bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic Characteristics and Preferences for Family (Informal) and Formal Caregiver Help With ADLs
Authors: Kataoka-Yahiro Merle R. , Davis James , Ka’opua Lana Sue , Sy Angela
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this article was to compare sociodemographic characteristics and various care preferences for family and formal caregivers help with activities of daily living (ADLs). The sample was 56,337 noninstutionalized U.S. civilian adults, 40 to 65 years of age. This is a cross-sectional study using secondary data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)—2011 to 2014. Respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics and various care preferences for caregiver help with ADLs were analyzed. Subsequent analysis examined associations using adjusted multivariable logistic regression models. Preference for family caregivers help with ADLs was independently and significantly associated with race/ethnicity, age, gender, education, acculturation, and income. Future studies need to examine sociodemographic characteristics and caregiver preferences to tailor health care services for aging adults in the United States.
Attributes of Memorable Gastro-Tourists’ Experiences
Authors: Williams Helena A. , Yuan Jingxue (Jessica) , Williams Robert L.
Published: October 2018

Gastro-tourists specifically travel to learn about new cultures through memorable food experiences. They span all ages, ethnicities, and incomes. These tourists plan more trips, stay longer, and spend more discretionary money when they travel. Interactions that include learning about regional foods and kitchen cultures and that foster relationships between the gastro-tourist and the gastro-host are more important to them than fancy amenities. Research that identifies characteristics and attributes of gastro-tourism experiences considered memorable is sparse. This inductive qualitative research study triangulated three data sources and two data collection methods (in-depth interviews and online surveys). Seven attributes linked to memorability are identified: (1) deliberate and incidental gastro-tourists, (2) travel stages, (3) foodie risk-taking, (4) interdependent co-created tourist–host relationships, (5) authenticity, (6) sociability, and (7) emotions. The attributes provide insights into the prevalent shift from product/service-dominant tourism to co-created experiential tourism opportunities and highlight the motivations that drive this emerging gastro-tourism market segment. By uncovering triggering moments that gastro-tourists value and find memorable, this study adds to the knowledge base of sustainable tourism development, destination branding promises, co-creation, and stakeholder theories.
In vitro bactericidal activity of 0.6% povidone-iodine eye drops formulation
Authors: Musumeci Rosario , Bandello Francesco , Martinelli Marianna , Calaresu Enrico , Cocuzza Clementina Elvezia
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

To evaluate the bactericidal activity of a diluted povidone-iodine formulation (0.6%) in comparison with the most used 5% povidone-iodine solution ophthalmic preparation.

Methods:

In vitro bactericidal activity comparison between 0.6% povidone-iodine versus 5% povidone-iodine formulations, against these bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis α99 strain, a clinical isolate, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922.

Results:

About 0.6% povidone-iodine formulation was demonstrated to be faster than 5% povidone-iodine preparation in killing Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria. Against a linezolid-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis strain, 0.6% povidone-iodine formulation showed the best antiseptic efficacy requirement of 3-log10 reduction in bacterial load, if compared with the 5% povidone-iodine formulation.

Conclusion:

Our investigation has demonstrated that the more diluted 0.6% preparation was more rapidly bactericidal than the 5% povidone-iodine formulation, most probably due to the fact that dilution from 5% to 0.6% increases the amount of free iodine. While our finding must be confirmed by in vivo clinical studies, this fact constitutes an intriguing news for what concerns the use of povidone-iodine eye drops in the ocular surface treatment before intravitreal injections as well as ophthalmic surgery.
Treatment of chronic and extreme ocular hypotension following glaucoma surgery with intraocular platelet-rich plasma: A case report
Authors: Abdalrahman Omneya , Rodriguez Alejandra E , Alio Del Barrio Jorge L , Alio Jorge L
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

To report a new approach for the treatment of severe ocular hypotony secondary to glaucoma filtering surgery with mitomycin C by injecting autologous eye platelet-rich plasma (E-PRP) in the anterior chamber to block excessive diffuse filtration through an abnormally thinned sclera.

Methods:

A 49-year-old patient with the Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome and severe chronic hypotony and corneal edema following filtering glaucoma surgery with mitomycin C received an isolated injection of 0.3 mL of autologous platelet-rich plasma in the anterior chamber.

Results:

Intraocular pressure measured by Goldman’s applanation tonometry 6 h after the procedure improved to 18 mmHg. Intraocular pressure remained stable along the full follow-up period of 6 month. No filtration or hypotony or any other complications were observed.

Conclusion:

Intracameral platelet-rich plasma (E-PRP) injection was an effective, rapidly effective, and safe procedure for treatment of severe chronic ocular hypotony following glaucoma filtrating surgery.
First look into the eye
Authors: Ivanišević Milan
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

Until Helmholtz’s discovery of the ophthalmoscope, it was not possible to visualize the posterior pole of the eye in a living subject. The aim of this work is to emphasize the importance of the invention of the ophthalmoscope because the new era in ophthalmology began with it.

Methods:

Available literature concerning this topic was studied, especially by getting in contact with institutes for history of medicine as well as medico-historians in Germany and other countries.

Results:

Hermann von Helmholtz, German physician and physicist, presented and published his invention of the ophthalmoscope in 1851. Albrecht von Graefe was the first to use ophthalmoscope routinely. He said: ‘Helmholtz has opened a new world to us’. The first ophthalmoscope was not easy to use. Some ophthalmologists even thought that ophthalmoscopy is harmful for the eye, particularly for a diseased eye. First, it was used in Germany (A von Graefe), Austria (E Jäger), and Netherlands (FC Donders). In England, it was used only at Moorfields till 1855 (W Bowman). At the First International Congress of Ophthalmology in Brussels 1857, the importance of ophthalmoscopy was stressed. FC Donders said that every view with the ophthalmoscope into the living eye was a new discovery. Among retinal diseases, first were discovered pigment retinopathy (FC Donders) and retinal detachment (A Coccius) in 1853.

Conclusion:

Helmholtz inaugurated modern era in ophthalmology with his magnificant instrument which revolutionized the development of ophthalmology. Von Graefe popularized it. Because of the new findings, ophthalmology was definitely separated from surgery in the middle of 19th century.
Predicting Factors for Smoking Behavior among Women Who Frequent Nightlife Entertainment Venues around a University in the Northern Region of Thailand
Authors: Phetphum Chakkraphan , Pongpreecha Boonchanuttha , Hangsantea Jariya , Muankaew Warangaungkana
Published: October 2018

This cross-sectional survey aims to study the behaviors and predictors for smoking behaviors among women who frequent nightlife entertainment venues around a university in the northern region of Thailand. Samples comprised 279 women who visited nightlife venues around a university in the northern region of Thailand. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed by chi-square and binary logistic regression. The results found that women who frequented nightlife venues and smoked accounted for 32% and 22% of those who smoked inside such venues. Furthermore, the factors identified as predictive of smoking behavior among women who frequented nightlife entertainment venues included frequently visiting nightlife venues more than 3 days per week (odds ratio (OR) = 8.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.31-23.90), having a positive attitude toward smoking (OR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.56-6.28), having a smoking family member (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.37-5.66), and having a smoking partner (OR = 4.86, 95% CI: 2.38-9.93). Therefore, relevant agencies should continuously promote the right attitudes about smoking to Thai women who frequent nightlife entertainment venues.
Tāme Iti and Twitter: a voice from prison
Authors: Elers Steve , Elers Phoebe
Published: October 2018

This is the first known study concerning the use of social media by an imprisoned campaigner of Indigenous rights. We used grounded theory to analyse Twitter messages of imprisoned Māori rights campaigner, Tāme Iti, who was arrested during the 2007 Terror Raids in Rūātoki, New Zealand. The approach undertaken is grounded in kaupapa Māori, a critical, anti-oppressive, emancipatory and decolonising Indigenous research methodology. Our grounded theory analysis categorised three themes within the data: (1) Māramatanga: Insights from Prison, (2) Māoritanga: Living Māori Culture and (3) Tōrangapū: Thoughts on the Outside. We show that social media can be used to dismantle the communication barriers of spatial confinement and as a tool to counter dominant narratives.
Reclaiming Australia: Indigenous Hip-Hop group A.B. Original’s use of Twitter
Authors: Hutchings Suzi , Rodger Dianne
Published: October 2018

This article explores how Indigenous-Australian Hip-Hop group A.B. Original use Twitter to promote their music and more broadly, as a conduit for political expression, protest and the celebration of Indigenous identities. We use Indigenous knowledges and Indigenous standpoint theories to extend on the current literature that examines the use of social media by Indigenous peoples. In decolonising research, these theoretical perspectives position the Indigenous participant at the centre of research practice where knowledge is created. Indigenous knowledges therefore become the paradigm through which social interaction is understood and described. Our thematic analysis of A.B. Original’s public Twitter activity from November 2016 to January 2017 demonstrates that the combination of Hip-Hop and social media are powerful forces utilised by young Indigenous people in Australia to discuss issues impacting their everyday lives and to make meaningful statements on contemporary Aboriginality and sovereignty.
EU anti-discrimination law
Authors: Howard Erica
Published: October 2018

This article analyses the protection which two European Union (EU) Directives, adopted in 2000, provide against discrimination on the grounds of racial and ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. This protection is not the same for all these grounds, and this has led to what is often referred to in the literature as a hierarchy of discrimination grounds. The article examines these differences in protection against discrimination and the reasons for them and includes an analysis of the influence of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on the development of this area of law. The argument in this article is that the CJEU has generally given a purposive and expansive interpretation to the provisions and has expanded the protection against discrimination in many cases, but three recent cases seem to form an exception to this. Possible reasons for this recent reticence are given.
Adding insult to injury: Perceived inequity modulates pain perception
Authors: Zhang Hanqi , Wang Haixia , Sun Jingyao , Xie Xiaofei
Published: October 2018

Inequity and pain typically co-appear during disasters or illnesses and have significant effects on health. However, the relationship between inequity and pain perception is poorly understood. Four studies investigated whether perceived inequity modulates pain perception using different priming paradigms and pain measurements. Studies 1–3 consistently revealed that participants perceived pain more intensely and rapidly after inequity priming. Study 4 demonstrated that inequity in cancer patients predicts pain perception after controlling for individual differences in equity sensitivity and pain sensitivity. The findings suggest that equity may help manage adversity in achieving mental and physical health.
Displacement-dependent nonlinear damping model in steel buildings with bolted joints
Authors: Zhang Huidong , Zhu Xinqun , Li Zhongxian , Yao Shu
Published: October 2018

The stick–slip phenomenon is commonly found at structural connections in steel buildings. It is a major damping mechanism in a structure with bolted joints and makes a significant contribution to the total structural damping. This article reviews the stick–slip damping model of an elastic single-degree-of-freedom system with one stick–slip component. It is observed that the damping ratios of the system with the stick–slip mechanism first quickly increase when experiencing a very small displacement and then slowly decrease. After the number of activated slip surfaces is assumed to be a linear function related to the structural displacement, the equivalent damping ratios of a structural system with numerous stick–slip components are derived. However, this displacement-dependent damping model is very difficult to be used for a structural dynamic analysis due to its inherent complexity. Therefore, a new displacement-dependent damping model for a structural dynamic analysis is proposed based on the viscous damping. A high-rise steel moment resisting frame with bolted joints subjected to an earthquake ground motion is taken as an example to verify the proposed method.
Multi-species sociology of the body
Authors: Peggs Kay
Published: October 2018

The human body has become a central focus in sociology. Such work has centred largely on the human body and its significance in social contexts. This article draws on sociological understandings of human embodiment, especially the idea of the ‘body as a project’, to facilitate a multi-species understanding of bodies and their entanglements. Conceptualising the body as a project has provided sociological insights into the scientific and technological innovations that are designed to improve health and delay death. Nonhuman animals are entangled in these efforts, though their presence is often occluded. By examining notions of body masks, body regimes and body options, which are well established in sociological thinking about the body, this article seeks to prompt consideration of how to utilise theories of the body to examine human–nonhuman animal entanglements in order to establish a multi-species sociology of the body.
Data-driven damage diagnosis under environmental and operational variability by novel statistical pattern recognition methods
Authors: Entezami Alireza , Shariatmadar Hashem , Karamodin Abbas
Published: October 2018

Feature extraction by time-series analysis and decision making through distance-based methods are powerful and efficient statistical pattern recognition techniques for data-driven structural health monitoring. The motivation of this article is to propose an innovative residual-based feature extraction approach based on AutoRegressive modeling and a novel statistical distance method named as Partition-based Kullback–Leibler Divergence for damage detection and localization by using randomly high-dimensional damage-sensitive features under environmental and operational variability. The key novel element of the proposed feature extraction approach is to establish a two-stage offline and online learning algorithms for extracting the residuals of AutoRegressive model as the main damage-sensitive features. This technique brings the great benefit of reducing the computational time and storage space for feature extraction in long-term monitoring conditions. The major contribution of Partition-based Kullback–Leibler Divergence method is to exploit a partitioning strategy for dividing random features into individual partitions and utilize numerical information of partitioning in distance calculation rather than directly applying random samples. Dealing with the major challenging issue of using the high-dimensional features in decision making and applicability to both correlated and uncorrelated random datasets are the main advantages of Partition-based Kullback–Leibler Divergence method. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed approaches are experimentally validated by two well-known benchmark structures. The stationarity and linearity of measured vibration responses for using in AutoRegressive modeling are evaluated by two hypothesis tests. Comparative studies are also conducted to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed methods over some exciting state-of-the-art techniques. Results show that the methods presented here succeed in detecting and locating damage and make time-saving and efficient tools for feature extraction and damage diagnosis.
Strain and crack analysis within concrete members using distributed fibre optic sensors
Authors: Sieńko Rafał , Zych Mariusz , Bednarski Łukasz , Howiacki Tomasz
Published: October 2018

This article presents laboratory tests, with the purpose being to verify the suitability of standard optical fibres in a tight jacket for advanced strain analysis within concrete members. An optical reflectometer was used to enable the optical signal to be processed on the basis of the Rayleigh scattering phenomenon, so that strains and/or temperature changes were determined along the length of the measuring fibre. The measurements were carried out continuously in a geometrical sense (distributed measurements), with a spatial resolution starting from as fine as 5 mm. The arrangement of optical fibres inside the heterogeneous concrete medium and on its surface allowed for the identification and detailed analysis of local phenomena such as cracks. Remote and early location of structural damage with an estimation of its scale provides new opportunities for the monitoring of the structural health of reinforced concrete structures, facilitating the interpretation of its behaviour as well as failure risk management based on comprehensive and reliable measurement data. If traditional spot techniques are used, this approach is not possible. The aim of the initial studies was to analyse the strain distributions over compressed and tensioned measurement sections located on the surface of a cylindrical specimen of concrete. In the tests which followed, the reinforced concrete rod was eccentrically tensioned with fibre optics installed inside. Qualitative and quantitative verification of crack widths was made, with a narrow range up to 0.05 mm and a wider one to 0.30 mm. The results of the studies show very good accuracy of optical fibre sensor technology as a reference technique during the analysis of microcracks and narrow cracks, and moderate accuracy in the case of wider cracks. Despite using optical fibres in a tight jacket which mediates in strain transfer, the results obtained can be very suitable for the assessment of the structural condition of the member under consideration. It is also worth noting that the tests conducted indicate the effectiveness of distributed optical fibre technology for the analysis of concrete homogeneity and its structural behaviour within compressed areas, as it is possible to calculate strains over measuring bases that start from lengths as short as 5 mm.
A closer look: Socio-structural influences on teacher–child interactions during project work
Authors: Cordoba Tanya Espinosa , Sanders-Smith Stephanie C
Published: October 2018

An increasing amount of attention and public funding has been dedicated in recent years to the field of Early Childhood Education and the expansion of early childhood programs in the United States. Program quality in early childhood is evaluated based on program-level structural features and instructional support (e.g. problem solving, feedback, and language modeling), but quantifiable measures of structural and process features do not necessarily equate to quality instructional interactions. Questions remain about the presence and strength of socially constructed power dynamics found in pedagogic practice. This case study seeks to illuminate interactions between children and teachers in federally funded Head Start classrooms, teachers’ views of children, and influences to novice project work using the Project Approach. The project work served as a frame for viewing interactions between teachers and children as mediated by varying degrees of power and control of teacher–child interactions at the classroom level (identified as “socio-structures”). Questions investigated were the following: (1) What are the socio-structures inside these Head Start classrooms before and during the implementation of the Project Approach? (2) How do existing socio-structures relate to teacher–child instructional language interactions during the implementation of the Project Approach?
Mafia infiltration, public administration and local institutions: A comparative study in Northern Italy
Authors: Dagnes Joselle , Donatiello Davide , Moiso Valentina , Pellegrino Davide , Sciarrone Rocco , Storti Luca
Published: October 2018

Nuanced explanations of the factors underpinning the mafia’s movements across territories have recently been proposed. However, more light must be shed on the mechanisms through which mafiosi try to infiltrate the legal economy in non-traditional territories. Accordingly, this study aims to micro-found interactions and exchanges that mainly involve mafiosi, politicians and economic actors in expansion areas. Focusing on the local level, we will show how the misuse of several administrative tools generates a profitable opportunity structure for mafiosi. To this end, we present an in-depth comparative case study of three events involving the construction industry that took place in Northern Italy. The main findings show that: (i) mafiosi are skilled at smoothing social relations, enlarging and consolidating opaque networks predating their arrival; (ii) they give rise to different types of mutual exchanges and network structures.
Effects of obesity on insulin: insulin-like growth factor 1 hybrid receptor expression and Akt phosphorylation in conduit and resistance arteries
Authors: Mughal Romana S , Bridge Katherine , Buza Irma , Slaaby Rita , Worm Jesper , Klitgaard-Povlsen Gro , Hvid Henning , Schiødt Marianne , Cubbon Richard , Yuldasheva Nadira , Skromna Anna , Makava Natallia , Skytte-Olsen Grith , Kearney Mark T
Published: October 2018

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulate specific responses in arteries, which may be disrupted by diet-induced obesity. We examined (1) temporal effects of high-fat diet compared to low-fat diet in mice on insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, insulin receptor/insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor hybrid receptor expression and insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated Akt phosphorylation in aorta; and (2) effects of high-fat diet on insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated Akt phosphorylation and vascular tone in resistance arteries. Medium-term high-fat diet (5 weeks) decreased insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor expression and increased hybrid expression (~30%) only. After long-term (16 weeks) high-fat diet, insulin receptor expression was reduced by ~30%, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor expression decreased a further ~40% and hybrid expression increased a further ~60%. Independent correlates of hybrid receptor expression were high-fat diet, duration of high-fat diet and plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 (all p < 0.05). In aorta, insulin was a more potent activator of Akt than insulin-like growth factor-1, whereas in resistance arteries, insulin-like growth factor-1 was more potent than insulin. High-fat diet blunted insulin-mediated vasorelaxation ( p < 0.01) but had no effect on insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated vasorelaxation in resistance arteries. Our findings support the possibility that hybrid receptor level is influenced by nutritional and metabolic cues. Moreover, vessel-dependent effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 on vascular tone and Akt activation may have implications in treating obesity-related vascular disease.
Prognostic Value of White Blood Cells Detected for the First Time After Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Primary Operable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hao Ligang , Zhang Junjie , Di Yonghui , Tan Zhenbo
Published: October 2018

Objective:

To investigate the prognostic value of white blood cells detected for the first time after adjuvant chemotherapy in primary operable non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods:

From January 2010 to May 2016, data from 208 patients who underwent surgery for non-small cell lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

A white blood cell count detected for the first time after adjuvant chemotherapy greater than 7.00 was an independent predictor of poor disease-free survival (Hazard ratio: 1.736, 95% confidence interval: 1.267-2.378; P = .001) and overall survival (Hazard ratio: 1.802, 95% confidence interval: 1.305-2.471; P = .000). In a further study, after myelosuppression, survival analysis indicated that the patients with white blood cell counts <2.5 had poorer survival than patients with blood cell counts 2.5 to 4.0, P = .031. When the analysis was stratified by the type of histology, patients with a white blood cell count >7.00 and increased white blood cell after chemotherapy compared to pretreatment had a poorer prognosis than patients with white blood cell ≤7.00 and no increase in white blood cell, P = .000 and P = .002, respectively. We further evaluated the prognosis of the 2 groups in different levels of white blood cell. In the group of patients with white blood cell ≤4.0, patients with chemotherapy cycles ≤2, and >2 showed no differences (Hazard ratio: 2.346, 95% confidence interval: 0.288-19.073, P = .425). In the group of patients with white blood cell of 4.0 to 7.0, the prognosis of patients with chemotherapy cycles ≤2 and patients with chemotherapy cycles >2 showed no difference (Hazard ratio: 0.560, 95% confidence interval: 0.248-1.261, P = .161). In the group of patients with white blood cell >7.0, patients with >2 chemotherapy cycles had a better prognosis than patients with chemotherapy cycles ≤2 (Hazard ratio: 0.573, 95% confidence interval: 0.338-0.971, P = .037)

Conclusions:

The level of white blood cells detected for the first time after adjuvant chemotherapy is an independent risk factor for non-small cell lung cancer, especially for patients with nonadenocarcinoma. In addition, the level of white blood cells after postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and its change compared with pretreatment might also provide useful information regarding the best choice of cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Critical Appraisal of the Treatment Planning Performance of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy by Means of a Dual Layer Stacked Multileaf Collimator for Head and Neck, Breast, and Prostate
Authors: Cozzi Luca , Fogliata Antonella , Thompson Stephen , Franzese Ciro , Franceschini Davide , de Rose Fiorenza , Tomatis Stefano , Scorsetti Marta
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

To ascertain whether a new delivery system (the Halcyon system) equipped with dual-layer stacked multileaf collimator operating in a mode, which allows independent, fully interdigitating motion of both layers and 6 flattening filter free energy, could generate plans of high clinical quality compared to a well-established delivery system with single layer multileaf collimator.

Methods:

Twenty patients in each of the 3 groups (advanced head and neck, breast, and high-risk prostate) were selected for an in silico planning study. For each patient, reference plans were developed for volumetric modulated arc therapy technique with 6 MV photon beams from a TrueBeam linear accelerator and compared against the corresponding plans for the Halcyon system. Plan comparison was performed in terms of dose volume histogram quantitative analysis.

Results:

Concerning the planning target volumes, with identical dose calculation and optimization algorithms and with identical planning techniques, no clinically relevant difference in coverage (D98%), hot spot (D2%), or homogeneity was observed. Similarly, for all the organs at risk, the dosimetric findings showed that (1) all planning constraints were met by the 2 delivery systems and (2) although statistical significant differences were reported for most of the parameters but none of these were judged of potential clinical relevance.

Conclusion:

The data presented confirmed that the new delivery system can generate treatment plans for volumetric modulated arc therapy with the same dosimetric quality of what is achievable with other systems routinely used in the clinics without significantly changing the current practice. Additional studies which customize the optimization parameters for each delivery device would complement the spectrum of investigations.
The Role of Gender in Shame, Hostility, and Aggression Experienced by Caregivers for Patients With Dementia
Authors: Avdikou Konstantina , Stefanatos Charalampos , Tsatali Marianna , Gouva Mairy , Tsolaki Magda
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between male and female caregivers for patients with dementia in the way they experience various psychosocial parameters such as shame, hostility, and aggression. The sample included 55 caregivers of patients with moderate and severe dementia, whereas the average age was 51 years. Female caregivers were found to experience significantly higher levels of external shame, measured by Other As Shamer scale, than male caregivers, t (53) = 2.54, P < .01. A significant difference was also found between the female and male caregivers regarding their recorded levels of internal shame, measured by Experience of Shame Scale, with female caregivers experiencing more internal shame than their male counterparts, t (53) = 2.11, P < .01. However, no significant differences were found in hostility and aggression between males and females. These results demonstrate the existence of gender differences in the levels of shame experienced by care providers for patients with dementia.
A Review of the Empirical Literature on Meaningful Work: Progress and Research Agenda
Authors: Bailey Catherine , Yeoman Ruth , Madden Adrian , Thompson Marc , Kerridge Gary
Published: October 2018

Meaningful work is a topic of importance in core domains of human resource development (HRD) such as employee engagement, motivation, and personal development. However, there is little consensus over what comprises meaningful work or concerning the antecedent and outcome factors associated with meaningfulness. Prior theorizing has tended to conflate conceptual and empirical arguments, and hence, we lack clear insight into factors related to employees’ experience of meaningfulness. To address these gaps, we undertook an analysis of the empirical literature relating to meaningful work. In all, 71 studies met the inclusion criteria. We focused on the question, “What is the empirical evidence base concerning meaningful work, and how can this inform theory and practice in HRD?” The synthesis revealed dominant trends alongside significant gaps in understanding. We highlight the practical implications of our analysis for the HRD field and propose avenues for future research on meaningfulness within HRD.
Prevention of Bortezomib-Related Peripheral Neuropathy With Docosahexaenoic Acid and α-Lipoic Acid in Patients With Multiple Myeloma: Preliminary Data
Authors: Maschio Marta , Zarabla Alessia , Maialetti Andrea , Marchesi Francesco , Giannarelli Diana , Gumenyuk Svitlana , Pisani Francesco , Renzi Daniela , Galiè Edvina , Mengarelli Andrea
Published: October 2018

Background and Aims: Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of chemotherapy that can induce marked disability that negatively affects the quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this study was to prevent the onset or the worsening of peripheral neuropathy in MM patients treated with bortezomib (BTZ), using a new nutritional neuroprotective compound. We report preliminary results of 18 out of 33 patients who completed the study. Methods: We administered a tablet of Neuronorm to patients, containing docosahexaenoic acid 400 mg, α-lipoic acid 600 mg, vitamin C 60 mg, and vitamin E 10 mg bid for the whole follow-up period. Neurological visit assessment, electroneurography, and evaluation scales were performed at baseline and after 6 months. Results: At 6 months, 8 patients had no chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, while 10 patients experienced chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy of grade 1 according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, one of them with pain. Seventeen patients did not report painful symptoms; no limitation of functional autonomy and stability in quality of life domains explored was observed. Conclusions: Our results seem to indicate that early introduction of a neuroprotective agent in our patients with MM treated with BTZ could prevent the onset or the worsening of neuropathic pain, avoiding the interruption of the therapy with BTZ, and maintaining a good functional autonomy to allow normal daily activities. Despite the limitations due to the fact that this is a preliminary study, in a small population, with short follow-up, our data seem to indicate that the nutraceutical may have some potential to be considered for a future trial.
Examining Validity of the Print Tool Compared With Test of Handwriting Skills–Revised
Authors: Donica Denise K. , Holt Sarah
Published: October 2018

Handwriting assessments offer practitioners an objective measure to determine handwriting deficits, track student progress, and provide evidence for the use of occupational therapy intervention. This study determines the concurrent validity of the Print Tool with the Test of Handwriting Skills–Revised (THS-R) and examines the alignment of teacher perception with the Print Tool. Participants included 46 first- and second-grade students. All participants completed both handwriting assessments, and classroom teachers ( n = 4) rated each students’ overall handwriting performance and potential areas of concern addressed by the Print Tool. The Print Tool overall scores have a strong correlation ( r = .606) with THS-R standard scores, suggesting good concurrent validity. Median Print Tool overall scores increased with each successive teacher rating classification, supporting alignment with teacher perception. This study provides preliminary evidence for the use of the Print Tool by occupational therapy practitioners to identify potential handwriting deficits that also align with teacher perception of performance.
Pattern recognition and bionic manipulator driving by surface electromyography signals using convolutional neural network
Authors: Wan Yuanfang , Han Zishan , Zhong Jun , Chen Guohua
Published: October 2018

With the development of robotics, intelligent neuroprosthesis for amputees is more concerned. Research of robot controlling based on electrocardiogram, electromyography, and electroencephalogram is a hot spot. In medical research, electrode arrays are commonly used as sensors for surface electromyograms. Although these sensors collect more accurate data and sampling at higher frequencies, they have no advantage in terms of portability and ease of use. In recent years, there are also some small surface electromyography sensors for research. The portability of the sensor and the calculation speed of the calculation method directly affect the development of the bionic prosthesis. A consumer-grade surface electromyography device is selected as surface electromyography sensor in this study. We first proposed a data structure to convert raw surface electromyography signals from an array structure into a matrix structure (we called it surface electromyography graph). Then, a convolutional neural network was used to classify it. Discrete surface electromyography signals recorded from three persons 14 gestures (widely used in other research to evaluate the performance of classifier) have been applied to train the classifier and we get an accuracy of 97.27%. The impacts of different components used in convolutional neural network were tested with this data, and subsequently, the best results were selected to build the classifier used in this article. The NinaPro database 5 (one of the biggest surface electromyography data sets) was also used to evaluate our method, which comprises of hand movement data of 10 intact subjects with two myo armbands as sensors, and the classification accuracy increased by 13.76% on average when using double myo armbands and increased by 18.92% on average when using single myo armband. In order to driving the robot hand (bionic manipulator), a group of continuous surface electromyography signals was recorded to train the classifier, and an accuracy of 91.72% was acquired. We also used the same method to collect a set of surface electromyography data from a disabled with hand lost, then classified it using the abovementioned network and achieved an accuracy of 89.37%. Finally, the classifier was deployed to the microcontroller to drive the bionic manipulator, and the full video URL is given in the conclusion, with both the healthy man and the disabled tested with the bionic manipulator. The abovementioned results suggest that this method will help to facilitate the development and application of surface electromyography neuroprosthesis.
Remote post-conditioning and allopurinol reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury in an infra-renal ischemia model
Authors: Brandão Rafael Inácio , Gomes Ricardo Zanetti , Lopes Luana , Linhares Filipe Silva , Vellosa José Carlos Rebuglio , Paludo Katia Sabrina
Published: October 2018

Background:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the antioxidant allopurinol and ischemic post-conditioning on the deleterious effects of ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R) in a standardized model of ischemia involving infra-renal aortic occlusion in rats.

Methods:

The animals were randomly divided into five groups: (A) animals not subjected to ischemia; (B) animals subjected to 2 h of ischemia and reperfusion only once; (C) animals given an allopurinol dose by gavage, then subjected to 2 h of ischemia and reperfusion only once; (D) animals subjected to 2 h of ischemia and post-conditioning and (E) animals that received allopurinol, then subjected to 2 h of ischemia and post-conditioning. The blood samples and small intestine segments were harvested for analysis after 3 days.

Results:

The protective effects of the use of allopurinol and ischemic post-conditioning were observed by measuring aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate levels. The benefits of post-conditioning were evident from the total antioxidant capacity and creatinine levels, but these could not ascertain any positive effects of allopurinol. The histological analysis of mesentery revealed that both methods were effective in minimizing the harmful effects of the ischemia and reperfusion process.

Conclusion:

Individual protocols significantly reduced I/R systemic injuries, but no additional protection was observed when the two strategies were combined.
Ethical leadership and why health information management professionals need to be involved. Commentary on Health information is central to changes in healthcare: a clinician’s view (Hoyle, 2019)
Authors: Shepheard Jennie
Published: October 2018

Philip Hoyle presents a compelling argument for the significant and highly valued role that the management of health information plays in the Australian healthcare system and the delivery of health services in this country. However, he also brings to our attention the ill-defined nature of the ethical oversight of this very information. Hoyle uses words such as “honesty,” “commitment to beneficence,” “commitment to equity” and “respect for variation” when describing the characteristics of ethical leadership. He singles out health information management professionals – Health Information Managers (HIMs) and Clinical Coders (CCs) – as the key professional group who need to step up and seize the initiative, get conversations going, form partnerships, do research and publish findings, so the knowledge and insights that the health information management profession has the potential to offer are not only more widely known and understood but also more useful to others working in the healthcare arena. Hoyle calls on health information management professionals to step out from behind the scenes and take responsibility for the ethical use of the information they help produce. Hoyle’s words resonated powerfully with me, particularly with respect to the clinical coding workforce in Australia, which is made up of trained CCs and qualified HIMs. In a truly ethical environment, HIMs and CCs would not be asked to meet performance indicators for increased funding metrics or to change codes to avoid triggering certain indicators; they would simply be asked to ensure complete, accurate coding for every episode of care. This is what ethical leadership would look like. I am concerned about our clinical coding workforce. I am now asking, are our CCs and HIMs up to the task of taking back absolute and unchallenged ownership of their particular skill set, which makes them the keepers of the clinical coding standards and the experts in accurate and complete code assignment?
Bioprinting of tissue engineering scaffolds
Authors: Rider Patrick , Kačarević Željka Perić , Alkildani Said , Retnasingh Sujith , Barbeck Mike
Published: October 2018

Bioprinting is the process of creating three-dimensional structures consisting of biomaterials, cells, and biomolecules. The current additive manufacturing techniques, inkjet-, extrusion-, and laser-based, create hydrogel structures for cellular encapsulation and support. The requirements for each technique, as well as the technical challenges of printing living cells, are discussed and compared. This review encompasses the current research of bioprinting for tissue engineering and its potential for creating tissue-mimicking structures.
3D versus 2D laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for organ confined prostate cancer: Our experience
Authors: Benelli Andrea , Varca Virginia , Rosso Marco , Peraldo Francesca , Gregori Andrea
Published: October 2018

Objective:

Three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopy was developed to overcome the main limitations of traditional laparoscopy. The aim of our study was to compare operative, functional and oncological results of 3D and two-dimensional (2D) laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Materials and methods:

A total of 102 consecutive patients with clinically localised prostate cancer underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups, 2D high definition (HD) camera (50 patients) for the first and 3D HD camera (52 patients) for the second group. Total operative time, anastomosis time, blood loss, complications and pentafecta rates for both groups were compared. All patients had at least one year of follow-up.

Results:

Total operative time was, respectively, 143 ± 17 and 118 ± 15 minutes, with a mean anastomosis time of 31± 12 and 23 ± 12 minutes. Mean blood loss was 230 ± 30 ml with 2D vision and 175 ± 40 with 3D vision. Pentafecta was reached, respectively, by 46% and 50% of patients at 3 months and 60% and 67.3% at 12 months. 3D vision offers an increased speed if compared with traditional vision ( P=0.02). Pentafecta results were significantly better in the 3D group ( P=0.03).

Conclusion:

We believe that 3D laparoscopy offers important advantages for surgeons and patients; its use should be encouraged.

Level of evidence:

1c
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Phang Kee Fong , Cho Jiacai , Lee Weixian , Mak Anselm
Published: October 2018

Improvement in survival of systemic lupus erythematosus has been brought about with new advancement in treatment. However, glucocorticoids remain the sole cornerstone and as patients live longer, there is a need to address long-term complications brought by long-term glucocorticoid use such as osteoporosis. In this review, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in systemic lupus erythematosus will be extensively discussed. This would include prevalence of osteoporosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, the difficulties in measuring fracture risk and pitfalls in using conventional methods such as bone mineral density. In addition, the mechanism of actions of glucocorticoids and evidence for glucocorticoids in the treatment of specific systemic lupus erythematosus manifestations would be explored and we also discussed specific pathophysiological mechanisms in the development of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. We also reviewed the latest guidelines in the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and the evidence for various osteoporosis medications. Finally, we recommend an approach in monitoring bone health and the treatment of osteoporosis specifically in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
Augmentation of a Locking Plate System Using Bioactive Bone Cement—Experiment in a Proximal Humeral Fracture Model
Authors: Kuang Guan-Ming , Wong Tak Man , Wu Jun , Ouyang Jun , Guo Haihua , Zhou Yapeng , Fang Christian , Leung Frankie K. L. , Lu William
Published: October 2018

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to test whether local filling of a novel strontium-containing hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) bone cement can augment the fixation of a locking plate system in a cadaveric proximal humeral facture model.

Materials and Methods:

Twelve pairs of formalin-treated cadaveric humeri were used. One side in each pair was for cemented group, while the other side was for the control group. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the samples was tested. A 3-part facture model was created and then reduced and fixed by a locking plate system. In the cemented group, the most proximal 4 screw holes were filled with 0.5 mL bone cement. In the control group, the screw holes were not filled by cement. Locking screws were inserted in a standard manner before the cement hardened. X-ray was taken before all the specimens being subjected to mechanical study, in which 6 pairs were used for axial loading (varus bending) test, while other 6 pairs were used for axial rotational test.

Results:

There is no difference in BMD between the cemented side and the control side. The X-ray shows that the implant is in position. Cement filling was noted in the most proximal 4 screws in the cemented group. Better mechanical outcome was seen in the cemented groups, in terms of less maximal displacement per cycle and higher failure point and stiffness in varus bending test. However, no difference was found between the cemented group and the control group in the axial rotation test.

Discussion:

In similarity with the previous studies, our results showed better mechanical results in the cemented group. However, due to the limitations (e.g. sample size, fracture model, testing protocol, etc), we still cannot directly extrapolate current mechanical results to clinical practice at the present moment. Furthermore, it is still unknown whether better primary outcome may lead to better long-term results, even though the local release of strontium may enhance the local bone formation.

Conclusion:

The local filling of Sr-HA bone cement augments the fixation of the locking plate system in current proximal humeral fracture model.