bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Welsh devolution as passive revolution
Authors: Evans Daniel John
Published: February 2018

Welsh devolution has not been adequately theorised. Following the narrow vote for Welsh devolution in 1997, many academics in Wales adopted a nakedly ‘celebratory’, uncritical view of devolution as a radical change to the British state, taking at face value the claim that it was designed to rejuvenate Welsh democracy. The power relations inherent to the transformation of the British state are rarely discussed in Wales. As a consequence, the developments which have occurred in Wales since devolution – political disengagement, the rise of the far right, the vote for Brexit – seem hard to grasp: it is simply presumed that something has ‘gone wrong’ with the application of devolution. This dominant way of thinking assumes that devolution was designed to ‘work’. Using Gramsci’s concept of passive revolution, this article argues that devolution to Wales (and Scotland) was a central plank of New Labour’s transformation of both the Labour Party and the British state. Building on a reading of the post-war British state as a historic bloc, I draw attention to the power relations inherent in Welsh devolution and the ‘top down’ nature of the process, which was led by the Labour party in order to preserve its hegemony in Wales and the United Kingdom as a whole. After outlining the political struggles and strategies of transformismo which occurred within the process of passive revolution, where hegemony is temporarily ‘thinned’, I contend that contemporary Wales represents a period of interregnum, where the old world (the traditional centralised British state) has died, but a new Welsh state cannot be born. As Gramsci predicted, this has led to the emergence of a host of ‘morbid symptoms’ in Wales. I conclude by reflecting on the nature of the interregnum and whether ‘restoration’ or ‘revolution’ is likely to triumph in Wales.
A Sequential Analysis of the Welfare Effects of Mobile Phones in Africa
Authors: James Jeffrey
Published: February 2018

The main purpose of this article is to assess the welfare effects of situations in which either mobile phone devices or SIM cards (or both) are not owned by relatively poor inhabitants of African countries. The task is pursued in a sequential analytical framework where effects at different stages of the process influence the welfare impact at later stages. Much of the analysis is conducted in different institutional circumstances from those found in the West (notably sharing and renting). Perhaps the main result of the analysis—backed by ample empirical evidence—is that the fewer are the alternatives to mobile phones as forms of communication (e.g., public transport), the greater tend to be the gains from this technology. In the particular case of leapfrogging, the fewer are fixed-line phones, the more do mobiles yield gains to poor users, whether these be individuals or actual countries. It is thus the context in addition to the technology that determines the differential welfare gains.
Measured and simulated analysis of a model rocket
Authors: Brown William , Wiesneth Michael , Faust Thomas , Huynh Nghia , Montalvo Carlos , Lino Kent , Tindell Andrew
Published: February 2018

A comparison between two types of sensors and two types of simulation software are investigated here for a student built rocket. Many students use an open source software package called OpenRocket which uses empirical aerodynamics based on the shape of the rocket. This software is compared to the standard set of rigid body dynamic equations using coefficients for the aerodynamics based on windtunnel and computational fluid dynamics tests. During experimentation two sensors are used and price and resolution is compared. The first sensor is a turn-key sensor called the TeleMega which has many features such as telemetry and on board data logging. In an effort to reduce costs, the Arduino Mega platform has been augmented with a custom made shield capable of measuring Global Positioning System (GPS), angular velocity, and attitude information with on board data logging as well. Although this sensor has limited functionality, the cost is substantially reduced. It is shown that all sensors and simulation software have their strengths and weaknesses with appropriate usage for each.
Do Demerger Announcements Impact Shareholders Wealth? An Empirical Analysis Using Event Study
Authors: Padmanabhan P. A.
Published: February 2018

Corporate restructuring has been on an increasing trend in India over the past two decades, and demergers are emerging as one of the important forms of corporate restructuring. While there is extensive literature on demergers abroad, there is limited literature on demergers in the Indian context. In this study, the impact of demerger announcements on shareholders’ wealth is analysed using event study. Demerger announcements made by 63 companies spread over 11 years from 2003 to 2014 are taken up for the study. Two different models, namely, mean-adjusted returns model and market model, are applied. Log returns are used in the study. The efficiency of the Indian stock market is also tested in the study. The results show positive abnormal returns during the event window under both mean-adjusted returns model and market model. The results also indicate that the Indian stock market exhibits semi-strong form efficiency.
Noteworthy Literature published in 2017 for Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists
Authors: Varelmann Dirk J. , Muehlschlegel Jochen Daniel
Published: February 2018

The year 2017 was a year dominated by large-scale clinical studies reporting the outcome of various interventions in cardiac surgery and heart failure (HF) patients, relevant to all cardiothoracic anesthesiologists. Among them were studies investigating the addition of levosimendan, an alternative inotropic agent, to standard management of patients with HF undergoing cardiac surgery. Also, corticosteroids have been used for various purposes in cardiac patients. Here, a new study reports the effect of high-dose methylprednisolone on recovery and delirium. Furthermore, with increasing evidence that transfusions increase morbidity and mortality, a publication reports the use of rotational thromboelastometry to reduce transfusion requirements. In addition, several randomized controlled multicenter studies report the outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac procedures: surgical versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement in intermediate-risk patients and the use of centrifugal-flow versus axial-flow left-ventricular devices in patients with HF. These studies demonstrate the dynamic and ever-evolving state of perioperative cardiovascular medicine and show us the direction of future developments.
Toward performance portability of the Albany finite element analysis code using the Kokkos library
Authors: Demeshko Irina , Watkins Jerry , Tezaur Irina K , Guba Oksana , Spotz William F , Salinger Andrew G , Pawlowski Roger P , Heroux Michael A
Published: February 2018

Performance portability on heterogeneous high-performance computing (HPC) systems is a major challenge faced today by code developers: parallel code needs to be executed correctly as well as with high performance on machines with different architectures, operating systems, and software libraries. The finite element method (FEM) is a popular and flexible method for discretizing partial differential equations arising in a wide variety of scientific, engineering, and industrial applications that require HPC. This article presents some preliminary results pertaining to our development of a performance portable implementation of the FEM-based Albany code. Performance portability is achieved using the Kokkos library. We present performance results for the Aeras global atmosphere dynamical core module in Albany. Numerical experiments show that our single code implementation gives reasonable performance across three multicore/many-core architectures: NVIDIA General Processing Units (GPU’s), Intel Xeon Phis, and multicore CPUs.
Beyond ANOVA: An Introduction to Structural Equation Models for Experimental Designs
Authors: Breitsohl Heiko
Published: February 2018

Structural equation modeling (SEM) can offer useful features to researchers conducting experiments. Yet most researchers appear not to apply such models when analyzing their data, relying instead on more restrictive (and sometimes inappropriate) approaches, such as analysis of variance (ANOVA). This paper is aimed at introducing experimentalists to the modeling options available in SEM. I compare and contrast ANOVA with two SEM-based approaches, addressing general attributes; specific features, such as the relation to confirmatory factor analysis; and assumptions imposed under each approach. A corresponding decision tree offers additional guidance for selecting between approaches. I then describe a general procedure for building and testing models under the two SEM-based approaches, ranging from preparatory decisions to checking assumptions, to obtaining estimates and conducting hypothesis tests. In addition, I discuss options for latent variable scaling, reporting effect sizes disattenuated from measurement error, incorporating manipulation checks, and adjusting inferences for Type I error inflation. Finally, I offer an example based on a real study (with annotated code for Mplus and R), taking readers though the modeling process and illustrating some implications of modeling choices.
Green party members and grass-roots democracy: A comparative analysis
Authors: Rüdig Wolfgang , Sajuria Javier
Published: February 2018

When Green parties emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, their political project included a strong commitment to a new type of internal party organization, giving power to the ‘grass roots’. With Green parties having become well established in most West European party systems, has the vision of ‘grass-roots democracy’ survived the party foundation stage? What drives the ongoing or waning commitment to grass-roots democracy? Analysing party membership survey data from 15 parties collected in the early 2000s when many Green parties had for the first time become involved in national government, we find that it is the social movement oriented, pacifist, left-wing membership that is most committed to grass-roots democracy. It is the current involvement in social movements rather than past activity that is most important. Support for grass-roots democracy is also stronger in ‘Latin Europe’ and Greece but weaker in parties which have become established in parliament and government.
Greek preservice physical education teachers’ mental models of production and reproduction teaching styles
Authors: Syrmpas Ioannis , Chen Senlin , Pasco Denis , Digelidis Nikolaos
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine Greek preservice physical education (PE) teachers’ presuppositions, beliefs and mental models about the reproduction and production teaching styles. The participants were 16 preservice PE teachers (10 males, six females). A qualitative methodology was used with data collected using semi-structured interviews. A multi-level analysis process using open coding and axial coding was sequentially conducted. Findings revealed two generative mental models about teaching styles. For the first mental model ( n = 5), learning is considered as a transmissive and unidimensional (i.e. one goal pursued at a time) process. Presuppositions supported by this mental model urge the preservice teachers to believe that the reproduction teaching styles promote effective learning, class control, students’ safety and discipline. For the second mental model ( n = 11), learning is viewed as a constructivist and multidimensional (i.e. multiple goals pursued at a time) process. Presuppositions supported by this mental model urge the participants to believe that the production teaching styles effectively promote students’ learning, critical thinking, responsibility, motivation, autonomy and discipline. The aforementioned mental models highlight the developmental nature of preservice PE teachers’ learning concerning the production and the reproduction teaching styles. These mental models reveal the diversity of PE preservice teachers’ understanding of the teaching and learning processes. Furthermore, findings support Vosniadou’s assumption that learners come to formal education not as a tabula rasa but holding a naive understanding about the world.
De/constructing DIY identities in a trans music scene
Authors: Pearce Ruth , Lohman Kirsty
Published: February 2018

The emergence of ‘trans’ as a social and political movement and identity has created the conditions for the creation of a new music scene, organized around the gender(ed) identities of those involved rather than around musical genre. This article examines the parallels between the attitude taken towards gender(ed) identity and the organization of events in the United Kingdom’s trans music scene. Both entail de/construction through strategies of ‘genre evasion’ (Steinholt, 2012) and ‘cut-and-paste’ (Bornstein, 1994). This de/constructive process crosses boundaries and opens possibilities, enabling new modes of organization alongside new ways of understanding culture and identity.
Alternative business models and entrepreneurship
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Paul
Published: February 2018

Electrification of the car is an inevitable trajectory; only battery electric vehicles (EVs) give the option – provided a zero carbon generating mix is developed – of ultimately zero carbon and zero emissions transport. Yet this means disruptive change to the existing automotive and energy business models covering all sections of the value chain, which provides entry points for new, entrepreneurial operators from outside the sector bringing with them new business models. We are entering a transition period, where some of these alternative business models are already seen to work and those of Autolib and Tesla are highlighted here. New electric vehicle (EV) business models need to extend beyond the boundaries of the business itself and should also include a consideration of context and environment, or ‘regime’ (Geels, 2002), particularly in the role of government. It should be emphasized that EV business models are dynamic, still emerging and are currently enjoying artificial market conditions due to widespread incentives. Private and public sector players are still exploring what their respective roles should be in future EV business models.
A co-evolutionary approach to understanding construction industry innovation in renovation practices for low-carbon outcomes
Authors: Killip Gavin , Owen Alice , Morgan Elizabeth , Topouzi Marina
Published: February 2018

Energy consumption in buildings is a large contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. Renovations of existing buildings can reduce their impact by integrating technologies which increase efficiency or generate renewable energy on-site. Doing this well and at scale is a collective action problem, which transcends the agency of individual entrepreneurs. This article reports a cross-case comparison of four previous studies focused on low-energy renovation of housing, using a co-evolutionary framework in which five systems are mutually interdependent: ecosystems, technologies, user practices, business strategies and institutions. Innovations across the five systems are described in terms of variations, selection pressures and transmission. The analysis draws out common themes from the four previous studies and to reflect on how well the co-evolutionary framework accounts for innovation in the particular field of housing renovation for low-energy outcomes. Business strategies emerge as an important (and often neglected) source of innovation. The framework generally accounts for innovation in this area quite well, although two important issues are a less easy fit: The use of energy (and other finite resources) is rather indirectly accounted for by the term ‘ecosystems’ and the complexity of interactions between multiple users, businesses and technologies is partly elided.
Product service system innovation in the smart city
Authors: Cook Matthew
Published: February 2018

Product service systems (PSS) may usefully form part of the mix of innovations necessary to move society towards more sustainable futures. However, despite such potential, PSS implementation is highly uneven and limited. Drawing on an alternate sociotechnical perspective of innovation, this article provides fresh insights on, among other things, the role of context in PSS innovation, to address this issue. Case study research is presented focusing on a use-orientated PSS in an urban environment: the Copenhagen city bike scheme. The article shows that PSS innovation is a situated complex process, shaped by actors and knowledge from other locales. It argues that further research is needed to investigate how actors’ interests shape PSS innovation. It recommends that institutional spaces should be provided in governance landscapes associated with urban environments to enable legitimate PSS concepts to co-evolve in light of locally articulated sustainability principles and priorities.
Bridging the academic-practice gap through big data research
Authors: Gillespie Brian , Otto Christian , Young Charles
Published: February 2018

The proliferation of advances in technology and communication have led to the formation of “big data” research and the argument that big data will be effective in connecting consumer to practitioners. We argue big data is also an effective means through which practitioners and academics can connect. Practitioner-academic collaborative on big data collection and advanced analysis offers a unique opportunity to align common goals between practitioners and academics, and bridge the academic-practice gap in marketing and management domains, among others.
The impact of individual differences in weather sensitivity on weather-related purchase intentions
Authors: Moon Sangkil , Kwon JaeHwan , Jung Sang-Uk , Bae Young Han
Published: February 2018

Marketing scholars have demonstrated the impacts of weather on consumer behavior at the aggregate level; however, they have not fully analyzed how individual differences in weather sensitivity (WS) play a role in consumers’ purchase decisions. Therefore, we examine how individual differences in WS influence weather-related purchases (e.g., flood insurance, buying hot coffee on a cold, rainy day). Specifically, we find that consumers who are high in WS tend to respond to such weather-related purchases more positively. Furthermore, we identify prosocial behavior as a factor that positively impacts these purchases, given that people who are high in prosocial behavior tend to be more responsive to the general environment, including the weather. We also indicate hedonic consumption as another positive factor, in that hedonic consumption can stimulate a positive weather effect (e.g., I want to enjoy shopping today because the weather is so nice). Using successive preliminary and main surveys, we test these hypotheses and confirm the results empirically. From a managerial perspective, marketers can develop differential marketing segmentation strategies between more and less weather-sensitive consumers by using our findings.
Patterns of fruit and vegetable buying behaviour in the United States and India
Authors: Anesbury Zachary , Greenacre Luke , Wilson Amy L , Huang Ava
Published: February 2018

This paper describes the patterns discovered in fruit and vegetable buying behaviour in the United States and India. Using claimed buying data obtained from online questionnaires, it compares the patterns against those found extensively in consumer goods categories across the world. This study analyses consumer loyalty with Double Jeopardy, consumer sharing with Duplication of Purchase and brand user profiles with Mean Absolute Deviations. The results show the buying behaviour patterns of Double Jeopardy, Duplication of Purchase and that brand user profiles exist within the fruit and vegetable categories. The implications of these findings are: (1) that the size of fruit and vegetable brands are largely determined by how many people buy them and not how loyal those consumers are; (2) fruit and vegetable brands share consumers with one another; and (3) fruit and vegetable brands are not purchased by unique segments of the population. Therefore, in order to increase the number of people buying fruit and vegetable brands, marketers should focus on increasing their mental and physical availability (i.e. the same strategies used for consumer goods brands).
The CHAMPIONS NETWork: Training Chicago High School Students as Health Advocates to Improve Health Equity
Authors: Heinert Sara , Del Rios Marina , Arya Arjun , Amirsoltani Ramin , Quasim Nasseef , Gehm Lisa , Suarez Natalia , Vanden Hoek Terry
Published: February 2018

In Chicago, major disparities exist across ethnic groups, income levels, and education levels for common chronic conditions and access to care. Concurrently, many of Chicago’s youth are unemployed, and the number of minorities pursuing health professions is low. In an effort to eliminate this health equity gap, the University of Illinois at Chicago convened a community–university–hospital partnership to implement the CHAMPIONS NETWork (Community Health And eMPowerment through Integration Of Neighborhood-specific Strategies using a Novel Education & Technology-leveraged Workforce). This innovative workforce training program is a “High School to Career Training Academy” to empower underserved youth to improve population health in their communities, expose them to careers in the health sciences, and provide resources for them to become community and school advocates for healthy lifestyles. This program differs from other traditional pipeline programs because it gives its students a paid experience, extends beyond the summer, and broadens the focus to population health with patient contact. The CHAMPIONS NETWork creates a new type of health workforce that is both sustainable and replicable throughout the United States.
Vehicle trajectory reconstruction from automatic license plate reader data
Authors: Yu Haiyang , Yang Shuai , Wu Zhihai , Ma Xiaolei
Published: February 2018

Using perception data to excavate vehicle travel information has been a popular area of study. In order to learn the vehicle travel characteristics in the city of Ruian, we developed a common methodology for structuring travelers’ complete information using the travel time threshold to recognize a single trip based on the automatic license plate reader data and built a trajectory reconstruction model integrated into the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution and depth-first search to manage the vehicles’ incomplete records phenomenon. In order to increase the practicability of the model, we introduced two speed indicators associated with actual data and verified the model’s reliability through experiments. Our results show that the method would be affected by the number of missing records. The model and results of this work will allow us to further study vehicles’ commuting characteristics and explore hot trajectories.
Hand exoskeleton for rehabilitation therapies with integrated optical force sensor
Authors: Díez Jorge A , Blanco Andrea , Catalán José María , Badesa Francisco J , Lledó Luis Daniel , García-Aracil Nicolas
Published: February 2018

This article presents the design of a hand exoskeleton that features its modularity and the possibility of integrating a force sensor in its frame. The modularity is achieved by dividing the exoskeleton in separate units, each one driving a finger or pair of them. These units or “finger modules” have a single degree of freedom and may be easily attached or removed from the robot frame and human fingers by snap-in fixations. As for the force sensing capability, the device relies on a novel force sensor that uses optical elements to amplify and measure small elastic deformations in the robot structure. This sensor can be fully integrated as a structural element of the finger module. The proposed technology has been validated in two experimental sessions. A first study was performed in a clinical environment in order to check whether the hand exoskeleton (without the integrated force sensor) can successfully move an impaired hand in a “Mirror Therapy” environment. A second study was carried with healthy subjects to check the technical feasibility of using the integrated force sensor as a human–machine interface.
Numerical simulation of gas dispersion during cold venting of natural gas pipelines
Authors: Liao Ning , Huang Kun , Chen Liqiong , Wang Zhifang , Wu Jin , Zhang Fang
Published: February 2018

This article analyzes the effects of various factors on gas dispersion during cold venting based on the actual cold venting operations of long-distance natural gas pipelines in China. Under the circumstance that no obstacles existed, unified dispersion model and PHAST software were used to simulate the gas dispersion process of cold venting in order to study the changes of gas concentration along vertical and horizontal directions over time. FLUENT was used to make numerical simulations to analyze the effect of the existence of high obstacles on gas dispersion. The results indicated that (1) with an increase in wind speed, the concentration range in which the gas might explode (5%–15%) decreased along the vertical direction but slightly increased along the horizontal direction; (2) when the initial venting pressure gradually decreased with the proceeding of cold venting, the downwind distance that might trigger danger reduced significantly; and (3) with an increase in atmospheric stability, the dispersion height of vented gas first increased and then decreased continuously. High atmospheric stability could inhibit the gas dispersion height to a larger degree than the wind speed and aerostatic buoyancy could facilitate it.
Some personal life events are more prominent than others: Younger and older adults agree on which life events matter most
Authors: Umanath Sharda , Berntsen Dorthe
Published: February 2018

Some important life events are part of the cultural life script as expected transitional events with culturally sanctioned timing. However, not all personally important events align with the cultural life script, including some events that are widely experienced. Here, we ask whether there are specific characteristics that define the events that become part of a culture’s life script and what role life experience plays. In Experiment 1, younger adults rated life events on different measures tapping central event dimensions in autobiographical memory theories. Cross-culturally extremely frequent cultural life script events consistently received higher ratings than other commonly experienced life story events. Experiment 2 demonstrated that these findings did not interact with age. Both younger and older adults rated the extreme cultural life script events most highly. In addition, older adults rated all types of life events more highly than younger adults, suggesting a greater appreciation of life events overall.
Cocaine abuse: Longitudinal MR imaging of lasting diffused leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Li Shuo , Manyevitch Roni , Sedaliu Kaltrina , Abdelbaki Ahmed , Gupta Nishant , Kumar Anil , Kumar Yogesh , Rosovsky Mark
Published: February 2018

Cocaine use has been known to cause a number of adverse neurological conditions, such as cerebral ischemia and posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy. The radiologic appearance of cocaine-induced leukoencephalopathy is confounded by a common contaminant, levamisole, which is also known to cause multifocal leukoencephalopathy. However, we encountered a case of diffuse leukoencephalopathy in a patient with cocaine use that had extensive involvement of the cerebral white matter, globus pallidi as well as the cerebellum. Our case also presented with a severe clinical presentation, with the patient demonstrating minimal neurologic response after a prolonged period of critical care management. The severe clinical course and diffuse radiologic involvement of our case differs from previously reported cases of cocaine- or levamisole-induced leukoencephalopathy.
Prevalence and Impact of Hip Arthroscopic Surgery on Future Participation in Elite American Football Athletes
Authors: Knapik Derrick M. , Sheehan Joe , Nho Shane J. , Voos James E. , Salata Michael J.
Published: February 2018

Background:

Intra-articular injuries to the hip in elite athletes represent a source of significant pain and disability. Hip arthroscopic surgery has become the gold standard for the treatment of disorders involving the hip joint.

Purpose:

To examine the incidence of and abnormalities treated with hip arthroscopic surgery as well as the impact on future participation in American football athletes invited to the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine with a history of hip arthroscopic surgery.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Athletes invited to the NFL Combine from 2012 to 2015 were evaluated for a history of hip arthroscopic surgery. Athlete demographics, imaging findings, and physical examination results were gathered using the NFL Combine database. Information on prospective participation in the NFL with regard to draft status, games played, games started, and current status was gathered using publicly available databases and compared against all other athletes participating in the combine.

Results:

Fourteen athletes (15 hips) had a history of arthroscopic hip surgery. Acetabular labral tears were treated in 93% (14 hips), with femoroacetabular impingement decompression performed in 33% (5 hips). Compared with athletes who had no history of hip arthroscopic surgery, those undergoing arthroscopic surgery did not possess a lower likelihood of being drafted (66% vs 71%, respectively; P = .78) or of being on an active roster (52% vs 43%, respectively; P = .44) after their first season in the NFL. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the number of regular-season games played (10.9 ± 4.8 with arthroscopic surgery vs 11.0 ± 5.1 without; P = .96) or started (7.0 ± 3.6 with arthroscopic surgery vs 7.1 ± 5.3 without; P = .98).

Conclusion:

American football athletes invited to the NFL Combine with a history of hip arthroscopic surgery were not at risk for diminished participation when compared with all other athletes during their first season in the NFL.
Patients’ Satisfaction With Care From Nigerian Federal Capital Territory’s Public Secondary Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lawal Bolarinde Joseph , Agbla Schadrac C , Bola-Lawal Queen Nkeiruka , Afolabi Muhammed O , Ihaji Elvis
Published: February 2018

Background:

Patients’ satisfaction remains an important tool for evaluating quality of care in the emerging global trend of patient-centered care.

Aim:

To assess satisfaction with care received by patients at public secondary hospitals in Abuja, north central Nigeria.

Method:

We measured patients’ satisfaction using structured questionnaire, and Cronbach α was used to assess consistency in item responses. A multivariate mixed-effects linear regression was fitted to identify factors influencing the overall satisfaction.

Results:

All satisfaction domains tested were scored at “intermediate-positive levels” except for the “feeling being valued and appreciated as patients” domain that scored the least positive response level. On the overall, respondents rated the hospitals at high satisfaction level. There was a significant positive association between patients’ satisfaction and careful listening of care providers; patients’ perception of being valued and appreciated by the hospital staff ( P = .003 and P = .001, respectively).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest high satisfaction of care at public hospitals in Abuja Nigeria. Patients satisfaction survey should be integrated into hospital management planning and administration as part of quality improvement.
Defining urban clusters to detect agglomeration economies
Authors: Cottineau Clémentine , Finance Olivier , Hatna Erez , Arcaute Elsa , Batty Michael
Published: February 2018

Agglomeration economies are a persistent subject of debate in regional science and city planning. Their definition turns on whether or not larger cities are more efficient than smaller ones. Here, we complement existing discussions on agglomeration economies by providing a sensitivity analysis of estimated externalities to the definitions of urban agglomeration. We regress wages versus population and jobs over thousands of different definitions of cities in France, based on an algorithmic aggregation of spatial units. We also search for evidence of larger inequalities in larger cities. This paper therefore focuses on the spatial and economic complexity of the mechanisms defining agglomeration within and between cities.
An investigation into the geography of corporate e-commerce sales in the UK grocery market
Authors: Kirby-Hawkins Elena , Birkin Mark , Clarke Graham
Published: February 2018

E-commerce is one of the fastest growing sectors of the UK retail economy. The vast and rapid expansion of internet usage has generated widespread on-line sales, making the UK one of the leading countries for e-commerce. There have been a number of important papers on the geodemographics of e-commerce usage based on the results of surveys. These have shown that geography is important in understanding e-commerce sales: especially when we disaggregate sales by age and social class for example. However, there have been fewer studies analysing the geography of actual on-line sales provided by retail companies. The aim of this paper is to investigate the geography of e-commerce activity in more detail, especially as seen in UK grocery retailing. It will be concerned exclusively with transactions between businesses and consumers rather than either business to business or consumer to consumer. The paper makes extensive use of newly acquired data from a major UK grocery retailer to investigate the spatial patterns in the locations of their on-line consumers (we shall subsequently refer to this as ‘partner data’). This will enable us to build on the survey-based analysis in previous studies to explore the main drivers of on-line expenditure in more detail.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on severe acute pancreatitis through the regulation of mTOR/Akt and caspase-3 signaling pathway by upregulating miR-181b expression in rats
Authors: Liu Ming-wei , Wei Rui , Su Mei-xian , Li Hui , Fang Tian-wen , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2018

Background

In China, Panax notoginseng has been used to treat oxidative stress-related diseases for a long time. Panax notoginseng saponins is an extract from Panax notoginseng Ledeb. Its therapeutic potential is related to antioxidant activity, but related mechanisms are still unclear. The study aims to assess the protection effects of Panax notoginseng saponins in the taurocholate-induced rat model of acute pancreatitis (AP) and explore underlying mechanisms.

Methods

A rat model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) was established in rats induced with taurocholate. Panax notoginseng saponins was firstly administered in the treatment group via intravenous injection. After 2 h, taurocholate administration was performed. After 24 h, the expression levels of miR-181b, Beclin1, LC3-II, Akt and mTOR from pancreas tissues were measured by Western Blotting and RT-PCR. Then the expression levels of Caspase-3 and Blc-2 were determined by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was assessed by the TUNEL assay. Amylase and lipase in serum were determined by ELISA and pancreatic water contents in pancreatic tissue were measured. After eosin and hematoxylin staining, the histologic analysis was performed.

Results

After SAP induction by taurocholate and the treatment with Panax notoginseng saponins for 24 h, we detected the up-regulated miR-181b, the reduced Bcl-2 expression, the increased activity of mTOR/Akt, the blocked Beclin1 and LC3-II expressions, and the enhanced Caspase-3 expression. Serum lipase and amylase levels were significantly decreased in the treatment group of Panax notoginseng saponins compared to the control group. Histological analysis results verified the attenuation effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on taurocholate-induced pancreas injury, apoptosis, and autophagy.

Conclusion

By up-regulating the miR-181b expression level, Panax notoginseng saponins significantly reduced taurocholate-induced pancreas injury and autophagy and increased apoptosis. The significant protection effects of Panax notoginseng saponins suggested its potential in treating taurocholate induced-acute pancreatitis.
Effect of sitagliptin on tissue characteristics of the carotid wall in patients with type 2 diabetes: a post hoc sub-analysis of the sitagliptin preventive study of intima-media thickness evaluation (SPIKE)
Authors: Katakami Naoto , Mita Tomoya , Irie Yoko , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Matsuoka Taka-aki , Gosho Masahiko , Watada Hirotaka , Shimomura Iichiro ,   on behalf of the Sitagliptin Preventive study of Intima-media thickness Evaluation (SPIKE) Collaborators
Published: February 2018

Background

Ultrasonic gray-scale median (GSM) of the carotid wall reflects its composition and low-GSM carotid plaque is considered to be vulnerable. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, on the longitudinal change in GSM, an index of the tissue characteristics of the carotid wall, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

This is a post hoc sub-analysis using data obtained from the SPIKE trial, a randomized controlled trial that demonstrated the beneficial effect of sitagliptin on the progression of carotid intima-media thickness in patients with T2DM. A total of 274 T2DM patients with no past history of apparent cardiovascular disease (137 in the sitagliptin treatment group and 137 in the conventional treatment group) were enrolled. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in mean GSM-CCA during the 104-week treatment period.

Results

The mean GSM-CCA significantly increased in the sitagliptin treatment group (adjusted ΔGSM = 2.40 ± 1.19 [mean ± SE], p = 0.044) but not in the conventional treatment group (adjusted ΔGSM = 1.32 ± 1.19, p = 0.27). However, there was no significant difference in changes in mean GSM-CCA between the treatment groups.

Conclusions

A post hoc sub-analysis suggests that the tissue characteristics of the carotid arterial wall were improved in the sitagliptin treatment group during the 104-week treatment period, but not in the conventional treatment group. However, there was no between-group difference in the changes of GSM values between the two treatment groups. Prespecified studies with large sample sizes would be necessary to confirm our findings.

Trial registration UMIN000028664, Registered 15 August 2017 (“retrospectively registered”)
Centre of pressure characteristics in normal, planus and cavus feet
Authors: Buldt Andrew K. , Forghany Saeed , Landorf Karl B. , Murley George S. , Levinger Pazit , Menz Hylton B.
Published: February 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to compare centre of pressure (COP) characteristics between healthy adults with normal, planus or cavus feet who were allocated to groups based on reliable foot posture measurement techniques.

Methods

Ninety‐two healthy adult participants (aged 18 to 45) were recruited and classified as either normal (n = 35), pes planus (n = 31) or pes cavus (n = 26) based on Foot Posture Index, Arch Index and normalised navicular height truncated measurements. Barefoot walking trials were conducted using an emed®‐x 400 plantar pressure system (Novel GmbH, Munich, Germany). Average, maximum, minimum and range (difference between maximum and minimum) values were calculated for COP velocity and lateral‐medial force index during loading response, midstance, terminal stance and pre‐swing phases of stance. The COP excursion index was also calculated. One‐way analyses of variance were used to compare the three foot posture groups.

Results

The cavus foot exhibited the slowest average and minimum COP velocity during terminal stance, but this pattern was reversed during pre‐swing, when the cavus foot exhibited the fastest maximum COP velocity. The planus foot exhibited the smallest lateral medial force index range during terminal stance. There were no differences between the groups for COP excursion index.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that there are differences in COP characteristics between foot postures, which may represent different mechanisms for generating force to facilitate forward progression of the body during the propulsive phases of gait.
Leech management before application on patient: a nationwide survey of practices in French university hospitals
Authors: Grau Delphine , Masson Raphaël , Villiet Maxime , Lamy Brigitte ,   French Hospitals Group, Pelloquin Nathalie , Fagnoni Christine , Venet Arnaud , Safrano Lucile , Hecquard Claudine , Prudent Christelle , Dunoyer Gaëlle , Nouvel Marion , Bornet Charleric , Rondelot Grégory , Giesenfeld André , Césari Jacqueline , Huon Jean-François , Soulairol Ian , Bonnet Morgane , Grasset Laetitia , Desplechain Marie , Bauer Sébastien , Ratsimbazafy Voa , Arfeuille Mireille , Coquard Aude , Paya Dominique , Sautou Valérie , Lieutier Florence , Hermelin Isabelle , Tatem Ludmilla , Gicquel Vincent , Merger Delphine
Published: February 2018

Background

Leech therapy in plastic/reconstructive microsurgery significantly improves a successful outcome of flap salvage but the drawback is a risk of severe infection that results in a drop of the salvage rates from 70-80% to below 30%. We report the results of a national survey conducted in all the French university hospitals to assess the current extent of use of leech for medical practices in the hospital and to investigate maintenance, delivery practices and prevention of the risk of infection.

Methods

Data concerning conditions of storage, leech external decontamination, microbiological controls, mode of delivery and antibiotic prophylaxis were collected from all the French university hospitals in practicing leech therapy, on the basis of a standardized questionnaire.

Results

Twenty-eight of the 32 centers contacted filled the questionnaire, among which 23 practiced leech therapy, mostly with a centralized storage in the pharmacy; 39.1% of the centers declared to perform leech external decontamination and only 2 centers recurrent microbiological controls of the water storage. Leech delivery was mostly nominally performed (56.5%), but traceability of the leech batch number was achieved in only 39.1% of the cases. Only 5 centers declared that a protocol of antibiotic prophylaxis was systematically administered during leech therapy: either quinolone (2), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (2) or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (1).

Conclusions

Measures to prevent infectious complications before application to patient have to be better applied and guidelines of good practices are necessary.
Self-Stigma in Relatives of people with Mental Illness scale: development and validation
Authors: Morris E. , Hippman C. , Murray G. , Michalak E.E. , Boyd J.E. , Livingston J. , Inglis A. , Carrion P. , Austin J.
Published: February 2018

Background

Serious mental illness (SMI) is profoundly stigmatised, such that there is even an impact on relatives of people with SMI.

Aims

To develop and validate a scale to comprehensively measure self-stigma among first-degree relatives of individuals with SMI.

Method

We conducted group interviews focusing on self-stigma with first-degree relatives (n = 20) of people with SMI, from which 74 representative quotations were reframed as Likert-type items. Cognitive interviews with relatives (n = 11) identified 30 items for the Self-Stigma in Relatives of people with Mental Illness (SSRMI) scale. Relatives (n = 195) completed the scale twice, a month apart, together with four external correlate scales.

Results

The 30-item SSRMI was reliable, with scores stable over time. Its single-factor structure allowed generation of a 10-item version. Construct validity of 30- and 10-item versions was supported by expected relationships with external correlates.

Conclusions

Both versions of the SSRMI scale are valid and reliable instruments appropriate for use in clinical and research contexts.

Declaration of interest

None.
Molecular Testing Guideline for the Selection of Patients With Lung Cancer for Treatment With Targeted Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: American Society of Clinical Oncology Endorsement of the College of American Pathologists/International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/Association for Molecular Pathology Clinical Practice Guideline Update
Authors: Kalemkerian Gregory P. , Narula Navneet , Kennedy Erin B. , Biermann William A. , Donington Jessica , Leighl Natasha B. , Lew Madelyn , Pantelas James , Ramalingam Suresh S. , Reck Martin , Saqi Anjali , Simoff Michael , Singh Navneet , Sundaram Baskaran
Published: February 2018

Purpose

In response to advances in the field, the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) recently updated their recommendations for molecular testing for the selection of patients with lung cancer for treatment with targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors. ASCO has a policy and set of procedures for endorsing clinical practice guidelines that have been developed by other professional organizations.

Methods

The molecular testing guideline was reviewed for developmental rigor by methodologists. Then an ASCO Expert Panel reviewed the content and the recommendations.

Results

The ASCO Expert Panel determined that the recommendations from the CAP/IASLC/AMP molecular testing guideline are clear, thorough, and based upon the most relevant scientific evidence. ASCO endorsed the guideline with minor modifications.

Recommendations

This update clarifies that any sample with adequate cellularity and preservation may be tested and that analytical methods must be able to detect mutation in a sample with as little as 20% cancer cells. It strongly recommends against evaluating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression by immunohistochemistry for selection of patients for EGFR-targeted therapy. New for 2018 are recommendations for stand-alone ROS1 testing with additional confirmation testing in all patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, and RET, ERBB2 (HER2), KRAS, and MET testing as part of larger panels. ASCO also recommends stand-alone BRAF testing in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Recommendations are also provided for testing methods for lung cancers that have a nonadenocarcinoma non–small-cell component, for patients with targetable mutations who have relapsed on targeted therapy, and for testing the presence of circulating cell-free DNA. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/thoracic-cancer-guidelines and www.asco.org/guidelineswiki .
Ten steps to get started in Genome Assembly and Annotation
Authors: Dominguez Del Angel Victoria , Hjerde Erik , Sterck Lieven , Capella-Gutierrez Salvadors , Notredame Cederic , Vinnere Pettersson Olga , Amselem Joelle , Bouri Laurent , Bocs Stephanie , Klopp Christophe , Gibrat Jean-Francois , Vlasova Anna , Leskosek Brane L. , Soler Lucile , Binzer-Panchal Mahesh , Lantz Henrik
Published: February 2018

As a part of the ELIXIR-EXCELERATE efforts in capacity building, we present here 10 steps to facilitate researchers getting started in genome assembly and genome annotation. The guidelines given are broadly applicable, intended to be stable over time, and cover all aspects from start to finish of a general assembly and annotation project.

Intrinsic properties of genomes are discussed, as is the importance of using high quality DNA. Different sequencing technologies and generally applicable workflows for genome assembly are also detailed. We cover structural and functional annotation and encourage readers to also annotate transposable elements, something that is often omitted from annotation workflows. The importance of data management is stressed, and we give advice on where to submit data and how to make your results Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR).