bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of social media in shaping solidarity and compassion fade: How the death of a child turned apathy into action but distress took it away
Authors: Thomas Emma F , Cary Nicola , Smith Laura GE , Spears Russell , McGarty Craig
Published: March 2018

An image of drowned Syrian toddler, Aylan Kurdi, was popularly shared through social media and this promoted a surge of solidarity with Syrian refugees in September 2015. However, this response was not sustained. We explore the role of social media engagement in the emergence of solidarity and its decline (compassion fade). We collected data when sympathy for refugees was peaking (September 2015), and 1 year later. Latent change score modeling ( N = 237) showed that engagement with the image through social media allowed people to form a pro-refugee group consciousness that acted as the proximal predictor of solidarity. However, reductions in the same factors explain the reduced commitment 1 year later. Distress predicted the reductions in social media engagement. The results support the power of social media to ignite world-changing action, but caution that online engagement may dissipate in the face of ongoing challenges.
Contested connectedness in child custody narratives: Mobile phones and children’s rights and responsibilities
Authors: Sjöblom Björn , Franzén Anna , Aronsson Karin
Published: March 2018

New forms of information and communications technology (ICT) form parts of contemporary communication. At large, connected presence (e.g. through mobile phones) is seen as something positive that facilitates social connectedness in family life. Yet, there are also instances of what we call contested connectedness. This article analyses courtroom proceedings in child custody disputes. The analyses (from 68 audio- recorded high-conflict trials) highlight how mobile phone connectedness reshapes boundaries of public/private in post-separation family life. A number of cases were chosen to illuminate different ways in which connectedness through mobile phone contacts was contested by the child or one of the parents. Three cases document recurring ways in which children’s rights and responsibilities were intertwined in complex ways in post-divorce life and how mobile phone connectedness would not offer the child new rights, yet make them more responsible for monitoring their parents’ unresolved problems.
Sexting scripts in adolescent relationships: Is sexting becoming the norm?
Authors: Symons Katrien , Ponnet Koen , Walrave Michel , Heirman Wannes
Published: March 2018

This study offers empirical insight into adolescents’ norms around sexting. Informed by sexual scripting theory, we investigated the extent to which young people perceive sexting as being a likely behavior in the context of a romantic relationship (the “sexting script”). A distinction is made between what adolescents find likely among same-aged peers (the general sexting script) versus what they find likely in their personal situation (the personal sexting script). Data were gathered through questionnaires from adolescents aged 13–18 years ( N = 357, 45% male). The results show that sexting scripts are gendered and that adolescents perceive sexting as being more likely to occur among peers than in their personal situation. The personal sexting script is related to the general sexting script, sexual experiences, and the use of online pornography. The results of the study are useful for the design of sexting education and sensitization messages toward youth.
Self-coverage for public interest or self-promotion: How media cross-ownership structures affect news content in South Korea
Authors: Lee Na Yeon , Baek Kanghui , Pae Jung Kun , Jeong Sun Ho , Jung Nakwon
Published: March 2018

The growing phenomenon of cross-ownership by media conglomerates and the influence of that phenomenon on news content continues to receive considerable attention internationally. Such cross-ownership of media has triggered discussions about whether media firms prioritize their own business interests through self-promotion. In the context of South Korea where the three main newspapers are permitted by the government to cross-own cable TV network subsidiaries, this study looks at whether and to what extent self-coverage is done with the intent of self-promotion. Specifically, this study examined 1362 news articles about issues related to self-coverage published in five of South Korea’s major newspapers – three with cable TV networks and, for purposes of comparison, two without. Content analysis showed that the three newspapers that cross-own cable TV networks were more likely than their competitors to cover more frequently as well as more positively news about their primary shareholders along with news about programs broadcast by their own subsidiary cable TV networks. These results may suggest that self-coverage by newspaper companies in South Korea tend to favor their own private interests at levels higher than news of public interest.
Determination of Endograft Apposition, Position, and Expansion in the Aortic Neck Predicts Type Ia Endoleak and Migration After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Schuurmann Richte C. L. , van Noort Kim , Overeem Simon P. , van Veen Ruben , Ouriel Kenneth , Jordan William D. , Muhs Bart E. , ‘t Mannetje Yannick W. , Reijnen Michel M. P. J. , Fioole Bram , Ünlü Çağdaş , Brummel Peter , de Vries Jean-Paul P. M.
Published: March 2018

Purpose: To describe the added value of determining changes in position and apposition on computed tomography angiography (CTA) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) to detect early caudal displacement of the device and to prevent type Ia endoleak. Methods: Four groups of elective EVAR patients were selected from a dataset purposely enriched with type Ia endoleak and migration (>10 mm) cases. The groups included cases of late type Ia endoleak (n=36), migration (n=9), a type II endoleak (n=16), and controls without post-EVAR complications (n=37). Apposition of the endograft fabric with the aortic neck, shortest distance between the fabric and the renal arteries, expansion of the main body (or dilatation of the aorta in the infrarenal sealing zone), and tilt of the endograft toward the aortic axis were determined on the first postoperative and the last available CTA scan without type Ia endoleak or migration. Differences in these endograft dimensions were compared between the first vs last scan and among the 4 groups. Results: No significant differences in endograft configurations were observed among the groups on the first postoperative CTA scan. On the last CTA scan before a complication arose, the position of the fabric relative to the renal arteries, expansion of the main body, and apposition of the fabric with the aortic neck were significantly different between the type Ia endoleak (median follow-up 15 months) and migration groups (median follow-up 23 months) compared with the control group (median follow-up 19 months). Most endograft dimensions had changed significantly compared with the first postoperative CTA scan for all groups. Apposition had increased in the control group but had decreased significantly in the type Ia endoleak and migration groups. Conclusion: Progressive changes in dimensions of the endograft within the infrarenal neck could be detected on regular CTA scans before the complication became urgent in many patients.
Development of a novel hybrid yarn production process for functional textile products
Authors: Korkmaz Memiş Nazife , Kayabaşı Gizem , Yılmaz Demet
Published: March 2018

In this study, an innovative method consisting of electrospinning and conventional textile production techniques was built up to produce hybrid yarns enabling the production of functional textile products. The principle of the developed method is to open the twist of spun yarn, make this fibre bundle conductive for use as a collector, collect the electrospun nanofibres onto the conductive opened fibre bundle and finally twist this structure to produce hybrid yarn. To determine the feasibility of the developed method, surface morphology, chemical composition, coating features and tensile properties of the hybrid yarns were compared with that of the pure yarn and nanofibre-coated yarns produced without untwisting and retwisting processes. Test results demonstrated that untwisting process in hybrid production method provided the application of nanofibres interior structure of the spun yarn while retwisting process made integration of classical textile fibres and nanofibres together and hence locking the obtained yarn structure effectively. Thanks to the integrated structure, it was successful to get the yarn have the required tensile properties for weaving, knitting and other processes. Three minutes was determined as the optimum coating time for the effective nanofibre deposition and tensile properties. Summing up the results, it was believed that the method helps to benefit from the special properties of nanofibres for the functional yarn production together with durability and higher tensile properties of the spun yarns for larger usage areas. The presented findings could encourage the researchers to commercialize the method in order to get nanofibre-coated functional yarns.
Limited Time, Limited Resources: Trade-Offs in Congressional Earmarking and Policymaking
Authors: Guenther Scott M. , Searle David M.
Published: March 2018

Earmarks are an important tool of a legislators’ reelection strategy, as they provide a prime opportunity to benefit their district and increase their chances at reelection. Yet, some legislators secure substantially more earmarks than others. Our study offers a new explanation for why this occurs. With limited legislative resources at their disposal, members of Congress are forced to make trade-offs in how they allocate their resources among legislative activities. In a world with resource constraints, members less engaged in earmarking are likely engaged in policymaking activities. We take advantage of new earmark and policymaking data to explore this hypothesized negative relationship between earmarking and policymaking effort. We find that legislators who exert greater effort on policymaking secure significantly fewer earmark dollars.
Pelvic Ring Fracture Accompanying Traumatic Thrombosis and Posterior Peritoneum Hernia in a 2-Year-Old Child: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiang , Li Hao , Li Hai , Yang Xuan , Wu Zhenkai , Zhang Ziming
Published: March 2018

A 2-year-old girl who was badly injured by a forklift, was presented to the emergency department with open and comminuted pelvic fracture, dislocation of right sacroiliac jointand femoral neck fracture on the left side. An urgent debridement was performed. However, postoperatively, the girl had apparent abdominal distension. The results of contrast-enhanced CT implied that the intestineherniated through the fissure formed by dislocation of the sacroiliac joint, which was confirmed during the operation. Therefore, hernia repair and reduction of the sacroiliac joint were performed by a Multidisciplinary team.With regard to patient’s age, the sacroiliac joint was reduced and sutured with two absorbable anchors. The fracture healed in the following 3 months after discharge.
Management of Postfasciotomy Wounds and Skin Defects Following Complex Vascular Trauma to the Extremities Using the External Tissue Extender System
Authors: Karkos Christos D. , Papoutsis Ioakeim , Giagtzidis Ioakeim T. , Pliatsios Ioannis , Mitka Maria-Aphroditi , Papazoglou Konstantinos O. , Kambaroudis Apostolos G.
Published: March 2018

Management of large postfasciotomy wounds and/or skin and soft tissue defects after major vascular trauma to the extremities can be challenging. The External Tissue Extender (Blomqvist; ETE), a skin-stretching device, which consists of silicone tapes and plastic stoppers, approximates wound margins and facilitates delayed primary closure. We describe our experience with the use of ETE in 5 patients (4 males) with a total of 8 wounds (7 postfasciotomy, 1 soft tissue defect) over the past 12 years. The mean patient age was 32 (range 17-61) years. The wounds involved the lower limb in 3 patients and the upper limb in 2, whereas the injured arteries were the popliteal in 3, the axillary in 1, and the brachial in 1. The mean wound length was 24 cm (range 9-37 cm), and the mean number of ETE silicone tapes used per wound was 13 (range 5-19). The median duration of ETE therapy was 7 days (range 4-7). ETE therapy resulted in sufficient wound approximation to allow complete closure with conventional suturing in 7 out of the 8 wounds. Of these, one developed infection that required drainage, debridement, and resuturing. All wounds achieved satisfactory healing status and all limbs had been salvaged. In conclusion, the ETE is a useful, easy-to-use, and simple adjunct that may facilitate delayed primary closure of large postfasciotomy wounds or extensive skin and soft tissue defects following complex vascular trauma to the extremities.
Validation of an Instrument to Evaluate the Development of University Teaching Competences in Ecuador
Authors: Serrano Rodríguez Rocío , Amor Almedina María Isabel , Guzman Cedeño Ángel , Guerrero-Casado José
Published: March 2018

This study is to design and validate an instrument to evaluate the level of development of teaching competences (academic, social, personal, and instrumental) of the university teachers. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses are applied to validate the theoretical model. The results confirm that the University Teaching Competence Scale is a valid instrument to evaluate this set of competences.
Volumetric Nephrogram Represents Renal Function and Complements Aortic Anatomic Severity Grade in Predicting EVAR Outcomes
Authors: Balceniuk Mark D. , Trakimas Lauren , Aghaie Claudia , Mix Doran , Rasheed Khurram , Seaman Matthew , Ellis Jennifer , Glocker Roan , Doyle Adam , Stoner Michael C.
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a predictor of poor outcomes for patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Anatomic severity grade (ASG) represents a quantitative mechanism for assessing anatomical suitability for endovascular aortic repair. Anatomic severity grade has been correlated with repair outcomes and resource utilization. The purpose of this study was to identify a novel renal perfusion metric as a way to assist ASG with predicting EVAR outcomes.

Methods:

Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified elective infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair cases. Anatomic grading was undertaken by independent reviewers. Using volumetric software, kidney volume, and a novel measure of kidney functional volume, the volumetric nephrogram (VN) was recorded. Systematic evaluation of the relationship of kidney volume and VN to CKD and ASG was undertaken using linear regression and receiver–operator statistical tools.

Results:

A total of 386 cases with patient and anatomic data were identified and graded. Mean age was 72.9 ± 0.4 years. Renal volume <281 mL correlated with CKD (area under the curve [AUC] = .708; P ≤ .0001). Volumetric nephrogram <22.5 HU·L correlated with CKD (AUC = 0.764; P ≤ .0001). High (≥15) ASG scores correlated with both renal volume (AUC = .628; P ≤ .0001) and VN (AUC = .628; P ≤ .0001). Regression analysis demonstrated a strong, inverse relationship between ASG and VN ( R2 = .95).

Conclusion:

These data demonstrate that VN is a strong predictor of CKD in a large database of patients undergoing elective aneurysm repair. We demonstrate an inverse relationship between renal function and ASG that has not been previously described in the literature. Additionally, we have shown that VN complements ASG as a model of overall cardiovascular health and atherosclerotic burden. Outcomes in patients with poor renal function may be related to anatomical issues in addition to well-described systemic ramifications.
Single-Docking Full Robotic Surgery for Rectal Cancer: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Alfieri Sergio , Di Miceli Dario , Menghi Roberta , Cina Caterina , Fiorillo Claudio , Prioli Francesca , Rosa Fausto , Doglietto Giovanni B. , Quero Giuseppe
Published: March 2018

Purpose. Robotic surgery has gradually gained importance in the treatment of rectal cancer. However, recent studies have not shown any advantages when compared with laparoscopy. The objective of this study is to report a single surgeon’s experience in robotic rectal surgery focusing on short-term and long-term outcomes. Methods. Sixty consecutive robotic rectal resections for adenocarcinoma, over a 4-year period, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients’ characteristics and perioperative outcomes were analyzed. Oncological outcomes and surgical resection quality as well as overall and disease-free survival were also assessed. Results. Thirty patients out of 60 (50%) underwent neoadjuvant therapy. Anterior rectal resection was performed in 52 cases (86.7%), and abdominoperineal resection was done in 8 cases (13.3%). Mean operative time was 283 (±68.6) minutes. The conversion rate was 5% (3 patients). Postoperative complications occurred in 10 cases (16.7%), and reoperation was required in 1 case (1.7%). Mean hospital stay was 9 days, while 30-day mortality was 1.7% (1 patients). The histopathological analysis reported a negative circumferential radial margin and distal margins in 100% of cases with a complete or near complete total mesorectal excision in 98.3% of patients. Mean follow-up was 32.8 months with a recurrence rate of 3.4% (2 patients). Overall survival and disease-free survival were 94% and 87%, respectively. Conclusions. Robotic surgery for rectal cancer proves to be safe and feasible when performed by highly skilled surgeons. It offers acceptable perioperative outcomes with a conversion rate notably lower than with the laparoscopic approach. Adequate pathological results and long-term oncological outcomes were also obtained.
The Department Chair’s Troubles: Leadership Role of Middle Managers
Authors: Wei Yu-Chen
Published: March 2018

Professor James Wang was chosen by his department colleagues to chair the university department, but he soon realized that leading his colleagues and driving departmental growth were more difficult than teaching and conducting research. Departmental student enrollment had been unsatisfactory in the past few years. Professor Wang met various difficulties executing his duties and faced pressure from senior executives. This case study focuses on the leadership behavior of the university department chair and his colleagues’ reactions. It investigates the role that middle managers play in achieving organizational goals and analyzes the managerial competencies required for them to fulfill their role.
“Boy Crisis” or “Girl Risk”? The Gender Difference in Nonsuicidal Self-Injurious Behavior Among Middle-School Students in China and its Relationship to Gender Role Conflict and Violent Experiences
Authors: Yang Xueyan , Xin Moye
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

We attempted to test if there were gender differences in nonsuicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors among Chinese middle-school students, and analyze the impact of gender role conflict and violent experiences on these behaviors among middle-school students of different genders.

Method:

Based on the survey data from seven middle schools in Xi’an region of China, the gender difference in NSSI behaviors and its associated factors were analyzed in this study.

Results:

There was no significant gender difference in NSSI behaviors among middle-school students; however, female middle-school students were more likely to experience gender role conflicts while male students were more likely to experience all kinds of violence earlier. Gender role conflicts and violent experiences can explain the prevalence of NSSI behaviors by gender, to some extent.

Conclusions:

The hypothesis on gender patterns of “boy crisis” or “girl risk” on NSSI prevalence was not verified; however, a “girl risk” for gender role conflicts and a “boy crisis” in violent experiences were found. The gender role conflicts were significantly associated with NSSI prevalence among middle-school students to some extent; however, this relationship was adjusted by variables of violent experiences. The different variables of violent experiences were the important predictors of NSSI prevalence among male and female middle-school students with specific contents varying across genders.
2016 Survey of State-Level Health Resources for Men and Boys: Identification of an Inadvertent and Remediable Service and Health Disparity
Authors: Fadich Ana , Llamas Ramon P. , Giorgianni Salvatore , Stephenson Colin , Nwaiwu Chimezie
Published: March 2018

This survey evaluated resources available to men and boys at the state level including state public health departments (SPHDs), other state agencies, and governor’s offices. Most of the resources and programs are found in the SPHDs and these administer state-initiated and federally funded health programs to provide services and protection to a broad range of populations; however, many men’s health advocates believe that SPHDs have failed to create equivalent services for men and boys, inadvertently creating a health disparity. Men’s Health Network conducts a survey of state resources, including those found in SPHDs, every 2 years to identify resources available for men and women, determine the extent of any disparity, and establish a relationship with SPHD officials. Data were obtained from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. An analysis of the 2016 survey data indicates that there are few resources allocated and a lack of readily available information on health and preventive care created specifically for men and boys. The data observed that most health information intended for men and boys was scarce among states or oftentimes included on websites that primarily focused on women’s health. A potential result of this is a loss of engagement with appropriate health-care providers due to a lack of information. This study continues to validate the disparity between health outcomes for women and men. It continues to highlight the need for better resource allocation, outreach, and health programs specifically tailored to men and boys in order to improve overall community well-being.
Hispanic Young Males’ Mental Health From Adolescence Through the Transition to Fatherhood
Authors: Garfield Craig F. , Abbott Collin , Rutsohn Joshua , Penedo Frank
Published: March 2018

The objective of the current study was to examine the associations between the transition to fatherhood and depressive symptoms scores among Hispanic men. Using the sample of Hispanic men included in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, depressive symptom scores were examined from 1994 to 2008. A “fatherhood-year” data set was created that included the men’s Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) scores as well as residency status with the child. By regressing age-adjusted standardized depressive symptom scores, associations between mental health scores of Hispanic men and their transition to fatherhood were identified. Among the 1,715 Hispanic men, resident ( n = 502) and nonresident ( n = 99) Hispanic fathers reported an increase in depressive symptom scores (CES-D) during the first 5 years after entrance into fatherhood (β = 0.150, 95% CI [0.062, 0.239] and β = 0.153, 95% CI [0.034, 0.271], respectively) compared to non-fathers ( n = 1,114), representing an increase of 10% for resident fathers and a 15% for nonresident fathers. Hispanic non-fathers reported a decrease in depressive symptom scores (CES-D) during parallel ages. Hispanic fathers, regardless of residency status, reported increased depressive symptoms in the first 5 years after the transition into fatherhood, a period critical in child development.
Reverse deduction of vehicle group situation based on dynamic Bayesian network
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Wang Jianqiang , Liu Yaqi , Liu Zhenxue , Wang Jingheng
Published: March 2018

Vehicle group is the basic unit of microscopic traffic flow, and also a concept that often involved in the research of active vehicle security. It is of great significance to identify vehicle group situation accurately for the research of traffic flow theory and the intelligent vehicle driving system. Three-lane condition was taken as an example and the privacy protection of driver (only the data of travel time were used) was a premise in this article. Poisson’s distribution was used to identify vehicle group situation which was constituted by target vehicle and its neighboring vehicles when the target vehicle arrived at the end of study area. And the dynamic Bayesian network was used to build the reverse deduction model of vehicle group situation. The model was verified through actual and virtual driving experiments. Verification results showed that the model established in this article was reasonable and feasible.
A new AGV scheduling algorithm based on harmony search for material transfer in a real-world manufacturing system
Authors: Li Guomin , Zeng Bing , Liao Wei , Li Xinyu , Gao Liang
Published: March 2018

With the development of advanced manufacturing technology, more and more enterprises utilize automated guided vehicles to transfer materials for computer numerical control machines in the workshop. Because automated guided vehicle scheduling problem is non-deterministic polynomial–hard, highly efficient automated guided vehicle scheduling algorithms are necessary to improve productivity of the workshop. In order to solve this problem, a mathematical model with a new objective function is established firstly, which incorporates two indicators, that is, the standard deviation of the waiting time of computer numerical control material buffers and the total travel distance of automated guided vehicle, reflecting the overall capacity of computer numerical control machines and the energy efficiency of automated guided vehicles during the actual production, respectively. Then, an improved harmony search algorithm is proposed, which includes an effective discrete encoding scheme of harmony, a new initialization method for harmony memory based on opposition-based learning strategy, a dynamic harmony memory considering rate parameter and a local search strategy. The property of the proposed algorithm is evaluated through three cases from the real-world manufacturing system for producing back cover of smart phone. Compared with the competing algorithms, the results demonstrate the superiority of proposed algorithm for solving automated guided vehicle scheduling problem obviously.
Determining the minimal mulch film damage caused by the up-film transplanter
Authors: Du Sheng , Yu Junzhi , Wang Weibing
Published: March 2018

To satisfy the increasing demand for improving productivity while reducing pollution, this article proposes a method to determine the minimal mulch film damage in mechanical transplantation operations, which can be used to guide the design of all the up-film transplanters. Specifically, the whole working process of digging the hole for a typical dibble-type transplanter working in Xinjiang province of China is analyzed, in which the dibble motion serves to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Both the ideal condition and the realistic environmental force-involved condition are taken into consideration during analytically modeling the process of the mulch film damage. Based on the presented two-layer soil-layered model and basic motion principles, a series of equations is derived to describe the typical dibble-type transplanter motion involved gravity and soil counter-force. Furthermore, the derived relations between working parameters and structural parameters of the transplanter guide the search of a minimum value of the mulch film damage. Finally, simulation results verify the effectiveness of the presented theoretical calculation. More remarkably, the dibble motion in the preliminary field trial is similar to that in the simulations. The obtained results provide a new way to deal with the optimal design and operations of novel up-film transplanters.
Research on the technology of noise reduction in hybrid electric vehicle with composite materials
Authors: Liao Lianying , Zuo Yanyan , Meng Haodong , Liao Xuhui
Published: March 2018

The noise source of hybrid electric vehicle is varied, which makes the frequency band from low-frequency to high-frequency distribution. Using a single material to control the hybrid electric vehicle interior noise to improve the performance of vehicle, noise, vibration, and harshness performance is limited. In this article, the composite noise reduction materials which have the function of damping and acoustic absorption are used to control the vehicle interior noise. First, the noise characteristics of the hybrid electric vehicle are analyzed. The distribution of the hybrid electric vehicle interior noise is obtained. Then, the sound-absorbing properties of polyester-polypropylene bi-component fiber are analyzed. The low-frequency noise reduction principle of butyl rubber damping material is also analyzed. Finally, the noise reduction materials consisting of polyester-polypropylene and butyl rubber are added to the hybrid electric vehicle roof and floor. After improving material, the hybrid electric vehicle interior noise is test. As the result, the car driver’s right ear A-weighting sound pressure levels have been greatly improved. The low-frequency noise below 400 Hz reduced 1.5 dB(A), and the high-frequency noise above 400 Hz reduced 5.2 dB(A). The total noise reduction reached 3.3 dB(A) near the driver’s right ear, which significantly improve the noise, vibration, and harshness performance of hybrid electric vehicle.
LIBERTI: A SMART study in plastic surgery
Authors: Hibbard Jonathan C , Friedstat Jonathan S , Thomas Sonia M , Edkins Renee E , Hultman C Scott , Kosorok Michael R
Published: March 2018

Background/aims:

Laser treatment of burns scars is considered by some providers to be standard of care. However, there is little evidence-based research as to the true benefit. A number of factors hinder evaluation of the benefit of laser treatment. These include significant heterogeneity in patient response and possible delayed effects from the laser treatment. Moreover, laser treatments are often provided sequentially using different types of equipment and settings, so there are effectively a large number of overall treatment options that need to be compared. We propose a trial capable of coping with these issues and that also attempts to take advantage of the heterogeneous response in order to estimate optimal treatment plans personalized to each individual patient. It will be the first large-scale randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of laser treatments for burns scars and, to our knowledge, the very first example of the utility of a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial in plastic surgery.

Methods:

We propose using a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial design to investigate the effect of various permutations of laser treatment on hypertrophic burn scars. We will compare and test hypotheses regarding laser treatment effects at a general population level. Simultaneously, we hope to use the data generated to discover possible beneficial personalized treatment plans, tailored to individual patient characteristics.

Results:

We show that the proposed trial has good power to detect laser treatment effect at the overall population level, despite comparing a large number of treatment combinations. The trial will simultaneously provide high-quality data appropriate for estimating precision-medicine treatment rules. We detail population-level comparisons of interest and corresponding sample size calculations. We provide simulations to suggest the power of the trial to detect laser effect and also the possible benefits of personalization of laser treatment to individual characteristics.

Conclusion:

We propose, to our knowledge, the first use of a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial in surgery. The trial is rigorously designed so that it is reasonably straightforward to implement and powered to answer general overall questions of interest. The trial is also designed to provide data that are suitable for the estimation of beneficial precision-medicine treatment rules that depend both on individual patient characteristics and on-going real-time patient response to treatment.
Civics and citizenship education: What have we learned and what does it mean for the future of Australian democracy?
Authors: Heggart Keith , Arvanitakis James , Matthews Ingrid
Published: March 2018

The ambitious project to nationalise the Australian Curriculum has prompted great interest among policymakers, academics and civics teachers in Australian schools. The government-led citizenship education initiative Discovering Democracy (1997–2007) comprehensively failed to meet its objectives, most prominently the stated goal of developing active citizens. This article has twin objectives: to explore the ways in which government-directed civics education programmes have fallen short; and to argue for a shift in our approaches to civics education, in terms of both content and delivery, drawing on the surplus model, which credits students with unique ideas, knowledge and experiences. We draw upon Justice Citizens, an alternative approach to Civics Education that foregrounds students’ own interests and abilities as central to their development into active citizens as an example of the educational practices that can promote and strengthen active citizenship among school students. From this programme and other research, we discuss four student-centred themes that should inform further civics education curriculum development.
Adherence to colonoscopy at 1 year following resection of localized colon cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Neugut Alfred I. , Zhong Xiaobo , Lebwohl Benjamin , Hillyer Grace C. , Accordino Melissa K. , Wright Jason D. , Kiran Ravi P. , Hershman Dawn L.
Published: March 2018

Background:

For patients with stages I-III colon cancer who have undergone surgical resection, guidelines recommend surveillance colonoscopy at 1 year. However, limited data exist on adherence and associated factors. We aimed to determine the rate of adherence to surveillance colonoscopy at 1 year among nonmetastatic colon cancer patients who underwent resection and factors associated with adherence.

Methods:

In this population-based retrospective cohort study, the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare database was used. We identified patients with stages I-III colon cancer who underwent surgical resection and survived >3 years without recurrence (no chemotherapy after 8 months) from 2002–2011. Our primary outcome was a colonoscopy claim 10–15 months after resection. We used multivariable regression analysis to assess associations between sociodemographic and clinical factors and receipt of timely colonoscopy.

Results:

Among 28,732 patients who survived >3 years without recurrence, 7967 (28%) did not undergo colonoscopy; 12,033 (42%) had it at one year, with 3159 (11%) before 10 months and 5573 (19%) after 15 months. Decreased adherence was associated with older age; being male versus female; being black or Hispanic versus white; higher tumor stage; left-sided tumors versus right sided; and increased comorbidities. Chemotherapy receipt was associated with increased adherence (odds ratio 2.06; 95% confidence interval 1.88–2.24).

Conclusions:

In a large population-based sample of individuals aged ⩾ 65 years, only 42% of colon cancer survivors underwent 1-year surveillance colonoscopy. Demographic and clinical factors were associated with adherence.
Measuring the impact of board characteristics on the performance of Croatian insurance companies
Authors: Pavić Kramarić Tomislava , Aleksic Ana , Pejic-Bach Mirjana
Published: March 2018

With the intention to analyze the effects of different board characteristics on the insurance companies’ performance, this research article explores the impact of board gender diversity and size on the performance of the insurance companies in Croatia. It analyzes the impact of characteristics of both boards, the board of directors and the supervisory board on corporate performance. The analysis, conducted using dynamic panel model, covers all insurance companies in Croatia operating in the 2007–2013 period. The main findings suggest that gender diversity at the top positions is not critical for financial success. Specifically, it is established that women acting as presidents of supervisory board deteriorate insurer’s performance measured by return on assets (ROA). This is also the case when more women are present in the board of directors. Moreover, the findings of the model measuring performance by both ROA and return on equity demonstrate that financial performance of insurance companies is negatively influenced by the number of members of the board of directors. The article upgrades the existing research by providing new support for the effects of board structure on performance in insurance industry, with specific reference to effects of gender diversity. Moreover, this study extends the existing literature in this field by introducing two corporate governance mechanisms in the analysis, that is, both the board of directors and the supervisory board. Furthermore, it is, to the authors knowledge, the first attempt to describe the effects of diversity in terms of gender on performance in the insurance sector.
Incarcerated Plantar Dislocation of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint: Reduction Using Intra-articular Saline Injection
Authors: Bohl Daniel D. , Hamid Kamran S. , Walton David M.
Published: March 2018

Plantar dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is exceedingly rare, and in prior reported cases, simple closed manipulation easily enabled reduction. We present here the first reported plantar dislocation that failed closed manipulation. We also report a technique involving injection of saline into the joint to facilitate reduction. The saline insufflation likely relieves buttonholing of the metatarsal head through the dorsal joint capsule. For first MTP joint plantar dislocations that fail reduction with manipulation, we recommend attempting injection of the joint with saline prior to subjecting the patient to open reduction.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case report
Proliferation, Migration, and ECM Formation Potential of Human Annulus Fibrosus Cells Is Independent of Degeneration Status
Authors: Hondke Sylvia , Cabraja Mario , Krüger Jan Philipp , Stich Stefan , Hartwig Tony , Sittinger Michael , Endres Michaela
Published: March 2018

Objective

The objective was to evaluate the proliferating, migratory and extracellular matrix (ECM) forming potential of annulus fibrosus cells derived from early (edAFC) or advanced (adAFC) degenerative tissue and their usability as a possible cell source for regenerative approaches for AF closure.

Design

EdAFC ( n = 5 Pfirrman score of 2-3) and adAFC (n = 5 Pfirrman score of 4-5) were isolated from tissue of patients undergoing spine stabilizing surgery. Cell migration on stimulation with human serum (HS), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and transforming growth factor β-3 (TGFB3) was assessed by migration assay and proliferation was assessed on stimulation with HS. Induction of ECM synthesis was evaluated by gene expression analysis of AF-related genes in three-dimensional scaffold cultures that have been stimulated with 5% PRP or 10 ng/mL TGFB3 and histologically by collagen type I, type II, alcian blue, and safranin-O staining.

Results

EdAFC and adAFC were significantly attracted by 10% HS and 5% PRP. Additionally, both cell groups proliferated under stimulation with HS. Stimulation with 10 ng/mL TGFB3 showed significant induction of gene expression of collagen type II and aggrecan, while 5% PRP decreased the expression of collagen type I. Both cell groups showed formation of AF-like ECM after stimulation with TGFB3, whereas stimulation with PRP did not.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that AF cells retain their potential for proliferation, migration, and ECM formation independent of the degeneration status of the tissue. Proliferation, migration, and ECM synthesis of the endogenous AF cells can be supported by different supplements. Hence, endogenous AF cells might be a suitable cell source for a regenerative repair approaches.
Rethinking the spectrum of mood disorders: implications for diagnosis and management – Proceedings of a symposium presented at the 30th Annual European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress, 4 September 2017, Paris, France
Authors: McIntyre Roger S. , Young Allan H. , Haddad Peter M.
Published: March 2018

The simultaneous occurrence of manic and depressive features has been recognized since classical times, but the term ‘mixed state’ was first used by Kraepelin at the end of the 19th century. From the 1980s, until the advent of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), psychiatric disorders were classified using a categorical approach. However, it was recognized that such an approach was too rigid to encompass the range of symptomatology encountered in clinical practice. Therefore, a dimensional approach was adopted in DSM-5, in which affective states are considered to be distributed across a continuum ranging from pure mania to pure depression. In addition, the copresence of symptoms of the opposite pole are captured using a ‘with mixed features’ specifier, applied when three or more nonoverlapping subthreshold symptoms of the opposite pole are present. Mixed features are common in patients with mood episodes, complicating the course of illness, reducing treatment response and worsening outcomes. However, research in this area is scarce and treatment options are limited. Current evidence indicates that antidepressants should be avoided for the treatment of bipolar mixed states. Evidence for bipolar mixed states supports the use of several second-generation antipsychotics, valproate and electroconvulsive therapy. One randomized controlled trial has demonstrated the efficacy of lurasidone, compared with placebo, in patients with major depressive disorder with mixed features, and there is limited evidence supporting the use of ziprasidone in such patients. Further research is required to determine whether other antipsychotic agents, or additional therapeutic approaches, might also be effective in this setting.
Vesico-vaginal fistulae in the resource-limited setting: current status and the challenges that lie ahead, all you need to know for those practicing in a well-resourced setting
Authors: Beardmore-Gray Alice , Greenwell Tamsin
Published: March 2018

In this review we examine the incidence, aetiology, pathology and classification of vesico vaginal fistulae (VVF) in the resource poor setting. We compare the diagnosis, management and outcomes of VVF repair in resource-poor countries to current practice in the well-resourced setting, finally looking ahead to the future and the changes we need to make on a global scale in order to prevent this debilitating condition.

There is a clear need for more accurate data collection and classification systems appropriate to the setting. Lack of facilities such as radiology limit diagnostic capabilities and options for repair, however outcome data from resource poor countries is promising. Most importantly, a holistic approach, which examines not just the physical aspects of the condition but the social and cultural factors predisposing women to VVF, needs to be adopted when considering prevention and management of this injury.

Level of evidence: Not applicable as this is a review article.
Five Questions for Digital Migration Studies: Learning From Digital Connectivity and Forced Migration In(to) Europe
Authors: Leurs Koen , Smets Kevin
Published: March 2018

This Special Collection “Forced migration and digital connectivity in(to) Europe” historicizes, contextualizes, empirically grounds, and conceptually reflects on the impact of digital technologies on forced migration. In this introductory essay, we elaborate digital migration as a developing field of research. Taking the exceptional attention for digital mediation within the recent so-called “European refugee crisis” as a starting point, we reflect on the main conceptual, methodological and ethical challenges for this emerging field and how it is taking shape through interdisciplinary dialogues and in interaction with policy and public debate. Our discussion is organized around five central questions: (1) Why Europe? (2) Where are the field and focus of digital migration studies? (3) Where is the human in digital migration? (4) Where is the political in digital migration? and (5) How can we de-center Europe in digital migration studies? Alongside establishing common ground between various communities of scholarship, we plea for non-digital-media-centric-ness and foreground a commitment toward social change, equity and social justice.
Effort-Reward Imbalance and Work Productivity Among Hotel Housekeeping Employees: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rosemberg Marie-Anne S. , Li Yang
Published: March 2018

This study explored the relationship between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) at work and work productivity among hotel housekeepers. A community-based approach was used to recruit 23 hotel housekeepers who completed the ERI and Work Performance Questionnaires. Work productivity was determined by combining self-report absenteeism and presenteeism. More than 40% of the participants reported high ERI (ERI >1). Also, 59.1% reported low work productivity. Interestingly, despite the individualized high reports of ERI and low work productivity, correlation analysis showed that high ERI was correlated with high presenteeism and work productivity as a whole. This is the first study to explore work productivity among this worker group. Despite the small sample size and the cross-sectional nature of the study, this study points to the need for organization-based interventions to not only improve employee health but also their work productivity.
State Prekindergarten Effects on Early Learning at Kindergarten Entry: An Analysis of Eight State Programs
Authors: Barnett W. Steven , Jung Kwanghee , Friedman-Krauss Allison , Frede Ellen C. , Nores Milagros , Hustedt Jason T. , Howes Carollee , Daniel-Echols Marijata
Published: March 2018

State-funded prekindergarten (preK) programs are increasingly common across the country. This study estimated the effects of eight state-funded preK programs (Arkansas, California, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia) on children’s learning using a regression discontinuity design. These programs vary with respect to the population served, program design, and context. Weighted average effect sizes from instrumental variables analyses across these states are 0.24 for language (vocabulary), 0.44 for math, and 1.10 for emergent literacy. Differences in effect sizes by domain suggest that preK programs should attend more to enhancing learning beyond simple literacy skills. State preK programs appear to differ in their effects. We offer recommendations for more rigorous, regular evaluation.
Inferior vena cava thrombosis as the initial presentation of IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis: Case report and literature review
Authors: Simopoulou Theodora , Klimopoulos Serafim , Sampaziotis Dimitrios , Tzortziotis Apostolos , Bogdanos Dimitrios , Sakkas Lazaros I
Published: March 2018

IgG4-related disease is an immune-mediated deposition of fibro-inflammatory tissue with IgG4-positive plasma cells and dense fibrosis in a single or multiple organs. It often raises concern for malignancy requiring biopsy for diagnosis. Presentation may vary according to organ involved. IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis accounts for two-thirds of the previously considered idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis cases. In IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis, computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging shows periaortic soft tissue that extends from below the kidneys to iliac arteries and entrap ureters causing hydronephrosis and renal failure. We present a rare case of IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis presenting with leg swelling and pain due to inferior vena cava compression and thrombosis, and we review current concepts on disease pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.