bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Violent victimization of youth from a cross-national perspective
Authors: Podaná Zuzana
Published: March 2017

The article analyses cross-national variation in violent victimization of youth using data from the second sweep of the International Self-Report Delinquency Study. A multi-level approach is applied which takes into account individual factors as well as the characteristics of the immediate neighbourhood and the context of the given country. The routine activity theory suggested by Cohen and Felson is utilized to derive hypotheses about macro-level factors with the potential to explain differences in violent victimization rates. Specifically, the effects of homicide rates, the Gini coefficient, and the Human Development Index are analysed. The results reveal that the variation in violent victimization rates across countries is only partly attributable to the countries’ heterogeneity with respect to individual characteristics and lifestyle choices of youth, together with neighbourhood features. Furthermore, a significant effect is observed for a country’s Human Development Index, which relates higher levels of development to lower victimization risk, even when individual and neighbourhood characteristics are controlled for.
Dabigatran ameliorates post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus development after germinal matrix haemorrhage in neonatal rat pups
Authors: Klebe Damon , Flores Jerry J , McBride Devin W , Krafft Paul R , Rolland William B , Lekic Tim , Zhang John H
Published: March 2017

We aim to determine if direct thrombin inhibition by dabigatran will improve long-term brain morphological and neurofunctional outcomes and if potential therapeutic effects are dependent upon reduced PAR-1 stimulation and consequent mTOR activation. Germinal matrix haemorrhage was induced by stereotaxically injecting 0.3 U type VII-S collagenase into the germinal matrix of P7 rat pups. Animals were divided into five groups: sham, vehicle (5% DMSO), dabigatran intraperitoneal, dabigatran intraperitoneal + TFLLR-NH2 (PAR-1 agonist) intranasal, SCH79797 (PAR-1 antagonist) intraperitoneal, and dabigatran intranasal. Neurofunctional outcomes were determined by Morris water maze, rotarod, and foot fault evaluations at three weeks. Brain morphological outcomes were determined by histological Nissl staining at four weeks. Expression levels of p-mTOR/p-p70s6k at three days and vitronectin/fibronectin at 28 days were quantified. Intranasal and intraperitoneal dabigatran promoted long-term neurofunctional recovery, improved brain morphological outcomes, and reduced intracranial pressure at four weeks after GMH. PAR-1 stimulation tended to reverse dabigatran's effects on post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus development. Dabigatran also reduced expression of short-term p-mTOR and long-term extracellular matrix proteins, which tended to be reversed by PAR-1 agonist co-administration. PAR-1 inhibition alone, however, did not achieve the same therapeutic effects as dabigatran administration.
Posterior lesser trochanter line should not be used as reference for assessing femoral version in CT scans: a retrospective reliability and agreement study
Authors: Worlicek Michael , Weber Markus , Craiovan Benjamin , Zeman Florian , Grifka Joachim , Renkawitz Tobias , Wörner Michael
Published: March 2017

Background

The estimation of femoral version in preoperative planning of total hip arthroplasty and to assess complications after total hip arthroplasty is crucial. Recent studies have recommended the posterior lesser trochanter line as an intraoperative reference for estimating femoral version. We hypothesized, that if there is a correlation, the posterior lesser trochanter line could be used to assess femoral version in computed tomography (CT) scans.

Purpose

To evaluate the correlation between the posterior lesser trochanter line and the posterior femoral condyle axis.

Material and Methods

CT scans of 126 patients after unilateral total hip arthroplasty were analyzed by means of a newly developed digital planning software for CT scans. Both hips were measured, the angle between the posterior lesser trochanter line and the posterior femoral condyle axis was determined, and the relationship between both lines was evaluated.

Results

We found significant differences between male and female patients ( P < 0.001) and between left and right femora ( P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between healthy hips and hips with osteoarthritis after total hip arthroplasty ( P = 0.901).

Conclusion

There is no reliable correlation between posterior lesser trochanter line and posterior femoral condyle axis. Therefore, posterior lesser trochanter line should not be used to assess femoral version in CT scans. As a consequence, the gold standard for measuring femoral version should still be a three-dimensional CT scan of the whole femur.
Proximal Neuromuscular Control Protects Against Hamstring Injuries in Male Soccer Players: A Prospective Study With Electromyography Time-Series Analysis During Maximal Sprinting
Authors: Schuermans Joke , Danneels Lieven , Van Tiggelen Damien , Palmans Tanneke , Witvrouw Erik
Published: March 2017

Background:

With their unremittingly high incidence rate and detrimental functional repercussions, hamstring injuries remain a substantial problem in male soccer. Proximal neuromuscular control (“core stability”) is considered to be of key importance in primary and secondary hamstring injury prevention, although scientific evidence and insights on the exact nature of the core-hamstring association are nonexistent at present.

Hypothesis:

The muscle activation pattern throughout the running cycle would not differ between participants based on injury occurrence during follow-up.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Sixty amateur soccer players participated in a multimuscle surface electromyography (sEMG) assessment during maximal acceleration to full-speed sprinting. Subsequently, hamstring injury occurrence was registered during a 1.5-season follow-up period. Hamstring, gluteal, and trunk muscle activity time series during the airborne and stance phases of acceleration were evaluated and statistically explored for a possible causal association with injury occurrence and absence from sport during follow-up.

Results:

Players who did not experience a hamstring injury during follow-up had significantly higher amounts of gluteal muscle activity during the front swing phase ( P = .027) and higher amounts of trunk muscle activity during the backswing phase of sprinting ( P = .042). In particular, the risk of sustaining a hamstring injury during follow-up lowered by 20% and 6%, with a 10% increment in normalized muscle activity of the gluteus maximus during the front swing and the trunk muscles during the backswing, respectively ( P < .024).

Conclusion:

Muscle activity of the core unit during explosive running appeared to be associated with hamstring injury occurrence in male soccer players. Higher amounts of gluteal and trunk muscle activity during the airborne phases of sprinting were associated with a lower risk of hamstring injuries during follow-up. Hence, the present results provide a basis for improved, evidence-based rehabilitation and prevention, particularly focusing on increasing neuromuscular control of the gluteal and trunk muscles during sport-specific activities (eg, sprint drills, agility drills).
Autonomy in Paid Work and Employee Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Wheatley Daniel
Published: March 2017

This article explores the relationship between different forms of autonomy, categorized into “job control” and “schedule control,” and measures of subjective well-being, using UK panel data from Understanding Society. Levels of autonomy differ considerably among UK employees. Managers report the greatest autonomy. Professionals, especially women, and less skilled occupations report substantially less. Panel probit, analysis of covariance, and change-score analysis evidence not only the positive impact of autonomy but also the differentiated and gendered relationship between autonomy and subjective well-being measures. Job control, including over tasks and pace of work, increases job and leisure satisfaction. Autonomy over work manner increases leisure and life satisfaction, but only among women. Informal schedule control has positive impacts on job (men and women) and life (men only) satisfaction.
Facile Preparation of Acid-Resistant Polyester Fabrics With Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Helan , Xu Lihui , Song Xiaoxiao , Cai Zaisheng
Published: March 2017

A facile method to prepare acid-resistant fabric with fluoropolymer/silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanocomposite is presented in this study. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to understand the influence factors of the optimized protocol for the acid-resistant fabric. During the preparation process, the effect level of the factors was agent concentration > curing temperature > curing time. The treated fabric showed a remarkable acid repellency, having a contact angle greater than 137°. Additionally, when the fabric was immersed in 80% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 5 min, it had a 4% and 9% decrease in breaking force in the warp and weft directions, respectively. We believe that the acid-resistant fabric developed as part of this study will receive more opportunities to the application of protective clothing, and the regression analysis provided by RSM can be extended into other procedures for textile preparation.
An economic analysis of the interactions between renewable support and other climate and energy policies
Authors: Duscha Vicki , del Río Pablo
Published: March 2017

The EU climate and energy policy landscape is characterized by a combination of instruments to achieve the EU 2020 and 2030 targets. In this paper, some of the most relevant interactions between RES-E support and a wide array of other climate and energy policies including the EU ETS, the Energy Taxation Directive and the Effort Sharing Directive in the European Union are assessed. A qualitative methodology is applied considering different assessment criteria such as effectiveness and efficiency of RES-E support and support costs but also distribution of costs between different stakeholder groups. Our analysis shows that, despite a common perception that interactions lead to conflicts, this is not really the case when the discussion is broadened and considers different assessment criteria. While adding one instrument or policy to another worsens one criterion, it usually improves another. Furthermore, the results of the interactions are not only specific to the policy, but also depend on the choice of instruments and design elements.
Asian Involvement in Africa
Authors: S Shaji
Published: March 2017

The refashioned economies and polities of countries, notably in the Global South after the end of the Cold War, drastically altered the perceptions on binaries of conventional types at the international level—South/North, East/West, core/periphery and so on. Asian powers, such as, India and China, under the rapidly expanding processes of globalisation began to intensively involve in the developing world, notably in Africa, which was hitherto overlooked, in search of oil and natural resources, along with accessing their fledging markets. The criticisms generated on the Asian involvement in Africa, notably on the part of African scholars/observers, prompt us to revisit some of the established conceptions on North–South, South/South relations, critiquing the very essence of the ‘Global South’ in the contemporary period. In addition, economic ties/practices between Asian powers (such as, India and China) and African states, while blurring the old binaries, have the potential to create new binaries in the near future.
A Subaltern Reading of International Organisations and Issues of Order, Disorder and Marginality
Authors: Singh Surabhi , Basu Moushumi
Published: March 2017

The article draws on Bourdieu’s notion of orthodoxy and doxa, whereby a particular view of the world becomes established as a normal, natural and unquestioned truth, as the entry point for the discussion on international organisations and issues of order, disorder and marginality. Every established order, according to Bourdieu, tends to produce very different degrees and with very different means, the naturalisation of its own arbitrariness, whereby it successfully manages to make the world conform to the myth of it being a self-evident and natural order. Such a project as the article argues, given the very constitution of international society is highly problematic, especially from the standpoint of those traditionally located at the very margins of decision making—the subalterns. In deconstructing the meaning and substance of ‘order’ through select case studies, the article seeks to explicitly focus on international organisations as sites of power and control, the processes of institutionalisation and socialisation and the possibilities of change that posit new ways of thinking about issues of order and disorder in international relations.
Turning the Outside In
Authors: Sharma Devika
Published: March 2017

Challenging the inside–outside dichotomy in international relations (IR) allows us to recognise and give voice to histories, positions, reflections, processes and actors that were invisible, marginalised or considered beyond the purview of the discipline. ‘Turning the outside in’ is not only about disrupting the long-held disciplinary boundaries but also about bringing into the mainstream that which had been overlooked or seen as epiphenomenal because of the centrality of the inside–outside dichotomy. Given the vantage point that ‘outside’ histories, ideas and worldviews provide, India and other postcolonial countries are well ‘placed’ to take advantage of looking ‘in’ and hence blurring the boundaries between inside and outside. However, it is important to underline the fact that, although multiple voices and perspectives need to be heard, they must do so free of the very frames and dichotomised approaches that signified knowledge building and dissemination for the better part of IR’s evolution as a discipline.
Organized Interests in Constitutional Assemblies
Authors: Hartshorn Ian M.
Published: March 2017

How does the way organized interests are included in constitution-drafting processes effect their capacity? Two recent examples of post-revolutionary constitution drafting in Egypt and Tunisia provide evidence that the way trade unions are included in constitutional assemblies matters a great deal. These cases suggest that not just whether organized interests are included in the constitution-drafting process but how impacts their long-term influence. Prior to the revolutions, both countries used corporatist labor practices including hierarchical, exclusionary labor confederations with close ties to the regime. Despite similar origins, labor-state relationships evolved differently. Tunisia’s Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT) enjoyed an “external” role and little formal challenge as interest aggregator for trade unionists; Egypt’s Trade Union Federation (ETUF) faced challenges from independent trade unionists and little influence in government. These differences can be seen through an understudied realm of contestation: the constitutional assemblies. These outcomes are in part a result of the different ways these assemblies were crafted, and the way trade unionists interacted with politicians as a result. This article is based on original fieldwork in Egypt and Tunisia with politicians, trade unionists, and activists conducted between 2011 and 2014.
American Slaughterhouses and the Need for Speed: An Examination of the Meatpacking-Methamphetamine Hypothesis
Authors: Hendrix Joshua A. , Dollar Cindy Brooks
Published: March 2017

In Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser argues that slaughterhouse workers use methamphetamines to manage the harsh physical and emotional demands of the meatpacking industry. Similar ideas have been raised elsewhere; however, empirical tests of this hypothesis are in short supply. In this article, we elaborate on theoretical mechanisms that may explain why the meatpacking industry encourages methamphetamine use and provide a macro-level test of the meatpacking–methamphetamine hypothesis using 11 years (2001-2012) of hospital admission data and information from annual livestock slaughter reports. Decomposition modeling is used to examine variations across states and within states over time. Results show only modest support for the hypothesis. Specifically, a combined measure of meat is positively and statistically significantly associated with methamphetamine use both within and across states. However, the relationships are not consistently positive or statistically significant across all types of meat. In other words, the meatpacking–methamphetamine relationship is varying and complex.
The Relative Impact of Wi-Fi Service on Young Consumers’ Hotel Booking Online
Authors: Eriksson Niklas , Fagerstrøm Asle
Published: March 2017

This study aims to investigate the relative impact of Wi-Fi on consumers’ hotel bookings. It investigates two dimensions of Wi-Fi (price and reviews) in relation to overall hotel ratings, brand, and price per night. A scenario was arranged whereby participants (n = 120) booked a hotel room online. The results (r = .991, p = .000) of a conjoint analysis show that Wi-Fi price and Wi-Fi reviews affect the consumers’ booking, but not as much as hotel ratings and price per night. When looking only at Wi-Fi, results show that previous guests’ Wi-Fi reviews have a higher impact on booking than Wi-Fi price. Further analysis shows that Wi-Fi can be a “deal breaker” in a competitive and/or undifferentiated market. We propose that the impact of Wi-Fi can be understood as rule-governed behavior. Consequently, behavioral understanding of the impact of Wi-Fi could aid hotel managers in developing more effective marketing strategies.
Fashioning Multiplatform Masculinities
Authors: Draper Jimmy , McDonnell Andrea M.
Published: March 2017

Scholarly interest in the potential of personal style blogging to intervene in fashion media’s gendered norms has focused on women and femininity. To assess the implications for men and masculinity, this article examines gay male bloggers’ self-representational practices. Through interviews and textual analysis, we find their uses of different digital platforms reproduce and confront the heteronormativity of men’s fashion media in ways that speak to their status as bloggers in the industry. Specifically, their desire to demonstrate recognizable forms of fashion expertise keeps their blogs disciplined by industry norms of masculinity even as the need to self-brand encourages queer self-expression across other social media. We thus argue the ways in which bloggers embrace platforms’ technological affordances to engage multiple audiences are central to theorizing how their labor produces different discourses and depictions of masculinity. This builds on arguments made by gender and sexuality scholars to explain the significance of gay men’s fashion.
The Ds1 Transposon Provides Messages That Yield Unique Profiles of Protein Isoforms and Acts Synergistically With Ds to Enrich Proteome Complexity via Exonization
Authors: Charng Yuh-Chyang , Hsu Lung-Hsin , Liu Li-yu Daisy
Published: March 2017

In exonization events, Ds1 may provide donor and/or acceptor sites for splicing after inserting into genes and be incorporated into new transcripts with new exon(s). In this study, the protein variants of Ds1 exonization yielding additional functional profile(s) were studied. Unlike Ds exonization, which creates new profiles mostly by incorporating flanking intron sequences with the Ds message, Ds1 exonization additionally creates new profiles through the presence or absence of Ds1 messages. The number of unique functional profiles harboring Ds1 messages is 1.3-fold more than that of functional profiles without Ds1 messages. The highly similar 11 protein isoforms at a single insertion site also contribute to proteome complexity enrichment by exclusively creating new profiles. Particularly, Ds1 exonization produces 459 unique profiles, of which 129 cannot be built by Ds. We thus conclude that Ds and Ds1 are independent but synergistic in their capacity to enrich proteome complexity through exonization.
Soluble P-selectin as a Biomarker for Infection and Survival in Patients With a Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome on the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Schrijver Irene T , Kemperman Hans , Roest Mark , Kesecioglu Jozef , de Lange Dylan W
Published: March 2017

Aims:

This study investigated the ability of soluble platelet selectin (sP-selectin) to identify infection and predict 30-day mortality in patients with a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) on the intensive care unit.

Methods:

Soluble platelet selectin levels were measured daily in the first 48 hours in patients presenting with SIRS. The outcome, proven infection, was established using predefined definitions. The 30-day mortality was retrospectively assessed.

Results:

In a total of 313 patients with SIRS, sP-selectin levels were measured. Of these, 114 patients had proven infection on admission or developing during their intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Patients with proven infection had moderately higher levels of sP-selectin (147 ng/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 93.4-203 ng/mL) compared with noninfected patients (143.8 ng/mL; IQR, 89.6-194.7 ng/mL). This difference was not statistically significant ( P = .072). However, in patients who were not admitted for infection (n = 235), sP-selectin levels were significantly related to the subsequent development of infection ( P = .013). Soluble platelet selectin levels were particularly high in patients with abdominal sepsis and skin infections. Higher sP-selectin levels were associated with higher mortality (although not statistically significant, P = .08).

Conclusions:

This study shows that in patients with SIRS not admitted for infection, sP-selectin levels are significantly related to the subsequent development of infection. Furthermore, patients with higher sP-selectin levels in the first 2 days of admission had higher 30-day mortality, although this association is not statistically significant. Therefore, we conclude that sP-selectin is a potential future biomarker for both mortality and infection in patients with SIRS, but more research is needed to confirm its prognostic role.
Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Axillary Lymph Nodes: Are Changes to the Lymph Node “Soil” Localized or Systemic?
Authors: Blackburn Heather L , Ellsworth Darrell L , Shriver Craig D , Ellsworth Rachel E
Published: March 2017

Metastasis is a multistep process that is not well understood. Colonization of a secondary organ requires specific molecular alterations of the host microenvironment. To determine the temporal and spatial changes associated with metastatic dissemination to the axillary lymph nodes, gene expression profiles were compared between histologically normal lymph nodes from node-positive patients and tumor-free nodes from node-negative patients. Using a stringent false discovery rate correction (<0.05) for multiple hypothesis testing, we did not detect any differentially expressed genes between the lymph node groups. Thus, the presence of metastatic cells within the lymphatic system does not elicit widespread changes in gene expression through the axillary basin; rather, lymph nodes independently respond to disseminated tumor cells.
Self-reported Effects of Water on Health in First Nations Communities in Saskatchewan, Canada: Results From Community-Based Participatory Research
Authors: Waldner Cheryl L , Alimezelli Hubert Tote , McLeod Lianne , Zagozewski Rebecca , Bradford Lori EA , Bharadwaj Lalita A
Published: March 2017

Water-related health challenges on First Nations reserves in Canada have been previously documented. Our objective was to describe factors associated with self-reported health effects from tap water in 8 First Nations reserve communities in Saskatchewan, Canada. Community-based participatory approaches were used in designing and implementing cross-sectional household surveys. Individual, household, community, and contextual effects were considered in multilevel analysis. Negative health effects from tap water were reported by 28% of households (n = 579). Concerns about environmental factors affecting water quality (odds ratio [OR] = 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8-6.7), rarely or never drinking tap water (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.3-6.6), insufficient tap water (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.4-6.3), paying for bottled water (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.2-8.7), and dissatisfaction with tap water were associated with self-reported health effects (n = 393); however, the effect of dissatisfaction was modified by respondent age ( P = .03). Quality and availability were associated with perceptions of health effects from drinking water, providing additional information on how ongoing concerns about drinking water influence self-reported health in some First Nations.
Perioperative Management of Thyroid Dysfunction
Authors: Palace Marcia Rashelle
Published: March 2017

Due to the manifold effects of thyroid hormone across virtually all organ systems, the complications associated with thyroid dysfunction are numerous and diverse. The stresses encountered during the perioperative period may exacerbate underlying thyroid disorders, potentially precipitating decompensation and even death. Thus, it is of the utmost importance for the clinician to comprehend the mechanisms by which thyroid disease may complicate surgery and postoperative recovery and to be cognizant of the most effective means of optimizing the status of thyrotoxic and hypothyroid patients perioperatively. This article describes the adverse effects of thyroid dysfunction as they relate to the patient undergoing both thyroid and nonthyroid surgery and recommends treatment approaches aimed at decreasing perioperative risk.
Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach
Authors: González-Sánchez Juan Antonio , Vitón Rebeca , Collantes Elena , Rodríguez-Montes José Antonio
Published: March 2017

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the stomach is a rare entity. There are several theories regarding the development of this tumor, but its pathogenesis remains obscure. Fewer than 100 cases of primary SCC of the stomach have been published in the literature. Due to advanced stage at the time of diagnosis in most of these cases, the prognosis is generally poor. In the case presented here, endoscopy revealed a vegetative tumor in the stomach described as SCC by biopsy. Following curative surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy was administered; however, the patient died 3 years and 4 months after surgery after recurrence was diagnosed.
Understanding Women’s Choice of Mastectomy Versus Breast Conserving Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Authors: Gu Jeffrey , Groot Gary , Holtslander Lorraine , Engler-Stringer Rachel
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To identify factors that influence Saskatchewan women’s choice between breast conserving therapy (BCT) and mastectomy in early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) and to compare and contrast underlying reasons behind choice of BCT versus mastectomy.

Methods:

Interpretive description methods guided this practice-based qualitative study. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and presented in thematic maps.

Results:

Women who chose mastectomy described 1 of the 3 main themes: worry about cancer recurrence, perceived consequences of BCT treatment, or breast-tumor size perception. In contrast, women chose BCT because of 3 different themes: mastectomy being too radical, surgeon influence, and feminine identity.

Conclusions:

Although individual reasons for choosing mastectomy versus BCT have been discussed in the literature before, different rationale underlying each choice has not been previously described. These results are novel in identifying interdependent subthemes and secondary reasons for each choice. This is important for increased understanding of factors influencing a complicated decision-making process.
Benzodiazepine Use and Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in a Population-Based Cohort Study From North-Eastern Spain
Authors: Salat David , Serra-Prat Mateu , Palomera Elisabet , Vendrell Ester , Lavado Angel , Bartolomé Maria , Boixeda Ramon , Almirall Jordi
Published: March 2017

Background:

Benzodiazepine (Bz) exposure has been identified as a risk factor of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in some observational studies, but this remains controversial. This study was designed to quantify the risk of CAP associated with treatment with Bz.

Methods:

All individuals ⩾14 years of age registered in any of 3 primary health care providers in our area between January 2011 and May 2013 were included in the study. This resulted in a population of 51 912 individuals who contributed to a total of 1 496 680 person-months of observation. Previously anonymized data for each participant were obtained from their personal health records and the official prescription database. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of CAP during the study period and the relative risk (RR) that could be attributed to Bz exposure.

Results:

A total of 696 CAP cases were diagnosed. Incidence density was 12.4 cases per 1000 person-years in individuals exposed to Bz and 4.51 cases per 1000 person-years in those who were not. Benzodiazepine exposure increased the risk of CAP in the whole population (RR: 2.76, 95% confidence interval: 2.35-3.25) and in all the evaluated subgroups. Stratified analysis showed an interaction only with age (RR: 2.99 in patients under 65 years and 1.78 in those aged 65 or older). Benzodiazepine exposure was associated with an excess 0.79 cases of CAP per 100 person-years.

Conclusions:

Benzodiazepine exposure increases the risk of CAP. Given the clinical relevance of CAP, prescribers should be aware of this potentially preventable risk and consider it while newly prescribing Bz.
Associations between brain drawings following mild traumatic brain injury and negative illness perceptions and post-concussion symptoms at 4 years
Authors: Jones Kelly M , Theadom Alice , Barker-Collo Suzanne , Broadbent Elizabeth , Feigin Valery L , Feigin V , Barker-Collo S , McPherson K , Theadom A , Jones K M , Jones A , Ao B Te , Kydd R , Barber P Alan , Parag V , Ameratunga S , Starkey N , Dowell A , Kahan M , Christey G , Hardaker N , Brown P
Published: March 2017

Characteristics of patient’s drawings have been linked to short-term health-related outcomes across a range of health conditions. This study examined associations between brain drawings at 1 month and illness perceptions and post-concussion symptoms at 4 years in 92 adults following mild traumatic brain injury. Greater damage depicted at 1 month was correlated with perceived greater impact on life, duration of injury, symptoms of brain injury, emotional consequences and late-onset post-concussion symptoms. Results indicate that brain drawings shortly after traumatic brain injury offer a simple and insightful tool that may help to identify those who need additional support to improve long-term outcomes.
How have selection bias and disease misclassification undermined the validity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome studies?
Authors: Nacul Luis , Lacerda Eliana M , Kingdon Caroline C , Curran Hayley , Bowman Erinna W
Published: March 2017

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome has been a controversial diagnosis, resulting in tensions between patients and professionals providing them with care. A major constraint limiting progress has been the lack of a ‘gold standard’ for diagnosis; with a number of imperfect clinical and research criteria used, each defining different, though overlapping, groups of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome. We review basic epidemiological concepts to illustrate how the use of more specific and restrictive case definitions could improve research validity and drive progress in the field by reducing selection bias caused by diagnostic misclassification.
Participatory engagement and the empowerment of the Arctic Indigenous Peoples
Authors: Poto Margherita Paola
Published: March 2017

This article aims to analyse the participatory mechanisms in environmental decision making with a focus on indigenous peoples (IP)’s engagement in the Arctic Council (AC)’s decisions.

The first part offers a comprehensive perspective of the IP self-determination requirement as both the means and the end of their full participation to environmental decisions: self-determination is both the grounding factor for IP participation and the driving force to the empowerment, self-sufficiency and autonomy of the participants themselves. The second part briefly sketches the role of the Arctic Council as the active arena for the development of international initiatives primarily focusing on the protection of the Arctic environment, as well as looking at it as the platform where non-state actors (IP in particular) play a major role as permanent participants. The third and final part focuses on the participatory tools enabling a pluralistic engagement of IP in general and of the IP within the Arctic Council in particular.
The Concept of Exile in Late Second Temple Judaism: A Review of Recent Scholarship
Authors: Piotrowski Nicholas G.
Published: March 2017

Before Wright published the first two volumes of his Christian Origins and the Question of God series (1992; 1996) the discussion concerning late Second Temple Jewish concepts of exile was a quiet one. Since then, however, more and more scholars have begun to weigh in. Champions of the theory contend that Second Temple texts convey a matrix of concerns that together demonstrate a Jewish consciousness of being in a state of ongoing exile, notwithstanding the residency in the land of a significant population and a functioning temple. Dissenters argue that these scholars are illegitimately privileging one motif within a highly complex ancient religion, and assigning it a metanarrative role it never truly had. Others contend that ‘ongoing’ exile is too narrow of a description to account for the diversity of attitudes across several sects. Only recently, though, have major works been produced that thoroughly examine the primary texts in question. In the process, a growing chorus of voices is supporting, with various levels of enthusiasm, the thesis that a significant number of late Second Temple Jewish groups indeed understood themselves to be languishing in some form of exile: ongoing exile since the sixth century bce, in the throes of recurring cycles of exile, or a set of historic realities characterized with exilic metaphors.
Facilitating dialogue in the adult EAL classroom: Acknowledging learners, teachers and the curriculum
Authors: Atkinson Michael
Published: March 2017

Ostensibly, the orientation towards learning outcomes in adult English language and literacy delivery ensures that the focus is on standardised skill development and knowledge acquisition of students. Such measureable development is seen as foundational to broader employability skills and job readiness. It is an agenda however which ignores the socio-cultural differences of learners and their aspirations of integration with mainstream society. It also ignores the transformational potential of the classroom and the dialogical interactions between all class members to act as catalysing agents for change. Based on a case study design and a conceptual framework anchored in dialogical theory, this paper explores the social space of the contemporary adult learning classroom and its potential to act on the socio-cultural confidence of learners. It shows that the classroom is a space of multiple stakeholders and diverse tensions. Through generating a shared ethos, teachers can enhance both dialogue and mutual learning. Opportunities for student transformation are hindered however by a standardised curriculum which fails to hear the aspirations of learners and management models which prioritise their own needs.
An experimental design framework for the personalization of indoor microclimates through feedback loops between responsive thermal systems and occupant biometrics
Authors: Matalucci Berardo , Phillips Kenton , Walf Alicia A , Dyson Anna , Draper Joshua
Published: March 2017

How can building technologies accommodate different and often conflicting user preferences without dissolving the social cohesiveness, intrinsic of every architectural intervention? Individual thermal comfort has often been considered a negligible sensorial experience by modern heating and cooling technologies, and is often influenced by large-group norms. Alternatively, we propose that buildings are repositories of indoor microclimates that can be realized to provide personalized comfort, to create healthier environments, and to enhance the attributes of architectural interventions into haptic dimensions. In response, the goal of this study is to characterize an experimental framework that integrates responsive thermal systems with occupants’ direct and indirect experience, which includes stress response and biometric data. A computational model was used up to inform and analyze thermal perception of subjects, and later tested in a responsive physical installation. While results show that thermal comfort assessment is affected by individual differences including cognitive functions and biometrics, further computational efforts are needed to validate biometric indicators. Finally, the implications of personalized built environments are discussed with respect to future technology developments and possibilities of design driven by biometric data.
Assisted automation: Three learning experiences in architectural robotics
Authors: Llach Daniel Cardoso , Bidgoli Ardavan , Darbari Shokofeh
Published: March 2017

Fueled by long-standing dreams of both material efficiency and aesthetic liberation, robots have become part of mainstream architectural discourses, raising the question: How may we nurture an ethos of visual, tactile, and spatial exploration in technologies that epitomize the legacies of industrial automation—for example, the pursuit of managerial efficiency, control, and an ever-finer subdivision of labor? Reviewing and extending a growing body of research on architectural robotics pedagogy, and bridging a constructionist tradition of design education with recent studies of science and technology, this article offers both a conceptual framework and concrete strategies to incorporate robots into architectural design education in ways that foster a spirit of exploration and discovery, which is key to learning creative design. Through reflective accounts of three learning experiences, we introduce the notions “assisted automation” and “robotic embodiment” as devices to enrich current approaches to robot–human design, highlighting situated and embodied aspects of designing with robotic machines.
Redesigning an Undergraduate HRD Program With Stakeholder Guidance
Authors: Beyerlein Michael , Jones Trez , Peck Parrott Kelli
Published: March 2017

The Problem

Curriculum for students of human resource development (HRD) has evolved every decade and must continue this adaptive pattern to match the workplace. However, little research seems to be available to guide development of undergraduate HRD programs. Fewer than 100 publications seem to have addressed HRD curriculum. Of that group, few have focused on the undergraduate level. Consequently, this article provides an overview of the process of transforming the undergraduate curriculum for students at a major southwestern university to adapt its fit to the changing work world.

The Solution

The article summarizes the process steps, the curricular changes, and the framework for continuous curriculum change for an undergraduate HRD program. Change may be incremental and continuous or punctuated by major redesign efforts. The latter require input from all stakeholders to generate a curriculum that is relevant and engaging. Details of the design process from the current case can guide other programs working on redesign, including the decision-making process, the rationale, and the choices about courses to include or modify.

The Stakeholders

The procedure for preparing the plan for the curricular changes involved a wide range of stakeholders, including current students, faculty, advising staff, and alumni. Each group provided unique inputs from diverse perspectives which were integrated into the final plan. The outcome of the redesign work affected members of all the groups, such as the increased relevance of coursework for the students, the graduation of more qualified students for employers, and the empowering effect of involving faculty.
The Value of an Undergraduate HRD Degree: An Exploratory Investigation of Perceived Employability and Career Success
Authors: Greer Tomika W. , Waight Consuelo L.
Published: March 2017

The Problem

Undergraduate human resource development (HRD) programs are becoming increasingly popular. However, there is little research available regarding the outcomes of the alumni of these programs and the value that they attribute to their undergraduate HRD degree.

The Solution

In this exploratory study, a survey was used to assess the value of an undergraduate HRD education among graduates of an undergraduate HRD program. Perceived employability and subjective career success were used as measures to assess the value of an undergraduate HRD degree from the perspective of alumni from an undergraduate HRD program. Academic achievement was also considered for the possibility of impacting the perceived value of the degree. Descriptive statistics are used to report the findings related to perceived employability and subjective career success.

The Stakeholders

The results of this study are useful to undergraduate HRD program administrators and alumni who are interested in the career outcomes of undergraduate HRD students in the first few years following their graduation. These administrators and alumni can use the results to market and describe the value of an undergraduate degree in HRD. An additional stakeholder group includes potential students who may seek clarification on the experiences of graduates of the undergraduate HRD programs that the potential students may be considering.
A Prospective Study of Offending Patterns of Youth Homicide Offenders Into Adulthood
Authors: McCuish Evan C. , Cale Jesse , Corrado Raymond R.
Published: March 2017

Although youth homicide offenders (YHOs) are portrayed as a group that warrants considerable attention from the justice system because of their high likelihood of future offending, little is known about this group’s offending trajectories and the nature of posthomicide offenses in adulthood. These questions were investigated using a sample of male and female YHOs ( n = 26), violent YHOs ( n = 358), and nonviolent YHOs ( n =139), all of whom were followed prospectively into adulthood. First, the prevalence of adult recidivism did not vary across the three groups. Second, YHOs were more frequent offenders prior to their homicide offense than after their homicide offense, and when they did offend posthomicide, it was typically a nonserious crime. Third, YHOs did not differ from other offenders in their association to a specific offending trajectory. These findings are discussed in the context of assessment and treatment of serious and violent youth.
Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm sealing: A systematic review of early outcomes
Authors: Brown Stephanie L , Awopetu Ayoola , Delbridge Michael S , Stather Philip W
Published: March 2017

Objectives

There has been a clear move towards endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms owing to better peri-operative outcomes compared with open surgical repair. However, follow-up has continued to reveal relatively high rates of endoleaks and re-interventions. Improvements in endovascular stent-grafts aim to decrease these complications. This systematic review aims to determine the early outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm sealing.

Methods

Standard PRISMA guidelines were followed. A literature search was performed with the aim to extract any publication related to the endovascular aneurysm sealing device.

Results

The total number of patients in this systematic review of 11 studies is 684, with a mean age of 73.2 years, and 587 (88.0%) males. The majority were undergoing elective procedures ( n = 606, 91.0%), the remainder as emergencies ( n = 30, 4.5% as ruptures, n = 30, 4.5% as symptomatic). Technical success rate including emergency cases was 99.1%. Thirty-day mortality rate was 2.6% ( n = 17) including all cases, and 1.0% ( n = 6) including elective cases only. Thirty -day endoleak detection rate was 4.7% ( n = 31) including all cases, and 4.8% ( n = 29) including elective cases only. Thirty-day aneurysm-related re-intervention rate was 5.7% ( n = 38) including all cases, and 4.6% ( n = 28) including elective cases only. There was no conversion to open surgery within 30 days post-op in the elective cases. There were three delayed conversions to open surgery within 30 days and one report of stent migration causing rupture in the emergency setting.

Conclusions

This novel endovascular aneurysm-sealing device for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair has shown respectable early outcomes. Good technical success rates, in both elective and emergency settings, low rates of all-type endoleaks and low re-intervention rates have all been demonstrated. It is proving to be a safe alternative to open and endovascular aneurysm repair; however, longer term follow-up results are needed to assess the safety and effectiveness of the device in the long term.
Effect of socio-demographic characteristics and clinical findings on the quality of life of patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Soydan Ebru , Yılmaz Emel , Baydur Hakan
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study was planned and implemented to evaluate the effect of socio-demographic characteristics and clinical findings on the quality of life of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Methods

The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 163 patients that presented with the diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency to the cardiovascular surgery clinic of an education and research hospital in the west of Turkey. The data were collected during face-to-face interviews using a personal information form, clinical, etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology classification, venous insufficiency epidemiological and economic study-quality of life/symptoms scales and the Short Form-36. Descriptive statistics as well as univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the data.

Results

The chronic venous insufficiency patients were found to have a low quality of life. Advanced age, higher body mass index, longer working times, being on regular medication, hypertension and presence of pigmentation according to the clinical, etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology classification were found to be associated with a reduced physical score in SF-36. Furthermore, longer weekly working hours and presence of pigmentation reduced the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptoms scores. Undertaking physical exercise at twice and more than twice a week increased the overall physical scores in SF-36.

Conclusions

The results of the study showed that the quality of life of chronic venous insufficiency patients are affected by not only physical characteristics, working hours and physical activity but also presence of edema and pigmentation.