bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Errors of Omission
Authors: Kalisch Beatrice J. , Xie Boqin
Published: April 2014

A series of studies on missed nursing care (i.e., required standard nursing care that is not completed) is summarized. Missed nursing care is substantial and similar levels are found across hospitals. Reasons for missed nursing care are staffing resources, material resources, and communication and these are also similar across hospitals. The higher the staffing levels, the fewer occurrences of missed nursing care. Magnet status and higher levels of teamwork are associated with less missed nursing care, and more missed care leads to a lower level of staff satisfaction. Missed nursing care has been found to be a mediator between staffing levels and patient falls. Patient identified missed nursing care predicts adverse events (i.e., falls, pressure ulcers, new infections etc.).
Managing Opportunities and Challenges of Co-Authorship
Authors: Conn Vicki S. , Ward Sandra , Herrick Linda , Topp Robert , Alexander Gregory L. , Anderson Cindy M. , Smith Carol E. , Benefield Lazelle E. , Given Barbara , Titler Marita , Larson Janet L. , Fahrenwald Nancy L. , Cohen Marlene Z. , Georgesen Sharlene
Published: April 2014

Research with the largest impact on practice and science is often conducted by teams with diverse substantive, clinical, and methodological expertise. Team and interdisciplinary research has created authorship groups with varied expertise and expectations. Co-authorship among team members presents many opportunities and challenges. Intentional planning, clear expectations, sensitivity to differing disciplinary perspectives, attention to power differentials, effective communication, timelines, attention to published guidelines, and documentation of progress will contribute to successful co-authorship. Both novice and seasoned authors will find the strategies identified by the Western Journal of Nursing Research Editorial Board useful for building positive co-authorship experiences.
Audiometric Outcome Comparison between Titanium Prosthesis and Molded Autologous Material
Authors: Órfão Tiago , Júlio Sara , Ramos José Filipe , Dias Cláudia Camila , Silveira Helena , Santos Margarida
Published: April 2014

Objective

To evaluate and compare the audiometric outcomes of ossicular reconstruction with titanium prosthesis and autologous material.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods

Audiometric results of consecutive patients who performed ossiculoplasty with titanium prosthesis (n = 43) or autologous material (n = 48), from October 2008 to December 2011, were reviewed retrospectively and compared. The association between air‐bone gain and age, ossiculoplasty material (autologous or titanium), preoperative diagnosis (chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma, cholesteatoma, or conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane), and type of surgery (tympanoplasty, canal wall‐down mastoidectomy, or canal wall‐up mastoidectomy) was explored using regression analysis.

Results

Preoperative audiometric evaluation did not show differences between titanium and autologous groups in air‐bone gap and pure‐tone average. A postoperative decrease of 11.0 dB in air‐bone gap and 12.4 dB in pure‐tone average was observed in titanium ossiculoplasty compared with a reduction of 4.0 dB in air‐bone gap and 5.1 dB in pure‐tone average when autologous reconstruction was used. Mann‐Whitney test revealed superior results in the titanium group compared with autologous reconstruction patients in air‐bone gap (P =. 02) and pure‐tone average (P =. 02). However, no statistically significant associations were observed after multivariate linear regression analysis of air‐bone gap gain when adjusted for age, ossiculoplasty material, type of surgery, and preoperative diagnosis. One titanium prosthesis extrusion occurred during follow‐up (2%).

Conclusion

Audiometric results achieved by titanium prosthesis are promising, but significant differences compared with autologous ossiculoplasty were not present.
Immunoglobulin G4-related aortitis mimicking an intramural hematoma
Authors: Tay Daniel Z , Goh Peter YT , Teo Terence K , Boey Mee Leng , Chachlani Naresh , Wong Poo Sing
Published: April 2014

Immunoglobulin G4-related systemic disease is a rare entity with various presenting symptoms. We report the case of a 34-year-old Chinese male who presented with immunoglobulin G4-related aortitis and the unusual symptom of hoarseness of voice. He underwent distal ascending aorta and total aortic arch replacement.
The determinants of the costs of financial distress in SMEs
Authors: Keasey Kevin , Pindado Julio , Rodrigues Luis
Published: April 2014

We propose a theoretical model that argues that the expected financial distress costs in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) result from the interaction of the financial distress likelihood and the magnitude of the consequences borne whenever financial failure occurs. The empirical evidence from five European countries, where the insolvency laws are representative of prevailing institutional traditions, supports this model. We reveal that the ex ante financial distress costs suffered by a firm depend not only on the likelihood of financial distress but also on the variables that influence the amount of time and costs incurred during the insolvency process. Specifically, financial costs are lower where the capacity to use tangible assets as collateral and short-term debt is greater; they are higher the greater the use of long-term secured debt. Additionally, the effect of these variables is moderated by a firm’s ownership and by the nature of the insolvency law in operation. The timely management of these variables can avoid the high costs involved in an involuntary exit.
The DEXMART hand: Mechatronic design and experimental evaluation of synergy-based control for human-like grasping
Authors: Palli G. , Melchiorri C. , Vassura G. , Scarcia U. , Moriello L. , Berselli G. , Cavallo A. , De Maria G. , Natale C. , Pirozzi S. , May C. , Ficuciello F. , Siciliano B.
Published: April 2014

This paper summarizes recent activities carried out for the development of an innovative anthropomorphic robotic hand called the DEXMART Hand. The main goal of this research is to face the problems that affect current robotic hands by introducing suitable design solutions aimed at achieving simplification and cost reduction while possibly enhancing robustness and performance. While certain aspects of the DEXMART Hand development have been presented in previous papers, this paper is the first to give a comprehensive description of the final hand version and its use to replicate human-like grasping. In this paper, particular emphasis is placed on the kinematics of the fingers and of the thumb, the wrist architecture, the dimensioning of the actuation system, and the final implementation of the position, force and tactile sensors. The paper focuses also on how these solutions have been integrated into the mechanical structure of this innovative robotic hand to enable precise force and displacement control of the whole system.

Another important aspect is the lack of suitable control tools that severely limits the development of robotic hand applications. To address this issue, a new method for the observation of human hand behavior during interaction with common day-to-day objects by means of a 3D computer vision system is presented in this work together with a strategy for mapping human hand postures to the robotic hand. A simple control strategy based on postural synergies has been used to reduce the complexity of the grasp planning problem. As a preliminary evaluation of the DEXMART Hand’s capabilities, this approach has been adopted in this paper to simplify and speed up the transfer of human actions to the robotic hand, showing its effectiveness in reproducing human-like grasping.
A Novel Idiopathic Superficial Neocortical Degeneration and Atrophy in Young Adult Dogs
Authors: Cahalan S. D. , Cappello R. , de Lahunta A. , Summers B. A.
Published: April 2014

A diffuse, chronic, superficial neocortical degeneration that resulted in atrophy was detected in five 1 to 2-year-old-dogs. Presenting neurologic signs included ataxia, dysphagia, blindness, and mentation changes. Magnetic resonance imaging on brains from 2 dogs demonstrated severe bilateral cerebrocortical atrophy and enlarged lateral and third ventricles. Grossly, multifocal, bilaterally symmetrical, extensive areas of neocortical brownish discoloration associated with atrophy of gyri and sulcal widening were recorded in the dorsal and lateral cerebral hemispheres in 3 dogs. Microscopically, in all dogs there was subacute to chronic superficial neocortical degeneration affecting all cerebral lobes, ranging from loss of the molecular layer to less frequent larger and deeper cavitations of variable size. Clinical signs probably resulted from a combination of primary neocortical degeneration and secondary degeneration in the corticobulbar and corticospinal tracts. The distribution pattern of gross and histologic cerebrocortical lesions suggests that this is a novel degenerative canine cerebral disease.
Atypical age-related cortical thinning in episodic migraine
Authors: Chong Catherine D , Dodick David W , Schlaggar Bradley L , Schwedt Todd J
Published: April 2014

Background

Prior studies demonstrate reduced cortical thickness and volume in migraineurs. However, the effect of age on cortical thickness has not been assessed in migraineurs. In this study we investigated whether the process of aging on cortical thickness affects migraineurs differently compared to age-matched healthy controls, i.e. whether aging exacerbates cortical thinning in migraineurs.

Methods

Cortical thickness was estimated using a general linear model vertex-by-vertex approach for 32 healthy controls (mean age = 35.3 years; SD = 11.6) and 27 episodic migraine patients (mean age = 33.6 years; SD = 12.3). Results were modeled using a main effect analysis to estimate the effect of age on cortical thickness for each group separately, and an age-by-group analysis to estimate differences in age-related cortical thinning between migraine patients and normal controls.

Results

Although migraineurs and normal controls both have expected age-related thinning in many regions along the cortical mantle, migraineurs have age-related thinning of regions that do not thin in healthy controls, including: bilateral postcentral, right fusiform, and right temporal pole areas. Cortical thinning of these regions is more prominent with advancing age.

Conclusion

Results suggest that migraine is associated with atypical cortical aging, suggesting that the migraine disease process interacts with aging to affect cortical integrity.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in the Symptomatic Hips of Younger Retired National Football League Players
Authors: Domb Benjamin G. , Jackson Timothy J. , Carter Christopher C. , Jester Jon R. , Finch Nathan A. , Stake Christine E.
Published: April 2014

Background:

American football players have an increased level of risk for hip injuries because of the high level of contact, biomechanical load, and anatomic strain placed on the hip joint. Many injuries are attributed to soft tissue injury rather than intra-articular lesions. However, because of improved imaging and increased knowledge, physicians are attributing unexplained hip pain to intra-articular lesions with increasing frequency.

Purpose:

To assess the prevalence of pathologic intra-articular hip lesions in a younger, retired National Football League (NFL) player cohort evaluated for persistent hip pain.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on retired NFL players evaluated at an orthopaedic clinic for persistent hip pain. All MRIs were performed at the same location and reviewed by the same independent radiologist. The study included 62 hips; MRI was used to evaluate 27 hips, and MRI arthrogram was used to evaluate 35 hips. Images were assessed for labral tears, chondral lesions, ligamentum teres (LT) tears, bone cysts, osteophytes, loose bodies, trochanteric bursitis, and alpha angle. Player demographics, including position and seasons played, were recorded.

Results:

From February 2011 to December 2012, a total of 50 retired players from the NFL (average age, 33 years; range, 27-39 years) received impairment evaluations assessing all symptomatic joints. Thirty-eight (76%) players had hip complaints and underwent a dedicated hip MRI. Twenty-four players (63%) had bilateral hip pain, for a total of 62 hips evaluated. There were 55 (89%) labral tears, 61 (98%) chondral lesions, and 50 (81%) partial or complete LT tears identified on MRI. Additional findings included 3 (5%) hips with osteophytes, 9 (14.5%) with subchondral bone cysts, and 3 (5%) with paralabral cysts. None of the players were found to have trochanteric bursitis or loose bodies. Fifty-eight of 62 alpha angles could be measured, for a mean of 59° (range, 39°-77°). The majority of players were defensive players (63%), while the remainder were offensive players (34%) and 1 special teams player. Position breakdown was as follows: 29% were defensive backs, 16% played the defensive line, 18% were linebackers, 13% were fullbacks, 11% were wide receivers, 5% played the offensive line, and the remaining 8% were kickers, running backs, and quarterbacks.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated a high incidence of intra-articular pathologic lesions of the hip in a younger cohort of retired NFL players. The majority of players had bilateral hip pain. The most common finding was chondral lesions, followed by labral tears. Future research is needed to further elucidate incidence and treatment outcomes using prospective studies examining active and retired players with hip-related injuries.
Including the ‘Other’: Power and Postcolonialism as Underrepresented Perspectives in the Discourse on Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Drebes Maike J.
Published: April 2014

The concept of corporate social responsibility has been widely discussed in academia in the past decades. Most often, however, this debate has taken place in the traditional hierarchical and structural boundaries of global economy, limiting it to certain contradictory perspectives, swaying between a business-management and a critical-normative approach. This article argues that there is an urgent need of studying the concept from a different angle. Using a power perspective and basing it on authors such as Michel Foucault, David Harvey and others, it discusses the hypothesis that the current theoretical framework of the concept ‘corporate social responsibility’ is subject to a strong imbalance and a structural misalignment and is – despite its allegedly benevolent intentions – perfectly blending into the hegemonic construction of our global economy with its dominant axis between the ‘West and the Rest’. The article concludes with propositions for further research on the topic.
Reshaping China’s Urban Citizenship: Street Vendors, Chengguan and Struggles over the Right to the City
Authors: Swider Sarah
Published: April 2014

This article examines spatial politics involved with the remaking of urban citizenship across Chinese cities. China’s emerging urban citizenship is shaped by its hukou system, which not only spatially and socially segregates rural migrants and urban natives in the cities, but also creates a large group of unregistered or ‘illegal’ migrants. This case study of unregistered migrant street venders looks at the implications of their unregistered status and how it has changed over time, shifting from creating benefits to becoming a burden. I capture how unregistered migrants’ lack of status has increasingly become an important basis of exclusion, and a burden, as they are denied access to new legitimate avenues of claims-making such as NGOs, courts and arbitration. This helps explain the increasingly common, and intensifying, clashes between migrant street vendors who are struggling for a right to the city and the chengguan, public security officers who are charged with regulating the streets.
Hydroformability assessment of AA6063 tubes using the polar effective plastic strain diagram
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc T , Lee Eunguk , Lee Myoung-Gyu , Kim Hyung jong , Kim Heon-Young
Published: April 2014

Conventional forming limit diagram concept to determine the forming severity in tube hydroformed products might be restrictive because materials experience complex stress and strain path changes during the shaping process. In this study, a polar effective plastic strain diagram approach was adopted as a strain path–insensitive measurement to establish a criterion for evaluation of necking and, consequently, bursting failures in the tube hydroforming process. The polar effective plastic strain–based failure prediction uses information of the effective plastic strain and the direction defined by the arctangent of the current strain-rate ratio. These values were measured and calculated from free-expansion tests of straight AA6063 tubes for various combinations of axial feed and internal pressure using a stereo vision-based surface strain measurement system. The polar effective plastic strain diagram was constructed and applied to finite element analysis to predict the forming limit of AA6063 tubes. The effect of pretensions was also considered.
A mathematical model to predict material removal rate during electric discharge machining of cryogenically treated titanium alloys
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Batish Ajay , Singh Rupinder , Singh Tejinder P
Published: April 2014

Three grades of titanium alloy Ti (grade 2), Ti-6Al-4V (grade 5) and Ti-5Al-2.5Sn (grade 6) were machined using electric discharge machining after deep and shallow cryogenic treatment. The peak current was observed to be the most significant factor followed by electrode material and pulse-on time. Subsequently, a mathematical model for predicting material removal rate of titanium alloys was developed using dimensional analysis based on the significant process parameters affecting material removal rate and the thermal–physical properties of the titanium alloy. The predicted results obtained from the mathematical model were validated by comparing with the experimental results and were found to be in good agreement with each other. Incremental increase in material removal rate was observed after deep cryogenic treatment due to increase in thermal and electrical conductivity of the material. The model showed that the thermal properties of the material such as thermal conductivity, specific heat and boiling point of materials affect the erosion process in electric discharge machining. Microstructure analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer and X-ray diffraction for selected samples. The migration of different elements and formation of compounds on the machined surface was investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer and X-ray diffraction analysis.
A model to determine the optimal parameters in a machining process for the most profitable utilization of machining energy
Authors: Arif Muhammad , Stroud Ian A , Akten Olcay
Published: April 2014

This article presents a model within the sustainable machining paradigm. In general, the optimization of machining process for the minimum energy consumption alone does not have sufficient impetus for application in the manufacturing companies wherein profit maximization remains the preferred mode of operation. In this study, a novel objective function for the optimization of machining process is modelled which determines the optimal machining parameters for the maximum profit per unit energy consumption. The model is applied to an example problem of a single-pass turning operation and is found unique from the past models focused on the minimization of either energy consumed or cost incurred.
Investigation of the influence of constant pressure oil source fluctuations on ultra-precision machining
Authors: Chen Wanqun , Liang Yingchun , Sun Yazhou , An Chenhui , Chen Guoda
Published: April 2014

The waviness errors on the machined surfaces have significant impact on the performance of optical components. Mid-spatial frequency errors (amplitude near 10 nm, wavelength about 1 mm) are found on the machined surfaces along feeding direction, and the oil pressure fluctuations of the hydrostatic slide are confirmed to be the main source which produces such waviness errors. In this article, the influence of oil pressure fluctuations on the machined surface is studied quantitatively for the first time, and the corresponding experiments are carried out. Besides, the three-dimensional surface profile simulations of workpieces considering the oil pressure fluctuations are achieved. The simulation results have been verified by the experiments on an ultra-precision flycutting machine.
An analytical investigation on the workpiece roundness generation and its perfection strategies in centreless grinding
Authors: Cui Qi , Ding Hui , Cheng Kai
Published: April 2014

Continuous improvement of the component roundness accuracy through computer numerical control centreless grinding in high productivity is one of the most important issues particularly for modern automotive and bearings manufacturing. For instance, the process is towards 0.1–0.3 µm roundness accuracy in grinding the engine valve rod because of the increasingly stringent energy efficiency requirement in automotive engines. The characteristics of the computer numerical control centreless grinding process make it challenging, that is, how to assure the workpiece roundness generation in a predictable, producible, highly productive and scientific manner. In this article, a simulation-based industrial feasible approach is presented to model and control the workpiece roundness generation and its perfection strategies in computer numerical control centreless grinding. The kinematics of the workpiece in the process is presented according to the workpiece profile and its geometric configurations. Taking into account the workpiece geometric movements, contact and loss effect and grinding restrictions, a time-domain dynamic model is developed to provide the dynamics description of the workpiece, the grinding wheel and the control wheel in the process. The roundness generation of the workpiece is further predicted using this model. The effects of multiple factors on the workpiece rounding process are discussed and the influences on final roundness errors are investigated.
An investigation on roll adjusting radius in three-dimensional rolling process for three-dimensional surface parts
Authors: Wang Daming , Li Mingzhe , Cai Zhongyi
Published: April 2014

Three-dimensional rolling is a novel forming process for three-dimensional surface parts, which combines the rolling process with multi-point forming technology. This process employs a pair of forming rolls as a forming tool; the residual stress of sheet metal makes the sheet metal generate three-dimensional deformation by controlling the nonuniform distribution of roll gap of the forming rolls. In this article, two types of forming processes are investigated for three-dimensional surface parts with the same target shape in different roll adjusting radius. The roll adjusting radius of a forming process is much larger than the target transverse curvature radius of the forming part, and the roll adjusting radius of another forming process is equal to the target transverse curvature radius of the forming part. Finite element analysis models are established; spherical and saddle surfaces are simulated. The corresponding experimental results are obtained. The dimensional accuracy of the forming parts using the two types of forming processes is compared, and the difference between the two types of forming processes for forming parts is analyzed through simulated results. The bendable roll rotates around its bent axis easily if its bending deformation is small; therefore, the forming process that the roll adjusting radius is much larger than the target transverse curvature radius of the surface part has relatively extensive application prospect. The comparison and analysis of the forming results may provide useful guidance on optimizing the three-dimensional rolling process for three-dimensional surface parts.
Multi-objective optimization of electrical discharge machining of PH17-4 stainless steel with surfactant-mixed and graphite powder–mixed dielectric using Taguchi-data envelopment analysis–based ranking method
Authors: Reddy V Vikram , Valli P Madar , Kumar A , Reddy Ch Sridhar
Published: April 2014

Electrical discharge machining is commonly used in manufacturing industry to make dies of complex cavities. This work investigates electric discharge machining of PH17-4 stainless steel when both graphite powder–mixed and surfactant-mixed dielectric fluid were used during electrical discharge machining. Taguchi method is used for conducting experiments with L9 orthogonal array by choosing electrical discharge machining process parameters, namely, peak current, surfactant concentration and graphite powder concentration. The process performance characteristics of electrical discharge machining such as material removal rate, surface roughness and tool wear rate are chosen for this study. The purpose of this work is to find significance of process parameters on performance characteristics and also get an optimal combination of these parameters using Taguchi-data envelopment analysis–based ranking multi-response optimization method.
An investigation of a hypocycloid mechanism based twin-rotor piston engine
Authors: Xu Xiaojun , Xu Haijun , Deng Hao , Gu Fengshou , Talbot Chris
Published: April 2014

A unique mechanism is investigated in this paper to show the working principles of a novel hypocycloid twin-rotor piston engine (HTRPE), which provides the basis for the structural design, kinematic and dynamical analysis necessary to realize the engine. As a critical system for the HTRPE, the differential velocity mechanism is examined first by decomposing it into two non-uniform motion mechanisms and one hypocycloid mechanism, which allows an evaluation of different options of design parameters. Then analytical expressions are derived to calculate the rotor angular velocities and the relative angular velocities of pairs of rotors for a detailed performance analysis. Based on the results of this analysis a prototype HTRPE is proposed and benchmarked with both a conventional reciprocating and a Wankel engine. It is shown that the new engine outperforms the other two engines in key engine features including combustion gas force transmission, volumetric change of working chambers, power frequency, piston velocity and displacement, demonstrating that HTRPE is very promising as a more energy efficient engine due to its high compactness and power density, and consequently lightweight design.
Do we treat individuals as patients or as potential donors? A phenomenological study of healthcare professionals’ experiences
Authors: Orøy Aud , Strømskag Kjell Erik , Gjengedal Eva
Published: April 2014

Background:

Organ donation and transplantation have made it possible to both save life and to improve the quality of life for a large number of patients. In the last years there has been an increasing gap between the number of patients who need organs and organs available for transplantation, and the focus worldwide has been on how to meet the organ shortage. This also rises some ethical challenges.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to explore healthcare professionals' experience of ethics related to care and interaction with critically ill patients with severe brain injuries and their families.

Research design:

A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to explore the participants' experiences. Methods for collecting data were a combination of participant observations and in-depth interviews.

Participants and research context:

Two ICUs in a Norwegian university hospital were recruited for data collection. A total of 12 cases were observed, and 32 of the healthcare professionals involved were interviewed.

Ethical considerations:

The study was approved by the Regional Committee for Research Ethics. Permission to the study in the ICUs was obtained from the Chief Physician in the two ICUs respectively. The right of the participants was ensured by written, voluntary, and informed consent.

Findings:

From the thematic analysis, a structure of the participants' experiences emerged as a process. While the patients' condition was clarified through phases of prognostic ambiguity, gradual clarification and prognostic certainty, interaction with the families was characterized by ambiguity that involved withholding. The prognostic process had a great impact on how the healthcare professionals interacted with the family. The interaction challenged the participants' caring values in various ways and captured an important structure in their experiences of the ethical interaction with the patients' families. These challenges distinguish caring for families in donation situations from caring for relatives of critically ill patients in general.

Discussion:

In the discussion we have illuminated how professional ethics may be threatened by more pragmatic and utilitarian arguments contained in regulations and transplant act.

Conclusion:

Ethical questions should be discussed more both in educations of healthcare professionals and in clinical practice.
The Efficacy of Sulodexide in the Prevention of Postthrombotic Syndrome
Authors: Luzzi Roberta , Belcaro Gianni , Dugall Mark , Hu Shu , Arpaia Guido , Ledda Andrea , Ippolito Edmondo , Corsi Marcello , Ricci Andrea , Cotellese Roberto , Agus Giovanni , Errichi Bruno M. , Cornelli Umberto , Cesarone M. Rosaria , Hosoi Morio
Published: April 2014

Aim:

The aim of this open, observational registry was to evaluate the effects of antithrombotic treatment on the development of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS): the effects of “standard management” (SM; according to International Union of Angiology guidelines) were compared to SM in association with sulodexide or aspirin.

Methods:

Postthrombotic syndrome occurrence was observed in 3 nonparallel groups after deep venous thrombosis (DVT); the registry started after the end of the anticoagulation period. The target was to observe the occurrence of PTS in 5 years. Three possible options were suggested to the patients, and the patients and their caregivers defined the type of management. A group of 167 patients was involved in the SM with reevaluation every 6 months; the sulodexide group included 124 patients and the aspirin group included 48 patients.

Results:

The 3 groups were clinically similar and comparable for age and sex distribution. Of the 167 patients in the SM group, 154 patients completed 60 months of follow-up. The percentage of patients with PTS in the SM group ranged from 14.9% (1 year after the end of anticoagulation) to 19.5% (60 months). In the nonparallel group using sulodexide (124 comparable patients at inclusion; 115 at 60 months), the percentage of PTS was variable from 8.8% (1 year after anticoagulants) to 12.17% at 60 months. These percentages are significantly lower than those observed with SM. In the nonparallel aspirin group (48 patients at inclusion and 34 at 54 months), there was a PTS incidence of 23.5% at 54 months (vs 12.17% in the sulodexide group and 18.23% in the SM group). The incidence of PTS was significantly higher in comparison with the other 2 groups. The incidence of PTS was lower in the sulodexide group in comparison with the 2 other groups.

Conclusions:

Sulodexide administration after DVT appears to be effective in preventing PTS in association with recommended management and a number of recurrent DVTs. Modalities of treatment, dosages, and timing of administration should be explored in more comprehensive and complete studies.
Dynamics of dry friction damping in gas turbines: literature survey
Authors: Rizvi Asmi , Smith Chris W , Rajasekaran Ramesh , Evans Ken E
Published: April 2014

Vibrating structures, such as gas turbine engines, are assemblages of multiple components interfaced with each other through physical contact. The friction produced at these contact interfaces, by sliding or slipping at the interface, is a source of energy dissipation, resulting in damping effects. This passive approach to damping is exploited by engineers to provide optimal energy dissipation to attenuate vibration in a variety of systems (such as bladed disc assemblies and airfoils), to prevent wear and premature failure. However, the highly nonlinear nature of friction renders accurate predictive modeling of such a problem challenging. This article gives an overview of the current state of the art, and the methods used for mathematical and predictive computational modeling of vibrating systems under the influence of dry friction.
Hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia induced by capecitabine: A report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Han Gao-hua , Huang Jun-Xing
Published: April 2014

Background

Capecitabine is a tumor-activated oral fluoropyrimidine used in breast and colorectal cancer. Hypertriglyceridemia associated with this drug has rarely been reported in the literature.

Methods

Two patients with colorectal carcinoma who developed capecitabine-induced hypertriglyceridemia (including a patient who developed hyperglycemia concurrently) were described, treatment modalities were discussed, and the literatures were reviewed.

Results

The first patient, a 43-year-old man, developed hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia after two cycles of XELOX regimen chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. His triglyceride was 2.47 mmol/L (normal range 0.34–1.7 mmol/L) and total cholesterol was 6.93 mmol/L (normal range 3.12–5.9 mmol/L), while blood glucose was abnormal (fasting blood glucose was 10.58–11.9 mmol/L and 2 h postprandial glucose was 14.5–17.2 mmol/L) and glucose was positive in the urine(3+). The second patient, a 47-year-old woman, developed abnormalities in the lipid profile after the sixth cycle of XELOX regimen chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Her serum triglyceride was 2.41 mmol/L (normal range 0.34–1.7 mmol/L), while the cholesterol level was 7.73 mmol/L (normal range 3.12–5.9 mmol/L). The profile of lipid improved gradually with reduced doses of capecitabine and was well restored after chemotherapy without any lipid-lowering agents. The Naranjo score for capecitabine-induced hypertriglyceridemia was 9 (definite). An analysis of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms was provided.

Conclusion

It is important of physicians and pharmacists to be aware of the possibility of dyslipidemia, particularly hypertriglyceridemia induced by capecitabine.
Analysis of stress and electric fields in a piezoelectric long solid cylinder under axisymmetric thermo-electro-mechanical loadings
Authors: Hashemi M , Kargarnovin MH
Published: April 2014

In this paper, an analytical solution for the displacement components and electric potential function is proposed for a piezothermoelastic long solid cylinder under general axisymmetric loadings. Governing equations, including thermal effects, for transversely isotropic piezoelectric material are presented in a cylindrical coordinate system. The most general form of the complementary and particular solutions for the displacement components and electric potential function are obtained in terms of a cosine and sinuous Fourier integral, as well as the temperature distribution function. Then, the general form of stress distributions and electric field are obtained using the constitutive equations. Finally, under some specific type of thermal boundary conditions, i.e. when the cylinder surface is under the heat convection of a flowing fluid or prescribed temperatures, as well as external pressure and electric charge, related stress and electric fields are obtained.
Feline double pigtail ureteric stents for management of ureteric obstruction: short- and long-term follow-up of 26 cats
Authors: Kulendra Nicola Jayne , Syme Harriet , Benigni Livia , Halfacree Zoe
Published: April 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the outcome of cats with ureteric obstruction managed with double pigtail ureteric stents and to document the incidence of lower urinary tract signs at long-term follow-up. Data were obtained retrospectively from the medical records (2009–2012) of 26 cats that underwent ureteric stent placement. Owners were contacted for follow-up, and a quality of life questionnaire completed. Survival to discharge after stent placement was 85% (22/26). Prevalence of postoperative uroabdomen necessitating further surgery was 15% (4/26). Stents were replaced 4–28 months after the initial surgery in four cats because of migration, fracture, encrustation causing luminal obstruction or sterile cystitis, respectively. Nine cats were alive at follow-up, which was 3–28 months after the original surgery. Nine cats had azotaemic chronic kidney disease and nine had signs related to sterile cystitis; three of these cats were euthanased as a result of the severity of the signs. Preoperative serum creatinine of the survivors (9.4 mg/dl, n = 9) was not significantly different from that of the non-survivors (6.5 mg/dl, n = 13; P = 0.295). Quality of life was assigned a mean score of 8/10. Median survival of cats following discharge was 419 days (range 44–994 days). Signs consistent with sterile cystitis affected 35% of cats. It was concluded that ureteric stent placement in cats was associated with a 15% mortality rate before hospital discharge. Long-term management of ureteric stents is associated with a high rate of lower urinary tract signs.
Identical lesion morphology in primary progressive and relapsing–remitting MS –an ultrahigh field MRI study
Authors: Kuchling Joseph , Ramien Caren , Bozin Ivan , Dörr Jan , Harms Lutz , Rosche Berit , Niendorf Thoralf , Paul Friedemann , Sinnecker Tim , Wuerfel Jens
Published: April 2014

Potential differences between primary progressive (PP) and relapsing–remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) have been controversially discussed. In this study, we compared lesion morphology and distribution in patients with PPMS and RRMS (nine in each group) using 7 T MRI. We found that gray and white matter lesions in PPMS and RRMS patients did not differ in their respective morphological characteristics (e.g. perivascular p = 0.863, hypointense rim p = 0.796, cortical lesion count p = 0.436). Although limited by a small sample size, our study results suggest that PPMS and RRMS, despite differences in disease course and clinical characteristics, exhibit identical lesion morphology under ultrahigh field MRI.
Labour, gender and ethnicities in the ‘heart of Manila’
Authors: Espinosa Shirlita Africa
Published: April 2014

Quiapo, the ‘heart of Manila’, like most cities in the developing world, responds to and negotiates with transnational processes in the way its inhabitants arrange local labour market conditions. Quiapo presents a unique case where the informal economy of pirated global media products is hinged on the complexities of gender relations, ethnic politics and even religion within Philippine society. Given the increase in unemployment, and thus the expansion of the informal economy, piracy has become a conduit for socio-economic changes intersecting with the culturally specific economy of Quiapo’s social history. One of these changes is the gendered division of labour in two areas of Quiapo: Hidalgo and Carriedo. On the other hand, piracy reinforces deeply entrenched tensions characterised by religious and ethnic divides. Piracy in Quiapo, as a fascinating terrain of Manileños’ urban experience, has significant implications for the slow but complex transformations that equally refashion the global and the local.
Surgical Management of Rib Fractures: Strategies and Literature Review
Authors: de Jong M. B. , Kokke M. C. , Hietbrink F. , Leenen L. P. H.
Published: April 2014

Background and Aims:

Rib fractures can cause significant problems in trauma patients, often resulting in pain and difficulty with respiration. To prevent pulmonary complications and decrease the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with rib fractures, currently there is a trend to provide surgical management of patients with flail chest. However, the indications for rib fracture fixation require further specification.

Material and Methods:

Past and current strategies are described according to a review of the medical literature. A systematic review was performed including current indications for rib fracture fixation. MEDLINE (2000–2013) was searched, as well as Embase (2000–2013) and Cochrane Databases, using the keywords rib, fracture, fixation, plate, repair, and surgery.

Results:

Three retrospective studies were found that described different techniques for rib fracture fixation. The results demonstrated a reduced number of ventilation days, decreased long-term morbidity and pain, and satisfactory rehabilitation after surgical treatment. In addition to flail chest, age, Injury Severity Score, and the number of rib fractures were important predictive factors for morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion:

Surgical rib fracture fixation might be indicated in a broader range of cases than is currently performed. Prospective randomized trials are needed for further confirmation.
Kill one or kill them all? Differences between single and multiple victim school attacks
Authors: Bondü Rebecca , Scheithauer Herbert
Published: April 2014

Research indicates individual pathways towards school attacks and inconsistent offender profiles. Thus, several authors have classified offenders according to mental disorders, motives, or number/kinds of victims. We assumed differences between single and multiple victim offenders (intending to kill one or more than one victim). In qualitative and quantitative analyses of data from qualitative content analyses of case files on seven school attacks in Germany, we found differences between the offender groups in seriousness, patterns, characteristics, and classes of leaking (announcements of offences), offence-related behaviour, and offence characteristics. There were only minor differences in risk factors. Our research thus adds to the understanding of school attacks and leaking. Differences between offender groups require consideration in the planning of effective preventive approaches.
Reaching Youth With Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing
Authors: Friedman Allison L. , Bozniak Allison , Ford Jessie , Hill Ashley , Olson Kristina , Ledsky Rebecca , Inokuchi Derek , Brookmeyer Kathryn
Published: April 2014

Nine programs were funded across eight states in the United States to customize, implement, and evaluate local campaigns in support of the national Get Yourself Tested ( GYT) campaign. Each program promoted chlamydia screening and treatment/referral to sexually active young women (aged 15–25 years) and their partners through accessible, free, or low-cost services. This article documents the strategies and outcomes of these local GYT campaigns, highlighting the diversity in which a national sexual health campaign is implemented at the local level and identifying challenges and successes. Nearly all ( n = 7) programs involved target audience members in campaign development/implementation. Youth were linked to free or low-cost sexually transmitted disease testing through community centers, high schools and colleges, community and clinic events; online or text-based ordering of test kits; and community pickup locations. Sites used a combination of traditional and new media, on-the-ground activities, promotional products, and educational and social events to promote testing. With the exception of one site, all sites reported increases in the number of persons tested for chlamydia during campaign implementation, compared to baseline. Increases ranged from 0.5% to 128%. Successes included development of local partnerships, infrastructure, and capacity; use of peer leaders and involvement; and opportunities to explore new innovations. Challenges included use of social media/new technologies, timing constraints, limited organizational and evaluation capacity, and unforeseen delays/setbacks. Each of these issues is explored, along with lessons learned, with intent to inform future sexual health promotion efforts.
The (Cue) Spaces Between
Authors: Bogdanich Jennifer L.
Published: April 2014

The early modern theatrical practice of cue script acting provided an actor with his character’s part—a long strip of paper wound in a roll on a baton—that consisted only of his character’s lines plus a one- to three-word cue before each speech. In solitude, each actor would read and learn his lines and cues in sequence having never seen the entire script or knowing what occurred in between his actor’s lines until performed in front of the audience opening night. When using cue script acting as a performance-based method of teaching Shakespeare, students delve into a character’s part while engaging with others’, collaboratively making improvised, interpretive decisions; some fluid, some contradictory. This article explores cue script acting and collaborative writing as a collective method of engaging with Shakespeare by examining the similarities between these two practices. In addition, the article investigates the Deleuzoguattarian concept of the nomad and St. Pierre’s concept of nomadic inquiry to make connections between these two methods, arguing that cue script acting is a form of collaborative writing as inquiry.
Disparities in Preventive Health Behaviors Among Non-Hispanic White Men
Authors: Dallo Florence J. , Kindratt Tiffany B.
Published: April 2014

The objectives of this study were to estimate and compare the age-adjusted prevalence of not receiving a flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, or prostate cancer screening among U.S.- and foreign-born White men by region of birth (Europe/Russia and the Arab Nations) and examine these associations while controlling for potential confounders. Twelve years of restricted data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) including 91,636 U.S.- and foreign-born men were used. Chi-squares were used to compare descriptive statistics, and odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were used for inferential statistics. In crude and adjusted analyses, foreign-born Arab American men were less likely to report receiving a flu (OR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.67) and pneumonia (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.16, 0.70) vaccine compared with U.S.-born White men. There were no statistically significant differences for PSA testing between Arab American and White men. This national study examining uptake of flu and pneumonia vaccines suggests estimates are lower for foreign-born Arab American men compared with U.S.-born White men. Future studies should collect qualitative data that assesses the cultural context surrounding prevention and screening behaviors among Arab Americans.
Design of terahertz wave polarizer based on thin film structure with micrometer scale
Authors: Wang Wen-liang , Rong Xiao-hongong
Published: April 2014

With the rapid development of terahertz radiation sources and detectors, there is also a great demand for terahertz filters. The quantitative studies on polarizer have been carried out in other spectral range, but the studies on terahertz wave polarizer are still very limited. Therefore, it is valuable to investigate the design of a polarizer in the terahertz range. In this article, tellurium and polystyrene thin film is used to compose a symmetrical structure, and then 10 periods of this structure are used in our design. A terahertz wave polarizer with micrometer scale is gained. Results of simulations show that the polarizer has a high performance in reflectivity for transverse-electric part polarized terahertz wave as well as low reflectivity for transverse-magnetic part polarized terahertz wave. The work frequency and incident angle of our design are 0.5 THz and 45°, respectively, and it has a reasonable incident angle range.