bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of hypothyroidism among patients with isthmus-preserved thyroid lobectomy
Authors: Salih Abdulwahid M.
Published: July 2018

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of hypothyroidism following thyroid lobectomy with isthmus preservation.

Methods

This retrospective, case series study included patients who had undergone thyroid lobectomy with preserved isthmus that was reversed onto the contralateral lobe. Neck ultrasound was performed in all patients and the patients were followed for 2 years.

Results

Out of 170 patients enrolled into the study, three were excluded due to preoperative hypothyroidism and one due to isthmusectomy; of the remaining 166 included in the final analyses, 139 patients (83.7%) were female, 27 (16.3%) were male, and patient age ranged between 17 and 77 years. The indication for intervention was thyroid swelling in 141 patients (84.9%). Final diagnoses following histopathological examination comprised benign lesion in 145 cases (87.3%), malignancy (follicular carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma) in 12 cases (7.2%) and thyroiditis in nine cases (5.4%). During the 2-year post-surgery follow-up, 165 patients (99.4%) were euthyroid and one patient (0.6%) developed hypothyroidism.

Conclusion

Postoperative hypothyroidism following thyroid lobectomy appears to be very rare when the isthmus is preserved and reversed onto the contralateral lobe.
Chronic kidney disease is associated with carotid atherosclerosis and symptomatic ischaemic stroke
Authors: Kajitani Nobuo , Uchida Haruhito A. , Suminoe Isao , Kakio Yuki , Kitagawa Masashi , Sato Hajime , Wada Jun
Published: July 2018

Objective

We aimed to investigate the relationships among chronic kidney disease (CKD), symptomatic ischaemic stroke, and carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods

We enrolled 455 patients who underwent carotid ultrasonography in our hospital, including 311 patients with symptomatic ischaemic stroke and 144 patients without symptomatic ischaemic stroke. Carotid intima–media thickness (IMT), the rate of internal carotid artery stenosis, and maximal plaque size were evaluated.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 68.5 ± 11.0 years and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 68.8 ± 18.2 mL/min/1.73 m2. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, the mean IMT was significantly higher in patients with CKD than in those without CKD. The IMT and eGFR were negatively correlated in patients with stroke (r = −0.169). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that mean IMT, plaque size, and internal carotid artery stenosis were significant determinants of symptomatic ischaemic stroke after adjustment of multivariate risk factors. Furthermore, the eGFR was a negative determinant of symptomatic ischaemic stroke after adjusting for classical risk factors (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.868 [0.769–0.979]).

Conclusion

CKD might be associated with the carotid atherosclerosis and symptomatic ischaemic stroke.
Jointly Specified Spatial Priors for Bayesian Models of Crash Frequency
Authors: Aguero-Valverde Jonathan
Published: July 2018

The presence of spatial correlation in crash frequency data has being well documented. Most of the studies in highway safety used conditionally specified spatial errors, such as Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) random effects. An alternative to conditionally specified models is to choose directly a parametric functional form for the covariance matrix of the error term, also known as jointly specified models of spatial correlation. The main advantage of these models is that they do not depend on an arbitrary defined proximity matrix. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the use of jointly specified spatial priors for Bayesian models of crash frequency using four types of correlation functions: exponential, rational quadratic, Gaussian, and Matérn. The frequency of equivalent-property-damage-only crashes in 162 intersections on Route 34 in Costa Rica was modeled. The results show that the four jointly specified models are similar in goodness-of-fit and significantly better than the CAR model. The estimated mean range varies from about 20 m to more than 60 m and the mean effective range varies between 100 m and 200 m. Most of the information on the posterior of the range comes from the data, since the posteriors diverge significantly from the uniform priors. There is not enough evidence to select a correlation function over the other three; further studies are, therefore, recommended to shed light on this issue.
CFD-DEM Two-Way Coupled Numerical Simulation of Bridge Local Scour Behavior under Clear-Water Conditions
Authors: Li Junhong , Tao Junliang
Published: July 2018

Bridge local scour involves extremely complex interactions among the flow, the sediments, and the pier. Our understanding of the underlying mechanism, especially at the microscale, is far from complete. The newly emerged multiphase numerical simulation overcomes the technical limitations imposed on physical experiments. To advance knowledge of the sediment dynamics under turbulent junction flows, this paper employed a CFD-DEM two-way coupled numerical model to simulate the local scour behavior of uniform spherical mass particles around an oblong pier. In this coupled system, the flow phase was described as a continuum by a detached eddy simulation (DES) model, and motion of the discrete particles was governed by Newton’s laws of motion (DEM). The flow–sediment interactions were directly considered through the momentum exchange between the two phases. The two-way coupled model was shown to successfully capture microscopic sediment dynamics similar to those observed in the literature. Sediment grains in the bed-load layer were shown to be eroded in the form of sliding and saltation. The erosional forces acting on two representative target particles, together with their correspondent motions/trajectories, provide valuable insights into the mechanism that dictates the scour initiation.
“My God! Why Was I Born?”
Authors: Foley Susan
Published: July 2018

Unpublished documents by Léon Laurent-Pichat (1823–1886), republican activist and Life Senator, record his experience of being born illegitimate, finding his mother in adulthood, and becoming part of her family. Such accounts are extremely rare. This case study uses those writings to elucidate the emotional impact of illegitimacy on both child and family. It also questions how far the legal and social exclusion of illegitimate children from the conjugal family was reflected in family practice. This case demonstrates that bourgeois families were sometimes less intransigent and more accepting of such children than legal strictures or social prescriptions might suggest.
Univariate Outliers: A Conceptual Overview for the Nurse Researcher
Authors: Mowbray Fabrice I. , Fox-Wasylyshyn Susan M. , El-Masri Maher M.
Published: July 2018

The presence of statistical outliers is a shared concern in research. If ignored or improperly handled, outliers have the potential to distort the estimate of the parameter of interest and thus compromise the generalizability of research findings. A variety of statistical techniques are available to assist researchers with the identification and management of outlier cases. The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual overview of univariate outliers with special focus on common techniques used to detect and manage univariate outliers. Specifically, this paper discusses the use of histograms, boxplots, interquartile range, and z-score analysis as common univariate outlier identification techniques. The paper also discusses the outlier management techniques of deletion, substitution, and transformation.
Associations of Maternal Beliefs and Distress in Pregnancy and Postpartum With Breastfeeding Initiation and Early Cessation
Authors: Ritchie-Ewing Genevieve , Mitchell Amanda M. , Christian Lisa M.
Published: July 2018

Background:

Breastfeeding plays an important role in both maternal and infant health and well-being. While researchers have examined the relationship between postpartum psychological distress and breastfeeding behaviors, few have investigated links between prenatal distress, postpartum distress, and breastfeeding behaviors over time.

Research Aim:

We aimed to determine if prenatal breastfeeding beliefs and psychological distress during and after pregnancy were associated with initiation and early cessation rates of breastfeeding.

Methods:

In our secondary data analysis, a nonexperimental longitudinal one-group design was used. We assessed pregnant women ( N = 70) during four perinatal visits (early, mid, and late pregnancy and 7-10 weeks postpartum). Participants completed self-report surveys about psychological distress and depressive symptoms at each visit, breastfeeding beliefs during the third visit, and breastfeeding behaviors at the postpartum visit.

Results:

Participants who breastfed for ⩾8 weeks had more positive beliefs about breastfeeding prior to delivery than participants with early cessation, who in turn had more positive beliefs than those who never initiated. Participants with early cessation reported heightened levels of pregnancy-specific distress in early pregnancy compared to those who continued breastfeeding or never initiated. Participants who continued breastfeeding for ⩾8 weeks reported less general anxiety and depressive symptoms in postpartum than those who discontinued or never initiated.

Conclusions:

Prenatal beliefs about breastfeeding, pregnancy-specific distress in early pregnancy, and general anxiety and depressive symptoms in postpartum are associated with breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Of clinical relevance, addressing prenatal and postpartum distress in the implementation of breastfeeding practice interventions could improve breastfeeding rates.
Medication Use During Pregnancy and Lactation in a Dutch Population
Authors: de Waard Marita , Blomjous Birgit S. , Hol Marinka L. F. , Sie Sintha D. , Corpeleijn Willemijn E. , van Goudoever Johannes (Hans) B. , van Weissenbruch Mirjam M.
Published: July 2018

Background:

Medication use during pregnancy and lactation can be unavoidable, but knowledge on safety for the fetus or breastfed infant is limited among patients and healthcare providers.

Research aim:

This study aimed to determine (a) the prevalence of medication use in pregnant and lactating women in a tertiary academic center, (b) the types and safety of these medicines, and (c) the influence of medication use on initiation of breastfeeding.

Methods:

This study used a cross-sectional survey among women ( N = 292) who underwent high-risk or low-risk deliveries. Data about their use of prescribed, over-the-counter, and homeopathic medication during pregnancy were obtained through a structured interview, followed by a questionnaire during lactation. Safety was classified according to the risk classification system from the Dutch Teratological Information Service.

Results:

Overall, 95.5% of participants used medication. One third of participants used at least one medicine with an unknown risk for the fetus. Teratogenic medication was used by 6.5% of participants, whereas 29.5% used medication with a (suspected) pharmacological effect on the fetus. Lactation was initiated by 258 (88.7%) participants, of which 84.2% used medication while breastfeeding. In 3.8% of participants, this medication was classified unsafe, but none used medication with an unknown risk. One-third of the nonlactating participants decided not to initiate breastfeeding because of medication use. In 70% of participants, this decision was appropriate.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of overall use of medication in Dutch pregnant and lactating women admitted to a tertiary center was high. There is an urgent need for pharmacometric studies for determination of the safe use of the most frequently used medicines during pregnancy or lactation.
An Iceberg Phenomenon in Dementia: Pain
Authors: Agit Abdullah , Balci Cafer , Yavuz Burcu Balam , Cankurtaran Eylem , Kuyumcu Mehmet Emin , Halil Meltem , Arıogul Servet , Cankurtaran Mustafa
Published: July 2018

Background:

Pain is one of the most frequent symptoms in older adults. It severely impairs quality of life, increases delirium risk, and may lead to progression of dementia. Assessment of pain performed by taking anamnesis from the patient is not reliable in patients with dementia due to cooperation and communication problems. The aim of this study was to assess pain and its consequences in patients with dementia.

Methods:

Seventy-five nursing home residents with dementia were enrolled. After comprehensive geriatric assessment, presence of pain was asked to patients, and Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD), Discomfort Scale for Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type (DS-DAT), Pain Assessment for the Dementing Elderly (PADE), Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, and Numeric Rating Scale tests were performed.

Results:

Mean age was 81.1 (7.0), and 46.7% (n = 35) were female. Thirty-two percent of the patients were at early stage, 24% at moderate stage, and 44% at severe stage. Although the number of patients declaring pain was lower in moderate and severe stage, scores of PADE, PAINAD, and DS-DAT were significantly higher in severe stage showing the presence of pain ( P < .001). Furthermore, scores of PADE, PAINAD, and DS-DAT were negatively correlated with comprehensive geriatric assessment test scores.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate that pain is not rare in patients with dementia, but they are not usually capable of expressing it, especially in the severe stage. Therefore, objective pain assessment scales developed for patients with dementia should be routinely used and management of pain should be done regarding the association of pain with other geriatric syndromes.
Cervical cancer screening among transactional female sex workers in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Richards Sheyla D , Stonbraker Samantha , Halpern Mina , Amesty Silvia
Published: July 2018

Cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death and the second most diagnosed cancer among women in developing countries. We determined the prevalence of abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap), high-risk HPV (hrHPV), and colposcopy among transactional female sex workers (FSWs) in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The results of 144 FSWs of ages 18–54 years who completed a demographic interview and Pap testing with hrHPV detection between June 2015 and April 2016 were analyzed. Women with abnormal results were referred for colposcopy. Risk factors for abnormal Pap were assessed through bivariate and multivariate analyses. Overall, 36.1% (52/144) of Paps were abnormal and 43.4% (62/143) had hrHPV. Of all women with hrHPV and/or abnormal Pap (68/144; 47.2%), 61 (89.7%) were referred and 16 (26.2) underwent colposcopy. HPV16 and/or 18/45 was detected in 33.3% (15/45) of low-grade Paps. Binge drinking, weekly (AOR 5.1, 95% CI: 1.8–14.5) or daily (AOR 4.9, 95% CI: 1.5–16.6), and age at first sexual relation (AOR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0–1.5) were significantly associated ( p < 0.05) with abnormal Pap. Although almost half of participants had abnormal Pap or hrHPV, few underwent colposcopy. Improving access to cervical cancer screening and follow-up for FSWs is imperative.
Discourse on Southeast’s bad reputation: Positioning of African Americans in Washington, D.C.
Authors: Lee Sinae
Published: July 2018

This study examines the interview discourse of five African American speakers in Washington, D.C., particularly paying attention to their discussions on issues surrounding a marginalized section of the city, namely, Southeast. The study provides discourse-based evidence of Southeast’s marginalization, which is reflected in the widely circulating discourse on Southeast’s reputation. Drawing on Positioning Theory, the study shows how Southeast speakers and non-Southeast speakers exhibit different positioning in assessing the reputation. The study illuminates how different positioning characterizes some of the key aspects of a marginalized neighborhood, concomitantly reflecting how different groups in the city construct and evaluate their own identities and others.
The Determinants of Economic Growth in Ghana: New Empirical Evidence
Authors: Ho Sin-Yu , Iyke Bernard Njindan
Published: July 2018

This article deals with an investigation into the determinants of economic growth in Ghana over the period from 1975 to 2014. In particular, we investigated the impact of physical capital, human capital, labour, government expenditure, inflation, foreign aid, foreign direct investment, financial development, globalization and debt servicing on economic performance within an augmented Solow growth model. It was found that, in the long run, both human capital and foreign aid have a positive influence on output, while labour, financial development and debt servicing have a negative impact on output. It was also found that, in the short run, government expenditure and foreign aid have a positive influence on economic growth, while labour, inflation and financial development have a negative impact on economic growth. These findings hold important policy implications for the country.
Linking Green Human Resource Management Practices to Environmental Performance in Hotel Industry
Authors: Yusoff Yusmani Mohd , Nejati Mehran , Kee Daisy Mui Hung , Amran Azlan
Published: July 2018

The hotel industry is growing rapidly in developing countries due to an increase in the tourism industry; however, on the other hand, the hotel industry is one of the sectors largely increasing the burden on the environment. Therefore, due to the massive number of environmental issues that hotel industry has encountered, there is an increasing force to pay a correct reaction to environmental issues and executing sustainable business practices such as the adoption of green human resource management (HRM) practices provide a win–win situation for the organization and its stakeholders. It, therefore, signals the need to examine how green HRM practices will enhance the environmental performance in the hotel industry. Grounded by resource-based view theory, this study utilized a research model examining the relationship between green HRM practices (green recruitment and selection, green training and development, green performance appraisal, and green compensation) and environmental performance in Malaysia’s hotel industry. Questionnaires were distributed to human resource (HR) managers/ executives in 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels in Malaysia. A total of 206 hotels participated in the study. The data collected were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Based on the analysis, the study revealed that green recruitment and selection, green training and development, and green compensation have a meaningful relationship with environmental performance, while green performance appraisal did not have a significant relationship with environmental performance. Our results extend previous research by not only highlighting the importance of green HRM practices in driving environmental performance but also indicating how each dimension of green HRM practices either enhances or inhibits environmental performance. This is the first empirical research that investigates the relationship between green HRM and environmental performance in the hotel industry literature.
Curbing negative integration: German supervisory board codetermination does not restrict the common market
Authors: Höpner Martin
Published: July 2018

TUI v Erzberger is a landmark decision on the normative meaning and scope of the fundamental freedoms. Mr Erzberger complained that the territoriality principle as the linking factor of German supervisory board codetermination violates European law. He argued that lack of voting rights among the employees of foreign subsidiaries was in violation of the ban on discrimination in Article 18 TFEU. He further argued that the possible loss of voting rights when domestic employees move across borders within the same company group makes the move less attractive and therefore violates the free movement of workers in Article 45 TFEU. The Appeals Court Berlin referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which ruled that the German regulation does not violate European law. The ruling went further than should have been necessary in order to reject the plaintiff’s legal view. It stated, first, the legality of the territoriality principle as the linking factor of national labour law as long as no European secondary law rules otherwise. Second, the Court raised fundamental insights about the telos of Article 45 TFEU and stated that its purpose is not to neutralise the heterogeneity of the social regulations of the Member States.
Elastic characteristics of a strip-like electro-active elastomer actuator
Authors: Guo Shijie , Jia Xiaohui , Hashimoto Kazunobu , Li Tiejun
Published: July 2018

Electro-active elastomer actuators have been widely studied, and many applications have been proposed for them. However, nearly all studies are focused on driving principle, structures, and control, and investigations on the mechanical properties and efficiency are insufficient. Using a strip-like actuator as a model case, this study revealed the maximum deformation, the relationship between driving force and deformation, and the maximum efficiency to provide a basic guide for the design of such actuators. First, the strains without mechanical constraints were studied, and the maximum strain was discussed under a linear assumption. Second, the displacement and driving force were analyzed considering the effects of electrodes and the margins of dielectric elastomer, and the results were compared. Finally, the electromechanical efficiency was investigated, and the approaches for improving efficiency were discussed.
Transient response of cracked nonhomogeneous substrate with piezoelectric coating by dislocation method
Authors: Ershad H , Bagheri R , Noroozi M
Published: July 2018

The transient response of a functionally graded material (FGM) orthotropic strip with a piezoelectric coating weakened by multiple cracks is investigated. The system is subjected to out-of-plane mechanical and in-plane electrical loading. The properties of the nonhomogeneous substrate are assumed to vary exponentially along the thickness and the energy dissipation is modeled by viscous damping. In this study, the rate of the gradual change of the shear moduli, mass density, and damping constant are assumed to be same. At first, the transient response of a Volterra-type dislocation in an FGM orthotropic strip is obtained analytically. Imposing a distributed dislocation density on the crack surface and using the Fourier and Laplace integral transforms, the problem is reduced to a system of singular integral equations for a substrate weakened by multiple cracks in the form of Cauchy singularity; which are solved numerically to obtain the dynamic stress intensity factors at the crack tips. Finally, the effects of the geometrical parameters, material properties, viscous damping and cracks arrangement on the dynamic fracture behavior of the interacting cracks are studied.
‘On the wet side of the womb’: The construction of ‘mothers’ in anti-abortion activism in England and Wales
Authors: Lowe Pam , Page Sarah-Jane
Published: July 2018

Across the UK, there has been an increase in anti-abortion activism outside abortion clinics. The activism deployed includes explicitly religious activities such as ‘prayerful witnessing’ and ‘pavement counselling’, which aim to discourage women from entering clinics. This article stems from a wider ethnographic study of public activism over abortion to determine what claims about motherhood are being made within these debates. Two arguments are presented. First, how women’s role as mothers is central and essentialised in anti-abortion discourses, with the body of the mother often disappearing as activists seek to erode the distinction between a foetus and a baby by constructing pregnancy as a foetal environment. Motherhood is constructed as ‘natural’ and sacred, therefore abortion must be damaging because it destroys women’s ‘natural’ position. Second, the article argues that although the activists’ arguments are always religiously framed, their activism takes place in a largely secular context, meaning that they have to find ways of appealing to secular audiences. This leads to a complex interrelationship between secular and religious discourses, where theological viewpoints sit alongside ‘scientific’ claims to buttress activists’ views. This article explores how the presence and absence of mothers within activists’ narratives is due to the tensions between religiously based understandings of motherhood, and the need to appeal to a secular audience.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a culturally adapted behavioral family psycho-educational program for Egyptian patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Rami Hisham , Hussien Hanan , Rabie Menan , Sabry Walaa , Missiry Marwa El , Ghamry Reem El
Published: July 2018

Although a growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of behavioral family therapies for patients with schizophrenia, few studies have been carried out on the effectiveness of such programs for Egyptian patients. The current study translated and culturally adapted the Behavioral Family Psycho-Education Program (BFPEP) and conducted a preliminary efficacy evaluation for outpatients suffering from schizophrenia. Thirty patients received 14 sessions of culturally adapted Program (CA-BFPEP) and 30 received treatment as usual; all were followed up for 6 months. Pre- and post-intervention assessment included primary outcome measures that assessed the clinical, social, quality of life and attitude towards medications. The CA-BFPEP group demonstrated significant treatment effects as they had greater reductions in psychotic symptoms (PANSS), improvement of social function (SFQ), quality of life (QoL), and attitude towards medications (DAI), compared to patients in the control group. These results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing family therapy interventions in different cultural settings with relatively minor modifications. These promising findings invite further efforts to maximize the benefits of family therapy interventions internationally and to encourage mental health policy makers to integrate this mode of therapy in routine care management plans for patients with schizophrenia.
Patient Reported Injuries After Ventral Hernia Repair
Authors: Lindmark M. , Strigård K. , Nordin P. , Gunnarsson U.
Published: July 2018

Background and Aims:

The Swedish National Patient Insurance Company (LÖF) can compensate patients who believe they have been exposed to an avoidable injury or malpractice in healthcare. Its register covers 95% of Swedish healthcare providers.

Material and Methods:

Data on patients operated for primary or incisional ventral hernia in Sweden between 2010 and 2015 and who had filed a claim, were retrieved from LÖF. A total of 290 cases were identified and included. Files include a copy of records, relevant imaging, and an expert advisor’s opinion.

Results:

Inadvertent enterotomy occurred during 25 repairs and in these cases, laparoscopic repair was clearly overrepresented ( p  < 0.001). Complications related to the surgical site (infection and ugly scar) were predominantly related to open repairs ( p  < 0.001). Twenty percentage (57/290) of the claims were directly related to an anesthetic mishap. Univariate ordinal regression showed that the odds of receiving a high reimbursement was significantly increased if laparoscopic repair was performed p  < 0.001 (odds ratio: 0.37; 95% confidence interval: 0.21–0.65). Sixty-three percentage of claims were filed by women.

Conclusion:

Inadvertent enterotomy is overrepresented, and the probability that a claim filed for an avoidable injury leads to high reimbursement is greater if laparoscopic repair is performed rather than open ventral hernia repair. The high amount of injuries related to general anesthesia during umbilical hernia repair may be reduced with an increased proportion executed in local anesthesia.
Virtual prototype and field test study on hydraulic brake system performance of mining truck
Authors: Fan Xiaobin , Gan Jing
Published: July 2018

In order to study the braking performance of mining dump truck, the modeling of the oil–gas suspension, front and rear brake of the dump truck were carried out first. Then the virtual prototype model of the dump truck was established in multibody dynamic simulation software. The simulation of braking and emergency braking performance, brake deviation on the flat road, and 9% downhill road were carried out. The brake in driving performance, emergency brake performance, disc brake retardance performance, transmission retardance performance, and hydraulic braking system response time were carried out by the real vehicle experiment, respectively. The result shows that the clearance elimination and pressure rise time of braking system are slightly long, especially the clearance elimination time, so the oil system should have an improvement. At the same time, the braking force distribution of the front and the rear is not reasonable, and the front wheel braking torque is slightly insufficient. After solving these problems by authors’ project team, the braking performance of the mine dump truck has been improved significantly.
Fatigue and corrosion behavior of in-service AA7075 aircraft component after thermo-mechanical and retrogression and re-aging treatments
Authors: Gürgen Selim , Saçkesen İsmail , Kuşhan Melih Cemal
Published: July 2018

Fatigue crack growth and corrosion are the two important failure mechanisms for aircraft structural components and, therefore, various treatments have been developed to improve the fatigue and corrosion resistance of aircraft materials. In the present study, thermo-mechanical and retrogression and re-aging treatments were applied to AA7075T7352 specimens, which were extracted from a nearly 40 years in-service F-4 Phantom component. The in-service component was selected in order to observe the influence of thermo-mechanical and retrogression and re-aging treatments on the properties of a used aircraft material and it was expected that the service life of the material is extended in the maintenance stage. In the experimental work, electrical, mechanical, fatigue crack growth, and corrosion tests were carried out using the specimens with T7352 (as-received), thermo-mechanical and retrogression and re-aging conditions. Based on the results, fatigue crack growth resistance of the material benefited from the thermo-mechanical and retrogression and re-aging treatments; however, both treatments lowered the corrosion resistance of the material.
Sociomaterial assemblages, entanglements and text production: Mapping pedagogic practices using time-lapse photography
Authors: Baroutsis Aspa
Published: July 2018

This paper maps a teacher’s pedagogic practices when teaching young children to produce texts using digital technologies during a literacy lesson for 7–8 year-old children. Pedagogies are broadly understood as what the teacher does in a classroom to facilitate learning in a twenty-first century classroom. The paper argues that the very notion of pedagogy places the teacher at the centre of learning practices, more so than other aspects of teaching such as the curriculum and assessment, which are heavily regulated by policy. Underpinned by understandings of sociomaterial assemblages, incorporating the material and the spatial, data were collected using time-lapse photography, classroom observations and field notes including classroom floor plans. The findings of a frame-by-frame analysis of the time-lapse photographs are reported through the three interconnected concepts of pedagogy, space and materials. The paper concludes by suggesting that an understanding of the material and spatial entanglements in a classroom through a mapping of pedagogies augments current knowledge, enabling a fresh understanding of teaching literacy and how young children learn to write as twenty-first century learners as children enact their journey of becoming-writer.
Putting yourself into your work: expression of visual meaning in student technical writing
Authors: Parkinson Jean , Mackay James , Demecheleer Murielle
Published: July 2018

Students in technical fields use visual as well as verbal modes to express their meaning, employing ways of expressing meaning that are useful later in their professional lives. This study investigates visual meaning in student Builders’ Diaries, journals that are written by carpentry trainees to provide a record of their learning. In professional carpentry practice, Diaries function as a record of building work and are used in planning, billing and record-keeping. For this study, a corpus of 43 Builders’ Diaries, written by apprentices working in industry and by trainees in an educational institution, were analyzed. Findings reveal the role of visual meaning in the Builders’ Diary in developing the professional identity of the students. Compositional regularities were found, including regularities in image–image and image–text relations. These regularities suggest the extent to which our participants, who have no formal training in design, participate in culturally shared understandings of visual meaning.
The association between correlated colour temperature and scotopic/photopic ratio
Authors: Fotios S , Yao Q
Published: July 2018

The scotopic/photopic ratio (S/P) is a parameter that may be considered in the design of road lighting. This paper compares the S/P ratio and correlated colour temperature (CCT) for 297 light source spectra identified in IES Technical Memorandum TM-30-15 to test the assumption that higher S/P ratios demand higher CCTs. The results suggest that, for a given lamp type, there is a strong association between S/P ratio and CCT, and hence that for a given CCT only a small variation in S/P ratio is available. However, the results also suggest that a larger variation in S/P ratio is possible if the lighting designer is able to consider a change in lamp type.
A general order full-discretization algorithm for chatter avoidance in milling
Authors: Ozoegwu Chigbogu Godwin
Published: July 2018

Based on the full-discretization method, this work presents a generalized monodromy matrix as an exact function of the order of polynomial approximation of the milling state for chatter avoidance algorithm. In other words, the computational process is made smarter since the usual derivation of the monodromy matrices on order-by-order basis – a huge analytical involvement that rapidly gets heavier with a rise in the order of approximation – is bypassed. This is the highest possible level of generalization that seems to be the first of its kind among the time-domain methods as the known generalizations are limited to the interpolating/approximating polynomial of the milling state. It then became convenient in this work to study the stability of milling process up to the tenth order. More reliable methods of the rate of convergence analysis were suggested and utilized in consolidating the known result that the best accuracy of the full-discretization method lies with the third and fourth order. It is seen from numerical convergence analyses that, although accuracy most often decreases with rising order beyond the third-order methods, the trend did not persist with a continued rise in order.
A time-dependent probabilistic fatigue analysis method considering stochastic loadings and strength degradation
Authors: Su Chunbo , Yu Shui , Wang Zhonglai , Tayyab Zafar
Published: July 2018

This article proposes two strategies for time-dependent probabilistic fatigue analysis considering stochastic loadings and strength degradation based on the failure transformation and multi-dimensional kernel density estimation method. The time-dependent safety margin function is first established to describe the limit state of the time-dependent failure probability for mechatronics equipment with stochastic loadings and strength degradation. Considering the effective safety margin points and the corresponding number of the load cycles, two strategies for transforming the time-dependent failure probability calculation to the static reliability calculation are then proposed. Multi-dimensional kernel density estimation method is finally employed to build the probability density functions and the reliability is estimated based on the probability density functions. An engineering case of a filtering gear reducer is presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methods both in computational efficiency and accuracy.
Nursing care at end of life: a UK-based survey of the deaths of people living in care settings for people with intellectual disability
Authors: Northway Ruth , Todd Stuart , Hunt Katherine , Hopes Paula , Morgan Rachel , Shearn Julia , Worth Rhian , Bernal Jane
Published: July 2018

Background

People with intellectual disability are believed to be at risk of receiving poor end-of-life care. Nurses, given their advocacy role and duty to provide compassionate end-of-life care, have the potential to change this situation but research regarding this aspect of their role is limited.

Aims

This paper thus seeks to answer the question ‘How and when are nurses involved in providing care at end of life for people with intellectual disability?’

Methods

A total of 38 intellectual disability care providers in the UK providing support to 13,568 people with intellectual disability were surveyed. Data regarding 247 deaths within this population were gathered in two stages and subsequently entered into SPSSX for analysis.

Results

Findings revealed that the majority of deaths occurred between the ages of 50 and 69 years, the most commonly reported cause of death being respiratory problems. Both community and hospital-based nurses were involved in supporting individuals during their final 3 months of life, and sometimes more than one type of nurse provided support to individuals. Generally nursing care was rated positively, although room for improvement was also identified.

Conclusions

Nurses are involved in supporting people with intellectual disability at end of life and appropriate education is required to undertake this role. This may require change in curricula and subsequent research to determine the impact of such change on nursing support to this population.
The presence and prevalence of Legionella spp in collected rainwater and its aerosolisation during common gardening activities
Authors: Steege L , Moore G
Published: July 2018

Aims:

To determine the presence and prevalence of Legionella spp in domestic rainwater storage butts and to quantify its aerosolisation when collected rainwater is used for common gardening activities.

Methods:

Volunteers were asked to take a water sample from their garden rainwater storage butt. The presence of Legionella was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Two new rainwater storage butts were installed on-site at PHE Porton and positioned in sunlight or in the shade. Ambient conditions and those within the two ‘experimental’ water butts were continually monitored. A cyclone air sampler was used to detect the presence of Legionella in the air when collected rainwater was poured from a watering can or delivered via a hosepipe attached to a submersible water butt pump.

Results:

A total of 63 volunteers provided water samples from 113 different rainwater storage butts. Legionella spp was detected in 107 of these samples at a mean concentration of 4.7 × 104 genomic units l–1. Two of these samples also contained L. pneumophila. The water butt positioned in the shade stored water at a significantly lower temperature than that exposed to sunlight. While the concentration of Legionella was significantly higher in this cooler water, meteorological conditions rather than conditions within the water butt had the greatest effect upon Legionella concentration. No Legionella was detected in the air when rainwater was poured from a watering can. However, using a hose pipe on a ‘fine spray’ setting increased both the number of organisms detected in the air and their dissemination.

Conclusion:

In this study, Legionella spp were common contaminants of collected rainwater. However, the use of rainwater for common gardening activities should not be discouraged. Aerosolisation of Legionella when using a watering can is minimal and any increased risk associated with hose pipe use can be mitigated by using a coarse spray setting.
Assessing Potential Predation Risk by Introduced Predators on Unattended Eggs in the Red-Tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Authors: Luna Nicolas , Varela Andrea I. , Brokordt Katherina , Luna-Jorquera Guillermo
Published: July 2018

Anthropogenic impact has been heavy in remote oceanic islands, including the introduction of alien species, having negative effects on native seabirds. The isolated and subtropical Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is one of the few known breeding sites of the red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda in Chile (southeastern Pacific Ocean) where is listed as vulnerable. A relatively new breeding colony is found in the Rano Raraku volcano, where human-introduced species are present. We used hen eggs as a proxy for red-tailed tropicbird eggs to assess potential predation risk on unattended eggs. Each experimental egg was monitored by camera traps during 6 days. Three predatory species were identified on the records: the Brown rat Rattus norvegicus, the Polynesian rat Rattus exulans, and the raptor Chimango Caracara Phalcoboenus chimango. The most frequent species were the Rattus spp. A total of 45 predatory visits were recorded with a total time of 1.7 h, accounting for the 0.3% of the experimental time. Within this time of visits, all the potential predators spent time in both interacting activities (trying to prey on) and no-interacting activities with the experimental eggs. Only a Brown rat was able to prey on one of the eggs. Our results suggest that these invasive species are a low threat for unattended red-tailed tropicbird eggs at Rano Raraku, Rapa Nui. However, future research is needed to determine the potential negative effects over unattended red-tailed tropicbird nestlings that are easier for these predators to handle compared with an egg.
Clinically recorded heart rate and incidence of 12 coronary, cardiac, cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial diseases in 233,970 men and women: A linked electronic health record study
Authors: Archangelidi Olga , Pujades-Rodriguez Mar , Timmis Adam , Jouven Xavier , Denaxas Spiros , Hemingway Harry
Published: July 2018

Background

In healthy population cohorts, resting heart rate above 90 bpm is associated with mortality from coronary heart disease, but it is not clear whether associations are present at lower heart rates or whether these associations differ between women.

Methods

The CALIBER resource of linked electronic health records from primary care, hospitalisations, myocardial infarction registry and cause-specific mortality in the UK was used to assess associations between resting heart rate and 12 fatal and non-fatal coronary, cardiac, cerebral and peripheral vascular cardiovascular diseases and death using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Among 233,970 patients, 29,690 fatal and non-fatal events occurred. Fully adjusted models showed that resting heart rate was not associated in men or women with cerebrovascular events. In men a resting heart rate of 70–79 bpm (29.1% of all men) versus less than 60 bpm was associated with an increased risk of heart failure (hazard ratio (HR) 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–2.16), unheralded coronary death (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.13–2.41), total cardiovascular events (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15–1.28) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.22–1.58). Women with a higher resting heart rate level of 80–89 bpm versus 60 bpm had a higher risk of total cardiovascular disease events (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07–1.24) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07–1.35) compared to a resting heart rate less than 60 bpm. The risk was also present at higher heart rates (>90 bpm) for heart failure and sudden cardiac death.

Conclusions

A resting heart rate that clinicians currently consider as ‘normal’ in the general population is specifically associated with the incidence of certain major cardiovascular diseases and death, with the risk starting at lower resting heart rate levels in men compared to women. Further research is required to evaluate whether interventions to lower resting heart rate are warranted to prevent disease. The study is registered at: clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT01947361).
Feline gastric pneumatosis
Authors: Silveira Carla , Benigni Livia , Gugich Kaye , McClaran Janet Kovak
Published: July 2018

Case summary

A 9-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented with a 2 day history of anorexia and vomiting. A minimum database, including a complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile and urinalysis were unremarkable apart from a toxic neutrophilic left shift and borderline proteinuria. Abdominal ultrasound revealed intramural gas entrapment with thinning of the gastric wall, a hypoechoic pancreas, peritoneal fluid and a small volume of peritoneal gas along with a hyperechoic mesentery. CT was performed and demonstrated gas within the gastric submucosa and gas in the peritoneal cavity. Generalised gastric erythema was present at surgery and histopathology of excised abnormal areas reported gastric erosion with no obvious causative agents; however, pretreatment with dexamethasone may have been a contributing factor. Culture from biopsied gastric tissue was sterile. Clinical signs resolved after partial gastrectomy and medical management.

Relevance and novel information

Feline gastric pneumatosis is a rare clinical finding. Imaging is essential for diagnosis and to decide on the appropriate treatment; this is often medical but in cases where there is suspicion or evidence of gastric perforation, surgery is indicated. To our knowledge, this is the first case of feline gastric pneumatosis secondary to gastric ulceration, diagnosed via CT and where dexamethasone may have been a contributing factor.
Neglected rural geography: Exploring the quiet politics of ‘out-dwelling’
Authors: Hunt Rachel
Published: July 2018

Taking the example of leisure in rural Scotland, this article makes a call for a renewed appreciation of a radical rural and a subsequent recognition of the potential for quiet politics. In doing so, it addresses the overlooked, yet potentially progressive, even radical, nature of ‘out-dwelling’ as a political endeavour. These ‘out-dwellings’ are twofold, encompassing the distinct yet complementary cultures of Huts and Bothies in rural Scotland. There is within these cultures a rising tide of discontent with contemporary society and a subsequent push for change. These political eruptions emphasise the spatial politics of everyday leisure and land where alterity to the imagined geography of a static, wild, romantic Scotland, driven by the landed estates, emerges as a key driver for change. This argument for a radical rural will be structured around four themes; political ‘out-dwelling’, transgressive mobility, conspicuous consumption and land ownership.