bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The idea of inclusion: Conceptual and empirical diversities in Germany
Authors: Kruse Stefan , Dedering Kathrin
Published: May 2017

In the mid-1990s, inclusion was introduced into discussions on education; today, we still do not have a precisely defined concept of inclusion. This article focuses its attention in this context on Germany, which in ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009 embarked on the path towards realising an inclusive system of education. The question examined here is what theoretical–conceptual ideas concerning the inclusion approach can be found in the scientific-legal discourse in the German-speaking region and to what extent have these found their way into school praxis. Furthermore, an attempt is undertaken to assign the ideas people working practically in the school system have about inclusion to the definition categories of the recently published attempt at systematisation by Göransson and Nilholm. The results suggest that the definition categories can also be applied to the German context. In line with the academic discourse, inclusion is interpreted in conceptual terms differently by school administrators and teaching staff. Inclusion is mainly understood in relation to the educational sector and has no clear alignment in terms of the target group in question. Clear differentiation criteria concerning the implications of how inclusion is understood are the school form in which teachers are employed, the prior experience of integrative/inclusive teaching and the function they fulfil in school.
The emergence of a nation: writers and fighters as agents
Authors: Hamiti Muhamet , Hamiti Vjosa
Published: May 2017

Kosovo declared its independence nine years ago, and, with more than 100 UN countries recognizing the new country already, it has emerged as a new nation on the political map of the world. The article discusses Kosovo’s emergence as a nation and state and its ramifications for political discourse and indeed national or pan-national politics in Kosovo and Albania in the first place. How did writers and fighters – representatives of cultural enlightenment and militant struggle – create an autonomous Kosovar polity initially, before it became an independent country in its own right at the turn of the century and millennium? Will there soon be separate histories of Albanian and Kosovar national literature, culture, art, etc., against this backdrop? These and a range of other issues will be explored.
Couchsurfing: Performing the travel style through hospitality exchange
Authors: Chen De-Jung
Published: May 2017

Couchsurfing is a website to facilitate hospitality exchange between global travelers and local hosts. As Couchsurfing was initiated, it was just an alternative accommodation for budget travelers. However, now Couchsurfing has been recognized as a stylish way of travel, which brings new forms of tourist experiences and scenarios. In the light of the transformation of Couchsurfing, this study tries to explore how social-media technologies, hosts, surfers, and spaces are mobilized to perform Couchsurfing. Goffman’s performance theory as well as the extended concepts about online performance and tourist performance is adopted to analyze the Couchsurfing practice. By studying on couchsurfers’ online performance, offline performance, as well as certain “inappropriate actions” hidden in the backstage, this study displays the series of mechanism, which pushes Couchsurfing from simply a hospitality exchange network to a specific travel style.
Adaptation versus authenticity
Authors: Green Michael J
Published: May 2017

Previous research on leader effectiveness in intercultural encounters has focused on the ‘cultural congruence proposition’ which indicates that leaders from one culture encountering followers from a different culture should modify their behaviour away from their own values towards the collective values of the followers in order to enhance their effectiveness. This proposition appears to contradict the basic tenets of authentic leadership theory which indicate that effective leaders align their behaviour strictly with their own values. This article proposes a theoretical model which draws upon each perspective and integrates them to reconcile this apparent conflict. The model suggests that effective cross-cultural leaders use both self-regulation and their cultural intelligence to engender optimum ratings from their followers.
Untaming aid through action research: Seeking transformative reflective action
Authors: Ortiz Aragón Alfredo , Glenzer Kent
Published: May 2017

Planned international development—Official Development Assistance—pretends to address complex, intergenerational problems. The pretense is endemic to, and necessary for, the continuation of the development enterprise, frequently leading to docile projects. Official Development Assistance’s methodologies and methods are ill-matched for confronting such problems, while those of action research are well-suited to the task. Yet Official Development Assistance and action research are only infrequent and ephemeral bedmates. Research from five sites on three continents reveals five lessons for untaming aid through action research: (1) plan and develop programming iteratively and over long time frames to offer meaningful support to people’s lives, (2) develop new connective tissue and relational capital, (3) commit to inquiry and learning in specific contexts, (4) incrementally confront culturally embedded practice in a safe and feasible manner, and (5) use methodology to develop safe and participatory spaces that engage tacit and explicit perspectives and ways of knowing. This article, the introductory essay to the Action Research Journal’s special issue, “Development, Aid, and Social Transformation,” argues that adoption of these five practices could help untame Official Development Assistance and make it more powerful, ethical, and transformative.
Assessment of Cryosurgical Device Performance Using a 3D Tissue-Engineered Cancer Model
Authors: Baust John M. , Robilotto Anthony , Snyder Kristi K. , Santucci Kimberly , Stewart Jennie , Van Buskirk Robert , Baust John G.
Published: May 2017

As the clinical use of cryoablation for the treatment of cancer has increased, so too has the need for knowledge on the dynamic environment within the frozen mass created by a cryoprobe. While a number of factors exist, an understanding of the iceball size, critical isotherm distribution/penetration, and the resultant lethal zone created by a cryoprobe are critical for clinical application. To this end, cryoprobe performance is typically characterized based on the iceball size and temperature penetration in phantom gel models. Although informative, these models do not provide information as to the impact of heat input from surrounding tissue nor give any information on the ablative zone created. As such, we evaluated the use of a tissue-engineered tumor model (TEM) to assess cryoprobe performance including iceball size, real-time thermal profile distribution, and resultant ablative zone. Studies were conducted using an Endocare V-probe cryoprobe, with a 10/5/10 double freeze–thaw protocol using prostate and renal cancer TEMs. The data demonstrate the generation of a 33- to 38-cm3 frozen mass with the V-Probe cryoprobe following the double freeze of which ∼12.7 and 6.5 cm3 was at or below −20°C and −40°C, respectively. Analysis of ablation zone using fluorescence microscopy 24 hours postthaw demonstrated that the internal ∼40% of the frozen mass was completely ablated, whereas in the periphery of the iceball (outer 1 cm region), a gradient of partial to minimal destruction was observed. These findings correlated well with clinical reports on renal and prostate cancer cryoablation. Overall, this study demonstrates that TEMs provide an effective model for a more complete characterization of cryoablation device performance. The data demonstrate that while the overall iceball size generated in the TEM was consistent with published reports from phantom models, the integration of an external heat load, circulation, and cellular components more closely reflect an in vivo setting and the impact of penetration of the critical (−20°C and −40°C) isotherms into the tissue. This is important as it is well appreciated in clinical practice that the heat load of a tissue, cryoprobe proximity to vasculature, and so on, can impact outcome. The TEM model provides a means of characterizing the impact on ablative dose delivery allowing for a better understanding of probe performance and potential impact on ablative outcome.
Blood glucose and insulin and correlation of SLC25A13 mutations with biochemical changes in NICCD patients
Authors: Lu Chun-Ting , Shi Qi-Ping , Li Ze-Jian , Li Jiong , Feng Lie
Published: May 2017

Neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) is a hereditary metabolic disease arising from biallelic mutations of SLC25A13. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) and C-peptide (C-P) levels in NICCD infants, analyze their SLC25A13 genetic mutations and further discuss the correlation between SLC25A13 genetic mutations and biochemical changes. Seventy-two cases of infants with cholestasis disease were gathered. Among them, 36 cases with NICCD diagnosis were case group. Meanwhile, 36 cases with unknown etiology but excluded NICCD were control group. FBG, FINS, C-P, ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and Non-HDL-C were collected from all subjects, and DNA was extracted from venous blood for SLC25A13 mutations detection. The incidence of hypoglycemia was 3% in NICCD group. There were no significant statistical difference of FBG, FINS and C-P between NICCD and INC groups ( P > 0.05). ALT, LDL-C and Non-HDL-C levels in NICCD group were lower than the INC group, while SLC25A13 mutations were associated with the level of GGT ( P < 0.05). Ten different SLC25A13 genetic mutations were detected, among which, 851del4, IVS16ins3kb, IVS6+5 G > A and 1638ins23 mutations made up 82% of all mutations. The incidence of hypoglycemia may be higher in small gestational age infants with NICCD. Low LDL-C may be one of the characteristics of dyslipidemia in NICCD infants. There was a correlation between SLC25A13 gene mutations distribution and the GGT level, but the meaning of this finding remains to be further in-depth study.

Impact statement

This study aims to compare FBG, FINS, C-P, other biochemical and clinical manifestations between NICCD and non-NICCD infants, and discuss differential diagnosis of NICCD and INC beyond the genetic analysis. And investigate the correlation between SLC25A13 genetic mutations and biochemical changes. This work presented that incidence of hypoglycemia may be higher in small gestational age infants with NICCD. Low LDL-C may be one of the characteristics of dyslipidemia in NICCD infants. There was a correlation between SLC25A13 gene mutations distribution and the GGT level.
Outcomes After Use of Aortouniiliac Endoprosthesis Versus Modular or Unibody Bifurcated Endoprostheses for Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Gupta Prateek K. , Kempe Kelly , Brahmbhatt Reshma , Gupta Himani , Montes Jorge , Forse R. Armour , Stickley Shaun M. , Rohrer Michael J.
Published: May 2017

Objectives:

Outcomes after endovascular repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) have been widely published. There is, however, controversy on the role of the use of aortouniiliac endoprosthesis (AUI) versus modular or unibody bifurcated endoprosthesis (MUB) for repair of rAAAs. We study and compare 30-day outcomes after use of AUI and MUB for all rAAAs focusing specifically on patients with instability.

Materials and Methods:

Patients who underwent EVAR for rAAA (n = 425) using AUI (n = 55; 12.9%) and MUB (n = 370; 87.1%) were identified from the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005-2010) database. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results:

No significant difference ( P > .5) was seen in comorbidities between patients who underwent EVAR with AUI or MUB; there was also no change in endoprosthesis use from 2005 to 2010 ( P = .7). Patients who underwent EVAR with AUI more commonly had a history of peripheral arterial procedure (10.9% vs 4.6%; P = .053) and preoperative transfusion of >4 U packed red blood cells (18.2% vs 6.8%; P = .004). Use of AUI versus MUB was associated with more 30-day wound complications (16.4% vs 6.2%; P = .01), return to operating room (38.2% vs 20.0%; P = .003), and mortality (34.5% vs 21.4%; P = .03). On multivariable analysis, use of AUI was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio: 2.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-5.3). On subanalysis of the cohort for only the patients with unstable rAAA (n = 159; AUI = 29 and MUB = 130), 30-day mortality for AUI versus MUB was still higher but not statistically significant (44.8% vs 32.3%; P = .2).

Conclusion:

Endovascular repair for ruptured AAA using aortouniliac endoprosthesis is associated with higher 30-day mortality than using modular or unibody bifurcated endoprosthesis.
Successful Repair of Acute Type B and Retrograde Type A Aortic Dissection With Kidney Ischemia
Authors: Madjarov Jeko M. , Katz Michael G. , Crespo-Soto Hector , Madzharov Svetozar , Roush Timothy , Robicsek Francis
Published: May 2017

Acute dissection of thoracic aorta carries a risk of renal ischemia followed by the development of a kidney failure. The optimal surgical and nonsurgical management of these patients, timing of intervention, and the factors predicting renal recovery are not well delineated and remain controversial. We present a case of acute type B thoracic aortic dissection with left kidney ischemia. Evaluation of renal function was performed by the means of internationally accepted Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, End stage kidney disease and Acute Kidney Injury Network classifications for acute kidney injury, renal duplex sonography, and intravascular ultrasound that demonstrated left renal artery dissection with a flap completely compressing the true lumen. The patient underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair and left renal artery stent and recovered well. Six months later, at the follow-up visit, retrograde type A aortic dissection was found, which was successfully repaired. Reversal of renal ischemia after aortic dissection depends on the precise assessment of renal function and prompt intervention.
The Accuracy and Precision of Position and Orientation Tracking in the HTC Vive Virtual Reality System for Scientific Research
Authors: Niehorster Diederick C. , Li Li , Lappe Markus
Published: May 2017

The advent of inexpensive consumer virtual reality equipment enables many more researchers to study perception with naturally moving observers. One such system, the HTC Vive, offers a large field-of-view, high-resolution head mounted display together with a room-scale tracking system for less than a thousand U.S. dollars. If the position and orientation tracking of this system is of sufficient accuracy and precision, it could be suitable for much research that is currently done with far more expensive systems. Here we present a quantitative test of the HTC Vive’s position and orientation tracking as well as its end-to-end system latency. We report that while the precision of the Vive’s tracking measurements is high and its system latency (22 ms) is low, its position and orientation measurements are provided in a coordinate system that is tilted with respect to the physical ground plane. Because large changes in offset were found whenever tracking was briefly lost, it cannot be corrected for with a one-time calibration procedure. We conclude that the varying offset between the virtual and the physical tracking space makes the HTC Vive at present unsuitable for scientific experiments that require accurate visual stimulation of self-motion through a virtual world. It may however be suited for other experiments that do not have this requirement.
Accuracy and Tuning of Flow Parsing for Visual Perception of Object Motion During Self-Motion
Authors: Niehorster Diederick C. , Li Li
Published: May 2017

How do we perceive object motion during self-motion using visual information alone? Previous studies have reported that the visual system can use optic flow to identify and globally subtract the retinal motion component resulting from self-motion to recover scene-relative object motion, a process called flow parsing. In this article, we developed a retinal motion nulling method to directly measure and quantify the magnitude of flow parsing (i.e., flow parsing gain) in various scenarios to examine the accuracy and tuning of flow parsing for the visual perception of object motion during self-motion. We found that flow parsing gains were below unity for all displays in all experiments; and that increasing self-motion and object motion speed did not alter flow parsing gain. We conclude that visual information alone is not sufficient for the accurate perception of scene-relative motion during self-motion. Although flow parsing performs global subtraction, its accuracy also depends on local motion information in the retinal vicinity of the moving object. Furthermore, the flow parsing gain was constant across common self-motion or object motion speeds. These results can be used to inform and validate computational models of flow parsing.
#SocialMedia: Exploring the Relationship of Social Networking Sites on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Eating Disorders
Authors: Santarossa Sara , Woodruff Sarah J.
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate whether problematic social networking site (SNS) use (i.e., degree of dependent relationship with SNSs), total SNS time/day, total SNS friends, and specific SNS activities were related to body image (BI), self-esteem (SE), and eating disorder (ED) symptoms/concerns. A sample of young adults ( N = 147) completed an online survey which measured SNS usage, problematic SNS use, BI, SE, and ED symptom/concerns. The findings revealed that females and males spent 4.1 ± 3.9 and 2.9 ± 2.8 hr on SNS, respectively, with the majority of time spent lurking (i.e., looking at another users’ profile but not actually communicating with them). Furthermore, problematic SNS use was found to be related to BI, SE, and ED symptoms/concerns. Moreover, SNS activities, such as lurking and posting comments on others’ profiles, were found to be related to BI, whereas SNS total time was found to be related to ED symptoms/concerns. Overall, this study demonstrates the possible correlational influence of SNSs on BI, SE, and ED symptoms/concerns.
Bootlace Technique for Delayed Sternal Closure in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Nassar Mohamed S. , Murtuza Bari , Hasan Asif
Published: May 2017

Delayed sternal closure is commonly required following cardiac surgery. This strategy has proven itself very helpful, especially after cardiac transplantation with significant donor/recipient size mismatch. However, at the time of chest closure, acute changes in intrathoracic pressure may be challenging. In this study, we describe our technique of gradual chest approximation, which facilitates closure in difficult situations.
Repair of Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defects With Decellularized Extracellular Matrix: Initial and Midterm Outcomes
Authors: Ashfaq Adeel , Brown Tyler , Reemtsen Brian
Published: May 2017

Objective:

Since April 2010, our institution has repaired complete atrioventricular septal defects (CAVSDs) with a two-patch technique utilizing CorMatrix extracellular material. This material is potentially an attractive patch because of its theorized eventual integration with the host tissue. We sought to analyze initial outcomes of CAVSD repair with CorMatrix.

Methods:

Data were collected on consecutive pediatric (age <18) patients receiving two-patch CAVSD repairs with CorMatrix at a single institution from April 2010 to July 2014. Baseline and perioperative characteristics were evaluated. Echocardiograms were evaluated in both the immediate postoperative period and the most recent postoperative follow-up. Variables analyzed included left AV valve performance, residual shunting, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient, morbidity, and mortality.

Results:

Fifteen patients were identified. The average age at operation was 205 days, with mean follow-up time at 1,364 days. Echocardiograms revealed the following: 12 (80%) patients showed either improved or stable left AV valve performance remaining at “mild” or less insufficiency, while two (13%) declined from “none” to mild and one (7%) from mild to “severe,” which required reoperation. There was no residual shunting or LVOT obstruction at follow-up. The single (7%) reoperation was performed after three years due to left AV valve zone of apposition dehiscence. No permanent pacemakers were needed, and no deaths were reported.

Conclusion:

Our initial experience with CorMatrix in the repair of CAVSD in children has resulted in good initial and midterm outcomes. The CorMatrix patch remained stable through midterm follow-up, thus may be efficacious for use in CAVSD repair.
Proximal Pulmonary Artery Evaluation in Infants With Shunt-Dependent Pulmonary Blood Flow: Computed Tomographic Angiography Versus Transthoracic Echocardiography
Authors: Ehrmann Daniel E. , Browne Lorna P. , Fonseca Brian M. , Younoszai Adel K. , Maria Michael V. Di
Published: May 2017

Background:

Infants with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow are at risk for developing proximal pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis, which may result in morbidity and mortality. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the primary means of surveillance for PA narrowing but has significant limitations and has not been compared to computed tomographic angiography (CTA)–derived measurements of the proximal PA anatomy in this population.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review identified infants with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow who had both TTE and CTA performed <14 days apart during a five-year period. Proximal right pulmonary artery (RPA) and left pulmonary artery (LPA) diameters were measured by TTE and CTA. Pulmonary artery z-score, linear and intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficients, and Bland-Altman plots were computed.

Results:

Seventeen pairs of studies were analyzed. The TTE and CTA proximal PA diameters had moderate linear correlation and agreement ( R = 0.67, P ≤ .0001, ICC = 0.65); the RPA showed stronger correlation and agreement ( R = 0.76, P = .0004, ICC = 0.72) than the LPA (R = 0.59, P = .01, ICC = 0.59). Computed tomographic angiography detected missed PA stenosis ( Z score < −2) in five (14.7%) cases, four of which were on the LPA.

Conclusion:

In this study of infants with shunt-dependent pulmonary blood flow, TTE and CTA proximal PA diameters had only moderate correlation and agreement overall, which was worse when comparing LPA measurements. This resulted in missed PA stenosis by TTE. Computed tomographic angiography may be warranted in patients with poorly visualized PAs by TTE or suspicion for deficient pulmonary blood flow.
Pediatric Heart Transplantation Long-Term Survival in Different Age and Diagnostic Groups: Analysis of a National Database
Authors: Alsaied Tarek , Khan Muhammad S. , Rizwan Raheel , Zafar Farhan , Castleberry Chesney D. , Bryant Roosevelt , Wilmot Ivan , Chin Clifford , Jefferies John L. , Morales David L.
Published: May 2017

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in long-term survival without the influence of early mortality, and to identify factors associated with one-year conditional ten-year survival after heart transplantation (HTx) across different age and diagnostic groups.

Methods:

Organ Procurement and Transplant Network data from January 1990 to December 2005 were used. Cohort was divided according to age (infants [<1 year], children [>1-10 years], and adolescents [11-18 years]) and diagnosis (cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease [CHD]). Factors associated with one-year conditional ten-year survival were identified using multivariable logistic regression and using a case–control design.

Results:

One-year conditional ten-year survivors included 1,790 patients compared to 1,114 patients who died after the first posttransplant year and within ten years of transplant with a median follow-up of 4.8 years. Predictors of one-year conditional ten-year survival for infants were recipient’s Caucasian race (odds ratio [OR]: 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-2.7) and donor–recipient weight ratio (OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1); for children: Caucasian race (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.1), retransplantation (OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.6), and transplantation after the year 2000 (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1); for adolescents only Caucasian race (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.9-2.3). In both CHD and cardiomyopathy, adolescents had worse survival compared to infants and children. There was an era effect with improved survival after 2000. Male gender was a predictor of survival in cardiomyopathy group.

Conclusion:

Predictors of one-year conditional ten-year survival varied among groups. These data and analyses provide important information that may be useful to clinicians, particularly when counseling patients and families regarding expectations of survival after pediatric HTx.
Virtual Surgery for Conduit Reconstruction of the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract
Authors: Ong Chin Siang , Loke Yue-Hin , Opfermann Justin , Olivieri Laura , Vricella Luca , Krieger Axel , Hibino Narutoshi
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

Virtual surgery involves the planning and simulation of surgical reconstruction using three-dimensional (3D) modeling based upon individual patient data, augmented by simulation of planned surgical alterations including implantation of devices or grafts. Here we describe a case in which virtual cardiac surgery aided us in determining the optimal conduit size to use for the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract.

Description:

The patient is a young adolescent male with a history of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, requiring right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit replacement. Utilizing preoperative magnetic resonance imaging data, virtual surgery was undertaken to construct his heart in 3D and to simulate the implantation of three different sizes of RV-PA conduit (18, 20, and 22 mm).

Evaluation:

Virtual cardiac surgery allowed us to predict the ability to implant a conduit of a size that would likely remain adequate in the face of continued somatic growth and also allow for the possibility of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation at some time in the future. Subsequently, the patient underwent uneventful conduit change surgery with implantation of a 22-mm Hancock valved conduit. As predicted, the intrathoracic space was sufficient to accommodate the relatively large conduit size without geometric distortion or sternal compression.

Conclusion:

Virtual cardiac surgery gives surgeons the ability to simulate the implantation of prostheses of different sizes in relation to the dimensions of a specific patient’s own heart and thoracic cavity in 3D prior to surgery. This can be very helpful in predicting optimal conduit size, determining appropriate timing of surgery, and patient education.
Optimal Z-Score Use in Surgical Decision-Making in Pulmonary Atresia With Intact Ventricular Septum
Authors: Awori Mark Nelson , Mehta Nikita P. , Mitema Frederick O. , Kebba Naomi
Published: May 2017

Objectives:

In the surgical treatment of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, the size of the tricuspid valve annulus (as measured by z-scores) has emerged as a significant factor in deciding which repair to perform. Various tricuspid valve annulus z-scores are reported as “cutoffs” for successful biventricular repair. We aimed to determine whether the use of different z-score data sets contributed to the gross variation in “cutoffs” for successful biventricular repair reported in the literature.

Methods:

A single search was made of PubMed using the “advanced” setting with the following search terms: pulmonary, atresia, intact, septum, z, and score. The filters “title” and “title/abstract” were used for the first four and last two terms, respectively; the instruction “AND” combined all terms. Articles that identified which z-score data set was used in patients with biventricular repairs were included.

Results:

From 13 articles, 1,392 patients were studied, 410 (29.5%) of which achieved biventricular repair. Three z-score data sets were quoted; mean tricuspid valve annulus z-scores in biventricular repair patients ranged between −0.53 and −5.1. After correcting for discrepancies between z-score data sets, no study reported a mean tricuspid valve annulus z-score <−2.8 in biventricular repair patients and 83.3% reported mean tricuspid valve annuli z-scores >−1.7.

Conclusion:

The use of varied tricuspid valve annuli z-score data sets may have contributed to gross variations in reported “cutoffs” for successful biventricular repair. This could lead to inappropriate surgical pathway allocation.
Major References for Learning About Healthy Eating: Differences Between Canadian Anglophone and Francophone Men and Women
Authors: Ahmadi Davod , Sinclair Kate , Ebadi Narges , Helal Gabrielle , Melgar-quinonez Hugo
Published: May 2017

This study examined associations between main references Anglophone and Francophone men and women refer to when learning healthy eating, and their knowledge of best food habits (KBFH), body mass index (BMI) status, sex, age, education, and household income. Data were obtained from a 2012 Statistics Canada survey (Canadian Community Health Survey: Rapid Response, Canada’s Food Guide). A greater number of women reported high KBFH than men. Regardless of the language group, “general search on the Internet,” “TV programs,” and “family and friends” were referred to the most for learning about healthy eating. However, those who refer more often to “health organizations” or “weight loss programs” had significantly higher KBFH and lower BMI rates.
A neutralizing anti–G-CSFR antibody blocks G-CSF–induced neutrophilia without inducing neutropenia in nonhuman primates
Authors: Scalzo-Inguanti Karen , Monaghan Katherine , Edwards Kirsten , Herzog Eva , Mirosa Danijela , Hardy Matthew , Sorto Vicki , Huynh Huy , Rakar Steven , Kurtov Daria , Braley Hal , Wilson Nick , Busfield Samantha , Nash Andrew , Andrews Arna
Published: May 2017

Neutrophils are the most abundant WBCs and have an essential role in the clearance of pathogens. Tight regulation of neutrophil numbers and their recruitment to sites of inflammation is critical in maintaining a balanced immune response. In various inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, cystic fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease, increased serum G-CSF correlates with neutrophilia and enhanced neutrophil infiltration into inflamed tissues. We describe a fully human therapeutic anti–G-CSFR antibody (CSL324) that is safe and well tolerated when administered via i.v. infusion to cynomolgus macaques. CSL324 was effective in controlling G-CSF–mediated neutrophilia when administered either before or after G-CSF. A single ascending-dose study showed CSL324 did not alter steady-state neutrophil numbers, even at doses sufficient to completely prevent G-CSF–mediated neutrophilia. Weekly infusions of CSL324 (≤10 mg/kg) for 3 wk completely neutralized G-CSF–mediated pSTAT3 phosphorylation without neutropenia. Moreover, repeat dosing up to 100 mg/kg for 12 wk did not result in neutropenia at any point, including the 12-wk follow-up after the last infusion. In addition, CSL324 had no observable effect on basic neutrophil functions, such as phagocytosis and oxidative burst. These data suggest that targeting G-CSFR may provide a safe and effective means of controlling G-CSF–mediated neutrophilia as observed in various inflammatory diseases.
Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase II Study of Ceritinib in Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Harboring ROS1 Rearrangement
Authors: Lim Sun Min , Kim Hye Ryun , Lee Jong-Seok , Lee Ki Hyeong , Lee Yun-Gyoo , Min Young Joo , Cho Eun Kyung , Lee Sung Sook , Kim Bong-Seog , Choi Moon Young , Shim Hyo Sup , Chung Jin-Haeng , La Choi Yoon , Lee Min Jeong , Kim Maria , Kim Joo-Hang , Ali Siraj M. , Ahn Myung-Ju , Cho Byoung Chul
Published: May 2017

Purpose

ROS1 rearrangement is a distinct molecular subset of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the efficacy and safety of ceritinib in patients with ROS1-rearranged NSCLC.

Patients and Methods

We enrolled 32 patients with advanced NSCLC who tested positive for ROS1 rearrangement by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Ceritinib 750 mg was administered once daily. The primary end point was objective response rate. The secondary end points were disease control rate; duration of response; progression-free survival; overall survival; toxicity; and concordance among fluorescent in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and next-generation sequencing.

Results

Between June 7, 2013, and February 1, 2016, 404 patients underwent ROS1 prescreening, and 32 patients with ROS1 rearrangement were enrolled. All patients except two were crizotinib-naïve. At the time of data cutoff, the median follow-up was 14.0 months, and 18 patients (56%) had discontinued treatment. Of the 32 patients enrolled, 28 were evaluable for response by independent radiologic review. Objective response rate was 62% (95% CI, 45% to 77%), with one complete response and 19 partial responses; duration of response was 21.0 months (95% CI, 17 to 25 months); and disease control rate was 81% (95% CI, 65% to 91%). The median progression-free survival was 9.3 months (95% CI, 0 to 22 months) for all patients and 19.3 months (95% CI, 1 to 37 months) for crizotinib-naïve patients. The median overall survival was 24 months (95% CI, 5 to 43 months). Of the eight patients with brain metastases, intracranial disease control was reported in five (63%; 95% CI, 31% to 86%). The most common adverse events (majority, grade 1 or 2) for all treated patients were diarrhea (78%), nausea (59%), and anorexia (56%).

Conclusion

Ceritinib demonstrated potent clinical activity in patients with ROS1-rearranged NSCLC who were heavily treated previously with multiple lines of chemotherapy.
Robust long-read native DNA sequencing using the ONT CsgG Nanopore system
Authors: Carter Jean-Michel , Hussain Shobbir
Published: May 2017

Background: The ability to obtain long read lengths during DNA sequencing has several potentially important practical applications. Especially long read lengths have been reported using the Nanopore sequencing method, currently commercially available from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). However, early reports have demonstrated only limited levels of combined throughput and sequence accuracy. Recently, ONT released a new CsgG pore sequencing system as well as a 250b/s translocation chemistry with potential for improvements. Methods: We made use of such components on ONTs miniature ‘MinION’ device and sequenced native genomic DNA obtained from the near haploid cancer cell line HAP1. Analysis of our data was performed utilising recently described computational tools tailored for nanopore/long-read sequencing outputs, and here we present our key findings. Results: From a single sequencing run, we obtained ~240,000 high-quality mapped reads, comprising a total of ~2.3 billion bases. A mean read length of 9.6kb and an N50 of ~17kb was achieved, while sequences mapped to reference with a mean identity of 85%. Notably, we obtained ~68X coverage of the mitochondrial genome and were able to achieve a mean consensus identity of 99.8% for sequenced mtDNA reads. Conclusions: With improved sequencing chemistries already released and higher-throughput instruments in the pipeline, this early study suggests that ONT CsgG-based sequencing may be a useful option for potential practical long-read applications with relevance to complex genomes.
Scorched Earth
Authors: Baberowski Jörg
Published: May 2017

This book, an unremitting indictment of the mad violence with which Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet Union, depicts Stalinism as a cruel and deliberate attack on Russian society, driven by “totalitarian ambitions” and the goal of modernizing and rationalizing a backward people. The text takes a twofold approach, emphasizing Stalin's personal role and responsibility as well as the continuity he sees in Communist aims and ideology since 1917. Unlike recent apologist accounts that focus on the challenges of modernization or on the operational complexities of managing the Soviet state, this hard-hitting analysis unequivocally locates the origins of the terror in the culture of violence and the techniques of power. Detailed, well-documented, and including many new details on the workings of the Stalinist state, this work encompasses the dictator's brutal reign from his achievement of total power in 1929 to his death in 1953.
Inventing American Exceptionalism
Authors: Kessler Amalia D.
Published: May 2017

It is widely accepted that American procedure—and indeed American legal culture as a whole—are adversarial (and distinctively so). Yet, precisely because this assumption is so deep-rooted, we have no history of how American adversarialism arose. This book provides such a history. It shows that the United States long employed not only lawyer-empowering adversarial procedure, but also various forms of more judge-dependent, quasi-inquisitorial procedure—including the equity tradition borrowed from England and, to a lesser extent, conciliation courts transplanted from continental Europe. However, the United States largely abandoned quasi-inquisitorial procedure by the close of the Civil War and Reconstruction, committing itself to lawyer-driven adversarialism. In explaining this turn to the adversarial, the book looks to developments both internal and external to the law. Among the key internalist factors on which the book focuses are the rise of the previously unknown category of “procedure”, as well as a set of seemingly small changes in the approach to taking testimony before equity-court officials known as masters in chancery, which ended up having unintended systemic consequences. So, too, from a more externalist perspective, the book traces how advocacy of adversarialism became intimately linked with demands for a largely unregulated market and the preservation of white supremacy. The product of deep-rooted inheritances, as well as more immediate and contingent occurrences, the nineteenth-century embrace of adversarsarialism would prove deeply consequential, shaping Americans’ experience of the law down to the present, often in ways that constrain rather than expand access to justice.
Advice for Callow Jurists and Gullible Mendicants on Befriending Emirs
Authors: al-Sha'rani 'Abd al-Wahhab ibn Ahmad ibn 'Ali
Published: May 2017

This book sheds light on the relationship between spiritual and political authority in early modern Egypt. This guide to political behavior and expediency offers advice to Sufi shaykhs, or spiritual guides, on how to interact and negotiate with powerful secular officials, judges, and treasurers, or emirs. Translated into English, it is a unique account of the relationship between spiritual and political authority in late medieval/early modern Islamic society.
Fake Silk
Authors: Blanc Paul David
Published: May 2017

When a new technology makes people ill, how high does the body count have to be before protectives steps are taken? This disturbing book tells a dark story of hazardous manufacturing, poisonous materials, environmental abuses, political machinations, and economics trumping safety concerns. It explores the century-long history of “fake silk” or cellulose viscose, used to produce such products as rayon textiles and tires, cellophane, and everyday kitchen sponges. The book uncovers the grim history of a product that crippled and even served a death sentence to many industry workers while also releasing toxic carbon disulfide into the environment. Viscose, an innovative and lucrative product first introduced in the early twentieth century, quickly became a multinational corporate enterprise. The book investigates the viscose rayon industry's practices from the beginning through two highly profitable world wars, the midcentury export of hazardous manufacturing to developing countries, and the current “greenwashing” of viscose rayon as an eco-friendly product. This book brings to light an industrial hazard whose egregious history ranks with those of asbestos, lead, and mercury.
The United States and the Transatlantic Slave Trade to the Americas, 1776-1867
Authors: Marques Leonardo
Published: May 2017

This book explores U.S. participation in the transatlantic slave trade to the Americas from the American Revolution to the U.S. Civil War. It shows how U.S. citizens engaged in multiple forms of participation in the slave trade and how these forms changed over time. The book discusses the emergence of a U.S. branch of the transatlantic slave trade in the aftermath of independence and its quick dismantling in the early nineteenth century. It then looks at the forms of U.S. participation in a highly internationalized contraband slave trade that supplied captives to Brazil and Cuba in the mid-nineteenth century. The growth of these forms of U.S. participation resonated in the U.S. public sphere, contributing to growing tensions around the slavery issue in the 1850s, and in the international arena, stimulating frictions between the British Empire and the United States. This work explores these national and international tensions and the role of slave-trading networks in exploiting and prolonging them.
Ascending India and Its State Capacity
Authors: Ganguly Sumit , Thompson William R.
Published: May 2017

This book offers an account of the ongoing struggles and instability of India's political and economic institutions. India's ascent as a formidable power on the world stage and its geopolitical ramifications have received much attention in recent years. The text delves into the intricate inner workings of this great Asian nation to reveal an Indian state struggling to maintain national security, domestic order, and steady fiscal growth despite weaknesses in its economic and political institutions. The sobering account questions India's perceived strengths and domestic and foreign policy initiatives, while focusing on the South Asian giant's infrastructural and economic growth problems, opposition to reform, and other important hurdles the nation has faced and will continue to face over the coming decade and beyond.
The rise of social movements against social and political injustices in Zimbabwe: an opportunity for the reconfiguration of the social work profession in Zimbabwe
Authors: Muchacha Munyaradzi , Moyo Lloyd
Published: May 2017

This commentary discusses the recent rise of social movements against structural oppressions in Zimbabwe and opportunities for social work towards social justice and change. These movements, such as #This Flag and #Tajamuka/Sesijikile, have become a source of hope for many Zimbabweans who are yearning for social and political change. The article proffers lessons and insights that social work in Zimbabwe can draw from these developments, such as political mobilisation through social media.
Harmonization of Serum Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Measurements Paves the Way for the Adoption of a More Uniform Reference Interval
Authors: Thienpont Linda M , Van Uytfanghe Katleen , De Grande Linde A C , Reynders Dries , Das Barnali , Faix James D , MacKenzie Finlay , Decallonne Brigitte , Hishinuma Akira , Lapauw Bruno , Taelman Paul , Van Crombrugge Paul , Van den Bruel Annick , Velkeniers Brigitte , Williams Paul
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

The IFCC Committee for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests developed a global harmonization approach for thyroid-stimulating hormone measurements. It is based on a multiassay method comparison study with clinical serum samples and target setting with a robust factor analysis method. Here we describe the Phase IV method comparison and reference interval (RI) studies conducted with the objective to recalibrate the participating assays and demonstrate the proof-of-concept.

METHODS

Fourteen manufacturers measured the harmonization and RI panel; 4 of them quantified the harmonization and first follow-up panel in parallel. All recalibrated their assays to the statistically inferred targets. For validation, we used desirable specifications from the biological variation for the bias and total error (TE). The RI measurements were done with the assays' current calibrators, but data were also reported after transformation to the new calibration status. We estimated the pre- and postrecalibration RIs with a nonparametric bootstrap procedure.

RESULTS

After recalibration, 14 of 15 assays met the bias specification with 95% confidence; 8 assays complied with the TE specification. The CV of the assay means for the harmonization panel was reduced from 9.5% to 4.2%. The RI study showed improved uniformity after recalibration: the ranges (i.e., maximum differences) exhibited by the assay-specific 2.5th, 50th, and 97.5th percentile estimates were reduced from 0.27, 0.89, and 2.13 mIU/L to 0.12, 0.29, and 0.77 mIU/L.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that harmonization increased the agreement of results from the participating immunoassays, and may allow them to adopt a more uniform RI in the future.
ENVELHECIMENTO PROFISSIONAL: PERCEPÇÕES E PRÁTICAS DE GESTÃO DA IDADE
Authors: Cepellos Vanessa , Tonelli Maria José
Published: May 2017

O envelhecimento é um dos fenômenos mais significativos do século XXI. Apesar dos dados demográficos enfatizarem a relevância do envelhecimento em nosso país, a literatura acadêmica ainda não aborda o tópico de forma abrangente. Assim, este estudo investiga quais as percepções de gestores de Recursos Humanos de empresas instaladas no Brasil a respeito dos profissionais com mais de 50 anos e quais são as práticas de gestão de idade adotadas por suas empresas. Os dados foram coletados junto a 138 gestores de RH por meio do preenchimento de questionário on-line e analisados estatisticamente. Os resultados permitiram identificar que, apesar do rápido envelhecimento populacional brasileiro, as empresas estudadas não estão preparadas para o envelhecimento da força de trabalho. As práticas de gestão da idade se mostram pouco adotadas pelas empresas estudadas, ainda que a percepção dos gestores acerca dos profissionais mais velhos seja relativamente positiva. O artigo contribui para a área de RH na medida em que apresenta a discussão sobre as percepções de gestores e práticas de gestão de idade, tópicos que, embora abordados internacionalmente, ainda não tinham sido explorados na literatura acadêmica nacional. O estudo pretende despertar o interesse de profissionais da área para uma maior reflexão sobre as condições de trabalho de profissionais mais velhos.
O PAPEL DA FAMÍLIA NA TRAJETÓRIA PROFISSIONAL DE MULHERES EXECUTIVAS E EMPREENDEDORAS
Authors: Mota-Santos Carolina Maria , Carvalho Neto Antonio Moreira
Published: May 2017

O objetivo deste trabalho é entender o papel da família na trajetória profissional das mulheres executivas brasileiras que chegaram aos primeiros escalões das grandes empresas operando no Brasil e das mulheres empreendedoras. Destaca-se a quase ausência de estudos no campo da administração no Brasil que investigam a possível relação entre o sucesso profissional e a influência da família, principalmente no caso de mulheres executivas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória; dois estudos de caso comparativos com entrevistas semiestruturadas com 25 empreendedoras e 47 executivas (presidentes, diretoras e superintendentes) com idades de 30 a 70 anos. Adotou-se a análise de conteúdo. Enquanto as mães das executivas influenciaram no sucesso profissional devido à importância que deram aos estudos, as mães das empreendedoras influenciaram não apenas pelo enfoque nos estudos, mas também pela experiência empreendedora repassada de uma geração para outra.