bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marital Functioning in Couples Practicing Periodic Abstinence for Family Planning
Authors: Barroilhet Sergio , Señoret Camila , Mallea Ximena , Fritsch Rosemarie , Vöhringer Paul , Arraztoa José-Antonio
Published: April 2018

Objective:

To compare dyadic (marital) functioning between users of natural family planning (NFP) and users of artificial methods of contraception (AMC).

Method:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthy, over eighteen-year-old couples living in stable relationships recruited from primary and secondary health centers in Santiago, Chile. Participants were assessed using a structured interview on sociodemographic and sexual aspects. Primary outcome, marital functioning, was studied using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS).

Results:

One hundred and thirty-eight couples were studied, sixty-nine in each user group. Both groups had a similar average time living together (124.3 vs. 126.9 months). DAS results were consistent with functional couples in both groups, but on average, the NFP group had a significantly higher DAS score than AMC. After controlling for age, socioeconomic status, time in the relationship, and religious commitment in multivariable analysis, the NFP group had a 47 percent (odds ratio = 1.47) greater possibility of having a functional marital score above the cutoff (DAS > 114) when compared with the AMC group. The AMC group reported more frequency of sexual intercourse but similar sexual satisfaction. Most (>60 percent) of the NFP couples mentioned that their methods improved their relationship.

Conclusion:

There are sociodemographic differences between both groups, explained partly by unequal access to NFP centers. Both groups have DAS scores within functional range, but NFP users have a higher probability of being in that functional range. This study of mentally and emotionally healthy couples highlights the importance of family planning methods on intimate relationships. Summary Marital functioning is affected by family planning methods. A structured interview and a specific inventory to address conjugal functioning were applied to a group of healthy couples who live in stable relationships and are users of natural family planning (NFP) or artificial methods of contraception (AMC). The results were consistent with functional couples in both groups, but on average, the NFP group had a significantly higher score than the AMC group. The use of NFP explained this difference. This study of mentally and emotionally healthy couples highlights the importance of family planning methods on intimate relationships.
Empathy Intervention to Reduce Implicit Bias in Pre-Service Teachers
Authors: Whitford Denise K. , Emerson Andrea M.
Published: April 2018

There have been long-term concerns regarding discriminatory discipline practices used with culturally and linguistically diverse students, with little research on the impact teacher-centered empathy interventions may have on this population. This randomized pretest–posttest control group design investigates the ability of a brief empathy-inducing intervention to improve the implicit bias of pre-service teachers, as measured by the Implicit Association Test. We found the empathy intervention statistically significant at decreasing the implicit bias of White female pre-service teachers toward Black individuals ( F = 7.55, η2 = 0.22, p = 0.01). Implications and future research are discussed, including extended intervention periods.
Foucault and Industrial Schools in Ireland: Subtly Disciplining or Dominating through Brutality?
Authors: Pembroke Sinéad
Published: April 2018

Industrial Schools run by Catholic Religious Orders in Ireland were a form of institutionalised child-welfare that incarcerated children in need for most of the 20th century. During the last decade, Industrial Schools were one of the most controversial elements of Ireland’s recent history; the abuse scandal associated with such places has led to a state apology, the setting up of an inquiry and redress process, with its final report (the Ryan Report), published in 2009. Although a fast growing literature exists on Industrial Schools, they do not analyse the precise nature of the regime inside these institutions. This article contributes to understandings of Foucault by looking at the regime and practices imposed on children incarcerated in Industrial Schools in Ireland in the 20th century, and exploring why they were used. Twenty-five interviews were conducted with male and female Industrial School survivors and analysed using a grounded theory approach.
Production and politics in Chinese television
Authors: Zeng Wenna , Sparks Colin
Published: April 2018

Political pressure and censorship are unavoidable conditions for producing an entertainment show in Chinese TV. The relationships between a production team and the government are, however, extremely complex. Based on participant observation in a TV channel and in-depth interviews with related television professionals, this article analyses the tensions between production and politics in Chinese television. The article argues that a centralized and top-down model fails to capture all the aspects of power relations in television production. A more productive starting point is that television production necessarily involves negotiation between different participants. This article analyses relations between the production team, the central broadcasting authorities and local governments. The production team in this case study utilized different strategies to negotiate with multiple levels of government.
A “U-Shaped” Pattern of Immigrants’ Occupational Careers? A Comparative Analysis of Italy, Spain, and France
Authors: Fellini Ivana , Guetto Raffaele
Published: April 2018

The international literature hypothesized a “U-shaped” pattern of immigrants’ occupational trajectories from origin to destination countries due to the imperfect transferability of human capital. However, empirical evidence supporting this hypothesis is available only in single-country studies and for “old,” Anglo-Saxon migration countries with deregulated labor markets. This article compares Italy, Spain, and France, providing evidence that the more segmented the labor market, the higher immigrants’ occupational downgrade on arrival, independently from skills transferability and other individual characteristics. Paradoxically, the more segmented the labor market, the more important the acquisition of host-country specific human capital for subsequent upward mobility.
The Effects of State Delinquent Tax Collection Outsourcing on Administrative Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Procedural Fairness
Authors: Jang Sungkyu , Eger Robert J.
Published: April 2018

Since the 1980s, state governments have been using private debt collection agencies as facilitators and expediters in the delinquent tax collection process. The use of private collection agencies incorporates administrative effectiveness, efficiency, and procedural fairness, which can lead to an increase in revenues without affecting either the tax base or rate while protecting taxpayers. Using state-level panel data for the years 2000 to 2011, the administrative effectiveness outcome is that private collectors do not reduce the aggregate delinquent tax inventory, but the administrative efficiency outcome is that private collectors reduce collection cost. For procedural fairness, private collectors have a positive effect on the number of tax appeals filed in a state tax department with a Republican governor; however, they decrease the number of tax appeals filed with an outside-independent tax appeal agency.
(Re-)writing markets: Law and contested payment geographies
Authors: Potts Shaina
Published: April 2018

While many emphasize the supposed frictionlessness and instantaneity of global financial flows, economic geographers have done important work placing globalization in concrete practices and spaces. Yet, cross-border payment transactions, which are constitutive of transnational markets, remain understudied. In this paper, I use creditor litigation against Argentina as a lens through which to explore material geographies of transnational financial payments. This litigation sheds light on the fundamental role of law (especially US common law) in structuring most major payment transactions today. Payment “flows” are not continuous at all, but rather legally divided into discrete spatial segments—and remapping these divisions, via litigation, has become a focal point of struggle between creditors and debtors, as well as among financiers. Fierce debates over contracts and their interpretation have been central in these battles. Furthermore, these financial geographies remain inextricably entangled not only with business actors, but with legal and political actors as well—law anchors economic geographies in state spaces and (often contradictory) state interests at a variety of scales.
A case of secondary syphilis with pulmonary involvement and review of the literature
Authors: Visuttichaikit Suttichai , Suwantarat Nuntra , Apisarnthanarak Anucha , Damronglerd Pansachee
Published: April 2018

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum. We report a case of a heterosexual, HIV-positive man who presented with secondary syphilis and a lung abscess. A bacterial lung abscess was suspected and a computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle aspiration of the lung abscess was performed. Direct pulmonary involvement by T. pallidum was suggested by a positive PCR result on the aspirated fluid specimen. The clinical signs of secondary syphilis improved, and the lung abscess was resolved after treatment with benzathine penicillin G and amoxicillin-clavulanate. The final diagnosis was secondary pulmonary syphilis. Few reports of secondary syphilis with pulmonary involvement have been reported to date.
Feeling Is Believing: Inspiration Encourages Belief in God
Authors: Critcher Clayton R. , Lee Chan Jean
Published: April 2018

Even without direct evidence of God’s existence, about half of the world’s population believes in God. Although previous research has found that people arrive at such beliefs intuitively instead of analytically, relatively little research has aimed to understand what experiences encourage or legitimate theistic belief systems. Using cross-cultural correlational and experimental methods, we investigated whether the experience of inspiration encourages a belief in God. Participants who dispositionally experience more inspiration, were randomly assigned to relive or have an inspirational experience, or reported such experiences to be more inspirational all showed stronger belief in God. These effects were specific to inspiration (instead of adjacent affective experiences) and a belief in God (instead of other empirically unverifiable claims). Being inspired by someone or something (but not inspired to do something) offers a spiritually transcendent experience that elevates belief in God, in part because it makes people feel connected to something beyond themselves.
Aesthetic as genetic: The epistemological violence of gaydar research
Authors: Vasilovsky Alexander T.
Published: April 2018

In recent years, “gaydar” has come under increasing scientific scrutiny. Gaydar researchers have found that we can accurately judge sexual orientation at better than chance levels from various nonverbal cues. Why they could find what they did is typically chalked up to gender inverted phenotypic variations in craniofacial structure that distinguish homosexuals. This interpretation of gaydar data (the “hegemonic interpretation”) maintains a construction of homosexuality as both a “natural kind” and an “entitative” category. As a result, culturally and historically contingent markers of homosexuality are naturalized under the guise of gaydar. Of significant relevance to this article’s critique of gaydar research is that the hegemonic interpretation is presented as politically advantageous for LGB people by its authors, an undertheorized assumption that risks sanctioning an epistemological violence with unfortunate, demobilizing sociopolitical consequences. This critique is contextualized within current debates regarding intimate/sexual citizenship and advocates, instead, for a queer political ethic that considers such cultural erasure to be politically untenable.
Osmangazi University score to reduce ionizing radiation in renal colic patients in emergency department
Authors: Baseskioglu Barbaros , Ozakin Engin , Dolgun Hakan , Arslan Ebubekir , Acar Nurdan , Bilgin Muzaffer , Colak Ertugrul
Published: April 2018

Objective:

Computerized tomography remains the gold standard imaging in renal colic patients. In this study, we develop a scoring system to select patients in emergency department for unnecessary computerized tomography imaging in order to decrease radiation exposure.

Methods:

Computerized tomography imaging of patients with renal colic in emergency department were retrospectively reviewed. Symptoms, laboratory results were recorded. Significant parameters were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Coefficients were found to obtain score points and receiver operating curve was used to find a cut-off value.

Results:

A total of 123 patients with a mean age of 42 years (18–75 years) were enrolled in the study. About, 20.3% of patients were stone-free in computerized tomography. Mean stone size was 6.1 ± 1.89 mm. According to analysis, four parameters were significant; nausea, stone history, creatinine, and hematuria with a total score 9 called as Osmangazi University STONE score. Cut-off value was found as >3, which computerized tomography imaging is recommended.

Conclusion:

Osmangazi University STONE score is useful and simple tool in emergency department to reduce unnecessary computerized tomography imaging in renal colic patients and also lowers cost and ionizing radiation exposure.
Facilitating Home Hospice Transitions of Care in Oncology: Evaluation of Clinical Pharmacists’ Interventions, Hospice Program Satisfaction, and Patient Representation Rates
Authors: Duffy Alison P. , Bemben Nina M. , Li Jueli , Trovato James
Published: April 2018

Background:

The importance of medication reconciliation and the pharmacist’s role within the interdisciplinary team at the point of transition to home hospice is understudied. A transitions of care pilot initiative was developed to streamline the transition for patients at end of life from inpatient cancer center care to home hospice. The initiative consisted of using a hospice discharge checklist, pharmacist-led discharge medication reconciliation in consultation with the primary team responsible for inpatient care, review of discharge prescriptions, and facilitation of bedside delivery of discharge medications.

Methods:

This was a single-center, prospective, pilot initiative. The objectives of this study were to characterize pharmacist interventions at the time of transition, to assess changes in hospice organizations’ perceptions of discharge readiness, and to evaluate differences in representation rates with the implementation of the pilot discharge process.

Results:

Fifteen patients in the preimplementation period and 12 patients in the postimplementation period were included. One hundred eleven pharmacist interventions were captured, an average of 9.3 interventions per patient, with an acceptance rate of 82.9% by providers. There was a statistically significant ( P = .035) improvement in hospice organizations’ perceptions of discharge readiness. There was no difference in 30-day representation rates postdischarge ( P = 1).

Conclusion:

This well-received pilot initiative demonstrated an improvement in local hospice’s perception of patient readiness for discharge and a high percentage of accepted pharmacist interventions during discharge medication reconciliation. A larger sample size of patients and longer follow-up period may be needed to demonstrate statistically significant improvements in representation rates postintervention.
Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma With Hyalinizing Giant Rosettes, Mimicking Low-Grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma
Authors: Kolson Kokohaare Eva , Strauss Dirk C. , Jones Robin L. , Thway Khin
Published: April 2018

We highlight a rare variant pattern of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma showing extensive collagenous rosette formation, closely mimicking low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Additionally, this neoplasm showed diffuse and strong expression of muscle markers, favoring an initial diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed the presence of JAZF1-SUZ12 fusion transcripts, and this highlights the broad morphologic and immunophenotypic spectrum of endometrial stromal sarcoma.
Meshing characteristics of geared rotor system in integrally geared compressor with unbalance excitation
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wei Gaoshan , Wen Baogang , Han Qingkai , Hao Hai
Published: April 2018

The influence of unbalance on the meshing characteristic of the geared rotor system in an integrally geared compressor is investigated. Firstly, a scaled structure of the geared rotor system in an integrally geared compressor is taken as the research object, and its dynamic model is derived by a finite element method where nonlinear mesh excitation is considered. Then, based on the dynamic model, the meshing forces under unbalance effect are calculated, as well as the variation of meshing forces and the vibrations of the system under different loads and transmission errors. The results show that the side band frequencies of the rotor vibration signals have some correlation with the collision of the gear teeth. The more intensely the teeth collide, the more complex are the sideband frequencies. The frequency components are related to the center frequencies and the unbalance excitation frequencies, and the meshing state can be diagnosed according to the side band frequencies. In addition, the nonlinear gear meshing force has strong correlation with the acceleration of the box in frequency domain, but less influence on the displacement of rotor, which are verified by the test results. The results show it is a feasible approach to use the spectrum signature of acceleration on the box as essential evidence to judge the geared rotor system’s running state with unbalance excitation, which will be helpful in the vibration control and condition monitoring of the equipment.
“A Cathartic Moment in a Man’s Life”: Homosociality and Gendered Fun on the Puttan Tour
Authors: Crowhurst Isabel , Eldridge Adam
Published: April 2018

Rarely addressed in academic scholarship, the puttan tour is a well-known form of entertainment in Italy where young men drive around in small groups with the aim of spotting street sex workers. On some occasions, the participants will approach the sex workers to strike up a conversation. On others, they will shout out insults from their car then drive away. This article aims to advance a detailed analysis of this underexplored cultural practice drawing on a diverse body of scholarship exploring the intersection of masculinity, leisure, and homosociality. By analyzing stories of puttan tours gathered mostly online, including written accounts and YouTube videos, our aim is to explore the appeal of the puttan tour through an analysis of how homosociality, humor, and laughter operate in this example of gendered fun. To this end, we look at the multiple and often equivocal meanings of this homosocial male-bonding ritual, its emotional and affective dynamics, and the ways in which it reproduces structures of inequality while normalizing violence against sex workers.
Macular toxicity and blind spot enlargement during a treatment by voriconazole: A case report
Authors: Mounier Anaïs , Agard Emilie , Douma Ikrame , Chehab Hussam El , Vie Anne L , Dot Jean M , Dot Corinne
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

To report a case of macular toxicity and blind spot enlargement during voriconazole treatment.

Methods:

This is a case report.

Results:

We describe a 77-year-old man treated by voriconazole for pulmonary aspergillosis, who complained of visual disorders such as dyschromatopsia and visual hallucinations 3 days after voriconazole initiation. Initial ophthalmological examination found no loss of visual acuity. The anterior and posterior segments presented no anomalies. The chromatic vision evaluated with the Lanthony 15-Hue Desaturated Test demonstrated dyschromatopsia in the left eye along the tritan axis, and the Goldmann visual field examination found a blind spot enlargement in both eyes. The multifocal electroretinogram found a global decrease in the foveal peak in both eyes. Visual evoked potential showed asymmetric data and lower amplitudes of the P(100) wave on the left eye. No anomalies were observed on spectral domain macular optical coherence tomography. As a first step, based on presumed dose-dependent toxicity, voriconazole dose was reduced. No improvements were noted. The voriconazole treatment was then discontinued and replaced with itraconazole. After 1 month, visual field and multifocal electroretinogram had improved and visual hallucinations had disappeared.

Conclusion:

Voriconazole can cause potentially serious visual side effects. Adapting treatment based on plasma concentrations of voriconazole did not prevent the appearance of visual side effects in this case. Therapeutic drug switching within the same drug family seems to be an effective alternative to preserve ocular function.
New visual field indices of disharmony for early diagnosis of glaucoma, alone or associated with conventional parameters
Authors: Abreu-Gonzalez Rodrigo , Gonzalez-Hernandez Marta , Pena-Betancor Cristina , Rodriguez-Esteve Paloma , Gonzalez De La Rosa Manuel
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

To evaluate the specificity of new perimetric indices based on harmony, alone and in combination with structural data, for glaucoma detection.

Methods:

In this prospective observational cross-sectional study, one eye of 105 healthy subjects and 97 early and suspect glaucomas were sequentially included and examined with Cirrus optical coherence tomography, twice with OCULUS Smartfield perimeter (SPARK strategy) and twice with Humphrey Analyzer (24-2 SITA-Fast) at the Ophthalmology Department from the University Hospital La Candelaria. Disharmony in the visual field was evaluated including vertical threshold symmetry, threshold rank), and homogeneity (threshold standard deviation from its maximum) using the patient himself/herself as a reference. We also evaluated disharmony in combination with the mean deviation and the pattern standard deviation in a single index (mismatch) and various combinations of morphological and functional indices. Combinations used a new score based on values above certain critical cut-off levels of each index.

Results:

For 95% specificity, the highest sensitivities were as follows: vertical cup/disc ratio: 28.9%; SPARK threshold rank: 29.9%; and SITA-Fast threshold standard deviation: 28.9%. For the combined indices and 100% specificity, they were 5 SPARK indices mismatch: 10.3%; 5 SITA-Fast indices mismatch: 11.3%; 8 optical coherence tomography indices: 21.9%; 13 SPARK and optical coherence tomography indices: 27.8%; and 13 SITA-Fast and optical coherence tomography indices: 32.0%.

Conclusion:

Disharmony combined with normative value-based indices and/or optical coherence tomography indices is useful for very specific early diagnosis of glaucoma.
Which bedrock in a sea of change?
Authors: Josephi Beate
Published: April 2018

In answer to the question of how journalism studies can prove its continued significance, this article argues that journalism skills should be seen as bedrock for journalism studies. From a historical perspective, journalism studies has grown out of journalism education, with its emphasis on training journalists. From a global perspective, it is the skill of sourcing, verifying, and communicating news, which is common to journalists around the world, and sets them apart from other information providers. In this respect, both historically and globally, journalism skills are fundamental to journalism and, by extension, can aid journalism studies to locate its own center and draw distinctions from other fields of study.
From Tobacco to Obesity Prevention Policies: A Framework for Implementing Community-Driven Policy Change
Authors: Walter Lauren , Dumke Kelly , Oliva Ariana , Caesar Emily , Phillips Zoë , Lehman Nathan , Aragon Linda , Simon Paul , Kuo Tony
Published: April 2018

Efforts to reverse the obesity epidemic require policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies. Despite the availability of evidence-based and other promising PSE interventions, limited evidence exists on the “how-to” of transitioning them into practice. For the past 13 years, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has been building capacity among community residents and other stakeholders to create effective community coalitions and to implement well-designed policy strategy campaigns using an evidence-based approach to policy change, the policy adoption model (PAM). Implementing a phase-based approach to policy change, the PAM was initially used to support the passage of over 140 tobacco control and prevention policies in Los Angeles County. Following these successes, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health applied the PAM to obesity prevention, operationalizing the policy process by training community residents and other stakeholders on the use of the model. The PAM has shown to be helpful in promoting PSE change in tobacco control and obesity prevention, suggesting a local-level model potentially applicable to other fields of public health seeking sustainable, community-driven policy change.
Voice of the Clergy Wife: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Luedtke Amy C. , Sneed Katti J.
Published: April 2018

The clergy wife is an understudied and silenced population. While the minister himself is well represented in the literature concerning burnout, psychological distress, and diminishing years of service, his wife remains unheard and desperate for her needs to be understood and addressed. The lived experience of nine Wesleyan pastors' wives was investigated using a qualitative methodology and phenomenological approach. Themes arose surrounding both protective factors (faith, calling, support) and stressors (performance expectations and loss of identity, loneliness, low income, sacrifice of time). The theoretical underpinnings of Kanter's (1977) Work-Family Agenda are applied in relation to the occupation of one family member affecting the entire family system. Kanter claims work and family as mutually exclusive entities is a myth. Her framework, including five concepts (rewards/resources, absorption, time/timing, occupational cultures/worldview, emotional climate), allowed for exploration of the results. Interestingly, the stressors in the role of pastor's wife far outweighed the protective factors; yet, clergy wives remain positive and even willing to continue apparent hardships. This is discussed and future research is suggested.
Force-touch measurement methodology based on user experience
Authors: Nam Choonsung , Shin DongRyeol
Published: April 2018

The touch interface is an input method widely used in smart devices. Recently, new touch interface which supports force value has been introduced. The force-touch interface adds a factor called depth to the plane coordinates as compared to the existing touch interface. Despite the advantages of force-touch, which can provide touch position and force intensity information with one input, there are still many devices that cannot support force values. To provide them with a force-touch interface, we developed a force-touch cover for existing smart devices that do not support the existing force value. It is a way to provide the force value to the smart device by recognizing the force value through the sensor installed in smartphone case. However, it is difficult to apply the force value obtained through such a device directly to the force-touch interface, because it is necessary to distinguish between force touch and general touch. Therefore, in order to use the force-touch interface using the force-touch cover proposed in this article, the force value measured at the time of general touch is analyzed by user experiment to set the general touch area. Also, an area outside the general touch area is set as the force-touch area. In the force-touch and general touch area, the area is applied considering the error of the force value actually measured in the developed force-touch cover. Therefore, in this article, we analyze the force value input through the proposed force-touch cover and find a reference value that can distinguish force touch from general touch by user experiment and propose a method to apply it.
An extended method of estimating the fatigue performance of mechanical structures with fasteners subject to shear loads
Authors: Dai Longchao , Chen Hang , Zhang Yuntao , Wang Xinwei , Feng Xue , Bian Yixiang , Yang Gang
Published: April 2018

Prediction accuracy is a key problem in estimating the fatigue resistance of engineering structures. Here, we consider mechanical structures with fasteners that are simultaneously subjected to a combination of shear and tension (or compression) loads. The currently used detail fatigue rating method is modified and an extended detail fatigue rating method is proposed to improve the estimation results. This is achieved by considering the effect of the load, stress concentration, and fatigue failure criterion on the fatigue capacity. An experimental assessment is also made of many specimens with different structures. A comparison of the estimation results obtained using the extended detail fatigue rating method and the experimental results shows that the new method gives results that are acceptable in engineering practice.
Acceleration analysis and optimal design of a 3-degree-of-freedom co-axis parallel manipulator for pick-and-place applications
Authors: Liao Bin , Lou Yunjiang , Li Zhibin
Published: April 2018

Robot acceleration is the bottleneck for high-speed pick-and-place operations. In this article, the extreme acceleration at null velocity is proposed to characterize the acceleration capability for a planar parallel manipulator having a common actuated axis, the V3 robot. Detailed dynamic model of the V3 robot is developed for computing the extreme acceleration. Since each subchain of the robot is comparable to a cantilever beam structure, its bending deflection can be considerable and thus leads to manipulation failure. Characterized by the bending deflection, the bending stiffness is thus proposed. Combining the acceleration, the bending stiffness and kinematic constraints of velocity, accuracy, and dexterity, an optimal design problem is formulated to maximize the dextrous workspace having specified desired performance. The optimized structure shows greatly improved performance in workspace, velocity, acceleration, and accuracy.
Acute supraglottitis in adults
Authors: Whittaker Joshua D , Jolly Karan
Published: April 2018

Supraglottitis is a rare life-threatening paediatric disease whose occurrence has declined with the rise of immunization; however, it remains an important clinical diagnosis in the adult population. It is vital to consider in patients presenting with an acute sore throat. Misdiagnosis can lead to serious morbidity. This article will review the pathophysiology of supraglottitis, explain the changing demographics of the disease, important clinical features and management particularly where relevant to presentation in general practice.
Head and neck cancer
Authors: Moorhouse Tobias , Edwards Daniel
Published: April 2018

Head and neck cancer is a rare, but significantly life-changing diagnosis. Mortality is still high in advanced disease and treatment carries significant morbidity (both physical and psychological). Patients who suffer with the disease have often experienced diagnostic delay and uncertainty with harmful physical and psychological consequences. This experience can be frustrating for patients and with delay they may feel that their needs are not being met, and that they are not being taken seriously. This article aims to detail appropriate referral of patients and recent developments in the treatment and management of head and neck cancer.
Incorporating theology and philosophy of science into the physics classroom
Authors: Grace Emily , Griffis Rachel B
Published: April 2018

This article is a small empirical study based on two assignments, both involving reading and writing, in two physics courses at a Christian college. Students read theological, philosophical, and scientific arguments and produced research papers. By performing interdisciplinary intellectual work, students considered the compatibility of science and Christian faith through a specific issue: the age of the earth and universe. Students indicated that they both changed and formed beliefs through their completion of the assignments. Furthermore, students became more amenable to the possibility that the principles of Christianity and science are compatible. The authors argue that incorporating theological questions into science classes fosters students' faith as well as their learning and moral development.
Neural Mechanisms of Qigong Sensory Training Massage for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Jerger Kristin K , Lundegard Laura , Piepmeier Aaron , Faurot Keturah , Ruffino Amanda , Jerger Margaret A , Belger Aysenil
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Despite the enormous prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its global impact has yet to be realized. Millions of families worldwide need effective treatments to help them get through everyday challenges like eating, sleeping, digestion, and social interaction. Qigong Sensory Training (QST) is a nonverbal, parent-delivered intervention recently shown to be effective at reducing these everyday challenges in children with ASD. This study tested the feasibility of a protocol for investigating QST’s neural mechanism.

Methods

During a single visit, 20 children, 4- to 7-year-old, with ASD viewed images of emotional faces before and after receiving QST or watching a video (controls). Heart rate variability was recorded throughout the visit, and power in the high frequency band (0.15–0.4 Hz) was calculated to estimate parasympathetic tone in 5-s nonoverlapping windows. Cerebral oximetry of prefrontal cortex was recorded during rest and while viewing emotional faces.

Results

95% completion rate and 7.6% missing data met a priori standards confirming protocol feasibility for future studies. Preliminary data suggest: (1) during the intervention, parasympathetic tone increased more in children receiving massage (M = 2.9, SD = 0.3) versus controls (M = 2.5, SD = 0.5); (2) while viewing emotional faces post-intervention, parasympathetic tone was more affected (reduced) in the massage group ( p = 0.036); and (3) prefrontal cortex response to emotional faces was greater after massage compared to controls. These results did not reach statistical significance in this small study powered to test feasibility.

Discussion/Conclusion

This study demonstrates solid protocol feasibility. If replicated in a larger sample, these findings would provide important clues to the neural mechanism of action underlying QST’s efficacy for improving sensory, social, and communication difficulties in children with autism.
Interaural Time-Difference Discrimination as a Measure of Place of Stimulation for Cochlear-Implant Users With Single-Sided Deafness
Authors: Bernstein Joshua G. W. , Stakhovskaya Olga A. , Schuchman Gerald I. , Jensen Kenneth K. , Goupell Matthew J.
Published: April 2018

Current clinical practice in programming a cochlear implant (CI) for individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD) is to maximize the transmission of speech information via the implant, with the implicit assumption that this will also result in improved spatial-hearing abilities. However, binaural sensitivity is reduced by interaural place-of-stimulation mismatch, a likely occurrence with a standard CI frequency-to-electrode allocation table (FAT). As a step toward reducing interaural mismatch, this study investigated whether a test of interaural-time-difference (ITD) discrimination could be used to estimate the acoustic frequency yielding the best place match for a given CI electrode. ITD-discrimination performance was measured by presenting 300-ms bursts of 100-pulses-per-second electrical pulse trains to a single CI electrode and band-limited pulse trains with variable carrier frequencies to the acoustic ear. Listeners discriminated between two reference intervals (four bursts each with constant ITD) and a moving target interval (four bursts with variable ITD). For 17 out of the 26 electrodes tested across eight listeners, the function describing the relationship between ITD-discrimination performance and carrier frequency had a discernable peak where listeners achieved 70% to 100% performance. On average, this peak occurred 1.15 octaves above the CI manufacturer’s default FAT. ITD discrimination shows promise as a method of estimating the cochlear place of stimulation for a given electrode, thereby providing information to optimize the FAT for SSD-CI listeners.
Phase III Intergroup Trial of Adjuvant Androgen Deprivation With or Without Mitoxantrone Plus Prednisone in Patients With High-Risk Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy: SWOG S9921
Authors: Hussain Maha , Tangen Catherine M. , Thompson Ian M. , Swanson Gregory P. , Wood David P. , Sakr Wael , Dawson Nancy A. , Haas Naomi B. , Flaig Thomas W. , Dorff Tanya B. , Lin Daniel W. , Crawford E. David , Quinn David I. , Vogelzang Nicholas J. , Glode L. Michael
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Patients with high-risk prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy are at risk for death. Adjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) may reduce this risk. We hypothesized that the addition of mitoxantrone and prednisone (MP) to adjuvant ADT could reduce mortality compared with adjuvant ADT alone.

Methods

Eligible patients had cT1-3N0 prostate cancer with one or more high-risk factors after radical prostatectomy (Gleason score [GS] ≥ 8; pT3b, pT4, or pN+ disease; GS 7 and positive margins; or preoperative prostate-specific antigen [PSA] > 15 ng/mL, biopsy GS score > 7, or PSA > 10 ng/mL plus biopsy GS > 6. Patients with PSA ≤ 0.2 ng/mL after radical prostatectomy were stratified by pT/N stage, GS, and adjuvant radiation plan and randomly assigned to ADT (bicalutamide and goserelin for 2 years) or ADT plus six cycles of MP. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Median OS was projected to be 10 years in the ADT arm, requiring 680 patients per arm to detect a hazard ratio of 1.30 with 92% power and one-sided α = .05.

Results

Nine hundred sixty-one eligible intent-to-treat patients were randomly assigned to ADT or ADT + MP from October 1999 to January 2007, when the Data Safety Monitoring Committee recommended stopping accrual as a result of higher leukemia incidence with ADT + MP. Median follow-up was 11.2 years. The 10-year OS estimates were 87% with ADT (expected 50%) and 86% with ADT + MP (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.43). The 10-year estimate for disease-free survival was 72% for both arms. Prostate cancer was the cause of death in 18% of patients in the ADT arm and 22% in the ADT + MP arm. More patients in the MP arm died of other cancers (36% v 18% in ADT alone arm).

Conclusion

MP did not improve OS and increased deaths from other malignancies. The DFS and 10-year OS in these patients treated with 2 years of ADT were encouraging compared with historical estimates, although a definitive conclusion regarding value of ADT may not be made without a nontreatment control arm.
Role of B-cell receptors for B-cell development and antigen-induced differentiation
Authors: Yam-Puc Juan Carlos , Zhang Lingling , Zhang Yang , Toellner Kai-Michael
Published: April 2018

B-cell development is characterized by a number of tightly regulated selection processes. Signals through the B-cell receptor (BCR) guide and are required for B-cell maturation, survival, and fate decision. Here, we review the role of the BCR during B-cell development, leading to the emergence of B1, marginal zone, and peripheral follicular B cells. Furthermore, we discuss BCR-derived signals on activated B cells that lead to germinal center and plasma cell differentiation.
Spectrum of Sellar and Parasellar Region Lesions: A retrospective study from Basrah, Iraq
Authors: Mansour Abbas Ali , Alhamza Ali Hussain Ali , Almomin Ammar Mohammed Saeed Abdullah , Zaboon Ibrahim Abbood , Alibrahim Nassar Taha Yaseen , Hussein Rudha Naser , Kadhim Muayad Baheer , Alidrisi Haider Ayad Yassin , Nwayyir Hussein Ali , Mohammed Adel Gassab , Al-Waeli Dheyaa Kadhim , Hussein Ibrahim Hani
Published: April 2018

Background: Sellar and parasellar region lesions spectrum includes a wide variety of diseases. This study aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of such lesions in patients from  Faiha Specialized Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism Center (FDEMC) in Basrah (Southern Iraq).

Methods:Retrospective data analysis from FDEMC for the period January 2012 through June 2017. We included all patients with sellar and parasellar region lesions who received a MRI scan on their pituitary region

Results:The total enrolled patients were 232 (84 men and 148 women),with age range 15-75 years.Pituitary disease and adenoma were more common among women. Those with macroadenoma were older than those with microadenoma, with nearly equal gender prevalence of macroadenoma. Pituitary adenoma constituted the bulk of pituitary disease in this setting (67.2%). Growth hormone secreting adenoma were the most common adenoma seen in 41.0%, followed by clinically non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) in 31.4% and prolactinoma in 26.9%. About 64.8% of pituitary adenoma was macroadenoma. Macroadenoma was seen in 73.4% of growth hormone secreting adenoma (acromegaly), 61.2% in NFPA and 62.0% of prolactinom a(of them six were giant prolactinoma).

Conclusion: Pituitary adenoma constituted the bulk of sellar and parasellar region lesions, growth hormone secreting adenoma is the the most common adenoma followed by NFPA and prolactinoma due to referral bias. A change  in  practice of adenoma treatment is needed.
The management of acute myocardial infarction in the Russian Federation: protocol for a study of patient pathways
Authors: Kontsevaya Anna , Bobrova Natalia , Barbarash Olga , Duplyakov Dmitry , Efanov Alexey , Galyavich Albert , Frants Maria , Khaisheva Larisa , Malorodova Tatyana , Mirolyubova Olga , Nedbaikin Andrei , Osipova Irina , Platonov Dmitry , Posnenkova OIga , Syromiatnikova Liudmila , Bates Katie , Leon David A , McKee Martin
Published: April 2018

Background: Death rates from cardiovascular disease in Russia are among the highest in the world. In recent years, the Russian government has invested substantially in the healthcare system, with a particular focus on improving access to advanced technology, especially for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This protocol describes a study to understand the management of AMI in different Russian regions, investigating the role of patient, clinical, and health system characteristics.

Methods: A prospective observational study has recruited a representative sample of AMI patients within 16 hospitals from 13 regions across Russia. Criteria for inclusion are being aged 35-70 years with a confirmed diagnosis of AMI and surviving until the day after admission. Information being collected includes health system contacts and features of clinical management prior to the event and in the 12 months following discharge from hospital. Following initial exploration of the data to generate hypotheses, multivariate analyses will be applied to assess the role of these characteristics in both treatment decisions and any delays in time critical interventions. Between June 2015 and August 2016, 1,122 patients have been recruited at baseline and follow-up to 12 months post-discharge is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2017. The study is unique in examining patient factors, clinical management prior to admission and in hospital in the acute phase and throughout the critical first year of recovery across a diverse range of geographies and facilities. It uses standardized instruments to collect data from patients and health care providers and includes regions that are diverse in terms of geography and development of cardiology capacity. However, given the limited health services research capacity in the Russian Federation, it was not possible to obtain a sample that was truly nationally representative.
B cell, CD8+ T cell and gamma delta T cell infiltration alters alveolar immune cell homeostasis in HIV-infected Malawian adults
Authors: Mwale Andrew , Hummel Annemarie , Mvaya Leonard , Kamng'ona Raphael , Chimbayo Elizabeth , Phiri Joseph , Malamba Rose , Kankwatira Anstead , Mwandumba Henry C , Jambo Kondwani C
Published: April 2018

Background: HIV infection is associated with increased risk to lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). However, the impact of HIV infection on immune cell populations in the lung is not well defined. We sought to comprehensively characterise the impact of HIV infection on immune cell populations in the lung.

Methods: Twenty HIV-uninfected controls and 17 HIV-1 infected ART-naïve adults were recruited from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi. Immunophenotyping of lymphocyte and myeloid cell populations was done on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peripheral blood cells.

Results: We found that the numbers of CD8+T cells, B cells and gamma delta T cells were higher in BAL fluid of HIV-infected adults compared to HIV-uninfected controls (all p<0.05). In contrast, there was no difference in the numbers of alveolar CD4+T cells in HIV-infected adults compared to HIV-uninfected controls (p=0.7065). Intermediate monocytes were the predominant monocyte subset in BAL fluid (HIV-, 63%; HIV+ 81%), while the numbers of classical monocytes was lower in HIV-infected individuals compared to HIV-uninfected adults (1 × 105vs. 2.8 × 105cells/100ml of BAL fluid, p=0.0001). The proportions of alveolar macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells was lower in HIV-infected adults compared to HIV-uninfected controls (all p<0.05).

Conclusions: Chronic HIV infection is associated with broad alteration of immune cell populations in the lung, but does not lead to massive depletion of alveolar CD4+T cells. Disruption of alveolar immune cell homeostasis likely explains in part the susceptibility for LRTIs in HIV-infected adults.
Normalization, Analysis and Control of Intellectual Work in the Digital Environment
Authors: Бондарчук Н. , Bondarchuk N.
Published: April 2018

In the article the new features of the intellectual work in the digital environment are given. The author gives examples of modern techniques of work measurement and monitoring of intellectual activity results. There are suggestions about creating new tools of economic analysis intended for information and analytical support of intellectual labor in the digital economy. The article is useful for scientists specializing in the fields of labor economics and economic analysis. The article can benefit practitioners working in the field of work measurement and monitoring efficiency of labor.