bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Grade Cervical Dysplasia following Radiation Therapy for Invasive Cervical Cancer: A Report of Four Cases
Authors: Salcedo Mila Pontremoli , Milbourne Andrea M. , Jhingran Anuja , Eifel Patricia J. , Ramirez Pedro T. , Schmeler Kathleen M.
Published: May 2015

Introduction: The standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer is chemoradiation, with the majority of patients having a complete response to the therapy. The current surveillance recommendations from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology include annual cytology, with a small proportion of patients subsequently diagnosed with high-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 2/3). To date, there is limited information regarding the optimal treatment and outcome for patients diagnosed with CIN 2/3. The current report describes the diagnosis, management and outcome of 4 patients diagnosed with CIN 2/3 following chemoradiation. Case Description: We describe 4 patients who developed CIN 2/3 seven months to 8 years following radiation therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. All 4 patients were asymptomatic and the abnormalities were first detected by a Pap test. Three of the patients were managed conservatively with observation, and the CIN 2/3 resolved without intervention. One patient underwent 2 cervical conizations followed by a hysterectomy with no residual dysplasia noted on the hysterectomy specimen. Conclusion: The majority of patients with recurrent cervical cancer after chemoradiation are symptomatic, and most cases are detected by a physical examination. The role of cytology, colposcopy and biopsies may be of limited value. Furthermore, the significance of the diagnosis of CIN 2/3 in patients previously treated with radiation therapy was not associated with recurrent disease in the 4 patients described. Our results suggest that cytology may be of limited value in detecting recurrence in patients following radiation therapy, even when CIN 2/3 is detected.
A clínica psicanalítica: de crianças a bebês, uma especificidade
Authors: Barbosa Denise Carvalho
Published: May 2015

Em sua origem, a clínica psicanalítica de crianças nos brindou com os importantes aportes de Melanie Klein e Anna Freud, que nos apontaram a especificidade dessa clínica. Se o que antes ocupava as analistas repercutia na técnica a ser utilizada com crianças, nossa proposição sustenta uma especificidade ainda mais singular quando se trata de bebês, uma vez que não se pode escutálos da mesma maneira que se escuta uma criança que já encena em seu brincar a apropriação dos significantes do Outro. Na atualidade, após décadas de história clínica veremos que, além da importância de uma estratégia clínica apropriada ao psiquismo infantil, será na relação do inconsciente com a linguagem que esta clínica encontrará subsídios que autorizem uma intervenção analítica.
Menino-menina
Authors: Pereira Marcelo Ricardo
Published: May 2015

Ludovic, protagonista de "Minha vida em cor-de-rosa" (Berliner), é um menino de 7 anos que, crendo ser menina, se veste, se comporta e se pensa como tal. Ele sofre os efeitos discriminatórios de uma sociedade provinciana da França, inclusive sua própria família. Nesse cenário, será possível a Ludô organizar sua sexuação, agindo em conformidade com o seu desejo? Examinaremos a questão considerando que "a pesquisa psicanalítica se opõe com o máximo de decisão que se destaquem os homossexuais, colocando-os em um grupo à parte do resto da humanidade" (Freud, 1905, p. 146, [adição de 1915]).
O laço social na adolescência: a violência como ficção de uma vida desqualificada
Authors: Catroli Viviani S. C. , Rosa Miriam Debieux
Published: May 2015

Este trabalho discute as estratégias dos adolescentes dos grandes centros urbanos, periferias e favelas na sua inscrição no laço social. A partir de um trabalho clínico de orientação psicanalítica com adolescentes em ambiente escolar, formulamos a hipótese: diante da violenta desqualificação de suas vidas e da falta de perspectivas de inscrição em um laço indicador de participação fálica no social, alguns jovens fazem da violência sua própria ficção, de modo a inverter lugares - de passivos à violência passam a ativos, em uma produção fantasmática, na qual a violência se torna a modalidade normatizada de laço social.
As oportunidades clínicas com crianças com sinais de autismo e seus pais
Authors: Untoiglich Gisela
Published: May 2015

Nos últimos vinte anos houve uma explosão de diagnósticos de transtornos, de suposta origem neurobiológica, que têm invadido a infância. Na última década aumentou de modo exponencial o número de crianças diagnosticadas com Transtornos Globais do Desenvolvimento (TGD), e há alguns anos vem se impondo a categorização de Transtornos do Espectro Autista (TEA). Neste artigo realizarei primeiramente uma revisão histórica dos constructos TGD e TEA, em seguida apresentarei um caso clínico a partir do qual colocarei algumas reflexões acerca do trabalho clínico com crianças com sinais clínicos de autismo e seus pais, a partir de uma perspectiva psicanalítica.
Autonomia, pluralidade e razão pública
Authors: O'Neill Onora
Published: May 2015

Pretendo oferecer uma leitura da concepção kantiana de autonomia, distingui-la de algumas outras concepções que recebem o nome de autonomia e propor algumas razões para pensar que a autonomia no sentido que Kant atribui ao termo é decerto tanto uma concepção de razão prática como também fundamental para a moralidade. A linha de pensamento que seguirei é, espero, compatível com as afirmações queSchneewind faz sobre a posição de Kant e, ao mesmo tempo, uma ampliação que favorece essas afirmações.
Resenha de Vozes do Bolsa Família: Autonomia, dinheiro e cidadania, de Walquiria Leão Rego e Alessandro Pinzani
Authors: Melo Rúrion
Published: May 2015

Resenha de Vozes do Bolsa Família: Autonomia, dinheiro e cidadania, de Walquiria Leão Rego e Alessandro Pinzani (São Paulo: Editora Unesp, 2013)
Baroreflex Activation Therapy Lowers Arterial Pressure Without Apparent Stimulation of the Carotid Bodies
Authors: Alnima Teba , Goedhart Emilie J.B.M. , Seelen Randy , van der Grinten Chris P.M. , de Leeuw Peter W. , Kroon Abraham A.
Published: May 2015

Carotid baroreflex activation therapy produces a sustained fall in blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. Because the activation electrodes are implanted at the level of the carotid sinus, it is conceivable that the nearby located carotid body chemoreceptors are stimulated as well. Physiological stimulation of the carotid chemoreceptors not only stimulates respiration but also increases sympathetic activity, which may counteract the effects of baroreflex activation. The aim of this exploratory study is to investigate whether there is concomitant carotid chemoreflex activation during baroreflex activation therapy. Fifteen participants with the Rheos system were included in this single-center study. At arrival at the clinic, the device was switched off for 2 hours while patients were at rest. Subsequently, the device was switched on at 6 electric settings of high and low frequencies and amplitudes. Respiration and blood pressure measurements were performed during all device activation settings. Multilevel statistical models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, antihypertensive therapeutic index, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate. There was no change in end-tidal carbon dioxide, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, breath duration, and breathing frequency during any of the electric settings with the device. Nevertheless, mean arterial pressure showed a highly significant decrease during electric activation (
P
<0.001). Carotid baroreflex activation therapy using the Rheos system did not stimulate respiration at several electric device activation energies, which suggests that there is no appreciable coactivation of carotid body chemoreceptors during device therapy.
Chronic Hypertension Leads to Neurodegeneration in the TgSwDI Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Kruyer Anna , Soplop Nadine , Strickland Sidney , Norris Erin H.
Published: May 2015

Numerous epidemiological studies link vascular disorders, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and stroke, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hypertension, specifically, is an important modifiable risk factor for late-onset AD. To examine the link between midlife hypertension and the onset of AD later in life, we chemically induced chronic hypertension in the TgSwDI mouse model of AD in early adulthood. Hypertension accelerated cognitive deficits in the Barnes maze test (
P
<0.05 after 3 months of treatment;
P
<0.001 after 6 months), microvascular deposition of β-amyloid (
P
<0.001 after 3 months of treatment;
P
<0.05 after 6 months), vascular inflammation (
P
<0.05 in the dentate gyrus and
P
<0.001 in the dorsal subiculum after 6 months of treatment), blood–brain barrier leakage (
P
<0.05 after 3 and 6 months of treatment), and pericyte loss (
P
<0.05 in the dentate gyrus and
P
<0.01 in the dorsal subiculum after 6 months of treatment) in these mice. In addition, hypertension induced hippocampal neurodegeneration at an early age in this mouse line (43% reduction in the dorsal subiculum;
P
<0.05), establishing this as a useful research model of AD with mixed vascular and amyloid pathologies.
Rich Club Organization and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Participants
Authors: Baggio Hugo C. , Segura Barbara , Junque Carme , de Reus Marcel A. , Sala-Llonch Roser , Van den Heuvel Martijn P.
Published: May 2015

The human brain is a complex network that has been noted to contain a group of densely interconnected hub regions. With a putative “rich club” of hubs hypothesized to play a central role in global integrative brain functioning, we assessed whether hub and rich club organizations are associated with cognitive performance in healthy participants and whether the rich club might be differentially involved in cognitive functions with a heavier dependence on global integration. A group of 30 relatively older participants (range = 39–79 years of age) underwent extensive neuropsychological testing, combined with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to reconstruct individual structural brain networks. Rich club connectivity was found to be associated with general cognitive performance. More specifically, assessing the relationship between the rich club and performance in two specific cognitive domains, we found rich club connectivity to be differentially associated with attention/executive functions—known to rely on the integration of distributed brain areas—rather than with visuospatial/visuoperceptual functions, which have a more constrained neuroanatomical substrate. Our findings thus provide first empirical evidence of a relevant role played by the rich club in cognitive processes.
Adaptation of Irrigation Infrastructure on Irrigation Demands under Future Drought in the United States*
Authors: Zhang Tianyi , Lin Xiaomao , Rogers Danny H. , Lamm Freddie R.
Published: May 2015

More severe droughts in the United States will bring great challenges to irrigation water supply. Here, the authors assessed the potential adaptive effects of irrigation infrastructure under present and more extensive droughts. Based on data over 1985–2005, this study established a statistical model that suggests around 4.4% more irrigation was applied in response to a one-unit reduction in the Palmer drought severity index (PDSI), and approximately 5.0% of irrigation water application could be saved for each 10% decrease in the areas supplied by surface irrigation infrastructure. Based on the results, the model-projected irrigation infrastructure has played a greater role in changes in irrigation than drought in most areas under the current climate except some southwestern counties. However, under the predicted future more severe drought in 2080–99 under the representative concentration pathways 4.5 scenario, the model projected that the drought will require 0%–20% greater irrigation amounts assuming the current irrigation efficiency. Under the predicted drought scenario, irrigation depth can be maintained at or below the baseline level in the western United States only when better irrigation infrastructure replaced 40% of the current surface irrigation infrastructure areas. In the northeast United States, limited changes in irrigation depth were predicted under different irrigation infrastructure scenarios because the percentage of surface irrigation area is already low under the baseline climate, and thus there is limited opportunity to adapt to future drought with advanced irrigation infrastructure. These results indicate that other effective solutions are required to complement these measures and aid U.S. agriculture in the future, more extensive drought.
Does International Trade Reduce Political Disputes?
Authors: Beyene Hailay Gebretinsae
Published: May 2015

The effect of economic integration and other factors on interstate conflict has been examined with a delimited geographical scope. A logistic regression analysis is adopted with one-year lagged independent variables regressed on dependent variable of interstate conflict. It is revealed that the pacification effect of economic openness and economic dependence on trade of the East African countries—Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda—is significant. In addition, it is found that an improvement in the democratic situation of the dyads reduces the likelihood of eruption of interstate conflict in the region. The article has uncovered that higher national capability asymmetry in East African region among the specified countries leads to an increase in the possibility of violence.
Conflicts of the SCM Agreement with LDCs Interests over Renewable Energy Incentives
Authors: Ahmad Zaker
Published: May 2015

This article argues that climate change effects have sharpened the least developed countries’ (LDCs) need to move towards a green economy. As respective markets tend to grow, the LDCs would benefit if the production of and research in renewable energy (RE) especially wind and solar energy equipments and technologies are subsidized globally. Despite the existence of the policy room in other related international regulatory framework, the Subsidies Agreement of the World Trade Organization makes incentivizing RE industries significantly difficult, if not impossible. It has been recommended that law reform, by way of incorporating special carve-outs in the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures Agreement, is the path that would assist LDCs in their smoother transition to a green economy.
Rank-order tournaments, probability of winning and investing in talent: evidence from champions' league qualifying rules
Authors: Green Colin , Lozano Fernando , Simmons Rob
Published: May 2015

We analyse how a change in the probability of winning a tournament affects an agent's effort using the qualification rules for entry into the group and playoff stages of the UEFA Champions' League. Our results suggest that increasing the number of slots that a national league gets in the Champions' League leads to increases in investment in talentex ante.This effect is largest among the teams that in the previous season just failed to qualify. This suggests that changes in prize structure leads to changes in investment decisions amongst those clubs most affected at the margin. However, we also find that incumbent teams that have already qualified for the Champions' League simultaneously raise their efforts, consistent with the occurrence of an arms race among top European football teams.
On Post-Philosophical Sociology
Authors: Walsh Philip
Published: May 2015

This article responds to Richard Kilminster’s critique of my earlier article published in Philosophy of the Social Sciences (2014), which raised questions about the status and limits of Norbert Elias’s sociology of knowledge. The article takes issue with Kilminster’s claim that the earlier piece identified “fatal” flaws in Elias’s approach and aimed at re-asserting philosophical authority over the social sciences. It is argued that, on the contrary, the earlier article was broadly sympathetic to Elias’s visions of both the sociology of knowledge and of the social sciences more generally. However, some of the concepts that Elias regarded as central to these, especially the key notion of “social processes,” are highly problematic, and others have been superseded by more recent developments. This article also defends the need for “under-laboring” within the social sciences, arguing that it does not carry the kinds of connotations that Kilminster imagines.
A Walking Memory: State-Designed Processions as a Tool of Collective Remembering in Late Medieval and Early Modern Dubrovnik
Authors: Lonza Nella
Published: May 2015

The state authorities of late medieval and early modern Dubrovnik used processions as a cultural tool to create a collective remembrance of traumatic historical experience, such as conspiracy, pestilence, or earthquake. Until the sixteenth century, the commemoration was amalgamated with the saint’s cult (“watermark” model), while in the last two centuries of the Republic the link to an underlying historical event became explicit. This shift may be accounted by the growing dominance of the secular over ecclesiastical authorities, and the increasing ambition of the state to manage its self-representation.
“Deadly conversions”: Louise Erdrich’s indictment of Catholicism inTracks,Love Medicine, andThe Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse
Authors: Ingraffia Brian D.
Published: May 2015

This article presents a refutation of Catherine Rainwater’s seminal essay on spirituality in Louise Erdrich, contending that while Rainwater is correct to argue that Ojibwe and Catholic spirituality are presented as “conflicting codes” in Erdrich, she is wrong to argue that Erdrich does not “endorse one theological view over the other.” I will argue that Erdrich does in fact endorse Ojibwe spirituality over Catholicism. By contrasting Pauline Puyat’s conversion to Catholicism first with Marie Lazarre’s rejection of Catholicism and then with Father Damien’s conversion to Ojibwe beliefs, this essay demonstrates that while Erdrich sees Native Americans’ conversion to Christianity as “deadly,” she represents the conversion of a Catholic priest to Native American spirituality as beneficial.
“Your temple is self and sentiment”: David Foster Wallace’s diagnostic novels
Authors: O’Connell Michael J.
Published: May 2015

This article contends that David Foster Wallace should be read as a contemporary Christian existentialist, one who depicts the alienation of the individual in mass society but also offers a way beyond this condition. Wallace’s work grapples with faith and morality in the modern, secular world, and he approaches these issues from a Christian framework, informed by the tensions of his own personal belief and practice. The essay explores the Christian elements in his biography, and then uses Walker Percy’s description of the diagnostic novel to examine the form and content of Infinite Jest and The Pale King, Wallace’s last two novels.
Carbon dioxide insufflation and neurocognitive outcome of open heart surgery
Authors: Ganguly Gautam , Dixit Vikas , Patrikar Seema , Venkatraman Ravishankar , Gorthi Satya Prakash , Tiwari Nikhil
Published: May 2015

Aim

Neurocognitive dysfunction continues to be the bane of open heart surgery despite vast improvements in surgical, anesthetic, and postoperative management. This observational cohort study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative CO2 insufflation by the field flooding technique in reducing postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction.

Methods

Three hundred randomly selected patients undergoing open heart surgery were observed: 150 (group A) were exposed to CO2 insufflation, and the other 150 (group B) were not exposed to CO2. Anesthetic, cardiopulmonary bypass, and myocardial protection techniques were standardized and similar in both groups. Neurocognitive function tests were performed preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and after 1 month.

Results

The analysis revealed that neurocognitive dysfunction occurred in 8 of 150 patients in group A (incidence p1 = 0.053) and 27 of 150 in group B (incidence p2 = 0.18). The relative risk of neurocognitive dysfunction was 0.30 ( p = 0.001, 95% confidence interval 0.14–0.63), implying that CO2 insufflation is protective against neurocognitive dysfunction. The risk difference was 0.13 ( p2– p1); this implies that 13% of patients can be prevented from developing neurocognitive dysfunction if exposed to CO2.

Conclusion

This study confirms the known advantage of the relatively underutilized practice of CO2 insufflation. We recommend that CO2 insufflation be performed in all open heart surgery cases to bring down the incidence of neurocognitive dysfunction. This technique is simple to use without any major paraphernalia or additional cost.
Intrapulmonary teratoma: Report of a case and review of literature
Authors: Dasbaksi Kallol , Haldar Suranjan , Mukherjee Kaushik , Chakraborty Ushnish , Majumdar Pinaki , Mukherjee Plaban
Published: May 2015

Intrapulmonary teratomas are rare tumors that are presumed to develop in association with mediastinal teratomas. This report describes the management of a rare case of a benign cystic intrapulmonary teratoma in the left upper lobe in a 26-year-old lady, which was successfully treated by lobectomy, with no recurrence after 4 years of follow-up.
Dexmedetomidine in combination with midazolam after pediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Hasegawa Tomomi , Oshima Yoshihiro , Maruo Ayako , Matsuhisa Hironori , Tanaka Akiko , Noda Rei , Matsushima Shunsuke
Published: May 2015

Objective

Although midazolam is one of the most commonly used sedatives for infants in the intensive care unit, it has well-known disadvantages including a dose-dependent potential to induce tolerance, withdrawal, and hemodynamic depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of dexmedetomidine combined with midazolam in postoperative intensive care following pediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods

Forty consecutive infants who underwent cardiac surgery for isolated ventricular septal defects from January 2011 to July 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective study. They were divided into two groups according to postoperative sedation regimen: dexmedetomidine sedation with midazolam ( n = 20), or midazolam sedation without dexmedetomidine (control group, n = 20). Perioperative variables were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. During the first 24 h after intensive care unit admission, heart rate and serum lactate levels were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group compared to the control group ( p = 0.0292 and p = 0.0027, respectively). The maximal midazolam dose was also significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group (0.12 ± 0.09 vs. 0.20 ± 0.08 mg kg−1 h−1, p = 0.0059). There were no adverse effects of dexmedetomidine such as bradycardia, hypotension, agitation, or seizures. Three (15%) patients in the control group and none in the dexmedetomidine group experienced sudden cardiopulmonary decompensation.

Conclusions

Dexmedetomidine can provide favorable sedative properties with a reduced requirement for concomitant midazolam and stable hemodynamics with tachycardia prevention, for postoperative intensive care following pediatric cardiac surgery.
Accessibility of shared space for visually impaired persons: A comparative field study
Authors: Havik Else M , Steyvers Frank JJM , Kooijman Aart C , Melis-Dankers Bart JM
Published: May 2015

Shared Space is a concept that comprises the design and planning process of a public space. There are concerns about the accessibility of Shared Spaces for people who are visually impaired. In a comparative field study, the wayfinding performance of 25 visually impaired persons (VIPs) was observed while they carried out standardized tasks in two Shared-Space locations and two conventionally designed settings. The tasks were followed by interviews regarding the participants’ experiences. In Shared-Space locations, more time was needed to complete routes and the blind participants in particular were less independent compared to conventional locations. The Shared-Space locations were evaluated more negatively than the conventional locations. The most salient problems encountered in Shared Space were related to orientation. The results clearly confirm how complex navigating a Shared Space can be for VIPs, albeit not to the same extent for all individuals and for all locations.
Is Patients’ Numeracy Related to Physical and Mental Health?
Authors: Garcia-Retamero Rocio , Andrade Allen , Sharit Joseph , Ruiz Jorge G.
Published: May 2015

Objective. There is compelling evidence showing that health literacy influences health outcomes. However, there is a dearth of research investigating this issue in the vast literature on numeracy—the ability to accurately interpret numerical information about risk, a skill that is only moderately correlated with health literacy. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated whether objective and subjective numeracy is related to objective and subjective health outcomes. Objective (subjective) numeracy is actual (self-reported) numerical competence. Objective outcomes include prevalence of comorbidity and prescribed medications. Subjective outcomes include perceptions of physical and mental health. Methods. A convenience sample of 502 male individuals receiving outpatient care at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center reported their demographics and answered a survey measuring objective and subjective numeracy, trust in physicians, satisfaction with role in medical decision making, perceptions of physical and mental health, and risky habits. We computed patients’ body mass index (BMI) and their age-adjusted Charlson index—an extensively studied comorbidity index for predicting mortality in clinical research. We retrieved number of prescribed medications from medical records. Results. Compared with patients who had high objective numeracy, patients with low objective numeracy showed higher prevalence of comorbidities and took more prescribed medications. Compared with patients who had high subjective numeracy, patients with low subjective numeracy had more negative perceptions of their physical and mental health. These conclusions held after controlling for the effect of demographics, risky habits, BMI, trust in physicians, and satisfaction with role in decision making, suggesting that numeracy has a unique, significant contribution to health outcomes beyond the effect of these factors. Conclusions. Our research documents for the first time that self-reported numeracy is related to perceptions of health, whereas objective numeracy is related to actual health, laying the groundwork for future research on the effect of numeracy on health outcomes.
Patients or Volunteers? The Impact of Motivation for Trial Participation on the Efficacy of Patient Decision Aids: A Secondary Analysis of a Cochrane Systematic Review
Authors: Brown James G. , Joyce Kerry E. , Stacey Dawn , Thomson Richard G.
Published: May 2015

Background. Efficacy of patient decision aids (PtDAs) may be influenced by trial participants’ identity either as patients seeking to benefit personally from involvement or as volunteers supporting the research effort. Aim. To determine if study characteristics indicative of participants’ trial identity might influence PtDA efficacy. Methods. We undertook exploratory subgroup meta-analysis of the 2011 Cochrane review of PtDAs, including trials that compared PtDA with usual care for treatment decisions. We extracted data on whether participants initiated the care pathway, setting, practitioner interactions, and 6 outcome variables (knowledge, risk perception, decisional conflict, feeling informed, feeling clear about values, and participation). The main subgroup analysis categorized trials as “volunteerism” or “patienthood” on the basis of whether participants initiated the care pathway. A supplementary subgroup analysis categorized trials on the basis of whether any volunteerism factors were present (participants had not initiated the care pathway, had attended a research setting, or had a face-to-face interaction with a researcher). Results. Twenty-nine trials were included. Compared with volunteerism trials, pooled effect sizes were higher in patienthood trials (where participants initiated the care pathway) for knowledge, decisional conflict, feeling informed, feeling clear, and participation. The subgroup difference was statistically significant for knowledge only ( P = 0.03). When trials were compared on the basis of whether volunteerism factors were present, knowledge was significantly greater in patienthood trials ( P < 0.001), but there was otherwise no consistent pattern of differences in effects across outcomes. Conclusions. There is a tendency toward greater PtDA efficacy in trials in which participants initiate the pathway of care. Knowledge acquisition appears to be greater in trials where participants are predominantly patients rather than volunteers.
CT assessment of right colonic arterial anatomy pre and post cancer resection – a potential marker for quality and extent of surgery?
Authors: Kaye Tom L , West Nick P , Jayne David G , Tolan Damian JM
Published: May 2015

Background

There is conflicting opinion as to the optimum extent of resection for right-sided colonic cancer, which is currently graded by pathological analysis of the resected specimen. It is not known if computed tomography (CT) analysis of residual post-resection arterial stump length could be used as an alternative in vivo marker for extent of mesenteric resection. Ileocolic artery stumps have been demonstrated previously on CT after right hemicolectomy, but only in the early postoperative period.

Purpose

To analyze preoperative right colonic arterial anatomy using portal venous colorectal cancer staging CT and subsequently determine if post-resection arterial stumps (a potential in vivo marker of surgical resection) could be consistently identified using routine follow-up CT scans many months after cancer resection.

Material and Methods

A retrospective analysis of routine staging and follow-up CT scans for 151 patients with right-sided colorectal cancer was performed. Preoperative right colonic arterial anatomy and postoperative arterial stumps were analyzed and measured.

Results

Preoperative ileocolic (98.8%), middle (94.7%), and right colic artery (23.8%) identification was comparable to catheter angiogram studies. Postoperative ileocolic stumps were consistently demonstrated (88.3%) many months (average, 2 years and 42 days) after resection and were significantly longer than expected for a standard D2 resection (paired t-test, t(127) = −11.45, P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first study to successfully demonstrate ileocolic arterial stumps many months (and years) after cancer resection using routine portal venous CT. Further prospective research should assess whether arterial stumps can be used as an in vivo marker of surgical quality and extent.
Effect of Anterior Capsular Laxity on Horizontal Abduction and Forceful Internal Impingement in a Cadaveric Model of the Throwing Shoulder
Authors: Mihata Teruhisa , McGarry Michelle H. , Neo Masashi , Ohue Mutsumi , Lee Thay Q.
Published: May 2015

Background:

Excessive anterior capsular laxity (elongation of the anterior capsular ligaments) causes shoulder subluxation during acceleration of the throwing motion, leading to a disabled throwing shoulder. Few biomechanical studies have investigated the relationship between anterior capsular laxity and internal impingement, another cause of the disabled throwing shoulder.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of anterior capsular laxity on forceful internal impingement during the late cocking phase. The hypothesis was that excessive anterior shoulder laxity caused by elongation of the anterior capsular ligaments will increase the horizontal abduction angle to increase glenohumeral contact pressure.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested with the shoulder abducted to 90° and at maximal external rotation to simulate the late cocking phase of the throwing motion. The angle of external rotation, anterior translation, angle of horizontal abduction, locations of the articular insertion of the rotator cuff tendons (supraspinatus and infraspinatus) on the greater tuberosity relative to the glenoid, and the glenohumeral contact pressure and area during internal impingement were measured. All data were compared between intact and elongated anterior capsule, which was created by repeatedly applying external rotational stretching.

Results:

Elongation of the anterior capsular ligaments was confirmed by the increase in glenohumeral external rotation and anterior translation after our stretching technique. Location data showed that the posterior half of supraspinatus tendon, the entire infraspinatus tendon, and the posterosuperior labrum were impinged between the greater tuberosity and glenoid. Maximal glenohumeral horizontal abduction (2.2% increase; P = .003) and glenohumeral contact pressure (27.3% increase; P = .04) were significantly increased in the shoulder joint with increased anterior capsular laxity as compared with the intact condition.

Conclusion:

Increased anterior capsular laxity created by applying repetitive excessive external rotational torque significantly increased horizontal abduction and contact pressure in the glenohumeral joint. Concurrently, the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons and posterosuperior labrum were impinged between the greater tuberosity and glenoid.

Clinical Relevance:

Increased anterior capsular laxity may exacerbate forceful internal impingement during the late cocking phase of the throwing motion.
Comparison of methods for thermal analysis: Application to PEEK and a composite PEEK+CF
Authors: Hache Florian , Delichatsios Michael , Fateh Talal , Zhang Jianping
Published: May 2015

This article applies and critically compares essentially all methods (based on Arrhenius temperature dependence and power law reduced mass) to deduce the degradation parameters of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and its carbon fibre composites, PEEK+CF, from thermogravimetric analysis experiments in nitrogen. The methods used include classical (and variations) analytical approximate methods, a method applying the genetic algorithm for optimization and the Distributed Activation Energy Model, usually not discussed with the other methods. The analytical methods are fast and easy to implement but they are limited to degradation kinetics having a single peak or individual separated peaks in the mass loss rate. By contrast, the genetic algorithm gives good results if a postulated mechanism of several Arrhenius reactions of arbitrary order is considered. Moreover, the Distributed Activation Energy Model provides the possibility to assess the assumption of overlapping first-order reactions having various activation energies. The degradation of PEEK and its composite is basically characterized by two regimes, one fast degradation regime (570 °C–630 °C approximately) and one much slower degradation regime (630 °C–800 °C approximately) at a mass degradation rate with time being simply proportional to the heating rate, a very remarkable new result by itself. However, the focus of the modelling in this work lies in the first fast degradation regime. It is shown that the Distributed Activation Energy Model and the genetic algorithm can simulate well the experimental results noting, however, that the Distributed Activation Energy Model is based on more physically determined activation energies. By contrast, the classical methods (Kissinger and modified Ozawa methods) are not able to reproduce the mass loss rates in the initial fast degradation regime (570 °C–630 °C) of pure PEEK and PEEK+CF composite. Although a physical explanation of the degradation mechanisms is desirable, the end game is to find out whether a method even not including the whole truth about a process is yet capable of reproducing the measurements accurately.
The Gender-Differential Impact of Work Values on Prospects in Research Careers
Authors: Hüttges Annett , Fay Doris
Published: May 2015

Women are strongly underrepresented at top positions in research, with some research suggesting the postdoctoral career stage is a critical stage for female researchers. Drawing on role congruity theory and social cognitive career theory, we tested the gender-differential impact of work values (extrinsic rewards–oriented work values and work–life balance values) on subjective career success and supports from supervisors (leader–member exchange) and team members. We conducted an online survey with male and female postdoctoral scientists ( N = 258). As hypothesized, the positive relationship between extrinsic rewards–oriented work values and subjective career success and supports was stronger for male researchers than for female researchers. Results on work–life balance values were less conclusive. These findings support the idea that gendered appraisal processes may affect career-relevant outcomes.
Induction motor current signature for centrifugal pump load
Authors: Luo Yin , Yuan Shouqi , Yuan Jianping , Sun Hui
Published: May 2015

Sensorless monitoring technology based on motor current signature analysis is a nonintrusive and economical technique to monitor motor-driven equipment. Sensorless monitoring technology can be applied to a centrifugal pump system. This technology is also based on the motor current signature of centrifugal pump load; however, systematic research regarding motor current signature in overall normal operation points which is the applied basic for sensorless monitoring technology has been rarely performed. As such, we partially examined the motor current signature of a centrifugal pump load by experimental observation, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation. Results show that stator current is a sinusoidal alternating current that strictly follows sine law associated with the cycle of the fundamental frequency of supply power. The trend of the root mean square and peak–peak of current is the same as flow–shaft power characteristics; hence, this trend could be used as indicator of the pump operational point monitor. The frequency characteristics of a centrifugal pump, such as blade passing frequency, rotation frequency, and broadband noise, could be reflected as sidebands around the fundamental frequency. The stator current spectrum is composed of fundamental frequency component, harmonics component, and noise. The fundamental frequency component is directly related to the pump load in which changes associated with the law of fundamental frequency component are relatively similar to flow–shaft power characteristics. Harmonics component and noise are caused by load fluctuation in which the amount of energy of these two components exhibits a lower value at the preferred operation point. By contrast, the amount of energy likely increases when pump operation is at an unstable operation point. These results further indicate that motor current signature analysis is a feasible and cost-effective method to monitor centrifugal pump operation status. Therefore, motor current signature analysis can be applied to monitor-related flow phenomena.
Optimal dimension of redundant manipulator using the workspace density function
Authors: Du Zhijiang , Dong Hui
Published: May 2015

The redundant manipulator has been broadly applied to various fields including industrial manufacturing, surgical manipulation and space exploration by providing high accuracy, flexibility, and efficiency. Particularly, the technology is capable of improving the assembling precision while simplifying the operation in complicated environments, and therefore of intense interest in industrial settings. For manipulator design, space occupation optimizing is a critical step and parameters of the flexible area, the shape and size of workspace have been commonly employed to evaluate the optimizing performance. In this paper, by combining the Fourier transform with the convolution theorem, we presented a workspace density function of redundant manipulator to describe the shape and size of workspace and flexibility. The workspace density function is an evaluation criterion to select the optimal geometric parameters for the manipulator. Based on the workspace density function shown in the simulation results section, the optimal design parameters were obtained. The approach presented in this paper holds the potential to improve the redundant manipulator design.
HIV pre-test information, discussion or counselling? A review of guidance relevant to the WHO European Region
Authors: Bell Stephen A , Delpech Valerie , Raben Dorthe , Casabona Jordi , Tsereteli Nino , de Wit John
Published: May 2015

In the context of a shift from exceptionalism to normalisation, this study examines recommendations/evidence in current pan-European/global guidelines regarding pre-test HIV testing and counselling practices in health care settings. It also reviews new research not yet included in guidelines. There is consensus that verbal informed consent must be gained prior to testing, individually, in private, confidentially, in the presence of a health care provider. All guidelines recommend pre-test information/discussion delivered verbally or via other methods (information sheet). There is agreement about a minimum standard of information to be provided before a test, but guidelines differ regarding discussion about issues encouraging patients to think about implications of the result. There is heavy reliance on expert consultation in guideline development. Referenced scientific evidence is often more than ten years old and based on US/UK research. Eight new papers are reviewed. Current HIV testing and counselling guidelines have inconsistencies regarding the extent and type of information that is recommended during pre-test discussions. The lack of new research underscores a need for new evidence from a range of European settings to support the process of expert consultation in guideline development.
Can a Near Win Kindle Motivation? The Impact of Nearly Winning on Motivation for Unrelated Rewards
Authors: Wadhwa Monica , Kim JeeHye Christine
Published: May 2015

Common intuition and research suggest that winning is more motivating than losing. However, we propose that just failing to obtain a reward (i.e., nearly winning it) in one task leads to broader, positive motivational effects on subsequent unrelated tasks relative to clearly losing or actually obtaining the reward. We manipulated a near-win experience using a game app in Experiments 1 through 3 and a lottery in Experiment 4. Our findings showed that nearly winning in one task subsequently led participants to walk faster to get to a chocolate bar (Experiment 1), salivate more for money (Experiment 2), and increase their effort to earn money in a card-sorting task (Experiment 3). A field study (Experiment 4) demonstrated that nearly winning led people to subsequently spend more money on desirable consumer products. Finally, our findings showed that when the activated motivational state was dampened in an intervening task, the nearly-winning effect was attenuated.
Agency, design and ‘slow democracy’
Authors: Saward Michael
Published: May 2015

Can democracy be resilient in an increasingly ‘high-speed society’? Social acceleration, some critics argue, poses a serious threat to the idea and practice of democracy. Others invoke but do not develop the idea of ‘slow democracy’ as one important response to this threat. Despite its importance, the critique and response lack analytical depth. In this context, and in an effort to rebuild the debate on a stronger and more fruitful base, the article underscores the potential of political agency to shape democracy’s temporality and reframes ‘slow democracy’ as a challenge of democratic design.
Isavuconazole
Authors: Pettit Natasha N. , Carver Peggy L.
Published: May 2015

Objective: To review the pharmacology, chemistry, in vitro susceptibility, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety, tolerability, dosage, and administration of isavuconazole, a triazole antifungal agent. Data Sources: Studies and reviews were identified through an English language MEDLINE search (1978 to March 2015) and from http://www.clinicaltrials.gov , Food and Drug Administration (FDA) briefing documents, program abstracts from international symposia, and the manufacturer’s Web site. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All published and unpublished trials, abstracts, in vitro and preclinical studies, and FDA briefing documents were reviewed. Data Synthesis: Isavuconazole has activity against a number of clinically important yeasts and molds, including Candida spp, Aspergillus spp, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Trichosporon spp and variable activity against the Mucorales. Isavuconazole, available for both oral and intravenous administration, is characterized by slow elimination allowing once-daily dosing, extensive tissue distribution, and high (>99%) protein binding. The most commonly reported adverse events, which are mild and limited in nature, include nausea, diarrhea, and elevated liver function tests. Its drug interaction potential appears to be similar to other azole antifungals but less than those observed with voriconazole. Comparative trials are under way or have been recently completed for the treatment of candidemia, invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis, and rare mold infections. Conclusions: Isavuconazole has a broad spectrum of activity and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, providing an advantage over other currently available broad-spectrum azole antifungals and a clinically useful alternative to voriconazole for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis. It may also prove useful for the treatment of candidemia and invasive mold infections; however, these indications await the results of clinical trials.
Sample Size Requirements for Traditional and Regression-Based Norms
Authors: Oosterhuis Hannah E. M. , van der Ark L. Andries , Sijtsma Klaas
Published: May 2015

Test norms enable determining the position of an individual test taker in the group. The most frequently used approach to obtain test norms is traditional norming. Regression-based norming may be more efficient than traditional norming and is rapidly growing in popularity, but little is known about its technical properties. A simulation study was conducted to compare the sample size requirements for traditional and regression-based norming by examining the 95% interpercentile ranges for percentile estimates as a function of sample size, norming method, size of covariate effects on the test score, test length, and number of answer categories in an item. Provided the assumptions of the linear regression model hold in the data, for a subdivision of the total group into eight equal-size subgroups, we found that regression-based norming requires samples 2.5 to 5.5 times smaller than traditional norming. Sample size requirements are presented for each norming method, test length, and number of answer categories. We emphasize that additional research is needed to establish sample size requirements when the assumptions of the linear regression model are violated.