bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unfortunate Hand Positioning Yielding Inappropriate Defibrillator Shock: Another Paradigm of a Guilty Association Between Patient Awareness and Occupational Hazard
Authors: Kossaify Antoine
Published: July 2019

A 64-year-old patient had a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator implanted 4 years ago for dilated cardiomyopathy. He recently had an inappropriate shock as a result of an electrical leak from a refrigerator causing electromagnetic interference. An analysis of the patient case and a discussion of the features of this specific paradigm of inappropriate therapy are presented.
Genital Angiokeratomas in Adult Men and Women: Prevalence and Predisposing Factors
Authors: Sadowsky Lauren M. , Socik Ava , Burnes Autumn , Rhodes Arthur R.
Published: July 2019

Introduction:

There is a paucity of prevalence data for genital angiokeratomas in adults. The objective of this article is to determine prevalence of genital angiokeratomas in adults as a function of sex, age, and race/ethnicity.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted over 11 months during 2013 and 2014 using a convenience sample of adult men and women consenting to genital examination during melanoma screening and surveillance by a senior dermatologist in an outpatient clinic. The analysis was conducted from April through December 2016.

Results:

Of 213 white/European American adults examined (127 men and 86 women), genital angiokeratomas were detected in 30.0% (64/213). Presence of at least one genital angiokeratoma was significantly associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-4.5; P < .001) and age older than 50 years (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.7-6.7; P = .008).

Conclusions:

Genital angiokeratomas are relatively common in adults of white/European American origin and important to recognize because of their benign nature and occasional confusion with other tumors.
Mechanisms of Black–White disparities in health among older adults: Examining discrimination and personality
Authors: McClendon Juliette , Bogdan Ryan , Jackson Joshua J , Oltmanns Thomas F
Published: June 2019

We tested whether personality traits help explain the association between discrimination and racial health disparities in a sample of 1033 Black and White older adults. Participants completed measures of discrimination, personality, and self-reported physical and mental health. Elevated discrimination among Black participants was indirectly linked to worse physical and mental health outcomes through elevated neuroticism and lower agreeableness, controlling income, education, and gender. The specific facets of depression, impulsiveness, and trust were the most robust intervening personality factors. Interventions that target cognitive, emotional, and behavioral sequelae of discrimination may lessen its impact on health disparities.
Datafied Citizens in the Age of Coerced Digital Participation
Authors: Barassi Veronica
Published: June 2019

This article explores the relationship between surveillance capitalism, big data, and the emergence of a new type of datafied citizenship by looking at two different, yet interconnected, dimensions. In the first place, it considers how under surveillance capitalism individuals are being profiled simultaneously as consumer and citizen subjects by a complex political economic infrastructure that brings private and public entities together. In the second place, it argues that surveillance capitalism depends on the systematic coercion of digital participation, which forces citizens to comply with data technologies and give up their personal data. If we want to understand the extent of these transformation, the article argues, we need to look at children. Children have traditionally been excluded from debates about citizenship because they have often been understood as not-yet citizens or future citizens. Yet, in the study of the relationship between data and citizenship, children today are the key. They are the very first generation of citizens who are datafied from before they are born and are coerced into digitally participating to society through the data traces produced, collected, and processed by others without their consent or control. Drawing on the findings of the Child | Data | Citizen project, an ethnographically informed research project on big data and family life in the UK and US, this article will highlight some of the democratic challenges that emerge when we think about data, surveillance capitalism, and citizenship in everyday life.
Vibro-acoustic coupling characteristics of orthotropic L-shaped plate–cavity coupling system
Authors: Shi Dongyan , Ren Wenhui , Zhang Hong , Liu Gai , Wang Qingshan
Published: July 2019

The research object of this paper is the L-shaped plate–cavity coupling system established by a cuboid acoustic cavity with rigid-wall or impedance-wall and L-shaped plate with numerous elastic boundary conditions in view of the Fourier series method. The main research content of this paper is the vibro-acoustic coupling characteristics. In this paper, the displacements admissible functions of the L-shaped plate are generally set as the sum of two cosines’ product and two polynomials. Sound pressure admissible functions of the cuboid acoustic cavity can be considered as the sum of three cosines’ product and six polynomials. The discontinuity of coupling system at all boundaries in the overall solution domain is overcome in this way. Through the energy principle and the Rayleigh-Ritz technology, it can be got that the solving matrix equation of the L-shaped plate-cavity coupling system. Based on verifying the great numerical characteristics of the L-shaped plate–cavity coupling model, they obtained both the frequency analysis and the displacement or sound pressure response analysis under the excitation, including a unit simple harmonic force or a unit monopole source. The advantages of this method are parameterization and versatility. In addition, some new achievements have been shown, based on various materials, boundary conditions, thicknesses, and orthotropic degrees, which may become the foundation for the future research.
Study of a hybrid pneumatic-combustion engine under steady-state and transient conditions for transport application
Authors: Fang Yidong , Lu Yiji , Yu Xiaoli , Su Lin , Fan Zhipeng , Huang Rui , Roskilly Anthony Paul
Published: July 2019

In this study, a new form of hybrid pneumatic combustion engine based on compressed air injection boosting is proposed. The hybrid pneumatic combustion engine regenerates the wasted energy during engine brake to improve the engine performance achieving better fuel economy. The mathematic model of the hybrid pneumatic combustion engine including a supercharged engine and the compressed air tank has been established. The steady-state and transient performance of the engine are analysed. Results show that the air injection boosting system can effectively improve the steady-state performance. Under the speed of 1900 r/min and 100% load, the engine torque and power can be increased from 1039 N m, 206.9 kW to 1057 N m, 210 kW by adopting air injection boosting with the injection pressure of 0.5 MPa. Effects of air injection parameters are also studied, showing that better performance can be achieved under higher air tank pressure and larger injection hole diameter. In addition, a transient analysis is completed under the speed of 1100 r/min. The result shows that when air injection boosting is used, the responding time of the engine to an instant load increase can be potentially reduced from 5.5 to 3.5 s under the injection pressure and duration of 0.5 MPa and 3 s. Meanwhile, the tank pressure has limited influence on the transient performance of the engine.
Rethinking Data Analysis - Part One: The Limitations of Frequentist Approaches
Authors: Kent Ray
Published: July 2019

The analysis of data from market research has, until fairly recently, been reliant upon statistical techniques that were developed during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries for uses entirely other than the analysis of survey and other types of observational, non-experimental data. Such techniques rely on reviewing and relating the frequency distributions of variables that have been concocted and measured by researchers. This paper argues that key features of such ‘frequentist’ statistics are also limitations that need to be recognised by academics, market research practitioners and the managers to whom they report findings. By focusing on variable distributions across cases, they overlook patterns of within-case configuration; they seek out only symmetrical, linear patterns by reviewing the ‘net effects’ of individual variables; they rely on a very circumscribed view of statistical inference from samples to populations; they are not good at demonstrating causal connections between variables or at handling system complexity. A follow-up paper, ‘Rethinking data analysis – part two: some alternatives to frequentist approaches’, examines ways of approaching data sets that can be seen as viable alternatives.
The Faddish Breakouts of Ethnography
Authors: Boddy Clive
Published: July 2019

Ethnographic research has been described as a fad that promised to look beneath the rationalisations of consumers, but did not in fact deliver the cut-through promised by agencies. This perhaps provides a clue to the emergence and relative disappearance of ethnography over the past 20 years, and to its recent re-emergence. To the generalist market researcher, ethnography appears to come and go in terms of its popularity and appeal. To avoid being disappointed about what an ethnographic approach can bring to an understanding of consumers, clients should reportedly involve a qualified anthropologist at the commissioning stage of a project to make sure that such an expensive and time-consuming exercise is really warranted. Similarly, clients should engage research companies with a long history of undertaking ethnographic studies and with expertise in the area.
Conference Notes - Prospects for Mixed-Mode Data Collection in Cross-National Surveys
Authors: Eva Gillian , Jowell Roger
Published: July 2019

This paper summarises the presentation by Gillian Eva and Roger Jowell on “Prospects for mixed-mode data collection in cross-national surveys” given at the IJMR Research Methods Forum: ‘Methods Matter: Interviewing and Beyond’, 25 November 2008, Royal Society, London.
Estimating Store Brand Shelf Space: A New Framework Using Neural Networks and Partial Least Squares
Authors: Gomez Monica , Okazaki Shintaro
Published: July 2019

Despite abundant research that examines the effects of store brands on retail decision making, little attention has been paid to the predictive model of store brand shelf space. This paper intends to fill this research gap by proposing and testing a theoretical model of store brand shelf space. From the literature review, 11 independent variables were identified (i.e. store format, reputation, brand assortment, depth of assortment, in-store promotions, leading national brands’ rivalry, retailers’ rivalry, manufacturers’ concentration, store brand market share, advertising, and innovation) and analysed as potential predictors of the dependent variable (i.e. store brand shelf space). Data were collected for 29 product categories in 55 retail stores. In designing the statistical treatment, a three-phase procedure was adopted: (1) interdependence analysis via principal component analysis; (2) dependence analysis via neural network simulation; and (3) structural equation modelling via partial least squares. The findings corroborate our proposed model, in that all hypothesised relationships and directions are supported. On this basis, we draw theoretical as well as managerial implications. In closing, we acknowledge the limitations of this study and suggest future research directions.
The Truth is Out There! How External Validity Can Lead to Better Marketing Decisions
Authors: Rogers Greg , Soopramanien Didier
Published: July 2019

Marketing managers typically have to use and integrate many pieces of data and marketing intelligence when taking decisions such as whether to launch a product and, if so, at what price. Conjoint experiments and analysis remain popular marketing research tools with business practitioners to test and measure how the market will react to different actions. There is a growing body of work that focuses on, first, how to construct the experiments so that they better represent real market conditions and, second, the use of sophisticated model specifications that provide information on consumers’ responses. The market researcher typically uses internal validation for model validity – a comparison of model prediction and within-sample holdout data. We contend in this paper that customers and users of market research information need to adopt a different and wider meaning of validity, referred to as external validity, to facilitate improved decision making. In this research, a case study is used as an example to demonstrate how marketing managers can use the information from a choice-based conjoint derived choice model differently depending on the manner in which the model validation is carried out.
Viewpoint - Visual Puffery in Advertising
Authors: Fetscherin Marc , Toncar Mark
Published: July 2019

This Viewpoint piece discusses “puffery”, what the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines as a ‘term frequently used to denote the exaggerations reasonably to be expected of a seller as to the degree of quality of his product, the truth or falsity of which cannot be precisely determined'’. The authors discuss their own use of semiotic analysis to investigate the existence of visual puffery in magazine advertising of women's fragrances.
Exploring the Price Efficiency within Automotive Markets - An Application of Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Jiang Pingjun
Published: July 2019

Using a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach, this paper compares the price of each car model in a segment of the personal car market with the best possible price in view of the technology available given its particular combination of characteristics. In this approach, a car model is defined as price efficient if it offers customers the highest value per dollar spent for that set of characteristics. Likewise, a car model is inefficient if there is some other car model with a lower price having equivalent or higher quality, whereby a measure of the price efficiency is determined by the price reduction needed to make a car model efficient. The data set covers 141 different year 2002 car models. The vehicles that are listed by Edmunds.com as consumers’ most wanted are compared with those at the top of our efficiency list. It is found that the majority of cars at the top of the list are also listed as most wanted by Edmunds.com. Evidently, consumers who usually make decisions based on price and quality information will naturally employ a heuristic such as ‘buy car models at the top of price efficiency list’ if this list is made available to them.
Fads in Market Research: A Reality or Just a Distortion of Remembered History Due to Telescoping and Salience Effects? - A Reply to Humphrey Taylor
Authors: Boddy Clive
Published: July 2019

This article responds to Humphrey Taylor's suggestion (89298) that a history of market research fads should be written. The author has reviewed journal titles over the past 24 years and found that there were fewer fads than expected. Main themes have been: improving data collection methods, improving market research in practice, international research. ‘Faddish’ themes have been mainly ethnography and semiotics.
Using Mobile Phones for Survey Research: A Comparison with Fixed Phones
Authors: Vicente Paula , Reis Elizabeth , Santos Maria
Published: July 2019

The increase in mobile phone penetration is stimulating a trend towards the use of mobile phones to supplement or even replace traditional telephone surveys. Despite this trend, few studies have systematically compared differences between the two modes. This paper describes a study in which both mobile and fixed phones were used to collect data on a national survey on internet and cultural practices. Findings revealed significant differences between mobile phone respondents and fixed phone respondents in terms of demographic characteristics and responses to some of the substantive items of the survey. In terms of data quality the mobile phone survey proved to be different from the fixed phone survey in two indicators: completion times and percentage of respondents with item omissions. The mobile phone survey was more difficult to implement than the fixed phone survey since much more screening was required to identify working phone numbers; in addition it yielded a lower response rate than the fixed phone survey.
Election Forecasting: Development of the Constant Sum Scale to be used in Telephone Surveys
Authors: Packaral Mathew , Harris Phil , Rudd Chris
Published: July 2019

The Constant Sum Scale has been successfully tested to forecast election results in face-to-face surveys. As political polls are carried out using telephone surveys, there was a need to test the scale for use in telephone surveys. In this study the Constant Sum Scale was tested for implementation in a telephone survey. The study was carried out during an election that used the single transferable voting system, and the Constant Sum Scale was utilised to forecast the election outcome. The validation against the election results showed that the Constant Sum Scale was successful in ranking the candidates in the order they prevailed in the final electoral result. Respondents’ understanding, based on the judgements given by interviewers, was at a satisfactory level. The overall results suggest that the Constant Sum Scale can be implemented effectively in telephone surveys and is recommended for telephone polling of voters.
How to Improve Brand Tracking Research: A Frozen Pizza Case Study
Authors: Chrzan Keith , Malcolm Douglas
Published: July 2019

The practice of brand tracking research has changed little in the past 30 years. Methodological advances in choice modelling, not typically applied to brand tracking, represent a potentially valuable enhancement of brand tracking practice. A case study of frozen pizza brand choice illustrates the possibilities, with particular attention paid to the MNL and lexicographic models.
The Bi Cultural Value System: Undertaking Research Amongst Ethnic Audiences
Authors: Sekhon Yasmin Kaur , Szmigin Isabelle
Published: July 2019

Marketing to ethnic communities is fraught with problems of understanding the cultural contexts and value systems of others. Within Britain, this is in many ways exacerbated by the prevalence of a multicultural society that spans generations. Second-generation ethnic consumers live in the world of their parents and their community, but often work and socialise in a very different cultural and social context. Inevitably these influences impact upon decision making. In this study we seek to unravel some of the factors that impact upon ethnic decision making, with a particular focus on one group: second-generation Punjabi Indians. We examine research that has sought to identify factors that impact upon their consumption behaviour, in particular acculturation, identity and ethnicity. We then present research findings that reveal some of the key issues that need to be considered in developing a research approach to understanding ethnic communities.
College Students’ Value Judgments of Workplace Skills
Authors: Ritzer Darren R. , Sleigh Merry J.
Published: July 2019

We surveyed college students ( N = 105) asking them to rate the importance of workplace skills as if they were responding as themselves, as their parents, and as future employers. We also asked participants to generate a list of skills they considered most important to develop in college, and to evaluate workplace behaviors for the likelihood of any of these resulting in termination of employment for new hires. Results revealed that college students perceived that the value they place on workplace skills matched more closely their parents’ views than those of future employers. College students’ list of skills considered important to develop in college was more focused on college success than career success. College students accurately identified five out of six behaviors most likely to lead to termination of employment for new staff ( Gardner, 2007 ), but failed to identify inappropriate use of technology. These findings provide insight for faculty members who want students to succeed both at college and in their careers.
Pharmacist Comfort and Awareness of HIV and HCV Point-of-Care Testing in Community Settings
Authors: Min Amy C. , Andres Jennifer L. , Grover Anisha B. , Megherea Oxana
Published: July 2019

Objective. To address the public health concern of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, various intrapersonal and organizational factors were identified to explore opportunities for pharmacists as part of a HIV/HCV prevention strategy. The awareness and comfort of pharmacists practicing in independent pharmacies and student pharmacists on providing HIV and HCV point-of-care (POC) tests in an urban setting were investigated. Method. Surveys were anonymously completed by pharmacists practicing in independent pharmacies within a 2-mile radius of our institution and student pharmacists attending our institution. Surveys were administered over a period of 10 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results. A total of 119 pharmacy students and 23 practicing licensed pharmacists completed the survey. Only 21.7% of pharmacists were aware that HIV and HCV screenings are available as POC tests. Pharmacists were more likely to feel comfortable administering other POC tests and not HIV or HCV POC tests. Student pharmacists felt more comfortable than pharmacists in administering HIV and HCV POC tests and had a higher perceived level of comfort of their ability to administer these tests as licensed pharmacists. Conclusions. In this urban setting, awareness and comfort in pharmacist-provided HIV and HCV POC testing is low, however, with proper training and education, pharmacists in these community pharmacy practice settings can expand HIV and HCV screening opportunities for the community.
The effect of the combination of multiple woven fabric and nonwoven on acoustic absorption
Authors: Segura-Alcaraz Pilar , Segura-Alcaraz Jorge , Montava Ignacio , Bonet-Aracil Marilés
Published: June 2019

Textile materials can be used as acoustic materials. In this study, the acoustic absorption coefficient of multilayer fabrics with 60 ends/cm and 15, 30, 45, and 60 picks/cm is measured when the fabric is added as a resistive layer on top of a polyester nonwoven, in order to study the influence of the fabric spatial structure in the acoustic absorption of the assembly. Five different fabric structures are used. Design of experiments and data analysis tools are used to describe the influence of two manufacturing factors on the sound absorption coefficient of the ensemble. These factors are the fabric weft count (picks/cm) and the thickness of the nonwoven (mm). The experimental conditions under which the maximum sound absorption coefficient is achieved are found. The influence of each factor and a mathematical model are obtained. Results of statistical and optimization analysis show that for the same fabric density, sound absorption coefficient increases as the number of layers decreases.
Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure Therapy in Pediatric Lower Limb Trauma
Authors: Khurram Mohammed Fahud , Sarfraz Ali Sheikh , Yaseen Mohammad
Published: July 2019

Although the importance of vacuum-assisted wound closure therapy has been well established as road to definitive treatment of trauma wound in the adult population, its use in pediatric patients is not well described in the literature. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of vacuum-assisted wound closure therapy in pediatric patients. Twenty-two patients were prospectively treated for soft tissue defect in lower limb using vacuum-assisted wound closure device, as these wounds were not amenable for primary closure. After wound evaluation, thorough wound debridement was done. Vacuum-assisted wound closure dressing was applied once hemostasis was achieved. Dressings were changed as per protocol. After the development of healthy granulation tissue, wound coverage was achieved with skin graft or flaps. Mean age of patients was 9.455 years, ranging from 4 to 14 years. Early, healthy granulation tissue had formed in all patients. The average number of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressings required was 2.682. Average duration of VAC therapy was 8.045 days. The sizes of soft tissue defects reduced from an average 69.18 cm2 to 50.73 cm2 after VAC therapy with a mean decrease of 26.66%. There was no complication because of VAC therapy. Vacuum-assisted wound closure therapy accelerated the process of healthy granulation tissue formation, and thus shortened the healing time. VAC therapy lessens the morbidity and pain associated with large wounds in pediatric patients and brings cheer and smile in growing children.
Beyond Dravet Syndrome: Characterization of a Novel, More Severe SCN1A-Linked Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Beck Veronica C. , Hull Jacob M. , Isom Lori L.
Published: July 2019

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Prognostic Role of Admission C-Reactive Protein Level as a Predictor of In-Hospital Mortality in Type-A Acute Aortic Dissection: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hsieh Wan Chin , Henry Brandon Michael , Hsieh Chong Chao , Maruna Pavel , Omara Mohamed , Lindner Jaroslav
Published: June 2019

Background:

Acute aortic dissection (AD) is a lethal vascular disease, accounting for over 90% cases of acute aortic syndrome. Despite advances in understanding associated risk factors, the long-term prognosis for AD patients is still poor. Several prognostic biomarkers have been used for AD as per the IRAD, such as older age (>70 years), onset of chest pain and hypotension, but they are not effective in all patients. Instead, C-reactive protein (CRP) is a consistent inflammatory marker. CRP levels are abnormally increased in AD. However, the prognostic value of serum CRP level in AD remains unclear.

Objective:

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis (registration no CRD42017056205) to evaluate whether CRP is a biomarker associated with in-hospital mortality in type-A AD.

Methods:

PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, SciELO, and EMBASE were searched for papers published from January 2000 to October 2017 for studies on the prognostic role of CRP at admission in type-A AD patients. Outcome data were extracted and pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated.

Results:

18 (N = 2875 patients) studies met the inclusion criteria. Elevated CRP level was associated with a significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with type-A AD (HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06-1.25, p = 0.001). The pooled sensitivity of CRP in type-A AD patients was 77% (95% CI 69%–84%, p < 0.001), and the specificity was 72% (95% CI 66%–78%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Elevated CRP level is significantly associated with increased risks of in-hospital mortality in patients with type-A AD. CRP is a convenient prognostic factor in type-A AD patients.
Cultural Pedagogy and Transformative Learning: Reflections on Teaching in a Māori Environment in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: Napan Ksenija , Connor Helene , Toki Lynda
Published: July 2019

This article explores a synergy of inquiry-based learning and a cultural pedagogy within a Māori environment, the marae (communal meeting place) while using Academic Co-Creative Inquiry (ACCI), an innovative approach to teaching and learning which enables teachers and students to cocreate the content and the process of the course through personalized inquiries. Three areas form the focus of this article: an exploration of cultural pedagogy within a marae space, an ACCI process, and the culturally responsive Māori pedagogy of ako (teaching and learning). These three areas created a context for transformative learning. Authors reflect on how three academic women, two Māori and one Pākehā (person of European descent) each explored how the physical space of Ngākau Māhaki (name of the carved meeting house, meaning respectful heart) at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae (name of the marae complex) contributed to transformative teaching and learning processes.
Toward Full Integration of Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Case Study Research: Insights From Investigating Child Welfare Inequalities
Authors: Mason Will , Morris Kate , Webb Calum , Daniels Brigid , Featherstone Brid , Bywaters Paul , Mirza Nughmana , Hooper Jade , Brady Geraldine , Bunting Lisa , Scourfield Jonathon
Published: July 2019

Delineation of the full integration of quantitative and qualitative methods throughout all stages of multisite mixed methods case study projects remains a gap in the methodological literature. This article offers advances to the field of mixed methods by detailing the application and integration of mixed methods throughout all stages of one such project; a study of child welfare inequalities. By offering a critical discussion of site selection and the management of confirmatory, expansionary and discordant data, this article contributes to the limited body of mixed methods exemplars specific to this field. We propose that our mixed methods approach provided distinctive insights into a complex social problem, offering expanded understandings of the relationship between poverty, child abuse, and neglect.
Beam moment and shear force calculations using digital-camera experiments
Authors: Ju Shen Haw , Hsu Hsin Hsiang
Published: June 2019

This article presents an image-based method to find the beam moment and shear force using the measured beam displacements. A least-squares method is first developed to find the rotations and lateral displacements at beam ends using the measured displacements along the beam. Then, the moments and shear forces of this beam segment are obtained using the matrix formulation including shear deformation and large displacement effects. Two experimental schemes, image symbol dot and image-correlation methods, were used to validate the accuracy of the proposed scheme. The comparison of the results between the finite element analysis and the two methods shows acceptable accuracy. Although this method is mainly applied to the elastic region, one can still find the moment and shear force at the inelastic region using the equilibrium equation.
Gender-specific association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and arterial stiffness in an apparently healthy population undergoing a health examination
Authors: Yi Yihu , Zhou Lingyun , Zuo Shanru , Yin Wenjun , Li Daiyang , Wang Jianglin
Published: July 2019

Objective

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value has emerged as a cardiovascular prognostic marker. Although several recent studies suggested NLR was associated with arterial stiffness, it was still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between NLR and arterial stiffness by measuring of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in an apparently healthy population.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 5612 participants during the health examinations from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2011. Arterial stiffness was measured by baPWV. NLR was calculated as the ratio of the absolute neutrophil count to the absolute lymphocyte count in peripheral blood. According to the quartiles of NLR, the patients were categorized into four groups in males and females, respectively. Associations between NLR and baPWV were evaluated using partial correlation and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Both female and male subjects with increased arterial stiffness (baPWV ≥ 1400 cm/s) were likely to be older (females: P < 0.001, males: P < 0.001) and have higher systolic blood pressure (females: P < 0.001, males: P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (females: P < 0.001, males: P < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (females: P < 0.001, males: P < 0.001), serum total cholesterol (females: P < 0.001, males: P = 0.028), triglyceride (females: P < 0.001, males: P = 0.031), urea nitrogen (females: P < 0.001, males: P < 0.001) than those without increased arterial stiffness. In addition, compared to those without increased arterial stiffness, body mass index ( P < 0.001), waist circumference ( P < 0.001), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol ( P < 0.001), creatinine ( P < 0.001), uric acid ( P < 0.001) and lymphocytes ( P = 0.001) were higher in females with increased arterial stiffness. However, males with increased arterial stiffness had higher NLR value (2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 2.1 ± 0.9, P < 0.001) and neutrophils (4.3 ± 1.4 vs. 4.5 ± 1.5, P < 0.001) than those without increased arterial stiffness, while the difference was not found in females. ANCOVA showed that males with quartile 3 and quartile 4 of NLR had greater levels of baPWV. NLR was correlated to baPWV in males by partial correlation analysis (r = 0.110, P < 0.001), but not in females. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the quartile 4 of NLR was positively associated with increased arterial stiffness in males (OR = 1.43, 95% confidence intervals [CI]=1.12–1.82, P = 0.004), but there was no obvious correlation in females.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that there is a gender difference in the relationship between arterial stiffness and NLR. After adjusting for other confounders, the risk of increased arterial stiffness in apparently healthy adult males (rather than females) is independently associated with the highest quartile of NLR.
Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Conway Allan Marc , Qato Khalil , Anand Gautam , Mondry Laurie , Giangola Gary , Carroccio Alfio
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Marfan syndrome patients are at risk for aortic degeneration. Repair is traditionally performed with open surgery as this is deemed more durable. Endovascular aneurysm repair remains controversial. We report on the outcomes of Marfan syndrome patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair.

Methods

The Vascular Quality Initiative registry identified 35,889 patients, including 29 with Marfan syndrome, treated with endovascular aneurysm repair from January 2003 to December 2017. Outcomes were analyzed per the Society for Vascular Surgery reporting standards.

Results

Median age was 70.0 years (IQR, 57.0–75.0), and 22 (75.9%) were male. Median aneurysm diameter was 5.3 cm (IQR, 4.9–6.3 cm), with an aortic neck length and diameter of 2.0 cm (IQR, 1.6–2.8 cm) and 2.5 cm (IQR, 2.2–2.8 cm), respectively. Twenty-one (72.4%) patients were asymptomatic, seven (24.1%) symptomatic, and one (3.4%) presented with rupture. Ten (34.5%) patients had prior aortic surgery. Six (20.7%) were unfit for open surgical repair. Length of stay was 2.0 days (IQR, 1.0–3.0 days). Percutaneous femoral access was performed in 15 (51.7%) patients with no complications. A type IA endoleak was present in one (3.4%), type IB in one (3.4%), and type II endoleak in two (6.9%) patients. There were no postoperative pulmonary, cardiac, or neurological complications. In-hospital mortality occurred in one (3.4%) patient who presented with a rupture and had been deemed unfit for open repair. A conversion to open repair was required. The patient expired on post-operative day 0. Early clinical success was achieved in 26 (89.7%) patients. Follow-up was available for 15 (51.7%) patients at a median time of 766 days (IQR, 653–937). There were no reinterventions or mortalities. Change in sac diameter was −0.6 cm (IQR, −1.1 to −0.2 cm), with no type I or III endoleaks.

Discussion

Endovascular aneurysm repair for patients with Marfan syndrome is feasible, and can be performed safely. Mid-term outcomes suggest this technique is durable. More robust long-term follow-up is needed.
Hybrid chaos-based particle swarm optimization-ant colony optimization algorithm with asynchronous pheromone updating strategy for path planning of landfill inspection robots
Authors: Chen Peng , Li Qing , Zhang Chao , Cui Jiarui , Zhou Hao
Published: July 2019

Robots are coming to help us in different harsh environments such as deep sea or coal mine. Waste landfill is the place like these with casualty risk, gas poisoning, and explosion hazards. It is reasonable to use robots to fulfill tasks like burying operation, transportation, and inspection. In these assignments, one important issue is to obtain appropriate paths for robots especially in some complex applications. In this context, a novel hybrid swarm intelligence algorithm, ant colony optimization enhanced by chaos-based particle swarm optimization, is proposed in this article to deal with the path planning problem for landfill inspection robots in Asahikawa, Japan. In chaos-based particle swarm optimization, Chebyshev chaotic sequence is used to generate the random factors for particle swarm optimization updating formula so as to effectively adjust particle swarm optimization parameters. This improved model is applied to optimize and determine the hyper parameters for ant colony optimization. In addition, an improved pheromone updating strategy which combines the global asynchronous feature and “Elitist Strategy” is employed in ant colony optimization in order to use global information more appropriately. Therefore, the iteration number of ant colony optimization invoked by chaos-based particle swarm optimization can be reduced reasonably so as to decrease the search time effectively. Comparative simulation experiments show that the chaos-based particle swarm optimization-ant colony optimization has a rapid search speed and can obtain solutions with similar qualities.
Composition of cooling load formed by non-transparent envelopes of a common office building under air-conditioning intermittent operation
Authors: Meng Xi , Shi Xinyu , Gao Yanna , Luo Tao
Published: July 2019

Under air-conditioning intermittent operation, interior envelopes become the quasi-exterior ones of a partial room and thereby may cause the specified heat loss. However, it is unknown for the heat transfer capacity rate of interior envelopes in the room heat loss, which is of vital significance on the optimization direction of envelopes. To analyze the cooling load composition formed by non-transparent envelopes, an office building was chosen and inner surface heat flows in the studied room were measured under the different intermittent groups of air-conditioning in the adjacent rooms, and combined with the envelop area and heat flow values, the heat transfer capacity through the different envelops could be gained. The results showed that the air-conditioning operation in the adjacent rooms had a large effect on the heat transfer capacities, and the higher the room area, the more remarkable the air-conditioning operation in the adjacent rooms. The average heat transfer capacity rate of the exterior envelope was 21%–35% for room with two exterior walls and only 7%–10% for room with one exterior wall, which were much lower than those of the interior envelopes. It showed that thermal performance of the interior envelopes should be paid more attention to under air-conditioning intermittent operation.
Acquired Hemicerebral Atrophy Secondary to Chronic Internal Carotid Steno-Occlusive Disease: A Case Series
Authors: Vitt Jeffrey R. , Hamedani Ali G. , Horn Sarah , Gannon Kimberly P. , Price Raymond S. , Greene Maxwell
Published: July 2019

Cerebral atrophy is a common finding in elderly patients; however, cerebrovascular disease causing progressive focal cerebral atrophy and dysfunction is unusual. In this report, we present 3 cases of hemicerebral atrophy due to ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or occlusion mimicking neurodegenerative conditions. Patient 1 had a frontal dysexecutive syndrome potentially consistent with a diagnosis of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia; however, neuroimaging revealed a chronically occluded left ICA and a pattern of atrophy restricted to the left middle cerebral artery territory, suggestive of a vascular etiology. Patient 2 presented with progressively worsening seizures and right-sided weakness consistent with left hemispheric dysfunction, with radiographic evidence of left hemicerebral atrophy. Angiography revealed a chronic dissection of the left ICA leading to left cerebral hypoperfusion. Patient 3 had asymmetric parkinsonism, alien limb, and cognitive impairment consistent with a diagnosis of corticobasal syndrome. His imaging, however, revealed atrophy and encephalomalacia within the anterior circulation watershed territories with chronic, severe stenosis of the left ICA suggestive of a chronic hypoperfused state. In this case series, we report 3 examples of hemicerebral atrophy secondary to chronic ipsilateral ICA vascular disease with diverse progressive clinical symptoms mimicking primary neurodegenerative conditions. This case series highlights the importance of considering chronic hypoperfusion and large-vessel severe stenosis or occlusion in patients with cognitive impairment and evidence of asymmetric brain atrophy. In addition to symptomatic treatment, the management of vascular risk factors including treatment with antiplatelet agents, statins, and revascularization procedures can be considered.
Valuing children’s voices across diverse global contexts: A gallery exhibit of children’s multimodal art
Authors: Streelasky Jodi
Published: June 2019

This article describes an international classroom partnership with twenty-eight 5-to 7-year-old Canadian and Tanzanian children, and outlines the meaningful ways they were involved in the research process. In this project, the children shared their valued school-based experiences and environments through multiple self-chosen modes. The children’s arts-based multimodal texts, descriptions of their valued school experiences and environments, and their personal biographies were then shared at a 2-week exhibit at a national art gallery in Canada. The findings across both data sets revealed the children’s interest in spending time outdoors in their local contexts, engaging in collaborative and imaginative play. This project also addresses the importance of providing a space for children to share their perspectives, which aligns with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Child. Article 12 addresses the importance of children having a right to have a voice and to have their opinions heard in matters that affect them. Article 13 is also highlighted in this project and outlines children’s right to freedom of expression. This right includes the freedom ‘to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice’. In this project, the Canadian and Tanzanian children’s multimodal texts of their valued school-based experiences revealed more similarities than differences in relation to what learning experiences mattered to them at school. During this project, the children in both contexts became interested and invested in their international peers’ lives and school-based experiences, and felt a sense of connectedness and kinship across the globe.
Drawing: A novel approach to understanding appearance change in people following treatment for head and neck cancer
Authors: Harding Sam , Bradford John
Published: July 2019

Objectives:

Appearance is a factor within head and neck cancer health-related quality of life measures; however, the issue of self-perceived appearance has received scant attention. Self-portraiture may provide insight into the patient’s perspective, allowing people to provide viewpoints that are not easily accessible. This research investigates the methodology of drawing and responses from patient-completed questionnaires in a head and neck cancer population.

Methods:

A sample of 30 people at least 3 months post-treatment for head and neck cancer were recruited. Participants completed the Derriford Appearance Scale, University of Washington Quality of Life scale, and two drawings: (1) how they recall themselves pre-treatment and (2) how they see themselves post-treatment. They were asked to discuss the methodology and their experience of it.

Results:

Correlations with Derriford Appearance Scale, University of Washington Quality of Life scale, and size drawings failed to find relationships between these variables. Post-treatment drawings were significantly smaller than pre-treatment. Qualitative analysis of the drawings found differences between the images. Participants related how drawing gave an opportunity to voice concerns that questionnaires and clinic appointments did not.

Conclusion:

Drawing can elicit distinctly different information about a person following treatment for head and neck cancer than that provided by health-related quality of life measures. Further research would clarify if clinical opinion matches patients’ drawing.
Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking malignant tumor: three case reports
Authors: Zurek Munk-Madsen Maria , Zakarian Kristine , Sandor Oturai Peter , Hansen Carsten Palnæs , Federspiel Birgitte , Fallentin Eva , Linno Willemoe Gro
Published: June 2019

Intrapancreatic hypervascular lesions may represent metastases, neuroendocrine tumors, or intrapancreatic accessory spleens. The benign intrapancreatic accessory spleen can be difficult to separate from a malignant neuroendocrine tumor or metastasis. We report three cases of pancreatic lesions that underwent pancreatic surgery due to suspicion of malignancy on imaging; all cases were histologically intrapancreatic accessory spleens. Our cases point to the importance of performing single-photon emission computed tomography with heat-damaged Tc-99m-pertechnetate labelled erythrocytes to identify splenic tissue, even though small lesions can show a false-negative result.
School Counselor Experiences of Response to Intervention With English Learners
Authors: Johnson Leonissa V. , Shell E Mackenzie , Tuttle Malti , Groce LaVonna
Published: June 2019

Although school counselors participate in response to intervention (RTI), little research describes the unique opportunities and challenges encountered in RTI with English learners (ELs). This phenomenological study explored the experiences of school counselors engaging in RTI for ELs. The researchers identified three themes: (a) key stakeholders impacting RTI for ELs, (b) school counselors advocating for ELs in RTI, and (c) challenges distinguishing language from learning. We include implications for school counseling practice and research.
Biosphere Reserves of India: Issues of Conservation and Conflict
Authors: Kumar Umesh
Published: June 2019

The biosphere reserves (BRs) of India are the repository of biodiversity as well as the abode of many traditional societies. Such traditional societies derive many of their livelihood requirements from the rich biodiversity around them. All the more, the BRs also contribute to food security of the people within their premises. Many of the forest-linked activities of the traditional societies are mediated through rich traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Unfortunately, while the issues of biodiversity have been addressed at length, the cultural diversity has been relegated to the point of oblivion. The BR management, therefore, necessitates understanding not only of ecological issues, but also socio-economic and cultural issues linked with the former. The present article looks into the development of the concept of BR and issues related with it in general terms and with respect to India in particular. It also ponders over the measures to reduce pressure on BR resources.