bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multivariate Time Series Decomposition into Oscillation Components
Authors: Matsuda Takeru , Komaki Fumiyasu
Published: May 2017

Many time series are considered to be a superposition of several oscillation components. We have proposed a method for decomposing univariate time series into oscillation components and estimating their phases (Matsuda & Komaki, 2017 ). In this study, we extend that method to multivariate time series. We assume that several oscillators underlie the given multivariate time series and that each variable corresponds to a superposition of the projections of the oscillators. Thus, the oscillators superpose on each variable with amplitude and phase modulation. Based on this idea, we develop gaussian linear state-space models and use them to decompose the given multivariate time series. The model parameters are estimated from data using the empirical Bayes method, and the number of oscillators is determined using the Akaike information criterion. Therefore, the proposed method extracts underlying oscillators in a data-driven manner and enables investigation of phase dynamics in a given multivariate time series. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed method. From monthly mean north-south sunspot number data, the proposed method reveals an interesting phase relationship.
Unveiling a spatial tail breakage outbreak in a lizard population
Authors: Galdino Conrado , Ventura Stefânia , Moreira Gladston
Published: May 2017

Many ecological attributes of organisms vary spatially. This strict dependency upon space generally arises by individuals occupying places with the necessary resources and conditions for survival. For lizards, losing the tail is an evolved mechanism that allows them to escape predators or to avoid aggressive intraspecific agonistic interactions. We evaluated the spatial relation of tail loss in a population of the lizard Tropidurus montanus. Our results support the occurrence of a spatial cluster of autotomized lizards. However, we cannot relate the cluster formation to the crowding of neighbouring lizards nor to individuals’ body size. Tail loss in lizards is known to be related to predatory attacks or intraspecific aggression, and we now show that tail autotomy occurs in a non-random way regarding space, and thus is also related to the space occupied by individuals in populations.
Effects of social experience on pair bonding in a monogamous fish (Amatitlania nigrofasciata)
Authors: Little K.P. , Al-Shaer L. , Itzkowitz M.
Published: May 2017

For species in which individuals spend at least some time in groups, dominance relationships and various social cues are often important for mate assessment and choice. For pair bonding species, social experiences may affect reproductive decisions in both sexes. We tested whether prior experience in a mixed-sex group and having a higher dominance status coincides with faster pair formation or spawning in a monogamous fish. Individuals having prior experience in mixed-sex groups paired with a novel fish more frequently than fish from same-sex groups. Fish in mixed-sex groups performed more bites and lateral displays. Although spawning occurred infrequently across pairs, dominant fish from mixed-sex groups spawned more than dominant fish from same-sex groups. Otherwise, there were no clear behavioural relationships between treatment group and subsequent pair formation or spawning, nor were behaviours of the paired fishes related to their prior treatment group. We do not know how mixed-sex social experience may have affected the physiology of those individuals, although our results support a reproductive priming effect.
Investment Facilitation in Regional Economic Integration in Africa: The Cases of COMESA, EAC and SADC
Authors: Baruti Rukia
Published: May 2017

A rethink of the purpose of investment treaties is progressively leading to a paradigm shift. Whereas the traditional model of investment treaties has emphasised the protection of investments, we are witnessing a change in focus to the facilitation of investments. Simultaneously, there is a deliberate and conscious effort to restrict the scope of coverage of the standards of protection typically offered under such treaties. These developments in the international investment regime are discernible in the regional investment instruments concluded by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). A corresponding move is also beginning to emerge at the national and bilateral levels. Cumulatively, these changes in investment instruments signal a developing trend in future investment agreements negotiated and concluded by COMESA, EAC and SADC Member States.
Canadian Investment Treaties with African Countries: What Do They Tell Us About Investment Treaty Making in Africa?
Authors: VanDuzer J. Anthony
Published: May 2017

Between 2013 and 2015, Canada signed nine bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with countries in Africa. Canada was remarkably successful in imposing its model investment treaty on its African partners. Canada’s success might be considered surprising. Investor-state arbitration cases have shown the strong binding character of BITs and the corresponding need for host states to ensure that treaties reflect their distinctive priorities. In seeking to do so, African countries could have looked to African regional initiatives for expressions of made in African investment policies. African negotiators could have benefited from the substantial work done by UNCTAD and others to provide new forms of international investment rules that make BITS more supportive of sustainable development. Despite stronger incentives for African countries to assert themselves in BIT negotiations and resources for them to draw on, however, Canada’s recent BITs suggest that political and economic power continue to define the outcome of negotiations.
Feather mites of the genera Dubininia and Cacatualges (Acari: Xolalgidae) associated with parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) of the Old World
Authors: MIRONOV SERGEY V. , EHRNSBERGER RAINER , DABERT JACEK
Published: May 2017

This paper gives a systematic revision of feather mites of the genera Dubininia Vassilev, 1958 and Cacatualges Dabert, Badek and Skoracki, 2007 (Xolalgidae: Ingrassiinae) associated with parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) of the Old World. Five new species are described: Cacatualges probosciger sp. n. from Probosciger aterrimus (Gmelin) (Cacatuidae) from New Guinea, Dubininia charmosynae sp. n. from Charmosyna pulchella Gray GR (Psittaculidae) from New Guinea, D. micropsittae sp. n. from Micropsitta pusio pusio (Scaltter) (Psittaculidae) from New Guinea, D. nestori sp. n. from Nestor notabilis Gould (Strigopidae) from New Zealand, and D. pezopori sp. n. from Pezoporus wallicus (Kerr) (Psittaculidae) from Tasmania, Australia. Four previously described species of Dubininia are redescribed based on material from type hosts: D. curta (Trouessart, 1885) from Platycercus elegans (Gmelin) (Psittaculidae), D. lorina (Trouessart, 1885) from Lorius domicella (Linnaeus) (Psittaculidae), D. melopsittaci Atyeo and Gaud, 1987 from Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw) (Psittaculidae), and D. psittacina (Trouessart, 1885) from Strigops harboptilus Gray GR (Strigopidae) from New Zealand. A new diagnosis for the genus Dubininia is provided. A key to all presently known Dubininia species is provided for the first time.
Revision of the genus Bradyporus Charpentier, 1825 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Bradyporinae)
Authors: ÜNAL MUSTAFA
Published: May 2017

The genus Bradyporus Charpentier is taxonomically revised using information obtained from numerous recently collected specimens. Bradyporus is divided into two subgenera Bradyporus Charpentier s.str. and Callimenus Fischer von Waldheim. Five species groups are distinguished in the latter subgenus. Sixteen species and subspecies are listed. Bradyporus (Callimenus) multituberculatus multituberculatus (Fischer von Waldheim, 1833) and Bradyporus (Callimenus) multituberculatus montandoni (Burr, 1898) are designated subspecies for the first time. Previously synonymized Bradyporus (Callimenus) macrogaster skopjensis Karaman, 1961 is reinstated as a valid species. A new species, Bradyporus (Callimenus) gocmeni Ünal, sp. nov. from Eastern Turkey and the previously unknown female of Bradyporus (Callimenus) skopjensis Karaman, 1961 are described. A Neotype for Bradyporus (Callimenus) macrogaster longicollis (Fieber, 1853) is designated. Nomenclatural and taxonomical problems are discussed under the relevant taxa. Phylogenetic relationships based on morphology of the subgenera, species groups, and the species and subspecies of each species group are proposed. Morphological derived and ancestral characters are discussed. A key to the lower taxa of the genus is provided with 207 original figures including 3 distributional maps. A check-list of the lower taxa of the genus is given. Additionally the IUCN Red List statuses of the species and subspecies are included.
A new Neotibicen cicada subspecies (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from the southeastern USA forms hybrid zones with a widespread relative despite a divergent male calling song
Authors: MARSHALL DAVID C. , HILL KATHY B. R.
Published: May 2017

A morphologically cryptic subspecies of Neotibicen similaris (Smith and Grossbeck) is described from forests of the Apalachicola region of the southeastern United States. Although the new form exhibits a highly distinctive male calling song, it hybridizes extensively where it meets populations of the nominate subspecies in parapatry, by which it is nearly surrounded. This is the first reported example of hybridization between North American nonperiodical cicadas. Acoustic and morphological characters are added to the original description of the nominate subspecies, and illustrations of complex hybrid song phenotypes are presented. The biogeography of N. similaris is discussed in light of historical changes in forest composition on the southeastern Coastal Plain.
Description of a new species of Enispa Walker, 1866 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Boletobiinae) from Thailand
Authors: PELLINEN MARKKU J.
Published: May 2017

The genus Enispa Walker, 1866, type species: Enispa eosarialis Walker, 1866 [Borneo, Sarawak] (= Micraeschus Butler, 1878, type species: Hyria elataria Walker, 1861 [Sri Lanka]), contains several species, about 20 of which described and many still undescribed, some also probably misplaced. The genus occurs in Indo-Australian tropics and subtropics. Presently there are 5 species known from Borneo, with mention of several undescribed Enispa-like species (Holloway, 2009). From Thailand there are 8 species illustrated in Kononenko & Pinratana's (2013) book, 5 of which unidentified and some others, based on specimens originated from present author, which most probably are not Enispa. Nielsen & al. (1996) mentioned 7 species in Australia.
Rising Intragenerational Occupational Mobility in the United States, 1969 to 2011
Authors: Jarvis Benjamin F. , Song Xi
Published: May 2017

Despite the theoretical importance of intragenerational mobility and its connection to intergenerational mobility, no study since the 1970s has documented trends in intragenerational occupational mobility. The present article fills this intellectual gap by presenting evidence of an increasing trend in intragenerational mobility in the United States from 1969 to 2011. We decompose the trend using a nested occupational classification scheme that distinguishes between disaggregated micro-classes and progressively more aggregated meso-classes, macro-classes, and manual and nonmanual sectors. Log-linear analysis reveals that mobility increased across the occupational structure at nearly all levels of aggregation, especially after the early 1990s. Controlling for structural changes in occupational distributions modifies, but does not substantially alter, these findings. Trends are qualitatively similar for men and women. We connect increasing mobility to other macro-economic trends dating back to the 1970s, including changing labor force composition, technologies, employment relations, and industrial structures. We reassert the sociological significance of intragenerational mobility and discuss how increasing variability in occupational transitions within careers may counteract or mask trends in intergenerational mobility, across occupations and across more broadly construed social classes.
The Hidden Costs of Hidden Costs
Authors: Laczniak Gene
Published: May 2017

This brief comment expands on the “long macro view” observation of Prof. Robert Lusch that human choices, including market choices, have massive and unseen costs. It is argued here that a central challenge for macromarketing scholars is to make transparent the hidden costs embedded in macromarketing systems and sub-systems so that their true complexity and heterogeneity are better understood. Distributive Justice demands such consideration.
Customer Interaction and Innovation in Hybrid Offerings
Authors: Schaarschmidt Mario , Walsh Gianfranco , Evanschitzky Heiner
Published: May 2017

Hybrid offerings are bundles of goods and services offerings provided by the same firm. Bundling value offerings affects how firms innovate, interact with customers, and customize their goods and services. However, it remains unclear how customer interaction might drive the innovation performance of various bundled components. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of customer interactions and service customization on both goods and services innovations in a hybrid offering context, using a unique data set of 146 information technology and manufacturing firms. Customer interaction appears beneficial to both goods and services innovation in a hybrid offerings context, but service customization has different direct effects on goods versus services innovation. As a potential mediator, customer knowledge mobilization resources exert different effects on the goods and services elements of hybrid offerings. Furthermore, for high-interaction customers, medium levels of technical modularity lead to most favorable innovation outcomes for services innovation. The results thus suggest that providers of hybrid offerings should foster customer interactions, to drive the innovation performance of the good and service components, while still making sure to implement service customization strategies. These findings have notable implications for service innovation research.
Bodies, pornography and the circumscription of sexuality: A new materialist study of young people’s sexual practices
Authors: Fox Nick J , Bale Clare
Published: May 2017

We explore ‘sexualisation’ from a new materialist position, as an assemblage of bodies, things, ideas and social institutions. Interview data on 22 young people’s sexual activities reflect a range of relations and ‘affects’ contributing to the sexualisation of young people, including peers, social events, alcohol, media, popular culture and pornography. While a ‘sexualisation-assemblage’ may produce any and all capacities in bodies, it is typically blocked and restricted into narrow and circumscribed capacities. Limited and unimaginative practices portrayed in sexualised media and pornography narrow definitions of sexuality, and may reproduce and reinforce misogyny, sexual objectification and circumscribed sexualities. We argue for sexualities education for both children and adults that can ‘re-sexualise’ all our bodies.
Sexy birth: Breaking Hollywood’s last taboo
Authors: Jolly Natalie
Published: May 2017

I look at several depictions of birth in popular culture that seem to be breaking ‘Hollywood’s last taboo’ against showing graphic representations of the birthing body. I offer four illustrations of this relatively recent departure from conventional birth imagery and discuss (1) the 2006 sculpture of Britney Spears birthing on a bearskin rug, (2) the crowning scene in the 2007 movie Knocked Up, (3) a 2012 birth scene depicted in the HBO show Game of Thrones, and (4) a birth montage from an episode of the Netflix show Sense8, to suggest that representations of birth no longer solely depict asexual bodies. I consider the consequences that these sexualized representations of the birthing body might have for women’s embodied experience of birth and evaluate this sexy birth imagery in light of a cultural shift towards an increasingly (hetero)sexualized femininity. In particular, I am interested to explore how normative (hetero)sexualized femininity may align with the growing medical management of childbirth and the uptick in surgical delivery. I investigate whether graphic depictions of birth leave us with increased sexual objectification or the possibility for a new sexual subjecthood. I close by offering a queer reading of the birth depictions in the Netflix drama Sense8 and consider how its non-normative depictions of women’s laboring bodies may unsettle the powerful norms that constitute (hetero)sexualized femininity and refigure women’s experiences of childbirth.
Environment 1.0: Infoterra and the making of environmental information
Authors: Aronczyk Melissa
Published: May 2017

This article traces international conflicts over the making and operation of the first global environmental information system, Infoterra (1972–2003). By studying the negotiations among international actors over what kinds of information, expertise, and technological infrastructure were deemed appropriate to constitute Infoterra, we gain insight into what was made to count as environmental information, and how “the environment” was communicated to multiple audiences in the early decades of the global environmental movement. The article argues that the struggles around Infoterra demonstrate the key role attributed to information systems for global environmental communication, with lasting impacts on pragmatic responses to environmental problems today.
Development and Testing of a Measure of Caregiver Confidence in Medical Sign/Symptom Management
Authors: Piggott Cleveland A. , Zimmerman Sheryl , Reed David , Sloane Philip D.
Published: May 2017

Evaluation of efforts to support family caregivers of people with dementia in their daily medical management responsibilities requires a measure of caregiver self-efficacy (confidence). This article describes the development and psychometric properties of the Caregiver Confidence in Sign/Symptom Management (CCSM) scale, the only available instrument in this area. Measurement development included literature and expert panel review, cognitive testing, and field testing. The CCSM is a 25-item measure (α = .92) composed of confidence in relation to 4 subscales: knowledge of signs/symptoms (α = .83), management of cognitive signs/symptoms (α = .85), management of medical signs/symptoms (α = .87), and general medication management/responsiveness (α = .85), all of which relate to caregiver role strain. The CCSM is a reliable and valid instrument to assess caregiver confidence in sign/symptom management and is useful to determine caregiver needs and outcomes of related interventions. Additionally, it furthers understanding of the role of self-efficacy in caregiver quality of life.
Ultrasound-Guided Thrombin Injection Is a Safe and Effective Treatment for Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm in the Morbidly Obese
Authors: Yoo Taehwan , Starr Jean E. , Go Michael R. , Vaccaro Patrick S. , Satiani Bhagwan , Haurani Mounir J.
Published: May 2017

Introduction:

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) is a well-established practice for the treatment of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. This procedure is highly successful but dependent on appropriate pseudoaneurysm anatomy and adequate ultrasound visualization. Morbid obesity can present a significant technical challenge due to increased groin adiposity, resulting in poor visualization of critical structures needed to safely perform the procedure. We aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of UGTI to treat femoral artery pseudoaneurysm in the morbidly obese.

Methods:

This is a retrospective cohort study in which all patients who underwent UGTI at The Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital from 2009 to 2014 were analyzed for patient characteristics and stratified by body mass index (BMI). Patients with BMI ≥ 35 were considered morbidly obese and were compared to patients with a BMI < 35. Outcome was failed treatment resulting in residual pseudoaneurysm.

Results:

Our cohort consisted of 54 patients who underwent thrombin injection. There were 41 nonmorbidly obese and 13 morbidly obese patients. Mean age was 64.5 years. The cohort was 44.4% male. There were 6 failures, of which 1 underwent successful repeat injection and 5 underwent open surgical repair. There was no statistically significant difference in failure between nonmorbidly obese and morbidly obese patients (9.8% vs 15.4%, P = .45). There were no embolic/thrombotic complications.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection is a safe and effective therapy in the morbidly obese for the treatment of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. In the hands of experienced sonographers and surgeons with adequate visualization of the pseudoaneurysm sac, UGTI should remain a standard therapy in the morbidly obese.
Appreciating the Value of Human and Social Capital
Authors: Mcbain Richard
Published: May 2017

Much of the value of organisations is tied up in human and social capital. But how can we make these intangible assets more tangible and can we make this complex subject easier to understand? And once understood, how can managers set about enhancing human and social capital? Richard McBain explores the latest research from different organisational sectors to answer these questions.
Real Options
Authors: Mills Roger
Published: May 2017

The notion of ‘real options’ applies option pricing theory to non-financial assets. The complexity of modelling investments as options has meant that, to date, options literature has had relatively little impact on management practices. This article examines recent attempts to find an optimum methodology for evaluating real options; with the plethora of alternative evaluative models that have encumbered the debate on real options, is it any wonder that management is cautious? A convergence of approaches to arrive at a ‘manager-friendly’ valuation method may be at hand.
Driving Growth through Innovation
Authors: Foreman Susan
Published: May 2017

Research has shown that when large companies fail to grow with GDP, they risk going out of business. But if this is the case, how may companies achieve growth without compromising performance? Innovation must be a key driver, and it flourishes in an environment that both accepts change and supports the customer. Yet innovation is also a risk: successful growth, therefore, may require the company to evolve while simultaneously anticipating and managing those risks associated with innovation.
Employee Engagement – the Emergence of a New Construct?
Authors: Mcbain Richard
Published: May 2017

Employee engagement is a useful recent concept in HRM: it is a composite construct that describes inter alia employees' commitment, job satisfaction and involvement. Increasingly, employee engagement has also come to be recognised as making a significant difference to performance at all levels within the company. But there still exists some vagueness about the meaning of the term: how exactly may employee engagement be defined? This article presents a genealogy of the new construct.
The Relationship between Internal and External Stakeholders and Organisational Alignment
Authors: Da Camara Nuno
Published: May 2017

Reputational Risk is a hot topic and is on the agenda of many boards, but what are the key issues associated with ensuring that it is appropriately managed? Of particular note, the relationship between internal and external stakeholders has been identified as being critical.

This is examined in this Henley Manager Update, together with the importance of corporate brand management and the issues central in aligning the risks of internal and external stakeholders.
ACDF Graft Selection by Surgeons: Survey of AOSpine Members
Authors: Yoon S. Tim , Konopka Jeffrey A. , Wang Jeffrey C. , Youssef Jim A. , Meisel Hans Joerg , Brodke Darrel S. , Park Jong-Beom
Published: May 2017

Study Design:

Cross-sectional survey study.

Objective:

To determine what are the most commonly used graft materials in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and whether the choice of graft is affected by surgeon’s training, years in practice, geographic location, practice setting, or surgeon’s perceived difficulty in achieving fusion.

Methods:

A 23-question survey was sent out to 5334 surgeons using the Global AO Spine database. Response data was then stratified into surgeon training, years of practice, practice type, and global region.

Results:

Overall, surgeons believe that graft selection affects fusion rates (89.3% of surgeons) and affects time to fusion (86.0% of surgeons). The use of a cage is currently the most common structural graft component used worldwide at 64.1%. Of surgeons that use cages, the PEEK Cage makes up 84%. North American surgeons differ from this global trend and use composite allograft more commonly. The choice to add a nonstructural graft component was reported at 74%. This result was similar for performing multilevel fusions at 72.8%. The selection of nonstructural graft material depends on whether the type of surgery is considered simple or complex. Most surgeons are not satisfied with available literature comparing effectiveness of grafts but believed that there was sufficient evidence to support the use of their chosen graft.

Conclusion:

Almost all surgeons believe that fusion is important to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery outcomes and that most surgeons believe graft choice affects fusion. However, this survey indicates that there is great variability in the type of graft material used by spine surgeons across the world.
Analysis of the Literature on Cervical Spine Fractures in Ankylosing Spinal Disorders
Authors: Hartmann Sebastian , Tschugg Anja , Wipplinger Christoph , Thomé Claudius
Published: May 2017

Study Design:

Narrative literature review.

Objective:

The numbers of low-energy cervical fractures seen in patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis (also known as Bechterew disease) or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (also known as Forestier disease) have greatly increased over recent decades. These fractures tend to be particularly overlooked, leading to delayed diagnosis and secondary neurological deterioration. The aim of the present evaluation was to summarize current knowledge on cervical fractures in patients with ankylosing spinal disorders (ASDs).

Methods:

The literature was analyzed through an extensive PubMed search focusing on cervical fractures, especially with delayed diagnosis.

Results:

In ASDs, it was mainly the cervical spine that was found to be affected by fractures. Fifty percent of ASD patients had neurological deficits at admission, with a high probability of secondary deterioration due to an initially missed diagnosis. Multislice high-resolution imaging techniques should be the radiological standard of care if a vertebral fracture is suspected. Nevertheless, many of these spinal fractures are overlooked, leading to feared secondary deterioration of existing unstable fractures. Long posterior instrumentations were found to be the treatment of choice, followed by anterior and combined anterior-posterior instrumentations.

Conclusions:

Delayed diagnosis of cervical fractures in ASDs contributes to initially misinterpreted clinical symptoms, inadequate imaging techniques, and a lack of knowledge about this disease entity due to its peculiarities. Thorough assessment of the patients’ neurological morbidity at admission might reduce the occurrence of the associated fractures. The biomechanical behavior of ASD fractures is completely different from that of non-ASD fractures, so that the treatment strategy for these patients should be at least surgical, in combination with long dorsal instrumentations or combined anterior-posterior approaches.
Sacral Fractures and Associated Injuries
Authors: Rodrigues-Pinto Ricardo , Kurd Mark F. , Schroeder Gregory D. , Kepler Christopher K. , Krieg James C. , Holstein Jörg H. , Bellabarba Carlo , Firoozabadi Reza , Oner F. Cumhur , Kandziora Frank , Dvorak Marcel F. , Kleweno Conor P. , Vialle Luiz R. , Rajasekaran S. , Schnake Klause J. , Vaccaro Alexander R.
Published: May 2017

Study Design:

Literature review.

Objective:

The aim of this review is to describe the injuries associated with sacral fractures and to analyze their impact on patient outcome.

Methods:

A comprehensive narrative review of the literature was performed to identify the injuries associated with sacral fractures.

Results:

Sacral fractures are uncommon injuries that result from high-energy trauma, and that, due to their rarity, are frequently underdiagnosed and mistreated. Only 5% of sacral fractures occur in isolation. Injuries most often associated with sacral fractures include neurologic injuries (present in up to 50% of sacral fractures), pelvic ring disruptions, hip and lumbar spine fractures, active pelvic/ abdominal bleeding and the presence of an open fracture or significant soft tissue injury. Diagnosis of pelvic ring fractures and fractures extending to the lumbar spine are key factors for the appropriate management of sacral fractures. Importantly, associated systemic (cranial, thoracic, and abdominopelvic) or musculoskeletal injuries should be promptly assessed and addressed. These associated injuries often dictate the management and eventual outcome of sacral fractures and, therefore, any treatment algorithm should take them into consideration.

Conclusions:

Sacral fractures are complex in nature and often associated with other often-missed injuries. This review summarizes the most relevant associated injuries in sacral fractures and discusses on their appropriate management.
Book Review: Rekha Chowdhary, Jammu and Kashmir: Politics of Identity and Separatism
Authors: Ragi Sangit Kumar
Published: May 2017

Rekha Chowdhary, Jammu and Kashmir: Politics of Identity and Separatism. New Delhi: Routledge. 2016. 276 pages. ₹895.
Hybrid versus double bundle hamstring ACL reconstruction – a review of 626 cases
Authors: Annear Peter , Kejriwal Ritwik
Published: May 2017

Objectives:

Since 2008, we have offered patients Hybrid ACL (hamstring plus LARS ligament) graft or double bundle hamstring graft. We allow the patients with Hybrid ACL to jog at 2 months and return to sports at 6 months. In comparison we allow the double bundle hamstring group to jog at 4 months and return to sports at 12 months. We considered the hybrid graft, due to its initial stiffness, would allow safe accelerated rehabilitation. Our primary aim was to establish whether Hybrid ACL graft has a higher failure rate compared to double bundle hamstring graft. Our secondary aim was to compare reoperation rates and clinic visit rates between the two groups.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective study of skeletally mature patients that underwent primary isolated ACL reconstruction by the senior author between 2008 and 2015 comparing double bundle hybrid ACL (DB Hyb), single bundle hybrid ACL (SB Hyb), and double bundle hamstring ACL (DB Ham) graft types. Charts were reviewed to assess reoperation rate, complication rate, re-rupture rate, and number of clinic visits. Graft tensioning positions, remnant sparing percentage, and concurrent meniscal procedures were reviewed as well.

Results:

626 patients met the inclusion criteria. DB Hyb group had more males (77%) and a longer mean follow up (5.6 years) than the other two groups. Rerupture rates were 1.2% per year for DB hyb, 0.5% per year for SB Hyb, and 0.8% per year for DB Ham group. DB Hyb group trended towards a higher reoperation rate for arthrofibrosis compared to DB Ham (9.4% vs 4.7%, p-value 0.054). There was no difference in number of clinic visits between the 3 groups.

Conclusion:

Double bundle hybrid ACL group was associated with higher rates of arthrofibrosis surgery but equivalent rates of failure.
The influence of posterior medial meniscocapsular lesions on tibiofemoral joint laxity with ACL deficiency and reconstruction
Authors: Williams Andy , Stephen Jo , Halewood Camilla , Kittl Christoph , Amis Andrew , Bollen Steve
Published: May 2017

Introduction:

Injury to the posterior medial meniscocapsular junction (the ‘ramp’ lesion) occurs at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture (10-24% of cases); however there is a lack of objective evidence investigating how this affects knee kinematics. It is often missed when viewed arthroscopically from the front of the medial compartment as it can only be seen with the arthroscope in the posteromedial recess.

Objectives:

To investigate the biomechanical impact of the ‘ramp lesion’ on the ACL deficient and ACL reconstructed knee and the impact of suture repair of the lesion on the same knee states.

Methods:

Nine fresh frozen cadaveric knees were mounted in a 6 degrees of freedom rig where knee kinematics were recorded at 10° intervals from 0°-100° using an optical tracking system. Measurements were recorded using the following loading conditions: 90 N anterior and posterior tibial forces, 5 Nm internal and external tibial rotation torques, and a combined 90 N anterior tibial force and 5 Nm external tibial rotation torque. Manual Rolimeter readings of anterior translation were taken at 30° and 90°. The knees were tested in the following order: (1) intact, (2) ACL deficient, (3) ACL deficient + posterior meniscocapsule sectioned, (4) ACL deficient + posterior meniscocapsule repaired, (5) ACL patellar tendon reconstruction with posterior meniscocapsule repair and (6) ACL reconstructed + capsular lesion re-created. Statistical analysis was undertaken using repeated-measures ANOVA and post-hoc paired t-tests with Bonferonni correction.

Results:

Tibial anterior translation and external rotational laxities were both significantly increased compared to the ACL deficient knee following posterior meniscocapsular sectioning ( P < 0.05). These were both restored following ACL reconstruction and meniscocapsular lesion repair ( P > 0.05). Significant changes in anterior tibial translation between the different knee states were identified with the Rolimeter, indicating these changes are clinically detectable ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Anterior and external rotational laxities were significantly increased after mimicking the ‘ramp lesion’ by sectioning of the posteromedial meniscocapsular junction in an ACL-deficient knee. These were not restored after ACL reconstruction alone but were restored with ACL reconstruction combined with posterior meniscocapsular repair. Tibial anterior translation changes were clinically detectable by use of the Rolimeter. This study suggests that unrepaired posteromedial meniscocapsular lesions will allow abnormal meniscal and tibiofemoral laxity to persist postoperatively, predisposing the knee to meniscal and articular damage but also adding avoidable extra strain on an ACL graft, which may yield.
Repair of posterior medial meniscal root tears in the setting of Outerbridge III and IV cartilage damage
Authors: Witherow Andrew , Young James , Myers Peter
Published: May 2017

Objectives:

Reporting the clinical outcomes of our cohort of patients who underwent arthroscopic transtibial posterior medial meniscal root tear repair (MMRTr) in those patients who had Outerbridge cartilage degeneration of III or IV.

Methods:

29 consecutive patients with isolated MMRT underwent trans-tibial repair with all patients completing pre-operative scoring and 20 patients completing both pre and post-operative questionnaires. Of this there were 18 patients who had Outerbridge III or IV cartilage degeneration in the medial compartment at the time of surgery. Data was collected prospectively to include the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), the Lysholm Score (LS), the Tegner Activity Level Scale (TS) and International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC).

Results:

In the 18 patient cohort there was a mean age at the time of surgery of 57.22 (range 40 – 71) years and the mean follow up period was 26.77 (7.2 – 94.53) months. There was statistically significant improvement across all scoring measures (OKS p = 5.94e-07, LS p = 2.40e-07, IKDC p = 4.17e-06 and TS p = 0.023) in this cohort.

Conclusion:

There was a significant improvement in the clinical outcomes of all patients who underwent MMRTr despite the presence of Outerbridge III or IV cartilage injury.
Outcomes of primary total knee arthroplasty in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A Case Control Comparison Study
Authors: Parker David , Wong Eugene
Published: May 2017

Introduction and Aims:

There is considerable debate and a paucity of evidence regarding whether Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is of benefit in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and knee osteoarthritis, and whether PD would compromise the outcome of TKR. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effect of TKR on range of motion and Oxford Knee Scores (OKS) between PD patients and age-matched controls at 1 year follow-up.

Methods:

A cohort of 45 knees from 35 patients was identified as having a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and received a primary TKR between January 2004 and December 2015, which was extracted from a clinical database (Socrates, v3.5, Orthosoft, AUS) maintained by two orthopaedic surgeons in two hospitals. An age-matched control group (mean age: 73 years) of 45 knees from 41 patients without Parkinson’s disease was randomly computer-generated from the same database. The indication for TKR in both groups was osteoarthritis, an independent assessment of each knee to meet appropriate selection criteria for TKR, as well as preoperative physician review for medical comorbidities. Outcome measures analysed in the study were the difference in pre-operative range of motion (RoM) and 12-point Oxford Knee Scores and at 1-year follow-up respectively. Postoperative complications and revisions were also recorded during the follow-up period.

Results:

In the PD group, RoM improved from a mean of 100 degrees preoperatively to 114 degrees at 12 months, compared to the control group which improved from a mean of 102 degrees to 114 degrees respectively. OKS in the Parkinson’s group improved from a mean of 23 preoperatively to 38 at 12 months compared to 23 preoperatively and 40 at 12 months in the control group. After adjusting for sex, we found that the difference in the ROM and OKS between the Parkinson’s and control groups was not significantly different (p = 0.9725; 0.6450 respectively). Furthermore, in all Parkinson’s patients the minimal clinically important difference for OKS (≥6) was achieved at 1-year follow-up (4). There were no mortalities during the study follow-up period, with 4 complications in the PD group (DVT, superficial infection) and two in the control group (DVT, bowel pseudo-obstruction).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that TKR provides comparable outcomes with regard to range of movement and ambulatory function in patients with Parkinson’s disease who are also suffering from severe osteoarthritis. We also feel that TKR has an acceptable complication profile in this subgroup of patients. The presence of PD does not appear to compromise the outcome of TKR in these patients, and the same indications for TKR should therefore apply as for the general OA population.
Bone marrow failure unresponsive to bone marrow transplant is caused by mutations in thrombopoietin
Authors: Seo Aaron , Ben-Harosh Miri , Sirin Mehtap , Stein Jerry , Dgany Orly , Kaplelushnik Joseph , Hoenig Manfred , Pannicke Ulrich , Lorenz Myriam , Schwarz Klaus , Stockklausner Clemens , Walsh Tom , Gulsuner Suleyman , Lee Ming K. , Sendamarai Anoop , Sanchez-Bonilla Marilyn , King Mary-Claire , Cario Holger , Kulozik Andreas E. , Debatin Klaus-Michael , Schulz Ansgar , Tamary Hannah , Shimamura Akiko
Published: May 2017

Key Points

Germ line biallelic loss-of-function THPO mutations cause BMF. Marrow failure due to THPO mutations is characterized by poor graft function after transplantation but responds to THPO receptor agonists.
Unacylated ghrelin modulates circulating angiogenic cell number in insulin-resistant states
Authors: Özcan Behiye , Leenen Pieter J. M. , Delhanty Patric J. D. , Baldéon-Rojas Lucy Y. , Neggers Sebastian J. , van der Lely Aart Jan
Published: May 2017

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with reduced numbers and impaired function of circulating angiogenic cells (CAC) which contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis and microvascular disease. Previous studies suggest that short-term infusion of unacylated ghrelin (UAG) normalizes CAC number in patients with T2D. To determine dose-dependent effects of short-term infusion of UAG in T2D patients using a cross-over model, and of long-term infusion of UAG in obese mice, on differentiation of monocyte progenitors into CAC.

Methods

Eight overweight T2D patients were infused overnight with 3 and 10 µg/kg/h of UAG in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study. To assess the effects of long-term UAG treatment, obese mice were infused with UAG for 4 weeks. Monocyte progenitors were assessed for their ability to differentiate into CAC in vitro.

Results

In T2D patients, UAG treatment caused a reduction in differentiation of CAC, dependent on UAG dose and differentiation method. However, mice treated with UAG showed a significant increase in differentiation of bone marrow progenitors into CAC.

Conclusion

UAG causes a minor suppressive effect on CAC development after short-term treatment in humans, but experiments in mice suggest that long-term treatment has beneficial effects on CAC formation.

The Netherlands Trial Register: TC=2487
PLC-based design of monitoring system for ICT-integrated vertical fish farm
Authors: Huh Jun-Ho
Published: May 2017

The common cause of the mass mortality of fishes in a fish farm is a power failure. There can be many reasons for the power failures but most of them are the result of natural disasters, systematic faults, ill-willed sabotages, or mistakes of employees. Such incidents usually have a bad influence upon small or medium-scale farmers. To deal with unexpected power failures, this research proposes a status monitoring system utilizing both PLC and ICT. Consistent supply of electric power in Fish Farms is essential for the operation and management of farm facilities regardless of them being indoors or afloat. The statistics show that the power failure and the red tides are the major causes of ruining farmer’s earnings. The proposed system is autonomous and simple enough for the employees to operate such that prompt actions can be taken in times of crisis. There have been some concerns about applying the PLC technology as it often involves loss of transmission signals. To minimize signal losses, use of RUDP in the transmission layer was proposed as well. At the same time, a GUI-based operational mode has been embedded in the Android application to enhance user convenience for observing and managing farm’s activities such as controlling of seawater and farm accesses and checking locations, photoperiods, withdrawal periods, and system’s batteries. The proposed design can be quite suitable for the Vertical Fish Farm.
Archiving Ordinary Experience: Small-Format Cartography of the English Renaissance
Authors: Lecky Katarzyna
Published: May 2017

This essay shows that small-format cartography of the English Renaissance fostered a geographical imagination that placed nonelites at the heart of the nation's collective identity. Cheap maps, guides, and atlases — a staple of the popular print market — were public forms of cultural capital that charted England as the domain of the commonwealth rather than the Crown. This archive, which has been neglected in favor of beautifully illustrated, large-format cartography, reveals very different conceptions of how space, place, and nationhood intersected. At the dawn of the realm's transition into a modern nation-state, these cheap prints recalibrated the English topography to accommodate an expansive body politic. The essay ends with an exploration of how old and new archival research methods may together be deployed to continue excavating the material evidence of England's ordinary Renaissance.
TRPC1 is a differential regulator of hypoxia-mediated events and Akt signalling in PTEN-deficient breast cancer cells
Authors: Azimi Iman , Milevskiy Michael J. G. , Kaemmerer Elke , Turner Dane , Yapa Kunsala T. D. S. , Brown Melissa A. , Thompson Erik W. , Roberts-Thomson Sarah J. , Monteith Gregory R.
Published: May 2017

Hypoxia is a feature of the tumour microenvironment that promotes invasiveness, resistance to chemotherapeutics and cell survival. Our studies identify the transient receptor potential canonical-1 (TRPC1) ion channel as a key component of responses to hypoxia in breast cancer cells. This regulation includes control of specific epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) events and hypoxia-mediated activation of signalling pathways such as activation of the EGFR, STAT3 and the autophagy marker LC3B, through hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α)-dependent and -independent mechanisms. TRPC1 regulated HIF1α levels in PTEN-deficient MDA-MB-468 and HCC1569 breast cancer cell lines. This regulation arises from effects on the constitutive translation of HIF1α under normoxic conditions via an Akt-dependent pathway. In further support of the role of TRPC1 in EMT, its expression is closely associated with EMT- and metastasis-related genes in breast tumours, and is enhanced in basal B breast cancer cell lines. TRPC1 expression is also significantly prognostic for basal breast cancers, particularly those classified as lymph node positive. The defined roles of TRPC1 identified here could be therapeutically exploited for the control of oncogenic pathways in breast cancer cells.
Disruptive colouration in reef fish: does matching the background reduce predation risk?
Authors: Phillips Genevieve A. C. , How Martin J. , Lange Julia E. , Marshall N. Justin , Cheney Karen L.
Published: May 2017

Animals use disruptive colouration to prevent detection or recognition by potential predators or prey. Highly contrasting elements within colour patterns, including vertical or horizontal bars, are thought to be effective at distracting attention away from body form and reducing detection likelihood. However, it is unclear whether such patterns need to be a good match to the spatial characteristics of the background to gain cryptic benefits. We tested this hypothesis using the iconic vertically barred humbug damselfish, Dascyllus aruanus (Linneaus 1758), a small reef fish that lives among the finger-like projections of branching coral colonies. Using behavioural experiments, we demonstrated that the spatial frequency of the humbug pattern does not need to exactly match the spatial frequency of the coral background to reduce the likelihood of being attacked by two typical reef fish predators: slingjaw wrasse, Epibulus insidiator (Pallas 1770), and coral trout, Plectropomus leopardus (Lacépède 1802). Indeed, backgrounds with a slightly higher spatial frequency than the humbug body pattern provided more protection from predation than well-matched backgrounds. These results were consistent for both predator species, despite differences in their mode of foraging and visual acuity, which was measured using anatomical techniques. We also showed that a slight mismatch in the orientation of the vertical bars did not increase the chances of detection. However, the likelihood of attack did increase significantly when the bars were perpendicular to the background. Our results provide evidence that fish camouflage is more complex than it initially appears, with likely many factors influencing the detection likelihood of prey by relevant predators.