bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infection prevention and control: Who is the judge, you or the guidelines?
Authors: Bouchoucha Stephane L , Moore Kathleen A
Published: December 2017

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and behaviours of registered nurses and their colleagues around the adoption of standard precautions in order to determine strategies to promote adherence.

Design:

A qualitative exploratory descriptive design used interviews and focus group to collect data.

Setting:

Registered nurses and registered midwifes from a tertiary metropolitan hospital took part in the study.

Participants:

A voluntary sample of 29 adults was recruited from the Australian nursing (n = 25) and midwifery (n = 4) workforce. There were six men (mean age = 36.83 years; SD = 8.93) and 23 women (mean age = 41.36 years; SD = 10.25). Participants were recruited through advertisement on notice boards and emails from unit managers.

Results:

Thematic analysis revealed five themes but the focus here is on staff judgements which are against the guidelines. Participants indicated that where in their judgement the patient posed no risk and they judged themselves skilled in the procedure, they were justified in deviating from the guidelines. Some staff judgements appeared to be self-protecting, while others were irrational and inconsistent.

Conclusions:

Despite use of standard precautions being mandated, staff often deviated from them based on their own assessment of the situation or the patient. Any deviance from the guidelines is of concern but especially so when staff take it upon themselves to apply their own criteria or judgements. These results also suggest there may be some organisational inadequacies with regards to training and supervision of staff.
Building information modeling in construction conflict management
Authors: Charehzehi Aref , Chai ChangSaar , Md Yusof Aminah , Chong Heap-Yih , Loo Siaw Chuing
Published: December 2017

Dispute is recognized as critical cause of deficiency and low performance in construction projects. Plenty of studies have been done in construction dispute management recently; however, there are no studies on construction dispute elimination. This study aims to propose a building information modeling (BIM) approach to control conflict causes before the occurrence of dispute. BIM is one of the latest platforms that promote a high level of collaboration, information sharing, and coordination where its implementation ranges from project initialization to completion stage. The circumstances associating with BIM technology can be utilized to explore the possibilities in conflict and dispute resolution system. Questionnaire surveys are used to collect the primary data. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi attribute utility technique (MAUT) are adopted to develop an algorithm and a decision-making framework to manage and resolve the potential conflict causes, particularly for the Malaysian construction industry. Data analysis emerged that five critical conflict factors in Malaysian construction industry are insufficient monitoring of CPM scheduling and updates requirements; failures to understand and correctly bid or price the works; delay in running bill payment; inadequate contractors’ management, supervision, and coordination; and error and omission in design that are originated from time, cost, quality, and documentation. Further analysis to prioritize BIM functions in construction conflict management has been done by the combination of AHP and MAUT results. Consequently, it is affirmed that clash detection and cost estimating, 4D scheduling, 3D visualization and structure analysis as BIM functions obtained the highest score to control conflicting factors.
Cytotoxicity assessment, inflammatory properties, and cellular uptake of Neutraplex lipid-based nanoparticles in THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages
Authors: Berger Eric , Breznan Dalibor , Stals Sandra , Jasinghe Viraj J , Gonçalves David , Girard Denis , Faucher Sylvie , Vincent Renaud , Thierry Alain R , Lavigne Carole
Published: December 2017

Current antiretroviral drugs used to prevent or treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection are not able to eliminate the virus within tissues or cells where HIV establishes reservoirs. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop targeted delivery systems to enhance drug concentrations in these viral sanctuary sites. Macrophages are key players in HIV infection and contribute significantly to the cellular reservoirs of HIV because the virus can survive for prolonged periods in these cells. In the present work, we investigated the potential of the lipid-based Neutraplex nanosystem to deliver anti-HIV therapeutics in human macrophages using the human monocyte/macrophage cell line THP-1. Neutraplex nanoparticles as well as cationic and anionic Neutraplex nanolipoplexes (Neutraplex/small interfering RNA) were prepared and characterized by dynamic light scattering. Neutraplex nanoparticles showed low cytotoxicity in CellTiter-Blue reduction and lactate dehydrogenase release assays and were not found to have pro-inflammatory effects. In addition, confocal studies showed that the Neutraplex nanoparticles and nanolipoplexes are rapidly internalized into THP-1 macrophages and that they can escape the late endosome/lysosome compartment allowing the delivery of small interfering RNAs in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, HIV replication was inhibited in the in vitro TZM-bl infectivity assay when small interfering RNAs targeting CXCR4 co-receptor was delivered by Neutraplex nanoparticles compared to a random small interfering RNA sequence. This study demonstrates that the Neutraplex nanosystem has potential for further development as a delivery strategy to efficiently and safely enhance the transport of therapeutic molecules into human monocyte-derived macrophages in the aim of targeting HIV-1 in this cellular reservoir.
Insulin Concentration in Vials Randomly Purchased in Pharmacies in the United States: Considerable Loss in the Cold Supply Chain
Authors: Carter Alan W. , Heinemann Lutz
Published: December 2017

The insulin content in vials/cartridges should be 95 U/ml upon release. No independent confirmation of insulin concentration is available when purchased in the pharmacy (end of the cold supply chain). We quantitatively measured intact insulin in randomly acquired multidose human insulin vials by standard analytical methods. Eighteen 10 ml vials from two manufacturers (M1 and M2) were randomly acquired. The intact insulin concentration ranged from 13.9 to 94.2 U/ml, mean 40.2 U/ml. No vial met the minimum standard of 95 U/ml. These results imply the cold supply chain impacts insulin concentrations to a larger extent than anticipated. Patients are paying high prices for insulin and should expect to receive insulin vials with adequate insulin content in return.
Capturing Relative Importance of Customer Satisfaction Drivers Using Bayesian Dominance Hierarchy
Authors: Duverger Philippe , Wang Xiaoyin
Published: December 2017

Customer satisfaction (CS) research traditionally focuses on large data sets collected over long periods of time across several business units. Business unit managers or property managers have a different focus in that they need to address dissatisfaction issues on a monthly basis and on a property basis. In search for zero defects, they are often confined to small samples lacking power where they cannot draw the relative importance of each variable responsible for the making of the overall perceived quality in their customer base. We propose to use a Bayesian approach to estimate the relative importance of predictors in the presence of small samples. Based on 12 consecutive months of CS survey data collected in a hotel, we show how the hotel manager can easily prioritize his or her quality management action plan on a monthly basis. The results of our study complement the current CS research methods while managing limited resources.
Neuroimaging findings in Pallister-Killian syndrome
Authors: Barkovich Emil Jernstedt , Lateef Tarannum Musvee , Whitehead Matthew T
Published: December 2017

Pallister-Killian syndrome (PKS) is a rare chromosomal duplication disorder caused by additional copies of the short arm of chromosome 12 (12p). Clinically PKS is characterized by craniofacial dysmorphism with neonatal frontotemporal alopecia, hypertelorism, and low-set ears as well as kyphoscoliosis, severe intellectual disability, epilepsy, and abnormal muscle tone. Comprehensive high-resolution brain MR findings of PKS in childhood have not been previously illustrated in the medical literature. We present detailed neuroimaging findings from a child with PKS and thoroughly review previously reported structural brain abnormalities in this patient population. MRI abnormalities common to PKS include cerebral volume loss, malformations of cortical development, corpus callosum dysgenesis, white matter disease, and craniofacial malformations. In our patient, new findings of perisylvian with occipital polymicrogyria, vermian dysplasia, brachium pontis signal abnormality, dural anomalies, and unilateral atlas assimilation were noted. Micrencephaly and cortical dysplasia provide a likely explanation for severe intellectual disability and epilepsy in this patient population.
Observation of the Ankara 16th Penal Court hearing of case against former co-leader of People’s democratic party (HDP) Figen Yuksekdag 4 July 2017
Authors: Jacobsen Maria Hessen
Published: December 2017

In July 2017, The Human Rights Committee of the Norwegian Bar Association conducted a trial observation in the trial of Mrs. Yuksdekdag, former co-leader of the HDP party in Turkey. The observer was together with 14 other international observers denied entrance to both the courtroom and the press conference in Ankara, and has given a detailed written statement on these accounts. The observation report summarizes the current situation of the Rule of Law in Turkey and the increasing international concerns, exemplified by the case against Mrs. Yuksekdag. The Human Rights Committee of the Norwegian Bar Association express deep concern regarding the independence of the Turkish Judiciary, the extensive use of emergency decrees, the seemingly arbitrary dismissal of thousands of public servants, along with the Turkish government's criminal persecution of amongst others human rights defenders, journalists, politicians, lawyers, prosecutors and judges.
Volume Completion Between Contour Fragments at Discrete Depths
Authors: Tse Peter Ulric
Published: December 2017

Building on the modal and amodal completion work of Kanizsa, Carman and Welch showed that binocular stereo viewing of two disparate images can give rise to a percept of 3D curved, nonclosed illusory contours and surfaces. Here, it is shown that binocular presentation can also give rise to the percept of closed curved surfaces or volumes that appear to vary smoothly across discrete depths in binocularly fused images, although in fact only two binocular disparities are discretely defined between corresponding contour elements of the inducing elements. Surfaces are filled in from one depth layer’s visible contours to another layer’s visible contours within virtual contours that are interpolated on the basis of good contour continuation between the visible portions of contour. These single depth contour segments are taken not to arise from surface edges, as in Kanizsa’s or Carman and Welch’s examples, but from segments of “rim” where the line of sight just grazes a surface that continues behind and beyond the rim smoothly. When there are two or more surface-propagating contour segments, the propagated surfaces can continue away from the inferred rim, merge, and then close behind the self-occluding visible surface into an everywhere differentiable closed surface or volume. Illusory surfaces can possess a depth and perceived surface curvature that is consistent with all visible contour segments, despite the absence of local disparity cues at interpolated 3D surface locations far from any visible contour. These demonstrations cannot be easily explained by existing models of visual processing. They place constraints on the surface and volume generation processes that construct our 3D world under normal viewing conditions.
The Peripheral Flicker Illusion
Authors: Ito Hiroyuki , Koizumi Tomomi
Published: December 2017

A new illusion is reported. A visual object suddenly appearing on a red background sometimes causes an impression of flicker or double flash. In Experiment 1, a red, green, or blue object was presented on a red, green, blue, or gray background. Participants evaluated the illusion strength in reference to the physical flicker of a gray object presented in central vision. The results show that the green or blue object presented on the red background caused the illusion. In Experiment 2, the effect of retinal eccentricity on the illusion was tested. The results showed that the illusion was weak in central vision but became stronger as the retinal eccentricity of the objects’ presentation increased. In Experiment 3, optimal luminance conditions for the illusion were explored with the green and blue objects. The illusion was strong when object luminance was lower than background luminance and the optimal luminance for the blue object was lower than that for the green object. We propose a tentative theory for the illusion and discuss its cause.
Methacrylated gelatin/hyaluronan-based hydrogels for soft tissue engineering
Authors: Kessler Lukas , Gehrke Sandra , Winnefeld Marc , Huber Birgit , Hoch Eva , Walter Torsten , Wyrwa Ralf , Schnabelrauch Matthias , Schmidt Malte , Kückelhaus Maximilian , Lehnhardt Marcus , Hirsch Tobias , Jacobsen Frank
Published: December 2017

In vitro–generated soft tissue could provide alternate therapies for soft tissue defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate methacrylated gelatin/hyaluronan as scaffolds for soft tissue engineering and their interaction with human adipose–derived stem cells (hASCs). ASCs were incorporated into methacrylated gelatin/hyaluronan hydrogels. The gels were photocrosslinked with a lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate photoinitiator and analyzed for cell viability and adipogenic differentiation of ASCs over a period of 30 days. Additionally, an angiogenesis assay was performed to assess their angiogenic potential. After 24 h, ASCs showed increased viability on composite hydrogels. These results were consistent over 21 days of culture. By induction of adipogenic differentiation, the mature adipocytes were observed after 7 days of culture, their number significantly increased until day 28 as well as expression of fatty acid binding protein 4 and adiponectin. Our scaffolds are promising as building blocks for adipose tissue engineering and allowed long viability, proliferation, and differentiation of ASCs.
Where is the ethic of care in early childhood summative assessment?
Authors: Archer Nathan
Published: December 2017

In 2015, the British government implemented a national Baseline Assessment policy for children at the start of their Reception Year (aged 4–5 years) in England. Adding further assessment to the national Early Years Foundation Stage, the Baseline policy was predicated on reform for improved school accountability, with a focus on measurement of both children’s outcomes and school readiness. This small-scale research study juxtaposes the dominant policy narrative that focuses on assessment for accountability, with the alternative lenses of relational pedagogy and care ethics. The study seeks to establish the extent to which an ethic of care is present or absent in policy texts and teacher talk on summative assessment in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through a critical discourse analysis of government policy texts and a thematic analysis of teachers’ dialogue from a focus group, three analytical themes were identified: accountability, quantification of children’s development and the perceived impact of Baseline Assessment. Furthermore, the study explores the possibility that care ethics, while missing from policy, are backgrounded rather than absent in participant teachers’ dialogue and classroom life. While acknowledging the limitations of a small focus group and the novelty of the Early Years Foundation Stage Baseline Assessment policy, this study argues for a reorientation of the current ‘accountability’ discussion to one which foregrounds more care-full relationships in assessment policy and practice. Such a contention has implications beyond the single country focus of this study and contributes to international debate on the importance of care in testing times.
Selective improvement of pulmonary arterial hypertension with a dual ETA/ETB receptors antagonist in the apolipoprotein E−/− model of PAH and atherosclerosis
Authors: Renshall Lewis , Arnold Nadine , West Laura , Braithwaite Adam , Pickworth Josephine , Walker Rachel , Alfaidi Mabruka , Chamberlain Janet , Casbolt Helen , Thompson A.A. Roger , Holt Cathy , Iglarz Marc , Francis Sheila , Lawrie Allan
Published: December 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is increasingly diagnosed in elderly patients who also have an increased risk of co‐morbid atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein E‐deficient (ApoE−/−) mice develop atherosclerosis with severe PAH when fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) and have increased levels of endothelin (ET)‐1. ET‐1 receptor antagonists (ERAs) are used for the treatment of PAH but less is known about whether ERAs are beneficial in atherosclerosis. We therefore examined whether treatment of HFD‐ApoE−/− mice with macitentan, a dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonist, would have any effect on both atherosclerosis and PAH. ApoE−/− mice were fed chow or HFD for eight weeks. After four weeks of HFD, mice were randomized to a four‐week treatment of macitentan by food (30 mg/kg/day dual ETA/ETB antagonist), or placebo groups. Echocardiography and closed‐chest right heart catheterization were used to determine PAH phenotype and serum samples were collected for cytokine analysis. Thoracic aortas were harvested to assess vascular reactivity using wire myography, and histological analyses were performed on the brachiocephalic artery and aortic root to assess atherosclerotic burden. Macitentan treatment of HFD‐fed ApoE−/− mice was associated with a beneficial effect on the PAH phenotype and led to an increase in endothelial‐dependent relaxation in thoracic aortae. Macitentan treatment was also associated with a significant reduction in interleukin 6 (IL‐6) concentration but there was no significant effect on atherosclerotic burden. Dual blockade of ETA/ETB receptors improves endothelial function and improves experimental PAH but had no significant effect on atherosclerosis.
The new frontiers of the targeted interventions in the pulmonary vasculature: precision and safety (2017 Grover Conference Series)
Authors: Brenner Jacob S. , Kiseleva Raisa Yu. , Glassman Patrick M. , Parhiz Hamideh , Greineder Colin F. , Hood Elizabeth D. , Shuvaev Vladimir V. , Muzykantov Vladimir R.
Published: December 2017

The pulmonary vasculature plays an important role in many lung pathologies, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, primary graft dysfunction of lung transplant, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Therapy for these diseases is quite limited, largely due to dose‐limiting side effects of numerous drugs that have been trialed or approved. High doses of drugs targeting the pulmonary vasculature are needed due to the lack of specific affinity of therapeutic compounds to the vasculature. To overcome this problem, the field of targeted drug delivery aims to target drugs to the pulmonary endothelial cells, especially those in pathological regions. The field uses a variety of drug delivery systems (DDSs), ranging from nano‐scale drug carriers, such as liposomes, to methods of conjugating drugs to affinity moieites, such as antibodies. These DDSs can deliver small molecule drugs, protein therapeutics, and imaging agents. Here we review targeted drug delivery to the pulmonary endothelium for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Cautionary notes are made of the risk–benefit ratio and safety—parameters one should keep in mind when developing a translational therapeutic.
Mechanisms of right heart disease in pulmonary hypertension (2017 Grover Conference Series)
Authors: Asosingh Kewal , Erzurum Serpil
Published: December 2017

Current dogma is that pathological hypertrophy of the right ventricle is a direct consequence of pulmonary vascular remodeling. However, progression of right ventricle dysfunction is not always lung‐dependent. Increased afterload caused by pulmonary vascular remodeling initiates the right ventricle hypertrophy, but determinants leading to adaptive or maladaptive hypertrophy and failure remain unknown. Ischemia in a hypertrophic right ventricle may directly contribute to right heart failure. Rapidly enlarging cardiomyocytes switch from aerobic to anaerobic energy generation resulting in cell growth under relatively hypoxic conditions. Cardiac muscle reacts to an increased afterload by over‐activation of the sympathetic system and uncoupling and downregulation of β‐adrenergic receptors. Recent studies suggest that β blocker therapy in PH is safe, well tolerated, and preserves right ventricle function and cardiac output by reducing right ventricular glycolysis. Fibrosis, an evolutionary conserved process in host defense and wound healing, is dysregulated in maladaptive cardiac tissue contributing directly to right ventricle failure. Despite several mechanisms having been suggested in right heart disease, the causes of maladaptive cardiac remodeling remain unknown and require further research.
Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor with osseous differentiation and stromal calcification: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Al-Maghrabi Haneen , Meliti Abdelrazak
Published: December 2017

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most common primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract accounting for 0.1%–3.0% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. The stomach is the most common site (60%) followed by the small bowel (30%–35%) particularly jejunum and ileum, colorectum (5%) and rarely affect esophagus and appendix. Most gastrointestinal stromal tumors arise sporadically, however, less commonly they develop in association with various clinical syndromes like Carney triad, Carney–Stratakis syndrome, familial gastrointestinal stromal tumor syndrome and neurofibromatosis type1 (NF1). We report a 65-year-old male patient presented with gastric mass (7.5 × 4.5 × 3.5 cm) arising from the posterior gastric wall. Histologic examination revealed neoplastic proliferation of spindled and epithelioid cells with focal plexiform pattern and low mitotic activity 3/50 HPF. No evidence of cytological atypia, abnormal mitosis or necrosis. Interestingly enough, there were focal areas of mature bone formation/osseous differentiation associated with calcification. The tumor cells were strongly positive for CD117, DOG1 with focal immunoreactivity against CD34. The morphologic features and the immunoprofile were diagnostic of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Herein, we present a rare case of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor with mature bone formation, osseous metaplasia and calcification. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case report of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor with osseous differentiation and mature bone formation.
Hybrid endovascular repair of aneurysmal right-sided aortic arch and Kommerell’s diverticulum using a two-vessel branched stent graft: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Hamady Mo , Sharma Paritosh M , Patel Radhika , Godfrey Anthony D , Bicknell Colin D
Published: December 2017

Right-sided aortic arches are rare, affecting approximately 0.1% of the population. They are a result of abnormal development of the primitive aortic arches and may present later in life with later life with aneurysmal expansion of the aberrant left subclavian artery ‘Kommerell’s diverticulum’. These can be challenging to treat effectively. We report a rare case presenting with mild dysphagia and right-sided aneurysmal aortic arch with aneurysmal aberrant left-sided. The patient underwent hybrid endovascular repair incorporating bilateral carotid–subclavian bypasses and dual-arch-branch endograft placement to the left and right common carotid arteries. Although endovascular approaches have been described, there are no reports of branched endografts in this scenario. Right-sided aneurysmal aortic arch and the aneurysmal aberrant left subclavian artery are rare and represent a significant therapeutic challenge. Endovascular repair in conjunction with extra-anatomical bypass utilising a custom-made branched thoracic endograft is feasible.
The Human Tissue Act: a guide for clinical researchers
Authors: Whitburn Jessica , Marsden Gemma , Sooriakumaran Prasanna
Published: December 2017

The Human Tissue Act 2004, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland set out a legal framework for regulating the storage and use of human tissue with the aim of restoring public confidence in medical research after the media fuelled storm of the 1990s relating to the use of human tissue for research. It consolidated previous legislation and created the Human Tissue Authority to regulate these activities. It was fully implemented on 1 September 2006. There are two main requirements of the Act: consent and licensing. This article will summarise this legislation with the aim of helping junior researchers understand the regulations and, in particular, which samples require consent and licensing.
Validation of the Paranormal Health Beliefs Scale for adults
Authors: Donizzetti Anna Rosa , Petrillo Giovanna
Published: December 2017

We present the validation study of the Paranormal Health Beliefs Scale adult version, aimed to measure illusory beliefs about health. The scale was administered to 643 participants (54.3% females), having an average age of 29.7 years (standard deviation = 18.31). The results of the analyses confirmed the dimensions of the Paranormal Health Beliefs Scale as developed in the previous adolescent study (Beliefs: Religious, Superstitious, in Extraordinary Events, Parapsychological, and Pseudo-scientific of a biomedical nature), as well as the convergent and discriminant validity through the correlation with other constructs (locus of control and self-efficacy). The results also showed significant differences between subgroups by gender and age. The Paranormal Health Beliefs Scale shows satisfactory psychometric properties and thus may be used effectively to identify the varied range of illusory beliefs related to health, even within the context of lifelong educational programs aimed at health promotion.
Environmental temperature and exercise modality independently impact central and muscle fatigue among people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Grover Geetika , Ploughman Michelle , Philpott Devin T , Kelly Liam P , Devasahayam Augustine J , Wadden Katie , Power Kevin E , Button Duane C
Published: December 2017

Background

Heat sensitivity and fatigue limit the ability of multiple sclerosis patients to participate in exercise.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal aerobic exercise parameters (environmental temperature and exercise modality) to limit exercise-induced central and muscle fatigue among people with multiple sclerosis.

Methods

Fourteen people with multiple sclerosis with varying levels of disability completed four randomized exercise sessions at 65% of the maximal volume of oxygen: body-weight supported treadmill cool (16°C), body-weight supported treadmill room (21°C), total-body recumbent stepper cool and total-body recumbent stepper room. Maximum voluntary contraction, electromyography, and evoked contractile properties were collected from the more affected plantar flexors along with subjective levels of fatigue, body temperature and perceived level of exertion.

Results

Exercise in cooler room temperature increased maximum voluntary contraction force ( p = 0.010) and stabilized body temperature ( p = 0.011) compared to standard room temperature. People with multiple sclerosis experienced greater peak twitch torque ( p = 0.047), shorter time to peak twitch ( p = 0.035) and a longer half relaxation time ( p = 0.046) after total-body recumbent stepper suggestive of less muscle fatigue.

Conclusion

Cooling the exercise environment limits the negative effects of central fatigue during aerobic exercise and using total-body recumbent stepper (work distributed among four limbs) rather than body-weight supported treadmill lessens muscular fatigue. Therapists can titrate these two variables to help people with multiple sclerosis achieve sufficient exercise workloads.
An ethical perspective for researchers using travel blog analysis as a method of data collection
Authors: Stainton Hayley , Iordanova Elitza
Published: December 2017

Social researchers have been required to consider the potential ethical implications of their research since research began. Recently however, the importance placed upon research ethics has undoubtedly increased, evident through the formation of additional ethic committees, the production of various ethical guidelines and the increased number of publications addressing the concept. However, with the emergence of new and diverse research approaches, it can be suggested that there should also be the development of new and diverse ethical approaches. In this article, we consider the ethical stance taken when undertaking travel blog analysis and argue that due to the diverse and continuously evolving nature of travel blogs, the blanket approach that is so frequently adopted by researchers is not sufficient. We reflect on the ethics of utilising travel blog content as a method of data collection by considering the importance of whether the blogger is viewed as a human subject, whether data collected from blogs are public or private, the need for informed consent and whether the blogger should be viewed as an author or a respondent. We then proceed to contribute to the body of existing ethical research by proposing a set of broad ethical principles that can be applied for those undertaking travel blog analysis.
Prisoners and their children: An innovative model of ‘whole family’ support
Authors: Clancy Anna , Maguire Mike
Published: December 2017

The article reports key findings from an evaluation of ‘Invisible Walls Wales’ (IWW), a multi-agency ‘through the gate’ project in HMP Parc, South Wales, based on an innovative model of ‘whole family’ support for prisoners, their children and partners. It provides an overview of previous research on the impact of parental imprisonment on children and families, including financial hardship, emotional stress and risks of ‘intergenerational offending’. It outlines the core elements of the IWW model and the substantial infrastructure of family support facilities in the prison on which it was built. It summarises outcomes of the project for fathers, partners and children, and gives examples of how IWW’s ‘whole family’ approach is influencing policy and practice elsewhere. Reoffending rates are not yet available, but are anticipated to be low. However, the key strength of the project, it is argued, lies in its emphasis on the ‘whole family’ as the main beneficiary, rather than focusing narrowly on rehabilitation of the father.
Innovation and criminal justice: Editorial introduction to the Special Issue on ‘Innovation’, December 2017
Authors: Graham Hannah
Published: December 2017

This Special Issue of the European Journal of Probation considers examples and influences of innovation within criminal justice and community contexts. It offers some timely and insightful contributions from different countries to broader discussions of innovation in this field, a multi-faceted topic that piques significant interest but has perhaps not yet received the level of sustained critical analytical engagement it warrants. This editorial introduction critically reflects on a series of questions and problematisations of innovation and criminal justice. Questions about the forms and functions (‘what’, ‘where’ and ‘how’) of innovation in criminal justice should not be divorced from questions about its architects and beneficiaries, including their intentions and ideologies (‘who’ and ‘why’). Following this, a brief overview of the Special Issue is provided. There is much more yet to be done, as well as celebrated in this area.
Analysing and Prioritizing the Antecedents of Customer Shopping Experience Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Modelling
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Singh Maninder
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study is to analyse and prioritize the antecedents of customer shopping experience to enhance the understanding of marketers about what their consumers really want. The construct of customer shopping experience in the consumer behaviour theory is a well acclaimed one and has been studied in several contexts with varied perspectives; however, the researchers seldom noticed any endeavour to prioritize the antecedents of the shopping experience from the experts’ viewpoint. The present study endeavours to utilize analytical hierarchy process (AHP) modelling to find the degree of importance that customers attach to different criteria of the three key precursors of shopping experience, that is, the store environment, the social environment and the purchase motives with their underlying sub-criteria. The results of the study evidently propagate social environment as the most important criterion followed by store environment and purchase motives. This ranking is not just an ordinary exposition of placing one before another, but it expounds that the consumer is much concerned about the environment while making a buying decision. The key sub-criterion of social environment is customer interaction, which means that the customer is more concerned about the social interactions that have the potential to influence their psychology when they shop with their family or peer group. These results have several interestingly explorable implications for both retailers as well as marketers.
Self and Identity of Being an Ideal Woman: An Exploratory Qualitative Study
Authors: Ranjitha G.P.  , Unnithan Anandakuttan B.
Published: December 2017

Gender roles and their stereotyped behaviour is influenced by various factors, both external and internal, during the course of an individual’s life. But, the identity of being an ideal woman is allegedly triggered by marketing. It seems to create an identity benchmark in the society and a pressure in women to comply with these identity standards. These efforts to adhere to the ideal woman benchmark is reflected in women’s consumption. But, what does it mean to be an ideal woman? To explore this, we conducted 20 interviews. The study identified that being an ideal woman is being beautiful and feminine, and to have stereotyped perfect bodies and behaviour. These seem to be driven by the expectations from men, which bring transitions in a woman’s public and private self. The study also discusses the implications to marketing and advertising.
Lower Limb Symmetry: Comparison of Muscular Power Between Dominant and Nondominant Legs in Healthy Young Adults Associated With Single-Leg-Dominant Sports
Authors: Vaisman Alex , Guiloff Rodrigo , Rojas Juan , Delgado Iris , Figueroa David , Calvo Rafael
Published: December 2017

Background:

Achieving a symmetrical power performance (difference <15%) between lower limbs is generally recommended during sports rehabilitation. However, athletes in single-leg-dominant sports, such as professional soccer players, could develop significant asymmetry between their dominant and nondominant legs, such that symmetry does not act as a viable comparison.

Purpose:

To (1) compare maximal muscular power between the dominant and nondominant legs in healthy young adults, (2) evaluate the effect of a single-leg-dominant sport activity performed at the professional level, and (3) propose a parameter of normality for maximal power difference in the lower limbs of this young adult population.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 78 healthy, male, young adults were divided into 2 groups according to sport activity level. Group 1 consisted of 51 nonathletes (mean ± SD age, 20.8 ± 1.5 years; weight, 71.9 ± 10.5 kg) who participated in less than 8 hours a week of recreational physical activity with nonspecific training; group 2 consisted of 27 single-leg-dominant professional soccer players (age, 18.4 ± 0.6 years; weight, 70.1 ± 7.5 kg) who specifically trained and competed at their particular activity 8 hours or more a week. For assessment of maximal leg power, both groups completed the single-leg squat jump test. Dominance was determined when participants completed 2 of 3 specific tests with the same extremity. Statistical analysis included the Student t test.

Results:

No statistical difference was found for maximal power between dominant and nondominant legs for nonathletes ( t = –1.01, P = .316) or single-leg-dominant professional soccer players ( t = –1.10, P = .281). A majority (95%) of participants studied showed a power difference of less than 15% between their lower extremities.

Conclusion:

Among young healthy adults, symmetrical power performance is expected between lower extremities independent of the existence of dominance and difference in sport activity level. A less than 15% difference in power seems to be a proper parameter to define symmetrical power performance assessed by vertical single-leg jump tests.
Mobile Web-Based Follow-up for Postoperative ACL Reconstruction: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Higgins James , Semple John , Murnaghan Lucas , Sharpe Sarah , Theodoropoulos John
Published: December 2017

Background:

The initial 6 weeks after surgery has been identified as an area for improvement in patient care. During this period, the persistence of symptoms that go unchecked can lead to unscheduled emergency room and clinic visits, calls to surgeons’ offices, and readmissions.

Purpose:

To analyze postoperative data from a previous study examining postoperative outcomes in 2 patient populations following breast reconstruction and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with use of a patient-centered mobile application. Here, the authors establish whether this method of follow-up can provide useful insight specific to the orthopaedic patient population, and they determine whether the mobile platform has the potential to modify their postoperative treatment. In addition, the authors examine its utility for orthopaedic physicians and patients.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Eligible patients undergoing ACL reconstruction from 2 surgeons were consecutively recruited to use a mobile smartphone application that allowed physicians to monitor their recovery at home. Data from 32 patients were collected via the application and analyzed to evaluate recovery trends during the first 6 postoperative weeks. Following completion of the study, patients and physicians were interviewed on their experience.

Results:

Data collected from each question in the mobile application provided insightful trends on daily real-time indicators of postoperative recovery. The application identified 1 patient who required in-person reassessment to rule out a possible infection, following surgeon review of an uploaded image. It was estimated that the majority of patients could have avoided follow-up at 2 and 6 weeks, owing to the application’s efficacy. Participants described their satisfaction with the device as excellent (43%), good (40%), fair (10%), and poor (7%), and 94% (n = 30) of patients reported that they would respond to questions using a similar application in the future. Both physicians rated their experience as positive and identified useful traits in the web portal.

Conclusion:

This system can accurately assess patient recovery; it has the potential to change how postoperative orthopaedic patients are followed, and it is well received by patients and physicians. Recognition of the study’s limitations and employment of user feedback to improve the current application are essential before a formal randomized controlled trial is conducted.
Trends in Shoulder Stabilization Techniques Used in the United States Based on a Large Private-Payer Database
Authors: Riff Andrew J. , Frank Rachel M. , Sumner Shelby , Friel Nicole , Bach Bernard R. , Verma Nikhil N. , Romeo Anthony A.
Published: December 2017

Background:

Arthroscopic stabilization is the most broadly used surgical procedure in the United States for management of recurrent shoulder instability. Latarjet coracoid transfer has been considered a salvage surgical procedure for failed arthroscopic repairs or cases of significant glenoid bone loss; however, with recent literature suggesting reduced risk of recurrent instability with Latarjet, several surgeons have advocated its broader utilization as a primary operation for treatment of shoulder instability.

Purpose:

To determine trends in shoulder stabilization techniques used in the United States.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of a publicly available national insurance database was performed to identify shoulder stabilization procedures performed over 9 years (2007-2015). The following Current Procedural Terminology codes were searched: 29806 (arthroscopic stabilization), 23455 (open capsulolabral repair), 23466 (open capsular shift), 23462 (Latarjet coracoid transfer), and 23460 (open anterior capsulorrhaphy with other bone block augmentation). Outcomes of interest included (1) trends in the use of each technique throughout the study interval, (2) age and sex distributions of patients undergoing each technique, and (3) regional predilections for the use of each technique.

Results:

Arthroscopic stabilization was the most broadly used shoulder stabilization procedure in the database (87%), followed by open Bankart (7%), Latarjet (3.2%), open capsular shift (2.6%), and alternative bone block procedure (0.8%). Throughout the study period, the incidence of arthroscopic stabilization and Latarjet increased (8% and 15% per year, respectively); the incidence of open capsular shift remained relatively constant; and the incidence of open Bankart decreased (9% per year). Arthroscopic stabilization, open Bankart, and Latarjet each had similar sex-based distributions (roughly 70% male), while open capsular shift and alternative bone block were relatively more common in females (54% and 50% male, respectively). The incidence of arthroscopic stabilization and Latarjet were greatest in the South and lowest in the Northeast.

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic stabilization remains the most commonly utilized stabilization technique in the United States. The use of the Latarjet procedure is steadily increasing and now rivals open Bankart stabilization among the most commonly used open stabilization techniques.
A Weight Estimation Strategy for Preterm and Full-Term Infants
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Susan M. , Paul Ian M. , Delmore Paula , James Laura , Fearn Laura , Atz Andrew , Poindexter Brenda , Al-Uzri Amira , Lewandowski Andrew , Harper Barrie , Smith P. Brian
Published: December 2017

Weight is the foremost marker of health outcomes in infants; however, the majority of community workers and health care providers in remote, resource-constrained settings have limited access to functional scales. This study develops and validates a simple weight estimation strategy for infants that addresses the limitations of current approaches. Circumferential and segmental anthropometric measures were evaluated for their relationship to infant weight and length. Data derived from 2097 US infants (n = 1681 for model development, n = 416 for validation). Statistical and practical considerations informed final measurement selection. Head circumference and chest circumference demonstrated the best correlations with weight ( r = 0.89) and length ( r = 0.94 and 0.93), and were among the most reproducible as reflected by intraclass correlation coefficients (>0.98). The head circumference and chest circumference combination offered better goodness-of-fit and smaller limits of agreement than did either measure alone. The final model predicted weight within 10% and 15% of actual for 84% and 94% of infants, respectively, with no bias for postnatal age ( P = .76), gestational age ( P = .10), and sex ( P = .25). The model requires simple summation to generate a weight estimate and can be embodied as a low-cost, paper-based device.
What Environmental Factors Contribute to the Development of Anxiety in Temperamentally Inhibited Children? Insight From Animal Research Models
Authors: Reeb-Sutherland Bethany C.
Published: December 2017

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent and costly mental disorders. A temperament style known as behavioral inhibition has been strongly linked to the later development of anxiety disorders. Behavioral inhibition appears early in toddlerhood and is characterized by extreme wariness in novel situations, particularly social situations. Although behavioral inhibition is relatively stable, not all behaviorally inhibited children develop an anxiety disorder. Environmental factors may contribute to the stability of behavioral inhibition, so identifying them can inform interventions to decrease the development of anxiety within this high-risk population. Scientific research using animal research models has identified both maternal and nonmaternal factors that may contribute to behavioral inhibition. High-quality maternal care, as well as exposure to new non–maternal care environments, particularly early in life, may buffer against the later development of anxiety in behaviorally inhibited children. Here, parallels are drawn between scientific literature from both animals and humans. Policy implications are briefly discussed.
How Intimate Relationships Contribute to Gender Inequality: Sexist Attitudes Encourage Women to Trade Off Career Success for Relationship Security
Authors: Overall Nickola C. , Hammond Matthew D.
Published: December 2017

One reason gender inequality persists is because core needs in intimate relationships foster sexist attitudes. Benevolent sexism reveres women’s traditional caregiving roles and prescribes that men should cherish, protect, and provide for women. Benevolent sexism is appealing to both men and women because it promotes a gender role structure that promises intimacy and security within heterosexual relationships. However, benevolent sexism offers women relationship security at the expense of their career aspirations and accomplishments. The fundamental relationship motives that underpin this relationship-career trade-off for women present countervailing forces to policies designed to mitigate gender inequality. Thus, effective interventions must attend to the relationship processes that restrict women’s careers by valuing both career and relationship needs, promoting equity in career support and caregiving within intimate relationships, and providing early education to foster career and relationship goals that ensure both women and men thrive in both domains.