bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malcolm Malcolmson's Bible: Rival Epistemologies in Bram Stoker's “The Judge's House”
Authors: Reiter Geoffrey
Published: March 2017

“The Judge's House,” one of Dracula author Bram Stoker's best-known works of short fiction, is a horror tale in which Malcolm Malcolmson, a young college student, rents a haunted house to study for his mathematical tripos exams. He finds himself unable to combat the spirit of a dead, malevolent judge, embodied in the form of a rat. Stoker uses this story as a way of dramatizing the inefficacy of pure reason—symbolized in Malcolmson's mathematical studies—as a foundation for epistemology. Instead, the Christian faith—represented by Malcolmson's ancestral Bible—provides him the resources to ward off a distinctly supernatural evil, though he tragically fails to avail himself of this resource.
Memories, Dreams and Selections
Authors: Prickett Stephen
Published: March 2017

This essay addresses a shift in the way religion was approached in the literature of the Romantic period, when religion itself was changing its shape and meaning in quite radical ways. The religious revival of the period was so protean in its forms that it is almost impossible to list all its characteristics. But for many Romantics, this was no revival of 17th-century piety, even though it claimed similar biblical inspiration. This revival was as much aesthetic as devotional. The most potent literary model was no longer classical but biblical. In Blake’s words the Bible was now “The Great Code of Art.” Behind this, however, was a second even more significant factor: a new inwardness. Religious observance was not enough. Nor, even, was evangelical conviction of sin and forgiveness. The religion of the heart was not just one of inspiration but of creativity.
Effect of Discontinuation of Manganese Supplementation From Home Parenteral Nutrition Solutions on Whole‐Blood Levels and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain: A 5‐Year Cohort Study
Authors: Jin Jennifer , Saqui Olivia , Allard Johane P.
Published: March 2017

Background: Manganese (Mn) is included in current premixed multiple trace element (TE) additives for home parenteral nutrition (HPN). However, there is a risk of oversupplementation of Mn due to contamination from PN additives. Oversupplementation can produce Mn toxicity with neurologic symptoms and abnormalities on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In 2009, we reported that whole‐blood Mn levels were above the upper limit of normal in 16 HPN patients, with 81% having MRI findings. Subsequently, we removed Mn supplementation from all our HPN patients. We present a 5‐year follow‐up here. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study on 11 of the surviving 16 patients on HPN. All patients had Mn removed from PN and had yearly monitoring of blood Mn levels. Eight patients had a repeat MRI to evaluate for resolution of basal ganglia deposits. Patient demography, clinical history, and bloodwork were recorded. Results: Five of 6 patients who initially had elevated Mn levels had normal levels on follow‐up. All patients who had Mn levels measured serially had a decrease in levels; the mean percent decrease of Mn was 38.1% (range, 10.1%–53.8%). Two patients had elevated Mn despite the absence of supplementation. Six of 8 patients who had repeat MRIs had complete resolution abnormalities. Conclusions: Removal of Mn as an additive in HPN solutions resulted in resolution of MRI abnormalities in most patients. Over 5 years, all patients except for 1 maintained normal blood Mn levels. Therefore, Mn levels should be monitored and supplementation be individualized.
Boom and bust: Economic voting in Ireland
Authors: Reidy Theresa , Suiter Jane , Breen Michael
Published: March 2017

The global economic crisis presents new challenges for economic voting models. While there is a consensus that economic voting exists, even the most ardent supporters agree that it is a variable force and can only explain a portion of voting behaviour. This article investigates the impact of positive and negative economic performance on voting patterns. The idea that voters are more likely to punish governments for poor economic performance, the grievance asymmetry hypothesis, has found some empirical support, but in their comprehensive review of the economic voting literature, Lewis-Beck and Stegmaier concluded that the evidence of asymmetric economic voting was, at best, mixed. Ireland presents a clear test of the grievance asymmetric economic vote with recent elections taking place against backdrops of some of the highest economic growth rates in the world and then one of the most spectacular economic crashes. We demonstrate that economic shocks matter a great deal; Irish voters like their counterparts elsewhere in crisis hit states are unforgiving. Furthermore, the electoral change at the 2011 election in Ireland was extreme and challenges the consensus that economic voting is a small force.
Recognising hope: US global development discourse and the promise of despair
Authors: Tängh Wrangel Claes
Published: March 2017

Practices of global development have been critiqued for reproducing a notion of the suffering poor as bare life; passive, despairing and devoid of both hope and potentiality. In contrast, this article treats the experience of hope not as external to the governance of underdeveloped life but as a biopolitical technology central to its formation. Reading US President Obama’s call to recognise underdeveloped life as inherently hopeful and potential, this article analyses the biopolitics of development at the moment when the separation between lives on the basis of its capacity for hope is explicitly banished. Emerging from this reading is a troubling paradox, one in which hope and despair enter a zone of indistinction. Encouraged to embody this indistinction, it is argued, is a bare and hopeful form of neoliberal life, a potential yet not sovereign being. Hopeful, but without the capacity to conceive of or to act towards a different future.
Joint dysfunction associated with venous malformations of the limbs: Which patients are at high risk?
Authors: Hu Li , Chen Hui , Yang Xi , Liu Ming , Yan Mengning , Lin Xiaoxi
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Joint dysfunction occurs frequently in patients with venous malformations of the extremities. This study aims to describe the risk factors of joint dysfunction in these patients.

Method

We retrospectively collected clinical and radiological aspects of 168 patients with extremity venous malformations from January 2013 to August 2015. Patients were categorized into “with joint dysfunction” or “without joint dysfunction” groups according to the symptoms.

Results

Forty-four (26%) patients were assigned into with joint dysfunction group. Univariate analysis showed that the significant variables were age (P = 0.008), location (P = 0.005), size (P < 0.001), involved tissue (P < 0.001), visual analogue scale scores of pain (P = 0.004), pain duration (P = 0.018), and therapy history (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with joint dysfunction were age below 10 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.70, P = 0.004), lower limb (adjusted odds ratio = 2.72, P = 0.042), pain duration over 1 year (adjusted odds ratio = 3.47, P = 0.001) and therapy history (yes) (adjusted odds ratio = 3.71, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

This study provides preliminary evidence indicating which patients are at high risk for joint dysfunction associated with limb venous malformations.
Pharmacological agents to reduce readmissions in bipolar disorder
Authors: Rogers Jonathan , Taylor Matthew J
Published: March 2017

It is well recognized that medications have an important role to play in preventing relapse in bipolar disorder. The impact these treatments have on rates of admission to hospital in particular has been less well studied. We combined data on hospitalization from 11 randomized controlled trials in a network meta-analysis. We found that the published evidence demonstrates significant reductions in admission rates compared to placebo from lithium (risk ratio (RR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32–0.59), valproate (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28–0.90), a combination of lithium and valproate (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28–0.90), carbamazepine (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29–0.73) and olanzapine (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.16–0.43). The evidence base contributing to these estimates remains fairly small, leading to broad confidence intervals for estimates of effect. More precise estimates could be obtained if unpublished outcomes data from other trials in this area became available. Several pharmacological treatments appear to be effective at reducing the need for hospital admission in people with bipolar disorder.
Prevalence and patterns of antidepressant switching amongst primary care patients in the UK
Authors: Mars Becky , Heron Jon , Gunnell David , Martin Richard M , Thomas Kyla H , Kessler David
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Non-response to antidepressant treatment is a substantial problem in primary care, and many patients with depression require additional second-line treatments. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and patterns of antidepressant switching in the UK, and identify associated demographic and clinical factors.

Method:

Cohort analysis of antidepressant prescribing data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, a large, anonymised UK primary care database. The sample included 262,844 patients who initiated antidepressant therapy between 1 January 2005 and 31 June 2011.

Results:

9.3% of patients switched to a different antidepressant product, with most switches (60%) occurring within 8 weeks of the index date. The proportion switching was similar for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and other antidepressants (9.3%, 9.8% and 9.2%, respectively). Most switches were to an SSRI (64.5%), and this was the preferred option regardless of initial antidepressant class. Factors predictive of switching included male gender, age, and history of self-harm and psychiatric illness.

Conclusion:

Over one in every 11 patients who initiates antidepressant therapy will switch medication, suggesting that initial antidepressant treatment has been unsatisfactory. Evidence to guide choice of second-line treatment for individual patients is currently limited. Additional research comparing different pharmacological and psychological second-line treatment strategies is required in order to inform guidelines and improve patient outcomes.
Chronic depletion of gonadal testosterone leads to blood–brain barrier dysfunction and inflammation in male mice
Authors: Atallah Afnan , Mhaouty-Kodja Sakina , Grange-Messent Valérie
Published: March 2017

A dysfunction in the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is associated with many neurological and metabolic disorders. Although sex steroid hormones have been shown to impact vascular tone, endothelial function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses, there are still no data on the role of testosterone in the regulation of BBB structure and function. In this context, we investigated the effects of gonadal testosterone depletion on the integrity of capillary BBB and the surrounding parenchyma in male mice. Our results show increased BBB permeability for different tracers and endogenous immunoglobulins in chronically testosterone-depleted male mice. These results were associated with disorganization of tight junction structures shown by electron tomography and a lower amount of tight junction proteins such as claudin-5 and ZO-1. BBB leakage was also accompanied by activation of astrocytes and microglia, and up-regulation of inflammatory molecules such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Supplementation of castrated male mice with testosterone restored BBB selective permeability, tight junction integrity, and almost completely abrogated the inflammatory features. The present demonstration that testosterone transiently impacts cerebrovascular physiology in adult male mice should help gain new insights into neurological and metabolic diseases linked to hypogonadism in men of all ages.
SLAM++-A highly efficient and temporally scalable incremental SLAM framework
Authors: Ila Viorela , Polok Lukas , Solony Marek , Svoboda Pavel
Published: March 2017

The most common way to deal with the uncertainty present in noisy sensorial perception and action is to model the problem with a probabilistic framework. Maximum likelihood estimation is a well-known estimation method used in many robotic and computer vision applications. Under Gaussian assumption, the maximum likelihood estimation converts to a nonlinear least squares problem. Efficient solutions to nonlinear least squares exist and they are based on iteratively solving sparse linear systems until convergence. In general, the existing solutions provide only an estimation of the mean state vector, the resulting covariance being computationally too expensive to recover. Nevertheless, in many simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) applications, knowing only the mean vector is not enough. Data association, obtaining reduced state representations, active decisions and next best view are only a few of the applications that require fast state covariance recovery. Furthermore, computer vision and robotic applications are in general performed online. In this case, the state is updated and recomputed every step and its size is continuously growing, therefore, the estimation process may become highly computationally demanding.

This paper introduces a general framework for incremental maximum likelihood estimation called SLAM++, which fully benefits from the incremental nature of the online applications, and provides efficient estimation of both the mean and the covariance of the estimate. Based on that, we propose a strategy for maintaining a sparse and scalable state representation for large scale mapping, which uses information theory measures to integrate only informative and non-redundant contributions to the state representation. SLAM++ differs from existing implementations by performing all the matrix operations by blocks. This led to extremely fast matrix manipulation and arithmetic operations used in nonlinear least squares. Even though this paper tests SLAM++ efficiency on SLAM problems, its applicability remains general.
Phase estimation for fast action recognition and trajectory generation in human–robot collaboration
Authors: Maeda Guilherme , Ewerton Marco , Neumann Gerhard , Lioutikov Rudolf , Peters Jan
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a method to achieve fast and fluid human–robot interaction by estimating the progress of the movement of the human. The method allows the progress, also referred to as the phase of the movement, to be estimated even when observations of the human are partial and occluded; a problem typically found when using motion capture systems in cluttered environments. By leveraging on the framework of Interaction Probabilistic Movement Primitives, phase estimation makes it possible to classify the human action, and to generate a corresponding robot trajectory before the human finishes his/her movement. The method is therefore suited for semi-autonomous robots acting as assistants and coworkers. Since observations may be sparse, our method is based on computing the probability of different phase candidates to find the phase that best aligns the Interaction Probabilistic Movement Primitives with the current observations. The method is fundamentally different from approaches based on Dynamic Time Warping that must rely on a consistent stream of measurements at runtime. The resulting framework can achieve phase estimation, action recognition and robot trajectory coordination using a single probabilistic representation. We evaluated the method using a seven-degree-of-freedom lightweight robot arm equipped with a five-finger hand in single and multi-task collaborative experiments. We compare the accuracy achieved by phase estimation with our previous method based on dynamic time warping.
Virtuous power: Ethics, Confucianism, and Psychological self-help in China
Authors: Yang Jie
Published: March 2017

This article examines a genre of psychological self-help in China that deploys Confucian ethics to address social, moral, and psychological distress. Within this genre, a branch of what is called “third force” self-help, which attempts to overcome an ambiguous “third state” between health and illness, advocates encourage individuals to cultivate a form of virtuous power that emanates from the heart, seen as the basis of cognition, virtue, and bodily sensation. The heart has the freedom to imagine and act but also constrains such freedom. It constitutes the moral core necessary for achieving equanimity, a state of equilibrium in which one is not shaken by external disturbances and spontaneous bodily reactions are regulated by high moral reflection. This third force self-help uses heart-based Confucian ethics not only to help individuals cope with socioeconomic changes, but also, I argue, to constrain direct opposition to the causes of those changes by translating structural inequalities into ethical and moral issues. I suggest that this virtuous power serves government interests. The emphasis on Confucian ethics humanizes market competition and biologizes individual and family responsibility for care, legitimizing both class stratification and the family as a provider of social welfare.
Adaptive Designs for Non-inferiority Trials with Multiple Experimental Treatments
Authors: Xu Wenfu , Hu Feifang , Cheung Siu Hung
Published: March 2017

The increase in the popularity of non-inferiority clinical trials represents the increasing need to search for substitutes for some reference (standard) treatments. A new treatment would be preferred to the standard treatment if the benefits of adopting it outweigh a possible clinically insignificant reduction in treatment efficacy (non-inferiority margin). Statistical procedures have recently been developed for treatment comparisons in non-inferiority clinical trials that have multiple experimental (new) treatments. An ethical concern for non-inferiority trials is that some patients undergo the less effective treatments; this problem is more serious when multiple experimental treatments are included in a balanced trial in which the sample sizes are the same for all experimental treatments. With the aim of giving fewer patients the inferior treatments, we propose a response-adaptive treatment allocation scheme that is based on the doubly adaptive biased coin design. The proposed adaptive design is also shown to be superior to the balanced design in terms of testing power.
Effectuation and Valuation: Cannabis & Glass
Authors: Sugheir Jeffrey S. , Neupert Kent E.
Published: March 2017

The state-legalized marijuana industries in the United States, both medical and recreational, are providing entrepreneurs and investors with remarkable growth opportunities, albeit with some serious business risks and challenges. This case study provides an overview of the developing industry based on the third state to approve the sale and use of recreational marijuana and a couple of young entrepreneurs’ new retail venture. Consideration of a substantial offer to buy their business forces the valuation of their largely effectual results, and consideration of alternatives .
Drawing listener attention in popular music: Testing five musical features arising from the theory of attention economy
Authors: Léveillé Gauvin Hubert
Published: March 2017

Technological changes in the last 30 years have influenced the way we consume music, not only granting immediate access to a much larger collection of songs than ever before, but also allowing us to instantly skip songs. This new reality can be explained in terms of attention economy, which posits that attention is the currency of the information age, since it is both scarce and valuable. The purpose of these two studies is to examine whether popular music compositional practices have changed in the last 30 years in a way that is consistent with attention economy principles. In the first study, 303 U.S. top-10 singles from 1986 to 2015 were analyzed according to five parameters: number of words in title, main tempo, time before the voice enters, time before the title is mentioned, and self-focus in lyrical content. The results revealed that popular music has been changing in a way that favors attention grabbing, consistent with attention economy principles. In the second study, 60 popular songs from 2015 were paired with 60 less popular songs from the same artists. The same parameters were evaluated. The data were not consistent with any of the hypotheses regarding the relationship between attention economy principles within a comparison of popular and less popular music.
The Impact of Health-Related User Interface Sounds on Player Experience
Authors: Robb James , Garner Tom , Collins Karen , Nacke Lennart E.
Published: March 2017

Background. Understanding how sound functions on informational and emotional levels within video games is critical to understanding player experience of games. User interface sounds, such as player-character health, are a pivotal component of gameplay across many video game genres, yet have not been studied in detail.

Method. To address this research gap in user interface sounds, we present two studies: The first study examines the impact of the presence or absence of player-health sounds on player experience. The second study explores the impact of the types of sound used to indicate player health. We use mixed methods with qualitative and physiological measures.

Results. Our results reveal that despite the presence of visual cues, sound is still important to game design for conveying health-related information and that the type of sound affects player experience.
Patient and Provider Characteristics Associated With Optimal Post-Fracture Osteoporosis Management
Authors: Boytsov Natalie N. , Crawford Albert G. , Hazel-Fernandez Leslie Ann , McAna John F. , Nair Radhika , Saundankar Vishal , Varga Stefan , Yang Fan Emily
Published: March 2017

Despite an estimated 2 million osteoporosis (OP)-related fractures annually, quality of care for post-fracture OP management remains low. This study aimed to identify patient and provider characteristics associated with achieving or not achieving optimal post-fracture OP management, as defined by the current HEDIS quality measure. The study included women 67 to 85 years of age, with ≥1 fracture, and continuous enrollment in a Humana insurance plan. The study identified a higher percentage of black women in the not achieved group (6.2% vs 5.4%; P < .0001) and Hispanic women in the achieved group (3.0% vs 1.3%; P < .0001). The not achieved group largely included patients residing in the South and urban and suburban areas. The majority of providers were primary care or OP-related specialty, and 66% did not achieve the 4-star OP rating. The study findings can guide development of predictive models to identify at-risk women to improve post-fracture OP management.
Rare “Inverted” Verrucous Carcinoma (Carcinoma Cuniculatum) of the Sacrogluteal Region: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: McArdle David John Tobias , McArdle John Patrick , Lee Frances , Mignanelli Emilio Dino
Published: March 2017

A 49-year-old woman with a past history of several infundibular cysts in the head and neck region presented with a 6-month history of a nonhealing perianal abscess on a background of 13 years of chronic sacral-buttock abscesses and discharging sinuses as part of hidradenitis suppurativa. After 2 surgical procedures and inadequate healing, a wide local excision was performed. The surgical specimen revealed an extensive, infiltrating, cystic and deeply penetrating, dermal and subcutaneous neoplasm with multiple fistulous tracts extending to the skin surface. The histopathology was consistent with carcinoma cuniculatum, a rare, slow growing, verucciform variant of squamous cell carcinoma. An entirely subcutaneous verrucous carcinoma of the sacrogluteal region is exceptionally rare, and this represents the first documentation of such a case in a female.
Multi-frequency excitation of microbeams supported by Winkler and Pasternak foundations
Authors: Saadatnia Zia , Askari Hassan , Esmailzadeh Ebrahim
Published: March 2017

The multi-frequency excitation of a microbeam, resting on a nonlinear foundation, is investigated and the governing equation of motion of the microbeam system is developed. The viscoelastic-type foundation is considered by assuming nonlinear parameters for both Pasternak and Winkler coefficients. The well-known Galerkin approach is utilized to discretize the governing equation of motion and to obtain its nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The multiple time-scales method is employed to study the multi-frequency excitation of the microbeam. Furthermore, the resonant conditions due to the external excitation as well as the combination resonances for the first two modes are investigated. The influences of different parameters, namely the Pasternak and Winkler coefficients, the position of the applied force and the geometrical factors on the frequency response of the system are examined.
Assessing Physical Activity Levels in Filipino Americans With Hypertension Using the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire
Authors: Angosta Alona D. , Serafica Reimund
Published: March 2017

Regular physical activity decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Little research has been conducted among Filipino Americans about their level of physical activity. Using the validated Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire, we examined the activity level of Filipino Americans ( N = 108) from the southwest region of the United States and compared the findings with national physical activity guidelines. The sample mean age was 65 years, 98% were born in the Philippines, 31% had some college education, 71% were married, and 40% had incomes less than $25,000. The mean blood pressure was 140/85 mmHg. The mean score for physical activity level was 5 (max. score 7) and for strength and flexibility 1 (max. score 3), which is less than the recommended guidelines. Lifestyle strategies to increase physical activity and reduce obesity and hypertension in this high-risk, understudied population are warranted.
ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension in Cats
Authors: Taylor Samantha S , Sparkes Andrew H , Briscoe Katherine , Carter Jenny , Sala Salva Cervantes , Jepson Rosanne E , Reynolds Brice S , Scansen Brian A
Published: March 2017

Practical relevance:

Feline hypertension is a common disease in older cats that is frequently diagnosed in association with other diseases such as chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (so-called secondary hypertension), although some cases of apparent primary hypertension are also reported. The clinical consequences of hypertension can be severe, related to ‘target organ damage’ (eye, heart and vasculature, brain and kidneys), and early diagnosis followed by appropriate therapeutic management should help reduce the morbidity associated with this condition.

Clinical challenges:

Despite being a common disease, routine blood pressure (BP) monitoring is generally performed infrequently, probably leading to underdiagnosis of feline hypertension in clinical practice. There is a need to: (i) ensure BP is measured as accurately as possible with a reproducible technique; (ii) identify and monitor patients at risk of developing hypertension; (iii) establish appropriate criteria for therapeutic intervention; and (iv) establish appropriate therapeutic targets. Based on current data, amlodipine besylate is the treatment of choice to manage feline hypertension and is effective in the majority of cats, but the dose needed to successfully manage hypertension varies between individuals. Some cats require long-term adjuvant therapy and, occasionally, additional therapy is necessary for emergency management of hypertensive crises.

Evidence base:

These Guidelines from the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) are based on a comprehensive review of the currently available literature, and are aimed at providing practical recommendations to address the challenges of feline hypertension for veterinarians. There are many areas where more data is required which, in the future, will serve to confirm or modify some of the recommendations in these Guidelines.
Performative narcissism: When organizations are made successful, admirable, and unique through narcissistic work
Authors: Crevani Lucia , Hallin Anette
Published: March 2017

Dramatic stories of corporate crises appear in newspapers and magazines all over the world; one explanation offered by scholars has been that the affected organization suffered (literally) from narcissism. As responsible, ethical, non-narcissistic behavior is claimed to be crucial for management, the purpose of this article is to advance our knowledge about narcissism in organizations by developing an understanding of which organizational work enacts organizations as successful, admired, and unique. The dominant use of narcissism as a pathological condition limits the possibility to learn about organizing processes since it provides simplistic explanations. By introducing the notion of performative narcissism, we re-focus attention from the pathological condition of organizations to potentially pervasive organizational practices. Thus, we see that narcissistic work is a sociomaterial process not limited to organizational borders, but connecting and enrolling people, artifacts, animals, and places into mutually dependent, shifting, and composite assemblages that emerge through practices reproducing the organization as successful and unique.
An update of the Italian Stroke Organization–Stroke Prevention Awareness Diffusion Group guidelines on carotid endarterectomy and stenting: A personalized medicine approach
Authors: Lanza Gaetano , Setacci Carlo , Ricci Stefano , Castelli Patrizio , Cremonesi Alberto , Lanza Jessica , Novali Claudio , Pratesi Carlo , Santalucia Paola , Speziale Francesco , Zaninelli Augusto , Gensini Gian Franco
Published: March 2017

Although proof-based medicine has generated much valid evidence for the drawing up of guidelines and recommendations for best clinical practice in symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis, whether and when it is better to employ endarterectomy or stenting as the intervention of choice still remain matters of debate. Moreover, guidelines have been targeted up to now to the ‘representative’ patient, as resulting from the statistical analyses of the studies conducted on the safety and efficacy of both interventions as well as on medical therapy alone. The Italian Stroke Organization (ISO) and Stroke Prevention and Awareness Diffusion (SPREAD) group has thus decided to update its statements for an 8th edition. To this end, a multidisciplinary team of authors representing Italian scientific societies in the neurology, neuroradiology, vascular and endovascular surgery, interventional cardiology, and general medicine fields re-examined the literature available on stroke. Analyses and considerations on patient subgroups have allowed to model the risks/benefits of endarterectomy and stenting in the individual. Accordingly, the guideline's original methodology has been revised to follow the new SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network) Grade-like approach, integrating it with new considerations on Precision, or Personalized Medicine. Therefore, this guideline offers recommendations on precision medicine for the single patient, and can be followed in addition to the more standard guidelines.
Mobilizing master narratives through categorical narratives and categorical statements when default identities are at stake
Authors: Van De Mieroop Dorien , Miglbauer Marlene , Chatterjee Abha
Published: March 2017

In research interviews, interviewees are usually well aware of why they were selected, and in their narratives they often construct ‘default identities’ in line with the interviewers’ expectations. Furthermore, narrators draw on shared cultural knowledge and master narratives that tend to form an implicit backdrop of their stories. Yet in this article we focus on how some of these master narratives may be mobilized explicitly when default identities are at stake. In particular, we investigate interviews with successful female professionals from diverse geographical contexts. We found that the interviewees deal with challenges to their ‘successful professional’ identities by drawing on categorical narratives or categorical statements. As such, the interviewees talk into being a morally ordered gendered worldview, thus making explicit gendered master narratives about their societies and workplaces. In general, this article shows that categorical narratives and statements can bring (the typically rather elusive) master narratives to the surface and that these can thus contribute to the narrators’ identity work.
Complementary and alternative interventions for fatigue management after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review
Authors: Xu Gang-Zhu , Li Yan-Feng , Wang Mao-De , Cao Dong-Yuan
Published: March 2017

Background:

We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of complementary and alternative interventions for fatigue after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods:

We searched multiple online sources including ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Library database, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, the Web of Science, AMED, PsychINFO, Toxline, ProQuest Digital Dissertations, PEDro, PsycBite, and the World Health Organization (WHO) trial registry, in addition to hand searching of grey literature. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed using the Jadad scale, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. A descriptive review was performed.

Results:

Ten RCTs of interventions for post-TBI fatigue (PTBIF) that included 10 types of complementary and alternative interventions were assessed in our study. There were four types of physical interventions including aquatic physical activity, fitness-center-based exercise, Tai Chi, and aerobic training. The three types of cognitive and behavioral interventions (CBIs) were cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and computerized working-memory training. The Flexyx Neurotherapy System (FNS) and cranial electrotherapy were the two types of biofeedback therapy, and finally, one type of light therapy was included. Although the four types of intervention included aquatic physical activity, MBSR, computerized working-memory training and blue-light therapy showed unequivocally effective results, the quality of evidence was low/very low according to the GRADE system.

Conclusions:

The present systematic review of existing RCTs suggests that aquatic physical activity, MBSR, computerized working-memory training, and blue-light therapy may be beneficial treatments for PTBIF. Due to the many flaws and limitations in these studies, further controlled trials using these interventions for PTBIF are necessary.
Propositional Versus Dual-Process Accounts of Evaluative Conditioning
Authors: Hu Xiaoqing , Gawronski Bertram , Balas Robert
Published: March 2017

Evaluative conditioning (EC) is defined as the change in the evaluation of a conditioned stimulus (CS) due to its pairing with a valenced unconditioned stimulus (US). Expanding on the debate between dual-process and propositional accounts, two studies investigated the relative effectiveness of counter-conditioning and counter-instructions in reversing EC effects on implicit and explicit evaluations. After conditioned evaluations were acquired via CS-US pairings, participants were either (1) presented with repeated CS-US pairings of the opposite valence or (2) given instructions that the CSs will be paired with USs of the opposite valence. Although both procedures reversed previously conditioned explicit evaluations, only directly experienced CS-US pairings reversed previously conditioned implicit evaluations. The findings question the functional equivalence of counter-conditioning and counter-instructions hypothesized by single-process propositional accounts. Yet, they support dual-process accounts, suggesting that associative and propositional processes jointly contribute to EC effects.
Pacemaker leads and cardiac perforation
Authors: Vanezis Andrew Peter , Prasad Rachana , Andrews Richard
Published: March 2017

This case series highlights the rare but potentially life threatening complication of ventricular perforation caused by pacemaker leads and discusses appropriate investigations and management strategies.
Does the model of additive effect in placebo research still hold true? A narrative review
Authors: Boehm Katja , Berger Bettina , Weger Ulrich , Heusser Peter
Published: March 2017

Personalised and contextualised care has been turned into a major demand by people involved in healthcare suggesting to move toward person-centred medicine. The assessment of person-centred medicine can be most effectively achieved if treatments are investigated using ‘with versus without’ person-centredness or integrative study designs. However, this assumes that the components of an integrative or person-centred intervention have an additive relationship to produce the total effect. Beecher’s model of additivity assumes an additive relation between placebo and drug effects and is thus presenting an arithmetic summation. So far, no review has been carried out assessing the validity of the additive model, which is to be questioned and more closely investigated in this review.

Initial searches for primary studies were undertaken in July 2016 using Pubmed and Google Scholar. In order to find matching publications of similar magnitude for the comparison part of this review, corresponding matches for all included reviews were sought.

A total of 22 reviews and 3 clinical and experimental studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The results pointed to the following factors actively questioning the additive model: interactions of various effects, trial design, conditioning, context effects and factors, neurobiological factors, mechanism of action, statistical factors, intervention-specific factors (alcohol, caffeine), side-effects and type of intervention.

All but one of the closely assessed publications was questioning the additive model. A closer examination of study design is necessary. An attempt in a more systematic approach geared towards solutions could be a suggestion for future research in this field.
Associations Between Fluid Balance and Outcomes in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Alobaidi Rashid , Morgan Catherine , Basu Rajit K. , Stenson Erin , Featherstone Robin , Majumdar Sumit R. , Bagshaw Sean M.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Fluid therapy is a mainstay during the resuscitation of critically ill children. After initial stabilization, excessive fluid accumulation may lead to complications of fluid overload, which has been independently associated with increased risk for mortality and major morbidity in critically ill children.

Objectives:

Perform an evidence synthesis to describe the methods used to measure fluid balance, define fluid overload, and evaluate the association between fluid balance and outcomes in critically ill children.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Measurements:

Fluid balance, fluid accumulation, and fluid overload as defined by authors.

Methods:

We will search Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest, Dissertations and Theses. In addition, we will search www.clinicaltrials.gov , World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and the proceedings of selected key conferences for ongoing and completed studies. Search strategy will be done in consultation with a research librarian. Clinical trials and observational studies (from database inception to present) in patients (<25 years) admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) reporting fluid balance, fluid accumulation, or fluid overload, and associated outcomes will be included. Language will not be restricted. Two reviewers will independently screen studies and extract data. Primary outcome is mortality, and secondary outcomes encompass critical care resource utilization. Quality of evidence and risk of bias will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results will be synthesized qualitatively and pooled for meta-analysis if possible.

Limitations:

Quality of the included studies; lack of randomized trials; high degrees of expected heterogeneity; and variations in definitions of fluid balance and fluid overload between studies.

Conclusion:

We will comprehensively appraise and summarize the evidence of the association between fluid balance and outcomes in critically ill children, and in doing so attempt to harmonize definitions related to fluid balance, accumulation, and overload.

Systematic review registration:

PROSPERO: CRD42016036209.
Results of Arthroscopic Treatment in Unresolved Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Athletes
Authors: Circi Esra , Beyzadeoglu Tahsin
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is common causes of knee pain in adolescent. Most patients respond to conservative treatment. However surgical treatment has been recommended for unresolved OSD. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of arthroscopic ossicle excision in athletes with unresolved OSD.

Methods:

Between September 2008 and November 2014, arthroscopy was performed 11 knees of 11 patients with OSD. The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery with more than one year follow-up after surgery. Patients have a documented history of OSD with refractory pain over the tibial tubercle for a mean of 15.5 months (range, 7 to 24 months; SD, 7.5 months). The mean age was 23 years (range, 19 to 29 years; SD, 2.8 years). The mean follow-up period was 66.1 months (range, 15 to 96 months; SD, 25.6 months).

Results:

The mean return the sports activities after the surgery was 6.7 weeks (range 5 to 9 weeks; SD 1.3 weeks). The mean Kujala patellofemoral score improved from 82.9 (range 80 to 88 points; SD 2.6) preoperatively to 98.5 (range 96 to 100 points; SD 1.6) at final follow-up (p<0.01).In addition, the mean Lysholm knee scale was 87.5 (range 86 to 90 points; SD 1.7) in the preoperative period and increased to 96.9 (range 94 to 100 points; SD 2.5) at final follow-up(p<0.01). The mean Tegner activity level was 7.5 (range 6 to 8; SD 0.9) in the preoperative period and increased to 8.5 (range 7 to 9; SD 0.9) after surgery (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

We investigated the functional outcomes after arthroscopic treatment of unresolved OSD in athletes. In the all athletes, the arthroscopic treatment of OSD yielded satisfactory functional recovery. No postoperative complication were located. All patients were able to return the same level athletic activity. Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. Key terms: Osgood-Schlatter disease, athletes, knee arthroscopy, ununited ossicle
The effects of Kinesio Tape application with different verbal input given to with patients with rotator cuff tear
Authors: Akbaba Yıldız Analay , Mutlu Ebru Kaya , Altun Süleyman , Gümüşoğlu Gözde , Çelik Derya
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

Rototor cuff tears are most common of shoulder pain.and functional limitations. Kinesio tape (KT) are frequently used in the conservative treatment of shoulder pathology. Even if some studies showed that KT is effective on pain, we think that it is due to positive thoughts of the patients about KT. The aim of the study to investigate the effectiveness KT aplication with different verbal inputs on pain, function and range of motion (ROM) on patient with rotator cuff tear.

Materials-Methods:

97 patients (Group 1, n=32; Group 2, n=33, Group 3, n=32) were randomized into 3 groups according to verbal input given to patients about the effectiveness of KT; Group 1 (it has been limited evidence of KT is effective), Group 2 (it has been not known that KT is effective or not), Group 3 (it has been known that KT has excellent result). The same standard KT was applied to 3 groups. The rest, night and pain in activity were assessed by VAS before, after 30 min and 24 hours after KT application. ROM assessed by goniometer and the function was evaluated by Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and ASES before and 24 hours of KT application. Minimal clinically important difference and effective were calculated for the assessments used in the study.

Results:

Demographic variables were not different between groups. Resting pain did not change in Group 1 and Group 2 (pË‚0,05), however all pain parameters was significantly reduced in Group 3 (p = 0.001). Intra-group changes of ROM were not significant in all groups. DASH and ASES were significantly improved only Group 2 and 3. However, there were not significant different in terms of VAS, ROM, DASH and ASES among three groups (pËƒ0,05). The effect size was found in only positive verbal given group (Group 3) higher than the other groups, but the effect size was found very low.

Conclusions:

According to our result, KT application with positive input was found effective on pain and function. However effect size was very weak. In addition this improvement was not clinically significant.
The clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic versus arthroscopy assisted mini-open repair of rotator cuff tears
Authors: Özcan Muhammed Sefa , Sezer Hasan Basri , Eren Osman Tuğrul , Armağan Raffi , Kanar Muharrem
Published: March 2017

In this study we reported retrospectively the comperative clinical and radiological results of the two most common surgical procedures in rotator cuff tear repair of shoulder, the golden standart arthroscopic and alternative arthroscopically assisted mini-open surgery. We included 58 patients who admitted to our clinic for rotator cuff tear and treated surgically between january 2013 and august 2015. The two groups were composed of arthroscopically treated 29 patients and 29 patients who were treated with arthroscopically assisted mini open surgery. The arthroscopy group included 18 females and 11 males, the mini-open group included 10 females and 19 males. The mean age was 56,0 (39,0-73,0) years, in arthroscopic and 55,0 (40,0-70,0) years in mini-open surgery group. 6 patients in the arthroscopy group(20,7%) and 10 patients in the mini-open group(34,5%) were defining trauma before the beginning of their complaints. The postoperative follow up was 28,9 months in arthroscopy group and 22,6 months in the mini-open surgery group. Preoperative physical or medical treatments were documented. Any additional surgical procedures like biceps long head tenotomy, subacromial decompression and bursectomy were also noted. Patients were evaluated with ASES and Constant shoulder scales before and after the surgery. Patients were evaluated radiologically with MRI at the last follow up for healing and tendon quality. The type 2 acromion was the dominant in both groups constituting the 44,8% of the total number of patients. 24 (82,8%)patients in the arthroscopically treated patients and 18(62,1%) patients in the mini-open group were undergone at least one of the additional surgical treatments. The mean length of the surgical scar was 3,4(3-5) cm in mini open group. None of the patients complained of the surgical scar. 16 patients in the arthroscopy group and 17 patients in the mini-open group had supraspinatus tendon pathology(either tear or degeneration) in the MRI control at the last follow up. Postoperative pain was present in 1 patient in each group who were classified as bad result. There was no statistically meaningful difference between two groups in terms of clinical or radiological results. In conclusion the arthroscopy assisted mini-open surgery may be a useful tool in hands of training surgeons to prevent ineffective treatment of rotator cuff tears.