bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mr Fantastic Meets The Invisible Man: An Illusion of Invisible Finger Stretching
Authors: Byrne Ailish , Preston Catherine
Published: January 2019

Our brain continually integrates bottom-up sensory signals to create a coherent experience of the body. This bodily experience is also constrained by top-down knowledge of body appearance. However, the extent of these constraints has been challenged. Here, we explore top-down limits on body ownership with the invisible finger stretching illusion, in which synchronous visuotactile stimulation applied to the real fingers and an area of empty space elicits the illusion of owning elongating fingers. The results demonstrate that it is possible to experience stretchy fingers like Mr Fantastic without visual stimuli of a fake hand, even if we do not actually feel invisible like The Invisible Man.
Deleterious effects of perinatal exposure to potassium bromate on the development of offspring of Swiss mice
Authors: Allam Ahmed A , Othman Sarah I , Mahmoud Ayman M
Published: January 2019

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of perinatal potassium bromate (KBrO3) exposure on the development of sensorimotor reflexes and redox status, and on the histological architecture of the brain, liver, and kidney of newborn mice. Pregnant mice received 1-ml bottled drinking water daily by oral intubation and served as the control group. Another group of pregnant mice were supplemented orally with 200 mg/kg body weight KBrO3 dissolved in drinking water from gestation day 5 to postnatal day 21. KBrO3 induced a decrease in the postnatal body weight in the newborn mice. KBrO3-exposed newborn mice showed poor performance and delayed development of the sensorimotor reflexes. Histological changes, increased lipid peroxidation, and altered antioxidants were reported in the cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, liver, and kidney of the KBrO3-exposed newborn mice. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that perinatal exposure to bromate induced oxidative stress, histological and behavioral alterations, and was a potential teratogen in newborn mice.
Partnerships between higher education institutions and firms: The role of students’ curricular internships
Authors: Franco Mário , Silva Rui , Rodrigues Margarida
Published: January 2019

Partnerships between higher education institutions (HEIs) and firms mediated by students’ curricular internships allow increased mutual benefits in the form of the exchange of knowledge and innovation. This study investigates these relationships by testing various hypotheses to measure the influence of certain factors on the student’s personal involvement in curricular internships organized through HEI–firm partnerships. Based on a final sample of 215 students on various degree courses at two Portuguese HEIs (a university and a polytechnic), the results obtained show that students assess internships very positively in all respects (organization of the internship, the HEI’s orientation, the host institution (HI) and the HI’s orientation). This suggests that the professional internships provided by HEI–firm partnerships play a crucial role in students’ entry into a labour market characterized by strong competition and relational aggressiveness. Implications for theory and practice are also presented.
Relationship between endothelial dysfunction, videocapillaroscopy and circulating CD3+CD31+CXCR4+ lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus without cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Cavazzana I , Piantoni S , Sciatti E , Fredi M , Taraborelli M , Bonadei I , Airò P , Metra M , Tincani A , Franceschini F , Vizzardi E
Published: January 2019

Objective

The objective of this paper is to analyse whether digital capillary morphology, analysed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), and the number of circulating CD3 + CD31 + CXCR4 + lymphocytes (angiogenic T cells) could be markers of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CV risk factors.

Methods

Nineteen consecutive SLE patients, according to Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Classification Criteria, with a disease duration less than five years, low disease activity, without CVD and CV risk factors (diabetes, chronic renal disease, uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, obesity), statin or beta-blocker use were enrolled. Each patient and sex- and age-matched healthy control (HC) underwent Doppler echocardiogram, an endothelial function study by peripheral arterial tonometry technique, NVC and peripheral blood immunophenotyping.

Results

SLE ED+ more frequently showed NVC abnormalities compared with HCs ( p < 0.0001) in terms of minor alterations ( p = 0.017), lower capillary numbers ( p = 0.0035) and major alterations. SLE ED + showed a higher rate of CD3 + CD31 + CXCR4 + lymphocytes compared with SLE ED– and with HCs. NVC + SLE showed a significantly reduced rate of total CD3 + cells, but a higher rate and absolute number of CD3 + CD31 + CXCR4 + , compared with NVC– SLE.

Conclusion

NVC alterations are frequent in SLE without any CV risk factors and CVD. They are associated with ED and increased circulating CD3 + CD31 + CXCR4 + lymphocytes. These findings demonstrate a clear microvascular perturbation in patients with short disease duration, low disease activity and no CV risk factors.
The Impact of Local Government Policy on Innovation Ecosystem in Knowledge Resource Scarce Region: Case Study of Changzhou, China
Authors: Ma Lei , Liu Zheng , Huang Xiaojing , Li Tao
Published: January 2019

With business today relying increasingly more on collaboration, new product development is also on a network base. The concept of innovation ecosystem is built upon knowledge creating and sharing across companies, knowledge institutions, policy regimes, business enterprises and industry boundaries. China as the largest emerging market has witnessed innovation with interaction among government, university, industry and research. Though government plays an important role in promoting innovation, not many studies have covered the detailed dynamic process and impact of policy on forming innovation ecosystem, especially in places where initial knowledge resources such as universities and research institutes are limited. Therefore, our article aims to fill in this research gap. Through document review and case study on Changzhou region of China, 1 we map out the local government policy concerns and changes during each stage of innovation ecosystem formation, development and expansion from 2001 to 2015. The interaction mechanism among government, university, industry and research is summarised with a proposed framework to highlight the key policy making areas. Further research areas are recommended with implication and conclusion.
Book Review: B.V.R. Subbu, Santro: The Car that Built a Company
Authors: Tandon Neelam
Published: January 2019

B.V.R. Subbu, Santro: The Car that Built a Company. Gurugram: Hachette Book Publishing India, 2017, 254 pp., ₹599. ISBN: 978-93-5195-208-4 (Hardback).
Book Review: Micke Darmell and Kapil Rampal, Connected or Disconnected: The Art of Operating in a Connected World
Authors: Dhir Swati
Published: January 2019

Micke Darmell and Kapil Rampal, Connected or Disconnected: The Art of Operating in a Connected World. New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2018, 158 pp., ₹395. ISBN: 978-93-866-0277-0 (Paper Back)
Applying Item Response Theory Analysis to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in a Low-Education Older Population
Authors: Luo Hao , Andersson Björn , Tang Jennifer Y. M. , Wong Gloria H. Y.
Published: January 2019

The traditional application of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment uses total scores in defining cognitive impairment levels, without considering variations in item properties across populations. Item response theory (IRT) analysis provides a potential solution to minimize the effect of important confounding factors such as education. This research applies IRT to investigate the characteristics of Montreal Cognitive Assessment items in a randomly selected, culturally homogeneous sample of 1,873 older persons with diverse educational backgrounds. Any formal education was used as a grouping variable to estimate multiple-group IRT models. Results showed that item characteristics differed between people with and without formal education. Item functioning of the Cube, Clock Number, and Clock Hand items was superior in people without formal education. This analysis provided evidence that item properties vary with education, calling for more sophisticated modelling based on IRT to incorporate the effect of education.
E-Cigarette Social Norms and Risk Perceptions Among Susceptible Adolescents in a Country That Bans E-Cigarettes
Authors: Lozano Paula , Arillo-Santillán Edna , Barrientos-Gutíerrez Inti , Reynales Shigematsu Luz Myriam , Thrasher James F.
Published: January 2019

Background. This study examined how risk perceptions and social norms around e-cigarettes are associated with susceptibility (i.e., openness to using the product in the next 12 months) of e-cigarettes and smoking among adolescents. Methods. We analyzed data from a 2016 representative survey of 8,718 middle school students in Mexico. The study sample was restricted to students who had tried neither e-cigarettes nor cigarettes, ( N = 4471). Students reported on the risks of e-cigarettes compared with those of cigarettes, and product-specific norms were measured by assessing current use by family members, at least one close friend, and, for e-cigarettes, by perceived societal acceptability of use (i.e., acceptability among people in general). Adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) were estimated using generalized estimating equation models that regressed e-cigarette societal acceptability on study variables. Adjusted generalized estimating equation models also regressed susceptibility for each product on study variables. Results. Susceptibility to both e-cigarettes and smoking was higher among students who reported that their family and friends used only cigarettes or both products when compared with students whose family and friends did not use either of these products. Friend use of e-cigarettes was associated with e-cigarette susceptibility (APR = 1.33) but not smoking susceptibility. Students who perceived that e-cigarettes were less risky than smoking were more susceptible to e-cigarette use (APR = 1.45). The association between e-cigarette susceptibility and friend or family use was not mediated by societal acceptability. Conclusions. E-cigarette use among family and peers appears associated with susceptibility to use e-cigarettes in a way that is similar to the patterns found for cigarettes. However, the influences appear somewhat specific to the type of product that network members use.
Veinplicity versus heat treatment for vein dilation: A randomised cross-over study
Authors: Barton Andrew
Published: January 2019

Background:

Peripheral intravenous cannulation is one of the most common invasive procedures for hospitalised patients. Patients with difficult venous access require special measures to facilitate cannulation. Veinplicity applies mild electrical stimulation to forearm veins to aid vessel dilation. To assess this new technique, we compared its effect on the veins to that of standard heat treatment.

Methods:

In all, 20 volunteers were randomised to receive either application of heat packs to the forearm and later stimulation with Veinplicity or the same two treatments in reverse order. Ultrasound measurements of the basilic, cephalic and brachial veins were taken at intervals during and after treatment and compared with baseline values.

Results:

The mean maximum vein diameter increase from baseline was significantly higher with Veinplicity than with heat packs (49.94% ± 23.55% vs 36.26% ± 23.09%, p = 0.021). In addition, the mean duration of the dilatory effect was significantly longer with Veinplicity than with heat packs (9.7 ± 3.9°min vs 4.9 ± 2.2°min, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Veinplicity dilates forearm veins more effectively and for a longer time than commonly used heat packs. This new treatment option appears to be a valuable addition to the vascular access toolkit, with the potential to improve first-attempt cannulation rates and spare patients from discomfort, pain and iatrogenic vessel trauma.
Moving out of the silo: How service quality innovations can develop customer loyalty in Indonesia’s hotels
Authors: Lemy Diena , Goh Edmund , Ferry Jie
Published: January 2019

This study developed and empirically tested a model to explore the relationships between contact personnel, physical environment, service quality, relationship quality, service innovation, and customer loyalty in Indonesia five-star hotels. Structural equation modeling was conducted on data collected from 596 hotel guests staying at five-star hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia. Results indicated significant relationships between contact personnel and service quality, service quality and customer loyalty, and the moderating effect of service innovation on the interaction of service quality and customer loyalty. It is important for hotel management to focus on service excellence, as it will transpire into guest satisfaction, trust, and commitment from the customer, thus, enhancing the relationship quality between the customer and the hotel. This study demonstrated that service innovation can allow the hotel industry to see beyond the silo mentality of good service and focus on greater value proposition in the business model to increase customer loyalty.
The limitations of relative plausibility theory
Authors: Nance Dale A
Published: January 2019

The relative plausibility theory advanced by Professors Allen and Pardo is an important contribution to understanding the process of drawing inferences from evidence. It is, to be sure, an incomplete descriptive theory, and it suffers from defects as an interpretive theory. These problems are even more acute when they offer the theory as a model of the burdens of proof and the full panoply of rules related thereto.
Effective fiber type investigation on the shear behavior of ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Yavaş Altuğ , Hasgul Umut , Turker Kaan , Birol Tamer
Published: January 2019

In this study, the effects of different fiber types on shear behavior (cracking pattern, shear cracking strength, ultimate shear strength, and post-cracking deformability) of ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams were investigated experimentally. For this purpose, 15 ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams including different steel fiber types (two straight, two hooked, and one double hooked) with three volume fractions (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) were casted without shear reinforcement and tested under four-point loading until the failure. In addition to the experimental program, three existing numerical models proposed for the shear capacity of fiber-reinforced concrete beams were investigated to show the applicability of these models to the ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams. The experimental results demonstrated that the straight fiber of 13 mm is the most effective fiber type in terms of the considered parameters. However, the addition of 13-mm straight fiber with 1.5% by volume into the ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beam changed the failure mode from the shear to flexure without shear reinforcement.
Evaluation of airborne contaminant exposure in a single-bed isolation ward equipped with a protected occupied zone ventilation system
Authors: Aganovic Amar , Cao Guangyu
Published: January 2019

Effective ventilation in general hospital wards is important for controlling the transmission of airborne infectious agents that may cause respiratory diseases. This study investigates the potential of protected occupied zone ventilation (POV) to reduce the risk of cross-infection in hospital isolation wards. Two life-size breathing thermal manikins were used to simulate an infected patient lying in a bed and a sitting, receiving health care worker. N2O was used as a tracer gas to simulate the droplet nuclei exhaled by patients. The contaminant exposure index [Formula: see text] was used to assess the risk of cross-infection for different configurations of the supply velocity, the patient’s lying position and the exhaust openings. The contaminant exposure index [Formula: see text] shows that the ventilation strategy is effective, but this is also highly dependent on the supply velocity and the location of the exhaust relative to the patient’s breathing zone. The patient’s posterior position does not affect the personal exposure of the receiving patient. Compared to traditional ventilation systems, the POV system can reduce the risk of cross-infection in hospital isolation rooms. The full potential of a POV system can be achieved in an isolation ward where movement between the infected and protected zones is restricted or prohibited.
Analytical solutions of nonlinear oscillator with coordinate-dependent mass and Euler–Lagrange equation using the parameterized homotopy perturbation method
Authors: Adamu MY , Ogenyi P , Tahir AG
Published: January 2019

This paper gives analytical solutions to a nonlinear oscillator with coordinate-dependent mass and Euler–Lagrange equation using the parameterized homotopy perturbation method. The results demonstrate the simplicity and convenience of the method to nonlinear differential equations.
Information before information theory: The politics of data beyond the perspective of communication
Authors: Koopman Colin
Published: January 2019

Scholarship on the politics of new media widely assumes that communication functions as a sufficient conceptual paradigm for critically assessing new media politics. This article argues that communication-centric analyses fail to engage the politics of information itself, limiting information only to its consequences for communication, and neglecting information as it reaches into our selves, lives, and actions beyond the confines of communication. Furthering recent new media historiography on the “information theory” of Shannon and Wiener, the article reveals both the primacy of communication in midcentury information theory, and also a striking resonance between these postwar communication theories and Habermas’s more recent communicative theory of democracy. To achieve a critical perspective beyond communication, the article proposes a media genealogy of the politics of subjects as a methodology for developing an analysis of how information formats us as subjects of data.
A review of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale
Authors: Komalasari Renata , Chang Hui Chen (Rita) , Traynor Victoria
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To explore the application, diagnostic accuracy and predictors effecting the performance of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) in older populations living outside Australia.

Design

A literature review was conducted using a simplified approach of thematic analysis. A comprehensive computerized search of peer reviewed published papers (2004–2017) was conducted in Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), Medline with Full-text, Pubmed and Google Scholar using the following search terms: Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale, sensitivity and specificity. Inclusion criteria were papers in which the RUDAS was used with older populations outside Australia and written in English.

Results

Database and manual searching identified a total of 289 papers and after reviewing the abstracts, titles and full-text papers, 12 papers were included in this review. Outside the target populations of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia, the RUDAS is applied internationally in Asia, Europe and Africa. The psychometric properties of the RUDAS were measured across these non-target population groups: sensitivity and specificity means, respectively were 80.9 (SD ±6.24; 95% CI) and 76.1 (SD ±12.2; 95% CI); RUDAS-MMSE mean correlation was 0.70 (SD ±0.14; 95% CI) and mean AUC (area under curve) for RUDAS was 0.83 (SD ±0.08; 95% CI).

Conclusions

Findings from this literature review showed that the RUDAS has strong psychometric properties across many population groups who are culturally and linguistically diverse in several countries. These findings provide support to undertake further research to evaluate the use of the RUDAS within culturally and linguistically diverse communities in other countries.
Force-directed algorithms for schematic drawings and placement: A survey
Authors: Cheong Se-Hang , Si Yain-Whar
Published: January 2019

Force-directed algorithms have been developed over the last 50 years and used in many application fields, including information visualisation, biological network visualisation, sensor networks, routing algorithms, scheduling, and graph drawing. Our survey provides a comprehensive summary of developments and a full roadmap for state-of-the-art force-directed algorithms in schematic drawings and placement. We classified the model of force-directed algorithms into classical and hybrid. The classical force-directed algorithms are further classified as follows: (a) accumulated force models, (b) energy function minimisation models and (c) combinatorial optimisation models. The hybrid force-directed algorithms are classified as follows: (a) parallel and hardware accelerated models, (b) multilevel force-directed models and (c) multidimensional scaling force-directed algorithms. Five categories of application domains in which force-directed algorithms have been adopted for schematic drawings and placement are also summarised: (a) aesthetic drawings for general networks, (b) component placement and scheduling in high-level synthesis of very-large-scale integration circuits design, (c) information visualisation, (d) biological network visualisation and (e) node placement and localisation for sensor networks.
Airflow limitation more than doubles the risk for hospitalization/mortality in patients with heart failure
Authors: Bugajski Andrew , Frazier Susan K , Moser Debra K , Chung Misook , Lennie Terry A
Published: January 2019

Background:

Comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is found in approximately one-third of patients with heart failure. Survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease generally decreases as lung function declines. However, the association between lung function, hospitalization and survival is less clear for patients with heart failure.

Aim:

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive power of spirometry measures for event-free survival (combined all-cause hospitalization and/or mortality) in patients with heart failure.

Methods:

In this secondary analysis of data from three prospective, longitudinal studies, we selected patients with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure who completed airflow limitation assessment using spirometry measures ( n=137): forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume/second, and forced expiratory volume/second/forced vital capacity. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine the relationship between spirometry and all-cause hospitalization/mortality with and without adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates over a four-year follow-up period.

Results:

A majority (74%) exhibited some degree of airflow limitation (forced expiratory volume/second<80% predicted value) and 26 (19%) met the spirometric criterion for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (forced expiratory volume/second/forced vital capacity⩽0.70). Cox proportional hazards regression models compared all-cause hospitalization/mortality between those with and without airflow limitation. Patients with airflow limitation were 2.2 times more likely to be hospitalized or die compared to those without airflow limitations (hazard ratio: 2.20, 95% confidence interval 1.06–4.53, p=0.03).

Conclusion:

Patients with comorbid heart failure and airflow limitation were at more than double the risk for an event. Spirometric measures may be useful to patients with heart failure, as tailored management of airflow limitation may impact event-free survival.
Prediabetes management in the Middle East, Africa and Russia: Current status and call for action
Authors: Assaad Khalil Samir Helmy , Abdelaziz Sulaf Ibrahim , Al Shammary Affaf , Al Zahrani Ali , Amir Ashraf , Elkafrawy Nabil , Hassoun Ahmed AK , Hostalek Ulrike , Jahed Adel , Jarrah Nadim , Mrabeti Sanaa , Paruk Imran , Zilov Alexey V
Published: January 2019

Most data on the burden of diabetes and prediabetes are from countries where local infrastructure can support reliable estimates of the burden of non-communicable diseases. Countries in the Middle East and Africa, together with Russia, have a total population of almost 2 billion, but have been relatively overlooked by authors in this field. We reviewed the prevalence and drivers of prediabetes and diabetes across this large region. A large, and variable, burden of dysglycaemia exists, especially in Middle Eastern and North African countries, associated with high levels of obesity and sedentariness, with a generally lower prevalence in most other parts of Africa. The design and size of studies are highly variable, and more research to quantify the scale of the problem is needed. Local barriers to care relating to issues concerned with gender, consanguinity, lack of understanding of diabetes, lack of understanding of obesity as a health issue, and limited resource at a national level for tracking and intervention for diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. Lifestyle interventions with proven local cost-effectiveness, enhanced access to pharmacologic intervention, and societal interventions to promote better diet and more activity will be an important element in strategies to combat these adverse trends.
Unravelling the mystery of the ‘minimum important difference’ using practical outcome measures in chronic respiratory disease
Authors: Houchen-Wolloff Linzy , Evans Rachael A
Published: January 2019

It is important for clinicians and researchers to understand the effects of treatments on their patients, both at an individual and group level. In clinical studies, treatment effects are often reported as a change in the outcome measure supported by a measure of variability; for example, the mean change with 95% confidence intervals and a probability ( p) value to indicate the level of statistical significance. However, a statistically significant change may not indicate a clinically meaningful or important change for clinicians or patients to interpret. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) or minimally important difference (MID) has therefore been developed to add clinical relevance or patient experience to the reporting of an outcome measure. In this article, we consider the concept of the MID using the example of practical outcome measures in patients with CRD. We describe the various ways in which an MID can be calculated via anchor- and distribution-based methods, looking at practical examples and considering the importance of understanding how an MID was derived when seeking to apply it to a particular situation. The terms MID and MCID are challenging and often used interchangeably. However, we propose all MIDs are described as such, but they could be qualified by a suffix: MIDS (MID – Statistical), MID-C (MID – Clinical outcome), MID-P (MID – Patient determined). However, this type of classification would only work if accepted and adopted. In the meantime, we advise clinicians and researchers to use an MID where possible to aid their interpretation of functional outcome measures and effects of interventions, to add meaning above statistical significance alone.
Effectiveness of early rehabilitation on patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and acute respiratory failure in intensive care units: A case–control study
Authors: Chou Willy , Lai Chih-Cheng , Cheng Kuo-Chen , Yuan Kuo-Shu , Chen Chin-Ming , Cheng Ai-Chin
Published: January 2019

The effect of early rehabilitation on the outcome of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute respiratory failure (ARF) in intensive care units (ICUs) remains unclear. We examined the effect of early rehabilitation on the outcomes of COPD patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) in the ICU. This retrospective, observational, case–control study was conducted in a medical center with a 19-bed ICU. The records of all 105 ICU patients with COPD and ARF who required MV from January to December 2011 were examined. The outcomes (MV duration, rates of successful weaning and survival, lengths of ICU and hospital stays, and medical costs) were recorded and analyzed. During the study period, 35 patients with COPD underwent early rehabilitation in the ICU and 70 demographically and clinically matched patients with similar COPD stage, cause of intubation, type of respiratory failure, and levels of disease severity who had not undergone early rehabilitation in the ICU were selected as comparative controls. Multiple regression analysis showed that early rehabilitation was significantly negatively associated with MV duration. Early rehabilitation for COPD patients in the ICU with ARF shortened the duration of their MV.
Altered Forebrain Functional Connectivity and Neurotransmission in a Kinase-Inactive Met Mouse Model of Autism
Authors: Tang Shiyu , Powell Elizabeth M. , Zhu Wenjun , Lo Fu-Sun , Erzurumlu Reha S. , Xu Su
Published: January 2019

MET, the gene encoding the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, is a susceptibility gene for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Genetically altered mice with a kinase-inactive Met offer a potential model for understanding neural circuit organization changes in autism. Here, we focus on the somatosensory thalamocortical circuitry because distinct somatosensory sensitivity phenotypes accompany ASD, and this system plays a major role in sensorimotor and social behaviors in mice. We employed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and in vivo high-resolution proton MR spectroscopy to examine neuronal connectivity and neurotransmission of wild-type, heterozygous Met–Emx1, and fully inactive homozygous Met–Emx1 mice. Met–Emx1 brains showed impaired maturation of large-scale somatosensory network connectivity when compared with wild-type controls. Significant sex × genotype interaction in both network features and glutamate/gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) balance was observed. Female Met–Emx1 brains showed significant connectivity and glutamate/GABA balance changes in the somatosensory thalamocortical system when compared with wild-type brains. The glutamate/GABA ratio in the thalamus was correlated with the connectivity between the somatosensory cortex and the thalamus in heterozygous Met–Emx1 female brains. The findings support the hypothesis that aberrant functioning of the somatosensory thalamocortical system is at the core of the conspicuous somatosensory behavioral phenotypes observed in Met–Emx1 mice.
Performance analysis of scalable video transmission in machine-type-communication caching network
Authors: Hou Yanzhao , Hu Nan , Cui Qimei , Tao Xiaofeng
Published: January 2019

In this article, different from the traditional Device-to-Device caching wireless cellular networks, we consider the scalable video coding performance in cache-based machine-type communication network, where popular videos encoded by scalable video coding method can be cached at machine-type devices with limited memory space. We conduct a comprehensive analysis of the caching hit probability using stochastic geometry, which measures the probability of requested video files cached by nearby local devices and the user satisfaction index, which is essential to delay sensitive video streams. Simulation results prove the derivation of the performance metrics to be correct, using Random cache method and Popularity Priority cache method. It is also demonstrated that scalable video coding–based caching method can be applied according to different user requirements as well as video-type requests, to achieve a better performance.
Cognitive Processes of the Construction Engineer: Planning and Decision Making in Production and Safety
Authors: Fonseca Eduardo Diniz , Lima Francisco P. A. , Duarte Francisco
Published: January 2019

In recent years, in the construction industry, facing the limitations of behavioral approaches, the approach to cognitive aspects has been considered an alternative to improve production and safety. The goal of this article is to understand the cognitive processes of the construction engineer that allow them to anticipate problems in several Levels of Anticipation of the construction process, planning, and decision making in production and safety. To achieve this goal we use, interacting with the ethnographic study, the methodology of activity analysis and, in particular, what is called approach of the course of action. Thus, the cases presented make it possible to understand how the construction engineer, using information available in the Levels of Anticipation of the construction process, manipulates resources—personal (tacit and explicit knowledge, skills, etc.), material (designs), and social (relationship with his team)—when he perceives problems. By understanding their fortes, we can better foment their cognitive process. Thus, the theory is relevant and contributes to describe and explain the processes of human problem solving, decision making, and planning.
Lung cancer screening in a community setting: Characteristics, motivations, and attitudes of individuals being screened
Authors: Byrne Margaret M , Lillie Sarah E , Studts Jamie L
Published: January 2019

We describe the characteristics of individuals being screened in community settings including factors influencing screening decisions and the level of information sought prior to screening. Individuals from two community-based radiology clinics ( N = 27) were surveyed after screening. Screening efficacy and salience were the most important factors in screening decisions, whereas healthcare provider recommendations were rated not important. Half of participants reported no or little conversation about screening with their primary care provider, and 61.5 percent had not sought any information on screening. Individuals being screened in a community setting are unlikely to have sufficient information for an informed decision about screening.
Screw-Related Complications After Instrumentation of the Osteoporotic Spine: A Systematic Literature Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rometsch Elke , Spruit Maarten , Zigler Jack E. , Menon Venugopal K. , Ouellet Jean A. , Mazel Christian , Härtl Roger , Espinoza Kathrin , Kandziora Frank
Published: January 2019

Study Design:

Systematic literature review with meta-analysis.

Objective:

Osteoporosis is common in elderly patients, who frequently suffer from spinal fractures or degenerative diseases and often require surgical treatment with spinal instrumentation. Diminished bone quality impairs primary screw purchase, which may lead to loosening and its sequelae, in the worst case, revision surgery. Information about the incidence of spinal instrumentation-related complications in osteoporotic patients is currently limited to individual reports. We conducted a systematic literature review with the aim of quantifying the incidence of screw loosening in osteoporotic spines.

Methods:

Publications on spinal instrumentation of osteoporotic patients reporting screw-related complications were identified in 3 databases. Data on screw loosening and other local complications was collected. Pooled risks of experiencing such complications were estimated with random effects models. Risk of bias in the individual studies was assessed with an adapted McHarm Scale.

Results:

From 1831 initial matches, 32 were eligible and 19 reported screw loosening rates. Studies were heterogeneous concerning procedures performed and risk of bias. Screw loosening incidences were variable with a pooled risk of 22.5% (95% CI 10.8%-36.6%, 95% prediction interval [PI] 0%-81.2%) in reports on nonaugmented screws and 2.2% (95% CI 0.0%-7.2%, 95% PI 0%-25.1%) in reports on augmented screws.

Conclusions:

The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that screw loosening incidences may be considerably higher in osteoporotic spines than with normal bone mineral density. Screw augmentation may reduce loosening rates; however, this requires confirmation through clinical studies. Standardized reporting of prespecified complications should be enforced by publishers.
Urban Hospitals as Anchor Institutions: Frameworks for Medical Sociology
Authors: Franz Berkeley , Skinner Daniel , Wynn Jonathan , Kelleher Kelly
Published: January 2019

Recent policy developments are forcing many hospitals to supplement their traditional focus on the provision of direct patient care by using mechanisms to address the social determinants of health in local communities. Sociologists have studied hospital organizations for decades, to great effect, highlighting key processes of professional socialization and external influences that shape hospital-based care. New methods are needed, however, to capture more recent changes in hospital population health initiatives in their surrounding neighborhoods. The authors describe three promising sociological frameworks for studying the changing hospital: (1) the study of professions, (2) social network analysis, and (3) community-based participatory research. The authors argue that future analyses of hospitals and health outcomes must move beyond the internal-external dichotomy to see hospitals as complex institutions that are increasingly entwined with communities and subject to changes in state regulation.
New approaches to risk assessment of chemical mixtures
Authors: Hayes A Wallace , Li Roman , Hoeng Julia , Iskandar Anita , Peistch Manuel C , Dourson Michael L
Published: January 2019

Assessing the risk of chemical mixtures is an intricate process that should integrate published laboratory data; comparisons with the composition, toxicity, and functionality of similar mixtures; complete analytical characterization of the mixture components; and in silico modeling. Various tiered assessment protocols have been proposed to address this need, and these protocols may be adapted on a case-by-case basis for both mixture-based and component-based evaluations. Emerging technologies have enabled rapid mixture testing in alternative animal models, such as human organotypic cultures and zebrafish. In addition, quantitative modeling that uses systems toxicology approaches can identify exposure-induced cellular and molecular alterations that would not be detected by standard toxicology assays. This review summarizes the approaches to risk assessment of complex chemical mixtures as presented at the Eighth International Congress of the Asian Society of Toxicology, June 2018.
Endovascular management of unruptured intercostal artery aneurysms
Authors: Fenwick Andrew , Omotoso Patrick , Ferguson Darren
Published: January 2019

Background

Intercostal artery aneurysms are rare vascular abnormalities that are typically diagnosed following rupture in patients with predisposing conditions. Our report is the first to document a patient with unruptured intercostal artery aneurysms in the absence of any associated disease.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old male with prostatic adenocarcinoma was incidentally discovered to have multiple unruptured aneurysms of his intercostal arteries. Three of the aneurysms were embolized utilizing microcoils and glue. At six-month follow-up the patient remained asymptomatic.

Conclusion

We demonstrate successful endovascular management of a unique case of multiple idiopathic unruptured intercostal artery aneurysms. Appropriate diagnosis and prompt treatment of these rare vascular lesions is essential in preventing the potentially catastrophic consequences of rupture.
Against the stream: early diagnosis of dementia, is it so desirable?
Authors: Brayne Carol , Kelly Sarah
Published: January 2019

The Prime Minister's challenge on dementia called for improved dementia diagnosis rates, based on assumptions of benefit to individuals and those who care for them. Subsequent policies have led to increased target drives for clinical practice to achieve early diagnosis of dementia through intense case identification. However, the current evidence base and treatment options do not support screening for dementia, and there is little empirical evidence that such intensive case identification and early diagnosis for dementia is justified without a better understanding of the benefits, costs and potential harms to individuals and services.

Declaration of interest

None.
The association between frontal lobe perfusion and depressive symptoms in later life
Authors: Briggs Robert , Carey Daniel , Claffey Paul , McNicholas Triona , Newman Louise , Nolan Hugh , Kennelly Sean P. , Kenny Rose Anne
Published: January 2019

Background

Deficits in frontal lobe perfusion have been demonstrated in late-life depression; however, studies to date have generally involved small numbers, used neuroimaging rather than bedside testing and have not controlled for important covariates.

Aims

We aimed to examine the association between depressive symptoms and frontal lobe perfusion during standing, in a large cohort of community-dwelling older people.

Method

Participants aged ≥50 years underwent continuous measurement of orthostatic blood pressure by finometry, and frontal lobe perfusion by near-infrared spectroscopy. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the eight-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Real-time frontal lobe cerebral oxygenation was measured by the Portalite System, detecting changes in frontal lobe perfusion and reporting a tissue saturation index score.

Results

Almost 8% (209 out of 2616) had clinically significant depressive symptoms. Multilevel models demonstrated a significantly lower tissue saturation index in participants with depressive symptoms at both 60 and 90 s post-stand, with coefficients of −0.43 (95% CI −0.63 to −0.22) and −0.37 (95% CI −0.57 to −0.16), respectively. Controlling for relevant covariates did not significantly attenuate these associations. After addition of systolic blood pressure this association was no longer significant, suggesting lower blood pressure may modify this relationship.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that lower frontal lobe perfusion, related to lower values of baseline systolic blood pressure, is associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms in a cohort of community-dwelling older people. Given the recognised longitudinal association between lower blood pressure and depression in older people, this may represent a potential therapeutic target for prevention of incident depression.

Declaration of interest

None.
Functional Repair Assay for the Diagnosis of Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency From Non-Neoplastic Tissue
Authors: Shuen Andrew Y. , Lanni Stella , Panigrahi Gagan B. , Edwards Melissa , Yu Lisa , Campbell Brittany B. , Mandel Ariane , Zhang Cindy , Zhukova Nataliya , Alharbi Musa , Bernstein Mark , Bowers Daniel C. , Carroll Sara , Cole Kristina A. , Constantini Shlomi , Crooks Bruce , Dvir Rina , Farah Roula , Hijiya Nobuko , George Ben , Laetsch Theodore W. , Larouche Valerie , Lindhorst Scott , Luiten Rebecca C. , Magimairajan Vanan , Mason Gary , Mason Warren , Mordechai Oz , Mushtaq Naureen , Nicholas Garth , Oren Michael , Palma Laura , Pedroza Luis Alberto , Ramdas Jagadeesh , Samuel David , Wolfe Schneider Kami , Seeley Andrea , Semotiuk Kara , Shamvil Ashraf , Sumerauer David , Toledano Helen , Tomboc Patrick , Wierman Margaret , Van Damme An , Lee Yi-Yen , Zapotocky Michal , Bouffet Eric , Durno Carol , Aronson Melyssa , Gallinger Steve , Foulkes William D. , Malkin David , Tabori Uri , Pearson Christopher E.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) is a highly penetrant cancer predisposition syndrome caused by biallelic mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. As several cancer syndromes are clinically similar, accurate diagnosis is critical to cancer screening and treatment. As genetic diagnosis is confounded by 15 or more pseudogenes and variants of uncertain significance, a robust diagnostic assay is urgently needed. We sought to determine whether an assay that directly measures MMR activity could accurately diagnose CMMRD.

Patients and Methods

In vitro MMR activity was quantified using a 3′-nicked G-T mismatched DNA substrate, which requires MSH2-MSH6 and MLH1-PMS2 for repair. We quantified MMR activity from 20 Epstein-Barr virus–transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients with confirmed CMMRD. We also tested 20 lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients who were suspected for CMMRD. We also characterized MMR activity from patients with neurofibromatosis type 1, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, polymerase proofreading-associated cancer syndrome, and Lynch syndrome.

Results

All CMMRD cell lines had low MMR activity (n = 20; mean, 4.14 ± 1.56%) relative to controls (n = 6; mean, 44.00 ± 8.65%; P < .001). Repair was restored by complementation with the missing protein, which confirmed MMR deficiency. All cases of patients with suspected CMMRD were accurately diagnosed. Individuals with Lynch syndrome (n = 28), neurofibromatosis type 1 (n = 5), Li-Fraumeni syndrome (n = 5), and polymerase proofreading-associated cancer syndrome (n = 3) had MMR activity that was comparable to controls. To accelerate testing, we measured MMR activity directly from fresh lymphocytes, which yielded results in 8 days.

Conclusion

On the basis of the current data set, the in vitro G-T repair assay was able to diagnose CMMRD with 100% specificity and sensitivity. Rapid diagnosis before surgery in non-neoplastic tissues could speed proper therapeutic management.
The clinical value of imaging in primary cutaneous lymphomas: Role of high resolution ultrasound and PET-CT
Authors: Mandava Anitha , Koppula Veeraiah , Wortsman Ximena , Catalano Orlando , Alfageme Fernando
Published: January 2019

Background:

Primary cutaneous lymphoma is a rare extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma confined to the skin. The data on the imaging findings of primary cutaneous lymphomas are largely lacking and the current diagnosis is based on clinical and histopathological examination. With the advances in dermatological ultrasound and molecular imaging, newer perspectives in the evaluation of cutaneous lymphomas are available.

Objective:

To review and describe the imaging findings in patient’s with the diagnosis of primary cutaneous lymphoma.

Methods:

A multicentric, retrospective observational study was undertaken in four countries to review the high resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) and fluorine 18-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging findings.

Results:

We had 41 patients, Female:Male 1:4.1; mean age, 57 years; range, 13–94 years. High resolution ultrasonography of the primary cutaneous lesions revealed thickening of the dermis in all the cases and the lesions were hypoechoic without any calcifications or central necrosis. The sonographic appearances of the lesions were categorised into focal infiltrative, nodular, pseudonodular, and diffusely infiltrative patterns. Nodular and pseudonodular lesions were predominant in B cell lymphomas, while diffusely infiltrative lesions were more common in T-cell lymphomas. On colour Doppler imaging, the lesions were hypervascular. Whole body 18F-fludeoxyglucose PET–CT imaging of the patients revealed increased uptake of the metabolite in the lesions.

Conclusion:

Sonographic patterns based on high resolution ultrasonography provide early clues to the non-invasive diagnosis of primary cutaneous lymphomas and PET-CT is the recommended modality of imaging for staging and follow-up.

Advances in knowledge:

High resolution ultrasound with colour Doppler and PET-CT imaging are complimentary to the clinical diagnosis of primary cutaneous lymphomas.