA. Findings indicate that the meaning adolescents attribute to parental behavior may be a stronger predictor of academic achievement than the amount of involvement alone.
Is Investigative Awareness a Distinctive Feature of Sexual Sadism?
Authors: Reale Kylie , Beauregard Eric , Martineau Melissa
Published: March 2017

Sadistic offenders are often described as individuals who are forensically aware, who carefully plan their offenses, and preselect the location of their crime. Despite this emphasis on strategies to avoid police detection, no study has specifically examined whether this behavior or trait was specific to sadistic offenders. Utilizing a sample of 350 cases of sexual homicide from Canada, sadistic sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) are compared with nonsadistic SHOs on their investigative awareness. Results from logistic regression analyses show that sadistic SHOs are more likely to use various precautions to avoid detection and select a deserted location, in comparison with nonsadistic offenders. In addition, sadistic SHOs, despite having a lesser time to body recovery than nonsadistic offenders, are more likely to see their case remain unsolved. Implications for the assessment of sexual sadism as well as for the police investigations will be discussed.
Legal Implications for Accommodating Students With Disabilities in Teacher Preparation Field Placements
Authors: Dieterich Cynthia A. , Chan Paula E. , Price Anne E.
Published: March 2017

The goal of Special Education is to help individuals with disabilities transition to meaningful adult roles. When students with disabilities pursue education majors, Special Education Faculty must balance their desire to support college students with disabilities, while maintaining the rigor of their academic programs. To gain a better understanding of how to support students with disabilities in teacher preparation programs, faculty must have a clear understanding of federal legislation and recent case law related to students with disabilities in professional programs in higher education. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the legal precedent for working with students with disabilities in teacher preparation programs. In this study, the authors review federal legislation for students with disabilities in higher education, present recent case law related to accommodating students with disabilities in college training programs with field components, and provide suggestions for faculty working with students with disabilities.
Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations
Authors: Hagerty Thomas A. , Samuels William , Norcini-Pala Andrea , Gigliotti Eileen
Published: March 2017

A confirmatory factor analysis of data from the responses of 12,436 patients to 16 items on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems–Hospital survey was used to test a latent factor structure based on Peplau’s middle-range theory of interpersonal relations. A two-factor model based on Peplau’s theory fit these data well, whereas a three-factor model also based on Peplau’s theory fit them excellently and provided a suitable alternate factor structure for the data. Though neither the two- nor three-factor model fit as well as the original factor structure, these results support using Peplau’s theory to demonstrate nursing’s extensive contribution to the experiences of hospitalized patients.
The Chains Around Academic Freedom in Teaching-Learning
Authors: Condon Barbara Backer
Published: March 2017

Freedom as a concept has been much debated. Is freedom an innate part of being, or does freedom even truly exists? These are questions that have gleaned countless hours of discourse over the years. Two components of freedom that can influence nurse higher education are freedom of speech, in the form of media, and academic freedom. The author of this column first introduces three views of freedom to demonstrate the differences surrounding it. A discussion of the media’s use or misuse of freedom of speech and its influence on nursing education is then presented, followed by an examination of current threats to academic freedom in today’s institutes of higher learning and specifically in the nursing education arena. The author concludes with suggestions on being a nurse educator through living as a humanbecoming professional while navigating issues surrounding nursing education.
What Do I Do Now?
Authors: Bunkers Sandra Schmidt
Published: March 2017

The author in this article reports a literature review on the core concepts of a Parse inquiry on the lived experience of feeling sad: unrelenting misery, pondering the irreplaceable (remembering), and persevering with adversity. New conceptualizations of sadness are presented and the question for health professionals is posed: What do we do now?
Mentoring
Authors: Block Michelle , Florczak Kristine L.
Published: March 2017

The column concerns itself with mentoring as an evolving relationship between mentor and mentee. The collegiate mentoring model, the transformational transcendence model, and the humanbecoming mentoring model are considered in light of a dialogue with mentors at a Midwest university and conclusions are drawn.
Leading-Following in the Context of Rural Nursing
Authors: Stewart Fahs Pamela
Published: March 2017

Leading-following, as defined by Parse, is “deliberately innovating with potent engaging in persistently pursuing excellence. It is an indivisible, unpredictable, ever changing cocreation.” Parse noted that processes forming the essence of leading-following require commitment, risk-taking, acknowledging ambiguity, respecting others, and vigilance. There is a bond between members of society and nurses—an expectation that nurses will provide care to individuals, families, and communities. Nursing is a profession where the potential to create meaning in healthcare has not yet been fully realized.
Can Incentive Effects in Web Surveys Be Generalized to Non-Western Countries? Conditional and Unconditional Cash Incentives in a Web Survey of Ghanaian University Students
Authors: Meuleman Bart , Langer Arnim , Blom Annelies G.
Published: March 2017

Because research on the impact of web survey incentives has exclusively focused on Western settings, it is unclear to what extent current insights translate and generalize to non-Western societies, which are usually characterized by very different economic conditions, cultural traditions, and survey climates. The current article presents the results of a web survey incentives experiment among almost 4,440 Ghanaian university students who were offered conditional and unconditional incentives of different values (in the form of telephone credit). Our analyses partly replicate Western findings: Higher value incentives produce higher participation rates and unconditional incentives outperform conditional ones in the lower value conditions. In the case of relatively high incentives, however, conditional outperforms unconditional incentives. No differential effects of incentives on response quality were found.
High-performance wholly aromatic polyamide–hydrazides
Authors: Elsabee Maher Z , Morsi Rania E , Selim Salah
Published: March 2017

The review summarizes the various methods of preparing wholly aromatic polyamide–hydrazides (PAHs). Polyhydrazides are a class of polymers that possess in their repeating units one amide (–NHOC–) and one hydrazide (–CONHNHOC–) linking bond between appropriate aromatic nuclei. The review provides several figures of different molecular structures of PAH and expounds the methods of polymerization, low, high temperature, and phosphorylation polycondensation methods. Polyhydrazides exhibit some unique and potentially useful properties such as outstanding thermal and thermo-oxidative resistance, very high mechanical strength, and ultrahigh moduli. PAHs undergo structural transformation into poly(amide-1,3,4-oxadiazole)s upon heating, which are also considered highly thermally stable polymers. The review presents a description of the structure–property relation of PAHs. The application of PAHs in reverse osmosis applications has been discussed, as well as the preparation of fibers and metallized PAHs films. Modification of the PAH with carbon nanotubes and graphene and the future prospects for PAHs were introduced with comprehensive references pertaining to this area of research.
Intelligent bearing performance degradation assessment and remaining useful life prediction based on self-organising map and support vector regression
Authors: Rai Akhand , Upadhyay Sanjay H
Published: March 2017

Rolling element bearings are critical components of rotating machines since the failure of rolling element bearings may cease the functioning of the entire equipment. The damages observed due to bearing failures are expeditious in nature and hence the need to develop an effective prognostic methodology becomes a requisite to prevent the sudden machinery breakdown. The performance degradation assessment and accurate determination of remaining useful life are the two key issues in prognostics of rolling element bearings. This paper proposes a degradation indicator based on self-organising map for the performance degradation assessment of bearings and later support vector regression is utilised to estimate the remaining useful life of bearings. The time-domain and frequency domain features extracted from the raw bearing vibration signals are supplied to the self-organising map classifier to achieve the degradation index termed as self-organising map-minimum quantisation error evolution in the paper. For estimating the remaining useful life of bearings, first the central trend of minimum quantisation error is extracted to achieve the feature vector defined as bearing health index in this work. The bearing health index is then used as input and the life percentage of the bearing is set to output in order to build the support vector regression prediction model for remaining useful life estimation of bearings. The proposed method is validated on the vibration signatures collected in a bearing test rig. The results show that the advocated method can efficiently track the evolution of deterioration and predict the remaining useful life of bearings.
Prevalence of sickle cell disease among Grenadian newborns
Authors: Antoine Magdalene , Lee Ketty , Donald Tyhiesia , Belfon Yonni , Drigo Ali , Polson Sharon , Martin Francis , Mitchell George , Etienne-Julan Maryse , Hardy-Dessources Marie-Dominique
Published: March 2017

Objective

To establish the birth prevalence of sickle cell disease in Grenada, with a view to assess the requirement for a population-based neonatal screening programme.

Methods

A two-year pilot neonatal screening programme, involving the Ministry of Health of Grenada, the Sickle Cell Association of Grenada, and the diagnostic laboratory of hemoglobinopathies of the University Hospital of Guadeloupe, was implemented in 2014–2015 under the auspices of the Caribbean Network of Researchers on Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia.

Results

Analysis of 1914 samples processed identified the following abnormal phenotypes: 10 FS, 2 FSC, 183 FAS, 63 FAC. These data indicate βs and βc allele frequencies of 0.054 and 0.018, respectively.

Conclusion

Neonatal screening conducted in the framework of this Caribbean cooperation can allow rapid detection and earlier management of affected children.
Peasant-State Relation in Late Medieval North India (Mewat)
Authors: Bhardwaj Suraj Bhan
Published: March 2017

Studies on peasantry in medieval India 1 , particularly peasant protests in the late Mughal period, have not adequately addressed the issue of class consciousness in peasantry or that of class character of peasant protests against the state. In a way, agency has been denied to the peasantry in collectively developing and articulating an informed understanding of its distinct social position and economic interests as a class, as well as in protecting those interests. This essay retrieves this agency by arguing that the peasantry in late medieval north India, that is, late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries ce, did develop a degree of self-consciousness as a class and that its conflict with the state did betray a certain class character. The folksongs and folktales popular among the peasantry since the medieval times have all the ingredients with which to construct a definite peasant class ideology that included conceptions of economic interest, social ethics and relation with the ruling class. On the basis of hitherto understudied Rajasthani documents, the article details the various ways in which the state intervened in the peasants’ socio-cultural and economic lives and the ways in which the peasants responded to these interventions. It also shows how the peasants’ class consciousness conditioned their engagement with the state in specific areas, whether grievance redressal, conflict resolution or agricultural production and surplus distribution. Furthermore, it discusses how caste consciousness in a stratified peasant society impinged on its class consciousness. However, there remained certain limits to the fuller development of this class consciousness, which ultimately constrained the fuller realisation of the potential of peasants’ class struggle against the state. The essay locates these limits in the peasants’ periodic negotiations with the state and their belief in the ideal of a non-conflictual, harmonious relation with the state.
Asymmetric Caregiving by Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles and the Theories of Kin Selection and Paternity Certainty: How Does Evolution Explain Human Behavior Toward Close Relatives?
Authors: Pashos Alexander
Published: March 2017

Evolutionary theories explain altruism between related individuals, not only for nonhuman animals but also humans themselves. In sociobiology and evolutionary psychology, the supposedly universally found stronger matrilineal kin caregiving by grandparents, aunts, and uncles is often explained by paternity uncertainty in the male descent line. The present article provides an overview of theories and results of the evolutionary research. I will focus, in particular, on the universal caregiving pattern as well as on cultural variety in kin caregiving, the role of actual paternity certainty in the society, theoretical inconsistencies, and nonconsanguineous step relationships. From the analysis of the empirical data, I will conclude that the paternity certainty hypothesis is in fact not a very suitable explanation for the asymmetric kin caregiving found in humans. I will discuss how human behavior toward relatives, in particular grandchildren, can be alternatively explained from an evolutionary perspective.
Vibration attenuation of spacecraft in the presence of parametric and unmodeled dynamics uncertainties using collocated and noncollocated control: A comparative study
Authors: Khushnood Muhammad Atif , Xiaogang Wang , Naigang Cui
Published: March 2017

µ-control synthesis offers the advantage of maintaining robust performance and stability in the presence of plant uncertainties. Expressions relating the 2-norm of the vector of regulated outputs and closed-loop modal damping to the weights used for µ-control synthesis are derived in this paper. By using these expressions, the amount of damping added to each mode can be controlled individually while maintaining equal importance for each controlled mode. Hence, the selection of weights for synthesizing a suitable µ-controller is greatly simplified. Furthermore, a comparative study of µ-controllers designed by the proposed procedure and positive position feedback (PPF) controllers designed by analytically derived optimal parameters is also presented. The techniques are compared for their vibration attenuation, energy utilization, and stability characteristics, in the presence of parametric and unmodeled dynamics uncertainties. Results for both time domain and frequency domain simulations are presented. As in some cases (sandwich plate structures etc.) the noncollocation of actuator/sensor becomes crucial for achieving good performance, the above-mentioned characteristics are evaluated for both collocated and noncollocated sensor locations.
Development of a boring bar with magneto rheological fluid damping and assessment of its dynamic characteristics
Authors: Biju CV , Shunmugam MS
Published: March 2017

The boring operation is prone to chatter as the boring bar is slender and has an overhang. For chatter suppression, passive, semi-active or active control methods can be employed. In the present work, a boring bar has been specially designed to transfer vibration to a cantilever bar surrounded by magneto rheological (MR) fluid. The MR fluid when exposed to electromagnetic flux changes its rheological property within a certain range. Thus, the boring bar is able to exhibit variable damping characteristics by changing the excitation current. The modal parameters are experimentally obtained through an impact test and a shaker test. The variation of modal parameters with excitation current is discussed. A stability lobe diagram is also developed from the model parameters, showing safe and unsafe regions for operation. The semi-active boring bar developed in the present work can be used for the suppression of chatter during the boring operation.
Small-for-Size Syndrome: Bridging the Gap Between Liver Transplantation and Graft Recovery
Authors: Rajakumar Akila , Kaliamoorthy Ilankumaran , Rela Mohamed , Mandell M. Susan
Published: March 2017

In living donor liver transplantation, optimal graft size is estimated from values like graft volume/standard liver volume and graft/recipient body weight ratio but the final functional hepatic mass is influenced by other donor and recipient factors. Grafts with insufficient functional hepatic mass can produce a life-threatening condition with rapidly progressive liver failure called small-for-size syndrome (SFSS). Diagnosis of SFSS requires careful surveillance for signs of inadequate hepatocellular function, residual portal hypertension, and systemic inflammation that suggest rapidly progressive liver failure. Early diagnosis, symptom control, and addressing the cause of SFSS may prevent the need for retransplantation. With increased attention to avoiding donor risk, intensivists will be confronted with more SFSS recipients. In this review, we aim to outline a systematic approach to the medical management of patients with SFSS by providing a concise synopsis of general supportive care—neurological, cardiovascular, and renal support, mechanical ventilation, nutritional support, infection control, and tailored immunosuppression—with an aim to avoid end-organ damage or death and a review of current interventions including liver support devices, portal flow modulating drugs, and other experimental interventions that aim to preserve existing hepatic mass and improve conditions for hepatic regeneration. We examine evidence for SFSS interventions to provide the reader with information that may assist in clinical decision making. Points of controversy in care are purposefully highlighted to identify areas where additional experimental work is still needed. A full understanding of the pathophysiology of SFSS and measures to support liver regeneration will guide effective management.
Points to Consider in Designing and Conducting Juvenile Toxicology Studies
Authors: Kim Norman N. , Parker Robert M. , Weinbauer Gerhard F. , Remick Amera K. , Steinbach Thomas
Published: March 2017

In support of a clinical trial in the pediatric population, available nonclinical and clinical data provide input on the study design and safety monitoring considerations. When the existing data are lacking to support the safety of the planned pediatric clinical trial, a juvenile animal toxicity study is likely required. Usually a single relevant species, preferably a rodent, is chosen as the species of choice, while a nonrodent species can be appropriate when scientifically justified. Juvenile toxicology studies, in general, are complicated both conceptually and logistically. Development in young animals is a continuous process with different organs maturing at different rates and time. Structural and functional maturational differences have been shown to affect drug safety. Key points to consider in conducting a juvenile toxicology study include a comparative development of the organ systems, differences in the pharmacokinetics/absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (PK/ADME) profiles of the drug between young animal and child, and logistical requirement in the juvenile study design. The purpose of this publication is to note pertinent points to consider when designing and conducting juvenile toxicology studies and to aid in future modifications and enhancements of these studies to enable a superior predictability of safety of medicines in the pediatric population.
Interactive value formation in interorganizational relationships
Authors: Makkonen Hannu , Olkkonen Rami
Published: March 2017

The article builds a framework for interactive value formation (IVF) in interorganizational relationships. The framework describes IVF as interplay between resource integration and a multilevel service system, which manifests in interaction episodes accumulating into a relationship. The interplay generates outcomes in which the actors are better off (co-creation), worse off (co-destruction), or indifferent (no-creation) to value gained. The framework is demonstrated in an empirical case of a cultural sponsorship relationship where the co-destructive and no-creative interaction episodes dominated co-creative instances, finally accumulating into a relationship outcome of value no-creation for both parties. The framework and the launched novel conceptualization of value no-creation contribute to the research on service systems, resource integration for value, and failure in value co-creation. The research on failure in value co-creation, that is, value co-destruction, is scant. This article further elaborates this research stream and bridges to the research on co-creation.
When planners depend on powerful actors: Automatism versus intentions
Authors: Dobrucká Lucia
Published: March 2017

According to contemporary discourse in planning theory, planners should reveal, criticise and, if possible, influence structures in which power works. But being honest in a case where planners are an integral part of the power structure as employees, contractors or hired consultants might have a harsh personal impact. Is it even possible to challenge the powerful groups on which one depends? This article argues that one of the factors helping planners to do so is ‘intentions’. Intentions is a supple category with an ambivalent relation to actions. Nevertheless, they belong to the specific preconditions of actions and may imply motives, consistency and responsibility to follow the intended direction. By using the author’s own experience, this article discusses how intentions are formed, how they guide actions, how planning can profit from the time–spatial characteristics of intentions and why intentions strong enough to guide actions belong to factors enabling planners to challenge power. It distinguishes between ‘automatic planning’, which lacks a wider time–spatial perspective since it is oriented on ‘here and now’ assignments, and ‘intentions’, which are variable in terms of scale and time; thus, they can guide one’s deliberate actions towards the future. Without intentions that would exceed particular assignments, planning can easily become a routine which, regardless of its professional quality, allows power to work at the edge of arbitrariness.
Promoting Health Through Policy and Systems Change: Public Health Students and Mentors on the Value of Policy Advocacy Experience in Academic Internships
Authors: Marquez Daniela , Pell Dylan , Forster-Cox Sue , Garcia Evelyn , Ornelas Sophia , Bandstra Brenna , Mata Holly
Published: March 2017

Emerging professionals and new Certified Health Education Specialists often lack academic training in and actual experience in National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Area of Responsibility VII: Communicate, Promote, and Advocate for Health, Health Education/Promotion, and the Profession. For undergraduate and graduate students who have an opportunity to complete an internship or practicum experience, gaining experience in Competencies 7.2: Engage in advocacy for health and health education/promotion and 7.3: Influence policy and/or systems change to promote health and health education can have a profound impact on their career development and their ability to advocate for policies that promote health and health equity. Compelling evidence suggests that interventions that address social determinants of health such as poverty and education and those that change the context through improved policy or healthier environments have the greatest impact on public health, making it vital for emerging public health professionals to gain experience in policy advocacy and systems change. In this commentary, students and faculty from two large universities in the U.S.–Mexico border region reflect on the value of policy advocacy in academic internship/fieldwork experiences. Based on their experiences, they highly recommend that students seek out internship opportunities where they can participate in policy advocacy, and they encourage university faculty and practicum preceptors to provide more opportunities for policy advocacy in both classroom and fieldwork settings.
Anatomical Suitability of the Zenith Off-the-Shelf (p-Branch) Endograft in Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysms Previously Treated Using the Chimney Technique
Authors: Schroeder Martin , Donas Konstantinos P. , Stavroulakis Konstantinos , Stachmann Arne , Torsello Giovanni , Bisdas Theodosios
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To examine the suitability of the Zenith off-the-shelf (p-branch) endograft in patients with juxta- or pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (J/PRAA) previously treated with endovascular aneurysm repair incorporating the chimney technique (chEVAR).

Methods:

Between January 2012 and December 2014, high-resolution computed tomography angiograms and clinical data from 50 patients (mean age 79 years; 45 men) with J/PRAAs treated with chEVAR were retrospectively reviewed. Primary anatomical suitability was evaluated according to the Investigational Device Exemption protocol for the Zenith p-branch endograft in a dedicated 3-dimensional vascular workstation. Secondary suitability was defined as any additional intervention needed to overcome adverse anatomical conditions at the access vessels. The Zenith p-branch endograft is available in 2 configurations (A and B), with the main difference being the distance between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the renal fenestrations.

Results:

The p-branch endograft showed a primary suitability of 54% (n=27). Each configuration was suitable in 18 (36%) patients. Main anatomical limitations were the clock position of the left renal artery (LRA; n=7, 14%), the distance between the SMA and LRA (A: n=16, 32%; B: n=16, 32%), and significantly narrowed or calcified iliac arteries. If additional interventions at the access vessels were employed, a secondary suitability of 64% (n=32) could be achieved.

Conclusion:

In this specific group of patients treated with chEVAR, the Zenith p-branch system would be suitable in about half of the patients, which could be raised to two-thirds with ancillary access vessel procedures. A prospective clinical study is warranted to evaluate these results.
Adapting Internet-Delivered Parent-Child Interaction Therapy to Treat Co-Occurring Disruptive Behavior and Callous-Unemotional Traits: A Case Study
Authors: Fleming Georgette E. , Kimonis Eva R. , Datyner Amy , Comer Jonathan S.
Published: March 2017

Disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) are highly prevalent, emerge in early childhood, exhibit considerable stability across time, and are associated with profound disability. When DBD co-occur with callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., lack of empathy/guilt), the risk of early-onset, stable, and severe disruptive behavior is even higher, relative to DBD alone. Early intervention is critical, and there is robust empirical support for the efficacy of parent management training (PMT) for reducing disruptive behavior in young children. However, broad access to these interventions is hindered by numerous systemic barriers, including geographic disparities in availability of services. To overcome these barriers and enhance access and quality of care to underserved communities, several PMT programs have been adapted to online delivery formats, including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT is an evidence-supported treatment that attempts to reduce disruptive child behavior by improving the parent–child relationship and implementing consistent and effective discipline strategies. Comer and colleagues proposed an online adaptation of PCIT (I-PCIT) that is delivered using video teleconferencing (VTC). I-PCIT was implemented with the family of a 5-year-old Australian boy presenting with clinically significant disruptive behavior and CU traits living in a rural community. Findings from this case report (a) document an improvement in disruptive behavior that was maintained to follow-up and (b) provide preliminary support for adapting PCIT to online delivery formats to enhance accessibility of services and improve child and parent outcomes.
Preclinical Multimodal Molecular Imaging Using 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI in a Phase I Study of a Knee Osteoarthritis in In Vivo Canine Model
Authors: Menendez Maria I. , Hettlich Bianca , Wei Lai , Knopp Michael V.
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to use a multimodal molecular imaging approach to serially assess regional metabolic changes in the knee in an in vivo anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) canine model of osteoarthritis (OA). Five canine underwent ACLT in one knee and the contralateral knee served as uninjured control. Prior, 3, 6, and 12 weeks post-ACLT, the dogs underwent 18F-fluoro-d-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI was coregistered with the PET/CT, and 3-dimensional regions of interest (ROIs) were traced manually and maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were evaluated. 18F-fluoro-d-glucose SUVmax in the ACLT knee ROIs was significantly higher compared to the uninjured contralateral knees at 3, 6, and 12 weeks. Higher 18F-FDG uptake observed in ACLT knees compared to the uninjured knees reflects greater metabolic changes in the injured knees over time. Knee 18F-FDG uptake in an in vivo ACLT canine model using combined PET/CT and MRI demonstrated to be highly sensitive in the detection of metabolic alterations in osseous and nonosteochondral structures comprising the knee joint. 18F-fluoro-d-glucose appeared to be a capable potential imaging biomarker for early human knee OA diagnosis, prognosis, and management.
Patent foramen ovale closure with GORE HELEX or CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder vs. antiplatelet therapy for reduction of recurrent stroke or new brain infarct in patients with prior cryptogenic stroke: Design of the randomized Gore REDUCE Clinical Study
Authors: Kasner Scott E , Thomassen Lars , Søndergaard Lars , Rhodes John F , Larsen Coby C , Jacobson Joth
Published: March 2017

Rationale

The utility of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for secondary prevention in patients with prior cryptogenic stroke is uncertain despite multiple randomized trials completed to date.

Aims

The Gore REDUCE Clinical Study (REDUCE) aims to establish superiority of patent foramen ovale closure in conjunction with antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy alone in reducing the risk of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct in patients who have had a cryptogenic stroke.

Methods and design

This controlled, open-label trial randomized 664 subjects with cryptogenic stroke at 63 multinational sites in a 2:1 ratio to either antiplatelet therapy plus patent foramen ovale closure (with GORE® HELEX® Septal Occluder or GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder) or antiplatelet therapy alone. Subjects will be prospectively followed for up to five years. Neuroimaging is required for all subjects at baseline and at two years or study exit.

Study outcomes

The two co-primary endpoints for the study are freedom from recurrent clinical ischemic stroke through at least 24 months post-randomization and incidence of new brain infarct (defined as clinical ischemic stroke or silent brain infarct) through 24 months. The primary analyses are an unadjusted log-rank test and a binomial test of subject-based proportions, respectively, both on the intent-to-treat population, with adjustment for testing multiplicity.

Discussion

The REDUCE trial aims to target a patient population with truly cryptogenic strokes. Medical therapy is limited to antiplatelet agents in both arms thereby reducing confounding. The trial should determine whether patent foramen ovale closure with the Gore septal occluders is safe and more effective than medical therapy alone for the prevention of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct; the neuroimaging data will provide an opportunity to further support the proof of concept. The main results are anticipated in 2017.

Registration

Clinical trial registration-URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00738894
Move structure and communication style of leaders’ messages in corporate discourse: A cross-cultural perspective
Authors: Ngai Cindy Sing-Bik , Singh Rita Gill
Published: March 2017

As an important tool to influence stakeholders’ perception, leader messages, subsumed under public relations discourse, play an integral role in corporate communication. Drawing on the analysis of linguistic move structure and communication styles employed by researchers, this study adopts a multidimensional framework by using both discourse and quantitative analysis to compare how leaders in Global 500 corporations in China and the United States rely upon specific linguistic features to engage stakeholders in corporate discourse published on their websites. The results show pertinent differences in communication styles, where Chinese corporations tend to be more instrumental, elaborate and competitive while US corporations are more affective, succinct and harmonious. These observations depart from previous findings on interpersonal communication styles in cross-cultural research. This study also extends the boundary of corporate genre analysis by suggesting that the moves adopted in the structure of corporate messages are highly specific to the particular genre.
Always Tomorrow Now
Authors: Candy Stuart , Oliveira Luiz Alberto
Published: March 2017

Museu do Amanhã (the Museum of Tomorrow) opened in Rio de Janeiro in December 2015 and welcomed more than one million visitors within nine months. This interview of the museum’s curator (Luiz Alberto Oliveira) by its first fellow (Stuart Candy) looks at the story and thinking behind a cultural institution of foresight dedicated to questions rather than answers, experiences rather than artifacts, and multiple possible futures rather than an unalterable past.
A group-delivered self-management program reduces spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized, controlled pilot trial
Authors: Hugos Cinda L , Bourdette Dennis , Chen Yiyi , Chen Zunqiu , Cameron Michelle
Published: March 2017

Background

Spasticity affects more than 80% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting activity, participation, and quality of life. Based on an international guideline, an MS spasticity group education and stretching program, MS Spasticity: Take Control (STC), has been developed.

Objective

The objective of this paper is to determine whether STC with home stretching is associated with greater changes in spasticity than usual care (UC), consisting of an illustrated stretching booklet and home stretching but without group instruction or support, in people with MS.

Methods

Ambulatory MS patients with self-reported spasticity interfering with daily activities were randomized to STC or UC. Individuals completed questionnaires regarding MS, spasticity, walking, fatigue and mood, and physical measures of spasticity and walking.

Results

Thirty-eight of 40 participants completed both assessments. Mean total score and scores on two subscales of the MS Spasticity Scale-88 improved more with STC than with UC ( p < 0.03). There was no significant change in the Modified Ashworth Scale in either group. Mean scores on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the physical component of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 showed statistically and clinically significant improvements in the STC group only.

Conclusions

Participation in STC improved self-reported impact of spasticity more than UC and provided encouraging improvements in other measures.
Understanding the Puzzle Behind the Pictures
Authors: Azano Amy Price , Tackett Mary , Sigmon Miranda
Published: March 2017

The growing visibility of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the trend toward inclusive classroom practices present teachers with the unique responsibility of providing an inclusive learning environment for all students. This study sought to explore how teachers may use children’s picture books about autism to provide nondisabled students with experiences aimed at increasing student understandings toward autism. Researchers compiled 35 children’s books for content analysis and identified significant themes presented as five assertions. Findings indicate children’s picture books about autism may (a) teach readers about the core characteristics of ASD, (b) illustrate how individuals with autism may be “at risk,” (c) expand on ways neurotypical children are similar and different to individuals with autism, (d) emphasize the importance of influential language, and (e) present insights about autism through the use of multiple perspectives. Findings with exemplar texts representative of each theme are presented, and practical classroom applications are discussed.
Evaluation of the Appropriateness of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Selection and Monitoring in the Outpatient Setting
Authors: Rieser Kristin N. , Rosenberg Eric I. , Vogel Anderson Katherine
Published: March 2017

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) share many indications with warfarin but require less frequent follow-up and monitoring. There is limited data available on the prescribing of DOACs and appropriate laboratory monitoring in a real-world clinical setting. Objective: To determine if patients receiving care at 2 University of Florida (UF) Health Internal Medicine clinics are prescribed DOACs according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved labeling. Secondary objectives were to determine the percentage of patients receiving appropriate baseline laboratory tests prior to DOAC initiation and the frequency of laboratory monitoring. Methods: This retrospective chart review evaluated patients enrolled at 2 UF Health Internal Medicine practices within the UF Health system who were prescribed a DOAC between April 2014 and April 2015. Adherence to FDA-approved dosing recommendations and baseline laboratory tests were compared to previously published data. This study was approved by the UF Institutional Review Board. Results: A total of 194 patients met inclusion criteria. Ninety-six patients (49.5%) were on a DOAC prior to data collection; 98 patients (50.5%) started a DOAC during data collection. Of the 194 patients, 155 (79.9%) were prescribed DOACs per FDA-approved labeling ( P = .0005); 79 (40.8%) obtained a complete blood count, serum creatinine, and liver function tests prior to DOAC initiation. Conclusions: Prescribing practices were significantly better than published data; however, 1 in 5 patients were not prescribed a DOAC according to FDA-approved labeling. Less than half of the patients started on a DOAC obtained the recommended labs prior to medication initiation.
Convolutional bag of words for diabetic retinopathy detection from eye fundus images
Authors: Costa Pedro , Campilho Aurélio
Published: March 2017

This paper describes a methodology for diabetic retinopathy detection from eye fundus images using a generalization of the bag-of-visual-words (BoVW) method. We formulate the BoVW as two neural networks that can be trained jointly. Unlike the BoVW, our model is able to learn how to perform feature extraction, feature encoding, and classification guided by the classification error. The model achieves 0.97 area under the curve (AUC) on the DR2 dataset while the standard BoVW approach achieves 0.94 AUC. Also, it performs at the same level of the state-of-the-art on the Messidor dataset with 0.90 AUC.
Variable source depth acquisition for (an overall) improved signal-to-noise ratio in marine broadband seismic data: A modeling study
Authors: Haavik Kjetil E. , Landrø Martin
Published: March 2017

Marine seismic data acquisition has conventionally been carried out with source arrays positioned at a single depth. The resulting source-ghost notch is often taken as the limit for the bandwidth of the data. In broadband seismic data acquisition, multilevel sources (MLSs) are now being used to fill in these notches. Here we present a modeling study in which variable source-depth acquisition (VSDA) is compared with conventional single-level source and MLS acquisition. Our results indicate that an overall (not all over) improvement of signal-to-noise ratio is obtained using VSDA compared with the other source strategies. Due to the nature of VSDA, having different far-field signatures for different source depths, the amplitude variation with offset behavior of the processed VSDA data is not ideal. In stacked images, these variations are mostly seen in very shallow reflectors ([Formula: see text]).