bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Cold/Liquid Diet vs Regular Diet on Posttonsillectomy Pain and Bleeding
Authors: Faramarzi Mohammad , Safari Sima , Roosta Sareh
Published: July 2018

Objective

Tonsillectomy is a common operation; however, there are controversial opinions regarding the posttonsillectomy diet. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cold/liquid diet vs regular diet on posttonsillectomy pain and bleeding.

Study Design

Prospective randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods

In total, 194 children who underwent tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) were randomly allocated into 2 groups. A total of 100 patients were allocated in the cold/liquid diet, and 94 patients were allocated in the regular diet group. Pain score was recorded for the first 7 days, and rate of hemorrhage was recorded for 10 days after surgery.

Results

The participants’ age range was 3 to 17 years. The mean pain score level in the regular diet group after breakfast, lunch, and dinner was not statistically significant in comparison with the cold/liquid diet group. One patient in the regular diet group was admitted to the hospital due to secondary bleeding, but it stopped without any intervention.

Conclusion

Most otolaryngologists believe in dietary restrictions following tonsillectomy. However, there is much controversy regarding posttonsillectomy dietary advice in the literature. In addition, only a few randomized clinical trials have focused on this subject. We found that there was no difference between regular diet and cold/liquid diet in terms of posttonsillectomy pain and bleeding. Hence, we do not recommend a limited posttonsillectomy diet.
Cerebral monitoring of anaesthesia on reducing cognitive dysfunction and postoperative delirium: a systematic review
Authors: Luo Chunmei , Zou Weiwu
Published: July 2018

Objective

To assess the efficacy of cerebrally monitoring the depth of anaesthesia in reducing postoperative cognitive dysfunction and postoperative delirium (POD).

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched following PRISMA statement guidelines. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing electroencephalogram-based and routine care-guided titration of anaesthesia in a systematic review. The risk estimate from each RCT was pooled in a meta-analysis. The primary outcome was POD and long-term cognitive dysfunction. Subgroup analyses were conducted for the subtypes of intervention group and surgery. We identified five RCTs with a total sample size of 2,868 and with bispectral index (BIS) or auditory evoked potential (AEP) as interventions.

Results

The odds ratio (OR) for POD and long-term cognitive decline was 0.51 (95%CI: 0.35–0.76) and 0.69 (95%CI: 0.49–0.97), respectively. Significant heterogeneity was identified in the POD data. There was no significant difference between BIS- and AEP-based titration of anaesthesia in reducing the risk of POD. Extensive heterogeneity for cardiac and thoracic surgery was identified in the study population, and significant publication bias was found among the POD results.

Conclusions

BIS- and AEP-guided anaesthesia are associated with significantly reduced risk of POD and long-term cognitive dysfunction.
Integrated Incident Decision-Support using Traffic Simulation and Data-Driven Models
Authors: Wen Tao , Mihăiţă Adriana-Simona , Nguyen Hoang , Cai Chen , Chen Fang
Published: July 2018

This paper introduces the framework of an innovative incident management platform with the main objective of providing decision-support and situation awareness for transport management purposes on a real-time basis. The logic of the platform is to detect and then classify incidents into two types: recurrent and non-recurrent, based on their frequency and characteristics. Under this logic, recurrent incidents trigger the data-driven machine learning module which can predict and analyze the incident impact, in order to facilitate informed decisions for transport management operators. Non-recurrent incidents activate the simulation module, which then evaluates quantitatively the performance of candidate response plans in parallel. The simulation output is used for choosing the most appropriate response plan for incident management. The current platform uses a data processing module to integrate complementary data sets, for the purpose of improving modeling outputs. Two real-world case studies are presented: 1) for recurrent incident management using a data-driven model, and 2) for non-recurrent incident management using traffic simulation with parallel scenario evaluation. The case studies demonstrate the viability of the proposed incident management framework, which provides an integrated approach for real-time incident decision-support on large-scale networks.
Altered chemical evolution in landfill leachate post implementation of biodegradable waste diversion
Authors: Warwick SJ , Durany-Fernandez P , Sapsford DJ , Cleall PJ , Harbottle MJ
Published: July 2018

Within the UK implementation of the European Union Landfill Directive (1999) has led to the diversion of biodegradable waste (BW) from municipal solid wastes away from landfills. It has been widely anticipated, but thus far not verified, that the diversion of BW and consequent reduction in BW reaching landfill would lead to a change in the degradation processes occurring within landfills and that this would be reflected in an altered evolution in leachate chemistry compared to pre-Directive landfills. This paper provides evidence based on leachate chemistry from two operational landfills together with calculations of the reduced BW content, that demonstrate the acetogenic phase that characterised pre-Directive landfill leachates is missing and is now more typical of methanogenic phase leachate. The paper demonstrates how data from national datasets and detailed landfill records can be used to constrain likely and upper estimates of the amount of BW going into post-Directive landfills, and the observed change in the evolution of leachate chemistry which has resulted from a decrease in BW content from typical values of BW (pre-Landfill Directive) of 22% to an inferred 12% in the case-study landfills. Data provided here add to the growing literature that estimates the amount of BW in recent post-Directive landfills which importantly allow the quantitative linkage between a decrease in landfilled BW and observed changes in leachate chemistry to be established such that future landfill operators can increase confidence in the effect of Directive implementation on landfill operational parameters.
Challenging the Odds: Incumbency Disadvantage, Local Ties, and Electoral Performance in Hungary, 1994–2010
Authors: Papp Zsófia
Published: July 2018

Most empirical studies of the effect of incumbency conclude that being a defender of the seat is an advantage and that newcomers and challengers alike have increasingly lower probabilities of winning. Yet, the majority of these studies in Eastern Europe have been based on tumultuous political environments in which electoral rules change frequently. A test of the theory of how candidate traits such as legislative and local political experience increase incumbents’ electoral performance has not been done in an environment in which the electoral rules are stable. Furthermore, these studies are based in proportional representation (PR) systems, which amplify the role of the party leadership in determining candidate fate through candidate rankings. I examine Hungary’s mixed-member system using candidate-level panel data that covers Hungarian national elections from 1994 to 2010, and contains basic information on all candidates running in SMDs. I find that Hungarian SMD incumbents perform worse at the elections than their challengers. However, in the long run, legislative experience in SMDs neutralizes this effect. Additionally, local politicians, such as mayors, manage to increase their vote share at national elections.
Identity in an Autocratic State: Or What Belarusians Talk about When They Talk about National Identity
Authors: Rohava Maryia
Published: July 2018

How does the role of ordinary citizens change in the interpretation and production of national identity under an authoritarian political system? Exploring the discursive role of authoritarian political stability on perceptions of national identity, this study examines how categories of “national” are appropriated and internalized in identity talks among Belarusians. It offers a bottom–up perspective on national identification, drawing on analysis of six focus group discussions with Belarusian citizens. The main objective was to observe everyday language and how people construct symbolic significance for certain practices as “national” and what are the meanings invested in replicating and re-enacting different identity markers, given the contingencies of everyday life in an authoritarian political context. I evaluate cross-group and intergroup discursive variations in responses and repertoires of volunteer participants in terms of agreement and disagreement. Public conformity with regime ideational practices does not appear to equate with political allegiance to the current regime. Even when identity repertoires echo the identity discourses of official state ideology, people attach their own meanings and interpretations to these identity markers. However, I find that the authoritarian context affects how identity repertoires are enacted and talked about. Integrating performative aspects of identity talks into the analysis, I note how participants consciously reflect on the sensitivity of political topics, and prioritize politically neutral narratives.
Participant Satisfaction and Perceptions About Program Impact in the Medicaid Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Disease Pilot Program
Authors: Treiman Katherine A. , Teixeira-Poit Stephanie , Li Lei , Tardif-Douglin Mariam , Gaines Jean , Hoerger Thomas
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

Evaluate the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases (MIPCD) program in terms of participant satisfaction and self-reported program impact.

Design:

Participant survey (mail/telephone follow-up), English and Spanish (N = 2274).

Settings:

Ten states in MIPCD program.

Participants:

Medicaid beneficiaries.

Intervention:

Incentive-based health promotion programs targeting diabetes prevention and management, smoking cessation, and weight, hypertension, and cholesterol management.

Measures:

Dependent measures are (1) overall program satisfaction and (2) self-reported program impact, operationalized as whether program helped with understanding health issues, learning ways to take care of health, and encouraging healthy lifestyle changes.

Analysis:

Multilevel multivariable ordinal logistic regression models to identify predictors of overall program satisfaction and program impact.

Results:

Sixty-seven percent were very satisfied with the program, and 76% strongly agreed the program encouraged healthy lifestyle changes. Age (59+ vs <45 years) and being female predicted overall program satisfaction. Satisfaction with specific aspects of the program including communication with staff, accessibility, and incentives predicted higher overall satisfaction. Age (45-52 vs <45 years) and being black or Hispanic predicted higher program impact. Points redeemable for rewards performed worse than money-valued incentives in terms of encouraging lifestyle changes (odds ratio [OR], 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.82). Participants receiving incentives valued at $25 to <$100 were more likely to report higher agreement that the program helped them learn ways to care for their health (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.21-2.44) and encouraged lifestyle changes (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.02-2.10), compared to participants receiving incentives valued at $0 to <$25. Incentives valued at $100 to <$400 predicted higher agreement that the program helped with understanding of health issues (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.13-2.33), compared to incentives valued at $0 to <$25.

Conclusion:

Effective chronic disease prevention programs are needed for Medicaid populations. Study findings highlight important considerations for incentive-based programs.
The Making of a Human Rights Issue: A Cross-National Analysis of Gender-Based Violence in Textbooks, 1950-2011
Authors: Russell S. Garnett , Lerch Julia C. , Wotipka Christine Min
Published: July 2018

In the past few decades, awareness around gender-based violence (GBV) has expanded on a global scale with increased attention in global treaties, organizations, and conferences. Previously a taboo topic, it is now viewed as a human rights violation in the broader world culture. Drawing on a quantitative analysis of 568 textbooks from 76 countries from across the world, we examine the extent to which this growing global attention to GBV has filtered down into national educational curricula. We find that textbook discussions of GBV are more prevalent in the post-1993 period and are linked to discussions of women’s rights. In addition, discussions of GBV are more common in countries with more linkages to the global women’s movement. Findings from our study underscore the influence of the women’s rights movement and the radical feminist perspective on the reframing of GBV as a human rights issue.
Characterization of sodium hydroxide-treated kenaf fibres for biodegradable composite application
Authors: Hassan Aziz , Isa MR Mohd , Ishak ZA Mohd , Ishak NA , Rahman Normasmira A , Salleh Fauzani Md
Published: July 2018

Natural fibres have shown immense potential as reinforcement for composites in the place of conventional fibres. Natural fibres are lightweight, cheap and environmentally friendly. However, it is already established that natural fibres have poor interaction with polymers due to its hydrophilic nature, resulting in poor interfacial adhesion, which is detrimental to the properties of the composite. Chemical surface treatment has been done to improve the interfacial adhesion. Various concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and soaking times were employed, and the treated fibres were then characterized using thermogravimetric analyser, X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Single-fibre tensile tests were done on selected samples. The surface of the fibre was analysed with field-emission scanning electron microscope to study the surface morphology of the treated and untreated fibres. Generally, the treated fibres have higher thermal stability compared to untreated fibres. However, no significant trend was observed as a result of varying NaOH concentration and soak time. It was also observed that kenaf fibres treated with 4% (w/v) NaOH for 5 h exhibited the highest tensile modulus and tensile strength compared to other treated fibres. Impact properties of composites prepared from untreated and NaOH-treated kenaf were tested to confirm the finding, and it was determined that the treated kenaf composites have superior impact properties to its untreated counterpart.
Computer-aided design–based guided endodontic: A novel approach for root canal access cavity preparation
Authors: Nayak Ankit , Jain Prashant K , Kankar PK , Jain Niharika
Published: July 2018

In cases of teeth with unusual morphology like calcified pulp canal, guided endodontic treatment is suggested. An endodontic guide which navigates burs according to a preplanned path is used. Existing approaches of endodontic guide design are based on visual observation and analysis of tomographic scan of teeth. Hence, they are time-consuming and expert-dependent. Computer-aided design–based methodology was employed to design and fabricate a customized endodontic guide. A cone beam computed tomographic scan with MIMICS software was used to create a solid model of the teeth. The solid model generated was sliced through the developed program in MATLAB. The geometric centers of consecutive slices were joined to plot the root canals central axis. To gauge the optimum bur angulation for guide design, a straight line fitted in the data set of the geometric center helped create minimally invasive access. Methodology involved simulated verification of the drill path to judge the accuracy and feasibility of root canal access cavity preparation. Next, endodontic guides for extracted teeth were designed and fabricated using a three-dimensional printer, followed by guided root canal access cavity preparation for extracted teeth. To validate the proposed methodology, using a MATLAB image processing tool box, the deviation between the prepared root canal access cavity axis and root canal axis was analyzed in radiographs of post-treated teeth. The deviation between the tool path axis and root canal axis in simulated root canals was found to be not more than 0.210 ± 0.04 mm. The deviation between the axis of the planned root canal access cavity and the prepared root canal access cavity was 0.07 ± 0.02 mm. The proposed method reveals encouraging results for endodontic guide design.
Moderating Role of Job Autonomy and Supervisor Support in Trait Emotional Intelligence and Employee Creativity Relationship
Authors: Jafri Md. Hassan
Published: July 2018

This study examined the relationship between trait-based emotional intelligence and employee creativity. Drawing from the trait activation theory (TAT), the current study also examined job autonomy and supervisor support as interactive effects on emotional intelligence—employee creativity relationship. The study was conducted on 233 employees working at different positions, in two financial sector organizations. Using random sampling approach, data were taken on standard questionnaire from employees of the organizations of the study. Correlations and regression analyses revealed that the trait-based emotional intelligence has positive and significant influence on employee creativity. Moderated regression analysis showed that both job autonomy and supervisor support strengthened the emotional intelligence—employee creativity relationship. The implications of the study have been explicated in the research.
Importance-performance Analysis to Identify Effective Learning Approaches for Sustainability in an Indian Business School
Authors: Singhal Neeraj , Gupta Himani , Mittal Garima
Published: July 2018

Sustainability and sustainable development have become a crucial keyword in today’s environment. It is now being felt that incorporation of sustainable practices should not be followed only by different sectors (public or private) but these concepts should also be taught at business schools to embed the concepts of sustainable practices right from the very beginning. There are 37 learning approaches identified on the basis of Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), which forms the core of the work presented in this study. To implement the proposed analysis, responses were collected from the students of a top public management institute of India on the basis of importance and performance parameters of the learning approaches for sustainability. The responses were than analysed through importance-performance analysis (IPA). It was observed that most effective learning approaches for learning the concepts of sustainability issues include case studies, lectures by experts, internships on sustainability etc. Students also perceived the significance of sustainability in business management and also showed preference to work with those companies, which actually holds sustainability as a core value.
Incorporating Bereaved Parents as Faculty Facilitators and Educators in Teaching Principles of Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Authors: Snaman Jennifer M. , Kaye Erica C. , Spraker-Perlman Holly , Levine Deena , Clark Lisa , Wilcox Robin , Barnett Brittany , Sykes April , Lu Zhaohua , Cunningham Melody J. , Baker Justin N.
Published: July 2018

Background:

Education and training for interdisciplinary pediatric providers requires training in principles of palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care. The experiences of bereaved parents can inform and enhance palliative care educational curricula in uniquely powerful and valuable ways. The objective of this study is to present an innovative palliative care educational program facilitated by trained bereaved parents who serve as volunteer educators in local and national palliative care educational forums and to describe how incorporation of bereaved parents in these educational forums affects participant comfort with communication and management of children at the EOL.

Methods:

Parent educators underwent both general and session-specific training and participated in debriefings following each session. Survey tools were developed or adapted to determine how bereaved parent educators affected participant experiences in 3 different educational forums. Pre- and postsession surveys with incorporation of retrospective preprogram assessment items to control for response shift were used in the evaluation of institutional seminars on pediatric palliative and EOL care and role-play-based communication training sessions. Results from feedback surveys sent to attendees were used to appraise the participants’ experience at the international oncology symposium.

Results:

Involvement of trained parent educators across diverse, interdisciplinary educational forums improved attendee comfort in communicating with, and caring for, patients and families with serious illness. Importantly, parent educators also derive benefit from involvement in educational sessions with interdisciplinary clinicians.

Conclusions:

Integration of bereaved parents into palliative and EOL care education is an innovative and effective model that benefits both interdisciplinary clinicians and bereaved parents.
A multi-sensor fusion framework for detecting small amplitude hunting of high-speed trains
Authors: Ning Jing , Liu Qi , Ouyang Huajiang , Chen Chunjun , Zhang Bing
Published: July 2018

Hunting monitoring is very important for high-speed trains to achieve safe operation. But all the monitoring systems are designed to detect hunting only after hunting has developed sufficiently. Under these circumstances, some damage may be caused to the railway track and train wheels. The work reported in this paper aims to solve the detection problem of small amplitude hunting before the lateral instability of high-speed trains occurs. But the information from a single sensor can only reflect the local operation state of a train. So, to improve the accuracy and robustness of the monitoring system, a multi-sensor fusion framework for detecting small amplitude hunting of high-speed trains based on an improved Dempster–Shafer (DS) theory is proposed. The framework consists of a series of steps. Firstly, the method of combining empirical mode decomposition and sample entropy is used to extract features of each operation condition. Secondly, the posterior probability support vector machine is used to get the basic probability assignment. Finally, the DS theory improved by the authors is proposed to get a more accurate detection result. This framework developed by the authors is used on high-speed trains with success and experimental findings are provided. This multi-sensor fusion framework can also be used in other condition monitoring systems on high-speed trains, such as the gearbox monitoring system, from which nonstationary signals are acquired too.
Mitral Intervention with LVAD: Preparing for Recovery
Authors: Maxwell Cory , Whitener George
Published: July 2018

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion is an increasingly common treatment of advanced heart failure. Insertion guidelines suggest regurgitant lesions of the mitral valve should not be addressed. However, recent evidence suggests that mitral regurgitation may not necessarily improve with LVAD insertion, and such patients may have worse outcomes. Thus, practice variability is high given the discrepancy between traditional thinking and new evidence that unrepaired mitral regurgitation may increase perioperative mortality. Additionally, the challenges of LVADs can make transesophageal echocardiography evaluation and assessment of mitral valve pathology difficult.
Investigation of hallmarks of carbonyl stress and formation of end products in feline chronic kidney disease as markers of uraemic toxins
Authors: Valle Emanuela , Prola Liviana , Vergnano Diana , Borghi Roberta , Monacelli Fiammetta , Traverso Nicola , Bruni Natascia , Bovero Andrea , Schiavone Achille , Nery Joana , Bergero Domenico , Odetti Patrizio
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Cats are commonly affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Many reactive carbonyl intermediates and end products originating from the oxidative stress pathways are recognised as uraemic toxins and may play a role in CKD progression. The aim of the present study is to confirm whether carbonyl end-product formation is higher in cats affected by CKD and to assess whether an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) might affect these hallmarks.

Methods

Twenty-two cats were divided into three groups: a control group (CG), cats with CKD and cats with CKD treated with an ACEi. Serum levels of pentosidine, carboxymethyllysine, advanced oxidation protein products, malondialdehyde, methylglyoxal and hexanoyl-lysine were measured. In addition, biochemical parameters and systolic blood pressure were evaluated. After checking for normality, comparisons between groups were performed followed by multiple comparison tests. P values ⩽0.05 were considered significant. Correlations between concentrations of the considered biomarkers and of the other metabolic parameters were investigated.

Results

Advanced oxidation protein products, malondialdehyde and hexanoyl-lysine concentrations were significantly higher in CKD and ACEi-treated groups compared with the CG ( P <0.05). Carboxymethyllysine increased in the ACEi-treated group when compared with the CG, whereas intermediate values of these biomarkers were found in the CKD group ( P <0.05). The ACEi-treated group showed the highest values of carboxymethyllysine, advanced oxidation protein products and hexanoyl-lysine. By contrast, the CKD group had the highest concentration of malondialdehyde. No statistically significant difference was found in the levels of pentosidine or methylglyoxal. End products correlated with creatinine and urea and with each other.

Conclusions and relevance

Significantly high concentrations of both intermediate and end products of carbonyl/oxidative stress were detected in CKD cats. This is the first study to have concurrently taken into account several uraemic toxins and biochemical parameters in cats affected by CKD.
Lateral Gene Transfer Between Protozoa-Related Giant Viruses of Family Mimiviridae and Chlamydiae
Authors: Watanabe Takanori , Yamazaki Sumire , Maita Chinatsu , Matushita Mizue , Matsuo Junji , Okubo Torahiko , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki
Published: July 2018

Obligate intracellular chlamydiae diverged into pathogenic and environmental chlamydiae 0.7-1.4 billion years ago. While pathogenic chlamydiae have adapted to a wide range of vertebrates, environmental chlamydiae inhabit unicellular amoebae, the free-living Acanthamoeba. However, how and why this divergence occurred remains unclear. Meanwhile, giant viruses consisting of protozoa-related and protozoa-unrelated viruses have been discovered, with the former group being suggested to have more influenced environmental chlamydiae during their evolution while cohabiting host amoebae. Against this background, we attempted to visualize genes of giant viruses in chlamydial genomes by bioinformatic analysis mainly with comparative genome and phylogenic analysis, seeking genes present in chlamydiae that are specifically shared with protozoa-related giant viruses. As a result, in contrast to protozoa-unrelated giant viruses, the genes of protozoa-related giant viruses were significantly shared in both the chlamydia genomes depending on the giant virus type. In particular, the prevalence of Mimiviridae genes among the protozoa-related giant virus genes in chlamydial genomes was significantly high. Meanwhile, the prevalence of protozoa-related giant virus genes in pathogenic chlamydia genomes was consistently higher than those of environmental chlamydiae; the actual number of sequences similar to giant virus was also significantly predominant compared with those in the environmental chlamydial genomes. Among them, the most prevalent of giant virus was in the case of chlamydiae with Megavirus chiliensis; total of 1338 genes of the chlamydiae were found to be shared with the virus (444 genes specific to environmental chlamydiae, 892 genes shared between both chlamydiae, only two genes in the pathogenic chlamydiae). Phylogenic analysis with most prevalent sets ( Megavirus chiliensis and Protochlamydia EI2 or Chlamydia trachomatis L2 434Bu) showed the presence of orthologs between these with several clustered. In addition, Pearson’s single regression analysis revealed that almost the prevalence of the genes from the giant viruses in chlamydial genomes was negatively and specifically correlated with the number of chlamydial open reading frames (ORFs). Thus, these results indicated the trace of lateral gene transfer between protozoa-related giant viruses of family Mimiviridae and chlamydiae. This is the first demonstration of a putative linkage between chlamydiae and the giant viruses, providing us with a hint to understand chlamydial evolution.
What’s he building? Activating the utopian imagination with Trump
Authors: De Cock Christian , Just Sine N. , Husted Emil
Published: July 2018

Can one sell any positive value of Trump’s presidency to an academic audience? The editors of this special series invited polemical essays, but maybe asking readers to consider the merit of Trump is going a little too far? We put forward the argument here that as critical scholars we simply cannot allow ourselves to be swept up in the bien-pensant tide of Trump-trashing, which has almost become as addictive as the current reality-TV quality of the US presidency itself. As Roitman has suggested in a different context, ‘the concept of crisis is crucial to the “how” of thinking otherwise’. Thus, we believe it crucial to seize the crisis of the Trump presidency as an opportunity to activate the utopian imagination, rather than an occasion for moralizing judgements or regressive nostalgia which would effectively mean aligning ourselves with the neo-liberal consensus many of us spent our careers critiquing. We further argue that Fredric Jameson’s notion of the dialectic may refresh our critical conceptual arsenal in these disorienting times. This dialectical approach is meant to alter not only how we see reality, but also what we think we can do with it. It enables us to see the traumatic event of Trump’s election as providing a form and space through which contradictions that have been locked firmly into place in our socioeconomic set-up over the past few decades have become much more malleable, partly because of their increased visibility.
The strategic value of advertising expenditures in the tourism and hospitality industry
Authors: Qi Rui , Cárdenas David A , Mou Xichen , Hudson Simon
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the strategic value of advertising expenditures in the tourism and hospitality industry. Adopting a market-based valuation approach and longitudinal analysis, this study assesses the magnitude of advertising value by comparing the magnitude of the value with those from other expenses and book value. Results show that the economic benefits from advertising expenditures, unlike other expenses, don’t expire in the current period. Furthermore, advertising expenditures are significant strategic investments in intangible assets, providing greater future economic benefits than other assets. In addition, there is no significant heterogeneity regarding the effectiveness of advertising expenditures across subsectors in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Compressive behavior of cylindrical rubber buffer confined with fiber reinforced polymer
Authors: Pan Shengshan , Zhao Muzhou , Andrawes Bassem , Zhao Hang , Li Lian
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a new composite buffer for mitigating the lateral displacement of structures under seismic loading. The buffer consists of a cylindrical rubber wrapped with fiber reinforced polymer composite. The uniaxial compressive stiffness of the buffer can be controlled by varying either the number of fiber reinforced polymer layers or the wrapping scheme of fiber reinforced polymer. First, a test program is carried out to investigate the impact of various parameters on the compressive stiffness and strength of the new buffer including thickness of fiber reinforced polymer, wrapping scheme, and method of wrapping of fiber reinforced polymer. Next, a theoretical formulation is derived to describe the constitutive behavior of fiber reinforced polymer wrapped rubber under uniaxial compression using strain energy density function of the Yeoh N-order polynomial model. Finally, a finite element model is developed to analyze the new composite buffer and the numerical results are validated using the experimental results. The results of the study show that the Yeoh model is able to simulate the behavior of rubber under compression. The new composite buffer exhibits significantly higher stiffness and strength than that of pure rubber. Wrapping scheme plays an important role in defining the mechanical behavior of the buffer. The study also shows good agreement between the numerical simulation and the experimental results.
Scaling Relationship of In Vivo Muscle Contraction Strength of Rabbits Exposed to High-Frequency Nanosecond Pulse Bursts
Authors: Mi Yan , Xu Jin , Tang Xuefeng , Bian Changhao , Liu Hongliang , Yang Qiyu , Tang Junying
Published: July 2018

We studied the influence of various parameters of high-frequency nanosecond pulse bursts on the strength of rabbit muscle contractions. Ten unipolar high-frequency pulse bursts with various field intensities E (1 kV/cm, 4 kV/cm, and 8 kV/cm), intraburst frequencies f (10 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1 MHz), and intraburst pulse numbers N (1, 10, and 100) were applied using a pair of plate electrodes to the surface skin of the rabbits’ biceps femoris, and the acceleration signal of muscle contraction near the electrode was measured using a 3-axis acceleration sensor. A time- and frequency-domain analysis of the acceleration signals showed that the peak value of the signal increases with the increasing strength of the pulse burst and that the frequency spectra of the signals measured under various pulse bursts have characteristic frequencies (at approximately 2 Hz, 32 Hz, 45 Hz, and 55 Hz). Furthermore, we processed the data through multivariate nonlinear regression analysis and variance analysis and determined that the peak value of the signal scales with the logarithm to the base 10 of EN x, where x is a value that scales with the logarithm to the base 10 of intraburst frequency (f). These results indicate that for high-frequency nanosecond pulse treatment of solid tumors in or near muscles, when the field strength is relatively high, the intraburst frequency and the intraburst pulse number require appropriate selection to limit the strength of muscle contraction as much as possible.
Pressure Ulcers: Risk Stratification and Prognostic Factors That Promote Recurrence After Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Sirimaharaj Wimon , Charoenvicha Chirakan
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to identify overall recurrence rates after reconstructive surgery in patients with pressure ulcers and to identify risk factors that associated with recurrence after reconstructive surgery. This study was done in Faculty of Medicine Chiang Mai University, including recurrence at the same site as well as on new sites, between January 1998 and December 2015. 165 patients with 272 pressure ulcers were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The overall pressure ulcer recurrence rate was 16.54% (45 from 272 ulcers) from an overall patient recurrence of 19.39% (32 from 165 patients). From multivariable analysis, we found 9 prognostic factors that were statistically significant for recurrence after surgery, divided into 2 groups: uncontrollable and controllable factors. Uncontrollable factors consisted of being female (hazard ratio [HR]=1.90;95%CI=1.54-2.34), being older than 45 years (HR=1.67;95%CI=1.40-2.0), and location of pressure ulcers on ischium (HR=1.65; 95% CI=1.51-1.80) and sacrum (HR=1.17;95%CI=1.10-1.23). Controllable factors included spasticity (HR=1.11;95%CI=1.04-1.20), incomplete healing before discharge (HR=5.42;95% CI=3.95-7.44), serum albumin level ≤3 g/dL (HR=1.27;95%CI=1.13-1.43), pressure ulcer stage 4 (HR=1.90;95%CI=1.41-2.54), non -muscle-based procedure (HR=3.82;95%CI=2.54-5.76), and length of hospitalization >21 days (HR=2.94;95%CI=1.60-5.40). Patients with these factors were strongly advised to address and improve all these factors for decreasing the recurrence rate after reconstructive surgery.
Surface Replacement Arthroplasty Using a Volar Approach for Osteoarthritis of Proximal Interphalangeal Joint: Results After a Minimum 5-Year Follow-up
Authors: Shirakawa Ken , Shirota Masahiko
Published: July 2018

Background: Surface replacement arthroplasty (SRA) through a volar approach for the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint can preserve the integrity of the extensor tendon, which allows early range of motion (ROM) exercise postoperatively. However, a few reports have shown that the PIP ROM tends to decline with longer follow-up. The goal of this study is to assess the results of at least 5 years of follow-up of SRA through a volar approach and also to investigate the cause of deterioration of ROM with time after SRA through this approach. Methods: Eleven fingers with degenerative osteoarthritis that underwent SRA through the volar approach were examined. ROM of the PIP joint preoperation, 1 year after the surgery, and at final follow-up was measured and statistically analyzed. Also, the relationship between PIP ROM and the osteophyte developed postoperatively was examined. Results: The average follow-up period was 7.3 years. The average PIP ROM of the PIP joints was 52.3° preoperatively, 54.1° at 1 year postoperatively, and 31.1° at the final follow-up. PIP ROM at the final follow-up was significantly decreased compared with that preoperatively or at 1 year postoperatively. Also, the development of an osteophyte was negatively correlated with the ROM of the PIP joint at the final follow-up. Conclusions: PIP ROM after SRA through a volar approach has the tendency to deteriorate with a longer follow-up. Development of an osteophyte is considered to be a main risk factor of deterioration in the cases of SRA through a volar approach.
Maximally permissive deadlock prevention policies for flexible manufacturing systems using control transition
Authors: Row Ter-Chan , Pan Yen-Liang
Published: July 2018

Nowadays, many kinds of flexible manufacturing systems are used to process many complex manufacturing works due to their machine flexibility and routing flexibility. However, such competition (i.e. robots and machines) for shared resources by concurrent job processes can lead to the problem of a system deadlock. In existing researches, almost experts adopted place-based as controllers to solve the deadlock problems of flexible manufacturing systems whatever the concept of siphons or the reachability graph method are used. Among them, only the reachability graph ones can obtain maximally permissive live states. In this article, the authors try to propose one novel transition-based deadlock prevention concept to solve flexible manufacturing system’s deadlock problem. In addition, two algorithms are developed to support above concept. The experimental results indicate that the proposed policy not only can obtain maximally permissive controllers but also recover all original deadlock markings.
Doing research with police elites in Ghana
Authors: Sowatey Emmanuel Addo , Tankebe Justice
Published: July 2018

Much of our methodological insights from researching policing in sub-Saharan Africa comes from studies of frontline officers. Consequently, many important methodological questions about research on senior police officers remain unanswered. This article addresses this gap by drawing on insights from interviewing senior officers in Ghana. It focuses on the challenges and opportunities in negotiating access, establishing trust during interviews and dealing with ethical dilemmas. We highlight the role of informal social networks and cultural practices of surprise visits, what we have termed strategic ambush, in securing formal approval for our research. However, this represented mere or putative access for which deference towards institutional gatekeepers was key to its actualization. Deference towards officers and extensive knowledge of the policing environment helped to put the senior officers at ease, and enhanced the chances of a successful interview. Finally, we offer reflections on our responses to unexpected ethical dilemmas that we faced in the field.
A survey of moral distress in staff working in intensive care in the UK
Authors: Colville GA , Dawson D , Rabinthiran S , Chaudry-Daley Z , Perkins-Porras L
Published: July 2018

Elevated rates of burnout and post-traumatic stress have been found in staff working in critical care settings, but the aspect of moral distress has been harder to quantify until a recent revision of a scale previously designed for nurses, was adapted for use with a range of health professionals, including physicians. In this cross-sectional survey, n = 171 nurses and physicians working in intensive care in the United Kingdom completed the Moral Distress Scale-Revised in relation to their experiences at work. Mean (SD) Moral Distress Scale-Revised score was 70.2 (39.6). Significant associations were found with female gender (female 74.1 (40.2) vs. male 55.5 (33.8), p = 0.010); depression ( r = 0.165, p = 0.035) and with intention to leave job (considering leaving 85.5 (42.4) vs. not considering leaving 67.2 (38.6), p = 0.040). These results highlight the importance of considering the moral impact of work-related issues when addressing staff wellbeing in critical care settings.
Addition of hyaluronic acid improves tolerance to 7% hypertonic saline solution in bronchiectasis patients
Authors: Máiz Luis , Girón Rosa M. , Prats Eva , Clemente Marta G. , Polverino Eva , Caño Silvia , Cordovilla Rosa , Dorca Jordi , Peñalver Carlos , Baranda Félix , Martínez-García Miguel A.
Published: July 2018

Background:

The excessive retention of sputum in the airways, leading to pulmonary infections, is a common consequence of bronchiectasis. Although inhalation of 7% hypertonic saline (HS) has proven an effective method to help remove the mucus, many patients are intolerant of this treatment. The addition of 0.1% hyaluronic acid to HS (HS+HA) could increase tolerance to HS in these patients. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerability of HS+HA in bronchiectasis patients who are intolerant to HS.

Methods:

This prospective, observational, open-label study analysed the outcomes of two groups of bronchiectasis patients previously scheduled to start HS therapy. Patients were assessed for tolerance to HS by a questionnaire, spirometry and clinical evaluation. Patients who were intolerant were evaluated for tolerance to HS+HA approximately one week later. All patients were evaluated for their tolerance to HS or HS+HA 4 weeks after the start of their treatment. Patients were also assessed with quality-of-life and adherence questionnaires, and all adverse events were registered.

Results:

A total of 137 bronchiectasis patients were enrolled in the study (age = 63.0 ± 14.7 years; 63.5% women). Of these, 92 patients (67.1%) were tolerant and 45 patients (32.9%) were intolerant to HS. Of the 45 patients intolerant to HS, 31 patients (68.9%) were tolerant and 14 patients (31.1%) intolerant to HS+HA. Of these 31 tolerant patients, 26 (83.9%) could complete the 4-week treatment with HS+HA.

Conclusions:

Two-thirds of bronchiectasis patients that presented intolerance to inhaled HS alone are tolerant to inhaled HS+HA, suggesting that HA improves tolerance to HS therapy.
Pro-poor governance in water and sanitation service delivery: evidence from Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water surveys
Authors: Fuente D , Bartram J
Published: July 2018

Aims:

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for water and sanitation seeks to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene. This article examines what governments are doing to achieve this, paying particular attention to actions that governments report taking to better serve the poor and other vulnerable populations (i.e. pro-poor governance). This article also assesses the extent to which, and how, UN-Water’s Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water (GLAAS) has tracked governments’ efforts to reach the poor since the inception of this global monitoring effort.

Method:

This article employs qualitative document analysis and iterative coding to identify pro-poor governance themes examined in GLAAS reports from 2008 to 2016 and provides a quantitative summary of findings related to pro-poor governance from the most recent GLAAS surveys.

Results:

The dimensions of pro-poor governance and number of questions related to pro-poor governance in GLAAS surveys have increased from 2008 to 2016. While the majority of countries report taking actions to promote equity, many countries did not provide information about specific actions they were taking to provide better services to the poor. Moreover, several actions countries reported taking (e.g. implementing an increasing block tariff) are likely to be ineffective.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study raise concerns about the extent to which governments are taking – or are positioned to take – effective action to meet the SDG aspiration of safe and affordable water and sanitation services for all. Without information on what countries are doing to promote equity, policy makers and researchers are unable to discern which policies are effective in different contexts.
CDK4/6 inhibition in breast cancer: current practice and future directions
Authors: Pernas Sonia , Tolaney Sara M. , Winer Eric P. , Goel Shom
Published: July 2018

The cyclin D/cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6)–retinoblastoma protein (RB) pathway plays a key role in the proliferation of both normal breast epithelium and breast cancer cells. A strong rationale for inhibiting CDK4/6 in breast cancers has been present for many years. However, potent and selective CDK4/6 inhibitors have only recently become available. These agents prevent phosphorylation of the RB tumor suppressor, thereby invoking cancer cell cycle arrest in G1. CDK4/6 inhibitors have transited rapidly from preclinical studies to the clinical arena, and three have already been approved for the treatment of advanced, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients on account of striking clinical trial results demonstrating substantial improvements in progression-free survival. ER-positive breast cancers harbor several molecular features that would predict their sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors. As physicians gain experience with using these agents in the clinic, new questions arise: are CDK4/6 inhibitors likely to be useful for patients with other subtypes of breast cancer? Are there other agents that could be effectively combined with CDK4/6 inhibitors, beyond endocrine therapy? Is there a rationale for combining CDK4/6 inhibitors with novel immune-based therapies? In this review, we describe not only the clinical data available to date, but also the biology of the CDK4/6 pathway and discuss answers to these questions. In particular, we highlight that CDK4 and CDK6 govern much more than the cancer cell cycle, and that their optimal use in the clinic depends on a deeper understanding of the less well characterized effects of these enzymes.