bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRECiS (Patient Reported Evaluation of Cognitive State): psychometric evaluation of a new patient reported outcome measure of the impact of stroke
Authors: Patchick Emma , Vail Andy , Wood Alison , Bowen Audrey
Published: January 2016

Objective:

Determine the psychometric properties of PRECiS (Patient Reported Evaluation of Cognitive State): A new patient-centred, patient reported outcome measure for perceived impact of cognitive problems, developed through qualitative work, systematic review and service user consultation.

Design:

An observational study exploring acceptability, internal consistency, construct validity, inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability, with opportunistic qualitative data on sensitivity to change.

Setting:

Home visits in the community.

Participants:

Stroke survivors with self-reported cognitive difficulties and informal carers.

Measures:

The 27 item PRECiS was self-completed with support, and proxy completed by informal carers. We collected descriptive cognitive screening test data, and measures of overall stroke impact, mood and activities of daily living to explore construct validity.

Results:

Data were collected from 159 (visit 1) and 66 (visit 2) stroke survivors and 86 informal carers. PRECiS showed good acceptability (no missing values or floor/ceiling effects, minimal skewness); high internal consistency (α = 0.94, indicative of potential redundancy); with moderate to strong construct correlations in the directions hypothesised (0.40 to 0.74). An intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.85 indicated good test-retest reliability. Where self-reported change had occurred from visit 1 to 2, PRECiS appeared sensitive. Using carers as proxy respondents is not supported by this analysis (inter-rater ICC = 0.43).

Conclusions:

PRECiS is a patient-centred, practical and reliable measure assessing perceived impact of cognitive problems from the unique perspective of stroke survivors.
“A Horrible Interspecies Awkwardness Thing”
Authors: Zekany Eva
Published: January 2016

Canadian video game developer BioWare’s critically acclaimed Mass Effect video game series has been called the most important science fiction universe of a generation. Whether or not one is inclined to agree, it cannot be denied that Mass Effect matters. It matters not only because of its brilliant narrative and the difficult questions it asks, but also because, as bioethicist Kyle Munkittrick writes, it reflects society as a whole. Mass Effect is a sci-fi epic in the truest sense, spanning over years and across hundreds of planets tucked away in the darkest corners of the galaxy, populated with dozens of species with their own histories, beliefs, cultures, and technologies. Academics and dedicated fans have explored the numerous facets of the game, from its philosophy to time and temporality, fandom ethnographies, and ethics. This article proposes to explore the boundaries of alien sex and the desire for alien others as represented in sci-fi role playing games, and their reinterpretation by fans. Science fiction role playing games in particular enable the production of sexual modalities outside of the constraints of heterosexual norms. Alien sex, animal sex, or monstrous sex are common tropes in fantasy and sci-fi media—the vampire, the werewolf, and monstrous non/in-humans are eroticized and construed conduits of a mainly female sexual desire. However, the example I would like to approach is slightly more radical, both in terms of execution and in terms of media audience response: examples of “alien sex” as illustrated in the Mass Effect video game series, whose canonical representation of alien-human romances invite some interesting questions about either the potential exacerbation, or the rendering-unintelligible of sexual difference, as well as about cross-species desire and about the ontology of the natural and the artificial.
Rapamycin rescues vascular, metabolic and learning deficits in apolipoprotein E4 transgenic mice with pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lin Ai-Ling , Jahrling Jordan B , Zhang Wei , DeRosa Nicholas , Bakshi Vikas , Romero Peter , Galvan Veronica , Richardson Arlan
Published: January 2016

Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele is a common susceptibility gene for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Brain vascular and metabolic deficits can occur in cognitively normal apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers decades before the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this study was to determine whether early intervention using rapamycin could restore neurovascular and neurometabolic functions, and thus impede pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms in pre-symptomatic Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 transgenic mice. Using in vivo, multimodal neuroimaging, we found that apolipoprotein E ɛ4 mice treated with rapamycin had restored cerebral blood flow, blood–brain barrier integrity and glucose metabolism, compared to age- and gender-matched wild-type controls. The preserved vasculature and metabolism were associated with amelioration of incipient learning deficits. We also found that rapamycin restored the levels of the proinflammatory cyclophilin A in vasculature, which may contribute to the preservation of cerebrovascular function in the apolipoprotein E ɛ4 transgenics. Our results show that rapamycin improves functional outcomes in this mouse model and may have potential as an effective intervention to block progression of vascular, metabolic and early cognitive deficits in human Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers. As rapamycin is FDA-approved and neuroimaging is readily used in humans, the results of the present study may provide the basis for future Alzheimer's disease intervention studies in human subjects.
Abnormal myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 phosphorylation and actin polymerization contribute to impaired myogenic regulation of cerebral arterial diameter in the type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rat
Authors: Abd-Elrahman Khaled S , Colinas Olaia , Walsh Emma J , Zhu Hai-Lei , Campbell Christine M , Walsh Michael P , Cole William C
Published: January 2016

The myogenic response of cerebral resistance arterial smooth muscle to intraluminal pressure elevation is a key physiological mechanism regulating blood flow to the brain. Rho-associated kinase plays a critical role in the myogenic response by activating Ca2+ sensitization mechanisms: (i) Rho-associated kinase inhibits myosin light chain phosphatase by phosphorylating its targeting subunit myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (at T855), augmenting 20 kDa myosin regulatory light chain (LC20) phosphorylation and force generation; and (ii) Rho-associated kinase stimulates cytoskeletal actin polymerization, enhancing force transmission to the cell membrane. Here, we tested the hypothesis that abnormal Rho-associated kinase-mediated myosin light chain phosphatase regulation underlies the dysfunctional cerebral myogenic response of the Goto-Kakizaki rat model of type 2 diabetes. Basal levels of myogenic tone, LC20, and MYPT1-T855 phosphorylation were elevated and G-actin content was reduced in arteries of pre-diabetic 8–10 weeks Goto-Kakizaki rats with normal serum insulin and glucose levels. Pressure-dependent myogenic constriction, LC20, and myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 phosphorylation and actin polymerization were suppressed in both pre-diabetic Goto-Kakizaki and diabetic (18–20 weeks) Goto-Kakizaki rats, whereas RhoA, ROK2, and MYPT1 expression were unaffected. We conclude that abnormal Rho-associated kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization contributes to the dysfunctional cerebral myogenic response in the Goto-Kakizaki model of type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic connectivity for differential diagnosis of dementing disorders
Authors: Titov Dmitry , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Shi Kuangyu , Perneczky Robert , Zou Na , Grimmer Timo , Li Jing , Drzezga Alexander , Yakushev Igor
Published: January 2016

Presently, visual and quantitative approaches for image-supported diagnosis of dementing disorders rely on regional intensity rather than on connectivity measurements. Here, we test metabolic connectivity for differentiation between Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose was conducted in 47 patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease, 52 patients with mild frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and 45 healthy elderly subjects. Sparse inverse covariance estimation and selection were used to identify patterns of metabolic, inter-subject covariance on the basis of 60 regional values. Relative to healthy subjects, significantly more pathological within-lobe connections were found in the parietal lobe of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and in the frontal and temporal lobes of subjects with frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Relative to the frontotemporal lobar degeneration group, more pathological connections between the parietal and temporal lobe were found in the Alzheimer’s disease group. The obtained connectivity patterns differentiated between two patients groups with an overall accuracy of 83%. Linear discriminant analysis and univariate methods provided an accuracy of 74% and 69%, respectively. There are characteristic patterns of abnormal metabolic connectivity in mild Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Such patterns can be utilized for single-subject analyses and might be more accurate in the differential diagnosis of dementing disorders than traditional intensity-based analyses.
Mapping the dynamics of brain perfusion using functional ultrasound in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Brunner Clément , Isabel Clothilde , Martin Abraham , Dussaux Clara , Savoye Anne , Emmrich Julius , Montaldo Gabriel , Mas Jean-Louis , Baron Jean-Claude , Urban Alan
Published: January 2016

Following middle cerebral artery occlusion, tissue outcome ranges from normal to infarcted depending on depth and duration of hypoperfusion as well as occurrence and efficiency of reperfusion. However, the precise time course of these changes in relation to tissue and behavioral outcome remains unsettled. To address these issues, a three-dimensional wide field-of-view and real-time quantitative functional imaging technique able to map perfusion in the rodent brain would be desirable. Here, we applied functional ultrasound imaging, a novel approach to map relative cerebral blood volume without contrast agent, in a rat model of brief proximal transient middle cerebral artery occlusion to assess perfusion in penetrating arterioles and venules acutely and over six days thanks to a thinned-skull preparation. Functional ultrasound imaging efficiently mapped the acute changes in relative cerebral blood volume during occlusion and following reperfusion with high spatial resolution (100 µm), notably documenting marked focal decreases during occlusion, and was able to chart the fine dynamics of tissue reperfusion (rate: one frame/5 s) in the individual rat. No behavioral and only mild post-mortem immunofluorescence changes were observed. Our study suggests functional ultrasound is a particularly well-adapted imaging technique to study cerebral perfusion in acute experimental stroke longitudinally from the hyper-acute up to the chronic stage in the same subject.
Dysregulation of oxygen hemodynamic responses to synaptic train stimulation in a rat hippocampal model of subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Galeffi Francesca , Degan Simone , Britz Gavin , Turner Dennis A
Published: January 2016

We investigated microvascular reactivity to synaptic train stimulation after induction of subarachnoid hemorrhage in adult rats, analyzing tissue oxygen levels [pO2] in intact hippocampus. In control rats, hippocampal pO2 averaged 11.4 mm Hg whereas hemodynamic responses averaged 13.1 mm Hg (to a 25 s train). After subarachnoid hemorrhage (at 2 days), we recorded a dramatic elevation in baseline pO2 in the hippocampus (to 68.4 mm Hg) accompanied by inverted pO2 responses to synaptic train stimulation (−9.46 mm Hg). These significant changes in baseline hippocampal pO2 and inverted pO2 responses after subarachnoid hemorrhage indicate severe alterations of neurovascular coupling and neuronal viability.
Religion-Related Research in the Journal of Macromarketing, 1981-2014
Authors: Drenten Jenna , McManus Kristy
Published: January 2016

This study provides a review of religion-related research published in the Journal of Macromarketing (JMK) from 1981 to 2014. A systematic review of the journal identifies 19 key articles at the intersection of religion and macromarketing. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches are utilized to review this body of work in terms of frequency, content, methodology, and authorship. Results reveal four categories of religion-related research in JMK: 1) the impact of religion on macromarketing issues, 2) the impact of macromarketing issues on religion, 3) religion as a theoretical perspective, and 4) religious groups/individuals as a research context. Opportunities for future research on macromarketing and religion are discussed.
Comparative Pathology of Aging Great Apes
Authors: Lowenstine L. J. , McManamon R. , Terio K. A.
Published: January 2016

The great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans) are our closest relatives. Despite the many similarities, there are significant differences in aging among apes, including the human ape. Common to all are dental attrition, periodontitis, tooth loss, osteopenia, and arthritis, although gout is uniquely human and spondyloarthropathy is more prevalent in apes than humans. Humans are more prone to frailty, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, longevity past reproductive senescence, loss of brain volume, and Alzheimer dementia. Cerebral vascular disease occurs in both humans and apes. Cardiovascular disease mortality increases in aging humans and apes, but coronary atherosclerosis is the most significant type in humans. In captive apes, idiopathic myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyopathy predominate, with arteriosclerosis of intramural coronary arteries. Similar cardiac lesions are occasionally seen in wild apes. Vascular changes in heart and kidneys and aortic dissections in gorillas and bonobos suggest that hypertension may be involved in pathogenesis. Chronic kidney disease is common in elderly humans and some aging apes and is linked with cardiovascular disease in orangutans. Neoplasms common to aging humans and apes include uterine leiomyomas in chimpanzees, but other tumors of elderly humans, such as breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers, are uncommon in apes. Among the apes, chimpanzees have been best studied in laboratory settings, and more comparative research is needed into the pathology of geriatric zoo-housed and wild apes. Increasing longevity of humans and apes makes understanding aging processes and diseases imperative for optimizing quality of life in all the ape species.
Fluid technologies: The Bush Pump, the LifeStraw® and microworlds of humanitarian design
Authors: Redfield Peter
Published: January 2016

Over the past decade, many ingenious, small-scale gadgets have appeared in response to problems of disaster and extreme poverty. Focusing on the LifeStraw®, a water filtration device invented by the company Vestergaard Frandsen, I situate this wave of humanitarian design relative to Marianne de Laet and Annemarie Mol’s classic article on the Zimbabwe Bush Pump. The LifeStraw shares the Bush Pump’s principle of technical minimalism, as well as its ethical desire to improve the lives of communities. Unlike the pump, however, the straw defines itself through rather than against market logic, accepting the premise that one can ‘do well while doing good’. Moreover, it does not share the assumed framework of de Laet and Mol’s Zimbabwean socio-technical landscape: a postcolonial state happily en route to national self-definition. Nonetheless, it clearly embodies moral affect, if in the idiom of humanitarian concern rather than development. My aim is to open up three interrelated lines of inquiry for discussion. First, I consider aspects of a postcolonial condition at the micro-level of immediate needs, including assumptions about nation-state politics and markets. Second, I emphasize science and technology in the form of infrastructure, the material frontline of norms. Third, I return reflexively to love, and the complicated allure of engagement in academic work.
Arsonists and Violent Offenders Compared: Two Peas in a Pod?
Authors: Wilpert Julia , van Horn Joan , Eisenberg Mara
Published: January 2016

Arsonists are considered a type of violent offender by some and a distinct group of offenders by others. Assuming the latter could be beneficial to offer tailor-made psychotherapeutic treatment to these offenders. The present study investigated whether arsonists ( n = 55) and violent offenders ( n = 41) are differentiable regarding several demographic and personal characteristics, and criminal career. Results indicated that arsonists were significantly more often diagnosed with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM) Axis II disorder, and more socially isolated and lacking coping skills. Violent offenders, on the other hand, demonstrated more drug abuse/dependence, a younger age at the first manifestation of antisocial behavior, a more extensive criminal history and higher percentage of recidivism. In light of these results, it is conceivable that arsonists could benefit from a slightly different treatment approach, for example, with more attention to relational and emotion regulation skills.
Patient Profiles in Dutch Forensic Psychiatry Based on Risk Factors, Pathology, and Offense
Authors: van der Veeken Frida C. A. , Bogaerts Stefan , Lucieer Jacques
Published: January 2016

Forensic psychiatry embodies a highly heterogeneous population differing widely in terms of diagnoses, crimes committed, and risk factors. All of these are vitally important for treatment indications and should be accounted for in research. However, there is limited empirical knowledge of patient profiles. This study constructed patient profiles on the basis of the three domains mentioned above. Participants were found guilty of having committed crimes due to psychiatric disorders and were admitted to Forensic Psychiatric Center (FPC) 2landen or FPC De Kijvelanden in the Netherlands. Retrospective data were retrieved from patient files. Diagnoses were assessed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR) criteria and risk factors according to the Historical Clinical Future–30 (HKT-30) instrument. Latent class analysis was conducted to define typologies; external variables were included for validation. Four different classes or “patient risk profiles,” with varying psychopathologies, risk factors, and crimes, were identified. Results were consistent with previous studies, and external validation with the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) two-factor model and the four facets of the PCL-R agreed with results found. Results display specific risk factors for specific psychopathology/offense combinations.
Beliefs About Wife Beating Among Social Work Students in Taiwan
Authors: Haj-Yahia Muhammad M. , Shen April Chiung-Tao
Published: January 2016

Based on an integrative framework, this study addresses the beliefs that a group of social work students from Taiwan had about wife beating. A self-administered questionnaire was filled out by 790 students (76.5% female, 23.5% male) spanning all 4 years of undergraduate studies. The results show that male students exhibited a greater tendency than their female counterparts to justify wife beating and to hold battered women responsible for violence against them. This tendency was also found among students who held traditional attitudes toward women, students who held patriarchal expectations of marriage, and students who had witnessed interparental violence in childhood. In addition, male students and students with traditional attitudes toward women exhibited the strongest tendency to believe that wives benefit from beating. Conversely, female students expressed more willingness than their male counterparts to help battered women, as did students who held liberal attitudes toward women and students who held egalitarian expectations of marriage. Furthermore, female students and those with liberal attitudes toward women tended to hold violent husbands responsible for their behavior, and to express support for punishing violent husbands. This article concludes with a discussion of the study’s limitations and the results’ implications for future research on the topic.
Adult-Onset Offending: A Neglected Reality? Findings From a Contemporary British General Population Cohort
Authors: Sapouna Maria
Published: January 2016

There is disagreement in the literature as to whether there are any true adult-onset offenders. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and correlates of adult-onset offenders in a contemporary British general population cohort consisting of 739 individuals aged between 18 and 25 years. Sixteen percent of participants reported offending for the first time after the age of 18. It is concluded that adult-onset exists and deserves to be studied further. Adult-onset offenders were more likely to report using drugs, associating with deviant peers, and having mental health problems in adulthood than non-offenders. Compared with early-onset offenders, the adult-onset offenders were people with a stronger attachment to school, which may have protected them from the risk of offending in adolescence. It is possible that when that protection was removed in adulthood and they were exposed to negative life events, such as drug use and mental illness, they became involved in crime for the first time.
Public Perceptions of GPS Monitoring for Convicted Sex Offenders: Opinions on Effectiveness of Electronic Monitoring to Reduce Sexual Recidivism
Authors: Budd Kristen M. , Mancini Christina
Published: January 2016

In the United States, electronic monitoring (EM) and global positioning systems (GPS) are new applications that are used to extensively monitor and track convicted sex offenders. What is unclear though are public perceptions of this strategy. This research examines public perceptions of a national sample of Americans on the use of GPS/EM with convicted sex offenders as a method to reduce their sexual recidivism. Using a multinomial regression model, we analyze the effects of sex offender myths and parental status on public perceptions that sex offender GPS/EM is very effective in reducing sexual recidivism. Findings suggest that public perceptions of effectiveness are partially driven by myths and also that parents are unsure of this strategy. The analysis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on public perceptions of GPS/EM to manage sex offenders in communities. Implications of the study and areas for future research are discussed in light of the findings.
Nanoindentation, compression and fractural characterization of highly dispersed epoxy silica nanocomposites
Authors: Tzetzis D , Mansour G
Published: January 2016

Uniaxial compression tests were conducted in this study in order to investigate the compressive properties of the unmodified and nanomodified epoxy with silica nanoparticles. An instrumented nanoindentation technique was also used to investigate its applicability for measuring mechanical properties for such nanocomposite systems. Additionally, the fracture toughness of the unmodified and nanomodified epoxy was measured with single-edge-notch bending tests. The Young’s modulus was found to significantly improve with addition of silica nanoparticles and increase with increasing filler content when measured with both compression and nanoindentation tests. The modulus obtained from the nanoindentation testing was 4–8% higher than the one obtained from the compression tests. As expected, the addition of silica nanoparticles had a significant impact on the fracture toughness and fracture energy and increased with increasing filler content, while observation of the fracture surfaces using SEM suggested that the nanoparticles affected the fracture behavior of such epoxy systems. Implementation of an analytical model in the current nanomodified epoxy network as compared with the experimental fracture energy results showed that the 15% matrix void growth, from debonded nanoparticles, as well as the matrix shear banding are the governing mechanisms of energy absorption.
Test-Taking Skills of High School Students With and Without Learning Disabilities
Authors: Lewandowski Lawrence J. , Berger Cassie , Lovett Benjamin J. , Gordon Michael
Published: January 2016

This study assessed the test-taking skills of 776 high school students, 35 of whom were diagnosed with learning disabilities (LD). Students completed a computerized battery of timed reading tests as well as scales that assess test anxiety and test-taking perceptions. Students with LD obtained lower scores than the nondisabled group on all of the reading tasks (speed, comprehension, vocabulary, and decoding), spent more time reviewing comprehension questions, and were less active in looking for answers in the passages. Both groups favored the same comprehension strategy of reading the entire passage and then answering questions. The groups did not differ in their levels of test anxiety or confidence in taking tests under timed conditions. Vocabulary score best discriminated between groups and best predicted reading comprehension performance, suggesting a potential target for intervention.
Application of a Cognitive Diagnostic Model to a High-Stakes Reading Comprehension Test
Authors: Ravand Hamdollah
Published: January 2016

General cognitive diagnostic models (CDM) such as the generalized deterministic input, noisy, “and” gate (G-DINA) model are flexible in that they allow for both compensatory and noncompensatory relationships among the subskills within the same test. Most of the previous CDM applications in the literature have been add-ons to simulation studies. Although there are some applications of CDMs such as the Fusion Model and the Rule Space Model to educational assessment data in general and second-language data in particular, there are few studies applying general models such as the G-DINA. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the application of the G-DINA to the reading comprehension data of a high-stakes test. To this end, an initial Q-matrix was developed, validated, and cross-validated. The skill profiles of the test takers were estimated using the “CDM” package in R. Throughout, the process of constructing and validating a Q-matrix was elaborated on, the benefits of general models were emphasized, and implications for research investigating inter-skill relationships were discussed. Finally, suggestions for further research, to better take advantage of the flexibilities of general diagnostic models, were presented.
Measuring Adolescent Attitudes Toward Classroom Incivility
Authors: Farrell Ann H. , Provenzano Daniel A. , Spadafora Natalie , Marini Zopito A. , Volk Anthony A.
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to develop a scale that measures adolescents’ attitudes toward classroom incivility and determine whether items would reveal subscales. A sample of 549 adolescents between ages 11 and 18 (53.1% boys; Mage = 13.90, SD = 1.41) completed items written to measure attitudes toward classroom incivility. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used on one half of the randomly split sample and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the remainder. Results from both analyses suggested that two factors representing unintentional and intentional incivility might be the best factor solution. In addition, evidence for concurrent validity was found in correlations with four additional scales. Results suggest that attitudes toward classroom incivility are heterogeneous and that adolescence may be an important developmental period to address this construct. Future studies should continue psychometrically developing this scale and exploring this measure with additional antisocial beliefs and behaviors.
Postintubation Hypotension in General Anesthesia
Authors: Green Robert S. , Butler Michael B.
Published: January 2016

Background:

Postintubation hypotension (PIH) is an adverse event associated with poor outcomes in emergency department endotracheal intubations. Study objective was to determine the incidence of PIH and its impact on outcomes following tracheal intubation in a general anesthesia population.

Methods:

Structured chart audit of adult patients intubated for a vascular surgery procedure at a tertiary care center over a 3-year period. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, extended intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS), and requirement for postoperative (postop) hemodialysis or mechanical ventilation.

Results:

Incidence of PIH was 60% (837 of 1395). Patients who developed PIH had increased mortality (8.8% PIH vs 5.2% no-PIH; P = .014), extended ICU LOS (7.9% PIH vs 2.0% no-PIH; P < .001), and postop mechanical ventilation requirement (20.7% PIH vs 3.8% no-PIH; P < .001). When controlling for confounding factors, PIH was associated with extended ICU LOS (odds ratio [OR] 2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-6.62, P = .049), postop ventilation (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.27-4.74, P = .008), and a composite end point (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.02-2.92, P = .043).

Conclusions:

Development of PIH occurs in 60% of patients undergoing intubation for vascular surgery and was associated with adverse outcomes including extended ICU LOS and postop ventilation requirement.
Analysis of Unplanned Postoperative Admissions to the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Quinn Timothy D. , Gabriel Rodney A. , Dutton Richard P. , Urman Richard D.
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

To investigate factors associated with unplanned postoperative admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods:

Data from the National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry (NACOR) were analyzed. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify patient- and surgery-specific characteristics associated with unplanned postoperative ICU admission. We also recorded the prevalence of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision ( ICD-9) billing codes and outcomes for unplanned postoperative ICU admissions.

Results:

Of 23 341 130 records in the database, 2 910 738 records met our inclusion criteria. A higher American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA PS) class, case duration greater than 4 hours, and advanced age were associated with a greater likelihood of unplanned ICU admission. Vascular and thoracic surgery patients were more likely to have an unplanned ICU admission. The most common CPT and ICD-9 codes involved repair of femur/hip fracture, bowel resection, and acute postoperative pain. Large community hospitals were more likely than university hospitals to have unplanned postoperative ICU admissions. Patients in the unplanned postoperative ICU admission group were more likely to have experienced intraoperative cardiac arrest, hemodynamic instability, or respiratory failure and were more likely to die in the immediate perioperative period.

Conclusion:

Our study is the first diverse analysis of unplanned postoperative ICU admissions in the literature across multiple specialties and practice models. We found an association of advanced age, higher ASA PS class, and duration of procedure with unplanned ICU admission after surgery. Surgical specialties and procedures with the most unplanned ICU admissions could be areas for quality improvement and clinical pathways in the future.
Test in canine extraction site preservations by using mineralized collagen plug with or without membrane
Authors: Sun Yi , Wang Cheng-Yue , Wang Zhi-Ying , Cui Yun , Qiu Zhi-Ye , Song Tian-Xi , Cui Fu-Zhai
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to discuss the feasibility of porous mineralized collagen plug and bilayer mineralized collagen-guided bone regeneration membrane in site preservation in extraction sockets. The third mandibular premolars on both sides were extracted from four dogs, thus there were 16 alveolar sockets in all dogs and were randomly assigned into three groups. Group A had six alveolar sockets, and groups B and C had five alveolar sockets, respectively. Each alveolar socket of group A was immediately implanted with a porous mineralized collagen plug and covered with a bilayer mineralized collagen-guided bone regeneration membrane after tooth extraction. Alveolar sockets of group B were implanted with porous mineralized collagen plug only, and group C was set as blank control without any implantation. The healing effects of the extraction sockets were evaluated by gross observation, morphological measurements, and X-ray micro-computed tomography after twelve weeks. Twelve weeks after operation, both groups A and B had more amount of new bone formation compared with group C; in terms of the degree of alveolar bone height, group A was lower than groups B and C with significant differences; the bone mineral density in the region of interest and bone remodeling degree in group A were higher than those of groups B and C. As a result, porous mineralized collagen plug could induce the regeneration of new bone in extraction socket, and combined use of porous mineralized collagen plug and bilayer mineralized collagen guided bone regeneration membrane could further reduce the absorption of alveolar ridge and preserve the socket site.
Evaluation of a Prototype Soft-Structured Thoracic Posture Support Garment
Authors: McRoberts Lisa Barona , Black Catherine M. , Cloud Rinn M.
Published: January 2016

A prototype soft-structured thoracic posture support garment was evaluated for postural alignment effectiveness, wearer acceptability, ease of movement and fit as compared to a sports bra (no posture support) and a commercial soft-structured posture support garment. Fifteen female participants conducted a wear protocol in each of the garments, were evaluated for posture, and provided wearer assessments of the other three variables. Results indicated that the prototype was as effective as the commercial support garment in improving posture but was more acceptable to wearers, easier to move in and fit less tightly than the commercial support garment. Wearer assessments of the prototype were not significantly different from the sport bra, indicating success in developing an effective posture support garment with potential for better wear compliance than existing posture support solutions.
Pilot Testing of the NURSE Stress Management Intervention
Authors: Delaney Colleen , Barrere Cynthia , Robertson Sue , Zahourek Rothlyn , Diaz Desiree , Lachapelle Leeanne
Published: January 2016

Student nurses experience significant stress during their education, which may contribute to illness and alterations in health, poor academic performance, and program attrition. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential efficacy of an innovative stress management program in two baccalaureate nursing programs in Connecticut, named NURSE (Nurture nurse, Use resources, foster Resilience, Stress and Environment management), that assists nursing students to develop stress management plans. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention with 40 junior nursing students. Results from this study provide evidence that the NURSE intervention is highly feasible, and support further testing to examine the effect of the intervention in improving stress management in nursing students.
Changes in Health and Health Behavior Associated With Retirement
Authors: Syse Astri , Veenstra Marijke , Furunes Trude , Mykletun Reidar J. , Solem Per Erik
Published: January 2016

Objectives: While poor health contributes to early work exits, it is less clear how early work exits affect health. This study therefore examines changes in health associated with retirement. Method: Survey data from gainfully employed individuals aged 57 to 66 in 2002 were used to assess changes in health status and behaviors associated with retirement (49%) 5 years later ( N = 546). Results: Compared with workers, retirees were more likely to report improvements in mental health (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67), and less likely to report mental health deteriorations (OR = 0.56). Retirees were more likely to both increase (OR = 2.03) and reduce (OR = 1.87) their alcohol intake, and to increase physical activity (OR = 2.01) and lose weight (OR = 1.75). Discussion: As welfare states aim to extend working life to counteract repercussions of population aging, findings on possible health benefits for retirees may warrant more focus on the pros and cons of a prolonged working life.
A 5 MW direct-drive generator for floating spar-buoy wind turbine: Drive-train dynamics
Authors: Sethuraman Latha , Xing Yihan , Venugopal Vengatesan , Gao Zhen , Mueller Markus , Moan Torgeir
Published: January 2016

This article proceeds with investigations on a 5 MW direct-drive floating wind turbine system (FWTDD) that was developed in a previous study. A fully integrated land-based direct-drive wind turbine system (WTDD) was created using SIMPACK, a multi-body simulation tool, to model the necessary response variables. The comparison of blade pitch control action and torque behaviour with a similar land-based direct-drive model in HAWC2 (an aero-elastic simulation tool) confirmed that the dynamic feedback effects can be ignored. The main shaft displacements, air-gap eccentricity, forces due to unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) and the main bearing loads were identified as the main response variables. The investigations then proceed with a two-step de-coupled approach for the detailed drive-train analysis in WTDD and FWTDD systems. The global motion responses and drive-train loads were extracted from HAWC2 and fed to stand-alone direct-drive generator models in SIMPACK. The main response variables of WTDD and FWTDD system were compared. The FWTDD drive-train was observed to endure additional excitations at wave and platform pitch frequencies, thereby increasing the axial components of loads and displacements. If secondary deflections are not considered, the FWTDD system did not result in any exceptional increases to eccentricity and UMP with the generator design tolerances being fairly preserved. The bearing loading behaviour was comparable between both the systems, with the exception of axial loads and tilting moments attributed to additional excitations in the FWTDD system.
Adaptive variational mode decomposition based on artificial fish swarm algorithm for fault diagnosis of rolling bearings
Authors: Zhu Jun , Wang Chao , Hu Zhiyong , Kong Fanrang , Liu Xingchen
Published: January 2016

The bearing fault diagnosis is of vital significance in maintaining the safety of rotation machine. Among various fault detection techniques, the diagnosis based on vibration signal is widely applied in monitoring the condition of rotation machine. Variational mode decomposition (VMD) is a novel signal analysis method, which can decompose a multi-component signal into a certain number of band-limited intrinsic mode functions (BLIMFs) nonrecursively. VMD could overcome some problems such as mode mixing, the inference of noise, the determination of wavelet base, which exist in empirical mode decomposition, ensemble empirical mode decomposition, wavelet transform, respectively. However, the empirical selection of the parameters for VMD would affect the result of the decomposition. This paper presents an adaptive VMD method with parameter optimization for detecting the localized faults of rolling bearing. Kurtosis, sensitive to transient impulsive components, is employed as optimization index to evaluate the performance of the VMD. Two parameters in the VMD, namely the number of decomposition modes and data-fidelity constraint, are optimized synchronously based on the kurtosis index through artificial fish swarm algorithm. Executing VMD with the acquired parameters, the optimal BLIMF is obtained. The spectrum analysis of the optimal BLIMF could identify the characteristic frequency caused by the localized crack effectually. The validity of the proposed method is proved by means of a cyclic transient impulse response signal and two experiments with practical vibration signals of rolling bearings. Compared to several existing methods, the proposed method demonstrates reinforced results.
A mechanical integral steering system for increasing the stability and handling of motor vehicles
Authors: Alexandru Cătălin
Published: January 2016

The article deals with the design, modeling, and simulation of an innovative four-wheel steering system for motor vehicles. The study is focused on the steering box of the rear wheels, which is a cam-based mechanism, while the front steering system uses a classical pinion—rack gearbox. In the proposed concept, the four-wheel steering aims to improve the vehicle stability and handling performances by considering the integral steering law, which is formulated in terms of correlation between the steering angles of the front and rear wheels. In this regard, a double-profiled cam is designed, in correlation with the input motion law applied to the steering wheel. The cam profile dictates (prescribes) the translational movement of the rear follower, which is connected to the left and right steering tierods, turning—as appropriate—the rear wheels in the same direction (for stability) or in opposite (for handling) to the front wheels. The cam-based mechanism is able to carry out complex motion laws, providing accurate integral steering law. The dynamic modeling and simulation of the four-wheel steering vehicle was performed by using the Multi-Body Systems package Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems of MSC.Software, the full-vehicle model containing also the front and rear wheels suspension systems, as well the vehicle chassis (car body). The dynamic simulations in virtual environment have resulted in important results that demonstrate the handling and stability performances of the proposed four-wheel steering system by reference to a classical two-wheel steering vehicle.
Design of a master device for controlling multi-moduled continuum robots
Authors: Yoon Hyun-Soo , Yi Byung-Ju
Published: January 2016

Few interface systems designed to control continuum robots have been developed. This work presents a master device for multi-unit continuum robots. The master mechanism has the same kinematic structure as the slave device. The kinematic structure, which uses a spring as a backbone, allows for a unique forward kinematic solution. This design is slim-sized, light-weight, and easy to implement. As an example mechanism, a continuum unit with two degrees of freedom was developed. Two-unit modules were assembled to generate four degrees of freedom. The performance of the master device is verified through a master-slave control experiment.
A new approach for performance degradation feature extraction based on generalized pattern spectrum entropy
Authors: Gao Hongbo , Liu Jie , Li Yungong
Published: January 2016

Performance degradation feature extraction is the basis of degradation condition recognition and remaining service life prediction. In this paper, morphological corrosion operator is introduced into mathematical morphological particle analysis (abbreviated as MMP), proposing a new analytical method named generalized mathematical morphological particle analysis (abbreviated as GMMP). On this basis, a new approach for degradation feature extraction based on generalized pattern spectrum entropy (abbreviated as GPSE) is proposed taking GMMP and information entropy as the theoretical foundation. In this approach, GPSE is calculated as degradation feature parameter in describing performance degradation degree of machinery equipment. Simulation analysis is processed, and the result shows that the value of GPSE will increase correspondingly along with the deepening of the degradation degree and the relevance between GPSE and degradation degree is stable. The effectiveness and practicality of the approach is tested through rolling bearing whole lifetime vibrating data. Rolling bearing fatigue life enhancement testing was carried out in Hangzhou Bearing Test & Research Center, getting the whole lifetime data which is able to cover each degradation condition from normal to invalidation. The approach is applied into analysis of rolling bearing data and the results verify its validity and feasibility.
Effect of work status on leakage and contact pressure of C/C composite finger seal
Authors: Wang Li-Na , Chen Guo-Ding , Su Hua , Lu Fei , Zhang Yan-Chao
Published: January 2016

The effect of a seal device on the performance of aeroengines is obvious. As well as the complicated operating state of aeroengines also has important influence on seal device performance. Finger seal is a new seal device, which has been extensively studied recently. However, so far there is little work about finger seal’s dynamic performance considering work status. For this reason, finger seal’s dynamic performance considering work status is proposed using equivalent dynamic model with distributed mass in this paper. The effects of the precession and nutation incline of rotor on the finger seal’s performance are investigated. Meanwhile, density and preparation direction of fiber bundle have influence on its dynamic performance and that is studied under the rotor precession incline. Based on this, it is shown that the effect of rotor precession incline on the finger seal dynamic performance is obvious, thus it is necessary to consider the effect of the factor on finger seal dynamic performance. The present work is conducive to promote dynamic analysis technology of finger seal to engineering application, and also improve the theoretical research system and methodology of finger seal.
Geometric design and analysis of gear transmission with double circular arc-involute tooth profile
Authors: Liang Dong , Chen Bingkui , Tan Rulong , Liao Ruijin
Published: January 2016

A novel gear transmission with double circular arc-involute tooth profile is studied in this paper. The generation principle and mathematical models of this proposed gear drive are provided based on gear geometry. The meshing characteristics of tooth surfaces are evaluated according to the analyses of motion simulation, mechanics property and sliding coefficient. The transmission efficiency experiment is based on the developed gear prototype, and a comparison with an involute gear drive is presented. The further study on dynamics analysis and key manufacturing technology will be conducted, and this new type of gear drive is expected to have excellent transmission performance.
Lifecycle-oriented product modular design of CNC machine tools
Authors: Sheng Zhongqi , Li Yuebin , Wu Like , Xie Hualong
Published: January 2016

Product service system is one new production paradigm for manufacturing enterprises to cope with fierce market competition in service economy environment. Product modularization is an important part of product service system development. In this paper, the design process model of product service system is built on the basis of current product service system modeling methods. Guided by lifecycle-oriented modular design idea, the product function is decomposed and the function units are obtained, which correspond to specific parts in the product. Using fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm based on simulated annealing and genetic algorithm for clustering analysis, the division scheme of product modules is got. Lifecycle-oriented product modular design method pays more attention to environmental attributes of the product, and considers the consciousness of environmental protection and sustainability in product design well. Using CNC machine tools as an example, this paper verifies the reliability, rationality and superiority of presented product module division method oriented on CNC machine tools.