bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical consent in sub-Saharan Africa: a modern challenge for the humanitarian surgeon
Authors: Dunin De Skrzynno Sophie CJ , Di Maggio Francesco
Published: June 2018

Surgical consent is one of the pillars of ethical conduct in Western world surgical practice. Recent studies have described the consenting processes for clinical trials in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but only a few have explored its practice before surgical procedures. The recent World Medical Association (WMA) Declaration of Lisbon recommends autonomy and independent decision-making. However, informed consent is influenced by cultural background, family structure, socioeconomic status, religion and education. The authors of the paper support the WMA recommendations, but agree the process for obtaining informed consent should be reviewed and developed to integrate in a culturally appropriate manner. This commentary reports the author’s personal experience of surgical consent in Burundi and reviews the literature describing its practice and the specific challenges faced in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its aim is to encourage a debate among surgeons as to how surgical consent can be undertaken in different scenarios of LMICs.
What you should know about prophylaxis and treatment of radiographic and magnetic resonance contrast medium extravasation
Authors: Hrycyk Joris , Heverhagen Johannes T , Boehm Ingrid
Published: June 2018

In addition to anaphylactic reactions induced by contrast media (CM), extravasation is an adverse reaction that occurs immediately, requires special treatment, and attention. Since radiologists are often not familiar with either prophylactic or treatment modalities, the goal of this paper is to summarize the major facts and recommendations with respect to CM extravasation under practical clinical aspects.
Large retroperitoneal schwannoma: a rare cause of chronic back pain
Authors: Radojkovic Milan , Mihailovic Dragan , Stojanovic Miroslav , Radojković Danijela
Published: June 2018

Schwannomas are tumours that arise from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath and rarely occur in the retroperitoneum. We report a 45-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of continuous progressive right-sided lower back and dull flank pain radiating into her posterolateral thigh. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging showed a homogenous soft-tissue tumour with thick capsular lining, which lay in the right retroperitoneum. The tumour was removed at surgery. A histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of benign encapsulated cellular schwannoma. Complete tumour excision should be regarded as the treatment of choice for benign retroperitoneal schwannomas. Successful treatment of these tumours requires thorough preoperative planning and a multidisciplinary approach.
Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a young child infected with avian influenza A (H9N2) virus in China
Authors: Liu Ruchun , Zhao Bin , Li Yelan , Zhang Xixing , Chen Shuilian , Chen Tianmu
Published: June 2018

Three cases of the avian influenza A (H9N2) virus have been documented in Changsha, which is a large city that has nine districts and a population of 7.04 million in central South China. Among these patients, one was a girl and two were boys. The ages of the patients were 9 months, 2 years, and 15 years. Two cases of H9N2 were detected in September, 2015 and one was detected in 2017. Two patients were children who had not reached the age for kindergarten and one was a student. These three cases were all mild and were detected in a sentinel hospital of the Chinese Influenza Surveillance System. We describe the clinical and epidemiological features of the youngest patient with H9N2 in 2017 and the surveillance results of the H9N2 virus in live poultry markets in Changsha. From January 2014 to December 2017, 4212 samples were collected in live poultry markets in Changsha, among which 25.81% (1087/4212) were H9N2-positive. Public health concerns should be addressed for emerging H9N2 virus infection, and more strategies should be performed before this virus mutates to be more transmissible and highly pathogenic.
Relationship between body weight perception and weight-related behaviours
Authors: Sirirassamee Tawima , Phoolsawat Sasiwan , Limkhunthammo Supakorn
Published: June 2018

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of weight misperception and to explore the association of weight perception with physical activity and dietary intake.

Methods

A population-based, nationally representative cross-sectional survey was conducted of 920 Thai adolescents aged 13 to 24 years. Respondents were selected using stratified multistage sampling. Respondents who agreed to participate were asked to complete the Youth Risk Behavior Questionnaire.

Results

Females were more likely than males to misperceive themselves as overweight (21.8% vs. 11.7%), whereas males were more likely than females to misperceive themselves as underweight (12.3% vs. 3.4%). Males were more likely than females to report a high intake of vegetables (45.7% vs. 38.0%), milk (39.1% vs. 38.0%), 100% fruit juice (20.9% vs. 17.7%) and soda or pop (38.5% vs. 20.6%). Males were also more likely than females to report vigorous physical activity of more than 60 minutes per day (38.1% vs. 21.3%) and vigorous exercise to strengthen or tone muscles (37.3% vs. 13.2%).

Conclusions

Gender differences in dietary intake and physical activity were identified. However, there were no significant differences in dietary intake and physical activity between adolescents who correctly perceived themselves as overweight and those who misperceived themselves as overweight.
Scavenging: Between precariousness, marginality and access to the city. The case of Roma people in Turin and Marseille
Authors: Rosa Elisabetta , Cirelli Claudia
Published: June 2018

Waste picking is an old practice, whereby profit is gained by recovering recyclable materials from discarded objects and reintroducing them into the formal and informal economic circuits. Recycling and recovery of waste in urban centres in the Global South has been the subject of a number of studies. However, this activity also exists in more affluent cities. Based on research carried out in Turin (Italy) and Marseille (France), in this paper we analyse waste picking by Roma communities, showing that this activity not only provides them with an income from the sale of recycled objects and materials but also allows them to assemble their access to the city and its multiple resources –people, objects, spaces. Only the recognition of the Roma as workers and citizens beyond any imposed normalisation can bring about a change in the way their being-in-the-city is considered both at a social, economic and political level.
Channel geometry adjustments in response to hyperconcentrated floods in a braided reach of the Lower Yellow River
Authors: Li Jie , Xia Junqiang , Zhou Meirong , Deng Shanshan , Wang Zenghui
Published: June 2018

Hyperconcentrated floods with more than 200–300 kg/m3 sediment concentrations often occur in the Lower Yellow River (LYR) during flood seasons, which leads to unique fluvial processes in the braided reach of the LYR. The investigation of channel geometry adjustments in response to hyperconcentrated floods can not only help to gain a better understanding of associated fluvial processes, but also is significant for making flood control strategies in the braided reach. In this study, pre- and post-flood bankfull channel dimensions in the braided reach were calculated based on the observed cross-sectional profiles in 15 years with the occurrence of hyperconcentrated flood events. Adjustments in channel geometry at section- and reach-scales were investigated, with several factors influencing adjustments in reach-scale channel geometry being analyzed. It indicates that the mean sediment transport rate was a key factor influencing the adjustment index, although pre-flood channel geometry and sediment deposition can also affect the index to some extent. An empirical relationship was developed between the characteristic parameter representing the pre- and post-flood channel geometries and mean sediment transport rate in hyperconcentrated floods. Eleven datasets were used to calibrate the parameters in the empirical relation, with the datasets in 1973, 1988, 1995, and 2002 verifying the relation. The calculated post-flood characteristic parameter of channel geometry using the empirical relation agreed well with observed data, and the proposed method can be used to predict the reach-scale adjustment of channel geometry during hyperconcentrated floods in alluvial rivers.
Assessing the Effect of Pedestrians’ Use of Cell Phones on Their Walking Behavior: A Study Based on Automated Video Analysis
Authors: Alsaleh Rushdi , Sayed Tarek , Zaki Mohamed H.
Published: June 2018

The objective of the study is to assess the effect of the use of cell phones while walking at urban crosswalks. The methodology uses recent findings in health science concerning the relationship between tempo-spatial characteristics of gait and the cognitive abilities of pedestrians. Gait measures are shown to be affected by the complexity of the task (e.g., talking and texting) performed during walking. This study focuses on the effect of distraction states, distraction types (visual such as texting/reading and auditory such as talking/listening), and pedestrian-vehicle interactions on the gait parameters of pedestrians at crosswalks. Experiments are performed on a video data set near a college campus in the city of Kamloops, British Columbia. The analysis relies on automated video-based data collection using a computer vision technique. The benefits of such an automated system include the ability to capture the natural movement of pedestrians and minimizing the risk of disturbing their behavior. Results show that pedestrians distracted by texting/reading (visually) or talking/listening (auditory) while walking tend to reduce and control their walking speed by adjusting their step length or step frequency, respectively. Pedestrians distracted by texting/reading (visually) have significantly lower step length and are less stable in walking. Distracted pedestrians involved in interactions with approaching vehicles tend to reduce and control their walking speeds by adjusting their step frequencies. This research can find applications in pedestrian facility design, modeling and calibrating pedestrian simulations, and pedestrian safety intervention programs and legislative actions.
Congenital Zika Syndrome and Infantile Spasms: Case Series Study
Authors: Alves Lucas V. , Mello Maria J. G. , Bezerra Patrícia G. , Alves João Guilherme Bezerra
Published: June 2018

Recently described, the congenital Zika syndrome caused by the Zika virus has many features of other congenital infections. This case series study reports 22 infants with congenital Zika syndrome in Brazil who developed infantile spasms during their first year of life. The median age of infantile spasms onset was 4.3 (±1.4) months and ranged from 1 to 7 months. Neurologic evaluation showed that all 22 children presented severe impairment of neuropsychomotor development. A total of 18 infants had an interictal hypsarrhythmia electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern. Vigabatrin was prescribed as first-line treatment; however, only 5 patients were controlled. Steroid regimes were started for children who did not respond to vigabatrin and they are being followed. In conclusion, congenital Zika syndrome may be considered as an etiological agent of infantile spasms.
Conductivity and dielectric studies of Li3+-irradiated PVP-based polymer electrolytes
Authors: Singh Divya , Kanjilal D , Laxmi GVS , Singh Pramod K , Tomar SK , Bhattacharya Bhaskar
Published: June 2018

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) complexed with sodium iodide (NaI) is synthesized to investigate the ionic conductivity of alkaline-based polymer electrolytes. In this article, we report the modification of electrical properties of a new ion-conducting polymer electrolyte, namely, PVP complexed with NaI. Modification of polymer electrolyte was carried out before and after the exposure of films by bombarding them at different fluences with respect to Li3+ ion beam at 60 MeV. The preparation and detailed characterization of PVP:NaI is being reported. Further, a correlation with conductivity and dielectric constant has also been established. The modulation in the conductivity is explained in terms of number of charge carriers ( n) and its mobility ( μ), which confirms the behavior of the polymer electrolyte as an alternative strategy to improve the conductivity.
Synthesis of poly(ether ketone amide)s by a heterogeneous palladium-catalyzed polycondensation of aromatic diiodides, diamines, and carbon monoxide
Authors: Huang Bin , Wang Pingping , Zhu Xiaojun , Cai Mingzhong
Published: June 2018

A series of novel aromatic poly(ether ketone amide)s (PEKAs) were synthesized by the heterogeneous palladium-catalyzed carbonylative polycondensation of aromatic diiodides with ether ketone units, aromatic diamines, and carbon monoxide in N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at 120°C using 6 mol% of a magnetic nanoparticles–supported bidentate phosphine palladium complex (Fe3O4@SiO2-2P-PdCl2) as catalyst and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]-7-undecene as base. The PEKAs had inherent viscosities ranging from 0.61 dl g−1 to 0.75 dl g−1. All the PEKAs were soluble in strong dipolar organic solvents. These PEKAs showed glass transition temperatures between 178°C and 232°C and 10% weight loss temperatures ranging from 443°C to 496°C in nitrogen. These PEKAs could be cast into transparent, flexible, and strong films from DMAc solutions with tensile strengths of 72.8–82.6 MPa, tensile moduli of 2.19–2.84 GPa, and elongations at break of 5.4–7.5%. Importantly, the heterogeneous palladium catalyst can be conveniently recovered from the reaction mixture by simply applying an external magnet and recycled up to eight times without significant loss of activity.
An investigation on fatality of drivers in vehicle–fixed object accidents on expressways in China: Using multinomial logistic regression model
Authors: Peng Yong , Peng Shuangling , Wang Xinghua , Tan Shiyang
Published: June 2018

This study aims to identify the effects of characteristics of vehicle, roadway, driver, and environment on fatality of drivers in vehicle-fixed object accidents on expressways in Changsha–Zhuzhou–Xiangtan district of Hunan province in China by developing multinomial logistic regression models. For this purpose, 121 vehicle–fixed object accidents from 2011-2017 are included in the modeling process. First, descriptive statistical analysis is made to understand the main characteristics of the vehicle–fixed object crashes. Then, 19 explanatory variables are selected, and correlation analysis of each two variables is conducted to choose the variables to be concluded. Finally, five multinomial logistic regression models including different independent variables are compared, and the model with best fitting and prediction capability is chosen as the final model. The results showed that the turning direction in avoiding fixed objects raised the possibility that drivers would die. About 64% of drivers died in the accident were found being ejected out of the car, of which 50% did not use a seatbelt before the fatal accidents. Drivers are likely to die when they encounter bad weather on the expressway. Drivers with less than 10 years of driving experience are more likely to die in these accidents. Fatigue or distracted driving is also a significant factor in fatality of drivers. Findings from this research provide an insight into reducing fatality of drivers in vehicle–fixed object accidents.
Functional 3D Human Liver Bud Assembled from MSC-Derived Multiple Liver Cell Lineages
Authors: Li Jing , Xing Feiyue , Chen Feng , He Liumin , So Kwok-Fai , Liu Yingxia , Xiao Jia
Published: June 2018

The severe shortage of donor liver organs requires the development of alternative methods to provide transplantable liver tissues such as stem cell-derived organoids. Despite several studies describing the generation of vascularized and functional liver tissues, none have succeeded in assembling human liver buds containing hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). Here, we report a reproducible, easy-to-follow, and comprehensive self-assembly protocol to generate three-dimensional (3D) human liver buds from naïve mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), MSC-derived hepatocytes, and HSC- and LSEC-like cells. By optimizing the ratio between these different cell lineages, the cell mixture self-assembled into 3D human liver buds within 72 h in vitro, and exhibited similar characteristics with early-stage murine liver buds. In a murine model of acute liver failure, the mesenteric transplantation of self-assembled human liver buds effectively rescued animal death, and triggered hepatic ameliorative effects that were better than the ones observed after splenic transplantation of human hepatocytes or naïve MSCs. In addition, transplanted human liver buds underwent maturation during injury alleviation, after which they exhibited a gene expression profile signature similar to the one of adult human livers. Collectively, our protocol provides a promising new approach for the in vitro construction of functional 3D human liver buds from multiple human MSC-derived hepatic cell lineages; this new technique would be useful for clinical transplantation and regenerative medicine research.
Quantification of protein in wheat using near infrared hyperspectral imaging: Performance comparison with conventional near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Morales-Sillero Ana , Pierna Juan A. Fernández , Sinnaeve George , Dardenne Pierre , Baeten Vincent
Published: June 2018

Hyperspectral imaging is a powerful technique that combines the advantages of near infrared spectroscopy and imaging technologies. Most hyperspectral imaging studies focus on qualitative analysis, but there is growing interest in using such technique for the quantitative analysis of agro-food products in order to use them as universal tools. The overall objective of this study was to compare the performance of a hyperspectral imaging instrument with a classical near infrared instrument for predicting chemical composition. The determination of the protein content of wheat flour was selected as example. Spectra acquisition was made in individual sealed cells using two classical near infrared instruments (NIR-DS and NIR-Perstop) and a near infrared hyperspectral line-scan camera (NIR-HSI). In the latter, they were also acquired in open cells in order to study the possibility of accelerating the measurement process. Calibration models were developed using partial least squares for the full wavelength range of each individual instrument and for the common range between instruments (1120–2424 nm). The partial least squares models were validated using the “leave-one-out” cross-validation procedure and an independent validation set. The results showed that the NIR-HSI system worked as well as the classical near infrared spectrometers when a common wavelength range was used, with an r2 of 0.99 for all instruments and Root Mean Square Error in Prediction (RMSEP) values of 0.15% for NIR-HSI and NIR-DS and 0.16% for NIR-Perstop. The high residual predictive deviation values obtained (8.08 for NIR-DS, 7.92 for NIR-HSI, and 7.56 for NIR-Perstop) demonstrate the precision of the models built. In addition, the prediction performance with open cells was almost identical to that obtained with sealed cells.
Get it Together! Synergistic Effects of Causal and Effectual Decision–Making Logics on Venture Performance
Authors: Smolka Katrin M. , Verheul Ingrid , Burmeister–Lamp Katrin , Heugens Pursey P.M.A.R.
Published: June 2018

Entrepreneurs rely on different decision–making logics when starting new ventures, including causal and effectual reasoning. Extant research suggests that venture performance is positively associated with both causal business planning and effectual action–orientation, but studies have not yet tested the synergistic potential of these two logics. We contribute to the debate on entrepreneurial decision making by exploring the interrelationship between causation and effectuation, detailing their main and interactive effects on venture performance. Using survey data collected on 1,453 entrepreneurs residing in 25 countries, we find that ventures benefit from using these two entrepreneurial logics in tandem.
Quality of Reporting in Oncology Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zhu Huiyun , Chen Si , Xie Pei , Yang Geliang , Zhong Zhenqiang , Zhang Huiqing , Du Yiqi
Published: June 2018

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are important for evidence-based medicine; however, their quality of reporting remains to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of the report concerning solid tumor medication. Articles were searched in PubMed to identify all oncology phase III RCTs published from 2011 to 2015, and the results were classified manually through Endnote X7.0 software. Registration rate, primary end point (PEP) consistency, positive result rate, enrollment time point, outcome feedback in the registry, and publish time zone were extracted and assessed. The overall registration rate was higher than years before; nevertheless, a portion of trials showed PEP discrepancies and enrolled patients before registration in either journal formats. Trials published in top 5 general medical journals paid more attention to results feedback on registration websites and were more prompt with publication after study accomplishment. Our data suggested general medical journals may be more rigorous compared to oncology journals but identified a preference for positive results. On the whole, RCTs published between 2011 and 2015 seemed fairly standardized. Surveillance in registry and outcome feedback still needs to be strengthened for the stringency and reliability of clinical trials in solid tumor medication territory.
Inherited Bleeding Disorders—Experience of a Not-for-Profit Organization in Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Shabneez , Baloch Shahida , Parvin Azra , Najmuddin Akbar , Musheer Farhana , Junaid Mubashra , Memon Rab Nawaz , Bhanbhro Fareeda , Ullah Hayat , Moiz Bushra
Published: June 2018

Patient registry is a powerful tool for planning health care and setting groundwork for research. This survey reports a detailed registry of inherited bleeding disorders (IBD) and their management at a not-for-profit organization in a developing country to form the basis for planning development and research. We reviewed medical records of patients with IBD from 8 hemophilia treatment centers of Fatimid Foundation located in various cities. Information collected included sociodemographic data, diagnostic tests, severity of hemophilia A and B, number of bleeding episodes per year, site and frequency of hemarthrosis, and seropositivity for viral diseases. We analyzed 1497 patients from November 1, 2015, to April 30, 2016. There were 1296 (87%) males and 201 (13%) females with a mean age of 24.5 (11) years (range, 6 months to 65 years). Hemophilia A constituted the bulk of IBD (848, 57%) followed by von Willebrand disease (172, 11%), hemophilia B (144, 10%), platelet function defect (106, 7%), and rare bleeding disorders (70, 5%). Mucocutaneous bleeding (1144, 76%) and hemarthrosis (1035 patients, 69%) were the main complications. There were 1026 (69%) patients who received only blood components for treatment of any bleeding episode while the remaining 464 (31%) were on combination therapy (blood components and factor concentrate). Seroreactivity for hepatitis C was frequent (28%), while hepatitis B (1%) and human immunodeficiency virus (0.01%) were less commonly seen. This study was an important step toward a patient registry in a hemophilia treatment center in Pakistan. Hemophilia A is the most common bleeding disorder and hepatitis C is the most frequent treatment-related complication.
Factor VIII in Acute Cerebral Ischemia Pilot Study: Biomarker in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion?
Authors: Navalkele Digvijaya , Boehme Amelia , Albright Karen , Leissinger Cindy , Schluter Laurie , Freeman Melissa , Drury Stacy , Khoury Ramy El , Beasley T. Mark , Martin-Schild Sheryl
Published: June 2018

We conducted a prospective serial laboratory cohort study to assess the correlation of factor VIII (FVIII) levels in response to thrombolysis in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Patients with AIS with anterior circulation LVO were eligible for enrollment if treated within 4.5 hours from last seen normal with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Patients (n = 29) had a mean age of 71 years and median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale of 14. Baseline pre-tPA FVIII was not significantly correlated with clot burden score (−0.147, P = .447) or vessel recanalization (−0.133, P = .499). Median FVIII decreased significantly from baseline to 6 hours post-tPA (282% to 161%, P = .002), but delta in FVIII level did not correlate with vessel recanalization (0.013, P = .948). There was no difference between median FVIII level at baseline and 90 days post-AIS. FVIII level decreased significantly after tPA, but baseline FVIII level and early change in FVIII level were not significant predictors of clot burden, vessel recanalization after thrombolysis, or symptomatic hemorrhage.
Nonlinear vibration of functionally graded sandwich shallow spherical caps resting on elastic foundations by using first-order shear deformation theory in thermal environment
Authors: Thi Phuong Nguyen , Hoai Nam Vu , Thuy Dong Dang
Published: June 2018

A semi-analytical approach to investigate the nonlinear vibration axisymmetric analysis of functionally graded sandwich shallow spherical caps under external pressure resting on elastic foundation in thermal environment is presented. The governing equations are derived by using the first-order shear deformation theory taking into account von Karman geometrical nonlinearity and Pasternak’s two-parameter elastic foundation. The motion equations are determined by Galerkin method and the obtained equation is numerically solved by using Runge–Kutta method. Results of nonlinear dynamic responses show the effects of foundation, material, geometric parameters, and temperature change on the nonlinear vibration of shells.
Accountability and learning in development evaluation: A commentary on Lauren Kogen’s thesis
Authors: Picciotto Robert
Published: June 2018

Should aid evaluation focus on accountability for results or learning? In the January 2018 edition of Evaluation, Lauren Kogen rejected the conflation of these distinct roles and the resulting marginalization of learning in aid evaluation. She viewed the growing dominance of the accountability criterion as a defensive reaction to aid skepticism and observed that focusing on the ‘does it work’ question has led to neglecting the most important evaluative questions (‘why and how does aid work – when it does’). Hence, she advocated restoring learning to a privileged place in aid evaluation and called for greater emphasis on participatory development and social learning. This review article endorses Kogen’s overall diagnostic but points to the growing scholarly consensus about aid effectiveness; stresses the complementarity between accountability and learning in aid evaluation; and argues that a proper use of generally agreed development evaluation criteria would decisively address the legitimate concerns raised in Kogen’s spirited contribution.
Transforming Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
Authors: Scott Michael J
Published: June 2018

The three commentaries on my paper ‘IAPT – The Need for Radical Reform’ are agreed that Improving Access to Psychological Therapies cannot be regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for the delivery of psychological therapy services. Furthermore, they agreed that Improving Access to Psychological Therapies should not continue to mark its ‘own homework’ and should be subjected to rigorous independent evaluation scrutiny. It is a matter for a public enquiry to ascertain why £1 billion has been spent on Improving Access to Psychological Therapies without any such an independent evaluation. What is interesting is that nocommentary has been forthcoming from the UK Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service nor have they shared a platform to discuss these issues. It is regrettable that the UK Government’s National Audit Office has chosen, to date, not to publish its own investigation into the integrity of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies data. Openness would be an excellent starting point for the necessary transformation of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies.
The relationship between input and literacy and metalinguistic development: A study with Chinese–English bilinguals
Authors: Kuo Li-Jen , Ku Yu-Min , Chen Zhuo , Gezer Melike Ünal
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between input and literacy/ metalinguistic development in bilingual children. Participants included fourth-grade Chinese-English bilinguals from Taiwan and the USA. The two groups were comparable in socioeconomic status, non-verbal IQ, and the amount of literacy instruction in Chinese and English, but the bilingual participants from Taiwan had more exposure to Chinese and less exposure to English outside of school than their US counterparts. A battery of standardized and researcher-developed measures of literacy and metalinguistic skills were administered in English and Chinese. Results showed that, in general, the greater the amount of input, the more superior the linguistic/metalinguistic development. However, advantages associated with input appeared to be offset by a more balanced bilingual experience on measures that assessed higher levels of metalinguistic awareness. In addition, hierarchical regression analyses showed that morpho-syntactic awareness made a unique contribution to reading comprehension beyond that by vocabulary and morphological awareness only among the participants in Taiwan. The findings make several noteworthy contributions to research on input among bilingual learners. Firstly, the present study highlights the importance of recognizing the variations of bilinguals who speak the same pair of languages, and the impact of linguistic input outside of the school context on language and literacy development in academic settings. Secondly, findings from the present study call for a broader conceptualization of the relationship between input and linguistic/metalinguistic development, and underscore the importance of examining how input may impact the relationship of linguistic and metalinguistic variables. Finally, the present study highlights the need to re-conceptualize input. Indicators of input should go beyond to the quantity or quality of exposure to the assessed language, and be expanded to include the degree of balance in both languages.
Phonological activation of first language (Spanish) and second language (English) when learning third language (Slovak) novel words
Authors: Mulík Stanislav , Carrasco-Ortiz Haydee , Amengual Mark
Published: June 2018

Objectives/Research Questions:

This study investigates whether bilinguals activate lexical knowledge from both their dominant first language (L1; Spanish) and their less-dominant second language (L2; English) during novel third language (L3; Slovak) word learning. Moreover, it examines the extent to which L2 activation in L3 lexical learning depends on the level of L2 proficiency.

Methodology:

Stimuli included 120 auditory Slovak words with substantial phonological overlap with either English or Spanish (homophones) or with neither language (control words), and their written Spanish translations. Two groups of participants (with high and low-proficiency in L2 English) completed paired-associate learning, correct/incorrect translation recognition and backward translation tasks on Slovak–Spanish translation equivalents to examine the facilitation effect of homophones with either Spanish or English.

Data and Analysis:

Response times, accuracy scores and correct translation counts were collected from 35 Spanish–English bilinguals and analyzed by means of repeated measures analyses of variance.

Findings/Conclusions:

The phonological similarity of novel L3 words with participants’ L2 words showed similar facilitation effects as phonological similarity with L1 words. This implies an involuntary activation of bilinguals’ less-dominant L2, even when not overtly present in the L3 lexical learning task. Moreover, the low-proficiency group experienced a higher facilitation for L1 than for L2 homophones, but overall lower facilitation in L3 lexical learning than the high-proficiency group. These findings suggest that bilinguals can activate lexical knowledge from both of their languages during novel L3 word learning, but the activation of the less-dominant L2 depends on participants’ L2 proficiency.

Originality:

We investigated how Spanish–English bilinguals incorporate vocabulary from an understudied language (i.e. Slovak) into their lexical system to test the language non-selective hypothesis in a multilingual lexical context.

Significance:

Our research contributes to the study of the degree of language dominance and its implications for L3 lexical learning and parallel activation of multilinguals’ languages.
Experimental investigation of typical connections for fabricated cold-formed steel structures
Authors: Yan Weiming , Mu Tingting , Xie Zhiqiang , Yu Cheng
Published: June 2018

This article presents a comparative investigation on mechanical behavior and construction characteristics of some typical connections in cold-formed thin-walled steel. The lap shear tests of 96 specimens considering four typical connections with a self-piercing rivet, clinching, self-drilling screw, and blind rivet were conducted. The effects of sheet thickness and thickness ratio on failure modes and mechanical behavior of the four types of connections were investigated. Through analyzing the feasibility of mechanic and construction, the applicability of the four types of connections in fabricated cold-formed steel structures was comprehensively evaluated. The result of the research shows that compared with the other three connections, self-piercing rivet connections are more suitable for modularly fabricated cold-formed steel structures because of its superior mechanical properties, well-formed quality, high efficiency, and potential industrialization. Based on the design methods of fasteners in North American (AISI S100-16) and European standards (prEN1999-1-4) on cold-formed steel structures, an appropriate design method is proposed for self-piercing riveting connections.
Experimental thermal survey of automotive turbocharger
Authors: Alaviyoun Seyed Shahabeddin , Ziabasharhagh Masoud
Published: June 2018

Turbochargers are commonly used in the automotive industry due to their ability to increase the specific power output of internal combustion engines. Heat transfer from the turbine to the compressor can strongly influence the turbocharger performance. Therefore, it is essential to consider heat transfer properties of the turbochargers. Existing heat transfer models are generally limited to the specific situations on the turbocharger test rig or the engine test bench, which are different to the real conditions of engine operation in a vehicle. Accurate modeling and calculation of the heat transfer require a more precise measurement study. In this research, we evaluate the temperature distribution of the turbocharger walls using an engine test bench and also a vehicle that are both equipped with the same instrumented turbocharger. Thermocouple measurements and thermography pictures were used to determine the temperature distributions of the turbocharger. Different heat transfer phenomena of turbocharger have been measured and analyzed. In addition, the effect of heat transfer on compressor efficiency is investigated. Several tests have been conducted, including a vehicle on a flat surface and also during an uphill climb with a trailer load hitched. The results of vehicle warm-up test show that the compressor housing has a higher temperature gradient in comparison with the engine test bench. The velocity of the air around the turbocharger is a factor that contributed toward the differences between an engine test bench and typical vehicle conditions.
Places for silence and stillness in schools of today: A matter for educational policy
Authors: Alerby Eva
Published: June 2018

In this paper, it is my intention to not only explore the notions and significance of places for silence in education today, but also to develop insights into diverse understandings of silence – such as aspects of power in silence and issues of silent students – to inform school practices and educational policy. The discussion will be illustrated by some students’ experiences of a place in the school’s playground – the silent place known as the Peace Area. The students at this playground emphasised the significance of a silent place, a place of stillness, to visit during one’s time at school. A place for relaxing together with friends, but also a place to be alone with one’s thoughts. The students clearly expressed their desire to withdraw to a silent and peaceful place during the school day. But, how many places of silence and stillness are there in the schools of today? As humans, we are, in our daily life, more or less surrounded by different forms of sounds and noise, but also of silence and stillness, even though we do not always recognise or hear the silence. Silence can also be experienced and understood in various ways: pleasant and something to be longed for or unpleasant and unwelcome – or even in some cases as something to be feared. An essential question to raise for future educational policy is not only to what extent students can be in a place of silence and stillness during the school day, but also whether places of silence and stillness are appreciated in today’s schools.
Evaluation of the lamina cribrosa in patients with diabetes mellitus using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Akkaya Serkan , Küçük Bekir , Doğan Hatice Karaköse , Can Ertuğrul
Published: June 2018

Purpose:

To compare the lamina cribrosa thickness and anterior lamina cribrosa depth between patients with and without diabetes mellitus and to investigate the effect of metabolic control and duration of diabetes mellitus on lamina cribrosa thickness and anterior lamina cribrosa depth using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Methods:

A total of 70 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study and were divided into the diabetes and control groups. Intraocular pressure, circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, anterior lamina cribrosa depth and lamina cribrosa thickness were compared between the groups.

Results:

In the control group, the mean intraocular pressure was 14.6 ± 3.1 (mean ± standard deviation) mmHg, mean circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was 105.41 ± 5.86 μm, mean anterior lamina cribrosa depth was 420.3 ± 90.2 μm and mean lamina cribrosa thickness was 248.5 ± 5.4 μm. In the diabetes group, the mean intraocular pressure was 13.9 ± 2.2 mmHg, mean circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was 101.37 ± 10.97 μm, mean anterior lamina cribrosa depth was 351.4 ± 58.6 μm and mean lamina cribrosa thickness was 271.6 ± 33.9 μm. Lamina cribrosa thickness was significantly higher ( p < 0.001) and anterior lamina cribrosa depth was significantly lower ( p = 0.003) in the diabetes group. There was no statistical difference between the groups with regard to age, spherical equivalent, axial length, circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and intraocular pressure ( p  = 0.69, 0.26, 0.47, 0.06 and 0.46, respectively). Lamina cribrosa thickness and anterior lamina cribrosa depth were not significantly correlated with duration of diabetes mellitus (lamina cribrosa thickness: r = −0.078, p = 0.643; anterior lamina cribrosa depth: r = −0.062, p = 0.710) or HbA1c levels (lamina cribrosa thickness: r = −0.078, p = 0.596; anterior lamina cribrosa depth: r = −0.228, p = 0.169).

Conclusion:

The results of this study showed that the optical coherence tomography measurement of lamina cribrosa revealed thicker and more anteriorly positioned lamina cribrosa for patients with diabetes mellitus compared with those for healthy controls.
Influence of the Revised Nellix Instructions for Use on Outcomes After Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing
Authors: Zerwes Sebastian , Bruijnen Hans-Kees , Gosslau Yvonne , Jakob Rudolf , Hyhlik-Dürr Alexander
Published: June 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the revised Nellix instructions for use (IFU) from 2016 on clinical outcomes and anatomic applicability by retrospectively applying them to a cohort treated with endovascular aneurysm sealing according to the original IFU 2013. Methods: A single-center study was conducted of 100 consecutive patients (mean age 72±8 years, range 46–91; 89 men) treated electively with standard bilateral EVAS from July 2013 to August 2015 and followed through December 2017. Procedures previously classified within and outside the original IFU from 2013 (75 and 25, respectively) were reclassified according to the revised IFU 2016 (34 and 66, respectively). Stepwise backward logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of specific anatomic features for the development of endoleak and/or migration. Results: The single most important morphologic feature disqualifying patients from being within IFU 2016 was a thrombus ratio >1.4 (36 of 41 reclassified patients). Overall technical success was 98% (100% within vs 97% outside IFU 2016, p=0.323) and 30-day mortality was 3% (0% within vs 5% outside IFU 2016, p=0.251). During a median follow-up of 31 months (range 0–53), overall mortality was 21% (15% within vs 24% outside IFU 2016, p=0.469); aneurysm-related mortality was 8% (3% within vs 11% outside IFU 2016, p=0.533). Twenty-six patients developed an endoleak (6 within vs 20 outside IFU 2016, p=0.172) and 23 had migration (4 within vs 19 outside IFU 2016, p=0.088). Both proximal neck length <10 mm and neck angulation >60° were positive predictors for the development of endoleak and/or migration. A reintervention was performed in 26 patients (7 within vs 19 outside IFU 2016, p=0.376). While a significant difference was found between the within vs outside IFU 2016 groups with regard to freedom from migration (p=0.026) and the composite freedom from endoleak and/or migration (p=0.021), there were no significant differences in survival (p=0.201) or freedom from reintervention (p=0.505), suggesting a limited effectiveness of the new IFU 2016. Conclusion: The IFU 2016 reduced the anatomic applicability to 34% from 75% for the original IFU 2013. The lack of significant intergroup differences in terms of survival and reinterventions suggests a limited effectiveness of the new IFU 2016.
The One with the Feminist Critique: Revisiting Millennial Postfeminism with Friends
Authors: Hamad Hannah
Published: June 2018

In the aftermath of its initial broadcast run, iconic millennial sitcom Friends (NBC, 1994–2004) generated some quality scholarship interrogating its politics of gender. But as a site of analysis, it remains a curious, almost structuring absence from the central canon of the first wave of feminist criticism of postfeminist culture. This absence is curious not only considering the place of Friends at the forefront of millennial popular culture but also in light of its long-term syndication in countries across the world since that time. And it is structuring in the sense that Friends was the stage on which many of the familiar tropes of postfeminism interrogated across the body of work on it appear in retrospect to have been tried and tested. This article aims to contribute toward redressing this absence through interrogation and contextualization of the series’ negotiation of a range of structuring tropes of postfeminist media discourse, and it argues for Friends as an unacknowledged ur-text of millennial postfeminism.
Lung Cancer Cachexia: Can Molecular Understanding Guide Clinical Management?
Authors: Sørensen Jonas
Published: June 2018

Cachexia has been recognized for a long time as an adverse effect of cancer. It is associated with reduced physical function, reduced tolerance to anticancer therapy, and reduced survival. This wasting syndrome is mainly known for an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle leading to progressive functional impairment and is driven by a variable combination of reduced food intake and abnormal metabolism. Cytokines derived from host immune system or the tumor itself is believed to play a role in promoting cancer cachexia. Circulating levels of cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-6, and TNFα have been identified in cancer patients but they probably only represent a small part of a changed and abnormal metabolism. Murine models have shown that browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) takes place early in the progression of cancer cachexia. Thus, browning of white adipose tissue is believed to be a strong contributor to the increased energy expenditure common in cachectic patients. Despite the severe implications of cancer cachexia for the patients and extensive research efforts, a more coherent and mechanistic explanation of the syndrome is lacking, and for many clinicians, cancer cachexia is still a vague concept. From a lung cancer perspective this commentary reviews the current knowledge on cancer cachexia mechanisms and identifies specific ways of clinical management regarding food intake, systemic inflammation, and muscular dysfunction. Much of what we know comes from preclinical studies. More translational research is needed for a future cancer cachexia screening tool to guide clinicians, and here possible variables for a cancer cachexia screening tool are considered.
Do Innovation Efficiency and Powerful Leadership Affect the Performance Effect of Technological Diversification?
Authors: Huang Yen-Chih , Lee Cheng-Yu , Tsai Hsin-Ju Stephie
Published: June 2018

Considering that technological diversification is rooted in distinct technological knowledge that usually comes from different business units, a firm’s practices that can improve efficiency in integrating and exploiting this knowledge may be key potential moderators in this focal relationship. Based on a sample of 3,277 firm-year observations of 435 firms in Taiwanese information and communication technology sectors during the 2004-2014 period, this study finds that technological diversification has an inverted U-shaped relationship with performance. Such relationship also can be moderated by high levels of innovation efficiency and CEO power. These findings caution against drawing universalistic normative implications for pursuing technological diversification.