bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transient Ischemic Attacks Preceding Acute Lacunar Infarction
Authors: Kim Jae Guk , Choi Hanna , Sohn Sung-Yeon , Kim Do-Hyung , Lee Soo Joo
Published: October 2016

Background: It has been reported that some patients with lacunar infarction have transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) before stroke. This study was aimed at evaluating the factors and prognostic value related to TIAs preceding acute lacunar stroke. Methods: A total of 1,424 patients were admitted to the hospital for first-ever ischemic stroke. Of which 314 patients with acute lacunar infarction were enrolled for this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the occurrence of TIAs before stroke. Results: Fifty-eight patients (18.5%) had a history of preceding TIAs. The interval between TIA and stroke was less than 24 h in most patients (87.9%). Diabetes mellitus was more often found in patients with TIAs than in those without TIAs (48.3 vs. 28.9%, p = 0.004). Initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (median 2 vs. 3, p = 0.067). However, patients with preceding TIAs had a more favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale 0-1) than those without TIA at 3 months after stroke (79.6 vs. 63.2%, p = 0.021). Conclusion: Lacunar TIA may occur due to small perforating microatheromatous arteries caused by diabetes. This study suggests that ischemic tolerance may play a role in patients with preceding TIAs before lacunar infarct, allowing better recovery from a subsequent ischemic stroke.
The Value of the Cerebroplacental Ratio for the Prediction of Intrapartum Fetal Monitoring in Low-Risk Term Pregnancies
Authors: Liu Jing , Song Guang , Zhao Ge , Meng Tao
Published: October 2016

Aim: The study aimed to investigate the use of fetal cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) to identify fetuses at high risk before labor due to the brain sparing phenomenon. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and seventy-six singleton pregnancies were enrolled in this study. The CPR was recorded within 1 week of delivery and labor was managed according to local protocols and guidelines. Intrapartum and neonatal outcome details were recorded. Results: The CPR values of fetuses subsequently presenting category III intrapartum electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) or category II EFM without improvement (category IIB EFM) or with progression to category III (category IIC EFM) were significantly lower. On multivariate logistic regression, CPR was independently associated with the risk of categories III EFM, IIB EFM and IIC EFM. CPR was also a predictor of categories III EFM, IIB EFM and IIC EFM. Conclusions: Fetal CPR could be used to identify fetuses at high risk before labor and to help guide intrapartum management decisions.
Infantile Aortic Coarctation in an Adult with Heart Failure
Authors: Rumiz Eva , Valero Ernesto , Vilar Juan Vicente , Santas Enrique , Haba Javier
Published: October 2016

Objective: The aim of this case report is to highlight the importance of excluding aortic coarctation in a patient with a bicuspid aortic valve. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 56-year-old woman with hypertension was admitted complaining of progressive dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a calcified, bicuspid aortic valve with severe stenosis. Aortography revealed the presence of severe narrowing of the aorta between the carotid and subclavian arteries. The patient was referred for cardiovascular surgery in which successful aortic valve replacement and aortic correction were performed. Conclusion: This case report shows an uncommon finding of infantile aortic coarctation in an adult patient admitted with heart failure.
Human Leucocyte Antigen B50 Is Associated with Conversion to Generalized Myasthenia Gravis in Patients with Pure Ocular Onset
Authors: Tiftikcioglu Bedile Irem , Uludag Irem Fatma , Zorlu Yasar , Pirim İbrahim , Sener Ufuk , Tokucoglu Figen , Korucuk Meltem
Published: October 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II alleles and disease characteristics in Turkish patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Subjects and Methods: The MHC class I and II alleles of 108 unrelated MG patients were genotyped. The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) distribution of all MG patients and subgroups of MG patients (grouped according to disease characteristics) was compared to that of 250 healthy controls. Results: Overall distributions of HLA-B*61 and C*05 were more frequent in MG patients (7.4 vs. 2.0% and 14.8 vs. 6.8%, respectively) than in non-MG patients. Subgroup analyses revealed that HLA-DRB1*14 and DQB1*02 alleles were more frequent in early-onset MG [n = 10 (20.8%) vs. n = 25 (10.0%) and n = 21 (43.8%) vs. n = 59 (23.6%)]. In patients seropositive for anti-AchR antibodies, the frequencies of HLA-B*50 and C*05 were higher. HLA-C*05, DRB1*01, and DRB1*11 were higher in patients with ocular MG. In addition, HLA-A*01, A*31, B*08, and DRB1*14 were higher among patients with thymic hyperplasia, whereas DQB1*03 was lower. However, all of these differences lost significance after correction of the p value for multiple comparisons. No allele association was found among patients with thymoma. Strikingly, patients with generalized MG who had pure ocular symptoms at disease onset had significantly increased HLA-B*50 compared to the controls (corrected p < 0.001, OR = 9.92; 95% CI 3.05-32.22). Conclusion: The HLA-B*50 allele was associated with conversion to generalized disease in patients with pure ocular symptoms at disease onset. This finding could extend our understanding of the complex interactions between the pathogenesis of MG and genetic heritage.
Lentes de Resistência: olhares de intelectuais negros sobre iniciativas africanas nos séculos XIX e XX
Authors: Santos Jacqueline Maia dos , Vivacqua Isadora Bolina Monteiro
Published: October 2016

Neste artigo apresentamos uma discussão acerca de diferentes leituras historiográficas sobre o processo de colonização da África pelos europeus nos séculos XIX e XX, visando discutir especialmente as ideias de pensadores que compreendem a importância de se estudar a história de tal continente pela perspectiva de seus próprios habitantes. Objetivamos demonstrar como os negros não foram pacíficos às ações estrangeiras, analisando algumas de suas formas de resistência. Dentre estas, ressaltamos a articulação do movimento Pan-africanista, que ansiava pela construção de uma identidade capaz de valorizar o ser negro e a lutar contra o racismo e o colonialismo europeu. Daremos destaque aos trabalhos de artistas e intelectuais como Aimé Césaire e Frantz Fanon, analisando brevemente algumas de suas produções. Importante ressaltar que o nosso trabalho não pretende apresentar conclusões definitivas, mas contribuir para uma maior reflexão sobre os novos debates historiográficos acerca da História da África. Utilizaremos também como fonte, obras de intelectuais como M´BAH Abogo e S. K. B. Asante, por considerá-los representantes de uma linha intelectual comprometida que nos auxilia no processo de desconstrução de uma visão comum sobre o continente africano.
Qual o problema do Brasil?: pensamento intelectual racista ao longo do século XIX
Authors: Toledo Julia Neves
Published: October 2016

No presente artigo pretendemos analisar a difusão de teorias cientificistas europeias durante o século XIX na América Latina, principalmente no Brasil, que visavam legitimar a inferioridade biológica do negro, atribuindo o atraso econômico e o subdesenvolvimento da América Latina à questão racial. O pensamento intelectual do século XIX bem como sua produção literária e historiográfica serão analisados além da resposta fornecida pela historiografia do século XX, desvinculando o atraso da América Latina da presença do elemento negro, buscando inclusive sua valorização e protagonismo na formação da sociedade não só brasileira, mas latino-americana.
A concepção de “raças” impressa nos Livros-Registros do Gabinete de Identificação d’Armada (1908-1918)
Authors: Nascimento Moacir Silva do
Published: October 2016

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a concepção de raças presente na Marinha de Guerra Brasileira (MB), no período de 1908 a 1918, por meio do exame dos Livros-Registros de oficiais do Gabinete de Identificação d’Armada (GIA), localizados no Arquivo da Diretoria do Patrimônio Histórico e Documentação da Marinha (DPHDM), onde constam dados dos militares que compunham a oficialidade da MB. Através de um brevíssimo relato sobre os principais teóricos raciais brasileiros e suas percepções, podemos constatar o esteio que formava a ideologia sócio-racial predominante na sociedade brasileira, ora determinando a inferioridade das raças “não brancas”, ora sinalizando a aceitação da mestiçagem como caminho viável para a consolidação da supremacia do branco, como que por uma seleção natural. Aqui, enfatizamos o lugar central das questões raciais no Brasil, já que podiam determinar os destinos do país.
Identifying Patients at Risk for Prehospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest at the Early Phase of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Karam Nicole , Bataille Sophie , Marijon Eloi , Giovannetti Olivier , Tafflet Muriel , Savary Dominique , Benamer Hakim , Caussin Christophe , Garot Philippe , Juliard Jean-Michel , Pires Virginie , Boche Thévy , Dupas François , Le Bail Gaelle , Lamhaut Lionel , Laborne François , Lefort Hugues , Mapouata Mireille , Lapostolle Frederic , Spaulding Christian , Empana Jean-Philippe , Jouven Xavier , Lambert Yves
Published: October 2016

Background:

In-hospital mortality of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has decreased drastically. In contrast, prehospital mortality from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains high and difficult to reduce. Identification of the patients with STEMI at higher risk for prehospital SCA could facilitate rapid triage and intervention in the field.

Methods:

Using a prospective, population-based study evaluating all patients with STEMI managed by emergency medical services in the greater Paris area (11.7 million inhabitants) between 2006 and 2010, we identified characteristics associated with an increased risk of prehospital SCA and used these variables to build an SCA prediction score, which we validated internally and externally.

Results:

In the overall STEMI population (n=8112; median age, 60 years; 78% male), SCA occurred in 452 patients (5.6%). In multivariate analysis, younger age, absence of obesity, absence of diabetes mellitus, shortness of breath, and a short delay between pain onset and call to emergency medical services were the main predictors of SCA. A score built from these variables predicted SCA, with the risk increasing 2-fold in patients with a score between 10 and 19, 4-fold in those with a score between 20 and 29, and >18-fold in patients with a score ≥30 compared with those with scores <10. The SCA rate was 28.9% in patients with a score ≥30 compared with 1.6% in patients with a score ≤9 (
P
for trend <0.001). The area under the curve values were 0.7033 in the internal validation sample and 0.6031 in the external validation sample. Sensitivity and specificity varied between 96.9% and 10.5% for scores ≥10 and between 18.0% and 97.6% for scores ≥30, with scores between 20 and 29 achieving the best sensitivity and specificity (65.4% and 62.6%, respectively).

Conclusions:

At the early phase of STEMI, the risk of prehospital SCA can be determined through a simple score of 5 routinely assessed predictors. This score might help optimize the dispatching and management of patients with STEMI by emergency medical services.
‘Independent’ Kurdish Media in Syria
Authors: Badran Yazan , De Angelis Enrico
Published: October 2016

The Syrian uprising in 2011 was accompanied by the birth of a new generation of media outlets seeking to offer alternative narratives to those of the regime. After the Kurds gained a certain level of autonomy from the Syrian regime and opposition forces, areas historically inhabited by Kurds (Rojava) have also seen the emergence of local media: for example, the television station Ronahi, magazines and newspapers such as Welat, Buyer and Shar, radio stations such as Arta FM and Welat and the ARA News agency. Indeed, for the first time in their history, Syrian Kurds have the opportunity to have an independent voice in the media landscape. In this paper we map the field of emerging Kurdish media in Syria and analyze some of the main features of these outlets, while situating them in the larger context of emerging Syrian media. Moreover, the paper explores their relationship in the current political context of the Syrian uprising and, especially, of Rojava. In doing so, we analyze the political identity that these media tend to project and address how they position themselves toward the issue of the Kurdish identity in general and in Syria in particular.
A new Mapinguari Papavero & Wilcox (Diptera, Mydidae, Mydinae) from Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: CALHAU JULIA , LAMAS CARLOS JOSÉ EINICKER , NIHEI SILVIO SHIGUEO
Published: October 2016

Mapinguari Papavero & Wilcox, 1974 (Diptera, Mydidae, Mydinae) is a very rare monotypic genus, with the type-species, M. politus (Wiedemann, 1828), occurring exclusively in Amazonia. With the description of Mapinguari uai sp. nov. from a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil, the distribution of the genus is greatly expanded. In addition, an updated diagnosis for the genus and its type-species is provided.
A new iphiculid crab (Crustacea, Brachyura, Leucosioidea) from the Middle Miocene of Austria, with notes on palaeobiogeography of Iphiculus
Authors: HYŽNÝ MATÚŠ , GROSS MARTIN
Published: October 2016

A new fossil species of the iphiculid genus Iphiculus Adams & White, 1849, (Crustacea, Brachyura) is described on the basis of three specimens from the Middle Miocene Florian Beds of Styria, Austria. Iphiculus eliasi sp. nov. constitutes the first European record of the genus. This occurrence represents the oldest record of Iphiculus, having implications for the palaeobiogeographic history of the family Iphiculidae. It is suggested that Iphiculus may have originated in the Western Tethys and migrated subsequently into the Indo-West Pacific. Alternatively, its current geographic restriction to the Indo-West Pacific can be a remnant of an ancient broader geographic distribution.
Engaging Fringe Stakeholders in Business and Society Research: Applying Visual Participatory Research Methods
Authors: McCarthy Lauren , Muthuri Judy N.
Published: October 2016

Business and society (B&S) researchers, as well as practitioners, have been critiqued for ignoring those with less voice and power (e.g., women, non-literate, or indigenous peoples) often referred to as “fringe stakeholders.” Existing methods used in B&S research often fail to address issues of meaningful participation, voice and power, especially in developing countries. In this article, we stress the utility of visual participatory research (VPR) methods in B&S research to fill this gap. Through a case study on engaging Ghanaian cocoa farmers on gender inequality issues, we explore how VPR methods may be used by researchers to achieve more inclusive, and thus more credible, stakeholder research that can improve decision making within businesses. Furthermore, we argue that ingrained social and environmental problems tackled by B&S research and the unique context in which they occur may open up new opportunities to develop participatory visual methods for social change.
Partnership in research
Authors: Gélinas Isabelle
Published: October 2016

Background.

Partnerships in occupational therapy between practitioners and researchers are important to advance knowledge relevant to clinical practice and support evidence-based practice in the profession.

Purpose.

This Muriel Driver lecture discusses why we should support practitioners’ engagement in research and examines essential conditions required for successful collaborative partnerships in research.

Key Issues.

Collaborative partnerships can alleviate the challenges preventing practitioners from participating in research and ensure that research initiatives are more relevant to clinical practice. Key factors for building and sustaining meaningful partnerships include the presence of favourable pre-partnership conditions related to the context and the use of guiding principles focusing on vision, values, trust, communication, power sharing, and interactions.

Implications.

Several of the factors found to foster a good collaborative partnership are consistent with our core competency roles and reflect our professional values. Being mindful of these factors when initiating research collaborations would increase the likelihood of success.
Medical Dominance and Resistance in Nigeria’s Health Care System
Authors: Alubo Ogoh , Hunduh Vitalis
Published: October 2016

The health care system in Nigeria remains topical because of concerns over unremitting health outcomes, such as maternal and infant mortalities and frequent epidemic outbreaks, and more recently because of regular strikes by health workers. The strikes arise mostly from disputes between medical doctors and other health workers over a range of issues, including salary levels and emoluments, leadership of teaching hospitals, and appointment of the Minister of Health. Other health workers, who allege that doctors are favored in the system, have formed Joint Health Sector Unions to confront the doctors. Both groups have frequently engaged in strikes such that, within the past decade, there has always been a strike or the threat of a strike, a situation that causes disruption of health care services. Two presidential commissions have been instituted, to no avail. With the allegations of favoritism, only government even-handedness in more carefully delineating the areas of inclusion and exclusion in accordance with available legislations may stem the rising tide. Until solutions agreeable to both parties are found, the health system and the Nigerian people will continue to suffer frustrations of avoidable disruption of services.
Opening your door to research
Authors: Zoch Melody , David Ann D.
Published: October 2016

“Research says…“ a lot. But how does research come to say anything? One way is by having teachers open their classroom doors to a researcher. In this article, we share the stories of two teachers who opened their doors to the authors’ research and were glad they did. The teachers contrast this experience to other research experiences in which they felt coerced to participate and whose objectives were unclear. When teachers understand their rights, their students’ rights, and the kind of data researchers intend to collect, they will be far more comfortable with the process and far more willing to invite researchers into their classrooms.
Microcredentials
Authors: Berry Barnett , Airhart Kathleen M. , Byrd P. Ann
Published: October 2016

Teachers and administrators attest that the current workshop and seat-time approach to professional development has not been working. Microcredentials offer a new approach. Inspired by the badging movement, microcredentials offer teachers opportunities to document their learning using work samples, videos, and other artifacts. Based on this evidence, teachers receive a microcredential that they can share across social media platforms, through email, and on blogs and résumés. Digital Promise and its content partners have developed more than 200 microcredentials. The Tennessee Department of Education is now working on launching a microcredential pilot.
Making a S.P.E.C.I.A.L. first impression
Authors: Dovico Adam
Published: October 2016

Teachers at all levels have reported a stark decline in students’ ability to interact with others face-to-face in a technology-driven world. In the world of work, communicative soft skills have surfaced as both a concern and focal point for potential employers. Schools can teach these skills using an approach called S.P.E.C.I.A.L, which focuses on seven specific actions students can engage in to make a good first impression. The author shows teachers how to easily incorporate S.P.E.C.I.A.L. into their day-to-day routines.
The best of both worlds
Authors: Schneider Jack , Feldman Joe , French Dan
Published: October 2016

Relying on teachers’ assessments for the information currently provided by standardized test scores would save instructional time, better capture the true abilities of diverse students, and reduce the problem of teaching to the test. A California high school is implementing standards-based reporting, ensuring that teacher-issued grades function as reliable and valid descriptors of student academic performance. At the state level, the New Hampshire Department of Education is anchoring accountability in teacher-assessed performance tasks rather than in standardized tests. The article offers guidelines and caveats to those interested in pursuing this work.
Leadership
Authors: Starr Joshua P.
Published: October 2016

Leaders must have language that drives their actions; that begins with identifying their personal core values and those of their district. The example of mission/vision/core values of United Health Care inspired Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland to develop its core values statements, which the author (a former superintendent in the district) built on to guide many district decisions and served as a benchmark for individual and collective responsibility.
Washington View
Authors: Ferguson Maria
Published: October 2016

The phrase supplement not supplant is getting renewed attention as the U.S. Department of Education works on proposed regulations for the Every Student Succeeds Act. The concept of supplement not supplant was in the original Elementary and Secondary Education Act and was intended to ensure that districts used federal funds to supplement education for Title I children and not use federal funds to replace state and local funds. Senate Republicans and the American Federation of Teachers have formed an unusual alliance opposing the USDOE’s work on this measure.
PI-FLAME: A parallel immune system simulator using the FLAME graphic processing unit environment
Authors: Tamrakar Shailesh , Richmond Paul , D’Souza Roshan M
Published: October 2016

Agent-based models (ABMs) are increasingly being used to study population dynamics in complex systems, such as the human immune system. Previously, Folcik et al. (The basic immune simulator: an agent-based model to study the interactions between innate and adaptive immunity. Theor Biol Med Model 2007; 4: 39) developed a Basic Immune Simulator (BIS) and implemented it using the Recursive Porous Agent Simulation Toolkit (RePast) ABM simulation framework. However, frameworks such as RePast are designed to execute serially on central processing units and therefore cannot efficiently handle large model sizes. In this paper, we report on our implementation of the BIS using FLAME GPU, a parallel computing ABM simulator designed to execute on graphics processing units. To benchmark our implementation, we simulate the response of the immune system to a viral infection of generic tissue cells. We compared our results with those obtained from the original RePast implementation for statistical accuracy. We observe that our implementation has a 13× performance advantage over the original RePast implementation.
Multidimensional Facets of Perceived Risk in Mobile Travel Booking
Authors: Park Sangwon , Tussyadiah Iis P.
Published: October 2016

Despite the growing prevalence of smartphones in daily life and travel context, travelers still perceive an extent of risk associated with using their smartphone to book travel products. In order to alleviate or reduce perceived risk, it is important to better understand the dimensions of and the factors that contribute to perceived risk. This study analyzed 411 responses from an online panel to examine perceived risk in mobile travel booking and identified the following facets: time risk, financial risk, performance risk, privacy/security risk, psychological risk, physical risk, and device risk. Several antecedents of perceived risk were identified. Perceived collection of personal information via smartphones contributes positively, while consumer innovativeness, trust, and visibility contribute negatively to perceived risk. Further, the predictive validity of perceived risk is confirmed as it significantly explains perceived usefulness, attitude, and behavioral intention in mobile travel booking. Implications to manage perceived risk and its antecedents are provided.
Quantifying the performance of a passive deaerator in a gas-fired closed loop domestic wet central heating system
Authors: Johnston David , Glew David , Miles-Shenton Dominic , Benjaber Moaad , Fitton Richard
Published: October 2016

In the UK, approximately 16% of the energy use can be attributed to domestic wet central heating systems. Government financial support and advances in technology have led to boilers becoming more efficient and a range of technologies are now available that claim to be able to improve the efficiency of domestic wet central heating systems. One such low cost technology is a passive deaerator. This article presents the results obtained from installing a passive deaerator on the closed loop of a gas-fired wet central heating system, under controlled conditions in the Salford Energy House. The results indicate that although marginally less heat output was required from the boiler when the passive deaerator was operating, these savings are more or less out weighted by the boiler short cycling more frequently. Consequently, the overall reduction is gas consumption achieved by utilising the passive deaerator device is only of the order of 0.5%; this scale of savings may just be a consequence of measurement noise. The implications are that although a marginal benefit may be attributed to these products, if short cycling takes place, then these savings may become insignificant.

Practical application: This article describes a test method that has been used to quantify the energy savings that could be achieved by installing a passive deaerator on the closed loop of a wet central heating system. Although the results indicate that the energy savings associated with using such a device are likely to be marginal, the test method described could be used to test a range of other devices that claim to improve the performance of domestic wet central heating systems, to directly compare before and after performance.
Off-pump left ventricular assist device exchange via re-do left mini-thoracotomy with original outflow graft preservation
Authors: Iwanski Jessika , Tran Phat L. , Jerman Catherine , Smith Richard , Kazui Toshinobu , Khalpey Zain
Published: October 2016

Complications associated with long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) use may require pump exchange due to device thrombosis or thromboembolism. Minimally invasive off-pump procedures represent an advantageous alternative to standard full sternotomy exchanges and those performed with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. By mitigating surgical invasion and trauma to the central chest, the potential for post-operative bleeding, transfusions and complications can be reduced. This case report describes the successful off-pump exchange of a HeartWare LVAD via left re-do-thoracotomy with the re-use of the original outflow graft.
Effect of contrast dose in the quantification of myocardial extra-cellular volume in adenosine stress/rest perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance examinations
Authors: Caballeros Meylin , Bartolomé Pablo , Fernández González Óscar , Greiser Andreas , García del Barrio Loreto , Pueyo Jesús , Bastarrika Gorka
Published: October 2016

Background

Diffuse myocardial fibrosis can be quantified by calculating extra-cellular volume (ECV) from native and post-contrast T1 values using dedicated single bolus contrast medium injection protocols.

Purpose

To evaluate differences in T1 maps and myocardial ECV measurements in routine stress/rest perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) examinations after injection of single and double dose of contrast medium.

Material and Methods

Thirty-seven consecutive patients (30 men; mean age, 62 ± 13 years) underwent clinically indicated adenosine stress/rest perfusion CMR examination to rule out myocardial ischemia following a conventional split-dose contrast medium injection strategy. Native and post-contrast T1 mapping was performed 15 min after the first (0.1 mmol/kg) and second (0.1 mmol/kg) dose of contrast medium using a breath-held Modified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence. Student’s t-test for paired samples, Bland–Altman plots, and concordance-correlation coefficients (CCC) for agreement between T1 and ECV calculations after single and double dose of contrast medium were calculated. Intra- and inter-observer agreement for measurements was also analyzed.

Results

Myocardial T1 values after single and double dose of contrast medium significantly differed (mean difference of 114.1 ± 19.9 ms, P < 0.01). A single dose of contrast agent provided slightly higher ECV values (mean difference of 2.3 ± 1.1%). CCC for ECV calculations was 0.66. Intra- and inter-observer agreement for all measurements was excellent (CCC ≥ 0.83).

Conclusion

Quantification of myocardial ECV on conventional stress/rest perfusion CMR examination is feasible. T1 maps obtained 15 min after 0.1 mmol/kg of contrast medium provide slightly higher myocardial T1 measurements and ECV values compared with T1 maps obtained after a total dose of 0.2 mmol/kg.
Biomechanical Effects of an Injury Prevention Program in Preadolescent Female Soccer Athletes
Authors: Thompson Julie A. , Tran Andrew A. , Gatewood Corey T. , Shultz Rebecca , Silder Amy , Delp Scott L. , Dragoo Jason L.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common, and children as young as 10 years of age exhibit movement patterns associated with an ACL injury risk. Prevention programs have been shown to reduce injury rates, but the mechanisms behind these programs are largely unknown. Few studies have investigated biomechanical changes after injury prevention programs in children.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To investigate the effects of the F-MARC 11+ injury prevention warm-up program on changes to biomechanical risk factors for an ACL injury in preadolescent female soccer players. We hypothesized that the primary ACL injury risk factor of peak knee valgus moment would improve after training. In addition, we explored other kinematic and kinetic variables associated with ACL injuries.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 51 female athletes aged 10 to 12 years were recruited from soccer clubs and were placed into an intervention group (n = 28; mean [±SD] age, 11.8 ± 0.8 years) and a control group (n = 23; mean age, 11.2 ± 0.6 years). The intervention group participated in 15 in-season sessions of the F-MARC 11+ program (2 times/wk). Pre- and postseason motion capture data were collected during preplanned cutting, unanticipated cutting, double-leg jump, and single-leg jump tasks. Lower extremity joint angles and moments were estimated using OpenSim, a biomechanical modeling system.

Results:

Athletes in the intervention group reduced their peak knee valgus moment compared with the control group during the double-leg jump (mean [±standard error of the mean] pre- to posttest change, –0.57 ± 0.27 %BW×HT vs 0.25 ± 0.25 %BW×HT, respectively; P = .034). No significant differences in the change in peak knee valgus moment were found between the groups for any other activity; however, the intervention group displayed a significant pre- to posttest increase in peak knee valgus moment during unanticipated cutting ( P = .044). Additional analyses revealed an improvement in peak ankle eversion moment after training during preplanned cutting ( P = .015), unanticipated cutting ( P = .004), and the double-leg jump ( P = .016) compared with the control group. Other secondary risk factors did not significantly improve after training, although the peak knee valgus angle improved in the control group compared with the intervention group during unanticipated cutting ( P = .018).

Conclusion:

The F-MARC 11+ program may be effective in improving some risk factors for an ACL injury during a double-leg jump in preadolescent athletes, most notably by reducing peak knee valgus moment.

Clinical Relevance:

This study provides motivation for enhancing injury prevention programs to produce improvement in other ACL risk factors, particularly during cutting and single-leg tasks.
Managerial Development Programs for Executive Directors and Accountability Practices in Nonprofit Organizations
Authors: Lee Young-joo , Suh Jiwon
Published: October 2016

Facing the potential leadership deficit and mounting pressures for performance and accountability, government and nonprofit organizations have become more interested in providing training and development programs for their executives. However, existing research falls short in explaining the utility of managerial development programs in achieving performance and accountability in public and nonprofit contexts. This study examines how executives’ participation in various managerial development programs is associated with the adoption of organizational practices for financial, client-service, and performance accountability, using a survey of nonprofit human services organizations. The results reveal that organizations whose executives participated in managerial development programs are more likely to have such practices. In particular, the results show that participation in general management and administration training and regular mentoring is positively associated with accountability practices in all three areas. Overall, the findings suggest that providing incumbent executives with training and development opportunities is as important as recruiting qualified individuals in ensuring organizational accountability and performance.
Analysis of structural stresses of tracks and vehicle dynamic responses in train–track–bridge system with pier settlement
Authors: Chen Zhaowei , Zhai Wanming , Yin Qiang
Published: October 2016

Pier settlement causes deformation of bridge structures, and further distorts the track structures placed on bridge decks, which may greatly affect the service life of the tracks and safe operation of trains. This study analyzes track stresses and vehicle dynamic responses in train–track–bridge system with pier settlement and determines the pier settlement safe value for high-speed railways with China Railway Track System (CRTS) II slab tracks. First, a detailed train–track–bridge dynamic model is established based on the train–track–bridge dynamic interaction theory. Verified with field experimental results, the model is utilized to calculate the dynamic responses of the vehicle–track–bridge system with different pier settlement values. Finally, the safe value of the pier settlement in the CRTS II slab track railway line is determined according to the limit of the vehicle dynamic indicators and the structural stresses of tracks. The results show that the vertical acceleration of the car body is more sensitive to pier settlement among all the vehicle dynamic indicators. Structural stresses of tracks caused by pier settlement appear at the positions of the pier with settlement and its two adjacent piers. The effect of train loads on the track stresses is much smaller than that of the pier settlement. It is important to adopt the structural stresses of tracks as the evaluation criteria of the pier settlement safe value than the vehicle dynamic indicators. Taking the effects of the bridge pier settlement, the vehicle load, the prestress effect, and the self-weight into consideration, the pier settlement safe value for the high-speed railway lines with the CRTS II slab track is 11.5 mm.
Instantaneous Conventions
Authors: Misyak Jennifer , Noguchi Takao , Chater Nick
Published: October 2016

Humans can communicate even with few existing conventions in common (e.g., when they lack a shared language). We explored what makes this phenomenon possible with a nonlinguistic experimental task requiring participants to coordinate toward a common goal. We observed participants creating new communicative conventions using the most minimal possible signals. These conventions, furthermore, changed on a trial-by-trial basis in response to shared environmental and task constraints. Strikingly, as a result, signals of the same form successfully conveyed contradictory messages from trial to trial. Such behavior is evidence for the involvement of what we term joint inference, in which social interactants spontaneously infer the most sensible communicative convention in light of the common ground between them. Joint inference may help to elucidate how communicative conventions emerge instantaneously and how they are modified and reshaped into the elaborate systems of conventions involved in human communication, including natural languages.
Family-oriented policies in Scandinavia and the challenge of immigration
Authors: Grødem Anne Skevik
Published: October 2016

The social political debate on immigration as a challenge to the welfare states has been remarkably silent on gender and family issues. This article argues that immigrants’ use of welfare benefits targeted at families may be particularly problematic, because such benefits embody certain normative tensions that other social policies do not. It is suggested that tensions may be particularly high in Scandinavia, given the Scandinavian countries’ long-term commitment to facilitating employment for women. What happens when immigrants in the Scandinavian countries use policies targeted at families to maintain gender-complimentary family practices and home-based motherhood? Will such practices be met by reforms that streamline benefits around the principle of universal employment? The article highlights policy arrangements that have been described as detrimental to immigrant women’s employment in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and reviews whether they have been reformed in recent years and, where relevant, what arguments have been used to motivate reforms. The analysis shows that many of the relevant benefits recently have been reformed to become less accommodating of home-based care work. However, politics clearly matter, and it is not given that immigrants’ use of benefits will always be a trump card. Also, dynamics vary according to how controversial the welfare arrangement in question was before it was highlighted as an immigrant issue. A third finding is that even when benefit arrangements that have been highlighted as particularly detrimental to immigrant women’s employment are targeted, politicians often downplay the integration issue when arguing for reform.
As Little Regard in Life as in Death
Authors: Speed Carly
Published: October 2016

This article draws on insights from doctoral research into deaths in psychiatric detention in England and Wales. As the article demonstrates, the response to patients in death has often been reflective of the response to them in life, both historically and contemporarily. Furthermore, the families and friends of patients and those who raised concerns have also been treated in a similar manner to patients themselves. Some of the key areas explored in the article are the exercise of power over patients and their advocates by the medical profession and other official bodies, including the oppression, categorization, and dismissal that they have faced. The contestations and challenges of this power will also be explored and how dominant voices have been challenged through the emergence of alternative truths. Post-death procedures will also be critically examined, primarily the inquest and investigation processes, with a focus on issues surrounding the secrecy and lack of accountability apparent.
Examining the Effects of Childhood Cancer on the Parental Subsystem
Authors: Moules Nancy J. , Estefan Andrew , McCaffrey Graham , Tapp Dianne M. , Strother Douglas
Published: October 2016

This article is the third part of a hermeneutic research study examining the impact of childhood cancer experiences on the parental relationship. In Part 1, we offered an exploration of the phenomenon with background literature; a description of the research question, method, and design; and finally a discussion of relationships that survived, thrived, or demised, with an emphasis on the notions of difference and trading. In Part 2, we furthered the interpretations to look at the complexities of issues such as teams, roles, focus, protection, intimacy, grieving, putting relationships on hold, and reclaiming them. In this article, we discuss the advice that the participants offered us and how that advice might have implications for other parents in similar situations and health care professionals working with families experiencing childhood cancer.
Effects of Strengthening Cigarette Pack Warnings on Attention and Message Processing: A Systematic Review
Authors: Noar Seth M. , Francis Diane B. , Bridges Christy , Sontag Jennah M. , Brewer Noel T. , Ribisl Kurt M.
Published: October 2016

The current study sought to examine the impact of strengthening cigarette pack warnings on attention, message processing, and perceived effectiveness, through a systematic review of longitudinal observational studies. The review included 22 studies ( N = 81,824 participants). Strengthened warnings increased attention to warnings, recall of warnings, and thinking about the health risks of smoking. Strengthened warnings also increased several perceived effectiveness outcomes, including perceptions that warnings reduce smoking and motivate quitting. Strengthened cigarette pack warnings achieve their goal of attracting attention and enhancing motivation to act. Strengthening warning policies should be a priority for tobacco control globally.
Including Students With Disabilities in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: Experiences and Perspectives of Special Educators
Authors: Shuster Brooke C. , Gustafson Jenny R. , Jenkins Abbie B. , Lloyd Blair P. , Carter Erik W. , Bernstein Caitlin F.
Published: October 2016

As interest in proactive and systematic approaches to supporting positive student behavior grows, important questions remain about the ways in which special education staff and their students participate in school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). We report findings from a statewide study of 849 special educators addressing (a) their involvement in their school’s PBIS framework, (b) the ways their students with disabilities participate, (c) potential barriers to such participation, and (d) the topics and avenues through which they desire professional development. Special educators rarely participated in school-wide PBIS teams, reported variability in the extent to which their students with disabilities participated in aspects of the school’s framework, indicated that they implemented some features of the framework in their classroom more than others, and highlighted salient barriers to student involvement. The views and actions of special educators working primarily with students with low-incidence disabilities differed from those of teachers working with students with high-incidence disabilities. We discuss implications for research and practice aimed at enhancing the implementation and impact of school-wide PBIS on students with disabilities.
Enablers and barriers in providing telediabetes services for Indigenous communities: A systematic review
Authors: Wickramasinghe Sumudu I , Caffery Liam J , Bradford Natalie K , Smith Anthony C
Published: October 2016

A systematic review of studies which reported on telediabetes services within Indigenous communities was undertaken in June 2016. The aim of this study was to identify enablers and barriers associated with the delivery of telehealth services for diabetes care amongst Indigenous people. A total of 14 articles met the study inclusion criteria, reporting work in Canada, Australia, India, and the US. Key enablers included the use of cultural and spiritual elements, acknowledgement of local beliefs and traditions, and appropriate community engagement. The involvement of Indigenous health workers was also very important because of their role in communication in local language, helping clinicians understand the community, and the transportation of patients. The main barriers associated with telediabetes services were the potentially high fail-to-attend rates, lack of technical skills associated with the operation of telehealth equipment, and the lack of availability of local staff. Knowledge of the enablers and barriers associated with the delivery of healthcare services to Indigenous communities is important when planning a telediabetes service.
The effect of soil sealing on the urban heat island phenomenon
Authors: Fokaides Paris A. , Kylili Angeliki , Nicolaou Lora , Ioannou Byron
Published: October 2016

Indisputably, urban design and soil sealing are parameters that can either aggravate or mitigate the urban heat island phenomenon, observed in dense urban environments around the world. Large sealed surfaces have been extensively reported to induce higher surface temperatures. The aim of this work is to answer a critical scientific question: on what extent do actually sealed soils contribute to the urban heat island. As an example, a case study was developed for the case of Nicosia – a city that experiences high urban heat island intensities due to its geographical location and its continuous urban growth. Three scenarios were developed with ranging percentages of unsealed surfaces – 0%, 20% and 40% of vegetation coverage and were simulated in an established microclimate modelling tool ENVI-met. The effect of the urban design and soil sealing in the investigated scenarios was analysed by presenting the results for a range of parameters, including ground- and canopy-level temperatures, diffused and reflected radiations, relative humidity, wind speed and sky view factor. The results indicated that the most effective scenario is the case where 40% of the ground is unsealed, primarily due to the impact on the canopy-level temperature and the wind speed. The authors believe that more attention should be drawn to this alarming topic by both policy-makers and researchers.
Translating a Proven Pediatric Healthy Homes Asthma Intervention to Adults
Authors: Ramsay Jessica , Schwindt Tala , Nguyen Thu , Margellos-Anast Helen
Published: October 2016

Asthma is a serious public health concern, disproportionately affecting urban, minority populations. Chicago’s West and Southwest sides are among the most burdened by asthma and environmental conditions that exacerbate asthma. Home-based, community health worker (CHW)–led interventions have repeatedly demonstrated effectiveness in addressing pediatric asthma. However, evidence of such interventions among adults is limited. Helping Chicago’s Westside Adults Breathe and Thrive is a longitudinal cohort study that assesses the effectiveness of a CHW-led asthma and healthy homes intervention for adults. One of the first of its kind, the program aims to improve asthma control and quality of life among adults with poorly controlled asthma. This article provides a framework for implementing the intervention from start to finish. CHWs make five or six home visits over the course of 12 months, providing comprehensive and individualized asthma education to study participants. They work closely with participants to conduct home environmental assessments, collaboratively developing techniques to eliminate or avoid asthma triggers. They also assist with smoking cessation, comorbidities, and health system navigation. Between December 1, 2013, and August 31, 2015, 202 participants enrolled in the program. This article reports on successes, challenges, and recommendations from the program’s first 21 months of operation.