bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modifying somatosensory processing with non-invasive brain stimulation
Authors: Song Sunbin , Sandrini Marco , Cohen Leonardo G.
Published: December 2019

Purposeful manipulation of cortical plasticity and excitability within somatosensory regions may have therapeutic potential. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NBS) techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown promise towards this end with certain NBS protocols augmenting somatosensory processing and others down-regulating it. Here, we review NBS protocols which, when applied to primary somatosensory cortex, facilitate cortical excitability and tactile acuity (i.e., high-frequency repetitive TMS (rTMS), intermittent theta burst stimulation (TBS), paired associative stimulation (PAS) N20-5 to 0, anodal tDCS), and protocols that inhibit the same (i.e., low-frequency rTMS, continuous TBS, PAS N20-20, cathodal tDCS). Other studies have targeted multisensory regions of the brain to modulate somatosensory processing. These studies in full present a wide array of strategies in which NBS can be utilized to influence somatosensory processing in a behaviorally and clinically relevant capacity.
Assessment and treatment of pain with non-invasive cortical stimulation
Authors: Zaghi Soroush , Thiele Bruna , Pimentel Daniel , Pimentel Thais , Fregni Felipe
Published: December 2019

Purpose: There remains an unmet clinical need for the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of pain. Recent findings have confirmed significant changes in the pain-related neural networks among patients with chronic pain, opening novel possibilities for investigation. Two non-invasive techniques (transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)) have emerged as interesting, effective, and promising modalities for pain relief. Methods: Here we review the clinical efficacy of these techniques for the treatment of pain through an updated systematic meta-analysis on the effects of primary motor cortex stimulation on pain and we discuss potential mechanisms of action based on insights from brain stimulation studies. Our meta-analysis includes 18 studies, which together show that non-invasive brain stimulation is associated with an effect size of −0.86 (95% C.I., −1.54, −0.19) on a standardized pain scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain possible). Results and Conclusions: Besides its use as a therapeutic tool, non-invasive brain stimulation can also be used to measure cortical reactivity and plasticity in chronic pain. Such measurements could potentially be used as biomarkers for the dysfunctional chronic pain-related neural network and might be helpful in measuring the efficacy of interventions designed for chronic pain.
Oculomotor behavior of hemianopic chronic stroke patients in a driving simulator is modulated by vision training
Authors: Bergsma D.P. , Leenders M.J.A. , Verster J.C. , van der Wildt G.J. , van den Berg A.V.
Published: December 2019

Background: Visual Restorative function training aims to decrease visual field defect size after acquired brain damage. Some chronic stroke patients regain permission to drive a car after training. This points to a concomitant change in oculomotor behavior, because visual field enlargement is hardly ever large enough for legal driving. This study investigated vRFT-induced changes in oculomotor behavior, using a driving simulator. Methods: Driving performance and oculomotor behavior were measured before and after training in 6 hemianopia patients who had trained 65 hours with vRFT on a PC at home. Results: Two patients showed negligible visual field enlargement (VFE) and four showed moderate to substantial VFE. Because less visual cortex is devoted to the processing of peripheral than central visual field the same VFE corresponds to less functional restoration of cortex when the defect is at high eccentricity. When this is taken into account, then precisely the two patients that showed the largest cortical gains made significantly more eye movements in the direction of their visual field defect after training. Conclusions: vRFT with mandatory eye fixation can result in increased eye movement behavior towards the defect. Our study suggests that a threshold amount of cortical functional restoration is required for this effect.
Differential activation in the primary motor cortex during individual digit movement in focal hand dystonia vs. healthy
Authors: Kimberley Teresa J. , Pickett Kristen A.
Published: December 2019

Purpose: The pathophysiology of focal hand dystonia (FHD) is not clearly understood. Previous studies have reported increased and decreased cortical activity associated with motor tasks. The aim of this study was to investigate blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging within the hand area of primary motor cortex during cued movement of individual digits. Methods: Eight healthy individuals and five individuals with right hand FHD participated. Beta weight contrasts were examined within the hand area of the motor cortex. Results: In both groups, BOLD signal changes in the hemisphere contralateral to the moving hand were greater in the left hemisphere than the right. Between groups, no difference was found during control of the left hand, but a significant difference was seen during right hand movement; specifically, individuals with dystonia showed increased contralateral and decreased ipsilateral cortical response associated with the affected hand as compared to healthy individuals. This suggests a similar, albeit exaggerated pattern of activation in individuals with FHD on the affected side. Conclusions: These results suggest different levels of ipsilateral and contralateral activation between healthy and dystonic individuals but also show a relative difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic control within the patient population.
Chronic folic acid administration confers no treatment effects in either a high or low dose following unilateral controlled cortical impact injury in the rat
Authors: Vonder Haar Cole , Emery Michael A. , Hoane Michael R.
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health concern today and effective treatments must be developed in order to combat the numerous TBIs that occur each year. Multiple b-vitamins have been shown to have neuroprotective effects, however, folic acid (B9) has not been widely studied. The current study examined two different doses in a rodent model of controlled cortical impact (CCI) TBI. Methods: Sham procedures or a unilateral parietal controlled cortical impact injury was induced. Rats were administered either vehicle or folic acid in an 80 μg/kg or 800 μg/kg dose. Rats were tested on the bilateral tactile adhesive removal task, rotarod task and the Morris water maze. Brains were examined to determine lesion size and neuronal loss. Results: Neither of the folic acid-treated groups showed improvement on any behavioral task or anatomical measure post-CCI and the high dose group had increased neuronal loss compared to the vehicle. Administration of the high dose in sham animals resulted in some behavioral dysfunction and significant neuronal loss. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that folic acid may not represent an effective avenue for treatment and that higher doses may actually be detrimental following TBI.
Encapsulated cell-based biodelivery of Meteorin is neuroprotective in the quinolinic acid rat model of neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Tornøe Jens , Torp Malene , Jørgensen Jesper Roland , Emerich Dwaine F. , Thanos Chris , Bintz Briannan , Fjord-Larsen Lone , Wahlberg Lars U.
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Encapsulated cell (EC) biodelivery is a promising, clinically relevant technology platform to safely target the delivery of therapeutic proteins to the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate EC biodelivery of the novel neurotrophic factor, Meteorin, to the striatum of rats and to investigate its neuroprotective effects against quinolinic acid (QA)-induced excitotoxicity. Methods: Meteorin-producing ARPE-19 cells were loaded into EC biodelivery devices and implanted into the striatum of rats. Two weeks after implantation, QA was injected into the ipsilateral striatum followed by assessment of neurological performance two and four weeks after QA administration. Results: Implant-delivered Meteorin effectively protected against QA-induced toxicity, as manifested by both near-normal neurological performance and reduction of brain cell death. Morphological analysis of the Meteorin-treated brains showed a markedly reduced striatal lesion size. The EC biodelivery devices produced stable or even increasing levels of Meteorin throughout the study over 6 weeks. Conclusions: Stereotactically implanted EC biodelivery devices releasing Meteorin could offer a feasible strategy in the treatment of neurological diseases with an excitotoxic component such as Huntington's disease. In a broader sense, the EC biodelivery technology is a promising therapeutic protein delivery platform for the treatment of a wide range of diseases of the central nervous system.
Functional deficits and morphological changes in the neurogenic bladder match the severity of spinal cord compression
Authors: Ozsoy O. , Ozsoy U. , Stein G. , Semler O. , Skouras E. , Schempf G. , Wellmann K. , Wirth F. , Angelova S. , Ankerne J. , Ashrafi M. , Schönau E. , Papamitsou-Sidoropolou T. , Jaminet P. , Sarikcioglu L. , Irintchev A. , Dunlop S.A. , Angelov D.N.
Published: December 2019

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), loss of spinal and supraspinal control results in desynchronisation of detrusor vesicae (parasympathicus) and external urethral sphincter (sympathicus) activity. Despite recovery of lower urinary tract function being a high priority in patients with SCI, effective treatment options are unavailable largely because mechanisms are poorly understood. Purpose and methods: We used a clinically relevant model of thoracic SCI compression injury in adult female Wistar rats and confirmed that lesion volumes following severe injuries were significantly greater compared to moderate injuries (p < 0.05). Between 1–9 weeks, we assessed recovery of bladder function as well as return of locomotor function using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score. Bladder morphometrics and overall intramural innervation patterns, as assessed with ß-III tubulin immunohistochemistry, were also examined. Results: Despite variability, bladder function was significantly worse following severe compared to moderate compression injury (p < 0.05); furthermore, the degree of bladder and locomotor dysfunction were significantly correlated (r = 0.59; p < 0.05). In addition, at 9 weeks after SCI we saw significantly greater increases in bladder dry weight (p < 0.05) and wall thickness following severe compared to moderate injury as well as increases in intramural axon density (moderate: 3× normal values; severe 5×; both p < 0.05) that also correlated with injury severity (r = 0.89). Conclusion: The moderate and severe compression models show consistent and correlated deficits in bladder and locomotor function, as well as in gross anatomical and histopathological changes. Increased intramural innervation may contribute to neurogenic detrusor overactivity and suggests the use of therapeutic agents which block visceromotoric efferents.
Early stages of motor skill learning and the specific relevance of the cortical motor system – a combined behavioural training and theta burst TMS study
Authors: Platz Thomas , Roschka Sybille , Christel Marianne I. , Duecker Felix , Rothwell John C. , Sack Alexander T.
Published: December 2019

Purpose: To examine whether motor performance and motor learning in healthy subjects can be segregated into a number of distinct motor abilities which are linked to intact processing in different motor-related brain regions (M1, S1, SMA, PMC) early during learning. Methods: Seven young healthy subjects trained in eight motor arm tasks (Arm Ability Training, AAT) once a day for 5 days using their left non-dominant arm. Except for day 1 (baseline), training was performed before and after applying an inhibitory form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS, continuous theta burst) to either M1, S1, SMA, or PMC. Results: A principal component analysis of the motor behaviour data suggested four independent motor abilities: aiming, speed, steadiness, and visuomotor tracking. AAT induced substantial motor learning across abilities. Within session effects of cTBS revealed that activity in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) was relevant for motor performance and learning across all tasks whereas M1 was specifically involved in rapid tapping movements, PMC in ballistic arm navigation in extra-personal space; performance on a non-trained motor tasks was not affected by cTBS. Conclusions: Cortical sensory and motor areas including S1, M1, and PMC functionally contribute to early motor learning in a differential manner across motor abilities.
Different neuroprotection and therapeutic time windows by two specific diazepam regimens on retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve transection in adult rats
Authors: Liu Ling , Qian Xin-Hong , Feng Guo-Dong , Wu Ming-Mei , Yang An-An , Jiao Xi-Ying , You Si-Wei , Ju Gong
Published: December 2019

Purpose: To compare neuroprotection and therapeutic time windows of two diazepam regimens on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after rat optic nerve transection (ONT). Methods: Adult rats received initial intraperitoneal diazepam injections 30 minutes before left ONT, followed by daily diazepam (Regimen-A) or every 8 hours for 3 days (Regimen-B) until they were killed at Day 7 or 14. Initial diazepam in Regimen-A and Regimen-B was delayed to 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 hours after ONT and these animals survived for 7 days. The effect of daily combinational uses of diazepam and bicuculline was assayed at 7 days. Results: Regimen-A induced higher RGC densities than those in control and Regimen-B groups at Day 7, but lower density than Regimen-B did at Day 14. When initial diazepam was delayed beyond 6 or 8 hours after ONT with Regimen-A and Regimen-B, the promoting effects of diazepam on RGC densities disappeared. Bicuculline completely inhibited the protection of diazepam. Conclusions: Prolonged neuroprotection on RGCs at Day 14 and extended therapeutic time window for 8 hours can be achieved by Regimen-B, while Regimen-A induces a stronger neuroprotection at Day 7. Diazepam neuroprotection is mediated through GABAA receptor.
Counteracting tinnitus by acoustic coordinated reset neuromodulation
Authors: Tass Peter A. , Adamchic Ilya , Freund Hans-Joachim , von Stackelberg Tatjana , Hauptmann Christian
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Subjective tinnitus is associated with pathologic enhanced neuronal synchronization. We used a model based desynchronization technique, acoustic coordinated reset (CR) neuromodulation, to specifically counteract tinnitus-related neuronal synchrony thereby inducing an unlearning of pathological synaptic connectivity and neuronal synchrony. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled trial in 63 patients with chronic tonal tinnitus and up to 50 dB hearing loss we studied safety and efficacy of different doses of acoustic CR neuromodulation. We measured visual analogue scale and tinnitus questionnaire (TQ) scores and spontaneous EEG. Results: CR treatment was safe, well-tolerated and caused a significant decrease of tinnitus loudness and symptoms. Placebo treatment did not lead to any significant changes. Effects gained in 12 weeks of treatment persisted through a preplanned 4-week therapy pause and showed sustained long-term effects after 10 months of therapy: Response, i.e. a reduction of at least 6 TQ points, was obtained in 75% of patients with a mean TQ reduction of 50% among responders. CR therapy significantly lowered tinnitus frequency and reversed the tinnitus related EEG alterations. Conclusion: The CR-induced reduction of tinnitus and underlying neuronal characteristics indicates a new non-invasive therapy which might also be applicable to other conditions with neuronal hypersynchrony.
Energy emissions from brittle fracture: Neutron measurements and geological evidences of piezonuclear reactions
Authors: Carpinteri A. , Lacidogna G. , Manuello A. , Borla O.
Published: December 2019

Neutron emission measurements, by means of 3He devices and neutron bubble detectors, were performed during three different kinds of compression tests on brittle rocks: (i) under displacement control, (ii) under cyclic loading and (iii) by ultrasonic vibration. The material used for the tests was Green Luserna Granite. Since the analyzed material contains iron, our conjecture is that piezonuclear fission reactions involving fission of iron into aluminum, or into magnesium and silicon, should have occurred during compression damage and failure. This hypothesis is confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) tests conducted on Luserna Granite specimens. It is also interesting to emphasize that the present natural abundances of aluminum (≈8%), and silicon (28%) and scarcity of iron (≈4%) in the continental Earth's crust should be possibly due to the piezonuclear fission reactions considered above.
In situ damage monitoring during surface treatment of materials
Authors: Enoki Manabu
Published: December 2019

Acoustic emission (AE) is a powerful tool to monitor the damage and impact in materials and structures. Process control is also one of the applications of AE measurement. However, it was very difficult to detect and analyze AE signals during material processing because of severe environment. Recently new technique to record AE signals such as laser AE and continuous waveform recording have been developed to apply to material processing. Ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) process have been widely used to add good heat resistance to metal base materials. Shot peening is also one of the surface treatment methods to improve the materials properties such as fatigue strength by shooting of balls on the surface of products in order to generate a compressive stress. However, there are a few researches on quantitative evaluation between shot conditions and mechanical properties of products, and the optimal process conditions are determined through a try and error process. AE signals were successfully detected and analyzed in surface treatment such atmospheric plasma spraying, high velocity oxy-fuel coating process and shot peening. Condition monitoring of material processing using AE will be promising to improve the reliability of materials and structures.
Acoustic emission monitoring of micro cell corrosion testing in type 304 stainless steels
Authors: Shiwa Mitsuharu , Masuda Hiroyuki , Yamawaki Hisasi , Ito Kaita , Enoki Manabu
Published: December 2019

A new method of acoustic emission (AE) monitoring was proposed to study the corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) by chloride ion. It is a combination of the small chloride droplet corrosion, SCC testing method and AE waveform measurement system with a high sensitivity AE sensor, all of which have been developed by our group. Three types of corrosion were observed in the corrosion testing, which were the open pitting, the covered pitting and snake-like corrosion, respectively. There were many AE events in the covered pitting and snake-like corrosion. On the contrary, there was no AE event in the open pitting. Meanwhile, the cross section of the snake-like corrosion was analyzed by EBSD. It shows that under the corrosion surface, there were some cracks at the {111} interface of Σ3 coincidence boundary and annealing twins. Based on these experiment results, it indicated that the microstructure generated by the covered pitting and snake-like corrosion during corrosion is the initiation site of stress corrosion cracking. Besides, the micro cell corrosion and SCC testing in thin plate specimens of SUS304 stainless steel by the AE monitoring were effective for evaluation of the progression process of them.
Effects of grain size on hydrogen environment embrittlement of high strength low alloy steel in 45 MPa gaseous hydrogen
Authors: Takasawa Koichi , Wada Yoru , Ishigaki Ryoji , Kayano Rinzo
Published: December 2019

The effect of grain size on the susceptibility of high-strength low alloy steels to hydrogen environment embrittlement in a 45 MPa gaseous hydrogen atmosphere was examined in term of the hydrogen content penetrating the specimen during the deformation. Notch tensile tests were performed in a 45 MPa hydrogen environment using specimens with different prior austenite grain size numbers varying from 2.5 to 5.4. The hydrogen content was measured by thermal desorption analysis with a quadrupole mass spectrometer before and after the tensile test. The fracture stress of the notch tensile test increased with decreasing grain size; this showed that grain refinement was effective in reducing the susceptibility of the specimens to hydrogen environment embrittlement in a high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere. The addition of nickel did not affect the fracture stress. A remarkable increase in the content of diffusive hydrogen was observed after the notch tensile test. Assuming that part of the diffusive hydrogen desorbed from grain boundaries, it can be inferred that grain refinement can reduce the mass of hydrogen in the unit grain boundary area, and the susceptibility to high-pressure hydrogen environment embrittlement.
ICF: The World Academy of Structural Integrity – retrospective and prospective
Authors: Taplin D.M.R. , Saxena Ashok
Published: December 2019

The International Congress on Fracture (ICF) was created through the vision of Takeo Yokobori in Sendai, Japan in 1965. The primary emphasis of Yokobori was to join the micro- and macro-mechanics aspects of fracture research. The outstanding growth of ICF demonstrates that the founding effort was the right approach to the right topic at the right time. The “ICF Brand” is now recognised around the world as one of the leading international societies in the broad field of structural integrity, fracture, fatigue, creep, corrosion and reliability – from biological to geophysical materials, from nano to macro scales, from basic science to practical engineering and technology and systems modelling. In this paper we trace the history of the development of fracture research and of ICF via the many threads of, for example, the E24/E9 committees of ASTM; the US Committee on Ship Steel linked to work on the Liberty Ships in the Engineering Laboratories, Cambridge, England; early work in Germany, France and Japan – culminating in the MIT Swampscott Fracture Conference of 1959 (“ICF0”), the pre-cursor to ICF1 in Sendai in 1965. We then examine the impact of the ICF quadrennial series of international fracture conferences from ICF1 through to ICF12 in Ottawa, Canada in 2009. The key is the original research presented in some 5000 scientific papers and to be made available online on the new ICF website (www.icf-wasi.org). Finally we examine the evolution of ICF since 2009 towards ICF13 in Beijing, China in 2013 (www.ICF13.org) and forward for the next decade and beyond.
Multiaxial low cycle fatigue life of Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel circumferential notched specimen under nonproportional loading
Authors: Kim Taejoon , Watanabe Yuki , Zhang Shengde , Sakane Masao
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the notch effect in low cycle fatigue of Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel under multiaxial loading. Tension–torsion multiaxial low cycle fatigue tests were performed using three types of circumferential notched specimens of the steel and crack initiation, failure and propagation lives were experimentally obtained. Two proportional and nine nonproportional strain waveforms were used in low cycle fatigue tests. The superposition of torsion loading on tension loading reduced the three lives but they little decreased with elastic stress concentration factor. The three lives in nonproportional loading were smaller than those in proportional loading but showed smaller reduction with elastic stress concentration factor. Local strains at the notch root were estimated by finite element analyses and Neuber's rule. Mises strain range and maximum principal strain range conservatively estimated the crack initiation lives of the notched specimens.
Evaluation of cracking due to dynamic temperature fluctuation during plasma spraying process by laser AE method
Authors: Ito Kaita , Watanabe Makoto , Kuroda Seiji , Enoki Manabu
Published: December 2019

Evaluation of cracks in the ceramic coatings is very important to insure the reliability of the coating itself and the coated materials, parts and whole systems. Laser acoustic emission (AE) method was applied to enable a non-contact and in-situ monitoring of cracks in the ceramic coating immediately after plasma spraying. In this study, originally developed Continuous Wave Memory (CWM) was used as an AE measurement system to enable the continuous waveform recording during plasma spraying process. AE signals due to cracks could be successfully distinguished from large noise components such as mechanical vibration and laser scattering during the process. The AE events during plasma spraying revealed correlation with the dynamic temperature fluctuation on the surface of the specimen which was generated by the scanning of the plasma torch. Furthermore, the larger temperature fluctuation brought higher active AE signals.
Fatigue behavior and coating failure of polymer coated drug eluting stent
Authors: Ono Shuku , Enoki Manabu , Shen Lei , Sakurai Kumi , Ohnishi Seigo , Nakamura Masato
Published: December 2019

Drug-eluting stent (DES) is tiny wire mesh tubes coated with drug used to open narrowed and diseased coronary arteries. DES releases drug slowly to prevent scar tissue growth in the artery, which causes in-stent restenosis. However, clinical problems remain such as stent fractures and polymer coating detachment. During the balloon catheter expansion, DES has to undergo the plastic deformation. Moreover, after implantation, stent has to undergo the load given by the heart pulse. In this study, fatigue behavior of stent is investigated and morphologies of polymer coating in relation to stent expansion and cyclic strain were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to assess the reliability of DES. Fatigue test of stent indicated that there were no significant differences in fatigue behavior between DES and bare-metal stent (BMS). From the SEM appearance, two kinds of irregularities caused by expansion process were observed in the coating of DES, that is, crack and delamination. Additionally, no significant increase of irregularities was found in the coating of DES after fatigue test.
Towards a comprehensive approach for managing transitions of older	workers with hearing loss
Authors: Fok Daniel , Shaw Lynn , Jennings Mary Beth , Cheesman Margaret
Published: December 2019

Demographic and legislative trends suggest that many older workers may remain at work past the traditional retirement age. This extended work trajectory poses new challenges and opportunities for workers with acquired hearing loss as they age. Workplaces require a new approach to enable transitions of older workers with hearing loss to remain safe and productive. A review of the literature on older workers, those with hearing loss, and strategies used to accommodate them suggests that individualized and piecemeal approaches are predominant. While universal design represents a fresh ideology that may help create more accessible and usable products and environments, its application to improve workplaces for older workers with hearing loss is limited. This paper proposes that occupational science be integrated with knowledge in hearing sciences, accessibility, and usability to assist with the transitions faced by older workers with hearing loss. A more comprehensive approach including the following three key components will be posited to examine the nexus of aging, hearing loss and work: (1) the use of an occupational perspective, along with concepts in hearing sciences to examine hearing demands and improve hearing access; (2) the use of contextual processes to promote physical and social change, and (3) the inclusion of Universal Design for Hearing (UDH) considerations as stakeholders develop more hearing friendly workplaces.
Industrial relations reform and the occupational transition of	Australian workers: A critical discourse analysis
Authors: Lo Bartolo Luciano , Sheahan Marie
Published: December 2019

The 2005 WorkChoices legislation delivered a significant diminution of Australian workers' rights in the form of choice and control over numerous aspects of working life. WorkChoices extended previous neoliberal reforms and consolidated the negative impacts of those reforms on marginalized groups of workers, especially those in precarious employment. This paper reports on the findings of an occupational science-based, critical discourse analysis of a government newspaper advertisement that promotes the reforms.

The construction of a WorkChoices discourse, one that was based on and sought to extend neoliberal hegemony, is identified by exploring the ways that particular ideas are presented as natural and mutually beneficial and, in response, the development of a counter-hegemonic argument, based on occupational justice theory, is discussed. The broader application of critical social research is also recommended in extending the occupational justice paradigm.
Compromised careers: The occupational transition of immigration	and resettlement
Authors: Suto Melinda
Published: December 2019

Background: Work is a significant occupational transition that occurs with immigration and resettlement. Problems finding work and regaining economic capital are multi-factorial, differentiated by gender and mediated by specific contexts. Surprisingly, past education and work experience are unreliable predictors of successful employment outcomes.

Approach: Critical theory and ethnographic concepts informed the methodological approach. Data were generated primarily through in-depth interviews, conducted in English, with 14 well-educated women who immigrated to Canada as adults and sought employment in their professions. The thematic findings were analyzed using Bourdieu's [7] concepts of capital, field and habitus.

Findings: The theme Compromised Careers describes the downward occupational (work) mobility that occurs despite expectations that education, credentials and work experience are transferable to desirable employment. A devaluation of foreign qualifications and no relevant Canadian work experience function with gendered responsibilities, less social support, and time spent in resettlement activities to create negative work trajectories. The role that federal policies and professional organizations play is examined to reveal the tension between individuals' efforts to find employment and institutional barriers that impede these actions.

Conclusion: A critical inquiry approach examined the ruling relations to show how power and privilege function in relation to migrants' occupational transitions.
The representations of work-life balance in Canadian	newspapers
Authors: Reece Katherine T. , Davis Jane A. , Polatajko Helene J.
Published: December 2019

Work-life balance has become a topic of increasing interest in the media as well as a concern among working Canadians. Since print media discourse can both reflect and shape societal values, cultural norms and ideals of workers in this country, it is important to understand this representation and its potential influence on the occupational engagement and life transitions of Canadian workers. Articles from four major Canadian newspapers published between 2003 and 2005 were used as data sources to examine the media construction of "work-life balance". Thematic analysis of 100 articles was performed using a modified affinity diagramming process. Representations within the Canadian print media conveyed both themes pertaining to the perceived experiences of imbalance and balance, as well as, a process of life balance. Obtaining balance was portrayed as an ongoing process during which an individual negotiates and sacrifices in an attempt to achieve his or her ideal level of balance. Environmental expectations and individual practices and perceptions were conveyed as reasons for the success or derailment of balance. The representations of work-life balance found in the Canadian print media were predominantly of professionals, focused on the demands of work and family, and did not appear to be a broad representation of the multiple realities that all Canadians face.
Perceptions of possibilities of returning to work with chronic	musculoskeletal disorders
Authors: Švajger Andreja , Winding Karen
Published: December 2019

Chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are the most common cause of work disability in the western world. Return to work (RTW) with chronic MSD is a complex process dependent on individual and social factors, including individual perceptions of the process. No studies have addressed RTW in the Slovenian context of high job protection legislation. This study was aimed at understanding how Slovenian employees with MSD made sense of their experiences with work and life before and after the occurrence of MSD, giving meaning to their perceptions of the possibility to return to work. Data were collected through narrative interviews with six Slovenian employees with chronic MSD and analyzed with a paradigmatic approach. The participants described their experiences in a narrative of a transition from a life of stability and fulfillment to a life of suspense about their future. The work environment as well as health and disability systems were experienced as the most decisive in the development of those perceptions. The participants linked those experiences, more than the MSD itself, to their feelings of hope, doubt and fear about their possibilities of returning to work. The study shows how narratives about life and work can give meaning to individual perceptions of RTW process in a specific social and work context.
Participation in work: A source of wellness for people with	psychiatric disability
Authors: van Niekerk Lana
Published: December 2019

Background: Not enough is known about the relationship between work and health, particularly for people with psychiatric disability. A review of research investigating variables that predict success at work showed inconsistent and contradicting results. The voice of people with psychiatric disability was found to be largely missing from literature. A study was therefore undertaken to explore the influences that impacted on the work-lives of people with psychiatric disability. This paper elucidates the importance of participation in work as an essential ingredient in the promotion of occupational justice, in identity construction and in the process of recovery for persons with psychiatric disability.

Method: Interpretive biography was utilised to explore the experiences of people with psychiatric disability in the Western Cape, South Africa. Seventeen participants were identified using maximum variation sampling. Life story narratives were elicited during an average of three individual interviews per participant. Processes of analysis and interpretation were informed by a combination of paradigmatic narrative analysis and narrative analysis strategies.

Findings: A complex interplay of influences that shaped the identities of participants in ways that can assist or hinder their participation in work was revealed. Participation in work was perceived to be a means of recovery and a source of wellness for participants.

Conclusions: More conscious effort is needed to promote the use of work as source of support and resource for health for persons who live with psychiatric impairment.
Role of MRI in assessment of ejaculatory duct obstruction
Authors: Guo Yan , Liu Guihua , Yang Dong , Sun Xiangzhou , Wang Huanjun , Deng Chunhua , Zhang Yuanyuan , Feng Shi-Ting
Published: December 2019

This study aims to analyze magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of ejaculatory duct obstruction, and to provide an accurate diagnostic imaging approach for surgical planning of minimally invasive procedures treating ejaculatory duct obstruction. A total of 18 men with ejaculatory duct obstruction were enrolled in the study. The patients were admitted to our hospital and had undergone MRI examination and surgical treatment from January 2003 to February 2011. The data was collected by searching keywords ('ejaculatory duct obstruction') from our PACS. Patients suspected having ejaculatory duct obstruction according to the manifestations through MRI examinations and further being confirmed by surgery were included. The MRI features of ejaculatory duct obstruction in these patients were summarized. Five cases with ejaculatory duct cysts were detected by MRI, ranging in size from 4 mm × 4 mm × 7 mm to 4 mm × 4 mm × 9 mm and located in the paramedian line; ejaculatory duct dilation near the median line, with the internal diameter ranging from 5 mm to 30 mm was detected in nine cases; and among thirteen cases who underwent both non-contrast enhanced and contrast enhanced MRI scanning, significant enhancement of the wall of the ejaculatory duct on enhanced scanning was observed in three cases. Mullerian duct cysts complicated with dilation of the ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicles were detected in four cases; in these cases, the cysts were located in the median line, ranging in size from 4 mm × 5 mm × 6 mm to 34 mm × 35 mm × 44 mm, tear-drop appearance, with the tip pointing toward the area of the seminal colliculus. Findings of MRI were confirmed by the observations during the surgery. MRI is more accurate at displaying the ejaculatory duct. We recommend that ejaculatory duct diameter of > 2 mm can be used as a diagnostic criterion with MRI image analyses for ejaculatory duct dilation.
Super-sparsely view-sampled cone-beam CT by incorporating prior data
Authors: Abbas Sajid , Min Jonghwan , Cho Seungryong
Published: December 2019

Computed tomography (CT) is widely used in medicine for diagnostics or for image-guided therapies, and is also popular in industrial applications for nondestructive testing. CT conventionally requires a large number of projections to produce volumetric images of a scanned object, because the conventional image reconstruction algorithm is based on filtered-backprojection. This requirement may result in relatively high radiation dose to the patients in medical CT unless the radiation dose at each view angle is reduced, and can cause expensive scanning time and efforts in industrial CT applications. Sparse- view CT may provide a viable option to address both issues including high radiation dose and expensive scanning efforts. However, image reconstruction from sparsely sampled data in CT is in general very challenging, and much efforts have been made to develop algorithms for such an image reconstruction problem. Image total-variation minimization algorithm inspired by compressive sensing theory has recently been developed, which exploits the sparseness of the image derivative magnitude and can reconstruct images from sparse-view data to a similar quality of the images conventionally reconstructed from many views. In successive CT scans, prior CT image of an object and its projection data may be readily available, and the current CT image may have not much difference from the prior image. Considering the sparseness of such a difference image between the successive scans, image reconstruction of the difference image may be achieved from very sparsely sampled data. In this work, we showed that one can further reduce the number of projections, resulting in a super-sparse scan, for a good quality image reconstruction with the aid of a prior data. Both numerical and experimental results are provided.
3D segmentation of maxilla in cone-beam computed tomography	imaging using base invariant wavelet active shape model on customized	two-manifold topology
Authors: Chang Yu-Bing , Xia James J. , Yuan Peng , Kuo Tai-Hong , Xiong Zixiang , Gateno Jaime , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: December 2019

Recent advances in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) have rapidly enabled widepsread applications of dentomaxillofacial imaging and orthodontic practices in the past decades due to its low radiation dose, high spatial resolution, and accessibility. However, low contrast resolution in CBCT image has become its major limitation in building skull models. Intensive hand-segmentation is usually required to reconstruct the skull models. One of the regions affected by this limitation the most is the thin bone images. This paper presents a novel segmentation approach based on wavelet density model (WDM) for a particular interest in the outer surface of anterior wall of maxilla. Nineteen CBCT datasets are used to conduct two experiments. This mode-based segmentation approach is validated and compared with three different segmentation approaches. The results show that the performance of this model-based segmentation approach is better than those of the other approaches. It can achieve 0.25 ± 0.2 mm of surface error from ground truth of bone surface.
Enhancement of four-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography by	compressed sensing with Bregman iteration
Authors: Choi Kihwan , Fahimian Benjamin P. , Li Tianfang , Suh Tae-Suk , Lei Xing
Published: December 2019

In four-dimensional (4D) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), there is a spatio-temporal tradeoff that currently limits the accuracy. The aim of this study is to develop a Bregman iteration based formalism for high quality 4D CBCT image reconstruction from a limited number of low-dose projections. The 4D CBCT problem is first divided into multiple 3D CBCT subproblems by grouping the projection images corresponding to the phases. To maximally utilize the information from the under-sampled projection data, a compressed sensing (CS) method with Bregman iterations is employed for solving each subproblem. We formulate an unconstrained optimization problem based on least-square criterion regularized by total-variation. The least-square criterion reflects the inconsistency between the measured and the estimated line integrals. Furthermore, the unconstrained problem is updated and solved repeatedly by Bregman iterations. The performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated through a series of simulation studies and phantom experiments, and the results are compared to those of previously implemented compressed sensing technique using other gradient-based methods as well as conventional filtered back-projection (FBP) results. The simulation and experimental studies have shown that artifact suppressed images can be obtained with as small as 41 projections per phase, which is adequate for clinical 4D CBCT reconstruction. With such small number of projections, the conventional FDK failed to yield meaningful 4D CBCT images, and CS technique using conjugate gradient was not able to recover sharp edges. The proposed method significantly reduces the radiation dose and scanning time to achieve the high quality images compared to the 4D CBCT imaging based on the conventional FDK technique and the existing CS techniques.
Monte Carlo study of the dose enhancement effect of gold	nanoparticles during X-ray therapies and evaluation of the anti-angiogenic	effect on tumour capillary vessels
Authors: Amato Ernesto , Italiano Antonio , Leotta Salvatore , Pergolizzi Stefano , Torrisi Lorenzo
Published: December 2019

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are a promising radiosensitizer agent in radiotherapy. Through a simulation performed with the Geant4 Monte Carlo code, we evaluated the dose enhancement effect of GNPs during therapies with an x-ray tube operating at 150 kV (E=55 keV and E $_{max}$ = 150 keV) and we studied the impact of GNP diffusion out of the tumour vessels, in terms of antiangiogenic and cytotoxic effects.

Firstly, a single x-ray beam was assumed to irradiate a parallelepiped volume of soft tissue, in which a GNP-doped "target" volume was placed at different depths. Average dose enhancement factors (DEF) in presence of GNPs were obtained as a function of the target depth and GNP concentration, uniformly distributed; values ranging between 1.6 for 10 mg Au/g at 0 cm and 7.2 for 200 mg Au/g at 5 cm were determined. Furtherly, a second geometry was adopted, in which a blood capillary vessel (10 μm thick and 10 μm of inner radius) was placed at the centre of a cubic volume of soft tissue; doses and DEFs to the capillary endothelium as well as to the surrounding viable tumour were evaluated, for different models of GNP diffusion.

Our results indicate that the radial DEF profiles around the vessel are in close relationship with the radial profiles of GNP concentration assumed, except for at sharp gradients of concentration. DEFs at the endothelium ranged from 1.6 to 6.5, for GNP concentrations in the blood of 10 and 200 mg/ml, respectively.

These data can be helpful for the development of new and more specific GNP-based radiosensitizers of potential interest in radiotherapy, exploiting the combined benefit of anti-angiogenic and cytotoxic dose enhancement effects.
Transurethral bipolar plasma kinetic resection of ejaculatory duct	for treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction
Authors: Tu Xiang-An , Zhuang Jin-Tao , Zhao Liang , Zhao Liang-Yun , Zhao Ji-Quan , Lü Kun-Long , Sun Xiang-Zhou , Qiu Shao-Peng , Zhang Yuanyuan , Deng Chun-Hua
Published: December 2019

To evaluate the efficacy of transurethral bipolar plasma kinetic resection of ejaculatory duct for ejaculatory duct obstruction. The clinical information of 42 cases of ejaculatory duct obstruction was analyzed between July 2008 and June 2012. The diagnostic criteria included semen analysis, fructose and neutral α-glucosidase measurement in seminal plasma, transrectal ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and vasography necessarily. Endoscopic procedure with bipolar plasma kinetic resection of ejaculatory duct was performed in all patients. Among these cases followed up 6∼24 months after operation, 38 patients (90.5%) had improved semen parameters, 23 azoospermic patients (60.5%) had sperm in the semen and 13 patients' wife (31%) achieved pregnancies in 42 cases of bipolar plasma kinetic resection of ejaculatory duct. Postoperative complications ensued as epididymitis in 1 case, watery ejaculate in 1, but no serious complication was observed. Bipolar plasma kinetic resection of ejaculatory duct appears to represent a promising endoscopic treatment alternative for ejaculatory duct obstruction patients, with high efficacy, less complications, quicker recovery and satisfactory follow-up parameters.
Metal artifact reduction in CT by identifying missing data hidden in metals
Authors: Park Hyoung Suk , Choi Jae Kyu , Park Kyung-Ran , Kim Kyung Sang , Lee Sang-Hwy , Ye Jong Chul , Seo Jin Keun
Published: December 2019

There is increasing demand in the field of dental and medical radiography for effective metal artifact reduction (MAR) in computed tomography (CT) because artifact caused by metallic objects causes serious image degradation that obscures information regarding the teeth and/or other biological structures. This paper presents a new MAR method that uses the Laplacian operator to reveal background projection data hidden in regions containing data from metal. In the proposed method, we attempted to decompose the projection data into two parts: data from metal only (metal data), and background data in the absence of metal. Removing metal data from the projections enables us to perform sparsity-driven reconstruction of the metal component and subsequent removal of the metal artifact. The results of clinical experiments demonstrated that the proposed MAR algorithm improves image quality and increases the standard of 3D reconstruction images of the teeth and mandible.