bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is our current method of cervical spine control doing more harm than good?
Authors: Phaily Ary , Khan Mansoor
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Early cervical spine immobilisation has long been considered the standard of care in the management of trauma patients with suspected spinal cord injury. There has been conflicting evidence regarding its benefits and risks. This article reviews the current literature and whether the continued use of routine cervical spine immobilisation is still appropriate in modern trauma care.

Method

A literature search was conducted using the Medline PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library online databases. The searches were limited to full text, English language studies conducted on adults in the last 20 years (July 1997 to July 2017).

Results

The entrenchment of cervical spine immobilisation in trauma management is multifactorial. In the pre-hospital setting, immobilisation is recommended whilst awaiting full assessment. Fear of missed diagnoses of spinal injuries encourages defensive medicine and over-immobilisation. Effective cervical spine immobilisation is appropriate in certain cases and reduces the risk of further spinal cord injury. However, research has shown that we are over-immobilising, and in penetrating trauma, cervical spine immobilisation increases the risk of mortality.

Conclusions

The practice of routine cervical spine immobilisation for trauma patients is outdated, ineffective and results in iatrogenic injury. Routine cervical spine immobilisation is not backed up by robust evidence. It has been clearly shown that in cases of penetrating spinal injuries, cervical spine immobilisation is not only ineffective but is also linked to an increased risk of mortality. Special considerations must also be taken in patients who have pre-existing spinal conditions, impending airway compromise, or at risk of aspiration and those with head injuries or suspected traumatic brain injuries. A selective approach to cervical spine immobilisation is recommended and should be reserved for cases deemed high risk rather than a standard rule for all trauma patients.
Judicial cooperation in environmental matters
Authors: Squintani Lorenzo , Rakipi Jon
Published: June 2018

The need to ensure a uniform interpretation and effective application of the large corpus of EU environmental regulation in the jurisdictions of the Member States remains a task of pivotal importance for the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). A quick look at the CURIA database reveals that many judgments are handed down every year to clarify the meaning of EU environmental provisions. It is therefore important to study the proper functioning of the tandem composed of the CJEU and the national courts in this field of EU law. In that sense, this article responds to Bogojević’s call ‘to draw a grander map of judicial dialogues initiated across various Member States’. More specifically, the topic investigated by this article is how the United Kingdom (UK) courts have followed up on responses received from the CJEU to their preliminary reference requests in the field of EU environmental law, from the UK’s accession in 1972 until January 2017. All the cases we have retrieved from the UK show various degrees of willingness to cooperate with the CJEU. This article highlights the existence of three trends: full cooperation, fragmented cooperation and presumed cooperation.
Understanding the barriers and motivations to shared reading with young children: The role of enjoyment and feedback
Authors: Preece Jenny , Levy Rachael
Published: June 2018

Shared reading with young children has a positive impact on a range of areas including language development and literacy skills, yet some parents face challenges in engaging in this activity. While much is known about the benefits of shared reading, the barriers to it are poorly understood. The research presented here draws on in-depth interviews with 20 parents of pre-school children to understand home-reading practices in a socio-economically and culturally mixed sample, exploring the motivations and barriers that exist to engaging in shared reading. Results indicate that parents are motivated to engage in shared reading when there is clear evidence of their child’s enjoyment. However, parental perceptions of ‘negative’ child-feedback could be a barrier to shared reading. This has particular implications for the age at which parents perceive reading to be a valued and worthwhile activity for their child, suggesting that some parents may choose not to read with their babies because they are not receiving the feedback they require in order to sustain the activity. Moreover, this study also revealed that, for many parents, their enjoyment of shared reading activity was closely related to evidence of child enjoyment, thus creating a further barrier to reading when child enjoyment was perceived to be absent. This has strong implications for interventions that seek to encourage and support home-reading practices between parents and young children.
Reactions to Brexit in images: a multimodal content analysis of shared visual content on Flickr
Authors: Bouko Catherine , De Wilde July , Decock Sofie , De Clercq Orphée , Manchia Valentina , Garcia David
Published: June 2018

In this article, the authors analyze citizens’ reactions to Brexit on social media after the referendum results by performing a content analysis of 5877 posts collected from the social media platform Flickr, written in English, German, French, Spanish or Italian. Their research aims to answer the three following questions: What multimodal practices are adopted by citizens when they react to societal events like Brexit? To what extent do these practices illustrate types of citizenship that are specific to social networks? Can we observe different reactions to Brexit according to the languages used by the citizens? The authors focus on the types of visual content the citizens used to react to Brexit, as well as on what types of social relations this content can particularly create between their authors and the other members of the Flick community. Their article also highlights to what extent these posts shared on Flickr show content that is in favour of, or against, Brexit.
What Is a Juvenile? A Cross-National Comparison of Youth Justice Systems
Authors: Abrams Laura S. , Jordan Sid P. , Montero Laura A.
Published: June 2018

In this article, the authors analyze cross-national variations in how the category of ‘juvenile’ is defined in criminal law and policy. The authors purposively selected the cases of Argentina, Belize, England/Wales, and Finland to maximize differences in the boundaries of the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility and the Age of Criminal Majority. Legal analysis identified two key factors: (a) the presence or absence of a distinct juvenile justice system, and (b) the stability (or fluctuation) of youth justice laws and age boundaries. These axes of difference and their various configurations across cases have broader implications for advancing children’s rights.
Assessing Students’ Knowledge about Learning and Forgetting Curves with a Free Production Technique: Measures and Implications for the Development of Learning Aids
Authors: Blech Christine , Gaschler Robert
Published: June 2018

Learning and forgetting curves are not only integral issues for courses in introductory psychology, they are also of high practical relevance to students when it comes to the formation of realistic goals and expectations on learning outcomes. A paper-and-pencil-study investigated how well students of psychology ( N = 82) have internalized the concepts of learning and forgetting curves. We developed a vignette-based assessment technique: drawing a hypothetical learning or forgetting curve in an empty coordinate system with time on the x-axis and performance on the y-axis, the starting point and endpoint being fixed. In spite of the free production format answers were quantified in a way that would allow for automated feedback in online teaching tools. For instance, learning which decelerates over time implies a curve above the diagonal while decelerated forgetting implies a curve below the diagonal. Deviating from this optimal solution, about 60% of the drawn learning and forgetting curves were classified as being close to the diagonal axis. Analyses on the individual level also documented poor consistency of knowledge. Students drawing a deceleration in learning were not more likely to also draw a deceleration in forgetting. Implications for future learning aids, for example, online feedback systems are discussed.
The Effectiveness of Using Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Panisch Lisa S. , Hai Audrey Hang
Published: June 2018

Neurofeedback is an innovative treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that is readily accessible to mental health therapists. As a widespread mental health concern with potentially devastating long-term consequences on psychosocial functioning, PTSD can also adversely impact biophysiological processes, particularly those related to the brain. Neurofeedback has shown promise in alleviating overall PTSD symptoms, including these underlying neurobiological consequences. Successful results have been found among clients with PTSD who have not been responsive to prior treatment modalities. While a strong base of clinical anecdotes and case studies supports its success in treating PTSD, intervention studies on neurofeedback have been critiqued for lack of rigor and poor methodological design. A current systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of neurofeedback in treating PTSD was conducted. Unlike prior reviews which emphasized neurobiological changes, this study was written for the mental health therapist and focused solely on behavioral outcomes. Ten studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Neurofeedback demonstrated salubrious results in at least one outcome measure for the majority of participants across all studies. Interpretations, however, are limited by wide discrepancies in sample sizes, study designs, outcome measures, and the extent of reported results. Future research in this area would benefit from prioritizing randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longitudinal follow-up results.
Complication-Specific In-Hospital Costs After Carotid Endarterectomy vs Carotid Artery Stenting
Authors: Dakour-Aridi Hanaa , Nejim Besma , Locham Satinderjit , Alshaikh Husain , Obeid Tammam , Malas Mahmoud B.
Published: June 2018

Purpose: To quantify and compare the incremental cost associated with in-hospital stroke, death, and myocardial infarction (MI) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) vs carotid artery stenting (CAS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 100,185 patients (mean age 70.7±9.5 years; 58.3% men) who underwent CEA (n=86,035) or CAS (n=14,150) between 2009 and 2015 and were entered into the Premier Healthcare Database. Multivariate logistic models and generalized linear models were used to analyze binary outcomes and hospitalization costs, respectively. Outcomes are presented as the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: CAS was associated with 1.6 times higher adjusted odds of stroke [aOR 1.55 (95% CI 1.36 to 1.77), p<0.001] and with 2.6 times higher odds of death [aOR 2.60 (95% CI 2.14 to 3.17), p<0.001] compared with CEA. There was no significant difference in MI risk between the 2 procedures. The adjusted incremental cost of death and MI were similar between the 2 procedures. However, the adjusted incremental cost of stroke was significantly higher in CEA compared with CAS by an estimated $2000. When stratified with respect to symptomatic status, the increased adjusted incremental cost of stroke in CEA was mainly seen in asymptomatic patients ($5284 vs $2932, p<0.01). Conclusion: The incremental cost of in-hospital stroke is relatively higher in CEA compared to CAS. However, CEA remains a more cost-effective carotid intervention due to lower complication rates and baseline costs compared with CAS. Long-term cost-effectiveness studies are needed before definite conclusions are made.
A Novel Technology for Localization of Parathyroid Adenoma: Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Combined With Rapid Parathyroid Hormone Detection and Nano-Carbon Technology
Authors: Yan Shouyi , Zhao Wenxin , Wang Bo , Zhang Liyong
Published: June 2018

Objective. The study aims to evaluate the clinic feasibility of rapid parathyroid hormone (PTH) detection and nano-carbon technology in preoperative diagnosis and localization of parathyroid adenoma. Methods. With the guidance of ultrasound, the operator performed the parathyroid puncture and tested the PTH value by using a PTH test kit, and then injected nano-carbon into parathyroid adenoma as a marker to observe whether the parathyroid adenoma was stained black during the final operation. Meanwhile, a part of excised specimen was made into homogenate and detected rapidly again by using the PTH test kit. The remaining was confirmed by intraoperative frozen pathological examination. Result. The sensitivity (12/12) of preoperative diagnosis was significantly higher than that of ultrasound (6/12), magnetic resonance imaging (7/12), and MIBI (9/12). During the operation, we found that the inner part of the parathyroid adenoma was stained black, and the PTH value of the specimen homogenate confirmed as parathyroid adenoma was more than 3000 pg/mL. Conclusion. This novel technology, as a very positive method for localization of parathyroid adenoma, plays an important role in guaranteeing the surgical reliability of parathyroid adenoma with help of nano-carbon technology.
Variation in Men’s Dietary Intake Between Occupations, Based on Data From the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Tanaka Rie , Tsuji Mayumi , Asakura Keiko , Senju Ayako , Shibata Eiji , Kusuhara Koichi , Morokuma Seiichi , Sanefuji Masafumi , Kawamoto Toshihiro
Published: June 2018

There has been increasing interest in dietary health promotion in the workplace. Although many previous studies have focused on dietary habits in specific occupations, variation between occupational groups requires clarification. The present study aimed to examine differences in food and nutrient intake between occupational groups, using detailed classification. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. The study included 38,721 employed Japanese expectant fathers aged between 20 and 65 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Occupations were categorized into 11 categories according to the Japan Standard Occupational Classification. Analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were performed to compare dietary intake of occupational groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the differences in adherence to dietary recommendations across occupations. Dietary intake differed significantly between occupations. Specific dietary intake was observed in security and agricultural workers, who tended to exhibit higher consumption levels for numerous foods and nutrients. In addition, relative to other workers, security workers showed higher intake of dairy products and calcium, and agricultural workers consumed larger amounts of pickles and salt. The study categorized occupations into detailed categories using the Japan Standard Occupational Classification, which facilitated the clarification of overall dietary trends across occupations and identification of specific dietary characteristics in individual occupations. The findings could aid in workplace health promotion.
Remanufacturing of nodular cast iron crankshaft with plasma cladding
Authors: Liu Jinxia , Ma Chao , Yu Luda , Wang Yu , Jiao Zhiyuan
Published: June 2018

Remanufacturing technology has a wide range of applications in the repair of scrapped parts with a certain remaining service life. In this work, a scrapped crankshaft fabricated from nodular cast iron that had failed from working surface wear was remanufactured via a plasma cladding process. Taking into account the wear amount on the working surface and the characteristics of nodular cast iron, in this article, cladding layer parameters were designed and two types cladding powders, Fe-based and Ni-based, were prepared, respectively, to perform the cladding experiment. After examining different process parameters, relatively smooth cladding layers were obtained using four powders. The cladding experiment results showed that the powder No. 3 exhibited superior qualities when combined with proper processing parameters. When applying powder No. 3 to the main journal of crankshaft, a higher quality of cladding layer was achieved.
The Image Today: Field-Notes on the Interdisciplinary Use of the Visioning Workshop
Authors: Bodinet Jelena Cingel
Published: June 2018

Fred Polak wrote in his classic text, The Image of The Future: The rise and fall of images of the future precedes or accompanies the rise and fall of cultures. As long as the society’s image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive.

This is, arguably, one of the most important tenets of Futures Studies as an academic discipline. This essay explores the importance and practice of imbuing our communities (especially our youth) with the ability to create positive future images; assisting them in the recognition of their own agency in the creation of preferred futures; and encouraging them to become active participants in the creation of positive personal and communal futures today.
Intraosseous schwannomas involving the sacrum: Characteristic imaging findings and review of the literature
Authors: Summers Spencer , Jose Jean , Barrera Carlos M , Pretell-Mazzini Juan , Subhawong Ty , Nguyen Nguyen V , Kerr Darcy , Nielsen G Petur , Rosenberg Andrew E
Published: June 2018

Background and purpose

Sacral intraosseous schwannomas represent a rare subset of schwannomas. The existing literature detailing the radiographic appearance of intraosseous schwannomas is limited. The aim of this study is to formally characterize the radiological appearance of sacral intraosseous schwannomas to differentiate them from other lytic lesions.

Materials and methods

Imaging studies of 13 pathologically proven intraosseous schwannomas were reviewed from multiple institutions by fellowship-trained radiologists. A PubMed search was performed and identified four papers pertaining to the imaging characteristics of sacral intraosseous schwannomas. The results of these papers were compared to findings from our cases.

Results

All tumors had heterogeneous signals and were predominately solid but cystic components with fluid-fluid levels were present. The tumors caused a mass effect but none infiltrated the surrounding soft tissues. Post-contrast T1-weighted images revealed heterogeneous enhancement in all 13 tumors and four possessed non-enhancing cysts. A literature review identified 16 other cases of sacral intraosseous schwannomas forming a total of 29 cases examined.

Conclusions

Sacral intraosseous schwannomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis for both radiologists and pathologists when dealing with large expansile, lytic lesions, with well-defined sclerotic margins involving the sacrum. This is particularly important in middle-aged adults presenting with pathology centered around S2-3.
Arterial spin labeling perfusion: Prospective MR imaging in differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic intra-axial brain lesions
Authors: Soni Neetu , Srindharan Karthika , Kumar Sunil , Mishra Prabhakar , Bathla Girish , Kalita Jyantee , Behari Sanjay
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to assess the diagnostic performance of arterial spin-labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance perfusion imaging to differentiate neoplastic from non-neoplastic brain lesions.

Material and methods

This prospective study included 60 consecutive, newly diagnosed, untreated patients with intra-axial lesions with perilesional edema (PE) who underwent clinical magnetic resonance imaging including ASL sequences at 3T. Region of interest analysis was performed to obtain mean cerebral blood flow (CBF) values from lesion (L), PE and normal contralateral white matter (CWM). Normalized (n) CBF ratio was obtained by dividing the mean CBF value of L and PE by mean CBF value of CWM. Discriminant analyses were performed to determine the best cutoff value of nCBFL and nCBFPE in differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic lesions.

Results

Thirty patients were in the neoplastic group (15 high-grade gliomas (HGGs), 15 metastases) and 30 in the non-neoplastic group (12 tuberculomas, 10 neurocysticercosis, four abscesses, two fungal granulomas and two tumefactive demyelination) based on final histopathology and clincoradiological diagnosis. We found higher nCBFL (6.65 ± 4.07 vs 1.68 ± 0.80, p < 0.001) and nCBFPE (1.86 ± 1.43 vs 0.74 ± 0.21, p < 0.001) values in the neoplastic group than non-neoplastic. For predicting neoplastic lesions, we found an nCBFL cutoff value of 1.89 (AUC 0.917; 95% CI 0.854 to 0.980; sensitivity 90%; specificity 73%) and nCBFPE value of 0.76 (AUC 0.783; 95% CI 0.675 to 0.891; sensitivity 80%; specificity 58%). Mean nCBFL was higher in HGGs (8.70 ± 4.16) compared to tuberculomas (1.98 ± 0.87); and nCBFPE was higher in HGGs (3.06 ± 1.53) compared to metastases (0.86 ± 0.34) and tuberculomas (0.73 ± 0.22) ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion

ASL perfusion may help in distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic brain lesions.
BAY 81-8973, a full-length recombinant factor VIII for the treatment of hemophilia A: product review
Authors: Mahlangu Johnny N. , Ahuja Sanjay P. , Windyga Jerzy , Church Nikki , Shah Anita , Schwartz Lawrence
Published: June 2018

BAY 81-8973 (Kovaltry®) is an unmodified, full-length recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) approved for the prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A. The amino acid sequence for BAY 81-8973 is identical to that of sucrose-formulated rFVIII (rFVIII-FS; Kogenate® FS/KOGENATE®, Bayer), but the two products differ in their manufacturing approaches. The manufacture of BAY 81-8973 includes several modifications and enhancements, such as the introduction of the gene for human heat shock protein 70, a molecular chaperone protein that facilitates folding of proteins; no addition of human- or animal-derived proteins in the cell culture, purification process, or final formulation; and use of a 20-nm filter to remove any potential aggregates and pathogens. BAY 81-8973 was extensively studied in the LEOPOLD clinical development program, which enrolled participants of all age groups (children, adolescents, and adults) with severe hemophilia A. The pharmacokinetic profile of BAY 81-8973 was shown to be noninferior to, and for some variables more favorable than, rFVIII-FS and another commercial full-length rFVIII product. BAY 81-8973 was shown to be efficacious when used for prophylaxis, on-demand treatment, and perioperative hemostasis. The efficacious prophylaxis dose of BAY 81-8973 was approximately 20–40 IU/kg given two or three times per week, which achieved low annualized bleeding rates. Either the one-stage or the chromogenic assay provides accurate measurements for postinfusion monitoring of BAY 81-8973 levels, with no product-specific calibration standard needed. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was ⩽7% across all LEOPOLD studies, and no previously treated patient developed anti-BAY 81-8973 inhibitors in the completed primary studies.
Effects of Users’ Familiarity With the Objects Depicted in Icons on the Cognitive Performance of Icon Identification
Authors: Shen Zhangfan , Xue Chengqi , Wang Haiyan
Published: June 2018

This study investigated the effects of users’ familiarity with the objects depicted in icons on the cognitive performance of icon identification. First, without knowing the specific semantic information of icons, 20 participants were required to search for target icons among visually similar distractors for 3-hour-long training sessions across 1 week, during which their familiarity with different icons was manipulated by differential exposure frequencies. Half of the icons were presented 10 times more often than the other half. Subsequently, participants’ abilities to recall corresponding semantic information when cued with associated target icons were tested after they had learned all the icons. The results showed that, in both the visual search task and the semantic information recall task, participants performed significantly better when the icons were more familiar. Importantly, the effects of icon complexity in the visual search task diminished as participants became familiar with the icons, and the beneficial effects of familiarity in the semantic information recall task were larger when the icons were complex. These findings have practical implications for icon design. When creating new icons for time critical user interfaces, icons should be kept as simple as possible and employ familiar, commonly used, graphics.
Identifying and assessing potential harm of medication errors and potentially unsafe medication practices in paediatric hospital settings: a field study
Authors: Rishoej Rikke Mie , Almarsdóttir Anna Birna , Thybo Christesen Henrik , Hallas Jesper , Juel Kjeldsen Lene
Published: June 2018

Background:

Hospitalized children are prone to experience harm from medication errors (MEs). Strategies to prevent MEs can be developed from identified malfunctioning practices and conditions in the medication use process. In this study, we aimed to identify MEs and potentially unsafe medication practices (PUMPs) in hospitalized children, and to assess the potential harm of these, using raters of different professions.

Methods:

A 1-week observation using an undisguised technique was conducted on four paediatric hospital wards. One observer followed ward staff during medication prescribing, preparation and administration. MEs and PUMPs were documented using field notes. Three raters including a physician, a nurse and a clinical pharmacist assessed the potential harm of each ME and PUMP using a six-point Likert scale. Agreement was analysed using Fleiss’ Kappa.

Results:

A total of 16 MEs and 809 PUMPs were identified involving a preparation and administration error rate of 8%. No actual harm to patients was observed during the study. Raters assessed the potential harm of 318 unique MEs and PUMPs. Only slight agreement was found (Kappa = 0.26–0.33). A 4-hour delay in the administration of intravenous cefuroxime received the highest harm score. Observations involving no information during prescribing and variations in medication preparation were considered potentially fatal for medications such as digoxin, morphine, enoxaparin and insulin.

Conclusions:

MEs and potentially unsafe practices and conditions may affect medication safety of hospitalized children. However, observed MEs did not result in any harm. The agreement among raters assessing the potential harm of observations was low. Alternative methods to determine the clinical relevance of errors are needed.
Intimacy, contraception, and pregnancy prevention in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: are we counseling our patients?
Authors: Hill Wendy , Holy Royanne , Traiger Glenna
Published: June 2018

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious, life‐altering condition. Patients who are diagnosed are often of childbearing potential. Given the well‐documented risks associated with this condition during pregnancy, as well as risks to the fetus from medications used to treat this disorder, patients should be strongly advised against pregnancy. Despite this, patients still become pregnant, leading to the question of whether care providers are counseling patients and their partners about the risks of pregnancy, methods of contraception, and issues of intimacy on a regular basis. We have conducted a survey of pulmonary hypertension specialist physicians and allied healthcare professionals on their practice patterns related to counseling on intimacy, contraception, and pregnancy prevention. Most respondents indicated they are counseling on these issues to varying degrees, but our survey pointed to several areas where improvements can be made. The most significant barrier to counseling for all respondents was lack of time. Survey respondents reported that a large percentage of the pregnancies seen in their practices were either intentional or due to contraceptive non‐compliance. We review specific practical approaches to initiate reproductive health counseling as well as ways to integrate this important aspect of PAH care into regular practice routines and documentation. Protocols regarding pregnancy avoidance and PAH should be developed and become standard procedure.
An uncommon source for oesophageal foreign body: Fidget spinner
Authors: Saadeh Charles , Ulualp Seckin O
Published: June 2018

Fidget spinner is a new handheld toy with potential choking and ingestion hazard. Our objectives are to describe clinical presentation of a child with fidget spinner ingestion and draw attention to danger associated with fidget spinner. A 3-year-old boy presented with painful swallowing and feeling of something stuck in the throat. A chest radiograph revealed a radiopaque foreign body with a disc-like component. Rigid oesophagoscopy revealed a foreign object with disc battery and battery holder circuit board. Clinicians should consider the fidget spinner as one of many varieties of toys that has potential for button battery ingestion or aspiration.
Head-mounted eye gaze tracking devices: An overview of modern devices and recent advances
Authors: Cognolato Matteo , Atzori Manfredo , Müller Henning
Published: June 2018

An increasing number of wearable devices performing eye gaze tracking have been released in recent years. Such devices can lead to unprecedented opportunities in many applications. However, staying updated regarding the continuous advances and gathering the technical features that allow to choose the best device for a specific application is not trivial. The last eye gaze tracker overview was written more than 10 years ago, while more recent devices are substantially improved both in hardware and software. Thus, an overview of current eye gaze trackers is needed. This review fills the gap by providing an overview of the current level of advancement for both techniques and devices, leading finally to the analysis of 20 essential features in six head-mounted eye gaze trackers commercially available. The analyzed characteristics represent a useful selection providing an overview of the technology currently implemented. The results show that many technical advances were made in this field since the last survey. Current wearable devices allow to capture and exploit visual information unobtrusively and in real time, leading to new applications in wearable technologies that can also be used to improve rehabilitation and enable a more active living for impaired persons.
School Counselors’ Perceived Stress, Burnout, and Job Satisfaction
Authors: Mullen Patrick R. , Blount Ashley J. , Lambie Glenn W. , Chae Nancy
Published: June 2018

We examined the relationship between perceived stress, burnout, and job satisfaction among school counselors. Results indicated that school counselors’ perceived stress and burnout were negatively related to their age and experience. Respondents also reported that stress, burnout, and job satisfaction did not differ based on their school level. Participants’ perceived stress and burnout had a strong negative correlation with job satisfaction; however, burnout mediated the relationship between perceived stress and job satisfaction. We discuss the findings in light of training and supervision.
Which one is more affected by navigation-assisted cup positioning in total hip arthroplasty: Anteversion or inclination? A retrospective matched-pair cohort study in Asian physique
Authors: Oh Kwang Jun , Kim Byung Kag , Jo Myung Il , Ahn Byung Mun
Published: June 2018

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to compare acetabular cup positioning using an imageless navigation-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) to a case-matched control group using the conventional technique in Asian physique.

Methods:

Case matching controlled study using retrospectively collected data for THAs was done. Matching criteria were gender, age ± 5 years, and body mass index ± 5 kg/m2. Thirty patients who had navigation THAs were manually matched to a conventional group of 30 patients. After measuring anteversion and inclination on 3-D CT, final cup anteversion was calculated using the mathematical formula (anteversion = arctan [tan (anatomic anteversion) × sin (inclination)]).

Results:

No significant difference was observed between mean inclination ( p = 0.420), anteversion ( p = 0.697), and the mean deviation from 15° for anteversion ( p = 0.649). However, there was a statistical significant difference for mean deviation from 40° for inclination ( p = 0.027). There was a significant difference in the percentage of correctly placed acetabular cup in safe zones with inclination ( p = 0.039).

Conclusions:

Although soft tissue overlying the pubic tubercle interfered with registration of the bony landmark and thereby induced inaccuracy of anteversion angles in the navigation group, the use of imageless navigation-assisted technique increases the placement within the safe zone for inclination and enhances the accuracy and the precision of inclination of the acetabular cup relative to the conventional THA rather than anteversion. This finding may be due to the effect of the patient’s physique on the anterior pelvic plane (APP)-based reference system of imageless navigation.
Correlation Between Quality of Evidence and Number of Citations in Top 50 Cited Articles in Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery
Authors: Sochacki Kyle R. , Jack Robert A. , Nauert Richard , Harris Joshua D.
Published: June 2018

Background:

The number of article citations has been used as a measure for the impact of an article in the medical literature, with little emphasis on quality.

Purpose:

To (1) identify the top 50 most cited articles related to rotator cuff repair surgery, (2) determine whether there was a correlation between the top cited articles and level of evidence, and (3) determine whether there was a correlation between the top cited articles and study quality.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

The Web of Science and Scopus online databases were searched to identify the top 50 cited articles in rotator cuff repair surgery. Methodological quality was analyzed for each article using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS), Jadad scale, and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the degree of correlation between the top cited articles and level of evidence and study quality using each quality score.

Results:

The mean number of citations for each article in each of the 2 databases was 319 ± 187 (range, 177.5-1033.5). Twenty-nine articles (58%) were from the United States. The most common level of evidence was level 4 (54%), with 3 (6%) articles being level 1. There was no significant correlation between the mean number of citations and level of evidence ( rs = –0.28), the MCMS ( rs = –0.29), and the MINORS score ( rs = –0.25). There was a weak negative correlation between the mean number of citations and the Jadad score ( rs = –0.36).

Conclusion:

The top 50 cited articles in rotator cuff repair surgery comprise a variety of years, journals, countries of origin, and study types. Despite being the 50 most cited articles, the most common type of article was the level 4 case series with a poor mean quality assessment score. There was no significant correlation between the mean number of citations and level of evidence or methodological quality using a variety of scores.
Student-Authored Ethics Vignettes: Giving Voice to Values All Semester
Authors: Levesque Laurie L.
Published: June 2018

Critics of ethics education suggest that students need to learn about contextual pressures of workplace ethical decisions and develop skills to handle them. Thus, instructors are often challenged to integrate an ethics unit into organizational behavior courses in ways that complement, rather than duplicate, what may have been covered in their degree program’s stand-alone ethics course. This article outlines a multistage class exercise that incorporates student-authored cases. As homework, students write about a firsthand work or team ethical decision. The instructor selects several for subsequent class discussions and activities that foster skill development around contextual analysis and anticipatory strategies adapted from the Giving Voice to Values methodology. Students report peers’ ethics vignettes to be interesting and relevant, and a multiperspective exploration and strategizing of these situations prepares them to face future ethical dilemmas in the workplace.
(Im)mobile and (Un)successful? A policy mobilities approach to New Orleans’s residential security taxing districts
Authors: Malone Aaron
Published: June 2018

Policy mobilities scholars critically analyze the processes of assemblage, mobilization, and mutation that shape policy circuits, but have been critiqued for an over-emphasis on successful and mobile cases. This paper adds to a growing effort to diversify the empirical scope of the field through an example that blurs the boundaries of mobility/immobility and success/failure. I examine residential security taxing districts, which are derived from the common business improvement district model but which in their specifics are unique to New Orleans. Security districts are quasi-public entities established within elite urban enclaves to collect taxes to fund neighborhood security patrols. First, I analyze the model’s rapid spread among the city’s neighborhoods, demonstrating the relevance of the policy mobilities framework in a case of intra-urban mobilization. Second, I explore why the model has not spread to other cities, particularly given New Orleans’s centrality as a site for neoliberal policy experimentation in the post-Katrina era. These post-disaster interventions applied preexisting policy prescriptions and were driven by outside experts, while the city’s own neoliberal experiments were ignored. Troubling the association of mobility and success, I conclude that this immobility should not be considered failure so much as anonymity.
Anti-VEGF for Management of Neovascularization of Iris and Neovascular Glaucoma
Authors: Xia Tian , Zarbin Marco A. , Bhagat Neelakshi
Published: June 2018

Purpose:

To study the treatment effect of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections on eyes with iris neovascularization (NVI).

Methods:

Retrospective study of patients who underwent intravitreal anti-VEGF for the treatment of NVI at the Rutgers-Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences between January 1, 2007 and March 30, 2017.

Results:

Twenty-eight eyes (mean age, 63 ± 13 years old, 12 [43%] males) were identified. All patients had NVI, and 23 patients had concurrent neovascular glaucoma. The etiology of anterior segment ischemia was proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 20 eyes (71%), central retinal vein occlusion in 7 eyes (25%), and branch retinal vein occlusion in 1 eye (4%). Corneal edema in 25 eyes (89%), hyphema in 11 (39%), visually significant cataract in 25 (86%), and vitreous hemorrhage in 15 (54%) precluded an adequate view to the fundus to perform panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). All patients initially received anti-VEGF therapy; PRP was provided in some eyes ( n = 7) with persistent NVI if the view to the fundus improved. On average, 1.66 (median, 1; standard deviation [SD], 1.64) anti-VEGF injections were performed before complete NVI regression was achieved. Complete regression of rubeosis iridis took an average of 42 (median, 40; SD, 48) days from the first injection. Ten eyes (36%) had recurrence of rubeosis at 198 (median, 126; SD, 165) days after complete regression of NVI.

Conclusions:

NVI regression was noted in all eyes. Anti-VEGF may be a good supplement for initial NVI management in eyes when PRP cannot be initiated.
Treatment strategies for adolescent and young adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: O’Dwyer Kristen , Freyer David R. , Horan John T.
Published: June 2018

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) form a unique group of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). They differ in terms of disease biology, psychosocial challenges, survival, and in other important respects from children as well as from middle-aged and older adults. AYAs may be treated using pediatric protocols developed in trials composed primarily of younger patients, or using adult protocols developed in trials composed primarily of older patients. After reviewing the distinguishing characteristics of AYAs with AML, we compare and contrast the chemotherapy approaches and argue that neither the pediatric nor adult approaches may be ideally suited for AYAs and the development of AYA-specific approaches merits further consideration. We finish by putting forth ideas for future research to optimize chemotherapy treatment of AYAs with AML.
The management of Hodgkin lymphoma in adolescents and young adults: burden of disease or burden of choice?
Authors: Flerlage Jamie E. , Metzger Monika L. , Bhakta Nickhill
Published: June 2018

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) comprise the largest age group affected by Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Despite excellent overall survival of AYA patients with HL due to advances in treatment regimens, therapy-associated late effects continue to be a concern in HL survivors, especially for younger patients who have decades of life remaining. Since the first clinical trial for HL with chemotherapy in 1964, subsequent protocols have attempted to reduce chemotherapy-induced toxicities and yet maintain high overall survival rates. Today, new analytic methods applied to data from survivorship cohorts, such as the recently described cumulative burden of disease metric, can be used to inform changes for future protocols. Although pediatric and adult trial consortia have followed this process, the AYA population, an age cohort split between pediatric and adult health care services, faces many barriers to care and is the least likely to be enrolled in clinical trials. AYA patients with HL theoretically have a choice to be treated in pediatric or adult protocols when presented with these options. Recent efforts by the National Clinical Trials Network, the Children’s Oncology Group, and others have been made to ensure that the burden of choice for the AYA population is not greater than the burden of disease.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adolescent and young adults: treat as adults or as children?
Authors: Boissel Nicolas , Baruchel André
Published: June 2018

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are recognized as a unique population with specific characteristics and needs. In adolescents age 15 to 20 years, the use of fully pediatric protocols is supported by many comparative studies of pediatric and adult cooperative groups. In young adults, growing evidence suggests that pediatric-inspired or even fully pediatric approaches may also dramatically improve outcomes, leading to long-term survival rates of almost 70%, despite diminishing indications of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. In the last decade, better knowledge of the ALL oncogenic landscape according to age distribution and minimal residual disease assessments has improved risk stratification. New targets have emerged, mostly in the heterogeneous B-other group, particularly in the Philadelphia-like ALL subgroup, which requires both in-depth molecular investigations and specific evaluations of targeted treatments. The remaining gap in the excellent results reported in children has many other contributing factors that should not be underestimated, including late or difficult access to care and/or trials, increased acute toxicities, and poor adherence to treatment. Specific programs should be designed to take into account those factors and finally ameliorate survival and quality of life for AYAs with ALL.
Compliance estimation and multiscale seismic simulation of hydraulic fractures
Authors: Sotelo Edith , Cho Yongchae , Gibson Jr. Richard L.
Published: June 2018

Hydraulic fracturing is a common stimulation technique in unconventional reservoirs to create fractures systems and allow hydrocarbon production. Proppant (granular material) is normally injected during hydraulic fracturing to keep open the fracture network and enhance hydrocarbon production performance. Proppant has a strong influence on fracture compliance and therefore will affect the characteristics of the generated seismic wavefield. To account for the effect of proppant in fracture compliance, we have developed new analytical formulations to obtain normal and tangential compliance for the case of dry and fluid-saturated fractures. We derive these expressions based on Hertz-Mindlin contact theory. Results from the compliance sensitivity analyses provide insights into the effects of proppant distribution and mechanical properties on fracture compliance. We also applied the innovative generalized multiscale finite-element method (GMsFEM) to simulate wave propagation through discrete hydraulic fractures filled with proppant. The GMsFEM approach represents individual fractures on a finely discretized mesh; this fine mesh is used to capture fracture properties by generating quantities (basis functions) that are used for modeling wave propagation on a much coarser grid. This methodology reduces the size of the computational problem, allowing faster results. Simulation results indicate the changes of the scattered wavefield as the proppant placement varies in different parts of the fractures and as the number of fracture stages increases.
Investigation of the methane adsorption characteristics of marine organic-rich shale: A case study of the lower Cambrian Niutitang Shale in the Fenggang block, northern Guizhou Province, South China
Authors: Gu Yang , Ding Wenlong , Yin Min , Wang Ruyue , Jiao Baocheng , Zhao Gang , Lu Lin
Published: June 2018

The marine shale in South China has great gas exploration potential, and exploration in the Sichuan Basin has been successful, but the degree of exploration remains low in the Guizhou Province. We used organic geochemical analyses (total organic carbon content and kerogen type), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission SEM, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction analysis, and low-temperature [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] adsorption experimental methods to study the micropore types and pore structures and their effects on the methane adsorption capacity of organic-rich shales found in the Fenggang block in northern Guizhou Province. The results indicate that the microscopic surface porosity of the lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation ranges from 2.88% to 5.34%, with an average value of 3.86%. Based on nitrogen adsorption methods, the range of the average pore size distribution is 4.6–9.491 nm, with an average value of 6.68 nm. All of the samples exhibit significant unimodal distributions. The main pore size is less than 10 nm, and these pores account for most of the mesopore volume, which is generally consistent with the NMR results. The methane adsorption capacity of the shale samples gradually increases in the range of 0–8 MPa at 30°C and reaches a maximum at approximately 10 MPa. Positive correlations were found between the gas content and specific surface area, total pore volume, and micropore volume. These strong correlations indicate that the Niutitang Shale has a high specific surface area, a high pore volume, and narrow-diameter pores, demonstrating that it has a high gas adsorption capacity. The results of this study provide valuable information regarding the adsorption characteristics of marine shales and the factors that affect those characteristics.