bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Theories for Hospitality Discipline: An Attempt to Describe and Elaborate Required Processes and Procedures
Authors: Khan Mahmood A.
Published: March 2019

Considering the need, the primary intent of this study is to spur contemplation related to building theories that specifically pertain to the hospitality discipline. A review of process required for theory formation is preceded with a description related to (a) developing grounded theories using empirical studies and (b) using case studies for theory development. As an outcome of the discussion, steps necessary for theory development are listed and described. Finally, as a test, properties that are vital for a strong theory are provided as a checklist.
Music education through the lens of ITERS-R: Discussing results from 206 toddler day care groups
Authors: Vist Torill , Os Ellen
Published: March 2019

This article presents results from a large-scale Norwegian study that examines the quality of early childhood education and care, using the research tool ITERS-R. Although ITERS-R consists of 39 items, this article focuses solely on results within music education in Item 18. Music and movement. According to ITERS-R, results from 206 toddler day care groups reveal that the quality of music education in Norwegian day care is low. Our in-depth study of a single item reveals that a lack of musical toys and instruments is what yields such a low score. The quality of singing and the use of recorded music, however, scores better. These results point to a music education philosophy in ITERS-R that diverges somewhat from contemporary music education philosophies and curricula. The article therefore also discusses some potential consequences of this difference.
Rate and impact of venous thromboembolism in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database 2003–2013
Authors: Al-Ogaili Ahmed , Ayoub Ali , Diaz Quintero Luis , Torres Christian , Fuentes Harry E , Fugar Setri , Kolkailah Ahmed A , Dakkak Wael , Tafur Alfonso J , Yadav Neha
Published: March 2019

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and coronary artery disease are major health issues that cause substantial morbidity and mortality. New data have emerged suggesting that these two conditions could have a close relationship. Thus, we sought to determine the trends in annual rate of VTE occurrence in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and measure its impact on in-hospital mortality, bleeding complications, and cost and length of hospitalization. We queried the 2003–2013 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify adults with primary diagnosis of STEMI. VTE events were then allocated. Inpatient outcomes of patients with VTE were compared to those without VTE. Out of 2,495,757 hospitalizations for STEMI, VTE was diagnosed in 25,149 (1%) hospitalizations. Patients who experienced VTE were older (mean age: 67.5 vs 64.8, p < 0.01) and had a higher proportion of black patients (10.1% vs 7.7%, p < 0.001) and females (40.1% vs 35%, p < 0.001) compared to patients without VTE. There was an increasing trend in the rate of VTE during the study period (2003: 0.8% vs 2013: 1.0%, p < 0.001). Patients with VTE had a prolonged hospitalization (median: 9 vs 3 days, p < 0.001), increased cost, higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (OR: 2.13, p < 0.001), intracranial hemorrhage (OR: 2.14, p < 0.001), blood transfusions (OR: 1.94, p < 0.001), and mortality (OR: 1.39, p < 0.001). The rate of VTE occurrence in patients with STEMI in our study was 10 per 1000 admissions. VTE was associated with more bleeding complications, longer hospital stays, higher costs, and mortality. These findings suggest that a more aggressive approach for VTE prophylaxis may be warranted in this population.
Assuming ability of youth with autism: Synthesis of methods capturing the first-person perspectives of children and youth with disabilities
Authors: Tesfaye Rackeb , Courchesne Valerie , Yusuf Afiqah , Savion-Lemieux Tal , Singh Ilina , Shikako-Thomas Keiko , Mirenda Pat , Waddell Charlotte , Smith Isabel M , Nicholas David , Szatmari Peter , Bennett Terry , Duku Eric , Georgiades Stelios , Kerns Connor , Vaillancourt Tracy , Zaidman-Zait Anat , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Elsabbagh Mayada
Published: March 2019

Most research regarding youth with autism spectrum disorder has not focused on their first-person perspectives providing limited insight into methodologies best suited to eliciting their voices. We conducted a synthesis of methods previously used to obtain the first-person perspectives of youth with various disabilities, which may be applicable to youth with autism spectrum disorder. Two-hundred and eighty-four articles met the inclusion criteria of our scoping review. We identified six distinct primary methods (questionnaires, interviews, group discussion, narratives, diaries, and art) expressed through four communication output modalities (language, sign language and gestures, writing, and images). A group of parents who have children with autism spectrum disorder were then presented with a synthesis of results. This parent consultation was used to build on approaches identified in the literature. Parents identified barriers that may be encountered during participant engagement and provided insights on how best to conduct first-person research with youth with autism spectrum disorder. Based on our findings, we present a novel methodological framework to capture the perspectives of youth with various communication and cognitive abilities, while highlighting family, youth, and expert contributions.
Leadership profiles associated with the implementation of behavioral health evidence-based practices for autism spectrum disorder in schools
Authors: Stadnick Nicole A , Meza Rosemary D , Suhrheinrich Jessica , Aarons Gregory A , Brookman-Frazee Lauren , Lyon Aaron R , Mandell David S , Locke Jill
Published: March 2019

Implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the education system is a public health priority. Leadership is a critical driver of EBP implementation but little is known about the types of leadership behaviors exhibited by school leaders and how this influences the context of EBP implementation, particularly for students with ASD. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the leadership profiles of principals involved in EBP implementation for students with ASD and (2) how these leadership profiles related to school characteristics and implementation climate. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework was used to guide the design and analysis of this study. Participants (n = 296) included principals, teachers, and classroom support staff. They provided demographic information and completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and Implementation Climate Scale. Using latent profile analysis, a three-pattern solution was identified: Disengaged (6% of sample), Undifferentiated (23% of sample), and Optimal (71% of sample). Principals in schools with higher proportions of students with an individualized education program were more likely to be classified as Undifferentiated than Optimal. The Optimal group was associated with more positive implementation climate than the Undifferentiated or Disengaged groups. Findings suggest that leadership behaviors rated by principals and their staff involved in implementation of common autism EBPs can be meaningfully clustered into three discernible profiles that are shaped by organizational context and linked to strategic implementation climate. Our study findings have implications for leadership training and service delivery in schools by underscoring the critical nature of school leadership during implementation of EBPs for children with autism and the interplay between specific leadership behaviors and strategic implementation climate.
Westminster’s Brexit Paradox: The contingency of the ‘old’ versus ‘new’ politics
Authors: Richards Dave , Diamond Patrick , Wager Alan
Published: March 2019

The embedded nature of the British Political Tradition has created a series of pathologies about the way politics in Westminster is conducted. The endurance of the British Political Tradition emanates from its resilience to pressures for reform. Yet the rising anti-politics tide, the expression of which was vented in the 2016 European Union referendum, presents a critical challenge to the British Political Tradition. Given the political instability resulting from Brexit, this article maps the fate of previous attempts to reform the way politics is conducted in Britain. It identifies two waves of ‘new politics’ that have defined themselves against the ‘old politics’ of the British Political Tradition: the first, a series of demands for reform during the 1970s; the second, a sustained call for political reform from the 1990s onwards. The subsequent analysis reveals a link between both waves in demands for a less ‘elitist’ and more participatory style of democracy, but at the same time, a failure to dislodge the core tenets of the British Political Tradition. Given the current state of British politics, the article considers whether calls for a new form of politics in response to the climate of anti-politics, and the need for a post-Brexit settlement, will suffer a similar fate.
Patient-specific labial fixed appliances: a step towards personalised orthodontic care?
Authors: Birnie David
Published: March 2019

Personalised medicine integrates decision making, intervention and products to an individual patient based on their risk of disease or response to treatment. Fully customised labial fixed appliances are a step towards personalised orthodontics and provide a tool to optimise orthodontic outcome in relation to skeletal anatomy, facial aesthetics and occlusion.
Friend or foe: Challenges to collaboration success at different lifecycle stages for regional small tourism firms in Australia
Authors: Perkins Rachel , Khoo-Lattimore Catheryn
Published: March 2019

Small tourism businesses are essential to Australia’s economy and development, particularly in regional and rural areas, where a majority of these firms are located. It is important to understand the operation of regional small tourism business, to create strategies for their sustained success into the future. This research paper explores collaboration as an operation of small tourism businesses, by understanding the extent to which small tourism firms face challenges in collaborating at different stages of their business life cycle, and how these challenges to collaboration can be overcome. Collaboration is the selected concept examined within this study as it exposes businesses to shared knowledge, resources, marketing, and capabilities, which these businesses alone would not typically possess. To understand this further, reponses about collaborative behavior were gathered from 24 small tourism operators/managers from The Granite Belt region in South-East Queensland, Australia. Tourism operators recognized several hindrances to successful collaboration: (1) a limited understanding of what collaboration is and how it can be enacted, (2) the informal nature of current collaborations, (3) unbalanced efforts from stakeholders within the collaborations, (4) competition between stakeholders, (5) differing opinions of collaborating businesses, and (6) perceived failure or misdirected leadership from local governing bodies. Using these challenges, a framework was developed that makes recommendations to tourism scholars, organizations, operators, and local councils on how to overcome these hindrances by improving communication, formalizing selected collaborative efforts, and reporting on collaborations.
Influence of fuel injection strategies on efficiency and particulate emissions of gasoline and ethanol blends in a turbocharged multi-cylinder direct injection engine
Authors: Singh Ripudaman , Han Taehoon , Fatouraie Mohammad , Mansfield Andrew , Wooldridge Margaret , Boehman Andre
Published: March 2019

The effects of a broad range of fuel injection strategies on thermal efficiency and engine-out emissions (CO, total hydrocarbons, NOx and particulate number) were studied for gasoline and ethanol fuel blends. A state-of-the-art production multi-cylinder turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine equipped with piezoelectric injectors was used to study fuels and fueling strategies not previously considered in the literature. A large parametric space was considered including up to four fuel injection events with variable injection timing and variable fuel mass in each injection event. Fuel blends of E30 (30% by volume ethanol) and E85 (85% by volume ethanol) were compared with baseline E0 (reference grade gasoline). The engine was operated over a range of loads with intake manifold absolute pressure from 800 to 1200 mbar. A combined application of ethanol blends with a multiple injection strategy yielded considerable improvement in engine-out particulate and gaseous emissions while maintaining or slightly improving engine brake thermal efficiency. The weighted injection spread parameter defined in this study, combined with the weighted center of injection timing defined in the previous literature, was found well suited to characterize multiple injection strategies, including the effects of the number of injections, fuel mass in each injection and the dwell time between injections.
The angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker azilsartan can overwhelm the sympathetic nerve activation stimulated by coadministration of calcium channel blockers
Authors: Fukuda Michio , Isobe-Sasaki Yukako , Sato Ryo , Miura Toshiyuki , Mizuno Masashi , Ono Minamo , Kiyono Ken , Yamamoto Yoshiharu , Hayano Junichiro , Ohte Nobuyuki
Published: March 2019

Objective:

In our recent study, non-Gaussianity of heart rate variability (λ25s), an indicator of sympathetic nerve activity, did not change during two-day treatment with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) azilsartan. Coadministration of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) might affect the study results.

Methods:

In this subanalysis, 20 patients with chronic kidney disease (14 men; age 61±15 years) were divided into three groups: patients with coadministration of L-type CCB, patients without coadministration of CCB, and patients with coadministration of sympathoinhibitory (L/T- or L/T/N-type) CCB. λ25s was calculated separately in daytime and nighttime.

Results:

Daytime λ25s at baseline was higher in patients with L-type CCB coadministration (0.62±0.18, n = 5) compared with those without CCB (0.49±0.13, n = 11) and those with sympathoinhibitory CCB (0.46±0.06, n = 4). The relationship between the changes in daytime λ25s and systolic blood pressure was positive in patients with L-type CCB coadministration, whereas the relationship was inverse in the other two groups. A larger decrease in daytime λ25s was shown in patients with L-type CCB coadministration compared with those in the other two groups.

Conclusions:

CCBs, as well as diuretics, are recommended as second-line antihypertensive agents. Our results suggested that ARBs can overwhelm the activation of sympathetic nerve activity stimulated by coadministration of L-type CCBs.
Validating Black Box Neural Networks
Authors:   Dale Chant Red Centre Software Pty Ltd,   Michael Potter Red Centre Software Pty Ltd
Published: March 2019

Machine learning, driven by recent advances in neural net technology, holds much promise, but how to validate any particular model? This note looks at why validation is necessary, and describes some practical techniques for doing so. The example scenario (from a Health Insurance survey, N = 29,145) is a sentiment analysis of verbatims arising from the Net Promoter Score expatiate ‘Why that rating?’ We show that respondents’ ratings can be predicted to a useful level of accuracy, and that the model can be validated by reference to external benchmarks.
Housing Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Klein L. B. , Chesworth Brittney R. , Howland-Myers Julia R. , Rizo Cynthia Fraga , Macy Rebecca J.
Published: March 2019

Intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors are much more likely to experience housing insecurity or homelessness than those who have not experienced IPV. However, little comprehensive research has evaluated the effectiveness of interventions used to address IPV survivors’ housing insecurity. To address this knowledge gap, our team conducted a systematic review guided by three questions: (a) What are current interventions for addressing IPV survivors’ housing needs? (b) What are the methodological strengths and limitations of the research evaluating those interventions? (c) How effective are the identified interventions? We identified potentially relevant peer-reviewed and gray literature using variations of predetermined search terms and four search methods. Twelve articles met inclusion criteria. Accordingly, this study showed that there is an overall dearth of research concerning interventions that address IPV survivors’ housing insecurity and needs. Shelter is the most commonly assessed and available housing intervention for IPV survivors, but only limited empirical evaluation is available of shelter effectiveness. In addition, findings indicate both traditional shelter services and innovative interventions (e.g., rapid rehousing, flexible funding) would benefit from rigorous evaluation including examining survivor and situation characteristics contributing to housing strategy effectiveness.
Developing a Grounded Theory on Adaptation After Lung Transplantation From Intermediate-Term Patient Experiences
Authors: Lundmark Martina , Lennerling Annette , Forsberg Anna
Published: March 2019

Background:

Previous research revealed that it is possible for lung recipients to experience health 1 year posttransplant, despite not being fully recovered. However, an in-depth, long-term perspective on how lung recipients’ health transition evolves over time is lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to further develop a grounded theory of health transition by exploring the process of change 1 to 3 years after lung transplantation.

Methods:

The grounded theory method was used prospectively to analyze the narratives of 14 adult lung recipients who were included at their 1-year follow-up and reinterviewed 2 years later.

Results:

This novel study contributes an in-depth understanding of the adaptation process after lung transplantation. The greatest concern in the 3 years after lung transplantation was adaptation to a new normality, which was achieved by 3 main strategies: compare, accept, and adjust. Adaptation to a new normality involved understanding that one’s previous life no longer exists and that a new way of living requires adaptation. Successful adaptation resulted in the experience of health and well-being, whereas too many symptoms and limitations in everyday life led to difficulties and a profound sense of illness.

Conclusions:

Lung recipients can experience health, despite symptoms and complications by adapting to a new normality. This individual process begins posttransplant and continues throughout life.
Renal Vein Thrombosis After Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Successfully Treated by Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Date Yusuke , Nagamine Hiroshi , Hara Hiroiku , Kawase Yushi
Published: March 2019

Introduction:

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) of the lower extremities frequently occurs after surgery. It is unknown whether the complication of renal vein thrombosis (RVT) develops after an open repair (OR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Furthermore, anticoagulation therapy with apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), has not been described as treatment for RVT in such cases.

Case:

A 64-year-old man underwent OR for AAA. Postoperative computed tomography revealed RVT in the left renal vein. Apixaban (5 mg twice a day) therapy was initiated. Six months later, we discontinued anticoagulation therapy and observed no recurrence. Following OR, our patient developed RVT for which DOACs were very useful.

Conclusion:

Thus, RVT can manifest as VTE after OR and direct anticoagulants can be considered as a therapeutic option.
Effects of Dopamine on Motor Recovery and Training in Adults and Children With Nonprogressive Neurological Injuries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bradley Catherine L. , Damiano Diane L.
Published: March 2019

Background. The strong link between dopamine and motor learning has been well-established in the animal literature with similar findings reported in healthy adults and the elderly. Objective. We aimed to conduct the first, to our knowledge, systematic review of the literature on the evidence for the effects of dopaminergic medications or genetic variations in dopamine transmission on motor recovery or learning after a nonprogressive neurological injury. Methods. A PubMed search was conducted up until April 2018 for all English articles including participants with nonprogressive neurological injury such as cerebral palsy, stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury; quantitative motor outcomes; and assessments of the dopaminergic system or medications. Results. The search yielded 237 articles, from which we identified 26 articles meeting all inclusion/exclusion criteria. The vast majority of articles were related to the use of levodopa poststroke; however, several studies assessed the effects of different medications and/or were on individuals with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy. Conclusions. The evidence suggests that a brain injury can decrease dopamine transmission and that levodopa may have a positive effect on motor outcomes poststroke, although evidence is not conclusive or consistent. Individual variations in genes related to dopamine transmission may also influence the response to motor skill training during neurorehabilitation and the extent to which dopaminergic medications or interventions can augment that response. More rigorous safety and efficacy studies of levodopa and dopaminergic medications in stroke and particularly other neurological injuries including genetic analyses are warranted.
An intelligent data gathering schema with data fusion supported for mobile sink in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Wang Jin , Gao Yu , Liu Wei , Sangaiah Arun Kumar , Kim Hye-Jin
Published: March 2019

Numerous tiny sensors are restricted with energy for the wireless sensor networks since most of them are deployed in harsh environments, and thus it is impossible for battery re-change. Therefore, energy efficiency becomes a significant requirement for routing protocol design. Recent research introduces data fusion to conserve energy; however, many of them do not present a concrete scheme for the fusion process. Emerging machine learning technology provides a novel direction for data fusion and makes it more available and intelligent. In this article, we present an intelligent data gathering schema with data fusion called IDGS-DF. In IDGS-DF, we adopt a neural network to conduct data fusion to improve network performance. First, we partition the whole sensor fields into several subdomains by virtual grids. Then cluster heads are selected according to the score of nodes and data fusion is conducted in CHs using a pretrained neural network. Finally, a mobile agent is adopted to gather information along a predefined path. Plenty of experiments are conducted to demonstrate that our schema can efficiently conserve energy and enhance the lifetime of the network.
Comparative investigation of carbon fiber filaments in off-axis transverse cutting between flexible-support and non-support method under pre-tension
Authors: Chen Yang , Lu Longsheng , Liu Xiaokang , Xie Yingxi , Wan Zhenping , Hou Zhaorui
Published: March 2019

Short carbon fiber is an effective and essential reinforced material in composite domains. Generally, it is produced by chopping technology, among which pressing roller and grooved wheel are two popular chopping techniques. According to the working principle of these two techniques, the pressing roller can be simplified as a flexible-support cutting in off-axis transverse cutting, meanwhile the grooved wheel can be represented by a non-support cutting. To reveal the fracture difference of carbon fiber between the pressing roller and the grooved wheel technique, comparative investigation of failure behavior between a single carbon fiber (also simplified as a filament) with flexible support and with non-support was performed in off-axis transverse cutting using a custom-designed fixture. Both the cutting force and the fracture surface of the filament were comparatively analyzed in cutting process. It was found that the failure of single carbon fiber was caused by tensile effect in a non-support cutting, whereas that in a flexible-support cutting was caused by bending effect. The cutting-off force and cutting-off depth of filament cut by use flexible support are significantly lower than that by use non-support under low pre-tension. It is interesting to find out that the failure spot of carbon fiber filament in non-support cutting under low pre-tension tends to occur randomly. Meanwhile, in a flexible-support cutting, the break point of carbon fiber filament is determined by the tip of the blade. After a comprehensive comparison, the flexible-support cutting is a prior selection to produce short carbon fibers compared with the non-support cutting.
Offering a Health Empowerment Program in a Faith-Based Community Clinic
Authors: McGrane Minton Heather , Lytle Megan C. , Coleman Renee , Briody Sheila , Kristoffersen Margaret , Sörensen Silvia
Published: March 2019

Introduction. Given the excess burden of overweight/obesity in low-income communities, the objective of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a healthy living program (Health Empowerment Program) for improving physical activity, eating habits, and mental health outcomes. Adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a 7-week biopsychosocial intervention that included spirituality was created. Methods. Participants (n = 153) recruited from a faith-based neighborhood health center were assessed using self-report measures for depressive and anxiety symptoms, self-regulation, physical activity, and eating habits at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up. Results. Participants had significant decreases in depressive symptoms ( β = −1.21; SE = 0.27; P < .001) and anxiety symptoms ( β = −0.69; SE = 0.24; P = .005) and significant increases in self-regulation ( β = 2.42; SE = 0.82; P = .003), time spent in physical activity ( β; = 3.56; SE = 1.48; P = .016), and total healthy eating habits ( β = 0.97; SE = 0.16; P < .001). Conclusion. Although including spirituality in a healthy living program is feasible and is associated with improvements in outcomes, future research needs to consider how best to incorporate a modified DPP into community settings allowing access to all community members.
When Madness Meets Madness: Insider Reflections on Doing Mental Health Research
Authors: Johnston Matthew S.
Published: March 2019

Insider–outsider relations in qualitative research have been heavily studied. Yet there is a dearth in the literature exploring how people who have experienced madness produce knowledge and overcome trying circumstances when they do qualitative mental health research with other survivors. This article fills this gap through a critical reflection on my experiences with psychosis and involuntary hospitalization and how they shaped dialogue with my participants. Situated within a narrative framework of inquiry, I reveal how self-disclosure and critical forms of relationality during interviews with 10 psychiatric survivors produced a survivor-centered knowledge that nuances biomedical understandings of mental illness and the mental health system. Practices of self-disclosure revealed how survivors and I had to navigate familial expectations as we recovered and tried to regain a sense of identity. Doing insider research also helped me overcome the periods of embarrassment and stigma in my psychosis, as I learned through critical dialogue how traumatic events can provide unique avenues for intense self-reflection and the development of greater empathy for mental health survivors. I also discuss some of the ethical concerns and limitations of having an insider status in qualitative mental health research, and how self-disclosure may present certain epistemological challenges in the research process.
Seismic performance evaluation of high-rise steel buildings dependent on wind exposures
Authors: Kim Seonwoong
Published: March 2019

The lateral load-resisting system of high-rise buildings in regions of low and moderate seismicity and strong wind such as the typhoon in the Korean peninsula considers the wind load as the governed lateral force so that the practical structural engineer tends to skip the evaluation against the seismic load. This study is to investigate wind-designed steel diagrid buildings located in these regions and check the possibility of the elastic design of them out. To this end, first, the diagrid high-rise buildings were designed to satisfy the wind serviceability criteria specified in KBC 2016. Then, the response spectrum analyses were performed under various slenderness ratio and wind exposures. The analyses demonstrated the good seismic performance of these wind-designed diagrid high-rise buildings because of the significant over-strength induced by the lateral load-resisting system of high-rise buildings. Also, the analysis results showed that the elastic seismic design process of some diagrid high-rise buildings may be accepted based on slenderness ratios in all wind exposures.
Iodine/K2CO3-catalyzed synthesis of multisubstituted pyrrolidine-2-carboxylates via a one-pot reaction between an araldehyde, an amino acid ester, and a chalcone
Authors: Zhang Yongjian , Su Junyi , Lin Tengfei , Lin Zhangqi , Zhou Zichun , Li Yujin
Published: March 2019

A series of more than 20 multisubstituted pyrrolidine-2-carboxylates were synthesized via a one-pot cycloaddition of an araldehyde, an amino acid ester, and a chalcone catalyzed by I2/K2CO3 in tetrahydrofuran at 80 °C. The advantages of this method are readily available starting materials, mild conditions, and simple operation, and it is metal free and yields are good to excellent.
Obstetric outcomes following atrial and arterial switch procedures for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) – A single, tertiary referral centre experience over 20 years
Authors: Fabre-Gray Anna , Curtis Stephanie , Trinder Johanna
Published: March 2019

Repair of transposition of the great arteries usually involves an atrial switch or arterial switch operation, which can complicate physiological adaptation to the demands of pregnancy and adversely affect the fetus. We retrospectively compared outcomes of 48 completed pregnancies in 23 women with surgically corrected transposition of the great arteries (38 atrial switch/10 arterial switch operation) under joint cardiac-obstetric care in our tertiary referral clinic between 1997 and 2017. Most women delivered vaginally (85%). The pre-term delivery rate was high (atrial switch 39%; arterial switch operation 40%). Small for gestational age occurred in 56% of babies, significantly more in the atrial switch group (66%) than arterial switch operation (20%), p = 0.013. Women with surgically corrected transposition of the great arteries wishing to become pregnant are at high risk of obstetric complications, primarily pre-term delivery and small for gestational age baby. They require more careful ultrasound surveillance beyond 36 weeks’ gestation and/or may benefit from early induction of labour.

Trial registration: Text/Not applicable.
Hospital Design with Nature Films Reduces Stress-Related Variables in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy
Authors: Sjölander Annica , Jakobsson Ung Eva , Theorell Töres , Nilsson Åsa , Ung Kjell-Arne
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To examine whether patients’ experiences could be improved during colonoscopy by designing the examination room to include a digital screen showing calm nature films.

Background:

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for examination of the large intestine and the rectum. Around 50% of individuals invited for colorectal cancer screening choose to refrain from the screening due to fear and anxiety. It is therefore important to improve patients’ comfort during the procedure.

Method:

One of the four endoscopy rooms was rebuilt to include a large digital screen showing calm nature films. Patients were randomized to intervention (i.e., the room showing films) or control. During the colonoscopy, pulse and oxygen saturation were measured and the patients graded the intensity of pain and anxiety. Blood samples were taken regularly during the examination and were analyzed for glucose, cortisol, and prolactin.

Results:

The presence of calm nature films during colonoscopy decreased the release of cortisol, increased prolactin levels, and enhanced oxygen saturation. These effects were more apparent in patients who were unfamiliar with the procedure and the environment, patients who underwent the examination without analgesics or sedation, and patients whose examination procedure was relatively difficult and took a long time.

Conclusions:

The intervention described in this study is easy to implement and might help improve the patient experience during colonoscopy. However, this study was performed in a single health institution, and more studies are needed to further explore the role of film interventions in endoscopic and other medical procedures.
The Applicability of New Orleans Criteria for Head Computed Tomography in Inpatient Falls With Injury
Authors: Yarlagadda Jay , Joshi Shikha , Cerasale Matthew T. , Rana Sanah , Heidemann Danielle
Published: March 2019

Background:

Inpatient falls are a patient safety concern. Limited data exist on the utility of head computed tomography (CT) for inpatient falls. The New Orleans Criteria (NOC) is a validated tool to determine the appropriateness of neuroimaging in the emergency department for falls with minor head injury. This study aimed to evaluate whether the NOC could be applied to inpatient falls.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study assessed 1 year of inpatient falls with injury at 5 inpatient facilities. Records were reviewed for demographic data, fall circumstances, laboratory results, components of the NOC, and head CT results. Cohorts included positive NOC (≥1 NOC finding) and negative NOC. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the NOC alone, NOC plus coagulopathy, and NOC or coagulopathy for acute intracranial process.

Results:

Of 332 inpatient falls with injury, 188 (57%) received a head CT. Of the 250 (75.3%) NOC-positive cases, 159 (63.6%) received a head CT. Of all patients who received a head CT, 7 (2.1%) showed a significant acute intracranial process. The NOC was positive in 6 of the 7 cases (sensitivity 85.7% and specificity 23.8%); the other case had a significant coagulopathy. New Orleans Criteria or coagulopathy had 100% sensitivity and 23.4% specificity.

Conclusions:

Our findings show that use of the NOC to evaluate potential intracranial injury in inpatient falls is limited. Adding criteria to the NOC may improve its test characteristics, with a sensitivity of 100% for the NOC or coagulopathy, suggesting potential clinical utility.
Diabetic cardiomyopathy: prevalence, determinants and potential treatments
Authors: Gulsin Gaurav S. , Athithan Lavanya , McCann Gerry P.
Published: March 2019

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has reached a pandemic scale. These patients are at a substantially elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease, with heart failure (HF) being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Even in the absence of traditional risk factors, diabetes still confers up to a twofold increased risk of developing HF. This has led to identifying diabetes as an independent risk factor for HF and recognition of the distinct clinical entity, diabetic cardiomyopathy. Despite a wealth of research interest, the prevalence and determinants of diabetic cardiomyopathy remain uncertain. This limited understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetic heart disease has also hindered development of effective treatments. Tight blood-glucose and blood-pressure control have not convincingly been shown to reduce macrovascular outcomes in T2D. There is, however, emerging evidence that T2D is reversible and that the metabolic abnormalities can be reversed with weight loss. Increased aerobic exercise capacity is associated with significantly lower cardiovascular and overall mortality in diabetes. Whether such lifestyle modifications as weight loss and exercise may ameliorate the structural and functional derangements of the diabetic heart has yet to be established. In this review, the link between T2D and myocardial dysfunction is explored. Insights into the structural and functional perturbations that typify the diabetic heart are first described. This is followed by an examination of the pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease in T2D. Lastly, the current and emerging therapeutic strategies to prevent or ameliorate cardiac dysfunction in T2D are evaluated.
Palliative care services in families of males with muscular dystrophy: Data from MD STARnet
Authors: Andrews Jennifer G , Pandya Shree , Trout Christina , Jaff Treeva , Matthews Dennis , Cunniff Christopher , Meaney F John
Published: March 2019

Introduction:

Information on use of palliative care services among individuals with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is scant despite the clearly documented need.

Methods:

We examined associations between uptake of palliative care services by 233 males with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy aged 12 and older for both caregiver and affected male characteristics using the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance Tracking and Research Network baseline interview.

Results:

Ninety-one percent of caregivers (213/233) used at least one palliative care service. Case management had the highest frequency of use (59%). Use of palliative care was more frequently associated with the characteristics of affected males, as were some individual palliative care services. Utilization of six individual services differed among Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance Tracking and Research Network sites. While research suggests that pain is a frequent problem in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, only 12.5% reported use of pain management services.

Discussion:

Although palliative care use among families of males with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is high overall, there is much variability in use of individual services. Use of palliative care is driven by disease experience in the affected male. Many of the care recommendations for these individuals highlight the importance for early involvement of palliative care professionals.
User-participatory development of FindMyApps; a tool to help people with mild dementia find supportive apps for self-management and meaningful activities
Authors: Kerkhof Yvonne , Pelgrum-Keurhorst Myrna , Mangiaracina Floriana , Bergsma Ad , Vrauwdeunt Guus , Graff Maud , Dröes Rose-Marie
Published: March 2019

Objective

There is growing evidence that hand-held touchscreen devices (tablets) can support people with mild dementia to manage their life and engage in meaningful activities. However, as it can be difficult to find apps that match one’s personal needs, wishes and abilities, a person-centred selection tool was developed, called FindMyApps.

Method

To ensure its usability, the FindMyApps selection tool was developed using a ‘user-participatory design’ in which users (persons with dementia and informal carers), and experts (designers, developers and researchers) closely collaborated. In three short iterative rounds – so called ‘sprints’ – the users were invited to test whether the prototypes harmonised with their needs, wishes and abilities.

Results

Each sprint provided insight into potential improvements of the tool. The development team gained an understanding of issues regarding usefulness (e.g. meaningful content of (sub)categories for apps in domains of self-management and meaningful activities), as well as issues to increase the user-friendliness (e.g. intuitive design with instructive navigation support).

Conclusion

The FindMyApps selection tool was conceived as a means to make it easier for people with mild dementia to select apps meeting their needs, wishes and abilities. This provisional end version will be further tested, and, if necessary, improved in a feasibility study.
Why Keep Arguing? Predicting Engagement in Political Conversations Online
Authors: Shugars Sarah , Beauchamp Nicholas
Published: March 2019

Individuals acquire increasingly more of their political information from social media, and ever more of that online time is spent in interpersonal, peer-to-peer communication and conversation. Yet, many of these conversations can be either acrimoniously unpleasant or pleasantly uninformative. Why do we seek out and engage in these interactions? Who do people choose to argue with, and what brings them back to repeated exchanges? In short, why do people bother arguing online? We develop a model of argument engagement using a new dataset of Twitter conversations about President Trump. The model incorporates numerous user, tweet, and thread-level features to predict user participation in conversations with over 98% accuracy. We find that users are likely to argue over wide ideological divides, and are increasingly likely to engage with those who are different from themselves. In addition, we find that the emotional content of a tweet has important implications for user engagement, with negative and unpleasant tweets more likely to spark sustained participation. Although often negative, these extended discussions can bridge political differences and reduce information bubbles. This suggests a public appetite for engaging in prolonged political discussions that are more than just partisan potshots or trolling, and our results suggest a variety of strategies for extending and enriching these interactions.
Male Athlete Representations in Men’s Magazines: A Study in Mediated Sport Stacking
Authors: Denham Bryan E.
Published: March 2019

This study examined 681 male athlete features in Details, Esquire, GQ, and Playboy across the first two decades of the 21st century. While White athletes accounted for 283 features and Black athletes 329, the former were featured in 35 of 43 sports observed, compared to just 14 for the latter. In fact, more than 80% of all features on Black athletes focused on basketball, football, and boxing. Latino athletes accounted for 52 of the 681 total features and represented 15 sports, one more than African Americans. Recognizing existing research, the study applies the term mediated sport stacking to the practice of limiting the Black athletic experience primarily to team sports, especially basketball. The article considers the implications of statistical patterns observed and also includes limitations and recommendations for future research.
Use of ceramic-on-ceramic bearing in total hip arthroplasty for posttraumatic arthritis of the hip
Authors: Lee Young-Kyun , Kim Ki-Choul , Kim Jin-Woo , Ha Joo Hyung , Yoon Byung-Ho , Ha Yong-Chan , Koo Kyung-Hoi
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

We aimed to evaluate (1) the intraoperative parameters, (2) cup position, (3) complications, (4) long-term results, and (5) the survivorship of cementless total hip arthroplastys (THAs) with use of ceramic bearings in patients with a history of acetabular fracture.

Methods:

We compared 57 THAs in patients, who were treated due to previous acetabular fracture (posttraumatic group), with 57 propensity score-matched THAs in patients, who were operated due to femoral head osteonecrosis (osteonecrotic group), at a minimum of 5-year follow-up.

Results:

The operation time was longer ( p = 0.008), and the volume of transfusion was larger ( p = 0.0.23) in the posttraumatic group. The cup abduction (39.4° ± 6.0° vs. 39.7°±4.8°) and anteversion (24.7° ± 8.0° vs. 26.7°±7.7°) were similar between the two groups. There was one dislocation in the posttraumatic group. There was no ceramic fracture in either group. One posttraumatic patient underwent excision of exuberant heterotrophic ossification at 3 years after the arthroplasty. The mean University of California, Los Angeles activity improved from 3.6 to 4.9 points in the posttraumatic group and 3.5 to 5.2 points in the osteonecrotic group. All acetabular cups and femoral stems had bone-ingrown stability. When reoperation for any reason was used as the end point, the 10-year survival rate was 98.3% (95% CI: 95.0–100) in the posttraumatic group and 100% in the osteonecrotic group.

Conclusion:

In our study, posttraumatic patients had longer operation time and larger volume of transfusion than osteonecrotic patients. However, medium-term results and survivorship were similar with those of osteonecrotic patients.
Modeling magnetic nanopolymer flow with induction and nanoparticle solid volume fraction effects: Solar magnetic nanopolymer fabrication simulation
Authors: Bég O Anwar , Kuharat S , Ferdows M , Das M , Kadir A , Shamshuddin MD
Published: March 2019

A mathematical model is presented for the nonlinear steady, forced convection, hydromagnetic flow of electro-conductive magnetic nanopolymer with magnetic induction effects included. The transformed two-parameter, non-dimensional governing partial differential equations for mass, momentum, magnetic induction and heat conservation are solved with the local non-similarity method subject to appropriate boundary conditions. Keller’s implicit finite difference “box” method is used to validate solutions. Computations for four different nanoparticles and three different base fluids are included. Silver nanoparticles in combination with various base fluids enhance temperatures and induced magnetic field and accelerate the flow. An elevation in magnetic body force number decelerates the flow, whereas an increase in magnetic Prandtl number elevates the magnetic induction. Furthermore, increasing nanoparticle solid volume fraction is found to substantially boost temperatures. Applications of the study arise in advanced magnetic solar nanomaterials (fluids) processing technologies.
Unilateral cilioretinal artery occlusion following cannabis use
Authors: Ugradar Shoaib , Manta Alexandra , Flanagan Declan
Published: March 2019

There is a growing trend towards the decriminalization of cannabis and this is associated with its increased use over the past decade. Although a variety of adverse effects are attributed to its use, complications involving the eye are rare. We present the case of cilioretinal artery occlusion in a young man with no previous medical history. We discuss the management offered to him and present a review of the literature on this topic. Given the cilioretinal artery occlusion, medical management achieved an excellent result, with his best-corrected visual acuity improving to 6/12. Cilioretinal artery occlusions in healthy young individuals are extremely rare. The only risk factor identified in this patient was the use of cannabis on one occasion prior to his symptoms. There are no other cases in the literature that associate this complication with cannabis use and therefore it serves to raise awareness among the ophthalmic community.