bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Woza! Sweetheart! On braiding epistemologies on Bree Street
Authors: Matsipa Mpho
Published: August 2017

African hair braiding on Bree Street offers a glimpse into how immigration, black female sexuality and shifts in urban retail economies provide important economic and cultural resources to urban residents and users. As both ontology and epistemology, black hair braiding practices recalibrate local economies, spaces, and aesthetic codes, and thus co-constitute emergent urban identities and a way of knowing the city. The intimate, networked, and fractal nature of black hair braiding spaces disrupts the rigid colonial spatial orders of the city and its architecture. As an epistemology, braiding disrupts the grand narrative of Johannesburg in ‘crisis’, while also disrupting the colonizing and gendered structure of urban studies itself.
Factor Structure and Criterion Validity of Potential-Based Achievement Goals: Evidence for a Bifactor Model
Authors: Ning Hoi Kwan
Published: August 2017

Elliot, Murayama, Kobeisy, and Lichtenfeld recently developed a measure to assess students’ self-based potential-approach and potential-avoidance achievement goals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure and criterion validity of this measure based on data obtained from a sample of Hong Kong university students. Results from confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the bifactor model which comprises a general definition of competence factor and two uncorrelated valence of competence group factors yielded the best fit to the data. All three factors accounted for a significant proportion of the common variance and were found to have high internal consistencies. Structural equation modeling also revealed that the general definition factor and the two valence group factors have differential associations with various criterion outcomes examined.
Older Adults With a Combination of Vision and Hearing Impairment Experience Higher Rates of Cognitive Impairment, Functional Dependence, and Worse Outcomes Across a Set of Quality Indicators
Authors: Davidson Jacob G. S. , Guthrie Dawn M.
Published: August 2017

Objectives: Hearing and vision impairment were examined across several health-related outcomes and across a set of quality indicators (QIs) in home care clients with both vision and hearing loss (or dual sensory impairment [DSI]). Method: Data collected using the Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care (RAI-HC) were analyzed in a sample of older home care clients. The QIs represent the proportion of clients experiencing negative outcomes (e.g., falls, social isolation). Results: The average age of clients was 82.8 years ( SD = 7.9), 20.5% had DSI and 8.5% had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Clients with DSI were more likely to have a diagnosis of dementia (not AD), have functional impairments, report loneliness, and have higher rates across 20 of the 22 QIs, including communication difficulty and cognitive decline. Clients with highly impaired hearing, and any visual impairment, had the highest QI rates. Discussion: Individuals with DSI experience higher rates of adverse events across many health-related outcomes and QIs. Understanding the unique contribution of hearing and vision in this group can promote optimal quality of care.
Science’s disparate responsibilities: Patterns across European countries
Authors: Mejlgaard Niels
Published: August 2017

It is a distinctive feature of European science policy that science is expected to meet economic and broader societal objectives simultaneously. Science should be governed democratically and take significant responsibilities towards the economy, the political system and civil society, but the coherency of these multiple claims is underexplored. Using metrics that emerge from both quantitative and qualitative studies, we examine the interrelatedness of different responsibilities at the level of countries. A total of 33 European Union member states and associated countries are included in the analysis. We find no trade-off between economic and broader societal contributions. Europe is, however, characterised by major divisions in terms of the location of science in society. There is a significant East–West divide, and Europe appears to be far from accomplishing an integrated European Research Area.
Hindrances to achieve professional confidence: The nurse’s participation in ethical decision-making
Authors: Storaker Anne , Nåden Dagfinn , Sæteren Berit
Published: August 2017

Background:

Research suggests that nurses generally do not participate in ethical decision-making in accordance with ethical guidelines for nurses. In addition to completing their training, nurses need to reflect on and use ethically grounded arguments and defined ethical values such as patient’s dignity in their clinical work.

Objectives:

The purpose of this article is to gain a deeper understanding of how nurses deal with ethical decision-making in daily practice. The chosen research question is “How do nurses participate in ethical decision-making for the patient?”

Design and method:

We use Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics as well as Kvale and Brinkmann’s three levels of understanding in interpreting the data material. Nine registered nurses were interviewed.

Ethical considerations:

The Ombudsman of Norwegian Social Science Data and the head of the hospital approved the investigation. The participants received both oral and written information about the study and they gave their consent. We informed the participants that the participation was voluntary and that they were free to withdraw at any point in the course of the study. The requirement of anonymity and proper data storage was in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (1964). The participants were assured that privacy, and confidentiality would be duly protected.

Results:

Four key themes emerged: (1) confusion in relation to professional and operational expectations of role, (2) ideal somnolence, (3) inadequate argumentation skills, and (4) compound pressure.

Conclusion:

Ethical ideals appear to be latent in the mindset of the participants; however, the main finding of this investigation is that nurses need to activate the ideals and apply them into practice. Furthermore, management needs to initiate professional reasoning and interdisciplinary discussions leading to common goals for patients.
Hospitalized adolescents’ perception of dignity: A qualitative study
Authors: Jamalimoghadam Neda , Yektatalab Shahrzad , Momennasab Marzieh , Ebadi Abbas , Zare Najaf
Published: August 2017

Background:

Adolescents can be vulnerable to diminished dignity in the hospital because young people have significantly different healthcare needs than children and adults. They like to cooperate with caregivers only when they get respectful and dignified care. Care without considering dignity can adversely influence the adolescents’ recovery. However, many studies have been conducted on exploring the concept of the patients’ dignity from the adult patients and fewer studies still have explored the dignity of young people.

Objective:

This study explores the hospitalized adolescents’ perception about dignity.

Research design:

A conventional qualitative content analysis method was used to explore the meaning of hospitalized adolescents’ dignity.

Participants and research context:

Hospitalized adolescents in general medical and surgical pediatric units were eligible to participate. Data were obtained through unstructured interviews. Purposive sampling was used and adolescents were recruited until data saturation was reached (n = 13).

Ethical considerations:

Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Ethics Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Participants were provided with information about the purpose, reasons for recording interviews, voluntary participation, and confidentiality of data and interviewees.

Findings:

Dignity was reflected in four themes: (1) protection of personal privacy, (2) protection of autonomy, (3) respect for identity, and (4) intimate communication.

Discussion and conclusion:

Hospitalized adolescents stated that healthcare services should protect their personal privacy and autonomy. Also, they should respect the adolescent’s identity and communicate intimately with them to provide the dignity. Adolescence is a discrete developmental stage, with specific healthcare needs which must be addressed effectively by healthcare providers especially nurses.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 6 outbreak in Israeli cattle in 2015
Authors: Golender Natalia , Khinich Yevgeny , Gorohov Anna , Abramovitz Itzik , Bumbarov Velizar
Published: August 2017

In September 2015, a large outbreak caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) was identified in Israeli dairy and beef farms. The main clinical signs were reduced milk production, weakness, drooling, lameness and recumbency, fever, slight erythema of nasal and oral mucosae, weight loss, and abortion. Dyspnea, cachexia, and death were observed less frequently. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by ELISAs and EHDV-specific real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-rtPCR), followed by conventional RT-PCR of the VP2 gene and sequence analysis. According to the sequence and phylogenetic analysis of theVP2 gene, the 2015 Israeli EHD outbreak was caused by EHDV-6, which was found not only in clinically ill cattle, but also in aborted fetuses.
Measuring Complexity: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Approach
Authors: Reed John C. , Higgins George E.
Published: August 2017

This study examines complexity as a measure of support for organizational redirection. This study considers whether 16 items (culture, mission, values, decentralization, policies and procedures, administrative reporting practices, weapons, contract, pay, benefits, patrol boundaries, equalization of workload, size of boundaries, communications, 10-codes, and car numbers) appropriately characterized a suppressed measure of complexity related to complex organizational change, a police department merger. The current study utilizes data collected from 390 sworn officers from two merged law enforcement agencies in Kentucky. The results of the structural equation model analysis supported the view that four factors (mission, logistics, benefits, and policy) fashion an underlying construct for measuring complexity related to organizational change/redirection. The implications of these findings are also considered.
Understanding New Middle Eastern Leadership: An Operational Code Approach
Authors: Özdamar Özgür , Canbolat Sercan
Published: August 2017

Political Islam and Islamist organizations have broadly gained strength across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the post-Cold War era. Following the Arab uprisings, the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), generally viewed as the world’s largest and most influential Islamist organization, has shaped the wider landscape of MENA politics. This study examines MB leadership by comparing M. Morsi of Egypt, R. Ghannouchi of Tunisia, and K. Meshaal of Gaza as examples of Islamist leaders to explain their political belief systems and predict their foreign-policy behavior. We use the operational code approach, a content-analysis software and statistical tests to conduct the study. Results show that the three leaders’ foreign policy beliefs are analogous to the averages of world leaders. Results also partially support the hypothesis that their foreign-policy propensities are similar to each other. We conclude that despite the conventional portrayal of MB leadership, these leaders use negotiation and cooperation to settle their differences in foreign affairs, and the best way to approach them is to engage in a Rousseauvian assurance game that emphasizes international social cooperation. Results also suggest important implications in terms of mainstream international relations theories.
Radiographic Results and Return to Activity After Sesamoidectomy for Fracture
Authors: Kane Justin M. , Brodsky James W. , Daoud Yahya
Published: August 2017

Background:

Limited data are available comparing the results of lateral sesamoidectomy and medial sesamoidectomy for the treatment of fractures recalcitrant to nonoperative treatment interventions. The hypothesis of this study was that sesamoidectomy for either lateral or medial sesamoid fractures would not change radiographic alignment of the first ray given the use of identical reconstruction of the plantar plate, intersesamoid ligament, and plantar ligament complex at the time of surgery.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study compared the outcomes of 46 consecutive patients treated with sesamoidectomy (24 lateral, 22 medial). Patient demographics, mechanisms of injury, and outcomes were recorded. Preoperative, postoperative, and changes in both hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) were measured.

Results:

No statistically significant difference could be detected for age ( P = .577), sex ( P = .134), return to activity ( P = 1.000), likelihood to undergo the procedure again ( P = 1.000), orthotic use postoperatively ( P = 1.000), perioperative complications ( P = .497), duration of symptoms ( P = .711), or length of follow-up ( P = .609). While statistically significant changes in preoperative and postoperative alignment were detected for both medial and lateral sesamoidectomy, these changes were not clinically significant. Patients undergoing medial sesamoidectomy had higher preoperative and postoperative HVA and IMA compared with those undergoing lateral sesamoidectomy. Medial sesamoidectomy patients had a net increase in both HVA and IMA, while patients undergoing lateral sesamoidectomy had a net decrease in both HVA and IMA.

Conclusion:

Although statistically significant changes in both HVA and IMA were detected, these values were too small to be considered clinically significant. Patient outcomes did not differ between the 2 groups, and sesamoidectomy was used with low patient morbidity for both medial and lateral sesamoid fractures that failed to respond to nonoperative modalities. These data suggest that the underlying mechanics of the foot may be different in patients who sustain medial and lateral sesamoid stress injury, suggesting a possible etiologic difference between medial and lateral sesamoid injuries. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study
Co-Occurrence of ASD and ADHD Traits in an Adult Population
Authors: Panagiotidi Maria , Overton Paul G. , Stafford Tom
Published: August 2017

Objective: ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be viewed as the extreme end of traits found in the general population. Clinical and genetic studies suggest that ADHD and ASD often co-occur and share genetic susceptibility. The aim of this study was to examine co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD traits in the general population. Method: In total, 334 participants were recruited from a population-based sample. Four questionnaires assessing current and retrospective ADHD and ASD traits were administered online: the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist, the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS-25), the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Results: A significant correlation was found between ADHD and autistic traits. In particular, higher inattention and overall ADHD scores were associated with self-reported deficits in communication and social skills. Conclusion: Our findings are similar to results from studies on clinical populations, suggesting that ADHD and ASD might share common etiology.
Sex Differences in the Meaning of Parent and Teacher Ratings of ADHD Behaviors: An Observational Study
Authors: Meyer Brenda J. , Stevenson Jim , Sonuga-Barke Edmund J. S.
Published: August 2017

Objective: To test explanations for the underrecognition of female ADHD by examining differences in adult ratings of boys and girls matched for levels of directly observed ADHD behaviors. Method: In a secondary analysis of a population-based sample, 3- to 4-year-olds ( n = 153, 79 male) and 8- to 9-year-olds ( n = 144, 75 male) were grouped according to levels of directly observed ADHD behaviors (low/moderate/high). Groups were then compared with parent/teacher ADHD ratings. Results: There were no sex differences in levels of directly observed ADHD behaviors within groups. For preschoolers, parents’ ratings of males, but not females, significantly increased across groups—mirroring levels of observed behaviors. For older children, both parent and teacher mean ratings were significantly higher for males than females across groups. Conclusion: Identified differences in adult ratings of males and females matched for directly observed behaviors may contribute to understanding the substantial ADHD underrecognition in females.
Effects of CW-FIT on Teachers’ Ratings of Elementary School Students at Risk for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Caldarella Paul , Larsen Ross A. A. , Williams Leslie , Wills Howard , Kamps Debra , Wehby Joseph H.
Published: August 2017

Students with deficits in social skills have been found to experience both short- and long-term problems, including interpersonal conflicts and academic difficulties. These problems are compounded for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). Classwide function-related intervention teams (CW-FIT), a multitiered classroom management program, has been shown to be effective in increasing on-task behavior and decreasing disruptive behavior of students at risk for EBD. The present study examined the effects of CW-FIT on teachers’ ratings of students’ social skills, problem behaviors, and academic competence. A randomized control trial was completed with 160 elementary school teachers located in 19 schools across three states. Teachers completed rating scales on 350 students identified as at risk for EBD, for whom consent had been obtained. After being randomly assigned to treatment or control conditions, CW-FIT was implemented for approximately 4 months in treatment classrooms, after which teachers completed posttest ratings on all students. CW-FIT implementation was associated with significantly improved teacher ratings of social skills and academic competence for students at risk for EBD, but no significant changes in teacher ratings of student problem behaviors were found. Higher fidelity of CW-FIT implementation was associated with improved outcomes. Implications, limitations, and areas for future research are addressed.
Comparison of the 3 Different Injection Techniques Used in a Randomized Controlled Study Evaluating a Cross-Linked Sodium Hyaluronate Combined With Triamcinolone Hexacetonide (Cingal) for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Subgroup Analysis
Authors: McCormack Robert , Lamontagne Martin , Vannabouathong Christopher , Deakon Robert T , Belzile Etienne L
Published: August 2017

A recent trial demonstrated that patients with knee osteoarthritis treated with a sodium hyaluronate and corticosteroid combination (Cingal) experienced greater pain reductions compared with those treated with sodium hyaluronate alone (Monovisc) or saline up to 3 weeks postinjection. In this study, injections were administered by 1 of 3 approaches; however, there is currently no consensus on which, if any, of these techniques produce a more favorable outcome. To provide additional insight on this topic, the results of the previous trial were reanalyzed to determine whether (1) the effect of Cingal was significant within each injection technique and (2) pain reductions were similar between injection techniques across all treatment groups. Greater pain reductions with Cingal up to 3 weeks were only significant in the anteromedial subgroup. Across all therapies, both the anteromedial and anterolateral techniques demonstrated significantly greater pain reductions than the lateral midpatellar approach at 18 and 26 weeks.
From passionate labour to compassionate work: Cultural co-ops, do what you love and social change
Authors: Sandoval Marisol
Published: August 2017

This article focuses on the relation between work and pleasure in the cultural sector. I first unpack the concept of passionate work, situating it within four possible ways of relating work and pleasure. I argue that the work ethic of do what you love, contrary to what it promises, limits the prospects of loveable work. As part of a neoliberal work culture, do what you love transfers the battleground from society onto the self. It favours self-management over politics. Drawing on findings from interview research with members of worker co-operatives in the UK cultural industries, I then go on to explore the relation between work and pleasure within cultural co-ops. I discuss how cultural co-ops might inspire and contribute to a movement for transforming the future of work by turning the desire for loveable work from a matter of individual transformation and competition into a practice of co-operation and social change.
When ethnography does not rhyme with anonymity: Reflections on name disclosure, self-censorship, and storytelling
Authors: Duclos Diane
Published: August 2017

Maintaining informants’ confidentiality is a cornerstone of ethical clearance in most academic institutions’ boards, and a pre-requisite to conduct ethnographic fieldwork. However, this prescriptive environment does not account for the diversity of contemporary ethnographic fieldwork, and little has been written on the challenges faced by anthropologists who may need to identify participants in their research by their name. What are the specific empirical and theoretical implications of non-anonymous ethnographies? Drawing on accounts from a research conducted between 2007 and 2013 among Iraqi artists in exile, this study presents a situation that did not allow for protecting the anonymity and confidentiality of informants. This paper reflects on some of the challenges associated with name disclosure in anthropological research, and questions implications for both the participants and the researcher. The paper finally explores avenues to tackle barriers to unveil the collective in non-anonymous ethnographies across and beyond artists’ tales of creative individualities.
Definitional and Conceptual Muddling: Identifying the Positionality of Employee Engagement and Defining the Construct
Authors: Shuck Brad , Osam Kobena , Zigarmi Drea , Nimon Kim
Published: August 2017

Numerous entangled definitions, words, measurements, and frameworks have been proposed when referring to employee engagement, as well as other engagement typologies. Consequently, researchers have routinely drawn atheoretical conclusions about the meaning of employee engagement, limiting the applicability of employee engagement in theory building and practice. The focal point of our work was to detail an explicit definition of employee engagement and juxtapose our definition alongside several existing frameworks and definitions. First, we detail and position an operational definition of employee engagement ground in seminal literature. Second, we systematically examine the engagement literature, highlighting both dominant types of engagement and alternative typologies. Third, we conclude by making meaning for the human resource development field, distinguishing the use of employee engagement in the literature as an outcome, psychological state, and process, and synthesize our findings through a brief discussion of implications for research and practice.
Is the Walch B3 glenoid significantly worse than the B2?
Authors: Chan Kevin , Knowles Nikolas K. , Chaoui Jean , Ferreira Louis M. , Walch Gilles , Athwal George S.
Published: August 2017

Background

The Walch B3 glenoid is theorized to be a progression of the B2 biconcave pattern. The present study aimed to compare glenoid indices between B2 and B3 patterns. We hypothesized that the B3 pattern would have significantly worse retroversion, inclination and medialization.

Methods

Computed tomography scans of 50 patients with B2 erosions [mean (SD) age 68 (9) years; 25 male] and 50 patients with B3 erosions [mean (SD) age 72 (8) years; 22 males] were converted into three-dimensional reconstructions. Retroversion, inclination, medialization and humeral head subluxation were compared.

Results

The data demonstrated no statistically significant differences [mean (SD)] between groups when assessing retroversion: B2 = 21 (8)°, B3 = 24 (7)° ( p = 0.602); glenoid inclination: B2 = 9 (6)°, B3 = 8 (6)° ( p = 0.967); or medialization: B2 = 12 (4) mm, B3 = 14 (4) mm ( p = 0.384). In the B2 group, the mean (SD) humeral head subluxation was 80% (10%) according to the scapular plane and 55% (9%) according to the glenoid plane, which was not statistically different from the B3 group with a mean (SD) humeral head subluxation of 81% (7%) according to the scapular plane ( p = 0.680) and 54% (7%) according to the glenoid plane ( p = 0.292).

Conclusions

These results demonstrated no significant differences between the B2 and B3 erosion patterns, with respect to the glenoid indicies measured. The aetiology of the B3 glenoid cannot be completely explained by progression of wear in a B2 glenoid.
Total Ankle Arthroplasty: Comparing Perioperative Outcomes When Performed at an Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital Versus an Academic Teaching Hospital
Authors: Beck David M. , Padegimas Eric M. , Pedowitz David I. , Raikin Steven M.
Published: August 2017

Background. The number of total ankle arthroplasties (TAAs) performed in the United States has risen significantly in recent years, as has utilization of orthopaedic specialty hospital (OSH) to treat healthy patients undergoing elective surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes following TAA at an OSH when compared with a matching population of patients undergoing TAA at an academic teaching hospital (ATH). Methods. We identified all TAA from January 2014 to December 2014 at the OSH and January 2010 to January 2016 at the ATH. Each OSH patient was manually matched with a corresponding ATH patient by clinical variables. Outcomes analyzed were length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmissions, mortality, reoperation, and inpatient rehabilitation utilization. Results. There were 40 TAA patients in each group. OSH and ATH patients were similar in age, body mass index, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, and gender. Average LOS for TAA at the OSH was 1.28 ± 0.51 compared with 2.03 ± 0.89 (P < .001) at the ATH. There were no OSH patients readmitted within 30 days, compared with 2 ATH patients readmitted (5.0%; P = .15). Two OSH patients (5.0%) and 2 ATH patients (5.0%; P = 1.00) required reoperation. There were no mortalities in either group. There were no OSH patients requiring transfer. Conclusions. Primary TAA performed at an OSH had significantly shorter LOS when compared with a matched patient treated at an ATH with no significant difference in readmission or reoperation rates and may offer a potential source of significant health care savings.

Levels of Evidence: Level III: Retrospective cohort study
Getting Better or Getting Well? The Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) Better Predicts Patient’s Satisfaction than the Decrease of Pain, in Knee Osteoarthritis Subjects Treated with Viscosupplementation
Authors: Conrozier Thierry , Monet Matthieu , Lohse Anne , Raman Raghu
Published: August 2017

Background

In the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA), patient-reported-outcomes (PROs) are being developed for relevant assessment of pain. The patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) is a relevant cutoff, which allows classifying patients as being in “an acceptable state” or not. Viscosupplementation is a therapeutic modality widely used in patients with knee OA that many patients are satisfied with despite meta-analyses give conflicting results.

Objectives

To compare, 6 months after knee viscosupplementation, the percentage of patients who reached the PASS threshold (PASS +) with that obtained from other PROs.

Methods

Data of 53 consecutive patients treated with viscosupplementation (HANOX-M-XL) and followed using a standardized procedure, were analyzed at baseline and month 6. The PROs were Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function, patient’s global assessment of pain (PGAP), patient’s self-assessment of satisfaction, PASS for WOMAC pain and PGAP.

Results

At baseline, WOMAC pain and PGAP (range 0-10) were 4.6 (1.1) and 6.0 (1.1). At month 6, they were 1.9 (1.2) and 3.1 (5) ( P < 0.0001). At 6 months, 83% of patients were “PASS + pain,” 100% “PASS + function,” 79% “PASS + PGAP,” 79% were satisfied, and 73.6% experienced a ≥50% decrease in WOMAC pain. Among “PASS + pain” and “PASS + PGAP” subjects, 90% and 83.3% were satisfied with the treatment, respectively.

Conclusion

In daily practice, clinical response to viscosupplementation slightly varies according to PROs. “PASS + PGAP” was the most related to patient satisfaction.
Disrupt toxicity testing
Authors: Hulla Janis E , Hayes A Wallace
Published: August 2017

Dimensions of time that are relevant to molecular mechanisms are not incorporated into conventional toxicity testing methodologies. Historically, this was due to technological limitations. These limitations no longer exist. Application of real-time imaging and chemical sensor technologies presents an opportunity to overcome the challenges that have stalled essential transformation of toxicity testing methodology.
Adult high-grade B-cell lymphoma with Burkitt lymphoma signature: genomic features and potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Bouska Alyssa , Bi Chengfeng , Lone Waseem , Zhang Weiwei , Kedwaii Ambreen , Heavican Tayla , Lachel Cynthia M. , Yu Jiayu , Ferro Roberto , Eldorghamy Nanees , Greiner Timothy C. , Vose Julie , Weisenburger Dennis D. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Rosenwald Andreas , Ott German , Campo Elias , Rimsza Lisa M. , Jaffe Elaine S. , Braziel Rita M. , Siebert Reiner , Miles Rodney R. , Dave Sandeep , Reddy Anupama , Delabie Jan , Staudt Louis M. , Song Joo Y. , McKeithan Timothy W. , Fu Kai , Green Michael , Chan Wing C. , Iqbal Javeed
Published: August 2017

Key Points

Adult-mBLs have distinct and more frequent DNA copy number abnormalities compared with pediatric-mBL. Comprehensive genomic analysis revealed that the BCR signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target in adult-mBL.
Combined effect of metformin with ascorbic acid versus acetyl salicylic acid on diabetes-related cardiovascular complication; a 12-month single blind multicenter randomized control trial
Authors: Gillani Syed Wasif , Sulaiman Syed Azhar Syed , Abdul Mohi Iqbal Mohammad , Baig Mirza R.
Published: August 2017

Background

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid among type II diabetes mellitus patients using metformin (only) for diabetes management therapy.

Method

A 12-month single blinded multicenter randomized control trial was designed to investigate the measured variables [Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), Renal function, Albumin Creatinine Ratio (ACR) etc.]. The trial was randomized into 2 experimental parallel arms (ascorbic acid vs acetylsalicylic acid) were blinded with study supplements in combination with metformin and findings were compared to control arm with metformin alone and blinded with placebo. Withdrawal criteria was defined to maintain the equity and balance in the participants in the whole trial.

Finding

Patients with metformin and ascorbic acid (parallel arm I) was twice more likely to reduce HbA1c than metformin alone (control arm) in a year (OR 2.31 (95% CI 1.87–4.42) p < 0.001). Also Parallel arm I was ten times more likely to reduced risk factors contributing to long-term diabetes complications than participants of arm II in a year (OR 10.38 (95% CI 6.91–15.77) p < 0.001). In contrast, parallel arm II patients were seven times more effective to reduce the risk of expected CVD development in 10 years than arm I (OR 7.54 (95% CI 3.76–10.32) p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The trial concluded that ascorbic acid with metformin is more effective against reducing risks for diabetes related long-term complications (including ACR).

TRIAL details Registration No: NTR-6100, Registry Name: Netherlands Trial Registry, URL: http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=6100, Date of Registration: 20th October, 2016, Date of first Enrollment: 1 November, 2015.
Mathematical morphological filtering for linear noise attenuation of seismic data
Authors: Huang Weilin , Wang Runqiu , Zhang Dong , Zhou Yanxin , Yang Wencheng , Chen Yangkang
Published: August 2017

Linear coherent noise attenuation is a troublesome problem in a variety of seismic exploration areas. Traditional methods often use the differences in frequency, wavenumber, or amplitude to separate the useful signal and coherent noise. However, the application of traditional methods is limited or even invalid when the aforementioned differences between useful signal and coherent noise are too small to be distinguished. For this reason, we have managed to develop a new algorithm from the differences in the shape of seismic waves, and thus, introduce mathematical morphological filtering (MMF) into coherent noise attenuation. The morphological operation is calculated in the trace direction of a rotating coordinate system. This rotating coordinate system is along the direction of the trajectory of coherent noise to make the energy of the coherent noise distributed along the horizontal direction. The MMF approach is more effective than mean and median filters in rejecting abnormal values and causes fewer artifacts compared with [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] filtering. Our technique requires that coherent noise can be picked successfully. Application of our technique on synthetic and field seismic data demonstrates its successful performance.
Vertical seismic profiling using double-beamforming processing of nonuniform anthropogenic seismic noise: The case study of Rittershoffen, Upper Rhine Graben, France
Authors: Lehujeur Maximilien , Vergne Jérôme , Maggi Alessia , Schmittbuhl Jean
Published: August 2017

Correlating ambient seismic noise allows us to image the subsoil in various contexts and at different scales. Applying this technique to anthropogenic seismic noise can be challenging when the spatial distribution of the sources is not uniform. We have addressed the feasibility of exploiting this kind of noise in addition to microseismic noise to extend the reconstruction of Rayleigh-wave dispersion at periods between 0.2 and 1 s. We used data acquired with two small aperture arrays ([Formula: see text] stations with a 200 m helical distribution) deployed near the deep geothermal site of Rittershoffen (Alsace, France). In this region, the sparse human activity causes strong seismic noise, whose nonuniform spatial distribution limits our ability to determine the surface wave velocity between stations using the classical noise correlation technique at periods of less than 1 s. We have used double beamforming to isolate the noise sources that contribute constructively to the empirical Green’s function between the two arrays and recovered the Rayleigh-wave dispersion curve at periods less than 1 s. Using a probabilistic inversion, we found that such data, combined with surface wave measurements at periods greater than 1 s, are helpful to improve the reliability of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] profiles at depths down to the deep-geothermal reservoir (2.5 km). Such profiles are helpful in a geothermal context because they improve the location of induced seismic events, necessary for reservoir monitoring and risk assessment.
Premature deaths among individuals with severe mental illness after discharge from long-term hospitalisation in Japan: A naturalistic observation during a 24-year period
Authors: Kondo Shinsuke , Kumakura Yousuke , Kanehara Akiko , Nagato Daisuke , Ueda Taro , Matsuoka Tsuneo , Tao Yukiko , Kasai Kiyoto
Published: August 2017

Background

Premature death in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) in countries without nationally collected data, including Japan, is structurally underreported.

Aims

To elucidate excess mortality among individuals with SMI in Japan.

Method

We retrospectively investigated all deaths among users of a non-clinical community-based mental health service provider in suburban Tokyo from 1992 to 2015.

Results

During the study period, 45 individuals died among 254 qualified registrants. Deaths were by natural causes in 33 cases (73.3%). The mean years of life lost was 22.2 years and the overall standard mortality ratio (SMR) was 3.28 (95% CI 2.40–4.39). The cause-specific SMR was 5.09 (95% CI 2.33–9.66) for cardiovascular disease and 7.38 (95% CI 2.40–17.22) for suicide.

Conclusions

Although Japan leads the world in longevity, individuals with SMI suffer premature death and excess mortality due to physical conditions as well as suicide. Revealing this underreported disparity of life is the first step to improving physical care for individuals with SMI.
Risk Stratification for Major Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Intra-abdominal General Surgery Using Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Kim Minjae , Wall Melanie M. , Li Guohua
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND:

Preoperative risk stratification is a critical element in assessing the risks and benefits of surgery. Prior work has demonstrated that intra-abdominal general surgery patients can be classified based on their comorbidities and risk factors using latent class analysis (LCA), a model-based clustering technique designed to find groups of patients that are similar with respect to characteristics entered into the model. Moreover, the latent risk classes were predictive of 30-day mortality. We evaluated the use of latent risk classes to predict the risk of major postoperative complications.

METHODS:

An observational, retrospective cohort of patients undergoing intra-abdominal general surgery in the 2005 to 2010 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was obtained. Known preoperative comorbidity and risk factor data were entered into LCA models to identify the latent risk classes. Complications were defined as: acute kidney injury, acute respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, organ space infection, pneumonia, postoperative bleeding, pulmonary embolism, sepsis/septic shock, stroke, unplanned reintubation, and/or wound dehiscence. Relative risk regression determined the associations between the latent classes and the 30-day complication risks, with adjustments for the surgical procedure. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic curve assessed model performance.

RESULTS:

LCA fit a 9-class model on 466,177 observations. The composite complication risk was 18.4% but varied from 7.7% in the lowest risk class to 56.7% in the highest risk class. After adjusting for procedure, the latent risk classes were significantly associated with complications, with risk ratios (95% confidence intervals) (compared to the class with the average risk) varying from 0.56 (0.54–0.58) in the lowest risk class to 2.15 (2.11–2.20) in the highest risk class, a 4-fold difference. In models incorporating surgical procedure, latent risk class, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status, the AUC for composite complications was 0.76 (0.76–0.76). However, for individual complications, there was heterogeneity in model performance using these variables, with AUCs ranging from 0.70 (0.69–0.71) for pulmonary embolus to 0.90 (0.90–0.90) for acute respiratory failure.

CONCLUSIONS:

LCA can be used to classify patients undergoing intra-abdominal general surgery based on preoperative risk factors, and the classes are independently associated with postoperative complications. However, model performance is not uniform across individual complications, resulting in variations in the utility of preoperative risk stratification tools depending on the complication evaluated.
Refractory Intracranial Hypertension: The Role of Decompressive Craniectomy
Authors: Smith Martin
Published: August 2017

Raised intracranial pressure (ICP) is associated with worse outcomes after acute brain injury, and clinical guidelines advocate early treatment of intracranial hypertension. ICP-lowering therapies are usually administered in a stepwise manner, starting with safer first-line interventions, while reserving higher-risk options for patients with intractable intracranial hypertension. Decompressive craniectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the skull is removed and the underlying dura opened to reduce brain swelling–related raised ICP; it can be performed as a primary or secondary procedure. After traumatic brain injury, secondary decompressive craniectomy is most commonly undertaken as a last-tier intervention in a patient with severe intracranial hypertension refractory to tiered escalation of ICP-lowering therapies. Although decompressive craniectomy has been used in a number of conditions, it has only been evaluated in randomized controlled trials after traumatic brain injury and acute ischemic stroke. After traumatic brain injury, decompressive craniectomy is associated with lower mortality compared to medical management but with higher rates of vegetative state or severe disability. In patients with stroke-related malignant hemispheric infarction, hemicraniectomy significantly decreases mortality and improves functional outcome in adults <60 years of age. Surgery also reduces mortality in those >60 years, but results in a higher proportion of severely disabled survivors compared to medical therapy in this age group. Decisions to recommend decompressive craniectomy must always be made not only in the context of its clinical indications but also after consideration of an individual patient’s preferences and quality of life expectations. This narrative review discusses the management of intractable intracranial hypertension in adults, focusing on the role of decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury and acute ischemic stroke.
Cis-regulatory elements explain most of the mRNA stability variation across genes in yeast
Authors: Cheng Jun , Maier Kerstin C. , Avsec Žiga , Rus Petra , Gagneur Julien
Published: August 2017

The stability of mRNA is one of the major determinants of gene expression. Although a wealth of sequence elements regulating mRNA stability has been described, their quantitative contributions to half-life are unknown. Here, we built a quantitative model for Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on functional mRNA sequence features that explains 59% of the half-life variation between genes and predicts half-life at a median relative error of 30%. The model revealed a new destabilizing 3′ UTR motif, ATATTC, which we functionally validated. Codon usage proves to be the major determinant of mRNA stability. Nonetheless, single-nucleotide variations have the largest effect when occurring on 3′ UTR motifs or upstream AUGs. Analyzing mRNA half-life data of 34 knockout strains showed that the effect of codon usage not only requires functional decapping and deadenylation, but also the 5′-to-3′ exonuclease Xrn1, the nonsense-mediated decay genes, but not no-go decay. Altogether, this study quantitatively delineates the contributions of mRNA sequence features on stability in yeast, reveals their functional dependencies on degradation pathways, and allows accurate prediction of half-life from mRNA sequence.
Use of Post‐Acute Facility Care in Children Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Illness
Authors: Berry Jay G. , Wilson Karen M. , Dumas Helene , Simpser Edwin , O'Brien Jane , Whitford Kathleen , May Rachna , Mittal Vineeta , Murphy Nancy , Steinhorn David , Agrawal Rishi , Rehm Kris , Marks Michelle , Traul Christine , Dribbon Michael , Haines Christopher J. , Hall Matt
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Recovery from respiratory illness (RI), a common reason for hospitalization, can be protracted for some children because of high illness severity or underlying medical complexity.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed which children hospitalized with RI are the most likely to use post‐acute facility care (PAC) for recovery.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 609,800 hospitalizations for patients in 43 US children's hospitals between 2010‐2015 for RI, identified with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Clinical Classification System. Discharge to PAC was identified using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Discharge Status Codes. We compared patient characteristics by PAC use with generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

There were 2660 (0.4%) RI hospitalizations resulting in PAC transfer (n = 2660, 0.4%). Discharges to PAC had greater percentages of technology assistance (83.2% vs 15.1%), neuromuscular chronic condition (57.5% vs 8.9%), and mechanical ventilation (52.7% vs 9.1%), P < 0.001 for all. The highest likelihood of PAC use occurred with ≥11 vs no chronic conditions (odds ratio [OR] 11.7 [95% CI, 8.0‐17.2]), ≥9 vs no therapeutic medication classes (OR 4.8 [95% CI, 1.8‐13.0]), and existing tracheostomy (OR 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6‐3.5). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) acute‐care length of stay (LOS) for children most likely to use PAC was 19 (8‐56) days; LOS remained long (median 13 [6‐41] days) for children with the same attributes (n = 9448) not transferred to PAC.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with RI who are most likely to use PAC have a high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions, multiple medications, and medical technology. Future investigations should assess the supply of PAC against the demand of hospitalized children with RI who might need it.
Latest developments
Authors: Malia James , McVay Sue
Published: August 2017

Send your letters, news stories or latest developments to: The Editor, Child Care, St Jude's Church, Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London, SE24 0PB email: childcare@markallengroup.com
Top 10 employment law myths every home should know about
Authors: Themistocleous Chloe
Published: August 2017

There are many areas where a home may fall foul of the law, simply because it mistook a common misconception for statute. In this article, Chloe Themistocleous explains the 10 most common of these myths, and how homes can avoid their pitfalls
Should there be a register of care workers in the UK?
Authors: Garrett Dawne
Published: August 2017

Despite the undeniable importance of having a highly skilled workforce, there is no professional register of care support workers in the UK. In this article, Dawne Garrett explores the myriad benefits that having such a register might offer
Letramentos no contexto da educação hospitalar
Authors: Peters Itamara , Barros Eliana Merlin Deganutti de
Published: August 2017

Este estudo aborda as concepções de letramento que emergem do discurso dos professores que atuam na área de Linguagem no Serviço de Atendimento à Rede Escolarização Hospitalar (SAREH) do Paraná, instrumentalizado pela aplicação de um questionário aos professores que atuam nesse contexto. A pesquisa teve como objetivo geral analisar e compreender de que modo o ensino da Língua Portuguesa é abordado no SAREH, a fim de elaborar orientações teórico-metodológicas para os docentes que atuam nessa área. Pauta-se metodologicamente na abordagem qualitativa e no estudo de caso, tomando como ferramenta de geração de dados o questionário misto, com questões abertas e fechadas, o qual foi aplicado em nove unidades hospitalares conveniadas com a Secretaria Estadual de Educação do Paraná, para dez professores da área de Códigos e Linguagem. A análise do material coletado foi feita com base na análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin (2011), a partir de categorias estabelecidas durante a observação dos dados. O trabalho tem como referencial teórico de base estudos sobre letramento, sua escolarização e seu desmembramento na educação escolar hospitalar. Para este texto, a finalidade é investigar as representações sobre letramento que emergem dos discursos dos referidos docentes em 2015. Busca-se, assim, contribuir para os estudos acerca dos processos de letramento no programa de escolarização hospitalar.