bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Closed Endotracheal Suctioning on Systemic and Cerebral Oxygenation and Hemodynamics in Children
Authors: Chegondi Madhuradhar , Francis Teshaun , Lin Wei-Chiang , Naqvi Sayed , Raszynski Andre , Totapally Balagangadhar R.
Published: November 2017

Objectives:

To evaluate the effects of closed endotracheal tube suctioning on systemic oxygen saturation, cerebral regional oxygen saturation, and somatic regional (renal) oxygen saturation and hemodynamic variables in children.

Design:

Prospective observational.

Setting:

A tertiary care PICU.

Subjects:

Children aged 0-18 years, requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and with an arterial line.

Interventions:

Closed endotracheal suction.

Measurements and Main Results:

The study included 19 sedated and intubated children, 0–18 years old. They were enrolled in an ongoing prospective observational study. We used near-infrared spectroscopy for cerebral regional oxygen saturation and somatic regional (renal) oxygen saturation. The timing of each closed endotracheal tube suctioning event was accurately identified from video recordings. We extracted systemic oxygen saturation, cerebral regional oxygen saturation, somatic regional (renal) oxygen saturation, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure for 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after each event and used these data for analysis. One-minute average values of these variables were used for repeated-measures analysis. We analyzed 287 endotracheal tube suctioning episodes in 19 children. Saline was instilled into the endotracheal tube during 61 episodes. The mean heart rate (107.0 ± 18.7 vs 110.2 ± 10.4; p < 0.05), mean arterial blood pressure (81.5 ± 16.1 vs 83.0 ± 15.6 mm Hg; p < 0.05), and the mean cerebral regional oxygen saturation (64.8 ± 8.3 vs 65.8 ± 8.3; p < 0.05) were increased after suctioning. The mean systemic oxygen saturation (96.9 ± 2.7 vs 96.7 ± 2.7; p = 0.013) was decreased, whereas the mean somatic regional (renal) oxygen saturation was not significantly different after endotracheal tube suctioning. Repeated-measures analysis revealed transient increases in heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure; a sustained increase in cerebral regional oxygen saturation; and transient decreases in systemic oxygen saturation and somatic regional (renal) oxygen saturation. Saline instillation did not affect oxygenation or hemodynamic variables.

Conclusions:

Closed endotracheal tube suctioning in sedated children is associated with transient but clinically insignificant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, cerebral regional oxygen saturation, systemic oxygen saturation, and somatic regional (renal) oxygen saturation. Saline instillation during endotracheal tube suctioning had no adverse effects on systemic or cerebral oxygenation.
Clinical Management
Authors: Ko Andrew H.
Published: November 2017

Most patients with pancreatic cancer either present with or eventually develop metastatic disease during the course of their illness. For such individuals, systemic therapy, namely, cytotoxic therapy, represents the mainstay of treatment and is administered with noncurative intent. Of the various chemotherapy options now available for treating metastatic pancreatic cancer, 2 combination regimens, FOLFIRINOX (infusional 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) and the doublet of gemcitabine and albumin-bound paclitaxel, have emerged as frontline standards of care, based on phase III studies demonstrating a significant survival benefit compared with single-agent gemcitabine. More patients are also now able to be sequenced through 2 or more lines of treatment, with newer regimens such as nanoliposomal irinotecan plus infusional 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin receiving US Food and Drug Administration approval specifically for use in this second-line setting. Selection of therapies remains primarily guided by clinical considerations, particularly performance status, as well as age, comorbid medical conditions, and organ and bone marrow function. In contrast, molecular predictors of efficacy and toxicity have not yet been validated in this disease context. Areas of novel therapeutic development include targeting the stromal microenvironment, exploring combinations of immunotherapeutic agents, and identifying molecular subsets of metastatic pancreatic cancer that may uniquely susceptible to specific strategies, such as hampering DNA damage repair.
Routine Pathologic Evaluation of Plastic Surgery Specimens: Are We Wasting Time and Money?
Authors: Fisher Mark , Alba Brandon , Bhuiya Tawfiqul , Kasabian Armen K. , Thorne Charles H. , Tanna Neil
Published: November 2017

Background:

Recent health care changes have encouraged efforts to decrease costs. In plastic surgery, an area of potential cost savings includes appropriate use of pathologic examination. Specimens are frequently sent because of hospital policy, insurance request, or habit, even when clinically unnecessary. This is an area where evidence-based guidelines are lacking and significant cost-savings can be achieved.

Methods:

All specimen submitted for pathologic examination at two hospitals between January and December of 2015 were queried for tissue expanders, breast implants, fat, skin, abdominal pannus, implant capsule, hardware, rib, bone, cartilage, scar, and keloid. Specimens not related to plastic surgery procedures were excluded. Pathologic diagnosis and cost data were obtained.

Results:

A total of 759 specimens were identified. Of these, 161 were sent with a specific request for gross examination only. There were no clinically significant findings in any of the specimens. There was one incidental finding of a seborrheic keratosis on breast skin. The total amount billed in 2015 was $430,095.

Conclusions:

The infrequency of clinically significant pathologic examination results does not support routine pathologic examination of all plastic surgery specimens. Instead, the authors justify select submission only when there is clinical suspicion or medical history that warrants evaluation. By eliminating unnecessary histologic or macroscopic examination, significant cost savings may be achieved.
Computed Tomography-Based Texture Analysis to Determine Human Papillomavirus Status of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ranjbar Sara , Ning Shuluo , Zwart Christine M. , Wood Christopher P. , Weindling Steven M. , Wu Teresa , Mitchell J. Ross , Li Jing , Hoxworth Joseph M.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To determine whether machine learning can accurately classify human papillomavirus (HPV) status of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) using computed tomography (CT)-based texture analysis.

Methods

Texture analyses were retrospectively applied to regions of interest from OPSCC primary tumors on contrast-enhanced neck CT, and machine learning was used to create a model that classified HPV status with the highest accuracy. Results were compared against the blinded review of 2 neuroradiologists.

Results

The HPV-positive (n = 92) and -negative (n = 15) cohorts were well matched clinically. Neuroradiologist classification accuracies for HPV status (44.9%, 55.1%) were not significantly different (P= 0.13), and there was a lack of agreement between the 2 neuroradiologists (κ = −0.145). The best machine learning model had an accuracy of 75.7%, which was greater than either neuroradiologist (P< 0.001,P= 0.002).

Conclusions

Useful diagnostic information regarding HPV infection can be extracted from the CT appearance of OPSCC beyond what is apparent to the trained human eye.
Performance of Magnetic Resonance Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging for Detection of Calcifications in Patients With Hepatic Echinococcosis
Authors: Mueller Jan , Stojkovic Marija , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Junghanss Thomas , Weber Tim Frederik
Published: November 2017

Objective

We evaluated the performance of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for identification of hepatic calcifications in alveolar echinococcosis and cystic echinococcosis.

Methods

The SWI images of 58 lesions in 40 patients (age, 49 ± 14 y) with alveolar echinococcosis (n = 22) or cystic echinococcosis (n = 18) were reviewed for calcifications. First, calcifications were suggested by visual assessment. Second, ratios of minimum intralesional intensity and mean lumbar muscle intensity were recorded. Computed tomography (CT) served as the criterion standard.

Results

Thirty-seven lesions showed calcifications on CT. Susceptibility-weighted imaging provided a sensitivity of 89.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50.1–75.7) and a specificity of 57.1% (95% CI, 34.4–77.4) for calcifications detected by visual assessment. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated a sensitivity of 67.6% and a specificity of 85.0% for an intensity ratio of 0.61. A specificity of 100% (95% CI, 80.8–100) and a sensitivity of 84.5% (95% CI, 67.3–93.2) were achieved by SWI for calcifications with a density greater than 184 HU in CT.

Conclusions

Identification of hepatic calcifications is possible with SWI. Susceptibility-weighted imaging offers the potential to reduce the need for of CT imaging for evaluation of echinococcosis.
How Do Different Indices of Hepatic Enhancement With Gadoxetic Acid Compare in Predicting Liver Failure and Other Major Complications After Hepatectomy?
Authors: Costa Andreu F. , Tremblay St-Germain Amélie , Abdolell Mohamed , Smoot Rory L. , Cleary Sean , Jhaveri Kartik S.
Published: November 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of gadoxetic acid hepatic enhancement indices in predicting posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and other major complications (OMCs).

Methods

Sixty-five patients underwent prehepatectomy gadoxetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Enhancement indices were calculated by obtaining regions of interest on magnetic resonance images and segmented volumes of the liver and spleen. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to predict PHLF and OMC as a function of the indices, and areas under the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curves were calculated.

Results

Areas under the receiver operator characteristic values varied from 0.412 to 0.681 and 0.462 to 0.738 in predicting PHLF and OMC, respectively. The most accurate indices in predicting PHLF were the region of interest–based, fat-normalized relative liver enhancement and liver enhancement index (AUROC, 0.681). The most accurate index in predicting OMC was the volumetric least-squares regression slope of a pharmacokinetic model (K
hep_V, AUROC, 0.738).

Conclusions

Indices of gadoxetic acid liver enhancement demonstrate variable performance in predicting PHLF and OMC.
Focal Autoimmune Pancreatitis Mimicking Pancreatic Cancer on FDG PET/CT Imaging
Authors: Zheng Lichun , Xing Haiqun , Li Fang , Huo Li
Published: November 2017

Autoimmune pancreatitis generally results in diffuse increased FDG activity throughout the pancreas on PET/CT images. We present a case of focal autoimmune pancreatitis with abnormal FDG activity involving only the pancreatic tail on PET/CT in a 61-year-old man who was provisionally diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer based on the CT findings. The diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis was based on pathological examination and elevated serum immunoglobulin G4 level. Following the steroid therapy, the patient was gradually recovered.
Yin-yang dialectics and communitarianism in cross-cultural management research
Authors: Chen Chao C.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to comment on “Global implication of the indigenous epistemological system from the East: How to Apply yin-yang balancing to paradox management” by Li (2016). As a pioneer in developing indigenous Chinese management theories, Li has been focused on extracting essential principles of the Chinese yin-yang philosophy and applying them to organization and management phenomena within and outside China (Li, 1998, 2012, 2014a, b). In this paper (Li, 2016), Li sharpens his thinking on the unique attributes of the Chinese yin-yang balancing perspective so as to both distinguish it from and connect it to Western Aristotelian and Hegelian philosophies in regard to contradictions and paradoxes that are increasingly more prevalent in contemporary organizations. The author found Li’s paper thought provoking and highly relevant to cross-cultural management research. The author reflects on the yin and yang of the yin-yang perspective itself and discusses how it can be extended for theorizing about cross-cultural or inter-cultural management research.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying yin-yang dialectics on the East-West cultural differences, this commentary contends that the strengths and weaknesses of the cultural mindsets of the East and the West are relative and potentially complementary to each other, and seeks to balance and integrate Eastern and Western perspectives for theorizing and tackling cultural differences and conflicts in a globalized world.

Findings

On the basis of yin-yang dialectics on cultural differences, a communitarianism model is proposed for cross-cultural researchers to balance and integrate individualism and collectivism, a well-established East-West cultural difference.

Originality/value

The theoretical model of communitarianism builds upon but transcends either Eastern or Western cultural differences toward a viable global value system.
Student learning opportunities in traditional and computer-mediated internships
Authors: Bayerlein Leopold , Jeske Debora
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a student learning outcome focussed assessment of the benefits and limitations of traditional internships, e-internships, and simulated internships to evaluate the potential of computer-mediated internships (CMIs) (e-internships and simulated internships) within higher education from a student perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper undertakes a systematic conceptually based assessment of the extent to which CMIs are able to replicate the cognitive, skill-based and affective learning outcomes of traditional internships. In addition, the key limitations of traditional internships from a student perspective are identified, and the potential ability of CMIs to address these limitations is assessed.

Findings

The findings of this paper highlight that CMIs are able to replicate most of the benefits of traditional internships, whilst concurrently addressing many of their limitations. However, the current paper also identifies a number of important limitations for student learning in CMIs, and provides advice that aims to assist students in maximising their learning outcomes in these situations.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to provide a systematic student learning outcome focussed comparison of traditional internships and CMIs. In addition, the paper establishes the high potential of simulated internships for student learning in higher education, and provides students, higher education providers and researcher with learning outcome focussed criteria sets that enable the empirical evaluation of CMIs in future research.
A novel technique for modeling friction behavior in knitted fabric simulation
Authors: Mozafary Vajiha , Payvandy Pedram
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Fabric-object friction force is a fundamental factor in cloth simulation. A large number of parameters influence the frictional properties of fabrics such as fabric structure, yarn structure, and inherent properties of component fibers. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel technique for modeling fabric-object friction force in knitted fabric simulation based on the mass spring model.

Design/methodology/approach

In this technique, unlike other studies, distribution of friction coefficient over the fabric surface is not uniform and depends on the fabric structure. The main reason for considering non-uniform distribution is that in various segments of fabric, contact percent of fabric-object is different.

Findings

The proposed technique and common methods based on friction coefficient uniform distribution are used to simulate the frictional behavior of knitted fabrics. The results show that simulation error values for proposed technique and common methods are 2.7 and 9.4 percent as compared with the experimental result, respectively.

Originality/value

In the existing methods of the friction force modeling, the friction coefficient of fabric is assumed uniform. But this assumption is not correct because fabric does not have an isotropic structure. Thus in this study, the friction coefficient distribution is considered based on fabric structure to achieve more of realistic simulations.
Developing the C-shaped QFD 3D Matrix for service applications with a case study in banking services
Authors: Shahin Arash , Bagheri Iraj Elham , Vaez Shahrestani Hossein
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the C-shaped quality function deployment (QFD) 3D Matrix for service applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The C-shaped QFD 3D Matrix proposed by Vezzetti et al. (2016) has been developed for simultaneous analysis of the relationships among three sets of factors of customer requirements, service design characteristics and service performance indicators. The three sets of factors have been determined and based on their interrelationships, 3D and concurrent houses of quality have been formed. Then, service design characteristics and service performance indicators have been prioritized. The obtained priorities have been also compared with traditional concurrent model of QFD.

Findings

The findings obtained from the traditional and developed approach seem different, implying that applying the C-shaped QFD 3D Matrix provides a more real perspective of concurrent engineering and the results in different set of priorities of service factors.

Research limitations/implications

The case study was limited to banking services. If the developed approach is used in other institutes, the prioritization of service design characteristics and service performance indicators might be changed.

Originality/value

Compared to Vezzetti et al. (2016) who proposed the C-shaped QFD 3D Matrix for analyzing interrelationships among two customers and a provider, or two providers and a customer, in this paper, the C-shaped QFD 3D Matrix has been developed for analyzing interrelationships among three sets of factors of customer requirements, service design characteristics and service performance indicators.
Optimization of repairable systems with repairman’s multiple vacations
Authors: Yedida Sarada , R. Shenbagam
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Technological advancements and growing complexity of many real-time systems, namely, communication, transportation, defense systems, etc., necessitate the importance to adopt a well-planned repair process such as phase type quasi-renewal process contributing to an improved system performance. Further, in an attempt to boost the role of maintenance as a financial benefactor, repairman’s multiple vacation policy is incorporated. Also, the significance of the degree of repair is illustrated while indicating the suitability of the matrix-analytic approach via the phase type quasi-renewal operating/repair times in reliability. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimal replacement policy is obtained by employing the matrix-analytic method and minimum average cost rate.

Findings

The considered models make a significant contribution towards establishing that the matrix-analytic method, using the phase type quasi-renewal process, aids in reducing the computations and also fills the gap in the literature in the study of deteriorating systems. Availability and rate of occurrence of failures are evaluated in transient and steady-state regime.

Originality/value

This model differs from the existing models, in that, a repairman’s multiple vacation, delayed repair time and representation of the failure occurrence by a mixed Poisson process have been incorporated into the analysis. Also, time-dependent case and N-policy have been adopted to explore the optimality issues using phase type quasi-renewal process analytically. The numerical illustrations warrant that the maintenance policy proposed in this paper produces a considerably lower cost.
Enriching and enhancing moving images with Linked Data
Authors: Gracy Karen F.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of Linked Data (LD) in archival moving image description, and propose ways in which current metadata records can be enriched and enhanced by interlinking such metadata with relevant information found in other data sets.

Design/methodology/approach

Several possible metadata models for moving image production and archiving are considered, including models from records management, digital curation, and the recent BIBFRAME AV Modeling Study. This research also explores how mappings between archival moving image records and relevant external data sources might be drawn, and what gaps exist between current vocabularies and what is needed to record and make accessible the full lifecycle of archiving through production, use, and reuse.

Findings

The author notes several major impediments to implementation of LD for archival moving images. The various pieces of information about creators, places, and events found in moving image records are not easily connected to relevant information in other sources because they are often not semantically defined within the record and can be hidden in unstructured fields. Libraries, archives, and museums must work on aligning the various vocabularies and schemas of potential value for archival moving image description to enable interlinking between vocabularies currently in use and those which are used by external data sets. Alignment of vocabularies is often complicated by mismatches in granularity between vocabularies.

Research limitations/implications

The focus is on how these models inform functional requirements for access and other archival activities, and how the field might benefit from having a common metadata model for critical archival descriptive activities.

Practical implications

By having a shared model, archivists may more easily align current vocabularies and develop new vocabularies and schemas to address the needs of moving image data creators and scholars.

Originality/value

Moving image archives, like other cultural institutions with significant heritage holdings, can benefit tremendously from investing in the semantic definition of information found in their information databases. While commercial entities such as search engines and data providers have already embraced the opportunities that semantic search provides for resource discovery, most non-commercial entities are just beginning to do so. Thus, this research addresses the benefits and challenges of enriching and enhancing archival moving image records with semantically defined information via LD.
Emerging adulthood, sharing utilities and intention to use sharing services
Authors: Oyedele Adesegun , Simpson Penny
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This study aims to test Lamberton and Rose’s (2012) commercial sharing utility model of access-based consumption use in three different contexts: car-sharing, room-sharing and household goods purchases. More importantly, this research extends the model by examining the effects of emerging adulthood as a life-stage on perceived value of social applications that facilitate and promote transaction utility, called shareaids.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire designed to evaluate the effects of emerging adulthood and sharing utilities on intention to use sharing services was developed and administered to 345 respondents at a Midwestern US university. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results indicate that flexibility utility had the strongest direct impact on intention to use sharing consumption while also having indirect effects in all contexts examined. The emerging adulthood life-stage was found to affect transaction utility and shareaids as predicted, and shareaids positively influenced consumers’ perception of the social utility value of access-based consumption.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of this study is limited by its use of a student sample. Also, the study suffers from inherent limitations linked to self-reported survey research.

Practical implications

Sharing services that have a strong social component could use shareaids to gain a competitive advantage. Examples of shareaid application include split bills for multiple payments to split fares among friends and social media transaction tools. Shareaid applications can enhance consumers’ perception of social value and the overall shareability value of the sharing service.

Originality/value

This is the first known study to test the effects of emerging adulthood as a life-stage on perceived value of social applications that facilitate and promote transaction utility, called shareaids.
A multi-region input-output model for optimizing virtual water trade flows in agricultural crop production
Authors: Aviso Kathleen B. , Holaysan Sed Anderson K. , B. Promentilla Michael Angelo , S. Yu Krista Danielle , R. Tan Raymond
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The onset of climate change is expected to result in variations in weather patterns which can exacerbate water scarcity issues. This can potentially impact the economic productivity of nations as economic activities are highly dependent on water especially for agricultural countries. In response to this, the concepts of virtual water and water footprint have been introduced as metrics for measuring the water intensity of products, services and nations. Researchers have thus looked into virtual water trade flows as a potential strategy for alleviating water scarcity. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Environmentally extended input-output models (IOMs) are often used to analyze interactions between economic and ecological systems. This work thus develops a multi-regional input-output model for optimizing virtual water trade between different geographic regions in consideration of local environmental resource constraints, product demands and economic productivity.

Findings

A case study on agriculture crop production and trade in different regions of the Philippines is utilized to demonstrate the capabilities of the model. The results show that the optimal strategy does not necessarily limit a water-scarce region to produce less water-intensive crops.

Research limitations/implications

The model uses an input-output framework whose fixed coefficients reflect a fixed technological state. As such, the model is best used for short-term projections, or projections for mature technological state (i.e. where no major gains in efficiency or yield can be foreseen).

Practical implications

The proposed modeling framework can be used in any geographic region (provided relevant statistical data are available for calibration) to provide decision support for optimal use of limited water resources.

Originality/value

The model proposed in this work has general applicability to the optimal planning of agro-industrial systems under water footprint constraints. This modeling approach will be particularly valuable in the future, as climate change causes changes in precipitation patterns and water availability.
An overview of environmental management in the Spanish food sector: a survey study
Authors: Ormazabal Marta , Viles Elisabeth , Santos Javier , Jaca Carmen
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Environmental management (EM) is becoming increasingly important in all types of organizations. The food industry represents the top industrial sector of the Spanish economy; however, there is still little knowledge about how it is managed environmentally. The purpose of this paper is to present a descriptive analysis of the Spanish food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertook a descriptive analysis based on probabilistic sampling surveys from food companies in Spain. The survey was sent out to 900 companies obtaining 128 answers.

Findings

The results of this study show that companies with an EM standard tend to have a more developed system and a greater presence of EM tools and actions. Moreover, statistical differences were identified among the characteristics of companies and various factors that affect the evolution of their EM.

Originality/value

There are no studies that reveal a clear picture of the status of EM in the Spanish food industry. This study presents a clear starting point that might help policy makers, consultants, researchers and other parties to set new improvement routes so companies do not get stuck in their progress toward environmental excellence.
Chemical characterization and assessment of surface waters’ suitability for irrigation in the mid-Seybouse wadi plain (North-Eastern Algeria)
Authors: Mouassa Souad , Chaab Salah , Moulla Adnane Souffi , Zaagane Mansour , Brahmia Nabil
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The present study is undertaken in the region of Guelma that is located in North-Eastern Algeria. Guelma’s agricultural plain is irrigated from the Seybouse ephemeral river (wadi). The latter collects the entire domestic and industrial wastewaters of the region that are discharged without prior treatment. Hence, the organic and biological or what so ever contributions to the wadi are capable of initiating a significant degradation of its waters’ quality and challenging their use for irrigation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The interpretation of the results of three sampling campaigns for chemical and bacteriological analyzes was carried out in terms of the indices’ method (organic pollution index (OPI) and microbiological quality index (MQI)). The results were statistically assessed through the use of the principal component analysis (PCA). The OPI was calculated according to the method of Leclercq and Maquet (1987) whose principle is to classify the contents for the polluting elements into 5 classes each class corresponding to a given range for the considered parameter, and then to calculate the overall average class number for each sample. The MQI depends on the water concentrations in: the total coliforms, the fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci. One defines five classes of concentrations for each of these parameters. The MQI is again the overall mean of the numbers for the classes for every parameter.

Findings

The OPI reflects a moderate pollution for most sampling stations. The PCA indicates that the variables controlling salinity are mainly Cl−, Na+ and SO42−. In August 2016, El-Fedjoudj pumping station shows a very strong fecal contamination. According to the recommendations of World Health Organization (1989), waters from wadi Seybouse cannot be used for the irrigation of vegetable crops if they were to be consumed raw.

Originality/value

This study has an environment impact as it reveals the need to protect surface waters used for irrigation and therefore protect consumers of raw vegetables that are to be consumed uncooked.
Ageing, gender politics and masculinities: reflections on collective memory work with older men
Authors: Blake Vic , Hearn Jeff , Jackson David , Barber Randy , Johnson Richard , Luczynski Zbyszek
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the process of participating in a long-term collective memory work group of older men, focusing on the making/unmaking of older men and masculinities, and the potential of memory work with older men.

Design/methodology/approach

Participant review and reflection on collective memory work with a group of older men.

Findings

Collective memory work provides a novel way to explore ageing, gendering, men, and masculinities. Its potential for working with older men is examined critically in relation to gender politics, power and (in)equalities, interconnections and contradictions of men’s ageing and gendering, the personal and the political, as well as working with older men more generally, including those in transition and crisis.

Originality/value

There is little previous writing on this approach to ageing, men, and masculinities. The paper aims to stimulate wider applications of this approach.
Farmer perception and utilization of leaf functional traits in managing agroecosystems
Authors: Isaac Marney E. , Cerda Rolando , Rapidel Bruno , Martin Adam R. , Dickinson Adam K. , Sibelet Nicole
Published: November 2017

Using knowledge of leaf functional traits, such as those forming the leaf economics spectrum (LES), to understand plant responses to environmental change is well‐established and now being more widely applied to agroecosystems. Yet, little is known about how farm managers invoke leaf functional traits to inform management decisions.

The objectives of this research were to (1) evaluate whether farmers use knowledge of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) in LES traits (or trait proxies) of target crops as response indicators of management conditions; (2) determine whether LES trait values are ranked consistently among multiple farmers along a “Farmer Leaf Economics Spectrum” (FES); (3) evaluate how a FES corresponds to the LES; and (4) identify the farmer and farm attributes that best predict the agreement between the FES and the LES.

We collaborated with coffee (Coffea arabica) farmers in the Turrialba Valley, Costa Rica. We used a visual elicitation tool of fresh leaves along an intraspecific spectrum of leaf size, leaf thickness and leaf colour (as a proxy for leaf nutrients); respondents were asked to rank leaves in response to shade and nutrient scenarios as well as yield potential. On‐farm biophysical data, management practices and socio‐economic attributes were also collected.

The majority of farmers demonstrated a developed system of utilizing coffee leaf and whole‐plant ITV as indicators of management practices. Farmers managing smaller farms tended to more commonly acknowledge ITV in LES chemical–morphological traits, as compared to those managing large farms. The agreement between a respondent‐identified ranking of leaf thickness ITV as a function of light environment and an empirically defined thickness‐to‐light ranking was partially explained by farmers’ physical engagement with plants.

Synthesis and applications. In scientific literature, analyses of crop intraspecific trait variation have provided important insights into the mechanistic bases of multiple key agroecological processes. We demonstrate that farmers use crop leaf trait variation as an indicator to both evaluate management prescriptions and to initiate management actions including shade‐tree species selection and abundance, crop‐ and shade‐tree pruning regimes and fertilization treatments. These findings signify that functional traits represent a key nexus between scientific and local knowledge.
Timing of antibiotics in the management of community‐acquired sepsis: Can a randomised controlled trial of prehospital therapy provide answers?
Authors: Udy Andrew A , Smith Karen , Bernard Stephen
Published: November 2017

Significant tension surrounds the application of antibiotics in suspected infection. Guidelines stress the importance of early empirical broad‐spectrum therapy, with select observational data suggesting inferior outcomes when this is delayed. In contrast, microbiological resistance is an ever increasing global problem, with many advocating for a more restricted, culture‐driven approach to antibiotic prescription. Controlled trial data are urgently needed, although many clinicians would find withholding of antibiotic therapy unethical. A trial of prehospital antibiotic administration (by paramedics) in patients with suspected sepsis would therefore provide crucial data, and go a long way to determining whether earlier empirical therapy does actually improve outcomes.
Estimating Floodwater Depths from Flood Inundation Maps and Topography
Authors: Cohen Sagy , Brakenridge G. Robert , Kettner Albert , Bates Bradford , Nelson Jonathan , McDonald Richard , Huang Yu‐Fen , Munasinghe Dinuke , Zhang Jiaqi
Published: November 2017

Information on flood inundation extent is important for understanding societal exposure, water storage volumes, flood wave attenuation, future flood hazard, and other variables. A number of organizations now provide flood inundation maps based on satellite remote sensing. These data products can efficiently and accurately provide the areal extent of a flood event, but do not provide floodwater depth, an important attribute for first responders and damage assessment. Here we present a new methodology and a GIS‐based tool, the Floodwater Depth Estimation Tool (FwDET), for estimating floodwater depth based solely on an inundation map and a digital elevation model (DEM). We compare the FwDET results against water depth maps derived from hydraulic simulation of two flood events, a large‐scale event for which we use medium resolution input layer (10 m) and a small‐scale event for which we use a high‐resolution (LiDAR; 1 m) input. Further testing is performed for two inundation maps with a number of challenging features that include a narrow valley, a large reservoir, and an urban setting. The results show FwDET can accurately calculate floodwater depth for diverse flooding scenarios but also leads to considerable bias in locations where the inundation extent does not align well with the DEM. In these locations, manual adjustment or higher spatial resolution input is required.
Latent autoimmune diabetes and limbic encephalitis with antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase
Authors: Popkirov Stoyan , Sebastian Seena , Ismail Fatme S. , Wellmer Jörg
Published: November 2017

Highlights

Limbic encephalitis with antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase can occur in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult.

Autoimmune encephalitis should be considered when patients with autoimmune diabetes present with seizures and memory impairment.
New Fossil Liverworts from the Lower Cretaceous of Western Liaoning, China
Authors: GUO Caiqing , YAO Jianxin , ZHANG Jianwei , WU Pengcheng , LI Chengsen
Published: November 2017

Sixteen liverwort specimens collected from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Huangbanjigou Village, Liaoning Province, China are studied in this work. The plants are thalloid and preserved in brown arenaceous mudstone as impressions. Based on examinations, the liverworts are assigned to two new genera and five new species: Riccardiothallus palmata sp. nov., Pallaviciniites stricta sp. nov., Pellites latithallus gen. et sp. nov., Conocephalumites hexagonites gen. et sp. nov. and Metzgerites multifidus sp. nov., belonging to five families and five genera. The fossil research indicates that the divergence of families, Aneuraceae and Metzgeriaceae, Pallaviciniaceae and Hymenophytaceae, Pelliaceae and Fossombroniaceae, was in the Lower Cretaceous (125 Ma). The research provides significant additions to the fossil liverwort records in Western Liaoning and offers fossil evidence for studying the classification and evolution of extant liverworts.
Differential Hydrocarbon Enrichment and its Main Controlling Factors in Depressions of the Bohai Bay Basin Differential Hydrocarbon Enrichment and its Main Controlling Factors in Depressions of the Bohai Bay Basin
Authors: JIANG Youlu , LIU Hua , SONG Guoqi , WANG Yongshi , LIU Jingdong , ZHAO Kai , LYU Xueying
Published: November 2017

Significant differential hydrocarbon enrichment occurs in depressions in a petroliferous basin. There are multiple depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin, and each depression as a relatively independent unit of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation, contains significantly different hydrocarbon generation conditions and enrichment degree. On the basis of previous documents and a large number of statistical data, this work comparatively analyzed the differential hydrocarbon enrichment and its major controlling factors in depressions of the Bohai Bay Basin. The results show that depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin have various hydrocarbon enrichment degrees, and can be categorized into four types, namely enormously oil‐rich, oil‐rich, oily and oil‐poor depressions. In general, the enormously oil‐rich and oil‐rich depressions are distributed in the eastern part of the basin along the Tan–Lu and Lan–Liao faults, whereas depressions in the western part of the basin are poor in hydrocarbons. Moreover, the vertical distribution of hydrocarbons is also highly heterogeneous, with Pre‐Paleogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the northern and western depressions, Paleogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the entire basin, and Neogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the off‐shore areas of the Bohai Bay Basin. From early depressions in onshore areas to the late depressions in offshore areas of the Bohai Bay Basin, the source rocks and source‐reservoir‐cap rock assemblages gradually become younger and shallower, and the hydrocarbon resource abundance gradually increases. Hydrocarbon supplying condition is the key factor constraining the hydrocarbon enrichment for different depressions, while the main source‐reservoir‐cap rock assemblage, sufficient hydrocarbons and the transportation capacity of faults control the vertical distribution of hydrocarbons. The main factors controlling hydrocarbon enrichment are different for different layers. The hydrocarbon supplying condition of source rocks is the key controlling factor, whereas the source‐reservoir configuration, the main source‐reservoir‐cap rock assemblages, and the fault transportation are the main factors of hydrocarbon enrichment in the Paleogene, Paleogene and Neogene, respectively.
A Mesozoic Pompeii: History of the Jehol Biota's Rise and Fall
Authors: SHAO Tiequan , ZHANG Hu , WANG Qi , LIU Yunhuan , ZHANG Yanan
Published: November 2017

The Jehol fauna was initially represented by a bony fish, concostracan and an insect, as a Lycoptera davidi–Eosestheria–Ephemeropsis trisetalis association, but since the researches of recent decades, the Jehol Biota is now completely different from the past low‐diversity, and encompasses a native terrestrial biota that includes many well‐preserved vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. There are more than 20 important biological categories, thousands of taphonomically unusual fossils, especially noted for the wide variety of biological tissues. The Jehol Biota has caused a sensation in the world with its wide distribution, large quantity, great variety, fine preservation and detailed information, which records the rise and fall of the numerous taxa, and provides significant evidence for three origins: of birds, eutherian mammals, and angiosperms. The Jehol Biota is a highlight of basic scientific research in China, and we honor it as a world–class fossil treasury and “a Mesozoic Pompeii”.
The role of echocardiography in Kawasaki disease
Authors: McCrindle Brian W. , Cifra Barbara
Published: November 2017

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self‐limited vasculitis affecting young children. It can result in coronary artery abnormalities in a significant proportion of patients, especially if the diagnosis is missed or treatment gets delayed. Echocardiography is the imaging modality of choice for detection of coronary artery abnormalities and assessment of myocardial function. It is also useful for characterization and risk stratification of patients with KD. Echocardiography should be performed at the time of diagnosis and then again at 1–2 weeks and 4–6 weeks after treatment, for uncomplicated cases who do not have significant coronary artery involvement. Use of a standardized imaging protocol is necessary to detect and characterize coronary artery abnormalities, including standardization of measurements (Z scores). For patients with evolving abnormalities, more frequent assessment is necessary in order to detect thromboses in aneurysms. Long‐term prognosis and management is dependent on both the maximal and current Z scores of aneurysms. Patients with large or giant aneurysms (i.e., Z score ≥ 10) are at the highest risk of both thrombosis and stenosis. Such patients need careful follow‐up for subsequent cardiovascular events. Many of them would be candidates for advanced cardiovascular imaging and may require revascularization therapy. Serial echocardiography plays a key role in surveillance. In addition, stress echocardiography has proven useful as a modality to assess for inducible myocardial ischemia. Intravascular ultrasound has been recommended for functional and structural assessment of coronary arteries in children with KD.
Defining sepsis on the wards: results of a multi‐centre point‐prevalence study comparing two sepsis definitions
Authors: Szakmany T. , Pugh R. , Kopczynska M. , Lundin R. M. , Sharif B. , Morgan P. , Ellis G. , Abreu J. , Kulikouskaya S. , Bashir K. , Galloway L. , Al‐Hassan H. , Grother T. , McNulty P. , Seal S. T. , Cains A. , Vreugdenhil M. , Abdimalik M. , Dennehey N. , Evans G. , Whitaker J. , Beasant E. , Hall C. , Lazarou M. , Vanderpump C. V. , Harding K. , Duffy L. , Guerrier Sadler A. , Keeling R. , Banks C. , Ng S. W. Y. , Heng S. Y. , Thomas D. , Puw E. W. , Otahal I. , Battle C. , Minik O. , Lyons R. A. , Hall J. E. ,   the Welsh Digital Data Collection Platform collaborators
Published: November 2017

Our aim was to prospectively determine the predictive capabilities of SEPSIS‐1 and SEPSIS‐3 definitions in the emergency departments and general wards. Patients with National Early Warning Score (NEWS) of 3 or above and suspected or proven infection were enrolled over a 24‐h period in 13 Welsh hospitals. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 30 days. Out of the 5422 patients screened, 431 fulfilled inclusion criteria and 380 (88%) were recruited. Using the SEPSIS‐1 definition, 212 patients had sepsis. When using the SEPSIS‐3 definitions with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ≥ 2, there were 272 septic patients, whereas with quickSOFA score ≥ 2, 50 patients were identified. For the prediction of primary outcome, SEPSIS‐1 criteria had a sensitivity (95%CI) of 65% (54–75%) and specificity of 47% (41–53%); SEPSIS‐3 criteria had a sensitivity of 86% (76–92%) and specificity of 32% (27–38%). SEPSIS‐3 and SEPSIS‐1 definitions were associated with a hazard ratio (95%CI) 2.7 (1.5–5.6) and 1.6 (1.3–2.5), respectively. Scoring system discrimination evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves was highest for Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (0.69 (95%CI 0.63–0.76)), followed by NEWS (0.58 (0.51–0.66)) (p < 0.001). Systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria (0.55 (0.49–0.61)) and quickSOFA score (0.56 (0.49–0.64)) could not predict outcome. The SEPSIS‐3 definition identified patients with the highest risk. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and NEWS were better predictors of poor outcome. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score appeared to be the best tool for identifying patients with high risk of death and sepsis‐induced organ dysfunction.