bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the research of time past: the hunt for the substrate of memory
Authors: Queenan Bridget N. , Ryan Tomás J. , Gazzaniga Michael S. , Gallistel Charles R.
Published: May 2017

The search for memory is one of the oldest quests in written human history. For at least two millennia, we have tried to understand how we learn and remember. We have gradually converged on the brain and looked inside it to find the basis of knowledge, the trace of memory. The search for memory has been conducted on multiple levels, from the organ to the cell to the synapse, and has been distributed across disciplines with less chronological or intellectual overlap than one might hope. Frequently, the study of the mind and its memories has been severely restricted by technological or philosophical limitations. However, in the last few years, certain technologies have emerged, offering new routes of inquiry into the basis of memory. The 2016 Kavli Futures Symposium was devoted to the past and future of memory studies. At the workshop, participants evaluated the logic and data underlying the existing and emerging theories of memory. In this paper, written in the spirit of the workshop, we briefly review the history of the hunt for memory, summarizing some of the key debates at each level of spatial resolution. We then discuss the exciting new opportunities to unravel the mystery of memory.
Traiting Places: Race and the Evaluation of Black and White Presidential Candidates
Authors: Stout Christopher T. , Le Danvy
Published: May 2017

While there are a number of studies that explore perceptions of black politicians’ strengths and weaknesses relative to white politicians, most of these studies use hypothetical black candidates and focus on white respondents’ attitudes. We explore whether research on attitudes about black candidate attributes in controlled settings hold for real‐world presidential candidates. Moreover, we assess whether black and white respondents view co‐racial politicians’ relative strengths differently. We use the 1992–2012 American National Election Study to test our research questions. We find that blacks consistently view Democratic presidential candidates’ traits more positively than whites. However, the racial gap in perceptions of presidential candidate traits is greatest for Obama relative to Clinton. Moreover, we demonstrate that the greater racial divide in perceptions of Obama's traits is in part driven by whites who view blacks as a group negatively.
Imaging of Parathyroid Glands in End Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Sharma Jyotirmay , Halkar Raghuveer , Weber Collin J.
Published: May 2017

Secondary hyperparathyroidism from chronic renal failure often requires a parathyroidectomy for correction. A successful parathyroidectomy often relies upon localization of all parathyroid tumors. Although most of the tumors are localized during a neck exploration, preoperative localization studies can help identify ectopic and supernumerary tumors. Three of the most common localization studies are radionuclide imaging, ultrasound, and CT scanning. Utility of these studies is strongly dependent on local institutional practice.
Finding Alignment: The Perceptions and Integration of the Next Generation Science Standards Practices by Elementary Teachers
Authors: Smith Janette , Nadelson Louis
Published: May 2017

Preparing elementary‐level teachers to teach in alignment with the eight Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) practices could prove to be a daunting endeavor. However, the process may be catalyzed by leveraging elements of teacher science instruction that inherently attend to the practice standards. In this study, we investigated the science instruction of three grade 3–5 elementary‐level teachers. We used observation, interviews, and surveys to determine the level to which the teachers perceived they taught and engaged in teaching science aligned with the eight NGSS practices. We found that the teachers were partially, and intrinsically implementing several of these practices in their instruction, and at the same time could not articulate the eight NGSS practices. Our results suggest there may be ample opportunity to build on the current science instruction of elementary‐level teachers to bring their instruction into alignment with the NGSS. We found that teachers’ perceive professional development, school culture, and access to additional instructional resources to be essential to their adoption of the NGSS practices.
Impacto de un programa cuerpomente, basado en ejercicios de fisioterapia y técnicas psicológicas, en el bienestar psíquico de una población de pacientes diabéticos tipo 2
Authors: Lucha-Lopez Maria Orosia , Lucha-López Ana Carmen , Tricás-Moreno Jose Miguel , Vidal-Peracho Concepción , Salavera-Bordás Carlos , Estébanez De Miguel Elena
Published: May 2017

En los pacientes con diabetes tipo 2, el riesgo de sufrir algún tipo de malestar psicológico, con síntomas de depresión y ansiedad, es aproximadamente el doble que en población normal. Cuando son síntomas relacionados con condiciones concomitantes, físicas y psicológicas deben ser tratados. El objetivo de este trabajo, fue examinar los efectos de un programa de ejercicios de fisioterapia y técnicas psicológicas, en el bienestar psíquico de una población diabética. El programa de 12 semanas, se aplicó en 25 pacientes y se evaluó: dolor, tensión arterial, antropometría, analítica sanguínea y bienestar psíquico (cuestionario de Goldberg de 28 ítems: GHQ-28). A pesar de la edad (84% < de 65 años), solo el 12% trabajaban, debido a su situación clínica de alto riesgo cardiovascular, presencia de comorbilidades (96%) y dolor asociado. Todo ello afectaba negativamente el bienestar psíquico de los pacientes que puntuaron alto en el GHQ: disfunción social (14.8±2.2), síntomas somáticos (13.5±3.6), ansiedad e insomnio (11.9±3.4) y depresión severa (9.2±4.4). La situación clínica determinó el diseño del programa, que mostró gran eficacia terapéutica para el dolor y el aumento del bienestar psicológico, con gran repercusión en la puntuación total del GHQ, en los síntomas somáticos y en la disfunción social, aunque en la ansiedad e insomnio y la depresión los cambios fueron menores. En síntesis, el programa mejoró el bienestar físico y psíquico de la muestra, lo que aumenta la evidencia sobre la opción de incluir fisioterapia y psicología para tratar las circunstancias que causan malestar psíquico en la diabetes.
Programas intergeneracionales y participación social: la integración de los adultos mayores españoles y latinoamericanos en la comunidad
Authors: Moral Jiménez María de la Villa
Published: May 2017

De acuerdo con una perspectiva de análisis contextual y dialéctica del transcurso de la vida, se ofrece un estudio psicosociológico de las relaciones intergeneracionales en contextos familiares. Se incide en las similitudes y divergencias del proceso de envejecimiento en contextos europeos y latinoamericanos atendiendo al proceso de postmodernización de la familia. Se promueve el envejecimiento activo y la superación optimizante del paradigma de la decadencia y la pérdida, para lo cual se valora el fomento y la dinamización de la participación social y comunitaria de las personas mayores en programas intergeneracionales. Se concluye que en nuestras sociedades, tanto del arco mediterráneo como latinoamericanas, la proliferación de redes de apoyo social basadas en el compromiso de la reciprocidad intrafamiliar e intergeneracional son un ejemplo del paradigma del envejecimiento productivo.
Research and Development of Validation and Drill System for Full Scope of Severe Accident Management Guideline
Authors: Yang Zhifei , Chen Yali , Luo Hu
Published: May 2017

To respond to the urgent needs of verification, training, and drill for full scope severe accident management guidelines (FSSAMG) among nuclear regulators, utilities, and research institutes, the FSSAMG verification and drill system is developed. The FSSAMG includes comprehensive scenarios under power condition, shutdown condition, spent fuel pool (SFP) condition, and refueling conditions. This article summarized the research and development of validation and drill system for FSSAMG by using the severe accident analysis computer code modular accident analysis program 5 (MAAP5). Realistic accident scenarios can be verified and exercised in the developed system to support FSSAMG training, drill, examination, and verification.
A Simplified Version of Persson's Multiscale Theory for Rubber Friction Due to Viscoelastic Losses
Authors: Ciavarella M.
Published: May 2017

We show that the full multiscale Persson's theory for rubber friction due to viscoelastic losses can be approximated extremely closely to simpler models, like that suggested by Persson in 1998 and similarly by Popov in his 2010 book (but notice that we do not make any use of the so-called “Method of Dimensionality Reduction” (MDR)), so it is essentially a single scale model at the so-called large wavevector cutoff. The dependence on the entire spectrum of roughness is therefore only confusing, at least for range of fractal dimensions of interest D≃2.2, and we confirm this with actual exact calculations and reference to recent data of Lorenz et al. Moreover, we discuss the critical assumption of the choice of the “free parameter” best fit truncation cutoff.
Periodic Contact Problems in Plane Elasticity: The Fracture Mechanics Approach
Authors: Xu Yang , Jackson Robert L.
Published: May 2017

In this study, the concept of the fracture mechanics is used to solve the: (i) frictionless purely normal contact and (ii) the similar material contact under the mutual actions of the normal and tangential load. Considering the contact region is simply connected, the out-of-contact regions can be treated as periodic collinear cracks. Through evaluating the stress intensity factor (SIF), we are able to obtain the size and location of the contact/out-of-contact region. Then, the normal traction, shear traction and interfacial gap can be directly determined by the Green's function of the periodic collinear crack. In the case of frictionless purely normal contact, the new approach is applied to two classic problems, namely, the Westergaard problem (sinusoidal waviness punch) and the periodic flat-end punch problem. Then, the sinusoidal waviness contact pair in the full stick and the partial slip conditions under the mutual actions of the normal and tangential loads are solved by the newly developed approach.
In vitro mineralization of dual grafted polytetrafluoroethylene membranes
Authors: Kępa Katarzyna , Hill David J. T. , Grøndahl Lisbeth
Published: May 2017

The modification of biomaterials by radiation induced grafting is a promising method to improve their bioactivity. Successful introduction of carboxyl and amine functional groups on the surface of a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane was achieved by grafting of acrylic acid (AA) and 2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride (AEMA) using simultaneous gamma irradiation grafting. Chemical characterization by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of amine and carboxylate functionalities and indicated that all protonated amines formed ion pairs with carboxyl groups, but not all carboxyl are involved in ion pairing. It was found that the irradiation doses (2, 5, or 10 kGy) affected the grafting outcome only when sulfuric acid (0.5 or 0.9 M) was added as a polymerization enhancer. The use of the inorganic acid successfully enhanced the total graft yield (GY), but the changes in the graft extent (GE) were not conclusive. Dual functional films were produced by either a one- or a two-step process. Generally, higher GY and GE values were observed for the samples produced by the two-step grafting of AA and AEMA. The in vitro mineralization in 1.5× simulated body fluid (SBF) induced the formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite as verified by FITR. All samples showed an increase in weight after mineralization with significantly larger increases observed for the samples which had the 1.5× SBF changed every third day compared to every seventh. For the dual functional samples, it was found that the sample grafted by the one-step method shows a significantly higher increase in weight despite a much lower GY compared to the sample prepared by the two-step method and this was attributed to the different architecture of grafted chains.
Effects of B-Active2 on Balance, Gait, Stress, and Well-Being of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability: A Controlled Trial
Authors: Garcia-Villamisar Domingo , Dattilo John , Muela Carmen
Published: May 2017

Effects of B-Active2 (Enjoy Being Physically Active by Walking Safely: A Leisure Education Program) on the risk of falls, stress, and well-being of a sample of 44 adults with ASD (ages M = 36.88; SD =7.31) were examined using a controlled experimental trial. Given the relationship between physical activity and stress reduction to individual well-being, B-Active2 was developed as a multidimensional program involving leisure education and walking designed to create an enjoyable context in which adults with ASD learn about and engage in physical activity. All participants were evaluated on balance, gait, well-being, and stress at baseline and at 1 month postintervention by a team of therapists blind to study objectives. There was a significant difference postintervention on balance, F(1, 40) = 55.63, p < .001, η2 = .58; gait, F(1, 40) = 23.58, p < .001, η 2 =.37; and well-being, F(1, 40) = 34.16, p < .001, η 2 = .47). No statistically significant effect was found for level of stress reduction, F(1, 40) = 0.27, n.s. Results of this study support the conclusion that B-Active2 is a viable leisure education program that promotes physical activity of adults with ASD and has positive effects on their well-being and risk of falls.
Expert Users’ Perceptions of Racing Wheelchair Design and Setup: The Knowns, Unknowns, and Next Steps
Authors: Bundon Andrea , Mason Barry S. , Goosey-Tolfrey Victoria L.
Published: May 2017

This paper demonstrates how a qualitative methodology can be used to gain novel insights into the demands of wheelchair racing and the impact of particular racing chair configurations on optimal sport performance via engagement with expert users (wheelchair racers, coaches, and manufacturers). We specifically explore how expert users understand how wheels, tires, and bearings impact sport performance and how they engage, implement, or reject evidence-based research pertaining to these components. We identify areas where participants perceive there to be an immediate need for more research especially pertaining to the ability to make individualized recommendations for athletes. The findings from this project speak to the value of a qualitative research design for capturing the embodied knowledge of expert users and also make suggestions for “next step” projects pertaining to wheels, tires, and bearings drawn directly from the comments of participants.
A Communicative Approach to Sport Socialization: The Functions of Memorable Messages in Division-I Student-Athletes’ Socialization
Authors: Cranmer Gregory A.
Published: May 2017

Previous research has suggested the potential for enduring and influential messages (otherwise known as memorable messages) to serve as mechanisms of athlete socialization but has failed to explore how these messages might help athletes adjust to their teams. This study used open-ended questionnaires to explore how the memorable messages that Division-I student-athletes receive before their college career influence them before and after they join their teams, as well as the associations between message content and function. The results of this study indicate that memorable messages shape student-athletes’ attitudes, expectations, and participative decisions before beginning their college careers and their attitudes, relationships, and performance once they began their careers. However, few associations between message content and functions were observed, and no associations between student-athletes’ sex and sport type with message functions were observed. These results highlight the role of discourse in sport socialization by revealing that specific messages help prepare and acclimate student-athletes for college athletics. However, this study fails to provide insight into why specific functions might occur.
Markers of Bone Health, Bone-Specific Physical Activities, Nutritional Intake, and Quality of Life of Professional Jockeys in Hong Kong
Authors: Poon Eric Tsz-Chun , O’Reilly John , Sheridan Sinead , Cai Michelle Mingjing , Wong Stephen Heung-Sang
Published: May 2017

Weight-making practices, regularly engaged in by horse racing jockeys, have been suggested to impair both physiological and mental health. This study aimed to assess bone health markers, nutritional intake, bone-specific physical activity (PA) habits, and quality of life of professional jockeys in Hong Kong (n = 14), with gender-, age-, and body mass index-matched controls (n = 14). Anthropometric measurements, serum hormonal biomarkers, bone mineral density, bone-specific PA habits, nutritional intake, and quality of life were assessed in all participants. The jockey group displayed significantly lower bone mineral density at both calcanei than the control group (left: 0.50 ± 0.06 vs. 0.63 ± 0.07 g/cm2; right: 0.51 ± 0.07 vs. 0.64 ± 0.10 g/cm2, both ps < .01). Thirteen of the 14 jockeys (93%) showed either osteopenia or osteoporosis in at least one of their calcanei. No significant difference in bone mineral density was detected for either forearm between the groups. The current bone-specific PA questionnaire score was lower in the jockey group than the control group (5.61 ± 1.82 vs. 8.27 ± 2.91, p < .05). Daily energy intake was lower in the jockeys than the controls (1,360 ± 515 vs. 1,985 ± 1,046 kcal/day, p < .01). No significant group difference was found for micronutrient intake assessed by the bone-specific food frequency questionnaire, blood hormonal markers, and quality of life scores. Our results revealed suboptimal bone conditions at calcanei and insufficient energy intake and bone-loading PAs among professional jockeys in Hong Kong compared with healthy age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched controls. Further research is warranted to examine the effect of improved bone-loading PAs and nutritional habits on the musculoskeletal health of professional jockeys.
Imputing Accelerometer Nonwear Time When Assessing Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Children
Authors: Borgundvaag Emily , McIsaac Michael , Borghese Michael M. , Janssen Ian
Published: May 2017

Background: A limitation of accelerometer measures of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is nonwear time. Nonwear-time data is typically deleted prior to estimating MVPA. In this study, we used an approach that used sociodemographic, health, and time data to guide the imputation of nonwear-time data. We determined whether imputing nonwear-time data influences estimates of MVPA and the association between MVPA, body mass index, and blood pressure. Methods: Seven days of accelerometer data were collected on 332 children aged 10–13 years. MVPA was estimated in a “nonimputed dataset,” wherein nonwear-time data were deleted prior to estimating MVPA, and in an “imputed dataset,” wherein nonwear-time data were imputed using sociodemographic and health characteristics of participants and time characteristics of the nonwear period prior to estimating MVPA. Results: Nonwear time represented 7% of waking hours. Average MVPA estimates did not differ in the nonimputed and imputed datasets (56.8 vs 58.4 min/d). The strength of the relationship between MVPA and the 2 health outcomes did not differ in the nonimputed and imputed datasets. Conclusions: Studies achieving high accelerometer wear-time compliance can obtain MVPA estimates without substantial bias if they use the traditional approach of deleting nonwear-time data.
Effects of Adolescent Sport Practice on Health Outcomes of Adult Amateur Endurance Cyclists: Adulthood Is Not Too Late to Start
Authors: Munguia-Izquierdo Diego , Mayolas-Pi Carmen , Peñarrubia-Lozano Carlos , Paris-Garcia Federico , Bueno-Antequera Javier , Oviedo-Caro Miguel Angel , Legaz-Arrese Alejandro
Published: May 2017

Background: We investigated the effects of adolescent sport practice on the training, performance, and health outcomes of adult amateur endurance cyclists and compared health outcomes of 3 adult groups: amateur endurance cyclists who practiced sports during adolescence, amateur endurance cyclists who did not practice sports during adolescence, and inactive individuals. Methods: In 859 (751 men and 108 women) adult cyclists and 718 inactive subjects (307 men and 411 women), we examined adolescent sport practice, current training status, quality of life, quality of sleep, anxiety and depression, and cardiometabolic risk: body mass index, physical activity, physical fitness, adherence to Mediterranean diet, and alcohol and tobacco consumption. Results: Independent of gender, no significant differences in training, performance, or health outcomes were observed between amateur endurance cyclists who practiced sports during adolescence and those who did not. Independent of gender, cyclists reported significantly better health outcomes than inactive individuals in all variables, except depression. Conclusions: Training, performance, and health outcomes did not differ between adult amateur endurance cyclists who practiced sports during adolescence and those who did not, but their health outcomes were significantly improved compared with inactive individuals, except for depression.
“This Dancing Business is More Hazardous Than Any ‘He-Man’ Sport”: Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers
Authors: Vertinsky Patricia
Published: May 2017

Selecting Springfield College, founding home of the International YMCA as a training ground for male dancers was an inspired choice by American modern dancer Ted Shawn given the founding credo of the College to ‘build builders of men.’ I would like to see men dancing in gymnasiums and stadiums, he claimed, so that the dance could reach again the position it held among the Greeks as the most perfect athletic accomplishment and the finest means of physical training and development. They were earnest and interesting efforts to foster an aura of ‘authentic rugged American masculinity’ for the era, given that Shawn himself was a closeted homosexual and the troupe’s lead dancer was his long term muse and lover Barton Mumaw. Scholars have shown how Shawn’s ideas about gender and sexuality became increasingly complex once he acknowledged his own homosexuality and engaged with ideas about sexual difference. His appropriation of various facets of the physical culture movement, however, and his reliance on the work and ideas of female modern dance pioneers and the physical education profession have been less noted. In this sense, Shawn was lucky, for he fell in love with dance when the art was mature enough to need a man.
Support received after bereavement by suicide and other sudden deaths: a cross-sectional UK study of 3432 young bereaved adults
Authors: Pitman Alexandra L , Rantell Khadija , Moran Paul , Sireling Lester , Marston Louise , King Michael , Osborn David
Published: May 2017

Objective

To test the hypothesis that people bereaved by suicide are less likely to receive formal or informal support than people bereaved by other causes of sudden death.

Design

National cross-sectional study.

Setting

Adults working or studying at any UK higher education institution (HEI) in 2010.

Participants

A total of 3432 eligible respondents aged 18–40 years bereaved by the sudden death of a close friend or relative, sampled from approximately 659 572 bereaved and non-bereaved staff and students at 37 of 164 UK HEIs invited to participate.

Exposures

Bereavement by suicide (n=614; 18%), by sudden unnatural causes (n=712; 21%) and by sudden natural causes (n=2106; 61%).

Main outcome measures

Receipt of formal and informal support postbereavement; timing of valued support.

Results

21% (725/3432) of our sample of bereaved adults reported receiving no formal or informal bereavement support, with no evidence for group differences. People bereaved by suicide were less likely to have received informal support than those bereaved by sudden natural causes (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.79; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.98) or unnatural causes (AOR=0.74; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.96) but did not differ from either comparison group on receipt of formal support. People bereaved by suicide were less likely to have received immediate support (AOR=0.73; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.90) and more likely to report delayed receipt of support (AOR=1.33; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.64) than people bereaved by sudden natural causes. Associations were not modified by gender, or age bereaved, but became non-significant when adjusting for stigma.

Conclusions

People bereaved by suicide are less likely to receive informal support than people bereaved by other causes of sudden death and are more likely to perceive delays in accessing any support. This is concerning given their higher risk of suicide attempt and the recommendations within suicide prevention strategies regarding their need for support.

Study registration

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/bereavementstudy/
Bone mineral density reference standards for Chinese children aged 3–18: cross-sectional results of the 2013–2015 China Child and Adolescent Cardiovascular Health (CCACH) Study
Authors: Liu Junting , Wang Liang , Sun Jinghui , Liu Gongshu , Yan Weili , Xi Bo , Xiong Feng , Ding Wenqing , Huang Guimin , Heymsfield Steven , Mi Jie
Published: May 2017

Objectives

No nationwide paediatric reference standards for bone mineral density (BMD) are available in China. We aimed to provide sex-specific BMD reference values for Chinese children and adolescents (3–18 years).

Methods

Data (10 818 participants aged 3–18 years) were obtained from cross-sectional surveys of the China Child and Adolescent Cardiovascular Health in 2015, which included four municipality cities and three provinces. BMD was measured using Hologic Discovery Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scanner. The DXA measures were modelled against age, with height as an independent variable. The LMS statistical method using a curve fitting procedure was used to construct reference smooth cross-sectional centile curves for dependent versus independent variables.

Results

Children residing in Northeast China had the highest total body less head (TBLH) BMD while children residing in Shandong Province had the lowest values. Among children, TBLH BMD was higher for boys as compared with girls; but, it increased with age and height in both sexes. Furthermore, TBLH BMD was higher among US children as compared with Chinese children. There was a large difference in BMD for height among children from these two countries. US children had a much higher BMD at each percentile (P) than Chinese children; the largest observed difference was at P50 and P3 and the smallest difference was at P97.

Conclusions

This is the first study to present a sex-specific reference dataset for Chinese children aged 3–18 years. The data can help clinicians improve interpretation, assessment and monitoring of densitometry results.
A cross-sectional study on prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in India: rationale and methods
Authors: Rajkumar Prabu , Pattabi Kamaraj , Vadivoo Selvaraj , Bhome Arvind , Brashier Bill , Bhattacharya Prashanta , Mehendale Sanjay M
Published: May 2017

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common preventable and treatable chronic respiratory disease, which affects 210 million people globally. Global and national guidelines exist for the management of COPD. Although evidence-based, they are inadequate to address the phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity in India. Co-existence of other chronic respiratory diseases can adversely influence the prognosis of COPD.

India has a huge burden of COPD with various risk factors and comorbid conditions. However, valid prevalence estimates employing spirometry as the diagnostic tool and data on important comorbid conditions are not available. This study protocol is designed to address this knowledge gap and eventually to build a database to undertake long-term cohort studies to describe the phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity among COPD patients in India.

Objectives

The primary objective is to estimate the prevalence of COPD among adults aged ≥25 years for each gender in India. The secondary objective is to identify the risk factors for COPD and important comorbid conditions such as asthma and post-tuberculosis sequelae. It is also proposed to validate the currently available definitions for COPD diagnosis in India.

Methods and analysis

A cross-sectional study will be undertaken among the populations of sub-urban areas of Chennai and Shillong cities, which represent the Southern and Northeastern regions of India. We will collect data on sociodemographic variables, economic characteristics, risk factors of COPD and comorbidities. The Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) definitions will be used for the diagnosis of COPD and asthma. Data will be analysed for estimation of the prevalence of COPD, asthma and associated factors.

Ethics and dissemination

This study proposal was approved by the respective institutional ethics committees of participating institutions. The results will be disseminated through publications in the peer-reviewed journals and a report will be submitted to the concerned public health authorities in India for developing appropriate research and management policies.
The role of academic health centres in building equitable health systems: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Edelman Alexandra , Taylor Judy , Ovseiko Pavel V , Topp Stephanie M
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Academic health centres (AHCs) are complex organisations often defined by their ‘tripartite’ mission: to achieve high standards of clinical care, undertake clinical and laboratory research and educate health professionals. In the last decade, AHCs have moved away from what was a dominant focus on high impact (clinical) interventions for individuals, towards a more population-oriented paradigm requiring networked institutions and responsiveness to a range of issues including distribution of health outcomes and health determinants. Reflective of this paradigm shift is a growing interest in the role of AHCs in addressing health disparities and improving health system equity. This protocol outlines a systematic review that seeks to synthesise and critically appraise the current state of evidence on the role of AHCs in contributing to equitable health systems locally and globally.

Methods and analysis

Electronic searches will be conducted on a pilot list of bibliographic databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, ERIC, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, Cochrane Library, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, Campbell Library and A+ Education, from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2016. Apart from studies reporting clinical interventions or trials, all types of published peer-reviewed and grey literature will be included in the review. The single screening method will be employed in selecting studies, with two additional reviewers consulted where allocation is unclear. Quality and relevance appraisal utilising Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools will follow data extraction to a preprepared template. Thematic synthesis will be undertaken to develop descriptive themes and inform analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

As the review is focused on the analysis of secondary data, it does not require ethics approval. The results of the study will be disseminated through articles in peer-reviewed journals and trade publications as well as presentations at relevant national and international conferences. Results will be further disseminated through networks and associations of AHCs.

Protocol registration

International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number CRD42016051802.
Validity of the Italian algorithm for the attribution of neuropsychiatric events in systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective multicentre international diagnostic cohort study
Authors: Bortoluzzi Alessandra , Fanouriakis Antonis , Appenzeller Simone , Costallat Lilian , Scirè Carlo Alberto , Murphy Elana , Bertsias George , Hanly John , Govoni Marcello
Published: May 2017

Objective

To validate the Italian algorithm of attribution of neuropsychiatric (NP) events to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in an external international cohort of patients with SLE.

Methods

A retrospective cohort diagnostic accuracy design was followed. SLE patients attending three tertiary care lupus clinics, with one or more NP events, were included. The attribution algorithm, applied to the NP manifestations, considers four weighted items for each NP event: (1) time of onset of the event; (2) type of NP event (major vs minor), (3) concurrent non-SLE factors; (4) favouring factors. To maintain blinding, two independent teams of assessors from each centre evaluated all NP events: the first provided an attribution diagnosis on the basis of their own clinical judgement, assumed as the ‘gold standard’; the second applied the algorithm, which provides a probability score ranging from 0 to 10. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated by calculating the area under curve (AUC) of thereceiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

The study included 243 patients with SLE with at least one NP manifestation, for a total of 336 events. 285 (84.8%) NP events involved the central nervous system and 51 (15.2%) the peripheral nervous system. The attribution score for the first NP event showed good accuracy with an AUC of 0.893 (95% CI 0.849 to 0.937) using dichotomous outcomes for NPSLE (related vs uncertain/unrelated). The best single cut-off point to optimise classification of a first NPSLE-related event was≥7 (sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 82.6%). Satisfactory accuracy was observed also for subsequent NP events.

Conclusions

Validation exercise on an independent international cohort showed that the Italian attribution algorithm is a valid and reliable tool for the identification of NP events attributed to SLE.
Untargeted antifungal therapy in adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection: protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Petersen Marie Warrer , Perner Anders , Sjövall Fredrik , Møller Morten Hylander
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Intra-abdominal infections are the second most frequent cause of sepsis. In a recent cohort, fungal specimens were found in 51.9% of all patients with sepsis and peritonitis. Current systematic reviews comparing untargeted antifungal treatment with placebo or no treatment in patients who are critically ill have provided conflicting results, and clinical equipoise exists. Accordingly, we aim to assess patient-important benefits and harms of untargeted antifungal therapy versus placebo or no treatment in adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomised clinical trials assessing any untargeted antifungal therapy compared with placebo or no treatment in adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections. The primary outcome is all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes include adverse events, duration of mechanical ventilation and inotropic support, need for renal replacement therapy, emergence of antibiotic resistance and intensive care unit and hospital length-of-stay. Conventional meta-analysis, including sensitivity and subgroup analyses, and assessment of the risk of systematic (bias) and random errors will be conducted. The review will be prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, the Cochrane methodology and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required as this systematic review only includes previously published data. We aim to publish the review in an international peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews registration number: CRD42016053508.
Identity, law, policy andCommunicating Mental Health
Authors: Bartlett Peter
Published: May 2017

This paper reflects on the special edition,Communicating Mental Health, from the perspective of a legal academic with an interest in the service user rights and in United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is argued that the special edition demonstrates the breadth of the medical model but also that the medical model remains firmly in place in academic understanding of mental disability. The paper questions what this means for identity formation of people with lived experience of mental disability and how we should conceptualise mental disability in the future.
Introduction: historical contexts to communicating mental health
Authors: Wynter Rebecca , Smith Leonard
Published: May 2017

Contemporary discussions around language, stigma and care in mental health, the messages these elements transmit, and the means through which they have been conveyed, have a long and deep lineage. Recognition and exploration of this lineage can inform how we communicate about mental health going forward, as reflected by the 9 papers which make up this special issue. Our introduction provides some framework for the history of communicating mental health over the past 300 years. We will show that there have been diverse ways and means of describing, disseminating and discussing mental health, in relation both to therapeutic practices and between practitioners, patients and the public. Communicating about mental health, we argue, has been informed by the desire for positive change, as much as by developments in reporting, legislation and technology. However, while the modes of communication have developed, the issues involved remain essentially the same. Most practitioners have sought to understand and to innovate, though not always with positive results. Some lost sight of patients as people; patients have felt and have been ignored or silenced by doctors and carers. Money has always talked, for without adequate investment services and care have suffered, contributing to the stigma surrounding mental illness. While it is certainly ‘time to talk’ to improve experiences, it is also time to change the language that underpins cultural attitudes towards mental illness, time to listen to people with mental health issues and, crucially, time to hear.
Sugar sulfates are not hydrolyzed by the acid-inducible sulfatase AslA from Salmonella enterica Enteritidis NalR and Kentucky 3795 at pH 5.5
Authors: Ganguly Arpeeta , Joerger Rolf D.
Published: May 2017

The open reading frames SEN0085 and SeKA_A4361, from Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis NalR and serovar Kentucky 3795, respectively, corresponding to the acid-inducible sulfatase gene aslA from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, were previously suggested by microarray analysis to be differentially expressed under acid conditions. However, growth and enzyme activity tests in the present study demonstrated that both wild-type strains exhibited sulfatase activity with 4-nitrophenyl sulfate and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3 indolyl sulfate at pH 5.5. The acid sulfatase does not appear to be involved in sugar sulfate, tyrosine sulfate, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol sulfate, heparin sulfate, or chondroitin sulfate hydrolysis at pH 5.5. Adhesion and invasion assays did not reveal differences between the serotypes and their corresponding aslA deletion mutants. Thus, the role and substrate(s) of AslA, a protein unique to salmonella and encoded in all sequenced Salmonella strains, remain elusive.
Detection of Water Contamination Events Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Alternating Trilinear Decomposition Algorithm
Authors: Yu Jie , Zhang Xiaoyan , Hou Dibo , Chen Fang , Mao Tingting , Huang Pingjie , Zhang Guangxin
Published: May 2017

The method based on conventional index and UV-vision has been widely applied in the field of water quality abnormality detection. This paper presents a qualitative analysis approach to detect the water contamination events with unknown pollutants. Fluorescence spectra were used as water quality monitoring tools, and the detection method of unknown contaminants in water based on alternating trilinear decomposition (ATLD) is proposed to analyze the excitation and emission spectra of the samples. The Delaunay triangulation interpolation method was used to make the pretreatment of three-dimensional fluorescence spectra data, in order to estimate the effect of Rayleigh and Raman scattering; ATLD model was applied to establish the model of normal water sample, and the residual matrix was obtained by subtracting the measured matrix from the model matrix; the residual sum of squares obtained from the residual matrix and threshold was used to make qualitative discrimination of test samples and distinguish drinking water samples and organic pollutant samples. The results of the study indicate that ATLD modeling with three-dimensional fluorescence spectra can provide a tool for detecting unknown organic pollutants in water qualitatively. The method based on fluorescence spectra can be complementary to the method based on conventional index and UV-vision.
Gallbladder Carcinoma in the United States: A Population Based Clinical Outcomes Study Involving 22,343 Patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Database (1973–2013)
Authors: Lau Christine S. M. , Zywot Aleksander , Mahendraraj Krishnaraj , Chamberlain Ronald S.
Published: May 2017

Introduction. Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract and the third most common gastrointestinal tract malignancy. This study examines a large cohort of GBC patients in the United States in an effort to define demographics, clinical, and pathologic features impacting clinical outcomes. Methods. Demographic and clinical data on 22,343 GBC patients was abstracted from the SEER database (1973–2013). Results. GBC was presented most often among Caucasian (63.9%) females (70.7%) as poorly or moderately differentiated (42.5% and 38.2%) tumors, with lymph node involvement (88.2%). Surgery alone was the most common treatment modality for GBC patients (55.0%). Combination surgery and radiation (10.6%) achieved significantly longer survival rates compared to surgery alone (4.0±0.2 versus 3.7±0.1 years, p=0.004). Overall mortality was 87.0% and cancer-specific mortality was 75.4%. Conclusions. GBC is an uncommon malignancy that presents most often among females in their 8th decade of life, with over a third of cases presenting with distant metastasis. The incidence of GBC has doubled in the last decade concurrent with increases in cholecystectomy rates attributable in part to improved histopathological detection, as well as laparoscopic advances and enhanced endoscopic techniques. Surgical resection confers significant survival benefit in GBC patients.
Phytoremediation of Nitrogen as Green Chemistry for Wastewater Treatment System
Authors: Kinidi Lennevey , Salleh Shanti
Published: May 2017

It is noteworthy that ammoniacal nitrogen contamination in wastewater has reportedly posed a great threat to the environment. Although there are several conventional technologies being employed to remediate ammoniacal nitrogen contamination in wastewater, they are not sustainable and cost-effective. Along this line, the present study aims to highlight the significance of green chemistry characteristics of phytoremediation in nitrogen for wastewater treatment. Notably, ammoniacal nitrogen can be found in many types of sources and it brings harmful effects to the environment. Hence, the present study also reviews the phytoremediation of nitrogen and describes its green chemistry characteristics. Additionally, the different types of wastewater contaminants and their effects on phytoremediation and the phytoremediation consideration in wastewater treatment application and sustainable waste management of harvested aquatic macrophytes were reviewed. Finally, the present study explicates the future perspectives of phytoremediation. Based on the reviews, it can be concluded that green chemistry characteristics of phytoremediation in nitrogen have proved that it is sustainable and cost-effective in relation to other existing ammoniacal nitrogen remediation technologies. Therefore, it can be deduced that a cheaper and more environmental friendly ammoniacal nitrogen technology can be achieved with the utilization of phytoremediation in wastewater treatment.
The Semantics of Priapism and the First Sign of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Minckler Michael R. , Conser Ellie , Figueroa Javier J. , Scott Aaron J. , Gaither Joshua , Amini Richard
Published: May 2017

Priapism is defined as an erection that persists beyond four hours, lasting beyond or unrelated to sexual stimulation (Salonia et al., 2014). Because the risk of ischemic damage and impotence is high with priapism (35%), management guidelines are directed towards rapid treatment of this condition (Salonia et al., 2014). This report describes the rare case of an 18-year-old male who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) three times with recurrent and worsening episodes of sustained penile erections. On the patient’s third visit, he presented with priapism of greater than six-hour duration that was found to be the result of chronic myeloid leukemia. Clinician awareness of the diagnostic semantics and differential diagnosis surrounding priapism is pivotal in its urgent management.
Acute Abdominal Compartment Syndrome following Extraperitoneal Bladder Perforation
Authors: Licina Ana
Published: May 2017

Extraperitoneal bladder perforation is a known complication of a commonly performed rigid cystoscopy. If unrecognized, this complication can lead to continuous intra-abdominal fluid leakage with consequent organ function impairment and symptoms. This is the first case report in literature of a transurethral bladder perforation causing an acute abdominal compartment syndrome, which was subsequently managed conservatively with supportive management only. Case Presentation. We describe a clinical course of a 73-year-old Caucasian female whose initial acute presentation involved urinary symptoms. Surgery and general anaesthesia during rigid cystoscopy were complicated by an initially unrecognized extraperitoneal bladder perforation, resulting in fluid extravasation. This extravasation resulted in transurethral bladder resection syndrome with acute intra-abdominal free fluid accumulation. This complication caused acute abdominal compartment syndrome resulting in respiratory end-organ compromise and immediate postextubation respiratory failure. Patient required an emergency reintubation. During the management, diagnosis was considered through the use of the point of care abdominal ultrasound. Postoperatively, patient was managed conservatively in intensive care. Postoperative course included an approximate nine liters of urinary diuresis and supportive ventilation for four days. Conclusion. There is equipoise in the clinical management of abdominal compartment syndrome with regard to supportive medical management alone or invasive surgical treatment.