bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fetal–Maternal Intra-action
Authors: Yoshizawa Rebecca Scott
Published: September 2016

Extensively employed in reproductive science, the term fetal–maternal interface describes how maternal and fetal tissues interact in the womb to produce the transient placenta, purporting a theory of pregnancy where ‘mother’, ‘fetus’, and ‘placenta’ are already-separate entities. However, considerable scientific evidence supports a different theory, which is also elaborated in feminist and new materialist literatures. Informed by interviews with placenta scientists as well as secondary sources on placental immunology and the developmental origins of health and disease, I explore evidence not of interfacing during pregnancy, but of intra-action, or the mutual emergence of entities in simultaneous practices of differentiation and connection. I argue that attending to evidence that can be figured as intra-action enables us to recognize, account for, and attend to diffuse responsibilities for fetal–maternal outcomes that extend beyond mothers to the biosocial milieus of pregnancy. In reimaging the intra-action of placentas, a new understanding of what constitutes a ‘healthy pregnancy’ becomes possible.
Wireless Heart Patients and the Quantified Self
Authors: Grew Julie Christina , Svendsen Mette Nordahl
Published: September 2016

Remote monitoring of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients links patients wirelessly to the clinic via a box in their bedroom. The box transmits data from the ICD to a remote database accessible to clinicians without patient involvement. Data travel across time and space; clinicians can monitor patients from a distance and instantly know about cardiac events. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in two Danish hospitals, this article explores the configuration of the wireless ICD patient by following a number of patients through hospitalisation, implantation, in-clinic follow-up, and remote monitoring. Wireless therapy, we argue, scripts the patient as data. In high-tech clinical encounters, data are enacted as extensions and copies of the patient, and even proxies that, in patients’ experiences, may turn into identity thieves. In illuminating the multiple positions that data take in such clinical encounters and in patients’ experiences we discuss the ambiguities that arise when patients go wireless.
Sharing, households and sustainable consumption
Authors: Yates Luke
Published: September 2016

Recently, economists and environmental scientists have problematised households, showing that their reducing size in average number of inhabitants has implications for environmental sustainability due to losses in economies of scale. Findings suggest that resources are shared better when people live together. This article analyses this common domestic consumption, drawing on literature about households, sharing and sustainable consumption. It is argued that multiple-person households apportion the resources involved in supplying practices through three modes of sharing: successive sharing, simultaneous sharing and shared/divided work. These are underpinned and enabled by standard material arrangements of households, in which a minimum of certain goods and services are available to residents regardless of number. Exemplifying the perspective, I examine recent survey data relating to meals and domestic laundry, two sociologically significant and resource-intensive spheres of domestic activity, paying attention to differences across one-person and multiple-person households. Modes of sharing, it is argued, also surfeit the domestic sphere, with market, state and household infrastructures playing contextually variable roles in provisioning goods and services among populations.
Optimal Cutoff Scores for Alzheimer’s Disease Using the Chinese Version of Mini-Mental State Examination Among Chinese Population Living in Rural Areas
Authors: Yang Zhao , Holt Hunter K. , Fan Jin-Hu , Ma Li , Liu Ying , Chen Wen , Como Peter , Zhang Lin , Qiao You-Lin
Published: September 2016

To explore the optimal cutoff score for initial detection of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) through the Chinese version of Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE) in rural areas in China, we conducted a cross-sectional study within the Linxian General Population Nutritional Follow-up study. 16,488 eligible cohort members participated in the survey and 881 completed the CMMSE. Among 881 participants, the median age (Interquartile range) was 69.00 (10.00), 634 (71.92%) were female, 657 (74.57%) were illiterate, 35 (3.97%) had 6 years of education or higher, and 295 (33.48%) were diagnosed with AD. By reducing the CMMSE criteria for illiterate to 16 points, primary school to 19 points, and middle school or higher to 23 points, the efficiency of Chinese version of Mini-Mental State Examination can be significantly improved for initial detection of AD in rural areas in China, especially in those nutrition deficient areas.
An Education Intervention to Enhance Staff Self-Efficacy to Provide Dementia Care in an Acute Care Hospital in Canada
Authors: Schindel Martin Lori , Gillies Leslie , Coker Esther , Pizzacalla Anne , Montemuro Maureen , Suva Grace , McLelland Victoria
Published: September 2016

Education is needed for enhanced capacity of acute hospitals to provide dementia care. A nonrandomized controlled, repeated-measures design was used to evaluate a dementia education program delivered to an intervention group (IG, n = 468), compared to a wait-listed group (n = 277), representing separate sites of a multisite hospital. Participants completed self-efficacy for dementia and satisfaction measures and provided written descriptions of dementia care collected at baseline, postintervention (IG only), and at 8-week follow-up. Oral narratives were gathered from IG participants 8 weeks postintervention. The IG demonstrated significant improvement in self-efficacy scores from baseline to immediately postintervention ( P < .001), sustained at 8 weeks. There were no changes from baseline to 8 weeks postintervention evident in the wait-listed group ( P = .21). Intervention group participants described positive impacts including implementation of person-centered care approaches. Implementation of dementia care education programs throughout hospital settings is promising for the enhancement of dementia care.
An improved model for joint segmentation and registration based on linear curvature smoother
Authors: Ibrahim Mazlinda , Chen Ke , Rada Lavdie
Published: September 2016

Image segmentation and registration are two of the most challenging tasks in medical imaging. They are closely related because both tasks are often required simultaneously. In this article, we present an improved variational model for a joint segmentation and registration based on active contour without edges and the linear curvature model. The proposed model allows large deformation to occur by solving in this way the difficulties other jointly performed segmentation and registration models have in case of encountering multiple objects into an image or their highly dependence on the initialisation or the need for a pre-registration step, which has an impact on the segmentation results. Through different numerical results, we show that the proposed model gives correct registration results when there are different features inside the object to be segmented or features that have clear boundaries but without fine details in which the old model would not be able to cope.
Parodic intertextuality in the Taiwanese idol drama
Authors: Wang W Michelle
Published: September 2016

In this article, I examine the recent proliferation of parodic intertextuality in Taiwanese idol dramas and suggest that it functions to interrogate genre issues in Taiwanese television production by foregrounding author–audience relations. Using six case studies from three Taiwanese idol dramas, KO One, KO One Re-Act and Fabulous Boys, I propose that the idol drama uses parody not only to comedic ends but further serves to implicitly critique dominant modes of Taiwanese television through what Mittell calls ‘genre mixing’.
Emerging role of ivabradine for rate control in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Turley Sarah L. , Francis Kerry E. , Lowe Denise K. , Cahoon William D.
Published: September 2016

Control of ventricular rate is recommended for patients with paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Existing rate-control options, including beta-blockers, nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, and digoxin, are limited by adverse hemodynamic effects and their ability to attain target heart rate (HR). Ivabradine, a novel HR-controlling agent, decreases HR through deceleration of conduction through If (‘funny’) channels, and is approved for HR reduction in heart failure patients with ejection fraction less than 35% and elevated HR, despite optimal pharmacological treatment. Because If channels were thought to be expressed solely in sinoatrial (SA) nodal tissue, ivabradine was not investigated in heart failure patients with concomitant AF. Subsequent identification of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel 4 (HCN4), the primary gene responsible for If current expression throughout the myocardium, stimulated interest in the potential role of ivabradine for ventricular rate control in AF. Preclinical studies of ivabradine in animal models with induced AF demonstrated a reduction in HR, with no significant worsening of QT interval or mean arterial pressure. Preliminary human data suggest that ivabradine provides HR reduction without associated hemodynamic complications in patients with AF. Questions remain regarding efficacy, safety, optimal dosing, and length of therapy in these patients. Prospective, randomized studies are needed to determine if ivabradine has a role as a rate-control treatment in patients with AF.
Extremism in survey measures of ideology
Authors: Jordan Soren , Ferguson Grant
Published: September 2016

Research on mass political behavior relies extensively on ideology scales. The majority of political science surveys use a unique, and potentially problematic, word to anchor the endpoints of these scales (“extremely”). However, political science has surprisingly little evidence on the effects of using this anchor over others. We utilize an older, but ignored, survey experiment on the 1989 American National Election Study (ANES) Pilot Study to analyze the consequences of the choice between using “very” or “extremely” endpoint labels. Theoretically, our results illustrate how a seemingly negative question anchor helps optimally measure a key concept (ideology) that is fundamental to understanding phenomena such as mass polarization.
The Use of MoCA and Other Cognitive Tests in Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Patients Undergoing Arthroplasty
Authors: Puustinen Jukka , Luostarinen Liisa , Luostarinen Markku , Pulliainen Veijo , Huhtala Heini , Soini Marjo , Suhonen Jaana
Published: September 2016

Objective:

To examine the prevalence and effect of cognitive impairment on treatment outcomes in elderly patients undergoing arthroplasty and to describe the feasibility of cognitive tests.

Materials and Methods:

The participants were 52 patients with a mean age of 78 years 11 months (SD: 3.3), waiting for primary arthroplasty. We translated Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) into Finnish and compared it with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Mini-Cog, and clock-drawing tests prior to and 3 months after the surgery. The ability to perform activities of daily living, depression, quality of life, and years of education were evaluated.

Results:

The mean MoCA score on the first visit was 20.7 (SD: 4.1). The pre- and postoperative cognitive tests implied there were no changes in cognitive functioning. Unambiguous delirium was detected in 6 patients. Delirium was not systematically assessed and consequently hypoactive delirium cases were possibly missed. Both MMSE and Mini-Cog found 3/6 of those and clock drawing and MoCA 6/6. Low preoperative MoCA, MMSE, and Mini-Cog scores predicted follow-up treatment in health-care center hospitals ( P = .02, .011, and .044, respectively). During the 5-year follow-up period, 11/52 patients died. Higher education was the only variable associated with survival. The survivors had attained the median of 8 (range: 4-19) years of education compared with 6 (range: 4-8) years among the deceased.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of cognitive impairment among older patients presenting for arthroplasty is high and mostly undiagnosed. It is feasible to use the MoCA to identify cognitive impairment preoperatively in this group. The clock-drawing test was abnormal in all patients with postoperative delirium, which could be used as a screening test. Higher education predicted survival on a 5-year follow-up period.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Young Adult Presenting as Hepatitis and Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Heincelman Marc , Karakala Nithin , Rockey Don C.
Published: September 2016

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults is a relatively rare malignancy. The typical presentation includes signs and symptoms associated with bone marrow failure, including fevers, infections, fatigue, and excessive bruising. In this article, we report an unusual systemic presentation of ALL in a previously healthy 18-year-old man. He initially presented with several-day history of nausea and vomiting, 10-pound weight loss, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain with evidence of acute hepatocellular liver injury (elevations in aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase) and elevation in serum creatinine. Further history revealed that he just joined the Marine Corp; in preparation, he had been lifting weights and taking protein and creatine supplements. A complete serological evaluation for liver disease was negative and creatine phosphokinase was normal. His aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase declined, and he was discharged with expected improvement. However, he returned one week later with continued symptoms and greater elevation of aminotransferases. Liver biopsy was nondiagnostic, revealing scattered portal and lobular inflammatory cells (primarily lymphocytes) felt to be consistent with drug-induced liver injury or viral hepatitis. Given his elevated creatinine, unresponsive to aggressive volume expansion, a kidney biopsy was performed, revealing normal histology. He subsequently developed an extensive left lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. Given his deep venous thrombosis, his peripheral blood was sent for flow cytometry, which revealed lymphoblasts. Bone marrow biopsy revealed 78% blasts with markers consistent with acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. This report emphasizes that right upper quadrant abdominal pain with liver test abnormalities may be the initial presentation of a systemic illness such as ALL.
Perception of Interaural Phase Differences With Envelope and Fine Structure Coding Strategies in Bilateral Cochlear Implant Users
Authors: Zirn Stefan , Arndt Susan , Aschendorff Antje , Laszig Roland , Wesarg Thomas
Published: September 2016

The ability to detect a target signal masked by noise is improved in normal-hearing listeners when interaural phase differences (IPDs) between the ear signals exist either in the masker or in the signal. To improve binaural hearing in bilaterally implanted cochlear implant (BiCI) users, a coding strategy providing the best possible access to IPD is highly desirable. In this study, we compared two coding strategies in BiCI users provided with CI systems from MED-EL (Innsbruck, Austria). The CI systems were bilaterally programmed either with the fine structure processing strategy FS4 or with the constant rate strategy high definition continuous interleaved sampling (HDCIS). Familiarization periods between 6 and 12 weeks were considered. The effect of IPD was measured in two types of experiments: (a) IPD detection thresholds with tonal signals addressing mainly one apical interaural electrode pair and (b) with speech in noise in terms of binaural speech intelligibility level differences (BILD) addressing multiple electrodes bilaterally. The results in (a) showed improved IPD detection thresholds with FS4 compared with HDCIS in four out of the seven BiCI users. In contrast, 12 BiCI users in (b) showed similar BILD with FS4 (0.6 ± 1.9 dB) and HDCIS (0.5 ± 2.0 dB). However, no correlation between results in (a) and (b) both obtained with FS4 was found. In conclusion, the degree of IPD sensitivity determined on an apical interaural electrode pair was not an indicator for BILD based on bilateral multielectrode stimulation.
The economic effects of supporting tuberculosis-affected households in Peru
Authors: Wingfield Tom , Tovar Marco A. , Huff Doug , Boccia Delia , Montoya Rosario , Ramos Eric , Lewis James J. , Gilman Robert H. , Evans Carlton A.
Published: September 2016

The End TB Strategy mandates that no tuberculosis (TB)-affected households face catastrophic costs due to TB. However, evidence is limited to evaluate socioeconomic support to achieve this change in policy and practice. The objective of the present study was to investigate the economic effects of a TB-specific socioeconomic intervention.

The setting was 32 shantytown communities in Peru. The participants were from households of consecutive TB patients throughout TB treatment administered by the national TB programme. The intervention consisted of social support through household visits and community meetings, and economic support through cash transfers conditional upon TB screening in household contacts, adhering to TB treatment/chemoprophylaxis and engaging with social support. Data were collected to assess TB-affected household costs. Patient interviews were conducted at treatment initiation and then monthly for 6 months.

From February 2014 to June 2015, 312 households were recruited, of which 135 were randomised to receive the intervention. Cash transfer total value averaged US$173 (3.5% of TB-affected households' average annual income) and mitigated 20% of households' TB-related costs. Households randomised to receive the intervention were less likely to incur catastrophic costs (30% (95% CI 22–38%)versus42% (95% CI 34–51%)). The mitigation impact was higher among poorer households.

The TB-specific socioeconomic intervention reduced catastrophic costs and was accessible to poorer households. Socioeconomic support and mitigating catastrophic costs are integral to the End TB strategy, and our findings inform implementation of these new policies.
Profiling nitric oxide metabolites in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Zhang Rui , Wang Xiao-Jian , Zhang Hong-Da , Sun Xiao-Qing , Zhao Qin-Hua , Wang Lan , He Jing , Jiang Xin , Liu Jin-Ming , Jing Zhi-Cheng
Published: September 2016

Intact nitric oxide (NO) signalling is critical to maintaining appropriate pulmonary vascular tone. NO bioavailability is reduced in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. This study aimed to examine the impact of NO plasma metabolites (NOx) relative to haemodynamic dysfunction and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).

A total of 104 consecutive adult IPAH patients who had undergone genetic counselling when first diagnosed were enrolled in this prospective study.

The median concentration of NOx (μmol·L−1) was significantly lower in IPAH patients compared with healthy subjects, and was decreased further in 19 carriers of the bone morphogenetic protein-receptor type-2 (BMPR2) mutation compared to non-carriers. Reduced concentrations of NOx were correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and cardiac output. Compared with higher baseline NOx concentrations, patients with a NOx concentration of ≤10 μmol·L−1had a markedly worse survival. After adjustment for clinical features, aBMPR2mutation and haemodynamics, a lower NOx level remained an increased risk of mortality.

Patients with IPAH had lower levels of plasma NOx, which correlated inversely with mPAP, PVR and survival. Plasma NOx may be an important biomarker and prognostic indicator, suggesting that reduced NO synthesis contributes to the pathogenesis of IPAH.
Surgical lung biopsy for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in England: 1997–2008
Authors: Hutchinson John P. , McKeever Tricia M. , Fogarty Andrew W. , Navaratnam Vidya , Hubbard Richard B.
Published: September 2016

International guidelines and new targeted therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have increased the need for accurate diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD), which may lead to more surgical lung biopsies. This study aimed to assess the risk of this procedure in patients from the UK.

We used Hospital Episodes Statistics data from 1997 to 2008 to assess the frequency of surgical lung biopsy for ILD in England, UK. We identified cardiothoracic surgical patients using International Classification of Diseases revision 10 codes for ILD and Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Classification of Interventions and Procedures version 4 codes for surgical lung biopsy. We excluded those with lung resections or lung cancer. We estimated in-hospital, 30-day and 90-day mortality following the procedure, and linked to cause of death using data from the UK Office of National Statistics.

We identified 2820 patients with ILD undergoing surgical lung biopsy during the 12-year period. The number of biopsies increased over the time period studied. In-hospital, 30-day and 90-day mortality were 1.7%, 2.4% and 3.9%, respectively. Male sex, increasing age, increasing comorbidity and open surgery were risk factors for mortality.

Surgical lung biopsy for ILD has a similar mortality to lobectomy for lung cancer, and clinicians and patients should understand the likely risks involved.
Modeling of frequency-domain elastic-wave equation with an average-derivative optimal method
Authors: Chen Jing-Bo , Cao Jian
Published: September 2016

Based on an average-derivative method, we developed a new nine-point numerical scheme for a frequency-domain elastic-wave equation. Compared with the classic nine-point scheme, this scheme reduces the required number of grid points per wavelength for equal and unequal directional spacings. The reduction in the number of grid points increases as the Poisson’s ratio becomes larger. In particular, as the Poisson’s ratio reaches 0.5, the numerical S-wave phase velocity of this new scheme becomes zero, whereas the classical scheme produces spurious numerical S-wave phase velocity. Numerical examples demonstrate that this new scheme produces more accurate results than the classical scheme at approximately the same computational cost.
Multiparameter estimation with acoustic vertical transverse isotropic full-waveform inversion of surface seismic data
Authors: Cheng Xin , Jiao Kun , Sun Dong , Vigh Denes
Published: September 2016

Obtaining accurate depth-migrated images demands an anisotropic representation of the earth. As a prominent tool for building high-resolution earth models, full-waveform inversion (FWI) therefore must not only account for anisotropy during wavefield simulation but also reconstruct the anisotropy fields. We have developed an inversion strategy to perform acoustic multiparameter FWI of surface seismic data in transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry (VTI). During the early era of FWI practice, most studies only invert for the most dominant parameter, that is, the vertical velocity, and the rest of the model parameters are either ignored or kept constant. Recently, more and more emphases focus on inverting for more parameters, such as for the vertical velocity and the anisotropy fields; these are referred to as multiparameter inversion. Due to the dominant influence of the vertical velocity on the kinematics of surface seismic data, we have developed a hierarchical approach to invert for the vertical velocity first, but we kept the anisotropy fields unchanged and only switched to joint inversion of the vertical velocity and the anisotropy fields when the inversion for the vertical velocity approaches convergence. In addition, we have illustrated the necessity of incorporating the diving and reflection energy during inversion to mitigate the nonuniqueness of the solutions caused by the coupling between the vertical velocity and the anisotropy fields. We also demonstrate the success of our method for VTI FWI using synthetic and real data examples based on marine surface seismic acquisition. Our results show that incorporation of multiparameter anisotropy inversion produced better focused migration images.
Tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis), a novel non-obese animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zhang Linqiang , Wu Xiaoyun , Liao Shasha , Li Yunhai , Zhang Zhiguo , Chang Qing , Xiao Ruyue , Liang Bin
Published: September 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a severe public health problem that is affecting a large proportion of the world population. Generally, NAFLD in patients is usually accompanied by obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), for which numerous animal models have been generated in order to explore the pathogenesis and therapies of NAFLD. On the contrary, quite a number of NAFLD subjects, especially in Asian regions, are non-obese and non-diabetic; however, few animal models are available for the research of non-obese NAFLD. Here, four approaches (here called approach 1 to 4) corresponding to the variable compositions of diets were used to treat tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis), which have a closer evolutionary relationship to primates than rodents. Analysis of plasma biochemical parameters, hepatic histology, and the expression of hepatic lipid metabolic genes revealed that all four approaches led to hepatic lipid accumulation, liver injury and hypercholesterolemia, but had no effect on body weight and adipose tissue generation, or glycemia. Hepatic gene expression in tree shrews treated by approach 4 might suggest a different or non-canonical pathway leading to hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, the tree shrew displays hepatic steatosis and dyslipidemia, but remains non-obese and non-diabetic under high energy diets, which suggests that the tree shrew may be useful as a novel animal model for the research of human non-obese NAFLD.
ARiBo pull-down for riboproteomic studies based on label-free quantitative mass spectrometry
Authors: Di Tomasso Geneviève , Miller Jenkins Lisa M. , Legault Pascale
Published: September 2016

As part of their normal life cycle, most RNA molecules associate with several proteins that direct their fate and regulate their function. Here, we describe a novel method for identifying proteins that associate with a target RNA. The procedure is based on the ARiBo method for affinity purification of RNA, which was originally developed to quickly purify RNA with high yields and purity under native conditions. The ARiBo method was further optimized using in vitro transcribed RNA to capture RNA-associating proteins from cellular extracts with high yields and low background protein contamination. For these RNA pull-downs, stem–loops present in the immature forms of let-7 miRNAs (miRNA stem–loops) were used as the target RNAs. Label-free quantitative mass spectrometry analysis allowed for the reliable identification of proteins that are specific to the stem–loops present in the immature forms of two miRNAs, let-7a-1 and let-7g. Several proteins known to bind immature forms of these let-7 miRNAs were identified, but with an improved coverage compared to previous studies. In addition, several novel proteins were identified that better define the protein interactome of the let-7 miRNA stem–loops and further link let-7 biogenesis to important biological processes such as development and tumorigenesis. Thus, combining the ARiBo pull-down method with label-free quantitative mass spectrometry provides an effective proteomic approach for identification of proteins that associate with a target RNA.
THE METHOD OF REAL BOUNDARY PROBLEMS DEVELOPING THE REAL BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Authors: Котов  , Kotov P.
Published: September 2016

An efficient solution to the real equation of heat transfer with deterministic disturbance and informative method of the basic initial-boundary value problems for the unsteady heat propagation with measurable initial and boundary conditions.
ALGORITHMS FOR QUANTITATIVE SECURITY ASSESSMENT OF AUTOMATED SYSTEMS BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS
Authors: Никитин  , Nikitin A. , Дровникова  , Drovnikova I. , Рогозин  , Rogozin E. , Шагиров  , Shagirov T.
Published: September 2016

Presents algorithms for calculating the quantitative criterion of security of the automated systems (AS) and the effectiveness of the systems of information protection from unauthorized access (GIS LMI) in these systems, implement early times-robotany mathematical model of identification and evaluation of quantitative criteria the AS security based on the requirements of GOST R ISO/IEC 15408-2-2013. Developed by algorithms are an integral part of the system is automatically bundled design (CAD) GIS LMI AC.
ABOUT A BALANCED HOLISTIC AND ACTUALLY A POSSIBLE MODEL OF MACROECONOMIC SYSTEM
Authors: Владимиров  , Vladimirov S.
Published: September 2016

The author´s model, which is close to the interpretation of econophysical" direction leniyu in modern economic theory (the Carnot cycle in the thermodynamic) resulting economic system specific amount of public expenditure and investments always result in the ideal case ("zero-loss" maximum mally possible social efficiency of public spending and investments) to the maximum possible rate of economic growth. The result of the model developed by the author of a balanced open economy is to overcome the barrier of the alleged lack of economic system of quantitative constants, so it is very different from the physical systems (with full awareness of the limitations of its author: irreducibility public the progress of human development to increase income or augmenting material wealth, economic growth). Holistic macroeconomic model proposed above, following the introduction of her in the preparation, negotiation, approval and implementation of the budget analysis relevant government authorities allow, in our opinion "sighted", and not blindly justify the scientific and strictly control the effectiveness of direction tions of macroeconomic development, their deviation from ideal.
Editorial—On the Intellectual Structure and Evolution of ISR
Authors: Agarwal Ritu
Published: September 2016

Scholars within fields frequently introspect about the evolution of their research disciplines, asking if the discipline is developing a cumulative research tradition, influencing scholarly work in other fields, and expanding its boundaries. In this spirit, I examine the intellectual structure and evolution of one disciplinary journal, ISR, over the most recent four-year period (2012–2015). I use a census of citation data and classify journals citing ISR and cited by ISR into the disciplines they represent. Analyzing 12,833 citations to ISR from 100 journals, and 7,731 citations from ISR to papers published in 67 journals I find that, consistent with prior studies, ISR reflects the multidisciplinarity of the information systems (IS) discipline, its boundaries are expanding to include new disciplines, and the journal draws extensively on other IS journals. I raise some questions for further introspection about the impact and visibility of IS research.
Cut-Generating Functions for Integer Variables
Authors: Yıldız Sercan , Cornuéjols Gérard
Published: September 2016

For an integer linear program, Gomory’s corner relaxation is obtained by ignoring the nonnegativity of the basic variables in a tableau formulation. In this paper, we do not relax these nonnegativity constraints. We generalize a classical result of Gomory and Johnson characterizing minimal cut-generating functions in terms of subadditivity, symmetry, and periodicity. Our result is based on the notion of generalized symmetry condition. We also prove a 2-slope theorem for extreme cut-generating functions in our setting, in the spirit of the 2-slope theorem of Gomory and Johnson.
Hip fracture litigation: A 10-year review of NHS Litigation Authority data and the effect of national guidelines
Authors: Fanous R , Sabharwal S , Altaie A , Gupte CM , Reilly P
Published: September 2016

We present a review evaluating all litigation claims relating to hip fractures made in a 10-year period between 2005 and 2015. Data was obtained from the NHS Litigation Authority through a freedom of information request. All claims relating to hip fractures were reviewed. During the period analysed, 216 claims were made, of which 148 were successful (69%). The total cost of settling these claims was in excess of £5 million. The introduction of a best-practice tariff by the Department of Health in 2010 was designed to improve the quality of care for hip fracture patients. This was followed by guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2011 and the British Orthopaedic Association in 2012. We analysed claims submitted before and after these guidelines were introduced and no significant difference in the number of claims was noted. The most common cause for litigation was a delay in diagnosis, which accounted for 86 claims in total (40%). Despite the presence of these guidelines and targets, there has not been a significant reduction in the number of claims or an improvement in diagnostic accuracy. This may be due to an increasing level of litigation in the UK but we must also question whether we are indeed providing best-practice care to our hip fracture patients and whether these guidelines need further review.
Liberal perioperative fluid administration is an independent risk factor for morbidity and is associated with longer hospital stay after rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Boland MR , Reynolds I , McCawley N , Galvin E , El-Masry S , Deasy J , McNamara DA
Published: September 2016

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies have advocated the use of perioperative fluid restriction in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery as part of an enhanced recovery protocol. Series reported to date include a heterogenous group of high- and low-risk procedures but few studies have focused on rectal cancer surgery alone. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of perioperative fluid volumes on outcomes in patients undergoing elective rectal cancer resection.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database of patients with rectal cancer who underwent elective surgery over a 2-year period was reviewed. Total volume of fluid received intraoperatively was calculated, as well as blood products required in the perioperative period. The primary outcome was postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo grade I–IV) and the secondary outcomes were length of stay and major morbidity (Clavien–Dindo grade III–IV).

RESULTS

Over a 2-year period (2012–2013), 120 patients underwent elective surgery with curative intent for rectal cancer. Median total intraoperative fluid volume received was 3680ml (range 1200–9670ml); 65/120 (54.1%) had any complications, with 20/120 (16.6%) classified as major (Clavien–Dindo grade III–IV). Intraoperative volume >3500ml was an independent risk factor for the development of postoperative all-cause morbidity (P=0.02) and was associated with major morbidity (P=0.09). Intraoperative fluid volumes also correlated with length of hospital stay (Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.33; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative fluid infusion volumes in excess of 3500ml are associated with increased morbidity and length of stay in patients undergoing elective surgery for rectal cancer.
Unusual variant of inverted Y ureteral duplication with an ipsilateral seminal vesicle cyst and renal dysgenesis
Authors: Hajji F , Hammoune N , Miloudi M , Belasri S
Published: September 2016

Inverted Y malformation is a rare variant of ureteral duplication with a marked female predominance. We describe a case of inverted Y ureteral duplication with concurrent ectopic ureteral insertion into a seminal vesicle cyst, a ureterocoele and renal dysgenesis, which occurred in a 29-year-old man with lower urinary tract symptoms, haematospermia and postcoital discomfort. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case with this constellation of urogenital abnormalities.
A rare case of a direct ocular contact burn to the right eye
Authors: Young S , Murphy R , Iyer S
Published: September 2016

Ocular thermal burns represent an oculoplastic emergency, with the potential for blindness owing to limbal ischaemia. We present a rare case of a 66-year-old man who sustained a direct thermal contact burn to the right eye.
Intraoperative use of a tablet computer to aid rhinoplasty
Authors: Tsounis M , Papadopoulou D , Faris C
Published: September 2016

Open septorhinoplasty enables excellent exposure to the structural components of the nasal tip. Nevertheless, it runs the risk of weakening its support mechanisms, which can lead to notable changes to tip projection and rotation as well as to the nasolabial angle. It is therefore paramount that the surgeon reconstructs the nose to the desired endpoint at the end of the operation.

Currently, the gold standard of care in rhinoplasty uses preoperative photographs with the patient sitting or standing. However, this is not a true representation of the face in the operative position as the patient is placed supine and so gravity affects the appearance of the nose in a different way. Other factors such as head drapes and traction on the endotracheal tube can also cause subtle changes. We therefore advocate additional intraoperative profile view photographs to improve the accuracy of nasal tip positioning.

In our department, in addition to standard preoperative photographs, immediate preoperative profile photos are taken with the patient supine, intubated and draped. Images are captured using a tablet computer at a distance of 1 meter from the patient. We ensure that the Frankfort plane is perpendicular to the floor. The picture is enlarged so that the image is full scale and the tablet is subsequently placed immediately behind the patient for direct comparison. This is then used during the procedure to check tip projection and rotation as well as at the end of the procedure following closure of the columellar incision to ensure correct placement of the nasal tip.
Complications of biliary-enteric anastomoses
Authors: Kadaba RS , Bowers KA , Khorsandi S , Hutchins RR , Abraham AT , Sarker S-J , Bhattacharya S , Kocher HM
Published: September 2016

INTRODUCTION

Biliary-enteric anastomoses are performed for a range of indications and may result in early and late complications. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors and management of anastomotic leak and stricture following biliary-enteric anastomosis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who underwent biliary-enteric anastomoses in a tertiary referral centre between 2000 and 2010 was performed.

RESULTS

Four hundred and sixty-two biliary-enteric anastomoses were performed. Of these, 347 (75%) were performed for malignant disease. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy or choledocho-jejunostomy were performed in 440 (95%) patients. Perioperative 30-day mortality was 6.5% (n=30). Seventeen patients had early bile leaks (3.7%) and 17 had late strictures (3.7%) at a median of 12 months. On univariable logistic regression analysis, younger age was a significant risk factor for biliary anastomotic leak. However, on multivariable analysis only biliary reconstruction following biliary injury (odds ratio [OR]=6.84; p=0.002) and anastomosis above the biliary confluence (OR=4.62; p=0.03) were significant. Younger age and biliary reconstruction following injury appeared to be significant risk factors for biliary strictures but multivariable analysis showed that only younger age was significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary-enteric anastomoses have a low incidence of early and late complications. Biliary reconstruction following injury and a high anastomosis (above the confluence) are significant risk factors for anastomotic leak. Younger patients are significantly more likely to develop an anastomotic stricture over the longer term.
Macrofauna composition of two beaches with distinct morphodynamism degrees in the beach arc Barra de São João – Ponta Pai Vitorio promontory – RJ.
Authors: Veloso (in memorian) Valéria Gomes , Andrade Fernanda Costa , Massud - Ribeiro Rubens José
Published: September 2016

This study was performed in the intertidal zone of Rasa and Unamar beach, located in the beach arc Barra de São João – Ponta do Pai Vitório Promontory, northern coastline of Rio de Janeiro, a poorly studied area. In order to assess the macrofauna composition samplings were carried out at both beaches on winter of 2003 and summer of 2004. The differences between the beaches are significant regarding both morphodynamic and macrofaunal composition. The Unamar beach is narrow and has a steeper slope, where waves reach directly the foreshore, being classified as reflective with a typical fauna of this morphodynamic stage, where crustaceans were the dominant taxon represented by Emerita brasiliensis , Excirolana braziliensis, Atlantorchestoidea brasiliensis  and Lepidopa richmondi. Rasa beach, on the other hand, has a larger width with a gentle slope and an extense surf zone, classified as dissipative, with Dean’s Morphodynamic index (Ω) equal to 5,1 and 8,5 respectively on winter and summer. The fauna is richer and extremely distinct from other beaches in Rio de Janeiro state, presenting unique species, as Talorchestia tucurauna, Platorchestia monodi, Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) muelleri and Austinixa patagoniensis. The coleopteran Bledius hermani also found at this beach represents the first occurrence to Rio de Janeiro.
INOVAÇÃO E SOBERANIA: A NECESSIDADE DO INVESTIMENTO ESTATAL EM P&D: O INVESTIMENTO ESTATAL EM TECNOLOGIA COMO FORMA DE MANUTENÇÃO DE HEGEMONIA
Authors: De Souza Pinto Felipe Chiarello , Pscheidt Kristian Rodrigo
Published: September 2016

O Estado hoje é o ator central no desenvolvimento de tecnologias revolucionárias. Incentiva, financia e tem a paciência necessária para assumir os riscos de um investimento futuro e incerto. Porém os objetivos desta atuação estatal vão muito além da geração de empregos ou arrecadação. Trata-se de assegurar vantagem na corrida militar, ficar na vanguarda dos movimentos econômicos e, principalmente, em uma Sociedade do Conhecimento, permitir que a sociedade que represente esteja na dianteira intelectual. A tecnologia, entendida como inovação, desvenda uma estratégia política econômica de o Estado deter soberania em um ambiente mundial. Depende invariavelmente das instituições e, infelizmente, o Brasil ainda não percebeu essas variáveis.
Al-Suhrawardī’s Philosophy of Illumination and al-Ghazāl
Authors: Sinai Nicolai
Published: September 2016

I argue that the thought of Shihāb al-Dīn al-Suhrawardī (d. 1191), the founder of the so-called “Illuminationist” (
Pharmacogenomics in pain treatment
Authors: Peiró Ana M. , Planelles Beatriz , Juhasz Gabriella , Bagdy György , Libert Frédéric , Eschalier Alain , Busserolles Jérôme , Sperlagh Beata , Llerena Adrián
Published: September 2016

The experience of chronic pain is one of the commonest reasons for seeking medical attention, being a major issue in clinical practice. While pain is a universal experience, only a small proportion of people who felt pain develop pain syndromes. In addition, painkillers are associated with wide inter-individual variability in the analgesic response. This may be partly explained by the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding molecular entities involved in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. However, uptake of this information has been slow due in large part to the lack of robust evidences demonstrating clinical utility. Furthermore, novel therapies, including targeting of epigenetic changes and gene therapy-based approaches are further broadening future options for the treatment of chronic pain. The aim of this article is to review the evidences behind pharmacogenetics (PGx) to individualize therapy (boosting the efficacy and minimizing potential toxicity) and genes implicated in pain medicine, in two parts: (i) genetic variability with pain sensitivity and analgesic response; and (ii) pharmacological concepts applied on PGx.
The Effect of Post-heat Treatment on the Microstructures of Single Crystal DD6 Superalloy
Authors: Li Dongfan , Gao Hangshan , Wen Zhixun , Li Zhenwei , Yue Zhufeng
Published: September 2016

Various thermal cycles at the end of solution heat treatment and their influences on microstructure of single crystal superalloy DD6 were studied by experiments. During various thermal cycles, the qualitative and quantitative microstructure of samples quenched of the transformations is microscopically characterized. This completely includes the large changes in volume fraction, size distribution and morphology of gamma prime precipitate experienced in the upper temperature transformation. Noticeable deviation from the equilibrium volume fraction of γ’ phase is detected in both the dissolution and precipitation processes above 1,120°C for both moderate cooling and heating rate; differences were mainly attributed to the unsteady nature of the turbulent flow. The growth and alignment of the γ’ precipitates are deeply influenced by several factors, e.g. ageing time, cooling rate and quenching temperature. In addition, interesting findings such as “labyrinth” and “cluster” morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscope. During precipitation processes, the complicated microstructure evolution is illustrated by considering the consecutive equilibrium shapes of a coherent precipitate, which grows under the interaction with its neighbors and the coherency of the precipitates improves their potential to resist dissolution.
Formation of Ti5Si3 by Combustion Synthesis in a Self-Propagating Mode: Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Yeh C. L. , Chou C. C. , Hwang P. W.
Published: September 2016

Titanium silicide (Ti5Si3) was fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) from the elemental powder compact. With the increase of sample density from 50 to 60% TMD, experiments showed that the flame-front velocity increased from 28 to 50 mm/s and combustion temperature from 1,580 to 1,700°C. Based on their dependence, the activation energy of the synthesis reaction,Ea=193 kJ/mol, was deduced. By numerical simulation of combustion wave kinetics, the Arrhenius factor of the rate function,K0=3×109s−1, was determined for the 5Ti + 3Si reaction system. The effect of sample compaction density on the SHS process was correlated to the variation of the effective thermal conductivity (keff) of the powder compact. The ratio ofkeff/kbulk=0.02–0.05 was numerically obtained for the 5Ti + 3Si samples with 50–60% TMD and well validated by the experimental data.