bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Respiratory Aerosol Inhalers and Nasal Sprays on Breath Alcohol Testing Devices Used in Great Britain
Authors: Gomm P. J. , Weston S. I. , Osselton M. D.
Published: July 2017

Subjects suffering from respiratory diseases occasionally experience difficulty when attempting to provide breath samples to satisfy the requirements of breath alcohol testing devices. In order to assist ventilation, such subjects may resort to the use of an aerosol inhaler. Twenty aerosol inhalers containing drugs which exhibit an effect on the respiratory system and five nasal sprays used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever, have been tested for interference on the range of breath alcohol measuring devices used by the police in Great Britain. No interference attributable to the contents of any of the aerosol inhalers or nasal sprays tested was observed on any of the instruments in police use.
Pathological Fire-Setting 1951–1991: A Review
Authors: Barnett W , Spitzer M
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this article is to review the whole literature on pathological fire-setting and related fields since 1951 in order to present a state of the art picture of our contemporary knowledge about this phenomenon.

Papers were initially selected by using a Medline search. From the articles obtained in this way the references had to be pursued, because many relevant papers and books in this research field of different scientific and practical disciplines are not listed in conventional literature services. Finally, only those contributions were selected which provided new information when published, by original research, theoretical interpretation or practical implications.

The last forty years have brought a growing body of data and understanding — especially concerning pathogical fire-setting by children — etiology, and therapy, which often proves successful. The situation remains unclear for arson by psychologically disturbed adults and we still have a poor understanding of arson without apparent motive. There is a conflict of opinion as to whether adult fire-setters are suitable for therapy and therapeutic efforts dealing with psychologically disturbed adults are rare.

With increasing knowledge about child fire-setting and its successful treatment, etiological and therapeutic models for adult fire-setting behaviour may be developed. Research into the latter area should focus on both biographical and social conditions of development from childhood on as well as biological measures. Both will be reviewed here.
A Modified Stethoscope to Assist in the Identification of Tooth Coloured Restorations
Authors: Prinz J F
Published: July 2017

Forensic odontologists are often called upon to assist in the identification of bodies. Since identification of the body relies on comparison of the post-mortem chart with the ante-mortem record it is important that all restorations present in the deceased's teeth are identified and correctly charted. If a restoration is present in an ante-mortem record then its absence in the post-mortem chart means that the two records cannot belong to the same person, However, tooth-coloured restorations can be difficult to identify, especially in the less than ideal conditions under which the odontologist may have to work.

This study was designed to evaluate a simple technique for identifying tooth-coloured restorations, exploiting the difference between the surface roughness of restorative materials and that of the surrounding tooth substance.

A conventional dental probe was substituted for the bell of a stethoscope. Differences in the surface texture of the tooth are reflected in changes in the sound heard by the examiner.

The modified stethoscope is a useful and easily fabricated device, which may reduce the likelihood of small tooth-coloured restorations going unnoticed in post-mortem examinations. The ability to detect fissure sealants using the device may also prove useful in epidemiological studies.
2. Self-Mutilation with Needles
Authors: Peschel Oliver , Betz Peter , Eisenmenger Wolfgang
Published: July 2017

Two cases of self-mutilation with needles are reported. One of the deceased suffered from chronic schizophrenia and committed suicide by plastic bag suffocation. At autopsy several needles were detected grown into the connective tissue of chest or abdominal organs. In the other case a knitting needle was used for repeated manipulations at the forehead leading to a defect of the skin and the skull. At least one vessel was injured leading to an extensive haemorrhage in the left hemisphere of the brain. The forensic and etiologic aspects of the cases are discussed.
Critical exchange: Religion and schooling in conversation
Authors: Stern Julian
Published: July 2017

Given the complex and messy contexts of schooling, conversations between religion and schooling can be ‘admitted’ as examples of the sort of situated conversation that goes beyond the ‘false necessity’ of universal state-controlled school-based education. There are distinct claims to be made about religion and schooling in general, and about the pupils and staff in the school (implied by a model of school as community, like a household), and about the school curriculum (where religious and related issues are difficult to address without a subject that is, or is like, religious education). The incorrigible plurality of life encourages a lively conversation between religion and schooling.
Jackknifing Measures of Association
Authors: Henry Neil W.
Published: July 2017

Standard errors of estimates of gamma and Kendall's tau-b are estimated using Tukey's jackknife method and the results are compared with Kritzer's application of asymptotic theory. The method is used to test the hypothesis that a pair of partial association coefficients are equal.
Developmental course of conversational behaviour of children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and Williams syndrome
Authors: Van Den Heuvel Ellen , Botting Nicola , Boudewijns Inge , Manders Eric , Swillen Ann , Zink Inge
Published: July 2017

This study investigated three conversational subskills in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS, n = 8, ages 7–13) and Williams syndrome (WS, n = 8, ages 6–12). The researchers re-evaluated these subskills after 18 to 24 months and compared them to those of peers with idiopathic intellectual disability (IID) and IID and comorbid autism spectrum disorders (IID+ASD). Children with 22q11.2DS became less actively involved over time. Lower assertiveness than in children with IID was demonstrated. They seemed less impaired in terms of accounting for listener’s knowledge than children with IID+ASD. Children with WS showed greater difficulties with discourse management compared to children with IID and 22q11.2DS. They had similar levels of conversational impairments to children with IID+ASD but these were caused by different shortcomings. Over time taking account of listener’s knowledge became challenging for them. Findings suggest that children with 22q11.2DS and those with WS would benefit from conversational skills support and that regular re-evaluation is needed to anticipate conversational challenges.
The Information Market in China
Authors: Hongzhi Yan , Sui Kou , Jingqi Yang
Published: July 2017

Identifies the main characteristics of the information market in China, its current status and functions, problems and strategy and prospects for development. There is a need for: laws and regulations concerning the information market; training and education of professional personnel; and for the establishment of more databases.
Mid-term results in the treatment of varicose veins with N-butyl cyanoacrylate
Authors: Eroglu Erdinc , Yasim Alptekin , Ari Murat , Ekerbicer Hasan , Kocarslan Aydemir , Kabalci Mehmet , Acıpayam Mehmet
Published: July 2017

Aim

To present mid-term results of patients with varicose veins treated with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (VariClose®), a nontumescent endovenous ablation technique.

Patients and method

Endovenous ablation was performed on 180 patients with saphenous vein incompetence between May and October 2014. One hundred sixty-eight subjects capable of being followed-up for 30 months were included. Patients’ pre- and postoperative data were recorded.

Results

Procedures were performed on the great saphenous vein in 159 patients and on the small saphenous vein in nine patients. Saphenous vein diameters ranged between 5.5 mm and 14 mm. Full ablation was achieved in all patients following the procedure. No complications were encountered. Patients were monitored for 30 months. Ablation rates were 100% at the 3rd month, 98.3% at the 6th month, 96.6% at 1 year, and 94.1% at 30 months. Mean venous clinical severity score was 10.2 before procedures, decreasing to 3.9 at 3 months, 4.2 at 6 months, 2.9 at 12 months, and 2.7 at 30 months ( p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Due to its high success rate, absence of complications, no tumescent anesthesia requirement and high patient satisfaction, endovenous ablation with N-butyl cyanoacrylate is a good method. However, long-term follow-up results are now needed.
Revisiting the elasticity solution for a simply supported beam under sinusoidal load
Authors: Lim Teik-Cheng
Published: July 2017

This article presents an alternate final solution to the deflection profile of a simply supported beam under sinusoidal load based on the theory of elasticity. It begins with a review of the same problem found in typical graduate textbooks, which ends with an elasticity solution that is valid only for moderately thick beams, and thereafter provides an alternative ending for providing a more accurate deflection profile that is valid for very thick beams. Plotted results show evidence on the deficiency of the textbook solution for very thick beams, thereby limiting its use as a verifier for the Mechanics of Materials solution. Unlike the existing simplified elasticity model, the exact model does not reduce to the Mechanics of Materials model when the Poisson’s ratio of the beam material is −1. In addition to being a better verifier to the Mechanics of Materials solution, the proposed exact elasticity solution can be easily reduced to the simplified elasticity solution that is currently adopted in some graduate textbooks.
Guidelines for Organizational Applications of Transactional Analysis
Authors: Jongeward Dorothy , Blakeney Roger N.
Published: July 2017

Organizational work with TA is different in some crucial ways from clinical work. For organizational applications of TA, guidelines based on the concepts of the contract, protection, permission and potency are useful. In organizational work, the contract is usually with the organization and not the individual “invited” to the TA training session. This differs from the clinical setting. Thus TA becomes primarily a tool for communicating a way of sorting out human behavior and discovering options. Protection, permission and potency each has its unique meaning so as not to interfere with but to enhance the autonomy of individuals.
“The Obesity Alternative”
Authors: Etkin Maya
Published: July 2017

Continuous exposure to invalidation (negation or distortion of reality) can bring about feelings of being crazy or fear of becoming crazy. It is hypothesized that as a defense, some people overeat to the point of obesity. A pilot study with twenty-eight subjects was carried out to investigate this hypothesis, and provided support for it.
Structure, Function and Nonsense: A Guide to the Perplexed
Authors: Peck Harris B.
Published: July 2017

TA therapists disagree about the distinctions between structural and functional analysis. Structural commonly refers to (1) historical developments, (2) intrapsychic or internal transactions, (3) the internal organization of such components or some combination of the above. Berne's own progression from descriptive (functional) analysis to structural analysis parallels his increasing use of the therapy group for work he had previously conducted in one to one psychoanalytic therapy. Concepts from general systems theory may be employed to clarify the theoretical distinctions between structural and functional analysis as well as their practical implications for psychotherapy and TA.
Meeting the Little Professor of the Psychotic Client
Authors: Robinson Judith A.
Published: July 2017

The author describes a state of heightened perception and intuition observed on initial contact with many psychotic clients. She attributes this to a poorly established sense of trust which interferes with a shift from the Little Professor, or A1 ego state, to the Adult or Parent ego state when reacting to people at first meeting. Suggestions are given for using this ego state behavior to the therapist's and client's mutual advantage.
First Yes…Now No (F.Y.N.N.)
Authors: Magrograssi Giacomo
Published: July 2017

This is an intimacy-preventing game that can be played in pairs, between an individual and a group, between groups, and between institutions. The conjugal version typifies the barrier to intimacy.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Early Detection, Intervention, Education, and Psychopharmacological Management
Authors: Bryson Susan E , Rogers Sally J , Fombonne Eric
Published: July 2017

Our understanding and treatment of children with autism have changed dramatically since Leo Kanner first formally documented the disorder in 1943.

With reference to the historical context, this paper reviews recent research addressing 4 major issues: early detection, intervention, education, and psychopharmacological management of children with autism and related (autistic) spectrum disorders (hereafter, “autism”).

We conclude from our review of the evidence that, in the absence of additional, more compelling data, the clinical usefulness of existing screening instruments remains questionable. However, the potential importance of such research is underscored by the clear benefits of early behavioural intervention: despite differences in orientation, outcomes for children with autism can be significantly enhanced with early intensive intervention. Although many questions remain (notably, What are the critical therapeutic components? For whom? For what domains of development? For what level of intensity and duration?), interventions shown to be effective are all carefully planned, engineered, monitored, and designed to target specific skill domains. Including children with autism in regular classes within the public school system poses several challenges, the most pressing of which is the large number of school personnel who need to be trained in evidence-based teaching and behavioural management practices. Finally, psychotropic drugs may help to reduce some symptoms, but they are neither curative nor a substitute for other forms of support and intervention.
Association between Mental Health Apprehensions by Police and Monthly Income Assistance (Welfare) Payments
Authors: Pickett Tracy A , Stenstrom Robert J , Abu-Laban Riyad B
Published: July 2017

Objective:

Social misconduct, increased police activity, and increased emergency department (ED) use are associated with monthly income assistance (welfare) payments. The relation, if any, between welfare payments and mental health and addictions presentations to the ED requiring police involvement remains unknown. Our purpose was to determine if a relation exists between mental health apprehensions (MHAs) by police and monthly welfare cheque distribution, and the association between monthly payments and mental health and substance-related ED presentations.

Method:

The Vancouver Police administrative database was analyzed during an 81-week period (June 8, 2011, to December 25, 2012). Comparisons were made between the numbers of MHAs by police during the week following welfare payment to those during nonpayment weeks. The weekly number of mental health and substance-related ED presentations were also analyzed during the study period. MHAs were analyzed continuously, and compared using the 2-tailed t test.

Results:

During the study period, 4009 MHAs occurred (range 1 to 18 MHAs/day). The mean weekly MHAs during welfare week was 54.6 (95% CI 51.75 to 57.45), compared with 48.6 (95% CI 46.35 to 50.85) during nonpayment weeks ( P = 0.004). This translates to 85 MHAs annually related to welfare payments. Total mental health and addictions-related presentations to the ED were also significantly increased in the week following welfare payments ( P < 0.001), and could not be solely attributed to increased MHAs by police.

Conclusion:

A statistically significant increase in the number of MHAs by police follows welfare payments. This is superimposed on a significant increase in overall mental health and substance-related ED presentations seen during the same period.
Established-outsider Relations between Males and Females in the Field of Sports in Ireland
Authors: Liston Katie
Published: July 2017

This paper will introduce readers to the field of sports in the Republic of Ireland with specific reference to changing power relations between the sexes. It will situate a present-day social phenomenon, that is, Irish females‘ increasing involvement in what are seen traditionally as male-associated sports such as Gaelic football, rugby and soccer, within the context of social processes in which more or less independent groups of people (that is, male and female sportspeople) are becoming more interdependent. Qualitative data including 12 in-depth interviews with high performance (elite) female athletes (conducted between 1999 and 2002), three in-depth interviews with leading Irish sports officials (1999–2003) and participant observation notes (from the author's involvement in the field of sports since the early 1990s) will be used to examine aspects of the sport-gender nexus in Ireland. These will be situated within a sociological analysis of the emergence and development of sports for women since the 1970s, and they will be used to argue that the relatively slight shift in the balance of power in favour of females since the 1970s has led to feelings of emancipation amongst females and resistance amongst some males, though this resistance is gradually becoming weaker. Elias's theory of ‘established–outsider’ relations will be applied to suggest that females who participate in sports such as rugby, soccer and Gaelic football to a lesser extent, can be described as an ‘outsider’ group – that is, as one that has lacked the organisational resources and networks of mutual assistance to shift significantly the uneven balance of power between the sexes. Moreover, typical of outsiders in their relations with the established, dominant stereotypical views of females remain embedded in the personality structures of ‘outsiders’.
Acid-labile poly(amino alcohol ortho ester) based on low molecular weight polyethyleneimine for gene delivery
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhang Lei , Wang Xin , Fu Shengxiang , Yan Guoqing
Published: July 2017

A series of acid-labile poly(amino alcohol ortho ester) (POEeis) were synthesized through ring-opening polymerization between diglycidyl ethers with ortho ester bonded and low molecular weight polyethyleneimine by various feed molar ratios. The obtain POEei 1 and POEei 2 exhibited clear kinetic of degradation and condensed plasmid DNA into nanoparticles of suitable sizes (250–300 nm) and positive zeta potentials (+20–30 mV) while protecting DNA from enzymatic digestion. Further, these polymers have uniform distribution of abundant hydroxyl groups, which could improve their water solubility, biocompatibility, and lower protein adsorption. Significantly, ortho ester groups in POEeis main-chains could hydrolyze rapidly at acidic endosomal pH, resulting in intracellular DNA release and diminished material toxicity. MTT assay revealed that all the polymers exhibited much lower cytotoxicity than 25 kDa PEI in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, the transfection efficiency of POEei 1 was higher than 25 kDa PEI in serum-free medium or 10% serum medium.
The Role of Pharmacogenetics in Cancer Chemotherapy and the Development of Malignancy
Authors: Irvin Rebecca Johnson , Kuhn John G.
Published: July 2017

The role of pharmacogenetics in the area of cancer chemotherapy and the development of malignancy has not been well defined. Only four chemotherapeutic agents have been evaluated for toxicity or clinical response based on genetic differences in metabolism. These include 5-fluorouracil, 6-mercaptopurine, amonafide, and cyclophosphamide. Severe toxicity of 5-fluorouracil and amonafide due to individual differences in drug metabolism has been reported in the literature. Tumor response in leukemic children may be associated with genetic differences in metabolism of 6-mercaptorpurine. The development of malignancy may be secondary to an individual's ability to detoxify carcinogens found in the environment. For example, the incidence of bladder cancer appears higher in subjects who have occupational exposure to aromatic amines and the slow acetylator phenotype. Some evidence also exists that smokers who are very extensive metabolizers of debrisoquin may be more prone to developing lung cancer. Strong evidence for an association between other cancer types and pharmacogenetics requires more study.
Flow separation control on a highly loaded compressor cascade using endwall synthetic jets
Authors: Qin Yong , Song Yanping , Wang Ruoyu , Liu Huaping , Chen Fu
Published: July 2017

This paper presents flow separation control conducted on a highly loaded compressor stator cascade using endwall synthetic jets. Numerical methods are employed and mechanisms of endwall synthetic jets in improving the cascade performance are discussed in detail. The influence of several actuation parameters is also investigated. Results show that endwall synthetic jets are able to improve the flows in the blade passage significantly, a maximum loss reduction of 21.63% and a pressure rise increment of 5.60% are obtained at design condition. Apart from energizing the low momentum fluid inside endwall boundary layer by streamwise momentum addition, endwall synthetic jets could induce a streamwise jet vortex and impede the transverse movement of endwall boundary layer through upwash and downwash. Hence, at the expense of slightly degraded near-wall flows, the formation and further evolution of passage vortex would be delayed and flows in the midspan region would be improved notably. The effectiveness of endwall synthetic jets relies on the proper selection of actuation position and jet angle. Flow control turns out to be the most efficient when the actuator is positioned at just upstream of corner separation region with a relatively small jet angle, and a large enough injected momentum is also necessary. Additionally, the adaptability of the actuation at off-design conditions is validated in the present study.
LncRNA GAS5 suppresses the tumorigenesis of cervical cancer by downregulating miR-196a and miR-205
Authors: Yang Wenwu , Hong Li , Xu Xuexian , Wang Qin , Huang Jinling , Jiang Li
Published: July 2017

Growth arrest special 5 (GAS5) is a long non-coding RNA reported to function as an inhibitor in various tumors including cervical cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of GAS5 involved in cervical cancer progression remains far from being elucidated. The expression of GAS5, forkhead box protein O1 and phosphatase and tensin homolog was examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction qRT-PCR. cell growth, invasion, and apoptosis were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, colony formation assay, transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The interaction between GAS5 and miR-196a or miR-205 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, and qRT-PCR. Xenograft tumor experiments were performed to validate the biological role of GAS5 and its molecular mechanism in cervical cancer in vivo. GAS5 expression was decreased in cervical cancer tissues and cells. GAS5 overexpression suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. GAS5 was able to directly bind to miR-196a and miR-205 to downregulate their expression. Moreover, GAS5 induced forkhead box protein O1 and phosphatase and tensin homolog expression by repressing miR-196a and miR-205, respectively. Exogenous expression of GAS5 hindered tumor growth in vivo by downregulating miR-196a and miR-205. Upregulation of GAS5 suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by downregulating miR-196a and miR-205, contributing to our understanding the pathogenesis of cervical cancer and development of long non-coding RNA–mediated clinical therapy against this disease.
Together We are Learning
Authors: Crutsinger Carla
Published: July 2017

This article is written as a tribute to a school district that listens. As president of the Carollton-Farmers Branch Association for the Gifted and Talented, I have witnessed the birthing pains of our gifted and talented program and the pioneering of a role for our association within the framework of our school district.
A Good Beginning for Parent Involvement
Authors: Perry Anne M. , Shoop Jon
Published: July 2017

How can a school encourage meaningful parental involvement in its programs? Professional educators are sometimes justified in feeling that meetings which seek parent input will result, instead, in “gripe sessions.” School boards know the frustrating reality that community members with complaints are heard from far more often than those with compliments. To keep a positive attitude operating in the total community is a necessary and worthy goal for school districts to pursue. We had an idea which worked very well for our school district and might be useful to yours. This article describes how we organized and held a “Reflections for Living” workshop with parents of children who were participating in the school district's gifted and talented program. This type of workshop brought welcome perspective to adults by improving interpersonal relationships. It proved to be a good beginning for increased participation of the total community in the school's program. — A.M.P./J.S.
G/C/T meets with…
Authors: Broomand Iraj
Published: July 2017

Recently, G/C/T Editors Marv and Fay Gold met with Dr. and Mrs. Iraj Broomand. Dr. Broomand, who is a native Iranian and until the revolution was in charge of Iran's gifted education program, now resides in the United States with his American-born wife and their two young children.
Making Magic
Authors: Rooney Melody A.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this article is to share some examples of the positive impact of parental and community involvement upon gifted children.

Starfire, the gifted program in Temple, Texas, is a beautiful example of what a community can do for its kids when parents, businesses and schools work together. The support of a progressive school board, administration, teachers, and parents have been responsible for a full time program of superior quality.
Bill of Rights for Teachers of the Gifted
Authors: Gurcsik Bruce
Published: July 2017

Gifted program teachers are among the most committed members of the education profession. They provide quality instruction in the most limiting of instructional environments. All school personnel must work hard to ensure the provision of the minimal guarantees below in order to support teachers of the gifted in their work with g/c/t students. Consider this article directed to teachers of the gifted and, if you are one, see if you concur with the author's pronouncements.
A Hybrid Mpi-Openmp Implementation of an Implicit Finite-Element Code on Parallel Architectures
Authors: Mahinthakumar G. , Saied F.
Published: July 2017

The hybrid MPI-OpenMP model is a natural parallel programming paradigm for emerging parallel architectures that are based on symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) clusters. This paper presents a hybrid implementation adapted for an implicit finite-element code developed for groundwater transport simulations. The original code was parallelized for distributed memory architectures using MPI (Message Passing Interface) using a domain decomposition strategy. OpenMP directives were then added to the code (a straightforward loop-level implementation) to use multiple threads within each MPI process. To improve the OpenMP performance, several loop modifications were adopted. The parallel performance results are compared for four modern parallel architectures. The results show that for most of the cases tested, the pure MPI approach outperforms the hybrid model. The exceptions to this observation were mainly due to a limitation in the MPI library implementation on one of the architectures. A general conclusion is that while the hybrid model is a promising approach for SMP cluster architectures, at the time of this writing, the payoff may not be justified for converting all existing MPI codes to hybrid codes. However, improvements in OpenMP compilers combined with potential MPI limitations in SMP nodes may make the hybrid approach more attractive for a broader set of applications in the future.
Parallel Block Matrix Factorizations on the Shared-Memory Multiprocessor Ibm 3090 VF/600J
Authors: Dackland Krister , Elmroth Erik , Kålgström Bo , Loan Charles Van
Published: July 2017

Efficient parallel block algorithms for the LU factorization with partial pivoting, the Cholesky factorization, and the QR factorization transportable over a range of parallel MIMD architectures are presented. Parallel implementations of different block algorithms that utilize optimized uniprocessor level-3 BLAS are compared with corresponding routines of LAPACK (under development). Parallelism is mainly invoked implicitly in LAPACK by replacing calls to uniprocessor level-3 kernels by calls to parallel level-3 kernels and thereby maintaining portability. However, by parallelizing at the block level (explicitly) it is possible to overlap and pipeline different matrix-matrix operations and thereby gain some performance. Theoretical models give upper bounds on the best possible speedup of the explicitly and implicitly parallel block algorithms for the target machine.
Combined Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Atypical Fibroxanthoma
Authors: Youker Summer R. , Billingsley Elizabeth M.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Although there are reports of squamous cell carcinoma arising within and adjacent to Merkel cell carcinoma, and one report of an atypical fibroxanthoma-like tumor arising in an irradiated recurrent Merkel cell carcinoma, there have previously been no reports of an immunohistochemically verified atypical fibroxanthoma occurring in conjunction with a Merkel cell carcinoma.

Objective:

We report on a neoplasm with distinct features of both Merkel cell carcinoma and atypical fibroxanthoma.

Methods:

Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed.

Results:

Our results verify the finding of a combined Merkel cell carcinoma and atypical fibroxanthoma.

Conclusion:

This case is an interesting and unusual combination of tumors. The origin of the Merkel cell carcinoma is revisited. Debated origins include neuroendocrine, epithelial, and pleuripotent stem cell.
Public Intellectuals, Academic Violence and the Threat of Political Purity
Authors: Giroux Henry A.
Published: July 2017

Ideological fundamentalism and political purity appear to have a strong grip on American and Canadian societies. The time has come to develop a political language in which civic values and social responsibility – and the institutions, tactics and long-term commitments that support them – become central to invigorating and fortifying a new era of civic engagement, a renewed sense of social agency and an impassioned international social movement with the vision, organisation and set of strategies capable of challenging the neoliberal nightmare that now haunts the globe and empties out the meaning of politics and democracy.
Wattage-independent dynamic conductance model of compact fluorescent lamps: Validation and application in high-frequency operation
Authors: Gupta Bakshi B , Roy B
Published: July 2017

A wattage-independent (7–18 W) compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) model has been developed in Matlab-Simulink and validated in low-frequency (50 Hz) operation in our earlier work. In this paper, the same lamp model is simulated for high-frequency operation and then validated experimentally with a 9 W test CFL driven by a compatible electronic ballast (e-ballast). Simulation results have shown a maximum 6.4% deviation compared to the measured data. Thereafter, the developed model is applied to obtain the arc resistance versus power and power versus frequency characteristics of CFLs required to design dimmable e-ballasts. An algorithm is developed to compute design parameters of a dimmable e-ballast based on voltage-fed series-parallel resonant inverter topology. The electrical performance of the designed e-ballast is simulated at three different power levels (100%, 75% and 50%) using Matlab-Simulink.
Reality Versus Grant Application Research “Plans”
Authors: Burhansstipanov Linda , Krebs Linda U. , Petereit Daniel , Dignan Mark B. , Ahamed Sheikh Iqbal , Sargent Michele , Cina Kristin , Crawford Kimberly , Thibeault Doris , Bordeaux Simone , Kanekar Shalini , Ahsan Golam Mushih Tanimul , Williams Drew , Addo Ivor
Published: July 2017

This article describes the implementation of the American Indian mHealth Smoking Dependence Study focusing on the differences between what was written in the grant application compared to what happened in reality. The study was designed to evaluate a multicomponent intervention involving 256 participants randomly assigned to one of 15 groups. Participants received either a minimal or an intense level of four intervention components: (1) nicotine replacement therapy, (2) precessation counseling, (3) cessation counseling, and (4) mHealth text messaging. The project team met via biweekly webinars as well as one to two in-person meetings per year throughout the study. The project team openly shared progress and challenges and collaborated to find proactive solutions to address challenges as compared to what was planned in the original grant application. The project team used multiple strategies to overcome unanticipated intervention issues: (1) cell phone challenges, (2) making difficult staffing decisions, (3) survey lessons, (4) nicotine replacement therapy, (5) mHealth text messages, (6) motivational interviewing counseling sessions, and (7) use of e-cigarettes. Smoking cessation studies should be designed based on the grant plans. However, on the ground reality issues needed to be addressed to assure the scientific rigor and innovativeness of this study.
Recent Developments in IVUS
Authors: van der Steen A.F.W. , de Korte C.L. , Mastik F. , Doyley M.M. , Carlier S.G. , Lupotti F. , Cespedes E.I. , Serruys P.W. , Bom N.
Published: July 2017

In the development of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), a serious emphasis has been given to the improvement of the image quality in terms of resolution. The image quality is indeed a very important issue, but there is a lot more information hidden in the ultrasound signals than is currently exploited by commercially available IVUS equipment. For several years, at the Thorax Centre, we have been exploring the possibilities of analysing sequences of radiofrequency (RF) traces to extend the functionality of the IVUS machines. It gives possibilities for local elasticity assessment, flow estimation and enhanced lumen detection. This paper is an up to date report of where RF-data analysis has taken us.
Intravascular Elastography
Authors: van der Steen Anton F.W. , Schaar Johannes A. , Mastik Frits , de Korte Chris L.
Published: July 2017

The composition and morphology of the atherosclerotic lesion are currently considered more important determinants of acute coronary ischemic syndromes than the degree of stenosis. When a lesion is unstable, it may rupture and cause an acute thrombotic reaction. A rupture prone plaque contains a large lipid pool covered by a thin fibrous cap. The stress in the cap increases with decreasing thickness. Additionally, it may be weakened by macrophage infiltration. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) elastography might be an ideal technique to assess the presence of lipid pools and identify high stress regions.
Ultrasound in Diffuse Renal Disease
Authors: Brown Peter
Published: July 2017

Ultrasound is an essential initial investigation in a patient presenting with renal failure. It gives immediate information on the presence, size and appearance of both kidneys and importantly assesses dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system, which may be due to obstruction. It is the renal ultrasound, which distinguishes patients with obstructive renal failure allowing appropriate treatment and intervention. However, is ultrasound of any further use in the assessment of patients with pre renal, and intrinsic renal failure? Can ultrasound identify patients with intrinsic renal disease, and distinguish different diseases? Moreover can ultrasound identify end stage kidneys and give prognostic information? This article will assess the role of ultrasound in answering these questions by considering ultrasound assessment of renal size, parenchymal thickness and echogenicity. Some specific ultrasound appearances and the role of colour and power doppler in patients with diffuse renal disease will also be considered. Ultrasound can give further information in many circumstances although a renal biopsy is often necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.
A Computerised and Integrated Outpatients Appointment System
Authors: Horkings Kate
Published: July 2017

This article describes the computerised out-patients appointment system in operation at P.A.N.C.H., the system's screens are described in detail including – bookings, discharging patients, enquiries on patients, clinic inquiries and redefinition. The outputs of the system, mainly reports and other benefits are discussed.
Quality Assurance in Australian Hospitals: How Far Does it Go?
Authors: Renwick Manoa
Published: July 2017

The Australian Institute of Health (AIH) surveyed all acute hospitals in Australia to discover the extent of quality assurance (QA) activities, the types of programs being run and the processes being used. This paper explains the Institute's research strategy and puts the survey into the context of QA in Australia today. It describes the research method, identifies sources of bias, and presents some of the results. These show that medical record administrators (MRAs) play an active role in QA by coordinating hospital programs, by implementing individual reviews of their own departments, and by servicing other departmental reviews. The results pertaining to the extent and nature of QA are discussed and it is concluded that there seems to be some review of the quality of care for the majority of hospital patients. The effectiveness of that review, and whether or not it is quality assurance, still has to be investigated. (AMRJ 1988, 18(3), 97–101).
Patient Access to Medical Records: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Bergen Linda
Published: July 2017

During the last two decades, the physicians' exclusive control of medical information has eroded. In this paper, the literature on patient access to medical records is reviewed and the positive and negative results of the proposal to give patients complete access to their medical records is evaluated. The author outlines the history of the patient access issue and, from her review of the literature, concludes that the important question of whether patient access to medical records can cause harm remains unanswered. The author argues that the issue of patient access to medical records is a challenging one which deserves the prompt attention of researchers. (AMRJ 1988, 18(3) 102–106).
Computation of Production Costs of Inpatients: Some Implications for Discharge Abstracting
Authors: Hindle Don , Cook Angela , Pilla John
Published: July 2017

The content of discharge abstracts (or ‘morbidity statistics forms’ as they are popularly known in Australia) is determined by perceived needs for information about inpatients. It should be sensitive to changes in those needs. The emergence of interest in diagnosis related group (DRG) data has had an impact on discharge abstracting. However, revisions have been minor because the DRG system was designed to make use of the standard discharge data set in the United States. In Australia, it has been necessary only to adjust practices to bring them more or less in line with the American standard. In the near future, however, it is likely that more significant changes will be needed. In this paper the authors discuss one new area of interest concerning measurement of resource use by DRG. They suggest that it will lead to the addition of new fields on the discharge abstract and to major changes in the way that discharges are defined. (AMRJ (1989). 19(2), 56–62).
Microfilm Medical Records System: Cost Effective Bridge to the Future
Authors: Griffin James
Published: July 2017

This article is reprinted with permission from the IMC Journal, 25(3), 1989 – a publication of the International Information Management Congress.
Through a Dark Glass More Clearly? Health Information Managers and Strategic Planning in the 1990s
Authors: Braithwaite Jeffrey , Craig Janelle , Irwin Anne
Published: July 2017

This article considers the application of a formal strategic planning approach to the health information management profession. After a brief discussion of the two main strategic planning models, the process adopted by the Health Information Management Association of Australia at its recent strategic planning workshop is described and the planning outcomes are outlined. The merits of explicitly expressing strategic intent through the creation of a vision of the future and the establishment of strategies and an action plan to realise the vision are discussed.
Linking Mortality Data with Hospital Morbidity Data — A Pilot Study
Authors: O'Hara Denise , Hart William , Robinson Maureen , Jarocki Baz , McDonald Ian
Published: July 2017

Record linkage is becoming an increasingly important technique in monitoring health outcomes. In this study we sought to examine the feasibility of linking mortality data held by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages with the Patient Master Index (PMI) at St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, in order to document deaths soon after hospital discharge. Linkage was carried out using demographic details. Registry data required extensive editing and formatting prior to being matched with the PMI. 86.2% of cases identified by the computer algorithm were actual cases. Mortality data are an important source of information on health outcome but a process is needed to make them more usable. We have described one such method and suggested where the process could have been streamlined. The use of unique identifiers would have facilitated the matching process, curtailing several processing steps.
Future Health Services Managers' and Health Information Managers' Views on Information Technology: A Pilot Survey
Authors: Braithwaite Jeffrey , Westbrook Johanna I
Published: July 2017

This pilot survey examined the views of a sample of health service managers (HSMs) and health information managers (HIMs) undertaking tertiary studies about the application of information technology (IT) in health care. The survey was based on a questionnaire designed as part of a 1994 study of health service executives (HSEs) commissioned by the Australian College of Health Service Executives (ACHSE). We examined views about current and future IT expenditure, satisfaction with IT, impact of IT on quality and efficiency and the future use of electronic medical records and optical disk storage. Results identify differences and some similarities between respondent groups on these issues. The paper explores these differences and similarities and provides insight into the views held by future HSMs and HIMs.
The Quality in Australian Health Care Study (QAHCS) — A Review
Authors: Weeramanthri Tarun
Published: July 2017

The author reviews the politics, publicity, methods and findings of the Quality in Australian Health Care Study, which was released to a blaze of media attention in 1995. The study is a significant contribution to the growing literature on the identification and categorisation of preventable adverse events, using expert retrospective review of medical records, and a mix of explicit and implicit criteria. However, its potential impact has been lessened by the way its findings were released.
Key Principles of Quality Management for Health Information Departments and Their Managers
Authors: Wilson Lionel L
Published: July 2017

This article briefly summarises the key factors essential for successful quality management in a medical record department. The article suggests that health information managers should play a larger role in overall hospital quality management and their credibility in this activity would be enhanced if they were to first look to their own departments.
Addiction Types: A Clinical Sociology Perspective
Authors: Fatayer Jawad
Published: July 2017

This paper presents a new approach to categorizing types of addiction, based on 20 years of clinical sociology practice in the United States and the Arab world. The cross-cultural clinical experience of the author enables him to establish a perspective on addiction that focuses on the social-psychological dimensions of the addictive process. Addiction types presented in this paper are based on clinical practice and treatment since 1986. The purpose of this paper is to put types of addiction in perspective and provide an effective diagnostic instrument for making an accurate analysis, successfully treating the addiction, and enhancing the potential for recovery.
Giving Altruism Its Due: A Possible World or Possibly No World at All
Authors: Weinstein Jay
Published: July 2017

The program that Pitirim A. Sorokin labeled “Creative Altruism” is discussed as a key to achieving a better possible world of human relations. The discussion includes an overview of the idea of altruism in sociology, an examination of the considerable resistance to the idea of altruistic conduct, commentary on the lack of a specific set of techniques to implement Sorokin's program, and a brief inventory of current activities intended to give altruism its due in social science.
Civic Engagement and Public Sociology
Authors: Morton Mavis , Dolgon Corey , Maher Timothy , Pennell James
Published: July 2017

While the tools of civically engaged higher education (service-learning, community-based research, etc.) existed in sociology classes well before the onset of what some call the “civic engagement movement,” they have quickly shifted from margin to center as key building blocks for sociology’s own trend toward public sociology. While we examine the precarious rise of both civic engagement and public sociology, we argue that lacking strong social movements as shaping forces, the social justice potential for both civic engagement and public sociology must come from practitioners’ links to community-based politics and social movement organizing. Such connections still ground teaching and scholarship in the real politics of everyday life: people, institutions, and communities.