bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Correlation of Two Cerebral Saturation Monitors With Jugular Bulb Oxygen Saturation in Children Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass for Congenital Heart Surgery
Authors: Naguib Aymen N. , Winch Peter D. , Sebastian Roby , Gomez Daniel , Guzman Luisa , Rice Julie , Tumin Dmitry , Galantowicz Mark , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: August 2016

Background:

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive monitoring technique that measures regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2).

Objectives:

The primary aim was to compare the output of 2 NIRS-based cerebral oximetry devices, FORESIGHT (CAS Medical Systems Inc, Branford, Connecticut) and INVOS (Covidien, Boulder, Colorado), to venous oxygen saturations from the jugular venous bulb at cannulation and decannulation of the superior vena cava (SVC). Secondary objectives included evaluating correlations of cerebral saturation, as measured by the NIRS devices, with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), measured by an invasive arterial line, and end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2).

Methods:

Near-infrared spectroscopy, MAP, and ETCO2 data were collected at 13 defined events during each case when hemodynamic instability was expected. At SVC cannulation and decannulation, a 0.1 mL sample of blood was collected from the jugular bulb by the surgeon using a long angiocatheter. The oxygen saturation of these blood samples was measured using an AVOX device and compared with contemporaneous readings from the NIRS probes. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to correlate MAP or ETCO2 with cerebral oxygen saturation (by NIRS) at each time point.

Results:

Children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart surgery (n = 34) were enrolled in the study. At SVC cannulation, both INVOS ( r = .78) and FORESIGHT ( r = .59) were correlated with AVOX data at P < .001, although the correlation with INVOS was significantly stronger ( P = .003). At SVC decannulation, INVOS ( r = .68; P < .001) and FORESIGHT ( r = .60; P < .001) were similarly correlated with jugular venous rSO2. Correlations of rSO2 (by NIRS) with MAP and ETCO2 levels were stronger than correlations between rSO2 change and change in MAP or ETCO2.

Conclusion:

INVOS correlated more strongly than FORESIGHT with the jugular bulb rSO2 at SVC cannulation but may have underestimated oxygen saturation at low rSO2 values. Data from both NIRS devices were correlated with MAP and ETCO2 over the case duration.
Relearn Faster and Retain Longer
Authors: Mazza Stéphanie , Gerbier Emilie , Gustin Marie-Paule , Kasikci Zumrut , Koenig Olivier , Toppino Thomas C. , Magnin Michel
Published: August 2016

Both repeated practice and sleep improve long-term retention of information. The assumed common mechanism underlying these effects is memory reactivation, either on-line and effortful or off-line and effortless. In the study reported here, we investigated whether sleep-dependent memory consolidation could help to save practice time during relearning. During two sessions occurring 12 hr apart, 40 participants practiced foreign vocabulary until they reached a perfect level of performance. Half of them learned in the morning and relearned in the evening of a single day. The other half learned in the evening of one day, slept, and then relearned in the morning of the next day. Their retention was assessed 1 week later and 6 months later. We found that interleaving sleep between learning sessions not only reduced the amount of practice needed by half but also ensured much better long-term retention. Sleeping after learning is definitely a good strategy, but sleeping between two learning sessions is a better strategy.
Ankle Fusion Combined With Calcaneal Sliding Osteotomy for Severe Arthritic Ball and Socket Ankle Deformity
Authors: Cho Byung-Ki , Park Kyoung-Jin , Choi Seung-Myung , Kang Sang-Woo , Lee Hyung-Ki
Published: August 2016

Background:

Although a ball and socket ankle deformity is usually congenital and asymptomatic, abnormal inversion and eversion mobility can result in recurrent ankle sprain and osteoarthritis. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of ankle fusion combined with calcaneal sliding osteotomy for severe arthritic ball and socket ankle deformity.

Methods:

Fourteen patients with severe arthritic ball and socket ankle deformity were followed for more than 3 years after operation. The clinical evaluation consisted of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and subjective satisfaction score. The period to fusion and union of osteotomy, the change of hindfoot alignment angle, and complications were evaluated radiologically.

Results:

AOFAS and FAAM scores were significantly improved from an average of 37.4 and 34.5 points to 74.6 and 78.5 points, respectively. VAS for pain with walking over 20 minutes was significantly improved from an average of 8.4 points to 1.9 points. The average satisfaction score of patients was 88.9 points. The difference in heel alignment angle (compared to contralateral side) was significantly improved from an average of 34.8 to 5.4 degrees. There were 2 cases of progressive arthritis in an adjacent joint and 1 case of failed fusion.

Conclusions:

Ankle fusion combined with calcaneal sliding osteotomy can be an effective operative option for ball and socket ankle deformity with advanced arthritis. In spite of increased complication rate, reliable pain relief, and restoration of gait ability through correcting hindfoot malalignment could improve the quality of life.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
One Scientist’s Struggle to Be a Better Writer, and a Plea for Undergraduate Science-Writing Engagement
Authors: Smith David Roy
Published: August 2016

In an age where we are saturated with online information, effective communication is more important than ever. Unfortunately, many scientists are ineffective, unskilled, and/or not interested at communicating their research to the general public. Moreover, at some universities, undergraduate science students do not receive adequate training in writing and outreach, thus perpetuating the problem. Here, I recount my own battle to become a better science writer and communicator and how I have tried to integrate public outreach and popular writing into my undergraduate teaching and research.
Severe palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia and aplasia in an adult undergoing re-induction treatment with high-dose cytarabine for acute myelogenous leukemia: a possible drug interaction between posaconazole and cytarabine
Authors: Alzghari Saeed K , Seago Susan E , Cable Christian T , Herrington Jon D
Published: August 2016

High-dose cytarabine is recommended for re-induction chemotherapy in patients less than 60 years of age with acute myelogenous leukemia. This case describes a patient receiving high-dose cytarabine for re-induction and subsequently developed tingling and numbness in her hands and feet followed by severe pain, swelling, and erythema consistent with a diagnosis of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia. Furthermore, the patient’s hemoglobin, platelets, and neutrophils did not recover after over 30 days post high-dose cytarabine. The patient was concurrently receiving posaconazole for fungal prophylaxis which was initiated after the induction therapy. We speculate that posaconazole may inhibit the cytarabine efflux through P-glycoprotein inhibition leading to the patient’s palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia and subsequent aplasia. Future pharmacokinetic studies need to be conducted to ascertain if posaconazole does influence the pharmacokinetics of cytarabine.
Party, ethnicity, or region? Determinants of informal political exchange in the parliament of Ghana
Authors: Osei Anja , Malang Thomas
Published: August 2016

This article analyzes the patterns of informal political exchange between Ghanaian parliamentarians. Whereas research on Western parliaments identifies the party dimension as the strongest predictor for explaining exchange patterns, we develop three possible theoretical explanations for non-Western legislatures. We try to explain informal political exchange by shared ideology (party), solidarity (ethnicity), or same material interests (region). We test our claims by a novel data set based on a survey with almost all members of the current Ghanaian legislature. We analyze the exchange network using exponential random graph models. Our results suggest that regional origin, as compared to party attachment and ethnicity, is the superior predictor for informal political exchange between parliamentarians.
Gendered political resources
Authors: Verge Tània , Claveria Sílvia
Published: August 2016

Party office is a crucial political resource for those seeking a political career. It provides advantageous access to the distribution of the patronage parties are entitled to in party government democracies. This article aims at measuring this comparative advantage while simultaneously investigating whether it benefits women and men equally in political recruitment processes. We concentrate on viable candidacy for parliamentary office, ministerial appointments, as well as post-ministerial offices in public and semi-public life that are also in the hands of political parties to distribute. Our cross-national analysis of advanced industrial democracies shows that men are much more likely than women to benefit from holding party office in their ascendant political careers, even when controlling for other political resources, sociodemographic factors and country-level variables. This suggests that party office is a gendered political resource and that gender power dynamics are deeply entrenched in political parties.
The interface between psychology and spirituality in palliative care
Authors: Rego Francisca , Nunes Rui
Published: August 2016

In palliative care, a biopsychosocial-spiritual model is essential to address the patient in totality. Spirituality is often a relevant issue in such settings, yet there is a need to differentiate spirituality from religion. Spirituality in palliative care focuses on the psychological and spiritual aspects of care, helping to relieve the physical, emotional, social and spiritual distresses of the patient, family members and healthcare professionals, produced in such conditions. Psychologists, according to their ethical responsibilities, may include the assessment of their patients’ spiritual needs in therapy, as it will help to identify the patients’ values, belief systems, spiritual history, distress and needs. All patients have different needs, some may need religious/spiritual guidance, in collaboration with spiritual care workers, and others may not demonstrate needs regarding these issues. The essential is that each patient is treated as a ‘whole’, addressing his physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.
The medicalization of obesity, bariatric surgery, and population health
Authors: Ortiz Selena E , Kawachi Ichiro , Boyce Angie M
Published: August 2016

This article examines how the medicalization of obesity validates the use of bariatric surgery to treat obesity in the United States and how expansions in access to bariatric surgery normalize surgical procedures as disease treatment and prevention tools. Building on this discussion, the article poses two questions for population health regarding health technology: (1) to what extent does bariatric surgery treat obesity in the United States while diverting attention away from the ultimate drivers of the epidemic and (2) to what extent does bariatric surgery improve outcomes for some groups in the US population while simultaneously generating disparities? We conduct a brief, historical analysis of the American Medical Association’s decision to reclassify obesity as a disease through internal documents, peer-reviewed expert reports, and major media coverage. We use medicalization theory to show how this decision by the American Medical Association channels increased focus on obesity into the realm of medical intervention, particularly bariatric surgery, and use this evidence to review research trends on bariatric surgery. We propose research questions that investigate the population health dimensions of bariatric surgery in the United States and note key areas of future research. Our objective is to generate a discourse that considers bariatric surgery beyond the medical realm to better understand how technological interventions might work collectively with population-level obesity prevention efforts and how, in turn, population health approaches may improve bariatric surgery outcomes.
War memory, national attachment and generational identity in Australia
Authors: West Brad , Aarons Haydn
Published: August 2016

In this article we use a module from the Australian Survey of Social Attitudes 2007 to analyse how particular events in history resonate with Australians. We emphasize three significant findings: (1) evidence of a strong level of attachment to the world wars and an equivalent significance given to the terrorist events of 9/11 and the 2002 Bali bombings, with far less importance given to other event types; (2) a surprisingly weak correlation between the experience of events in adolescence and the assigning of historical significance; (3) indication that both closeness to the nation and a strong sense of worldliness is important in explaining attachment to the past. Overall the data challenge recent theories of postmodern memory and a range of survey results that supports Mannheim’s cohort theory. Instead, we point to the resilience of historical events to remain culturally significant, particularly through the emergence of a cosmopolitan collective memory.
The mouse, the screen and the Holocaust witness: Interface aesthetics and moral response
Authors: Frosh Paul
Published: August 2016

How do the aesthetic attributes of digital interfaces affect users’ ability to respond morally to the witnessing of suffering? Focusing on mainstream Graphical User Interfaces (GUI), this article proposes a phenomenology of user experience centred on the moral obligations of attending to, engaging with and acting upon digitized Holocaust survivor testimonies. The GUI, it argues, produces a regimen of eye–hand–screen relations that oscillates between ‘operative’ and ‘hermeneutic’ modes of embodied attention, creating a default condition of bodily restlessness that threatens prolonged, empathetic encounters with depicted others. Nevertheless, interface attributes of real-time screen interaction, haptic sensuousness and user-indexicality enable moral engagement with the witness-survivor, while translating information-sharing into the moral action of co-witnessing. These attributes enable an ‘ethics of kinaesthetics’ that converts sensorimotor responsiveness into moral responsibility. Digital interfaces have established a historically novel situation, where moral response to distant suffering depends on the smallest movements of our fingers and eyes.
Thinking about relations: Strathern, Sahlins, and Locke on anthropological knowledge
Authors: Wilson Robert A.
Published: August 2016

John Locke is known within anthropology primarily for his empiricism, his views of natural laws, and his discussion of the state of nature and the social contract. Marilyn Strathern and Marshall Sahlins, however, have offered distinctive, novel, and broad reflections on the nature of anthropological knowledge that appeal explicitly to a lesser-known aspect of Locke’s work: his metaphysical views of relations. This paper examines their distinctive conclusions – Sahlins’ about cultural relativism, Strathern’s about relatives and kinship – both of which concern the objectivity of anthropological knowledge. Although Locke’s own views of relations have been neglected by historians of philosophy in the past, recent and ongoing philosophical discussions of Locke on relations create a productive trading zone between philosophy and anthropology on the objectivity of anthropological knowledge that goes beyond engagement with the particular claims made by Sahlins and Strathern.
‘I should have been a security consultant’: The Good Lives Model and residential burglars
Authors: Taylor Emmeline
Published: August 2016

Understanding of the potential ‘rewards’ that residential burglars gain through their offences has largely been confined to monetary return, thus overlooking the possibility that offenders obtain other ‘goods’ from their criminal activities. By illustrating how burglars could be attending to various lifestyle deficits through crime, the article reveals indicators for case management, rehabilitation and desistance. The Good Lives Model (GLM) is employed as a framework to explore the ‘primary human goods’ attained through residential burglary. The article concludes with suggestions to encourage desistance by challenging the authenticity of the goods burglars seek to fulfil or remedy through criminal behaviour.
Mobilizing Communities in Support of Teen Pregnancy Prevention: “Communitywide Initiatives” Findings
Authors: Saunders Edward J.
Published: August 2016

The U.S. Office of Adolescent Health and the Centers for Disease Control continue to promote a community mobilization model in support of teen pregnancy prevention in new grant initiatives. The most recent federal grant program—the “Communitywide Initiatives (2010-2015)” grant—promoted pregnancy prevention using three teams within the nine targeted communities to promote evidence-based sexuality education programs and enhanced access to contraceptive services among adolescents. The “lessons” reported in this article are compiled from three key informant interviews conducted with all project coordinators over the course of the 5 years (2010-2015) that this grant was implemented. Both successes and challenges to community mobilization in support of teen pregnancy prevention are presented and discussed.
Endovascular Stent-Grafting of the Ascending Aorta for Symptomatic Parietal Thrombus
Authors: Kahlberg Andrea , Montorfano Matteo , Cambiaghi Tommaso , Bertoglio Luca , Melissano Germano , Chiesa Roberto
Published: August 2016

Purpose: To present stent-graft treatment of parietal thrombus in the ascending aorta. Case Report: A 64-year-old man with no history of vascular disease developed a right cerebral hemisphere transient ischemic attack and was diagnosed with mural thrombosis of the ascending aorta involving the greater curvature just proximal to the origin of the innominate artery. He was treated for 2 months with anticoagulants, but new imaging studies showed significant increase in the size of the thrombus and an irregular aspect. The thrombus was excluded from the aortic blood flow by deployment of a custom-made stent-graft in the ascending aorta, with embolic protection of the right internal carotid artery. At 6 months, the patient was well, and the thrombus in the ascending aorta appears to be completely excluded by the stent-graft. Conclusion: In highly selected cases, custom-made thoracic stent-grafts may be used for stabilization and exclusion of symptomatic ascending aorta parietal thrombosis to prevent progression and recurrent embolization.
The Cultural Evolution of Talent Management
Authors: Swailes Stephen
Published: August 2016

Using the concept of memes as cultural transmitters and replicators, this article explores the origins of a talent meme and the subsequent evolution of talent management (TM). The sociogenesis of TM is traced through historic developments in management thinking. The rise of individualism in the late 20th century created the conditions for the birth of TM, and the proliferation of the meme since birth is analyzed. The meme reproduces through its psychological appeal and the logic of itself, and the article uses an established approach to reveal cultural rather than rational explanations for TM. Five reasons for the attractiveness, survival, and replication of the talent meme in business organizations are identified. They are salience with business conditions, lack of a competing meme, ambiguity, complexity reduction, and enhanced control over a powerful group. Understanding more about the psychological attractors attached to the talent meme forms part of an expanded research agenda.
The Performance Analysis of Diffusion LMS Algorithm in Sensor Networks Based on Quantized Data and Random Topology
Authors: Zhu Junlong , Zhang Mingchuan , Xu Changqiao , Guan Jianfeng , Zhang Hongke
Published: August 2016

We study the performance of diffusion LMS (Least-Mean-Square) algorithm for distributed parameter estimation problem over sensor networks with quantized data and random topology, where the data are quantized before transmission and the links are interrupted at random times. To achieve unbiased estimation of the unknown parameter, we add dither (small noise) to the sensor states before quantization. We first propose a diffusion LMS algorithm with quantized data and random link failures. We further analyze the stability and convergence of the proposed algorithm and derive the closed-form expressions of the MSD (Mean-Square Deviation) and EMSE (Excess Mean-Square Errors), which characterize the steady-state performance of the proposed algorithm. We show that the convergence of the proposed algorithm is independent of quantized data and random topology. Moreover, the analytical results reveal which factors influence the network performance, and we show that the effect of quantization is the main factor in performance degradation of the proposed algorithm. We finally provide computer simulation results that illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm and verify the results of the theoretical analysis.
Did I Tell You That? Ethical Issues Related to Using Computational Methods to Discover Non-Disclosed Patient Characteristics
Authors: Cato Kenrick D. , Bockting Walter , Larson Elaine
Published: August 2016

Widespread availability of electronic health records coupled with sophisticated statistical methods offer great potential for a variety of applications for health and disease surveillance, developing predictive models and advancing decision support for clinicians. However, use of “big data” mining and discovery techniques has also raised ethical issues such as how to balance privacy and autonomy with the wider public benefits of data sharing. Furthermore, electronic data are being increasingly used to identify individual characteristics, which can be useful for clinical prediction and management, but were not previously disclosed to a clinician. This process in computer parlance is called electronic phenotyping, and has a number of ethical implications. Using the Belmont Report’s principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice as a framework, we examined the ethical issues posed by electronic phenotyping. Ethical issues identified include the ability of the patient to consent for the use of their information, the ability to suppress pediatric information, ensuring that the potential benefits justify the risks of harm to patients, and acknowledging that the clinician’s biases or stereotypes, conscious or unintended, may become a factor in the therapeutic interaction. We illustrate these issues with two vignettes, using the person characteristic of gender minority status (i.e., transgender identity) and health history characteristic of substance abuse. Data mining has the potential to uncover patient characteristics previously obscured, which can provide clinicians with beneficial clinical information. Hence, ethical guidelines must be updated to ensure that electronic phenotyping supports the principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
Do N-of-1 Trials Need IRB Review?
Authors: Cen Ruiqi , Hussain Azad , Pak Kirk J. , Mitchell Geoffrey , Nikles Jane , Gaudreau Stephanie , Bazzano Lydia A. , Breault Joseph L.
Published: August 2016

There is no standard policy regarding the regulatory or institutional approval of N-of-1 trials in the United States. The objective of this study was to examine whether institutional review boards (IRBs) accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) consider N-of-1 trials as meeting the definition of human subjects research (45CFR46.102) and requiring IRB approval. A questionnaire was distributed via email to 170 AAHRPP-accredited IRBs in the United States. Responses were analyzed using statistical and qualitative methods. Nineteen of 59 respondents reported viewing N-of-1 trials as research. Twelve respondents reported having a policy regarding N-of-1 trials, and in all cases, such policies did not consider N-of-1 trials as meeting the definition of research. This topic deserves wider examination in the IRB literature and community to inform policies and guidance as N-of-1 trials become more common in the pursuit of personalized, precision medicine.
Endovascular treatment of aneurysms and platinum coil caliber: Study protocol of a randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Ghostine Jimmy , Khoury Naim , Cloutier Francis , Kotowski Marc , Gentric Jean-Christophe , Batista André L , Weill Alain , Roy Daniel , Darsaut Tim E , Raymond Jean
Published: August 2016

Background

Endovascular coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms is an effective treatment for the prevention of aneurysm rebleeding after subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is also often used in unruptured aneurysms, but it is associated with aneurysm remnants and recurrences in up to 20%–33% of patients. We hypothesized that better aneurysm occlusion rates can be achieved with coils of larger caliber.

Methods

The Does Embolization with Larger coils lead to better Treatment of Aneurysms (DELTA) trial is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. To test the hypothesis that 15-caliber coiling systems are superior to 10-caliber coils, 564 patients with aneurysms measuring 4–12 mm will be randomized 1:1 to embolization with either 10-caliber coils exclusively (control group) or the highest safely achievable proportion of 15-caliber coils (intervention group). The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial is the occurrence of a major recurrence or a residual aneurysm at one year. A pilot phase of 165 patients will be conducted to verify feasibility of the coiling strategy, compliance to treatment allocation, safety of a 15-caliber platinum coil embolization strategy, recruitment rates, and the capacity to improve packing density.

Discussion

The DELTA trial will test the hypothesis that the use of coils of larger caliber can improve angiographic results of endovascular coiling.
The Great Ones All Had Them
Authors: Adams Anthony Troy
Published: August 2016

Applied sociology has moved slowly in developing the next generation of applied sociologists. A mentoring program geared at shepherding may promote the field and help to retain the next generation of applied sociologists. First, I will list some of the great philosophers, sociologists, and agents of social change and their mentors. Second, I will describe sociologist George Herbert Mead’s social self and link that concept to the significance of storytelling. Third, I will provide a definition of mentoring and describe several types of mentoring models. Fourth, I will summarize results from empirical studies that demonstrate mentoring’s effectiveness. Finally, this address offers a call for action that we create mentoring opportunities, actively recruit new members, and retain current ones.
MRI of nasopharyngeal adenoid hypertrophy
Authors: Surov Alexey , Ryl Ina , Bartel-Friedrich Sylvia , Wienke Andreas , Kösling Sabrina
Published: August 2016

Nasopharyngeal adenoid hypertrophy (NAH) is a typical benign lesion. Due to involution, nasopharyngeal lymphatic tissue usually is not found in adults beyond the 30th to 40th year of life. However, occasionally NAH has been recognized after the 50th or 60th year. The aim of this study is to identify the frequency of NAH and to analyze its MRI findings in different age groups. From 2007 to 2011, 6693 MR investigations of the head were performed at our institution. MRI was obtained with a 1.5 T MRI device. NAH was identified in 18.0% of the patients. The frequency of NAH varied from 60.3% to 1.0% in the different age groups. The mean size of NAH was 23.2 ± 4.5 mm in cranio-caudal, 31.1 ± 5.2 mm in left-right, and 14.2 ± 4.1 mm in the anterior-posterior direction. The left-right and cranio-caudal sizes of NAH were largest in the 0–9 age group and decreased with age. On T1-w images most lesions (95.4%) were hypointense in comparison to the adjacent musculature. On T2-w fat-saturated images 82.4% of the lesions were hyperintense. After intravenous administration of contrast medium most lesions showed a slight enhancement (58.6%). Moderate enhancement was seen in 32.4% and a marked enhancement was identified in 9.0%. In the 0–9 age group most lesions showed a slight enhancement. Cysts within NAH were identified in 433 cases (35.9%). The frequency of cysts increased continuously with age, namely from 10.9% to 65.2%.
Feeling culture: The emotional experience of six early childhood educators while teaching in a cross-cultural context
Authors: Madrid Samara , Baldwin Nikki , Belbase Shashidhar
Published: August 2016

This research uncovers the emotional experience of six US early childhood educators during a 3-week teaching experience at two preschools in Kathmandu, Nepal. The following research questions guided the study and data analysis: What emotions do early childhood educators experience while teaching in a cross-cultural context? How were these emotions related to a Western discourse of teaching young children? Ethnographic methods of data collection consisted of formal and informal interviews, focus groups, weekly journals, group blog with written text and photographs, and participant observation by the lead researcher. Analysis of the themes uncovered the following: (1) a discourse of the Privileged Westerner and Marginalized Other was related to the emotions of excitement and nervousness about teaching/helping young children in Nepal, and (2) the emotion of frustration with the educational practices of the Nepali schools was related to a national love for their own Western educational ideals.
Wholesome homosexuality: Normative childhoods in same-sex family advertisements
Authors: Drew Christopher
Published: August 2016

Conducting a multimodal discourse analysis of 40 television advertisements featuring same-sex families across 10 countries between 2005 and 2015, this article examines the discourses of childhood that emerge within the advertisements. It argues that same-sex parented children are dominantly framed within mainstream advertising in ways that are normative in terms of gender and social class. The study shows how same-sex families, while increasingly visible in mainstream advertising, are often discursively constructed by television advertisements in ways that limit subject positions that family members can occupy if they are to be seen as an ideal family unit. The article discusses how exclusionary discourses of same-sex families have implications for social inclusion of such families into social ideals of familyhood, as well as for how children of same-sex parents can be anticipated through discourse prior to being materially encountered.
‘Tubeless’ nephrectomy: Routine omission of indwelling catheters and abdominal drains and impact on patient outcomes
Authors: Hughes Paul , Chandra Lizzie , Lunawat Rahul , Cartledge Jon
Published: August 2016

Objective:

Continued refinements to the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols can help improve patient care. This study details the experience and outcomes of a single surgeon’s practice over a two-year period for all laparoscopic renal surgery where omitting abdominal drains and indwelling catheters, ‘tubeless nephrectomy’, was the default.

Methodology:

A total of 178 consecutive unselected patients underwent laparoscopic renal surgery during a 22-month period. This included laparoscopic radical, partial, live donor and benign nephrectomy cases. Demographic details and data on length of stay, complications and the need for catheterisation post-operatively and use of abdominal drains were collected prospectively.

Results:

Of the patient group, 142 (80%) underwent entirely ‘tubeless’ procedures. Catheterisation (indwelling catheter (IDC) or clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC)) was required in 23 (13%) patients, 11 (6%) had a drain placed at operation and two had both. The median length of stay for tubeless procedures was one day (interquartile range (IQR) 1–2, range 1–22 days). This compared to a median length of stay of three days (IQR 1–6) for those with a catheter and two days (IQR 1.5–4.5) for those with a drain post-operatively. The difference between the median length of stay for tubeless and non-tubeless procedures was statistically significant ( p=0.001). The difference in frequency of complications between the tubeless group and those who received a drain or catheter was also significant ( p=0.003).

Conclusions:

This change in clinical practice is safe, effective and easy to implement. When incorporated into laparoscopic nephrectomy ERAS protocols, ‘tubeless’ surgery can have a significant benefit on length of stay and patient outcomes, without a detrimental impact on complication rates.
Does regional audit improve practice in the management of urological cancers?
Authors: Dyer JE , Hartley S , Thompson A
Published: August 2016

Objective:

The effect of a regional audit is underreported and uncertain. Across the North West of England we have conducted annual regional audits of urological cancer care for over 20 years.

Methods:

We reviewed the data from four complete audit cycles (prostate, testis, bladder and kidney) to ascertain the change in adherence to agreed guidelines. Adherence to guidelines was pooled across cancer types and the following domains. Preoperative investigation, planning and counselling Perioperative and intraoperative care Follow-up regimen and documentation Difference in adherence to guidelines was expressed as an absolute percentage change and statistical significance was determined using Fisher’s exact test.

Results:

Over the four complete audit cycles 3659 case notes were reviewed totalling 20,470 observations. The four separate audits generated 42 guidelines which were equally assessable between audit cycles (prostate (nine), testis (seven), bladder (18) and kidney (eight)). Overall, adherence to guidelines between the original and follow-up audit improved from 63.4% to 73.4% ( p < 0.05). Adherence improved across all cancers; however, this was not equal across all domains. Marked improvements were seen in preoperative investigation (+13%, p < 0.05), planning and counselling and follow-up and documentation (+12%, p < 0.05). A non-significant rise of 0.1% was seen in guidelines pertaining to intraoperative care ( p = 0.95).

Conclusions:

A regional audit has overseen and documented an improvement in practice in urological cancer within the region studied. Although the mechanisms leading to this are likely to be complex, we suggest that the audit process per se is likely to contribute to this improvement rather than merely document it.
Verbal Venting in the Social Web: Effects of Anonymity and Group Norms on Aggressive Language Use in Online Comments
Authors: Rösner Leonie , Krämer Nicole C.
Published: August 2016

Scholars often blame the occurrence of aggressive behavior in online discussions on the anonymity of the Internet; however, even on today’s less anonymous platforms, such as social networking sites, users write plenty of aggressive comments, which can elicit a whole wave of negative remarks. Drawing on the social identity and deindividuation effects (SIDE) model, this research conducts a laboratory experiment with a 2 (anonymity vs. no anonymity) × 2 (aggressive norm vs. non-aggressive norm) between-subjects design in order to disentangle the effects of anonymity, social group norms, and their interactions on aggressive language use in online comments. Results reveal that participants used more aggressive expressions in their comments when peer comments on a blog included aggressive wording (i.e., the social group norm was aggressive). Anonymity had no direct effect; however, we found a tendency that users’ conformity to an aggressive social norm of commenting is stronger in an anonymous environment.
Brief Online Focused Attention Meditation Training: Immediate Impact
Authors: Kemper Kathi J. , Rao Nisha
Published: August 2016

Background.

There is increasing interest in brief, online training in mind-body skills to improve resilience in health professionals.

Methods.

We analyzed data from an online training program in focused attention meditation. Resilience, relaxation, stress, positive and negative affect, and flourishing were measured before and after training using standardized scales.

Results.

The 379 participants included nurses (31%), physicians (21%), social workers and psychologists (10%), and others (38%). At baseline, participants reported high levels of stress (mean 16.7 compared with population norms of 12-14). Completing modules was associated with small but significant improvements in relaxation, resilience, stress, positive and negative affect, and flourishing ( P <. 01 for all)

Conclusion.

Online focused attention meditation training reaches diverse health professionals and is associated with improvements in relaxation, resilience, stress, affect, and flourishing. Additional research is warranted to compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of different amounts and types of mind-body training on clinician burnout and quality of care.
Expanded Understandings of the Connective Approach in Helping Students Construct Scientific Explanations
Authors: Goh Deborah
Published: August 2016

The connective approach is developed by Sir Peter Strawson, emeritus professor of philosophy at Oxford University, as an effective way to understand the fundamental structure of human thinking in the field of analytical philosophy. This article provides insights for extending the work of Strawson, Tay, and Tay et al. to education, in particular, how we can equip students with the requisite knowledge, skills, and dispositions for answering science questions. The connective approach uses three dimensions, namely, ontology, epistemology, and logic. The scaffolding strategy that we have developed, consisting of DINE (whereby “D” is describe, “IN” is interpret, “E” is evaluate), the logic dimension; Bite-Size Teaching, the epistemological dimension; and focal lesson, the ontological dimension, is an integrated network of connected concepts that enable students to construct arguments and explanations needed for phenomena at a higher level of complexity. This article also extends the use of the connective approach to learning in social constructivist classrooms.
Developmental Trajectories and Health Outcomes Among Emerging Adult Women and Men
Authors: Roberson Patricia N. E. , Norona Jerika C. , Zorotovich Jennifer , Dirnberger Zachary
Published: August 2016

With a recent sample of emerging adults, the present longitudinal study examines multiple role trajectories that emerging adult women and men in the United States tend to traverse between the ages of 18 and 25, thereby partially replicating and furthering the work of Amato et al. Furthermore, the present study examines the physical and mental health of emerging adults in various trajectories. Findings revealed three trajectories for emerging adult women, including (1) work and school to some family formation (56.2% of women), (2) school to family formation (11.5% of women), and (3) some school to early family formation (32.3% of women). Women who transitioned from (3) some school to early family formation were more psychologically distressed than those who transitioned from (1) work and school to some family formation. Women who transitioned from (3) some school to early family formation also experienced significant declines in physical health. For emerging adult men, findings revealed three trajectories, including (1) work and early family formation (9.4% of men), (2) school to family formation (32.1% of men), and (3) school to work (58.5% of men). Men in the (2) school to family formation trajectory experienced less psychological distress over time. These findings point to certain trajectories that might be particularly beneficial for emerging adults’ physical and psychological health.
Found Poetry
Authors: Patrick Lisa D.
Published: August 2016

This theoretical position article inquires into poetic methodologies in literacy research and argues for the inclusion of poetry in social science research writing. The unconventional use of poetry in research writing challenges the traditionally accepted role prose plays in academic writing. Research poetry is written from and about research subjects and data; more specifically, research found poetry is written from the words of study participants. I identify as a research poet. In particular, I am a writer of found poetry composed from my qualitative research data. The data presented in this article are from a larger study where I investigated what happened when prospective teachers wrote found poetry using young adult literature. I used the words of my study participants to write found data poems in order to analyze and represent data, seeking congruence across multiple forms of data analysis and representation. Crafting poetry from qualitative data holds implications for research methodologies. Research poetry provides academic poets with an alternative means for both analyzing and representing qualitative data. As well, research poetry may impact how scholarly texts are received by research audiences. Although research poetry holds promise for qualitative researchers, the inclusion of poetry in scholarly writing not without risk; the choice to include poetry is contested. Creating space for the poetic arts within the academy confronts conventionally accepted modes of research writing and provides access to the creative and imaginative discourse of poetry.
Safeguarding Bagan: Endeavours, Challenges and Strategies
Authors: Weise Kai
Published: August 2016

Bagan Archaeological Area and Monuments is a cultural landscape spreading over an area of over 100 km2 on a bend in the Ayeyarwady River in the central dry zone of Myanmar. The remains of over 2,500 monuments along with archaeological vestiges of ancient palaces, water management systems and fortifications are testimony to the highly evolved and significant Bagan period from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries CE. Exceptional architectural and artistic achievements are manifested in the exquisite ensembles of monuments with their intricate ornamentation and outstanding mural paintings. Till today, many of these Buddhist monuments are revered. The living traditions are manifested by the festivals, celebrations and rituals performed by the locals, pilgrims and the monks from the numerous monasteries.

In 1997, the World Heritage Committee referred the nomination of Bagan, which was followed by two decades of uncontrolled development. Since 2012, there have been renewed efforts to inscribe Bagan on the World Heritage List. This has, however, required detailed assessments of the present status of the heritage site and the establishment of an integrated management system. This article explains the threats the heritage site is facing and how these are being addressed through the ongoing preparation of the management system.
Can Our Future be Handmade?
Authors: Chatterjee Ashoke
Published: August 2016

This article explores dichotomies of India’s craft experience, reflecting the centrality of hand production, the Freedom Struggle under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, experiments in craft development in national planning once India was free and contrasting notions today about what represents modernity and progress. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay pioneered numerous institutions and approaches to empower artisans and ensure a lasting position for craft in India’s culture and economy. In recent times, there has been a retreat in understanding and support artisans and their culture, and skills are being interpreted as representing a primitive past, out of step with global power and influence. New attitudes are revealed in terms like ‘sunset industry’ being applied to the craft sector. A sense of crisis threatens the legacy of India’s craft pioneers and the achievements of another generation of activists. Meanwhile, industrially advanced societies are striving to recover their own craft heritage as a source of creativity indispensable to contemporary need. New approaches in the understanding of development also suggest the incredible value of India’s craft advantage. Several questions are raised, such as what is now at stake, and where can we go from here? Some are left unanswered for the reader to ponder over.
Hyperfibrinolysis increases blood–brain barrier permeability by a plasmin- and bradykinin-dependent mechanism
Authors: Marcos-Contreras Oscar A. , Martinez de Lizarrondo Sara , Bardou Isabelle , Orset Cyrille , Pruvost Mathilde , Anfray Antoine , Frigout Yvann , Hommet Yannick , Lebouvier Laurent , Montaner Joan , Vivien Denis , Gauberti Maxime
Published: August 2016

Key Points

Hydrodynamic transfection of plasmids encoding for plasminogen activators leads to a hyperfibrinolytic state in mice. Hyperfibrinolysis increases BBB permeability via a plasmin- and bradykinin-dependent mechanism.
Therapeutic interactions between mesenchymal stem cells for healing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Authors: Matsuura Yuri , Atsuta Ikiru , Ayukawa Yasunori , Yamaza Takayoshi , Kondo Ryosuke , Takahashi Akira , Ueda Nobuyuki , Oshiro Wakana , Tsukiyama Yoshihiro , Koyano Kiyoshi
Published: August 2016

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated from a variety of tissues, including bone marrow, adipose, and mucosa. MSCs have the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation. Reports have been published on the systemic administration of MSCs leading to functional improvements by engraftment and differentiation, thus providing a new strategy to regenerate damaged tissues. Recently, it has become clear that MSCs possess immunomodulatory properties and can therefore be used to treat diseases. However, the therapeutic effect mechanisms of MSCs are yet to be determined. Here, we investigated these mechanisms using a medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ)-like mouse model.

Methods

To generate MRONJ-like characteristics, mice received intravenous zoledronate and dexamethasone two times a week. At 1 week after intravenous injection, maxillary first molars were extracted, and at 1 week after tooth extraction, MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of the mice femurs and tibias. To compare “diseased MSCs” from MRONJ-like mice (d-MSCs) with “control MSCs” from untreated mice (c-MSCs), the isolated MSCs were analyzed by differentiation and colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assays and systemic transplantation of either d-MSCs or c-MSCs into MRONJ-like mice. Furthermore, we observed the exchange of cell contents among d-MSCs and c-MSCs during coculture with all combinations of each MSC type.

Results

d-MSCs were inferior to c-MSCs in differentiation and CFU-F assays. Moreover, the d-MSC-treated group did not show earlier healing in MRONJ-like mice. In cocultures with any combination, MSC pairs formed cell–cell contacts and exchanged cell contents. Interestingly, the exchange among c-MSCs and d-MSCs was more frequently observed than other pairs, and d-MSCs were distinguishable from c-MSCs.

Conclusions

The interaction of c-MSCs and d-MSCs, including exchange of cell contents, contributes to the treatment potential of d-MSCs. This cellular behavior might be one therapeutic mechanism used by MSCs for MRONJ.