bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reperfusion Within 6 Hours Outperforms Recanalization in Predicting Penumbra Salvage, Lesion Growth, Final Infarct, and Clinical Outcome
Authors: Cho Tae-Hee , Nighoghossian Norbert , Mikkelsen Irene Klærke , Derex Laurent , Hermier Marc , Pedraza Salvador , Fiehler Jens , Østergaard Leif , Berthezène Yves , Baron Jean-Claude
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose—

The relative merits of reperfusion versus recanalization to predict tissue and clinical outcomes in anterior circulation stroke have been previously assessed using data acquired >12 hours postonset. To avoid late-occurring confounders such as non-nutritional reperfusion, futile recanalization and no-reflow phenomenon, we performed ultraearly assessment of reperfusion and recanalization.

Methods—

From a multicenter prospective database, 46 patients with acute magnetic resonance angiography–visible occlusion and in whom both reperfusion and recanalization were assessed on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging ≤6 hours of symptom onset were identified. Multiple linear regressions modeled salvaged penumbra, diffusion-weighted imaging lesion growth, and final infarct at 1 month using baseline clinical and imaging parameters and acute reperfusion or recanalization. Best predictors were determined with the Akaike information criterion. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions identified the clinical and imaging predictors of clinical outcome.

Results—

Admission magnetic resonance imaging showed M1 occlusion in 15 (33%) patients; median penumbra volume was 13.4 mL. Acute reperfusion was observed in 27 (59%) patients; 42% of nonrecanalized patients demonstrated reperfusion. The dichotomized classification of reperfusion and recanalization was discordant (
P
=0.0002). Reperfusion ≤6 hours was a significant (
P
<0.05) predictor of increased penumbra salvage, reduced lesion growth, and final infarct size. Recanalization did not improve model accuracy. Reperfusion, but not recanalization, was significantly associated with good clinical outcome in logistic regressions.

Conclusions—

Reperfusion ≤6 hours was consistently superior to recanalization in predicting tissue and clinical outcome. Reperfusion without recanalization was frequent and probably related to retrograde reperfusion through leptomeningeal collaterals. Acute reperfusion was the strongest predictor of, and may therefore, represent a reliable surrogate for, clinical outcome.
White Matter Perivascular Spaces on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Charidimou Andreas , Hong Young T. , Jäger Hans R. , Fox Zoe , Aigbirhio Franklin I. , Fryer Tim D. , Menon David K. , Warburton Elizabeth A. , Werring David J. , Baron Jean-Claude
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose—

We investigated the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging-visible centrum semiovale perivascular spaces (CSO-PVS), a biomarker of impaired interstitial fluid drainage, and positron emission tomography–based amyloid-β burden across a wide range of cerebrovascular amyloid deposition.

Methods—

Thirty-one nondemented subjects (11 probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy patients and 10 healthy subjects ≥60 years; 10 older individuals, <60 years) had brain magnetic resonance imaging and Pittsburgh compound B-positron emission tomography. CSO-PVS was evaluated on T2-magnetic resonance imaging using a 4-point scale. The association between Pittsburgh compound B and CSO-PVS was assessed in linear regression.

Results—

In multivariable analyses adjusted for age, microbleeds and white matter hyperintensities, whole cortex Pittsburgh compound B binding was associated with CSO-PVS degree both as continuous (coefficient, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.22;
P
=0.040) and as dichotomous variable (coefficient, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.44;
P
=0.002). The median Pittsburgh compound B retention was higher in high versus low CSO-PVS degree (
P
=0.0007).

Conclusions—

This pilot study suggests a possible association between cerebrovascular amyloid deposition and CSO-PVS, with potential pathophysiological implications.
Morphological and molecular studies on Aphelenchoides arachidis Bos, 1977 (Tylenchina: Aphelenchoididae) from groundnuts in South Africa
Authors: Lesufi Moses M. , Swart Antoinette , Mc Donald Alex H. , Knoetze Rinus , Tiedt Louwrens R. , Truter Mariette
Published: April 2015

Aphelenchoides arachidisis reported for the first time from South Africa and for the fourth time outside Nigeria. TheA. arachidis-infested pods from South Africa showed the following symptoms: small seeds with the testa wrinkled and darker in colour than that of non-infested seeds; the pods showed dark lesions and some seeds within the pods showed early germination. Differences between the two South African and the Nigerian populations ofA. arachidisinclude more lateral lines in some specimens (2-4vs2) and, on average, longer post-uterine sac length (extending for 74 (41-96) and 62 (33-82)vsabout 50% of vulva to anus distance). Scanning electron micrographs of this species are presented for the first time. The ITS regions of ribosomal DNA were amplified, sequenced, aligned and compared with other sequences ofAphelenchoidesspecies. Two pathogenic fungi,Thielaviopsis basicolaandNeocosmospora vasinfecta, were also isolated from this material.
Lectotypification of the spikemosses Selaginella denticulata and S. ornithopodioides (Selaginellaceae, Lycopsida)
Authors: FERRER-GALLEGO PEDRO PABLO , BOISSET FERNANDO
Published: April 2015

The typification of the names Selaginella denticulata (L.) Spring (≡ Lycopodium denticulatum L.) and S. ornithopodioides (L.) Spring (≡ L. ornithopodioides L.) (Selaginellaceae) is discussed. A specimen at LINN is designated as the lectotype of S. denticulata, and a specimen at BM is designated as the second-step lectotype of the name S. ornithopodioides.
Establishment of Oulenziella gen. nov. for Oulenzia bakeri (Hughes, 1962) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae)
Authors: FAN QING-HAI , GEORGE SHERLY , LI DONG-MEI , ZHANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: April 2015

A new genus, Oulenziella, is proposed for Oulenzia bakeri (Hughes, 1962), a species originally collected on jute (Corchorus sp., Malvaceae) from India. Oulenziella bakeri (Hughes, 1962) comb. nov. is re-described. Oulenzia gossypii Meyer & Rodrigues, 1965 collected from Gossypium sp. in Mozambique is considered a junior synonym of Oulenziella bakeri. The new genus differs from Oulenzia in having hT present on tibiae I and II, kT on tibia IV, la and ra on tarsus II, w and r on tarsus III, e and f on tarsi I–III; and by seta d on tarsi III and IV positioned at level of apical 1/8 to 1/6 of the segments.
New mayfly genera from the Middle Triassic of Poland and their evolutionary and paleogeographic implications (Ephemerida: Litophlebiidae, Vogesonymphidae)
Authors: SINITSHENKOVA NINA D. , ARISTOV DANIIL S. , WEGIEREK PIOTR , ŻYŁA DAGMARA
Published: April 2015

Two new mayfly genera and species from the Triassic deposits of the Pałęgi area (southeast Poland) are described. This is the first description of aquatic insects from the Pałęgi locality. Triassolitophlebia palegica gen. et sp. nov. (Litophlebiidae) is established on the basis of an isolated forewing. This is the first finding of this family in the Northern Hemisphere, known previously only from the Molteno Formation (South Africa). This is also the first mayfly family from the Triassic which has been found in both Hemispheres, providing additional evidence of the presumed similarity of aquatic insect faunas in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres during the Triassic. The consistent wing venation of ancient mayflies with homonomous wings could be evidence that they originated from the same ancestor. The second new mayfly, Palegonympha triassica gen. et sp. nov. (Vogesonymphidae), is described on the basis of a single fossil nymph (imprint of the exuviae) and indicates the similarity of the Pałęgi arthropod assemblage to that described from the Middle Triassic of France. The presence of a mayfly nymph in the last instar stage suggests not only that the Pałęgi deposit represents a fluvial environment with well-oxygenated and limpid water but also that these conditions lasted long enough to allow for such development.
Ocean Speed and Turbulence Measurements Using Pitot-Static Tubes on Moorings
Authors: Moum James N.
Published: April 2015

A low-power (<10 mW), physically small (15.6 cm long × 3.2 cm diameter), lightweight (600 g Cu; alternatively, 200 g Al), robust, and simply calibrated pitot-static tube to measure mean speed and turbulence dissipation is described and evaluated. The measurement of speed is derived from differential pressure via Bernoulli’s principle. The differential pressure sensor employed here has relatively small, but significant, adverse sensitivities to static pressure, temperature, and acceleration, which are characterized in tests in the college’s laboratory. Results from field tests on moorings indicate acceptable agreement in pitot-static speed measurements with independent acoustic Doppler current profiler speeds, characterized as linear fits with slope = 1 (95% confidence), ±0.02 m s−1 bias, and root-mean-square error of residuals (observed minus fitted values) = 0.055 m s−1. Direct estimates of are derived from fits of velocity spectra to a theoretical turbulence inertial subrange. From near-bottom measurements, these estimates are interpreted as seafloor friction velocities, which yield drag coefficients consistent with expected values. Noise levels for , based on 40-min spectral fits, are <10–9 m2 s–3. In comparison to the airfoil (or shear) probe, the pitot-static tube provides the full spectrum of velocity, not just the dissipation range of the spectrum. In comparison to acoustic measurements of velocity, the pitot-static tube does not require acoustic scatters in the measurement volume. This makes the sensor a candidate for use in the deep ocean, for example, where acoustic scatterers are weak.
Improvements in the Probabilistic Prediction of Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification with Passive Microwave Observations
Authors: Rozoff Christopher M. , Velden Christopher S. , Kaplan John , Kossin James P. , Wimmers Anthony J.
Published: April 2015

The probabilistic prediction of tropical cyclone (TC) rapid intensification (RI) in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Ocean basins is examined here using a series of logistic regression models trained on environmental and infrared satellite-derived features. The environmental predictors are based on averaged values over a 24-h period following the forecast time. These models are compared against equivalent models enhanced with additional TC predictors created from passive satellite microwave imagery (MI). Leave-one-year-out cross validation on the developmental dataset shows that the inclusion of MI-based predictors yields more skillful RI models for a variety of RI and intensity thresholds. Compared with the baseline forecast skill of the non-MI-based RI models, the relative skill improvements from including MI-based predictors range from 10.6% to 44.9%. Using archived real-time data during the period 2004–13, evaluation of simulated real-time models is also carried out. Unlike in the model development stage, the simulated real-time setting involves using Global Forecast System forecasts for the non-satellite-based predictors instead of “perfect” observational-based predictors in the developmental data. In this case, the MI-based RI models still generate superior skill to the baseline RI models lacking MI-based predictors. The relative improvements gained in adding MI-based predictors are most notable in the Atlantic, where the non-MI versions of the models suffer acutely from the use of imperfect real-time data. In the Atlantic, relative skill improvements provided from the inclusion of MI-based predictors range from 53.5% to 103.0%. The eastern Pacific relative improvements are less impressive but are still uniformly positive.
Incompleteness: Frontier Africa and the Currency of Conviviality
Authors: Nyamnjoh Francis B
Published: April 2015

This paper makes a case for conviviality as a currency for frontier Africans. It argues that incompleteness is the normal order of things, and that conviviality invites us to celebrate and preserve incompleteness and mitigate the delusions of grandeur that come with ambitions and claims of completeness. Conviviality encourages frontier Africans to reach out, encounter and explore ways of enhancing or complementing themselves with the added possibilities of potency brought their way by the incompleteness of others, never as a ploy to becoming complete, but to make them more efficacious in their relationships and sociality. Frontier Africans and conviviality suggest alternative and complementary modes of influence over and above the current predominant mode of coercive violence and control.
Delamination growth speed analysis in a compressed composite laminate based on first-order shear deformation theory
Authors: Ovesy HR , Naghinejad Maysam , Kharazi Mahsa
Published: April 2015

In the present article, the variational energy principle and the Griffith-type fracture criterion are implemented to analyze the speed of through-the-width delamination growth of a buckled composite laminate with clamped edges, subjected to in-plane strains. The inertial effect has been included in the total energy equation. The formulations are based on the first-order shear deformation theory, and the thin film delamination model has been considered. By implementing the local growth condition at the crack tip, the governing equations are obtained through variational principle. The equations are then solved using fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. Subsequently, the results of current study have been compared with those available in the literature. The effects of shear deformation theory and bending extension coupling have been investigated and discussed for different non-dimensional load-geometry parameters.
An experimental study of the effect of ply orientation on ballistic impact performance of multi-ply fabric panels
Authors: Wang Ying , Chen Xiaogang , Young Robert , Kinloch Ian , Garry Wells
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study of the effect of ply orientation on the ballistic performance of the multi-ply fabric panels. The fabric panels used in the experiments were constructed by laying plies of plain-woven fabrics in a selection of orientations. Particular attention was paid to the stacking sequence of fabrics with different laying angles. Ballistic impact tests were carried out on such angled fabric panels. The results showed significant improvement in energy-absorbing capacity of the angled multi-ply panel over the conventional aligned panel where all fabric plies are laid in the same orientation. The impact energy absorption by these angled fabric panels showed a 14% increase over the aligned counterpart, depending on the number of the plies. Optimizing the stacking sequence of the angled plies caused a 15% increase in impact energy absorption. For the panels with a large number of plies, such as the eight-ply panels, the effective panel construction can be determined according to the performance of the sub-level ply group.
“For a Decent Quality of Life”
Authors: Kirchhof Astrid Mignon
Published: April 2015

Since the 1970s urban spaces have increasingly been the focal point of conflict for politically active groups. Berlin, because of its occupied status, was in some aspects distinct from any other East or West German city, which is evident in the continuous negotiations between the municipal administrations and politics of both city halves to cope with the historical situation of the city. Though historical scholarship points to the transfers that occurred between East and West Berlin, this article claims that the Wall was not as permeable as the research suggests. Indeed contacts were scarce between East and West Berlin activist groups. The reason for only sporadic contact was not the Wall as such, but much more that the political groups on each side of the Wall had their own agendas. Given that East Berlin environmental groups have been the focus of a number of historical studies, this article will place the West Berlin protagonists and their actions at the center of the paper and analyze three ways of cooperation between two communal administrations and different environmental groups in East and West Berlin. It explores the circumstances under which reciprocal transfers between the different groups in East and West Berlin were possible and investigates how the environmental situation on one side of the city could influence the official politics on the other side through the geographic proximity and the common history of both city halves. It also explores the political groups and their environmental goals during the 1980s and locates these within the context of urban Berlin.
Palliative endovascular treatment of cancer-related iliocaval obstructive disease: technical and clinical outcomes
Authors: Maleux Geert , Vertenten Bart , Laenen Annouschka , De Wever Liesbeth , Heye Sam , Clement Paul , Oyen Raymond
Published: April 2015

Background

Cancer-related obstruction of large abdominal and pelvic veins might become symptomatic with clinical signs of lower limb venous congestion. Technical and clinical outcome after interventional treatment is not well studied yet.

Purpose

To retrospectively assess the technical and clinical outcome of endovascular management of symptomatic cancer-related iliocaval venous obstructive disease.

Material and Methods

From 1998 to 2013, 19 patients (15 men, 4 women; mean age, 63.6 years) referred for interventional treatment of cancer-related iliocaval obstructive disease were identified. Patients’ symptoms included unilateral ( n = 16; 84%) or bilateral ( n = 3; 16%) painful swelling of the lower limbs. Patients’ demographics as well as interventional and clinical outcome data were collected.

Results

All 19 patients underwent, under local anesthesia, stenting of the iliac vein ( n = 16; 84%) or inferior vena cava ( n = 3; 16%). Immediate technical success ( n = 19) was 100%; immediate clinical success ( n = 18) was 94.7%. During follow-up, seven patients (36.8%) presented with recurrent symptoms of painful limb swelling. Estimated survival after 3 and 6 months was 68.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47.8–82.3%) and 19.8% (95% CI, 11.9–29.2%), respectively.

Conclusion

Endovascular stenting of cancer-related iliocaval venous obstructive disease is safe and results in immediate relief of symptoms. However, recurrent venous obstruction is common. At 3 months follow-up, the majority of patients with iliac vein stenting were still alive.
Municipal solid waste management health risk assessment from air emissions for China by applying life cycle analysis
Authors: Li Hua , Nitivattananon Vilas , Li Peng
Published: April 2015

This study is to quantify and objectively evaluate the extent of environmental health risks from three waste treatment options suggested by the national municipal solid waste management enhancing strategy (No [2011] 9 of the State Council, promulgated on 19 April 2011), which includes sanitary landfill, waste-to-energy incineration and compost, together with the material recovery facility through a case study in Zhangqiu City of China. It addresses potential chronic health risks from air emissions to residential receptors in the impacted area. It combines field survey, analogue survey, design documents and life cycle inventory methods in defining the source strength of chemicals of potential concern. The modelling of life cycle inventory and air dispersion is via integrated waste management(IWM)-2 and Screening Air Dispersion Model (Version 3.0) (SCREEN3). The health risk assessment is in accordance with United States Environmental Protection Agency guidance Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS), Volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part F, Supplemental Guidance for Inhalation Risk Assessment). The exposure concentration is based on long-term exposure to the maximum ground level contaminant in air under the ‘reasonable worst situation’ emissions and then directly compared with reference for concentration and unit risk factor/cancer slope factor derived from the national air quality standard (for a conventional pollutant) and toxicological studies (for a specific pollutant). Results from this study suggest that the option of compost with material recovery facility treatment may pose less negative health impacts than other options; the sensitivity analysis shows that the landfill integrated waste management collection rate has a great influence on the impact results. Further investigation is needed to validate or challenge the findings of this study.
Fire behaviour of carbon fibre epoxy composite for aircraft: Novel test bench and experimental study
Authors: Tranchard Pauline , Samyn Fabienne , Duquesne Sophie , Thomas Matthieu , Estèbe Bruno , Montès Jean-Luc , Bourbigot Serge
Published: April 2015

A versatile fire test has been developed with a complete set of instrumentation to investigate the fire behaviour of carbon fibre epoxy composite designed for aircraft. During a single test, both condensed and gas phases can be simultaneously studied measuring the temperature profile and the mass loss and studying the nature and quantity of volatile gaseous species. This novel test bench is compliant with two aeronautical certification fire tests: ISO2685:1998(E) and FAR25.856(b):2003. Titanium coupons have been first submitted to fire to validate the testing method. Composite coupons have been evaluated to examine completely their fire behaviour. To go further in the investigation, post-fire analyses have been performed using X-ray microtomographic images of coupons exposed to fire. Thus, the phenomena identified during the test are the apparition of cracks in the virgin material, the thermal degradation, the migration of evolved gases through the material up to both side and the thermal delamination.
Determination of mutagenicity and genotoxicity of indium tin oxide nanoparticles using the Ames test and micronucleus assay
Authors: Akyıl Dilek , Eren Yasin , Konuk Muhsin , Tepekozcan Aykut , Sağlam Esra
Published: April 2015

In this study, the mutagenicity and genotoxicity of indium tin oxide (ITO) nanomaterial were assessed using two standard genotoxicity assays, the Salmonella reverse mutation assay (Ames test) and the in vitro micronucleus (MN) assay. Seven different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 µg/plate) of this nanomaterial were tested using the Ames test on the TA98 and TA100 strains in the presence and absence of the S9 mixture. At all the concentrations tested, this substance did not significantly increase the number of revertant colonies compared with the control with or without S9 mixture. The genotoxic effects of ITO were investigated in human peripheral lymphocytes treated with 125, 250, 500, and 750 µg/ml concentrations of this substance for 24- and 48-h treatment periods using an MN test. Nuclear division index (NDI) was also calculated in order to determine the cytotoxicity of ITO. It was determined that ITO increased MN frequency in the 750 µg/ml concentration in 24- and 48-h treatments. In addition, ITO dose dependently decreased the NDI significantly for two treatment periods.
Inductive heating of glass fibre-reinforced thermoplastics using fibre- and wire-shaped stainless steel susceptors
Authors: Mattheß Danilo , Landgrebe Dirk , Drossel Welf-Guntram
Published: April 2015

This article deals with an experimental and numerical study of the inductive heating of glass fibre (GF)-reinforced thermoplastics with susceptors made of stainless steel that are embedded in them. The objective of this article is to examine the links between individual process and system parameters and the heating behaviour of fibre-reinforced plastics. Two different susceptor designs were tested in relation to their heating capability. Furthermore, it was possible to experimentally study the dependency of the space between the specimens and inductors and therefore the impact of the generator output of the induction system and inductor attachments differing in their geometric shapes in terms of heating. Moreover, it was possible to use numerical simulation to examine the heating behaviour at different frequencies. These findings indicate that it is possible to heat GF-reinforced semi-finished products by fibre-shaped susceptors. Finally, it was possible to demonstrate that the heating process can be designed by means of the frequency of the induction system and directly controlled using the generator output.
Ethical concerns and dilemmas of Finnish and Dutch health professionals
Authors: Hopia Hanna , Lottes Ilsa , Kanne Mariël
Published: April 2015

Background:

Healthcare professionals encounter ethical dilemmas and concerns in their practice. More research is needed to understand these ethical problems and to know how to educate professionals to respond to them.

Research objective:

To describe ethical dilemmas and concerns at work from the perspectives of Finnish and Dutch healthcare professionals studying at the master’s level.

Research design:

Exploratory, qualitative study that used the text of student online discussions of ethical dilemmas at work as data.

Method:

Participants’ online discussions were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Participants:

The sample consisted of 49 students at master’s level enrolled in professional ethics courses at universities in Finland and the Netherlands.

Ethical considerations:

Permission for conducting the study was granted from both universities of applied sciences. All students provided their informed consent for the use of their assignments as research data.

Findings:

Participants described 51 problematic work situations. Among these, 16 were found to be ethical dilemmas, and the remaining were work issues with an ethical concern and did not meet criteria of a dilemma. The most common problems resulted from concerns about quality care, safety of healthcare professionals, patients’ rights, and working with too few staff and inadequate resources.

Discussion:

The results indicated that participants were concerned about providing quality of care and raised numerous questions about how to provide it in challenging situations. The results show that it was difficult for students to differentiate ethical dilemmas from other ethical work concerns.

Conclusion:

Online discussions among healthcare providers give them an opportunity to relate ethical principles to real ethical dilemmas and problems in their work as well as to critically analyze ethical issues. We found that discussions with descriptions of ethical dilemmas and concerns by health professionals provide important information and recommendations not only for education and practice but also for health policy.
The abandonment of the RANZCP OCI - and why we may live to regret it
Authors: Flynn Brendan
Published: April 2015

Objective:

The objective of this article is to explore the tension between what should be complementary notions of medical education and professional identity formation, referencing a major recent change to the assessment program of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). The College recently determined that the observed clinical interview (OCI) is to cease with equivalent skills assessed by multiple workplace-based assessments within a competency-based education program. The literature relating to the change is briefly reviewed. The shortcomings of the OCI include concerns regarding reliability, validity, sustainability and transparency. Arguments in favour of keeping the OCI are then considered, including those made on grounds of reliability of the new instruments, validity of the new assessment program as a whole, the importance of professional identity formation and cultural considerations within the specialty.

Conclusion:

Education and professional identity formation are not synonymous. Applying educational evidence alone to assessment design may mean an opportunity for trainees to demonstrate qualities previously assessed at the OCI is lost. This may have negative consequences for the quality of RANZCP trained psychiatrists and for our patients. The OCI is a flawed instrument but the new system will be flawed in different and possibly more important ways.
Adaptive feedback suppression of unknown periodic components of acoustic noises with time-varying characteristics
Authors: Jafari Saeid , Ioannou Petros , Rudd Lael
Published: April 2015

Effective attenuation of the noise level is an important problem in acoustic systems. In this paper, we propose a robust adaptive output feedback control scheme that can considerably attenuate narrow-band noises made up of periodic signals mixed with random noise in the presence of modeling uncertainties. The amplitude, phase and frequencies as well as the number of periodic terms are unknown and could vary with time. The performance and robustness of the proposed scheme with respect to unstructured modeling uncertainties are analyzed for continuous-time single-input, single-output systems; the results, however, are extendable to multi-channel systems. The successful attenuation of the unknown periodic components of the disturbance despite the time variations, modeling errors, and random noise is demonstrated using simulations. In addition, guidelines how to choose certain design parameters for performance improvement have been presented.
Parental Stress and ASD
Authors: Pastor-Cerezuela Gemma , Fernández-Andrés M. Inmaculada , Tárraga-Mínguez Raúl , Navarro-Peña J. Miguel
Published: April 2015

The objectives of this study were (a) to evaluate parental stress in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD group) and compare it with the stress in parents of children with typical development (comparison group); (b) to study the relationship between parental stress, autism severity, and both verbal and performance IQ; and (c) to study the relationship between parental stress and resilience. Parental stress in the ASD group was clinically significant and higher than in the comparison group. The child’s autism severity was a significant predictor of parental stress related to the child’s distractibility and hyperactivity. The child’s verbal IQ was a significant predictor of parental stress in the child domain. Only for the ASD group, the child’s performance IQ was a significant predictor of parental stress, and parental resilience was a significant predictor of parental stress related to depression and competence variables. These results and implications for intervention are discussed.
BrdsNBz
Authors: Willoughby Jessica Fitts
Published: April 2015

Text messaging services are becoming an increasingly popular way to provide sexual health information to teens, but little is known about who uses such services. This study assessed whether teens at a greater risk for negative sexual health outcomes use a sexual health text message service. A text message service that connects teens with sexual health educators was promoted in six public schools in one state in the Southeast. Students ( n = 2,125) in four schools completed an online questionnaire assessing personal risk factors associated with negative sexual health outcomes and use of the text message service. Text message service users ( n = 144) were more likely to have had sex, to have been in a relationship, and to come from a lower socioeconomic status background. Users also felt less connected to their schools and were slightly older than nonservice users. When all variables were entered into a logistic regression, only sexual experience was associated with service use. Sexual health text message services are designed to provide information to teens in an effort to prevent negative sexual outcomes. Such services seem to be reaching youth with increased risk of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease acquisition. This study provides evidence that teens most likely to benefit are also those most likely to use a sexual health text message service.
HIV positive men as fathers: Accounts of displacement, ir/responsibility and paternal emergence
Authors: Highton Sean , Finn Mark D.
Published: April 2015

It is now apparent that socio-cultural constructions of masculinity variously impact men’s experiences of their HIV positive status, yet how being a father can feature in this mix remains under-researched. This study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews and Foucauldian-informed discourse analysis to explore the accounts of six self-identifying heterosexual fathers (four Black African migrants, two White European) who had been living with HIV from 5 to 24 years. While the HIV-related literature calls for the need to subvert ‘traditional’ expressions of masculinity as a means of promoting HIV prevention and HIV health, we argue that the lived experience for HIV positive men as fathers is more socially, discursively and thus more psychologically nuanced. We illustrate this by highlighting ways in which HIV positive men as fathers are not simply making sense of themselves as a HIV positive man for whom the modern (new) man and father positions are useful strategies for adapting to HIV and combating associated stigma. Discourses of modern and patriarchal fatherhoods, a gender-specific discourse of irresponsibility and the neoliberal conflation of heath and self-responsibility are also at work in the sense-making frames that HIV positive men, who are also fathers, can variously deploy. Our analysis shows how this discursive mix can underpin possibilities of often conflicted meaning and identity when living as a man and father with HIV in the United Kingdom, and specifically how discourses of fatherhood and HIV ‘positive’ health can complicate these men’s expressions and inhabitations of masculinity.
Conceptualizing connections
Authors: Shove Elizabeth , Watson Matt , Spurling Nicola
Published: April 2015

Problems of climate change present new challenges for social theory. In this article we focus on the task of understanding and analyzing car dependence, using this as a case through which to introduce and explore what we take to be central but underdeveloped questions about how infrastructures and complexes of social practice connect across space and time. In taking this approach we work with the proposition that forms of energy consumption, including those associated with automobility, are usefully understood as outcomes of interconnected patterns of social practices, including working, shopping, visiting friends and family, going to school, and so forth. We also acknowledge that social practices are partly constituted by, and always embedded in material arrangements. Linking these two features together, we suggest that forms of car dependence emerge through the intersection of infrastructural arrangements that are integral to the conduct of many practices at once. We consequently explore the significance of professional – and not only ‘ordinary’ – practices, especially those of planners and designers who are involved in reconfiguring infrastructures of different scales, and in the practice dynamics that follow.
Co-decision after Lisbon: The politics of informal trilogues in European Union lawmaking
Authors: Brandsma Gijs Jan
Published: April 2015

Informal trilogues have become a standard operating procedure in the European Union’s ordinary legislative procedure. Generally, their occurrence is seen as a trade-off in which speed is prioritized over inclusive decision making. Hence, a relationship is assumed between intra-institutional processes and inter-institutional interactions. This article therefore tries to explain the number of informal trilogues in first readings. The contribution of this analysis is twofold. First, it shows that intra-institutional political processes such as contestation of the rapporteur’s preferences, politicization inside the Council and the number of shadow rapporteurs matter. Second, it for the first time measures the number of informal trilogues directly for the full population of post-Lisbon legislative files.
Haemostatic and inflammatory alterations in familial hypercholesterolaemia, and the impact of angiotensin II infusion
Authors: Ekholm Mikael , Kahan Thomas , Jörneskog Gun , Brinck Jonas , Wallén N Håkan
Published: April 2015

Introduction:

We examined potential prothrombotic and proinflammatory effects of angiotensin II in 16 otherwise healthy familial hypercholesterolaemia subjects and 16 matched controls.

Methods:

Markers of fibrinolysis, thrombin generation and inflammation were assessed in plasma before, during and 1h after a 3h intravenous infusion of angiotensin II. In addition, placebo experiments with saline infusion were carried out.

Results:

Baseline plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 activity and plasmin–antiplasmin-complex concentrations were similar in FH and controls, as were interleukin-6, leukocyte counts and C-reactive protein. Fibrinogen levels were higher in FH, and we observed a greater thrombin generating potential in FH (calibrated automated thrombogram), but no signs of elevated thrombin generation in vivo (prothrombin fragment 1+2). During angiotensin infusion plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 activity decreased and plasmin–antiplasmin-complex concentrations increased similarly in FH and controls. Total and maximal amount of thrombin generated was unchanged, as were prothrombin-fragment-1+2 levels. Interleukin-6 and leukocyte counts increased similarly in both groups during angiotensin infusion, while fibrinogen tended to increase in FH and increased in controls. During saline infusion plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 activity and prothrombin fragment 1+2 concentrations fell, whereas other markers were unchanged.

Conclusions:

FH exhibits an increased thrombin generation potential, an intact fibrinolysis, and has no convincing signs of inflammation. Angiotensin has proinflammatory effects, and might have minor profibrinolytic and procoagulatory effects.
Presence redefined: The reciprocal nature of engagement between elder-clowns and persons with dementia
Authors: Kontos Pia , Miller Karen-Lee , Mitchell Gail Joyce , Stirling-Twist Jan
Published: April 2015

Elder-clowns are a recent innovation in arts-based approaches to person-centred dementia care. They use improvisation, humour, and empathy, as well as song, dance, and music. We examined elder-clown practice and techniques through a 12-week programme with 23 long-term care residents with moderate to severe dementia in Ontario, Canada. Analysis was based on qualitative interviews and ethnographic observations of video-recorded clown-resident interactions and practice reflections. Findings highlight the reciprocal nature of clown-resident engagement and the capacity of residents to initiate as well as respond to verbal and embodied engagement. Termed relational presence, this was achieved and experienced through affective relationality, reciprocal playfulness, and coconstructed imagination. These results highlight the often overlooked capacity of individuals living with dementia to be deliberately funny, playful, and imaginative. Relational presence offers an important perspective with which to rethink care relationships between individuals living with dementia and long-term care staff.
Component reliability test approaches for marine renewable energy
Authors: Thies Philipp R , Johanning Lars , Karikari-Boateng Kwaku Ampea , Ng Chong , McKeever Paul
Published: April 2015

An increasing number of marine renewable energy (MRE) systems are reaching the stage where a working prototype must be demonstrated in operation in order to progress to the next stage of commercial projects. This stage is often referred to as ‘valley of death’ where device developers face the challenge of raising capital needed to demonstrate the prototype. The dilemma is that investors understandably demand a proven track record and demonstrated reliability in order to provide capital. One way to resolve this dilemma is specific component reliability testing that not only satisfies investor expectations but holds the potential to improve and de-risk components for MRE. This paper gives an overview to different component reliability test approaches in established industries and for MRE, covering both wave and tidal energy technologies. There has been notable activity in the research community to develop and implement dedicated component reliability test rigs that allow the investigation and demonstration of component reliability under controlled, yet representative conditions. Two case studies of physical test rigs will illustrate the possible test approaches. The Nautilus Powertrain test rig, a facility at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, focuses on the demonstration and testing of drive train components including gearboxes, generators, mechanical couplings and bearings. The Dynamic Marine Component test rig (DMaC) at the University of Exeter aims to replicate the forces and motions for floating offshore applications and their subsystems, including mooring lines and power cables. This paper highlights the relevance of component testing and qualification prior to large-scale commercial deployments and gives an insight to some of the test capabilities available in the sector. Several case studies illustrate the component test approach for tidal energy (Nautilus) and wave energy (DMaC) applications.
Gallstone disease
Authors: Rance Caroline , Jones Alun
Published: April 2015

Gallstones are common, with an overall UK prevalence of approximately 20%. However, despite being so prevalent, only 20% of people with gallstones will experience biliary colic or complications such as cholecystitis, pancreatitis or cholangitis. The definitive treatment of gallstones is surgical removal of the gallbladder and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the most common abdominal surgical procedure performed in the UK, with around 60 000 operations annually. It is important for GPs to be aware of the ways in which gallstones and their complications can present in primary care and be able to distinguish between patients who need urgent surgical admission for intervention and those who may be referred more routinely via the outpatient setting.
News Engagement Versus News Consumption
Authors: Lee Shin Haeng
Published: April 2015

Does internet use promote participation in online civic action beyond what would be expected based on certain user attributes? To tackle the question, this study analyzed data from an online news survey conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project in 2010. Findings show that frequent internet use stimulates online news users’ civic engagement beyond their predisposition to news consumption. On the contrary, online news use also functions as a way of fulfilling a civic obligation. Furthermore, the result shows the different roles that user motivations for news consumption play in shaping divergent styles of online news use. Digital network technology empowers the predisposed to engage in civic conversations, along with online news consumption, while expanding the opportunity for diverse users to become civically informed.
Graphene-based optical modulators
Authors: Luo Siyuan , Wang Yanan , Tong Xin , Wang Zhiming
Published: April 2015

Optical modulators (OMs) are a key device in modern optical systems. Due to its unique optical properties, graphene has been recently utilized in the fabrication of optical modulators, which promise high performance such as broadband response, high modulation speed, and high modulation depth. In this paper, the latest experimental and theoretical demonstrations of graphene optical modulators (GOMs) with different structures and functions are reviewed. Particularly, the principles of electro-optical and all-optical modulators are illustrated. Additionally, the limitation of GOMs and possible methods to improve performance and practicability are discussed. At last, graphene terahertz modulators (GTMs) are introduced.
Early deep sedation is associated with decreased in-hospital and two-year follow-up survival
Authors: Balzer Felix , Weiß Björn , Kumpf Oliver , Treskatsch Sascha , Spies Claudia , Wernecke Klaus-Dieter , Krannich Alexander , Kastrup Marc
Published: April 2015

Introduction

There is increasing evidence that deep sedation is detrimental to critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to examine effects of deep sedation during the early period after ICU admission on short- and long-term survival.

Methods

In this observational, matched-pair analysis, patients receiving mechanical ventilation that were admitted to ICUs of a tertiary university hospital in six consecutive years were grouped as either lightly or deeply sedated within the first 48 hours after ICU admission. The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Score (RASS) was used to assess sedation depth (light sedation: −2 to 0; deep: −3 or below). Multivariate Cox regression was conducted to investigate the impact of early deep sedation within the first 48 hours of admission on in-hospital and two-year follow-up survival.

Results

In total, 1,884 patients met inclusion criteria out of which 27.2% (n = 513) were deeply sedated. Deeply sedated patients had longer ventilation times, increased length of stay and higher rates of mortality. Early deep sedation was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.661 (95% CI: 1.074 to 2.567;P= 0.022) for in-hospital survival and 1.866 (95% CI: 1.351 to 2.576;P<0.001) for two-year follow-up survival.

Conclusions

Early deep sedation during the first 48 hours of intensive care treatment was associated with decreased in-hospital and two-year follow-up survival. Since early deep sedation is a modifiable risk factor, this data shows an urgent need for prospective clinical trials focusing on light sedation in the early phase of ICU treatment.
Simultaneous power control and power management algorithm with sector-shaped topology for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Nickray Mohsen , Afzali-Kusha Ali , Jäntti Riku
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we propose a topology control technique to reduce the energy consumption of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The technique makes use of both power control and power management methods. The algorithm uses the power management technique to put as many idle nodes as possible into the sleep mode while invoking the power control method to adjust the transmission range of the active nodes. On the contrary to earlier works in which both of these methods were used separately, in this algorithm, they are utilized simultaneously to decide about the sleep nodes and the ranges of active nodes. It is an approximation algorithm which is called simultaneous power control and power management algorithm (SPCPM). The performance bound of this centralized algorithm is determined analytically. Then, to make the proposed method practical for WSNs, a distributed algorithm based on SPCPM is introduced. To assess the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, we compare its average energy consumption with those of three existing topology control algorithms for a sector-based WSN. The simulation results which were obtained for different numbers of transmitting sensor nodes reveal less average energy consumptions for SPCPM compared to other algorithms.