bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among pregnant women attending routine antenatal care in Nepal
Authors: Rishal Poonam , Pun Kunta Devi , Darj Elisabeth , Joshi Sunil Kumar , Bjørngaard Johan Håkon , Swahnberg Katarina , Schei Berit , Lukasse Mirjam ,   on behalf of the ADVANCE Study Group, Schei Berit , Bjørngaard Johan Håkon , Darj Elisabeth , Infanti Jennifer J. , Lund Raghnild , Lukasse Mirjam , Swahnberg Katarina , Campbell Jacquelyn C. , Joshi Sunil Kumar , Koju Rajendra , Pun Kunta Devi , Wihewardene Kumudu , Perera Dinusha Chamanie , Muzrif Mohamed Munas Mohamed
Published: August 2017

Aims: The primary aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) and its associated factors among pregnant women in Nepal. The secondary aims were to investigate disclosure of DV by women to health-care personnel and to assess whether health-care personnel had asked women about their experience of DV. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2004 pregnant women between 12 and 28 weeks of gestation attending routine antenatal care at two hospitals in Nepal from August 2014 to November 2015. In this study, DV was defined as fear of a family member and/or an experience of physical, emotional or sexual violence. Associated risk factors were analysed using logistic regression analyses. Results: Twenty-one per cent of the women had experienced DV; 12.5% experienced fear only, 3.6% violence only and 4.9% experienced both violence and fear. Less than 2% per cent reported physical violence during pregnancy. This study found that just 17.7% had ever been asked by health-care personnel about DV, and of the women who had reported DV, only 9.5% had disclosed their experience to health-care personnel. Women of young age and low socio-economic status were more likely to have experienced DV. Women who reported having their own income and the autonomy to use it were at significantly lower risk of DV compared to women with no income. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of women reported having experienced DV. Victims had rarely disclosed their experience of DV to health-care personnel. This study underlines the importance of integrating systematic assessment of DV in antenatal care.
The benefits of a mid-route exhaust gas recirculation system for two-stage boosted engines
Authors: Dimitriou Pavlos , Turner James , Burke Richard , Copeland Colin
Published: August 2017

Exhaust gas recirculation is a widely known technique applied in internal combustion engines for controlling the combustion process and harmful emissions. The recirculation of gases can be achieved either by delivering burnt gases from upstream of the turbine to downstream of the compressor (short-route) or by taking the exhaust gas from downstream of the turbine and deliver to upstream of the compressor (long-route). Although long-route system is preferred for highly boosted engines due to the higher exhaust gas recirculation availability at low engine speeds, it lacks a fast response time during transient performance compared to the short-route system. This article examines the potentials of introducing an alternative exhaust gas recirculation route which can be applied in two-stage boosted engines. The proposed mid-route exhaust gas recirculation system, applied in a gasoline engine, combines the benefits of the long routes and short routes. The system provides high exhaust gas recirculation rates at all engine speeds while the transport delay in the case of transient operation is relatively short. The potential of a hybrid exhaust gas recirculation system combining mid-route and long-route exhaust gas recirculation is examined and various components’ (i.e. compressor, turbine and coolers) sizing and transient performance studies are performed to understand the trade-offs of the system. It was demonstrated that mid-route could provide high exhaust gas recirculation particularly at high- and low engine speeds. A combination of mid-route and long-route exhaust gas recirculation can provide maximum exhaust gas recirculation rates at all speeds with a maximum fuel consumption penalty of 1.4% at engine speeds below 2500 r/min. The reduction in exhaust gas recirculation response time was of the magnitude of 50%, while the faster exhaust gas recirculation purging time combined with the smaller turbine implemented dropped the load tip-in response time by 25%. The coolers’ sizing study revealed that a long-route exhaust gas recirculation cooler is unnecessary, whereas the mid-route exhaust gas recirculation cooler can also be omitted when the flow is delivered prior an intercooler with a 25% larger cooling capacity than of the baseline engine.
Technology-supported collaborative concept maps in classrooms
Authors: Islim Omer Faruk
Published: August 2017

This article explores how the use of concept mapping, with and without technology support, assists students in learning complex concepts to which they may have had limited previous exposure. Students were engaged in a group-based concept mapping activity, wherein they created two concept maps over the course of several weeks in a large lecture class. A quasi-experimental design was used in which students were randomly assigned to groups of three, and groups were randomly assigned to concept mapping condition: (a) using pencil/paper followed by using an iPad application or (b) using an iPad app followed by using pencil/paper. Concept maps were scored for complexity (correctness and elaborateness), and scores were compared within group and between groups across conditions (pencil/paper vs. iPad app). Results showed that concept maps did not differ in quality between conditions or across time. Moreover, there was no significant difference between examination scores of the students. Finally, content analysis was conducted on students’ written evaluations of the pros and cons of concept mapping using pencil/paper and using the iPad app. Student evaluations indicated both pros and cons for each concept mapping condition.
Using Literature to Teach Crisis Intervention
Authors: Deering Catherine Gray
Published: August 2017

This article presents a unique approach for teaching crisis intervention in that it involves students reading novels and autobiographies to use as case studies in order to apply the theories and concepts. A rationale for the use of literature as a projective device to help students experience personal growth and to target the affective domain of learning is presented. Guidelines for how to structure the assignment are outlined, including a written paper and a group presentation. Examples of relevant novels and autobiographies are listed along with practical tips for maximizing the usefulness of this learning activity. The article concludes with a summary of students’ reactions to the project.
What Makes a Political Theory Political? A Comment on Waldron
Authors: Bagg Samuel
Published: August 2017

This article considers Jeremy Waldron’s recent contribution to a growing conversation about how to make political theory and philosophy more responsive to real politics— Political Political Theory—in light of his broader body of work, especially Law and Disagreement. I argue that rather than providing a genuine alternative to the idealization and abstraction characteristic of what Waldron labels the “justice industry,” he uses the concept of what counts as properly “political” to grant nearly absolute priority to a certain class of concerns over others. This strategy places him in the company of a long line of liberal theorists, but it does not necessarily make his theory more political than its rivals. His alternative simply focuses its idealization and abstraction on the ideal of legitimacy rather than justice.
Experimental investigation and optimization of abrasive water jet cutting parameters for the improvement of cut quality in carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminates
Authors: Jagadeesh B , Dinesh Babu P , Nalla Mohamed M , Marimuthu P
Published: August 2017

The utilization of composite materials has nowadays increased in aerospace applications due to their less weight and superior mechanical properties. Nevertheless, machining of composite materials without damage is quite challenging through conventional system due to their inherent heterogeneity, anisotropy, and thermal sensitivity. To overcome this problem, abrasive water jet machining process can be employed. It is a non-conventional machining processes with high accuracy, high flexibility and with no heat generation. However, there are more challenges in cutting fiber reinforced plastics with this technique. Hence, this work deals with the assessment of the optimum process parameters in abrasive water jet cutting of carbon fiber reinforced plastic composite. Cutting experiments were conducted by varying input parameters such as the traverse rate, standoff distance on three laminates of different thickness. Analysis of variance through response surface methodology technique was used to study the effect of each input parameters on the output responses such as kerf taper and surface roughness. Optimum parameters that provide the best machining quality were found using numerical and graphical optimization techniques. The results showed that increasing the traverse rate results in increased surface roughness and taper angle of the cut kerf. Hence lower traverse rate is preferable when machining quality is of high importance.
“Healing Alone?”: Social Capital, Racial Diversity and Health Care Inequality in the American States
Authors: Zhu Ling
Published: August 2017

There is an influential tradition in political science that social capital, defined as mutual trust and civic engagement, is linked to better substantive outcomes for citizens in democracies. Recently, scholars who link social capital to race and inequality have challenged this favorable picture of social capital. This study draws from the scholarly discussion on how social capital affects inequality in diverse societies. Focusing on the health care domain, I use a new dynamic measure of social capital to evaluate the “social capital thesis” and “racial diversity thesis” of inequality. Moreover, I explore how these two political forces are intertwined with each other in shaping the unequal health care access across American states. Key empirical findings confirm that social capital and racial diversity are counterbalancing forces shaping health care inequality. Despite it reduces health care inequality, the impact of social capital is tempered with high level of racial diversity.
Undetected Peripheral Arterial Disease Among Older Adults With Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias
Authors: Tasci Ilker , Safer Umut , Naharci Mehmet Ilkin , Gezer Mustafa , Demir Orhan , Bozoglu Ergun , Doruk Huseyin
Published: August 2017

Background:

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was reported to increase the risk of dementia(s) even more than stroke. We assessed the prevalence of PAD in a group with definite diagnosis of dementia.

Methods:

Patients aged 65 years or older with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), or AD-VaD were enrolled (n = 162, mean age: 78.87 [6.05] years). An age- and gender-matched control group was also included (n = 190). Peripheral arterial disease was diagnosed by the ankle–brachial index.

Results:

Frequency of PAD among patients with and without dementia was 35.2% and 16.3%, respectively ( P < .001), being similar among different types of dementia. After adjustment for covariates, dementia (odds ratio: 2.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.34-4.32; P = .003) was among the predictors of PAD diagnosis along with older age, female gender, and diabetes.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of PAD was more than double in patients with dementia, with no difference among AD, VaD, and AD-VaD types.
Hydrogen-rich saline inhibits tobacco smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by alleviating airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in rats
Authors: Liu Zibing , Geng Wenye , Jiang Chuanwei , Zhao Shujun , Liu Yong , Zhang Ying , Qin Shucun , Li Chenxu , Zhang Xinfang , Si Yanhong
Published: August 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease induced by tobacco smoke has been regarded as a great health problem worldwide. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline, a novel antioxidant, on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and explore the underlying mechanism. Sprague-Dawley rats were made chronic obstructive pulmonary disease models via tobacco smoke exposure for 12 weeks and the rats were treated with 10 ml/kg hydrogen-rich saline intraperitoneally during the last 4 weeks. Lung function testing indicated hydrogen-rich saline decreased lung airway resistance and increased lung compliance and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 0.1 s/forced vital capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats. Histological analysis revealed that hydrogen-rich saline alleviated morphological impairments of lung in tobacco smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats. ELISA assay showed hydrogen-rich saline lowered the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats. The content of malondialdehyde in lung tissue and serum was also determined and the data indicated hydrogen-rich saline suppressed oxidative stress reaction. The protein expressions of mucin MUC5C and aquaporin 5 involved in mucus hypersecretion were analyzed by Western blot and ELISA and the data revealed that hydrogen-rich saline down-regulated MUC5AC level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue and up-regulated aquaporin 5 level in lung tissue of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats. In conclusion, these results suggest that administration of hydrogen-rich saline exhibits significant protective effect on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through alleviating inflammation, reducing oxidative stress and lessening mucus hypersecretion in tobacco smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats.

Impact statement

This study was designed to evaluate protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline, a novel antioxidant, on tobacco smoke (TS)-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rats and explore the underlying mechanism. Our results suggest that administration of hydrogen-rich saline improves lung function and alleviates morphological impairments of lung through alleviating inflammation, reducing oxidative stress and lessening mucus hypersecretion in TS-induced COPD rats.
Rare Popliteal Venous Aneurysm: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Zybulewski Adam , Shukla Pratik A. , Swintelski Cara , Kagen Alexander
Published: August 2017

Popliteal venous aneurysms (PVAs) are rare and may represent a cause of recurrent pulmonary embolism. We present a case of PVA identified on ultrasound for deep venous thrombosis in a 27-year-old female with popliteal fossa pain. We discuss our recommendations for treatment and present a review of the previously reported cases.
Endovascular Treatment of Spontaneous Renal Artery Dissection After Failure of Medical Management
Authors: Vitiello Gerardo A. , Blumberg Sheila N. , Sadek Mikel
Published: August 2017

Spontaneous renal artery dissection (SRAD) is a rare disease with approximately 200 cases reported in the literature. The severity of renal compromise, the anatomic location of the dissection, and the presence of uncontrollable hypertension are used to guide the initial management of SRAD. However, there are no reported guidelines for managing the progression of SRAD after acute failure of medical management. In this case, a 40-year-old man with a recently diagnosed SRAD was managed appropriately with therapeutic anticoagulation, yet presented with progression of his dissection and a new acute renal infarct. A covered endovascular stent was used to successfully control dissection progression and prevent further renal compromise.
Lower Extremity Motor Impairments in Ambulatory Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke: Evidence for Lower Extremity Weakness and Abnormal Muscle and Joint Torque Coupling Patterns
Authors: Sánchez Natalia , Acosta Ana Maria , Lopez-Rosado Roberto , Stienen Arno H. A. , Dewald Julius P. A.
Published: August 2017

Although global movement abnormalities in the lower extremity poststroke have been studied, the expression of specific motor impairments such as weakness and abnormal muscle and joint torque coupling patterns have received less attention. We characterized changes in strength, muscle coactivation and associated joint torque couples in the paretic and nonparetic extremity of 15 participants with chronic poststroke hemiparesis (age 59.6 ± 15.2 years) compared with 8 age-matched controls. Participants performed isometric maximum torques in hip abduction, adduction, flexion and extension, knee flexion and extension, ankle dorsi- and plantarflexion and submaximal torques in hip extension and ankle plantarflexion. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) of 10 lower extremity muscles were measured. Relative weakness (paretic extremity compared with the nonparetic extremity) was measured in poststroke participants. Differences in EMGs and joint torques associated with maximum voluntary torques were tested using linear mixed effects models. Results indicate significant poststroke torque weakness in all degrees of freedom except hip extension and adduction, adductor coactivation during extensor tasks, in addition to synergistic muscle coactivation patterns. This was more pronounced in the paretic extremity compared with the nonparetic extremity and with controls. Results also indicated significant interjoint torque couples during maximum and submaximal hip extension in both extremities of poststroke participants and in controls only during maximal hip extension. Additionally, significant interjoint torque couples were identified only in the paretic extremity during ankle plantarflexion. A better understanding of these motor impairments is expected to lead to more effective interventions for poststroke gait and posture.
Three-dimensional path following control of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle based on damping backstepping
Authors: Liang Xiao , Qu Xingru , Hou Yuanhang , Zhang Jundong
Published: August 2017

This article addresses the problem of three-dimensional path following control for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles in the presence of ocean current. Firstly, three-dimensional path following error model was established based on virtual guidance method. The control law is developed by building virtual velocity errors and backstepping method, which can simplify the virtual control input and avoid the singular problem induced by initial state constraints. Considering the curvature and torsion characteristics of the three-dimensional desired path, the approaching angle is introduced to guarantee fast convergence of error. Nonlinear damping term is introduced to offset the effects of dynamic uncertainties and external disturbances. The controller stability was proved by Lyapunov stable theory. Finally, simulations were conducted and the results indicate the effectiveness and robustness to parameter uncertainties and external disturbances of the proposed approach.
Reductions in training load and dietary carbohydrates help restore health and improve performance in an Ironman triathlete
Authors: Maffetone Philip B , Laursen Paul B
Published: August 2017

While most endurance athletes and coaches recommend higher training loads and high-carbohydrate low-fat diets, some studies report benefits of lower intensity training for performance improvements and a low-carbohydrate high-fat eating plan. We present the case of a 38-year-old female professional/elite Ironman triathlete who presented with decreased performances, alongside severe gastrointestinal distress, excess fatigue, and severe daytime hunger. Training load was reduced from 30 to 18 h before a gradual increase to 24 h. Dietary recommendations included reducing carbohydrate and increasing dietary fat intake. Over a six-week period, daily carbohydrate content was gradually decreased from 73% (475 g) to 12% (78 g) of total calories, while fat content increased from 14% (40 g) to 75% (217 g), and protein levels remained constant at 13% (85 g). Within two months, the athlete reported increased perception of daily energy during and between training sessions, less perceived hunger and fatigue, and reduced need for daytime naps. Cycling power output increased by 20 W and run pace increased (12–15 s km−1) at the same training heart rate (141 beat min−1), and with the exception of water, nutrition was no longer required during long duration training (∼4 h). Race calories consumed were reduced from ∼400 kcal h−1 in previous years to ∼175, 145, and 130 kcal h−1 over the course of the next three Ironman events. Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal stress ceased to occur, and two of three races were personal best times, with the final event completed in 8 h 52 min. We conclude that reducing training load, and dietary carbohydrates and increasing dietary fat, markedly improved a variety of health functions, reduced exogenous nutrient requirements during training and racing, and increased performance in an elite triathlete.
The deconstruction and reconstruction of sports coaching: An interview with Professor Robyn Jones
Authors: Jenkins Simon
Published: August 2017

Robyn Jones is arguably the world’s leading researcher and scholar in the microsociology of sports coaching. Viewing coaching as a ‘complex socio-pedagogical process’ he has drawn especially from Erving Goffman’s work on stigma, interaction and impression management, in addition to educational perspectives such as Nel Noddings’ feminist ethic of care. This article and the accompanying commentaries from Robyn’s current and past doctoral students, as well as some colleagues from academia, is focused on the ontology, epistemology and methodology of research in sports coaching.
Energy expenditure by elite midget male ice hockey players in small-sided games
Authors: Lachaume Charles-Mathieu , Trudeau François , Lemoyne Jean
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the energy expenditure and heart rate responses elicited in elite male midget ice hockey players during small-sided games. Nine players (aged 15.89 ± 0.33 years) participated in the study. Maximal progressive treadmill testing in the laboratory measured the relationship of oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]) to heart rate before on-ice assessments of heart rate during six different small-sided games: 1v1, 2v2, 2v2 with support player, 3v3 with support player, 3v3 with transitions, and 4v4 with two support players. Heart rate was recorded continuously in each game. 3v3 T small-sided game was the most intense for all four intensity markers. All six small-sided games reached 89% HRmax or more with heart rate peaks in active effort repetition. These findings demonstrate that such small-sided games are considered as high intensity games and are an effective training method for ice hockey players.
An Emotional Call to Action: Integrating Affective Neuroscience in Models of Motor Control
Authors: Blakemore Rebekah L. , Vuilleumier Patrik
Published: August 2017

Intimate relationships between emotion and action have long been acknowledged, yet contemporary theories and experimental research within affective and movement neuroscience have not been linked into a coherent framework bridging these two fields. Accumulating psychological and neuroimaging evidence has, however, brought new insights regarding how emotions affect the preparation, execution, and control of voluntary movement. Here we review main approaches and findings on such emotion–action interactions. To assimilate key emotion concepts of action tendencies and motive states with fundamental constructs of the motor system, we underscore the need for integrating an information-processing approach of motor control into affective neuroscience. This should provide a rich foundation to bridge the two fields, allowing further refinement and empirical testing of emotion theories and better understanding of affective influences in movement disorders.
Do Emotions Cause Actions, and If So How?
Authors: Scarantino Andrea
Published: August 2017

The main purpose of this article is to consider two of the most popular arguments offered in support of the view that emotions do not cause actions. One argument suggests that emotions come after actions and therefore cannot cause them ( argument from timing). The other argument suggests that emotions are not necessarily followed by actions and therefore cannot cause them ( argument from imperfect association). I argue that neither of these two arguments is compelling. At the same time, some of the concerns of causation skeptics can help us better understand what a theory of the causal connection between emotions and actions should explain.
Comment: Every Action Is an Emotional Action
Authors: Nanay Bence
Published: August 2017

In action theory, emotional actions are standardly treated as exceptions—cases where the “normal” springs of action are not functioning properly. My aim here is to argue that this is not so. We have plenty of evidence—beautifully brought together in the present special issue—that emotions play a crucial and often constitutive role in all the important phases of action preparation and initiation. Most of our actions are less stupid than, say, Zidane’s head-butt (a paradigmatic emotional action), but all of our actions have emotional components. Actions can be more or less emotional, but they are never completely nonemotional.
Comment: Affective Control of Action
Authors: Hochstetter Gregor , Wong Hong Yu
Published: August 2017

This commentary challenges Railton’s claim that the affective system is the key source of control of action. Whilst the affective system is important for understanding how acting for a reason is possible, we argue that there are many levels of control of action and adaptive behaviour and that the affective system is only one source of control. Such a model seems to be more in line with the emerging picture from affective and movement neuroscience.
Faecal biomarkers for screening small bowel inflammation in patients with Crohn’s disease: a prospective study
Authors: Shimoyama Takahiro , Yamamoto Takayuki , Umegae Satoru , Matsumoto Koichi
Published: August 2017

Background:

The value of faecal biomarkers for screening small bowel inflammation in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) remains to be elucidated. This prospective study was to evaluate the utility of faecal biomarkers for detecting small intestinal inflammation.

Methods:

A total of 122 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of CD in the small intestine were screened for eligibility. Computed tomography enterography (CTE) was undertaken to evaluate small bowel inflammation followed by colonoscopy to confirm no large bowel involvement. Seventy eligible patients with inflammation confined to the small intestine were included. Faecal samples were collected for assaying calprotectin, lactoferrin and haemoglobin. For assessing the degree of small bowel inflammation, a semi-quantitative scoring system (CTE0, normal; CTE1, mild; CTE2, moderate; CTE3, severe) was applied.

Results:

The median calprotectin, lactoferrin and haemoglobin levels were significantly higher in patients with small bowel inflammation, CTE scores 1–3 ( n = 42) versus 0 ( n = 28): calprotectin, 330 versus 40 ng/ml, p < 0.0001; lactoferrin, 14 versus 3 ng/ml, p < 0.0001; haemoglobin, 29.5 versus 6.5 ng/ml, p = 0.005. There was a strong positive relationship between the faecal biomarkers and CTE score: calprotectin, p < 0.0001; lactoferrin, p < 0.0001; haemoglobin, p = 0.0004. A cutoff value of 140 ng/ml for calprotectin had a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 82% with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.82 to detect small bowel inflammation (CTE scores 1–3), while lactoferrin 6 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 79% with an AUC of 0.83, and haemoglobin 9 ng/ml showed a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 39% with an AUC of 0.70.

Conclusions:

Faecal calprotectin, lactoferrin, and to a lesser degree haemoglobin are relevant biomarkers for screening small bowel inflammation in CD patients without large bowel involvement. Further well-designed large-scale studies in this clinical setting should strengthen our findings.
Commutability and concordance of four hepatitis B virus DNA assays in an international multicenter study
Authors: Maasoumy Benjamin , Bremer Birgit , Lehmann Patrick , Marins Ed G. , Michel-Treil Véronique , Simon Christian O. , Njoya Merlin , Cornberg Markus , Paxinos Ellen , Manns Michael P. , Vermehren Johannes , Sarrazin Christoph , Sohn Ji Yeon , Cho Yunjung , Wedemeyer Heiner
Published: August 2017

Background

HBV DNA is the most important molecular marker in hepatitis B, used to determine treatment indication and monitoring. Most patients require lifelong hepatitis B virus (HBV) management, thus viral load (VL) monitoring may be performed at different laboratories, with different HBV assays, which may result in different VL results. This multicenter study compares the commutability and concordance of results from four different HBV DNA assays: CAP/CTM HBVv2, HPS/CTM HBVv2 and the new cobas 6800/8800 HBV and cobas 4800 HBV assays.

Methods

Across all four assays, HBV limit of detection (LoD) and linearity at lower concentrations were assessed using panels traceable to the World Health Organization international standard, and concordance was investigated at the important medical decision cutoffs 2000 and 20,000 IU/ml, using specimens from HBV-positive patients.

Results

The calculated LoD via a probit curve was 2.7 IU/ml for cobas 6800/8800 HBV, 2.8 IU/ml for cobas 4800 HBV, 9.6 IU/ml for CAP/CTM HBVv2, and 6.2 IU/ml for HPS/CTM HBVv2. The average accuracy was comparable between cobas 6800/8800 HBV, cobas 4800 HBV and CAP/CTM HBVv2 (0.04–0.05 log10 IU/ml), while a slightly lower accuracy was documented for HPS/CTM HBVv2 (−0.16 log10 IU/ml). A total of 211–245 clinical samples were used for a pairwise comparison. Mean paired log differences ranged from −0.17 log10 IU/ml to −0.01 log10 IU/ml. Coefficient of determination was over 98% for all pairs with high overall percent agreement at the 2000 and 20,000 IU/ml cutoffs (from 91.7% to 96.3%). In a subset of samples with VL±0.5 log10 to the 2000 and 20,000 IU/ml thresholds, concordance was still 72% and 82%, respectively.

Conclusions

The new cobas 6800/8800 HBV and 4800 HBV assays show high accuracy in samples with low-level viremia and a high concordance with the established HBV tests, CAP/CTM HBVv2 and HPS/CTM HBVv2, at 2000 and 20,000 IU/ml. Thus, all four HBV assays have high commutability and may be used interchangeably in routine clinical practice.
The Promise, Challenge, and Foundations of Media Collective Action: Illustrations from Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: VonDoepp Peter
Published: August 2017

This paper examines collective action by “media sectors” in the defense and promotion of media freedoms. Much of the literature on media freedoms has focused on structural and contextual determinants of those freedoms, with little attention to the roles played by the individuals, firms, and organizations of the media sector. Yet the record from a number of sub-Saharan African countries indicates that collective action by the actors of the media sector can help them prevail in struggles over media freedoms and positively shape the climate in which they operate. The paper illuminates this and explores the conditions that contribute to media collective action. Drawing from fieldwork conducted in three African countries, I argue that collective action is more likely where the media sector faces issues that affect most of the actors in that sector, enjoys robust organizational resources to help coordinate and sustain collective action, and operates with some level of solidarity.
Correction to Figures: A Reply to Hwang and Peli (2014)
Authors: Gao Zhongpai
Published: August 2017

In Hwang and Peli (2014) , few errors occurred in computing the angular disparities. The direction of peripheral depth distortion (the angular disparity differences between what it is in real-world 3D viewing and S3D viewing) is reversed when the computational errors were corrected, making the perception of the peripheral depth to be expanded, not compressed. This reply points to the error and provides the corrected figures. Correcting these errors does not affect the general conclusion that S3D viewed on single screen display induces peripheral depth distortion which may be a cause of visually induced motion sickness.
Multimodal Pain Management in Older Elective Arthroplasty Patients
Authors: Brooks Elaine , Freter Susan H. , Bowles Susan K. , Amirault David
Published: August 2017

Background:

Pain management after elective arthroplasty in older adults is complicated due to the risk of undertreatment of postoperative pain and potential adverse effects from analgesics, notably opioids. Using combinations of analgesics has been proposed as potentially beneficial to achieve pain control with lower opioid doses.

Objective:

We compared a multimodal pain protocol with a traditional one, in older elective arthroplasty patients, measuring self-rated pain, incidence of postoperative delirium, quantity and cost of opioid analgesics consumed.

Methods:

One hundred fifty-eight patients, 70 years and older, admitted to tertiary care for elective arthroplasty were prospectively assessed postoperative days 1–3. Patients received either traditional postoperative analgesia (acetaminophen plus opioids) or a multimodal pain protocol (acetaminophen, opioids, gabapentin, celecoxib), depending on surgeon preference. Self-rated pain, postoperative delirium, and time to achieve standby-assist ambulation were compared, as were total opioid doses and analgesic costs.

Results:

Despite receiving significantly more opioid analgesics (traditional: 166.4 mg morphine-equivalents; multimodal: 442 mg morphine equivalents; t = 10.64, P < .0001), there was no difference in self-rated pain, delirium, or mobility on postoperative days 1–3. Costs were significantly higher in the multimodal group ( t = 9.15, P < .0001). Knee arthroplasty was associated with higher pain scores than hip arthroplasty, with no significant difference in opioid usage.

Conclusion:

A multimodal approach to pain control demonstrated no benefit over traditional postoperative analgesia in elective arthroplasty patients, but with significantly higher amounts of opioid consumed. This poses a potential risk regarding tolerability in frail older adults and results in increased drug costs.
Disparities in Total Hip Arthroplasty Versus Hemiarthroplasty in the Management of Geriatric Femoral Neck Fractures
Authors: Dangelmajer Sean , Yang Arthur , Githens Michael , Harris Alex H. S. , Bishop Julius A.
Published: August 2017

Introduction:

Recent clinical evidence suggests that total hip arthroplasty (THA) provides improved clinical outcomes as compared to hemiarthroplasty (HA) for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly individuals. However, THA is still utilized relatively infrequently. Few studies have evaluated the factors affecting utilization and the role socioeconomics plays in THA versus HA.

Methods:

In the United States, the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to identify patients treated surgically for femoral neck fracture, between 2009 and 2010. Patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes for closed, transcervical femoral neck fractures and closed fractures at unspecified parts of the femoral neck. All candidate predictors of THA versus HA were entered into a multilevel mixed-effect regression model.

Results:

Older patient age, being Asian or Pacific Islander, and having Medicaid payer status were all associated with lower odds of receiving THA. Patients with private insurance including Health Maintenance organization (HMO) had higher odds of THA as did patients with other insurance. Odds of THA were significantly lower among patients in teaching hospitals and higher at hospitals with greater THA volume.

Discussion:

Ethnicity, payer status, hospital size, and institutional THA volume were all associated with the utilization of THA versus HA in the treatment of geriatric femoral neck fractures.

Level of Evidence:

Level III Retrospective Cohort study.
Preoperative Factors Influencing Decision Between Hemiarthroplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty in Femoral Neck Fractures in Indian Patients—Retrospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Selvam Prakash , Soundarapandian Sivamurugan , Soundarapandian Ravisubramaniam , Senguttuvan Cheralathan
Published: August 2017

Introduction:

The percentage of elderly population is increasing worldwide, with increasing incidence of femoral neck fractures. An increasing trend of arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture is observed. We aim to retrospectively analyze the preoperative factors that seem to influence the decision between hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty for managment of the same.

Materials and Methods:

Patients admitted with femoral neck fracture during January 2010 to March 2015 in our institute were included in the study. The preinjury independency status was assessed using Katz index scoring system. Based on the data obtained from case sheets, the patients were segregated into hemiarthroplasty group and total hip arthroplasty group. Variables that preferentially appeared in the individual group were identified.

Results:

A total of 206 hips of 199 patients were included in the study. The factors that seem to influence the decision between hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty with a statistical significance were age, Katz index score, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade. Higher ASA grades caused delay in surgery, increasing the length of hospital stay, and these patients more commonly underwent hemiarthroplasty.

Discussion:

Patients’ preinjury functional status influenced the decision between hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty, especially in the age between 65 and 80 years. Preoperative comorbidities did not prevent the patient from undergoing total hip replacement due to early optimization for surgery with the help of the dedicated orthogeriatric team.

Conclusion:

We conclude that preinjury functional independency of a patient is an important decisive factor in the choice between hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. In addition to other factors including age and comorbidity pattern, scoring methods for preinjury functional status of patient could aid in decision-making. Early optimization, early surgery, and faster rehabilitation help the patients to achieve their preinjury functional status.
Hip Fractures in Centenarians: Has Care Improved in the National Hip Fracture Database Era?
Authors: Dick Alastair G. , Davenport Dominic , Bansal Mohit , Burch Therese S. , Edwards Max R.
Published: August 2017

Introduction:

The number of centenarians in the United Kingdom is increasing. An associated increase in the incidence of hip fractures in the extreme elderly population is expected. The National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) initiative was introduced in 2007 aiming to improve hip fracture care. There is a paucity of literature on the outcomes of centenarians with hip fractures since its introduction. The aim of this study is to report our experience of hip fractures in centenarians in the era since the introduction of the NHFD to assess outcomes in terms of mortality, time to surgery, length of stay, and complications.

Methods:

A retrospective case note study of all centenarians managed for a hip fracture over a 7-year period at a London district general hospital.

Results:

We report on 22 centenarians sustaining 23 hip fractures between 2008 and 2015. Twenty-one fractures were managed operatively. For patients managed operatively, in-hospital, 30-day, 3-month, 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year cumulative mortalities were 30%, 30%, 39%, 50%, 77%, 86%, 95%, and 100%, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 100% for those managed nonoperatively. Mean time to surgery was 1.6 days (range: 0.7-6.3 days). Mean length of stay on the acute orthopedic ward was 23 days (range: 2-51 days). Seventy-one percent had a postoperative complication most commonly a hospital-acquired pneumonia or urinary tract infection.

Conclusion:

Compared to a series of centenarians with hip fractures prior to the introduction of the NHFD, we report a reduced time to surgery. Mortality and hospital length of stay were similar.
Action Research on Drafting Municipal Policies for People With Disabilities in Japan
Authors: Tagaki Masakuni
Published: August 2017

This study describes a series of regularly scheduled residents’ meetings (RMs) on local disability policy during a 15-year period. The study employed an action research analytical method using data gathered in Yao city in western Japan. From 2002 to 2007, I participated in the meetings as an advisor—overseeing two focus groups, each with six key informants who actively managed the meetings. According to the results, the meetings occurred in three phases: the officials’ initiatives (2002-2003), collaborations between city officials and leading residents (2004-2006), and the final fiscal year (2007). Initially, city officials or I led the meetings; later, however, certain residents accepted leadership roles to manage the meetings. Subsequently, the focus group interviewees successfully managed projects. Although these projects were not the ultimate goals of the RMs, they enabled residents to redefine disability issues in the community.
A Note on A. D. Taylor’s Property of Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives for Voting Rules
Authors: Lahiri Somdeb , Pattanaik Prasanta K.
Published: August 2017

In a widely used textbook on mathematics and politics, Taylor introduced an interesting property of social choice procedures, which we call ‘Taylor’s Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives (TIIA)’. Taylor proved a result showing that every voting procedure belonging to a certain class of voting procedures violates TIIA. The purpose of this note is to supplement Taylor’s result by showing that a large number of voting rules, which do not belong to the class of voting procedures figuring in Taylor’s result, also violate TIIA.
Refinement of the crystal structure of sieleckiite and revision
of its symmetry
Authors: Elliott Peter
Published: August 2017

The crystal structure of the copper aluminium phosphate mineral sieleckiite,
Cu3Al4(PO4)2
(OH)12·2H2O, from the Mt Oxide copper mine,
Queensland, Australia was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data
utilizing synchrotron radiation. Sieleckiite has monoclinic rather than
triclinic symmetry as previously reported and is space group
C2/m with unit-cell parameters a =
11.711(2), b = 6.9233(14), c = 9.828(2) Å,
β = 92.88(3)°, V = 795.8(3) Å3and
Z = 2. The crystal structure, which has been refined to
R1 = 0.0456 on the basis of 1186 unique reflections with
Fo > 4σF, is a framework of corner-,
edge- and face- sharing Cu and Al octahedra and PO4
tetrahedra.
Crystallization and destabilization of eudialyte-group minerals in peralkaline granite and pegmatite: a case study from the Ambohimirahavavy complex, Madagascar
Authors: Estrade Guillaume , Salvi Stefano , Béziat Didier
Published: August 2017

Eudialyte-group minerals (EGM) are very common in highly evolved SiO2-undersaturated syenites and are characteristic minerals of agpaitic rocks. Conversely, they are extremely rare in peralkaline granites, with only a handful of EGM occurrences reported worldwide. Here, we study two new examples of EGM occurrence in two types of peralkaline pegmatitic granites from the Cenozoic Ambohimirahavavy complex, and assess the magmatic conditions required to crystallize EGM in peralkaline SiO2-oversaturated rocks. In the transitional granite (contains EGM as accessory minerals) EGM occur as late phases and are the only agpaitic and major rare-earth element (REE) bearing minerals. In the agpaitic granite (contains EGM as rock-forming minerals) EGM are early-magmatic phases occurring together with two other agpaitic minerals, nacareniobsite-(Ce) and turkestanite. In these granites, EGM are partly-to-completely altered and replaced by secondary assemblages consisting of zircon and quartz in the transitional granite and an unidentified Ca-Na zirconosilicate in the agpaitic granite. Ambohimirahavavy EGM, as well as those from other peralkaline granites and pegmatites, are richer inREEand poorer in Ca than EGM in nepheline syenites. We infer that magmatic EGM are rare in SiO2-oversaturated rocks because of low Cl concentrations in these melts. At Ambohimirahavavy, contamination of the parental magma of the agpaitic granite with Ca-rich material increased the solubility of Cl in the melt promoting EGM crystallization. In both granite types, EGM were destabilized by the late exsolution of a fluid and by interaction with an external Ca-bearing fluid.
From structure topology to chemical composition. XXIV. Revision of the crystal structure and chemical formula of vigrishinite, NaZnTi4(Si2O7)2O3(OH)(H2O)4, a seidozerite-supergroup mineral from the Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola peninsula, Russia
Authors: Sokolova Elena , Hawthorne Frank C.
Published: August 2017

The crystal structure of vigrishinite, ideally NaZnTi4(Si2O7)2O3(OH)(H2O)4, a murmanite-group mineral of the seidozerite supergroup from the type locality, Mt. Malyi Punkaruaiv, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia, was refined in space group C$\bar 1$, a = 10.530(2), b = 13.833(3), c = 11.659(2) Å, α = 94.34(3), β = 98.30(3), γ = 89.80(3)°, V = 1675.5(2.1) Å3 and R1 = 12.52%. Based on electron-microprobe analysis, the empirical formula calculated on 22 (O + F), with two constraints derived from structure refinement, OH + F = 1.96 pfu and H2O = 3.44 pfu, is: (Na0.67Zn0.21Ca0.05□1.07)Σ2 (Zn0.86□1.14)Σ2(Zn0.14□0.36)Σ0.5(Ti2.60Nb0.62Mn0.30${\rm Fe}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 23}}^{{\rm 2 +}} $Mg0.10Zr0.06Zn0.05Al0.03Ta0.01)Σ4(Si4.02O14) [O2.60(OH)1.21F0.19]Σ4[(H2O)3.44(OH)0.56]Σ4{Zn0.24P0.03K0.03Ba0.02} with Z = 4. It seems unlikely that constituents in the {} belong to vigrishinite itself. The crystal structure of vigrishinite is an array of TS blocks (Titanium Silicate) connected via hydrogen bonds. The TS block consists of HOH sheets (H = heteropolyhedral and O = octahedral) parallel to (001). In the O sheet, the Ti-dominant MO(1,2) sites, Na-dominant MO(3) and □-dominant MO(4) sites give ideally Na□Ti2 pfu. In the H sheet, the Ti-dominant MH(1,2) sites, Zn-dominant AP(1) and vacant AP(2) sites give ideally Zn□Ti2 pfu. The MH and AP(1) polyhedra and Si2O7 groups constitute the H sheet. The ideal structural formula of vigrishinite of the form ${\rm A}_{\rm 2}^{P} {\rm M}_{\rm 2}^{\rm H} {\rm M}_{\rm 4}^{\rm O} $(Si2O7)2(${\rm X}_{\rm M}^{\rm O} $)2(${\rm X}_{\rm A}^{\rm O} $)2(${\rm X}_{{\rm M,A}}^{P} $)4 is Zn□Ti2Na□Ti2(Si2O7)2O2O(OH)(H2O)4. Vigrishinite is a Zn-bearing, Na-poor and OH-rich analogue of murmanite, ideally Na2Ti2Na2Ti2(Si2O7)2O2O2(H2O)4. Murmanite and vigrishinite are related by the following substitution: H(${\rm Na}_{\rm 2}^{\rm +} $)mur + O(Na+)mur + O(O2–)mur ↔ H(Zn2+)vig + H(□)vig + O(□)vig + O[(OH)–]vig. The doubling of the t1 and t2 translations of vigrishinite compared to those of murmanite is due to the order of Zn and □ in the H sheet and Na and □ in the O sheet of vigrishinite.
MLL-AF9 leukemias are sensitive to PARP1 inhibitors combined with cytotoxic drugs
Authors: Maifrede Silvia , Martinez Esteban , Nieborowska-Skorska Margaret , Di Marcantonio Daniela , Hulse Michael , Le Bac Viet , Zhao Huaqing , Piwocka Katarzyna , Tempera Italo , Sykes Stephen M. , Skorski Tomasz
Published: August 2017

Key Points

PARP1 is required for the maintenance of MLL-AF9 leukemias. PARP1 inhibitors enhance the therapeutic effect of cytotoxic drugs against MLL-AF9 leukemias.