bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology in Orofacial Pain
Authors: Weber T. , Boggero I.A. , Carlson C.R. , Bertoli E. , Okeson J.P. , de Leeuw R.
Published: August 2016

To explore the impact of interactions between smoking and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on pain intensity, psychological distress, and pain-related functioning in patients with orofacial pain, a retrospective review was conducted of data obtained during evaluations of 610 new patients with a temporomandibular disorder who also reported a history of a traumatic event. Pain-related outcomes included measures of pain intensity, psychological distress, and pain-related functioning. Main effects of smoking status and PTSD symptom severity on pain-related outcomes were evaluated with linear regression analyses. Further analyses tested interactions between smoking status and PTSD symptom severity on pain-related outcomes. PTSD symptom severity and smoking predicted worse pain-related outcomes. Interaction analyses between PTSD symptom severity and smoking status revealed that smoking attenuated the impact of PTSD symptom severity on affective distress, although this effect was not found at high levels of PTSD symptom severity. No other significant interactions were found, but the present results identifying smoking as an ineffective coping mechanism and the likely role of inaccurate outcome expectancies support the importance of smoking cessation efforts in patients with orofacial pain. Smoking is a maladaptive mechanism for coping with pain that carries significant health- and pain-related risks while failing to fulfill smokers’ expectations of affect regulation, particularly among persons with orofacial pain who also have high levels of PTSD symptom severity. Addressing smoking cessation is a critical component of comprehensive treatment. Further research is needed to develop more effective ways to help patients with pain and/or PTSD to replace smoking with more effective coping strategies.
Wool/cashmere identification based on projection curves
Authors: Zhong Yueqi , Lu Kai , Tian Jun , Zhu Hong
Published: August 2016

Using compound microscopy is one of the major options for the identification of cashmere/wool. To interpret human perception via machine vision, microscopic images captured by a charge-coupled device camera were transferred into projection curves. Three different deciphering methods, recurrence quantification analysis, direct geometrical description, and discrete wavelet transform were employed to reveal the embedded numerical features. The extracted parameters were used to screen the supervised classification methods, including a neural network with multilayer perceptrons, kernel ridge regression/classification, and the support vector machine (SVM). The experimental results indicated that the proposed projection curves could be used as a mathematical replica in automatic cashmere/wool identification. The best accuracy came from a SVM-trained decision function with the parameters extracted from recurrence quantification analysis.
Administrator Work in Leveraging Technologies for Students With Disabilities in Online Coursework
Authors: Carter Richard Allen , Rice Mary F.
Published: August 2016

This article describes a study of online educators’ use of technology as part of the accommodations they provided to students with disabilities at their school. Specifically, research focused on four teachers who were members of an interdisciplinary team in a large virtual school program, in a state with established policies regarding online education, and online course work as a requirement for graduation. Data were collected over 4 months in a series of weekly interviews and through a content analysis of stipulated accommodations and modifications in student Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents. The findings of this study indicated (1) providing technologically grounded accommodations and modifications required intensive collaboration with students, parents, and other special education support staff at the virtual school, (2) online teachers struggled to keep up with all of the possible means and methods of enhancing the learning experience and providing accommodations that were stipulated in the IEP while also remaining sensitive to practices and supports that they could provide (using technology that were not mandated), and as a result (3) technology use as part of accommodation was most often relegated to what naturally exists in an online learning environment and is available to all students. The implications of this work are that transferring disability service plans, and IEPs in particular, is no simple matter, and that moving to a technological environment (and the notion that the online environment is inherently accommodating) needs interrogation at every level (practice, research, and policy).
Do Unto Others . . . ? Methodological Advance and Self- Versus Other-Attentive Resistance in Milgram’s “Obedience” Experiments
Authors: Hollander Matthew M. , Maynard Douglas W.
Published: August 2016

We introduce conversation analysis (CA) as a methodological innovation that contributes to studies of the classic Milgram experiment, one allowing for substantive advances in the social psychological “obedience to authority” paradigm. Data are 117 audio recordings of Milgram’s original experimental sessions. We discuss methodological features of CA and then show how CA allows for methodological advances in understanding the Milgramesque situation by treating it as a three-party interactional scene, explicating an interactional dilemma for the “Teacher” subjects, and decomposing categorical outcomes (obedience vs. defiance) into their concrete interactional routes. Substantively, we analyze two kinds of resistance to directives enacted by both obedient and defiant participants, who may orient to how continuation would be troublesome primarily for themselves (self-attentive resistance) or for the person receiving shocks (other-attentive resistance). Additionally, we find that defiant participants mobilize two other-attentive practices almost never used by obedient ones: Golden Rule accounts and “letting the Learner decide.”
Ahmedabad Management Association: A Search for Strategic Direction
Authors: Golcha Vivek , Gupta Vikas , Ravichandran N
Published: August 2016

AMA has won the best Local Management Association Award from All India Management Association for ten years (1992–2001) in suc- cession. In order to provide opportunities to other local management associations and accelerate their growth, we have decided not to contest for this award any more.
Service Providers' Competences in Business Process Outsourcing for Delivering Successful Outcome: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Bharadwaj Sangeeta Shah , Saxena Kul Bhushan C
Published: August 2016

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) has become a very competitive industry with many players in the market. The challenge all the BPO companies are facing is how to build and sustain business with the clients in such a competitive industry. The service providers can hardly compete on cost arbitration. On the one hand, they have to respond to their existing clients, who have tasted and achieved labour cost arbitration benefits and have started looking beyond this. On the other hand, they have to win new customers by providing value more than simply cost arbitration. With this business environment in mind, we have undertaken a study of service providers operating in India to explore what competences they have developed for successfully delivering the outcome.

This research explores two competences of service providers: business process management competence relationship management competence.

These two competences have the theoretical grounding in resource-based view and relationship theories. The study also identifies the fundamental competences required to strengthen the above two competences as human resource management competence, information technology management competence, and outsourcing management competence. It further explores whether the service provider can, with the help of these competences, deliver the intended business process outsourcing outcome.

In order to understand the successful business process outsourcing outcome, classification of business processes as viewed by both the client and the service provider is considered desirable. From the clients' perspective, processes are classified as traditional, peripheral, critical, and strategic; as core, critical, and non-core non-critical; and as critical, key, and support. Similarly, from the service providers� perspective, the business processes are classified on complexity and criticality dimensions. This classification further helps in defining the successful BPO outcome as intended by the client. For example, when a non-core non-critical process is outsourced, the successful BPO outcome would be process efficiency in terms of cost reduction and improvement in the quality, and at the most process transformation through some innovation.

Thus the study concludes that the business process management competence and relationship management competence will definitely help the service providers to deliver the BPO outcome. As an expansion of BPO literature, this research makes two significant contributions: It puts forth a conceptual model that focuses on the competences of the service provider required to deliver successful BPO outcome It identifies the critical competences and the foundation competences for doing the same.
Inflammasomes link vascular disease with neuroinflammation and brain disorders
Authors: Lénárt Nikolett , Brough David , Dénes Ádám
Published: August 2016

The role of inflammation in neurological disorders is increasingly recognised. Inflammatory processes are associated with the aetiology and clinical progression of migraine, psychiatric conditions, epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases, dementia and neurodegeneration, such as seen in Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Both central and systemic inflammatory actions have been linked with the development of brain diseases, suggesting that complex neuro-immune interactions could contribute to pathological changes in the brain across multiple temporal and spatial scales. However, the mechanisms through which inflammation impacts on neurological disease are improperly defined. To develop effective therapeutic approaches, it is imperative to understand how detrimental inflammatory processes could be blocked selectively, or controlled for prolonged periods, without compromising essential immune defence mechanisms. Increasing evidence indicates that common risk factors for brain disorders, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, obesity or infection involve the activation of NLRP3, NLRP1, NLRC4 or AIM2 inflammasomes, which are also associated with various neurological diseases. This review focuses on the mechanisms whereby inflammasomes, which integrate diverse inflammatory signals in response to pathogen-driven stimuli, tissue injury or metabolic alterations in multiple cell types and different organs of the body, could functionally link vascular- and neurological diseases and hence represent a promising therapeutic target.
Targeting CDK5 post-stroke provides long-term neuroprotection and rescues synaptic plasticity
Authors: Gutiérrez-Vargas Johanna A , Moreno Herman , Cardona-Gómez Gloria P
Published: August 2016

Post-stroke cognitive impairment is a major cause of long-term neurological disability. The prevalence of post-stroke cognitive deficits varies between 20% and 80% depending on brain region, country, and diagnostic criteria. The biochemical mechanisms underlying post-stroke cognitive impairment are not known in detail. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 is involved in neurodegeneration, and its dysregulation contributes to cognitive disorders and dementia. Here, we administered cyclin-dependent kinase 5-targeting gene therapy to the right hippocampus of ischemic rats after transient right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 RNA interference prevented the impairment of reversal learning four months after ischemia as well as neuronal loss, tauopathy, and microglial hyperreactivity. Additionally, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 silencing increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus. Furthermore, deficits in hippocampal long-term potentiation produced by excitotoxic stimulation were rescued by pharmacological blockade of cyclin-dependent kinase 5. This recovery was blocked by inhibition of the TRKB receptor. In summary, these findings demonstrate the beneficial impact of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 reduction in preventing long-term post-ischemic neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment as well as the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TRKB in the maintenance of normal synaptic plasticity.
Dilatation of the initially non-aneurysmal ascending aorta after replacement of a bicuspid versus tricuspid aortic valve
Authors: Zhang Jing , Fan Guangpu , Zhao Hui , Wang Xu , Wang Zhiwei , Zhang Peide , Wang Wei
Published: August 2016

Objective

To compare the aortic diameter after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with a bicuspid (BAV) or tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and an initially normal ascending aorta.

Methods

Patients with an ascending aortic diameter of < 45 mm who had undergone isolated AVR were studied. Ultrasonic cardiographic measurements of the ascending aortic diameter made pre- and postoperatively and follow-up data concerning adverse aortic events and death were analyzed.

Results

A total of 613 patients were included in this retrospective study; of these, 211 had a BAV and 402 had a TAV. In both groups, the ascending aorta significantly expanded but was non-aneurysmal during follow-up; however, the difference between the two groups was not significant. Cox regression analysis showed no significant effect associated with the presence of a BAV on adverse aortic events or death.

Conclusion

Dilatation of the ascending aorta was observed after AVR in both groups, but was not more pronounced in patients with a BAV. Long-term follow-up for ascending aortic aneurysm is necessary after AVR in both patients with a BAV and those with a TAV.
Rural geography I
Authors: Argent Neil
Published: August 2016

This report focuses on the now substantial international rural geography literature on the emergence of so-called ‘resource peripheries’, linked to the economic expansion of rapidly industrializing nations such as India and China. The report outlines the major foci and key arguments of this body of work, noting its connections to, but also elaborations of, important concepts used within rural geography, including global commodity chains and their multi-scalar governance, involving, in part, political, economic and social relations between corporations and local communities. Noting the influence of numerous Marxian concepts in this body of work’s intellectual development, the report draws further potential links with the ‘dis/articulations’ scholarship that has recently emerged out of a critique of the global commodity/value chain research, including notions of dispossession, disempowerment and primitive accumulation. Relatedly, aspects of multi-scalar and multi-sector governance in natural resource extraction are highlighted.
Can Nonprofit Capacity Be Measured?
Authors: Despard Mathieu R.
Published: August 2016

Organizational capacity is the set of structures and functions a nonprofit organization needs to effectively serve the community. Although capacity is defined in the nonprofit literature, no standardized measures exist, making it difficult to accurately assess organizational capacity. Data from a survey of nonprofit human service organizations ( N = 1,221) that participated in a capacity-building demonstration project are used to assess the fit of two conceptual models of capacity using confirmatory factor analysis. Results indicated that a model that measured capacity with more than 40 performance-related indicators did not fit the data well. However, a model using fewer (19) indicators of organizations’ self-assessed capacity-building progress fit the data well and was invariant by tenure. Implications for measuring nonprofit organizational capacity are discussed.
The effects of tax and expenditure limits on state fiscal reserves
Authors: Maher Craig S , Stallmann Judith I , Deller Steven C , Park Sungho
Published: August 2016

To help policy makers manage expenditures during periods of economic downturns, most states have formal budget stabilization funds and unreserved fund balances. Using indices of tax and expenditure limitations laws restrictiveness, we examine the relationship between tax and expenditure limitations and state reserves for years 1992–2010 to help determine the extent to which tax and expenditure limitations constrain or in other ways affect how states manage fiscal reserves. This time period is particularly relevant because it includes two recessions and most states had budget stabilization funds and tax and expenditure limitations. Findings suggest that state-constructed tax and expenditure limitations have little effect on state capacity to react to fiscal shocks.
Lifting and parallel lifting optimization by using sensitivity and fuzzy set for an earthmoving mechanism
Authors: Pan Yongjun , Hou Liang
Published: August 2016

Earthmoving equipment in motor graders, which can be considered to be complex multibody systems (MBSs), are critical components for earthwork, compaction and re-handling. They have not yet received much attention due to their unusual applications and complicated structures. In this paper, a comprehensive study of an earthmoving MBS, from the mechanism identification and sensitivity analysis to the multi-objective optimization, is presented. First, the earthmoving MBS is identified to be a six degrees-of-freedom spatial hybrid mechanism, where a three revolute-revolute-prismatic-spherical (RRPS) and one spherical subchain (so, RRPS-S) spatial parallel mechanism is the key subsystem, through the mechanism analysis and synthesis. An earthmoving virtual prototyping model is built according to the system topology and connectivity. The kinematic simulations are carried out by imposing corresponding driving functions. Afterwards, the sensitivity analysis is introduced to extract several most relevant design variables from the global ones. A multi-objective optimization process is carried out to improve working performance, where fuzzy sets are used to define different objectives. Results show that the optimal earthmoving mechanism provides better lifting and parallel lifting capabilities.
Critical speed enhancement of a Korean high-speed train through optimization with measured wheel profiles
Authors: Jeon Chang-Sung , Cho Hong-Shik , Park Choon-Soo , Kim Seog-Won , Park Tae-Won
Published: August 2016

This study describes the critical speed enhancement of the KTX-Sancheon, a Korean high-speed train, using measured wheel profiles. The wheel wear shape of the commercial high-speed train was measured according to mileage, and the relationship between conicity and mileage was investigated. The critical speed of the KTX-Sancheon power car was analyzed numerically with the measured wheel profiles. The suspension parameters were optimized to increase the critical speed of the KTX-Sancheon. As a result, the critical speed of the power car increased by 34.1% compared to its initial condition. The results are being used for a new design of the power bogie.
Effect of Investors’ Sentiment on Indian Stock Market
Authors: Jana Samiran
Published: August 2016

Researchers have found that return of Indian stock price does not follow classical finance theory. It has been termed an anomaly. Behavioural finance says that irrational investors’ decision process about stock price is responsible for this. Therefore, investors’ sentiment may play a role in the Indian stock market. This study has measured this sentiment with the help of appetite for risk explained by Bandopadhyay and Jones (2006). Kyock approach has been applied to explain the relationship between sentiment index and leading stock indices of India, that is, Sensex and S&P CNX Nifty. This approach helps in one way to take both short-term and long-term decisions. On the other hand, it helps to find out the necessary time to absorb the whole sentiment in returns of both the indices. Long-term relationship has been checked with Granger causality test (GCT).
A Study of Hmong Immigrants’ Experience With Diabetes Education: A Community-Engaged Qualitative Study
Authors: Mitchell-Brown Fay , Nemeth Lynne , Cartmell Kathleen , Newman Susan , Goto Keiko
Published: August 2016

Purpose: The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in Hmong Americans, an understudied ethnic minority group. This research sought to identify barriers and facilitators related to the diabetes education experience of Hmong Americans with type 2 diabetes, living in central California. Method: This qualitative study employed a hybrid design to identify barriers and facilitators to diabetes education. Two focus group interviews were conducted among 16 participants. Findings: The three barriers identified are language, self-management, and stress; the three facilitators are focused culturally specific education, use of media, and peer support group. A priori elements of the Study of Access framework were confirmed. Discussion/Conclusion: There is a need for diabetes education in Hmong Americans. Health care access and education should incorporate culturally appropriate strategies that could improve health outcomes for the Hmong. Implication: To improve diabetes care in the Hmong population, health educators should consider the use of cultural competency, language assistance, and culturally appropriate education to achieve better clinical outcomes.
Engaging Students and Parents in Transition-Focused Individualized Education Programs
Authors: Cavendish Wendy , Connor David J. , Rediker Eva
Published: August 2016

The reauthorizations of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act emphasize that students and parents are to be considered equal partners in the individualized education program (IEP) process. This article addresses how to move from compliance with the law to facilitating meaningful involvement of high school students and their parents in IEP and transition planning. This article offers recommendations of an effective way to facilitate student-led IEP meetings. These three phases of IEP can support teachers’ roles in facilitating student and parent involvement in student-led IEP meetings. This article provides a model of how best practices in pre-IEP, IEP, and post-IEP meeting protocols can be implemented and outlines practices for developing reciprocal relationships with students and parents to facilitate meaningful involvement in educational planning.
Test of the Social Cognitive Model of Well-Being in Spanish College Students
Authors: Lent Robert W. , Taveira Maria do Céu , Figuera Pilar , Dorio Immaculada , Faria Susana , Gonçalves Arminda Manuela
Published: August 2016

The social cognitive model of well-being was tested in a sample of 373 college students in Spain. Participants completed measures of academic self-efficacy, environmental support, goal progress, academic satisfaction and stress, trait positive affect, and overall life satisfaction. A path analysis indicated that the model fit the data well and accounted for substantial portions of the variance in academic domain satisfaction, academic stress, and life satisfaction, though a few path coefficients (e.g., from positive affect and environmental support to academic stress) were nonsignificant. We consider the findings in relation to prior tests of the well-being model and discuss implications for practice and future research.
Comparison of Two Measures of Working Memory Impairments in 220 Adolescents and Adults With ADHD
Authors: Kennedy Ryan J. , Quinlan Donald M. , Brown Thomas E.
Published: August 2016

Objective: This study tests the hypotheses that (a) adolescents and adults with ADHD score lower on two normed measures of verbal working memory, relative to their overall verbal abilities, than the general population and (b) a specific story memory test is a more sensitive and relevant measure of working memory impairment than a numerically based test. Method: Scores on normed story memory and numerical memory tests of 220 adolescents and adults with ADHD were corrected for the individual’s verbal abilities and compared with each other and national norms. Results: Participants with ADHD scored significantly below their verbal ability measure on both verbal and numerically based memory tests in comparison with national norms. Scores on verbal memory test were lower than scores for numerically based memory tests. Conclusion: This story memory test is a more sensitive measure of working memory impairments in adolescents and adults with ADHD than measures based on recall of numerical data.
A culturally tailored Internet cancer support group for Asian American breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled pilot intervention study
Authors: Chee Wonshik , Lee Yaelim , Im Eun-Ok , Chee Eunice , Tsai Hsiu-Min , Nishigaki Masakazu , Yeo Seon Ae , Schapira Marilyn M. , Mao Jun James
Published: August 2016

Introduction

The necessity of culturally competent Internet Cancer Support Groups (ICSGs) for ethnic minorities has recently been highlighted in order to increase its attractiveness and usage. The purpose of this study was to determine the preliminary efficacy of a culturally tailored registered-nurse-moderated ICSG for Asian American breast cancer survivors in enhancing the women’s breast cancer survivorship experience.

Methods

The study included two phases: (a) a usability test and an expert review; and (b) a randomized controlled pilot intervention study. The usability test was conducted among five Asian American breast cancer survivors using a one-month online forum, and the expert review was conducted among five experts using the Cognitive Walkthrough method. The randomized controlled pilot intervention study (a pre-test and post-test design) was conducted among 65 Asian American breast cancer survivors. The data were analysed using content analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics including the repeated ANOVA.

Results

All users and experts positively evaluated the program and provided their suggestions for the display, educational contents, and user-friendly structure. There were significant positive changes in the support care needs and physical and psychological symptoms ( p < 0.05) of the control group. There were significant negative changes in the uncertainty level of the intervention group ( p < 0.10). Controlling for background and disease factors, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group in physical and psychological symptoms and quality of life ( p < 0.10).

Discussion

The findings supported the positive effects of ICSGs on support care needs, psychological and physical symptoms, and quality of life.
A closer look at school bonding among African American adolescents in low-income communities: A latent class analysis
Authors: Voisin Dexter R , Kim Dong Ha , Hong Jun Sung
Published: August 2016

Positive school bonding is a significant precursor to students’ school success. However, African American youth report lower school success compared with their White counterparts. This study examined correlates of school bonding among 633 African American youth who were recruited from community settings in Chicago. Major findings indicated that negative peer norms, exposure to community violence, and poor mental health were negatively correlated with school bonding, while parental monitoring, positive self-regard, and future orientation were correlated with higher school motivation. Students classified as having high or moderate school bonding were more likely to live with both parents, experience higher levels of parental monitoring, and exhibit positive self-regard. Implications are discussed in view of these findings.
Biochemistry, function, and deficiency of vitamin B12 in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Bito Tomohiro , Watanabe Fumio
Published: August 2016

Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode that has been widely used as an animal for investigation of diverse biological phenomena. Vitamin B12 is essential for the growth of this worm, which contains two cobalamin-dependent enzymes, methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and methionine synthase. A full complement of gene homologs encoding the enzymes associated with the mammalian intercellular metabolic processes of vitamin B12 is identified in the genome of C. elegans. However, this worm has no orthologs of the vitamin B12-binders that participate in human intestinal absorption and blood circulation. When the worm is treated with a vitamin B12-deficient diet for five generations (15 days), it readily develops vitamin B12 deficiency, which induces worm phenotypes (infertility, delayed growth, and shorter lifespan) that resemble the symptoms of mammalian vitamin B12 deficiency. Such phenotypes associated with vitamin B12 deficiency were readily induced in the worm.
Essentializing Manhood in “the Street”
Authors: de la Tierra Albert Lobo
Published: August 2016

Recent popular criminological ethnographies of “the street” deal heavily with men’s underlying aspirations for and constructions of masculinity. However, the presentation of manhood in the street has essentialistic overtones and reduces complex variation among men to overly simplistic and often stereotyped depictions. In this article, I offer a discourse analysis of three well-known criminological ethnographies—Randol Contreras’s The Stickup Kids, Alice Goffman’s On the Run, and Victor Rios’s Punished—with three intentions in mind. First, I introduce the concept of “perilous masculinity” as a version of masculinity that dominates across these ethnographies. Second, I suggest that a more complicated (albeit contradictory) notion of street manhood is possible and can be culled from these works. Third and finally, I point toward and try to exemplify alternative readings of masculinities and street manhood about which future researchers as well as policy makers should be more self-reflexively aware.
The Effect of Therapeutic Whirlpool and Hot Packs on Hand Volume During Rehabilitation After Distal Radius Fracture: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Szekeres Mike , MacDermid Joy C. , Birmingham Trevor , Grewal Ruby , Lalone Emily
Published: August 2016

Background: Edema is a possibility with all heating modalities due to the increase in local blood flow caused by vasodilation. Despite the frequent application of superficial heat modalities, their relative effect on hand volume has not been determined for the upper extremity. The objective of this study was to compare the immediate effects of hot packs and whirlpool on hand volume for patients with distal radius fracture (DRF) and to determine whether any changes in volume between these modalities were still present 30 minutes after heat application. Finally, to determine whether there were any differences in volume change between groups after 3 repeated therapy visits. Methods: Sixty patients with clinically healed DRFs were divided into 2 groups. Half received therapeutic whirlpool at each therapy visit, and the other half received a moist hot pack treatment for 3 consecutive visits. Hand volume was measured before heat, after heat, and at the end of each 30-minute therapy session. Results: There was a significant difference between groups immediately after heat application, as patients in the whirlpool group experienced an initial volume increase greater than those who received a hot pack. When remeasured after a hand therapy session approximately 30 minutes later, this group difference in volume change was no longer significant. The overall change in volume from enrollment in the study to completion of the study 3 weeks later was not statistically different between groups. Conclusion: Whirlpool is a potential consideration when selecting a heat modality for patients with DRF.
Large basilar perforator pseudoaneurysm: A case report
Authors: Daruwalla Vistasp J , Syed Furqan H , Elmokadem Ali H , Hurley Michael C , Shaibani Ali , Ansari Sameer A
Published: August 2016

Basilar perforator aneurysms are rare and a communication between a basilar perforator and a separate pseudoaneurysm cavity is extremely rare. We describe a case presenting with high grade subarachnoid hemorrhage which on further investigation delineated a 2–3 mm dissecting basilar perforator aneurysm communicating superiorly into a contained 6 mm pseudoaneurysm cavity. This case illustrates an unusual neurovascular pathology with low potential for successful endovascular treatment such as coil embolization or intracranial flow diverter stenting. Conservative medical management remains the main stay of treatment for such poor surgical candidates.
A randomized trial of a community-based approach to dyslipidemia management
Authors: Tsuyuki Ross T. , Rosenthal Meagen , Pearson Glen J.
Published: August 2016

Background:

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease but is suboptimally managed. Pharmacists are accessible primary care professionals and with expanded scopes of practice (including prescribing), could identify and manage patients with dyslipidemia. We sought to evaluate the effect of pharmacist prescribing of dyslipidemia medications on the proportion of participants achieving target LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels.

Methods:

We conducted a randomized controlled trial in 14 community pharmacies in Alberta, Canada. We enrolled adults with uncontrolled dyslipidemia as defined by the 2009 Canadian Dyslipidemia Guidelines. Intervention was pharmacist-directed dyslipidemia care, including assessment of cardiovascular risk, review of LDL-c, prescribing of medications, health behaviour interventions and follow-up every 6 weeks for 6 months. Usual care patients received their lipid results and a pamphlet on cardiovascular disease and usual care from their physician and pharmacist. Primary outcome was the proportion of participants achieving their target LDL-c (<2 mmol/L or ≥50% reduction) at 6 months between groups.

Results:

We enrolled 99 patients with a mean (SD) age of 63 (13) years, 49% male and baseline LDL-c of 3.37 mmol/L (0.98). Proportion of patients achieving LDL-c target was 43% intervention versus 18% control ( p = 0.007). Adjusted odds of achieving target LDL-c were 3.3 times higher for the intervention group ( p = 0.031), who also achieved greater reduction in LDL-c (1.12 mmol/L, SE = 0.112) versus control (0.42 mmol/L, SE = 0.109), for an adjusted mean difference of 0.546 mmol/L (SE = 0.157), p < 0.001.

Conclusion:

Pharmacist prescribing resulted in >3-fold more patients achieving target LDL-c levels. This could have major public health implications.
Observational learning of a new motor skill: The effect of different model demonstrations
Authors: Ghorbani Saeed , Bund Andreas
Published: August 2016

A central question in observational learning is which information is picked-up by the observers from a demonstration. Visual perception perspective suggested that relative motion information, such as those highlighted in point-light or stick-figure demonstrations, is extracted and used for reproducing the modeled action. This study was designed to examine this assumption by using a baseball-pitch as to-be-learnt motor task. Forty-one novice female and male adults were randomly assigned to three demonstration groups (video, stick-figure, and point-light) and a control group. Participants performed 5 trials in pretest, three blocks of 10 trial in acquisition phase, and two retention tests of 5 trials in 10 min and 7 days after last acquisition block. Intra- and inter-limb coordination patterns and movement time were measured at level of overall movement and individual movement phases as dependent variables. Results show that participants improved their coordination performance from pretest to acquisition blocks and retention tests, however, regardless of model observation. No significant difference was observed between groups in two retention tests. Analysis of movement phases showed a significant improvement in stride phase from pretest to acquisition blocks. Results are interpreted in terms of theoretical and methodological backgrounds. Further perspectives in research on observational learning are presented.
Patient perspectives on a personally controlled electronic health record used in regional Australia
Authors: Hanna Lisa , Gill Stephen D , Newstead Laura , Hawkins Melanie , Osborne Richard H
Published: August 2016

Background:

Personally controlled electronic health records (PCEHRs) are being implemented throughout Australia; yet few studies have investigated patients’ experiences of using a PCEHR.

Aim:

To explore patients’ experiences and perspectives of using a locally developed PCEHR implemented in an Australian health service.

Method:

Twelve patients completed individual semi-structured telephone interviews, which underwent inductive analysis.

Results:

Participants described two main interdependent advantages of PCEHRs: improved quality of healthcare through better information sharing and enhanced patient capacity for self-management. To realise these advantages, widespread acceptance and use of PCEHRs by healthcare providers is required, and PCEHRs need to be simple to use and accessible.

Conclusion:

PCEHRs can produce tangible benefits for patients. However, maximum benefits will be realised when PCEHRs contain a complete collection of relevant health information and are carefully designed for easy use.
The clinical and cost implications of failed endoscopic hemostasis in gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding
Authors: Roy Ann , Kim Micheline , Hawes Robert , Varadarajulu Shyam
Published: August 2016

Aim

The aim of this article is to evaluate the clinical and cost implications of failed endoscopic hemostasis in patients with gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding.

Methods

A retrospective claims analysis of the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) file was conducted to identify all hospitalizations for gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding in the year 2012. The main outcome measures were to compare all‐cause mortality, total length of hospital stay (LOS), hospital costs and payment between patients managed with one upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy versus more than one UGI endoscopy or requiring interventional radiology‐guided hemostasis (IRH) or surgery after failed endoscopic attempt.

Results

The MedPAR claims data evaluated 13,501 hospitalizations, of which 12,242 (90.6%) reported one UGI endoscopy, 817 (6.05%) reported >1 UGI endoscopy, 303 (2.24%) reported IRH after failed endoscopy and 139 (1.03%) reported surgeries after failed endoscopy. All cause‐mortality was significantly lower for patients who underwent only one UGI endoscopy (3%) compared to patients requiring >1 endoscopy (6%), IRH (9%) or surgery (14%), p  < 0.0001. The median LOS was significantly lower for patients who underwent only one UGI endoscopy (four days) compared to patients requiring >1 endoscopy (eight days), IRH (nine days) or surgery (15 days), p  < 0.0001. The median hospital costs were significantly lower for patients who underwent one UGI endoscopy ($10,518) compared to patients requiring >1 endoscopy ($20,055), IRH ($34,730) or surgery ($47,589), p  < 0.0001.

Conclusions

Failure to achieve hemostasis at the index endoscopy has significant clinical and cost implications. When feasible, a repeat endoscopy must be attempted followed by IRH. Surgery should preferably be reserved as a last resort for patients who fail other treatment measures.
Physiology and political beliefs: A response to Knoll, O’Daniel, and Cusato
Authors: Peterson Johnathan C. , Smith Kevin B. , Hibbing John R.
Published: August 2016

In a recent paper in this journal, Knoll et al. question three studies from our laboratory. In this response to that paper, we address deficiencies in their “reproduction.” Notably, we demonstrate that their data provide little evidence of a negativity bias among research subjects, suggesting a failure not only to reproduce findings from our earlier studies, but also a failure to find a widely acknowledged universal human physiological response trait. This situation raises a number of questions regarding the data on which their analyses are based. We explore these questions below and speculate that Knoll et al.’s data collection procedures may compromise their ability to speak to the external validity of earlier studies.
Doing reintegration? The quest for reintegration in Belgian sentence implementation
Authors: Scheirs Veerle
Published: August 2016

In this article, we aim to achieve a better understanding of reintegration in Belgian sentence implementation. In concreto, we ask the question if Belgian sentence implementation courts ‘are doing reintegration’. Our analyses suggest the existence of a reintegrated-oriented decision-making process emphasising the strengthening of the social capital of the offender and enabling reintegration. Notwithstanding, we identify some barriers to reintegration. Firstly, we describe how the quest for reintegration is constantly interwoven with a more risk-based approach. As a result, ‘doing reintegration’ becomes subordinated by risk, wherefore the fundamental social right of reintegration is reduced to a conditional right only applicable if the offender displays certain needs, poses an acceptable risk and/or is prepared to take responsibility for this actions. Secondly, we argue how the members of the sentence implementation courts believe in ‘psychological individualism’ and project their middle class values and expectations of how someone should live on the offender, further narrowing the scope of this concept. We finish our analysis by identifying some external and structural aspects withholding the sentence implementation courts in ‘doing reintegration’, leading to a nuanced argument arguing that Belgian sentence implementation courts are not doing reintegration, although they believe they are (trying)…
Severe TSH Elevation and Pituitary Enlargement After Changing Thyroid Replacement to Compounded T4/T3 Therapy
Authors: Pappy Adlai L. , Oyesiku Nelson , Ioachimescu Adriana
Published: August 2016

We present the first case of iatrogenic hypothyroidism as a result of compounded thyroid hormone (T4/T3) therapy. The thyroid replacement was changed from 175 µg levothyroxine (LT4) to 57/13.5 µg compounded T4/T3 daily in order to improve the T3 level, despite normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This resulted in clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism and high TSH level (150 µIU/mL). Six months later, the patient was referred to our clinic for abnormal pituitary magnetic resonance imaging. On reinitiating a physiologic dose of LT4, clinical and biochemical abnormalities resolved and the pituitary gland size decreased. Our case emphasizes the importance of using TSH level to gauge dose adjustments in primary hypothyroidism. Also, it underscores the current American Thyroid Association recommendation against routine use of compounded thyroid hormone therapy.
Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) Detected by Sonography
Authors: Hamer Breianon A.
Published: August 2016

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a malignant disease process that develops within the small branches of the biliary system within the liver. It is one of two types of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The patient in this case study experienced general abdominal and pelvic discomfort when further sonographic evidence proved there to be a moderate amount of fluid within the pelvic and abdominal cavities, suggesting a malignant process. Three types of growth processes related to ICC require different methods of treatment, thus making it imperative for the sonographer to identify the origin of the disease process. Appropriate knowledge of sonographic landmarks such as the biliary tree, liver, hepatic veins, and portal system is an important factor when evaluating normal and abnormal right upper quadrant structures. This case study focuses on the importance of sonography when detecting the size and location of ICC to determine an appropriate treatment method for this disease process.
Multibody motion segmentation for an arbitrary number of independent motions
Authors: Sako Yutaro , Sugaya Yasuyuki
Published: August 2016

We propose a new method for segmenting feature point trajectories tracked through a video sequence without assuming a number of independent motions. Our method realizes motion segmentation of feature point trajectories by hierarchically separating the trajectories into two affine spaces in a situation that we do not know the number of independently moving objects. We judge that input trajectories should be separated by comparing the likelihoods computed from those trajectories before/after separation. We also consider integration of the resulting separated trajectories for avoiding too much segmentations. By using real video images, we confirmed the efficiency of our proposed method.
Acoustic-elastic coupled equation for ocean bottom seismic data elastic reverse time migration
Authors: Yu Pengfei , Geng Jianhua , Li Xiaobo , Wang Chenlong
Published: August 2016

Conventionally, multicomponent geophones used to record the elastic wavefields in the solid seabed are necessary for ocean bottom seismic (OBS) data elastic reverse time migration (RTM). Particle velocity components are usually injected directly as boundary conditions in the elastic-wave equation in the receiver-side wavefield extrapolation step, which causes artifacts in the resulting elastic images. We have deduced a first-order acoustic-elastic coupled equation (AECE) by substituting pressure fields into the elastic velocity-stress equation (EVSE). AECE has three advantages for OBS data over EVSE when performing elastic RTM. First, the new equation unifies wave propagation in acoustic and elastic media. Second, the new equation separates P-waves directly during wavefield propagation. Third, three approaches are identified when using the receiver-side multicomponent particle velocity records and pressure records in elastic RTM processing: (1) particle velocity components are set as boundary conditions in receiver-side vectorial extrapolation with the AECE, which is equal to the elastic RTM using the conventional EVSE; (2) the pressure component may also be used for receiver-side scalar extrapolation with the AECE, and with which we can accomplish PP and PS images using only the pressure records and suppress most of the artifacts in the PP image with vectorial extrapolation; and (3) ocean-bottom 4C data can be simultaneously used for elastic images with receiver-side tensorial extrapolation using the AECE. Thus, the AECE may be used for conventional elastic RTM, but it also offers the flexibility to obtain PP and PS images using only pressure records.