bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotion regulation among male prisoners
Authors: Laws Ben , Crewe Ben
Published: December 2015

Prior research consistently documents that prisons are emotionally fraught places where successful adaptation depends, in part, on prisoners’ abilities to calibrate their emotional expressions and display strategies. Yet these accounts have largely overlooked theoretical insights from the psychological literature on emotion which can develop our understanding of exactly how and why prisoners regulate their emotions. By combining Gross and Thompson’s component model of emotion regulation with recent interview data ( N = 16) from a medium security men’s prison (HMP Moorland), this research draws three conclusions. First, prisoners manage emotion by attending to different components of the emotion model (i.e. through situation selection, attention deployment and response strategies). Second, attempts to regulate emotion are often hampered by the unique challenges of close confinement and prison rules. Finally, emotion management may be influenced by both ‘hedonistic’ and ‘utilitarian’ goals: the latter may explain situations where prisoners harness ‘negative’ emotions (such as anger and fear) to achieve long-term aims such as health and social conformity. The implications of this research are twofold: it offers a way beyond dramaturgical models of prison life, while also offering suggestions which could promote the emotional health of prisoners.
The gender binary will not be deprogrammed: Ten years of coding gender on Facebook
Authors: Bivens Rena
Published: December 2015

A February 2014 iteration of Facebook’s software upgraded the number of options for gender identification from 2 to 58. Drawing on critical theoretical approaches to technology, queer theory, and insights from science and technology studies, this iteration is situated within a 10-year history of software and user modifications that pivot around gender. I argue that the gender binary has regulated Facebook’s design strategy while the co-existence of binary and non-binary affordances has enabled the company to serve both users and advertising clients simultaneously. Three findings are revealed: (1) an original programming decision to store three values for gender in Facebook’s database became an important fissure for non-binary possibilities, (2) gender became increasingly valuable over time, and (3) in the deep level of the database, non-binary users are reconfigured into a binary system. This analysis also exposes Facebook’s focus on authenticity as an insincere yet highly marketable regulatory regime.
Vectors of transnationality in the adoption of a liberal public health response to HIV and AIDS in Ireland
Authors: Nolan Ann , Larkan Fiona
Published: December 2015

Historical transnationalism offers a lens through which vectors of international ideas influence national social and political dimensions to illuminate the policy transfer pathways that may shape contemporary events. This article applies a historical transnational perspective to examine the ascendency of the liberal consensus in Ireland which largely defined the international response to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. While AIDS was neither the initial nor the sole driver of policy change, it was a catalyst for the transformation of Ireland’s traditionally Catholic and conservative approach to sexuality and sexual health. In considering the role of a pioneering priest, a public health specialist and a gay collective during this initial era of HIV and AIDS in Ireland, conclusions will be drawn as to the extent to which these key actors operated as vectors of transnationality to promote a global ethic of non-discrimination and the conditions required by government to adopt a liberal response to HIV and AIDS.
The Islamic State’s symbolic war: Da'esh's socially mediated terrorism as a threat to cultural heritage
Authors: Smith Claire , Burke Heather , de Leiuen Cherrie , Jackson Gary
Published: December 2015

Using the Islamic State/Da'esh as a case study, we identify the genesis of a new form of terrorism arising from the convergence of networked social media and changes in the forms of conflict. Socially mediated terrorism is defined as ‘the use of social and networked media to increase the impact of violent acts undertaken to further a social, political and/or religious cause with the aim of creating physical, emotional or psychological suffering that extends beyond the immediate audience'. Our analysis distinguishes three strategies involving cultural heritage. The first is smoke, mirrors and mock destruction, which exaggerates perceptions of power and tests the impact of potential destruction. The second is shock, awe and censure, which uses international outrage to cloak the Islamic State with an aura of invincibility and highlight the impotence of its opponents. The third is financing the Kaliphate, which has transformed the ad hoc looting of archaeological sites into a business model. Iconoclasm has a lengthy history in which cultural icons were destroyed with the primary aim of subjugating local populations/audiences. In contrast, the Islamic State’s promotion of cultural heritage destruction through networked social media is directed simultaneously towards local, regional, and international audiences with reactions from one audience used to subdue, embolden or intrigue another. As such, networked social media can be viewed as a fresh – and currently under-rated – threat to cultural heritage in conflict zones. Finally, we draw attention to Bevan’s (2012) notion that crimes against cultural property can provide an early warning of potential genocide.
The willingness to report employee offences to the police in the business sector
Authors: Isenring Giang Ly , Mugellini Giulia , Killias Martin
Published: December 2015

Not all crimes are reported to the police. The same is true for employee offences experienced by firms. Indeed, companies that are victims of white- or blue-collar crime do not systematically report the incidents to the police or to other official authorities. Victim studies and victimization surveys are recent attempts to provide an insight into the amount of unreported crime. Drawing on the most recent business crime survey conducted in Switzerland, this article focuses on victim reporting of acts committed by employees such as fraud, theft, and unfair competition and examines for the first time for this country the variables associated with firms’ reporting behaviours. The analysis reveals that several factors might influence the reporting behaviour of firms. The decision to report a crime or not varies and depends on the type of business, the type of crime, its severity or the amount of damage resulting from the crime, the fear of reputational damage, or trust in the police.
Is It a Different World? Providing a Holistic Understanding of the Experiences and Perceptions of Non-Black Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Authors: Arroyo Andrew T. , Palmer Robert T. , Maramba Dina C.
Published: December 2015

This qualitative study contributes an original holistic understanding of the perceptions and experiences of non-Black students (e.g., Asian American, Latino, and White) as they matriculate into historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), persist to graduation, and reflect on their experiences as graduates at HBCUs. Findings from this study confirm, challenge, and extend existing research regarding the preenrollment experience, institutional experience, and culminating outcomes of non-Black students enrolled in HBCUs. Implications are offered for researchers, practitioners, and current and future non-Black HBCU students.
On the Discourse of Affirmative Action and Reservation in the United States and India
Authors: Haynes Ray , Alagaraja Meera
Published: December 2015

The Problem

Discriminatory practices appear to be part of the human condition and these practices negatively impact historically oppressed and marginalized groups. The United States developed the system of Affirmative Action (AA), and India developed the system of Reservation to end discriminatory practices and increase diversity; particularly in the areas of employment and education. The sustainability of both systems is an open question because the dominant discourses about AA and Reservation generally are negative. AA and Reservation are viewed as public goods by some as well as public nuisances; and are criticized as thwarting meritocracy and creating innocent victims. Organizations as microcosms of society experience this controversy which impacts the utility of AA and Reservation, and the implementation of diversity management (DM) programs. In some instances, misunderstanding and opposition to AA, Reservation, and DM programs can be attributed to the human maladies of racism, sexism, and casteism. These conditions require dynamic and complex interventions that go beyond simplistic training and development interventions.

The Solution

Human resource development (HRD) practitioners should adopt an expansive definition of HRD which include the design and implementation of developmental interventions for an increasingly diverse workforce. Given the growing adoption of HRD practice internationally, we provide two units of discourse about AA and Reservation to demonstrate the importance of dialogue and inclusion when developing DM interventions. Importantly, we illustrate how conversations representing majority and minority perspectives can foster Dialogic HRD (DHRD) practice.

The Stakeholders

The stakeholders are organizational leaders, policymakers, DM program managers, and HRD practitioners.
Does Founder CEO Status Affect Firm Risk Taking?
Authors: Tang Yi , Li Jiatao , Liu Yu
Published: December 2015

Grounded in the strategic leadership literature and upper echelons theory, this study proposes that founder CEOs tend to take more risks than agent CEOs because of the former’s overconfidence. We further suggest that the relationship between founder CEO status and firm risk taking can be moderated by certain internal or external factors that influence just how overconfident a CEO might be. Our theoretical predictions are well supported by a large survey data set on Chinese CEOs. Specifically, the positive relationship between founder CEO status and firm risk taking weakens when the CEO is younger, when the CEO also chairs the board of directors, and when the CEO’s task environment is less uncertain, less complex, and more munificent.
Content analysis to classify and compare Live, Virtual, Constructive simulations and System of Systems
Authors: Diallo Saikou Y , Padilla Jose J , Papelis Yiannis , Gore Ross , Lynch Christopher J
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we examine to what extent Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) simulations can be used to model and simulate a System of Systems (SoS) by (1) establishing LVC and SoS domain profiles based on concepts discussed in each community and (2) finding overlapping concepts. To do so, we apply content analysis to the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) conference papers to identify the driving concepts and relationships that are most associated with LVC systems. Similarly, we apply content analysis to the IEEE/Systems Man and Cybernetics Conference on System of Systems Engineering (SOSE). We use the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization dataset to train a learner about LVC and automatically discover the LVC concepts and relationships within the SoS literature. Similarly, we use the SoS Engineering dataset to train a learner about SoS and use it to discover the concepts and relationships of SoS in the LVC literature. We show the two domains present some overlap on the technical side. However, LVC does not consider what the SoS literature considers crucial: the human/social component. This omission, or assumption, suggests that (1), although the SoS body of knowledge has some theoretical work, there is not enough work that transitions theory to practice and (2) LVC does not implement full SoS concepts but reflects traditional system approaches.
Emergent behavior identification within an agent-based model of the Ballistic Missile Defense System using statistical debugging
Authors: Diallo Saikou Y , Lynch Christopher J , Gore Ross , Padilla Jose J
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we utilize a software engineering technique called statistical debugging to experimentally identify emergent behaviors in a System of Systems. We apply the technique to an agent-based model of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) in which each component of the BMDS has operational and managerial independence as well as geographic distribution. We develop a simple game where the BMDS (blue) is attacked by enemy threats (red) and repeat the game for a large number of replications. Results show that there is no strategy that guarantees a blue win. In addition, there are more losing strategies than winning ones and finally there are four strategies that appear in half the wins and the losses. We refer to those as emergent, since they cannot be controlled by either the red or the blue side.
The Dignity of Weapons
Authors: Anidjar Gil
Published: December 2015

In this article, I wish to ask about the dignity of weapons, the kind of elevated worth weapons appear to have acquired despite (or because) of their role in the production of indignity, a worth which, perhaps not as paradoxically as it may otherwise appear, constitutes (or rather de-constitutes) human dignity. I shall not take Kant as my guide, though, but the other K, namely, Franz Kafka.
The Influence of Embedded Social Media Channels on Travelers’ Gratifications, Satisfaction, and Purchase Intentions
Authors: Aluri Ajay , Slevitch Lisa , Larzelere Robert
Published: December 2015

Considering the strong influence of social media on internet users, it is important to understand its role for hotel businesses, particularly the online aspect of lodging operations. Although several social media studies have been done, very few studies have focused on travelers’ needs and the specific gratifications they seek when using embedded social media channels on hotel websites, and how those channels would influence their purchasing behavior. The main purpose of the current research is to examine the effectiveness of embedded social media channels on hotel websites and their influence on traveler behavior. Applying the uses and gratifications (U&G) approach, we examined relationships among traveler gratifications, satisfaction, and purchase intentions by comparing user experience with hotel websites that used embedded social media channels to those without embedded social media channels. The results indicated that travelers exposed to the hotel website with embedded social media channels had higher levels of perceived informativeness, perceived enjoyment, and perceived social interaction that directly influenced traveler satisfaction. In the context of embedded social media channels, the gratification factors, such as perceived enjoyment and perceived social interaction, directly influenced traveler satisfaction and purchase intentions, and indirectly influenced purchase intentions through traveler satisfaction. Meanwhile, perceived informativeness did not influence purchase intentions directly in either sample, but it did influence purchase intentions indirectly through travelers’ satisfaction. Furthermore, for the group who used the hotel website without embedded social media channels, perceived social interaction was found to have no significant effect on travelers’ satisfaction and purchase intentions.
What’s in a Word? Building Program Loyalty through Social Media Communication
Authors: Raab Carola , Berezan Orie , Krishen Anjala S. , Tanford Sarah
Published: December 2015

Customer loyalty is paramount for hospitality businesses, and social media communication is becoming a powerful way to increase touchpoints with customers. However, scant research evaluates the impact of social media behavior on program loyalty. Thus, the goal of our study is to determine the impact of social media communication on hotel program loyalty. We present a quantitative model of the differential impact of various forms of social media word of mouth (WOM) and verify it with a random sample of 575 participants. Our results suggest that hotelier social media communication style and information quality significantly affect consumer social media behavior; this leads to increased loyalty toward hotel reward programs. Combined with other findings, the friendly dimension of communication style has the highest impact, whereas interactive and professional display the lowest scores. In other words, study respondents are more likely to participate in friendly social media environments; such participation is more limited with regard to those that are simply interactive and professional. Therefore, this study adds to the body of knowledge on loyalty, WOM, social media communication, and rewards programs by proposing and testing an integrative model between social media communication style, information quality, social media behavior, and all of their ultimate impact on program loyalty.
Intrinsic Risk Factors of Lateral Ankle Sprain
Authors: Kobayashi Takumi , Tanaka Masashi , Shida Masahiro
Published: December 2015

Context:

Lateral ankle ligamentous sprain (LAS) is one of the most common injuries in recreational activities and competitive sports. Many studies have attempted to determine whether there are certain intrinsic factors that can predict LAS. However, no consensus has been reached on the predictive intrinsic factors.

Objective:

To identify the intrinsic risk factors of LAS by meta-analysis from data in randomized control trials and prospective cohort studies.

Data Sources:

A systematic computerized literature search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials was performed.

Study Selection:

A computerized literature search from inception to January 2015 resulted in 1133 studies of the LAS intrinsic risk factors written in English.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Data Extraction:

The modified quality index was used to assess the quality of the design of the papers and the standardized mean difference was used as an index to pool included study outcomes.

Results:

Eight articles were included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis results showed that body mass index, slow eccentric inversion strength, fast concentric plantar flexion strength, passive inversion joint position sense, and peroneus brevis reaction time correlated with LAS.

Conclusion:

Body mass index, slow eccentric inversion strength, fast concentric plantar flexion strength, passive inversion joint position sense, and the reaction time of the peroneus brevis were associated with significantly increased risk of LAS.
Prognostic value of Pneumonia Severity Index, CURB-65, CRB-65, and procalcitonin in community-acquired pneumonia in Singapore
Authors: Zhang Zoe Xiaozhu , Zhang Weidong , Liu Ping , Yang Yong , Tan Wan Cheng , Ng Han Seong , Fong Kok Yong
Published: December 2015

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of three severity scoring tools and procalcitonin (PCT) in severity stratification and mortality prediction among patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Singapore.

Methods:

The method used was a retrospective observational study of all the consecutive patients with CAP admitted through the emergency department of Singapore General Hospital between 2012–2013.

Results:

Among 1902 study subjects, the overall 30-day mortality was 15.7%. The mortality rates for Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) class I–III were 0, 0, and 3.7%, which were comparable to the original published data. CURB-65 and CRB-65 had higher mortality rates in all severity levels. In three levels of risk stratification, the low risk group of PSI (class I–III) included 42.6% of the patients with mortality rate of 1.9%, whereas the low risk group defined by CURB-65 (score 0–1) and CRB-65 (score 0) included 52.0% and 24.4% of the patients with higher mortality rates (7.3% and 4.5% respectively). PSI was the most sensitive in mortality prediction with area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.82, higher than CURB-65 (0.71), CRB-65 (0.67), and PCT (0.63) ( p<0.001). The initial level of PCT was higher in non-survivors and intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted patients compared to survivors (0.91 vs 0.36 ng/ml, p<0.001) and non-ICU patients (3.70 vs 0.38 ng/ml, p<0.001). Incorporating PCT did not improve the discriminatory power of the scoring tools for mortality prediction.

Conclusions:

PSI was a reliable tool for severity stratification and morality prediction among the patients with CAP in Singapore.
Is bispectral index (BIS) monitoring in the emergency department helpful for prognostication during resuscitation of cardiac arrest patients?
Authors: Lim Chin Siah , Koh Joshua Yu Le , Ng Wai Yee , Shahidah Nur , Ong Marcus Eng Hock
Published: December 2015

Objective:

It has been suggested that bispectral index (BIS) can be indicative of cerebral perfusion during advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) resuscitation of cardiac arrest patients. Our aim was to determine whether BIS monitoring during resuscitation in the emergency department (ED) can predict survival or neurological outcomes of patients with cardiac arrest.

Methods:

This was a prospective, single-centre, observational cohort study in the ED of a tertiary hospital, where we included 100 patients whom received resuscitation in the ED between December 2010 and March 2014. We recorded BIS values, suppression ratio, electromyography and signal quality index; throughout the resuscitation. A research coordinator set up the monitoring apparatus at the earliest time possible.

Results:

Out of the 100 patients recruited, 22 had a sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Of these, 19 patients subsequently died in the ICU, two were discharged with good neurological recovery (cerebral performance category (CPC) 1) and one was discharged with poor neurological recovery (CPC4). By comparing the groups of patients who died in the ICU and were discharged, we found there was no significant difference in the initial BIS score ( p = 0.64), the score upon ROSC ( p = 0.36), the average BIS score 10 minutes post-ROSC ( p = 0.35), nor the BIS score upon admission to the ICU ( p = 0.22).

Conclusions:

Very early monitoring of BIS before admission to the ICU predicts neither survival nor neurological recovery in patients with cardiac arrest. Very low BIS scores in the ED may not indicate a poor prognosis, especially in patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia.
Obinutuzumab for relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas
Authors: Gabellier Ludovic , Cartron Guillaume
Published: December 2015

The use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), such as rituximab, in CD20-positive B-cell malignancies has dramatically improved the outcome of chronic lymphoid leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). However, the occurrence of relapse and development of rituximab-refractory disease highlight the need to develop novel anti-CD20 mAbs, with improved mechanisms of action. Obinutuzumab is the first humanized type II glycoengineered anti-CD20 mAb. In vitro and in vivo data suggested several differences compared with rituximab, including a low level of complement-dependent cytotoxicity and an increased direct nonapoptotic cell death. Moreover, the glycoengineered Fc-linked nonfucosylated oligosaccharide enhanced the Fc–Fcγ receptor (FcγR) IIIa interaction, resulting in improved antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis. Preclinical models suggested that these differences translate into superior survival in murine lymphoma models. Phase I/II trials in monotherapy in relapsed or refractory B-cell NHL demonstrated that obinutuzumab has an acceptable safety profile, infusion-related reactions being the most common adverse event. In rituximab-refractory indolent NHL, the recent randomized phase III GADOLIN study demonstrated an improved median progression-free survival for patients treated with obinutuzumab plus bendamustine rather than bendamustine alone. Further trials are ongoing to determine the role of obinutuzumab as a first-line agent in the treatment of follicular lymphoma.
Hierarchical clusters in families with type 2 diabetes
Authors: García-Solano Beatriz , Gallegos-Cabriales Esther C , Gómez-Meza Marco V , García-Madrid Guillermina , Flores-Merlo Marcela , García-Solano Mauro
Published: December 2015

Families represent more than a set of individuals; family is more than a sum of its individual members. With this classification, nurses can identify the family health-illness beliefs obey family as a unit concept, and plan family inclusion into the type 2 diabetes treatment, whom is not considered in public policy, despite families share diet, exercise, and self-monitoring with a member who suffers type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the characteristics, functionality, routines, and family and individual health in type 2 diabetes describes the differences and similarities between families to consider them as a unit. We performed an exploratory, descriptive hierarchical cluster analysis of 61 families using three instruments and a questionnaire, in addition to weight, height, body fat percentage, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein. The analysis produced three groups of families. Wilk’s lambda demonstrated statistically significant differences provided by age (Λ = 0.778, F = 2.098, p = 0.010) and family health (Λ = 0.813, F = 2.650, p = 0.023). A post hoc Tukey test coincided with the three subsets. Families with type 2 diabetes have common elements that make them similar, while sharing differences that make them unique.
Repair of Concomitant Double Orifice Mitral and Tricuspid Valves
Authors: Saxena Rachit , Talwar Sachin , Gharde Parag , Kumar Manikala Vinod , Choudhary Shiv Kumar
Published: December 2015

The coexistence of double orifice mitral and tricuspid valves is rare. We report a five-year-old boy with double orifice mitral and tricuspid valves requiring surgical correction of hemodynamically significant mitral and tricuspid stenosis.
Two Cases of Late Shone Syndrome With Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Robich Michael P. , Stewart Robert D. , Zahka Kenneth G. , Krasuski Richard A. , Hanna Mazen , Blackstone Eugene H. , Pettersson Gosta B.
Published: December 2015

Two cases of Shone syndrome with severe mitral and aortic valve problems and pulmonary hypertension were referred for heart–lung transplantation. Severely elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was confirmed as was severe periprosthetic mitral and aortic regurgitation. Based on the severity of the valve lesions in both patients, surgery was decided upon and undertaken. Both experienced early pulmonary hypertensive crises, one more than the other, that gradually subsided, followed by excellent recovery and reversal of pulmonary hypertension and PVR. These cases illustrate Braunwald’s concept that pulmonary hypertension secondary to left-sided valve disease is reversible.
Bloodless Repair of Isolated Pulmonary Artery in a Neonate
Authors: Wang Hanjay , Brewer Michael P. , Lai Wyman W. , Krishnamurthy Ganga , Chai Paul J.
Published: December 2015

Pediatric cardiac surgery, especially for small neonates, typically requires blood products to counter hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass. Children with congenital heart defects whose families adhere to faith-based proscriptions against blood transfusion therefore represent a challenging surgical population. Here, we report the case of a ten-day-old, 3.6-kg patient of Jehovah’s Witness faith, who was diagnosed with unilateral pulmonary artery discontinuity, bilateral patent ductus arteriosus, and an otherwise structurally normal heart. Pulmonary artery reimplantation was successfully performed without giving blood products. This case adds to previous reports of successful bloodless cardiac surgery in neonates and describes the specific strategies that contributed to successful pulmonary artery reimplantation.
Wilms’ Tumor With Intra-Atrial Extension
Authors: Szymanska Anna , Augustyn Cyprian , Stankowski Tomasz , Walek Ewa , Kowalski Jan P. , Koltowski Piotr , Cichon Romuald
Published: December 2015

Wilms’ tumor is the most common renal cancer in children. It can grow for a long time without any characteristic symptoms, causing only fever, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, which is the reason why it is often discovered accidentally. In 1% to 4% of the cases, nephroblastoma leads to complications in the form of intravascular and intra-atrial extension. We present a case of a five-year-old boy with Wilms’ tumor extending into the inferior vena cava, right atrium, and then prolapsing through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
Impact of Era, Type of Isomerism, and Ventricular Morphology on Survival in Heterotaxy
Authors: Loomba Rohit S. , Nijhawan Karan , Anderson Robert
Published: December 2015

Background:

Heterotaxy has been demonstrated to reduce survival. There are several different subgroups of patients, however, and no single study has had a large number of patients and analyzed survival across the different subgroups such as patients born in different eras, patients with right and left isomerism, and patients with biventricular or functionally univentricular hearts. This study pools previously reported data from Kaplan-Meier curves and performs such subgroup analysis.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies reporting survival of patients with the so-called “heterotaxy” by means of Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Data were extracted from these survival curves and then pooled together. A polynomial regression was then used to generate a pooled survival curve. This was done for all patients, those born in a more recent era, those with right and left isomerism, and those with biventricular or functionally univentricular hearts.

Results:

Those born in the more recent era (after 2000) had increased survival compared to the overall cohort. Those with left isomerism tended to have a survival benefit compared to those with right isomerism until about 16 years of age, beyond which those with right isomerism developed a survival benefit. Those with biventricular hearts had a survival benefit compared to those with left isomerism.

Conclusion:

Survival in the so-called heterotaxy syndrome is based on several factors, which include era of birth, sidedness of isomerism, and whether the heart is biventricular or functionally univentricular.
Repair of the Left Pulmonary Artery After Bilateral Banding in Hybrid Procedures
Authors: Juaneda Ignacio , Peirone Alejandro , Diaz Juan , Kreutzer Christian
Published: December 2015

We describe the use of the so-called “sutureless” technique for repair of stenosis of the left pulmonary artery after bilateral banding in the management of two patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who had undergone initial palliation with a hybrid procedure. After bilateral pulmonary artery debanding, arterioplasty with autologous pericardial patch and sutureless technique was carried out to decrease the risk of restenosis. Both patients survived the operation, and the exit pulmonary angiography revealed adequate flow across the arterioplasty sites. Patients are alive and well at 17 and 24 months of age, respectively.
Evolution of Surgical Approaches in the Management of Congenital Tracheal Stenosis
Authors: Hofferberth Sophie C. , Watters Karen , Rahbar Reza , Fynn-Thompson Francis
Published: December 2015

Background:

Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a serious and rare condition that often presents a complex surgical challenge. We reviewed the evolution of surgical approaches to the management of CTS at a single institution.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective clinical review of all patients who underwent surgical repair of CTS at our institution. From January 1992 to January 2014, a total of 30 patients (median age 92 days; range 3 days-1.7 years) underwent surgery for CTS at our institution. Techniques included slide tracheoplasty (n = 16), tracheal resection (n = 10), pericardial patch tracheoplasty (n = 3), and costal cartilage tracheoplasty (n = 1). Twenty-two (73%) patients had associated intracardiac or great vessel anomalies, including 18 (60%) with left pulmonary artery sling. Five (17%) patients had associated single lung malformation. All procedures were performed via a median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Results:

Median postoperative length of stay was 25 days (range, 5-431 days). Late airway reintervention was required in seven (26%), including two (15%) infants after slide tracheoplasty, two (22%) posttracheal resection, and two (100%) post pericardial patch tracheoplasty. The one patient who underwent costal cartilage tracheoplasty required multiple reinterventions. Overall mortality was 13% (n = 4), two deaths occurred post slide tracheoplasty, one death occurred after tracheal resection, and one after pericardial patch tracheoplasty, respectively.

Conclusion:

Slide tracheoplasty is the procedure of choice for repair of CTS, while tracheal resection is a viable option for patients with discreet, short-segment stenosis.
Anatomic Factors Associated With Truncal Valve Insufficiency and the Need for Truncal Valve Repair
Authors: Patrick William L. , Mainwaring Richard D. , Carrillo Sergio A. , Ma Michael , Reinhartz Olaf , Petrossian Edwin , Selamet Tierney Elif Seda , Reddy V. Mohan , Hanley Frank L.
Published: December 2015

Purpose:

Truncus arteriosus is a complex and heterogeneous form of congenital heart defect. Many of the risk factors from several decades ago, including late repair and interrupted aortic arch, have been mitigated through better understanding of the entity and improved surgical techniques. However, truncal valve dysfunction remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomic factors associated with truncal valve dysfunction and the need for truncal valve surgery.

Methods:

This was a retrospective review of 72 infants who underwent repair of truncus arteriosus at our institution. The median age at surgery was nine days, and the median weight was 3.1 kg. Preoperative assessment of truncal valve insufficiency by echocardiography revealed no or trace insufficiency in 30, mild in 25, moderate in 10, and severe in 7. The need for truncal valve surgery was dictated by the severity of truncal valve insufficiency.

Results:

Sixteen (22%) of the 72 patients undergoing truncus arteriosus repair had concomitant truncal valve surgery. Anatomic factors associated with the need for truncal valve surgery included an abnormal number of truncal valve cusps ( P < .005), presence of valve dysplasia ( P < .005), and the presence of an anomalous coronary artery pattern ( P < .005). Fifteen (94%) of the sixteen patients who underwent concomitant surgery had two or all three of these anatomic factors (sensitivity = 94%, specificity = 85%).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that the presence of specific anatomic factors was closely associated with the presence of truncal valve insufficiency and the need for concomitant truncal valve surgery. Preoperative evaluation of these anatomic factors may provide a useful tool in determining who should undergo concomitant truncal valve surgery.
Institutional Experience of Assisting Cavopulmonary Circulation With Central Systemic Artery-to-Central Systemic Vein Shunt
Authors: Rajashekar Palleti , Talwar Sachin , Kothari Shyam Sunder , Anand Abhishek , Airan Balram
Published: December 2015

Objective:

Patients who have undergone a previous bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis and have hypoxemia and anatomy considered unsuitable for the Fontan completion present a difficult subset. We performed common carotid artery-to-internal jugular vein (CCA-IJV) shunt in these patients.

Methods:

Between January 2010 and January 2015, eight patients underwent a CCA-IJV shunt. Their records were analyzed retrospectively.

Results:

There were no early deaths. The baseline arterial saturation prior to the shunt procedure was median 67% (range 60%-72%), which increased to median 83% (range 80%-90%) after the procedure. The preoperative arterial oxygen partial pressure (Pao2) ranged from 30 to 49 mm Hg (median 40 mm Hg). The hematocrit dropped from a preoperative median of 65% (range 55%-72%) to a median of 45% (range 42%-48%) after the procedure. Median intensive care unit stay was 2.5 days, and the median hospital stay was 7 days. Median follow-up was 24 months. At the last follow-up, these patients were classified in New York Heart Association class II.

Conclusions:

In a selected group of patients who are considered to be unsuitable for completion of Fontan circulation following superior cavopulmonary anastomosis, creation of a CCA-IJV shunt may be helpful to improve saturations and improve ventricular function.
Establishment of Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Advanced Practice Provider Services
Authors: Gilliland Jill , Donnellan Amy , Justice Lindsey , Moake Lindy , Mauney Jennifer , Steadman Page , Drajpuch David , Tucker Dawn , Storey Jean , Roth Stephen J. , Koch Josh , Checchia Paul , Cooper David S. , Staveski Sandra L.
Published: December 2015

The addition of advanced practice providers (APPs; nurse practitioners and physician assistants) to a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) team is a health care innovation that addresses medical provider shortages while allowing PCICUs to deliver high-quality, cost-effective patient care. APPs, through their consistent clinical presence, effective communication, and facilitation of interdisciplinary collaboration, provide a sustainable solution for the highly specialized needs of PCICU patients. In addition, APPs provide leadership, patient and staff education, facilitate implementation of evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives, and the performance of clinical research in the PCICU. This article reviews mechanisms for developing, implementing, and sustaining advance practice services in PCICUs.
Transparency and Public Reporting of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery Outcomes in North America
Authors: Jacobs Jeffrey P. , Jacobs Marshall L.
Published: December 2015

Health care is embarking on a new era of increased transparency. In January 2015, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) began to publicly report outcomes of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery using the 2014 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS CHSD) Mortality Risk Model. Because the 2014 STS CHSD Mortality Risk Model adjusts for procedural factors and patient-level factors, it is critical that centers are aware of the important impact of incomplete entry of data in the fields for patient-level factors. These factors are used to estimate expected mortality, and incomplete coding of these factors can lead to inaccurate assessment of case mix and estimation of expected mortality. In order to assure an accurate assessment of case mix and estimate of expected mortality, it is critical to assure accurate completion of the fields for patient factors, including preoperative factors. It is crucial to document variables such as whether the patient was preoperatively ventilated or had an important noncardiac congenital anatomic abnormality. The lack of entry of these variables will lead to an underestimation of expected mortality. The art and science of assessing outcomes of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery continues to evolve. In the future, when models have been developed that encompass other outcomes in addition to mortality, pediatric and congenital cardiac surgical performance may be able to be assessed using a multidomain composite metric that incorporates both mortality and morbidity, adjusting for the operation performed and for patient-specific factors. It is our expectation that in the future, this information will also be publicly reported. In this era of increased transparency, the complete and accurate coding of both patient-level factors and procedure-level factors is critical.
Determinants of the Size of Public Expenditure in Nigeria
Authors: Ukwueze Ezebuilo Romanus
Published: December 2015

Analysis of public expenditure constitutes a central issue in public sector economics and public finance literature. Understanding the reasons for government spending growth has been a central concern of public sector economists. This is due to the fact that most economies of the world have consistently had increased government expenditures. Nigeria is not an exception. There is need to ascertain the determinants of size of government expenditure in Nigeria. Short-Run Error Correction Model and long-run static equation were used for comparing the influence of those variables on the size of government spending. The long-run static equation served as a test to compare short-run dynamics with the long-run relationships. Ordinary least squares (OLS estimation technique was used. The stationarity tests showed that none of the variables was stationary at level form, but only after their first difference. The results of this study show that the size of revenue and growth rate of national income (output) and private investment significantly influence the size of public expenditure both in the short run and long run. External and domestic debts significantly influence the size of government expenditure only in the short run. It is recommended that the revenue base should be expanded; conducive environment should be created for private investment to thrive, and debt accumulation should be reduced and used for stabilization only in the short run. The conclusion to draw from this study is that revenue, private investment, and income boost public spending while public debts might be counterproductive.
Formation and stability of 14C-containing organic compounds in alkaline iron-water systems: preliminary assessment based on a literature survey and thermodynamic modelling
Authors: Wieland E. , Hummel W.
Published: December 2015

Carbon-14 is an important radionuclide in the inventory of radioactive waste and is considered to be a key radionuclide in performance assessment. In Switzerland, the 14C inventory in a cement-based repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste is mainly associated with activated steel (∼85%). Anaerobic corrosion of the activated steel will determine the time-dependent release of 14C-bearing compounds from the cementitious near field into the host rock. The present study was carried out to provide an overview on the current state of the art knowledge regarding the carbon speciation during the anaerobic corrosion of activated and non-activated iron/steel and to critically assess the capability of thermodynamic modelling to predict 14C speciation in anoxic alkaline conditions. Previous experimental work showed the presence of oxidized and reduced hydrocarbons during corrosion in iron-water systems in anoxic (near neutral to alkaline) conditions which appears to be inconsistent with the negative redox potential of the system. The capability of thermodynamic modelling to predict the carbon speciation in these conditions was found to be limited due to uncertainties associated with the concept of metastability in the C–H–O system.
Microbially mediated reduction of Np(V) by a consortium of alkaline tolerant Fe(III)-reducing bacteria
Authors: Williamson Adam J. , Morris Katherine , Boothman Christopher , Dardenne Kathy , Law Gareth T.W. , Lloyd Jonathan R.
Published: December 2015

Neptunium-237 will be present in radioactive wastes over extended time periods due to its long half-life (2.13 × 106years). Understanding its behaviour under conditions relevant to radioactive waste disposal is therefore of particular importance. Here, microcosm experiments were established using sediments from a legacy lime workings with high-pH conditions as an analogue of cementitious intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal. To probe the influence of Fe biogeochemistry on Np(V) in these systems, additional Fe(III) (as ferrihydrite) was added to select experiments. Biogeochemical changes were tracked in experiments with low levels of Np(V) (20 Bq ml–1; 3.3 μM), whilst parallel higher concentration systems (2.5 KBq ml–1;414 μM) allowed X-ray absorption spectroscopy. As expected, microbial reduction processes developed in microbially-active systems with an initial pH of 10; however, during microbial incubations the pH dropped from 10 to ∼7, reflecting the high levels of microbial metabolism occurring in these systems. In microbially-active systems without added Fe(III), 90% sorption of Np(V) occurred within one hour with essentially complete removal by one day. In the ferrihydrite-amended systems, complete sorption of Np(V) to ferrihydrite occurred within one hour. For higher-activity sediments, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at end points where Fe(II) ingrowth was observed confirmed that complete reductive precipitation of Np(V) to Np(IV) had occurred under similar conditions to low-level Np experiments. Finally, pre-reduced, Fe(III)-reducing sediments, with and without added Fe(III) and held at pH 10, were spiked with Np(V). These alkaline pre-reduced sediments showed significant removal of Np to sediments, and XAS confirmed partial reduction to Np(IV) with the no Fe system, and essentially complete reduction to Np(IV) in the Fe(III)-enriched systems. This suggested an indirect, Fe(II)-mediated pathway for Np(V) reduction under alkaline conditions. Microbial analyses using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing suggested a role for alkali-tolerant, Gram-positive Firmicutes in coupled Fe(III) reduction and Np immobilization in these experiments.
Retention of chlorine-36 by a cementitious backfill
Authors: van Es E. , Hinchliff J. , Felipe-Sotelo M. , Milodowski A.E. , Field L.P. , Evans N.D.M. , Read D.
Published: December 2015

Radial diffusion experiments have been carried out to assess the migration of 36Cl, as chloride, through a cementitious backfill material. Further experiments in the presence of cellulose degradation products were performed to assess the effect of organic ligands on the extent and rate of chloride diffusion. Results show that breakthrough of 36Cl is dependent on chloride concentration: as the carrier concentration increases, both breakthrough time and the quantity retained by the cement matrix decreases. Experiments in the presence of cellulose degradation products also show a decrease in time to initial breakthrough. However, uptake at various carrier concentrations in the presence of organic ligands converges at 45% of the initial concentration as equilibrium is reached. The results are consistent with organic ligands blocking sites on the cement that would otherwise be available for chloride binding, though further work is required to confirm that this is the case. Post-experimental digital autoradiographs of the cement cylinders, and elemental mapping showed evidence of increased 36Cl activity associated with black ash-like particles in the matrix, believed to correspond to partially hydrated glassy calcium-silicate-sulfate-rich clinker.