bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causes and Predictors of 30-Day Readmission in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Shah Mahek , Patil Shantanu , Patel Brijesh , Agarwal Manyoo , Davila Carlos D. , Garg Lohit , Agrawal Sahil , Kapur Navin K. , Jorde Ulrich P.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurs as a result of irreversible damage to cardiac myocytes secondary to lack of blood supply. Cardiogenic shock complicating AMI has significant associated morbidity and mortality, and data on postdischarge outcomes are limited.

Methods and Results:

We derived the study cohort of patients with AMI and cardiogenic shock from the 2013 to 2014 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Readmission Database. Incidence, predictors, and causes of 30-day readmissions were analyzed. From 43 212 index admissions for AMI with cardiogenic shock, 26 016 (60.2%) survived to discharge and 5277 (20.2% of survivors) patients were readmitted within 30 days. More than 50% of these readmissions occurred within first 10 days. Cardiac causes accounted for 42% of 30-day readmissions (heart failure 20.6%; acute coronary syndrome 11.6%). Among noncardiac causes, respiratory (11.4%), infectious (9.4%), medical or surgical care complications (6.3%), gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary (6.5%), and renal causes (4.8%) were most common. Length of stay ≥8 days (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70–2.44;
P
<0.01), acute deep venous thrombosis (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.08–1.48;
P
<0.01), liver disease (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.03–1.50;
P
=0.02), systemic thromboembolism (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02–1.44;
P
=0.02), peripheral vascular disease (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07–1.27;
P
<0.01), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08–1.24;
P
<0.01), long-term ventricular assist device implantation (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.23–2.55;
P
<0.01), intraaortic balloon pump use (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.18;
P
<0.01), performance of coronary artery bypass grafting (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77–0.93;
P
<0.01), private insurance (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64–0.80;
P
<0.01), and discharge to home (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73–0.98;
P
=0.03) were among the independent predictors of 30-day readmission.

Conclusions:

In-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission in cardiogenic shock complicating AMI are significantly elevated. Patients are readmitted mainly for noncardiac causes. Identification of high-risk factors may guide interventions to improve outcomes within this population.
Cruciferous and Total Vegetable Intakes Are Inversely Associated With Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Older Adult Women
Authors: Blekkenhorst Lauren C. , Bondonno Catherine P. , Lewis Joshua R. , Woodman Richard J. , Devine Amanda , Bondonno Nicola P. , Lim Wai H. , Zhu Kun , Beilin Lawrence J. , Thompson Peter L. , Prince Richard L. , Hodgson Jonathan M.
Published: April 2018

Background

Dietary patterns rich in fruits and vegetables are considered to reduce atherosclerotic disease presentation and are reported to be inversely associated with subclinical measures of atherosclerosis, such as carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT) and plaque. However, the effect of vegetable intake alone, and relationships to specific types of vegetables containing different phytochemical profiles, is important. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of total vegetable intake and specific vegetables grouped according to phytochemical constituents with common carotid artery IMT (
CCA
‐
IMT
) and carotid plaque severity in a cohort of older adult women (aged ≥70 years).

Methods and Results

Total vegetable intake was calculated at baseline (1998) using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Vegetable types included cruciferous, allium, yellow/orange/red, leafy green, and legumes. In 2001,
CCA
‐
IMT
(n=954) and carotid focal plaque (n=968) were assessed using high‐resolution B‐mode carotid ultrasonography. Mean (
SD
) total vegetable intake was 199.9 (78.0) g/d. Women consuming ≥3 servings of vegetables each day had ≈4.6% to 5.0% lower mean
CCA
‐
IMT
(
P
=0.014) and maximum
CCA
‐
IMT
(
P
=0.004) compared with participants consuming <2 servings of vegetables. For each 10 g/d higher in cruciferous vegetable intake, there was an associated 0.006 mm (0.8%) lower mean
CCA
‐
IMT
(
P
<0.01) and 0.007 mm (0.8%) lower maximum
CCA
‐
IMT
(
P
<0.01). Other vegetable types were not associated with
CCA
‐
IMT
(
P
>0.05). No associations were observed between vegetables and plaque severity (
P
>0.05).

Conclusions

Increasing vegetables in the diet with a focus on consuming cruciferous vegetables may have benefits for the prevention of subclinical atherosclerosis in older adult women.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.anzctr.org.au
. Unique identifier:
ACTRN
12615000750583.
Unrestricted Bridging Resolution
Authors: Hou Yufang , Markert Katja , Strube Michael
Published: April 2018

In contrast to identity anaphors, which indicate coreference between a noun phrase and its antecedent, bridging anaphors link to their antecedent(s) via lexico-semantic, frame, or encyclopedic relations. Bridging resolution involves recognizing bridging anaphors and finding links to antecedents. In contrast to most prior work, we tackle both problems. Our work also follows a more wide-ranging definition of bridging than most previous work and does not impose any restrictions on the type of bridging anaphora or relations between anaphor and antecedent.

We create a corpus (ISNotes) annotated for information status (IS), bridging being one of the IS subcategories. The annotations reach high reliability for all categories and marginal reliability for the bridging subcategory. We use a two-stage statistical global inference method for bridging resolution. Given all mentions in a document, the first stage, bridging anaphora recognition, recognizes bridging anaphors as a subtask of learning fine-grained IS. We use a cascading collective classification method where (i) collective classification allows us to investigate relations among several mentions and autocorrelation among IS classes and (ii) cascaded classification allows us to tackle class imbalance, important for minority classes such as bridging. We show that our method outperforms current methods both for IS recognition overall as well as for bridging, specifically. The second stage, bridging antecedent selection, finds the antecedents for all predicted bridging anaphors. We investigate the phenomenon of semantically or syntactically related bridging anaphors that share the same antecedent, a phenomenon we call sibling anaphors. We show that taking sibling anaphors into account in a joint inference model improves antecedent selection performance. In addition, we develop semantic and salience features for antecedent selection and suggest a novel method to build the candidate antecedent list for an anaphor, using the discourse scope of the anaphor. Our model outperforms previous work significantly.
The Influence of Context on the Learning of Metrical Stress Systems Using Finite-State Machines
Authors: Voeten Cesko , van Zaanen Menno
Published: April 2018

Languages vary in the way stress is assigned to syllables within words. This article investigates the learnability of stress systems in a wide range of languages. The stress systems can be described using finite-state automata with symbols indicating levels of stress (primary, secondary, or no stress). Finite-state automata have been the focus of research in the area of grammatical inference for some time now. It has been shown that finite-state machines are learnable from examples using state-merging. One such approach, which aims to learn k-testable languages, has been applied to stress systems with some success. The family of k-testable languages has been shown to be efficiently learnable (in polynomial time). Here, we extend this approach to k, l-local languages by taking not only left context, but also right context, into account. We consider empirical results testing the performance of our learner using various amounts of context (corresponding to varying definitions of phonological locality). Our results show that our approach of learning stress patterns using state-merging is more reliant on left context than on right context. Additionally, some stress systems fail to be learned by our learner using either the left-context k-testable or the left-and-right-context k, l-local learning system. A more complex merging strategy, and hence grammar representation, is required for these stress systems.
A New Timbre Visualization Technique Based on Semantic Descriptors
Authors: Soraghan Sean , Faire Felix , Renaud Alain , Supper Ben
Published: April 2018

This article introduces the concept of Sound Signature audio visualization, a new form of amplitude waveform that also visualizes perceptually salient spectral features and their evolution over time. A brief review of existing research into timbre description and visualization is given. This is followed by an in-depth description of the algorithm. Rationale is given for the various visual mappings with reference to existing literature.

The results of an online subjective evaluation survey are reported and discussed. The survey examined user preferences for the visual mappings used in Sound Signature visualizations. Results show a preference for inverse mapping of spectral centroid to the first component of the hue, saturation, value (HSV) color space.
Vocal Control of Sound Synthesis Personalized by Unsupervised Machine Listening and Learning
Authors: Fasciani Stefano , Wyse Lonce
Published: April 2018

In this article we describe a user-driven adaptive method to control the sonic response of digital musical instruments using information extracted from the timbre of the human voice. The mapping between heterogeneous attributes of the input and output timbres is determined from data collected through machine-listening techniques and then processed by unsupervised machine-learning algorithms. This approach is based on a minimum-loss mapping that hides any synthesizer-specific parameters and that maps the vocal interaction directly to perceptual characteristics of the generated sound. The mapping adapts to the dynamics detected in the voice and maximizes the timbral space covered by the sound synthesizer. The strategies for mapping vocal control to perceptual timbral features and for automating the customization of vocal interfaces for different users and synthesizers, in general, are evaluated through a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods.
Mega-Mergers on the Menu: Corporate Concentration and the Politics of Sustainability in the Global Food System
Authors: Clapp Jennifer
Published: April 2018

The agricultural input industry has become more concentrated in the wake of recently announced corporate mergers in the sector. This article examines the environmental implications of corporate concentration in the agricultural input sector and outlines the challenges of establishing effective international policy and governance on this issue. The article makes two arguments. First, corporate concentration matters for food system sustainability. Consolidation in the global seed and agro-chemical industries has been deeply entwined with the rise of industrial agriculture, which has been associated with a host of environmental problems including an increase in agro-chemical use and the loss of agricultural biodiversity. Second, although corporate concentration has important sustainability implications, there is little recognition of the potential connection between these issues in international governance measures. The article outlines a number of factors that discourage the development of policy and governance on these issues, including the lack of a clear scientific consensus on how best to promote sustainable agriculture; the weak and fragmented nature of regulatory frameworks and institutions that oversee competition policy and food system sustainability; the power of agribusiness firms to influence policy outcomes; and the complex and distanced nature of the underlying drivers of corporate concentration in the sector.
The Global Politics of the Business of “Sustainable” Palm Oil
Authors: Dauvergne Peter
Published: April 2018

The palm oil industry is increasingly certifying its activities as “sustainable,” “responsible,” and “conflict-free.” This trend does not represent a breakthrough toward better governance, this article argues, but primarily reflects a business strategy to channel criticism toward “unsustainable” palm oil, while promoting the value for protecting rain forests of corporate social responsibility, international trade, industrial production, and industry-guided certification. Illegalities and loopholes riddle certification in Indonesia and Malaysia, the two main sources of certified palm oil; at the same time, palm oil imports are rising in markets not demanding certification. Across the tropics, oil palm plantations linked to deforestation and human rights abuses are continuing to expand as companies navigate weak governance rules, and as sales shift across markets and inside global supply chains. Theoretically, this analysis advances the understanding of why and how the power of business is rising over the narratives and institutions of global agricultural governance.
Governing Food and Agriculture in a Warming World
Authors: Newell Peter , Taylor Olivia , Touni Charles
Published: April 2018

Understanding how, why, and whether the trade-offs and tensions around simultaneous implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals are resolved both sustainably and equitably requires an appreciation of power relations across multiple scales of governance. We explore the politics and political economy of how the nexus around food, energy, and water is being governed through initiatives to promote climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as it moves from the global to the local. We combine an analysis of how these interrelationships are being governed (and ungoverned) by key global institutions with reflection on the consequences of this for developing countries that are being targeted by CSA initiatives. In particular, we look at Kenya as a country heavily dependent on agriculture, but also subject to some of the worst effects of climate change and which has been a focus for a range of bilateral and multilateral donors with their preferred visions of CSA. We draw on strands of literature in global environmental politics, political ecology, and the political economy of development to make sense of the power dynamics that characterize the multiscalar politics of how CSA is translated, domesticated, and operationalized in practice.
Ghosts and Things: Agriculture and Animal Life
Authors: Weis Tony
Published: April 2018

This article makes a case for centering animal life in conceptions of environmental, agrarian, and dietary change. It begins with a brief discussion of the extinction spasm and defaunation and suggests that envisaging landscapes of animal “ghosts” might help to evoke the ecological impoverishment this entails. Landscapes of ghosts are then set against the soaring populations of animals in industrial livestock production, stressing both the extensive biophysical implications and the intensive interspecies relations of these systems, in which individual animals can be seen to be reduced to little more than fungible “things.” The core argument is that the fast-changing conditions of both wild and domesticated animals, and their interrelationships, are an important and often underappreciated aspect of global agrarian, and efforts to confront this course are fundamental to prospects for a more sustainable world.
The Iranian Männerbund Revisited
Authors: Daryaee Touraj
Published: April 2018

This article discusses some of the Iranian evidence in relation to the idea of Indo-European Männerbund, which first was brought forth by Stig Wikander. There have been objections to Wikander’s work due to the fact that he wrote it during the rise of Fascism and the War. It is suggested that, indeed, there is more than the meager Old and Middle Iranian evidence that points out to the existence of the male unions in the Iranian world. The article specifically chooses the idea of rage among the young men, which is found not only in Old and Middle Iranian texts, but also in Persian epic and folklore up to the recent times. This rage can be seen among the Javān-mardān and in folklore for such figures as Hosein the Kord, or Gord, who exhibits archetype Männerbund traits.
From Iranism to Pan-Turkism: A Less-known Page of Ahmet Ağaoğlu’s Biography
Authors: Kalirad Ali
Published: April 2018

Ahmed Agayev, better known as Ahmet Ağaoğlu (1869-1939), has been a prominent preacher of Turkism and one of the founding fathers of the so-called Azerbaijani identity, having played also a significant role in the formation of Pan-Turkism. Ağaoğlu’s involvement in Pan-Turkist circles in the Ottoman Empire and then in the nationalist movement in Kemalist Turkey partly overshadowed some details of his earlier life. This paper examines one of the lesser-known episodes in his biography—his participation in the activities of the Iranian revolutionaries in Istanbul and his collaboration with their Persian organ, Sorush (Sorūš) in 1909-1910 in Istanbul. Ironically, positioning himself in his Persian writings in Sorush as an avid follower of Iranian nationalism, Ağaoğlu began soon to propound in the Ottoman press the idea of “the Turks of Iran”, actively promoting Turkism and Pan-Turkist views on the ethnic background of the South Caucasian Muslims and the population of the northwestern areas of Iran. Ahmet Ağaoğlu’s writings in Istanbul in 1909 and 1910 shed some light on the genesis of a modern ethnic identity, which was later labelled as “Azerbaijani”.
A fossil caddisfly (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Eocene of Colorado
Authors: ROBINSON JASON L. , THOMAS M. JARED , HEADS SAM W.
Published: April 2018

A new genus and species of fossil caddisfly (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Lower Eocene (Ypresian) Green River Formation of Colorado is described. Litholimnephilops yinani gen. et sp. nov. is the first adult caddisfly to be described from the Green River Formation, and is characterized by large adult body size, presence of ocelli, dark leg spines, and a lack of terminal crossveins in the anterior anastomosis region of the forewings. Terminal genitalia are not visible in the preserved specimen. Familial placement is uncertain, though similarities with the families Limnephilidae and Phryganeidae are observed.
Brazilian Pseudochironomini (Diptera: Chironomidae) Part 2. New Pseudochironomus and Riethia species
Authors: TRIVINHO-STRIXINO SUSANA , SHIMABUKURO ERIKA MAYUMI
Published: April 2018

In this second part of the study about Brazilian Pseudochironomini Sæther (Diptera: Chironomidae: Chironominae), seven new species are described and illustrated. Three species belong to the genus Pseudochironomus; they are: Pseudochironomus capivara sp. n., Pseudochironomus ariquemis sp. n. and Pseudochironomus boraceia sp. n. all are described from males, the first as pupa, the second as larva and pupa also. Four species belong to Riethia: Riethia cauame sp. n., Riethia fazzari sp. n., Riethia galilei sp. n. and Riethia pantera sp. n. all described as male. Except for R. fazzari sp. n. and P. boraceia sp. n. collected in São Paulo State, the remaining species were collected in Amazon region. A key of males to known species of Brazilian Pseudochironomini is given.
Validation of an automated ultraperformance liquid chromatography IgG N-glycan analytical method applicable to classical galactosaemia
Authors: Colhoun Hugh Owen , Treacy Eileen P , MacMahon Marguerite , Rudd Pauline M , Fitzgibbon Maria , O'Flaherty Roisin , Stepien Karolina M
Published: April 2018

Background

Classical galactosaemia (OMIM #230400) is a rare disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by deficiency of the galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase enzyme. The pathophysiology of the long-term complications, mainly cognitive, neurological and female fertility problems, remains poorly understood. Current clinical methods of biochemical monitoring lack precision and individualization with an identified need for improved biomarkers for this condition.

Methods

We report the development and detailed validation of an automated ultraperformance liquid chromatography N-glycan analytical method of high peak resolution applied to galactose incorporation into human serum IgG. Samples are prepared on 96-well plates and the workflow features rapid glycoprotein denaturation, enzymatic glycan release, glycan purification on solid-supported hydrazide, fluorescent labelling and post-labelling clean-up with solid-phase extraction.

Results

This method is shown to be accurate and precise with repeatability (cumulative coefficients of variation) of 2.0 and 8.5%, respectively, for G0/G1 and G0/G2 ratios. Both serum and processed N-glycan samples were found to be stable at room temperature and in freeze–thaw experiments.

Conclusions

This high-throughput method of IgG galactose incorporation is robust, affordable and simple. This method is validated with the potential to apply as a biomarker for treatment outcomes for galactosaemia.
“Experience Isn’t Everything”: How Emotion Affects the Relationship Between Experience and Cue Utilization
Authors: Crane Monique Frances , Brouwers Sue , Wiggins Mark William , Loveday Thomas , Forrest Kirsty , Tan Suyin Giselle Marianne , Cyna Allan Michael
Published: April 2018

Objective:

This research examined whether negative and positive arousal emotions modify the relationship between experience level and cue utilization among anesthetists.

Background:

The capacity of a practitioner to form precise associations between clusters of features (e.g., symptoms) and events (e.g., diagnosis) and then act on them is known as cue utilization. A common assumption is that practice experience allows opportunities for cue acquisition and cue utilization. However, this relationship is often not borne out in research findings. This study investigates the role of emotional state in this relationship.

Method:

An online tool (EXPERTise 2.0) was used to assess practitioner cue utilization for tasks relevant to anesthesia. The experience of positive and negative arousal emotions in the previous three days was measured, and emotion clusters were generated. Experience was measured as the composite of practice years and hours of practice experience. The moderating role of emotion on the relationship between experience and cue utilization was examined.

Results:

Data on 125 anesthetists (36% female) were included in the analysis. The predicted interaction between arousal emotions and the experience level emerged. In particular, post hoc analyses revealed that anxiety-related emotions facilitated the likelihood of high cue utilization in less experienced practitioners.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest a role for emotions in cue use and suggest a functional role for normal range anxiety emotions in a simulated work-relevant task.

Application:

This research illustrates the importance of understanding the potentially functional effects common negative arousal emotions may have on clinical performance, particularly for those with less experience.
The Impacts of Social Protection Policies and Programs on Suicide: A Literature Review
Authors: Kim Chungah
Published: April 2018

Despite vigorous interest in showing the association between economic determinants and suicide, not many studies have focused on the social protection that can moderate the detrimental impact of the economic environment on suicide. This article is the first to review the relationship between suicide and social protection. In this article, I summarize the empirical findings and theoretical approaches in published papers on the relationship between suicide and social protection, and I identify knowledge gaps for future studies. The review included all quantitative and qualitative articles published in peer-reviewed journals, regardless of study setting, language, and time period. Among 19 papers meeting the inclusion criteria, 16 studies reported at least one negative association, 2 studies failed to prove a statistical association, and 1 study showed ambiguous results. However, due to the heterogeneity of contexts, the diversity of indicators of social protection, and the paucity of theoretical mechanisms for interpreting the results, further research is required in this area.
Is there a case for the registration of social workers in Australia?
Authors: McCurdy Samone , Sreekumar Sreejith , Mendes Philip
Published: April 2018

The Australian Association of Social Workers has campaigned for many years for the registration of social workers in Australia, but with little success to date. This paper critically examines the key arguments for and against registration with reference to academic and government policy literature from international jurisdictions (primarily New Zealand and England) where government regulation of social work already exists. This review of existing literature found that arguments in favour of registration broadly centre on two main assumptions. They are improved protection of clients and amplification of professional standing. The findings indicate that there is only limited empirical evidence as to whether registration does in fact lift the professional standing of social workers or protect consumers from substandard practice. We conclude that further research is required to examine whether registration of social workers is justified in Australia, and particularly to ascertain whether the regulation of social workers generally or in specific practice areas such as child protection can realistically take place independently of the large number of human service practitioners who are not social work trained.
The Education System as a Mechanism for Political Control: The Education System for the Druze in Israel
Authors: Halabi Rabah
Published: April 2018

In 1976, the educational system serving Druze villages in Israel was separated from the overall Arab school system and a distinct educational system was set up for the Druze. This was done because the Druze serve in the army. The State believed it was necessary to prepare them for service and reduce inevitable dilemmas concerning their identification with the State, in general, and dilemmas concerning the service, in particular. This educational system was staffed mainly by Druze and featured an intensive, purposeful effort, both in terms of the formal curriculum and informal education, to create an Israeli-Druze consciousness among the students. This consciousness was meant to cause Druze youth to identify with the State and its symbols, and involved an emphasis on what the Druze and the Jews have in common along with what separates the Druze and other Arabs.
Assessment of the apparent performance characterization along with levelized cost of energy of wind power plants considering real data
Authors: Hulio Zahid H , Jiang Wei
Published: April 2018

Pakistan pursued the renewable energy policy to minimize the cost of energy per kWh as well as dependence on costly imported oil. Jhimpir site is termed as wind corridor and has tremendous proven wind power potential. The site is hosted for the first installed wind power plant. The aim of paper is to investigate the performance and levelized cost of energy of a wind farm. The methodology covers assessment of wind characteristics, performance function and levelized cost of energy model. The measured mean wind speed was found to be 8 m/s at 80 m above the ground level. The average values of standard deviation, Weibull k and c parameters, obtained using entire data set, were found to be 2.563, 3.360 and 8.940 m/s at 80 m. Performance assessment including technical, real availability and average capacity factor was found to be 97, 90 and 34.50%, respectively. It is evident that the power coefficient dropped if wind speed crosses the rated power. So it can be concluded that the efficiency of wind turbine decreased by increased wind speed. Tip speed ratio shows that a wind turbine operating close to optimal lift and drag will exhibit the performance level. Wind turbine performs better at the wind speed between 6 and 10 m/s. The estimated average levelized cost of energy was US $0.11371 and US $0.04092/kWh for 1–10 and 11–20 years, respectively. This makes it competitive in terms of low production cost per kWh to other energy technologies.
Anti-inflammatory effect of Mongolian drug Naru-3 on traumatic spinal cord injury and its mechanism of action
Authors: Baiyila Bulin , He Bing , He Guisong , Long Tengfei
Published: April 2018

Objective

This study was performed to confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of the Mongolian drug Naru-3 on traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and its possible mechanism of action.

Methods

We prepared a TSCI model using Sprague–Dawley rats. The rats were divided into a Naru-3 group and a methylprednisolone group. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to measure the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were employed to detect serum inflammatory cytokine levels. The localization and expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in spinal cord tissue was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the ratio of M1- and M2-phenotype macrophages. The locomotor function recovery was evaluated by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan score.

Results

Naru-3 significantly inhibited the inflammatory response and reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in both spinal cord and blood in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that Naru-3 significantly reduced MCP-1 expression in spinal cord and promoted M2-phenotype macrophage differentiation.

Conclusions

Naru-3 is an effective treatment for impact-induced TSCI in rats. Naru-3 treatment affects inflammatory cytokine levels and macrophage differentiation, which play a role in TSCI remission.
Breakdown of the Gut Barrier in Patients with Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome is Attenuated by Continuous Blood Purification: Effects on Tight Junction Structural Proteins
Authors: Zhang Jian-Bin , Du Xiao-Gang , Zhang Hui , Li Man-Li , Xiao Gang , Wu Jiang , Gan Hua
Published: April 2018

Background

Breakdown of the gut barrier increases intestinal permeability and allows movement of intraluminal contents across the mucosa, which can lead to distant organ injury and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Intestinal permeability is associated with alterations in cellular tight junctions involving the structural proteins occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous blood purification (CBP) on gut barrier function in patients with MODS.

Method

Serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and endotoxin, epithelial monolayer permeability, and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were used as markers for the assessment of gut barrier function in 22 patients with MODS who underwent continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) for 24 hours. Blood samples were taken from patients at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours during CVVH therapy. Serum DAO and endotoxin were determined by spectrophotography. Permeability and TER were assessed using Caco-2 cell monolayers. Occludin and ZO-1 protein levels were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining. And inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels and nitric oxide (NO) production were determined by real-time PCR and spectrophotography, respectively.

Result

Gut barrier dysfunction was evident in patients with MODS compared with normal controls. Serum DAO, endotoxin levels, and epithelial permeability were elevated, while TER was decreased in patients with MODS, and this change was more pronounced in nonsurvivors. Breakdown and reorganization of occludin and ZO-1 away from tight junctions was found in all MODS patients. After CBP treatment, APACHE II and MODS scores improved significantly. Serum DAO and endotoxin levels and epithelial permeability also diminished, while TER increased in all patients; CBP significantly attenuated breakdown and reorganization of tight junction proteins, and also attenuated the inflammation-induced increase in iNOS mRNA expression and NO production.

Conclusion

Breakdown of gut barrier function is present in patients with MODS and may be correlated with poor outcomes in the disease. CBP can not only improve the general conditions, as measured by the APACHE II score, but also improve gut barrier dysfunction by attenuating the breakdown and reorganization of occludin and ZO-1. This beneficial effect of CBP on gut barrier dysfunction is associated with down-regulation of iNOS.
BMP-7-Loaded PGLA Microspheres as a New Delivery System for the Cultivation of Human Chondrocytes in a Collagen Type I Gel: The Common Nude Mouse Model
Authors: Gavenis Karsten , Schneider Ulrich , Groll Jürgen , Schmidt-Rohlfing Bernhard
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP-7) released from polylactide (PLGA) microspheres has proven to be a potent system in cartilage tissue engineering in vitro. However, in vivo data are still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate this BMP-7 release system utilizing the nude mouse as a small animal model.

Methods

Human osteoarthritic chondrocytes of 10 patients were enzymatically released and transferred into a collagen type-I gel. A concentration of 2×105 cells/mL was used. BMP-7 encapsulated in PGLA microspheres was added at an initial concentration of 500 ng BMP-7/mL gel. Untreated specimens and specimens with empty microspheres served as control. Samples were cultivated subcutaneously in nude mice for 6 weeks.

Results

After recovery, chondrocytes of all groups displayed a spheroid morphology without signs of dedifferentiation. The proteoglycan and collagen type II content of the control groups was restricted to the immediate pericellular region, whereas treatment group samples showed enhanced collagen type II production. Collagen type II and aggrecan gene expression was enhanced in treatment group samples with respect to the two control groups (mean ± SD: 0.268 ± 0.450 to 0.152 ± 0.129 and 0.155 ± 0.216 ng/ng β-actin for collagen type II; 0.535 ± 0.731 to 0.367 ± 0.651 and 0.405 ± 0.326 ng/ng β-actin for aggrecan), whereas collagen type I gene expression decreased by a factor of 10. Relative protein quantification of collagen type II, collagen type I and proteoglycan was in accordance.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that BMP-7 release from PGLA microspheres led to an improved tissue-engineered cartilage analogue in vivo with an increase in hyaline-cartilage-specific components.
Coercion in Outpatients under Community Treatment Orders: A Matched Comparison Study
Authors: Nakhost Arash , Sirotich Frank , Pridham Katherine M. Francombe , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Simpson Alexander I. F.
Published: April 2018

Objective:

Since the deinstitutionalization of psychiatric services around the world, the scope of outpatient psychiatric care has also increased to better support treatment access and adherence. For those with serious mental illness who may lack insight into their own illness, available interventions include coercive community practices such as mandated community treatment orders (CTOs). This paper examines the perceptions of coercion among service users treated with a CTO.

Method:

We used a cross-sectional comparative design where service users treated under a CTO were matched to a comparison group of voluntary psychiatric outpatients. Both groups were receiving intensive community mental health services ( n = 69 in each group). Participants were interviewed using a series of questionnaires aimed at evaluating their perceptions of coercion and other aspects of the psychiatric treatment.

Results:

The level of coercion reported by service users treated under a CTO was significantly higher than that in the comparison group. However, in adjusted analyses, service users’ perception of coercion, irrespective of their CTO status, was directly correlated with their previous experience with probation and inversely correlated with the sense of procedural justice in their treatment.

Conclusions:

Evaluation of psychiatric service users’ experiences of coercion should consider their past and current involvement with other types of coercive measures, particularly history of probation. Clinicians may be able to minimize these experiences of coercion by incorporating procedural justice principles into their practice.
Cerebral Artery Gas Embolism Following Navigational Bronchoscopy
Authors: Fogelfeld Keren , Rana Richie K. , Soo Hoo Guy W.
Published: April 2018

Introduction:

Cerebral artery gas embolism (CAGE) is a rare but serious adverse event with potentially devastating neurologic sequelae. Bronchoscopy is a frequently performed procedure but with only a few reported cases of CAGE.

Methods:

We report the first documented case of CAGE associated with electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy.

Results:

A 61-year-old man with a left lower lobe nodule underwent electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy. The target lesion underwent transbronchial biopsy, brushing and an end-procedure lavage. Following the procedure, he developed seizures, evidence of hypoxic injury and cerebral edema, and air emboli were seen on computed tomography imaging. He then underwent treatment with hyperbaric oxygen with a full and complete neurologic recovery. Review of other cases reported in the literature suggests improved neurologic outcomes with hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Conclusions:

Biopsy techniques performed during bronchoscopy and electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy can result in CAGE. Comparison with other reported cases suggests improved neurologic outcomes in those treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Prompt recognition of this complication and timely treatment with hyperbaric oxygen are the cornerstones to recovery.
Redoing Gender, Redoing Religion
Authors: Darwin Helana
Published: April 2018

This article advances a critical gender lens on the sociology of religion by arguing that “doing gender” and “doing religion” function as intertwined systems of accountability. To demonstrate the inextricability of these two systems, this study analyzes open-ended survey data from 576 Jewish women who wear kippot (skullcaps that are traditionally worn by Jewish men). These women’s responses reveal that this religious practice is fraught with social sanctions on the basis of the women’s simultaneous gender deviance and religious deviance. These women are not read as simply “doing Jewish” when they wear kippot; rather, they are read as doing something that is implicitly gendered, such as “doing religious feminism.” It appears that when Jewish women “un/re/do religion,” they simultaneously “un/re/do gender” and vice versa: gender scripts and religious scripts are inextricably intertwined.
Road profile identification with an algebraic estimator
Authors: Haddar Maroua , Baslamisli S Caglar , Chaari Riadh , Chaari Fakher , Haddar Mohamed
Published: April 2018

In order to isolate the propagation of unwanted vibrations to passengers and improve vehicle maneuverability, it is common practice to predict road profile roughness in the scope of active suspension design. An algebraic estimator designed for the estimation of the road profile excitation has been investigated in this study based on vehicle dynamics responses. An approximation of road profile excitation by a piecewise constant function has been proposed using the operational calculus method and the differential algebraic theory. The proposed technique allows for the usage of cheap instrumentation with a small number of sensors and employs a straightforward calibration process. Accurate approximation of the road profile was obtained from the measurement of sprung mass and unsprung mass vertical displacements. The performance and robustness of the proposed algebraic predictor is compared with an augmented Kalman estimator. Numerical results are provided to analyze the effectiveness and the limitations of the proposed algorithm for road profile reconstruction. Furthermore, a comparison with real profile was studied.
Inflow-rotor interaction in Tesla disc turbines: Effects of discrete inflows, finite disc thickness, and radial clearance on the fluid dynamics and performance of the turbine
Authors: Sengupta Sayantan , Guha Abhijit
Published: April 2018

The article establishes the physics of the complex interaction of discrete multiple inflows with the stationary shroud and the rotating channel of a Tesla disc turbine. Using a large number (150) of separate, fully three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations, we demonstrate the (sometimes dramatic) role of four important input parameters, namely the number of nozzles ([Formula: see text]), rotational speed of the discs (Ω), radial clearance between the rotor and the shroud ([Formula: see text]), and disc thickness ( dt), in the fluid dynamics and performance of a Tesla turbine. An increase in [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] assists in the attainment of axisymmetric condition at rotor inlet. Ω influences significantly the distribution of radial velocity including the fundamental shape of its z-profile (parabolic, flat or W-shaped). The paper demonstrates the existence of an optimum [Formula: see text] for which the efficiency of the rotor (η) is maximized. Present computational fluid dynamics simulations for many combinations of [Formula: see text] and Ω establish that the η versus Ω curves, for each fixed value of [Formula: see text], are of the shape of an inverted bucket. With increasing [Formula: see text], the operable range of Ω decreases, the buckets become more peaky and the maximum possible η increases substantially (by a factor of 2 in the example calculation shown). The present systematic work thus demonstrates quantitatively, for the first time, that an axisymmetric rotor inflow condition represents the best possible design for the rotor. It is further shown that, as the disc thickness is increased, the efficiency may decrease substantially (even dramatically) and its maxima occur at lower rotational speeds. Chamfering of the disc edge or partial admission decreases the turbine efficiency. Thus, small disc thickness, flat disc edge, full nozzle opening, optimum radial clearance, and inlet condition as close to axisymmetry as is possible are recommended for the design of an efficient Tesla disc turbine.
Do global oil price shocks affect Indian metal market?
Authors: Kaushik Nikhil
Published: April 2018

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the spillover effect of global crude oil prices on Indian metal market using dynamic conditional correlation generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity models. The study considers Indian metal market, Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited METAL index and two precious metals gold and silver, and three industrial metals aluminium, copper and zinc over the period from 1 June 2006 to 31 March 2017. The results of the study show moderate co-movement between West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil and Indian metal market. Precious metals gold and silver do not show either upward nor downward trend even in global financial crisis 2008–2009 while industrial metals aluminium, copper and zinc are weakly correlated to crude oil prices. In addition, it is found that global crude oil prices have short-term as well as long-term memory effect on Indian metal market and metal prices. The study presents the case for diverse stakeholders to improve strategic oil reserves for stabilizing oil prices during global turmoil. Also, policy makers and practitioners may draw meaningful conclusions from findings of the present study to improve future market for stabilizing spot prices of metals while operating in Indian metal markets.
H∞ fault-tolerant control for switched linear parameter-varying systems: A parameter and state-dependent switching method with dwell time
Authors: Yang Dong , Zong Guangdeng , Zhao Jun
Published: April 2018

This article discusses the issue of H∞ fault-tolerant control for switched linear parameter-varying systems with actuator failures using the multiple discretized parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions method. A key point of this work is to construct the multiple discretized parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions, which provide an effective tool for avoiding the Zeno behavior generated by the parameter and state-dependent switching approach. This is not a simple extension of traditional multiple Lyapunov functions because of the introduction of external parameter and dwell time. First, a switching strategy depending on the parameter, state and dwell time is proposed, which gets rid of the assumption of finite number of switchings on any finite time. Then, the parameter-dependent controller is designed which, together with the parameter and state-dependent switching law with dwell time, can guarantee the [Formula: see text] performance of the closed-loop switched linear parameter-varying system for all admissible actuator failures. Finally, a turbofan engine example is given to demonstrate the applicability of the main results.
Conscientious objection and nurses: Results of an interpretive phenomenological study
Authors: Lamb Christina , Babenko-Mould Yolanda , Evans Marilyn , Wong Carol A , Kirkwood Ken W
Published: April 2018

Background:

While conscientious objection is a well-known phenomenon in normative and bioethical literature, there is a lack of evidence to support an understanding of what it is like for nurses to make a conscientious objection in clinical practice including the meaning this holds for them and the nursing profession.

Research question:

The question guiding this research was: what is the lived experience of conscientious objection for Registered Nurses in Ontario?

Research design:

Interpretive phenomenological methodology was used to gain an in-depth understanding of what it means to be a nurse making a conscientious objection. Purposive sampling with in-depth interview methods was used to collect and then analyze data through an iterative process.

Participants and research context:

Eight nurse participants were interviewed from across practice settings in Ontario, Canada. Each participant was interviewed twice over 9 months.

Ethical considerations:

This study was conducted in accordance with Health Science Research Ethics Board approval and all participants gave consent.

Findings:

Six themes emerged from data analysis: encountering the problem, knowing oneself, taking a stand, alone and uncertain, caring for others, and perceptions of support.

Discussion:

This study offers an initial understanding of what it is like to be a nurse making a conscientious objection in clinical practice. Implications for nursing practice, education, policy, and further research are discussed.

Conclusion:

Addressing ethical issues in nursing practice is complex. The need for education across nursing, healthcare disciplines and socio-political sectors is essential to respond to nurses’ ethical concerns giving rise to objections. Conscience emerged as an informant to nurses’ conscientious objections. The need for morally inclusive environments and addressing challenging ethical questions as well as the concept of conscience are relevant to advancing nursing ethics and ethical nursing practice.