bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KK Higgs produced in association with a top quark pair in the bulk RS model
Authors: Manglani N. , Misra A. , Sridhar K.
Published: November 2019

We present a search strategy for the first Kaluza–Klein (KK) mode of the Higgs boson in the framework of the Randall–Sundrum (RS) model with a deformed metric. We study the production of this massive excitation in association with a $$ t {\bar{t}}$$tt¯ pair at the large hadron collider (LHC). The KK Higgs primarily decays into a boosted $$t {\bar{t}}$$tt¯ final state and we then end up with an interesting four-top final state of which two are boosted. The boosted products in the final state improve the sensitivity for the search of the KK Higgs in this channel whose production cross-section is otherwise rather small. Our results suggest that masses of the KK Higgs resonance upto about 1.2 TeV may be explorable at the highest planned luminosities of the LHC. Beyond this mass, the KK Higgs cross-section is too tiny for it to be explored at the LHC and may be possible only at a future higher energy collider.
Measure-valued opinion dynamics
Authors: Pedraza L. , Pinasco J. P. , Saintier N.
Published: November 2019

In this work, we propose a method of opinion pooling based on pairwise interactions. We assume that each agent has a probability measure on the possible outcomes of some situation, and they try to find a single measure aggregating their estimates. This is a classical problem in Decision Theory, where expert opinions contain some degree of uncertainty, and a Decision Taker needs to pool these estimates. We study this problem using a kinetic theory approach, obtaining a Boltzmann type equation for opinions which are symmetric probability measures defined on the real line. We obtain a non-local, first order, mean field equation as its grazing limit when the parameter in the interaction goes to zero. Also, we prove the convergence to quasi-consensus with explicit estimates on the convergence time depending on the variance of these measures. Let us remark that this model can be interpreted as a noisy model of opinion dynamics. In many models, the opinion of each agent is a point in the real line, the agents interact and observe other agents opinions. We can consider that observed opinions are perturbed or deformed by some noise in the transmission channel or in the interpretation of the agents, so we can think of agents opinions directly as random variables instead of a single point.
Peritoneal dialysis induces alterations in the transcriptome of peritoneal cells before detectible peritoneal functional changes
Authors: Parikova Alena , Hruba Petra , Krejcik Zdenek , Stranecky Viktor , Franekova Janka , Krediet Raymond T. , Viklicky Ondrej
Published: November 2019

Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) is associated with functional and structural alterations of the peritoneal membrane. Inflammation may be the key moment, and, consequently, fibrosis may be the end result of chronic inflammatory reaction. The objective of the present study was to identify genes involved in peritoneal alterations during PD by comparing the transcriptome of peritoneal cells in patients with short- and long-term PD. Peritoneal effluent of the long dwell of patients with stable PD was centrifuged to obtain peritoneal cells. The gene expression profiles of peritoneal cells using microarray between patients with short- and long-term PD were compared. Based on microarray analysis, 31 genes for quantitative RT-PCR validation were chosen. A 4-h peritoneal equilibration test was performed on the day after the long dwell. Transport parameters and protein appearance rates were assessed. Genes involved in the immune system process, immune response, cell activation, and leukocyte and lymphocyte activation were found to be substantially upregulated in the long-term group. Quantitative RT-PCR validation showed higher expression of CD24, lymphocyte antigen 9 ( LY9), TNF factor receptor superfamily member 4 ( TNFRSF4), Ig associated-α ( CD79A), chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 7 ( CCR7), carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 ( CEACAM1), and IL-2 receptor-α ( IL2RA) in patients with long-term PD, with CD24 having the best discrimination ability between short- and long-term treatment. A relationship between CD24 expression and genes for collagen and matrix formation was shown. Activation of CD24 provoked by pseudohypoxia due to extremely high glucose concentrations in dialysis solutions might play the key role in the development of peritoneal membrane alterations.
Plant Extracts in the Bone Repair Process: A Systematic Review
Authors: Miranda Lyvia Lopes , Guimarães-Lopes Vanessa de Paula , Altoé Luciana Schulthais , Sarandy Mariáurea Matias , Melo Fabiana Cristina Silveira Alves , Novaes Rômulo Dias , Gonçalves Reggiani Vilela
Published: November 2019

Bone lesions are an important public health problem, with high socioeconomic costs. Bone tissue repair is coordinated by an inflammatory dynamic process mediated by osteoprogenitor cells of the periosteum and endosteum, responsible for the formation of a new bone matrix. Studies using antioxidant products from plants for bone lesion treatment have been growing worldwide. We developed a systematic review to compile the results of works with animal models investigating the anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts in the treatment of bone lesions and analyze the methodological quality of the studies on this subject. Studies were selected in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases according to the PRISMA statement. The research filters were constructed using three parameters: animal model, bone repair, and plant extracts. 31 full-text articles were recovered from 10 countries. Phytochemical prospecting was reported in 15 studies (48.39%). The most common secondary metabolites were flavonoids, cited in 32.26% studies (n=10). Essential criteria to in vivo animal studies were frequently underreported, suggesting publication bias. The animals treated with plant extracts presented positive results in the osteoblastic proliferation, and consequently, this treatment accelerated osteogenic differentiation and bone callus formation, as well as bone fracture repair. Possibly, these results are associated with antioxidant, regenerative, and anti-inflammatory power of the extracts. The absence or incomplete characterization of the animal models, treatment protocols, and phytochemical and toxicity analyses impairs the internal validity of the evidence, making it difficult to determine the effectiveness and safety of plant-derived products in bone repair.
Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of Marine Propulsion Shafting Using Multi‐DOF Vibration Coupling Model
Authors: Zhang Yuanchao , Xu Wei , Li Zhengmin , He Jiangyang , Yin Lihang
Published: November 2019

This paper mainly focuses on the elastic support of thrust bearings. The dynamic characteristics of the shafting system are studied. Firstly, the multi‐DOF transfer matrix expressions of the simplified mass element and spring element are derived. A three‐DOF transfer matrix‐coupling model in XOZ plane is established by using force coupling conditions at thrust bearings. Then, a test rig is built to test the propulsion shafting. The bending vibration characteristics of the shafting under the support conditions of thrust bearings are studied. And finally, the transmission characteristics of vertical and longitudinal forces of propellers under different support conditions of thrust bearings are emphatically analyzed.
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Patient with a Family History of Fatal Ascending Aortic Dissection: Case Report and Discussion of Diseases Causing Both Presentations
Authors: Joy George , Eissa Hany
Published: November 2019

Background. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Aortic dissection and SCAD share common aetiologies such as a fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), Marfan, Ehlers Danlos, and more rarely systemic lupus erythematosus and Loeys-Dietz; however, SCAD has never been known to have a familial association with aortic dissection. Case Summary. This case report describes a 48-year-old woman suffering from SCAD who had a mother who died from ascending aortic dissection in her 50s. Discussion. This is the first case report to our knowledge of a patient with SCAD with a first-degree relative with aortic dissection. Our case is interesting in that it shows that if predisposition to arterial dissection was inherited from mother to daughter, one of them suffered an extremely rare manifestation of their underlying disease. It also shows that a high index of suspicion is needed for SCAD in the presence of a patient with ACS and a family history of dissection elsewhere in the arterial tree.
Evaluation of Shear Dilation Capability/Potential and Permeability Changes in Karamay Oil Sands under Water Injection
Authors: Gao Yanfang , Pang Huiwen , Jin Yan , Chen Mian
Published: November 2019

Water injection can effectively improve the reservoir porosity and permeability by shear dilation in the vicinity of wellbores. In this paper, shear dilation and permeability improvement capability/potential are proposed to describe the evolutions of porosity and permeability under water injection-induced shear. The mathematical models based on Karamay oil sand microstructures derived from ESEM (environmental scanning electron microscope) are established to predict the shear dilation effects based on the particle packing theory. Triaxial compression and permeability experiments are conducted to validate the theoretical models, and the experimental data is consistent with model results. Also, the study compares shear dilation capabilities evaluated from three scales: ESEM (μm), laboratory triaxial compression tests (cm), and field injection tests (m). Major conclusions through an application on the wellpair A-2 in area A of the Karamay oil field showed that the oil sands have an excellent shear dilation potential. The larger arrangement angle results in stronger shear dilation and permeability, which means a lower arrangement angle provides a higher potential for improvement. The shear dilation capabilities predicted by ESEM, triaxial compression experiments, and field injection data descend in turn, which indicates that the actual shear dilation capability is difficult to be utilized by present field operations.
СТВОРЕННЯ ЗДОРОВʼЯЗБЕРІГАЛЬНОГО ОСВІТНЬОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА ДЛЯ СТУДЕНТІВ-МЕДИКІВ
Authors: Venger O. P. , Gusyeva T. P. , Mysula Yu. I. , Sas L. M. , Smashna O. Ye. , Bilous V. S. , Lyuta O. O.
Published: November 2019

Мета: проаналізувати методи організації здоров’язберігального освітнього середовища на кафедрі психіатрії, наркології та медичної психології Тернопільського національного медичного університету імені І. Я. Горбачевського МОЗ України.

Матеріали і методи. У процесі дослідження використовували такі методи: аналіз науково-педагогічної літератури з проблем упровадження здоров’язберігальних технологій в освітній процес, вивчення й узагальнення досвіду підготовки студентів-медиків на кафедрі психіатрії, наркології та медичної психології Тернопільського національного медичного університету імені І. Я. Горбачевського МОЗ України (аналіз лекцій і практичних занять), виявлення організаційно-педагогічних умов створення здоров’язберігального освітнього середовища.

Результати. У статті висвітлено особливості створення здоров’язберігального освітнього середовища для майбутніх лікарів викладачами кафедри психіатрії, наркології та медичної психології Тернопільського національного медичного університету імені І. Я. Горбачевського МОЗ України.

Проведений аналіз різних форм і методів освітнього процесу на кафедрі психіатрії, наркології та медичної психології показав, що сприятливим у створенні здоров’язберігального освітнього середовища для студентів-медиків є використання особистісно-орієнтованого підходу, інноваційних методів навчання, психологічного супроводу майбутніх лікарів у навчально-виховному  процесі.

Висновки. У сучасних умовах освіта є однією з найважливіших сфер людської діяльності, повʼязаної із підготовкою висококваліфікованих всебічно розвинених та здорових особистостей. Інтенсифікація навчального процесу призводить до того, що зростає кількість студентів, які можуть адаптуватися до нових вимог із значними зусиллями. Лише створюючи здоров’язберігальне освітнє середовище, впроваджуючи інноваційні підходи (зокрема, особистісно-орієнтований підхід), спрямовані на збереження, зміцнення і формування здоров’я учасників навчально-виховного процесу, стає можливим покращити психічне здоров’я майбутніх фахівців.
2. Plot
Authors: Ribó Ignasi
Published: November 2019

First, we will discuss more precisely the distinction between story and plot, clarifying what we understand by an ‘event’ and the different ways in which the events of a narrative can be connected. Then we will look at the mechanisms of emplotment, the specific operations that can be applied to a story when arranging it into a plot. By arranging events in a meaningful and coherent structure that has a beginning, a middle, and an end, these mechanisms can result in many kinds of plot. We will look at a few of these, which are quite common in prose fiction. Most of these plots are motivated by a conflict, which can be external or internal, and lead to some form of resolution. We will look at this ‘story as war’ analogy and present a five-stage general structure that can be found in many narrative plots. Finally, we will discuss two important mechanisms of emplotment at the micro level, suspense and surprise, which are often used by writers to engage readers and hook them to the narrative.
Development and Initial Validation of the Therapist Hope for Clients Scale
Authors: Bartholomew Theodore T. , Gundel Brittany E. , Scheel Michael J. , Kang Ellice , Joy Eileen E. , Li Huaying
Published: November 2019

Hope is a critical component of therapeutic change. However, hope does not singularly emanate from clients. Therapists’ hope for their clients represents a specific therapeutic factor that may impact clinical outcomes. Currently no measure exists to assess the uniqueness of therapist’s hope in therapy with specific clients. Our purpose in this study was to develop and initially validate the Therapist Hope for Clients Scale (THCS). Participants ( N = 380) completed the THCS, plus four additional measures to assess therapists’ use of clients’ strengths, self-efficacy in helping skills, working alliance with individual clients, and a general measure of hope. We subjected the THCS to parallel analysis, factor analyses, reliability testing, and validity testing. These steps led to the development of a 10-item measure. THCS scores were positively related to therapists’ use of clients’ strengths, helping skills, self-efficacy, and working alliance. Implications of the THCS are discussed.
The Editor’s Note: It ain’t easy to change the narrative
Authors: Heller Rafael
Published: November 2019

Suspicion about rhetoric has in recent years given way to greater interest in deliberately shaping narratives to suit advocates’ particular purposes. However, Kappan editor Rafael Heller notes that changing hearts and minds requires more than finding the right metaphor, telling the right story, or using the right communicative platform. Persuasion takes time and effort, and it’s especially challenging in the current environment when there is no clear rhetorical leader in the education world.
The rhetorical secretary
Authors: Hlavacik Mark
Published: November 2019

Since its founding in 1979, one of the U.S. Department of Education’s primary missions has been to promote civil debate about the condition of our schools and colleges. Our past secretaries of education — 12 of them in all — have recognized that they have important rhetorical responsibilities, not only to call attention to the urgent educational topics we face as a nation but also to model and lead an inclusive process of deliberation about those topics. However, Betsy DeVos — our 12th secretary of education — has chosen to reject those responsibilities. In this article, communications scholar Mark Hlavacik describes how previous secretaries have used their bully pulpit, what sets DeVos apart, and why it will be important for future secretaries to return to form.
Telling new stories about school
Authors: Stitzlein Sarah M. , Abowitz Kathleen Knight
Published: November 2019

Societal stories about school do not just reflect our current views and values, they also shape our political preferences and the realities that result from them. In recent decades, stories of the traditional common school and its more collectivist, shared culture have given way to newer stories oriented around competition and choice. Sarah Stitzlein and Kathleen Knight Abowitz suggest that telling new stories that foreground the public or shared purposes of public education may lead people to choose candidates and back policies that better serve our children and our communities.
Education in the nightly news: A conversation with Paul Kuttner and Kevin Coe
Authors: Heller Rafael
Published: November 2019

In this month’s interview, Kappan’s editor talks with Paul Kuttner and Kevin Coe about their recent research into how network television news programs have covered preK-12 education. They found that, over the last 35 years, coverage of education has been rare, well under 1% of total coverage. Stories tend to focus on individual teachers and schools, with less discussion of the big picture behind those stories. The tone of coverage has varied over time, with about 54% overall being negative and 43% positive. Overt criticism of teachers was rare, and teacher voices were included in a slim majority of stories.
Usage of solar shading devices to improve the thermal comfort in summer in a Romanian PassivHaus
Authors: Udrea Ioana , Badescu Viorel
Published: November 2019

The global trend is to increase the thermal comfort in all kinds of buildings, residential and non-residential. At the same time, minimization of energy consumption and improved building sustainability must be achieved. Only precise calculations can keep the balance between maximizing comfort and minimizing energy consumption. The PassivHaus (PH) is a special type of building with low heating energy consumption that fulfills special requirements defined by the Passivhaus Institut of Darmstadt, Germany. The PassivHaus concept has been successfully implemented in climates other than that of Germany. However, current practice in Southern European countries shows that PHs may exhibit overheating in the hot season, a phenomenon which is not very often encountered in Germany. Shading devices may be considered in these southern countries to improve the thermal comfort in PHs during summer. A model of the AMVIC PH office building located near Bucharest, Romania, has been developed using Simergy and EnergyPlus software. The model was validated and calibrated using measured data during summer. Measurements have been used to estimate the classical thermal comfort indices such as predicted mean vote and predicted percent of dissatisfied. Simulations have been performed to study the effect on thermal comfort of several shading devices, such as exterior blinds, exterior shades, and overhangs. Exterior blinds and exterior shades are generally more efficient than overhangs when the results are discussed with reference to transmitted solar energy flux through the windows.
Active disturbance rejection consensus control of uncertain high-order nonlinear multi-agent systems
Authors: Ran Maopeng , Wang Qing , Dong Chaoyang
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we consider the consensus control problem for uncertain high-order nonlinear multi-agent systems in a leader-follower scheme. Each follower node is modeled by a high-order integrator incorporating with unmeasurable states and unknown nonlinear dynamics. First, the total uncertainty that lumps the unknown nonlinear dynamics and the mismatch of control is viewed as an extended state of the agent. By using local information from neighborhood set, a distributed extended state observer (ESO) is designed to estimate not only the unmeasurable agent states but also its total uncertainty. Then, based on the output of the ESO, a novel consensus control law is proposed, in which the total uncertainty is canceled out in the feedback loop in real time. We show that, with the application of the proposed approach, the ESO estimation errors and the disagreement error vectors between the leader and the followers can be made arbitrarily small. A simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed consensus control method.
Fusion of inverse optimal and model predictive control strategies
Authors: Ulusoy Lütfi , Güzelkaya Müjde , Eksin İbrahim
Published: November 2019

In this study, model predictive control (MPC) and inverse optimal control (IOC) approaches are merged with each other and a new control strategy is evolved. The key feature in this strategy is to solve the IOC problem repeatedly for each receding horizon of the model predictive control approach. From another perspective, MPC structure is inserted to IOC problem and thus, IOC problem is solved repeatedly using different initial conditions at the beginning of each receding horizon. In the solution phase of IOC, the parameters of the candidate control Lyapunov function matrix are estimated using the global evolutionary Big Bang-Big Crunch (BB-BC) optimization algorithm in an on-line manner. Thus, the proposed control structure solves the optimal control problem in classical MPC approach to the search of an appropriate candidate control Lyapunov function matrix for each control horizon. The comparison of the proposed method with the other related control methods are performed on the ball and beam system via simulations and real-time applications.
Output-feedback based robust controller for uncertain DC islanded microgrid
Authors: Mehdi Muhammad , Saad Muhammad , Jamali Saeed Zaman , Kim Chul-Hwan
Published: November 2019

The integration of renewable energy resources to DC microgrid has captured the attention of the researchers in recent years. One of the active field of application of DC distribution is the islanded DC microgrid (DC ImG). The DC ImG present numerous challenges to researchers. Among many challenges, the regulation of voltage and stability of the system is indispensable to efficient operation. The voltage stability problem becomes more prominent when the system is exposed to disturbances and possess uncertainties in parameters. However, challenges can be overcome by skilful design of a robust controller for the system. Therefore, in this paper, an output-feedback based centralized robust control scheme is proposed. The proposed controller is designed to maintain good control performance in the presence of parametric uncertainties and exogenous disturbances. The uncertainties of the DC microgrid is modelled as a linear time-varying state-space system. The upper and the lower bounds of the time-varying parameters are determined by a Lebesque-measurable matrix. To attenuate the exogenous disturbances of the system [Formula: see text] based output-feedback controller is designed. The system stability is assured by the Lyapunov function candidate. The output-feedback controller needs only the voltage measurement; therefore, it requires less communication bandwidth as compared to the state-feedback. To obtain the controller parameters linear matrix inequality constraints are formulated and solved. The performance of the proposed controller is verified via simulations and compared with the existing schemes.
Militant meninism: the militaristic discourse of Gamergate and Men’s Rights Activism
Authors: O’Donnell Jessica
Published: November 2019

The connection between military metaphor and feminism – specifically radical and ‘militant feminism’ – has been well established by theorists. However, the same cannot be said for the analogous connection between militaristic discourse and Men’s Rights Activism (MRA). MRAs have often posited themselves in opposition to feminism and frequently portray the two as being on opposite sides of a ‘culture war’. This was particularly apparent during the Gamergate movement, which became intrinsically tied to MRA. The Gamergate movement was the subject of heavy media scrutiny, due to its highly publicised and vitriolic attacks on women. This article looks at chatlogs leaked from one of Gamergate’s main chatrooms, which exposed Gamergate’s rhetorical strategies. Having analysed the dialogue, the article argues that Gamergaters have adopted a militaristic discourse. This is evidenced by their consistent use of militaristic terminology, and the treatment of their actions as being military ‘operations’ within a larger war against feminism.
Musical transposing versus sight-reading: Mapping brain activation with magnetoencephalography
Authors: Lu Ching-I , Greenwald Margaret L , Lin Yung-Yang , Bowyer Susan M
Published: November 2019

Transposing of musical notes is a cognitively challenging task requiring working memory and the ability to convert notes mentally from one musical key to another. We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to compare the timing and localization of brain regions active during transposing of printed music versus sight-reading of music in 21 professional musicians. Musical transposing of visual stimuli has not been examined in previous brain imaging studies. The MEG data were analyzed using three techniques: MR-FOCUSS (a current density imaging technique), coherence source imaging, and neural synchrony analysis. MEG was effective in detecting differences in brain activation underlying the increased cognitive load of a visual task and stimulus length. The additional mental conversion required for transposing compared to the sight-reading task was linked to increased frontal lobe activation and slowed activation of the ventral (fusiform gyrus) occipito-temporal stream of visual-spatial encoding.
Atypical Hip Pain in Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Comparison of Outcomes Based on Primary Hip Pain Location
Authors: Hamula Mathew J. , Ryan Michael K. , Baron Samuel L. , Bloom David A. , Youm Thomas
Published: November 2019

Background:

Patients with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) typically have anterior groin pain. However, a subset of these patients may have pain located laterally, posteriorly, or in a combination of locations around the hip.

Purpose:

To report and compare outcomes of hip arthroscopy for patients with FAI and atypical hip pain versus classic anterior groin pain.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Consecutive patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI between August 2011 and March 2013 were identified. A total of 258 patients were identified as having symptomatic FAI based on clinical, radiographic, and advanced imaging diagnosis of FAI. Exclusion criteria included isolated thigh, knee, or low back pain. We also excluded patients with hip abductor pathology and trochanteric bursitis. Of the 226 patients ultimately included, 159 (70.4%) reported anterior groin pain, while 67 (29.6%) reported isolated lateral or posterior hip pain or a combination of locations. Patients were categorized into 4 groups: isolated anterior groin pain, lateral hip pain, posterior hip pain, and multiple primary hip pain locations (combined). These patients were followed prospectively with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patient characteristics, surgical characteristics, modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), revision hip arthroscopy, and conversions to total hip arthroplasty (THA) were recorded.

Results:

All 226 patients were included at final follow-up. Hip arthroscopy was performed by a single sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon. Preoperative patient characteristics and baseline functional outcome scores did not significantly differ among groups. All 4 groups showed statistically significant improvements in mHHS and NAHS from baseline to final follow-up of a mean 2.63 years (range, 2.01-3.23 years). Functional outcome scores and rates of revision hip arthroscopy or conversion to THA did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusion:

Hip arthroscopy can effectively improve patient outcomes in atypical hip pain. A careful history and physical examination should identify this clinically meaningful subset of patients with FAI who can benefit from surgical intervention while identifying patients with concomitant posterior extra-articular hip or spine pathology that should be addressed appropriately.
Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear Treatment: A Matched Cohort Comparison of Nonoperative Management, Partial Meniscectomy, and Repair
Authors: Bernard Christopher D. , Kennedy Nicholas I. , Tagliero Adam J. , Camp Christopher L. , Saris Daniel B.F. , Levy Bruce A. , Stuart Michael J. , Krych Aaron J.
Published: November 2019

Background:

There are limited data comparing the outcomes of similarly matched patients with a medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) treated with nonoperative management, partial meniscectomy, or repair.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to compare treatment failure, clinical outcome scores, and radiographic findings for a matched cohort of patients who underwent either nonoperative management, partial meniscectomy, or transtibial pull-through repair for an MMPRT. We hypothesized that patients who underwent meniscus root repair will have lower rates of progression to arthroplasty than patients who were treated with nonoperative management or partial meniscectomy.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients who underwent transtibial medial meniscus posterior horn root repair were matched by meniscal laterality, age, sex, and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grades to patients treated nonoperatively or with a partial meniscectomy. Progression to arthroplasty rates, International Knee Documentation Committee and Tegner scores, and radiographic outcomes were analyzed between groups.

Results:

Forty-five patients were included in this study (15 nonoperative, 15 partial meniscectomy, 15 root repair). Progression to arthroplasty demonstrated significant differences among treatment groups at a mean of 74 months (nonoperative, 4/15; partial meniscectomy, 9/15; meniscal repair, 0/15; P = .0003). The meniscus root repair group had significantly less arthritic progression, as measured by change in K-L grade from pre- to postoperatively (nonoperative, 1.0; partial meniscectomy, 1.1; meniscal repair, 0.1; P = .001).

Conclusion:

Meniscus root repair leads to significantly less arthritis progression and subsequent knee arthroplasty compared with nonoperative management and partial meniscectomy in a matched cohort based on patient characteristics.
“. . . The Forgotten Heroes”: A Qualitative Study Exploring How Friends and Family Members of DV Survivors Use Domestic Violence Helplines
Authors: Gregory Alison , Taylor Anna Kathryn , Pitt Katherine , Feder Gene , Williamson Emma
Published: November 2019

Many women who experience domestic violence (DV) seek support from friends, relatives, colleagues, and neighbors. There are substantial knock-on effects for informal supporters, and they may seek help themselves. Tailored services for this group are rare, but DV helplines can provide listening and signposting support. The aim of this exploratory study was to understand which informal supporters contact DV helplines and what form these calls take. Three focus groups, following a topic guide, were conducted with staff and volunteers for DV helplines during autumn 2015. Discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and imported into NVivo10 software. Transcripts were coded line-by-line, and a thematic analysis carried out. All participants were female, aged between 22 and 54 years, with between 2 months’ and 8 years’ experience of taking helpline calls. Findings indicate that people with broad ranging connections to a survivor call a helpline. Calls can be triggered by disclosures, abuse escalation, witnessing incidents, feeling overwhelmed, and media highlighting of DV. Informal supporters respond to survivors, and experience impacts, in differing ways, often associated with their gender and their relationship with the survivor. Frequently, they feel a sense of responsibility and a desire to rescue the survivor, often calling a helpline to reduce feelings of helplessness and to seek a “magic” solution. Many people are concerned about the legitimacy of their involvement and seek reassurance about the validity of their own help-seeking. Helpline workers feel that informal supporters would benefit from opportunities to reduce isolation, have their predicament acknowledged, and learn from peers. DV helplines have an important role in helping informal supporters of survivors. The help requested is predominantly to equip and empower the informal supporter, so that they feel more adept at coping themselves and, are thus, better able to offer support to the survivor.
Communication Themes of Patient Engagement for Multi-speciality Hospitals: Nurses’ Perspective
Authors: Singh Harbir , Dey Ajoy K. , Sahay Arunaditya
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

Patient engagement is engaging patients in their own medical care to heal them faster and take their valuable inputs to improve the health of population. Nurses contribute significantly in treatment, interact and spend most of their time with inpatients. Therefore, exploring the perspectives of nurses on patient engagement-communication is of vital importance.

Objective:

This article focuses on exploring the communication themes of patient engagement from the perspective of nurses in a multi-speciality hospital in Delhi.

Methodology:

The exploratory qualitative case study was carried out with semi-structured interviews of 12 nurses, observation at receptions of ICUs and emergency department and analysis of documents from the hospital’s official website. Grounded theory—three-level coding—was performed to identify the themes of patient engagement-communication.

Results:

A total of nine themes have been identified: ‘attendant’s role’, ‘communicating with patients of different categories’, ‘doctor’s support to nurses’, ‘nurse action’, ‘nurse behaviour’, ‘nurse challenges’, ‘patient actions’, ‘patient emotions’ and ‘wider role of nurses’.

Conclusion:

Nurses play a critical role in engaging patients through communication. They should change their approach of communication with different types of patients, understand, respect and give due weightage to patient’s emotions and actions and, play a wider role of teacher and guardian than just being the nurse.
Book review: Mark Casson, The Theory of International Business: Economic Models and Methods
Authors: Christie John P.
Published: November 2019

Mark Casson, The Theory of International Business: Economic Models and Methods London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016, 171 pp., ₹4,950.00 (US$69.99) (hardbound). ISBN: 978-3-319-32296-4.
Private Security and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Surveillance: A Systematic Review of Function and Performance
Authors: Welsh Brandon C. , Piza Eric L. , Thomas Amanda L. , Farrington David P.
Published: November 2019

Private security personnel play an important but largely overlooked role in the operation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance to prevent crime in public and private areas. This role can take a number of forms, including active monitoring of cameras. Drawing upon a global database of CCTV evaluations ( N = 165), this article examines the function and performance of private security personnel as related to the effectiveness of CCTV. Findings indicate that CCTV schemes operated by private security personnel generated larger crime prevention effects than those operated by police or those using a mix of police and security personnel. Policy and research implications are discussed.
Evolution of Equations for Estimating Renal Function and Their Application to the Dosing of New Antimicrobials
Authors: Lew Alison K. , Crass Ryan L. , Eschenauer Gregory
Published: November 2019

Objective: To address the background and rationale for the recent introduction of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation for renal dose adjustment of antimicrobials and to provide recommendations for pharmacists dosing new antimicrobial agents. Data Sources: Comprehensive MEDLINE and EMBASE literature searches (from August 2018 to October 2019) were performed. Search terms included creatinine clearance, Cockcroft-Gault, MDRD, and glomerular filtration rate and a subsequent search included the preceding terms AND antimicrobials OR antibiotics. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Available English-language studies on the derivation and/or use of the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and MDRD study equation were evaluated as well as those that specifically discussed their use for dosing antimicrobial agents. Data Synthesis: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of delafloxacin and meropenem-vaborbactam in 2017 ushered in a new era in renal dosing of antibiotics, in that both agents are recommended to be dosed by the MDRD equation. Studies demonstrate that the CG and MDRD equations can result in discrepant dosing recommendations. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: The renal estimation equation recommended in a new antibiotic label should dictate the dosing of that medication. It is noteworthy that these equations are not interchangeable. Conclusion: Recently approved antimicrobials utilizing the MDRD equation for renal dose adjustment will be interspersed with old and new antimicrobials utilizing the CG equation because of lack of singular guidance by the FDA. This requires pharmacists to be vigilant in evaluating drug labels to determine which equation is recommended and to understand the differences, strengths, and limitations of each equation.
Histopathologic Spectrum of Neuromuscular and Vascular Hamartoma With Special Reference to the Vasculopathic Phenomenon
Authors: Ayyanar Pavithra , Purkait Suvendu , Mishra Tushar Subhadarshan , Patra Susama , Mitra Suvradeep
Published: November 2019

Neuromuscular and vascular hamartoma (NMVH) is an unusual lesion presenting as intestinal obstruction by stricture formation. It is characterized by a hamartomatous mass comprising haphazardly arranged mesenchymal tissue native to the intestinal mucosa and submucosa. We aimed to characterize the clinicohistopathological spectrum of NMVH in adult subjects with a search for an etiological clue. We reviewed 84 resected specimens (adult cases) of intestinal obstruction in our institute and diagnosed 4 cases with NMVH. A panel of special stains (Masson trichrome, Verhoeff-van-Gieson, and periodic acid–Schiff) and immunohistochemistry (smooth muscle actin, S100, Bcl2, CD34, vimentin, desmin, CD117, and CD3) were performed in all cases. All cases of NMVH showed characteristic hamartomatous mounds comprising haphazardly arranged smooth muscle, nerves, ganglia, vessels, and collagen with overlying mucosal ulceration. Adjacent bowel showed submucosal fibrosis, muscularis mucosae thickening, and duplication along with vasculopathy. A typical vasculopathy (“vessel-in-vessel” appearance) was seen in the submucosal and/or subserosal veins. Besides, different other forms of vasculopathic changes like obliterative venopathy and concentric myohypertrophy were also seen. One case had vasculitis and the patient died despite successful surgery. One other case was associated with lymphocytic ganglioneuronitis and granulomatous etiology. We conclude that NMVH can be multifactorial in origin although ischemia resulting from vasculopathy appears to be directly causative. The characteristic vasculopathy in the submucosal location may aid in the diagnosis of NMVH in small biopsy samples.
How Can We Motivate People to Use Nutritional Warnings in Decision Making? Citizen Co-Created Insights for the Development of Communication Campaigns
Authors: Ares Gastón , Machín Leandro , Vidal Leticia , Aschemann-Witzel Jessica , Otterbring Tobias , Curutchet María Rosa , Giménez Ana , Bove Isabel
Published: November 2019

Nutritional warnings are intended to enable citizens to make informed choice by clearly identifying food products with excessive content of nutrients associated with noncommunicable diseases. The efficacy of this public policy is expected to improve if accompanied by communication campaigns that raise awareness of the existence of nutritional warnings, as well as encourage citizens to take them into account in decision making. Because ordinary citizens have been shown to generate significantly more creative and valuable ideas than advanced users and professional developers, the aim of the present work was to obtain qualitative, citizen co-created insights for the design of a communication campaign. An online study was conducted with 518 Uruguayan citizens, recruited using a Facebook advertisement. Participants were asked to answer a series of open-ended questions about how they would encourage other people to use the warnings for making their food choices, as well as the key contents of a communication campaign. Responses were analyzed using content analysis. Results showed that, according to the participants’ accounts, an effective public awareness campaign aimed at promoting the use of nutritional warnings in decision making should include three main concepts: (a) position warnings as a cue to action for improving eating habits by enabling informed choices; (b) emphasize the benefits of using the warnings for avoiding consumption of unhealthy food and, consequently, achieving a healthier diet and an improvement in health status and quality of life; and (c) increase the perceived susceptibility and severity of the negative consequences of consumption of foods with excessive content of sugar, fat, and sodium. A communication campaign based on these key concepts could contribute to increasing the efficacy of nutritional warnings.
En-face choroidal vascularity map of the macula in healthy eyes
Authors: Singh Sumit Randhir , Rasheed Mohammed Abdul , Parveen Nishad , Goud Abhilash , Ankireddy Samatha , Sahoo Niroj Kumar , Vupparaboina Kiran Kumar , Jana Soumya , Chhablani Jay
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

To report the en-face choroidal vascularity index in healthy eyes.

Methods:

Thirty eyes of 30 healthy individuals were studied. Multiple high-density cross-sectional swept source optical coherence tomography scans were obtained to create a volume scan. The choroid was segmented for the whole volume scan and choroidal inner boundaries were flattened. Subsequently, multiple en-face scans separated by 25 µm were obtained and binarized. Choroidal vascularity index was calculated at level of choriocapillaris, medium, and large choroidal vessels.

Results:

The mean age of the study cohort was 35.6 ± 8.8 years. The overall mean en-face choroidal vascularity index was 54.25 ± 0.55%. There was a statistically significant difference of choroidal vascularity index in choriocapillaris (53.16 ± 0.43%), medium choroidal vessel (51.38 ± 0.27%), and large choroidal vessel (55.69 ± 0.87%) (p < 0.01). Choroidal vascularity index analysis in three subgroups based on subfoveal choroidal thickness (low: <300 µm, medium: 300–400 µm, high: >400 µm) showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). Choroidal vascularity index showed a significant correlation with subfoveal choroidal thickness (r = 0.441; p = 0.015), whereas there was no significant correlation of age (p = 0.21), refraction (p = 0.20), and gender (p = 0.67) with en-face choroidal vascularity index.

Conclusion:

En-face choroidal vascularity index shows a significant variation at the level of choriocapillaris, medium choroidal vessel, and large choroidal vessel in normal eyes. Choroidal vascularity index reaches a nadir at the level of medium choroidal vessel and reaches the maximum value at large choroidal vessel near choroidoscleral interface. En-face choroidal vascularity index shows a significant physiological variation and appears to increase with increase in subfoveal choroidal thickness.
Linear mixed model better than repeated measures analysis
Authors: Kutluturk Karagoz Işıl , Keskin Berhan , Özkalaycı Flora , Karagöz Ali
Published: November 2019

We have some criticism regarding some technical issues. Mixed models have begun to play a pivotal role in statistical analyses and offer many advantages over more conventional analyses regarding repeated variance analyses. First, they allow to avoid conducting multiple t-tests; second, they can accommodate for within-patient correlation; third, they allow to incorporate not only a random coefficient, but also a random slope, typically ‘linear’ time in longitudinal case series when there are enough data and patients’ trajectories vary a lot and improving model fit.
Gendered outgroup prejudice: An evolutionary threat management perspective on anti-immigrant bias
Authors: Ji Tingting , Tybur Joshua M. , van Vugt Mark
Published: November 2019

Are male and female immigrants viewed similarly or differently? Consistent with an evolutionary threat management perspective, we suggest that the answer to this question depends upon what types of threats immigrant groups are perceived as posing. In the present study, we compared attitudes toward male and female immigrants from either a violent ecology (e.g., Syria) or a pathogen-rich ecology (e.g., Liberia). We hypothesized that people would have more negative attitudes toward male than female immigrants from a violent ecology, but that attitudes would be similar toward male and female immigrants from a pathogen-rich ecology. Internal meta-analyses of three studies (total N = 1,488) were in line with our hypothesis. They showed that attitudes toward male immigrants from a violent ecology were more negative than attitudes toward female immigrants from the same ecology. In contrast, attitudes toward male and female immigrants were similar when those immigrants came from a pathogen-rich ecology. Our findings are consistent with an evolutionary threat management perspective on outgroup prejudice and are aligned with the male warrior hypothesis: Attitudes toward male versus female outgroup members vary with the potential threats these outgroups pose.
Media practices in the making of an “other space”: Communicating inclusion, exclusion, and belonging in a controversial heterotopia
Authors: Ljungberg Emilia
Published: November 2019

New age practitioners and other alternative groups seek to create a heterotopia at a distance from mainstream society, and this necessitates some control over the use of media practices. To theorize the role of digital media in the making of a heterotopia, I have studied Ängsbacka, a community for alternative lifestyles, in a small mid-Swedish town. Using the concept of heterotopia as a starting point to understand how Ängsbacka functions as a space outside of mainstream society, I then use media theories about disconnection and the avoidance of context collapse in the analysis of their media practices. The analysis shows that the community has an ambivalent set of both explicit and implicit rules and norms aiming at both inclusion and exclusion of digital media. Studying the role of media use in the construction of a heterotopia adds new layers to the ongoing discussion about the use and non-use of digital media.