bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new imaging technology to reduce the radiation dose during uterine fibroid embolization
Authors: Thomaere Eveline , Dehairs Michiel , Laenen Annouschka , Mehrsima Abdoli , Timmerman Dirk , Cornelissen Sandra , Op de Beeck Katya , Bosmans Hilde , Maleux Geert
Published: February 2018

Background

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive imaging-guided treatment using radiation exposure.

Purpose

To compare the patients’ radiation exposure during UFE before and after introduction of a new X-ray imaging platform.

Material and Methods

Forty-one patients were enrolled in a prospective, comparative two-arm project before and after introduction of a new X-ray imaging platform with reduced dose settings, i.e. novel real-time image processing techniques (AlluraClarity). Demographic, pre-interventional imaging, and procedural data, including dose area product (DAP) and estimated organ dose on the ovaries and uterus, were recorded and angiographic quality of overall procedure was assessed.

Results

There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics and preoperative fibroid and uterine volumes in the two groups. The new imaging platform led to a significant reduction in mean total DAP (102 vs. 438 Gy.cm2; P < 0.001), mean fluoroscopy DAP (32 vs. 138 Gy.cm2; P < 0.001), mean acquisition DAP (70 vs. 300 Gy.cm2; P < 0.001), and acquisition DAP estimated organ dose in ovaries (42 vs. 118 mGy; P < 0.001) and uterus (40 vs. 118 mGy, P < 0.001), without impairment of the procedure and angiographic image quality.

Conclusion

A substantial 77% reduction of DAP values and 64% and 66% reduction in organ dose on ovaries and uterus, respectively, was demonstrated with the new imaging platform, while maintaining optimal imaging quality and efficacy.
The contribution of CACNA1A, ATP1A2 and SCN1A mutations in hemiplegic migraine: A clinical and genetic study in Finnish migraine families
Authors: Hiekkala Marjo Eveliina , Vuola Pietari , Artto Ville , Häppölä Paavo , Häppölä Elisa , Vepsäläinen Salli , Cuenca-León Ester , Lal Dennis , Gormley Padhraig , Hämäläinen Eija , Ilmavirta Matti , Nissilä Markku , Säkö Erkki , Sumelahti Marja-Liisa , Harno Hanna , Havanka Hannele , Keski-Säntti Petra , Färkkilä Markus , Palotie Aarno , Wessman Maija , Kaunisto Mari Anneli , Kallela Mikko
Published: February 2018

Objective

To study the position of hemiplegic migraine in the clinical spectrum of migraine with aura and to reveal the importance of CACNA1A, ATP1A2 and SCN1A in the development of hemiplegic migraine in Finnish migraine families.

Methods

The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition criteria were used to determine clinical characteristics and occurrence of hemiplegic migraine, based on detailed questionnaires, in a Finnish migraine family collection consisting of 9087 subjects. Involvement of CACNA1A, ATP1A2 and SCN1A was studied using whole exome sequencing data from 293 patients with hemiplegic migraine.

Results

Overall, hemiplegic migraine patients reported clinically more severe headache and aura episodes than non-hemiplegic migraine with aura patients. We identified two mutations, c.1816G>A (p.Ala606Thr) and c.1148G>A (p.Arg383His), in ATP1A2 and one mutation, c.1994C>T (p.Thr665Met) in CACNA1A.

Conclusions

The results highlight hemiplegic migraine as a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease. Hemiplegic migraine patients do not form a clearly separate group with distinct symptoms, but rather have an extreme phenotype in the migraine with aura continuum. We have shown that mutations in CACNA1A, ATP1A2 and SCN1A are not the major cause of the disease in Finnish hemiplegic migraine patients, suggesting that there are additional genetic factors contributing to the phenotype.
The Level of Personality Organization and Revictimization in Lives of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors
Authors: Izdebska Agnieszka , Beisert Maria
Published: February 2018

Previous research has documented that women who were sexually abused in childhood are also often victims of sexual abuse in adulthood. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between the phenomenon of sexual revictimization and personality organization (PO) conceptualized in accordance with the Otto Kernberg’s theory. The central hypothesis was that women with borderline personality organization (BPO) and neurotic personality organization (NPO) differ in terms of the occurrence of revictimization and its features. We predicted that women with BPO would experience revictimization more often, and that it would be characterized by features determining its higher severity than in women with NPO. In our study, 119 Polish adult women completed measures of PO and experiences of sexual violence in childhood and adulthood. The results supported the predicted relationships. After controlling for participants’ age, we showed that women with a close to borderline level of personality organization (cBPO) are at the greater risk of experiencing revictimization than those with NPO, in particular the revictimization involving penetration and by the previously known offender. Moreover, specific structural features related to BPO were found to have particular associations: Fear of Fusion (FF) was associated with the experience of revictimization; Identity Diffusion (ID), Primitive Defense Mechanism (PDM), FF, and Impaired Reality Testing (IRT) with penetration during revictimization; and PDM and IRT with revictimization by the previously known offender. Our findings suggest the importance of taking into account PO in estimating the risk of revictimization, as well as in therapy programs aimed at reducing this risk.
Negotiating Motherhood: Variations of Maternal Identities among Women in the Illegal Drug Economy
Authors: Grundetjern Heidi
Published: February 2018

This study examines negotiations of motherhood among women in the illegal hard drug economy in Norway. Based on interviews with mothers who are users and dealers, this study analyzes four predominant maternal identities: grieving mothers, detached mothers, motherly dealers, and working mothers. Particularly relevant factors explaining variations in maternal identities include the timing of pregnancy, time spent with children, control over drug use, and place in the drug market hierarchy. By revealing patterns of intra-group variations by gender performances and work situation, the study expands upon previous work on how mothers who are structurally disadvantaged negotiate motherhood ideals.
Mirtazapine-Induced Pancreatitis—A Case Report
Authors: Bowers Riley D. , Valanejad Sara M. , Holombo Ashley A.
Published: February 2018

Acute pancreatitis has numerous etiologies, with the most common including gallstones, alcohol abuse, and medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, statins, and diuretics. Mirtazapine has been associated with increased serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels. However, few studies have reported dangerously elevated triglyceride levels resulting in acute pancreatitis. This report discusses a case of mirtazapine-induced pancreatitis in a 46-year-old African American female. The patient presented to the emergency department with pancreatitis, presumably alcohol-induced as with a prior admission, but she denied any recent alcohol use. Mirtazapine then became the suspected cause of her hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis and was discontinued. After discontinuing mirtazapine, and utilizing an insulin infusion, her triglyceride levels normalized and symptoms of pancreatitis resolved. Using the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale, a total score of 5 was calculated indicating a probable adverse drug reaction of acute pancreatitis from mirtazapine.
Lightweight optimization of the front end structure of an automobile body using entropy-based grey relational analysis
Authors: Xiong Feng , Wang Dengfeng , Ma Zhengdong , Lv Tiantong , Ji Longbo
Published: February 2018

This study deals with the multi-objective lightweight optimization of the front end structure of an automobile body, as the main assembly to withstand impact force and protect occupants from injuries in frontal collision, based on entropy-based grey relational analysis (EGRA). First, basic noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) models of the automobile body and crashworthiness models of the vehicle are established and then validated by corresponding actual experiments; hence the lightweight controlling quotas are extracted. Next, the contribution analysis method determines the final parts for lightweight optimization, for which both continuous thickness variables and discrete material variables are simultaneously taken into account. Subsequently, design of experiment (DoE) using the optimal Latin hypercube sampling (OLHS) method is carried out, considering the total mass and the torsional stiffness of the automobile body, the maximum intrusion deformation on the firewall, the maximum impact acceleration at lower end of the B-pillar, and the total material cost of the selected optimization parts as five competing optimization objectives. After that, the optimal combination of thickness and material parameters of the optimization parts is determined using EGRA and confirmed by technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Finally, a comparison between the original design and the post-lightweight design, namely the optimized design, further confirms the effectiveness of the lightweight optimization. According to the outcomes, the automobile body is lightweight optimized with a mass decrease of 4.98 kg on the basis of well guaranteeing other relevant mechanical performance. Accordingly, the EGRA could be well employed to the multi-objective lightweight optimization of the automobile body.
Vehicle braking force distribution with electronic pneumatic braking and hierarchical structure for commercial vehicle
Authors: Zheng Hongyu , Ma Shenao , Liu Yahui
Published: February 2018

Brake by wire that allows a number of braking functions exists on commercial vehicles under the name electronic pneumatic braking system, which can improve braking comfort and safety of commercial vehicle. The design of braking force distribution control method has drawn much more attention. Considering structure characteristics of electronic pneumatic braking system, a control method with a three-layer hierarchical structure is proposed. The first layer presents an estimation method towards vehicle mass and centre of gravity combining Kalman filter with recursive least square. The second layer is developed by designing a fixed relationship between the brake pedal displacement and vehicle braking deceleration. A deceleration control method that only uses brake pedal displacement as input is applied to make the vehicle follow the desired deceleration. The third layer includes a braking force distribution control method between the front and rear axles. The vehicle deceleration can be achieved with a smooth axle load transfer process based on linear matrix inequality. In addition, the controllers of wheel slip rate and valve hysteresis compensation are designed to improve control accuracy and efficiency. Utilizing a hardware-in-the-loop simulation test rig of electronic pneumatic braking system, the experiment results show that the control method can improve the braking performance of vehicle.
Neuroforecasting Aggregate Choice
Authors: Knutson Brian , Genevsky Alexander
Published: February 2018

Advances in brain-imaging design and analysis have allowed investigators to use neural activity to predict individual choice, while emerging Internet markets have opened up new opportunities for forecasting aggregate choice. Here, we review emerging research that bridges these levels of analysis by attempting to use group neural activity to forecast aggregate choice. A survey of initial findings suggests that components of group neural activity might forecast aggregate choice, in some cases even beyond traditional behavioral measures. In addition to demonstrating the plausibility of neuroforecasting, these findings raise the possibility that not all neural processes that predict individual choice forecast aggregate choice to the same degree. We propose that although integrative choice components may confer more consistency within individuals, affective choice components may generalize more broadly across individuals to forecast aggregate choice.
Influence of Systemic Banking Crises and Currency Crises on the FDI-Growth Nexus: Evidence from China
Authors: Raza Syed Ali , Karim Mohd Zaini Abd
Published: February 2018

This study investigates the influence of systemic banking crises, currency crises and global financial crisis on the relationship of foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth in China by using the annual time series data from the period of 1982 to 2014. The Johansen and Juselius (J–J) cointegration, autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound testing cointegration approach, and Gregory and Hansen’s (1996) cointegration approach with structural break confirm the valid long-run relationship between considered variables. Results indicate the positive and significant effect of FDI on economic growth. Whereas the negative influence of systemic banking crises and currency crises over economic growth is observed. It is also concluded that the impact of FDI on economic growth becomes insignificant in the presence of systemic banking crises and currency crises. The systemic banking crises effects the influence of export on economic growth more as compared to currency crises. Surprisingly, the export in the period of global financial crises has a positive and significant influence over economic growth in China, which conclude that the global financial crises did not drastically affect the export-growth nexus.
Cross-docking Centre Location in a Supply Chain Network: A Social Network Analysis Approach
Authors: Barsing Prashant , Daultani Yash , Vaidya Omkarprasad S. , Kumar Sushil
Published: February 2018

The level of uncertainty, unpredictability and complexity is magnified in a food supply chain as compared to the conventional supply chains such as automobile and FMCG. This is mainly because of the short product shelf life and the need of high variety. This necessitates the food industry to adopt various quick response systems to achieve effective supply chain management. The situation becomes even more critical when dealing with humanitarian relief operations where time window is very short (usually 24 hours). One of the solutions which are adopted in modern food supply chains is to locate cross-docking centre (CDC). Cross-docking is used to reduce the turnaround time of the food products. The practical situation is complex as it caters to multiple customers. The number of suppliers, in such cases, plays a significant role. Selection of a right CDC is, therefore, a crucial task. It is a strategic decision and needs to be taken by considering the relationships between each stakeholder present in the supply chain. In this article, we present an approach to select one (or few) CDC/s facilities among n CDCs. The method is based on the relationship between each actor (actors are the stakeholders in the supply chain). The relationship is in terms of the physical flow of materials or information flow or another kind of flows or relationships that connects them to form a network. These network characteristics are required to find out key stakeholders. The present article proposes the application of social network analysis (SNA) to analyse the characteristics of the network, thus helping supply chain managers to locate strategic CDCs considering both qualitative and quantitative aspects. The proposed methodology can be easily extended to locate temporary warehouse site in the context of humanitarian relief operations.
Factors Affecting Mobile Payment Adoption Intention: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Shankar Amit , Datta Biplab
Published: February 2018

This study aims to identify the factors affecting mobile payment (m-payment) adoption intention in India by proposing a conceptual framework based on technology acceptance model (TAM). In addition to construct of TAM, four user-centric constructs have been added to evaluate m-payment adoption intention in India. The proposed research framework was empirically tested by data collected from 381 potential m-payment service users, through online and offline survey. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) technique. The results exhibit that perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), trust, and self-efficacy (SE) have a significant positive impact on m-payment adoption intention. However, subjective norms (SN) and personal innovativeness (PI) have no significant impact on m-payment adoption intention. Findings of the study have important theoretical and practical implications, particularly to understand important user-centric factors affecting m-payment adoption.
Compensations in Bone Morphology and the Dentition in Patients With Untreated Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Woods McKenzie E. , Beeman Cynthia S. , Westgate Philip M. , Cardinal Lucas , Huja Sarandeep S.
Published: February 2018

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess dentoalveolar and skeletal compensations in patients with untreated unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). We hypothesized that there are significant skeletal and dental adaptations in UCLP cases compared to a comparison maxillary crossbite group.

Design:

A convenience retrospective sample of 30 patients with UCLP and a comparison group of 30 patients with unilateral posterior crossbite without CLP. Cone-beam computed tomography scans (CBCTs) were used to evaluate dental and skeletal compensations. In addition, alveolar bone thickness was measured at 2-mm increments in mesiodistal and faciolingual cross-sectional views along the long axis of the central incisors. Alveolar bone height was measured, and the percentage of root length supported by bone was calculated.

Results:

Compensations for unilateral cleft lip and palate were restricted to the cleft site and adjacent structures. Dental compensations include alteration in the position of cleft-adjacent maxillary incisors and maxillary canines. No gross skeletal compensations were found. Alveolar support of cleft adjacent incisors was similar to controls except for measurements in the most coronal and apical regions. The cleft group contralateral incisors exhibited buttressing effects and had significantly higher alveolar thickness in the coronal half of the tooth. There was less (5%) alveolar coverage of the cleft-facing aspect of the central incisor root than all other incisors.

Conclusion:

The bone adaptation to the presence of a cleft was localized in the vicinity of the cleft, and adaptations in the mandible were not apparent.
Assessment and quantification of ballistic impact damage of a single-layer woven fabric composite
Authors: Bonyi Enock , Meyer Christopher S , Kioko Bridgit , Adesina Oreoluwa , Lansiquot Carisse , Onuk Zuhal , O’Brien Daniel J , Haque Bazle Z(Gama) , Gillespie John W , Aslan Kadir
Published: February 2018

A methodology is developed to visually analyze and quantify macroscale and mesoscale impact damage on a single layer of S-2 glass/SC15 toughened epoxy plain weave composite. Specimens were clamped in a 203 mm diameter circular frame and impacted by a 5.5 mm (0.22 caliber) right circular cylindrical steel projectile at impact velocities ranging from 104 to 472 m/s. High-resolution images were obtained at the point of impact and up to the edge of the circular frame using an 80 MP camera. Three types of mesoscale damage were identified: (i) transverse tow cracks, (ii) tow–tow delamination, and (iii) 45° matrix cracks. A MATLAB program was developed to translate the image data into a digital damage map whereby the output of color intensity correlated with the quantity and type of material damage. Digital maps generated for select specimens revealed that characteristic damage patterns arise for woven fabric composites including a diamond pattern in matrix cracking and a cross pattern in tow–tow delamination. The greatest extent of matrix cracks and tow–tow delamination over any specimen was observed for the projectile impact with initial velocity of 174 m/s, which is very close to the calculated ballistic limit velocity of 175 m/s.
Neuroimaging of the Injured Pediatric Brain: Methods and New Lessons
Authors: Dennis Emily L. , Babikian Talin , Giza Christopher C. , Thompson Paul M. , Asarnow Robert F.
Published: February 2018

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health problem in the United States, especially for children and adolescents. Current epidemiological data estimate over 600,000 patients younger than 20 years are treated for TBI in emergency rooms annually. While many patients experience a full recovery, for others there can be long-lasting cognitive, neurological, psychological, and behavioral disruptions. TBI in youth can disrupt ongoing brain development and create added family stress during a formative period. The neuroimaging methods used to assess brain injury improve each year, providing researchers a more detailed characterization of the injury and recovery process. In this review, we cover current imaging methods used to quantify brain disruption post-injury, including structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion MRI, functional MRI, resting state fMRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), with brief coverage of other methods, including electroencephalography (EEG), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET). We include studies focusing on pediatric moderate-severe TBI from 2 months post-injury and beyond. While the morbidity of pediatric TBI is considerable, continuing advances in imaging methods have the potential to identify new treatment targets that can lead to significant improvements in outcome.
Cilioretinal artery occlusion associated with cisplatin
Authors: Alkan Ali , Talaz Serap
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Cancer is an important risk factor for venous and arterial thromboembolic events. Treatment with chemotherapy was associated with a 6.5-fold increase in the risk of thromboembolic events. Here, we present a patient with cilioretinal artery emboli during cisplatin-based therapy.

Case report

A 54-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of metastatic small cell carcinoma was under cisplatin-based regimen. He presented with visual disturbance. Retinal fluorescein angiography showed multiple plaques located in cilioretinal artery and cilioretinal artery occlusion. After excluding other potential etiological factors, patient was diagnosed with cilioretinal artery occlusion associated with cisplatin.

Discussion

In oncology practice, patients are prone to thromboembolic events due to primary disease, underlying comorbidities and treatment modalities. In addition to numerous toxicities, cisplatin is an important risk factor for thromboembolic events. Clinicians caring patients with a diagnosis of cancer should be aware of this rare complication of cisplatin-based therapies.
Properties of microparticles from a whey protein isolate/alginate emulsion gel
Authors: Leon Alicia M , Medina Wenceslao T , Park Dong J , Aguilera José M
Published: February 2018

Designing soft, palatable and nutritious texture-modified foods for the elderly is a challenge for food technologists. The aim of this work was to produce and characterize emulsion-gelled microparticles (EGM) made from whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium alginate (NaAlg) that may be used to modify the rheology of liquid foods and as carriers of lipids and lipophilic nutrients and bioactives. Olive oil microdroplets became embedded in the WPI/NaAlg gel matrix in the form of an emulsion produced by ultrasound (US) or high-speed blending (HSB). Oil microdroplets were obtained by US and HSB, with an average equivalent diameter varying between 2.0–3.2 µm and 4.5–6.7 µm, respectively. Oil incorporation increased compression stress of bulk emulsion gels at small deformations compared to the no-oil microgel, but this effect was reversed at high strains. EGM were prepared by shear-induced size reduction. Rheological tests at 20 ℃ and 40 ℃ showed that US-EGM and HSB-EGM exhibited a predominant elastic behavior, with G′ >  G″ throughout the frequency range. However, when HSB-EGM were heated at 60 ℃ their rheological behavior changed to a more fluid-like condition, but not that of US-EGM. Consequently, EGM have the properties needed to improve food texture for people with masticatory/swallowing dysfunctions or needing special nutrition.
Relationship of Parental and Adolescents’ Screen Time to Self-Rated Health: A Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Werneck André O. , Silva Danilo R. , Agostinete Ricardo R. , Fernandes Rômulo A. , Ronque Enio R. V. , Oyeyemi Adewale L. , Cyrino Edilson S.
Published: February 2018

Aim. To investigate the association of parental and adolescents’ screen time with self-rated health and to examine the mediating effects of psychosocial factors (social relationships and distress) on this association. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 984 Brazilian adolescents (10- to 17-year-olds). Self-rated health, screen time (adolescents and parental), and perception of social relationships and distress were evaluated through self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modeling was adopted to investigate the pathways of the relationship between adolescents’ screen time and self-rated health. Results. Adolescents’ screen time was directly and negatively related to self-rated health only in boys ( r = −0.158, p = .015). In girls, screen time was related to self-rated health through distress ( r = −0.188, p = .007) and social relationships ( r = 0.176, p = .008). The models fit was adequate (χ2/ df ≤ 3.0, root mean square error of approximation <0.08, comparative fit index >0.90, and Tucker–Lewis Index >0.90). Conclusions. Higher screen time was associated with poor self-rated health in boys, while in girls, psychosocial factors mediated the adverse relationships between screen time and self-rated health.
Microvascular endothelial function and cognitive performance: The ELSA-Brasil cohort study
Authors: Brant Luisa , Bos Daniel , Araujo Larissa Fortunato , Ikram M Arfan , Ribeiro Antonio LP , Barreto Sandhi M
Published: February 2018

Impaired microvascular endothelial function may be implicated in the etiology of cognitive decline. Yet, current data on this association are inconsistent. Our objective is to investigate the relation of microvascular endothelial function to cognitive performance in the ELSA-Brasil cohort study. A total of 1521 participants from ELSA-Brasil free of dementia underwent peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) to quantify microvascular endothelial function (PAT-ratio and mean baseline pulse amplitude (BPA)) and cognitive tests that covered the domains of memory, verbal fluency, and executive function at baseline. Cognitive tests in participants aged 55 years old and above were repeated during the second examination (mean follow-up: 3.5 (0.3) years). Linear regression and generalized linear models were used to evaluate the association between endothelial function, global cognitive performance, and performance on specific cognitive domains. In unadjusted cross-sectional analyses, we found that BPA and PAT-ratio were associated with worse global cognitive performance (mean difference for BPA: –0.07, 95% CI: –0.11; –0.03, p<0.01; mean difference for PAT-ratio: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01; 0.20, p=0.02), worse performance on learning, recall, and word recognition tests (BPA: –0.87, 95% CI: –1.21; –0.52, p<0.01; PAT-ratio: 1.58, 95% CI: 0.80; 2.36, p<0.01), and only BPA was associated with worse performance in verbal fluency tests (−0.70, 95% CI: –1.19; –0.21, p<0.01). Adjustments for age, sex, and level of education rendered the associations statistically non-significant. Longitudinally, there was no association between microvascular endothelial and cognitive functions. The associations between microvascular endothelial function and cognition are explained by age, sex, and educational level. Measures of microvascular endothelial function may be of limited value with regard to preclinical cognitive deficits.
Dare to Dream: A Vignette Survey on Self-Selection in Secondary Education Track Choice
Authors: Keller Tamás
Published: February 2018

This article investigates applications to schools on the highest secondary track in Hungary (grammar schools). In Hungary, primary school pupils can apply to any secondary school. Pupils’ primary school grades play a crucial role only in the admissions procedure, and the exact cut-off point for admission is not known at the time of application. Pupils, however, might adjust their preferences according to their school grades and thus may not apply to schools on their preferred track. Dealing with the endogeneity of pupils’ preferences, the article applies an experimental vignette study. The respondents are primary school pupils who will shortly be applying to secondary schools. They assess the likelihood of a hypothetical pupil (described in the vignette) applying to schools on the highest track. The characteristics of the ‘vignette-person’ (such as his or her grades and preferences) are randomly allocated, and thus preferences are exogenous to grades. The results show no interaction between preferences and grades, which means that a clearly positive preference for grammar school does not compensate for poor grades. This may lead to self-selection, if pupils with a clearly positive preference for grammar school but poor primary school grades do not apply to their preferred secondary track. Since admission cut-off points are not known ahead of application, ignorance of the schools’ requirements is assumed to lie behind this self-selection. The article discusses the implications of the findings and suggests that schools should provide transparent information for applicants about the grades of pupils who have been admitted to those schools in the past.
A scoping review of home modification interventions – Mapping the evidence base
Authors: Carnemolla Phillippa , Bridge Catherine
Published: February 2018

As home-based health services emerge as a focal point of international discussions of primary healthcare, the home environment is now recognised as a place for safe and independent living, and also delivery of care. Consequently, research into how housing improvements can directly impact health and care outcomes is an increasingly important area of trans-disciplinary research. The links between health and housing are well established and indicate that housing interventions may be an important mechanism in health maintenance and improvement. Studies of home modifications have been published across a number of fields and the extent of their effects are diverse. We undertook a scoping review according to systematic PRISMA-P (Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols) guidelines to map the breadth and scale of the evidence base, identify themes and gaps in the evidence as well as grading home modifications research quality. Seventy-seven studies from 16 countries were included and revealed that home modifications evidence is measured in terms of a diverse range of effects. Seven key themes emerged including (in decreasing order); injury and falls prevention; improved function, self-care or independence; physical health and well-being; caregiving; economic effectiveness; ageing process; and social participation. The strongest experimental evidence has been conducted in relation to falls prevention.
Inquiry-based reading – Towards a conception of reading as a research method
Authors: Katan Lina , Andreas Baarts Charlotte
Published: February 2018

Reading is an activity in which both researchers and students invest immense time and energy. However, reading is disregarded as a research method and generally assigned a marginal position as a mere supplement to empirical hands-on methods. In this article we argue that reading should be recognized as a method of inquiry. Based on qualitative interviews with 20 researchers from a humanities department, we explore how researchers read, and we show how reading contributes significantly to their knowledge production. We argue that the concepts of ‘close reading’ and ‘surface reading’ in addition to ‘deep approach’ and ‘surface approach’ insufficiently convey how researchers read. Instead we propose the concept 'Inquiry-Based Reading' for designating the specific orientation towards texts that characterizes how researchers practise reading to further their research. Finally, we suggest that the conceptualization of inquiry-based reading could open up new discussions about the current position of reading in methods curriculum.
Public Ignorance or Elitist Jargon? Reconsidering Americans’ Overestimates of Government Waste and Foreign Aid
Authors: Williamson Vanessa
Published: February 2018

Widespread and profound public misinformation about government presents a serious challenge for democratic accountability. This article demonstrates that two of the most commonly-cited examples of public misperception of government are overstated, due in substantial part, to differences of elite and popular terminology. “Foreign aid” is widely understood to encompass overseas military spending, and the term “government waste” is popularly used to discuss systemic failures of the democratic process. Failing to take account of what members of the public mean by “waste” and “foreign aid,” existing studies overestimate public ignorance and obscure the substance of public critiques of U.S. policy, particularly among the less educated. The results of this article suggest the need for a reconsideration of what qualifies as evidence of public misinformation, and what that evidence implies for voters’ capacity to assess their government.
Popliteal Venous Aneurysm Presenting With Bilateral Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Authors: Ghali Michael George Zaki , Taylor Jesse A. , Mallon Mary , Gerety Patrick , Shea Paul , Weinberger Sharon , Urbine Jacqueline , Raybagkar Deepti
Published: February 2018

A 12-year-old boy presenting with chest pain and dyspnea was found to have bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) secondary to left popliteal venous aneurysm (PVA) with thrombus. He improved with thrombolytics, developed recurrent PTE, then underwent surgical repair of his PVA. The pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of PVA are discussed.
Machine learning techniques for quality control in high conformance manufacturing environment
Authors: Escobar Carlos A , Morales-Menendez Ruben
Published: February 2018

In today’s highly competitive global market, winning requires near-perfect quality. Although most mature organizations operate their processes at very low defects per million opportunities, customers expect completely defect-free products. Therefore, the prompt detection of rare quality events has become an issue of paramount importance and an opportunity for manufacturing companies to move quality standards forward. This article presents the learning process and pattern recognition strategy for a knowledge-based intelligent supervisory system, in which the main goal is the detection of rare quality events. Defect detection is formulated as a binary classification problem. The l1-regularized logistic regression is used as the learning algorithm for the classification task and to select the features that contain the most relevant information about the quality of the process. The proposed strategy is supported by the novelty of a hybrid feature elimination algorithm and optimal classification threshold search algorithm. According to experimental results, 100% of defects can be detected effectively.
Development and experiment of the Internet-based telesurgery with MicroHand robot
Authors: Su He , Li Jinhua , Kong Kang , Li Jianmin
Published: February 2018

Robot-assisted telesurgery can perform complex surgical manipulations from remote locations. Against the requirements of remote controlling for minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery robot, a prototype telesurgery system integrated on the existing “MicroHand S” robot was built. The prototype worked with the Internet, and a telesurgery communication protocol was set up based on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The stereo images of laparoscopy were transmitted by a hardware-based H.264 encoder/decoder. A demonstration environment of robot-assisted remote minimally invasive surgery between the medical robot laboratory of Tianjin University and the visual surgery laboratory of the PLA Rocket Force General Hospital, which is about 150 km away, was set up. Control signal and laparoscope image transmission test between these two places were conducted. After the pegboard task and knot-tying task of phantom training, the first remote gall bladder removal surgery on the sow of China was successfully performed, on the basis of remote surgery robot system integration. The experimental results show that the developed prototype telesurgery system has enough remote control performance and operability for telesurgery.
A novel miniature hydraulic actuation system and offset to long hose effect
Authors: Wang Bin , Cao Qiwei , Zhang Nan
Published: February 2018

For its compact and flexible design, a novel miniature hydraulic actuation scheme is proposed for use in applications especially where both size and power are extremely important. The system works on a volume-controlled method using miniature cylinders. In order to describe the impact of hose deformation on the system, a lumped-parameter hose model is proposed, and coefficients in the model are determined on the basis of experiments with an existing prototype. A position tracking controller with a disturbance observer is designed for a miniature hose-connecting hydraulic actuation system. Tracking control for the target displacement is arranged as an external circuit of pressure compensation to eliminate the tracking error and an inner circuit of pressure compensation which operates by observed disturbances and oil pressure in the hose. Lyapunov theory is employed to verify the stability of the system with the disturbance observer. The disturbance observer–based controller has much better tracking performance than conventional proportional–integral–derivative controllers, which can substantially offset negative effects of the hose.
Performance and Power in Social Movements: Biko’s Role as a Witness in the SASO/BPC Trial
Authors: Morgan Marcus
Published: February 2018

This article provides a case study of the relationship between performance and power in social movements. It reveals how movements are able to reiterate established cultures of resistance across time and space through performative means. It also shows how – given requisite stage settings and skilful actors – methods of performance allow movements to subvert established structures of domination to their political advantage. It does this through focussing on Steve Biko’s role as a defence witness in an apartheid-era political trial of leaders of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM). It demonstrates how, within the courtroom setting, Biko and the defendants improvised upon various pre-established codes, scripts, and dramatic techniques, augmenting the likelihood that their performances would resonate successfully with their audiences. In addition, it shows how Biko and the defendants used social performance to subvert many of apartheid’s established culture structures, enabling them not only to explicitly articulate the principles of BC philosophy, but also to implicitly embody and act them out.
Do clinicians prescribe exercise similarly in patients with different cardiovascular diseases? Findings from the EAPC EXPERT working group survey
Authors: Hansen Dominique , Rovelo Ruiz Gustavo , Doherty Patrick , Iliou Marie-Christine , Vromen Tom , Hinton Sally , Frederix Ines , Wilhelm Matthias , Schmid Jean-Paul , Abreu Ana , Ambrosetti Marco , Garcia-Porrero Esteban , Coninx Karin , Dendale Paul
Published: February 2018

Background

Although disease-specific exercise guidelines for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are widely available, it remains uncertain whether these different exercise guidelines are integrated properly for patients with different CVDs. The aim of this study was to assess the inter-clinician variance in exercise prescription for patients with various CVDs and to compare these prescriptions with recommendations from the EXercise Prescription in Everyday practice and Rehabilitative Training (EXPERT) tool, a digital decision support system for integrated state-of-the-art exercise prescription in CVD.

Design

The study was a prospective observational survey.

Methods

Fifty-three CV rehabilitation clinicians from nine European countries were asked to prescribe exercise intensity (based on percentage of peak heart rate (HRpeak)), frequency, session duration, programme duration and exercise type (endurance or strength training) for the same five patients. Exercise prescriptions were compared between clinicians, and relationships with clinician characteristics were studied. In addition, these exercise prescriptions were compared with recommendations from the EXPERT tool.

Results

A large inter-clinician variance was found for prescribed exercise intensity (median (interquartile range (IQR)): 83 (13) % of HRpeak), frequency (median (IQR): 4 (2) days/week), session duration (median (IQR): 45 (18) min/session), programme duration (median (IQR): 12 (18) weeks), total exercise volume (median (IQR): 1215 (1961) peak-effort training hours) and prescription of strength training exercises (prescribed in 78% of all cases). Moreover, clinicians’ exercise prescriptions were significantly different from those of the EXPERT tool ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study reveals significant inter-clinician variance in exercise prescription for patients with different CVDs and disagreement with an integrated state-of-the-art system for exercise prescription, justifying the need for standardization efforts regarding integrated exercise prescription in CV rehabilitation.
Relative peak exercise oxygen pulse is related to sudden cardiac death, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in middle-aged men
Authors: Laukkanen Jari A , Araújo Claudio Gil S , Kurl Sudhir , Khan Hassan , Jae Sae Y , Guazzi Marco , Kunutsor Setor K
Published: February 2018

Background

Preliminary evidence suggests that peak exercise oxygen pulse – peak oxygen uptake/heart rate-, a variable obtained during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing and a surrogate of stroke volume, is a predictor of mortality. We aimed to assess the associations of peak exercise oxygen pulse with sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.

Design

A prospective study.

Methods

Peak exercise oxygen pulse was assessed in a maximal cycling test at baseline in 2227 middle-aged men of the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease cohort study using expired gas variables and electrocardiograms. Relative peak exercise oxygen pulse was obtained by dividing the absolute value by body weight.

Results

During a median follow-up of 26.1 years 1097 subjects died; there were 220 sudden cardiac deaths, 336 fatal coronary heart diseases and 505 fatal cardiovascular diseases. Relative peak exercise oxygen pulse (mean 19.5 (4.1) mL per beat/kg/102) was approximately linearly associated with each outcome. Comparing extreme quartiles of relative peak exercise oxygen pulse, hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality on adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors were 0.55 (0.36–0.83), 0.58 (0.42–0.81), 0.60 (0.46–0.79) and 0.59 (0.49–0.70), respectively ( P < 0.001 for all). The hazard ratios were unchanged on further adjustment for C-reactive protein and the use of beta-blockers. The addition of relative peak exercise oxygen pulse to a cardiovascular disease mortality risk prediction model significantly improved risk discrimination (C-index change 0.0112; P = 0.030).

Conclusion

Relative peak exercise oxygen pulse measured during maximal exercise was linearly and inversely associated with fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events in middle-aged men. In addition, relative peak exercise oxygen pulse provided significant improvement in cardiovascular disease mortality risk assessment beyond conventional risk factors.
Expression profile of circulating microRNAs in the Correa pathway of progression to gastric cancer
Authors: Lario Sergio , Brunet-Vega Anna , Quílez María E , Ramírez-Lázaro María J , Lozano Juan J , García-Martínez Lorena , Pericay Carles , Miquel Mireia , Junquera Félix , Campo Rafael , Calvet Xavier
Published: February 2018

Background

Helicobacter pylori infection causes long‐term chronic active gastritis, a risk factor for the intestinal and diffuse forms of gastric cancer. Most gastric cancers develop in a stepwise progression from chronic active gastritis to precursor lesions of gastric cancer. The early detection of gastric cancer improves survival. Studies with recent evidence have proposed circulating‐microRNAs as biomarkers of cancer.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the circulating‐microRNA profile from H. pylori infection to gastric adenocarcinoma.

Methods

One hundred and twenty‐three patients were enrolled and assigned to the discovery or the validation sets. In the discovery phase, circulating‐microRNAs were measured by dye‐based quantitative polymerase chain reaction and a selection of circulating‐microRNAs was validated by probe‐based quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A quality control protocol was used.

Results

One hundred and sixty‐seven circulating‐microRNAs were detected. Precursor lesions of gastric cancer and gastric cancer patients showed the downregulation of eight and five circulating‐microRNAs, respectively. We further validated the deregulation of miR‐196a‐5p in precursor lesions of gastric cancer and the deregulation of miR‐134‐5p, miR‐144‐3p and miR‐451a in gastric cancer. However, circulating‐microRNAs exhibited moderate diagnostic performance due to the overlap of circulating‐microRNA expression between non‐cancer and cancer patients. miR‐144‐3p/miR‐451a expression levels were correlated. Interestingly, these microRNAs are in 17q11.2, a site of rearrangements associated with gastric cancer.

Conclusion

Circulating‐microRNAs are deregulated in precancerous and gastric cancer patients but efforts are needed to improve their diagnostic accuracy.
Five Basic Concepts for Tetanus Prophylaxis
Authors: Furste Wesley
Published: February 2018

As a surgeon, Dr. Wesley Furste has been interested in two anaerobic infections - tetanus and gas gangrene -from the time he served as a surgeon with the United States Army, 22nd Field Hospital, in China in the 1943-1946 period. There, Dr. Furste saw Chinese soldiers who developed tetanus and died because they did not have the benefit of tetanus toxoid. There, also, he saw Chinese soldiers have limbs amputated because gas gangrene developed in bullet and shrapnel wounds which had been closed primarily.

At the termination of his Army duty and in the year following, Dr. Furste collaborated in studies concerning the etiology, pathology, clinical picture, prophylaxis and treatment of gas gangrene under a contract with the United States Office of Scientific Research and Development.

Dr. Furste's interest in superior tetanus prophylaxis was considerably stimulated when he had to care for the vice president of a large drug and medical instrument distributing company. This patient developed severe serum sickness following the administration of heterologous tetanus antitoxin prepared from horse serum.

In 1965, Dr. Furste was invited by President Johnson to attend his White House signing of the Community Health Services Extension Amendments Act of 1965. One of the purposes of this Act of 1965 was to make available throughout the nation adequate amounts of tetanus toxoid.

Dr. Furste was an invited essayist and participant at the Second International Conference on Tetanus, which was held in Bern, Switzerland, July 1966.