bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activated clotting time test alone is inadequate to optimize therapeutic heparin dosage adjustment during post-cardiopulmonary resuscitational extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (e-CPR)
Authors: Yie Kilsoo , Chon Soon-Ho Daniel , Na Chan-Young
Published: September 2015

Background:

We conducted an observational study to evaluate the relationship between activated clotting time (ACT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) tests, anticipating the possibility that the ACT will become a substitute test for the aPTT in post-CPR extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (e-CPR).

Patients and Methods:

Three hundred and fifteen paired ACT and aPTT samples were derived from 60 in-hospital e-CPR patients and were divided into three groups according to the observed ACT value: low level (ACT<170 s, Group A), intended target level (ACT 170–210 s Group B) and high level (ACT>210 s, Group C). The relationship of aPTT in each group was analyzed.

Results:

The mean ACT and aPTT values were 189.39 ± 48.27 s (IQR, 163–202) and 71.85 ± 45.32 s (IQR, 44.5–81.8), respectively. Although the observed mean ACT value of 189.39 s was similar to the intended mean target value of 190 s (p=0.823), the observed mean aPTT value (71.85 s) was significantly lower than the predicted mean target value (77.5 s, p=0.027). Despite the mean ACT values being significantly different in each group (p<0.0001), the mean aPTT values were not statistically different between Groups A and B (p = 0.317). Of the Group B samples (n = 139), only 31 samples (22.3%) met the optimal therapeutic aPTT range. Pearson’s correlation coefficient for Group B showed only a weak correlation between ACT and aPTT (r=0.177; p=0.037).

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates that the ACT test alone does not seem to be enough to optimize therapeutic heparin dosage adjustment during e-CPR.
Versatile minimized system - a step towards safe perfusion
Authors: Ganushchak Y M , Körver E P J , Yamamoto Y , Weerwind P W
Published: September 2015

A growing body of evidence indicates the superiority of minimized cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) systems compared to conventional systems in terms of inflammatory reactions and transfusion requirements. Evident benefits of minimized CPB systems, however, do not come without consequences. Kinetic-assisted drainage, as used in these circuits, can result in severe fluctuations of venous line pressures and, consequently, fluctuation of the blood flow delivered to the patient. Furthermore, subatmospheric venous line pressures can cause gaseous microemboli. Another limitation is the absence of cardiotomy suction, which can lead to excessive blood loss via a cell saver. The most serious limitation of minimized circuits is that these circuits are very constrained in the case of complications or changing of the surgery plan. We developed a versatile minimized system (VMS) with a priming volume of about 600 ml. A compliance chamber in the venous line decreases peaks of pressure fluctuations. This chamber also acts as a bubble trap. Additionally, the open venous reservoir is connected parallel to the venous line and excluded from the circulation during an uncomplicated CPB. This reservoir can be included in the circulation via a roller pump and be used as a cardiotomy reservoir. The amount and rate of returned blood in the circulation is regulated by a movable level detector. Further, the circuit can easily be converted to an open system with vacuum-assisted venous drainage in the case of unexpected complications. The VMS combines the benefits of minimized circuits with the versatility and safety of a conventional CPB system. Perfusionists familiar with this system can secure an adequate and timely response at expected and unexpected intraoperative complications.
Bilirubin Encephalopathy in a Domestic Shorthair Cat With Increased Osmotic Fragility and Cholangiohepatitis
Authors: Contreras E. T. , Giger U. , Malmberg J. L. , Quimby J. M. , Schaffer P. A.
Published: September 2015

A 7-month-old female domestic shorthair cat was diagnosed with chronic regenerative hemolytic anemia characterized by increased osmotic fragility of unknown etiology. At 13 months of age, the cat was evaluated for acute collapse. The cat was icteric with severe hyperbilirubinemia but no hematocrit changes. Severe obtundation and lateral recumbency progressed to tetraparesis and loss of proprioception in all 4 limbs, and a cerebellar or brainstem lesion was suspected. Postmortem examination revealed suppurative cholangiohepatitis and acute neuronal necrosis in the nuclei of the brainstem and cerebellum, consistent with bilirubin encephalopathy. This is the first known occurrence of cholangiohepatitis and bilirubin encephalopathy in an adult cat with chronic hemolytic anemia. Although rare, bilirubin encephalopathy should be considered a possible sequela to hyperbilirubinemia in adult patients. It remains unknown whether increased osmotic fragility was related to the cholangiohepatopathy.
Stereo-Curvature Aftereffect Is Due to More Than Shape Curvature Adaptation
Authors: Yan Pengfei , Shigemasu Hiroaki
Published: September 2015

For stereo-curvature aftereffect (sCAE), there is no agreement on whether adaptation occurs at the disparity-specified stage, the percept-specified stage, or both. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether retinal-position-dependent sCAE can be induced by possible adaptation to disparity-specified sources. Our study aimed to investigate the dependency and processing levels of adaptation underlying sCAE using dynamic spherical adaptation stimuli with static fixation. Experiment 1 examined the dependency by dynamically altering the location or size of adaptation stimuli. Experiment 2 investigated the adaptation levels via three sub-experiments: Experiment 2.1 examined how eccentricity influenced adaptation strength using static adaptation stimuli with different eccentricities, Experiment 2.2 tested a hypothesis about adaptation to a percept-specified primitive shape index (PSI) using dynamic size change of adaptation stimuli, and Experiment 2.3 tested another hypothesis on adapting disparity-specified average disparity information (ADI) using dynamic PSI change of adaptation stimuli. The results showed retinal-position-dependent and scale-independent sCAE. In addition to a possible eccentricity effect, the retinal-position dependence can result from ADI adaptation while the scale independence can be attributed to PSI adaptation. Therefore, sCAE is caused by adaptation at both the disparity-specified and percept-specified stages. Additionally, sCAE endows two coexisting adaptation processes with one dependent on retinal position and one independent of retinal position.
Direction of Auditory Pitch-Change Influences Visual Search for Slope From Graphs
Authors: Parrott Stacey , Guzman-Martinez Emmanuel , Ortega Laura , Grabowecky Marcia , Huntington Mark D. , Suzuki Satoru
Published: September 2015

Linear trend (slope) is important information conveyed by graphs. We investigated how sounds influenced slope detection in a visual search paradigm. Four bar graphs or scatter plots were presented on each trial. Participants looked for a positive-slope or a negative-slope target (in blocked trials), and responded to targets in a go or no-go fashion. For example, in a positive-slope-target block, the target graph displayed a positive slope while other graphs displayed negative slopes (a go trial), or all graphs displayed negative slopes (a no-go trial). When an ascending or descending sound was presented concurrently, ascending sounds slowed detection of negative-slope targets whereas descending sounds slowed detection of positive-slope targets. The sounds had no effect when they immediately preceded the visual search displays, suggesting that the results were due to crossmodal interaction rather than priming. The sounds also had no effect when targets were words describing slopes, such as “positive,” “negative,” “increasing,” or “decreasing,” suggesting that the results were unlikely due to semantic-level interactions. Manipulations of spatiotemporal similarity between sounds and graphs had little effect. These results suggest that ascending and descending sounds influence visual search for slope based on a general association between the direction of auditory pitch-change and visual linear trend.
Grassroots austerity: municipal bankruptcy from below in Vallejo, California
Authors: Davidson Mark , Kutz William
Published: September 2015

Austerity appears to be a globally coordinated restructuring process, where international and national governments cooperate to stymie economic crisis and socialize the costs of systemic economic failure. However, austerity is also shaped from the bottomup. This paper examines the 2008 bankruptcy of Vallejo, California. This city of under 120 000 people became the first municipal bankruptcy in the Great Recession period. We explore how it became the first to fail. In doing so, we outline the finances of a city whose entrepreneurial activities continued to flounder, making it a good candidate for austerity reforms. However, we also find the city home to a political movement long predicting a municipal default. When economic crisis hit, this movement pushed for the city to make an unprecedented test of Chapter 9 bankruptcy law. Vallejo’s bankruptcy, and the related changes to Chapter 9 law, are therefore interpreted as events that were generated by systemic conditions but ultimately precipitated by decisions taken at the municipal level. We therefore call for austerity to be understood as both a top-down and bottom-up process of state restructuring.
The making of a landslide: legibility and expertise in exurban southern Appalachia
Authors: Gustafson Seth
Published: September 2015

This article explores the changing legibility of the 2004 deadly Peeks Creek landslide in mountainous, historically rural, and rapidly urbanizing Macon County, North Carolina. The event is interesting because local media and other residents made it legible as flood, drawing on local historical experience of flooding. Months and years later, however, many of the same residents made Peeks Creek legible as a landslide. In other words, this event was not always explicitly considered a landslide, but instead had to become one. The article first argues that notions of legibility ought to be more thoroughly considered in urban political ecology scholarship. The article next demonstrates that the changing legibilities were driven by the tandem intervention of first, scientific experts in local policy discussions, and second, low-density exurban growth into landslide prone areas. The importance of this discursive shift was that landslides became legible as objects of environmental governance in a hotly contested 2010-11 county ordinance, revealing the changing and contested nature of expertise and regulation in exurbia.
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Revisited in a French-Speaking Population
Authors: Chauvin Bruno , Leonova Tamara
Published: September 2015

Key concerns about the psychometric properties of the 25-item version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) have consistently been raised in the literature. The present study aimed at examining the meaningfulness of an alternative model to the SDQ in which 7 problematic items are excluded. French-speaking parents of 262 boys and 263 girls aged 6 to 16 years completed the SDQ. Through confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs), results provided support for a new, reduced, and psychometrically sound version of the SDQ called SDQ-R that displayed good factorial validity, construct validity, reliability, and multi-group invariance across gender. Overall, the attractive features of the SDQ-R make it a promising instrument for quickly screening emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents.
Raising Bilingual Children
Authors: Lee Michael , Shetgiri Rashmi , Barina Alexis , Tillitski John , Flores Glenn
Published: September 2015

We examined parental preferences in raising Spanish/English bilingual children. We identified factors influencing their decisions, and the strategies used to promote bilingualism. Focus groups were conducted with Spanish-primary-language parents of children 3 to 7 years old. These groups were audiotaped and transcribed. Three reviewers independently analyzed transcripts for themes using margin-coding and grounded theory; disagreements were resolved by consensus. Thirteen Spanish-primary-language parents participated in two focus groups. The results show that parents wanted their children to be bilingual. Parents also stated that the benefits of bilingualism included better career opportunities, and preservation of culture and native language. Family members, schools, and prior parental experiences influenced the parents’ decisions to raise bilingual children. Parents preferred English-only school classes and to teach Spanish at home. Strategies identified for raising bilingual children included reading bilingual books and having children speak only Spanish at home. Schools and pediatricians are used as resources.
Sibling Behaviors and Mexican-Origin Adolescents’ After-School Activities
Authors: Price Chara D. , Simpkins Sandra D. , Menjívar Cecilia
Published: September 2015

Families are theorized to influence adolescents’ participation in skill-based after-school activities, but research has focused on the role of parents while neglecting the role of siblings. Siblings might be especially critical for Mexican-origin youth, the fastest growing youth population in the United States, due to a high value of family as well as having a larger number of and spending more time with siblings compared with other groups. This mixed-method study of 34 Mexican-origin seventh-grade adolescents provides preliminary evidence for how siblings might influence adolescents’ skill-based organized and informal after-school activities. Qualitative findings suggest that siblings influenced adolescents’ activities through eight unique behaviors (i.e., support, provider of information, role modeling, comparison, negativity, babysitting, transportation, and activity co-participation). Follow-up quantitative analysis suggested some sibling behaviors were more likely to be mentioned based on sibling characteristics, individual characteristics, and neighborhoods. The study highlights new theory, emerging future directions, and ways to promote positive after-school activities via siblings.
Validity of the Child Facial Coding System for the Assessment of Acute Pain in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Hadden Kellie L. , LeFort Sandra , O’Brien Michelle , Coyte Peter C. , Guerriere Denise N.
Published: September 2015

The purpose of the current study was to examine the concurrent and discriminant validity of the Child Facial Coding System for children with cerebral palsy. Eighty-five children (mean = 8.35 years, SD = 4.72 years) were videotaped during a passive joint stretch with their physiotherapist and during 3 time segments: baseline, passive joint stretch, and recovery. Children’s pain responses were rated from videotape using the Numerical Rating Scale and Child Facial Coding System. Results indicated that Child Facial Coding System scores during the passive joint stretch significantly correlated with Numerical Rating Scale scores ( r = .72, P < .01). Child Facial Coding System scores were also significantly higher during the passive joint stretch than the baseline and recovery segments ( P < .001). Facial activity was not significantly correlated with the developmental measures. These findings suggest that the Child Facial Coding System is a valid method of identifying pain in children with cerebral palsy.
Platelet-rich plasma gel composited with nondegradable porous polyurethane scaffolds as a potential auricular cartilage alternative
Authors: Wang Zhongshan , Qin Haiyan , Feng Zhihong , Zhao Yimin
Published: September 2015

Total auricular reconstruction is still a challenge, and autologous cartilage transplant is the main therapy so far. Tissue engineering provides a promising method for auricular cartilage reconstruction. However, although degradable framework demonstrated excellent initial cosmetic details, it is difficult to maintain the auricular contour over time and the metabolites tended to be harmful to human body. In this study, biocompatible and safe nondegradable elastic polyurethane was used to make porous scaffold in specific details by rapid prototyping technology. Platelet-rich plasma contains fibrin and abundant autologous growth factors, which was used as cell carriers for in vitro expanded cells. When crosslinking polyurethane framework, platelet-rich plasma and cells together, we successfully made polyurethane/platelet-rich plasma/cell composites, and implanted them into dorsal subcutaneous space of nude mice. The results showed that this method resulted in more even cell distribution and higher cell density, promoted chondrocyte proliferation, induced higher level expressions of aggrecan and type II collagen gene, increased content of newly developed glycosaminoglycans, and produced high-quality cartilaginous tissue. This kind of cartilage tissue engineering approach may be a potential promising alternative for external ear reconstruction.
The Left and the Foreclosure Crisis: Roots, Resources and Ideology
Authors: Robinson J. Gregg
Published: September 2015

This paper completes an investigation into why there was no major social movement around the foreclosure crisis. The basis of this research was a community study that involved surveys of foreclosed people, community members, and activists, as well as participant observation of anti-foreclosure organizations. Initially I found that lack of membership in or contact with civic organizations on the part of those going through foreclosure was at the heart of the failure to form a movement. The present study adds to this finding by focusing on the groups attempting to organize around foreclosure. I argue that the absence of progressive organizations with organic social roots in the communities affected by foreclosure, lack of resources to make foreclosure a public issue, and failure to develop an ideology that could effectively frame this issue played additional parts in explaining this missing movement.
A review on design for manufacture of variable stiffness composite laminates
Authors: Lozano Gustavo Gonzalez , Tiwari Ashutosh , Turner Christopher , Astwood Simon
Published: September 2015

The use of curvilinear fibre paths to develop variable stiffness laminates is now recognised as a promising technique offering great potential for performance improvements over conventional ‘straight fibre’ laminates. Its manufacture is feasible by fibre placement technologies, such as automated fibre placement. However, these technologies present a set of limitations that need to be included in the design to guarantee the manufacturability and quality of the composite laminates. Although this approach experiences an increasing interest from the specialised literature, most of the works completed overlook the manufacturing reality and, as a result, variable stiffness laminates are not used in industry. This work aims to provide a review of the State-of-the-Art on design for manufacture of variable stiffness in order to highlight the current gaps and research needs. As a conclusion, tools for analysis of the effect of manufacturing defects, manufacturing optimisation of gaps/overlaps or cycle time and the systematic integration of manufacturing constraints in design, are the main challenges that will be faced in the future to be able to exploit the potential of this advanced tailoring technique.
Improvement of strength and toughness: The effect on the weldability of high-strength steels used in offshore structures
Authors: Atta-Agyemang Sammy-Armstrong , Kesse Martin Appiah , Kah Paul , Martikainen Jukka
Published: September 2015

The effect of strength and toughness on the weldability of high-strength steels is very vital consideration in the offshore oil and gas industries. Improved impact toughness of high-strength steels in offshore structures enables viable exploitation of hydrocarbons in technologically challenging conditions. This article reviews improvements in the weldability and impact toughness of high-strength steels. Steels with high strength are associated with high carbon content and addition of alloying elements as they induce hardness which leads to a higher risk of brittle fracture and hydrogen-induced cracking needs. The combination of high strength with high toughness was studied by examining the toughening mechanism of thermomechanical-controlled processing steels, which have higher strength than conventional steel plates but meet the conflicting requirements of strength, toughness and weldability. The thermomechanical-controlled processing production process entails controlled rolling process combined with accelerated cooling or direct quenching to ensure stable mechanical properties of thermomechanical-controlled processing products in welded constructions. It is concluded that due to their very fine grain size and refined heat-affected zone structure, thermomechanical-controlled processing steels can be an effective cost-saving means for fabrication of offshore structures, particularly in shipbuilding, offshore platforms and pipelines for high-operating pressures.
Experiment analysis of spindle performance with rolling bearing under non-uniform preload
Authors: Li Xiao-hu , Zhang Yan-fei , Hong Jun , Zhao Hong , Li Huan-feng
Published: September 2015

As a result of the manufacturing errors in the main parts of spindle, and the errors in assembly process of spindle, as well as the non-uniform heat distribution during spindle operation, the non-uniformly distributed preload in rolling bearing is inevitable. The non-uniform preload has not only axial force on the rolling bearing, but also the bending moment around the rolling bearing center. The effect of preload in bearing being non-uniform on the spindle performance is still unclear. In order to analyze the spindle performance with rolling bearing under non-uniform preload, a spindle test system with adjustable non-uniform distribution preload is built. By changing the magnitude of preload force on each action point, it can make the preload force distribute non-uniformly. In the static state of spindle, upon the change of non-uniformly distributed preload, the radial displacement of spindle shaft end is also changed, while in the dynamic state of spindle, it will lead to the change of the rotation center of spindle as a result of bending moment accompanying the non-uniform preload. Furthermore, the dynamic and static results show that when the preload is under non-uniform distribution, the spindle performance is significantly different from that under uniform preload. So this study would have certain reference value to check the spindle performance and explore novel preload method for rolling bearing.
A new method for studying the longitudinal dynamic behaviour of a suspension on a test rig
Authors: Haberzettl Sebastian , Zschocke Alexander K , Gauterin Frank
Published: September 2015

Analysing the dynamic behaviour of a suspension is essential to achieve the best relationship possible between the ride comfort and the handling. In the past, much effort was spent in investigating the dynamic transmission behaviour of a suspension on a test rig. The majority of these test rigs allow only a vertical deflection. However, the longitudinal direction becomes increasingly important when optimizing the ride comfort on uneven roads. This study investigates the various possibilities for identifying the longitudinal dynamic behaviour and the bump sensitivity of a suspension, by means of a completely rigid clamp acting on a motionless tyre or a stiff dummy wheel. Furthermore, excitations superimposed on the suspension are investigated in detail followed by a parameter study to discover their influence on the longitudinal transmission behaviour of the suspension. Additionally, the results of multi-body simulations are compared with the real measurements. The adopted approach enables the influences of different suspension parameters to be analysed and evaluated on a real suspension test rig and a virtual suspension test rig, in connection with a tyre or for a stand-alone axle.
Matrix weighted multisensor data fusion for INS/GNSS/CNS integration
Authors: Hu Gaoge , Gao Shesheng , Zhong Yongmin , Gao Bingbing , Subic Aleksandar
Published: September 2015

Inertial navigation system (INS)/global navigation satellite system (GNSS)/ celestial navigation system (CNS) integration is a promising solution to improve the performance of navigation due to the complementary characteristics of INS, GNSS, and CNS. Nevertheless, the information fusion involved in INS/GNSS/CNS integration is still an open issue. This paper presents a matrix weighted multisensor data fusion methodology with two-level structure for INS/GNSS/CNS integrated navigation system. On the first level, GNSS and CNS are integrated with INS by two local filters respectively to obtain local optimal state estimations. On the second level, two different matrix weighted data fusion algorithms, one based on generic weighting matrices and the other based on diagonal weighting matrices, are developed to fuse the local state estimations for generating the global optimal state estimation. These two algorithms are derived in the sense of linear minimum variance, which provide unbiased fusion results no matter whether the local state estimations are mutually independent or not. Thus, they overcome the limitations of the federated Kalman filter by refraining from the use of the upper bound technique. Compared with the data fusion algorithm based on generic weighting matrices, the computational load involved in the one based on diagonal weighting matrices is significantly reduced, even though its accuracy is slightly lower due to the disregard of the coupled relationship between the components of the local state estimations. The effectiveness of the proposed matrix weighted multisensor data fusion methodology is verified through Monte Carlo simulations and practical experiments in comparison with the federated Kalman filter.
The association between visiting a primary care provider and uptake of periodic mammograms as women get older
Authors: Sutradhar R , Gu S , Glazier RH , Paszat LF
Published: September 2015

Objective

To determine whether visits to a primary care provider (PCP) are associated with the uptake of periodic mammograms as women get older.

Methods

The cohort consisted of 2,389,889 women resident in Ontario, Canada, aged 50 to 79 at any point from 2001 to 2010, who were cancer-free and eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan prior to study entry. Non-parametric estimation was used to describe the mean cumulative number of periodic mammograms for women with and without recent exposure to a PCP, as a function of age. Using age as the time scale, a recurrent event regression model was also implemented to examine the association between exposure to a PCP and rate of periodic mammograms, adjusted for income quintile and comorbidity.

Results

The mean observation window was 7.0 years. Uptake of periodic mammograms was significantly higher for women with recent exposure to a PCP compared with those without. This trend remained consistent as women aged, and the magnitude of the association increased for women aged 65 or older. The relative rate of periodic mammograms was lower than 1 and consistently decreased as women from lower income quintiles were compared with women from the wealthiest quintile.

Conclusion

Visits to a PCP play an important role in uptake of periodic mammograms, and this association increases as women age.
Transcending Borders and Traversing Boundaries
Authors: Kosmützky Anna , Putty Rahul
Published: September 2015

This article is a review of the literature concerned with transnational, offshore, cross-border, and borderless higher education, which together form a new thematic field within higher education research from the early 2000s onwards. The review places emphasis on the development of this field as well as its most cited contributions. The literature derives from the Database of Research on International Education, while the citation data comes from Google Scholar. The first section describes the growth of the field and its cognitive and institutional structure in terms of keywords, publication types, journals, and topic clusters. The second section provides a review of the most recognized work of this thematic area. Research related to the main themes studied under the label of transnational higher education is discussed. Finally, future directions for research, including methodological issues and substantive concerns, are addressed.
Experimental analysis of separately controlled multi-coils on the performance of magnetorheological absorber under impact loading
Authors: Zheng Jiajia , Ouyang Qing , Li Zhaochun , Li Yancheng , Wang Jiong
Published: September 2015

A magnetorheological absorber is capable of actively adapting any gun recoil condition by means of controlled Coulomb force. The objective of multi-coil magnetorheological absorber with individual input currents is to mitigate the peak force transferred to the buffer structure during bullet firing, and thus to increase the structural fatigue life. This article investigates various cases by applying random combinations of input currents to the magnetic coils. The impact tests were conducted by obtaining and analyzing the force, displacement, and velocity. As a reference, input currents with equivalent magnitude are considered statistically, in terms of average peak force and occurrence time. The experimental results show that separately controlled multi-coils contribute to the magnitude and occurrence time of peak force significantly. Furthermore, to reduce peak forces, a simple open-loop control strategy was proposed and validated effectively by the experimental results.
A comparative numerical study between the adaptive finite-impulse-response and Fourier transform techniques to monitor structural integrity
Authors: Lamb Matthew J , Rouillard Vincent
Published: September 2015

It is often desirable to describe the rate and manner in which structures deteriorate when subjected to random excitation. Oftentimes, structural deterioration is reflected by variations in the system’s stiffness or equivalently, natural frequency. This paper compares the performance of two continuous structural integrity assessment techniques in monitoring variations in the natural frequency of single degree-of-freedom systems when subjected to random loads. The first technique makes use of the Fourier transform and the second is an adaptive finite-impulse-response technique developed by the authors. The effectiveness and limitations of the techniques are evaluated using numerically simulated single degree-of-freedom vibratory systems subjected to random base excitation. The influence of damping, noise, and damage progression type (sudden and gradual) is evaluated and the results compared.

The results show that, despite a greater sensitivity to noise and damping ratio, the digital finite-impulse-response technique is able to more precisely determine the natural frequency of the system and the time at which any changes occurred for a range of damage scenarios and extraneous noise levels when compared to the more conventional Fourier-based analysis techniques. This is significant as it allows for the accurate measurement of stiffness for systems that undergo rapid structural deterioration under random loading.
Advancing Best Practices for Prescription Drug Labeling
Authors: Bailey Stacy Cooper , Navaratnam Prakash , Black Heather , Russell Allison L. , Wolf Michael S.
Published: September 2015

Objective: Problematic prescription drug labeling has been cited as a root cause of patient misunderstanding, medication errors, and nonadherence. Although numerous studies have recently been conducted to identify and test labeling best practices, the last systematic review on this topic was conducted a decade ago. The objective of this review was, therefore, to examine, summarize, and update best practices for conveying written prescription medication information and instructions to patients. Data Sources: English-language articles published from June 2005 to June 2015 were identified in MEDLINE and CINAHL by searching the following text words: ‘ medication OR prescription OR drug’ AND ‘label OR leaflet OR brochure OR pamphlet OR medication guide OR medication insert OR drug insert OR medication information OR drug information OR instructions’ AND ‘ patient OR consumer.’ Reference mining and secondary searches were also performed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: A total of 31 articles providing evidence on how to improve written, prescription drug labeling for patient use were selected. Two reviewers independently screened articles, rated their quality, and abstracted data. Data Synthesis: Identified best practices included the use of plain language, improved formatting and organization, and more explicit instructions to improve patient comprehension. The use of icons had conflicting findings, and few studies tested whether practices improved knowledge or behaviors with patients’ actual prescribed regimens. Conclusions: Future studies are needed to determine how specific modifications and improvements in drug labeling can enhance patient knowledge and behavior in actual use. Synthesizing best practices across all patient materials will create a more useful, coordinated system of prescription information.
IMP3 Is Strongly Expressed in Malignant Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast
Authors: Bellezza Guido , Prosperi Enrico , Del Sordo Rachele , Colella Renato , Rulli Antonio , Sidoni Angelo
Published: September 2015

Background. Phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast are rare biphasic neoplasms and are classified as benign, borderline, or malignant. Many biological markers have been studied to discriminate between different grades of PTs. IMP3 is a member of the insulin-like growth factor II mRNA binding protein (IMP) family and is expressed in developing tissues during embryogenesis, whereas in adult tissues it is found only at low or undetectable levels. IMP3 is considered a marker of biological aggressiveness in many cancers, including breast and lung. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of IMP3 in a series of PTs and to determine its association with histological grade and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods. We reviewed retrospectively 62 cases of PTs including their recurrences and 20 cases of fibroadenoma. PTs have been classified as benign in 40 cases, borderline in 13 cases, and malignant in 9 cases. Results. There were significant differences in IMP3 expression: in malignant PTs IMP3 expression was higher (56% of cases) than in borderline (15%) and benign cases (5%), ( P = .001). Fibroadenoma showed no expression for IMP3. IMP3 expression was different in cases with recurrence than cases without recurrence. Furthermore, 3 of the recurrences had a higher histological grade with a positive IMP3 expression compared with the primary tumor. Conclusions. This is the first study evaluating the IMP3 immunohistochemical expression in PTs. Its expression correlates with histological grade and could be used in the differential diagnosis of fibroepithelial tumors and in predicting a more aggressive behavior.
Composite Epstein–Barr Virus–Associated B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder and Tubular Adenoma in a Rectal Polyp
Authors: Lo Amy A. , Gao Juehua , Rao M. Sambasivia , Yang Guang-Yu
Published: September 2015

Composite tumors are formed when there is intermingling between two components of separate tumors seen histologically. Cases demonstrating composite tubular adenoma with other types of tumors in the colon are rare. Composite tubular adenomas with nonlymphoid tumors including carcinoids, microcarcinoids, and small cell undifferentiated carcinoma have been reported in the literature. The occurrence of composite lymphoma and tubular adenoma within the colorectal tract is extremely rare. Only three cases have been reported and include one case of mantle cell lymphoma and two cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arising in composite tubular adenomas. We present the first case of composite Epstein–Barr virus–associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder and tubular adenoma in a rectal polyp with a benign endoscopic appearance.
Giant Cell Arteritis of the Female Genital Tract With Occult Temporal Arteritis and Marginal Zone Lymphoma Harboring Novel 20q Deletion
Authors: Pradhan Dinesh , Amin Rajnikant M. , Jones Miroslawa W. , Surti Urvashi , Parwani Anil V.
Published: September 2015

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immunologically mediated vasculitis of large and medium-sized vessels, typically affecting the cranial arteries and usually occurring in the elderly. GCA of the female genital tract is extremely rare with only 31 cases reported in the English literature. An 83-year-old white female with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding revealed an endometrial polyp on pelvic ultrasonography following which polypectomy and subsequently hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was done. Microscopy revealed a well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Interestingly, classic GCA involving numerous small to medium-sized arteries of the cervix, myometrium, bilateral fallopian tubes, and ovaries was also identified. Hematologic evaluation revealed marginal zone lymphoma with an exceptionally rare 20q deletion. Bilateral temporal artery biopsy was done subsequently, which exhibited GCA on microscopy. Corticosteroid was started that improved her polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms. The patient is on follow-up for 3 years and is doing well. To our knowledge, this is the first case of GCA of the female genital tract associated with a lymphoma and the second case of marginal zone lymphoma with the novel 20q deletion.
Characterization of the Langendorff Perfused Isolated Mouse Heart Model of Global Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Rossello Xavier , Hall Andrew R. , Bell Robert M. , Yellon Derek M.
Published: September 2015

Introduction:

The Langendorff perfused isolated mouse heart model is commonly used to assess the efficacy of cardioprotective therapies, although the duration of ischemia and reperfusion vary considerably between different laboratories. We aimed to provide a thorough characterization of the model with different durations of ischemia and reperfusion by means of 2 different end points—infarct size (IS) using triphenyltetrazolium staining and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release.

Methods:

C57/BL6 mice hearts were retrograde perfused on a Langendorff apparatus and allocated into 9 groups in a 3 × 3 factorial design—3 ischemic durations (25, 35, and 45 minutes) matched by 3 reperfusion durations (60, 120, and 180 minutes). A protocol of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) was applied to investigate IS and LDH kinetics with different ischemic durations.

Results:

Infarct size progressively increased with the duration of both ischemia and reperfusion and was found to be independently associated with both determinants. In terms of LDH release kinetics, a peak was observed within the first 10 to 15 minutes of reperfusion and steadily declined thereafter, although a second smaller peak was observed in the 25-minute ischemia group. Only LDH peak release was associated with the ischemia length, with area under the curve (AUC) failing to follow ischemic duration. Interestingly, while IPC reduced IS in all ischemic durations investigated, a significant attenuation of LDH AUC was only observed in the 25-minute index ischemia group. Only a moderately positive correlation was observed between IS and LDH peak ( R = .547, P = .006) and AUC ( R = .664, P < .001).

Conclusion:

Myocardial IS measured by triphenyltetrazolium staining depends on both the duration of ischemia and the length of the reperfusion period. The LDH assessment may not be the most reliable tool to assess IS and/or to examine cardioprotective effectiveness at various times of ischemia.
Radar-based impact load prediction for damage mitigation of infrastructure
Authors: Hughes Jake Edmond , Kim Yeesock , El-Korchi Tahar , Cyganski David
Published: September 2015

The application of smart control technology to both aging and new infrastructure is essential to extending service life, increasing life safety, and decreasing repair and replacement costs. One area of control technology research for civil engineering structures that has received little attention historically is that of high-impact loads, such as collision events. The dissipation of impact energy using smart control devices, such as magnetorheological (MR) dampers, leads to less plastic deformation and damage, and a lower likelihood of collapse in civil engineering structures. Due to the short duration and high variability in magnitude of potential impact loads, the issue of sub-optimal controller performance arises. In order to boost controller performance and improve the effectiveness of the control system, a radar-based impact load identifier is proposed. This radar-based impact load identifier will be used to estimate impact loads from imminent impacting objects, for example vessels and trucks, thus providing input information to the control system before the impact actually occurs. This paper presents the characterization and validation, through laboratory tests, of one part of the radar-based impact load identifier, the range and velocity estimation of the incoming moving objects. The range and velocity information are then used to direct structural control based on laboratory impact tests. An ultrawideband monostatic pulsed radar is used for range and velocity measurements of a laboratory-scale impacting vehicle. The range and velocity measurements obtained from the radar scans are verified using physical measurements and control testing. The tests showed great accuracy for both range and velocity with less than 3% error for each measurement and demonstrated structural control based on these measurements. It is shown from control system testing that the proposed approach is effective in reducing the structural impact responses by 11–30%, depending on the performance index, for pre-impact structural stiffening with passive control of MR dampers.
Dear Reader, (Do) You Know Who You Are
Authors: Lindemann Kurt
Published: September 2015

I stand in front of my class, struggling to explain the concepts of voice and audience. The words don’t come to me, but a feeling does. It’s a feeling I first encountered reading H. L. “Bud” Goodall, Jr. Bud approached the reader as if talking to a sympathetic but skeptical stranger at a party, leaning in close and sharing a revelatory story that he hoped would convince the other person to live his or her life a bit more fully. That’s what I want to tell the students today. But how do you put that into words? Bud knew.
Avoiding vote loss by changing policy positions
Authors: Meyer Marco , Schoen Harald
Published: September 2015

This paper addresses the electoral consequences of the German government’s anti-nuclear power policy shift after the Fukushima accident. Building on a cost-benefit framework and insights from political psychology, the theoretical analysis anticipates that the policy shift could not earn governing parties additional votes but could avoid vote loss. Utilizing data from multiple surveys and employing simulation techniques, the evidence demonstrates that voters, in particular incumbents’ supporters, became more skeptical of nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster. At the same time, governing parties’ supporters were particularly eager to perceive a credible change in the government’s nuclear power stance. As a consequence, governing parties did not garner additional votes but inhibited their supporters from voting for other parties and thus avoided vote loss. Generally speaking, the novel approach proposed in this paper is suitable for shedding light on electoral effects of parties’ policy shifts that have thus far gone unnoticed.
Physical education initial teacher educators’ expressions of critical pedagogy(ies)
Authors: Philpot Rod
Published: September 2015

While an emphasis on social justice has emerged as a theme in initial teacher education (ITE) over the past decade, there is much debate about how to engage ITE students in foregrounding issues of equity and social justice in their own teaching. One strategy, the introduction of critical pedagogy in ITE, has been promoted in teacher education literature since the early 1970s. In subsequent decades it has become apparent that there is a lack of consensus on what critical pedagogy is, and what it means to teach from a critical perspective.

Drawing on the ‘big tent’ of critical pedagogies, the purpose of this paper is to focus attention on the evolution and/or devolution of critical pedagogy in physical education initial teacher education (PETE). This paper reports on findings from a research project that explored how six health and physical education teacher educators (PETEs), who teach in a single PETE programme that is underpinned by a critical orientation, understand and enact critical pedagogy. Data were collected through 60-minute semi-structured interviews. A six-step process of inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

This study suggests there is a commitment to social justice from all six of the PETEs. It is evident, however, that there are differences in their understanding of critical pedagogy. These differences reveal each teacher educator’s own valued theoretical perspectives, and manifest themselves in teaching practices in the PETE programme.
Women’s adaptation to STEM domains promotes resilience and a lesser reliance on heuristic thinking
Authors: Di Bella Laura , Crisp Richard J.
Published: September 2015

Experiences that compel people to challenge social stereotypes can promote enhanced cognitive flexibility on a range of judgmental domains. Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields are chronically exposed to such experiences and may therefore also demonstrate these benefits. Two studies examined the differential effects of counterstereotypical experiences on women from STEM and non-STEM fields. Results showed that imagining or recollecting these experiences led women from STEM fields to exhibit a lesser reliance on heuristic thinking compared to women from non-STEM fields, and this difference was mediated by self-perceived resilience to the negative impact of gender stereotyping. Implications for psychologists’ and educators’ understanding of the relationship between counterstereotypical experiences and heuristic thinking are discussed.
Lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders in nurses: A narrative literature review
Authors: Stolt Minna , Suhonen Riitta , Virolainen Petri , Leino-Kilpi Helena
Published: September 2015

Aims: The aim of the narrative review was to describe and analyze lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in nurses and to identify factors associated with these disorders. The ultimate goal was to promote lower extremity health in nurses by recognizing factors that could improve their well-being at work. Methods: A systematic search on the Medline, CINAHL, and PsychInfo databases was conducted, producing altogether 945 citations, of which 35 were selected for this review. The studies were analyzed by content analysis. Results: Nurses have different MSDs in their lower extremities, with which the knee, foot, and ankle being most commonly affected. These problems are often correlated, and problems in the ankle can first appear as knee problems. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders in lower extremities and their resulting disability are common within the nursing workforce worldwide, representing a major cause of sick leave absence and often leading to long-term absence.