bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The first German climate case
Authors: Minnerop Petra
Published: October 2020

This article explains the first German climate case filed against the Federal Government in the Berlin Administrative Court in 2018 and decided in October 2019. The article identifies and examines the key elements of the decision of the Berlin Court and it places the legal issues of the case within the relevant framework of German administrative court procedure law, administrative law and constitutional law. The case evolved around the legally binding force of a cabinet decision of the Federal Government which laid down the German greenhouse gas emissons reduction target for 2020. Despite the fact that the application was dismissed for lack of standing, some important legal developments can be derived from the judgment, especially in relation to justiciability of the case and the state’s duty to protect fundamental rights under the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) in the climate change context. Just after the judgment was delivered, the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) adopted the first Federal Climate Protection Act in November 2019 and thus defined the state’s new climate targets in statutory form. This changed the legal landscape and claimants consequently abstained from appealing the judgment. However, the German Constitutional Court now has the opportunity to clarify further some of the legal issues that arose in this first German climate case from applying ‘traditional’ legal concepts to the challenge of climate change, if it decides to hear the constitutional complaint which was filed in 2020 against the Federal Climate Protection Act.
The networks of human rights and climate change: The State of the Netherlands v Stichting Urgenda, Supreme Court of the Netherlands, 20 December 2019 (19/00135)
Authors: Pedersen Ole W.
Published: October 2020

Climate change litigators are increasingly relying on a range of different jurisdictional avenues and legal regimes. The recent Urgenda decision by the Dutch Supreme Court provides a surprisingly rare snapshot of the relevance of human rights law  to climate change litigation. Focusing on the Supreme Court's reliance on the environmental rights case law from the ECHR, this case note argues that climate change and human rights adjudications takes the form of an adjudicatory network. This network creates spaces for domestic courts to develop contingent responses to emerging climate change claims.
Contact force analysis on two-fingered robot grasping
Authors: Chen Jiun-Ru , Chen Wei-En , Liu CH , Wang Yin-Tien , Lin CB , Chen Guan-Chen
Published: October 2020

A procedure for inverse kinetic analysis on two hard fingers grasping a hard sphere is proposed in this study. Contact forces may be found for given linear and angular accelerations of a spherical body. Elastic force-displacement relations predicted by Hertz contact theory are used to remove the indeterminancy produced by rigid body modelling. Two types of inverse kinetic analysis may be dealt with. Firstly, as the fingers impose a given tightening displacement on the body, and carry it to move with known accelerations, corresponding grasping forces may be determined by a numerical procedure. In this procedure one contact force may be chosen as the principal unknown, and all other contact forces are expressed in terms of this force. The numerical procedure is hence very efficient since it deals with a problem with only one unknown. The solution procedure eliminates slipping thus only nonslip solutions, if they exist, are found.

Secondly, when the body is moving with known accelerations, if the grasping direction of the two fingers is also known, then the minimum tightening displacement required for non-sliding grasping may be obtained in closed form. In short, the proposed technique deals with a grasping system that has accelerations, and in this study the authors show that indeterminancy may be used to reduce the complexity of the problem.
Novel strategies to overcome the limitations of a low compression ratio light duty diesel engine
Authors: Vikraman V , Anand K , Ramesh A
Published: October 2020

Low compression ratio (LCR) approach in diesel engines can reduce the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and soot emissions simultaneously owing to lower temperatures and longer fuel-air premixing time. The present work investigates the effects of lowering the geometric compression ratio (CR) from 18:1 to 14:1 in a naturally aspirated (NA) single cylinder common rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine. Based on the investigations done across the entire speed and load range, significant benefits were observed in the NOx and soot emissions. However, lowering the compression ratio had adverse effects on brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), unburned hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, especially at low-load and high-speed operating points. To overcome these limitations, novel strategies including split-cooling system (SCS) and secondary exhaust valve opening (SEVO) are proposed in the present work. While the fuel injection parameters optimization specific to LCR could help to improve the BSFC, HC and CO emissions penalty to a reasonable extent, the SCS concept can provide further benefits by reducing the heat loss to coolant and improving the engine component temperatures. Increasing the residual gas fraction using the optimized SEVO concept could further improve the charge temperature leading to a further reduction in the BSFC, HC and CO emissions. The net benefits of the optimized LCR approach are quantified for the modified Indian drive cycle (MIDC) using a one-dimensional simulation tool. The results obtained show a signification reduction of 22% and 74% in NOx and soot emissions respectively as compared to the base 18 CR engine results. Moreover, the penalty in HC and CO emissions could be contained to a large extent resulting in only a slight penalty of 23% and 20% respectively. Furthermore, the higher BSFC with the LCR approach could be successfully addressed and the final values were found to be better than the stock compression ratio by 1.5%. Overall, the strategies proposed in the present work are found to be beneficial to develop modern diesel engines in compliance with the future emission regulations which demand extreme control on NOx and soot emissions.
Framework for decentralised architectural design BIM and Blockchain integration
Authors: Dounas Theodoros , Lombardi Davide , Jabi Wassim
Published: October 2020

The paper introduces a framework for decentralised architectural design in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. We examine first the constraints of building information modelling in regard to collaboration and trust. We then introduce Blockchain infrastructure as a means for creating new operational and business models for architectural design, through project governance, scaling collaboration nominally to thousands of agents, and shifting trust to the infrastructure rather than the architectural design team. Through a wider consideration of Blockchains in construction projects we focus on the design process and validate our framework with a prototype of BIM design optimisation integrated with a Blockchain mechanism. The paper concludes by outlining the contributions our framework can enhance in the building information modelling processes, within the context of the fourth industrial revolution.
The legality and justifiability of the methods used for monitoring the progress of home-educated children in Finland
Authors: Hartman Joanna , Huttunen Rauno
Published: October 2020

This paper provides an overview of the homeschooling movement in Finland focusing on the methods used to monitor the progress of compulsory education of home-educated children. Although the child’s home municipality is obliged to monitor the progress of compulsory education, there are currently no national uniform instructions on how monitoring should take place. Therefore, home-educated children are treated differently depending on where they live. In this article, the authors argue that the current monitoring methods not only decrease the child’s motivation to learn but are also inexpedient, illegal and, in many cases, impossible to carry out. The study is based primarily on the qualitative approach, but it combines both qualitative and quantitative methods including surveys, interviews, observation and documents. It is the first empirical research conducted on the monitoring methods of home-educated children in Finland.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease: Immunoprophylaxis Policy Review and Public Health Concerns in Preterm and Young Infants
Authors: Staebler Suzanne , Blake Stephanie
Published: October 2020

Globally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of hospitalization due to severe respiratory infections in infants of all gestational ages and children aged 5 years and younger, and it is associated with a substantial health care burden. Approximately, 1% to 3% of infants younger than 1 year are hospitalized with severe RSV disease in the United States. With no specific treatment or vaccine, palivizumab is the only licensed immunoprophylaxis for the prevention of severe RSV disease in high-risk pediatric populations, including infants born at or before 35 weeks’ gestational age (wGA). In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) periodically publishes its recommendation for the use of RSV immunoprophylaxis, which is largely followed by health care professionals and payers. In 2014, the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases stopped recommending RSV immunoprophylaxis for otherwise healthy infants born at or after 29 wGA and stated that the RSV hospitalization rates in infants 29 to 34 wGA and full-term infants were similar. Several studies have demonstrated that a significant decline in palivizumab use following the AAP 2014 recommendations was accompanied by increases in rates of RSV hospitalization and disease severity and hospital costs in infants 29 to 34 wGA versus full-term infants. Despite the growing evidence demonstrating high RSV morbidity in infants 29 to 34 wGA, the AAP reaffirmed its 2014 policy in 2019. This article will discuss the critical roles and strategies of advocacy groups and nurses in providing the maximum protection with RSV immunoprophylaxis to all high-risk and label-eligible preterm infants.
Persistence and Fade-Out of Educational-Intervention Effects: Mechanisms and Potential Solutions
Authors: Bailey Drew H. , Duncan Greg J. , Cunha Flávio , Foorman Barbara R. , Yeager David S.
Published: October 2020

Some environmental influences, including intentional interventions, have shown persistent effects on psychological characteristics and other socially important outcomes years and even decades later. At the same time, it is common to find that the effects of life events or interventions diminish and even disappear completely, a phenomenon known as fade-out. We review the evidence for persistence and fade-out, drawing primarily on evidence from educational interventions. We conclude that (a) fade-out is widespread and often coexists with persistence; (b) fade-out is a substantive phenomenon, not merely a measurement artifact; and (c) persistence depends on the types of skills targeted, the institutional constraints and opportunities within the social context, and complementarities between interventions and subsequent environmental affordances. We discuss the implications of these conclusions for research and policy.
Percutaneous Deep Foot Vein Arterialization IVUS-Guided in No-Option Critical Limb Ischemia Diabetic Patients
Authors: Cangiano Gianluca , Corvino Fabio , Giurazza Francesco , De Feo Eugenio Maria , Fico Francesca , Palumbo Vincenzo , Amodio Francesco , Silvestre Mattia , Corvino Antonio , Niola Raffaella
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To report our clinical experience with IVUS-guided percutaneous deep vein arterialization (pDVA) to treat chronic critical limb ischemia (cCLI) patients with no-endovascular or surgical options approach due to creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF).

Materials and Methods:

In a 2 years period, 14 no-option cCLI patients were treated with percutaneous deep vein arterialization (pDVA) by creating an AVF with a IVUS-guided system between posterior tibial artery and its satellite deep vein. Technical success was defined as successful AVF creation and venous perfusion of the wound site. Patients’ characteristics, procedure details, mortality and wound outcomes were assessed prospectively.

Results:

Successful pDVA was successfully performed in all patients (mean age 82 years) without any procedural complications. Clinical improvement was achieved in all patients with resolution of rest pain, tissue formation of granulation tissue or both; only 3 major amputations were performed within the study period with a limb salvage rate of 78%. Median wound healing time was 4.8 months.

Conclusion:

pDVA is a safe and feasible revascularization technique alternative in no-option cCLI patients.
Male Perpetration of Adolescent Dating Violence: A Scoping Review
Authors: Malhi Noreen , Oliffe John L. , Bungay Vicky , Kelly Mary T.
Published: October 2020

Male violence against females most often occurs within intimate relationships, and when that occurs during youth, it is termed adolescent dating violence (ADV). A scoping review focused on male perpetration of ADV was conducted to synthesize existing evidence and offer insights about what influences male adolescents to perpetrate ADV. The current scoping review explored the findings drawn from 16 research studies conducted in the United States, Spain, South Africa, and Italy, to distil modifiable factors related to male perpetration of ADV. Three themes were extrapolated from the 16 studies: (a) entitlement; (b) adverse childhood experiences (ACE); and (c) ineffective conflict management. Entitlement as a theme was characterized by attitudes and beliefs aligning to violence, hierarchical and marginalizing masculine norms, traditional gender roles, and male superiority, which in various configurations influenced the perpetration of ADV. ACE as a theme highlighted how male adolescents who had experienced, observed, and/or initiated abuse were at increased risk of perpetrating ADV. Male adolescents with ineffective conflict management (theme 3), including alcohol use and/or emotional dysregulation, were also at higher risk of perpetrating ADV. Tailored prevention efforts are often delinked from issues of male entitlement, ACE, and ineffective conflict management; therefore, we make suggestions for trauma-informed care to guide primary care providers (PCPs) in the assessment and management of ADV.
Genetic associations between CYP24A1 polymorphisms and predisposition of cancer: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Guoqiang , Jin Maohe
Published: October 2020

Background:

CYP24A1 polymorphisms may affect predisposition of cancer, but the results of published studies remain inconclusive. Therefore, the authors conducted this meta-analysis to more robustly assess relationships between CYP24A1 polymorphisms and the predisposition of cancer by pooling the findings of published studies.

Materials and methods:

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI was endorsed by the authors to identify eligible studies; 17 studies were finally found to be eligible for pooled meta-analysis.

Results:

The pooled meta-analysis results showed that genotypic frequencies of the rs4809960 polymorphism among cancerous patients and controls of Caucasian ethnicity differed significantly, and genotypic frequencies of the rs6022999 polymorphism among cancerous patients and controls of Asian ethnicity also differed significantly. Moreover, we found that genotypic frequencies of the rs2585428 polymorphism among patients with prostate cancer and controls differed significantly, and genotypic frequencies of the rs6068816 polymorphism among patients with prostate cancer/breast cancer and controls also differed significantly.

Conclusions:

This meta-analysis suggests that the rs4809960 polymorphism may affect the predisposition of cancer in Caucasians, and the rs6022999 polymorphism may affect the predisposition of cancer in Asians. Moreover, the rs2585428 polymorphism may affect the predisposition of prostate cancer, while the rs6068816 polymorphism may affect the predisposition of prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Low-altitude protection technology of anti-UAVs based on multisource detection information fusion
Authors: Chen Shuai , Yin Yang , Wang Zheng , Gui Fan
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have achieved massive improvement, which brings great convenience and advantage. Meanwhile, threats posed by them may damage public security and personal safety. This article proposes an architecture of intelligent anti-UAVs low-altitude defense system. To address the key problem of discovering UAVs, research based on multisensor information fusion is carried out. Firstly, to solve the problem of probing suspicious targets, a fusion method is designed, which combines radar and photoelectric information. Subsequently, single shot multibox detector model is introduced to identify UAV from photoelectric images. Moreover, improved spatially regularized discriminative correlation filters algorithm is used to elevate real-time and stability performance of system. Finally, experimental platform is constructed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Results show better performance in range, accuracy, and success rate of surveillance.
Comparative study of knee joint torque estimations for linear and rotary actuators using bond graph approach for stand–sit–stand motions
Authors: Jain Prakhar , Bera Tarun Kumar , Rafique Sajid , Singla Ashish , Isaksson Magnus
Published: October 2020

Stand–sit–stand (STS) motions are the most frequently performed activities of everyday life and require extensive movement of knee joint. People suffering from knee joint disorders face difficulties in performing this motion. The compact knee exoskeleton (KE) has proven to be a viable, less complex, and cheaper alternative to the available entire lower-, upper-, and full-body exoskeletons. With growing number of technical glitches and finite battery life problems, there exist risks of sudden failure of the actuator of KE that could be detrimental for the vulnerable users. To overcome this problem, there is a need to accommodate a backup actuator in KE which can continue providing assistance during movement if the primary actuator ceases to function. This article provides a performance comparison of a four-bar mechanism-driven KE that can accommodate both the linear and the rotary actuators. The modelling and simulation of the system are performed using the bond graph (BG) technique. The results successfully showed that both actuators offered desired ranges of motions needed for STS motion. Furthermore, the knee joint torques developed by the linear and rotary actuators were found to be 40 Nm and 57 Nm, respectively, which corresponds to 60% and 85% of the total torque required by the knee joint to perform STS motions, thereby reducing the user effort to 40% and 15%, respectively. Thus, both actuators are self-capable to provide necessary assistance at the knee joint even if the primary actuator ceases to work due to a sudden fault, the secondary actuator will provide the required rotation of the thigh link and will continue to deliver the assistive torque. The article also effectively shows the application of BG approach to model the multidisciplinary systems like KE as it conveniently models the system containing various elements in different energy domains.
Repertoires, identities, and issues of collective action in the candlelight movement of South Korea
Authors: Chae Young-Gil , Cho Jaehee , Cho Inho
Published: October 2020

In this case study, we examine the evolution of particular themes and identities of collective action. Using the 2016 Candlelight Movement in South Korea as a case study, we attempt to understand how communication processes construct the sociocultural meanings of collective action. We argue that understanding a social movement requires comprehension of the communicative actions of the movement participants, either physically or symbolically engaged, through which they together make sense of the broad contexts and meanings of the movement as they actively pursue construction of the identities and themes of the collective action. Based on a communication perspective of social movements, we developed three research questions regarding the specific features of the collective action repertoire, collective identities and issue framing. Considering the extensive impact of media communication technologies in mobilising collective action in South Korea, especially mobile social networking platforms, we chose one of the most popular social network sites, Twitter, as the data source of communicative actions for the study. Content analysis and semantic network analysis was conducted with a sample of 1,779,902 tweets. Based on the analyses, we suggest that the collective action and identities both shape and are shaped by the communication networks of the movement participants as they interact with not only the counter-movement actors, but also the movement’s social, economic and cultural conditions.
Spinal cord stimulation using differential target multiplexed programming modulates neural cell-specific transcriptomes in an animal model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Cedeño David L , Smith William J , Kelley Courtney A , Vallejo Ricardo
Published: October 2020

Spinal cord stimulation is a proven effective therapy for treating chronic neuropathic pain. Previous work in our laboratory demonstrated that spinal cord stimulation based on a differential target multiplexed programming approach provided significant relief of pain-like behavior in rodents subjected to the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain. The relief was significantly better than obtained using high rate and low rate programming. Furthermore, transcriptomics-based results implied that differential target multiplexed programming modulates neuronal–glial interactions that have been perturbed by the pain process. Although differential target multiplexed programming was developed to differentially target neurons and glial cells, our previous work did not address this. This work presents transcriptomes, specific to each of the main neural cell populations (neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes), obtained from spinal cord subjected to continuous spinal cord stimulation treatment with differential target multiplexed programming, high rate programming, or low rate programming compared with no spinal cord stimulation treatment, using the spared nerve injury model. To assess the effect of each spinal cord stimulation treatment on these cell-specific transcriptomes, gene expression levels were compared with that of healthy animals, naïve to injury and interventional procedures. Pearson correlations and cell population analysis indicate that differential target multiplexed programming yielded strong and significant correlations to expression levels found in the healthy animals across every evaluated cell-specific transcriptome. In contrast, high rate programming only yielded a strong correlation for the microglia-specific transcriptome, while low rate programming did not yield strong correlations with any cell types. This work provides evidence that differential target multiplexed programming distinctively targeted and modulated the expression of cell-specific genes in the direction of the healthy state thus supporting its previously established action on regulating neuronal–glial interaction processes in a pain model.
Thyroid disorders in subfertility and early pregnancy
Authors: Anandappa Samantha , Joshi Mamta , Polanski Lukasz , Carroll Paul V.
Published: October 2020

Disorders of thyroid function are common in pregnancy and have implications for foetal and maternal health. Thyroid autoimmunity, as evidenced by the presence of elevated levels of anti-thyroid antibodies (anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies) is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, though the mechanism remains poorly understood. There has been considerable focus on the implications and optimal management of pregnant women with thyroid disease, especially those undergoing assisted reproduction. Pregnancy results in significant changes in thyroid physiology and these need to be understood by clinicians involved in the care of pregnant women. Guidelines for the use of thyroxine and target thyroid function tests have been produced by international bodies but it is recognised that these predominantly reflect expert opinion rather than established evidence-based practice. Importantly a number of key clinical trials have been performed to aid understanding, particularly of the consequences of hypothyroidism for mother and baby, and the effectiveness of thyroid hormone use in autoimmune and subclinical hypothyroidism. This review summarises the current knowledge base and guidance for practice relating to thyroid disorders in pregnancy and subfertility.
Systemic effects of the hormonal treatment of male hypogonadism with preliminary indications for the management of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Cannarella Rossella , Calogero Aldo E. , Condorelli Rosita A. , Aversa Antonio , La Vignera Sandro
Published: October 2020

Male hypogonadism, defined as an inadequate production of testosterone (T), is associated with a greater morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies identified T deficiency as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Also, low serum T levels impact on glucose homeostasis through a worse glucose uptake, utilization, and disposal, and the general negative impact on metabolism. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the effects of T replacement therapy on metabolic and cardiovascular systems and prostate tissue in patients with hypogonadism, including molecular mechanisms through which T exerts its actions. Furthermore, recent findings on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemiology have shown a greater mortality in male compared with female patients and a role of T in promoting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection of the host cells has been demonstrated. Hence, the secondary aim of this review is to provide preliminary indications on the management in patients with COVID-19.
Transcriptomic profiles in pulmonary arterial hypertension associate with disease severity and identify novel candidate genes
Authors: Romanoski Casey E. , Qi Xinshuai , Sangam Shreya , Vanderpool Rebecca R. , Stearman Robert S. , Conklin Austin , Gonzalez‐Garay Manuel , Rischard Franz , Ayon Ramon J. , Wang Jian , Simonson Tatum , Babicheva Aleksandra , Shi Yinan , Tang Haiyang , Makino Ayako , Kanthi Yogendra , Geraci Mark W. , Garcia Joe G.N. , Yuan Jason X.‐J. , Desai Ankit A.
Published: October 2020

Using RNAseq, we identified a 61 gene‐based circulating transcriptomic profile most correlated with four indices of pulmonary arterial hypertension severity. In an independent dataset, 13/61 (21%) genes were differentially expressed in lung tissues of pulmonary arterial hypertension cases versus controls, highlighting potentially novel candidate genes involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension development.
The extent of enlarged bronchial arteries is not correlated with the development of reperfusion pulmonary edema after pulmonary endarterectomy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Ikubo Yumiko , Sanada Takayuki J. , Tanabe Nobuhiro , Naito Akira , Shoji Hiroki , Nagata Jun , Kuriyama Ayaka , Yanagisawa Asako , Kobayashi Takayuki , Yamamoto Keiko , Kasai Hajime , Suda Rika , Sekine Ayumi , Sugiura Toshihiko , Shigeta Ayako , Ishida Keiichi , Sakao Seiichiro , Masuda Masahisa , Tatsumi Koichiro
Published: October 2020

This study investigated whether dilated bronchial arteries are associated with reperfusion pulmonary edema in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Results showed that the extent of enlarged bronchial arteries was not associated with the development of reperfusion pulmonary edema, whereas the residual pulmonary hypertension had a significant association.
Who shares news on mobile messaging applications, why and in what ways? A cross-national analysis
Authors: Kalogeropoulos Antonis
Published: October 2020

Recently, in many countries, the use of mobile messaging applications for news has risen while the use of Facebook for news has declined. The purpose of this study is to identify who shares news on messaging applications, why and in what ways. Findings from a survey and focus groups in the US, the UK, Germany, and Brazil show that (a) the main motivation for news users to share news in these spaces is context collapse; their aversion to news sharing on an open network like Facebook, (b) the anytime/anywhere mobile affordance facilitates their need for private news sharing, (c) news stories chosen for sharing usually revolve around niche interests or breaking news events and not politics and current affairs, (d) news sharers are likely to be young, and to trust news found on social media in the Western countries of our sample, while they tend to be older and partisan in Brazil where 38% of the population shares news on mobile messaging apps during an average week.
A Case Report for a Complex Denture Case on a Special Care Patient with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Sawyer Colin , Drysdale David
Published: October 2020

This case report presents a patient with Dentogenesis Imperfecta (DI) associated with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and its subsequent dental manifestations.

The patient in this report (see Figure 1) has spent his life living with his disability type III OI (also known as brittle bone disease) and its degenerative affects. The patient is independent and enjoys his social life but felt his existing dentures were having an adverse effect on the quality of his life.

The patient attended Dorset County Hospitals Special Care Dentistry and on clinical examination it was noted the patient was partially dentate with a class III malocclusion and brownish discoloration of the remaining teeth caused by enamel hypoplasia. Treatment for this patient would entail making a maxillary complete denture and a mandibular partial chrome denture, normally quite simple tasks but due to the DI and its dental manifestations, the treatment would be complicated.

This case demonstrates how a complex case treated by a collaborative dental team using their different skills and knowledge can lead to a successful and rewarding treatment for both patient and team.
The Clinical Presentation of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders
Authors: Mccormick Neal J , Thomson Peter J , Carrozzo Marco
Published: October 2020

Early detection of oral cancer improves survival rates significantly, however, the incidence of oral cancer has continued to rise in the UK – between 2002–2012, it increased by more than 30%.1 There is currently no national screening programme for oral cancer, so undertaking a full examination of the oral mucosa during routine dental appointments is vital. Although strong evidence is still lacking, oral cancer is thought to be preceded by oral potential malignant disorders (OPMDs) or oral precancerous diseases. These mainly present as white/red lesions within the mouth and their clinical appearance can be challenging to diagnose accurately, which can lead to them being misdiagnosed as negligible problems.

Dentists must keep up to date with OPMDs detection and ensure they are capable of correctly recognising lesions that carry a potential risk. This paper aims to provide a brief overview on OPMDs, highlighting potentially malignant disorders as they may present to the practitioner, showing their typical clinical appearance, and suggesting differential diagnosis and clinical management in dental practice.
Oral Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care
Authors: Fanaras Nikolaos , Warnakulasuriya Saman
Published: October 2020

The incidence of oral cancer in the UK is rising, with approximately 7,300 new cases diagnosed in 2012. The number of oral cancer cases in the UK has risen by more than a quarter in the last decade. Mouth cancer is within the ten most common cancers encountered among men in the UK. Primary care practitioners, both in a dental and medical setting, have a role in the early diagnosis of oral malignancy, and in providing patients with information regarding risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and betel quid use. The purpose of this paper is to present the epidemiology and risk factors related to oral cancer and particularly review the literature regarding the level of awareness and practice in primary care as recorded in relevant research.
Treating Tooth Surface Loss: Adhesive Restoration of the Worn Anterior Dentition
Authors: Patel Mahul
Published: October 2020

The treatment of tooth surface loss (TSL) is becoming more common in primary health care and a diverse variety of patients are presenting with this condition are often being treated by general dental practitioners. This article highlights the importance of comprehensive planning and adept execution that can enhance the patient's outcome and experience. Stages of clinical planning and treatment approaches using a selection of restorative materials utilising various established adhesive clinical techniques will be presented and discussed.
Extra Oral Examination of the Dental Patient
Authors: Fan Kathleen
Published: October 2020

The general assessment and extra oral examination of the dental patient can identify undiagnosed or undisclosed medical conditions, such as malignancies, endocrine conditions and signs indicating raised cardiovascular or cerebral vascular risk. This knowledge may influence dental treatment, and could impact the morbidity and mortality of the patient. This article gives an overview of the general and extra oral examination of the dental patient.
Service Evaluation of Recording Jaw Registrations for Removable Partial Dentures in NHS General Dental Practices
Authors: Keshtgar Safoora , Tosson Francesca , Mavani Disha , Sadhia Hussain Rima , Movahedi Sana , Austin Rupert
Published: October 2020

Aims:

To establish the prevalence of jaw registrations being taken for removable partial dentures (RPDs) in primary dental NHS practices.

Method:

271 RPDs made by 16 general dental practitioners across four NHS dental practices were evaluated prospectively. The number of teeth replaced, whether jaw registration was undertaken, and the number of denture adjustment appointments were recorded. Telephone interviews with dental technicians were held to establish their preferred jaw registrations material.

Main findings:

Jaw registrations were not carried out in 27% (n=72) of RPD. When jaw registration was recorded, 14% (n=28) required a further denture adjustment appointment. 64% (n=46) of dentures where jaw registration was not recorded required at least one further denture adjustment appointment. Dental technicians unanimously preferred a squash-bite wax block, with centre and canine positions marked and cast models secured with elastic bands.

Conclusion:

Overall, recording a jaw registration reduced the number of denture adjustment appointments required.
Periodontal Disease in an Ageing Population: Key Considerations in Diagnosis and Management for the Dental Healthcare Professional
Authors: Graham Laura , Turner Wendy
Published: October 2020

With patients living longer and retaining their natural teeth for longer, dental healthcare professionals are presented with new challenges. This paper outlines considerations for dental health care professionals managing periodontal disease in an ageing population. Although age itself is not considered an independent risk factor for periodontal disease, there may be complicating factors associated with ageing that impact upon the planning and delivery of care. This paper describes current evidence for the management of periodontal disease in the context of health conditions associated with ageing. It identifies aspects to consider and provides advice on how treatment planning for this patient population may be tailored.
Oral Medicine Considerations for Older Patients
Authors: Patterson Jayne , Willis Amanda
Published: October 2020

With the projected increase to 1.3 billion people aged 65 years or older by 2040, healthcare professionals are faced with significant challenges in managing this population of patients. In the oral cavity, oral mucosal disease is a signiﬁcant problem found in older populations. Several facial pain conditions are more likely to be seen in this cohort of patients. Although management of this group of patients may not always be appropriate in general practice, an awareness of the range of oral medicine conditions that may be encountered in older patients is essential to allow prompt referral and treatment.
Trajectory of Lumbar Translaminar Facet Screw Under Navigation: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Singhatanadgige Weerasak , Songthong Kittisak , Pholprajug Phattareeya , Yingsakmongkol Wicharn , Kotheeranurak Vit , Limthongkul Worawat
Published: October 2020

Study Design:

Anatomic cadaver study.

Objective:

Translaminar facet screw fixation supplements unilateral pedicle screw-rod fixation in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Various screw diameters, lengths, trajectories, and insertion points are used; however, they do not represent true screw trajectory. We aimed to evaluate lumbar laminar anatomy and suggest a safe and effective insertion point and trajectory during lumbar-translaminar facet screw fixation in an anatomic cadaver study.

Methods:

O-arm navigation simulating the true translaminar facet screw trajectory was used to evaluate L1-S1 in cadaveric spines. The inner and outer diameters, length, and trajectory of the screw pathway were measured along the trajectory from the spinous process base through the contralateral lamina, crossing the facet joint to the transverse process base using 2 starting points: cephalad one-third (1/3SL) and one-half (1/2SL) of the spinolaminar junction.

Results:

Using the 1/2SL starting point, the outer and inner lamina diameters did not differ significantly from L1-L5 (7.47 ± 1.38 to 6.7 ± 1.84 mm and 4.73 ± 1.04 to 3.86 ± 1.46 mm, respectively). Screw length (36.16 ± 4.02 to 49.29 ± 10.07 mm) and lateral angle increased (50.28° ± 8.78° to 60.77° ± 8.88°), but caudal angle decreased (16.19° ± 9.01° to 1.13° ± 11.31°). Lamina diameter and screw length did not differ with different starting points. L2-L3 caudal angles were lower in the 1/2SL starting point.

Conclusion:

A 36- to 50-mm translaminar facet screw—with 5.0-mm diameter for L1-L2 and 4.5-mm diameter for L3-L5—can be inserted at the middle of the spinolamina, especially during minimally invasive TLIF, with a 50° to 60° lateral angle relative to the spinous process, and a caudal angle of 16° to 1° relative to the spinolamina from L1-L5.
Splenic lesion mimicking breast metastasis: The first description of splenic parenchymal endometriosis
Authors: Weyl Ariane , Illac Claire , Delchier Marie-Charlotte , Suc Bertrand , Cuellar Emmanuel , Chantalat Elodie
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Splenic parenchymal endometriosis has never been described to date. We report here the case of real parenchymal endometriosis of the spleen.

Case description:

In this case, a 54-year-old female patient presented a histologically proven metastatic recurrence of breast cancer in the internal breast chain. The CT-scan also detected a large cystic structure developed from the spleen, but non-suspected to be metastasis. The patient was treated with chemotherapy (paclitaxel) and a combination of targeted therapies (everolimus and trastuzumab). While a complete radiological and biological response was noted at 2 months, the splenic cyst gradually decreased over the years. When targeted therapies were stopped, a reincrease of the splenic lesion and de novo significant hypermetabolism of the splenic parenchyma on 18F-FDG PET scan were observed. A splenectomy was finally performed and revealed splenic parenchymal endometriosis.

Conclusion:

This case once again highlights the complexity of endometriosis disease, from a pathophysiological point of view, but also the difficulties of radiological characterisation, and diagnostic management.
Spinopelvic Parameters Do Not Predict the Sagittal Orientation of the Acetabulum
Authors: Hatem Munif , Nimmons Scott J. , Khoury Anthony Nicholas , Martin Hal David
Published: October 2020

Background:

The orientation of the acetabulum has a fundamental role in impingement and instability of the hip, and the spinopelvic parameters are thought to predict the sagittal orientation of the acetabulum (SOA). However, similar to the acetabular version (axial orientation) and inclination (coronal orientation), the cephalic or caudal orientation of the acetabulum in the sagittal plane, or SOA, may primarily be an intrinsic feature of the acetabulum itself.

Purpose:

To determine whether the spinopelvic parameters predict the sagittal orientation of the acetabulum in individuals without lumbar deformity.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed in 89 patients (94 hips; 62 female, 27 male; mean ± SD age, 45.9 ± 15.4 years) without lumbosacral deformity who underwent magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) for assessment of hip pain. The SOA was determined in the sagittal cut MRA. A line was drawn at the distal limit of the anterior and posterior acetabular horns longitudinally to the transverse ligament, and the angle between this line and the axial plane represented the SOA. The sacral slope, pelvic incidence, and spinopelvic tilt were determined using a 3-dimensional cursor and the axial, sagittal, and coronal cuts. All MRA studies were performed with the patient in the supine position.

Results:

The SOA had a mean ± SD cephalic orientation of 18° ± 6.6°. No significant correlation was observed between the SOA and the sacral slope ( r = –0.03; P = .77). A weak correlation was observed between the SOA and the pelvic incidence ( r = 0.22; P = .03) and between the SOA and the spinopelvic tilt ( r = 0.41; P < .01).

Conclusion:

The SOA cannot be presumed based on the spinopelvic parameter. Similar to the well-known parameters to assess the axial and coronal orientation of the acetabulum, the assessment of the SOA demands acetabular-specific parameters. Additional studies are necessary to assess the SOA in asymptomatic hips, including disparities between genders. Clinically significant values for abnormal SOA of the acetabulum remain to be defined.
Older Adult Caregivers’ Experiences in an Online, Interactive Mindfulness Intervention
Authors: Hudson Janella , Ungar Rachel , Albright Laurie , Tkatch Rifky , Schaeffer James , Wicker Ellen R.
Published: October 2020

Background.

While today’s older adults experience longevity, they often manage several chronic conditions and increasingly serve as informal caregivers for aging parents, children with life-long disabilities, and spouses. Older adult caregivers managing personal chronic illness often experience significant psychosocial hardships.

Objective.

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of older adult caregivers in an online, interactive mindfulness intervention.

Methods.

Self-reported older caregivers who participated in an online-based mindfulness program (n = 20) were recruited for semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to provide feedback about any previous experience with mindfulness and/or meditation, hopes or goals held prior to the start of the program, desired expectations, motivation for joining, impressions of sessions, most beneficial topics, potential application of content, and any perceived effects. Participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results.

Five themes emerged from the analysis: Managing the Comprehensive Effects of Caregiving, Openness to Meditation and Mindfulness, Course Engagement and Incremental Growth, Building Rapport through Shared Experiences, and Ongoing Application and Opportunities for Refinement. Participants reported both short-term post-exercise benefits such as increased calm, relaxation, and stress relief, as well as long-term positive outcomes. Notably, participants found the program’s unique interactive feature to be particularly beneficial as a form of perceived social support.

Conclusions.

Caregivers for older adults may derive benefit and potentially experience reduced subjective caregiver burden as a result of participating in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, particularly when the program is augmented with a self-compassion approach and perceived social support.
Work Outcomes of Job Crafting Among the Different Ranks of Project Teams
Authors: Haffer Rafał , Haffer Joanna , Morrow Donna Lynne
Published: October 2020

This study examined the effects of job crafting on the work meaningfulness and work engagement of project participants of different ranks. Although previous research has shown that job crafting affects employees’ work outcomes, this topic is under-researched in project management settings. Our findings indicate that work meaningfulness partially mediates the relationship between job crafting and work engagement in the case of project team members and fully mediates it in the case of project managers. They suggest the necessity to apply different means to influence productive project behaviors of the two groups studied. These may include, in particular, changing the approach to job design of project team members and focusing on team job crafting work to build more opportunities to job craft.
Low concentration effects and different outcome in repeated reproduction tests with silver nanoparticles, silver nitrate and Folsomia candida (Collembola)
Authors: Zhang Xin , Filser Juliane
Published: October 2020

Background

Toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) has been studied frequently due to a rise in application in various products. Various studies on AgNP toxicity with terrestrial and aquatic organisms confirmed their negative effects. In our previous experiments, strong variability was observed in the reproduction of Collembola (Folsomia candida) in different repeats. To investigate the effects of silver on the reproduction of Folsomia candida, they were exposed in laboratory-controlled conditions to AgNP and silver nitrate (AgNO3) at a concentration of 30 mg/kg dry soil for 28 days and compared to controlled individuals not exposed to silver. We repeated reproduction tests on the toxicity of silver to Folsomia candida four times throughout one year (April, July, October and January) in order to explore the temporal variability of their outcome.

Results

While adult survival was similar in all treatments and seasons, reproduction in the control increased from April to October. Significantly lower reproduction was found in January with only 385–424 juveniles per vessel, compared to 504–633 individuals in other months. Strong toxic effects of both silver treatments were observed in July, April and October. However, AgNP showed no toxic effects on the reproduction of F. candida in January. The relative toxicity of both substances varied between single experiments: AgNP were more toxic than AgNO3 in April and July, and less toxic in October and January.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that the reproduction of F. candida in the control had a significant effect on the results of the toxicology experiments. Moreover, we demonstrated the reproductive toxicity of AgNP in soil at a much lower concentration than reported thus far. Therefore, to guarantee reliability and reproducibility, we recommend to disregard any test results where the reproduction rate of F. candida in the control is significantly different from the average in the respective laboratory, even if the validity criteria of the test are met.