bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Padé approximants and the modal connection: Towards increased robustness for fast parametric sweeps
Authors: Rumpler Romain
Published: June 2017

To increase the robustness of a Padé‐based approximation of parametric solutions to finite element problems, an a priori estimate of the poles is proposed. The resulting original approach is shown to allow for a straightforward, efficient, subsequent Padé‐based expansion of the solution vector components, overcoming some of the current convergence and robustness limitations. In particular, this enables for the intervals of approximation to be chosen a priori in direct connection with a given choice of Padé approximants. The choice of these approximants, as shown in the present work, is theoretically supported by the Montessus de Ballore theorem, concerning the convergence of a series of approximants with fixed denominator degrees. Key features and originality of the proposed approach are (1) a component‐wise expansion which allows to specifically target subsets of the solution field and (2) the a priori, simultaneous choice of the Padé approximants and their associated interval of convergence for an effective and more robust approximation. An academic acoustic case study, a structural‐acoustic application, and a larger acoustic problem are presented to demonstrate the potential of the approach proposed.
Students Speak/Resources
Authors: Beerman Kevin
Published: June 2017

Students Speak

Provide flexibility to support adult learners

Resources

Low grad rates for student‐veterans

Adult students aren't well‐equipped for online learning

Mental health troubles veterans at community colleges
Stability analysis for fractional‐order partial differential equations by means of space spectral time Adams‐Bashforth Moulton method
Authors: Sohail Ayesha , Maqbool Khadija , Ellahi Rahmat
Published: June 2017

In this article, a new numerical scheme space Spectral time Fractional Adam Bashforth Moulton method for the solution of fractional partial differential equations is offered. The proposed method is obtained by modifying, in a suitable way; the spectral technique and the method of lines. The attention is focused on the stability properties and hence an elegant stability analysis for the current approach is also provided. Finally, two examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the reported method. Obtained results confirm the convergence and spectral accuracy of the proposed method in both space and time. In addition, a comparison with the existing studies is also made as a limiting case of the considered problem at the end and found in good agreement.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 34: 19–29, 2018
Self‐Assembly of G‐Rich Oligonucleotides Incorporating a 3′–3′ Inversion of Polarity Site: A New Route Towards G‐Wire DNA Nanostructures
Authors: Oliviero Giorgia , D'Errico Stefano , Pinto Brunella , Nici Fabrizia , Dardano Principia , Rea Ilaria , De Stefano Luca , Mayol Luciano , Piccialli Gennaro , Borbone Nicola
Published: June 2017

Obtaining DNA nanostructures with potential applications in drug discovery, diagnostics, and electronics in a simple and affordable way represents one of the hottest topics in nanotechnological and medical sciences. Herein, we report a novel strategy to obtain structurally homogeneous DNA G‐wire nanostructures of known length, starting from the short unmodified G‐rich oligonucleotide d(5′‐CGGT‐3′–3′‐GGC‐5′) (1) incorporating a 3’–3′ inversion of polarity site. The reported approach allowed us to obtain long G‐wire assemblies through 5′–5′ π–π stacking interactions in between the tetramolecular G‐quadruplex building blocks that form when 1 is annealed in the presence of potassium ions. Our results expand the repertoire of synthetic methodologies to obtain new tailored DNA G‐wire nanostructures.
Agreement and validity of electronic health record prescribing data relative to pharmacy claims data: A validation study from a US electronic health record database
Authors: Rowan Christopher G. , Flory James , Gerhard Tobias , Cuddeback John K. , Stempniewicz Nikita , Lewis James D. , Hennessy Sean
Published: June 2017

Background

Granular clinical and laboratory data available in electronic health record (EHR) databases provide researchers the opportunity to conduct investigations that would not be possible in insurance claims databases; however, for pharmacoepidemiology studies, accurate classification of medication exposure is critical.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of classifying medication exposure using EHR prescribing (EHR‐Rx) data.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among patients with linked claims and EHR data in OptumLabs™ Data Warehouse. The agreement between EHR‐Rx data and pharmacy claims (PC‐Rx) data (for 40 medications) was determined using the positive predictive value (PPV) and medication possession ratio (MPR)—calculated in 1‐ and 12‐month medication exposure periods (MEPs). Secondary analyses were restricted to incident vs prevalent EHR‐Rxs, age ≥65 vs <65, white vs black race, males vs females, and number of EHR‐Rxs.

Results

The validity metrics varied substantially among the 40 medications assessed. Across all medications, the period PPV and MPR were 62% and 63% in the 1‐month MEP. They were 78% and 43% in the 12‐month MEP. Overall, PPV and MPR were higher for patients with a prevalent EHR‐Rx and age <65.

Conclusions

Despite substantial variability among different medications, there was very good agreement between EHR‐Rx data and PC‐Rx data. To maximize the validity of classifying medication exposure with EHR prescribing data, researchers may consider using longer MEPs (eg, 12 months) and potentially require multiple EHR‐Rxs to classify baseline medication exposure.
Simple method for determining of the isokinetic temperature value for the SNAr reactions in solution
Authors: Vlasov Vladislav M.
Published: June 2017

The changes of the free energy of activation δ∆G≠exp and the activation entropy δ∆S≠ in the framework of the isokinetic relationship δ∆G≠exp versus (Tiso − Texp) δ∆S≠ were explored quantitatively to predict the isokinetic temperature Tiso for the aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions in solution.
Crystal structure of human WBSCR16, an RCC1‐like protein in mitochondria
Authors: Koyama Masako , Sasaki Taeko , Sasaki Narie , Matsuura Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2017

WBSCR16 (Williams‐Beuren Syndrome Chromosomal Region 16) gene is located in a large deletion region of Williams‐Beuren syndrome (WBS), which is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Although the relationship between WBSCR16 and WBS remains unclear, it has been reported that WBSCR16 is a member of a functional module that regulates mitochondrial 16S rRNA abundance and intra‐mitochondrial translation. WBSCR16 has RCC1 (Regulator of Chromosome Condensation 1)‐like amino acid sequence repeats but the function of WBSCR16 appears to be different from that of other RCC1 superfamily members. Here, we demonstrate that WBSCR16 localizes to mitochondria in HeLa cells, and report the crystal structure of WBSCR16 determined to 2.0 Å resolution using multi‐wavelength anomalous diffraction. WBSCR16 adopts the seven‐bladed β‐propeller fold characteristic of RCC1‐like proteins. A comparison of the WBSCR16 structure with that of RCC1 and other RCC1‐like proteins reveals that, although many of the residues buried in the core of the β‐propeller are highly conserved, the surface residues are poorly conserved and conformationally divergent.
Schottky barrier diodes based on room temperature fabricated amorphous zinc tin oxide thin films
Authors: Schlupp Peter , von Wenckstern Holger , Grundmann Marius
Published: June 2017

We report on Schottky barrier diodes on the amorphous oxide semiconductor zinc tin oxide (ZTO). The ZTO thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition at room temperature. Reactively sputtered gold, nickel, platinum, palladium, and silver layers were used to realize the Schottky contacts. To enhance rectification, a thin semi‐insulating zinc tin oxide layer was introduced at the metal–semiconductor interface. The forward current–voltage characteristics of the platinum Schottky barrier diodes were modeled using thermionic emission theory. From temperature dependent measurements, the mean barrier heights of the diodes were determined to be 0.8 and 1.3 eV for diodes without and with a semi‐insulating layer, respectively. Further, the Pt–ZTO diodes were investigated by capacitance–voltage measurements and thermal admittance spectroscopy (TAS). We found that the obtained net doping density agrees with the free electron density determined from Hall‐effect measurements. TAS revealed two defect levels: one deep defect with an activation energy of 220 meV and one shallow defect connected to the carrier freeze‐out. Assuming scattering at potential barriers within the conduction band minimum being the dominant scattering mechanism in multi‐cation semiconductors at freeze‐out temperature, an activation energy of about 15–27 meV was derived.
Re‐evaluation of the VSI‐ chart performance with estimated parameters
Authors: Noorossana Rassoul , Mohammadpanah Mohammad , Nayebpour Mohamad R.
Published: June 2017

The performance of the variable sampling interval‐
(VSI‐
) chart with estimated parameters has been investigated on the basis of the average time to signal (ATS) and standard deviation of time to signal (SDTS) in past research studies. Since the values of ATS and SDTS vary from practitioner to practitioner, the use of these 2 measures is not reliable. The use of different historical data sets in phase I results in varying parameter estimates, control limits, warning limits, ATS, and SDTS values. In this study, we use the standard deviation of average time to signal (SDATS) to evaluate and compare the performance of the VSI‐
chart with known parameters and estimated parameters. This study shows that variation reduction in ATS values requires a larger than previously recommended phase I data. Also, detection of up to moderate shifts in the process mean with the desired ATS value would be achievable with the number of samples recommended in the past, but the in‐control performance of the chart would not be reliable. Furthermore, we evaluate the effect of using large and small desired values of ATS0 on the performance of in‐control and out‐of‐control VSI‐
chart. We also study the effects of estimating the mean and standard deviation on the ATS values using numerical simulation. Finally, we present a method based on warning and control limits coefficients for the estimated parameters case to reduce the number of samples required in phase I.
Using independent component analysis to monitor2‐Dgeometric specifications
Authors: Fathizadan Sepehr , Niaki Seyed Taghi Akhavan , Noorossana Rassoul
Published: June 2017

Functional data and profiles are characterized by complex relationships between a response and several predictor variables. Fortunately, statistical process control methods provide a solid ground for monitoring the stability of these relationships over time. This study focuses on the monitoring of 2‐dimensional geometric specifications. Although the existing approaches deploy regression models with spatial autoregressive error terms combined with control charts to monitor the parameters, they are designed based on some idealistic assumptions that can be easily violated in practice. In this paper, the independent component analysis (ICA) is used in combination with a statistical process control method as an alternative scheme for phase II monitoring of geometric profiles when non‐normality of the error term is present. The performance of this method is evaluated and compared with a regression‐ and PCA‐based approach through simulation of the average run length criterion. The results reveal that the proposed ICA‐based approach is robust against non‐normality in the in‐control analysis, and its out‐of‐control performance is on par with that of the PCA‐based method in case of normal and near‐normal error terms.
Estimating missing values from negligible interactions in factorial designs
Authors: Xampeny Rafel , Grima Pere , Tort‐Martorell Xavier
Published: June 2017

When a factorial design has some missing value but there are contrasts (at least as many as there are missing values) corresponding to interactions that can be considered negligible, equating the expressions of those contrasts to 0 allows the missing values to be deduced. This procedure allows estimating values that correspond to runs that have gone wrong or could not be performed as planned, as well as to reduce the experimental plan while saving some runs whose results can be estimated a posteriori. The problem is that the estimated values have a variance that is higher than that of the experimental runs, and the variance depends on which are the missing values and the contrasts used to make the estimate. This article performs a thorough analysis of the variances obtained by estimating up to 2 missing values in 8‐run designs and up to 5 in 16‐run designs, with tables included which provide the missing values and contrasts that should be used to obtain estimates that have minimal variability.
Blocking versus robustness in industrial contexts
Authors: Grima Pere , Marco‐Almagro Lluís , Tort‐Martorell Xavier
Published: June 2017

The paper discusses the similarities and differences between blocking factors (blocked designs) and noise factors (robust designs) in industrial two‐level factorial experiments. The discussion covers from the objectives of both design types and the nature of blocking and noise factors to the types of designs and the assumptions needed in each case. The conclusions are as follows: the nature and characteristics of noise and blocking factors are equal or very similar; the designs used in both situations are also similar; and the main differences lie in the assumptions and the objectives. The paper argues that the objectives are not in conflict and can easily be harmonized. In consequence, we argue in favor of a unified approach that would clarify the issue, especially for students and practitioners.
Understanding the Global Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction
Authors: Berg Monika , De Majo Veronica
Published: June 2017

Disasters are a growing international concern that has spurred the development of political strategies and policies from international to local levels. This paper analyzes how disasters are constructed as a policy problem within the UN global strategy for disaster risk reduction. Building on a social constructivist view of policy problems, we analyze how disasters and disaster risks are being represented through these global policies, while we also pay attention to what this representation excludes and de‐emphasizes. We show that the UN strategy is mostly concerned with adjusting or adapting societies to hazards, and managing risks, rather than addressing the social processes that render people vulnerable to those hazards. The predominant concern with technological and managerial solutions eclipses the need for changes in the social structures that create disaster risks. We argue that the understanding of disasters represented in the UN strategy supports an emerging holistic paradigm. However, we also argue that the holism it represents is limited rather than radical. By making visible what is excluded or not properly problematized in this representation, we point to the complexity of the task and show where its limitations lie.
Carbon Capture and Storage in the Finnish Print Media
Authors: Kojo Matti , Innola Eeva
Published: June 2017

General media coverage is one national level contextual factor influencing communication, public perceptions, and the acceptance of technology. In this study, Finnish newspaper articles with references to carbon capture and storage (CCS) from over a nearly two decades (1996–2015) were analyzed in order to gain an understanding of the scale of news coverage and level of public debate on CCS technology. The data included a total of 282 articles from 10 different newspapers. Four temporal phases according to the frequency of references to CCS were identified. These are as follows: 1996–2003, practically no coverage; 2004–2006, rising awareness; 2007–2010, peak of print media attention; and 2011–2015, decreasing interest. The volume of data seemed to follow the international issue‐attention cycle of CCS. The long time period revealed an obvious peak in media attention but this was much lower than in some other countries. Industry, administration, and experts were the actor groups which gained most frequently media attention. Fourteen percent of the data were deemed to be negatively disposed toward CCS technology. By covering a long search period, the paper contributes the studies focused on media attention to CCS at national level. The study confirms earlier results indicating the dropping of CCS from the print media agenda after 2009.
Impact of metabolic disorders on prostate cancer growth: Androgen and insulin resistance perspectives
Authors: Yanase Tashihiko , Kawanami Takako , Tanaka Tomoko , Tanabe Makito , Nomiyama Takashi
Published: June 2017

Background

A high prevalence of cancers in metabolic disorders, like metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), recently has been noted, including prostate cancer (PC), which is androgen‐sensitive. However, the pathological relationship among testosterone and insulin and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 signaling in relation to MetS and T2DM with PC remains unclear.

Methods

Papers were reviewed, including those by the authors.

Results

In MetS or the initial stage of T2DM accompanying insulin resistance, insulin and IGF‐1 signaling could be essential for PC growth. In the advanced stage of T2DM, the decrease in insulin secretion might work against PC growth. A decrease in testosterone concentration with T2DM also might suppress PC proliferation. Androgen deprivation therapy in patients with PC might increase the risk of MetS and/or T2DM and consequently cardiovascular events. Certain drugs for T2DM treatment, such as metformin and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analog, potentially might be useful for the treatment of PC.

Conclusion

The improvement of insulin resistance appears to be essential for the prevention of PC growth. Further studies are needed to clarify the complicated pathophysiology of metabolic disorders in PC growth.
International Student Employment: Navigating Immigration Regulations, Career Services, and Employer Considerations
Authors: McFadden Amanda , Seedorff Lee
Published: June 2017

This chapter introduces student services professionals to trends and issues regarding international student employment from career services and international student services advising perspectives.
Welcoming a New Wave of Students from China: Rising Expectations and Challenges
Authors: Blumenthal Peggy , Lim Sonny
Published: June 2017

This chapter provides data and analysis of challenges and opportunities that students from China and U.S. host campuses present to each other as Chinese enrollments have expanded rapidly over the past decade. The creative responses of host campuses and communities offer some models for student service professionals to consider, and campuses also need to prepare for future shifts in student and faculty global mobility
Precisely Tailored DNA Nanostructures and their Theranostic Applications
Authors: Zhu Bing , Wang Lihua , Li Jiang , Fan Chunhai
Published: June 2017

A critical challenge in nanotechnology is the limited precision and controllability of the structural parameters, which brings about concerns in uniformity, reproducibility and performance. Self‐assembled DNA nanostructures, as a newly emerged type of nano‐biomaterials, possess low‐nanometer precision, excellent programmability and addressability. They can precisely arrange various molecules and materials to form spatially ordered complex, resulting in unambiguous physical or chemical properties. Because of these, DNA nanostructures have shown great promise in numerous biomedical theranostic applications. In this account, we briefly review the history and advances on construction of DNA nanoarchitectures and superstructures with accurate structural parameters. We focus on recent progress in exploiting these DNA nanostructures as platforms for quantitative biosensing, intracellular diagnosis, imaging, and smart drug delivery. We also discuss key challenges in practical applications.
Overview of Decoding across the Disciplines
Authors: Boman Jennifer , Currie Genevieve , MacDonald Ron , Miller‐Young Janice , Yeo Michelle , Zettel Stephanie
Published: June 2017

In this chapter we describe the Decoding the Disciplines Faculty Learning Community at Mount Royal University and how Decoding has been used in new and multidisciplinary ways in the various teaching, curriculum, and research projects that are presented in detail in subsequent chapters.
Building Bridges from the Decoding Interview to Teaching Practice
Authors: Pettit Jennifer , Rathburn Melanie , Calvert Victoria , Lexier Roberta , Underwood Margot , Gleeson Judy , Dean Yasmin
Published: June 2017

This chapter describes a multidisciplinary faculty self‐study about reciprocity in service‐learning. The study began with each coauthor participating in a Decoding interview. We describe how Decoding combined with collaborative self‐study had a positive impact on our teaching practice.
Impact of Decoding Work within a Professional Program
Authors: Yeo Michelle , Lafave Mark , Westbrook Khatija , McAllister Jenelle , Valdez Dennis , Eubank Breda
Published: June 2017

This chapter demonstrates how Decoding work can be used productively within a curriculum change process to help make design decisions based on a more nuanced understanding of student learning and the relationship of a professional program to the field.
Single Versus Multiple Solid Organ Injuries Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma
Authors: El‐Menyar Ayman , Abdelrahman Husham , Al‐Hassani Ammar , Peralta Ruben , AbdelAziz Hiba , Latifi Rifat , Al‐Thani Hassan
Published: June 2017

Background

We aimed to describe the pattern of solid organ injuries (SOIs) and analyze the characteristics, management and outcomes based on the multiplicity of SOIs.

Methods

A retrospective study in a Level 1 trauma center was conducted and included patients admitted with blunt abdominal trauma between 2011 and 2014. Data were analyzed and compared for patients with single versus multiple SOIs.

Results

A total of 504 patients with SOIs were identified with a mean age of 28 ± 13 years. The most frequently injured organ was liver (45%) followed by spleen (30%) and kidney (18%). One‐fifth of patients had multiple SOIs, of that 87% had two injured organs. Patients with multiple SOIs had higher frequency of head injury and injury severity scores (p < 0.05). The majority of SOIs were treated nonoperatively, whereas operative management was required in a quarter of patients, mostly in patients with multiple SOIs (p = 0.01). Blood transfusion, sepsis and hospital stay were greater in multiple than single SOIs (p < 0.05). The overall mortality was 11% which was comparable between the two groups. In patients with single SOIs, the mortality was significantly higher in those who had pancreatic (28.6%) or hepatic injuries (13%) than the other SOIs.

Conclusion

SOIs represent one‐tenth of trauma admissions in Qatar. Although liver was the most frequently injured organ, the rate of mortality was higher in pancreatic injury. Patients with multiple SOIs had higher morbidity which required frequent operative management. Further prospective studies are needed to develop management algorithm based on the multiplicity of SOIs.
35‐Year Experience with Surgical Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Burney Richard E.
Published: June 2017

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a painful and disfiguring chronic inflammatory condition affecting both men and women. Medical treatments, such as antibiotics and immunosuppressive agents, are often ineffective. Over time, patients can suffer from recurrent abscesses, chronic purulent drainage, scarring, and contractures that can only be corrected by surgical excision. There is no agreement, however, on the best way for the surgeon to manage this condition. The purpose of this review is to describe the results of surgical treatment of this condition in a large cohort of patients managed by local excision of hidradenitis, healing by secondary intention and reoperation as needed.

Study design

A retrospective review was conducted of all patients operated on by the author for hidradenitis over a 35‐year period. Specific data abstracted included patient age, weight, admission, length of stay, wound size, type of wound care, number of post‐op visits, time to heal, and recurrence. Most wounds healed by secondary intention and were managed using simple tap water‐moistened plain gauze dressings changed three times a day.

Results

From 1979 through 2014, 122 patients (56 men and 66 women), median age 38, underwent 245 operations for hidradenitis suppurativa. Patients underwent from 1 to 10 procedures; 61 patients (50%) underwent two or more procedures; and 26 (21%) underwent three or more. Wound sizes at operation ranged from quite small to over 1500 cm2. Men were older (42 vs 34 years, p < 0.001) and had larger median wound size (98 vs 55 cm2, p < 0.001). A total of 197 wounds healed by secondary intention: 83 of these (median size 159 cm2) were left completely open at the time of surgery; 117 (median size 100 cm2) were partially closed. A total of 30 wounds (median size 38 cm2) were closed primarily; 15 (median size 196 cm2) were closed by skin graft. Patients undergoing 139 procedures were admitted to the hospital for the initial wound care. Their median combined total wound size was 160 cm2; length of stay was 5.5 days; and median time to heal was 60 days. In total, 106 procedures were ambulatory; median wound size was 30 cm2; and median time to heal was 40 days. Recurrent or new disease was common, with some patients requiring multiple procedures over many years to maintain control of symptoms. Although wound healing can take up to several months, patients quickly learned how to care for themselves and were usually pain‐free after the first two or three weeks.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa by wide local excision with healing by secondary intention using tap water‐moistened plain gauze dressings changed 2–3 times per day is a simple, practical approach that has good results. Recurrence of disease is common and should not be thought of as a failure of surgical treatment, but rather as a feature of the disease that must be anticipated and managed.
Prolonged survival in patients with breast cancer and a history of brain metastases: results of a preplanned subgroup analysis from the randomized phase III BEACON trial
Authors: Cortés Javier , Rugo Hope S. , Awada Ahmad , Twelves Chris , Perez Edith A. , Im Seock–Ah , Gómez-Pardo Patricia , Schwartzberg Lee S. , Diéras Veronique , Yardley Denise A. , Potter David A. , Mailliez Audrey , Moreno-Aspitia Alvaro , Ahn Jin-Seok , Zhao Carol , Hoch Ute , Tagliaferri Mary , Hannah Alison L. , O’Shaughnessy Joyce
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Conventional chemotherapy has limited activity in patients with breast cancer and brain metastases (BCBM). Etirinotecan pegol (EP), a novel long-acting topoisomerase-1 inhibitor, was designed using advanced polymer technology to preferentially accumulate in tumor tissue including brain metastases, providing sustained cytotoxic SN38 levels.

Methods

The phase 3 BEACON trial enrolled 852 women with heavily pretreated locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer between 2011 and 2013. BEACON compared EP with treatment of physician’s choice (TPC; eribulin, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, paclitaxel, ixabepilone, or docetaxel) in patients previously treated with anthracycline, taxane, and capecitabine, including those with treated, stable brain metastases. The primary endpoint, overall survival (OS), was assessed in a pre-defined subgroup of BCBM patients; an exploratory post hoc analysis adjusting for the diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment (GPA) index was also conducted.

Results

In the trial, 67 BCBM patients were randomized (EP, n = 36; TPC, n = 31). Treatment subgroups were balanced for baseline characteristics and GPA indices. EP was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.51; P < 0.01) versus TPC; median OS was 10.0 and 4.8 months, respectively. Improvement in OS was observed in both poorer and better GPA prognostic groups. Survival rates at 12 months were 44.4% for EP versus 19.4% for TPC. Consistent with the overall BEACON population, fewer patients on EP experienced grade ≥3 toxicity (50 vs. 70%).

Conclusions

The significant improvement in survival in BCBM patients provides encouraging data for EP in this difficult-to-treat subgroup of patients. A phase three trial of EP in BCBM patients is underway (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02915744).
Identification des cas de trépanations dans les populations anciennes : base de données et outil interactif de soutien au diagnostic différentiel
Authors: Partiot C. , Bessou M. , Chavent M. , Dodré É. , Maureille B. , Thomas A.
Published: June 2017

Les nombreux cas de trépanations crâniennes dans les populations anciennes sont identifiés très majoritairement à partir de la forme de l'ouverture pratiquée sur la voûte. En l'absence de traces caractéristiques des outils du praticien, il est toutefois toujours possible qu'il s'agisse d'une «pseudo-trépanation», c'est-à-dire d'un orifice d'origine pathologique ou taphonomique mimant l'allure d'une ouverture anthropique. Notre étude a pour but d'améliorer le travail de comparaison du diagnostic différentiel grâce à la création d'une base de données recensant les multiples facteurs responsables de lacunes de la voûte crânienne. Ce référentiel a permis l'élaboration d'un outil interactif de soutien au diagnostic différentiel sur la plateforme collaborative de gestion de données Xper3, la première de ce type. Notre revue bibliographique de la littérature anthropologique et médicale a rassemblé dans une base de données les caractéristiques morphologiques des lacunes produites par 79 étiologies en fonction de 13 critères de description quantitatifs et qualitatifs. La comparaison d'un cas archéologique avec des cas connus par l'intermédiaire de l'outil interactif facilite alors le travail de recherches comparatives, oriente l'observateur vers des étiologies potentiellement compatibles et consolide le diagnostic différentiel en augmentant rapidement le nombre de facteurs à discuter.
Efecto de la violación del contrato psicológico y el agotamiento emocional sobre el cinismo del empleado
Authors: Máynez Guaderrama Aurora Irma , Cavazos Arroyo Judith , Reyes Flores Griselda
Published: June 2017

El contrato psicológico es relevante para comprender el comportamiento y el bienestar de los trabajadores. Esta investigación analiza el efecto de la violación del contrato psicológico sobre el cinismo del empleado a través de la mediación del agotamiento emocional. Para ello se realizó una investigación cuantitativa, empírica y transversal a través de una encuesta personal a personal operativo que labora en el sector automotriz de empresas maquiladoras de exportación localizadas en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México. Mediante un análisis de ecuaciones estructurales se encontró que la violación del contrato psicológico afecta de forma directa e indirecta sobre el cinismo del empleado, a través de la mediación del agotamiento emocional.
Mortality and the relationship of somatic comorbidities to mortality in schizophrenia. A nationwide matched-cohort study
Authors: Bitter I. , Czobor P. , Borsi A. , Fehér L. , Nagy B.Z. , Bacskai M. , Rakonczai P. , Hegyi R. , Németh T. , Varga P. , Gimesi-Országh J. , Fadgyas-Freyler P. , Sermon J. , Takács P.
Published: June 2017

Aim:

We conducted a matched-cohort study to assess mortality in schizophrenia and the relationship of mortality with comorbid somatic conditions and suicide attempts.

Method:

A full-population register-based prospective matched-cohort study was performed including all eligible patients with schizophrenia in Hungary between 01/01/2005 and 31/12/2013. Control subjects were individually matched to patients with schizophrenia at a 5:1 ratio. The principal outcome measure was death due to any reason. A non-parametric approach was used for descriptive statistical purposes, the Kaplan-Meier model for survival analysis, and the Cox proportional-hazards regression model for inferential statistics.

Results:

Patients with schizophrenia (n= 65,169) had substantially higher risk of all-cause mortality than the control subjects (n= 325,435) (RR = 2.4;P< 0.0001). Comorbidities and suicide attempts were associated with significantly increased mortality in both groups. As compared to the controls, 20-year old males with schizophrenia had a shorter life expectancy by 11.5 years, and females by 13.7 years; the analogous numbers for 45-year old schizophrenics were 8.1 and 9.6 years, respectively.

Conclusions:

A significant mortality gap – mainly associated with somatic comorbidities – was detected between patients with schizophrenia and individually matched controls. Improved medical training to address the disparity in mortality, and many other factors including lack of resources, access to and model of medical care, lifestyle, medication side effects, smoking, stigma, need for early intervention and adequate health care organization could help to better address the physical health needs of patients with schizophrenia.
Early Intra‐articular Corticosteroid Injection Improves Pain and Function in Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: 1‐Year Retrospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Ahn Jung Hwan , Lee Doo‐Hyung , Kang Hyuncheol , Lee Michael Y. , Kang Dae Ryong , Yoon Seung‐Hyun
Published: June 2017

Background

Intra‐articular corticosteroid injection is a commonly used therapy for adhesive capsulitis, but not enough studies exist on the optimal timing of the injection.

Objective

To determine whether intra‐articular corticosteroid injection has better outcomes in patients with earlier stage than later stage of adhesive capsulitis.

Study Design

Retrospective longitudinal study

Setting

University‐affiliated tertiary care hospital.

Participants

Primary adhesive capsulitis patients (n=339) who were unresponsive to at least 1 month of conservative treatment and who had ultrasound‐guided corticosteroid injection.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measurements

Visual analogue scale, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and passive range of motion (flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation and extension) were evaluated at pretreatment, month 1 and 12 after the first injection.

Results

The result of the multiple regressions, which considered the main and the interaction effect of confounding variables, showed that the differences of all outcomes in both short‐term effect at month 1 and long‐term effect at month 12 are greater when the duration of pain prior to injection is shorter. Among the confounders, the injection number in the difference of internal rotation and extension between month 0 and 12 (IRE Δ(0‐12)) was statistically significant. IRE Δ(0‐12) was also greater when the pain duration was shorter, though the decrease in IRE Δ(0‐12) differed depending on the number of injections.

Conclusions

Early injection improves outcomes of adhesive capsulitis at both short‐ and long‐term follow‐ups. If pain persists despite non‐invasive and conservative treatments, early injection may be considered to shorten its natural history.

Level of Evidence

III
Medical Requirements During a Natural Disaster: A Case Study on WhatsApp Chats Among Medical Personnel During the 2015 Nepal Earthquake
Authors: Basu Moumita , Ghosh Saptarshi , Jana Arnab , Bandyopadhyay Somprakash , Singh Ravikant
Published: June 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore a log of WhatsApp messages exchanged among members of the health care group Doctors For You (DFY) while they were providing medical relief in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake in April 2015. Our motivation was to identify medical resource requirements during a disaster in order to help government agencies and other responding organizations to be better prepared in any upcoming disaster.

Methods

A large set of WhatsApp (WhatsApp Inc, Mountain View, CA) messages exchanged among DFY members during the Nepal earthquake was collected and analyzed to identify the medical resource requirements during different phases of relief operations.

Results

The study revealed detailed phase-wise requirements for various types of medical resources, including medicines, medical equipment, and medical personnel. The data also reflected some of the problems faced by the medical relief workers in the earthquake-affected region.

Conclusions

The insights from this study may help not only the Nepalese government, but also authorities in other earthquake-prone regions of the world to better prepare for similar disasters in the future. Moreover, real-time analysis of such online data during a disaster would aid decision-makers in dynamically formulating resource-mapping strategies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:652–655).
WHO Parents Skills Training (PST) programme for children with developmental disorders and delays delivered by Family Volunteers in rural Pakistan: study protocol for effectiveness implementation hybrid cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hamdani S. U. , Akhtar P. , Zill-e-Huma  , Nazir H. , Minhas F. A. , Sikander S. , Wang D. , Servilli C. , Rahman A.
Published: June 2017

Background.

Development disorders and delays are recognised as a public health priority and included in the WHO mental health gap action programme (mhGAP). Parents Skills Training (PST) is recommended as a key intervention for such conditions under the WHO mhGAP intervention guide. However, sustainable and scalable delivery of such evidence based interventions remains a challenge. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and scaled-up implementation of locally adapted WHO PST programme delivered by family volunteers in rural Pakistan.

Methods.

The study is a two arm single-blind effectiveness implementation-hybrid cluster randomised controlled trial. WHO PST programme will be delivered by ‘family volunteers’ to the caregivers of children with developmental disorders and delays in community-based settings. The intervention consists of the WHO PST along with the WHO mhGAP intervention for developmental disorders adapted for delivery using the android application on a tablet device. A total of 540 parent-child dyads will be recruited from 30 clusters. The primary outcome is child's functioning, measured by WHO Disability Assessment Schedule – child version (WHODAS-Child) at 6 months post intervention. Secondary outcomes include children's social communication and joint engagement with their caregiver, social emotional well-being, parental health related quality of life, family empowerment and stigmatizing experiences. Mixed method will be used to collect data on implementation outcomes. Trial has been retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02792894).

Discussion.

This study addresses implementation challenges in the real world by incorporating evidence-based intervention strategies with social, technological and business innovations. If proven effective, the study will contribute to scaled-up implementation of evidence-based packages for public mental health in low resource settings.

Trial registration.

Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as Family Networks (FaNs) for Children with Developmental Disorders and Delays. Identifier: NCT02792894 Registered on 6 July 2016.
Surviving Napoleon. A case study of small town discursive strategies during the Piacentino rebellion (1805–1806)
Authors: Harsanyi Doina Pasca
Published: June 2017

In December 1805 a violent anti-French rural insurgency broke out in the mountainous area around Piacenza, in the States of Parma. Castell’Arquato was one of the centres of this rebellion: local leaders devised a strategy that, using to advantage the dominant French imperial discourse of competent and progressive government, saved the town from the anticipated reprisals. Close reading of this particular case of narrative ingeniousness brings into focus the larger issue of agency local Italians were able to derive from the French quest for stability in the region.
Testing Social Science Network Theories with Online Network Data: An Evaluation of External Validity
Authors: BISBEE JAMES , LARSON JENNIFER M.
Published: June 2017

To answer questions about the origins and outcomes of collective action, political scientists increasingly turn to datasets with social network information culled from online sources. However, a fundamental question of external validity remains untested: are the relationships measured between a person and her online peers informative of the kind of offline, “real-world” relationships to which network theories typically speak? This article offers the first direct comparison of the nature and consequences of online and offline social ties, using data collected via a novel network elicitation technique in an experimental setting. We document strong, robust similarity between online and offline relationships. This parity is not driven by sharedidentityof online and offline ties, but a shared nature of relationships in both domains. Our results affirm that online social tie data offer great promise for testing long-standing theories in the social sciences about the role of social networks.
Comparable reductions in hyperpnoea-induced bronchoconstriction and markers of airway inflammation after supplementation with 6·2 and 3·1 g/d of long-chainn-3 PUFA in adults with asthma
Authors: Williams Neil C. , Hunter Kirsty A. , Shaw Dominick E. , Jackson Kim G. , Sharpe Graham R. , Johnson Michael A.
Published: June 2017

Although high dosen-3 PUFA supplementation reduces exercise- and hyperpnoea-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB/HIB), there are concurrent issues with cost, compliance and gastrointestinal discomfort. It is thus pertinent to establish the efficacy of lowern-3 PUFA doses. Eight male adults with asthma and HIB and eight controls without asthma were randomly supplemented with twon-3 PUFA doses (6·2 g/d (3·7 g EPA and 2·5 g DHA) and 3·1 g/d (1·8 g EPA and 1·3 g DHA)) and a placebo, each for 21 d followed by 14 d washout. A eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH) challenge was performed before and after treatments. Outcome measures remained unchanged in the control group. In the HIB group, the peak fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after EVH at day 0 (−1005 (sd520) ml, −30 (sd18) %) was unchanged after placebo. The peak fall in FEV1was similarly reduced from day 0 to day 21 of 6·2 g/dn-3 PUFA (−1000 (sd460) ml, −29 (sd17) %v. −690 (sd460) ml, −20 (sd15) %) and 3·1 g/dn-3 PUFA (−970 (sd480) ml, −28 (sd18) %v. −700 (sd420) ml, −21 (sd15) %) (P<0·001). Baseline fraction of exhaled nitric oxide was reduced by 24 % (P=0·020) and 31 % (P=0·018) after 6·2 and 3·1 g/dn-3 PUFA, respectively. Peak increases in 9α, 11βPGF2after EVH were reduced by 65 % (P=0·009) and 56 % (P=0·041) after 6·2 and 3·1 g/dn-3 PUFA, respectively. In conclusion, 3·1 g/dn-3 PUFA supplementation attenuated HIB and markers of airway inflammation to a similar extent as a higher dose. Lower doses ofn-3 PUFA thus represent a potentially beneficial adjunct treatment for adults with asthma and EIB.
Nutritional support for low birth weight infants: insights from animal studies
Authors: Li Na , Wang Wei , Wu Guoyao , Wang Junjun
Published: June 2017

Infants born with low birth weights (<2500 g, LBW), accounting for about 15 % of newborns, have a high risk for postnatal growth failure and developing the metabolic syndromes such as type 2 diabetes, CVD and obesity later in life. Improper nutrition provision during critical stages, such as undernutrition during the fetal period or overnutrition during the neonatal period, has been an important mediator of these metabolic diseases. Considering the specific physiological status of LBW infants, nutritional intervention and optimisation during early life merit further attention. In this review, the physiological and metabolic defects of LBW infants were summarised from a nutritional perspective. Available strategies for nutritional interventions and optimisation of LBW infants, including patterns of nutrition supply, macronutrient proportion, supplementation of amino acids and their derivatives, fatty acids, nucleotides, vitamins, minerals as well as hormone and microbiota manipulators, were reviewed with an aim to provide new insights into the advancements of formulas and human-milk fortifiers.
Therapeutic efficacy ofArtemisia absinthiumagainstHymenolepis nana: in vitroandin vivostudies in comparison with the anthelmintic praziquantel
Authors: Beshay E.V.N.
Published: June 2017

Hymenolepis nanais a common intestinal tapeworm that affects humans. Drugs are available for the treatment of this infection, including praziquantel (PZQ), nitazoxanide and niclosamide. Although the drug of choice is praziquantel, due to its high cure rates, indicators of the development of PZQ resistance by different parasites have begun to appear over recent decades. Therefore, this study was a trial to find an alternative to PZQ by assessing the activity of the crude aqueous extract of the medicinal herbArtemisia absinthiumagainstH. nana.In vitro,the extract was used against adult worms at concentrations of 1 and 5 mg/ml, in comparison with 1 mg/ml of PZQ. The times of worm paralysis and death were determined. Ultrastructural morphological changes were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For thein vivostudy, infected mice were divided into untreated, PZQ-treated andA. absinthium-treated groups (400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg). Pre- and post-treatment egg counts per gram of faeces (EPG) were performed; then, the reduction percentages of the EPG and worm burden were calculated. The best results were obtained with praziquantel.Artemisia absinthiuminduced worm paralysis, death and ultrastructural alterations, such as tegumental damage, lipid accumulation, and destruction of the nephridial canal and the intrauterine eggs, in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, significant reductions in the EPG and worm burden were recorded inA. absinthium-treated mice. Although the results obtained withA. absinthiumwere promising and comparable to PZQ, further studies using different extracts, active ingredients and concentrations against different parasites should be conducted.