bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When trainees reach competency in performing endoscopic ultrasound: a systematic review
Authors: Shahidi Neal , Ou George , Lam Eric , Enns Robert , Telford Jennifer
Published: March 2017

Background/Study aim The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) recommends that trainees complete 150 endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures before assessing competency. However, this recommendation is largely based on limited evidence and expert opinion. With new evidence suggesting that this historical threshold is underestimating training requirements, we evaluated the learning curve for achieving competency in EUS.

Patients/Materials and methods Two investigators independently searched MEDLINE for full-text citations assessing the learning curve for achieving competency in EUS in the period 1946 to 25 March 2016. A learning curve was defined as either a tabulated or graphic representation of competency as a function of increasing EUS experience.

Results Eight studies assessing 28 trainees and 7051 EUS procedures were included. When stratifying studies based on procedural indication: three studies assessed competency in evaluating mucosal lesions, three studies assessed competency in EUS fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), and two studies assessed comprehensive competency. Among studies assessing mucosal lesion T-staging accuracy, competency was achieved by 65 to 231 procedures. Among studies assessing EUS-FNA, competency was achieved by 30 to 40 procedures. Among the two studies assessing comprehensive competency in EUS, competency was not achieved in either study across all trainees. Only four of 17 trainees reached competency by 225 to 295 EUS procedures.

Conclusion As EUS competency assessment has evolved to more closely reflect independent clinical practice, the number of procedures required to achieve competency has risen well above ASGE recommendations. Advanced endoscopy training programs and specialty societies need to re-assess the structure of EUS training.
Single crystal growth and optical properties of a transparent perovskite oxide LaInO3
Authors: Jang Dong Hyun , Lee Woong-Jhae , Sohn Egon , Kim Hyung Joon , Seo Dongmin , Park Ju-Young , Choi E. J. , Kim Kee Hoon
Published: March 2017

Transparent LaInO3 single crystals have been grown using the optical floating zone method. Optimal growth, resulting in the highest optical transparency and best crystallinity, has been found at a growth speed of 15 mm/h and an O2 gas pressure of 10 bar. Under these conditions, single crystals as large as ∼4 × 4 mm2 have been obtained. Chemical compositions and structural analyses reveal that the resulting LaInO3 single crystal is stoichiometric without any impurity phase and forms an orthorhombic perovskite structure. Optical transmission spectra exhibit multiple optical transitions in a wide spectral range (0.5–4.2 eV). Although the main optical absorption occurs at ∼4.13 eV, weak absorption starts to develop from ∼1.4 eV, in agreement with an activation energy of ∼0.7 eV derived from electrical resistivity measurements. The dielectric constant ε is found to be 23.7 at room temperature. This LaInO3 single crystal can be used as a transparent perovskite substrate for growing oxide semiconductors with lattice constants close to ∼4.12 Å, such as doped BaSnO3.
Wealth inequality: The physics basis
Authors: Bejan A. , Errera M. R.
Published: March 2017

“Inequality” is a common observation about us, as members of society. In this article, we unify physics with economics by showing that the distribution of wealth is related proportionally to the movement of all the streams of a live society. The hierarchical distribution of wealth on the earth happens naturally. Hierarchy is unavoidable, with staying power, and difficult to efface. We illustrate this with two architectures, river basins and the movement of freight. The physical flow architecture that emerges is hierarchical on the surface of the earth and in everything that flows inside the live human bodies, the movement of humans and their belongings, and the engines that drive the movement. The nonuniform distribution of wealth becomes more accentuated as the economy becomes more developed, i.e., as its flow architecture becomes more complex for the purpose of covering smaller and smaller interstices of the overall (fixed) territory. It takes a relatively modest complexity for the nonuniformity in the distribution of wealth to be evident. This theory also predicts the Lorenz-type distribution of income inequality, which was adopted empirically for a century.
Acoustic field of an ultrasonic cavity resonator with two open ends: Experimental measurements and lattice Boltzmann method modeling
Authors: Shan Feng , Tu Juan , Cheng Jianchun , Zhang Dong , Li Faqi , Wang Zhibiao
Published: March 2017

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has become an attractive therapeutic tool for noninvasive tumor treatment. The key component of HIFU systems is the acoustic transducer, which generates a focal region of high-intensity focused ultrasonic energy. A key determinant of safety in HIFU treatment is the size of the focal region. To achieve subwavelength focusing, we previously investigated the feasibility of an ultrasonic spherical cavity resonator (USCR) with two open ends. To further investigate the properties of the USCR, experiments and simulations were performed to comprehensively characterize the acoustic field generated. The emphasis was on the field formation process, the pressure distribution, the frequency dependence, and the acoustic nonlinearity. As a novel simulation approach, an axisymmetric isothermal multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method (MRT-LBM) model was used to numerically analyze the acoustic field. The reliability of this model was verified by comparing the results generated with those from experiments. The MRT-LBM model gave new insight into conventional acoustic numerical simulations and provided significant indications for USCR parameter optimization. The USCR demonstrated its feasibility for application in HIFU treatment or in other fields that demand high-precision focusing.
On the scaling of ion and electron temperature gradient driven turbulence in slab geometry
Authors: Plunk G. G.
Published: March 2017

We demonstrate that the scaling properties of slab ion and electron temperature gradient driven turbulence may be derived by dimensional analysis of a drift kinetic system with one kinetic species. These properties have previously been observed in gyrokinetic simulations of turbulence in magnetic fusion devices.
Pair mobility functions for rigid spheres in concentrated colloidal dispersions: Stresslet and straining motion couplings
Authors: Su Yu , Swan James W. , Zia Roseanna N.
Published: March 2017

Accurate modeling of particle interactions arising from hydrodynamic, entropic, and other microscopic forces is essential to understanding and predicting particle motion and suspension behavior in complex and biological fluids. The long-range nature of hydrodynamic interactions can be particularly challenging to capture. In dilute dispersions, pair-level interactions are sufficient and can be modeled in detail by analytical relations derived by Jeffrey and Onishi [J. Fluid Mech. 139, 261–290 (1984)] and Jeffrey [Phys. Fluids A 4, 16–29 (1992)]. In more concentrated dispersions, analytical modeling of many-body hydrodynamic interactions quickly becomes intractable, leading to the development of simplified models. These include mean-field approaches that smear out particle-scale structure and essentially assume that long-range hydrodynamic interactions are screened by crowding, as particle mobility decays at high concentrations. Toward the development of an accurate and simplified model for the hydrodynamic interactions in concentrated suspensions, we recently computed a set of effective pair of hydrodynamic functions coupling particle motion to a hydrodynamic force and torque at volume fractions up to 50% utilizing accelerated Stokesian dynamics and a fast stochastic sampling technique [Zia et al., J. Chem. Phys. 143, 224901 (2015)]. We showed that the hydrodynamic mobility in suspensions of colloidal spheres is not screened, and the power law decay of the hydrodynamic functions persists at all concentrations studied. In the present work, we extend these mobility functions to include the couplings of particle motion and straining flow to the hydrodynamic stresslet. The couplings computed in these two articles constitute a set of orthogonal coupling functions that can be utilized to compute equilibrium properties in suspensions at arbitrary concentration and are readily applied to solve many-body hydrodynamic interactions analytically.
Magnetization switching by spin-orbit torque in Pt with proximity-induced magnetic moment
Authors: Koyama T. , Guan Y. , Hibino Y. , Suzuki M. , Chiba D.
Published: March 2017

The switching of the magnetization direction induced by the spin-orbit torque in a perpendicularly magnetized Pt/Co/Pd structure has been investigated using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. An electrical current injected parallel to the layers generates a spin current in a direction that is normal to the current in the Pt layer, and this spin current is generally considered to exert a torque on the adjacent ferromagnetic Co layer. A part of the Pt layer itself, however, is also in a ferromagnetic state, owing to the ferromagnetic proximity effect. Using the anomalous Hall effect, the magnetization reversal of the system is observed by injecting a sufficiently large electrical current into the sample, under a constant external magnetic field that is applied parallel to the injected current. In addition, by conducting element-specific XMCD magnetization measurement, the switching of not the Co but the Pt magnetization is clearly detected.
Hyperthermia in low aspect-ratio magnetic nanotubes for biomedical applications
Authors: Gutierrez-Guzman D. F. , Lizardi L. I. , Otálora J. A. , Landeros P.
Published: March 2017

A simple model for the magnetization reversal process of low aspect-ratio ferromagnetic nanotubes (MNTs) is presented. Because of advantages over other geometries, these structures are interesting for biomedical applications, such as magnetic hyperthermia cancer therapy, where the heat released during magnetic reversal is used to destroy tumors. For example, the tubular geometry provides two independent functional surfaces that may be selectively manipulated and also gives a storage cavity. Owing to their large surface to weight ratio and low mass density, MNTs are not decanted by gravity. We calculated magnetic phase diagrams, energy barriers, nucleation fields, and the amount of dissipated heat and specific absorption rate for magnetite nanotubes. The geometrical parameters were varied, and simple formulae were used to optimize the tube response under alternating excitation, as required for magnetic hyperthermia applications.
Probing ultrafast nonequilibrium dynamics in single-crystal SiC through surface nanostructures induced by femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: He Wanlin , Yang Jianjun
Published: March 2017

Ultrafast non-equilibrium dynamics on the surface of a 4H-SiC crystal is experimentally investigated with time-delayed copropagating two femtosecond laser pulse trains of different linear polarizations. Rippled nanostructures are produced by this irradiation, and the alignment “slant” angle of the ripples is related to the polarizations. With varying time delays between the two laser pulses, this slant angle is found to change. In the first 10 ps, the slant quickly rotates in the direction associated with the polarization of the second incident laser pulse, but then abruptly freezes to a steady offset angle. A physical model is proposed to explain the underlying mechanisms. The first laser pulse produces a transient grating-like modulation of the dielectric constant on the surface, with which the second laser pulse interacts. Because competing fast (Auger) and slow (thermal) relaxation processes reduce the initially induced grating's dielectric constant difference, the vector sum of this partially evolved grating with the second laser pulse's interaction results in the observed slant rotation time dependence. This experiment is straightforward, conceptually simple, and utilizes commercial equipment. The time-resolved slanting of the ripple orientation provides an alternative description of the spatiotemporal evolution of a superheated semiconductor surface.
Electronically controlled rejections of spoof surface plasmons polaritons
Authors: Zhou Yong Jin , Xiao Qian Xun
Published: March 2017

We have proposed and experimentally demonstrated a band-notched surface plasmonic filter, which is composed of an ultra-wide passband plasmonic filter with a simple C-shaped ring on the back of the substrate. Enhanced narrowband or broadband rejections of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) can be achieved with double C-shaped rings in the propagation or transverse direction. By mounting active components across the slit cut in the C-shaped ring, dynamic control of rejection of spoof SPPs can be accomplished. Both the rejection of spoof SPPs and the rejection bandwidth can be controlled when the Schottky barrier diode is forward-biased or reverse-biased. The frequency spectrum of the rejection band can be electronically adjusted by tuning the applied bias voltage across the varactor diode. Both simulated and measured results agree well and demonstrate dynamic control of propagation of spoof SPPs at the microwave frequencies. Such electronically controllable devices could find more applications in advanced plasmonic integrated functional circuits in microwave and terahertz frequencies.
Electric field measurement in the dielectric tube of helium atmospheric pressure plasma jet
Authors: Sretenović Goran B. , Guaitella Olivier , Sobota Ana , Krstić Ivan B. , Kovačević Vesna V. , Obradović Bratislav M. , Kuraica Milorad M.
Published: March 2017

The results of the electric field measurements in the capillary of the helium plasma jet are presented in this article. Distributions of the electric field for the streamers are determined for different gas flow rates. It is found that electric field strength in front of the ionization wave decreases as it approaches to the exit of the tube. The values obtained under presented experimental conditions are in the range of 5–11 kV/cm. It was found that the increase in gas flow above 1500 SCCM could induce substantial changes in the discharge operation. This is reflected through the formation of the brighter discharge region and appearance of the electric field maxima. Furthermore, using the measured values of the electric field strength in the streamer head, it was possible to estimate electron densities in the streamer channel. Maximal density of 4 × 1011 cm−3 is obtained in the vicinity of the grounded ring electrode. Similar behaviors of the electron density distributions to the distributions of the electric field strength are found under the studied experimental conditions.
AMPA glutamate receptors are required for sensory-organ formation and morphogenesis in the basal chordate
Authors: Hirai Shinobu , Hotta Kohji , Kubo Yoshihiro , Nishino Atsuo , Okabe Shigeo , Okamura Yasushi , Okado Haruo
Published: March 2017

Significance

In mammals, AMPA-type glutamate receptors (GluAs) are expressed ubiquitously in the central nervous system and play critical roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Here we examined GluAs in the ascidian,
Ciona intestinalis
, and determined that they are expressed in a limited subset of cells during early development. We further find that GluAs are required for development of the ocellus, a photoreceptive organ used during the swimming stage, and for tail resorption and body axis rotation during metamorphosis. These functions require ion influx through GluAs. This is a demonstration of an in vivo requirement for GluAs in organ formation and morphogenesis. GluAs are also expressed during mammalian development, suggesting that developmental roles of GluAs may be functionally conserved.
Metabolic evolution and the self-organization of ecosystems
Authors: Braakman Rogier , Follows Michael J. , Chisholm Sallie W.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Understanding what drives self-organization in complex systems and how it arises is a major challenge. We addressed this challenge using dominant oceanic photosynthetic and heterotrophic microbes as a model system. Reconstructing the metabolic evolution of this system suggests that its self-organization and self-amplification were coupled and driven by an increasing cellular energy flux. Specifically, the evolution of cells steadily increased their metabolic rate and excretion of organic carbon. We describe how this increases cellular nutrient uptake and thereby ecosystem biomass. The release of organic carbon, in turn, promotes positive feedbacks among species that reinforce this evolutionary drive at the ecosystem level. We propose the evolutionary self-organization of oceanic microbial ecosystems contributed to the oxygenation of Earth.
Cooperative Extension as a Framework for Health Extension: The Michigan State University Model
Authors: Dwyer Jeffrey W. , Contreras Dawn , Eschbach Cheryl L. , Tiret Holly , Newkirk Cathy , Carter Erin , Cronk Linda
Published: March 2017

Problem

The Affordable Care Act charged the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to create the Primary Care Extension Program, but did not fund this effort. The idea to work through health extension agents to support health care delivery systems was based on the nationally known Cooperative Extension System (CES). Instead of creating new infrastructure in health care, the CES is an ideal vehicle for increasing health-related research and primary care delivery.

Approach

The CES, a long-standing component of the land-grant university system, features a sustained infrastructure for providing education to communities. The Michigan State University (MSU) Model of Health Extension offers another means of developing a National Primary Care Extension Program that is replicable in part because of the presence of the CES throughout the United States. A partnership between the MSU College of Human Medicine and MSU Extension formed in 2014, emphasizing the promotion and support of human health research. The MSU Model of Health Extension includes the following strategies: building partnerships, preparing MSU Extension educators for participation in research, increasing primary care patient referrals and enrollment in health programs, and exploring innovative funding.

Outcomes

Since the formation of the MSU Model of Health Extension, researchers and extension professionals have made 200+ connections, and grants have afforded savings in salary costs.

Next Steps

The MSU College of Human Medicine and MSU Extension partnership can serve as a model to promote health partnerships nationwide between CES services within land-grant universities and academic health centers or community-based medical schools.
Validating Domains of Patient Contextual Factors Essential to Preventing Contextual Errors: A Qualitative Study Conducted at Chicago Area Veterans Health Administration Sites
Authors: Binns-Calvey Amy E. , Malhiot Alex , Kostovich Carol T. , LaVela Sherri L. , Stroupe Kevin , Gerber Ben S. , Burkhart Lisa , Weiner Saul J. , Weaver Frances M.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

“Patient context” indicates patient circumstances and characteristics or states that are essential to address when planning patient care. Specific patient “contextual factors,” if overlooked, result in an inappropriate plan of care, a medical error termed a “contextual error.” The myriad contextual factors that constitute patient context have been grouped into broad domains to create a taxonomy of challenges to consider when planning care. This study sought to validate a previously identified list of contextual domains.

Method

This qualitative study used directed content analysis. In 2014, 19 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) providers (84% female) and 49 patients (86% male) from two VA medical centers and four outpatient clinics in the Chicago area participated in semistructured interviews and focus groups. Topics included patient-specific, community, and resource-related factors that affect patients’ abilities to manage their care. Transcripts were analyzed with a previously identified list of contextual domains as a framework.

Results

Analysis of responses revealed that patients and providers identified the same 10 domains previously published, plus 3 additional ones. Based on comments made by patients and providers, the authors created a revised list of 12 domains from themes that emerged. Six pertain to patient circumstances such as access to care and financial situation, and 6 to patient characteristics/states including skills, abilities, and knowledge.

Conclusions

Contextual factors in patients’ lives may be essential to address for effective care planning. The rubric developed can serve as a “contextual differential” for clinicians to consider when addressing challenges patients face when planning their care.
Loss of E-cadherin as Part of a Migratory Phenotype in Melanoma Is Associated With Ulceration
Authors: Bønnelykke-Behrndtz Marie L. , Steiniche Torben , Nørgaard Peter , Danielsen Allan V. , Damsgaard Tine E. , Christensen Ib J. , Bastholt Lars , Møller Holger J. , Schmidt Henrik
Published: March 2017

It has been suggested that embryogenic properties of migratory cells are reactivated during wound healing and metastasis in adults. This might explain the association between wound-induced inflammation and poor survival in patients with ulcerated melanoma. Linking inflammation with a migratory phenotype, we characterize the infiltration of innate inflammatory cells, loss of cell-to-cell adhesion (E-cadherin), factors associated with extracellular matrix degradation [matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and neutrophil elastase (NE)], and spindle-shaped cell morphology, between ulcerated (n = 179) and nonulcerated (n = 206) melanoma. In addition, the presence of “extravascular migratory metastasis” (angiotropism) and tumor-vessel density were evaluated as important factors for tumor cell dispersal in ulcerated melanoma. We showed a correlation between expression of the granulocyte marker cd66b+ and the expression of NE and MMP-9, reflecting activated neutrophils. Ulcerated melanoma correlated with a low global E-cadherin score (P = 0.041) and weak-spot score (P = 0.0004). Thus, 28% of the nonulcerated, 42% of the minimally/moderately ulcerated melanoma, and 53% of the excessively ulcerated melanoma presented low scores as opposed to a high E-cadherin score. In addition, the presence of ulceration was correlated with angiotropism (P < 0.0001) and spindle-shaped morphology (P = 0.021). There were no differences in MMP-9 expression or intratumoral vessel density between the ulcerated and nonulcerated group. In conclusion, expression of migratory cell properties showed a highly heterogeneous pattern, which was associated with ulcerated areas and inflammatory cells, in general and with neutrophils in particular. We, therefore, suggest that wound-associated inflammation may be involved in the induction of migratory cell transition and tumor cell dispersal in ulcerated melanoma.
Exercise Training in a Patient With a Left Ventricular Assist Device and Large Aortic Valve Thrombus
Authors: Wuliya Mijiti , Peyrot Sandrine , Radu Costin , Deux Jean-François , Ben Elhaj Habib , Lellouche Nicolas , Damy Thibaud , Guendouz Soulef , Gellen Barnabas
Published: March 2017

Details of the Clinical Case:

An aortic valve thrombus (AVT) is a rare complication after HeartMate II implantation. In a 44-year-old man, a large AVT was discovered 6 weeks after implantation of a HeartMate II for severe dilated cardiomyopathy. The aortic valve was permanently closed.

Discussion:

After a followup of 3 months without embolic events, the patient started a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program involving aerobic exercise, resistance exercises, group gymnastics, and relaxation exercise, and completed the program without any complications, resulting in a significant functional benefit.

CR might not be systematically contraindicated in patients with HeartMate II and an AVT, in particular, if there is no opening of the aortic valve at rest.
Evidence on the Validity of a Comprehensive Health Risk Index and Implications for Ambulatory Care and Population Health Management
Authors: Massaro Joseph M. , Murabito Joanne M. , Au Rhoda , Carnahan Emily , Morgan Tamara S. , Murray Christopher , Fisher Elliott S. , Nelson Eugene C. , Lim Stephen S. , D'Agostino Ralph B.
Published: March 2017

A novel, comprehensive health risk index for adults has been validated and is now ready for use to improve the health of individuals and populations. This health risk index provides an estimate of the avoidable risk of death for adults 30 years or older. It includes 12 evidence-based clinical and behavioral risk factors and was validated on discrimination and calibration using the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) and Framingham Heart Study cohorts. The results from both cohorts were consistent and similar. Discrimination was good, and calibration was acceptable but tended to overpredict mortality risk for females in the higher-risk deciles.
Aripiprazole Lauroxil
Authors: Hard Marjie L. , Mills Richard J. , Sadler Brian M. , Turncliff Ryan Z. , Citrome Leslie
Published: March 2017

Background

Aripiprazole lauroxil is an extended-release prodrug of aripiprazole for intramuscular injection, approved for schizophrenia treatment. We developed a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model to characterize aripiprazole lauroxil PK and evaluate dosing scenarios likely to be encountered in clinical practice.

Methods

Data from 616 patients with schizophrenia, collected from 5 clinical studies, were used to construct the PopPK model. The model was subsequently used to evaluate various dose levels and frequency and the impact of dosing delay on aripiprazole concentrations.

Findings

The results of the model indicate that aripiprazole is released into the systemic circulation after 5 to 6 days, and release continues for an additional 36 days. The slow increase in aripiprazole concentration after injection necessitates the coadministration of oral aripiprazole for 21 days with the first injection. Based on the PopPK model simulations, a dosing interval of 882 mg every 6 weeks results in aripiprazole concentrations that fall within the concentration range associated with the efficacious aripiprazole lauroxil dose range (441–882 mg dosed monthly). A 662-mg monthly dose also resulted in aripiprazole concentrations within the efficacious dose range. Aripiprazole lauroxil administration results in prolonged exposure, such that dose delays of 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the dose regimen, do not require oral aripiprazole supplementation upon resumption of dosing.

Conclusions

This PopPK model and model-based simulations were effective means for evaluating aripiprazole lauroxil dosing regimens and management of missed doses. Such analyses play an important role in determining the use of this long-acting antipsychotic in clinical practice.
Characteristics of Forensic Patients in California With Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Bartos Bradley J. , Renner Matthew , Newark Carol , McCleary Richard , Scurich Nicholas
Published: March 2017

Criminal defendants found incompetent to stand trial (IST) are sent to state hospitals for treatment to be restored to competency. IST patients diagnosed with dementia and related disorders present a particular challenge to clinicians, because they must be restored successfully within a statutorily mandated time frame (e.g., 3 years in California for defendants charged with a felony offense). This study examined a comprehensive data set that included all forensic patients served by California's Department of State Hospitals from September 2003 to February 2016. The findings revealed that, although most IST patients with a dementia diagnosis were restored to competency within the statutory time frames, they spent, on average, over twice as long confined than IST patients without a dementia diagnosis and were less likely than the latter group to be successfully restored. One implication of these findings is that forensic clinicians ought to assess whether IST patients diagnosed with dementia are likely to be restored or not as early as possible in the evaluation and triage process and report to the court any IST patients with a dementia diagnosis who are unlikely to be restored successfully. This would both prevent such patients from gratuitous confinement as well as free up treatment resources for other patients.
An Infant Diagnosed With Hydrocephalus by Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Authors: Yaeger Susan K. , Marin Jennifer R.
Published: March 2017

Point-of-care ultrasound has become a valuable tool for pediatric emergency physicians, with an increasing number of indications being described. In this case presentation, we demonstrate the use of point-of-care ultrasound in the pediatric emergency department to diagnose ventriculomegaly in an infant presenting with a seizure.
School-Based Work Capacity Evaluation in Young People With Intellectual Disabilities: 2 Case Reports
Authors: Johnson Connie C. , Rose Deborah S.
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

These case reports examine the application of a work capacity/work-hardening model to increase work capacity in young people with disabilities.

Key points:

Examination, evaluation, interventions, and outcomes are described for 2 teenagers with intellectual disability. This approach is novel in that it uses functional capacity evaluation concepts used in ergonomic/occupational health contexts and applies them to youth with disabilities in educational settings.

Conclusion:

These concepts expand the scope of practice for physical therapists in school settings and potentially increase work opportunities for youth with disabilities.
Cardiac Autonomic System Response to Submaximal Test in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Amichai Taly , Eylon Sharon , Dor-Haim Horesh , Berger Itai , Katz-Leurer Michal
Published: March 2017

Aim:

To describe the heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability at rest, during a submaximal treadmill test and at rest posttreadmill in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods:

Twenty children (6-11 years) with CP participated, who had Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to III. The HR was monitored for 5 minutes seated, during a submaximal treadmill test, and after 5 minutes rest posttreadmill. Outcome variables were HR and the square root of the mean squared differences of successive differences between adjacent heart beats (RMSSD).

Results:

HR increased during the last stage of the treadmill test compared with rest. RMSSD was reduced during the last 2 minutes of the treadmill test compared with rest. The HR and RMSSD mean value at the second minute posttest were not significantly different from the pretreadmill rest value.

Interpretation:

The cardiac system in children with CP responded to the submaximal testing.
Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia Causing An Optic Tract Syndrome
Authors: Holmes Brandon B. , Green Wesley C. , Kung Nathan H. , Goebel Joel A. , Van Stavern Gregory P.
Published: March 2017

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is characterized by significant dilation, elongation, and tortuosity of the vertebrobasilar system. We present a unique case of VBD, confirmed by neuroimaging studies, showing vascular compression of the right optic tract and lower cranial nerves leading to an incongruous left homonymous inferior quadrantanopia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
EEG Characteristics in Cooled and Rewarmed Periods in Post-cardiac Arrest Therapeutic Hypothermia Patients
Authors: Kim K. , Pargeon Kimberly L. , Labar Amy S. , Friedman Oren , Kandula Padmaja N. , Labar Douglas R.
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

Continuous video EEG is a tool to assess brain function in injuries, including cardiac arrest (CA). In post-CA therapeutic hypothermia (TH) studies, some EEG features are linked to poor prognosis, but the evolvement of EEG characteristics during two temperature phases and its significance is unclear. We systematically analyzed EEG characteristics in cooled and rewarmed phases of post-CA therapeutic hypothermia patients and investigated their correlation to patient outcome.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study of EEG analyses, from a single academic center, of 20 patients who underwent CA and therapeutic hypothermia. For each patient, three 30-minute EEG segments in cooled and rewarmed phases were analyzed for continuity, frequency, interictal epileptiform discharges, and seizures. Mortality at the time of discharge was used as outcome.

Results:

Rewarming was associated with the emergence of interictal epileptiform discharges, 2.6 times as likely compared with the cooled period (P = 0.03), and was not affected by systemic factors. Continuity, frequency, and discrete seizures were unaffected by temperature and did not show variance within each temperature phase. There was a trend toward the emergence of interictal epileptiform discharges upon rewarming and mortality, but it was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Increased interictal epileptiform discharges with rewarming in post-CA therapeutic hypothermia patients may suggest poor prognosis, but a larger scale prospective study is needed.
Oxidation behaviour of amorphous steel: impact on electromagnetic properties
Authors: Garza-Caballero Alejandro , Idárraga-Ospina Gina , García-Gomez Nora A. , Pérez-González Francisco Aurelio , De-la-Garza-Garza Maribel , Artigas Alfredo , Monsalve Alberto , Colás Rafael , Garza-Montes-de-Oca Nelson Federico
Published: March 2017

Purpose

High silicon amorphous steels are gaining preference as the material of choice for the fabrication of the core of low and medium power electrical transformers because they present a better electromagnetic behaviour compared to that offered by common grain-oriented and non-oriented high silicon steels. This study aims to investigate the effects that the environmental conditions present during the high temperature annealing of cores exert on the surface oxidation and electromagnetic changes experienced by a commercial amorphous steel alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of environmental impact on the correct development of annealing practices during the manufacture process of amorphous steel cores used in distribution transformers was studied by the development of an oxidation reactor. With this installation, it was possible to simulate environmental conditions that could affect the surface of magnetic cores made from amorphous steel.

Findings

It was found that: the surface oxidation of amorphous steels affects their electromagnetic behaviour, environmentally induced surface degradation can be modelled at laboratory scale and oxide formation does not affect the amorphous condition of the alloy.

Originality/value

The effect of surface oxidation induced by the existence of water vapour in the annealing process of cores made from amorphous steels and its impact on the electromagnetic behavior of these alloys has been barely studied.
Patient non-adherence: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Dalvi Vidya , Mekoth Nandakumar
Published: March 2017

Purpose

While interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) has been used in health psychology research, it has so far not been applied to seek deeper insights into the patients’ experiences about treatment. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by using IPA to understand patient non-adherence.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 18 patients with chronic conditions seeking healthcare services in Goa and Karnataka, India, were selected by using the snowball sampling method. In-depth interviews were conducted face to face. A semi-structured questionnaire developed by the researchers was used to collect the data. IPA was used to explore the themes to predict patient non-adherence.

Findings

The study results indicate that economic factors, health system related factors, social factors and psychological factors impact patient non-adherence. Patient non-adherence includes medication non-adherence and lifestyle modification non-adherence.

Research limitations/implications

Being cross sectional in design, the results may not be as appropriate as the results derived from a longitudinal study given that non-adherence occurs over time.

Practical implications

Patient non-adherence is a global health issue. Multidisciplinary approach to enhance patient adherence to treatment should form part of public healthcare policy.

Social implications

Exploring the factors influencing patient non-adherence will help the health-care industry stakeholders to reduce healthcare cost and improve patient’s quality of life.

Originality/value

Although there is extensive quantitative research on the prevalence of non-adherence, qualitative research is limited. This paper addresses this gap by using IPA to understand patient non-adherence and its factors and dimensions.
HC and financial performance with two HRM strategies
Authors: Rompho Nopadol
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between levels of human capital and financial performance of firms that use two distinct human resource management (HRM) strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 128 HRM managers was conducted to assess differences in human capital between firms using different HRM strategies. A multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between firms’ human capital and financial performance.

Findings

The results show that companies employing a make-organic strategy have a higher level of human capital than companies employing a buy-bureaucratic strategy. There was no relationship between the level of human capital and long term financial performance of firms with both make-organic and buy-bureaucratic strategies.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributes toward understanding the effect of HRM strategy and facilitates an optimal strategy choice depending on the organization. However, this study did not consider the lead time between changes in human capital and the effect on financial performance.

Practical implications

The research encourages firm managers to understand the value of human capital, preparing them for changes in the future.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate the relationship between human capital and financial performance considering different HRM strategies.
Quality of leadership and public service motivation
Authors: Ugaddan Reginald G. , Park Sung Min
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine salient mechanism by which the quality of political and administrative leadership might influence employee engagement in public sector organizations through public service motivation (PSM). Specifically, the purpose of the paper is twofold. First, the psychological outcomes of quality of leadership perceptions among public employees are identified. Second, how PSM mediates the influence of leadership quality perceptions on employee engagement is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the US Merit System and Protection Board’s (MSPB) 2010 Merit Principles Survey. To establish the distinctive validity of the constructs, the authors performed exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis for latent variables, and subsequently conducted validity and reliability analyses. The authors performed a structural equation model to determine relationship between quality of political and administrative leadership, PSM, and employee engagement.

Findings

The results reveal that the quality of political and administrative leadership is positively related to PSM and employee engagement. This study also confirmed the mediating role of PSM on the relationship between the quality of political and administrative leadership.

Originality/value

The paper expands the literature through studies that may discover critical mechanisms that are of significance in enhancing employee engagement such as quality of leadership depicted in political and administrative leaders and PSM. While previous studies have extensively explored several antecedents of employee engagement, research focusing on the role of quality in public sector leadership and PSM remains limited.
Booters: can anything justify distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks for hire?
Authors: Douglas David , Santanna José Jair , de Oliveira Schmidt Ricardo , Granville Lisandro Zambenedetti , Pras Aiko
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether there are morally defensible reasons for using or operating websites (called ‘booters’) that offer distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on a specified target to users for a price. Booters have been linked to some of the most powerful DDoS attacks in recent years.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors identify the various parties associated with booter websites and the means through which booters operate. Then, the authors present and evaluate the two arguments that they claim may be used to justify operating and using booters: that they are a useful tool for testing the ability of networks and servers to handle heavy traffic, and that they may be used to perform DDoS attacks as a form of civil disobedience on the internet.

Findings

The authors argue that the characteristics of existing booters disqualify them from being morally justified as network stress testing tools or as a means of performing civil disobedience. The use of botnets that include systems without the permission of their owners undermines the legitimacy of both justifications. While a booter that does not use any third-party systems without permission might in principle be justified under certain conditions, the authors argue that it is unlikely that any existing booters meet these requirements.

Practical/implications

Law enforcement agencies may use the arguments presented here to justify shutting down the operation of booters, and so reduce the number of DDoS attacks on the internet.

Originality/value

The value of this work is in critically examining the potential justifications for using and operating booter websites and in further exploring the ethical aspects of using DDoS attacks as a form of civil disobedience.
It’s not all about money: the role of identity in perceived fairness of targeted promotions
Authors: Xia Lan , Monroe Kent B.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of targeted promotions on perceptions of fairness from the perspective of consumers who are not targeted.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario-based approach is used. Three studies manipulating promotion selectivity and various bases for promotion selection were conducted. A total of 403 people participated in the studies.

Findings

Results showed that these consumers consider targeted promotions unfair, and the primary reason is centered more on damage to relational identity than the economics of reduced perceived value. The effect is moderated by how the targeted promotion is delivered (buyer-discovered vs seller-delivered) and different basis for selection.

Practical implications

As companies adopting the practice of dynamic pricing such as targeted promotion, it is important to manage relationship with their consumers. Framing targeted promotions that reduce the salience of seller’s role and provide explanations that not attributed to buyer-seller relationship are important in reducing the potential damage of targeted promotion on relational identity.

Originality/value

Existing research on perceptions of price fairness has focused on the role of perceived value. This research tested the relative effect of perceived value, relational identity and personal identity in the context of targeted promotion and identified relational identity as the major mechanism.
The effect of sensory brand experience and involvement on brand equity directly and indirectly through consumer brand engagement
Authors: Hepola Janne , Karjaluoto Heikki , Hintikka Anni
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of sensory brand experience and involvement on brand equity directly and indirectly through cognitive, emotional and behavioral consumer brand engagement (CBE).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to the customers of a Finnish tableware brand using relevant Facebook channels. A total of 1,390 responses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The empirical findings suggest that both involvement and sensory brand experience are directly related to the three facets of CBE. Further, involvement, sensory brand experience and CBE jointly explain more than 50 per cent of the variance in brand equity. In addition, the results reveal that emotional engagement was the most influential factor in determining consumers’ overall engagement level.

Research limitations/implications

The framework should be tested in other contexts, and the application of longitudinal research setting is encouraged.

Practical implications

The study highlights not only the importance of holistic CBE management but also the necessity to manage sensory aspects of consumer–brand interactions. In this way, managers can build sustainable consumer–brand relationships.

Originality/value

The nomological network of CBE is not well-known. This study integrates two central constructs (sensory brand experience and brand equity) with the concept of CBE and examines their effects on brand equity both directly and indirectly through cognitive, emotional and behavioral CBE.
Mining product problems from online feedback of Chinese users
Authors: Liang Ruoyu , Guo Wei , Yang Deqing
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Analyzing the sentiment orientation of each product aspect/feature might be sufficient to assist the customer to make purchase/usage decisions, but such level of information obtained by sentiment analysis is not detailed enough to assist the company in making product improvement or design decisions. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a novel method to extract more detailed information of the product.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposed to use a set of trivial lexical-Part-of-Speech patterns to prepare candidate corpus and then adopted a topic model to find the optimal number of topics and get the words distributions in each topic. Finally, combined a priori analysis and compactness rules, the authors found out the expected strong rules in each topic, which make up the final problems.

Findings

Experimental results on a real-life data set from Xiaomi forum showed the proposed method can extract the product problems effectively. The authors also explained the errors of experiment, which suggested the direction for future research.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a novel method to obtain information of product problems in detail, which will be useful to assist companies to improve their product performance.