bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding Meaning in Written Emotional Expression by Family Caregivers of Persons With Dementia
Authors: Butcher Howard K. , Gordon Jean K. , Ko Ji Woon , Perkhounkova Yelena , Cho Jun Young , Rinner Andrew , Lutgendorf Susan
Published: August 2016

This study tested the effect of written emotional expression on the ability to find meaning in caregiving and the effects of finding meaning on emotional state and psychological burden in 91 dementia family caregivers. In a pretest–posttest design, participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a comparison group. Experimental caregivers (n = 57) wrote about their deepest thoughts and feelings about caring for a family member with dementia, whereas those in the comparison group (n = 34) wrote about nonemotional topics. Results showed enhanced meaning-making abilities in experimental participants relative to comparison participants, particularly for those who used more positive emotion words. Improved meaning-making ability was in turn associated with psychological benefits at posttest, but experimental participants did not show significantly more benefit than comparison participants. We explore the mediating roles of the meaning-making process as well as some of the background characteristics of the individual caregivers and their caregiving environments.
Effects of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors on Balance and Gait Functions and Orthostatic Hypotension in Elderly Patients With Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Isik Ahmet Turan , Soysal Pinar , Usarel Cansu
Published: September 2016

Objective:

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AchEI) therapy on balance, gait, and orthostatic hypotension (OH) in elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods:

A total of 102 elderly patients with AD have been recently diagnosed and were treated with AchEI and underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment at baseline and at the end of the sixth month.

Results:

Timed Up and Go test and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment values and the prevalence of OH were not different at the end of the sixth month versus baseline ( P > .05). However, it was determined that changes in balance were better in the patients who showed cognitive improvement at the end of the sixth month ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Curative effects of AchEIs, which are used in the treatment of AD, on cognitive performance are reflected also in balance functions. Moreover, it was observed that these drugs do not increase the prevalence of OH.
The Application of Naturalistic Decision-Making Techniques to Explore Cue Use in Rugby League Playmakers
Authors: Johnston David , Morrison Ben W.
Published: August 2016

Within the sport of rugby league, there exists a perceived shortage of talent in playmaking positions. In Australia, an academy dedicated to the development of playmaking skills has recently been established. Although the precise skills targeted by the academy for development are yet to be determined, decision making is presumed to be integral. The current research used the naturalistic decision-making paradigm to inform training initiatives by investigating the decision processes engaged by rugby league playmakers. The research explored whether players of varying ability could be differentiated in relation to a key decision process, cue use. Rugby league playmakers were interviewed using a novel variation of cognitive task analysis, which used both retrospective (i.e., recalled game) and prospective (i.e., unfamiliar rugby league scenario) means. The sample comprised 10 participants: six professional and four semiprofessional rugby league players. From a content analysis, a concept map, cognitive demands tables, and a critical cue inventory were produced. Results indicated that professional players demonstrated greater cue discrimination, assigned different meaning to the cues, and processed cues in a different manner compared with their semiprofessional counterparts. The results offer insights for future training applications in the domain and raise important questions regarding the utility of critical cue inventories in training.
Revealing ICU Cognitive Work Through Naturalistic Decision-Making Methods
Authors: Nemeth Christopher , Blomberg Josh , Argenta Christopher , Serio-Melvin Maria L. , Salinas Jose , Pamplin Jeremy
Published: August 2016

The fragile health of patients who are admitted to a burn intensive care unit (ICU) requires clinicians and clinical teams to perform complex cognitive work that includes time-pressured diagnostic and therapeutic decisions that are based on emergent and interrelated patient information. Barriers to clinician efforts delay patient care and increase care cost, length of stay, and the potential for misadventures. The Cooperative Communication System is a real-time information technology system in its final year of development that is designed to support individual and team cognitive work and communication in the burn ICU. The project has used cognitive systems engineering methods to reveal genotypes: the traits that mold this naturalistic decision-making work setting. Requirements derived from findings guided development of seven core features, configurable displays, and machine learning features that enable clinicians to obtain and use the most important information on individual patients and among and across patients. Recent evaluation data demonstrate the system’s usability and value to the clinical staff. More efficient, reliable collaboration among members of the ICU staff who use the Cooperative Communication System is expected to improve patient safety and improve patient outcomes.
‘I don’t take orders from a lad wearing make-up’
Authors: Moore Allison
Published: September 2016

This article examines Dominic Mitchell’s BBC Three’s supernatural drama series, In the Flesh (2013), as a metaphor for contemporary lesbian and gay politics, which in recent years has followed a reformist agenda on the basis that lesbians and gay men are, what Andrew Sullivan (1996) has called, ‘virtually normal’. However, it has been suggested by some queer theorists that being seen as virtually normal is not unproblematic, as it is predicated on a politics of toleration. Read as a metaphor for contemporary lesbian and gay politics, In the Flesh presents a warning of the uncritical acceptance of discourses of sexual progress.
Segmentectomy versus wedge resection for the treatment of high-risk operable patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hou Bing , Deng Xu-Feng , Zhou Dong , Liu Quan-Xing , Dai Ji-Gang
Published: September 2016

Background:

Although lobectomy is still the preferred treatment for patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), segmentectomy or wedge resection is frequently performed on patients who cannot withstand the physiological rigors of lobectomy. The objective of this study was to compare the overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and disease-free survival outcomes among patients with stage I NSCLC who have undergone these procedures.

Methods:

A systematic electronic search in three online databases was conducted from their earliest publication dates to June 2015. The studies were evaluated according to rigorous, predefined inclusion criteria. The hazard ratio (HR) was used as the outcome measure for data combining.

Results:

There were nine eligible studies. These studies included 1181 patients who underwent segmentectomy and 2003 patients who underwent wedge resection. Stage I NSCLC patients who underwent segmentectomy had significantly better OS (HR 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68–0.93; p = 0.004) and CSS (HR 0.42; 95% CI, 0.20–0.88; p = 0.02) rates than those who underwent wedge resection. However, there were no significant differences in OS (HR 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15–1.02; p = 0.06) and CSS (HR 1.87; 95% CI, 0.29–12.06; p = 0.51) rates between segmentectomy and wedge resection in patients with stage Ia NSCLC with tumor size ⩽ 2 cm.

Conclusions:

For patients with stage I NSCLC, segmentectomy results in higher survival rates than wedge resection, whereas the outcomes of wedge resection are comparable to those of segmentectomy for patients with stage Ia NSCLC with tumor size ⩽ 2 cm. Considering the limitations and heterogeneity of the included studies, this conclusion should be further confirmed by rigorous randomized clinical trials.
Diuretics prevent Rho-kinase activation and expression of profibrotic/oxidative genes in the hypertensive aortic wall
Authors: Araos Patricio , Mondaca David , Jalil Jorge E. , Yañez Cristián , Novoa Ulises , Mora Italo , Ocaranza María Paz
Published: September 2016

Background:

Diuretics are current antihypertensive drugs since they reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. Increased vascular tone is modulated in a relevant way by the RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway, by acting on vascular smooth muscle cell contraction. This pathway has also proremodeling vascular effects. There are few data on the role of diuretics on both vascular ROCK activation and on proremodeling effects. We assessed the effects of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and spironolactone (spiro) alone and in combination with the ROCK inhibitor fasudil (FAS) on ROCK activation, gene expression of proremodeling markers and on hypertrophy in the aortic wall of hypertensive rats.

Methods:

Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats (male, Sprague–Dawley) were randomized to the specific ROCK inhibitor FAS, HCTZ, spiro or the combinations of FAS/HCTZ or FAS/spiro for 3 weeks. At the end of the study, ROCK activation (by western blot), gene expression of proremodeling markers (by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR) and vascular hypertrophy (by morphometry) were determined in the aortic wall.

Results:

All treatments significantly reduced blood pressure. In the DOCA rats the p-myosin phosphatase target protein-1 (MYPT1)/t-MYPT1 ratio, index of ROCK activation was higher by 2.8 fold ( p < 0.05) compared with control rats. All treatments reduced ROCK activation in the aortic wall to control levels ( p < 0.05). Besides, significantly increased protein levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), gene expression of TGF-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), p22 phox and gp91 phox subunits of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, as well as increased media thickness and aortic media area/lumen area (AM/LA) in the untreated hypertensive rats were significantly reduced ( p < 0.05) to control levels by all treatments. Similar effects were observed using both diuretics alone or in combination with FAS.

Conclusions:

In the aortic wall, both HCTZ and spiro in antihypertensive doses reduce ROCK activation, subsequent expression of genes that promote vascular remodeling and hypertrophy in this experimental model of hypertension. These effects could explain some of their clinical benefits in hypertensive patients.
What Factors Are Predictive of Outcome in the Treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Foot and Ankle?
Authors: Houdek Matthew T. , Beahrs Taylor R. , Wyles Cody C. , Rose Peter S. , Sim Franklin H. , Turner Norman S.
Published: September 2016

Soft tissue sarcomas of the foot and ankle are common. Currently, there exist limited data on prognostic variables. The aim of this study was to review our institution’s experience with soft tissue sarcomas of the foot and ankle to identify factors affecting outcomes and survivorship. We reviewed the records of 62 foot and ankle soft tissue sarcomas treated with definitive surgery at our institution between 1992 and 2013. The cohort consisted of 35 males and 27 females with a mean age at diagnosis of 45 years and a mean follow-up of 7 years. The most common tumor subtype was synovial sarcoma (n = 16). The overall limb salvage rate was 53%. Local recurrence was observed in 9 patients and distant metastases in 15 patients. Tumor size ≥3 cm in maximal dimension was the greatest risk factor in mortality. Posttreatment complications occurred in 15 patients. Local recurrence and development of distant disease was relatively common following wide excision of a soft tissue sarcoma of the foot and ankle. Tumors that were ≥3 cm in maximal dimension were associated with a worse overall survival and patients with neoadjuvant radiation were at increased risk of complications.

Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective Case Series
‘Broken heart’ in acute-on-chronic liver failure
Authors: Salazar Ennaliza , Tan Chee Kiat , Goh George Boon Bee
Published: September 2016

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy usually occurs as a result of catecholamine release causing myocardial ‘stunning’ during physical or emotional stress. Typically coronary angiogram shows normal or minor coronary artery disease and echocardiogram shows apical ballooning with basal wall hyperkinesia. The prognosis is excellent with good cardiac functional recovery within days to weeks. We report the first case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with acute-on-chronic liver failure.
Editor’s Choice - Impact of initial hospital diagnosis on mortality for acute myocardial infarction: A national cohort study
Authors: Wu Jianhua , Gale Chris P , Hall Marlous , Dondo Tatendashe B , Metcalfe Elizabeth , Oliver Ged , Batin Phil D , Hemingway Harry , Timmis Adam , West Robert M
Published: August 2016

Aims:

Early and accurate diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is central to successful treatment and improved outcomes. We aimed to investigate the impact of the initial hospital diagnosis on mortality for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods and results:

Cohort study using data from the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project of patients discharged with a final diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, n=221,635) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI, n=342,777) between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2013 in all acute hospitals ( n = 243) in England and Wales. Overall, 168,534 (29.9%) patients had an initial diagnosis which was not the same as their final diagnosis. After multivariable adjustment, for STEMI a change from an initial diagnosis of NSTEMI (time ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.92–1.01) and chest pain of uncertain cause (0.98, 0.89–1.07) was not associated with a significant reduction in time to death, whereas for other initial diagnoses the time to death was significantly reduced by 21% (0.78, 0.74–0.83). For NSTEMI, after multivariable adjustment, a change from an initial diagnosis of STEMI was associated with a reduction in time to death of 10% (time ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.83–0.97), but not for chest pain of uncertain cause (0.99, 0.96–1.02). Patients with NSTEMI who had other initial diagnoses had a significant 14% reduction in their time to death (time ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.84–0.88). STEMI and NSTEMI with other initial diagnoses had low rates of pre-hospital electrocardiograph (24.3% and 21.5%), aspirin on hospitalisation (61.6% and 48.5%), care by a cardiologist (60.0% and 51.5%), invasive coronary procedures (38.8 % and 29.2%), cardiac rehabilitation (68.9% and 62.6%) and guideline indicated medications at time of discharge from hospital. Had the 3.3% of patients with STEMI and 17.9% of NSTEMI who were admitted with other initial diagnoses received an initial diagnosis of STEMI and NSTEMI, then 33 and 218 deaths per year might have been prevented, respectively.

Conclusion:

Nearly one in three patients with acute myocardial infarction had other diagnoses at first medical contact, who less frequently received guideline indicated care and had significantly higher mortality rates. There is substantial potential, greater for NSTEMI than STEMI, to improve outcomes through earlier and more accurate diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.
Prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalised children: retrospective study in a Spanish tertiary-level hospital
Authors: Durá-Travé Teodoro , San Martin-García Isabel , Gallinas-Victoriano Fidel , Vaquero Iñigo Ibone , González-Benavides Aida
Published: September 2016

Objective

To analyse the prevalence of malnutrition among paediatric patients at the time of hospital admission throughout a calendar year in a tertiary-level hospital and to identify those patients and/or groups of pathologies with a higher risk of malnutrition.

Design

Observational (retrospective evaluation of nutrition status).

Setting

Navarra Hospital Complex, Pamplona, Spain.

Participants

A total of 852 patients hospitalised in 2013 in a Spanish tertiary-level paediatric hospital (462 males and 390 females).

Main outcome measures

Sex, age, body mass index at the moment of admission and days of hospitalisation and diagnosis codified according to the International Classification of Diseases were registered.

Results

The prevalence of malnutrition patients registered at the moment of admission was 8.2%. Diseases of the nervous system (22.9%), together with diseases of the respiratory system (22.9%), infectious diseases (18.6%), congenital malformations (11.4%) and diseases of the genitourinary system (8.6%) account for 84.4% of the cases with malnutrition.

Conclusions

The overall prevalence rate for malnutrition in paediatric patients at the moment of admission in our hospital was 8.2%, being a figure similar to those published in occidental countries. It should be mandatory to accomplish an initial screening and follow-up during hospitalisation of younger patients and those suffering from diseases of the nervous and/or respiratory system and, especially, from congenital diseases.
Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in patients with resistant hypertension: a case study
Authors: Obeid Amira , Pucci Mark , Martin Una , Hanif Wasim
Published: September 2016

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors lower blood pressure by osmotic diuresis and can be considered in diabetic patients with resistant hypertension.
Discussing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: Are we empowering our patients? A questionnaire survey
Authors: Keddie S , Angus-Leppan H , Parker T , Toescu S , Nash A , Adewunmi O , Liu RSN
Published: September 2016

Objective

To examine patient knowledge about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) compared to other risks in epilepsy. To explore patients’ experiences surrounding SUDEP disclosure and opinions on how information should be delivered.

Design

A cross-sectional questionnaire.

Setting

Royal Free Hospital, London outpatient epilepsy clinics.

Participants

New and follow-up patients attending epilepsy clinics at a London teaching hospital over six months. Patients identified as being at risk of suffering negative emotional or psychological consequences of SUDEP discussions were excluded.

Main outcome measures

Patient knowledge about epilepsy risks; patient opinion regarding source, timing and delivery of SUDEP information; impact on health seeking behaviour.

Results

Ninety-eight per cent of patients were aware of medication adherence, 84% of factors influencing seizure frequency, 78% of driving regulations, 50% of SUDEP and 38% of status epilepticus; 72% of patients felt that SUDEP information should be given to all patients. Preferences for timing of SUDEP discussions varied between those wanting information at diagnosis (40%) and those preferring to receive it after three clinic appointments (18%) to avoid information overload at the first consultation. Emotional responses (48% positive, 38% negative) predominated over measurable behavioural change following SUDEP discussions.

Conclusions

Less than half the patients knew about SUDEP and status epilepticus. Although the majority of patients with epilepsy wish to be informed about SUDEP early on in their diagnosis, information must be delivered in a way that promotes patient knowledge and empowerment.
Patterns and trends in mortality among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients in a major Internal Medicine Unit in Yaoundé, Cameroon: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mbuagbaw Josephine , Jingi Ahmadou M , Noubiap Jean Jacques N , Kaze Arnaud D , Nansseu Jobert Richie N , Bigna Jean Joel R , Wawo Yonta Edvine , Ngu Blackett Kathleen
Published: September 2016

Objective

To describe the trends in mortality and the spectrum of disease in HIV-infected and -uninfected inpatients in a population in Yaoundé.

Design

A retrospective study.

Setting

Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital Centre, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Participants

All deaths registered between January 2000 and May 2007 in the unit.

Main outcomes measures

Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features and results of all investigations done, cause of death.

Results

During the study period, 362 deaths were registered, consisting of 281 (77.6%) in HIV-infected patients, 54.4% of which were women. HIV-infected patients were younger (mean age: 40.2 (SD: 11.6) vs. 55.5 (SD: 18.3) years, p < 0.001) and economically active (60.3% vs. 24.4%, p < 0.001). Most HIV-infected patients (77.6%) were classified as WHO stage IV, with the rest being WHO stage III. Most HIV-infected patients (87.8%) had evidence of profound immunosuppression (CD4 < 200 cells/mm3). The mortality trend appeared to be declining with appropriate interventions. The most frequent causes of death in HIV-infected patients were pleural/pulmonary tuberculosis (34.2%), undefined meningoencephalitis (20.3%), other pneumonias (18.2%), toxoplasmosis (16.4%), cryptococcal meningitis (14.2%) and Kaposi sarcoma (15.7%). HIV-uninfected patients died mostly as a result of chronic diseases including liver diseases (17.3%), kidney failure (13.6%), congestive heart failure (11.1%) and stroke (9.9%).

Conclusion

There was a declining mortality due to HIV with appropriate interventions such as subsidised tests for HIV-infected patients, increased availability of HAART and other medications for prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections. The spectrum of HIV disease was wide and preventable.
Living an Educational Mission to Meet the Needs of Community and Public Health: Community Engagement in Pharmacy Education
Authors: Palombi Laura C. , Bastianelli Karen , Fierke Kerry K.
Published: September 2016

The Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences (PPPS) department on the Duluth campus of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy (COP) was established in 2004 to meet the health-related needs of greater Minnesota with a mission to continuously improve “interdisciplinary pharmaceutical care education, research, practice and service focused on the health and well-being of underserved, rural, and indigenous communities.” In alignment with the PPPS mission and Boyer’s model of engaged scholarship, students and faculty have partnered with local communities through outreach events that have had a lasting impact on community health. Student-led programming can play a vital role in community and public health through health fairs and outreach activities that target the homeless, underserved, vulnerable communities, and individuals of all ages ranging from childhood to elderly. Over the past 10 years, these outreach events led by pharmacy students and faculty at the COP have provided educational and health-related services to more than 5,000 community members in northern Minnesota while providing valuable learning opportunities for students, faculty, and pharmacist preceptors.
Genetic analyses in a cohort of children with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Levy Marilyne , Eyries Mélanie , Szezepanski Isabelle , Ladouceur Magalie , Nadaud Sophie , Bonnet Damien , Soubrier Florent
Published: September 2016

The prevalence of germline mutations in paediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to determine the mutation frequency in PH genes in a paediatric cohort and describe the clinical characteristics of mutation carriers.

The study involved 66 index cases with PH: 35 children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH); five children with familial PAH (FPAH); three children with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD); and 23 children with PAH associated with congenital heart disease (APAH-CHD).

No mutations were found in the 23 children with APAH-CHD. In the 40 children with IPAH or FPAH, 12 mutations were found: five onBMPR2; four onACVRL1; and three onTBX4.In the three PVOD cases, two carried theEIF2AK4mutation. Mutation carriers had a more severe disease at diagnosis and more aggressive first-line therapy was required. The three patients with PVOD had a very severe disease at diagnosis and required a lung transplantation.

The genetic architecture of paediatric PAH is enriched inACVRL1andTBX4mutations compared to adult PAH, but further studies are required to confirm these results. Childhood-onset PAH in children carrying a mutation in one of the genes tested has a more severe presentation at diagnosis but a similar outcome to that observed in non-carriers.
Risk-conscious correction of batch effects: maximising information extraction from high-throughput genomic datasets
Authors: Oytam Yalchin , Sobhanmanesh Fariborz , Duesing Konsta , Bowden Joshua C. , Osmond-McLeod Megan , Ross Jason
Published: September 2016

Background

Batch effects are a persistent and pervasive form of measurement noise which undermine the scientific utility of high-throughput genomic datasets. At their most benign, they reduce the power of statistical tests resulting in actual effects going unidentified. At their worst, they constitute confounds and render datasets useless. Attempting to remove batch effects will result in some of the biologically meaningful component of the measurement (i.e. signal) being lost. We present and benchmark a novel technique, calledHarman. Harman maximises the removal of batch noise with the constraint that the risk of also losing biologically meaningful component of the measurement is kept to a fraction which is set by the user.

Results

Analyses of three independent publically available datasets reveal that Harman removes more batch noise and preserves more signal at the same time, than the current leading technique. Results also show that Harman is able to identify and remove batch effects no matter what their relative size compared to other sources of variation in the dataset. Of particular advantage for meta-analyses and data integration is Harman’s superior consistency in achieving comparable noise suppression - signal preservation trade-offs across multiple datasets, with differing number of treatments, replicates and processing batches.

Conclusion

Harman’s ability to better remove batch noise, and better preserve biologically meaningful signal simultaneously within a single study, and maintain the user-set trade-off between batch noise rejection and signal preservation across different studies makes it an effective alternative method to deal with batch effects in high-throughput genomic datasets. Harman is flexible in terms of the data types it can process. It is available publically as an R package (https://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/Harman.html), as well as a compiled Matlab package (http://www.bioinformatics.csiro.au/harman/) which does not require a Matlab license to run.
Effective cleaning of copper stained calcareous stone
Authors: Spile Sanne , Suzuki Takayoshi , Bendix Jesper , Simonsen Kim Pilkjær
Published: September 2016

Background

Light calcareous stone materials used in connection with cultural heritage objects, such as pedestals, or used as wall facings in connection with bronze statues or joints often show green staining due to the corrosion products from the bronze elements. The green stains alter the appearance of the monument and thus disrupt the original intention. Due to this, several cleaning methods, often involving ammonia, have been developed for removal of copper stains from stone surfaces. This paper describes a new, highly efficient method for cleaning copper stains from calcareous stone by introducing the chelating agent ethylenediamine in a poultice consisting of Laponite® RD, Arbocel® BC1000 and CMC.

Results

Cleaning experiments were performed on marble and on a calcareous sandstone plinth contaminated with natural copper corrosion products due to outdoor exposure of an untreated bronze statue. The cleaning results were evaluated by visual observations.

Conclusion

The chemical cleaning of copper stained calcareous stone surfaces has been investigated and a new method for removal of copper stains has been developed. A solution of 0.1 M ethylenediamine in a poultice consisting of Laponite® RD/Arbocel® BC1000/CMC has shown to be an effective, economical, and fast do-it-yourself method.
Feasibility of ultrafast picosecond laser cleaning of soiling on historical leather buckles
Authors: Elnaggar Abdelrazek , Fitzsimons Paul , Lama Anne , Fletcher Yvette , Antunes Paula , Watkins K. G.
Published: September 2016

The aim of the research is to present a system recently developed and used for automated cleaning of artworks and to examine the suitability of using this ultrafast and precise computed-scanning picosecond laser (1064 nm) with a repetition rate of 10 kHz and a temporal pulse length of 10 ps for the removal of soiling from leather buckles without damaging the leather substrate. Preliminary tests will be performed with the model artificially aged vegetable tanned samples to determine the leather damage threshold fluence and the soiling ablation threshold fluence before using a laser for the removal of the soiling from a historical leather buckle. As laser cleaning requires a physical parameterization for optimization of cleaning accompanied with an assessment of the morphological and chemical changes of leather, an investigations were performed to determine the leather damage and ablation threshold fluences of artificially aged and historical vegetable tanned leather using a number of analytical techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, colorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy have been used. Following optimization trials of the picosecond laser cleaning parameters on model leather samples, satisfactory removal of the soiling over the historical leather surface is achieved.
Development and comparison of artificial neural network and statistical model for prediction of thermo-physiological properties of polyester–cotton plated fabrics
Authors: Jhanji Y. , Kothari V. K. , Gupta D.
Published: September 2016

Thermo-physiological properties of textiles play a very crucial role in providing thermal equilibrium to human beings in changing ambient conditions and activity level and in turn dictate the overall wearer comfort. A number of prediction tools like mechanistic, statistical and stochastic (artificial neural network) models are finding application in textiles for reasonable prediction of various aspects of textiles before the actual commencement of fabric production and testing. In this study, thermo-physiological properties of polyester–cotton plated fabrics were predicted by two approaches: artificial neural network and response surface equations. A multilayered back propagation artificial neural network was developed with four input nodes corresponding to four selected input parameters: back layer yarn linear density, filament fineness, total yarn linear density and loop length and one output node corresponding to the predicted thermo-physiological property. Four individual networks working in tandem with common set of input parameters and each giving an individual output were developed such that the outputs of four networks were thermal resistance, thermal absorptivity, air permeability and moisture vapour transmission rate respectively. Network architecture gave good prediction performance with low values of mean absolute percentage error and high coefficient of determination. Response surface equations were developed to predict the thermo-physiological properties and good agreement between experimental and predicted values for all the properties was found with coefficient of determination over 0.9. Artificial neural network predicted the thermal resistance and air permeability of plated fabrics with good accuracy. However, the response surface equations served better prediction tool for thermal absorptivity and moisture vapour transmission rate prediction.
Using instantaneous frequency and colored inversion attributes to distinguish and determine the sandstones facies of the Late Ordovician Mamuniyat reservoir, R-field in Murzuq Basin, Libya
Authors: Abushalah Yousf , Serpa Laura
Published: August 2016

The Mamuniyat petroleum reservoir in southwestern Libya is comprised of clean sandstones and intercalated shale and sand facies that are characterized by spatial porosity variations. Seismic reflection data from the field exhibit relatively low vertical seismic resolution, side lobes of reflection wavelets, reflection interference, and low acoustic impedance contrast between the reservoir and the units underneath the reservoir, which make mapping those facies a difficult task. In the absence of broadband seismic data, optimizing frequency bands of bandlimited data can be used to suppress pseudoreflectors resulting from side-lobe effects and help to separate the clean sandstone facies of the reservoir. We have optimized the data based on our investigation of seismic frequency bands and used instantaneous frequency analysis to reveal the reflection discontinuity that is mainly associated with the reservoir boundary of the sandstone facies of the clean Mamuniyat reservoir. We also preformed rock-physics diagnostic modeling and inverted the seismic data using spectral-based colored inversion into relative acoustic impedance. The inverted impedance matches the up-scaled impedance from the well data and the inversion of relative acoustic impedance confirms the conclusion that was drawn from the instantaneous frequency results. The interpretation of facies distributions based on the instantaneous frequency was supported by the inversion results and the rock-physics models.
Broadband marine controlled-source electromagnetic for subsalt and around salt exploration
Authors: Zerilli Andrea , Buonora Marco P. , Menezes Paulo T. L. , Labruzzo Tiziano , Marçal Adriano J. A. , Silva Crepaldi João L.
Published: August 2016

Salt basins, mainly Tertiary basins with mobilized salt, are notoriously difficult places to explore because of the traditionally poor seismic images typically obtained around and below salt bodies. In areas where the salt structures are extremely complex, the seismic signal-to-noise ratio may still be limited and, therefore, complicate the estimation of the velocity field variations that could be used to migrate the seismic data correctly and recover a good image suitable for prospect generation. We have evaluated the results of an integrated seismic-electromagnetic (EM) two-step interpretation workflow that we applied to a broadband marine controlled-source EM (mCSEM) research survey acquired over a selected ultra-deepwater area of Espirito Santo Basin, Brazil. The presence of shallow allochthonous salt structures makes around salt and subsalt seismic depth imaging remarkably challenging. To illustrate the proposed workflow, we have concentrated on a subdomain of the mCSEM data set, in which a shallow allochthonous salt body has been interpreted before. In the first step, we applied a 3D pixel-based inversion to the mCSEM data intending to recover the first guess of the geometry and resistivity of the salt body, but also the background resistivity. As a starting model, we used a resistivity mesh given by seismic interpretation and resistivity information provided by available nearby wells. Then, we applied a structure-based inversion to the mCSEM data, in which the retrieved model in step one was used as an input. The goal of that second inversion was to recover the base of the salt interface. The top of the salt and the background resistivities remained fixed throughout the process. As a result, we were able to define better the base of the allochthonous salt body. That was reinterpreted approximately 300–700 m shallower than interpreted from narrow azimuth seismic.
Detection and Prognostic Significance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients With Metastatic Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Xu Jian Yu , Handy Beverly , Michaelis Christina L. , Waguespack Steven G. , Hu Mimi I. , Busaidy Naifa , Jimenez Camilo , Cabanillas Maria E. , Fritsche Herbert A. , Cote Gilbert J. , Sherman Steven I.
Published: August 2016

Context:

Individual patient prognostication for advanced thyroid cancer (TC) is challenging. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been shown to be a valuable prognostic marker for other solid cancers.

Objective:

We hypothesized that CTCs are present in the blood of patients with advanced TC and their number can predict overall survival (OS).

Setting:

This is a prospective study at a tertiary cancer hospital.

Patients, Interventions, and Main Outcome Measures:

Initial studies were performed with TC cell lines to determine the feasibility of detection using the Veridex CellSearch. CTC enumeration was performed in blood samples from 18 patients with distantly metastatic medullary TC (metMTC), 14 with distantly metastatic differentiated TC (metDTC), and 10 controls with a history of TC but no evidence of disease. The prognostic value of CTC levels to predict OS in metMTC patients was assessed.

Results:

CellSearch detected cells from MTC and DTC but not anaplastic TC cell lines. Six metMTC patients but no metDTC or control patients had more than or equal to 5 CTCs detected by the CellSearch assay. Median survival in metMTC patients with more than or equal to 5 CTCs was 13 months vs 51.5 months for those with less than 5 CTCs (P = .0116). The hazard ratio for mortality of patients with more than or equal to 5 CTCs compared with those with less than 5 CTCs was 3.95 (1.20–13.0, P = .0245).

Conclusions:

The presence of more than or equal to 5 CTCs in patients with metMTC is associated with worse OS. Larger cohorts are required to validate the prognostic value of CTC enumeration.
Bailouts, Time Inconsistency, and Optimal Regulation: A Macroeconomic View
Authors: Chari V. V. , Kehoe Patrick J.
Published: August 2016

A common view is that bailouts of firms by governments are needed to cure inefficiencies in private markets. We propose an alternative view: even when private markets are efficient, costly bankruptcies will occur and benevolent governments without commitment will bail out firms to avoid bankruptcy costs. Bailouts then introduce inefficiencies where none had existed. Although granting the government orderly resolution powers which allow it to rewrite private contracts improves on bailout outcomes, regulating leverage and taxing size is needed to achieve the relevant constrained efficient outcome, the sustainably efficient outcome. This outcome respects governments' incentives to intervene when they lack commitment. (JEL D86, E32, G33, H81, L51)
Current clinical evidence on endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) from randomised trials
Authors: Rass K.
Published: September 2016

Background Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is globally counted among the most frequently administered methods to treat saphenous vein incompetence. Technical development proceeded in three particular steps: EVLA #1 – Diode lasers linearly emitting wavelengths from 810 to 980 nm through optical bare fibres; EVLA #2 – Diode or Nd:YAG lasers emitting wavelengths from 1064 to 1500 nm; EVLA #3 – Modified optical fibres warranting an optimised emission geometry by centralisation of the fibre tip (Tulip-fibre, Jacket-tip) or radial emission of the laser beam. Due to the number of different EVLA techniques their value compared with standard surgery (high ligation and stripping, HLS) and other endovascular approaches has to be questioned.

Methods Selective literature analysis based on a systematic PubMed search focussed on randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing EVLA with HLS and other thermal or nonthermal ablation techniques – radiofrequency ablation (RFA), ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS), endothermal steam ablation (EStA).

Results The search terms “endovenous”, “laser”, “varicose vein” resulted in 509 publications, hereof 57 RCTs, hereof 24 randomised studies comparing EVLA with other treatment approaches: 15 studies comprise comparisons with standard surgery and further 9 studies with other endovenous techniques. 6 RCTs contain long-term followup data on EVLA #1 vs. HLS suggesting superiority of HLS in terms of same site clinical and duplex detected recurrence from the groin. 15 RCTs are reporting short-term results clearly demonstrating inferiority of EVLA #1 against EVLA #2, EVLA #3, and RFA with respect to postoperative complaints and patients’ quality of life.

Conclusions The first generation endovenous laser systems are disadvantageous or even harmful as compared with more advanced EVLA techniques and RFA in terms of patients’ complaints and side effects. Furthermore, evidence is rising that EVLA #1 is inferior to standard surgery regarding long-term treatment efficacy. Therefore, the application of EVLA #1 in the treatment of saphenous vein incompetence cannot be recommended any longer. In view of the more recently published RCTs reporting long-term superiority of standard surgery, HLS should still be implemented as control group in studies investigating endovenous treatment approaches.
The long path to NOAC
Authors: Haas S.
Published: September 2016

The discovery of anticoagulant drugs occurred at a time when the process of blood coagulation only had been roughly described and their mode of action was unknown. Nevertheless, heparin – which was discovered 100 years ago – and warfarin – which was developed in the 1920s – had taken off on a triumphal course which is unique in medical history. The synthesis of anticoagulants with targeted mode of action was only achieved at the end of the last century, e. g. the inhibitor of factor Xa fondaparinux or the recombinant production of the direct thrombin inhibitor hirudin, closely followed by the synthesis of the direct oral inhibitors of factor Xa and thrombin. These compounds had been clinically developed in the early 21st century and meanwhile, they have become available for several indications. Dabigatran is the only thrombin inhibitor and rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban are the three factor Xa inhibitors which entered the market and have started replacing the conventional anticoagulants for treatment of venous thromboembolic complications and for prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. They have several characteristics in common such as a reproducible bioavailability, much shorter halflives than vitamin K antagonists, low interaction with other drugs, fixed dosing regimens without the necessity for routine coagulation controls and a better risk-/benefit profile than conventional anticoagulants. However, there are differences between the various compounds with regard to metabolism, renal elimination and the various dosing regimens which definitely need to be considered when prescribed to various patient populations.
Is compression therapy for thromboprophylaxis still worthwhile today?
Authors: Kröger K.
Published: September 2016

Physical thromboprophylaxis to prevent deep vein thrombosis of the legs was first introduced in the 1970s and 80s and is still in use. But the question “Is compression therapy for thromboprophylaxis still worthwhile today?” provokes great controversy in the literature. The current German S3 guideline goes so far as to say “Put explicitly, not using thromboembolic deterrent stockings (TEDs) in the vast majority of cases lies completely within the scope of the recommendations in this guideline.” However, the “vast majority of cases” does not mean that it is always right not to use TEDs. The general consensus in the guidelines is the use of compression as a physical means of thromboprophylaxis in patients at high risk of bleeding or with active bleeding, irrespective of whether it consists of TEDs or intermittent pneumatic compression therapy. The decision to use compression in the individual case ultimately rests with the doctor. Physical venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis still has a place in surgery during the perioperative period when regular pharmacological anticoagulation to prevent VTE has to be interrupted.
Analysis of morphine responses in mice reveals a QTL on Chromosome 7
Authors: Crusio Wim E. , Dhawan Esha , Chesler Elissa J. , Delprato Anna
Published: September 2016

In this study we identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on mouse Chromosome 7 associated with locomotor activity and rearing post morphine treatment. This QTL was revealed after correcting for the effects of another QTL peak on Chromosome 10 using composite interval mapping. The positional candidate genes are Syt9 and Ppfibp2. Several other genes within the interval are linked to neural processes, locomotor activity, and the defensive response to harmful stimuli.
Report of the Nomenclature Committee for Algae: 14
Authors: Prud'homme van Reine Willem F.
Published: August 2016

Three names are recommended for conservation: Vesicularia (Müll. Hal.) Müll. Hal. against Vesicularia P. Micheli ex Targ. Tozz subject to the Nomenclature Committee for Bryophytes recommendation; Hapalosiphonaceae against Lunoeviaceae; and Rhabdosphaera against Rhabdolithes. The name Fucus baillouviana should not be conserved with a conserved type. Conservation of the following names is not recommended: Detonia Freng. against Detonia Sacc.; Melobesiaceae against Hapalidiaceae and Lithothamniaceae, Moorea Engene & al. against Moorea Lemaire and Moorea Rolfe.
Public Library Management between Centralization and Non-Centralization
Authors: Elsherief Hesham
Published: August 2016

The nation’s development is measured by the progress in science and knowledge. Public libraries are the main source for the dissemination of knowledge and science. However, to achieve real societal development through public libraries, flexibility in library management is needed to adapt fast to the changes in services that needed by the societies that library serve. Each library system is required to adapt and changing its services based on the users’ educational, cultural, and social needs. The problem always lies on the bureaucratic and centralized library management systems that prohibit libraries from changing the services based on the users’ needs. Further, the problem is clearly appears in multi-branches library system that serve a wide range of users in high divers communities in terms of  economic status, and social awareness. Defining the services that provided by library branches through centralized management prohibits the management flexibility and consequently reduces the ability to achieve the users’ changing needs and consequently loses its importance to the society it serves. On the other hand, the use of complete decentralization in managing multi-branches libraries would diminish the general shape of the library organization to act as an institution that has goals and action plans that drawn and implemented in an organizational framework. This paper is to suggest a new library organizational paradigm that avoids the negative impact of the centralization to increase the flexibility that needed to provide customized services to library patrons. Meanwhile, keeps the library organizational framework intact by not applying the complete decentralization while managing multi-branches library system.