bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vortex filamentation and fragmentation phenomena in flapping motion and effect of aspect ratio and frequency on global strain, rotation, and enstrophy
Authors: Goli Srikanth , Roy Arnab , Roy Subhransu
Published: April 2019

In the present study, flow field around rigid flat plate wings executing main flapping motion has been studied using phase-locked two-dimensional particle image velocimetry measurements. Experiments have been conducted in water as a fluid medium for an asymmetric upper–lower stroke single degree of freedom main flapping motion. Two different aspect ratio (1.5 and 1.0) rectangular wings at 1.5 and 2.0 Hz flapping frequency in hovering flight mode (advance ratio, J = 0), zero wing pitch angle, and chord-based Reynolds number of the order of 104 have been studied. Velocity field and vorticity field with λ2 criterion information have been obtained for the complete stroke in great detail to reveal the minute aspects of flow dynamics. The flow features during the downstroke and upstroke have been observed to be consistent for all four cases investigated. The predominant characteristic of the flow during downstroke and upstroke has been referred to as vortex filamentation and fragmentation phenomena. Quantities such as circulation, rate of strain, rate of rotation, and enstrophy have been studied to identity the effect of minor change in aspect ratio and flapping frequency. It is found that for higher aspect ratio wing hyperbolic behavior is predominant except for end of downstroke and beginning of upstroke where elliptic behavior is observed. For lower aspect ratio, wing elliptic behavior is predominant except for end of upstroke and beginning of downstroke where hyperbolic behavior is seen. The hyperbolic behavior became stronger at higher frequency. From enstrophy distribution it is evident that higher frequencies play a more dominant role than aspect ratio in determining the budget.
Learning as changing participation: Identity investment in the discursive practice of a peer feedback activity
Authors: Zheng Chunxian , Chai Gaiying
Published: April 2019

Through the lens of a community of practice as a social learning system, this article analyses the peer interactions of a group of four college learners of English as a foreign language in a peer feedback activity with the focus on the writer – the top student, Wang. The study uses an ethnographical way to interpret Wang’s discourse actions in participation in a learning group of four as part of the English-classroom community of practice. The focus of the analyses is on the practices for understanding how Wang constructed her identities as a way of participation; how she, as well as the other learners, identified with the practices; how the peer feedback activity as a social learning system worked; and what Wang learned from it. The study witnesses three modes of Wang’s identification with this local English-learning community of practice (engagement, imagination and alignment); her changing participation in terms of modulating her identity investment in the social practice (as a master, novice and non-participant); the different meanings negotiated or circulated in the learning system (linguistic, social, interpersonal, etc.); and the implicit as well as explicit knowledge Wang may learn from it.
Akiikaa (it is the land): exploring land-based experiences with university students in Ontario
Authors: Mashford-Pringle Angela , Stewart Suzanne L.
Published: April 2019

Indigenous learning traditionally comes from the land. Akiikaa (‘it is the land’ in Algonkian) is designed to assist graduate students in thinking beyond the classroom and understanding the elements of life as known by Indigenous people to live a healthy life. Akiikaa will provide graduate students (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) with opportunities to learn about Indigenous ways of knowing. They will learn from an instructor, Elders and their peers about how the land is an instrumental part of all aspects of Indigenous life including health and well-being. One of the goals of the Master of Public Health in Indigenous Health program (at the University of Toronto) and the land-based experiences is to shift the thinking away from humans being the dominating force on Mother Earth to equality amongst all aspects of life. Graduate students are introduced to ‘personhood’ rights for plants, animals, water, and air, which is a shift from the current World Health Organization’s view of public health that builds upon a population health approach but neglects the elements that surround humans as necessary for living a healthy life. It has been suggested that Indigenous land-based education acts as a method of decolonization through reclamation of Indigenous ideology and use of land. Land and land experience are highly prized by Indigenous people around the world as cultures and languages are based on the interaction of people with nature/land. This move to delivering the curriculum in the natural environment using Indigenous knowledges as its pedagogy is anticipated to change attitudes about Indigenous people and issues as well as improving the health and well-being of graduate students and, over time, Indigenous peoples’ health and well-being.
The role of Māori community gardens in health promotion: a land-based community development response by Tangata Whenua, people of their land
Authors: Hond Ruakere , Ratima Mihi , Edwards Will
Published: April 2019

For Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, land is not only an economic foundation but an anchor for tribal identity and a spiritual base. The forced alienation of Māori land since the 1800s, due to colonisation, has distanced communities from a direct relationship with their lands. There is little published research on Māori community gardens (māra) and their potential to reconnect Māori with ancestral lands. This study explores the motivations for developing māra and examines the role of māra in Māori health promotion. The paper describes findings from kaupapa Māori research that involved interviews with seven leaders of māra initiatives. Our findings suggest that the development of māra is motivated by a desire to empower Māori collectives towards a vision of vital communities thriving as Māori. Māra provide a rich site for community development grounded in a cultural connection to ancestral land. The utilization of ancestral lands enables groups to draw on a deep sense of shared identity that is rooted in those lands and fosters an intergenerational orientation. Māra offer activity linked with ancestral knowledge, customary practices and tribal connection. They provide opportunities to practice Māori language and cultural processes in functional everyday ways, and thereby strengthen a sense of commitment to protect cultural heritage as a resource for community life. Importantly, hands-on collective activity with shared decision-making, which is characteristic of māra, fosters social cohesion and collective efficacy. Overall our findings indicate that māra are land-centred community development initiatives that fit within the parameters of Māori health promotion and have much potential to contribute to achievement of Māori health promotion outcomes.
Examining Indigenous food sovereignty as a conceptual framework for health in two urban communities in Northern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Ray Lana , Burnett Kristin , Cameron Anita , Joseph Serena , LeBlanc Joseph , Parker Barbara , Recollet Angela , Sergerie Catherine
Published: April 2019

While land is a nexus for culture, identity, governance, and health, as a concept land is rarely addressed in conversations and policy decisions about Indigenous health and well-being. Indigenous food sovereignty, a concept which embodies Indigenous peoples’ ability to control their food systems, including markets, production modes, cultures and environments, has received little attention as a framework to approach Indigenous health especially for Indigenous people living in urban spaces. Instead, discussions about Indigenous food sovereignty have largely focused on global and remote and rural communities. Addressing this gap in the literature, this article presents exploratory work conducted with Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig and Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, two Indigenous-led Aboriginal Health Access Centres in urban service centers located in Northern Ontario, Canada.
Co-developing Indigenous seasonal calendars to support ‘healthy Country, healthy people’ outcomes
Authors: Woodward Emma , Marrfurra McTaggart Patricia
Published: April 2019

In caring for Country, Indigenous Australians draw on laws, knowledge and customs that have been inherited from ancestors and ancestral beings, to ensure the continued health of lands and seas with which they have a traditional attachment or relationship. This is a reciprocal relationship, whereby land is understood to become wild/sick if not managed by its people, and in turn individuals and communities suffer without a maintained connection to Country. It is well understood by Indigenous people that if you ‘look after country, country will look after you’. Indigenous knowledge systems that underpin the local care (including use and management) of Country are both unique and complex. These knowledge systems have been built through strong observational, practice-based methods that continue to be enacted and tested, and have sustained consecutive generations by adapting continually, if incrementally, to the local context over time. This paper describes a research partnership that involved the sharing and teaching of Ngan’gi Aboriginal ecological knowledge in order to reveal and promote the complex attachment of Ngan’gi language speakers of the Daly River, Australia, to water places. This engagement further led to the incremental co-development of an Indigenous seasonal calendar of aquatic resource use. The seasonal calendar emerged as an effective tool for supporting healthy Country, healthy people outcomes. It did this by facilitating the communication of resource management knowledge and connection with water-dependent ecosystems both inter-generationally within the Ngan’gi language group, as well as externally to non-Indigenous government water resource managers. The Indigenous seasonal calendar form has subsequently emerged as a tool Indigenous language groups are independently engaging with to document and communicate their own knowledge and understanding of Country, to build recognition and respect for their knowledge, and to make it accessible to future generations.
Endovascular stent graft repair of complete persistent sciatic artery aneurysm with lower limb ischemia: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Wang Yuewei , Xin Hai , Tan Haofei , Wang Haofu
Published: April 2019

Background:

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare embryological vascular anomaly, with an incidence of 0.01%–0.05%. Up to 60% of persistent sciatic artery patients will develop aneurysms that can subsequently lead to distal embolization and a high risk of limb loss.

Method:

Here we report a case with acute limb ischemia caused by thrombus in a right persistent sciatic artery aneurysm. The patient underwent endovascular treatment by deploying a 10 × 150 mm stent graft (Viabahn) in the persistent sciatic artery and two self-expanding bare stents (10 × 40 mm, 10 × 60 mm, SMART) in the stent graft to reinforce the radial resistive force. In addition, we conducted a literature review of articles published in PubMed from 2001 to 2018 regarding stent graft repair of complete persistent sciatic artery aneurysms. A total of 13 articles reported 13 patients with complete persistent sciatic artery aneurysms who underwent endovascular stent graft repair.

Result:

A favorable result was obtained for this patient, and computed tomographic angiography at 6 months of follow-up revealed patent stent graft. Most articles reported favorable results.

Conclusion:

Favorable results can be achieved with endovascular stent graft repair and anticoagulation therapy for complete persistent sciatic artery aneurysms.
Chronic extensor hallucis longus tendon rupture treated with double-bundle autograft of extensor hallucis capsularis: A case report
Authors: Kurashige Toshinori
Published: April 2019

The extensor hallucis capsularis is an accessory extensor tendon with varied occurrence. Here, we present the case of a 40-year-old man with chronic extensor hallucis longus tendon rupture treated using extensor hallucis capsularis tendon as a double-bundle autograft. He had dropped a knife proximal to the right hallux metatarsophalangeal joint 4 months ago. Computed tomography revealed the presence of extensor hallucis capsularis, with its width and thickness, and the point of divergence from the extensor hallucis longus tendon. Because direct suturing was considered difficult and the extensor hallucis capsularis tendon was sufficiently wide and long, double-bundle autograft transplantation of extensor hallucis capsularis was performed. At 1-year follow-up examination, the patient retained almost full function of his hallux. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to use this technique. Using the extensor hallucis capsularis tendon for grafting should be carefully considered because the variable width and length may limit the graft strength.

Level of evidence: IV
Fusarium infection–induced partial failure of free anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap: Case report
Authors: Chen Hsin-Han , Shih Pin-Keng
Published: April 2019

Fusarium species, a soil-borne fungi, causes disease in animals and humans, particularly in immunocompromized patients. A 62-year-old male presented with type II diabetes mellitus, diagnosed 4 years ago. He had a motorcycle accident-caused open tibiofibular fracture of the left lower extremity (Gustilo grade IIIb). With open reduction and internal fixation, an anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap was harvested for coverage of exposed bone and defect reconstruction. Partial failure of the flap occurred 9 days following reconstruction, and histological examination revealed Fusarium spp. After treatment with antifungal drugs and debridement, we performed a split-thickness skin graft. At 2-year follow-up, the flap was viable with adequate bone union. This is the first reported case of partial flap failure due to a Fusarium spp. infection. Possibility of fungal infections in patients with late-onset flap failure should be noted. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are needed to prevent repeated free-tissue transfer and/or devastating outcomes.
Grievance Articulation and Community Reactions in the Men’s Rights Movement Online
Authors: Rafail Patrick , Freitas Isaac
Published: April 2019

The Men’s Rights movements have grown extensively in the last four decades. Social media platforms, especially online communities, have been instrumental in the rise of the movement. Despite this, few studies have directly examined how the Men’s Rights movement frames its grievance in online spaces or analyzed community reactions to user-contributed content. To fill these gaps, we analyze 70,580 posts contributed to /r/MensRights, a large community of Men’s Rights activists on Reddit, using a combination of topic models and negative binomial regression. Our results indicate that users active on /r/MensRights have developed a core set of grievances. Due to the mechanics of Reddit, where users can upvote posts to increase their visibility, contributed content that is consistent with community norms is prominently featured. Online spaces such as /r/MensRights provide an optimal combination of self-reinforcing community norms and anonymity, providing social movements with powerful tools to expand their reach, recruit new members, and expand its political power. We argue that these dynamics apply more generally to social movement mobilization that occurs online.
Research Practicum: An Experiential Model for Social Work Research
Authors: Walsh Christine Ann , Gulbrandsen Carolyn , Lorenzetti Liza
Published: April 2019

Research training is a key area of social work education and integral to the success of future practitioners. Innovative pedagogical models for teaching research have been proposed, including those based on experiential approaches. This exploratory study evaluated a research practicum (RP) model for social work students. The intended outcome of the study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive model for RP that encompasses experiential, cognitive, relational, and affective dimensions of learning. In total, 16 students and 14 instructors completed an online survey and open-ended questions about their experiences. Mentorship was identified as a key component facilitating student learning during the RP across cognitive, affective, behavioral, and relational dimensions. Mentoring provided students in this study with modeling, guidance, and scaffolding; offering a secure foundation for developing their research skills; and envisioning themselves as researchers. The findings suggest that a RP can provide students the setting in which to develop a broad range of skills and competencies in social work research.
Caring Schools and Educators a Solution to Disparities in Academic Performance: Learners of Colors Speak
Authors: Nganga Lydiah , Kambutu John , Han Keonghee Tao
Published: April 2019

Disparities in academic performance based on race in the United States are a persistent problem. As a result, a plethora of remedies such as using student-centered instructional strategies, de-tracking, ensuring low teacher–student ratios, and promoting high teacher expectations for all learners have been tried with limited success. Thus, this phenomenological qualitative study explored other possible solutions from the experiences and perspectives of students. Participants were 33 high school students of color.1 Data showed that the participating learners considered the use of culturally inclusive2 teaching practices and learning resources, implemented in caring schools by caring educators a viable solution to issues of poor academic performance among learners of color.
Effects and Changes on Voice After Rhinoplasty: A Long-Term Report
Authors: Guarro Giuseppe , Brunelli Francesco , Rasile Barbara , Alfano Carmine
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

Vocal changes after rhinoplasty have been poorly investigated, although this surgical procedure is nowadays one of the most requested. The production of voice largely depends on the anatomy and the size of the pyramid and the nasal cavity. The authors report 51 cases of both closed and open rhinoplasty and propose a 2-year report to analyze potential effective changes on voice.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty-one patients were enrolled and evaluated from September of 2012 to January of 2018. All patients were studied before and 2 years after surgery. Vocal changes were assessed with an objective and a subjective evaluation. The first one allowed to perform the measurement of the intensity and frequency of vowel sound (“a”) and nasal consonant sounds (“n” and “m”). For the subjective evaluation, our modified version of Voice Handicap Index Score allowed us to evaluate every single characteristic of the personal perception of voice.

Results:

The objective evaluation showed an increased frequency of production of the consonant sounds in 62% of cases and an increased frequency of production of the vowel sound in 68% of cases. The subjective evaluation allowed us to notice significant changes after surgery ( P = .044). No significant differences were noticed between closed and open approach.

Conclusion:

Reduction rhinoplasty technique proved to induce several alterations on vocal pattern. The surgeon should always inform patients about the potential effects on the voice, particularly when such changes may produce influences on the working life.
Anatomic femoral tunnel creation during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using curved dilator system
Authors: Lee Kee Byoung , Kwon Bong Cheol , Kim Joong Il , Lee Hyung-Min , Lee Joon Kyu
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

Recently, tunnel placements in anatomic positions have been emphasized for successful restoration of knee function after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The anteromedial portal technique is considered to be more favorable than the transtibial technique for anatomic femoral tunnel placements; however, it has some technical disadvantages. To minimize these disadvantages, the authors developed the curved dilator system (CDS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the femoral tunnel position, length, and intraoperative complications with CDS.

Methods:

Sixty-two consecutive patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with CDS were subjects of this study. The femoral tunnel was created using a 4.5 mm-diameter curved guide trocar and was widened in a step-by-step manner, increasing by 1 mm dilator diameter to match the graft with the knee flexed to slightly over 90°. Femoral tunnel positions were evaluated by the quadrant method from postoperative computed tomographic images. Femoral tunnel length was measured using the curved depth gauge during surgery. Complications such as posterior wall blowout and cartilage damage were checked intraoperatively. Peroneal nerve injury was observed during the hospital stay.

Results:

Femoral tunnel position was 32.7% ± 5.4% and 39.1% ± 5.9% in the superior-inferior and anterior-posterior positions, respectively. Femoral tunnel length was 39.2 ± 4.1 mm. Damage to medial femoral condyle cartilage, posterior wall blowout, and peroneal nerve injury did not occur in any case.

Conclusion:

ACL reconstruction with CDS resulted in anatomic positioning of the femoral tunnel and sufficient femoral tunnel length without intraoperative complications.
Epidemiology of Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Throwing Versus Contact Athletes of the National Collegiate Athletic Association: Analysis of the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 Seasons
Authors: Li Neill Y. , Goodman Avi D. , Lemme Nicholas J. , Owens Brett D.
Published: April 2019

Background:

The management and outcomes of elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries in throwing athletes have been well investigated. However, less is known regarding the management, severity, and outcomes of such injuries in contact athletes.

Purpose:

To compare the incidence, severity, and outcomes of elbow UCL injuries between throwing and contact athletes in collegiate sports.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Elbow UCL injuries were queried from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program between the seasons of 2009-2010 and 2013-2014 in 25 varsity sports. The rates and distribution of injuries by mechanism, participation restriction time, and outcomes (eg, season-ending injury, surgery) were examined. A severe injury was defined as loss of ≥21 days from participation, a season-ending injury, or requiring a surgical intervention. The injury frequency, incidence per 10,000 athlete-exposures (AEs), and injury proportion ratio comparing throwing and contact athletes were calculated with 95% CIs.

Results:

Over the course of 5 seasons, 109 UCL injuries were recorded, for an overall injury rate of 0.29 per 10,000 AEs. Of these injuries, 83 (76.1%) were a result of contact and 26 (23.9%) from throwing. Men’s wrestling (1.78 per 10,000 AEs) and men’s baseball (1.12 per 10,000 AEs) sustained the highest injury rates. A larger proportion of throwing (n = 8; 36.4%) compared with contact (n = –7; 9.1%) ( P < 0.01) injuries results in >21 days of time loss. Additionally, more throwing-related UCL injuries required surgery (n = 2; 11.1%) compared with contact-related injuries (n = 1; 1.3%) ( P < 0.01). As a result, throwing athletes demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of severe injuries than contact athletes (injury proportion ratio, 4.62 [95% CI, 1.72-12.40]).

Conclusion:

The evaluation of athletes in 25 collegiate varsity sports across 5 seasons found over 3 times more elbow UCL injuries in contact versus throwing athletes. However, the number of severe injuries in throwing athletes was significantly higher than in contact athletes. These findings demonstrate that although elbow UCL injuries are prone to occur in both contact and throwing athletes, their prevention, management, and outcomes must be framed on a sport-by-sport basis.
Pulmonary Function Testing in Pediatric Pneumonia Patients With Wheezing Younger Than 3 Years of Age
Authors: Chen Jichang , Liu Xin , Du Wei , Srivastava Ruma , Fu Jinjian , Zheng Min , Zhou Jin , McGrath Eric
Published: April 2019

Background. Wheezing symptoms are one of the risk factors in young pneumonia patients that often leads to asthma development. Infant pulmonary function test (iPFT) is potentially a useful tool to help identify and manage these high-risk pneumonia patients. Methods. To examine whether patients with wheezing symptoms are more likely to have poorer pulmonary function and treatment outcomes, and also to explore the clinical benefit of iPFT in young pneumonia patients, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 1005 pneumonia inpatients <3 years of age who had undergone iPFT testing in 2016 at Liuzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital in Guang-Xi, China. Results. We identified from the hospital database 505 pneumonia patients who presented with wheezing and 500 without wheezing. Univariate analysis showed that wheezing symptoms, viral infection, age <1 year, female gender, and prematurity were significantly associated with poorer iPFT results. After adjusting for confounders, patients with wheezing showed significantly poorer pulmonary function. Patients with wheezing had longer length of stay (7.9 ± 3.9 days vs 6.5 ± 2.6 days; P < .001) and lower percent with no residual clinical symptoms at discharge (58% vs 98%; P < .001) when compared with those of non-wheezing patients. In addition, 81% of patients with viral infection as compared with 43% of patients with nonviral infection presented with wheezing symptoms ( P < .001). Conclusion. Wheezing symptoms were associated with poorer iPFT measures and treatment outcomes for pneumonia inpatients <3 years of age. Patients with wheezing had poorer treatment outcomes. iPFT can be useful in assessing and monitoring young patients with high risk of developing asthma or chronic lung disease later in life.
For the Sake of the World: Stephen B. Bevans and Johannes C. Hoekendijk in Dialogue
Authors: Irvin Dale T.
Published: April 2019

In his 1998 article titled “God Inside Out: Toward a Missionary Theology of the Holy Spirit,” Stephen Bevans referred to Johannes Hoekendijk’s 1964 publication The Church Inside Out as his starting point. This article follows Bevans’s lead in exploring Hoekendijk’s legacy and contribution to theology and mission today. At key points I draw the connection of Hoekendijk’s thinking with that of Bevans, highlighting in the end the manner in which they both agree that the church itself is not of ultimate importance to God, but the world into which the Spirit still sends us in mission.
Visual Images of Mission as Propaganda: The Irish Church Missions in Nineteenth-Century Ireland
Authors: Cherry Jonathan
Published: April 2019

The Society for Irish Church Missions to Roman Catholics (ICM) in Ireland during the nineteenth century has been relatively neglected in discussions regarding the promotion of missionary organizations. Through an examination of six drawings commissioned by the ICM in the late 1850s and an accompanying guidebook, the imaginative geographies of mission in Ireland are explored. This investigation uncovers the missionaries’ attempts to convert Roman Catholics to Protestantism, the challenges faced, and accounts of their achievements. Through constructing particular imaginative geographies among the mission’s English supporters, the most significant British missionary society in nineteenth-century Ireland sustained itself through turbulent years.
Inferring gender and age of customers in shopping malls via indoor positioning data
Authors: Liu Yaxi , Cheng Dayu , Pei Tao , Shu Hua , Ge Xianhui , Ma Ting , Du Yunyan , Ou Yang , Wang Meng , Xu Lianming
Published: April 2019

Customer profiles that include gender and age information are important to businesses and can be used to promote sales and provide personalized services. This information is gathered in e-commerce by analyzing customer visit records in virtual web space. However, such practice is difficult in brick-and-mortar businesses because the data that can be utilized to infer customer profiles are limited in physical spaces. In this paper, we attempt to infer the gender and age of customers using indoor positioning data generated by the Wi-Fi engine. To achieve this, we first construct a synthesized features vector to distinguish different profiles. This vector contains both customer spatial–temporal mobility characteristics and interest preferences. A hidden Markov model group detection method is then applied to detect customers who shop together because they usually show the same shopping behavior and it is difficult to distinguish their profiles. Finally, a random forest inference model is proposed to infer profiles of customers who shop alone. The indoor positioning data collected in the Longhu Tianjie Plaza in Chongqing were used as a case study. The result shows that customer profiles are indeed inferable from indoor positioning data. The accuracy of the gender inference model reaches 73.9%, while that of the age inference model is 67.9%. This demonstrates the potential value of new “big data” for promoting precision marketing and customer management in brick-and-mortar businesses.
Analysis of finishing forces and surface finish during magnetorheological abrasive flow finishing of asymmetric workpieces
Authors: Jayant  , Jain V. K.
Published: April 2019

Magnetorheological abrasive flow finishing (MRAFF) is an advanced hybrid process for producing ultrafine finished surfaces. Such surfaces reduce frictional forces and thereby minimize wear and tear to increase functional lifetime of the components. In the present research work, a model has been developed for simulating the results of MRAFF process. First, magnetic field is simulated and then a detailed study on the rheology of the magnetorheological polishing (MRP) fluid is conducted to develop a viscosity model for the flow of non-Newtonian shear thinning fluid. To calculate the forces acting in the process of material removal, the flow of MRP fluid around an asymmetric workpiece (knee joint) in a spatially varying magnetic field is simulated. Finishing forces exerted by the abrasive particles on the workpiece surface are analysed to develop a model for predicting surface roughness. A methodology has been proposed to evolve a variable correction factor to determine active abrasive particles at different locations on the workpiece surface for accurate simulation of surface finish operation.

It is found that the magnetic field greatly influences the process performance by governing the viscosity of the MRP fluid and the distribution of the abrasive particles in the medium. During finishing of an asymmetric workpiece, the surface finish obtained at different locations on the workpiece surface is different. The developed model is capable to predict final surface finish within the acceptable accuracy when compared with the experimental results.
Proteomic evidence of specific IGKV1-8 association with cystic lung light chain deposition disease
Authors: Camus Mylène , Hirschi Sandrine , Prevot Grégoire , Chenard Marie-Pierre , Mal Hervé , Stern Marc , Reynaud-Gaubert Martine , Gilhodes Julia , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , Brousset Pierre , Colombat Magali
Published: April 2019

We previously reported a new form of light chain deposition disease (LCDD) presenting as diffuse cystic lung disorder that differs from the usual systemic form with respect to patient age, the male/female ratio, the involved organs, and the hematologic characteristics. We also demonstrated that the light chains were produced by an intrapulmonary B-cell clone and that this clone shared a stereotyped antigen receptor IGHV4-34/IGKV1. However, we only analyzed 3 patients. We conducted a retrospective study including lung tissue samples from 24 patients with pulmonary LCDD (pLCDD) matched with samples from 13 patients with pulmonary κ light chain amyloidosis (pAL amyloidosis) used as controls. Mass spectrometry–based proteomics identified immunoglobulin κ peptides as the main protein component of the tissue deposits in all patients. Interestingly, in pLCDD, IGKV1 was the most common κ family detected (86.4%), and IGKV1-8 was overrepresented compared with pAL amyloidosis (75% vs 11.1%, P = .0033). Furthermore, IGKV1-8 was predominantly associated with a diffuse cystic pattern (94%) in pLCDD. In conclusion, the high frequency of IGKV1-8 usage in cystic pLCDD constitutes an additional feature arguing for a specific entity distinct from the systemic form that preferentially uses IGKV4-1.
MicroRNA-155 controls vincristine sensitivity and predicts superior clinical outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Due Hanne , Schönherz Anna Amanda , Ryø Laura , Primo Maria Nascimento , Jespersen Ditte Starberg , Thomsen Emil Aagaard , Roug Anne Stidholt , Xiao Min , Tan Xiaohong , Pang Yuyang , Young Ken H. , Bøgsted Martin , Mikkelsen Jacob Giehm , Dybkær Karen
Published: April 2019

A major clinical challenge of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is that up to 40% of patients have refractory disease or relapse after initial response to therapy as a result of drug-specific molecular resistance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate microRNA (miRNA) involvement in vincristine resistance in DLBCL, which was pursued by functional in vitro analysis in DLBCL cell lines and by outcome analysis of patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). Differential miRNA expression analysis identified miR-155 as highly expressed in vincristine-sensitive DLBCL cell lines compared with resistant ones. Ectopic upregulation of miR-155 sensitized germinal-center B-cell-like (GCB)–DLBCL cell lines to vincristine, and consistently, reduction and knockout of miR-155 induced vincristine resistance, documenting that miR-155 functionally induces vincristine sensitivity. Target gene analysis identified miR-155 as inversely correlated with Wee1, supporting Wee1 as a target of miR-155 in DLBCL. Chemical inhibition of Wee1 sensitized GCB cells to vincristine, suggesting that miR-155 controls vincristine response through Wee1. Outcome analysis in clinical cohorts of DLBCL revealed that high miR-155 expression level was significantly associated with superior survival for R-CHOP-treated patients of the GCB subclass, independent of international prognostic index, challenging the commonly accepted perception of miR-155 as an oncomiR. However, miR-155 did not provide prognostic information when analyzing the entire DLBCL cohort or activated B-cell–like classified patients. In conclusion, we experimentally confirmed a direct link between high miR-155 expression and vincristine sensitivity in DLBCL and documented an improved clinical outcome of GCB-classified patients with high miR-155 expression level.
Sonographic follow-up after endoscopic carpal tunnel release for severe carpal tunnel syndrome: a one-year neuroanatomical prospective observational study
Authors: Li Miao , Jiang Jue , Zhou Qi , Zhang Chen
Published: April 2019

Background

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) has been gradually adopted for the treatment of severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, perioperative assessment of neuroanatomical parameters of median nerve, which are important determinant of median nerve recovery, has rarely been reported. This one-year prospective study aimed to investigate the natural history of the neuroanatomical morphology of the median nerve after ECTR in severe CTS patients by high-frequency ultrasonography and assess the ability of neuroanatomical measures to quantify morphological recovery of the median nerve after ECTR.

Methods

This study recruited 31 patients (44 wrists) with a definitive diagnosis of severe CTS and underwent ECTR operation. The edema length (EL) of median nerve from the inlet of the carpal tunnel to the proximal wrist was detected on long axis imaging plane and the anteroposterior diameter (D) and cross-sectional area (CSA) at the inlet of the carpal tunnel on short axis imaging plane were detected by high frequency ultrasound. All these metrics were detected at 3 days before surgery and at the 2nd week, 4th week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month after surgery separately.

Results

There was no significant difference of each parameter between the 2-week postoperative (1.914 ± 0.598 cm in EL, 0.258 ± 0.039 cm in D and 0.138 ± 0.015 cm2in CSA) and 3-days preoperative time points (P-EL =0.250;P-D = 0.125;P-CSA =0.712). From the fourth week to the third month after surgery, the parameters quickly improved. The EL (0.715 ± 0.209 cm), D (0.225 ± 0.017 cm) and CSA (0.117 ± 0.012 cm2) at the 3- month postoperative time points were more reduced than at the fourth week after surgery (P-EL < 0.001;P-D = 0.038;P-CSA =0.014). Thereafter, the neurological anatomy parameters recovered slowly. By the 12-month postoperative time points, the three parameters were neuroanatomically close to normal. Compared to the control group in D (0.213 ± 0.005 cm), there was no difference at the 12-month time point (0.214 ± 0.009 cm,P = 0.939). However, the difference in EL (0.098 ± 0.030 cm vs. 0.016 ± 0.011 cm) and CSA (0.103 ± 0.008 cm2vs. 0.073 ± 0.005 cm2) between patients and healthy volunteers at the 12-month time point still existed (P-EL < 0.001;P-CSA < 0.001).

Conclusions

Neuroanatomical parameters were gradually improved after ECTR surgery. The best time for US follow up is at 3-month postoperative time point for patients who do not show clinical improvement, since at this time the change is the greatest for most CTS patients. This study has been registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-ROC-17014068 (retrospectively registered 20-12-2017).
Immunologic Consequences of Sequencing Cancer Radiotherapy and Surgery
Authors: López Alfonso Juan Carlos , Poleszczuk Jan , Walker Rachel , Kim Sungjune , Pilon-Thomas Shari , Conejo-Garcia Jose J. , Soliman Hatem , Czerniecki Brian , Harrison Louis B. , Enderling Heiko
Published: April 2019

PURPOSE

Early-stage cancers are routinely treated with surgery followed by radiotherapy (SR). Radiotherapy before surgery (RS) has been widely ignored for some cancers. We evaluate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) with SR and RS for different cancer types and simulate the plausibility of RS- and SR-induced antitumor immunity contributing to outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed a SEER data set of early-stage cancers treated with SR or RS. OS and DFS were calculated for cancers with sufficient numbers for statistical power (cancers of lung and bronchus, esophagus, rectum, cervix uteri, corpus uteri, and breast). We simulated the immunologic consequences of SR, RS, and radiotherapy alone in a mathematical model of tumor-immune interactions.

RESULTS

RS improved OS for cancers with low 20-year survival rates (lung: hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; P = .046) and improved DFS for cancers with higher survival (breast: HR = 0.64; P < .001). For rectal cancer, with intermediate 20-year survival, RS improved both OS (HR = 0.89; P = .006) and DFS (HR = 0.86; P = .04). Model simulations suggested that RS could increase OS by eliminating cancer for a broader range of model parameters and radiotherapy-induced antitumor immunity compared with SR for selected parameter combinations. This could create an immune memory that may explain increased DFS after RS for certain cancers.

CONCLUSION

Study results suggest plausibility that radiation to the bulk of the tumor could induce a more robust immune response and better harness the synergy of radiotherapy and antitumor immunity than postsurgical radiation to the tumor bed. This exploratory study provides motivation for prospective evaluation of immune activation of RS versus SR in controlled clinical studies.
Treat-and-Release Emergency Department Utilization by Patients With Gynecologic Cancers
Authors: Albright Benjamin B. , Delgado Mucio K. , Latif Nawar A. , Giuntoli Robert L. , Ko Emily M. , Haggerty Ashley F.
Published: April 2019

PURPOSE:

Seventeen percent of patients with cancer visit the emergency department (ED) annually, often with nonemergent complaints. We sought to describe the burden of treat-and-release ED utilization by patients with gynecologic cancers and to identify opportunities for improved triage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients with gynecologic cancer diagnoses who were treated and released were identified within the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, a stratified sample of US hospital-based ED visits, from 2009 to 2013. Sample weights were applied to generate national estimates. Associations with visit charges were assessed with weighted multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS:

Between 2009 and 2013, there were an estimated 174,092 annual treat-and-release ED visits by patients with gynecologic cancer (95% CI, 163,480 to 184,703 visits), which corresponded to $736 million in annual charges with an average visit charge of $4,232 (95% CI, $4,099 to $4,366). Annual visits and total charges increased significantly over the 5 years under study. Visits were more frequent for patients with cervical cancer (44.1%) versus ovarian (27.8%) and uterine (24.6%) cancer. These patients were younger and more likely to be from low socioeconomic status areas. The most common primary diagnoses were similar across cancers, including abdominal pain (10.5%), chest pain (6.1%), and urinary tract infection (5.2%). The most frequent diagnostics were culture/smear, computed tomography scan, and x-ray, and the most frequent therapeutic procedures included wound care, transfusion, and paracentesis.

CONCLUSION:

Patients with gynecologic cancers, and cervical cancer in particular, are frequently seen in the ED with issues that could be less expensively managed in an outpatient clinic or urgent care setting. Visit frequency, but not per-visit cost, is increasing over time.
Joint angular excursions during cyclical behaviors differ between tetrapod feeding and locomotor systems
Authors: Granatosky Michael C. , McElroy Eric J. , Laird Myra F. , Iriarte-Diaz Jose , Reilly Stephen M. , Taylor Andrea B. , Ross Callum F.
Published: April 2019

Tetrapod musculoskeletal diversity is usually studied separately in feeding and locomotor systems. However, comparisons between these systems promise important insight into how natural selection deploys the same basic musculoskeletal toolkit—connective tissues, bones, nerves and skeletal muscle—to meet the differing performance criteria of feeding and locomotion. In this study, we compare average joint angular excursions during cyclic behaviors– chewing, walking and running–in a phylogenetic context to explore differences in the optimality criteria of these two systems. Across 111 tetrapod species, average limb-joint angular excursions during cyclic locomotion are greater and more evolutionarily labile than those of the jaw joint during cyclic chewing. We argue that these findings reflect fundamental functional dichotomies between tetrapod locomotor and feeding systems. Tetrapod chewing systems are optimized for precise application of force over a narrower, more controlled and predictable range of displacements, the principal aim being to fracture the substrate, the size and mechanical properties of which are controlled at ingestion and further reduced and homogenized (respectively) by the chewing process. In contrast, tetrapod limbed locomotor systems are optimized for fast and energetically efficient application of force over a wider and less predictable range of displacements, the principal aim being to move the organism at varying speeds relative to a substrate whose geometry and mechanical properties need not become more homogenous as locomotion proceeds. Hence, the evolution of tetrapod locomotor systems has been accompanied by an increasing diversity of limb-joint excursions, as tetrapods have expanded across a range of locomotor substrates and environments.
Game models for economic problems
Authors: Невежин Виктор , Nevezhin Victor , Богомолов Александр , Bogomolov Aleksandr
Published: April 2019

The tutorial examines the theoretical and practical aspects of game theory, which are included in such studied disciplines as “Game Theory”, “Elements of Game Theory”, “Game Theory and Strategic Behavior of Firms”, “Mathematical Methods and Models of Operations Research”, etc.
Examples and tasks for performing design work on topics are presented: solving matrix games in pure strategies; solving 2 × 2 matrix games in mixed strategies and modeling results; methods for solving m × n matrix games in mixed strategies; bimatrix games, games with nature, finding equilibrium and optimal strategies according to Nash and Pareto.
The topics considered are accompanied by a brief theory, the solution of typical examples, as well as tasks for independent work by students.
The theoretical and practical material set out in the textbook complies with the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard of Higher Education of the last generation in the areas of training 38.03.01 and 38.04.01.
The manual is intended for bachelors, masters and graduate students of economic specialties, university professors, researchers and specialists of analytical services
The Impact of Financial Covenants in Private Loan Contracts on Classification Shifting
Authors: Fan Yun , Thomas Wayne B. , Yu Xiaoou
Published: April 2019

This study examines whether firms with private loan contracts that contain debt covenants based on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) are more likely to misclassify core expenses as special items (i.e., classification shift). Misclassifying core expenses as income-decreasing special items allows the firm to increase EBITDA and thereby potentially avoid debt covenant violations. Consistent with our expectation, firms misclassify core expenses as special items when at least one EBITDA-related financial covenant is close to being violated. In addition, classification shifting is more prominent when financially distressed firms are close to violating at least one EBITDA-related covenant. Whereas prior research on classification shifting focuses primarily on equity market incentives (e.g., meeting analysts’ earnings forecasts), our study extends this research to private loan contracts to highlight that creditors also affect classification shifting. Classification shifting appears to be an additional earnings management technique used by managers to avoid debt covenant violations.

This paper was accepted by Shivaram Rajgopal, accounting.