bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Propagation of Internal Solitary Waves over Variable Topography in a Horizontally Two-Dimensional Framework
Authors: Yuan Chunxin , Grimshaw Roger , Johnson Edward , Chen Xueen
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a horizontally two-dimensional theory based on a variable-coefficient Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation, which is developed to investigate oceanic internal solitary waves propagating over variable bathymetry, for general background density stratification and current shear. To illustrate the theory, a typical monthly averaged density stratification is used for the propagation of an internal solitary wave over either a submarine canyon or a submarine plateau. The evolution is essentially determined by two components, nonlinear effects in the main propagation direction and the diffraction modulation effects in the transverse direction. When the initial solitary wave is located in a narrow area, the consequent spreading effects are dominant, resulting in a wave field largely manifested by a significant diminution of the leading waves, together with some trailing shelves of the opposite polarity. On the other hand, if the initial solitary wave is uniform in the transverse direction, then the evolution is more complicated, though it can be explained by an asymptotic theory for a slowly varying solitary wave combined with the generation of trailing shelves needed to satisfy conservation of mass. This theory is used to demonstrate that it is the transverse dependence of the nonlinear coefficient in the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation rather than the coefficient of the linear transverse diffraction term that determines how the wave field evolves. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) general circulation model is used to provide a comparison with the variable-coefficient Kadomtsev–Petviashvili model, and good qualitative and quantitative agreements are found.
Heroin smoking and heroin using trends in Norway
Authors: Bretteville-Jensen Anne Line , Skretting Astrid
Published: December 2017

A.L. Bretteville & A. Skretting: Heroin smoking and heroin using trends in Norway

The aim is to ascertain whether new ways of administering heroin have gained ground in Norway by examining three series of cross-sectional surveys (D1–D3). D1–D2 are based on postal questionnaires for which D1 is a representative sample of 15–20 year olds in Oslo (1968–2006) and D2 is a corresponding sample of 21–30 year olds (1998, 2002, 2006). D3 is based on personal interviews and consists of users of a needle-exchange service in Oslo (1993–2008). Despite a substantial rise in illegal drug use over the study period, there is no indication of increased heroin use by young people. The prevalence rates are relatively low for all heroin use (1–2%). Routes of heroin administration seem to have changed, however, as more young people (21–30 years) now report having smoked heroin and fewer report having injected the drug. There also seem to be changes in drug use patterns among current injecting drug users (IDUs). Splitting the sample by year of injection debut, we find among those starting since year 2000; i) a rise in average injection debut age of 10 years (25.6 versus 15.5 years); ii) a higher proportion with heroin smoking experience (74% versus 53%); and iii) a higher proportion having smoked heroin before injecting the drug (73% versus 16%), compared to the IDUs debuting before 1980. Consequently, the data suggest changes in drug use patterns, particularly heroin use, among recreational users and heavy drug users. So, in addition to an increase in the number of IDUs, it seems likely that the number of heroin smokers has risen too.
Artikel
Authors: Törrönen Jukka , Juslin Inka
Published: December 2017

J. Törrönen & I. Juslin; Alcohol in women's magazine advertisements from the 1960s to the 2000s

The data for this article consist of alcohol or alcohol-related advertisements appearing in seven Finnish women's magazines: Kodin Kuvalehti (1967–2006), Kotiliesi (1967–2006), Kauneus & Terveys (1967–2006), Me Naiset (1976–2006), Gloria (1991–2006), Trend (1991–2006) and Cosmopolitan (1999–2006). We are interested, firstly, in what kind of subject positions these advertisements have contributed to construct for women's drinking from the 1960s to the present day. Secondly, we analyse the shifts and transformations that have happened in these subject positions with a view to inferring how the cultural position of drinking has changed. Our analysis is grounded in semiotic and phenomenological ways of reading visual materials.

The analysis of these advertising materials indicates that in the 1960s, women were placed in the gendered position of housewife or woman responsible for managing the marital relationship. Women's drinking was confined to the private sphere of the home or associated with meals, general socializing with other couples or with their husbands’ business occasions. These same positions continue to persist in the 1970s and 1980s, taking on only marginal new features. In the 1990s and 2000s, women assume a more prominent role as active agents in public spaces, and drinking is associated with women's own time, pleasure and enjoyment. A picture emerges of a drinking, self-conscious woman who is a responsible consumer, a distinctive consumer, a consumer who toys with stereotypes, and a consumer who is oriented to independent breakaways.
Life Experience and Alcohol: 60–75-year-olds’ Relationship to Alcohol in Theme Interviews
Authors: Haarni Ilka , Hautamäki Lotta
Published: December 2017

I.Haarni & L. Hautamäki: Life experience and alcohol: 60-75-yearolds' relationship to alcohol in theme interviews

The article describes drinking habits of Finnish older adults and their relationship to alcohol. The study is based on the analysis of theme interviews among 60–70-year-old urban people. The method was biographical, qualitative content analysis. Alcohol consumption of the older adults was investigated through the analysis of changes in the use of alcohol during life course and the features of current drinking habits. The article argues that events of both life course and changing Finnish alcohol culture have shaped the drinking habits of older adults. The drinking habits and meanings given to alcohol consumption among older adults vary in many respects. A common factor in the drinking habits of older adults is the everyday nature of drinking; as with other Finns of today alcohol has become more commonplace than before. However, for the great majority of older adults, advanced years have produced skills in controlling the alcohol use and avoiding intoxication. The skill to consume alcohol within moderation has evolved with age and the course of life.
Dramatic Problems and Weak Policy
Authors: Lysova Alexandra V. , Pridemore William Alex
Published: December 2017

■ AIMS

This article provides an overview of the major patterns of alcohol consumption (e.g., how much, how, and what Russians drink) and alcohol-related harm (e.g., alcohol-related mortality, injury, and violence) in Russia during the last two decades. We also discuss the main contributors to changes in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm and current policy initiatives.

■ DATA

Our review is based on published studies and on routing data obtained from multiple sources, including the Russian Monitoring of the Economic Situation and the Health of the Population, the State Committee for Statistics of the Russian Federation, the European Health for All database, and the Global Status Report on Alcohol.

■ RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Our review of this literature and these data revealed that the level of alcohol consumption (including estimated unregistered alcohol) in Russia remains among the highest in the world. Alcohol-related harm is considered by many to be a national disaster in Russia. Market liberalization, a weak state, and political populism increased supply and affordability of vodka relative to most other products. Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign also may have contributed to recent high levels of hazardous drinking because it led to increased home production and large-scale distribution networks of illegal alcohol and alcohol surrogates. All three presidents of Russia during the last two decades have tried to tackle the alcohol problem in the country, but yet unsuccessfully.
A randomized control trial to evaluate the importance of pre-training basic laparoscopic psychomotor skills upon the learning curve of laparoscopic intra-corporeal knot tying
Authors: Molinas Carlos Roger , Binda Maria Mercedes , Sisa Cesar Manuel , Campo Rudi
Published: December 2017

Background

Training of basic laparoscopic psychomotor skills improves the acquisition of more advanced laparoscopic tasks, such as laparoscopic intra-corporeal knot tying (LICK). This randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate whether pre-training of basic skills, as laparoscopic camera navigation (LCN), hand-eye coordination (HEC), and bimanual coordination (BMC), and the combination of the three of them, has any beneficial effect upon the learning curve of LICK. The study was carried out in a private center in Asunción, Paraguay, by 80 medical students without any experience in surgery. Four laparoscopic tasks were performed in the ENCILAP model (LCN, HEC, BMC, and LICK). Participants were allocated to 5 groups (G1–G5). The study was structured in 5 phases. In phase 1, they underwent a base-line test (T1) for all tasks (1 repetition of each task in consecutive order). In phase 2, participants underwent different training programs (30 consecutive repetitions) for basic tasks according to the group they belong to (G1: none; G2: LCN; G3: HEC; G4: BMC; and G5: LCN, HEC, and BMC). In phase 3, they were tested again (T2) in the same manner than at T1. In phase 4, they underwent a standardized training program for LICK (30 consecutive repetitions). In phase 5, they were tested again (T3) in the same manner than at T1 and T2. At each repetition, scoring was based on the time taken for task completion system.

Results

The scores were plotted and non-linear regression models were used to fit the learning curves to one- and two-phase exponential decay models for each participant (individual curves) and for each group (group curves). The LICK group learning curves fitted better to the two-phase exponential decay model. From these curves, the starting points (Y0), the point after HEC training/before LICK training (Y1), the Plateau, and the rate constants (K) were calculated. All groups, except for G4, started from a similar point (Y0). At Y1, G5 scored already better than the others (G1 p = .004; G2 p = .04; G3 p < .0001; G4 NS). Although all groups reached a similar Plateau, G5 has a quicker learning than the others, demonstrated by a higher K (G1 p < 0.0001; G2 p < 0.0001; G3 p < 0.0001; and G4 p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our data confirms that training improves laparoscopic skills and demonstrates that pre-training of all basic skills (i.e., LCN, HEC, and BMC) shortens the LICK learning curve.
Association of Patient Out-of-Pocket Costs With Prescription Abandonment and Delay in Fills of Novel Oral Anticancer Agents
Authors: Doshi Jalpa A. , Li Pengxiang , Huo Hairong , Pettit Amy R. , Armstrong Katrina A.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The number of novel oral anticancer agents is increasing, but financial barriers may limit access. We examined associations between out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and reduced and/or delayed treatment initiation.

Methods

This retrospective claims-based study used 2014 to 2015 data from a large, proprietary, integrated database and included Medicare and commercial insurance enrollees with a new, adjudicated prescription for any of 38 oral anticancer agents. We examined rates of claim reversal (failure to purchase approved prescription), delayed initiation (reversal with subsequent fill of same agent within 90 days after adjudication), and abandonment (reversal with no fill of same agent within 90 days after adjudication) for the index oral anticancer agent. We also examined whether patients filled any alternate oral, injectable, or infusible anticancer agent within 90 days. Logistic regressions controlled for sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics to estimate adjusted rates.

Results

Among the final sample (N = 38,111), risk-adjusted rates of claim reversal ranged from 13% to 67%, increasing with higher OOP costs. Although the abandonment rate was 18% overall, risk-adjusted rates were higher in greater OOP cost categories (10.0% for ≤ $10 group v 13.5% for $50.01 to $100 group, 31.7% for $100.01 to $500 group, 41.0% for $500.01 to $2,000 group, and 49.4% for > $2,000 group; P < .001 compared with ≤ $10 group). Rates remained similar after accounting for use of alternate oral, injectable, or infusible anticancer agents. Delayed initiation was also more frequent for higher OOP cost categories (3% in ≤ $10 group v 18% in > $2,000 group; P < .001). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses by insurance type, pharmacy type, sex, and indication identified similar associations.

Conclusion

Higher OOP costs were associated with higher rates of oral prescription abandonment and delayed initiation across cancers. Fiscally sustainable strategies are needed to improve patient access to cancer medications.
Interrater reliability and radiation dosage of oblique coronal computed tomography for sacroiliitis in comparison with axial computed tomography
Authors: Li Sheng-Guang , Liu Xiangyuan , Zhou Huiqiong , Zhang Qing
Published: December 2017

Objective:

Sacroiliitis, a prerequisite to the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, can be ascertained by CT when MRI is not available. Oblique coronal CT is an increasingly popular approach when examining sacroiliitis. The goal of this study was to understand how oblique coronal CT compared with axial CT scanning in terms of raters’ concordance when diagnosing sacroiliitis.

Methods:

52 subjects < 45 years of age at onset of their chronic lower back pain were sequentially scanned by X-ray, axial CT and oblique coronal CT. The acquired images were graded by two experienced, double-blinded physicians.

Results:

Sacroiliitis in the oblique coronal view was sensitive enough for grading disease severity and/or detecting improvement. Interrater reliability for CT (axial + oblique coronal) was higher than X-ray. The diagnosis based upon oblique coronal CT was consistent, while the radiation dose delivered to the gonads was significantly reduced, compared with axial CT.

Conclusion:

When MRI is not available, oblique coronal CT should replace axial CT when diagnosing sacroiliitis.

Advances in knowledge:

When evaluating sacroiliitis, oblique coronal CT is as accurate as conventional axial CT, yet more advantageous owing to reduced radiation dosage.
Respiratory motion correction for free-breathing 3D abdominal MRI using CNN-based image registration: a feasibility study
Authors: Lv Jun , Yang Ming , Zhang Jue , Wang Xiaoying
Published: December 2017

Objective:

Free-breathing abdomen imaging requires non-rigid motion registration of unavoidable respiratory motion in three-dimensional undersampled data sets. In this work, we introduce an image registration method based on the convolutional neural network (CNN) to obtain motion-free abdominal images throughout the respiratory cycle.

Methods:

Abdominal data were acquired from 10 volunteers using a 1.5 T MRI system. The respiratory signal was extracted from the central-space spokes, and the acquired data were reordered in three bins according to the corresponding breathing signal. Retrospective image reconstruction of the three near-motion free respiratory phases was performed using non-Cartesian iterative SENSE reconstruction. Then, we trained a CNN to analyse the spatial transform among the different bins. This network could generate the displacement vector field and be applied to perform registration on unseen image pairs. To demonstrate the feasibility of this registration method, we compared the performance of three different registration approaches for accurate image fusion of three bins: non-motion corrected (NMC), local affine registration method (LREG) and CNN.

Results:

Visualization of coronal images indicated that LREG had caused broken blood vessels, while the vessels of the CNN were sharper and more consecutive. As shown in the sagittal view, compared to NMC and CNN, distorted and blurred liver contours were caused by LREG. At the same time, zoom-in axial images presented that the vessels were delineated more clearly by CNN than LREG. The statistical results of the signal-to-noise ratio, visual score, vessel sharpness and registration time over all volunteers were compared among the NMC, LREG and CNN approaches. The SNR indicated that the CNN acquired the best image quality (207.42 Â± 96.73), which was better than NMC (116.67 Â± 44.70) and LREG (187.93 Â± 96.68). The image visual score agreed with SNR, marking CNN (3.85 Â± 0.12) as the best, followed by LREG (3.43 Â± 0.13) and NMC (2.55 Â± 0.09). A vessel sharpness assessment yielded similar values between the CNN (0.81 Â± 0.03) and LREG (0.80 Â± 0.04), differentiating them from the NMC (0.78 Â± 0.06). When compared with the LREG-based reconstruction, the CNN-based reconstruction reduces the registration time from 1 h to 1 min.

Conclusion:

Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of the CNN-based approach, and this scheme outperforms the NMC- and LREG-based methods.

Advances in knowledge:

This method reduces the registration time from ~1 h to ~1 min, which has promising prospects for clinical use. To the best of our knowledge, this study shows the first convolutional neural network-based registration method to be applied in abdominal images.
An RNA decay factor wears a new coat: UPF3B modulates translation termination
Authors: Gao Zhaofeng , Wilkinson Miles
Published: December 2017

Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) is a highly conserved and selective RNA turnover pathway that has been subject to intense scrutiny. NMD identifies and degrades subsets of normal RNAs, as well as abnormal mRNAs containing premature termination codons. A core factor in this pathway—UPF3B—is an adaptor protein that serves as an NMD amplifier and an NMD branch-specific factor. UPF3B is encoded by an X-linked gene that when mutated causes intellectual disability and is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia and autism. Neu-Yilik et al. now report a new function for UPF3B: it modulates translation termination. Using a fully reconstituted in vitro translation system, they find that UPF3B has two roles in translation termination. First, UPF3B delays translation termination under conditions that mimic premature translation termination. This could drive more efficient RNA decay by allowing more time for the formation of RNA decay-stimulating complexes. Second, UPF3B promotes the dissociation of post-termination ribosomal complexes that lack nascent peptide. This implies that UPF3B could promote ribosome recycling. Importantly, the authors found that UPF3B directly interacts with both RNA and the factors that recognize stop codons—eukaryotic release factors (eRFs)—suggesting that UPF3B serves as a direct regulator of translation termination. In contrast, a NMD factor previously thought to have a central regulatory role in translation termination—the RNA helicase UPF1—was found to indirectly interact with eRFs and appears to act exclusively in post-translation termination events, such as RNA decay, at least in vitro. The finding that an RNA decay-promoting factor, UFP3B, modulates translation termination has many implications. For example, the ability of UPF3B to influence the development and function of the central nervous system may be not only through its ability to degrade specific RNAs but also through its impact on translation termination and subsequent events, such as ribosome recycling.
Vasomotor symptoms monitoring with a commercial activity tracking watch
Authors: Ricke Darrell O.
Published: December 2017

Personal fitness/health tracking devices that include electrodermal activity sensors enable tracking of vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes).  Multiple conditions are associated with vasomotor symptoms.  This article describes nighttime tracking of vasomotor symptoms for an individual over a two-year period.  This volunteer was a participant in a longitudinal study on volunteers wearing physiological monitors.  Personal tracking of vasomotor symptoms will provide new insights on the differences between conditions and impacts on individual’s health.
Fast P(RMNE): Fast forensic DNA probability of random man not excluded calculation
Authors: Ricke Darrell O. , Schwartz Steven
Published: December 2017

High throughput sequencing (HTS) of DNA forensic samples is expanding from the sizing of short tandem repeats (STRs) to massively parallel sequencing (MPS).  HTS panels are expanding from the FBI 20 core Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) loci to include SNPs.  The calculation of random man not excluded, P(RMNE), is used in DNA mixture analysis to estimate the probability that a person is present in a DNA mixture.  This calculation encounters calculation artifacts with expansion to larger panel sizes.  Increasing the floating-point precision of the calculations allows for increased panel sizes but with a corresponding increase in computation time.  The Taylor series higher precision libraries used fail on some input data sets leading to algorithm unreliability.  Herein, a new formula is introduced for calculating P(RMNE) that scales to larger SNP panel sizes while being computationally efficient (patent pending).
The effectiveness and safety of antifibrinolytics in patients with acute intracranial haemorrhage: statistical analysis plan for an individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Ker Katharine , Prieto-Merino David , Sprigg Nikola , Mahmood Abda , Bath Philip , Kang Law Zhe , Flaherty Katie , Roberts Ian
Published: December 2017

Introduction: The Antifibrinolytic Trialists Collaboration aims to increase knowledge about the effectiveness and safety of antifibrinolytic treatment by conducting individual patient data (IPD) meta-analyses of randomised trials. This article presents the statistical analysis plan for an IPD meta-analysis of the effects of antifibrinolytics for acute intracranial haemorrhage.

Methods: The protocol for the IPD meta-analysis has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016052155). We will conduct an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with 1000 patients or more assessing the effects of antifibrinolytics in acute intracranial haemorrhage. We will assess the effect on two co-primary outcomes: 1) death in hospital at end of trial follow-up, and 2) death in hospital or dependency at end of trial follow-up. The co-primary outcomes will be limited to patients treated within three hours of injury or stroke onset. We will report treatment effects using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. We use logistic regression models to examine how the effect of antifibrinolytics vary by time to treatment, severity of intracranial bleeding, and age. We will also examine the effect of antifibrinolytics on secondary outcomes including death, dependency, vascular occlusive events, seizures, and neurological outcomes. Secondary outcomes will be assessed in all patients irrespective of time of treatment. All analyses will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis.

Conclusions: This IPD meta-analysis will examine important clinical questions about the effects of antifibrinolytic treatment in patients with intracranial haemorrhage that cannot be answered using aggregate data. With IPD we can examine how effects vary by time to treatment, bleeding severity, and age, to gain better understanding of the balance of benefit and harms on which to base recommendations for practice.
TRICHOLOGY FEATURES OF ALOPECIA IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE PATIENTS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROM
Authors: Беленькая Лилия , Belenkaya Liliya , Иванов Олег , Ivanov Oleg , Панарина Ольга , Panarina Olga , Рашидова Мария , Rashidova Maria , Шолохов Леонид , Sholokhov Leonid
Published: December 2017

Background. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting 5–10 % of
reproductive-aged women. The dermatologic manifestations of PCOS play a significant role in diagnosis.
The purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of androgenic alopecia among patients with PCOS and to
define their most significant trichological features. Because the data on dermatologic changes associated with PCOS
are rather scarce, the present study was designed to determine the incidence and prevalence of androgenic alopecia.
Materials and methods. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with PCOS. The diagnosis of PCOS
was made according to the consensus criteria adopted in May 2003 in Rotterdam. Each patient signed informed consent,
and then a general physical examination, systemic examination, breast and pelvic examination, as well as a detailed
trichological examination were carried out.
Results. Twenty women with PCOS participated in the study. The median age was 28.7 ± 6.2 years. Oligo/anovulation
frequency was 63.2 %, hirsutism frequency – 68.4 %. In our study, the prevalence of androgenic alopecia was found to
be 30 %, telogenic hair loss – 55 %, absence of alopecia signs in 15 % of cases.
Conclusions. Androgenic alopecia is a prevalent but unreliable marker of biochemical hyperandrogenism. It is therefore
imperative for the treating physicians to understand the adverse effects associated with PCOS, recognize these potential
health risks in patients, and treat them accordingly.
RESPONSE SENSITIVITY TO BACTERIOPHAGES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS STRAINS ISOLATED FROM THE MICROBIOTA OF THE OROPHARYNX IN CHILDREN OF IRKUTSK
Authors: Григорова Екатерина , Grigorova Ekaterina , Воропаева Наталья , Voropayeva Natalya , Немченко Ульяна , Nemchenko Ulyana , Иванова Елена , Ivanova Elena , Кунгурцева Екатерина , Kungurtseva Ekaterina , Туник Татьяна , Tunik Tatyana , Козлова Любовь , Kozlova Lubov
Published: December 2017

Dysbiotic disorders of the oropharynx takes one of the first places in the structure of morbidity worldwide. The aim
of the study was to determine the peculiarities of microbiocenosis of the oropharynx in children at different ages
and to assess the level of sensitivity of S. aureus strains to specific bacteriophages. Material for the study consisted of
84 smears from the oropharynx of children with inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract (nasopharyngi-
tis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis (J00, J02, J03, J04 according to ICD-10). The biological material was distributed
depending on the age of the surveyed: the first group – children 3–6 years (n = 61) and the second age group – children
7–12 years (n = 23). Studies of the microflora of the oropharynx were performed according to standard methods. Isolated
microorganisms were identified by morphological, tinctorial, cultural and biochemical properties. The results were
evaluated in accordance with the Order of USSR Ministry of Health N 535 as of April 22, 1985. Specific lytic activity of
bacteriophages against S. aureus was determined using preparations of staphylococcal bacteriophage and polyvalent
pyobacteriophage Sexta. The sensitivity of strains of S. aureus to specific bacteriophages was assessed by the method
of «crosses», according to the guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed with the use of licensed applications Office
MS Excel 2007 for Windows 7 BioStat v. 5.0.1. 2008. Correlation analysis (Pearson method) was used. It has been shown
that with increasing age children in the oropharynx microbial density is increasing for indicators of both normoflora
(S. oralis), and of opportunistic microflora (S. ß-hemolytic, S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, bacteria Enterobacteriaceae),
especially of S. aureus (up to 74 %). Registration of sensitive strains of S. aureus in more than 70 % of cases in preschool
and school-aged children is evidence of the correctness of correction of the dysbiotic disorders of the oropharynx with
the use of bacteriophages of staphylococcus and Sexta.
MODERN JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS THERAPY OF WITH THE USE OF BIOLOGICAL MEDICATIONS IN A REGIONAL CHILDREN”S 3 LEVEL HOSPITAL - RESULTS AND PROBLEMS
Authors: Матюнова Алла , Matyunova Alla , Брегель Людмила , Bregel Lyudmila
Published: December 2017

Background. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is accompanied by severe functional disabilities refractory to standard treat-
ment with methotrexate. Recently introduced genetic engineering has significantly improved the functional state of the
patients with persistent disease and stopped the progressive destruction of joints. However, the risk of adverse reactions
against the background of this type of therapy requires further study.
Aims: to analyze the efficiency of the genetically engineered drugs applied at juvenile arthritis and undesirable effects
of this treatment.
Materials and methods. Long-term (7 years) observations of 141 patients aged from 8 months to 18 with juvenile
idiopathic arthritis.
Results. The article summarizes the experience of successful application of genetically engineered biological preparations
(tocilizumab, abatacept, etanercept, adalimumab) in 33 patients out of 141 patients with juvenile arthritis observed in
Irkutsk. Serious infections were not registered, but we detected cases of managed neutropenia in 2 out of 12 patients re-
ceiving tocilizumab. In one case (3 %) out of 33 patients receiving genetically engineered drugs, the drug was withdrawn
because of the risk of tuberculosis. Rare cases of secondary inefficiency of such drugs as abatacept, etanercept, adalimumab
have been revealed. The tactics of treating children with undesirable reactions to genetically engineered drugs is described.
Conclusions. Genetic engineering therapy has shown a good effect in improving clinical and functional indices and
stopping joint destructive damage. However, when using genetically engineered drugs in treatment, the safety issues
should be evaluated. Nevertheless, in our study there were no serious adverse events.
FACTORS OF LONG-TERM REMISSION FORMATION IN PATIENTS WITH AL-COHOL DEPENDENCE
Authors: Петрунько Ольга , Petrunko Olga , Брюханова Елена , Bryukhanova Elena
Published: December 2017

Alcohol dependence syndrome is the important modern medico-social issues. In recent years, the problem of achieving
remission with alcohol dependence has been given great attention, both in Russia and abroad. The duration, persistence
and quality of remission are the indicators of effectiveness of alcohol dependence therapy. The possibility of an objective
prediction of the outcome of ongoing therapy, the duration of remissions and the likelihood of relapses of alcohol depend-
ence are urgent needs. Despite a large number of scientific studies, there is no single idea of the factors influencing the
formation of remissions in patients with alcoholic dependence syndrome. The article presents the modern view on the
terms and stages of the remissions formation in alcohol dependence syndrome, clinical-psychopathologic structure of
remissions. Diagnostic assessment of the remissions is examined according to the current classifications of ICD-10 and
DSM-V. Biological, personal, social and therapeutic factors of the formation of long-term remissions in patients with
alcohol dependence are analyzed. Comorbid affective disorders, in particular, depressive and anxiety-phobic disorders,
cerebral pathology (traumatic, hypertonic, vertebrogenic genesis), nicotine dependence, are attributed to factors in-
fluencing the stability of the clinical picture of remission and causing a high risk of recurrence. Modern approaches to
the prognosis of remission in alcohol dependence on the basis of a complex biopsychosocial approach are presented.
ESOPHAGEAL VARICEAL LIGATION IN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PREVENTION OF VARICEAL BLEEDING
Authors: Дашацыренова Дарима , Dashatsyrenova Darima , Гаврилова Альбина , Gavrilova Albina , Твердохлебов Павел , Tverdokhlebov Pavel
Published: December 2017

This article is devoted to experience of endoscopic ligation of varices in N.A. Semashko Republic Clinical Hospital.
We analyzed the results of ligation in 28 patients treated since February 2013 to March 2016. Selected patients had
diagnoses of liver cirrhosis, syndrome of portal hypertension of different origin, 10 (35.5 %) had the history of one or
more episodes of bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus. Endoscopic ligation was performed for patients with
varices of grade 3–4 according to J. Paquet classification, grade 3 according to N. Soehendra, K. Binmoeller classifica-
tion improving primary and secondary prevention of bleeding. The effectiveness of endoscopic ligation as a method
of primary and secondary prevention of bleeding from the varices, with subsequent transfer to oral administration of
non-selective β-adrenoblockers was evaluated. In the result of the study throughout the entire period of observation
we indicated no episodes of esophageal bleeding and established a low rate of recurrence of varices. Those patients
who, after the first endoscopic ligation session, followed the recommendations for taking beta-blockers, have a better
prognosis and the outcome in relation to patients who have neglected the recommendations. During the first year of
follow-up there was one fatal outcome – a man with VHC died as a result of hepatocellular insufficiency.
Philosophical background "dehumanitarization" the System of higher legal education
Authors: Северилова Полина , Severilova Polina
Published: December 2017

The article examines the problems of the domestic system of higher legal education. The main goal of this work is to analyze the causes of the crisis of modern education. Main causes of the crisis are defined as culturalisation. The author connects them with the ideology of scientism, utilitarianism, positivism, the mainstream in modern education. They are also directly related to the processes of globalization of education.
About influence of administrative legislation on maintenance of discipline «Administrative law»
Authors: Косач Наталья , Kosach Natal'ya
Published: December 2017

The article deals with the problematic issues of teaching the Administrative Law. The interrelation between administrative law and changes in the organization of state administration is analyzed. Substantiates the proposal to include a section on the institution of administrative justice.
Prospects for the development of the Donbask economy in the light of implementation of new approaches to the application of the legal profession in the xxi century
Authors: Асеева Наталья , Aseeva Natal'ya , Асеев Андрей , Aseev Andrey
Published: December 2017

The article is devoted to new approaches in training for the coal industry. Practical and scientific significance of the research is to emphasize the special place branch profiling, and extending the competence of the future lawyer by studying a range of disciplines, not relevant to pure law, which will provide expertise to meet the needs of the coal industry and fuel and energy complex as a whole.
Update in Hospital Palliative Care: Symptom Management, Communication, Caregiver Outcomes, and Moral Distress
Authors: Havyer Rachel D. , Pomerantz Daniel H. , Jayes Robert L. , Harris Patricia F. , Harman Stephanie M. , Ansari Aziz A.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Updated knowledge of the palliative care (PC) literature is needed to maintain competency and best address the PC needs of hospitalized patients. We critiqued the recent PC literature with the highest potential to impact hospital practice.

METHODS

We reviewed articles published between January 2016 and December 2016, which were identified through a handsearch of leading journals and a MEDLINE search. The final 9 articles selected were determined by consensus based on scientific rigor, relevance to hospital medicine, and impact on practice.

RESULTS

Key findings include the following: scheduled antipsychotics were inferior to a placebo for nonterminal delirium; a low‐dose morphine was superior to a weak opioid for moderate cancer pain; methadone as a coanalgesic improved high‐intensity cancer pain; many hospitalized patients on comfort care still receive antimicrobials; video decision aids improved the rates of advance care planning (ACP) and hospice use and decreased costs; standardized, PC‐led intervention did not improve psychological outcomes in families of patients with a chronic critical illness; caregivers of patients surviving a prolonged critical illness experienced high and persistent rates of depression; people with non‐normative sexuality or gender faced additional stressors with partner loss; and physician trainees experienced significant moral distress with futile treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent research provides important guidance for clinicians caring for hospitalized patients with serious illnesses, including symptom management, ACP, moral distress, and outcomes of critical illness.
Improving Quality of Care for Seriously Ill Patients: Opportunities for Hospitalists
Authors: Fail Robin E. , Meier Diane E.
Published: December 2017

As the shift to value‐based payment accelerates, hospitals are under increasing pressure to deliver high‐quality, efficient services. Palliative care approaches improve quality of life and family well‐being, and in doing so, reduce resource utilization and costs. Hospitalists frequently provide palliative care interventions to their patients, including pain and symptom management and engaging in conversations with patients and families about the realities of their illness and treatment plans that align with their priorities. Hospitalists are ideally positioned to identify patients who could most benefit from palliative care approaches and often refer the most complex cases to specialty palliative care teams. Though hospitalists are frequently called upon to provide palliative care, most lack formal training in these skills, which have not typically been included in medical education. Additional training in communication, safe and effective symptom management, and other palliative care knowledge and skills are available in both in‐person and online formats.
Incremental Upper Bound for the Maximum Clique Problem
Authors: Li Chu-Min , Fang Zhiwen , Jiang Hua , Xu Ke
Published: December 2017

The maximum clique problem (MaxClique for short) consists of searching for a maximum complete subgraph in a graph. A branch-and-bound (BnB) MaxClique algorithm computes an upper bound of the number of vertices of a maximum clique at every search tree node, to prune the subtree rooted at the node. Existing upper bounds are usually computed from scratch at every search tree node. In this paper, we define an incremental upper bound, called IncUB, which is derived efficiently from previous searches instead of from scratch. Then, we describe a new BnB MaxClique algorithm, called IncMC2, which uses graph coloring and MaxSAT reasoning to filter out the vertices that do not need to be branched on, and uses IncUB to prune the remaining branches. Our experimental results show that IncMC2 is significantly faster than algorithms such as BBMC and IncMaxCLQ. Finally, we carry out experiments to provide evidence that the performance of IncMC2 is due to IncUB.

The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2017.0770 .
Learning to Hire? Hiring as a Dynamic Experiential Learning Process in an Online Market for Contract Labor
Authors: Leung Ming D.
Published: December 2017

We know a job applicant’s social category affects an employer’s likelihood of hiring the applicant, but we do not know whether, or how, employers update their beliefs regarding these social categories. I portray hiring as a cognitive decision and examine how prior negative and positive hiring experiences of employees from particular countries affect an employer’s subsequent likelihood of hiring applicants from those countries. I hypothesize that employer reactions will reflect loss aversion—that employers will react more strongly to negative hiring experiences than positive ones. Furthermore, I expect that the similarity of the prior job will moderate this effect. Analyses of 3.9 million applications, from freelancers worldwide, for over 290,000 jobs on an online labor market demonstrate that employers are 15% less likely (versus 8% more likely) to hire freelancers from a country following a prior negative (versus positive) experience. Prior negative experiences with similar jobs (versus dissimilar jobs) lead employers to be 82% less likely (versus 8% less likely) to hire from that country. Conversely, positive experiences with similar jobs (versus dissimilar jobs) lead employers to be 25% more likely (versus 3% more likely) to subsequently hire from that country. The consequences for switching countries, following negative experiences, are analyzed and wage differences to compensate for employer reactions, are calculated. Contributions to the hiring discrimination, impression formation, and gig-economy literatures are discussed.

This paper was accepted by Olav Sorenson, organizations.
Financing Capacity Investment Under Demand Uncertainty: An Optimal Contracting Approach
Authors: de Véricourt Francis , Gromb Denis
Published: December 2017

We study the capacity choice problem of a firm whose access to capital is hampered by financial frictions (i.e., moral hazard). The firm optimizes both its capacity investment under demand uncertainty and its sourcing of funds from a competitive investor. Ours is the first study of this problem to adopt an optimal contracting approach: feasible sources of funds are derived endogenously from fundamentals and include standard financial claims (debt, equity, convertible debt, etc.). Thus, in contrast to most of the literature on financing capacity investments, our results are robust to a change of financial contract. We characterize the optimal capacity level under optimal financing. First, we find conditions under which a feasible financial contract exists that leads to the first-best capacity. When no such contract exists, we find that under optimal financing, the choice of capacity sometimes exceeds strictly the efficient level. Furthermore, the firm invests more when its cash is low, and in some cases less when the project’s unit revenue is high. These results run counter to the newsvendor logic and standard finance arguments. We also show that our main results hold in the case of a strategic monopolist investor, and such an investor may invest more then a competitive one.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2017.0671 .

This paper has been accepted for the Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Special Issue on Interface of Finance, Operations, and Risk Management.
Survey of Needs and Expectations for Academic Advising in a Hong Kong University
Authors: Cheung Rhonda Y. S. , Siu Andrew M. H. , Shek Daniel T. L.
Published: December 2017

Universities in Hong Kong implemented a new 4-year undergraduate curriculum in 2012, and many initiated academic advising programs to help students from different academic backgrounds and with various levels of preparedness to review their options and manage challenges in college. For this study, we administered a questionnaire survey to discover students' views on and expectations for academic advising. The results show an overall positive evaluation of academic advising from students, who expected academic advisors to help them understand their study options and preferred a developmental over a prescriptive approach. Students reported that discussing career issues was their greatest need for academic advising.
Assessment for Faculty Advising: Beyond the Service Component
Authors: He Ye , Hutson Bryant
Published: December 2017

The faculty plays a critical role in the academic advising process in higher education settings. On the basis of a review of current literature on faculty advising, we propose a paradigm shift from assessment of faculty advising to assessment for faculty advising that extends the consideration of advising beyond the service component. Building upon an overview of the faculty advisor role, we unpack this paradigm shift and discuss aspects to consider to enhance the quality and assessment for faculty advising in terms of advising content, process, and impact. We highlight faculty engagement in the scholarship of academic advising to recognize faculty advising as more than faculty service responsibilities.
Use of thickening agents and nutritional supplements for patients with dysphagia following stroke
Authors: Pownall Sue , Taylor Carolyn
Published: December 2017

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) commonly occur after stroke and are associated with poor patient outcomes. Management of dysphagia often involves thickening fluids and modifications to the consistencies of food for the individual. This paper describes how thickening agents and supplements can be used effectively to address issues with swallowing safety and to ensure hydration and nutritional requirements are achieved for an individual with stroke-related dysphagia. In order to maximise quality of life for the individual and to maximise adherence to recommendations, modifications should be as unrestrictive as possible without reducing safety.
Estimation of Infiltration and Hydraulic Resistance in Furrow Irrigation, with Infiltration Dependent on Flow Depth
Authors: Bautista Eduardo , Schlegel James L.
Published: December 2017

Abstract

. Estimation of infiltration and hydraulic resistance model parameters from furrow irrigation evaluation data was investigated. A semi-physical, flow-depth dependent furrow infiltration model was used for the analysis. Macropore infiltration was modeled empirically as a constant volume of water per unit area that is absorbed instantaneously. The estimated infiltration parameters were the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the macropore constant. Hydraulic resistance was modeled with the Manning equation; thus, the estimated resistance parameter was the Manning coefficient. The estimation procedure uses volume balance calculations and unsteady flow simulation. Estimation of the flow-depth dependent infiltration parameters requires first the estimation of an empirical infiltration function, via volume balance, and of the resistance parameter, via unsteady flow simulation. Simulated flow depth hydrographs as a function of distance are then used as inputs for a second set of volume balance calculations with the semi-physical infiltration model. This procedure takes advantage of the fact that similar surface flow conditions (advance and recession times, flow depths, and runoff rate) can be predicted with different infiltration functions. The procedure was tested with two irrigation data sets, each consisting of three furrows. With both data sets, the semi-physical infiltration model fitted the measured volume balance data as well as empirical infiltration models. For each group of furrows, estimates of the hydraulic conductivity were of comparable magnitude and were consistent with published values for the particular soil texture. Likewise, estimates of the macroporosity parameter were consistent for each group of furrows. Estimates of the Manning coefficient suggest very uniform hydraulic resistance. Finally, results show that the effect of flow-depth dependent infiltration on irrigation distribution uniformity depends on soil and hydraulic conditions. For one of the data sets, distribution uniformity computed with the proposed infiltration model was only slightly different from the uniformity computed assuming that infiltration depends only on opportunity time, because of the large macropore flow contribution and the shallow flow conditions. Keywords: Distribution uniformity, Furrows, Green-Ampt, Hydraulic conductivity, Hydraulic modeling, Hydraulic resistance, Infiltration, Inverse modeling, Irrigation, Parameter estimation.