bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact du moral des ménages sur la concurrence inter-formats: une analyse à partir de l’indice de l’INSEE
Authors: Ngobo Paul-Valentin , Ingarao Aurore
Published: March 2018

La multiplicité des formats de magasin (Drive, hypermarchés, hard discounts, magasins de proximité) a conduit les chercheurs en marketing à s’intéresser aux facteurs qui influencent le choix d’un format de magasin donné par rapport à un autre, en étudiant l’influence des variables telles que l’assortiment, le prix, et les promotions. Plus récemment, les analystes se sont demandés si le contexte économique pouvait aussi affecter la préférence des ménages à l’égard des formats de magasin sans pour autant apporter une réponse convaincante. Pour contribuer à ce débat, important à l’heure où de nombreuses économies sont en crise, cette recherche s’intéresse à l’influence du moral des ménages sur le montant dépensé par visite à travers les différents formats. Une analyse des données de panel sur la période 2004–2013 et portant sur quatre formats de magasin montre que la variation (baisse, amélioration) du moral des ménages a des effets asymétriques et non linéaires sur le montant dépensé par visite et que cela dépend aussi du cycle économique (expansion, contraction).
Evaluation de la présence des capacités marketing: Proposition d’un index multidimensionnel et hiérarchique
Authors: Massiera Philippe , Trinchera Laura , Russolillo Giorgio
Published: March 2018

Notre ambition est de proposer un instrument multidimensionnel permettant de décrire le degré de présence des principales capacités marketing sur trois niveaux d’abstraction. Après avoir présenté le cadre théorique relatif aux capacités marketing, l’article souligne tout d’abord les limites des principales échelles proposées par Vorhies et al. (1999 ; 2009), Vorhies et Harker (2000), et Vorhies et Morgan (2003 ; 2005). Ensuite, les étapes nécessaires au développement et à la validation d’un index multidimensionnel formatif de troisième ordre sont détaillées. Sur la base d’une collecte de données réalisée auprès d’un échantillon de 199 PME françaises, la phase d’analyse de la validité convergente et discriminante de l’instrument est réalisée à l’aide de l’approche PLS aux modèles à variables latentes (PLS-PM). Enfin, la validité nomologique de l’instrument proposé est confirmée via l’étude de l’influence des capacités marketing sur la performance organisationnelle.
Legitimizing Intimate Partner Violence: Moral Evaluations, Attribution of Responsibility, and (Reduced) Helping Intentions
Authors: Pagliaro Stefano , Pacilli Maria Giuseppina , Giannella Valeria Amata , Giovannelli Ilaria , Spaccatini Federica , Baldry Anna Costanza
Published: March 2018

This article examines the influence of moral evaluations and attribution of responsibility on individuals’ willingness to provide help if witnessing an intimate partner violence (IPV) episode. A total of 121 undergraduates read a fictitious article from a newspaper, allegedly describing an IPV episode. According to the experimental condition, participants read that the victim had either admitted infidelity or denied it. After reading the newspaper article, participants evaluated the victim on several dimensions (i.e., morality, competence, and sociability), rated the extent to which they deemed her responsible for the violence (i.e., the internal attribution of what happened), and expressed their willingness to provide help and support to the victim herself. In the admission condition, the victim was evaluated as less moral and more responsible for the episode of IPV. These evaluations, in turn, lowered the willingness to provide help to the victim. This study confirmed the role of moral evaluations and internal attribution on bystanders’ reaction, and we present practical implications for intervention in a field, IPV, in constant need of updated validated evidence for efficient prevention strategies.
The ‘industry’ side of the academic job of business educators
Authors: Gao Tao (Tony)
Published: March 2018

Many business school professors have had to face their shares of doubts often expressed by people from outside the academia about the practical value of the academic job as a business educator. Motivated by a desire to promote more objective and complete view of the practical value of the management educators’ job responsibilities, in this article, I elaborate on the typical job duties business school professors take on and demonstrate their significant practical nature and industry relevance. Better knowing the true practical value of academic professionals’ job may not only help bridge the wide gap between the industry and business school communities and foster a more mutually beneficial relationship between them, it could also promote a stronger customer orientation among all business educators and help create better educational experiences for business school students or future industry employees.
Effect of hybrid breakup modelling on flame lift-off length and soot predictions
Authors: Qi Wenliang , Yang Zilong , Ming Pingjian , Zhang Wenping , Jia Ming , Wang Wenhui
Published: March 2018

An improved droplet breakup model coupled with the effect of turbulence flow within the nozzle was implemented into the general transport equation analysis code to describe the flame lift-off length and predict the soot distribution. This model was first validated by the non-evaporating and evaporating spray experimental data. The computational results demonstrate that the breakup model is capable of predicted spray penetration and liquid length with reasonable accuracy. The inclusion of turbulence enhanced the breakup model, increased the droplet breakup rate, decreased spray penetration for about 6–12% compared to the results of Kelvin-Helmholtz Rayleigh-Taylor (KH-RT) breakup model. Then, the model was applied to investigate the influence of ambient density, temperature, oxygen concentration and injection pressure on the flame lift-off length under typical diesel combustion conditions. The predictions showed good agreement with the experimental data. The result also indicated that the turbulence inside the nozzle strengthen the rate of breakup, resulting in more smaller droplets, leading to high evaporation rate and smaller vapour penetration lengths, thus decreases the lift-off length about 8%. Finally, the model was used to explore the soot distribution. The overall trend of soot with the variations in injection pressure was well reproduced by the breakup model. It was found that the droplet with faster velocity under high injection pressure, this could lead to larger lift-off length, which will play a significant role for the fuel–air mixing process and thus cause a decrease in soot in the fuel jet. Results further indicated that the turbulence term can decrease the soot mass about 5–9% by improved the droplet breakup process.
MicroRNAs of Equine Amniotic Mesenchymal Cell-derived Microvesicles and Their Involvement in Anti-inflammatory Processes
Authors: Lange-Consiglio Anna , Lazzari Barbara , Perrini Claudia , Pizzi Flavia , Stella Alessandra , Cremonesi Fausto , Capra Emanuele
Published: March 2018

Cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) are a recently discovered mechanism of cell-to-cell communication. Our previous data show that MVs secreted by equine amniotic mesenchymal-derived cells (AMCs) are involved in downregulation of proinflammatory genes in lipopolysaccharide-stressed equine tendon and endometrial cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether AMC-MVs contain selected microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in inflammation. Two pools of cells, derived from 3 amniotic membranes each, and their respective MVs were collected. Small RNAs were extracted and deep sequenced, followed by miRNA in silico detection. The analysis identified 1,285 miRNAs, which were quantified both in AMCs and MVs. Among these miRNAs, 401 were classified as Equus caballus miRNAs, 257 were predicted by homology with other species (cow, sheep, and goat), and 627 were novel candidate miRNAs. Moreover, 146 miRNAs differentially expressed (DE) in AMCs and MVs were identified, 36 of which were known and the remaining were novel. Among the known DE miRNAs, 17 showed higher expression in MVs. Three of these were validated by real time polymerase chain reaction: eca-miR-26, eca-miR-146a, and eca-miR-223. Gene ontology analysis of validated targets showed that the DE miRNAs in cells and MVs could be involved both in immune system regulation by modulating interleukin signaling and in the inflammatory process. In conclusion, this study suggests a significant role of AMCs in modulating immune response through cell–cell communication via MV-shuttling miRNAs.
Evidence of Amniotic Epithelial Cell Differentiation toward Hepatic Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells
Authors: Serra Monica , Marongiu Michela , Contini Antonella , Miki Toshio , Cadoni Erika , Laconi Ezio , Marongiu Fabio
Published: March 2018

Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) represent a useful and noncontroversial source for liver-based regenerative medicine, as they can differentiate into hepatocytes upon transplantation into the liver. However, the possibility that AECs can differentiate into other liver cell types, such as hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSECs), has never been assessed. In order to test this hypothesis, rat- and human-derived AECs (rAECs and hAECs, respectively) were subjected to endothelial cell tube formation assay in vitro. Moreover, to evaluate differentiation in vivo, the retrorsine (RS) model of liver repopulation was used. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (including RS) are known to target both hepatocytes and endothelial cells, inducing cell enlargement and inhibition of cell cycle progression. rAECs and hAECs were able to form capillary-like structures when cultured under proangiogenic conditions. For in vivo experiments, rAECs were obtained from dipeptidyl peptidase type IV (DPP-IV, CD26) donors and were transplanted into the liver of recipient CD26 negative animals pretreated with RS. rAEC-derived cells were engrafted in between hepatocytes and resembled HSECs as assessed by morphological analysis and the pattern of expression of CD26. Donor-derived CD26+ cells coexpressed HSEC markers RECA-1 and SE-1, while they lacked expression of typical hepatocyte markers (i.e., cytochrome P450, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α). As such, these results provide the first evidence that AECs can respond to proangiogenic signals in vitro and differentiate into HSECs in vivo. Furthermore, they support the conclusion that AECs possesses great plasticity and represents a promising tool in the field of regenerative medicine both in the liver and in other organs.
Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Support the Expansion of Cord Blood–derived CD34+ Cells Mimicking a Hematopoietic Niche in a Direct Cell–cell Contact Culture System
Authors: Lo Iacono Melania , Russo Eleonora , Anzalone Rita , Baiamonte Elena , Alberti Giusi , Gerbino Aldo , Maggio Aurelio , La Rocca Giampiero , Acuto Santina
Published: March 2018

Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) have been recently exploited as a feeder layer in coculture systems to expand umbilical cord blood–hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (UCB-HSPCs). Here, we investigated the role of WJ-MSCs in supporting ex vivo UCB-HSPC expansion either when cultured in direct contact (DC) with WJ-MSCs or separated by a transwell system or in the presence of WJ-MSC–conditioned medium. We found, in short-term culture, a greater degree of expansion of UCB-CD34+ cells in a DC system (15.7 ± 4.1-fold increase) with respect to the other conditions. Moreover, in DC, we evidenced two different CD34+ cell populations (one floating and one adherent to WJ-MSCs) with different phenotypic and functional characteristics. Both multipotent CD34+/CD38− and lineage-committed CD34+/CD38+ hematopoietic progenitors were expanded in a DC system. The former were significantly more represented in the adherent cell fraction than in the floating one (18.7 ± 11.2% vs. 9.7 ± 7.9% over the total CD34+ cells). Short-term colony forming unit (CFU) assays showed that HSPCs adherent to the stromal layer were able to generate a higher frequency of immature colonies (CFU-granulocyte/macrophage and burst-forming unit erythroid/large colonies) with respect to the floating cells. In the attempt to identify molecules that may play a role in supporting the observed ex vivo HSPC growth, we performed secretome analyses. We found a number of proteins involved in the HSPC homing, self-renewal, and differentiation in all tested conditions. It is important to note that a set of sixteen proteins, which are only in part reported to be expressed in any hematopoietic niche, were exclusively found in the DC system secretome. In conclusion, WJ-MSCs allowed a significant ex vivo expansion of multipotent as well as committed HSPCs. This may be relevant for future clinical applications.
Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prevent and Resolve Programmed Cell Death Mediated by Perinatal Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neuronal Cells
Authors: Joerger-Messerli Marianne S. , Oppliger Byron , Spinelli Marialuigia , Thomi Gierin , di Salvo Ivana , Schneider Philipp , Schoeberlein Andreina
Published: March 2018

Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult in the perinatal phase harbors a high risk of encephalopathy in the neonate. Brain cells undergo apoptosis, initiating neurodegeneration. So far, therapeutic approaches such as cooling remain limited. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibits therapeutic success despite the short-time survival in the host brain, providing strong evidence that their beneficial effects are largely based on secreted factors, including extracellular vesicles (EVs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of human Wharton’s jelly MSC (hWJ-MSC)-derived EVs on neuroprotection and neuroregeneration, using an in vitro model of oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) mimicking HI injury in the mouse neuroblastoma cell line neuro2a (N2a). hWJ-MSC-derived EVs were isolated from cell culture supernatants by multistep centrifugation and identified by endosomal marker expression and electron microscopy. OGD/R significantly increased DNA fragmentation and caspase 3 ( Casp3) transcription in N2a cells relative to undamaged cells. OGD/R-mediated DNA fragmentation and Casp3 expression could be prevented as well as resolved by the addition of hWJ-MSC-derived EV before and after OGD, respectively. hWJ-MSC-derived EV also tended to increase the phosphorylation of the B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) family member Bcl-2-antagonist of cell death (BAD) in N2a cells, when added prior or post OGD, thereby inactivating the proapoptotic function of BAD. Fluorescence confocal microscopy revealed the close localization of hWJ-MSC-derived EVs to the nuclei of N2a cells. Furthermore, EVs released their RNA content into the cells. The expression levels of the microRNAs (miRs) let-7a and let-7e, known regulators of Casp3, were inversely correlated to Casp3. Our data suggest that hWJ-MSC-derived EVs have the potential to prevent and resolve HI-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells in the immature neonatal brain. Their antiapoptotic effect seems to be mediated by the transfer of EV-derived let-7-5p miR.
Collagenase Impacts the Quantity and Quality of Native Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived during Processing of Umbilical Cord Tissue
Authors: Taghizadeh Rouzbeh R. , Cetrulo Kyle J. , Cetrulo Curtis L.
Published: March 2018

Enzymes are commonly used as a biochemical means to liberate cells from a host of tissues for use in in vitro studies and/or in vivo transplantations. However, very little understanding exists of the biological and functional effects that enzymes have on cells during the process of releasing the native cells from a given tissue. One specific reason for this is that no technology has existed as a nonenzymatic control to compare baseline biology and function for a given processed tissue. We have developed a sterile, onetime use, disposable system (referred to as the AuxoCell Processing System or AC:Px®) that allows for processing of solid tissue in a closed, standardized system using mechanical means to liberate cells without the need and/or use of any biochemical, enzymatic digestion. In this report, for the first time, we directly compare the cellular outputs derived from processing the same umbilical cord tissue (UCT) in the presence and absence of collagenase. In the presence of collagenase, we observed on average, approximately a 2.7-fold reduction in native mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) yields and a reduction in MSC-specific markers CD90, CD29, CD105, CD73, CD44, CD36, CD49b, CD49a, CD146, CD295, and CD166 and in endothelial marker CD31. These data directly exhibit that the use of collagenase to process UCT to release cells impacts cell recovery with respect to number and cell surface marker expression and, hence, could affect the in vivo function of the recovered native cellular population.
Cultural Activism during the Hong Kong Umbrella Movement
Authors: Wong Hio Tong , Liu Shih-Diing
Published: March 2018

Situated in Hong Kong’s post-colonial context of political crisis, this article attempts to investigate the unfolding of cultural activism during the Umbrella Movement occurred in 2014. This 79-day occupy protest, triggered by the government’s restriction on universal suffrage, has released protesters’ creative potentials in performing their struggles through a variety of aesthetic forms and practices. Questioning the traditional way of conceiving protest movement in terms of violent confrontations with government or instrumentalism, this article addresses the performative role of cultural activism which has been largely ignored in the study of Hong Kong protest movement. Rather, we argue that the creative practices enacted during the Umbrella Movement constitute in themselves the message that contains its own politics and grammars. These practices have constructed the meaning of the movement through naming, and have created the collective joy and identity among participants in the formation of movement solidarity. This article suggests that cultural activism is the spirit and soul of the Umbrella Movement, which has opened up a temporary yet crucial political space for democratic struggle.
Immigrant, Bilingual Parents of Students With Disabilities: Positive Perceptions and Supportive Dialogue
Authors: Cheatham Gregory A. , Lim-Mullins Sumin
Published: March 2018

Parent-professional partnerships are essential for meaningful and effective inclusion of students with disabilities. Research indicates that partnerships with immigrant, bilingual parents can be challenging due in part to unrecognized parent skills and educators’ own everyday uses of English that can marginalize parents during individualized education program (IEP) meetings. However, teachers can reflect on and improve their assumptions about parents’ as well as use supportive dialogue during IEP meetings to support inclusion for students with disabilities who are learning English.
Patient Adoption and Utilization of a Web-Based and Mobile-Based Portal for Collecting Outcomes After Elective Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Bell Kerri , Warnick Eugene , Nicholson Kristen , Ulcoq Sarah , Kim Seong Jin , Schroeder Gregory D. , Vaccaro Alexander
Published: March 2018

Health care increasingly collects patient-reported outcomes (PROs) via web-based platforms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how patient age influences portal engagement. Patients undergoing elective surgery at a single multispecialty orthopedic practice from September 2014 to February 2017 had access to an online portal to complete PROs, message the clinic, and view physical therapy instructions. A mobile app was optionally available. Age, sex, log-in frequency, PRO completion rates, and number of messages sent were reviewed retrospectively. Message frequency, log-in rates, and PRO compliance were highest for patients aged 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and 61 to 70, respectively. Mobile app use decreased with age ( P = .002); yet, at all ages, the mobile app group was more engaged. In particular, for patients aged 18 to 30 years, log-in frequency increased 2.5-fold and PRO compliance improved 44% ( P < .001) in the mobile app group. This study demonstrates that portal interaction varies by age and that data capture is highest in patients who choose the mobile app.
Beyond Political Ideology: The Impact of Attitudes Towards Government and Corporations on Trust in Science
Authors: Pechar Emily , Bernauer Thomas , Mayer Frederick
Published: March 2018

Understanding public distrust of science is both theoretically and practically important. While previous research has focused on the association between political ideology and trust in science, it is at best an inconsistent predictor. This study demonstrates that two dimensions of political ideology—attitudes towards governments and corporations—can more precisely predict trust in science across issues. Using a survey in the United States and Germany on the science of climate change and genetically modified foods, we find that an individual’s trust in science varies across issues and that attitudes towards government and corporations are important predictors of this trust.
Compass fundus automated perimetry
Authors: Fogagnolo Paolo , Digiuni Maurizio , Montesano Giovanni , Rui Chiara , Morales Marco , Rossetti Luca
Published: March 2018

Background:

Compass (CenterVue, Padova, Italy) is a fundus automated perimeter which has been introduced in the clinical practice for glaucoma management in 2014. The aim of the article is to review Compass literature, comparing its performances against Humphrey Field Analyzer (Zeiss Humphrey Systems, Dublin, CA, USA).

Results:

Analyses on both normal and glaucoma subjects agree on the fact that Humphrey Field Analyzer and Compass are interchangeable, as the difference of their global indices is largely inferior than test -retest variability for Humphrey Field Analyzer. Compass also enables interesting opportunities for the assessment of morphology, and the integration between morphology and function on the same device.

Conclusion:

Visual field testing by standard automated perimetry is limited by a series of intrinsic factors related to the psychophysical nature of the examination; recent papers suggest that gaze tracking is closely related to visual field reliability. Compass, thanks to a retinal tracker and to the active dislocation of stimuli to compensate for eye movements, is able to provide visual fields unaffected by fixation instability. Also, the instrument is a true colour, confocal retinoscope and obtains high-quality 60° × 60° photos of the central retina and stereo-photos details of the optic nerve. Overlapping the image of the retina to field sensitivity may be useful in ascertaining the impact of comorbidities. In addition, the recent introduction of stereoscopic photography may be very useful for better clinical examination.
Long-term efficacy and safety after corneal collagen crosslinking in pediatric patients: Three-year follow-up
Authors: Henriquez Maria A , Villegas Sandra , Rincon Mirel , Maldonado Carmen , Izquierdo Luis
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness of standard corneal collagen crosslinking for children with progressive keratoconus.

Methods:

Prospective study including 26 eyes of 26 patients younger than 18 years old with progressive keratoconus at Oftalmosalud Instituto de Ojos, Lima, Peru. Standard epi-off corneal crosslinking was performed in all eyes between January 2012 and January 2013. Pre- and postoperative evaluation (at 3 years) included uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity and Scheimpflug analysis. Crosslinking failure was defined as an increase in maximum keratometry (Kmax) of more than 1 diopter after 1 year or more.

Results:

Mean uncorrected visual acuity improvement was 0.24 LogMAR (p = 0.07) and mean best-corrected visual acuity improvement was 0.18 LogMAR (p = 0.01). None of the eyes lost more than one line in the best-corrected visual acuity. Four eyes (15.38%) lost two lines in the uncorrected visual acuity at 3 years postoperative. Mean steeper keratometry improvement was 1.14 diopters (p = 0.60). Progression rate was 23.07%.

Conclusion:

Standard epi-off corneal collagen crosslinking is safe and effective to halt the progression of the keratoconus with significant improvement in the best-corrected visual acuity at 3-year follow-up.
Negative organizational dynamics as enabler of white-collar crime
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: March 2018

Policing white-collar crime continues to be a critical issue for law enforcement all over the world. Organizational dynamics is an interesting perspective on white-collar crime. Organizational dynamics can cause a downward spiral, leading to misconduct and crime. During the downward spiral, the tendency to commit white-collar crime increases. It becomes more convenient to commit crime in comparison with alternative actions when crises or opportunities emerge. Convenience theory suggests that white-collar crime can be an attractive option for executives and others in the elite. In this article, negative organizational dynamics is explained by institutional theory, social disorganization theory, slippery slope theory, neutralization theory, and differential association theory.
Looking for a Good Read? Running a Psychology Book Club
Authors: Segrist Daniel J. , Meinz Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2018

Over the past seven years, we have offered a psychology book club to undergraduate and graduate students in our department. We suggest the book club provides an informal opportunity for student-to-student and student-to-faculty interaction, and offers a way to engage students in critical thinking about popular psychological issues. In this article, we describe the book club, provide names of books read and sample discussion questions, and offer data on the book club's effectiveness. Our data suggest that students read and enjoyed the books, and that they had a positive experience in the book club. We offer additional considerations and suggestions for those interested in offering such an opportunity to their students.
Virulence Factor Genes in Staphylococcus aureus Isolated From Diabetic Foot Soft Tissue and Bone Infections
Authors: Víquez-Molina Gerardo , Aragón-Sánchez Javier , Pérez-Corrales Cristian , Murillo-Vargas Christian , López-Valverde María Eugenia , Lipsky Benjamin A.
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study is to describe the presence of genes encoding for 4 virulence factors (pvl, eta, etb, and tsst), as well as the mecA gene conferring resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, in patients with diabetes and a staphylococcal foot infection. We have also analyzed whether isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from bone infections have a different profile for these genes compared with those from exclusively soft tissue infections. In this cross-sectional study of a prospectively recruited series of patients admitted to the Diabetic Foot Unit, San Juan de Dios Hospital, San José, Costa Rica with a moderate or severe diabetic foot infection (DFI), we collected samples from infected soft tissue and from bone during debridement. During the study period (June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2016), we treated 379 patients for a DFI. S aureus was isolated from 101 wound samples, of which 43 were polymicrobial infections; we only included the 58 infections that were monomicrobial S aureus for this study. Infections were exclusively soft tissue in 17 patients (29.3%) while 41 (70.7%) had bone involvement (osteomyelitis). The mecA gene was detected in 35 cases (60.3%), pvl gene in 4 cases (6.9%), and tsst gene in 3 (5.2%). We did not detect etA and etB in any of the cases. There were no differences in the profile of S aureus genes encoding for virulence factors (pvl, etA, etB, and tsst) recovered from DFIs between those with just soft tissue compared to those with osteomyelitis. However, we found a significantly higher prevalence of pvl+ strains of S aureus associated with soft tissue compared with bone infections. Furthermore, we observed a significantly longer time to healing among patients infected with mecA+ (methicillin-resistant) S aureus (MRSA).
Prevalence, Clinical Presentation, and Factors Associated With Diabetic Foot Ulcer in Two Regional Hospitals in Cameroon
Authors: Tindong Maxime , Palle John N. , Nebongo Daniel , Aminde Leopold Ndemnge , Mboue-Djieka Yannick , Mbarga Nicole T. Fouda , Dehayem Mesmin Y. , Choukem Siméon-Pierre
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer and high risk for ulceration, describe the clinical presentation, and identify factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer in the Southwest regional hospitals of Cameroon. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to consecutive patients with diabetes. Findings from detailed foot examination were recorded. Diabetic foot ulcer was diagnosed according to the International Working Group on Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) definition. Data were analyzed with Stata IC version 12. Of the 203 participants included, 63.1% were females. Age ranged from 26 to 96 years. The median duration of diabetes was 4.0 years (interquartile range 1.0-8.0 years). The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.8% (24), of whom 29.2% (7) had high grade (grades 2 to 4), and most of the ulcers 58.3% (14) were located at the plantar region. The prevalence of high risk for ulceration was 21.8% (39). Loss of protective sensation (OR = 3.73, 95% CI = 1.43-9.71; P = .007), and peripheral arterial disease (OR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.14-10.56; P = .028) were independently associated with diabetic foot. Diabetic foot ulcer is a common complication among patients with diabetes attending these regional hospitals. Loss of protective sensation, and peripheral arterial disease increase the odds of having diabetic foot ulcer, and we suggest them as the main target of interest for prevention.
The Effect of Malignancy on Outcomes Following Revascularization for Critical Limb Ischemia: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Calderbank Tom , Karim Ahmed , Wall Mike , Syed Arooj , Davies Robert S. M. , Saratzis Athanasios
Published: March 2018

Aim:

Malignancy is common in patients presenting with critical lower limb ischemia (CLI). However, outcomes in patients with concomitant active malignancy and CLI have not been well defined in comparative prospective analyses. Using contemporary prospective data, we aimed to assess outcomes following revascularization in patients with CLI and active malignancy.

Methods:

A nested case–control study was performed using data from 2 tertiary referral centers for vascular disease. A total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing intervention for CLI who had a diagnosis of active malignancy were identified and matched to patients with CLI but no malignancy for age, sex, diabetes, and smoking. Patency rates and morbidity/mortality were assessed using duplex ultrasonography and regular clinical review.

Results:

A total of 48 consecutive patients (median age: 74.5 years; interquartile range: 68-80 years) with active malignancy and CLI were identified and case-matched (age, sex, diabetes, and smoking) to 48 patients undergoing intervention for CLI who had no malignancy. Major cardiovascular risk factors did not differ. All-cause mortality was 23% versus 12% ( P = .41) at 6 months and 54% versus 15% ( P < .001) at 12 months. None of the patients died due to complications relating directly to the lower limb intervention or within 30 days of the intervention. A total of 4 (8.3%) patients had required a major limb amputation at 6 months in both groups, compared with 5 (10.4%) patients with malignancy versus 4 (8.3%) patients without ( P = .73) at 12 months. Patency rates were similar at 12 months (73% vs 80%). Three patients had required reintervention in both groups (endovascular in all cases) at 12 months.

Conclusion:

Revascularization can be offered safely in selected patients with active malignancy; patency rates in those surviving to 1 year are similar to patients without malignancy.
Hybrid approach for alignment of a pre-processed three-dimensional point cloud, video, and CAD model using partial point cloud in retrofitting applications
Authors: Patil Ashok Kumar , Kumar G Ajay , Kim Tae-Hyoung , Chai Young Ho
Published: March 2018

Acquiring the three-dimensional point cloud data of a scene using a laser scanner and the alignment of the point cloud data within a real-time video environment view of a camera is a very new concept and is an efficient method for constructing, monitoring, and retrofitting complex engineering models in heavy industrial plants. This article presents a novel prototype framework for virtual retrofitting applications. The workflow includes an efficient 4-in-1 alignment, beginning with the coordination of pre-processed three-dimensional point cloud data using a partial point cloud from LiDAR and alignment of the pre-processed point cloud within the video scene using a frame-by-frame registering method. Finally, the proposed approach can be utilized in pre-retrofitting applications by pre-generated three-dimensional computer-aided design models virtually retrofitted with the help of a synchronized point cloud, and a video scene is efficiently visualized using a wearable virtual reality device. The prototype method is demonstrated in a real-world setting, using the partial point cloud from LiDAR, pre-processed point cloud data, and video from a two-dimensional camera.
The Role of Dietary Patterns in Mood Disorders: Prospective Research in Youth Populations
Authors: Perez Leanna
Published: March 2018

Childhood mood disorders, including depression and bipolar spectrum disorders, represent serious public health concerns and often extend into adulthood. Due to increasing rates of a mood disorder diagnosis, and its accompanying risk of suicide, identification and management in childhood and adolescence is critical. Yet, fully effective and safe treatment options are lacking for child-onset mood disorders. Research investigating relationships between nutrition and psychiatry is a plausible avenue to improve prevention and treatment options. Epidemiological and observational evidence exists to support a protective effect of the Mediterranean diet in mood disorder prevalence and future diagnosis. To date, the majority of research has been conducted in adult populations. Future research is needed to examine if similar dietary relationships exist within a youth mood disorder population. Additionally, increased homogeneity in assessment methods of mood disorder symptoms and dietary patterns is needed; specifically, to determine more collective conclusions via meta-analyses. Results from youth studies could be used to formulate future randomized controlled trials, health promotion programs or clinical interventions, via diet or supplement interventions, for alternative mood disorder treatment or prevention purposes.
Endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation
Authors: Rentzos Alexandros , Karlsson Jan-Erik , Lundqvist Christer , Rosengren Lars , Hellström Mikael , Wikholm Gunnar
Published: March 2018

Background and purpose

Recent randomized clinical trials have proved the efficacy of endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation. However, the benefit of endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation remains to be proven since it was excluded from these trials. We evaluate the benefit of endovascular treatment in posterior circulation strokes.

Methods

A total of 110 consecutive patients with posterior circulation stroke who underwent endovascular treatment in our institute in the period 1991–2015 were included. Recanalization rate according to modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia score and neurological outcome at three months according to modified Rankin Scale were the main outcomes. Collateral circulation, procedural complications and radiological outcome were evaluated in the radiological examinations.

Results

The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 31 (IQR: 13–31) and median time from symptom onset to groin puncture was 300 (IQR: 175–463) minutes. Successful recanalization was seen in 80 of 110 patients (73%). Favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤2) was seen in 38 patients (35%) while moderate favorable outcome (≤3) was seen in 48 patients (44%). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 10 patients (9%). An association between collateral circulation, recanalization rate and outcome was seen.

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment for posterior circulation stroke in this single-center cohort is relatively safe and effective with decreased mortality and increased favorable outcome compared to natural history.
Predictors of 24-h mortality after inter-hospital transfer to a tertiary medical intensive care unit
Authors: Patel Jayshil J , Kurman Jonathan , Al-Ghandour Easa , Thandra Krishna , Mawari Samih , Graf Jeanette , Kovac Jennifer , Rein Lisa , Simpson Steven Q
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To identify variables associated with 24-h mortality after inter-hospital transfer.

Materials and methods

Single center retrospective study of adult patients transferred to a tertiary care medical ICU between 1 January 2010 and 15 April 2014. Demographic, clinical, physiologic, and laboratory data were collected. The Lasso method was used for logistic regression to identify predictors of 24-h mortality after inter-hospital ICU transfer.

Results

We identified 773 patients. Median age was 58 years (IQR 45–69), 49% were female, 83% Caucasian, and 48% had Medicare. The median length of stay at the transferring facility was 1.0 day (IQR 0–2). Median SOFA score on the day of ICU transfer was 5 (IQR 2–8). Twenty-two (3%) died within 24 h after inter-hospital transfer. SOFA score of 12–16 the day of inter-hospital transfer (odds ratio (OR) 7.77, 95% CI 1.21–66.26, p = 0.037), FiO2 0.8–1.0 on ICU arrival, and cardiac arrest prior to transfer (OR 4.94, 95% CI 1.43–15.96, p = 0.009) were associated with an increased risk for 24-h mortality after inter-hospital transfer.

Conclusions

Our study identified biologically plausible and potentially modifiable factors associated with 24-h mortality after inter-hospital medical ICU transfer, which may serve to inform patients and families of readiness and risk for mortality after inter-hospital transfer.
The optimal number and location of sutures in conduit-assisted primary digital nerve repair
Authors: Tang Peter , Schimoler Patrick J. , Kim Hongkyun , Gillman Brad M. , Kharlamov Alexander , Miller Mark Carl
Published: March 2018

We evaluated the strength of conduit-assisted primary digital nerve repairs, with varying suture location and number, in 56 digital nerves from cadavers. Maximum load to failure was tested for the following seven repairs, designated by the number of epineurial sutures followed by the number of sutures at each end of the conduit: 4 (epineurial sutures)/0 (sutures at each end of conduit), 4/4, 4/2, 2/2, 0/4, 0/2, 0/1. The 4/4 repair (3.0 N) was significantly stronger than 4/0 (1.5 N), 2/2 (1.6 N), 0/4 (2.0 N), 0/2 (1.4 N) and 0/1 (1.1 N). Considering all repair types, there was a significant correlation between suture number and failure load, with the strongest repair having a total of 12 sutures, which is impractical. Reasonable repair options, which have two sutures at each end of the conduit and either two or no epineurial sutures, are as strong as a four-suture epineurial repair but have less sutures at the coaptation site.
Host-targeting therapies for hepatitis C virus infection: current developments and future applications
Authors: Crouchet Emilie , Wrensch Florian , Schuster Catherine , Zeisel Mirjam B. , Baumert Thomas F.
Published: March 2018

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In the past few years, anti-HCV therapies have undergone a revolution with the approval of multiple direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which enable interferon-free treatments with considerable improvement of sustained virologic response in patients. Today, DAAs have become the standard of care for HCV therapy. However, several limitations remain, which include access to therapy, treatment failure in a subset of patients and persistent risk of HCC development following cure in patients with advanced fibrosis. By targeting conserved host proteins involved in the HCV life cycle, host-targeting agents (HTAs) offer opportunities for pan-genotypic antiviral approaches with a high barrier to drug resistance. Moreover, when applied in combination with DAAs, HTAs could improve the management of difficult-to-treat patients by acting through a complementary mechanism of action. In this review, we summarize the different HTAs evaluated in preclinical and clinical development and discuss their potential role for anti-HCV therapies.
Liquid jet breakup unsteadiness in a coaxial air-blast atomizer
Authors: Kumar Abhijeet , Sahu Srikrishna
Published: March 2018

The aim of this paper is to experimentally characterize the liquid jet breakup unsteadiness in a coaxial air-blast atomizer. The current research focuses on the measurement of the fluctuations of the jet breakup length and the flapping instability of the liquid jet, which contribute to the downstream fluctuations of the spray characteristics. The optical connectivity technique was used to measure the instantaneous breakup length of the water jet. Also, time resolved shadowgraph images of the primary jet breakup process were captured by high-speed imaging to characterize the jet instabilities at different axial locations from the atomizer exit. Experiments were performed for a wide range of air-to-liquid momentum flux ratio ( M) and aerodynamic Weber number ( Weg) corresponding to membrane- and/or fiber breakup mode of the jet disintegration process. The mean jet breakup length was found to vary inversely with M through a power law relation in agreement with the literature, while the breakup length fluctuations were found to first decrease and then increase with M. In order to capture the unsteady dynamics of the jet breakup process, the proper orthogonal decomposition analysis of the optical connectivity images was performed. The jet flapping and the fluctuations of the jet breakup length were identified as the second and the third spatial proper orthogonal decomposition modes, respectively, for all operating conditions of the atomizer. The amplitude and the frequency of the instabilities were measured by temporal tracking of the liquid–air interface on the shadowgraph images. The disturbance close to the injector exit corresponds to the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, while close to the jet breakup point the jet exhibits the flapping instability, which is characterized by lateral oscillation of the jet about the atomizer axis. The influence of the liquid jet Reynolds number and momentum flux ratio on the KH and the flapping instabilities are examined.
A study on lightweight mutual authentication for radio-frequency identification medical device
Authors: Hwang Yong-Woon , Lee Im-Yeong
Published: March 2018

Recently, radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has been applied to various industrial fields. It is used for various health-care purposes such as patient information management and health management, thereby providing convenience for both hospital officials and patients. However, the RFID system also presents various health-care security threats such as spoofing attacks and counterfeit attacks in the data communication between the server, reader, and tag, which adversely affect both hospital officials and patients. An RFID mutual authentication technique is thus required, and various such techniques have already been proposed. Research is being conducted for performing RFID mutual authentication using bit operation or based on a lightweight public key cryptosystem for application to a low-cost tag environment. In this study, we analyze the RFID mutual authentication protocol for RFID medical devices and propose an efficient, lightweight mutual authentication scheme for secure RFID medical devices by satisfying various security requirements and decreasing the computation cost.
Natural Occupancy Shifts in Hotel Markets
Authors: Gallagher Bram , Corgel Jack
Published: March 2018

The natural occupancy rate underpins room price adjustment models for hotel market evaluations; however, models that assume that this rate is time invariant and everywhere constant may introduce error when forecasting future real room rates and benchmarking market strength. We use monthly STR room rate and occupancy data for five large U.S. metropolitan hotel markets to estimate natural occupancy differences in time and across markets. The notion of a time-varying natural occupancy aligns with changing market equilibrium. When aggregating over the entire sample, long-run average occupancy is reasonably good approximation of estimated constant natural occupancy. We use a Markov switching model to determine the likely equilibrium occupancy for unique periods in time, and these results inform Tse and Fischer’s model to estimate time- and market-specific natural occupancy. Using the estimated natural occupancy rates for prevailing market regimes produces better fitting predictions than either constant natural occupancy or long-run average occupancy. Accordingly, they are most appropriate for practical applications.
The Pragmatics of Financial Communication. Part 1: From Sources to the Public Sphere
Authors: Palmieri Rudi , Perrin Daniel , Whitehouse Marlies
Published: March 2018

Research in financial communication has long been dominated by scholars in accounting and finance, who largely focused on the extratextual aspects of financial disclosures, such as the choice (not) to reveal information or the impact of new regulatory standards. In contrast, the past decade and a half has witnessed a significant shift of attention toward the linguistic and textual elements of financial communication. Finance scholars have started to develop text analysis approaches to investigate, in particular, market sentiment and its impact on stock prices. At the same time, accounting scholars have engaged in the so-called narrative turn by investigating the rhetorical aspects of voluntary disclosure.

Recent developments in the field, however, dig deeper and are beginning to shed light on the crucial functions of language use in financial communication. There is a growing interest throughout the disciplines to analyze the interplay of micro and macro structure in financial communication, which has been clearly reflected in academic initiatives and rapidly evolving subject areas in recent years. Bringing together these initiatives on a higher level, the AILA research network in financial communication, set up in early 2018, enables scholars from all over the world to strengthen and elaborate on their research and its dissemination.

The two parts of the special issue “The Pragmatics of Financial Communication” aim to reflect these recent developments and to foster current and future initiatives in the field.