bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric Dynamics and Ozone Cycle during Sea Breeze in a Mediterranean Complex Urbanized Coastal Site
Authors: Finardi Sandro , Agrillo Giuseppe , Baraldi Rita , Calori Giuseppe , Carlucci Pantaleone , Ciccioli Paolo , D’Allura Alessio , Gasbarra Daniele , Gioli Beniamino , Magliulo Vincenzo , Radice Paola , Toscano Piero , Zaldei Alessandro
Published: March 2018

Persistent high pressure conditions over the Mediterranean Basin favor the occurrence of sea breezes that can lead to ozone transport through complex recirculation patterns. These features were investigated during an ozone episode with hourly concentrations exceeding 200 μg m−3 that occurred on July 2015 in Naples (Italy), one of the largest and densest conurbations in the Mediterranean region. Aircraft measurements were taken at heights from 150 to 1500 m AGL and compared and integrated with high-resolution meteorological and air quality model simulations to investigate local circulation and pollutants dynamics. The integration of airborne measurements, surface observations, and modeling established a framework to assess the photochemical phenomena in the area. Sea breezes and local emissions triggered ozone production at inland areas, causing high concentrations between the coast and the Apennine chain. Ozone was then injected into the upper boundary layer and transported toward the sea by the wind rotation occurring above 500 m AGL, causing a complex vertical layering of concentrations, with maxima between 500 and 800 m AGL. Vertical growth of the ozone concentration profile was also caused by the decrease of the boundary layer depth occurring when the breeze front reached the inland area carrying NOx-rich air from the densely populated coast and favoring titration near the surface. Although the whole airshed was a net ozone producer, local surface concentrations were determined by a complex interaction of atmospheric flow and chemistry at different scales, supporting the need for coordinated efforts to control smog precursors over wide areas.
Parental Self-Assessment of Behavioral Effectiveness in Young Children and Views on Corporal Punishment in an Academic Pediatric Practice
Authors: Irons Lance B. , Flatin Heidi , Harrington Maya T. , Vazifedan Turaj , Harrington John W.
Published: March 2018

This article assesses parental confidence and current behavioral techniques used by mostly African American caregivers of young children in an urban Southeastern setting, including their use and attitudes toward corporal punishment (CP). Two hundred and fifty parental participants of children aged 18 months to 5 years completed a survey on factors affecting their behavioral management and views on CP. Statistical analysis included χ2 test and logistic regression with confidence interval significance determined at P <.05. Significant associations of CP usage were found in parents who were themselves exposed to CP and parental level of frustration with child disobedience. A total of 40.2% of respondents answered that they had not received any discipline strategies from pediatricians and 47.6% were interested in receiving more behavioral strategies. Clear opportunities exist for pediatricians to provide information on evidence-based disciplinary techniques, and these discussions may be facilitated through the creation of a No Hit Zone program in the pediatric practice.
Predictors of Success Among High School Students in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs
Authors: Suldo Shannon M. , Shaunessy-Dedrick Elizabeth , Ferron John , Dedrick Robert F.
Published: March 2018

Research has shown that students in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs experience higher levels of stress compared to students in general education classes. Elevated stress can serve as a risk factor for students’ academic and mental health problems. Given the documented stress of these students, additional investigations are needed to more fully understand how students experience these curricula and the factors associated with positive student outcomes. Thus, we set out to identify factors associated with success among AP/IB students, with an emphasis on exploring potentially malleable factors that could be targeted with existing or newly developed interventions. Data were collected via self-report measures and school records from 2,379 students (Grades 9-12) enrolled in AP or IB in 20 school programs in one state. We examined the relationships among 34 predictors (e.g., stressors, coping styles, student engagement, family factors, school factors, and demographic features) of success. Success was represented by five outcomes in two domains: mental health (life satisfaction, psychopathology, school burnout) and academic (GPA, AP/IB exam scores). Better outcomes in both domains were associated with higher levels of achievement motivation and cognitive engagement, as well as lower levels of parent–child conflict, stress from major life events, and use of avoidance coping strategies. Higher levels of affective engagement, use of approach coping, and authoritative parenting were robust predictors of positive mental health outcomes and unrelated (in multivariate analyses) to academic outcomes. Findings have implications for subsequent development of intervention efforts targeting factors associated with student success.
Adaptations of the Oxford Tables to Paris, Mantua, and Louvain
Authors: Chabás José , Goldstein Bernard R.
Published: March 2018

The Oxford Tables of 1348, also called Tabule anglicane, were computed for the meridian of Oxford in the framework of Alfonsine astronomy. They had a remarkable success, for they are extant in a good number of Latin manuscripts, and they were adapted repeatedly. This paper focuses on these adaptations: the Tabule Parisiensis, with radices for the year 1368 complete and the meridian of Paris, extant in Hebrew and Latin manuscripts; the version made by Mordecai Finzi, with radices for 1443 complete and the meridian of Mantua, preserved in a unique Hebrew manuscript; and the partial adaptation by Henry Baers printed in Latin in Louvain in 1528.
Book Review: Roma Chatterji (ed.). Wording the World: Veena Das and Scenes of Inheritance
Authors: Thakur Manish K.
Published: March 2018

Roma Chatterji (ed.). Wording the World: Veena Das and Scenes of Inheritance. New Delhi: Orient BlackSwan, 2015, vii + 481 pp., ₹1,295 (hardback). ISBN 978-81-250-5733-8.
Book Review: Meenaz Kassam, Femida Handy and Emily Jansons, Philanthropy in India: Promise to Practice
Authors: Raj Aditya
Published: March 2018

Meenaz Kassam, Femida Handy and Emily Jansons, Philanthropy in India: Promise to Practice. New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2016, 252 pp., ₹750 (hardback). ISBN 978-93-515-0752-9.
Valorization of keratin biofibers for removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions
Authors: Zhang Helan , Carrillo Fernando , López-Mesas Montserrat , Palet Cristina
Published: March 2018

Four common waste keratin biofibers (human hair, dog hair, chicken feathers, and degreased wool) have been used as biosorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Different parameters of the biosorption processes were optimized in batch systems. For multiple-metal systems, consisting of a mixture of eight metal ions [Cr(III), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II)], the total metal biosorption increased in the order: degreased wool > chicken feathers > human hair > dog hair. From the kinetic models tested, the pseudo-second-order model provided better results. Furthermore, biosorption isotherms of Pb(II) with the different keratin biofibers fitted the Langmuir model. Surface morphology of the biosorbents were analyzed before and after the sorption using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The keratin biofibers tested are potentially good sorbents of metal ions, with degreased wool and chicken feathers being the more efficient ones.
Loneliness as a Mediator of Perceived Discrimination and Depression: Examining Education Contingencies
Authors: Lee Yeonjung , Bierman Alex
Published: March 2018

This study examines whether loneliness explains the association between perceived everyday discrimination and depressive symptoms among older adults as well as whether this indirect pathway differs by education. Three waves (2006, 2010, and 2014) of the Health and Retirement Study ( N = 7,130) are analyzed with random-effects models that adjust for repeated observations and fixed-effects models that control for all time-stable influences. Everyday discrimination is associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms but more weakly in fixed-effects models. The association between discrimination and loneliness is stronger at low educational attainment, leading discrimination to be indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through loneliness only at low education. The consequences of everyday discrimination for depression in late life are limited to older adults with low education due to education-contingent associations with loneliness. Perceived discrimination may have broad health consequences through loneliness, especially for older adults at low education.
Performing “China in Africa” for the West: Chinese migrant discourses in Angola
Authors: Mei-ting Schmitz Cheryl
Published: March 2018

As China’s largest trading partner in Africa and host to an estimated 250,000 Chinese migrants, Angola is one of the most significant sites for analyzing China–Africa relations today. This paper, based on ethnographic fieldwork in both Angola and China conducted in 2013–2014, analyzes conversations about Chinese globalization in Africa to show how Chinese speakers spoke performatively about a politically charged phenomenon in which they found themselves implicated. Encounters between Chinese expatriates, a European journalist and an American anthropologist reveal the assumptions underlying which questions get posed about Chinese interventions in Africa and how Chineseness is articulated in response.
The Emergence of Individual Research Programs in the Early Career Phase of Academics
Authors: Laudel Grit , Bielick Jana
Published: March 2018

Scientific communities expect early career researchers (ECRs) to become intellectually independent and to develop longer-term research plans (individual research programs [IRPs]). How such programs emerge during the early career phase is still poorly understood. Drawing on semistructured interviews with German ECRs in plant biology, experimental physics, and early modern history, we show that the development of such a plan is a research process in itself. The processes leading to IRPs are conditioned by the fields’ epistemic practices for producing new knowledge. By linking the conditions under which ECRs work to the epistemic properties of their IRPs, we identify mechanisms that produce these programs and conditions facilitating or hindering the operation of these mechanisms.
From Burnout to Wellness: A Professional Imperative
Authors: Golub Justin S. , Johns Michael M.
Published: March 2018

Professional burnout is a barrier to physician wellness. Burnout is prevalent across medicine, and otolaryngology as a specialty ranks near the mean. We review burnout levels in various subgroups of otolaryngology, including academic chairs, faculty, and residents. Risk factors of burnout are discussed, which differ by subgroup. Finally, we propose measures that could help minimize burnout and promote healthy and satisfying careers.
A Novel Approach to Identifying the Spinal Accessory Nerve in Surgical Neck Dissection
Authors: Eastwood Michael James , George Ajith Paulose
Published: March 2018

Intraoperative identification of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) is key in reducing nerve injury. This study aims to explore the surgical anatomy of the SAN and 2 landmarks for its identification—the sternocleidomastoid branch of the occipital artery (SBOA) and superior sternocleidomastoid tendon (SST)—to propose a novel method of identifying the SAN during surgical neck dissections. Twelve cadavers underwent bilateral level II‐V neck dissection identifying the SAN, SBOA, and SST. Variation was documented and distance between landmarks and the SAN measured. The most common arrangement had the SST most superficially followed by the SBOA and then the SAN. The SAN was 3.63 ± 4.02 mm from the artery and 2.31 ± 1.72 mm from the tendon. A triangle—bordered by the tendon laterally, artery medially, and digastric muscle superiorly—contained the SAN in 95.8% of cases. This relationship translated into a reliable technique to identify the SAN intraoperatively, which has been used successfully in practice.
Policy Lessons for Inclusion from the Fate of the CCE Within the Performativity Culture in Education
Authors: Juneja Nalini
Published: March 2018

Executive Summary

This article uses the fate of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)—a process of classroom transaction mandated by the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009 as a case to illustrate the point that altering policy alone is insufficient to effect change and inclusion. The existing paradigm, in this case, the culture of performativity in education, through its obeisance to marks, grades, and detention as indicators of learning and merit, feeds off and in turn sustains beliefs in the role of education in maintaining the social status quo.

The provisions of the RTE Act 2009 were built to work together as an organic unit to support the well acknowledged principle that knowledge cannot simply be transferred from teacher to pupil. Using this principle known as constructivism, which also underlies Argyris’s single-loop learning, each child constructs her own understanding and learning. The teacher acts as a facilitator by continuously observing and assessing what the child has understood, and on this basis proceeding to clarify or add information. This process of continuous comprehensive evaluation was mandated in the RTE to enhance both learning and inclusion. Academic authorities under the RTE Act were notified by the central and state governments for prescription of curriculum and evaluation procedures in conformity with the framework of the NCF 2005.

However, as this article shows, it was found that instead of the intended CCE based on the NCF 2005, another procedure, also incidentally named CCE, was being implemented. This CCE process with a system of assessment that was internal to the school had been developed (at short notice) for the secondary stage to replace the 10th class board examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

The manner in which policy implementation can go astray has been demonstrated in this article as it attempts to describe and explain the appeal of this CCE, which came neither from the authorized academic authority nor was appropriate for the stage at which it came to be widely adopted. The article dwells on the policy actors, their motivations and interests, and this all too hasty application of CCE which predictably failed to enhance learning at the developmental stage at which it was applied. The ricocheting effects of this misapplication have led to the RTE Act being placed in Parliament to allow the state to bring back the pass–fail system, and the culture of performativity and exclusion at the elementary stage that the RTE Act had aimed at eradicating.

In conclusion, this article returns to implications of this case for any cultural change in public policy without first changing the social norms that sustain such policies of exclusion.
The Answer Is in the Question? Mood Effects on Processing Verbal Information and Impression Formation
Authors: Matovic Diana , Forgas Joseph P.
Published: March 2018

Can good or bad mood influence how people process verbal information about others? Based on affect-cognition theories, this experiment predicted and found that the way a question is phrased has a greater influence on impressions than actual answers when judges are experiencing a negative rather than a neutral or positive mood. After an audiovisual mood induction, participants witnessed interview questions and responses by two target characters. The same level of extroversion was communicated, either by affirmative responses to questions about extraversion, or by negative responses to questions about introversion. Question format had a significant influence on impressions in negative mood but not in neutral or positive mood. The implications of these results for interpreting linguistic information in everyday social life are considered, and their relevance to contemporary affect-cognition theorizing is discussed.
‘Palliative sedation’? A retrospective cohort study on the use and labelling of continuously administered sedatives on a palliative care unit
Authors: Schildmann Eva , Pörnbacher Sebastian , Kalies Helen , Bausewein Claudia
Published: March 2018

Background:

Sedatives are frequently used towards the end of life. However, there is scarce information when their use is labelled as ‘palliative sedation’.

Aim:

To assess the use and labelling of ‘continuous administration of sedatives within the last 7 days of life’, based on objective operational criteria, on a palliative care unit.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study, using medical records. Explorative statistical analysis (SPSS 23).

Setting/participants:

Patients who died on a palliative care unit from August 2014 to July 2015. Sedatives recorded were benzodiazepines, levomepromazine, haloperidol ⩾5 mg/day and propofol.

Results:

Of the 192 patients, 149 (78%) patients received continuous sedatives within the last week of life. The prevalence of delirium/agitation was significantly higher in patients with continuous sedatives compared to those without continuous sedatives at admission to the unit (35% vs 16%, p = 0.02) and on the day before death (58% vs 40%, p = 0.04). The term ‘(palliative) sedation’ was used in the records for 22 of 149 (15%) patients with continuous sedatives. These patients had significantly higher total daily midazolam doses 2 days before death (median (range), 15.0 (6.0–185.0) mg vs 11.5 (1.0–70.0) mg, p = 0.04) and on the day of death (median (range), 19.5 (7.5–240.0) mg vs 12.5 (2.0–65.0) mg, p = 0.01). The dose range was large in both groups.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of delirium/agitation was associated with the administration of continuous sedatives. There was no consistent pattern regarding labelling the use of continuous sedatives as ‘(palliative) sedation’. Multicentre mixed-methods research is needed for a better characterization of sedation practices in palliative care.
Role of quantitative analysis of T2 relaxation time in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions
Authors: Liu Li , Yin Bo , Shek Kawai , Geng Daoying , Lu Yiping , Wen Jianbo , Kuai Xinping , Peng Weijun
Published: March 2018

Objective

To investigate the role of quantitative analysis of T2 relaxation time in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of breast cancer.

Methods

The study enrolled patients with clinical breast masses who were examined using MRI at eight different echo times. The differences in T2 relaxation time of benign and malignant breast lesions were analysed.

Results

A total of 67 patients (67 breast lesions: 46 malignant, 21 benign) were examined. The mean ± SD T2 relaxation time was significantly lower in the 46 malignant lesions compared with the 21 benign lesions (82.69 ± 15.37 ms versus 95.48 ± 26.51 ms, respectively). The area under the curve was 0.731. Using 79.52 ms as the cut-off between benign and malignant breast lesions, a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 58.7% were obtained.

Conclusions

There was a significant difference in T2 relaxation time between benign and malignant breast lesions. The specificity of using T2 relaxation time alone for the differentiation of benign from malignant lesions was not high, but it could constitute a new adjunct in the MRI diagnosis of breast cancer.
Treatment of severe generalized chronic periodontitis in a patient with Behçet’s disease: A case report
Authors: Morikawa Satoru , Ouchi Takehito , Asoda Seiji , Horie Nobuyuki , Tsunoda Kazuyuki , Kawana Hiromasa , Nakagawa Taneaki
Published: March 2018

Behçet’s disease is a systemic disorder of unknown etiology. It involves multiple organ systems and is characterized by recurring episodes of oral ulcers as well as ocular, genital, and skin lesions. Oral ulcers can affect tooth brushing and impair proper oral hygiene. As a result, a dental biofilm accumulates, and the condition of the teeth and periodontal tissue deteriorates. The aim of this case report is to highlight the efficacy of periodontal treatment for patients with Behçet’s disease. A 51-year-old man with Behçet’s disease presented with generalized severe periodontitis. After basic treatment of the periodontal tissues, periodontal surgery was performed at several sites with bony defects. However, the patient developed severe stomatitis in the oral mucosa and gingiva after periodontal surgery. Administration of the antimicrobial agent cefdinir had little effect on recovery; however, subsequent administration of sitafloxacin resulted in significant improvement of the stomatitis. This case demonstrates that periodontal therapy is very useful for alleviating the oral signs and symptoms of Behçet’s disease. Systemic antibiotic treatment with sitafloxacin (but not cefdinir) and mechanical debridement were effective in preventing the recurrence of aphthous ulcer outbreaks after periodontal surgery.
“Purely for You”: Inmates’ Perceptions of Prison Visitation by Volunteers in the Netherlands
Authors: Schuhmann Carmen , Kuis Esther , Goossensen Anne
Published: March 2018

Research suggests that prison visitation by volunteers may significantly reduce the risk of recidivism. Community volunteers offer sustained, prosocial support to inmates which may account for these beneficial effects. However, the question of how inmates themselves evaluate volunteer visitation has hardly been studied. This study explores how inmates of Dutch prisons who receive one-on-one volunteer visits experience and value these visits. To that end, semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 inmates across six penitentiaries. These show that the value of volunteer visitation for inmates has to be understood in terms of a human-to-human encounter. Visits by volunteers provide inmates with rare opportunities to have a confidential conversation, away from the harshness of the usual prison life. Furthermore, inmates perceive volunteer visitation as beneficial beyond the actual visits. Inmates draw hope, strength, or self-respect from the conversations; they see volunteers as role models and develop a more positive view of the future. Two potential obstacles to beneficial volunteer visitation were detected: lack of chemistry between volunteer and inmate and imposition of worldview beliefs by volunteers.
Numerical and experimental modeling of offshore wind energy capture: Application to reduced scale model testing
Authors: Doisenbant G , Le Boulluec M , Scolan Y-M , Guyot M
Published: March 2018

Horizontal axis wind turbines installed on board floating supports stand among the principles of offshore wind energy capture. This document describes the experimental device and methodology for analyzing the performance of a reduced scale model of a 12 MW horizontal axis floating wind turbine. The particularity of this turbine is that it is mounted on a floater conceived according to Eolink’s concept, where several masts connect the nacelle with the floater. The tests are performed at Ifremer’s ocean basin. For that purpose, a wind generator and a model at scale 1:50 are developed. The experimental results are compared with numerical estimations obtained with the blade element momentum method.
Immediate Removal From Activity After Sport-Related Concussion Is Associated With Shorter Clinical Recovery and Less Severe Symptoms in Collegiate Student-Athletes
Authors: Asken Breton M. , Bauer Russell M. , Guskiewicz Kevin M. , McCrea Michael A. , Schmidt Julianne D. , Giza Christopher C. , Snyder Aliyah R. , Houck Zachary M. , Kontos Anthony P. , McAllister Thomas W. , Broglio Steven P. , Clugston James R. ,   the CARE Consortium Investigators, Anderson Scott , Bazarian Jeff , Brooks Alison , Buckley Thomas , Chrisman Sara , Collins Michael , DiFiori John , Duma Stefan , Dykhuizen Brian , Eckner James T. , Feigenbaum Luis , Hoy April , Kelly Louise , Langford T. Dianne , Lintner Laura , McGinty Gerald , Mihalik Jason , Miles Christopher , Ortega Justus , Port Nicholas , Putukian Margot , Rowson Steve , Svoboda Steven
Published: March 2018

Background:

Timely removal from activity after concussion symptoms remains problematic despite heightened awareness. Previous studies indicated potential adverse effects of continuing to participate in physical activity immediately after sustaining a concussion.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

The purpose was to determine the effect of timing of removal from play after concussion on clinical outcomes. It was hypothesized that immediate removal from activity after sport-related concussion (SRC) would be associated with less time missed from sport, a shorter symptomatic period, and better outcomes on acute clinical measures.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Data were reported from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Department of Defense Grand Alliance: Concussion Awareness, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium. Participants with 506 diagnosed SRCs from 18 sports and 25 institutions and military service academies were analyzed and classified as either immediate removal from activity (I-RFA) or delayed removal from activity (D-RFA). Outcomes of interest included time missed from sport attributed to their SRC, symptom duration, and clinical assessment scores.

Results:

There were 322 participants (63.6%) characterized as D-RFA. I-RFA status was associated with significantly less time missed from sport ( R2 change = .022-.024, P < .001 to P = .001) and shorter symptom duration ( R2 change = .044-.046, P < .001 [all imputations]) while controlling for other SRC recovery modifiers. These athletes missed approximately 3 fewer days from sport participation. I-RFA athletes had significantly less severe acute SRC symptoms and were at lower risk of recovery taking ≥14 days (relative risk = .614, P < .001, small-medium effect size) and ≥21 days (relative risk = .534, P = .010, small effect size).

Conclusion:

I-RFA is a protective factor associated with less severe acute symptoms and shorter recovery after SRC. Conveying this message to athletes, coaches, and others involved in the care of athletes may promote timely injury reporting.
What Is the Appropriate Reference for Evaluating the Recovery of Supraspinatus Muscle Atrophy After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair? The Occupation Ratio of the Supraspinatus May Change After Rotator Cuff Repair Without Volumetric Improvement
Authors: Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Shitara Hitoshi , Yamamoto Atsushi , Hamano Noritaka , Ichinose Tsuyoshi , Shimoyama Daisuke , Kobayashi Tsutomu , Osawa Toshihisa , Tsushima Yoshito , Takagishi Kenji , Chikuda Hirotaka
Published: March 2018

Background:

Supraspinatus muscle atrophy is typically assessed by the occupation ratio of the cross-sectional area of the muscle belly to the supraspinatus fossa at the medial border of the coracoid process in a slice along the oblique-sagittal plane on MRI. Previous studies have shown that the occupation ratio of the supraspinatus changed soon after rotator cuff repair compared with before surgery. However, no studies have examined the perioperative change in the muscle volume assessed with 3-dimensional measurement.

Purpose:

To compare the volume of the supraspinatus muscle before and soon after surgery by using 3-dimensional imaging and to elucidate whether the changes in the occupation ratio represent corresponding changes in the muscle volume.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Thirty shoulders of patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were evaluated. T2-weighted images were obtained before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. After the muscle and its tendon borders were plotted, the supraspinatus and its tendon were segmented with interactive thresholding in all slices. The 3-dimensional images were then reconstructed and the volumes calculated. Changes in the muscle volume and the occupation ratio were evaluated via 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional image assessments. The 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional findings before and after surgery were compared by use of paired t tests.

Results:

The mean muscle volume did not change significantly at a time point soon after surgery in any group. In patients with little medial retraction (n = 7) or isolated detachment at the superior facet (n = 17), no significant differences were noted in the occupation ratio after surgery compared with before surgery. In contrast, in patients with moderate medial retraction (n = 23) or extended tearing in the transverse direction (n = 13), the occupation ratio increased significantly.

Conclusion:

Although the muscle volume did not change soon after surgery compared with the preoperative values, in patients with moderate medial retraction or extended tearing in the transverse direction, the occupation ratio increased, probably due to lateral traction of the supraspinatus muscle. We recommend that MRI findings obtained soon after surgery be used as the time-zero reference for evaluating the postoperative changes in the supraspinatus.
Clinical Efficacy of Jump Training Augmented With Body Weight Support After ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Elias Audrey R.C. , Harris Kari J. , LaStayo Paul C. , Mizner Ryan L.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Limited knee flexion and increased muscle co-contraction during jump landing are believed to diminish outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The efficacy of jump training to improve patients’ mechanical and neuromuscular deficits is understudied.

Hypothesis:

Jump training will improve functional, mechanical, and neuromuscular outcomes and higher repetition training augmented by body weight support will result in better retention of gains.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

Thirty athletes (18 months after surgery) were screened, and 19 with mechanical deficits and limited clinical outcomes were enrolled in the trial. Testing included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire, leg landing mechanics via motion analysis, knee joint effusion using a stroke test, and a surface electromyography–generated co-contraction index during a single-legged landing. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: jump training with normal body weight (JTBW) and high-repetition jump training with body weight support (JTBWS). Knee effusion grading throughout training was used to assess joint tolerance. Changes in outcomes over time were analyzed with mixed-effects modeling. Immediate outcomes were compared with retention testing at 8 weeks after training by use of 2-way analyses of variance with effects of time and group.

Results:

Significant effects of time were found during the training phase for all outcome measures, but no effects of group or sex were found. IKDC score (pooled; mean ± SD) increased from 76 ± 12 to 87 ± 8 ( P < .001). Knee flexion during single-legged landing increased from 57° ± 11° to 73° ± 9° ( P < .001). Average co-contraction index decreased from 37 ± 15 to 19 ± 6 ( P < .001). All measures were retained over the retention period in both groups. The relative risk of knee effusion of the JTBW group versus the JTBWS group was 4.2 (95% CI, 2.25-7.71; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Jump training mitigated some risk factors for second injury and osteoarthritis in patients after ACL reconstruction. Training made lasting improvements in physical function measures as well as mechanical and neuromuscular coordination deficits. Higher repetitions used with body weight support did not improve retention but substantially reduced risk for effusion.

Clinical Relevance:

Jump training is an efficacious intervention for athletes with poor outcomes after ACL reconstruction, and training with body weight support lessens the risk for excessive joint stress during practice.

Registration:

NCT02148172 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)
Evaluation of Acid-base Balance and pO2 with Acetate Dialysis in Non-uremic Patients
Authors: Taccone-Gallucci M. , Mazzarella V. , Morosetti M. , Verardi S. , Meloni C. , Verardi V. , Matteucci M.C. , Boffo V. , Torregrossa G. , Casciani C.U.
Published: March 2018

The aim of our work was to evaluate the immediate effects of acetate-dialysis in patients with normal renal and respiratory function. For this purpose pH, pO2, pCO2 and HCO3− were monitored in arterial blood before dialysis, after 60, 120, 180 mns and at the end of each treatment in two groups of patients on chronic hemodialysis, a first group of schizophrenic patients and a second group of uremic patients.

In the first group of patients the predialytic values were in the normal range. After hemodialysis HCO3− and pCO2 significantly decreased, both these changes were associated with a stable pH.

The pO2 significantly decreased after 60 mns of dialysis. At the end of dialysis the pO2 increased without significant variation compared to predialytic values.

In conclusion in non-uremic hemodialysis patients metabolic acidosis due to the loss of bicarbonate through the membrane is compensated by respiratory alkalosis. This respiratory alkalosis is not due to hypoventilation secondary to respiratory centre inhibition, but is mainly due to the pCO2 loss through the dialysis membranes.
Non-invasive Assessment of Regional Myocardial Function at Rest and during Exercise after Aorto-coronary Bypass Operation
Authors: Reichart B. , Schad N. , Hartmann A. , Kemkes B.M. , Kreuzer E. , Alber G.
Published: March 2018

Fifty patients (mean age 53.9 years) with persistent severe ang na pectoris underwent aorto-coronary bypass surgery receiving an overall of 161 anastomosis. On an average 8.6 ± 1.3 months p.o. first pass radionuclide ventriculograms with 99 m Technetium-Pertechnetate were performed at rest and after maximum exercise. Regional ejection fractions (REF) was assessed defining REF as motion of a left ventricular piece of myocardium which is supplied by one main coronary artery and its branches.

All regions were classified using preoperative coronary angiograms and operative reports. Six groups evolved:

Group 1: (normally perfused areas; n = 14): Total group's REF increased after exercise by 11.6 percentage points.

Group 2 (completely revascularized regions without previous myocardial infarction (M.I.); (n=55): On an average REF improved by 11.0 points.

Group 3 (completely revascularized regions with previous M.I.; n=25): After exercise REF still rose by 4.1 percentage points. The results deteriorated further in the remaining three groups:

Group 4 (incompletely revascularized territories without previous M.I.; n=19), decrease of REF by —4.9 points,

Group 5 (incompletely revascularized territories with previous M.I.; n=8) deterioration by —8.1 points.

Group 6 (no revascularization but significant disease with or without previous M.I.; n=14) did not differ from group 5; REF deteriorated by —9.0 percentage points.

The findings show that complete revascularization improves REF significantly (p < 0.05). Areas without previous M.I. respond to exercise like normally perfused territories.

Angina pain relief subsequently to aorto-coronary bypass surgery is undisputed. Yet, up till now, improvement of left ventricular function seemed questionable. One reason for the ineptitude might be the global access to left ventricular function. Since coronary artery disease has segmental nature, global left ventricular parameters, like global ejection fraction e.g., may hide regional changes achieved by revascularization. Therefore, evidence of functional improvement should be done regionally. In the presented study regional ejection fraction was applied, defining that term as motion of a left ventricular portion, which is supplied by one main coronary artery and its branches.
The Development of a new Hemoperfusion Column: The Filmadsorber
Authors: van Berlo Ad , Verkooyen Ad , Tangerman A.
Published: March 2018

A hemoperfusion system has been developed in wich very small charcoal particles (average diameter 40 μm) are embedded and immobilized in a collodion film (Filmadsorber). In vitro studies revealed that the absorption of bile acids by these small charcoal particles is superior to that by larger ones (size: 0.5 to 5 mm) as used in commercially available adsorbers. In vivo studies confirmed these results: dogs with ligated bile ducts were subjected to hemoperfusion through different types of charcoal adsorbers. Bile acid clearances of filmadsorbers containing less charcoal than the commercials were significantly higher.
Assessment of Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility of Pellethane®
Authors: Biester F.D. , Behrend D.M. , Klinkmann H.
Published: March 2018

Pellethane® CPR 2363-80A nonreinforced (PUR), nonreinforced and twice sterilized (PUR F2), reinforced with Dacron® (Dm), Grisuten® (DG) and glassfibre (PUG) and fabricated under different conditions have been examinated. Tests included uniaxial tension at 310 K, torsional movement from 293 to 319 K, X-ray structure, SEM, visual surface clotting, thrombocyte adhesion and degree of albumenisation.

Typical in vitro results were: modulus of elasticity E [MPa] (PUR: 1.33, Dm: 4.22, DG: 1.86, PUG: 622.5), tensile strength δB [MPa] (43.4, 12.5, 21.7, 24.9), elongation at break δ [%] (1122, 109, 660, 479), dynamic modulus of sliding G', G” [MPa] at 293 K (8.7, 0.4/ 15.9, 0.9/ 12.1, 1.3/ 17.1, 1.5), damping tanδ (0.13, 0.1, 0.16, 0.12), orientational degree at 5% elongation fx [%] (PUR: 0.5), low thrombogenicity and high degree of albumenisation.

The results indicate a strong dependency of mechanical and biocompatibility properties on membrane and housing fabrication. The most effective combination is a thin PUR membrane and a PUG housing fabricated under special conditions.
The Effect of Hematocrit on the Clearance of Small Molecules during Hemodialysis
Authors: Woffindin C. , Hoenich N.A. , Kerr D.N.S.
Published: March 2018

Data collected during the evaluation of a series of hemodialysers were analysed to see the effect of hematocrit on the clearance of urea and creatinine. All evaluations were performed on patients with a range of hematocrits with a mean close to 20%. The urea clearance of those in the upper half of the distribution curve (mean hematocrit 29.4%) was not significantly different from that of patients in the lower half of the distribution curve (mean hematocrit 16.9%) whether the clearance was studied at high or low blood flow rates and with hollow fibre or flat plate disposable hemodialysers. Likewise, there was no correlation between hematocrit and urea clearance by regression analysis.

In contrast, the clearance of creatinine was affected by hematocrit being greater at lower hematocrit values. This difference was independent of blood flow rate and dialyser type and was confirmed by regression analysis.
Changes in Circulating Immune Complexes in Tumour Patient Serum after in Vitro or ex Vivo Affinity Chromatography of Blood Plasma or whole Blood over Immunoglobulinbinding Staphylococcal Protein A-Sepharose
Authors: Håkansson L. , Hed J. , Baldetorp L. , Eneström S. , Jonsson S. , Liedén G.
Published: March 2018

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were determined in tumour patient sera using three methods. One is based on PEG-precipitation, one on C1q-reactivity, and one on protein A-reactivity. About 25-30% of the sera were positive in at least one of the tests. Incubation of serum with protein A-Sepharose in vitro removed PEG-precipitable CIC from most sera, whereas C1q-reactive CICs had a much lower affinity to protein A. The protein A-reactive complexes showed considerable variation in their binding to protein A-Sepharose, and in some sera the amount of these CICs was actually increased. Similar changes in protein A-reactive CIC were also found during ex vivo treatment of tumour patients with immune adsorption. It is proposed that the binding of immune complexes to protein A can result in remodelling of protein A itself. Results from ultracentrifugation and fractionated PEG-precipitation support this hypothesis.
Psychometric Properties of the God Locus of Health Control Scale in Churchgoing Latinas
Authors: Mills Sarah D. , Arredondo Elva M. , Perez Lilian G. , Haughton Jessica , Roesch Scott C. , Malcarne Vanessa L.
Published: March 2018

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the God Locus of Health Control scale, a measure of the extent to which an individual believes God has control over one’s health, among a sample of churchgoing Latinas ( N = 398). Confirmatory factor analysis showed support for a one-factor structure and internal consistency reliability, as measured by Cronbach’s coefficient alpha, was good. Evidence for convergent validity was demonstrated by significant correlations in the expected magnitudes and directions with two measures of perceived religious involvement in health. These results suggest that the God Locus of Health Control scale can be used to examine the extent to which God is perceived to control an individual’s health among Latinas.
Industrial work placement in higher education
Authors: Tennant Stuart , Murray Mike , Gilmour Bob , Brown Linda
Published: March 2018

For civil engineering undergraduates, short-term industrial work placement provides an invaluable learning experience. Notwithstanding the near-universal endorsement of short-term placement programmes, the resulting experience is rarely articulated through the student voice. This article provides an analysis of 174 questionnaires returned by placement undergraduates studying civil engineering at four higher education institutions in the West of Scotland. The commentary captures industrial placement statistics, employability skill sets and a preliminary semantic interpretation of participants’ testimonies. While the student journey to becoming a professional civil engineer is undoubtedly enhanced by short-term industrial placement, the findings disclose opportunities for university and industry to challenge and affect pedagogical discourse in relation to personal and professional development. The discussion is likely to resonate beyond civil engineering and may serve as a timely reminder of the necessity of periodically revisiting and reinvigorating academia–industry curriculum partnerships.
Local Competition Amplifies the Corrosive Effects of Inequality
Authors: Krupp D. B. , Cook Thomas R.
Published: March 2018

Inequality is widely believed to incite conflict, but the evidence is inconsistent. We argue that the spatial scale of competition—the extent to which individuals compete locally, with their interaction partners, or globally, with the entire population—can help settle the question. We built a mathematical model of the evolution of conflict under inequality and tested its predictions in an experimental game with 1,205 participants. We found that inequality increases conflict, destroys wealth, and engenders risk taking. Crucially, these effects are amplified by local competition. Thus, inequality is at its most damaging when it arises between close competitors. Indeed, at the extremes, the combined effects of inequality and the scale of competition are very large. More broadly, our findings suggest that disagreements in the literature may be the result of a mismatch between the scale at which inequality is measured and the scale at which conflict occurs.
State prediction for the actuators of civil aircraft based on a fusion framework of relevance vector machine and autoregressive integrated moving average
Authors: Guo Runxia , Wang Jiaqi , Zhang Na , Dong Jiankang
Published: March 2018

Relevance vector machine is a newly proposed and effective state prediction algorithm proved by practical applications; however, the accuracy of the single relevance vector machine model for the long-term prediction is unable to achieve satisfactory results with time goes by. Then, an autoregressive integrated moving average model is introduced to correct the prediction error caused by the single relevance vector machine, and a fusion framework based on the combination of relevance vector machine and autoregressive integrated moving average model is adopted to improve the accuracy of long-term prediction. In addition, a targeted approach for retraining the old model is put forward so that the state prediction model can be updated in time and suits the actual situation better. The effectiveness of the proposed fusion framework is illustrated via an aircraft actuator, and the experiments based on a model of civil aircraft actuator data set show that the proposed method yields a satisfied performance in state prediction of aircraft actuators.
Global sensitivity analysis of clinical trials with missing patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Scharfstein Daniel O , McDermott Aidan
Published: March 2018

Randomized trials with patient-reported outcomes are commonly plagued by missing data. The analysis of such trials relies on untestable assumptions about the missing data mechanism. To address this issue, it has been recommended that the sensitivity of the trial results to assumptions should be a mandatory reporting requirement. In this paper, we discuss a recently developed methodology (Scharfstein et al., Biometrics, 2018) for conducting sensitivity analysis of randomized trials in which outcomes are scheduled to be measured at fixed points in time after randomization and some subjects prematurely withdraw from study participation. The methodology is explicated in the context of a placebo-controlled randomized trial designed to evaluate a treatment for bipolar disorder. We present a comprehensive data analysis and a simulation study to evaluate the performance of the method. A software package entitled SAMON (R and SAS versions) that implements our methods is available at www.missingdatamatters.org .
Regression models with asymmetric data for estimating thyroglobulin levels one year after the ablation of thyroid cancer
Authors: Alvear Rodriguez Carlos A , Tovar Cuevas José Rafael
Published: March 2018

A key biomarker in the study of differentiated thyroid cancer is thyroglobulin. Measurements of the levels of this protein in the blood are determined using laboratory instruments that cannot detect very small concentrations below a threshold, generating left-censored measurements. In the presence of censoring, ordinary least-squares regression models generate biased parameter estimates; therefore, it is necessary to resort to more complex models that consider the censored observations and the behavior of the distribution of the response variable, such as censored and mixed regression models. These techniques were used to model the relationship between thyroglobulin levels in individuals with differentiated thyroid cancer before and after treatment with radioactive iodine (I-131). Log-normal, log-skew-normal, log-power-normal, and log-generalized-gamma probability distributions were used to model the behavior of errors in the adjusted models. Log-generalized-gamma distribution yielded the best results according to the established model selection criteria.
“Why Even Bother; They Are Not Going to Do It?” The Structural Roots of Racism and Discrimination in Lactation Care
Authors: Thomas Erin V.
Published: March 2018

Through semi-structured interviews with 36 International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) who assist mothers with breastfeeding, this study takes a systematic look at breastfeeding disparities. Specifically, this study documents race-based discrimination against patients in the course of lactation care and links the implicit bias literature to breastfeeding disparities. IBCLCs report instances of race-based discrimination against patients such as unequal care provided to patients of color and overt racist remarks said in front of or behind patient’s backs. This study connects patient discrimination in lactation to institutional inequality and offers suggestions to address these inequities.