bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking a habit: The impact of health on turnout and party choice
Authors: Rapeli Lauri , Mattila Mikko , Papageorgiou Achillefs
Published: January 2018

Turnout and party choice are widely held to be habitual, but little attention has been paid to factors that disrupt the pattern. Good health is an important determinant of political behaviour and a key component in the quality of life. Based on the developmental theory of turnout, we hypothesize that declining health lowers voting propensity over the life course. We employ issue ownership theory to assume that declining health increases the likelihood of voting for leftist parties. Using the British Household Panel Survey data, we show how deteriorating health significantly lowers the propensity to vote, but if a person in poor health votes, she is more likely to support Labour than the Conservatives. As expected by the developmental theory, major life events, such as declining health, affect voting propensity. Results also support issue ownership theory: declining health increases Labour voting which implies that British voters turn to the party that owns the health issue when the issue becomes salient.
YouTube channels, uploads and views
Authors: Bärtl Mathias
Published: January 2018

To this date, it is difficult to find high-level statistics on YouTube that paint a fair picture of the platform in its entirety. This study attempts to provide an overall characterization of YouTube, based on a random sample of channel and video data, by showing how video provision and consumption evolved over the course of the past 10 years. It demonstrates stark contrasts between video genres in terms of channels, uploads and views, and that a vast majority of on average 85% of all views goes to a small minority of 3% of all channels. The analytical results give evidence that older channels have a significantly higher probability to garner a large viewership, but also show that there has always been a small chance for young channels to become successful quickly, depending on whether they choose their genre wisely.
From ranking algorithms to ‘ranking cultures’
Authors: Rieder Bernhard , Matamoros-Fernández Ariadna , Coromina Òscar
Published: January 2018

Algorithms, as constitutive elements of online platforms, are increasingly shaping everyday sociability. Developing suitable empirical approaches to render them accountable and to study their social power has become a prominent scholarly concern. This article proposes an approach to examine what an algorithm does, not only to move closer to understanding how it works, but also to investigate broader forms of agency involved. To do this, we examine YouTube’s search results ranking over time in the context of seven sociocultural issues. Through a combination of rank visualizations, computational change metrics and qualitative analysis, we study search ranking as the distributed accomplishment of ‘ranking cultures’. First, we identify three forms of ordering over time – stable, ‘newsy’ and mixed rank morphologies. Second, we observe that rankings cannot be easily linked back to popularity metrics, which highlights the role of platform features such as channel subscriptions in processes of visibility distribution. Third, we find that the contents appearing in the top 20 results are heavily influenced by both issue and platform vernaculars. YouTube-native content, which often thrives on controversy and dissent, systematically beats out mainstream actors in terms of exposure. We close by arguing that ranking cultures are embedded in the meshes of mutually constitutive agencies that frustrate our attempts at causal explanation and are better served by strategies of ‘descriptive assemblage’.
Production perspectives on audience participation in television: On, beyond and behind the screen
Authors: te Walvaart Marleen , Dhoest Alexander , Van den Bulck Hilde
Published: January 2018

This article adds an empirical production perspective to the widely discussed concept of audience participation. It studies how audiences are integrated in the production of television and what motivations producers have to do so. Increased opportunities for audiences to produce or contribute to media content may change the way television is produced, as audience perspectives can be more easily integrated. Theoretically, the notions of corporate and political participation are discussed as a basis for a qualitative content analysis, focusing on a range of nonfictional television programs in Flanders, combined with in-depth interviews with editors-in-chief to study their motivations, looking at audience participation on screen, beyond the screen and behind the screen. Results show that producers mostly integrate the audience in the production process within a corporate understanding of participation, although some producers have integrated political forms of participation as well. However, rather than focusing on participation, a central motivation for producers is to engage the audience.
The secret lives of ebooks: A paratextual analysis illuminates a veil of usage statistics
Authors: Harwell Jonathan H , Gallagher Erin
Published: January 2018

This study applies the method of paratextual analysis to six electronic books, or ebooks, in an academic library collection at a small liberal arts college. Two books are selected from each of three platforms: ebrary, EBSCO, and SpringerLink. The characteristics of each book are described, including design and readership, as well as 2 years of usage statistics from the specific library, and altmetrics where available. The paratextual study leads to a closer investigation of the usage statistics themselves and concludes that despite industry standards, they are not calculated consistently across vendor platforms and that while these data are invisible to researchers outside of the library, there are also essential elements that librarians mistakenly take at face value when comparing ebook usage from multiple vendors.
Social media competence and digital citizenship among college students
Authors: Xu Shun , Yang Harrison Hao , MacLeod Jason , Zhu Sha
Published: January 2018

The global emergence of new media and social change have drawn attention to the topic of digital citizenship. Previous literature has examined individuals’ digital citizenship with some determinants of technology use. However, individuals’ level of social media competence (SMC) has not yet been examined in relation to digital citizenship. To increase knowledge of the ingredients that may be important for education programs to improve individuals’ digital citizenship, this study examined SMC and digital citizenship among 772 college students. The results identified that five of the six social media competencies examined were predictors of individuals’ digital citizenship. These findings provided empirical evidence of a relationship between SMC and digital citizenship, which should be considered by researchers and practitioners when formalizing educational programs, developing curricula, and designing pedagogy for improving individuals’ digital citizenship.
Examining service shortfalls
Authors: Chen Hanyu , Weiler Betty , Young Martin
Published: January 2018

Chinese inbound tourism constitutes Australia’s fastest growing and largest international tourist market. Currently, most of this travel is conducted via group package tours (GPTs). While there is anecdotal evidence of dissatisfaction with some aspects of Chinese tourists’ service experience such as commission-based shopping, little empirical evidence is available about the salient dimensions of service quality or their respective performance. The aim of this study is to identify the core service components offered by Chinese GPTs and to examine any service shortfalls. Findings from a survey of 520 tourists revealed three dimensions of Chinese package tour service: attractions, tour leader and food and accommodation. The study identified significant gaps between expectation and performance across all dimensions. Theoretical and service quality implications for researchers, tour operators and policymakers are presented and discussed.
Effects of underwater bubble CPAP on very-low-birth-weight preterm newborns in the delivery room and after transport to the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Abelenda Vera Lucia Barros , Valente Tania Cristina Oliveira , Marinho Cirlene Lima , Lopes Agnaldo José
Published: January 2018

The development of less invasive ventilatory strategies in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm newborns has been a growing concern in recent decades. This study aimed to measure differences in the clinical progression of preterm newborns using two distinct periods in a university hospital: before and after using underwater bubble continuous positive airway pressure (ubCPAP). This is a retrospective study of VLBW preterm newborns with gestational ages less than or equal to 32 weeks admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The time series was divided into two groups: a pre-CPAP group ( n = 45) and a post-CPAP group ( n = 40). The post-CPAP group had fewer resuscitations, required fewer surfactant doses, spent fewer days on mechanical ventilation, and demonstrated less of a need for fraction of inspired oxygen > 30%. UbCPAP is an easy to use, minimally invasive, and effective ventilatory strategy for VLBW preterm newborns that can be used in environments with limited resources. Thus, adopting this simple strategy as part of a service organization and health policy can positively impact outcomes.
Systematic review of developmental care interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit since 2006
Authors: Burke Sara
Published: January 2018

Intervention studies designed to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were evaluated in this systematic review to analyze research methods, to illuminate the effectiveness of interventions, and to make recommendations for future research. Google Scholar, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Applied Health Literature, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were investigated to identify experimental and quasi-experimental interventional studies in peer-reviewed journals. Each study was assessed in the areas of sample, design, interventional strategies, threats to validity, and outcomes. Nineteen articles were reviewed with a variety of clustered and individual strategies identified to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants in the NICU. Developmental care in the NICU appears to have some positive effects on the neurodevelopment of preterm infants. However, there were a number of limitations identified that threaten the validity of the included studies. Going forward, components of developmental care should be operationalized more consistently, greater effort should be put into ensuring treatment fidelity, and electroencephalogram data should be collected in conjunction with behavioral outcome measures.
Renewed optimism and spatial mobility: Legal consciousness of Latino Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients and their families in Los Angeles
Authors: Abrego Leisy J
Published: January 2018

In 2012, President Obama signed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive action that provided deportation relief, a temporary work permit, and driver licenses for almost 800,000 undocumented immigrants who grew up in the US. Drawing on 100 in-depth interviews in Los Angeles, this article documents DACA’s consequences for the legal consciousness of DACA recipients and their families in the period of 2013–2016. Although the Trump Administration chose to phase out the program in 2017, evidence shows that DACA temporarily benefited families in seemingly mundane but cumulative and powerful ways. State-issued IDs and work permits led to many more opportunities to achieve their goals, experience spatial mobility, and establish greater family independence through interdependence. Together, and even though DACA targeted only single members of families, these experiences shifted entire families’ legal consciousness toward a stronger sense of pride and belonging in the United States.
Perceptual mapping based on web search queries and consumer forum comments
Authors: Won Eugene J. S. , Oh Yun Kyung , Choeh Joon Yeon
Published: January 2018

Consumers’ online activities such as keyword searching and writing reviews can provide valuable information that reflects their perception of the market. This study proposes ways to analyze market structure and draw a perceptual map from the following two types of online data: keyword search and online consumer forum data. We apply our methodology to the imported car brands in South Korea automobile market. The multidimensional scaling (MDS) results provide different consumer insights depending on the nature of data. The inter-brand similarity values derived from the proposed two metrics are shown to be correlated. Especially, using consumer forum data, we apply our metric to analyzing the market structure of two sub-markets: midsize sedan and compact crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV). Furthermore, utilizing the proposed measures, we calculate the prototypicality of a brand and demonstrate its positive effect on sales. Marketing managers can apply our technique to understand the market structure and perform longitudinal studies to monitor consumers’ perceptual changes without conducting a time-consuming, traditional survey method.
The Voluntarily Childless Heroine: A Postfeminist Television Oddity
Authors: Kaklamanidou Betty-Despoina
Published: January 2018

In a neoliberal and postfeminist context, this article undertakes an analysis of the atypical instances of voluntarily childless heroines on contemporary U.S. network television from 2010 to 2015. Drawing mainly from Diane Negra’s and Angela McRobbie’s work on postfeminist popular culture, and specifically McRobbie’s concept of “double entanglement,” I argue that network television, with rare exceptions, not only avoids representations of female childlessness but also promotes pronatalism, which it associates with neoliberal principles of the market (as illustrated in everything from the booming surrogacy industry to the quest to enroll children at the best private schools, etc.).
Two-Vessel Branched Stent Graft for Severely Angulated Aortic Arch Aneurysm in a Jehovah’s Witness
Authors: Lim Chung S. , Dhutia A. , Riga Celia , Dharmadasa A. , Gibbs Richard G. J. , Hamady Mohamad S.
Published: January 2018

Aneurysmal disease involving the origins of supra aortic vessels often requires complex open and/or endovascular repair that is not only associated with significant risk of mortality and morbidity but also often with perioperative blood loss requiring transfusion. We report a successful repair of a large thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) involving the aortic arch with a custom-made Bolton Relay 2-vessel branched thoracic aortic endograft in a 42-year-old Jehovah’s Witness who would otherwise be very unlikely to survive an open repair. Branched thoracic aortic endografting offers a potentially safe, minimally invasive, and effective alternative for TAA disease involving the supra-aortic arteries, especially in patients who are at high risk of open surgery.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Standard Versus Extended Proximal Fixation Olecranon Plates for Fixation of Olecranon Fractures
Authors: Boden Allison L. , Daly Charles A. , Dalwadi Poonam P. , Boden Stephanie A. , Hutton William C. , Muppavarapu Raghuveer C. , Gottschalk Michael B.
Published: January 2018

Background: Small olecranon fractures present a significant challenge for fixation, which has resulted in development of plates with proximal extension. Olecranon-specific plates with proximal extensions are widely thought to offer superior fixation of small proximal fragments but have distinct disadvantages: larger dissection, increased hardware prominence, and the increased possibility of impingement. Previous biomechanical studies of olecranon fracture fixation have compared methods of fracture fixation, but to date there have been no studies defining olecranon plate fixation strength for standard versus extended olecranon plates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical utility of the extended plate for treatment of olecranon fractures. Methods: Sixteen matched pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric elbows were used. Of the 16, 8 matched pairs received a transverse osteotomy including 25% and 8 including 50% of the articular surface on the proximal fragment. One elbow from each pair was randomly assigned to a standard-length plate, and the other elbow in the pair received the extended-length plate, for fixation of the fracture. The ulnae were cyclically loaded and subsequently loaded to failure, with ultimate load, number of cycles, and gap formation recorded. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the standard and extended fixation plates in simple transverse fractures at either 25% or 50% from the proximal most portion of the articular surface of the olecranon. Conclusion: Standard fixation plates are sufficient for the fixation of small transverse fractures, but caution should be utilized particularly with comminution and nontransverse fracture patterns.
Moving obstacles detection based on laser range finder measurements
Authors: Dekan Martin , František Duchoň , Andrej Babinec , Jozef Rodina , Dávid Rau , Josip Musić
Published: January 2018

The objective of this article is to propose data processing from laser range finder that will provide simple, fast, and reliable object recognition including moving objects. The whole method is based on four steps: segmentation, simplification, correspondence between consequent measurements, and object classification. Segmentation uses raw data from laser range finder and it is significant in logical connection of related segments. The most important step is simplification which provides data reduction and acceleration of object classification. The output of simplification is an object represented by significant points. Correspondence between consequent measurements is based on kd-tree nearest neighborhood search. The object is then classified by its spatial changes. These changes are evaluated by position of correspondent significant points. Input of proposed procedure is a probabilistic model of laser range finder. In this article, versatile probabilistic model of Hokuyo URM-30 LX was used. The method was verified by simulations and by tests in real environment. The results show that proposed method is reliable and with small modifications (of parameters), it is usable with any other planar laser range finder.
Reactor nozzle inspection based on the laser-guided mobile robot
Authors: Kim Jae-Hee
Published: January 2018

Most inspection and repair works are performed with robots in a nuclear power plant, as a human operator cannot access the facility due to radiation. In order to ensure the integrity of the reactor vessel, the reactor nozzle welds should be inspected periodically. The inspections have been performed using a conventional inspection machine with a large sturdy column; however, these machines are so large and heavy that their handling and maintenance requires much effort. In order to resolve these kinds of problems, the authors have developed a mobile robotic manipulator, which is very small and light and easy to handle. The underwater mobile robot with magnetic wheels is guided by a laser beam for its accurate positioning. Even though the inspection system is light and simple, its accurate positioning for reactor nozzle weld inspection is much more difficult and complex. This article explains how to position our laser-guided mobile robot manipulator at the reactor vessel wall and determines the pan and tilt angle of the laser pan-tilt device to guide the robot along a specified path around the nozzle. We derive the path planning of the mobile robotic manipulator when inspecting nozzle welds on the upper shell of the vessel, and we experimented the whole robotic system to identify position accuracy of the robot movements through the inspection scanning of reactor nozzle.
A terrain description method for traversability analysis based on elevation grid map
Authors: Meng Xiangrui , Cao Zhiqiang , Liang Shuang , Pang Lei , Wang Shuo , Zhou Chao
Published: January 2018

Terrain traversability analysis is a challenging problem for mobile robots to adapt to complex environments, including the detection of cluttered obstacles, potholes, or even slopes. With the accurate distance information, using distance sensors such as three-dimensional light detection and ranging (LiDAR) for terrain description becomes a preferred choice. In this article, a terrain description method for traversability analysis based on elevation grid map is presented. After the elevation grid map is generated, the ground is segmented with the aid of a height difference kernel and the non-ground grids in the map are then clustered. The terrain description features, including height index, roughness, and slope angle, are calculated and estimated. The slope angle is estimated using random sample consensus (RANSAC) and least squares method, and specifically, the roughness is combined to eliminate false slopes. Experimental results verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Improving stereo matching algorithm with adaptive cross-scale cost aggregation
Authors: Bai Cong , Ma Qing , Hao Pengyi , Liu Zhi , Zhang Jinglin
Published: January 2018

Human beings process stereoscopic correspondence across multiple purposes like robot navigation, automatic driving, and virtual or augmented reality. However, this bioinspiration is ignored by state-of-the-art dense stereo correspondence matching methods. Cost aggregation is one of the critical steps in the stereo matching method. In this article, we propose an optimized cross-scale cost aggregation scheme with coarse-to-fine strategy for stereo matching. This scheme implements cross-scale cost aggregation with the smoothness constraint on neighborhood cost, which essentially extends the idea of the inter-scale and intra-scale consistency constraints to increase the matching accuracy. The neighborhood costs are not only used in the intra-scale consistency to ensure that the regularized costs vary smoothly in an eight-connected neighbors region but also incorporated with inter-scale consistency to optimize the disparity estimation. Additionally, the improved method introduces an adaptive scheme in each scale with different aggregation methods. Finally, experimental results evaluated both on classic Middlebury and Middlebury 2014 data sets show that the proposed method performs better than the cross-scale cost aggregation. The whole stereo correspondence algorithm achieves competitive performance in terms of both matching accuracy and computational efficiency. An extensive comparison, including the KITTI benchmark, illustrates the better performance of the proposed method also.
Application of virtual reality in teleoperation of the military mobile robotic system TAROS
Authors: Kot Tomáš , Novák Petr
Published: January 2018

The article presents some aspects of a complex control system of a teleoperated military mobile robot Tactical Robotic System (TAROS) related to virtual reality and assistance to a human operator in general. Described is especially the unique and innovative system of virtual operator station which uses the HMD Oculus Rift to put the operator into a virtual space containing visual feedback from the robot and camera images, including stereovision. The virtual operator station serves as a cost-effective and portable replacement of what otherwise would be a large room with expensive equipment. Mentioned is also another system that helps the operator with remote manipulation tasks – the anti-collision system preventing damage done to the mechanical parts of the robot by incautious movements of the manipulator arm.
Surrounded by sound: Noise, rights and environments
Authors: García Ruiz Ascensión , South Nigel
Published: January 2018

Noise was probably the first environmental pollutant (apart from human waste) in the Ancient world. Yet today, by comparison with other environmental matters, noise and protection from its effects are often overlooked, except in specialist fields such as architecture or planning. One major reason for this may be that noise does not possess the same ability to spread that is characteristic of other forms of pollution. Noise is also an unusual form of environmental pollution in having a physical impact – it is ‘heard’ and can be ‘felt’ – but is predominantly interpreted subjectively. The impact and consequences of anthropogenic noise for humans and biodiversity in general are currently under-investigated in criminology and are under-addressed in both public and private international environmental law. Here we question why noise has not (so far) been explored within green criminology and only tentatively explored within cultural criminology. The objectives are to provide an overview of noise as a topic, connecting media, culture and anti- and pro-social behaviour, and to unearth interconnections between the matter of noise and its implications for the environment.
Directed qualitative content analysis: the description and elaboration of its underpinning methods and data analysis process
Authors: Assarroudi Abdolghader , Heshmati Nabavi Fatemeh , Armat Mohammad Reza , Ebadi Abbas , Vaismoradi Mojtaba
Published: January 2018

Qualitative content analysis consists of conventional, directed and summative approaches for data analysis. They are used for provision of descriptive knowledge and understandings of the phenomenon under study. However, the method underpinning directed qualitative content analysis is insufficiently delineated in international literature. This paper aims to describe and integrate the process of data analysis in directed qualitative content analysis. Various international databases were used to retrieve articles related to directed qualitative content analysis. A review of literature led to the integration and elaboration of a stepwise method of data analysis for directed qualitative content analysis. The proposed 16-step method of data analysis in this paper is a detailed description of analytical steps to be taken in directed qualitative content analysis that covers the current gap of knowledge in international literature regarding the practical process of qualitative data analysis. An example of “the resuscitation team members' motivation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation” based on Victor Vroom's expectancy theory is also presented. The directed qualitative content analysis method proposed in this paper is a reliable, transparent, and comprehensive method for qualitative researchers. It can increase the rigour of qualitative data analysis, make the comparison of the findings of different studies possible and yield practical results.
Actual and ideal sources of coaching knowledge of elite Chinese coaches
Authors: He Chao , Trudel Pierre , Culver Diane M.
Published: January 2018

Globalization and advances in technology have created a context where knowledge changes and circulates faster than ever. In high-performance sport coaching, coaches increasingly move from country to country to join national teams – becoming ‘migrant coaches’. From a coach development perspective, it becomes relevant to investigate how coaches from different countries learn to coach and what would be their ideal sources of knowledge acquisition. Unfortunately, there is a major gap in the English literature regarding Asian coaches. Thus, a study with Chinese gymnastics (Gym) and rhythmic gymnastics (R-Gym) coaches has been conducted. Eighty coaches completed a questionnaire on their actual and ideal sources of knowledge acquisition; 16 of these were interviewed. Data show that the coaches acquired their knowledge (actual) mainly through ‘being an athlete’ and ‘having a mentor’. Ideally, they would like to have a better balance between these two sources and formal learning situations (courses, seminars, etc.). Another key finding is the barrier resulting from the lack of English knowledge, which is an important limit for Chinese coaches wishing to gather information from abroad, especially through the Internet.
From time series analysis to a modified ordinary differential equation
Authors: Xue Meiyu , Lai Choi-Hong
Published: January 2018

In understanding Big Data, people are interested to obtain the trend and dynamics of a given set of temporal data, which in turn can be used to predict possible futures. This paper examines a time series analysis method and an ordinary differential equation approach in modeling the price movements of petroleum price and of three different bank stock prices over a time frame of three years. Computational tests consist of a range of data fitting models in order to understand the advantages and disadvantages of these two approaches. A modified ordinary differential equation model, with different forms of polynomials and periodic functions, is proposed. Numerical tests demonstrated the advantage of the modified ordinary differential equation approach. Computational properties of the modified ordinary differential equation are studied.
New Roles, New Titles and the Role of Regulation
Authors: Asbridge Jonathan
Published: January 2018

This article sets out the work of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in developing a level of regulation beyond initial registration to reflect the advanced levels of practice at which many nurses now work. It also explores other key challenges for the Council and for nursing.
Pneumatic Tourniquet Use in the Perioperative Environment
Authors: O'Connor Caroline , Murphy Siobhan
Published: January 2018

Pneumatic tourniquets are routinely used in operating theatres worldwide. Generally, tourniquets are viewed as a relatively safe instrument with minimal complications. Nevertheless, Klenerman (2003) and Golder et al (2000) both suggest that caution should be exercised in tourniquet use. Furthermore Phillips (2004, p532) claims that, ‘a tourniquet is dangerous to apply, to leave on and to remove’. This article will inform perioperative practitioners of the current research pertaining to the routine procedure of using pneumatic tourniquets to achieve a bloodless surgical field.
The Perioperative Care of a Super Morbidly Obese Pregnant Woman: A Case Study
Authors: McChlery Sheena
Published: January 2018

A super morbidly obese woman with a twin pregnancy presented to our hospital in Perth, Western Australia, for obstetric care. A caesarean section was planned for her, in order to ensure a safe, controlled manner of delivery. This article details the processes and procedures which had to be implemented in order to safely care for the patient during her perioperative experience.
Efficacy and safety of sarilumab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: McCarty Delilah , Robinson April
Published: January 2018

The mainstay of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment involves the use of medications that slow disease progression and reduce inflammation. Inadequate treatment responses and intolerances to conventional RA treatment have led to the development of biologic agents for the management of moderate-to-severe disease activity. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibition is one of the targets for biologic activity in RA treatment. IL-6 is found in excess in the synovial fluid and contributes to joint erosion through its action on osteoclast cells. Sarilumab is a new IL-6 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe RA as monotherapy or in combination with conventional therapies in patients with an inadequate response to previous RA treatment.
Forecasting fiscal variables in selected European economies using least absolute deviation method
Authors: Žaja Maja Mihelja , Kržić Ana Sović , Habek David
Published: January 2018

Actual economic crisis initiated numerous debates on fiscal policy of the European Union (EU) and unrealistic convergence demands placed upon the Member States, where the emphasis is on fiscal criteria: The budget deficit should not exceed 3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the public debt must be less than 60% of GDP. The aim of this article is to analyze the impact of the crisis on fiscal variables in selected European countries and to examine the efficacy of conducted reforms through comparing forecasted values, obtained by the least absolute deviation method, with actual values. Analyzed countries are Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Spain, and the Republic of Croatia, the EU countries that were the most exposed to the impact of the crisis and have problems with economic instability. Values were forecasted on the quarter basis for the period 2015 and 2016 using data from 2000 until 2014, and the results show that the proposed method is useful in predicting under unchanged conditions. This leads to the conclusion that analyzed countries did not carry out all the necessary reforms.
A Pilot Study Validating Select Research-Grade and Consumer-Based Wearables Throughout a Range of Dynamic Exercise Intensities in Persons With and Without Type 1 Diabetes: A Novel Approach
Authors: Yavelberg Loren , Zaharieva Dessi , Cinar Ali , Riddell Michael C. , Jamnik Veronica
Published: January 2018

Background:

The increasing popularity of wearable technology necessitates the evaluation of their accuracy to differentiate physical activity (PA) intensities. These devices may play an integral role in customizing PA interventions for primary prevention and secondary management of chronic diseases. For example, in persons with type 1 diabetes (T1D), PA greatly affects glucose concentrations depending on the intensity, mode (ie, aerobic, anaerobic, mixed), and duration. This variability in glucose responses underscores the importance of implementing dependable wearable technology in emerging avenues such as artificial pancreas systems.

Methods:

Participants completed three 40-minute, dynamic non-steady-state exercise sessions, while outfitted with multiple research (Fitmate, Metria, Bioharness) and consumer (Garmin, Fitbit) grade wearables. The data were extracted according to the devices’ maximum sensitivity (eg, breath by breath, beat to beat, or minute time stamps) and averaged into minute-by-minute data. The variables of interest, heart rate (HR), breathing frequency, and energy expenditure (EE), were compared to validated criterion measures.

Results:

Compared to deriving EE by laboratory indirect calorimetry standard, the Metria activity patch overestimates EE during light-to-moderate PA intensities (L-MI) and moderate-to-vigorous PA intensities (M-VI) (mean ± SD) (0.28 ± 1.62 kilocalories· minute-1, P < .001, 0.64 ± 1.65 kilocalories· minute-1, P < .001, respectively). The Metria underestimates EE during vigorous-to-maximal PA intensity (V-MI) (–1.78 ± 2.77 kilocalories · minute-1, P < .001). Similarly, compared to Polar HR monitor, the Bioharness underestimates HR at L-MI (–1 ± 8 bpm, P < .001) and M-VI (5 ± 11 bpm, P < .001), respectively. A significant difference in EE was observed for the Garmin device, compared to the Fitmate ( P < .001) during continuous L-MI activity.

Conclusions:

Overall, our study demonstrates that current research-grade wearable technologies operate within a ~10% error for both HR and EE during a wide range of dynamic exercise intensities. This level of accuracy for emerging research-grade instruments is considered both clinically and practically acceptable for research-based or consumer use. In conclusion, research-grade wearable technology that uses EE kilocalories · minute-1 and HR reliably differentiates PA intensities.
Early Functional, Radiological Outcomes and Satisfaction Rates of Total Ankle Arthroplasty in an Asian Population
Authors: Tan Shi Ming , Bin Abd Razak Hamid Rahmatullah , Singh Rikhraj Inderjeet
Published: January 2018

Background. Few studies have outlined the outcomes and complications in Asians undergoing total ankle arthroplasty. This study reports the functional, radiological outcomes and satisfaction rates in our Asian population. Methods. Patients who underwent primary total ankle arthroplasty from 2007 to 2013 were recruited. Outcomes evaluated were the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Score (AHS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Short Form 36 (SF-36)questionnaire. Outcome scores were collected prospectively up to 2 years. Patient satisfaction was evaluated on a 6-point scale based on North American Spine Society Low Back Pain Instrument and classified as satisfied or unsatisfied. Results. Forty-one patients underwent primary total ankle arthroplasty. All patients experienced improvements in AHS, VAS, and Mental Component Summary score of the SF-36 at both 6-month and 2-year postoperative interval. The mean AHS score improved from 35 ± 19 points preoperatively to 64 ± 24 at 6 months (P<.001) and 72 ± 26 at 24 months (P <.001). VAS scores improved from 7 ± 2 preoperatively to 3 ± 3 (P < .001) at 6 and 24 months. The Physical Component Summary (PCS) of the SF-36 has an established minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of 5. The mean improvement in PCS in our cohort met this MCID for the PCS; 63% and 71% of patients were satisfied with the procedure at 6 months and 2 years postoperatively, respectively. Revision rate in this series was 9.7%. Conclusion. Total ankle arthroplasty has good patient satisfaction rates, with favorable early clinical outcome in Asian patients.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level II
Study of Telomere Length in Preimplanted Cultured Chondrocytes
Authors: López-Alcorocho Juan Manuel , Guillén-Vicente Isabel , Rodríguez-Iñigo Elena , Guillén-Vicente Marta , Fernández-Jaén Tomás Fernando , Caballero Rosa , Casqueiro Mercedes , Najarro Pilar , Abelow Steve , Guillén-García Pedro
Published: January 2018

Design

In the process of cell division, the extremes of the eukaryotic chromosomes are progressively shortening, and this phenomenon is related to cell degeneration and senescence. The treatment of cartilage lesions with autologous chondrocytes implies that cells proliferate in an artificial environment. We have studied the viability of cultured chondrocytes after measurement of their telomere length before implantation.

Methods

Articular cartilage biopsies (B1, B2, and B3) were obtained from 3 patients (2 males and 1 female) with knee cartilage defects, who were going to be treated with chondrocyte implantation. Chondrocytes were cultured in DMEM with autologous serum. After the third passage, an aliquot of 1 million cells was removed to estimate the telomere length and the remaining cells were implanted. Telomere length was measured by quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization (Q-FISH). Patients’ clinical outcome was determined preoperatively, and 12 and 24 months postimplantation with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire.

Results

After chondrocyte implantation, IKDC score doubled at 12 and 24 months with regard to the basal value. After 3 passages, chondrocytes were cultured for a mean of 45.67 days, the mean duplication time being 4.53 days and the mean number of cell divisions being 10.04 during the culture period. The 20th percentile of telomere lengths were 6.84, 6.96, and 7.06 kbp and the median telomere lengths 10.30, 10.47, and 10.73 kbp, respectively. No significant correlation was found between IKDC score and telomere length.

Conclusion

Culturing autologous chondrocytes for implantation is not related to cell senescence in terms of telomere length.
Obesity and sudden cardiac death in the young: Clinical and pathological insights from a large national registry
Authors: Finocchiaro Gherardo , Papadakis Michael , Dhutia Harshil , Cole Della , Behr Elijah R , Tome Maite , Sharma Sanjay , Sheppard Mary N
Published: January 2018

Aims

Obesity is an increasing public health problem and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the main features and aetiologies in a large cohort of sudden cardiac deaths that occurred in obese subjects.

Methods

Between 1994 and 2014, 3684 consecutive cases of unexpected sudden cardiac death were referred to our cardiac pathology centre. This study was confined to young individuals (age ≤ 35 years) for whom information about body mass index was available and consisted of 1033 cases.

Results

Two-hundred and twelve individuals (20%) were obese. In obese sudden cardiac death victims the main post-mortem findings were: normal heart (sudden arrhythmic death syndrome) ( n = 108; 50%), unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy ( n = 25; 12%) and critical coronary artery disease ( n = 25; 12%). Less common were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( n = 4; 2%) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy ( n = 4;2%). When compared with non-obese sudden cardiac death victims, sudden arrhythmic death syndrome was less common (50% vs. 60%, P < 0.01), whereas left ventricular hypertrophy and critical coronary artery disease were more frequent (12% vs. 2%, P < 0.001 and 12% vs. 3%, P < 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of critical and non-critical coronary artery disease was significantly higher in obese individuals (23% vs. 10% in non-obese individuals, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Various conditions underlie sudden cardiac death in obesity, with a prevalence of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary artery disease. The degree of left ventricular hypertrophy measured by heart weight is excessive even after correction for body size. Almost one in four young obese sudden death patients show some degree of coronary artery disease, underscoring the need for primary prevention in this particular subgroup.
Right orbital edema masquerading a hematologic malignancy
Authors: Tiu Andrew C , Arguello-Guerra Vivian , Varadi Gabor
Published: January 2018

Introduction:

Multiple myeloma is caused by abnormal proliferation of plasma cells that affects more commonly African Americans. It classically presents with hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, and lytic bone lesions. The aim of this article is to present an unusual case of a 63-year-old African-American female with multiple myeloma who presented with worsening right-sided eye swelling for the past 3 weeks and to briefly review ophthalmologic manifestations of multiple myeloma.

Case description:

Our patient’s presentation was associated with a throbbing frontal headache, nasal congestion, malaise, and weight loss. Differential diagnosis on admission included giant cell arteritis, conjunctivitis, preseptal cellulitis, glaucoma, acute sinusitis, or cavernous sinus thrombosis. Extensive ophthalmologic evaluation did not show any intraocular abnormality. However, a magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed hyperintense foci in the right frontal calvarium leading to the eye swelling. Further evaluation revealed pancytopenia, elevated protein levels, and inverse albumin–globulin ratio suggestive of a plasma cell dyscrasia. A skeletal survey revealed multiple osteolytic lesions. Serum and urine protein electrophoresis revealed elevated immunoglobulin G Kappa monoclonal gammopathy. Bone marrow biopsy demonstrated a hypercellular marrow comprised at least 70% mature appearing plasma cells staining positive for CD138. Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone was initiated. After 2 months of chemotherapy, orbital swelling has resolved with decrease in M-spike, immunoglobulin G, and serum kappa light chains.

Conclusion:

This case illustrates an unusual presentation of multiple myeloma which was eye swelling caused by bony infiltration in the calvarium. Although hematologic malignancies tend to have more specific signs and symptoms, they should be included in the differentials of unilateral orbital edema.
A personal review of the book reviews
Authors: Oldfield Frank
Published: January 2018

The present note comprises a brief overview of the 30 book reviews completed by the author during the first three years since the first publication of the Anthropocene Review. This is followed by a personal reaction to some recent books in which the Anthropocene (or Capitalocene) is framed in Marxist terms. Not only does this framing seem to limit the value of the analyses once purely historical considerations are dealt with, the adoption of a particular theoretical approach appears to preclude the type of synergy between social and Earth System science so necessary at the present time. Counter perspectives to those of the author are invited.
Reclaim the Menopause: A pilot study of an evidence-based menopause course for symptom management and resilience building
Authors: Bellot Eileen , Rouse Naomi , Hunter Myra S
Published: January 2018

Reclaim the Menopause is a community-based menopause course developed by Hands Inc. and supported by Hackney Learning Trust. The course provides evidence-based education, cognitive behaviour therapy and psychosocial support to promote menopause awareness, challenge stigma and increase self-management amongst menopausal women. Ethnicity was an important aspect of the work, as Hands Inc. was keen to reach women who might not otherwise access interventions. All course participants were Black British (as were two of the three facilitators). Course attendees reported reduced menopausal symptoms as well as improvements in mood and the quality of their lives.
Improved cognitive performance and event-related potential changes following working memory training in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Covey Thomas J , Shucard Janet L , Benedict Ralph HB , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Shucard David W
Published: January 2018

Background

Few studies of cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS) have targeted working memory specifically.

Objective

We examined the effects of n-back working memory training on cognitive performance and brain function in patients with MS.

Methods

Patients with MS ( n = 12) and healthy controls (HC; n = 12) underwent 20 sessions of n-back working memory training. Before and after training (pre- and posttest) cognitive event-related potential (ERP) measures were obtained during a 3-back task. In addition, a battery of cognitive tests was administered.

Results

Following n-back training, both MS patients and HCs showed significant improvement on tests of working memory, processing speed, complex attention, and reasoning ability. MS and HCs also exhibited an enhancement of N2 ERP component amplitude, and earlier N2 and P3 latencies, following n-back training.

Conclusions

Targeted training of working memory with the n-back task may improve cognitive function in MS. Enhancement of N2 ERP component amplitude and shorter N2 and P3 latency following training in patients with MS is consistent with plasticity of neural processes that are involved in working memory.
Recognizing Presymptomatic Type 1 Diabetes in the Workplace
Authors: Giese Karla K.
Published: January 2018

Occupational health clinicians often collect and/or interpret annual wellness biometrics for workers. It is now known that type 1 diabetes can present in stages including presymptomatic/normal glucose, presymptomatic/impaired glucose, and symptomatic/hyperglycemia. A workplace wellness screening case illustrates the concepts, along with background pathophysiology, recommendations for new staging and first degree relative screening, and implications for occupational health nurses.