bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘It is a Shame We Are Not Neighbours’: GDR Tourist Cruises to Cuba, 1961–89
Authors: Bodie George
Published: August 2019

The German Democratic Republic (GDR) is typically portrayed as only allowing its citizens to travel within the ‘Eastern bloc’. It has passed largely unremarked upon that from 1961 to 1989, however, tens of thousands of GDR citizens travelled to Cuba, with thousands of these journeys taking place on trade union-owned cruise ships. This article investigates the implications of this largely ignored phenomenon. Accompanying these cruises was wealth of symbolism, and the tensions within this symbolism allow us to explore the peculiar global vision constructed by GDR elites, which has hitherto been largely obscured by the depiction of the GDR as a parochial, autarchic state. Cuba was part of what was known as the “socialist world system”, the collection of socialist states across the world who shared the same, socialist, societal structures. Communist theorists supposed that these societies were on a path of objective convergence, and that tourism would further this process. At the same time, Cuba was exoticized as a site of radical, southern difference and consumerist pleasure. These conflicting visions were ever present in the literature surrounding cruises to Cuba, but as time went on, the latter vision gained prominence.
Economics of English: Examining the Demand for English Proficiency in the Vietnamese Job Market
Authors: Doan Linh Dieu , Hamid M. Obaidul
Published: August 2019

Located in the economics of language, the present study seeks to contribute towards understanding the Vietnamese job market’s demand for competency in using English. The globalization of English and the global flow of capital are factors that are changing the linguistic landscape of the world of work. However, there has been limited research on the changing role of English in the job market, particularly in developing societies. An understanding of the labour market’s demand that candidates are proficient in English is critical given that language educators are under pressure to meet industry demands and prepare graduates for the world of work. Against this background, we investigated the demand for English proficency in the Vietnamese labour market by examining two samples of job advertisements. The advertisements were published in 2015 and 2018 on a popular job website. Based on our analysis, we attest to the growing importance of English and to higher levels of English proficiency demands, although these demands varied across job sectors. We suggest implications for educators, policy makers, job seekers, employers and researchers.
Egg Donation Imaginaries: Embodiment, Ethics and Future Family Formation
Authors: Hudson Nicky
Published: August 2019

This article considers the sociological utility of the ‘imaginary’ for understanding how a growing number of women who seek to conceive using donated eggs might make sense of their future desires, hopes and ambivalences. By combining the imaginary with insights from authors working on ideas about everyday or ‘ordinary’ ethics it considers how deliberations about egg donation take place and how future motherhood is constructed. Three main aspects of what are referred to as ‘egg donation imaginaries’ are defined: ‘imagining donor egg motherhood’; ‘imagining donor motivations’; and ‘imagining the donor’. The article illustrates how the imaginary is a valuable analytical device because it illuminates how ideas, ambivalences, deliberations and reflections about future family building are deeply social, embodied and reflexive. The imaginary advances sociological theorising of reproduction more generally and helps to bridge existing tensions between individual practices and wider social and policy imaginaries.
Establishing Appropriate Agency Relationships for Providers in China
Authors: Liu Yu , Saltman Richard B.
Published: August 2019

Physicians play multiple roles in a health system. They typically serve simultaneously as the agent for patients, for insurers, for their own medical practices, and for the hospital facilities where they practice. Theoretical and empirical results have demonstrated that financial relations among these different stakeholders can affect clinical outcomes as well as the efficiency and quality of care. What are the physicians’ roles as the agents of Chinese patients? The marketization approach of China’s economic reforms since 1978 has made hospitals and physicians profit-driven. Such profit-driven behavior and the financial tie between hospitals and physicians have in turn made physicians more the agents of hospitals rather than of their patients. While this commentary acknowledges physicians’ ethics and their dedication to their patients, it argues that the current physician agency relation in China has created barriers to achieving some of the central goals of current provider-side health care reform efforts. In addition to eliminating existing perverse financial incentives for both hospitals and physicians, the need for which is already agreed upon by numerous scholars, we argue that the success of the ongoing Chinese public hospital reform and of overall health care reform also relies on establishing appropriate physician-hospital agency relations. This commentary proposes 2 essential steps to establish such physician-hospital agency relations: (1) minimize financial ties between senior physicians and tertiary-level public hospitals by establishing a separate reimbursement system for senior physicians, and (2) establishing a comprehensive physician professionalism system underwritten by the Chinese government, professional physician associations, and major health care facilities as well as by physician leadership representatives. Neither of these suggestions is addressed adequately in current health care reform activities.
Conflict in Skipped Generation Households in Thailand
Authors: Tangchonlatip Kanchana , Ingersoll-Dayton Berit , Punpuing Sureeporn
Published: August 2019

A common phenomenon in rural Thailand is that adult children migrate to find work and leave their children behind in the care of their grandparents. The resulting living arrangement is referred to as a skipped generation household. This arrangement can benefit the intergenerational family but can also be associated with conflict. This study explores different types of conflict between grandparents and their adult children in skipped generation households and how they manage these conflicts. In-depth interviews were conducted with 48 grandparents in rural Thailand. Using thematic analysis, conflicts including decision to care for grandchildren, how to raise and discipline grandchildren, where the grandchildren should live, grandchildren’s education, and inconsistent remittances from the migrant children to their parents were identified. The findings revealed the strategies grandparents use to cope by either trying to prevent or dealing with conflicts. Buddhist teachings play an important role in the way families react to conflict.
A Spatial Perspective on the Econometrics of Program Evaluation
Authors: Kolak Marynia , Anselin Luc
Published: August 2019

Empirical work in regional science has seen a growing interest in causal inference, leveraging insights from econometrics, statistics, and related fields. This has resulted in several conceptual as well as empirical papers. However, the role of spatial effects, such as spatial dependence (SD) and spatial heterogeneity (SH), is less well understood in this context. Such spatial effects violate the so-called stable unit treatment value assumption advanced by Rubin as part of the foundational framework for empirical treatment effect analysis. In this article, we consider the role of spatial effects more closely. We provide a brief overview of a number of attempts to extend existing econometric treatment effect evaluation methods with an accounting for spatial aspects and outline and illustrate an alternative approach. Specifically, we propose a spatially explicit counterfactual framework that leverages spatial panel econometrics to account for both SD and SH in treatment choice, treatment variation, and treatment effects. We illustrate this framework with a replication of a well-known treatment effect analysis, that is, the evaluation effect of minimum legal drinking age laws on mortality for US states during the period 1970–1984, a classic textbook example of applied causal inference. We replicate the results available in the literature and compare these to a range of alternative specifications that incorporate spatial effects.
Pericardial synovial sarcoma presenting with unstable angina
Authors: Wong Kirsten Y , Hong Eric , Fong Chee-Meng , Wong Poo-Sing
Published: August 2019

A 43-year-old man had an incidental finding of a large anterior mediastinal mass. He suddenly presented with unstable angina and an emergency coronary angiogram showed severe proximal circumflex artery and left anterior descending artery stenosis from external compression. He underwent emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery and excision of the tumor. At surgery, the tumor was found to be invading the left ventricle, so debulking of the mediastinal tumor was performed. Histology showed a biphasic pericardial synovial sarcoma. The patient was recommended chemotherapy and radiotherapy but he refused. He died 13 months after surgery.
Translational value of partial resection of the pulmonary artery wall for congenital heart disease-induced bronchial compression
Authors: Wu Xiangyang , Zhu Jie , Liu Hao , Chen Wensheng , Wei Yalin , Guan Xinqiang , Zhang Yanchun , Tao Pengxian , Gao Bingren
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel surgical procedure in treating tracheal or bronchial compression related to severe congenital heart disease.

Methods

The clinical data of 28 patients with tracheal or bronchial compression related to severe congenital heart disease were retrospectively analyzed. In the control group, 12 patients underwent surgery for congenital cardiac malformations. In the treatment group, 16 patients underwent surgery for congenital cardiac malformations combined with partial resection of the pulmonary artery wall. The cardiothoracic ratio, pulmonary arterial pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, diameter of the pulmonary artery, and diameter of the trachea in the stenotic segment were quantitatively measured before and 9 days after the operation.

Results

The diameter of the pulmonary artery and diameter of the trachea in the stenotic segment were almost restored to the normal range in the treatment group. Patients in the treatment group recovered more rapidly and effectively than those in the control group.

Conclusion

Partial resection of the pulmonary artery wall is an efficacious and safe technique in the treatment of tracheal or bronchial compression related to severe congenital heart disease.
Coblation tonsillectomy versus coblation tonsillectomy with ties in adults
Authors: Zhou Xuanchen , Xu Anting , Zhen Xiaoyue , Gao Kun , Cui Zhaoyang , Yue Zhiyong , Han Jie
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study was performed to compare the intraoperative and postoperative courses of coblation tonsillectomy and coblation tonsillectomy with ties in adults.

Methods

All patients who underwent tonsillectomy from July 2012 to September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, pain, and return to normal food intake were compared between patients who underwent coblation tonsillectomy and those who underwent coblation tonsillectomy with ties.

Results

Of 515 patients, 300 (58.3%) underwent coblation tonsillectomy and 215 (41.7%) underwent coblation tonsillectomy with ties. Twenty-five (4.9%) patients developed postoperative hemorrhage, 22 (88.0%) of whom had undergone coblation tonsillectomy and 3 (12.0%) of whom had undergone coblation tonsillectomy with ties. Patients who underwent coblation tonsillectomy reported less pain than those who underwent coblation tonsillectomy with ties. Patients who underwent coblation tonsillectomy with ties resumed a normal diet significantly later than those who underwent coblation tonsillectomy (10.0 ± 3.2 vs. 8.2 ± 1.9 days, respectively).

Conclusion

Coblation tonsillectomy is associated with less intraoperative bleeding, a shorter surgery time, less postoperative pain, and fewer days to recovery of a normal diet than is coblation tonsillectomy with ties. However, coblation tonsillectomy with ties is associated with remarkably reduced postoperative hemorrhage.
Pan-Psalter Occurrence Scheme of ‘Jacob’ and ‘Covenant’
Authors: Ho Peter CW
Published: August 2019

Recent doctoral research on the Psalter continue to reinforce the idea that the 150 individual psalms are not haphazardly arranged and that various editorial techniques have been employed to shape the Psalter. In this article, I propose a novel editorial technique that has hitherto not been recognized or systematized in the literature on Hebrew poetry or the Psalms—the ‘Pan-Psalter Occurrence Scheme’—a careful use and placement of certain words/phrases across the entire Psalter such that all their sequential occurrences reflect a well-designed schema. Two lexemes, יעקב‎ (‘Jacob’) and ברית‎ (‘covenant’) are studied. The occurrences of these words are found to develop along a linear dimension (metanarrative) and display remarkable concentric arrangements. The POS technique suggests that the entire Psalter is indicative of intentional and careful macrostructural design. This article will contribute to our knowledge of ancient poetic editorial techniques underlying the composition of the Hebrew Psalter.
Joint operation between wind power generation and pumped hydro energy storage in the electricity market
Authors: Jamii Jannet , Abbes Dhaker , Mimouni Mohamed Faouzi
Published: August 2019

Due to the variable nature of wind resources, the integration of wind power into electric power system has been a relevant issue. Recently, pumped hydro energy storage can be used to balance the unstable output of wind farm, as it can adjust its production to compensate wind power fluctuation. This article investigated the combination of a wind farm and a pumped hydro energy storage facility from the point of view of a generation company in a market environment. A joint operation model between the wind farm and pumped hydro energy storage is proposed. An algorithm of energy management system is proposed to identify the daily operational strategy to be followed in order to (1) minimize the penalty cost resulted from wind-pumped hydro energy storage output imbalances and (2) maximize the daily revenue profit taking into consideration all constraints of joint operation. Simulation results under MATLAB/Simulink® environment are presented and discussed.
Soft-Set Serpentine Eyelid Crease Formation
Authors: Huggins Alison B. , Somogyi Marie B. , Vrcek Ivan , Nakra Tanuj
Published: August 2019

Achieving a truly natural and effective eyelid crease during blepharoplasty surgery in patients of both Asian and Native North/South American descent can be challenging. Typical techniques of open crease formation can create unnaturally firm attachments, whereas closed techniques have limited efficacy. We present a partially open technique that achieves a soft, natural eyelid crease by recreating the normal anatomic attachments without a deeper dissection between the levator aponeurosis and the anterior lamella. A retrospective review of all patients at a single oculoplastic surgery practice undergoing the serpentine “soft” upper eyelid crease formation maneuver was performed. Charts were reviewed for outcomes, complications, and subjective satisfaction with the procedure. The review included analysis of the preoperative and postoperative photos. The surgical technique involved using a 7-0 silk suture to surgically tether the tissues of the pretarsal levator aponeurosis to the pretarsal orbicularis in a continuous serpentine fashion. The retrospective review yielded 16 patients (32 eyelids) who underwent this style of eyelid crease formation at the time of blepharoplasty. All patients were pleased with the outcome at their final visit. There were no complications. There was 1 revision surgery at 1 year postop to optimize symmetry. Natural-appearing eyelid crease surgery requires efficacy without aggressiveness. We present a technique that allows for reproducible reformation of the upper eyelid crease using a running, overlapping, 7-0 silk suture.
Knowing the Abuser Inside and Out: The Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Identification With the Aggressor Scale
Authors: Lahav Yael , Talmon Anat , Ginzburg Karni
Published: August 2019

Identifying with the aggressor is a process wherein victims of abuse, particularly during childhood, take on their perpetrator’s experience. The victim defers to the perpetrator and adopts the perpetrator’s experience, learns the perpetrator’s desires and needs, and gratifies them. Although the clinical and theoretical literature suggests that identification with the aggressor occurs in the aftermath of abuse and has negative long-term implications, to date this concept has not been empirically investigated. To facilitate an exploration of this subject, the current study evaluated the psychometric properties of a new measure: the Identification With the Aggressor Scale (IAS). The study was conducted among convenience samples of students using online surveys. In Study 1, the IAS was administered to 318 students. In Study 2, the IAS, and a battery of questionnaires assessing features of abuse, dissociation, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and posttraumatic guilt were administered to a convenience sample of 368 students. Four reliable IAS factors emerged from Study 1: Adopting the perpetrator’s experience concerning the abuse, identifying with the perpetrator’s aggression, replacing one’s agency with that of the perpetrator, and becoming hypersensitive to the perpetrator. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the scale’s underlying factor structure. A history of childhood abuse, recurrence and severity of abuse, and the perpetrator being a parental figure were all associated with higher IAS scores. In addition, IAS scores were correlated with dissociation, PTSD symptoms, and posttraumatic guilt. The present findings indicate that the IAS has good psychometric properties, making it useful as an assessment tool in future research.
Generalized definition and application of tolerance
Authors: Jianjun Hao , Youli Wang , Xiaohui Wang
Published: August 2019

Tolerance with upper deviation less than lower deviation is defined as virtual tolerance; the dimension between two extreme values required with tolerance (virtual tolerance) is expressed by a set. The changed characteristics of the set range when the tolerance value is continuously reduced from positive to negative are explored. The nature of virtual tolerance is that the absolute value of virtual tolerance is the error compensation amount, and the dimension between two extreme values is the error compensation range. On the basis of the concept of positive and negative number, the theory of dimensional homogeneity, the existing conditions of the general formula of the dimensional chain, the accuracy of the calculation results of tolerance, and so on, the concept of virtual tolerance and its relationship of unity of opposites with tolerance are proposed. Based on the concept of virtual tolerance, analysis and calculation processes of various assembly dimensional chains are unified, and general formulation of calculating the range of false waste is established, and the method of determining the range of false waste by using probabilistic method in machining process is deduced.
A new approach to railway track switch actuation: Dynamic simulation and control of a self-adjusting switch
Authors: Dutta Saikat , Harrison Tim , Ward Christopher Patrick , Dixon Roger , Scott Tara
Published: August 2019

The track switch is one of the key assets in any railway network. It is essential to allow trains to change route; however, when it fails, significant delays are almost inevitable. A relatively common fault is ‘loss of detection’, which can happen when there is a gradual track movement and the switch machines (actuators) no longer close the gap between the switch rail and stock rail to within safe tolerance levels. Currently, such misalignment is mitigated by a preventative programme of inspection and manual re-adjustment. In contrast to many other industries, the actuators are exclusively operated in open loop, with sensors (often limit switches) mainly being used for detection. Hence, an opportunity exists to investigate the closed loop control concepts for improving the operation of the switch. This paper proposes two advances: first, a novel approach is taken for modelling the dynamic performance of track switch actuators and the moving permanent-way components of the switch. The model is validated against real data from an operational switch. Secondly, the resulting dynamic model is then used to examine the implementation of closed loop feedback control as an integral part of track switch actuation. The proposed controller is found to perform well and offers the potential of ‘self-adjustment’, i.e. re-adjusting itself to close any gap (within a predefined range) between the stock and switch rails, thereby completing the switching operation.
Financial Stress Transmission from Sovereign Credit Market to Financial Market: A Multivariate FIGARCH-DCC Approach
Authors: Abed Riadh El , Boukadida Sahar , Jaidane Warda
Published: August 2019

This study examines the interdependence between the daily eurozone sovereign credit default swaps (CDS) index and four financial market sectors such as banking CDS market (CDSb), underlying sovereign market (BONDs), stock market (BMI) and future interest rate benchmark of the bunds obligation (EUROBOBL). Focusing on different phases of the sovereign debt crises, the aim of this article is to examine how the dynamics of correlations between the CDSs and financial market indicators evolved from 20 September 2011 to 12 February 2016. To this end, we adopt a dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) model into a multivariate fractionally integrated generalized ARCH (FIGARCH) framework, which accounts for long memory and time-varying correlations. The empirical findings indicate a general pattern of decrease and increase in correlations during the phases of the sovereign debt crisis, suggesting the spillover effect and different vulnerability of the CDS index and financial market indicators.
Vulnerability Assessment of Farmer’s Livelihood to Flood in An Giang Province
Authors: Phu P. X. , De N. N.
Published: August 2019

This study, conducted in An Giang Province of Vietnam, assesses the vulnerability and adaptability of local farmers to the flood in different conditions. Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) proposed by Hahn, Riederer, and Foster (2009, Global Environmental Change, 19(1), 74–88) was applied for livelihood vulnerability analysis of different flooding zones (upper, middle and lower zones) in low flooding condition. Research results showed that LVI of different flooding zones are decreasingly dependent on major components of social networks, knowledge and skills, natural resources, finance and incomes, livelihood strategies, and natural disaster and climate variability. In which, LVI of Phu Huu commune in An Phu district which locates in the upper zone is 0.397 higher than LVI of two communes located in the lower parts of the river: Vinh An commune, Chau Thanh district (middle zone; LVI: 0.299) and Vinh Phuoc commune, Tri Ton district (lower zone; LVI: 0.357). Adaptive capacity of Phu Huu commune (0.415) is also higher than Vinh An (0.304) and Vinh Phuoc (0.355) communes. It reflects the direct correlation between LVI and adaptive capacity. The research recommends some solutions to reduce the vulnerability on livelihoods due to floods in the context of climate change.
Individual and Organizational Characteristics Associated With Workplace Bullying of School Nurses in Virginia
Authors: Sharma Shashi , Scafide Katherine , Dalal Reeshad S. , Maughan Erin
Published: August 2019

The prevalence and contributing factors of workplace bullying (WPB) are unknown among school nurses (SNs) in kindergarten to 12th grade programs. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine individual and organizational characteristics of WPB in a sample of SNs in Virginia. Based on the Short-Negative Acts Questionnaire, 40% of nurses did not experience bullying behavior, 34.8% of nurses faced occasional bullying (now and then or monthly), and 25.3% of nurses were frequently bullied (weekly or daily). Backward stepwise regression demonstrated the predictor variables of being non-White, a licensed practical nurse, or not involved in student individual education plans were significantly associated with being bullied. Administrators/supervisors need to be aware of the existence of WPB.
Supporting Sustainable Innovations: An Examination of India Farmer Agrobiodiversity Conservation
Authors: Kopytko Natalie
Published: August 2019

Critical to sustainable agriculture, agrobiodiversity conservation provides immediate benefits and retains options for climate change adaptation. Reframing conservation as sustainable seed innovation allows for a dynamic view of farmer contributions. Sustainable seed innovation entails in situ conservation and the innovation of new plant varieties through traditional practices. Farmer interviews from regions throughout India form the empirical basis, while the concept intellectual property-broad, integrated with evolutionary economics, informs theory. Sustainable seed innovation within India receives support primarily from nonprofit groups favoring open-source systems. Conserving natural and financial capital motivated farmers to adopt sustainable techniques, but farmers believed attracting additional innovators required development of new markets. India’s Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act recognizes farmers as plant breeders but does not provide incentive to innovate sustainably. Moreover, agricultural policies reinforced by an underlying discourse where “progressive” farmers follow unsustainable practices incentivizes formal innovations, at the expense of sustainable innovations of farmers.
A percutaneous endovascular technique for reducing arteriovenous fistula flow
Authors: Hong Joon Ho
Published: August 2019

Reduction of arteriovenous access flow is usually performed by tightening the inflow lumen through an open surgical procedure. A percutaneous endovascular approach can provide a precise and effective reduction of access flow without making a skin incision. After placing a vascular introducer sheath toward the inflow direction of an arteriovenous fistula, a small stent (5 mm diameter × 25 mm length) was deployed in the target area near the anastomosis. A second stent (10 mm × 60 mm) was then deployed inside the first stent, making a corset-shape constraint on the access flow. This newly described endovascular procedure was utilized to reduce the excessive flow of arteriovenous fistula in three patients. Deployment of the constrained stent-graft resulted in reducing the estimated access flow from 1900, 1600, and 1500 mL/min to 1100, 900, and 900 mL/min, respectively. Percutaneous endovascular placement of a constrained stent-graft can narrow the inflow lumen of arteriovenous access to a desired precise diameter of 5 mm and effectively reduce access flow over a long-term period.
Perceptions of #fitspiration activity on Instagram: Patterns of use, response, and preferences among fitstagrammers and followers
Authors: DiBisceglie Sabrina , Arigo Danielle
Published: August 2019

#fitspiration is a popular social media trend for sharing fitness-related content. To date, however, it is not clear how best to harness the power of this trend to improve users’ health, including how best to tailor its content. In this study, a cross-sectional survey assessed intentions and perceptions of users who host fitspiration accounts on Instagram ( n = 65), as well as young adult followers ( n = 270). Fitstagrammers and men (across user groups) preferred messaging about earning fitness, whereas followers and women (across user groups) preferred messaging about the benefits of exercise efforts. Both fitstagrammers and followers also noted that they experience both positive and negative feelings in response to fitspiration images, with followers and women reporting more frequent negative feelings (vs fitstagrammers and men, respectively). These findings can inform the use of fitspiration as a health promotion tool, particularly with respect to tailoring content to match user preferences.
Transient response analysis of cantilever multistage centrifugal pump based on multi-source excitation
Authors: Xiaoping Jiang , Li Wang , Ling Zhou , Wei Li , Chuan Wang
Published: August 2019

A stainless-steel cantilever multistage centrifugal pump was taken to study the transient response characteristic. The axial locus under different working conditions was tested experimentally and compared in detail. The results show that the gyroscopic effect increases the radial displacement located near the end element, and the amplitude of the radial displacement of the pump body increases with the development of unbalance mass. The dynamic sealing force of wear-ring could enhance the stability of the rotor system, and effectively reduce the amplitude of the radial displacement. The axis locus under variable flow rates is different when the fluid excitation was loaded. The increasing tendency of the maximal radial displacement appears exponential with the enhancement of fluid added mass when heterogeneous fluid added mass is taken into consideration. The experimental results exhibit that the axis locus is various under different working conditions, and there exists misalignment and eccentricity phenomenon in the multi-stage pump rotor system.
Numerical analysis of rotor aero-acoustic characteristics for ice detection
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhao Qijun , Barakos George N. , Kusyumov Alexander
Published: August 2019

In this work, rotors with artificial ice shapes are studied to develop an insight into the potential of acoustics-based ice detection. Using the Helicopter Multi-Block CFD solver, approximate ice shapes are added to the blades and the results are analyzed using the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings method. Several candidate monitoring positions are assessed for acoustic sensors to be placed on the helicopter fuselage. The influence of ice on the aero-acoustic characteristics of a rotor is calculated, and parameters such as the ice amount and the icing position on the blade are quantified. It is concluded that an array of microphones is best for detecting potential icing position on the blades, and it should be located on top of the helicopter rear fuselage and along the tail-boom.
Intergenerational Cycles of Maltreatment: A Scoping Review of Psychosocial Risk and Protective Factors
Authors: Langevin Rachel , Marshall Carley , Kingsland Emily
Published: August 2019

Child maltreatment tends to show intergenerational continuity. However, a significant proportion of maltreated parents break these cycles. Since several studies have investigated risk and protective factors associated with the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment over the past decades, and no systematic review of the literature is available, this scoping review aimed to summarize studies documenting associated psychosocial risk and protective factors. A secondary objective was to document the prevalence of this phenomenon. A search in six major databases (PsycINFO, Scopus, Medline, Social Work Abstracts, ProQuest Dissertations/Theses, and Web of Science) was conducted. Studies involving human participants, presenting original findings, written in French or English, and of any type of design were included. There was no limit regarding the date of publication, except for theses/dissertations (5 years). A final sample of 51 papers was retained, 33 providing data on risk and protective factors and 18 providing only prevalence data. Results indicate that parents’ individual characteristics (e.g., mental health, age), childhood adversity (e.g., multiple forms of adversity), relational (e.g., couples’ adjustment, attachment, social support), and contextual factors (e.g., disadvantage, community violence) are relevant to the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment. Prevalence rates of continuity ranged from 7% to 88%. Major limitations of reviewed studies are discussed. Continued efforts to uncover the mechanisms associated with the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment using strong methodological designs are necessary. Knowledge in this area could lead to the development of effective prevention strategies (e.g., mental health services for parents, family/dyadic interventions) to break harmful intergenerational cycles of violence.
Reigning in Excitatory Signaling in CDKL5 Deficiency
Authors: Forcelli Patrick A.
Published: August 2019

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The Winner by a Nose: Intranasal Midazolam
Authors: Faught Edward
Published: August 2019

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Late-line treatment in metastatic gastric cancer: today and tomorrow
Authors: Smyth Elizabeth C. , Moehler Markus
Published: August 2019

Survival for patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer (GC) remains poor and the historical lack of evidence-based therapeutic options after second-line therapy is reflected in current clinical guidelines for this condition. Despite uncertainty about optimal therapeutic strategies, further treatment is appropriate for some patients after failure of second line and may prolong survival. This approach has been reported in clinical trials and is becoming more common in real-world clinical settings. Several prognostic factors may increase the likelihood that a patient will be eligible for treatment in the third-line setting, including geographic location, status at diagnosis and response to treatment. There has been little progress over the last decade until the results from two large phase III randomized controlled trials completed in the last year: the ATTRACTION-2 trial with the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor, nivolumab, in an Asian population; and the TAGS trial with the oral chemotherapy trifluridine/tipiracil in a global population. Both ATTRACTION-2 and TAGS reported positive results in third-line treatment in advanced GC in specific patient groups. A further recently reported study, KEYNOTE-059, which was a single-arm phase II trial of the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab in a mainly non-Asian population, has provided evidence supporting the use of this immunotherapy in patients with advanced GC. As further third-line options become available, more GC patients are expected to benefit from an individualized evidence-based approach to later-line therapy, with a common goal of extending survival and improving outcomes for their refractory disease.
The evolving immuno-oncology landscape in advanced lung cancer: first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Low Jia Li , Walsh Robert J. , Ang Yvonne , Chan Gloria , Soo Ross A.
Published: August 2019

Lung cancer is the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer death. While targeted therapies have redefined treatment options for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) with genetic aberrations such as epidermal growth factor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase, many patients do not harbour these oncogenic drivers. Cancer immunology has enabled the development of immune modulators that has dramatically altered the therapeutic landscape of advanced NSCLC. The success of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in pretreated NSCLC has led to the conduct of multiple studies exploring their role in the first-line setting. This article provides an overview of the evolving landscape of immune-checkpoint inhibitors with a focus on the programmed cell-death 1 (PD-1; pembrolizumab, nivolumab) and programmed cell-death ligand 1 (PD-L1; atezolizumab, durvalumab, avelumab) immune-checkpoint inhibitors as single agent or in combination with either chemotherapy or with another immune-checkpoint inhibitor in the treatment of NSCLC, the challenges faced, as well as future perspectives.
Inhibitory Effects of Essential Oil Extracts From Panax ginseng Against β-Secretase and Cholinesterases
Authors: Kawamoto Hirokazu , Takeshita Fumiaki , Murata Kazuya
Published: August 2019

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is recognized as one of the most important crude drugs in ancient Chinese medicine. Numerous pharmacological studies investigated P. ginseng; however, these studies were limited to ginsenosides, which are typical constituents in P. ginseng. We focused on the essential oil (EO) from P. ginseng as it has a typical aroma. Herein, we report the inhibitory activities of EO against β-secretase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which were investigated in order to demonstrate the potential of EO as a preventative and therapeutic agent against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Essential oil (250 µg/mL) showed 41.4% inhibition against β-secretase, 77.4% inhibition against AChE, and 94.1% inhibition against BChE. In addition, spathulenol (8.82%, content % in EO), bicyclogermacrene (6.23%), β-elemene (3.94%), and α-humulene (3.69%) were identified as high content by Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Furthermore, β-elemene and α-humulene showed high activity among 3 compounds with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 77.2 and 137.3 µM for AChE, and 298.2 and >2000 µM for BChE, respectively. In this report, we showed the inhibitory activity of EO from P. ginseng against β-secretase, AChE, and BChE, and demonstrated that EO could be a candidate to treat AD. This is the first research to report the anti-AD effect of EO and determination of its volatile components. Especially, β-elemene and α-humulene are expected to be highly bio-available compounds due to their small molecular size and lipophilicity. From these results, EO from P. ginseng may be a promising candidate for AD treatment.
Syndecan-4 Is Increased in Osteoarthritic Knee, but Not Hip or Shoulder, Articular Hypertrophic Chondrocytes
Authors: Sanchez Christelle , Lambert Cécile , Dubuc Jean-Emile , Bertrand Jessica , Pap Thomas , Henrotin Yves
Published: August 2019

Objective

Syndecan-4 plays a critical role in cartilage degradation during osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and localization of syndecan-4 in different OA joint tissues.

Design

Syndecan-4 mRNA levels were quantified by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in human OA primary cells. Syndecan-4 was localized by immunohistochemistry in knee, hip, or shoulder OA bone/cartilage biopsies. Syndecan-4 was quantified by immunoassay in chondrocytes culture supernatant and cell fraction.

Results

Using immunochemistry, syndecan-4 was observed in chondrocytes clusters in the superficial zone of OA knee, but not in OA hip or shoulder cartilage. No significant difference was detected in syndecan-4 expression level in sclerotic compared with nonsclerotic osteoblasts or in inflamed synoviocytes compared to normal/reactive ones. Differentiated hypertrophic chondrocytes from knee, but not from hip cartilage, expressed more syndecan-4 than nonhypertrophic cells. Using an immunoassay for the extracellular domain of syndecan-4, we found 68% of the syndecan-4 in the culture supernatant of OA chondrocytes culture, suggesting that a large majority of the syndecan-4 is shed and released in the extracellular medium. The shedding rate was not affected by hypertrophic differentiation state of the chondrocytes or their joint origin.

Conclusions

Even if chondrocytes clusters are seen in OA knee, hip and shoulder cartilage and hypertrophic differentiation appears in knee and hip OA articular chondrocytes, syndecan-4 synthesis only increased in knee. These findings suggest the presence of biochemical difference between articular cartilage according to their location and that syndecan-4 could be a biochemical marker specific for knee OA.
Positron emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging features of sinonasal small round blue cell tumors
Authors: Ozturk Kerem , Gencturk Mehmet , Caicedo-Granados Emiro , Li Faqian , Cayci Zuzan
Published: August 2019

Aim

The sinonasal tract hosts numerous types of undifferentiated neoplasms, having small round cell morphology. The aim of this study was to determine whether sinonasal small round blue cell tumors (SRBCT) have distinct imaging features on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET)/CT.

Methods

Seventy-three patients (43 male; Mage = 61.2 years) with histopathologically proven sinonasal SRBCT were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging features of SRBCTs including location, maximum dimension, margin characteristics, presence of calcification, sclerotic bone changes, intratumoral necrosis, tumor extension, bone destruction, bone remodeling, perineural spread, T1- and T2-weighted MRI signal intensity, qualitative features on diffusion-weighted imaging and 18F-FDG PET/CT, and pattern of contrast enhancement were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test or the chi-square test. The maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) values of SRBCT were compared by utilizing the Kruskal–Wallis test.

Results

There was a significant difference between SRBCT type regarding the tumor location ( p = 0.006), 18F-FDG uptake pattern ( p = 0.006), involvement of the orbit ( p = 0.016) and pterygopalatine fossa ( p = 0.043), the presence of perineural spread ( p < 0.001), bone destruction ( p = 0.034), and intratumoral necrosis ( p = 0.022). Bone destruction and necrosis were more common in rhabdomyosarcoma. Perineural spread was common in sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Qualitative 18F-FDG uptake features as well as tumor location were significantly different between sinonasal ACC and sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. The ADCmean and SUVmax values were not statistically different between SRBCT types.

Conclusions

Sinonasal SRBCTs have numerous distinct imaging features on CT, MRI, and 18F-FDG PET/CT that could be useful in the differentiation between lesions when the histopathologic diagnosis is inconclusive.
The Medical Device Regulation of the European Union Intensifies Focus on Clinical Benefits of Devices
Authors: Wilkinson Beata , van Boxtel Robert
Published: August 2019

This article comments on the new approach to the clinical evaluation of medical devices in the European Union (EU), which adds consideration of intended clinical benefits to the traditional focus on safety and performance. The article also discusses types of clinical benefits that may be claimed and how evidence for them may be generated.

In the EU, determining the benefit-risk profile is an existing core requirement of the clinical evaluation performed according to MEDDEV 2.7/1 Rev 4 guidelines, but under the new Medical Device Regulation (MDR), “intended” clinical benefits must be determined first.

The MDR sets high standards for ensuring reliable data are generated from clinical investigations. It stipulates that the endpoints of clinical investigations should include clinical benefits. However, many clinical-use questions arise only after a device is made widely available to patients. For all medical devices, particularly for on-the-market devices never subjected to randomized controlled trials and for new devices developed when these trials were inappropriate/impossible, the postmarket phase of the device is a valuable source of clinical-benefit data. Postmarket clinical follow-up can corroborate and refine predictions of clinical benefits over time. Indirect clinical effects, which may affect treatment adherence and influence patients’ well-being, may surface in the postmarket phase.

Real-world clinical data will improve the manufacturer’s understanding of their device’s clinical benefits, potentially changing claims of intended clinical benefits in subsequent clinical evaluations. A paradigm change in clinical evaluation of medical devices in the EU will ensue when manufacturers ensure that their devices deliver real-world clinical benefits.
Implementation of a Text Message to Improve Adherence to Clinic and Social Service Appointments
Authors: Anthony Nishal , Molokwu Jennifer , Alozie Ogechika , Magallanes Diego
Published: August 2019

Introduction:

Attendance to clinic appointments and compliance with treatment plans are essential components of HIV/AIDS care. Compliance is especially important in young and minority individuals living with HIV/AIDS. We assessed the effectiveness of a text-based reminder system compared with usual care in improving the attendance to clinic and social work appointments at a Ryan White-funded clinic based in an academic institution.

Methods:

Convenience sample looking at 2 periods, 6 months before initiation of text messages and 6 months after initiation of text messages.

Results:

Following a 6-month postintervention period, we found a statistically significant reduction in our no-show rates (individuals failing to keep scheduled appointments) of 24.8% versus 17.7%, P value .05.

Conclusion:

Using an inexpensive online text messaging system, we were able to significantly decrease no-show rates in a primarily younger, low-income, and uninsured population.
Epidemiology of Foot and Ankle Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey
Authors: Crowley Steven G. , Trofa David P. , Vosseller J. Turner , Gorroochurn Prakash , Redler Lauren H. , Schiu Brian , Popkin Charles A.
Published: August 2019

Background:

Ice hockey is a high-speed contact sport in which athletes are prone to many different injuries. While past studies have examined overall injury rates in ice hockey, foot and ankle injuries among collegiate ice hockey players have yet to be analyzed.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the epidemiology of foot and ankle injuries among collegiate ice hockey players utilizing data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program. We hypothesized that male ice hockey players would sustain more injuries compared with female ice hockey players and that the injuries sustained would be more severe.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Data on all foot and ankle injuries sustained during the academic years 2004 through 2014 were obtained from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program. Injury rates, rate ratios (RRs), and injury proportion ratios were reported with 95% CIs.

Results:

Over the study period, the overall rate of foot and ankle injuries for men was higher than that for women (413 vs 103 injuries, respectively; RR, 4.01 [95% CI, 3.23-4.97]). Injury rates were highest during the regular season for both men (358 injuries; RR, 64.78 [95% CI, 58.07-71.49]) and women (89 injuries; RR, 38.37 [95% CI, 30.40-46.35]) compared with the preseason or postseason. The most common injury in men was a foot and/or toe contusion (22.5%), while women most commonly sustained a low ankle sprain (31.1%). For men, foot and/or toe contusions accounted for the most non–time loss (≤24 hours ) and moderate time-loss (2-13 days) injuries, while high ankle sprains accounted for the most severe time-loss (≥14 days) injuries. For women, foot and/or toe contusions accounted for the most non–time loss injuries, low ankle sprains accounted for the most moderate time-loss injuries, and high ankle sprains accounted for the most severe time-loss injuries.

Conclusion:

Foot and ankle injuries were frequent among collegiate ice hockey players during the period studied. For men, contusions were the most commonly diagnosed injury, although high ankle sprains resulted in the most significant time lost. For women, low ankle sprains were the most common and resulted in the most moderate time lost. These findings may direct future injury prevention and guide improvements in ice skate design.