bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knotless Modified Arthroscopic-Broström Technique for Ankle Instability
Authors: Pellegrini Manuel J. , Sevillano Jesus , Ortiz Cristian , Giza Eric , Carcuro Giovanni
Published: January 2019

Instability is a common sequela after repeated ankle sprains. When nonoperative treatment fails, open lateral ligament complex repair and reinforcement with the inferior extensor retinaculum has been the gold standard procedure. The recent advancements in arthroscopic techniques have created comparable biomechanical and functional results to open procedures. The authors’ modification to the standard arthroscopic technique permits ligament approximation to the distal fibula over a larger surface area, using knotless anchors to avoid the need of an accessory portal and limit potential suture knot–related complications.

Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.
Getting Health Care Right
Authors: Hilferty Daniel J.
Published: January 2019

The author, a health insurance industry leader and a prominent voice in the national reform debate, shares his perspective on attempts to transform health care over nearly a decade. He advocates for a bipartisan solution to stabilize the health insurance market in the near term, and for private sector innovation in partnership with government to create sustainable long-term change. He encourages ASLME members to continue to lend their expertise to the process of transformation.
Health Reform and Theories of Cost Control
Authors: Brown Erin C. Fuse
Published: January 2019

Health care costs and affordability are critical issues to consumers. Just as we assess the coverage impacts of a health reform proposal, we should be able to evaluate how the plan will constrain health care costs: its theory of cost control. This essay provides a framework to assess health reform plans on their theories of cost control, identifying the key policy tools to constrain health care costs organized in a two-by-two matrix across the following dimensions: price vs. utilization and public vs. private payers. It then applies the framework to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Republican's 2017 legislative efforts to repeal and replace the ACA to identify their general theories of cost control, revealing on the plans' strengths, blind spots, and incoherence.
Controlling Health Care Costs under the ACA — Chaos, Uncertainty, and Transition with CMMI and IPAB
Authors: Majette Gwendolyn Roberts
Published: January 2019

This article addresses two components of the new governing architecture (NGA) that help to reform the delivery of health care and to control costs of the health care system: the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The republican controlled federal government has partially disassembled these two components, threatening the effectiveness of federal delivery system reform and cost control initiatives.
Next Steps in Health Reform: Hospitals, Medicaid Expansion, and Racial Equity
Authors: Matthew Dayna Bowen
Published: January 2019

The confluence of racial unrest and Medicaid expansion in Virginia should inspire a national reimagining of how health care can contribute to health equity. Hospitals in particular can leverage their role as economic drivers in communities to equalize health and social outcomes for all. The urgent need for innovative opioid intervention presents a fertile proving ground for new ways that hospitals can act to reduce the impact of racial inequity. Inspired by the role hospitals played to achieve desegregation during the Civil Rights era, this essay proposes an integrated approach to use Medicaid expansion to advance health and racial healing in America.
Payors, Data, and Nudges to Improve Care
Authors: Epstein Wendy Netter
Published: January 2019

Unnecessary health care is a tremendous problem that negatively impacts individuals and also increases health care costs across the system. While much scholarly attention has been paid to the role of patients and providers, payors' role in contributing to the problem is underexplored. The article recommends that payors should nudge providers away from unnecessary care by requiring electronic alerts intended to deter unnecessary care.
Overcoming the Balkanization of State Advance Directive Laws
Authors: Sabatino Charles P.
Published: January 2019

State law requirements for health care advance directive documents were reviewed in every state and the District of Columbia to determine whether they are consistent and/or flexible enough to permit the utilization by the public of “universal” advance directive forms, specifically a health care power of attorney, that would be valid under every state's advance directive statutes. Such documents would have to overcome the wide variability of state legal formalities for validity. If this could be accomplished, the public would benefit from having a variety of multi-state or truly universal forms available that could be used with confidence in their validity.

The review found that a basic, multi-state health care power of attorney appears to be feasible in 41 States and the District of Columbia, compared to 36 states and the District in 2005. Only nine states prevent recognition of a truly universal form. Some barriers were surmountable, including differing agent and witness requirements, execution requirements, and effectiveness triggers. Other barriers were insurmountable, including mandatory forms, mandatory disclosures, and decision-specific language requirements. The strategies identified for overcoming some barriers can be used by lawyers in drafting true multi-state directives. More importantly, states should simplify state advance directive laws to facilitate a more meaningful communication model of advance care planning.
Untangling the Promises of Human Genome Editing
Authors: Drabiak Katherine
Published: January 2019

This article traces the rapid progression of policy pertaining to human genome germline modifications using genome editing. It provides an overview of how one fertility physician implemented and advertised experimental techniques as part of his fertility clinic services, examines US law and policy, and assesses the impact of rhetoric influencing global policy and interpretation of the law. This article provides an in-depth examination of the medical rationale driving the acceptance of genome editing human embryos in two contexts: to cure disease and treat infertility. It describes complexities in genomics and outlines risks currently associated with genome editing, asserting the available evidence fails to demonstrate genome editing constitutes a curative therapy.
A Longitudinal Examination of the Impact of Major Life Events on Physical Activity
Authors: Richards Elizabeth A. , Thomas Patricia A. , Forster Anna K. , Hass Zachary
Published: January 2019

Background. Despite promotion of physical activity guidelines, less than one third of U.S. adults are sufficiently active and an even larger number of older adults fail to meet guidelines. To address this major public health issue, it is essential to broadly consider determinants of physical activity. Aims. This study explores how physical activity behavior is affected by the experience of major life events and considers the stress experienced due to these events across the life course. Method. Nationally representative panel data from the Americans’ Changing Lives survey (1986-2012) was used to analyze a growth model with age-based trajectories to examine the relationship between major life events and physical activity overall and separately by gender and race. Results. In the overall sample, retiring was associated with greater physical activity at baseline. As respondents aged, entering into retirement was associated with decreased physical activity, while a parent or friend dying was associated with greater physical activity. Differences by gender and race were also seen over time. Conclusions. Results show that when considering physical activity trajectories, experiencing these major life events is not always detrimental, and in some cases may be beneficial. Considering these impacts is important in planning effective health promotion interventions to increase and promote maintenance of physical activity, while paying attention to specific differences by gender and race.
Spectacular suffering: Transgressive performance in penal activism
Authors: Corcoran Mary S
Published: January 2019

The spectacle of the body in pain has long functioned heuristically in crime and justice. Within this phenomenon sits a counter-cultural tradition of re-enacting outrages in public view to rally against injustices. This article starts from the established claim that bodily suffering comprises a core matter of humanitarian campaigning. However, if ‘spectacular suffering’ has predominantly been discussed as a visual experience, this article examines its performative aspects. Transgressive performance is evident in demonstrations of forced-feeding, hunger strikes, self-immolation and lip-sewing carried out by prisoners or by their intermediaries with a view to publicizing their cause. During such exhibitions, the body in pain becomes a heuristic device for converting suffering into a medium for public consumption. However, tropes of corporal suffering are susceptible to cultural contestation and resistance from spectators. These possibilities call the publicity of suffering into question as an inherently progressive strategy.
What is relative plausibility?
Authors: Schwartz David S , Sober Elliott
Published: January 2019

Allen and Pardo’s explanation of Relative Plausibility as a theory of evidence and proof in litigation is ambiguous and underspecified. Their account suggests at least three different interpretations of what they mean. They might be advocating “anti-halfism,” which tracks the “conventional account” but merely rejects >0.5 as the proper standard of proof. Or they might be advocating “probabilistic holism,” in which trial decision-makers apply probability to whole claims but not elements – in which case it remains to be explained how such an approach is internally coherent. Or they might be endorsing “total anti-probabilism,” in which “plausibility” obeys rules and axioms different from those of probability – rules and axioms that Allen and Pardo have yet to identify. To date, Allen and Pardo have side-stepped criticisms by shifting from one interpretation to another, strategically. Aside from presenting a theory too formless to determine how well it fits actual jury behavior, Allen and Pardo have not presented any robust empirical observations about how juries actually decide cases (despite their claims to do so). Before we can really assess whether Relative Plausibility is a new paradigm for understanding the structure of evidence and proof in litigation, Allen and Pardo must tell us much more about what it actually is.
Income inequalities in leisure time physical inactivity in northern Sweden: A decomposition analysis
Authors: Szilcz Máté , Mosquera Paola A. , San Sebastián Miguel , Gustafsson Per E.
Published: January 2019

Aims: Increasing income inequalities in leisure time physical inactivity have been reported in the relatively socially equal setting of northern Sweden. The present report seeks to contribute to the literature by exploring the contribution of different factors to the income inequalities in leisure time physical inactivity in northern Sweden. Methods: This study was based on the 2014 Health on Equal Terms survey, distributed in the four northernmost counties of Sweden. The analytical sample consisted of 21,000 respondents aged 16–84. Six thematic groups of explanatory variables were used: demographic variables, socioeconomic factors, material resources, family-, psychosocial conditions and functional limitations. Income inequalities in leisure time physical inactivity were decomposed by Wagstaff-type decomposition analysis. Results: Income inequalities in leisure time physical inactivity were found to be explained to a considerable degree by health-related limitations and unfavourable socioeconomic conditions. Material and psychosocial conditions seemed to be of moderate importance, whereas family and demographic characteristics were of minor importance. Conclusions: This study suggests that in order to achieve an economically equal leisure time physical inactivity, policy may need to target the two main barriers of functional limitations and socioeconomic disadvantages.
Illegal substance use among 1,309 music festival attendees: An investigation using oral fluid sample drug tests, breathalysers and questionnaires
Authors: Gjersing Linn , Bretteville-Jensen Anne Line , Furuhaugen Håvard , Gjerde Hallvard
Published: January 2019

Aims: Illegal substance use at music festivals is less documented than it is in nightlife and electronic dance music settings. This study investigated such use through questionnaires, breathalysers and oral fluid drug testing. We also examined the associations between testing positive for illegal substances and demographics, self-reported substance use and measured blood alcohol concentration levels. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1,309 festival attendees from six Norwegian music festivals taking place between July and August 2016. Logistic regression models estimated the likelihood of a positive oral fluid drug test. Covariates were male, age, education, employment, smoking status, early age for alcohol intoxication, alcohol intoxication ⩾2 times a week, past-month and past-year illegal substance use, blood alcohol concentration levels and festivals. Results: Overall, 12% reported illegal substance use in the past 30 days and 11% tested positive for illegal substances. Cannabis (6%), cocaine (3%) and MDMA/ecstasy (2%) were most commonly detected. One-third had a blood alcohol concentration ⩾0.10%. Of those with a positive test result ( n=146), 95% had detectable alcohol levels and 41% had a blood alcohol concentration above 0.10%. Those studying or working part-time were less likely to test positive compared to those who were not employed. Furthermore, those reporting daily smoking and past-year cannabis or MDMA/ecstasy use were more likely to test positive, compared to those not reporting such use. Conclusions: Illegal substance use was less prevalent than in previous nightlife and electronic dance music studies. Almost all those testing positive for illegal substances had detectable alcohol levels and 41% had a blood alcohol concentration greater than 0.10%, possibly indicating combined use.
Rubber Band Ligation of Hemorrhoids is often a Necessary Complement in the Management of Hemorrhagic Radiation Proctitis
Authors: De Robles M. S. , Young C. J.
Published: January 2019

Background:

Management of radiation proctitis presents a treatment challenge. Limited data exist on the management of symptomatic hemorrhoids in radiated patients. This study aims to present a practical approach to the management of radiation proctitis, particularly in patients with synchronous hemorrhoids.

Methods:

A total of 52 consecutive cases of radiation proctitis managed between September 1999 and October 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary treatment was formalin application, plus rubber band ligation in conjunction with formalin when hemorrhoids were a significant component of bleeding, and occasionally argon plasma coagulation.

Results:

The primary indication for radiotherapy was for the treatment of prostate cancer (71%), anal squamous cell carcinoma (10%), and gynecological malignancies (18%). More than half of the patients (52%) presented with radiation proctitis and concomitant internal hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids were managed with rubber band ligation (56%) and stapled hemorrhoidectomy (7%), at the same procedure as formalin application. At a median follow-up of 12 months, no recurrent rectal bleeding occurred, and no further treatment was needed for most patients. One patient experienced a short period of perianal pain, which was treated with analgesics.

Conclusion:

Formalin application has consistently demonstrated an excellent cure rate and safety profile comparable with the published results as a primary treatment for radiation proctitis. The prolapse of irradiated mucosa over the internal hemorrhoids appears to exacerbate bleeding. Local hemorrhoid treatment is often required as an adjunct in the management of these patients.
Nonlinear optimal-based vibration control for systems with MR tuned vibration absorbers
Authors: Martynowicz Paweł
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the author proposes several approaches to nonlinear optimal-based control implementation. The vibrating system (structure) equipped with two tuned vibration absorbers (TVAs) is analysed against a system with one TVA. For control purposes, MR dampers are used instead of TVAs' passive viscous dampers. The main contribution of this research is the development and numerical verification of three nonlinear optimal-based vibration control concepts (the implementation of one-step optimal control, quasi-optimal control, and the optimal-based modified ground-hook law) that produce MR damper required current ( not required force) as their output (thus force tracking algorithm that results in control inaccuracy is entirely omitted here), and that may be directly applicable for online and real-time control; moreover, all of the MR damper force constraints (no active forces; lower and upper limits; nonlinear, hysteresis-type dynamics) are embedded in the control technique, thus the solution is optimal for the assumed actuator respecting its limitations. The proposed approaches are investigated against the standard ground-hook law and passive TVA(s) with optimally tuned (i.e. having a frequency response maxima of equal and lowest values) parameters. The performance of all the solutions for the one- and two-TVA systems is compared, confirming the validity and efficiency of the three proposed concepts: almost 50% reduction of the Dynamic Amplification Factor is possible with regard to the respective optimally tuned passive 1 TVA and 2 TVA configurations. No offline calculation, excitations/disturbances assumption, or frequency determination is necessary.
Moderator engagement and community development in the age of algorithms
Authors: Seering Joseph , Wang Tony , Yoon Jina , Kaufman Geoff
Published: January 2019

Online communities provide a forum for rich social interaction and identity development for billions of Internet users worldwide. In order to manage these communities, platform owners have increasingly turned to commercial content moderation, which includes both the use of moderation algorithms and the employment of professional moderators, rather than user-driven moderation, to detect and respond to anti-normative behaviors such as harassment and spread of offensive content. We present findings from semi-structured interviews with 56 volunteer moderators of online communities across three platforms (Twitch, Reddit, and Facebook), from which we derived a generalized model categorizing the ways moderators engage with their communities and explaining how these communities develop as a result. This model contains three processes: being and becoming a moderator; moderation tasks, actions, and responses; and rules and community development. In this work, we describe how moderators contribute to the development of meaningful communities, both with and without algorithmic support.
E hoa ma, ina te ora o te tangata (My friends, this is the essence of life): Meal-making as a pedagogical tool for learning about food politics
Authors: Kiddle Rebecca , Mawer Chantal , McAuliffe Bickerton Ceara , Ryan Alyssa , Siemonek Laurette
Published: January 2019

Many environmental concerns such as climate change and reducing fossil-fuel dependence seem ‘out of reach’ for the majority of us regarding creating change. However, food systems and how we interact with them, offer tangible opportunities to respond to these environmental concerns in small but meaningful ways. By examining the impact of our food consumption, we are provided with an opportunity for ongoing self-assessment. To engage in this self-assessment as part of a community of practice, we argue, is all the more impactful.

This paper is self-reflective, exploring the process and outcomes of a group of non-experts working together to develop a workshop to explore the politics of everyday eating. This workshop took the form of a seven-course meal. To disquiet this indulgence, these seven courses included both food for physical sustenance and food to provoke hearts and minds, because ‘we don’t usually think of what we eat as a matter of ethics’ ( Singer and Mason, 2007 : 3). The three food courses were sourced and cooked for conference participants by the authors of this paper. While undertaking these activities, we debated and documented our sourcing decisions and mused on the role of food in Aotearoa New Zealand. The remaining four courses served our guests the critical musings of food rescuers, local food producers and other food thinkers to cleanse the palate by way of presentations, poetry and performances. By using a meal as our methodology, we, as non-expert organizers and chefs, sought to explore our own, and allow others to explore their food consumption and ethics.
One-Year Clinical Outcomes of the Legflow Drug-Coated Balloon for the Treatment of Femoropopliteal Occlusions Registry
Authors: Stabile Eugenio , Gerardi Donato , Magliulo Fabio , Zhelev Drago , Chervenkoff Vassil , Taeymans Kim , Kotasov Doncho , Goverde Peter , Giugliano Giuseppe , Trimarco Bruno , Esposito Giovanni
Published: January 2019

Purpose: To report the 1-year outcomes of the prospective Legflow drug-coated balloon (DCB) registry, which evaluated the safety and 12-month efficacy of the Legflow balloon in the treatment of femoropopliteal disease. Methods: The Legflow is a new generation of DCB that has a homogenous, stable surface coating incorporating 0.1-µm paclitaxel particles. From January 2014 to June 2016, 139 patients (mean age 67.1±10.8 years; 109 men) were enrolled at 4 European institutions. Seventy-nine (56.8%) patients had claudication, while 60 (43.2%) had critical limb ischemia (CLI). Mean lesion length (MLL) was 90.0±41.2 mm. Eighty (57.6%) patients were treated for de novo lesions (MLL 83.2±41.2 mm), 29 (20.9%) for postangioplasty restenosis (MLL 81.2±30.9 mm), and 30 (21.6%) for in-stent restenosis (MLL 117.0±39.5 mm). The primary outcome measure was freedom from binary restenosis as determined by a peak systolic velocity ratio ≥2.4 on duplex or >50% stenosis on digital subtraction angiography at 12 months. The secondary outcome was freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) at 12 months. Results: Technical success was achieved in all the 139 treated patients. During the hospital stay, 3 CLI patients died of wound-related complications and 3 CLI patients underwent urgent TLR due to early occlusion in 2 and stent thrombosis in 1. At 12 months, 4 additional patients died of cardiac disease unrelated to the procedure. Of the 132 patients available for 1-year follow-up, the primary outcome (freedom from restenosis) was obtained in 107 (81.1%) patients. Freedom from CD-TLR was obtained in 110 (83.3%). Of the 25 late restenoses >50%, only 3 asymptomatic patients did not require TLR. Freedom from CD-TLR was higher in claudicants (87.0%) than in CLI patients (78.2%, p=0.20). In patients treated for in-stent restenosis, freedom from TLR at 1 year was 89.2%. Conclusion: These data suggest that the use of a new generation paclitaxel-coated balloon represents a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for femoropopliteal obstructions in different clinical and anatomical settings. These data will need to be confirmed with longer-term follow-up and in randomized controlled trials.
The Self-consuming Commodity: Audiences, Users, and the Riddle of Digital Labor
Authors: Kaplan Michael
Published: January 2019

This article reexamines the digital labor debate in light of its inheritance of the “audience commodity” problematic. It argues that prevailing approaches to the problem of digital labor proceed from a crucial misunderstanding of the economic status and function of advertising in general and in the social media industry in particular. To remedy this problem, it offers an analysis of social media systems as market monopolies that organize a self-defeating arms race among their customers. This arms race enables social networking sites (SNS) to extract large price surpluses, effectively exploiting their customers.
A Virtual Reality Environment to Visualize Three-Dimensional Patient-Specific Models by a Mobile Head-Mounted Display
Authors: Vertemati Maurizio , Cassin Simone , Rizzetto Francesco , Vanzulli Angelo , Elli Marco , Sampogna Gianluca , Gallieni Maurizio
Published: January 2019

Introduction. With the availability of low-cost head-mounted displays (HMDs), virtual reality environments (VREs) are increasingly being used in medicine for teaching and clinical purposes. Our aim was to develop an interactive, user-friendly VRE for tridimensional visualization of patient-specific organs, establishing a workflow to transfer 3-dimensional (3D) models from imaging datasets to our immersive VRE. Materials and Methods. This original VRE model was built using open-source software and a mobile HMD, Samsung Gear VR. For its validation, we enrolled 33 volunteers: morphologists (n = 11), trainee surgeons (n = 15), and expert surgeons (n = 7). They tried our VRE and then filled in an original 5-point Likert-type scale 6-item questionnaire, considering the following parameters: ease of use, anatomy comprehension compared with 2D radiological imaging, explanation of anatomical variations, explanation of surgical procedures, preoperative planning, and experience of gastrointestinal/neurological disorders. Results in the 3 groups were statistically compared using analysis of variance. Results. Using cross-sectional medical imaging, the developed VRE allowed to visualize a 3D patient-specific abdominal scene in 1 hour. Overall, the 6 items were evaluated positively by all groups; only anatomy comprehension was statistically significant different among the 3 groups. Conclusions. Our approach, based on open-source software and mobile hardware, proved to be a valid and well-appreciated system to visualize 3D patient-specific models, paving the way for a potential new tool for teaching and preoperative planning.
Yaw control torque generation for a hovering robotic hummingbird
Authors: Roshanbin Ali , Preumont André
Published: January 2019

This study describes the design, development, and flight tests of a novel control mechanism to generate yaw control torque of a hovering robotic hummingbird (known as Colibri). The proposed method generates yaw torque by modifying the wing kinematics while minimizing its influence on roll and pitch torques. To achieve this, two different architectures of series and parallel mechanisms are investigated; they are mathematically analyzed to investigate their behavior with respect to cross-coupling effects. The analysis is verified by measuring the control torque characteristics. The efficacy of the proposed method is also explored by flight experiments.
Framing #Ferguson: A comparative analysis of media tweets in the U.S., U.K., Spain, and France
Authors: Harlow Summer
Published: January 2019

Following the killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, protests around the world—online and offline—grabbed headlines. Considering that previous research suggests that the news media tend to follow a protest paradigm of coverage that delegitimizes protesters, this study examined #Ferguson coverage on social media to re-assess the relevance of the paradigm. Using computer analysis, this study analyzed thousands of tweets posted by news organizations and individual journalists in the U.S., U.K., Spain, and France, as well as the general public’s tweets, to compare how race, police brutality, and the protests were discussed across countries. Findings fill the gap in the literature as to whether delegitimizing, paradigmatic coverage extends to Twitter, pointing to differences not just between countries, but also between media outlets and individual journalists, and between the public and the journalism industry. Implications for future research are discussed.
Russia in the Arctic region: Going bilateral or multilateral?
Authors: Ananyeva Ekaterina
Published: January 2019

The Russian Federation has been for several years characterized as having both domestic resources and the corresponding desire to re-establish some of the influences in the international affairs, resembling the ones it used to have during the Soviet times. In this manner, it seeks to re-establish the status not only by military means, but by diplomatic tools as well, which are at the center of this research. To be more concrete, the purpose of this research paper is to map and explain Russian non-military strategies on the Arctic region. The main questions are, therefore, as follows: (a) What is the attitude of the Russian Federation toward the Arctic region? and (b) What are the factors that contribute to this attitude? As indicated by many, the states with political ambitions share conservatism mainly related to economics and relative suspicion toward the well-established multilateral institutions, while preferring bilateral relations or being establishing partners in emerging organizations. Apart from what has been mentioned above, this paper intends to develop such an argument and test it on the particular case of the Arctic region. It, in essence, argues that Russia prefers bilateral approach in case of negotiations over the issues of its core national interests and is inclined to multilateral options in case of soft issue areas. However, although Russian bilateral relations attract sufficient scholarly attention, its presence in multilateral institutions is still an under-researched area. This research paper aims at contributing to global discussion by providing an answer on what is Russian attitude in multilateral institutions and what factors contribute to this behavior. As for the hypothesis, it shall be tested on the empirical data from content analysis of official documents (press releases and governmental statements), provided by the online archive of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Whither West Asia? Exploring North–South perspectives on Eurasia
Authors: Marsden Magnus , Mostowlansky Till
Published: January 2019

The introduction to the Special Issue explores the relevance of the concept of West Asia for understanding connections between East Asia, Eurasia, and the Middle East. It seeks to go beyond the tendency in much scholarly work concerning regional connectivity in Asia to fixate on various permutations of the “Silk Road” or East–West ties more generally. We bring attention, rather, to the simultaneous significance of dense North–South connections that enable the interpenetration of varying parts of Asia and argue that West Asia is analytically helpful in bringing definition to such ties.
Giant hamartoma of lung presented with massive hemoptysis: A rare case report and review of the literature
Authors: Geramizadeh Bita , Mottavvas Maedeh , Zeyaian Bijan , Amirian Armin
Published: January 2019

Hamartoma of lung is a common tumor, majority of which are small and incidentally discovered during plain chest radiography. Our case is a 30-year-old gentleman with an extremely uncommon presentation of a common tumor, that is, a giant hamartoma of lung presenting as massive hemoptysis and intractable cough. To the best of our knowledge, such occurrence of giant pulmonary hamartoma is very uncommon and its presentation with massive hemoptysis is even more uncommon. Less than 20 cases of giant hamartoma of lung have been reported in the English literature so far.
A multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response team (PERT)—experience from a national multicenter consortium
Authors: Schultz Jacob , Giordano Nicholas , Zheng Hui , Parry Blair A. , Barnes Geoffrey D. , Heresi Gustavo A. , Jaber Wissam , Wood Todd , Todoran Thomas , Courtney D. Mark , Naydenov Soophia , Khandhar Sameer , Green Philip , Kabrhel Christopher ,   National PERT Consortium Research Committee
Published: January 2019

Background

We provide the first multicenter analysis of patients cared for by eight Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERTs) in the United States (US); describing the frequency of team activation, patient characteristics, pulmonary embolism (PE) severity, treatments delivered, and outcomes.

Methods

We enrolled patients from the National PERT Consortium™ multicenter registry with a PERT activation between 18 October 2016 and 17 October 2017. Data are presented combined and by PERT institution. Differences between institutions were analyzed using chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and ANOVA or Kruskal‐Wallis test for continuous variables, with a two‐sided P value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

There were 475 unique PERT activations across the Consortium, with acute PE confirmed in 416 (88%). The number of activations at each institution ranged from 3 to 13 activations/month/1000 beds with the majority originating from the emergency department (281/475; 59.3%). The largest percentage of patients were at intermediate–low (141/416, 34%) and intermediate–high (146/416, 35%) risk of early mortality, while fewer were at high‐risk (51/416, 12%) and low‐risk (78/416, 19%). The distribution of risk groups varied significantly between institutions (P = 0.002). Anticoagulation alone was the most common therapy, delivered to 289/416 (70%) patients with confirmed PE. The proportion of patients receiving any advanced therapy varied between institutions (P = 0.0003), ranging from 16% to 46%. The 30‐day mortality was 16% (53/338), ranging from 9% to 44%.

Conclusions

The frequency of team activation, PE severity, treatments delivered, and 30‐day mortality varies between US PERTs. Further research should investigate the sources of this variability.
Impact of chronic khat (Catha edulis Forsk) chewing on pulmonary function test and oxygen saturation in humans: A comparative study
Authors: Woldeamanuel Gashaw Garedew , Geta Teshome Gensa
Published: January 2019

Background:

Chronic consumption of khat affects many organ systems and leads to various health disturbances in the chewers. Few studies examined the acute effects of khat ingestion on lung function parameters. However, studies which assessed the long-term effects of khat chewing on pulmonary function parameters and oxygen saturation are lacking.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of chronic Khat chewing on pulmonary function parameters and oxygen saturation among chronic Khat chewers in Wolkite, Ethiopia.

Methods:

A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Wolkite, Ethiopia from 1 June 2018 to 15 August 2018. A total of 324 participants, 162 khat chewers and 162 non-chewers were included in the study. The data were collected through face-to-face interview by trained data collectors. British Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms. A spirometer was used to assess various lung function parameters. Moreover, oxygen saturation of hemoglobin was measured using pulse oximeter. Data were entered into CSPro version 6.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Results:

This study showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the mean values of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in first second and maximum ventilation volume among khat chewers as compared to non-chewers. There was no significant difference in the mean values of other lung function parameters between the two groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference (p = 0.642) in mean oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SaO2) across the two groups.

Conclusion:

It is evident from this study that long-term khat consumption is associated with decreased mean forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in first second and maximum ventilation volume. Hence, there is a need for further study to strengthen the current findings and to explore the mechanisms of khat chewing effect on lung function parameters.
Analysis of Facebook Meme Groups Used During the 2016 US Presidential Election
Authors: Moody-Ramirez Mia , Church Andrew B
Published: January 2019

Using content analysis, this study examines how citizens may use memes to share grassroots political ideas in a social media group setting during elections. Specifically, it offers a glimpse at the types of meme-related Facebook pages that emerged during the 2016 presidential election with an emphasis on representations of the two front-runner candidates—Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Generally, Facebook-meme pages and profile photos of both candidates were negative in tone with Trump more likely to be framed in terms of his hairstyle and facial expressions and Clinton in terms of the email scandal and her relationships with people. Political party and gender differences between these two candidates contributed to variations in representations. Study findings are important as they offer a look at grassroots use of memes during a major election and provide a general overview of Facebook user depictions of the two politicians.
Corporate Apology After Bad Publicity: A Dual-Process Model of CSR Fit and CSR History on Purchase Intention and Negative Word of Mouth
Authors: Chung Angie , Lee Kang Bok
Published: January 2019

This article proposes and tests a dual-process model of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication. Building on the framing theory and associative network theory, the authors examine how including statements about a company’s CSR fit and CSR history in apology statements can affect purchase intention and negative word of mouth (NWOM). Perceived integrity, attitude toward the apology statement, and attitude toward the company are sequential mediators that will subsequently affect purchase intention and NWOM. The results show that CSR fit will positively affect purchase intention and negatively affect NWOM through increased perceived integrity and attitude toward the apology statement, which will positively affect their attitude toward the company. The findings also show that CSR history will positively affect purchase intention and negatively affect NWOM through increased perceived integrity and attitude toward the apology statement, which will positively affect their attitude toward the company.
The 2018 update of the WHO-EORTC classification for primary cutaneous lymphomas
Authors: Willemze Rein , Cerroni Lorenzo , Kempf Werner , Berti Emilio , Facchetti Fabio , Swerdlow Steven H. , Jaffe Elaine S.
Published: January 2019

Primary cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of T- and B-cell lymphomas that present in the skin with no evidence of extracutaneous disease at the time of diagnosis. The 2005 World Health Organization–European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO-EORTC) consensus classification has served as a golden standard for the diagnosis and classification of these conditions. In September 2018, an updated version of the WHO-EORTC was published in the fourth edition of the WHO Classification of Skin Tumours Blue Book. In this classification, primary cutaneous acral CD8+ T-cell lymphoma and Epstein-Barr virus positive (EBV+) mucocutaneous ulcer are included as new provisional entities, and a new section on cutaneous forms of chronic active EBV disease has been added. The term “primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoma” was modified to “primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder” because of its indolent clinical behavior and uncertain malignant potential. Modifications have also been made in the sections on lymphomatoid papulosis, increasing the spectrum of histologic and genetic types, and primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphomas recognizing 2 different subtypes. Herein, the characteristic features of these new and modified entities as well as the results of recent molecular studies with diagnostic, prognostic, and/or therapeutic significance for the different types of primary cutaneous lymphomas are reviewed. An update of the frequency and survival of the different types of primary cutaneous lymphomas is provided.
Contrasting evolutionary origins of two mountain endemics: Saxifraga wahlenbergii (Western Carpathians) and S. styriaca (Eastern Alps)
Authors: Tkach Natalia , Röser Martin , Suchan Tomasz , Cieślak Elżbieta , Schönswetter Peter , Ronikier Michał
Published: January 2019

Background

The Carpathians and the Alps are the largest mountain ranges of the European Alpine System and important centres of endemism. Among the distinctive endemic species of this area is Saxifraga wahlenbergii, a Western Carpathians member of the speciose genus Saxifraga. It was frequently considered a taxonomically isolated Tertiary palaeopolyploid and palaeoendemic, for which the closest relatives could not yet be traced. A recently described narrow endemic of the Eastern Alps, S. styriaca, was hypothesized to be closely related to S. wahlenbergii based on shared presence of peculiar glandular hairs. To elucidate the origin and phylogenetic relationships of both species we studied nuclear and plastid DNA markers based on multiple accessions and analysed the data in a wide taxonomic context. We applied Sanger sequencing, followed by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) for a refined analysis of nrITS variants to detect signatures of ancient hybridization. The ITS data were used to estimate divergence times of different lineages using a relaxed molecular clock.

Results

We demonstrate divergent evolutionary histories for the two mountain endemics. For S. wahlenbergii we revealed a complicated hybrid origin. Its maternal parent belongs to a Western Eurasian lineage of high mountain taxa grouped in subsect. Androsaceae and is most likely the widespread S. androsacea. The putative second parent was most likely S. adscendens, which belongs to the distantly related subsect. Tridactylites. While Sanger sequencing of nrITS only showed S. adscendens-related variants in S. wahlenbergii, our NGS screening revealed presence of sequences from both lineages with clear predominance of the paternal over the maternal lineage.

Conclusions

Saxifraga styriaca was unambiguously assigned to subsect. Androsaceae and is not the sister taxon of S. wahlenbergii. Accordingly, the similarity of the glandular hairs observed in both taxa rests on parallelism and both species do not constitute an example of a close evolutionary link between the floras of the Western Carpathians and Eastern Alps. With the origin of its paternal, S. adscendens-like ITS DNA estimated to ca. 4.7 Ma, S. wahlenbergii is not a relict of the mid-Tertiary climate optimum. Its hybrid origin is much younger and most likely took place in the Pleistocene.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Translation analysis of English address image recognition based on image recognition
Authors: Wen Shengfang
Published: January 2019

In the current English semantic recognition of mail, there are problems such as serious information distortion and unrecognizable, which affects the promotion of machine automation to recognize text in emails. This study combines the actual situation of the mail image to set the corresponding image processing algorithm, adopts the conversion from RGB data to gray data to perform image gray processing, and combines the weighted average gray algorithm to improve the image gray definition and softness. At the same time, this study uses homomorphic filtering to enhance the image, uses homomorphic filtering to enhance the sharpness of the text, and uses median filtering to enhance the image. Image edge recognition is performed with the Sobel color difference operator, and the text result is output. Combining experiments to study the performance of the algorithm, the research shows that the algorithm has certain practical effects, which can provide reference for subsequent related research.
Alchemy and Creation in the Work of Albertus Magnus
Authors: Rinotas Athanasios
Published: January 2019

Albertus Magnus’ alchemy is a subject that has attracted the attention of the scholars since the early decades of the 20th century. Yet, the research that has been conducted this far is characterised by its non philosophical character. As a matter of fact, the previous studies approached Albertus’ alchemy either in terms of history of science or of intellectual history. In this paper, I focus on Albertus’ definition of alchemical transmutation that is found in his De mineralibus and I analyze it in terms of his theory of creation and of his theory of matter. Therefore, I show whether a re-creation of a metal is in accordance with Albertus’ philosophy and congruently I bring forth the Aristotle Graecus and the Aristotle Latinus that are found as background in his alchemical theory of transmutation. Ultimately this paper aims to show that the aforementioned theory is not an arbitrary statement from Albertus’ part, but the result of a serious philosophical endeavour
In varietate Concordia: two perspectives on the European values
Authors: Sazonova Liliya Leonidovna
Published: January 2019

In the first chapter of the paper we elaborate on the attitude towards the Other in the European Union by discussing two adversative yet simultaneous processes taking place in the EU. The first tendency is a legacy from the centuries-lasting model of European unification against certain important Others. The second one refers to the aspiration of the supra-national European project to encourage in an unprecedented manner the co-existence with the otherness. We argue that this ambivalence results from the fact that the transformation of the attitude towards the otherness takes place with different tempo in the different social spheres.   In the second chapter we develop further the reflection on the EU attitude towards the Other by focusing on the East European Other. We discuss the normative and de facto application of the European values both in the West and in the East part of the continent.In the last chapter we articulate two separate discourses framing the European values. The first one refers to the essentialist approach looking for a metaphysical reasoning of their universality by developing the common culture, history and spirit rhetoric. The second reading of the European values presents them in a more postmodern and debatable way and offers a mechanism for reconciling the heterogenic East-West European society.
A Good Man Among Bad Americans
Authors: Szymkowska-Bartyzel Jolanta
Published: January 2019

Przekrój was one of the most popular culture magazines published in Communist Poland. It was addressed to intellectual elites. For many years it saved much of its independence and neutral character. The paper presents the image JFK in the magazine that generally did not deal with politics and avoided the communist propaganda. Content analysis of the weekly’s issues from the period of 1960-1964 show several discourses in which JFK was presented to Przekrój readers.
The "Santānagopāla" as a Narrative Opening up Intimate Spaces: Lakṣmī Tampurāṭṭi and Her Poem
Authors: Sudyka Lidia
Published: January 2019

During my fieldwork in Kerala in 2014 and 2015, made possible by the financial support of the National Science Centre in Poland, I was able to collect several manuscripts by women authors as well as some very rare printed editions of their works.From the collected sources I have decided to choose a poem based on the Santānagopāla theme, a story about a pious Brahmin and his wife losing one child after another. It recurs in the oeuvre of at least three women writers living at the turn of 19th and 20th centuries. We know very little about the lives of the authoresses but the selection of such a theme perhaps was not fortuitous and we will be able to notice their womanly sensitivity in its treatment or scenes from their own lives and gather more information about the authors themselves.In the present paper I will concentrate on the Santānagopāla poem written by Lakṣmī Tampurāṭṭi (1845–1909).