bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Interest-Inventory Measurements in Marketing Education: Improving MBA Student Team Effectiveness
Authors: Lemken Russell , Siguaw Judy A.
Published: September 2019

Business schools face the dual challenge of keeping students highly engaged in courses with exceptionally broad scope, like the introduction to marketing principles, while simultaneously instructing them in the increasingly specific and technical skills that are demanded by employers. In this article, the authors describe the use of an interest-inventory survey for MBA students that allows instructors to measure students’ interest in the subareas of marketing, while communicating the range of career options available in the marketing discipline. The effectiveness of using the interest-inventory survey for team formation is demonstrated through empirical data gathered through an experimental methodology. The article details how this measurement of student interests is constructed, administered at the beginning of the term, reported and discussed, and then used throughout the term in team formation, exercises, assignments, and project work to simulate the multidisciplinary group structures most students will encounter in their careers. The article also reveals how the multidisciplinary team approach created using the survey provides the means to manage tactical challenges presented by student teams, like allocating project work within teams, and grading team outcomes transparently and equitably. Data reveal that use of this pedagogical approach for group formation increases the effectiveness of student teams.
Keychain Attachment
Authors: Ambekar Venkateswara Rao , Mathur Anirudh K. , Thushar Balan K.
Published: September 2019

Iatrogenic discomfort becomes a part of practice with limitation of armamentarium and technology. With the usage of temporary anchorage devices. It became a bliss to the orthodontist and patients in terms of ease and less anchorage loss but the continuous lingering irritation caused by the attaching ligature used to engage the spring to the implant head is harmful to patient. In this clinical pearl we have devised a small modification to the way the spring gets attached to implant head which eases the process and eliminates the iatrogenic problems.
Australian snake antivenom dosing: What is scientific and safe?
Authors: Tibballs James
Published: September 2019

Because the median dose of one vial ‘clears the blood of circulating venom’, the authors of the Australian Snakebite Project recommend restriction of antivenom to one vial for all envenomated victims. This is neither scientific nor safe. Methodological flaws in the case series include limited detection of venom toxins and misinterpretation of data. The recommendation fails to consider larger doses of venom than that neutralised by one vial of antivenom. Although one vial may be adequate for minor envenomation, the initial dose should be two vials with more on a clinical basis.
New modes of managing grand challenges: Cross-sector collaboration and the refugee crisis of the Asia Pacific
Authors: Quayle Annette , Grosvold Johanne , Chapple Larelle
Published: September 2019

Grand challenges are complex, large-scale problems requiring collaborative, multidisciplinary attention. Cross-sector collaboration can potentially play a significant role in addressing these challenges by capturing the diverse vision, experience, knowledge and resources of different sectors. Yet we still know little of the inter-organisational dynamics of how sectors work together to address grand challenges and the consequences of doing so. Our article contributes to the literature at the intersection of management and grand challenges by identifying how cross-sector collaborations can be used more effectively to address grand challenges. Drawing on a study of Australia’s offshore processing of refugees, we highlight the inter-organisational issues that emerge and develop a collaborative governance framework to overcome these problems and guide future cross-sector collaborations directed at grand challenges.

JEL Classification: M5, H11
When information is the treatment? Precision medicine in healthcare
Authors: Beauvais Michael , Knoppers Bartha Maria
Published: September 2019

Profoundly more data-intensive than conventional medicine, precision medicine’s distinctive informational needs present new challenges for healthcare management. Data protection and privacy law are key determinants in precision medicine’s future. This article examines legal and regulatory barriers to the incorporation of precision medicine into healthcare. Specific attention is paid to analyzing recent health privacy laws, court cases, and medical device regulations. Considering the challenges identified, recommendations and guidance are crafted for health leaders with reference to domestic and international initiatives.
“Ask for More Time”: Big Data Chronopolitics in the Australian Welfare Bureaucracy
Authors: Whelan Andrew
Published: September 2019

Since 2016, welfare recipients in Australia have been subject to the Online Compliance Intervention (OCI), implemented through the national income support agency, Centrelink. This is a big data initiative, matching reported income to tax records to recoup welfare overpayments. The OCI proved controversial, notably for a “reverse onus,” requiring that claimants disprove debts, and for data-matching design leading frequently to incorrect debts. As algorithmic governance, the OCI directs attention to the chronopolitics of contemporary welfare bureaucracies. It outsources labor previously conducted by Centrelink to clients, compelling them to submit documentation lest debts be raised against them. It imposes an active wait against a deadline on those issued debt notifications. Belying government rhetoric about the accessibility of the digital state, the OCI demonstrates how automation exacerbates punitive welfare agendas, through transfers of time, money, and labor whose combined effects are such as to occupy the time of people experiencing poverty.
Postfascism in Spain: The Struggle for Catalonia
Authors: Bernat Ignasi , Whyte David
Published: September 2019

The thousands of Spanish National Police and Guardia Civil sent to Barcelona in order to prevent the referendum legislated by the Catalan Parliament on 6 and 7 September 2017 raised major questions about the fragility of Spanish democracy. The subsequent display of police violence on 1 October and the imprisonment and criminalisation of political opponents for the archaic offences of ‘rebellion’ and ‘sedition’ looked even less ‘democratic’. Indeed, those events in Catalonia constitute a remarkable moment in recent European history. This article uses the literature on ‘postfascism’ (developed in this journal and elsewhere) to analyse this remarkable moment and develop its social connections to the parallel re-emergence of fascist violence on the streets and the appearance of fascist symbolism in mainstream politics in Spain. The literature on postfascism identifies contemporary fascism as a specifically cultural phenomenon, but generally fails to identify how the conditions that sustain the far right originate inside the state. In order to capture this historical turn more concretely as a process in which state institutions and processes of statecraft are intimately involved, we argue that the Spanish state is postfascist. The article offers a brief critique of the way the concept of postfascism has been deployed, and, through an empirical reading of the historical development of Spanish state institutions, it proposes a modified frame that can be used to understand the situation in Catalonia.
HEIs and workforce development: Helping undergraduates acquire career-readiness attributes
Authors: Mayorga Luanne K.
Published: September 2019

The transition from college to careers has remained relatively consistent for decades. This is no longer the case, as many factors are at play. It is essential that undergraduate students gain career-relevant skills to be successful in the complex, global workforce. Yet employers raise concerns about students’ career-readiness. Simultaneously, higher education institutions (HEIs) are facing numerous challenges, such as unprecedented access to a college education, funding allocations and students working while attending college. All these factors lead to an arduous situation. Since learning is not merely relegated to the classroom, this qualitative multisite case study focuses on experiential learning opportunities offered through university-affiliated business incubators to gain a better understanding of how they may assist undergraduate students prepare for the workforce. This research contributes to the literature by showing how HEIs can help students develop career-readiness attributes to prepare for their transition from college to careers.
A trajectory planning model of tiltrotor considering multi-phase and multi-mode flight
Authors: Zhang Jing , Yu Wu , Qu Xiangju
Published: September 2019

A trajectory planning model of tiltrotor with multi-phase and multi-mode flight is proposed in this paper. The model is developed to obtain the trajectory of tiltrotor with consideration of flight mission and environment. In the established model, the flight mission from take-off to landing is composed of several phases which are related to the flight modes. On the basis of the flight phases and the flight modes, the trajectory planning model of tiltrotor is described from three aspects: i.e. tiltrotor dynamics including motion equations and maneuverability, flight mission requirements, and flight environment including different no-fly zones. Then, particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied to generate the trajectory of tiltrotor online. The strategy of receding horizon optimization is adopted, and the control inputs in the next few seconds are optimized by particle swarm optimization algorithm. Flight mission simulations with different situations are carried out to verify the rationality and validity of the proposed trajectory planning model. Simulation results demonstrate that the tiltrotor flying with multi-mode can reach the target in three cases and can avoid both static and dynamic obstacles.
Driving Mobile Accounts Sales: Strategic Imperative for Telenor Pakistan
Authors: Awan Muhammad Luqman , Awan Muhammad Usman , Naseer Omer , Khan Usman Mumtaz
Published: September 2019

In October 2013, Mahboob Ali Shah Manager Financial Services Planning Telenor Pakistan (TP) needed to make decisions on the future of Mobile Accounts Sales officers (MASOs). TP had two businesses, i.e., GSM (96 per cent revenue contribution in TP 2012 sales) and financial services offering (4 per cent revenue contribution in TP 2012 sales) under the brand name of EasyPaisa.

TP launched EasyPaisa in 2009 with a view to reach out to the unbanked segment (60 million people). By 2012, EasyPaisa had a brand awareness of 80 per cent with the largest footprint of 36,000 EasyPaisa shops. Mobile accounts (MAs) were introduced in 2010 which could be operated only by Telenor sim and; hence, offered a great opportunity for TP to attract and retain customers for continual usage of its complete offerings.

TP developed an elaborate go to market strategy (direct as well as indirect) to reach its customers effectively. Territory Sales Supervisors (TSS) has been the focal contact point between TP and their franchises since the launch of GSM services in 2005; however, as TP increased their offerings in the realm of financial services and offered diverse services such as MAs it became difficult for TSS to focus on MA and other financial services products whereas ironically MA contributed only (5 per cent) in KPI of TSS.

At the same time, selling of MAs required different selling process as opposed to selling GSM services to franchisees and subsequently to retailers. Due to this change in the selling process, highly successful TSS had not been able to achieve sales targets for MA.

In order to achieve corporate objectives for MA sales, Mahboob needed to make a choice from among different possible options for MASO’s expansion to achieve this year’s target of 350,000 MA, out of which until now he could achieve only 224,000.
Is there a public interest in knowing what is going on in society? A comparative study of the European Courts
Authors: Dahlberg Maija , Wyatt Daniel
Published: September 2019

Both of the European courts, namely the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, have well-established case law on the public’s right of access to official documents. The core of the right is the same in both of the courts’ jurisdictions but the interpretations concerning the breadth of the right are very different. One fundamental reason for the public’s right of access to information being understood differently by each of these courts is their divergent approaches to the assessment of the public interest associated with an individual’s request for information. While the ECtHR openly evaluates the public interest or interests involved in the disclosure of an official document, the CJEU gives this factor little or no weight. In this article, our main argument is that CJEU should follow the ECtHR’s interpretation of the public interest in order to give the right of access to documents the same scope in both legal regimes and, in doing so, fulfil the requirements stemming from Article 52(3) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
The correlation of 30‐ and 90‐day mortality rates with Hs‐troponin I values measured in patients diagnosed with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in emergency service
Authors: Kurt Erdem , AK Rohat , Eke Kurt Şebnem Zeynep , Bahadırlı Suphi , Cimilli Öztürk Tuba
Published: September 2019

Background:

This study aims to determine the relationship between troponin levels and 30‐ and 90‐day mortality rates in patients who applied to emergency service with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Materials and methods:

The data of our study were obtained from the retrospective screening of the files of 321 patients who applied to the emergency department between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016 with International Classification of Diseases diagnosis with I47.1 (supraventricular tachycardia). Unstable patients, patients under 18 years, and patients with comorbidities that could increase troponin levels did not participate in the study. A total of 159 patients diagnosed with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia were included in the study. These patients’ files were examined, and their examination and anamnesis information at the time of admission to hospital, demographic characteristics, and applied treatments were analyzed. The 30‐ and 90‐day mortality rates of the patients were examined.

Results:

The study was carried out with 159 patients. Troponin was positive in 25 (15.7%) cases, while it was negative in 134 (84.3%) cases. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of 30‐ and 90‐day mortality rates. Coronary artery disease was found to be higher in patients with positive troponin than patients with negative troponin.

Conclusion:

No significant difference was found between patients with positive troponin values compared to patients with negative troponin values in terms of 30‐ and 90‐day mortality rates. We believe that prospective observational studies or large‐scale retrospective studies will better elucidate this issue.
An Analysis of Factors Affecting Dropout Risks of Nontraditional Students: Evidence from U.S. 4-Year Commuter Institutions
Authors: Chen Jin , Ziskin Mary B. , Torres Vasti
Published: September 2019

Utilizing event history analysis and multilevel models, this study explored dropout risks for first-time nontraditional students who started at public 4-year commuter institutions across a U.S. Midwest state. The study revealed that (a) the dropout hazard rate remained relatively high across college years and differed by gender, race, and family income; (b) individual characteristics such as socioeconomic backgrounds, academic performance and financial need were significant predictors for dropout, and (c) the differences in dropout were largely attributable to institutional structural and resource differences. These findings have important implications for policies and practices aiming to promote nontraditional student persistence to graduation.
My Body Is a War Zone: Exhibitions and Testimonies as a Tool for Change
Authors: Kahn Leora
Published: September 2019

This article has evolved from an exhibition produced with PROOF: Media for Social Justice entitled “My Body Is a War Zone,” which was part of a larger project (“Legacy of Rape”) consisting of stories from women in four postconflict regions. Drawing on interviews conducted with women in Santa Marta, Colombia, in May 2012 and January 2017, I explore the use of testimony, photography, and exhibition as a means of empowering survivors to become activists. Using the Colombian example, I argue that such exhibitions can transform national and public dialogue by engaging audiences on a personal and emotional level.
“Thinking of You” in Kosovo: Art Activism Against the Stigma of Sexual Violence
Authors: Di Lellio Anna , Rushiti Feride , Tahiraj Kadire
Published: September 2019

In this article, we present, as participants and observers, an analysis of the social and political impact of the 2015 art installation “Mendoj Për Ty” [Thinking of You], dedicated to survivors of wartime sexual violence in Kosovo. We argue that art possesses an extraordinary power to unveil the “public secret” of wartime rape, as well as produce a “reparative” reading of the past, creating solidarity for, and recognition of, survivors, which simultaneously empowers them and their advocates. We also confirm the crucial role of women’s networks and subjectivity to the inclusion of women’s perspectives for effective transitional justice.
Low-Income Parents’ Perceptions of and Engagement With a Digital Behavioral Parent Training Program: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Brager Jenna , Breitenstein Susan M. , Miller Hailey , Gross Deborah
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND: Parent training is a method for strengthening parenting skills, reducing child behavior problems, and promoting positive parent–child relationships. However, few parents have access to these evidence-based programs. The ezParent program, a tablet-based delivery adaptation of the group-based Chicago Parent Program, is a parent training program designed to address the needs of families raising young children in urban poverty. AIMS: This study aimed to explore (a) parents’ perceptions of the benefits and barriers associated with their use of the ezParent program and (b) the ways in which the ezParent components and perceived usability varied by program use (module completion). METHOD: An explanatory mixed-methods design was used with the overall intent to use the qualitative data to help explain in greater detail the quantitative results. RESULTS: Fifty-nine parents of 2- to 5-year-old children from two pediatric primary care clinics serving predominantly low-income and racial/ethnic minority families in Chicago (Cohort 1) and Baltimore (Cohort 2) participated in follow-up interviews. Among those interviewed, 23 (38.9.5%) parents completed all six modules and 12 parents (20.3%) completed none of the modules. However, of those 12, 8 (67%) logged in to the program and completed portions of Module 1. Parents who completed more modules reported more program benefits, and those who completed fewer modules reported more barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Exploring users’ experience with current digital applications, researchers and application developers can better design future tablet-based interventions to be both effective and acceptable by consumers.
A comparative health care inventory for primary hip arthroplasty between Germany versus the Netherlands. Is there a downside effect to fast-track surgery with regard to patient satisfaction and functional outcome?
Authors: Füssenich Wout , Gerhardt Davey MJM , Pauly Thomas , Lorenz Frank , Olieslagers Martin , Braun Christof , van Susante Job LC
Published: September 2019

Background:

Treatment and rehabilitation protocol for hip arthroplasty differs between Germany and the Netherlands. The Dutch system promotes fast-track surgery whereas in Germany conventional care is provided with a longer hospital stay including rehabilitation. Clinical outcome, patient satisfaction and costs in both treatment protocols were compared in a prospective setup.

Material and methods:

This prospective cohort study included patients allocated for primary THA in 3 German and 1 Dutch hospital in the border region. Patient-reported outcome scores (PROMS) were measured pre- and postoperatively at 6 and 12 months including the Oxford Hip Score, SF12 survey, visual analogue scale for satisfaction and pain. Length of hospitalisation and availability of postoperative rehabilitation were recorded. In addition, a total cost estimation was calculated using health insurers data.

Results:

A total of 360 consecutive patients were included; 175 THA in Germany compared to 185 THA in the Netherlands. No cross-border healthcare was encountered in both cohorts. Mean length of hospitalisation was 11.3 (range 6–23) days in Germany, compared to 4.4 (range 3–25) days in the Netherlands. In Germany 92% of the patients was discharged with inpatient (72%) or outpatient (20%) rehabilitation, compared to 21% with only inpatient rehabilitation in the Netherlands. No significant differences were measured regarding the PROMS and patient satisfaction between both countries. Due to profound differences in health care financing only a global cost estimation could be made and no major differences were encountered.

Conclusion:

Germany and the Netherlands both offer highly protocolled care for THA with comparable functional outcome and patient satisfaction with treatment after 12 months. Despite the length of hospitalisation in Germany is significantly longer including a more intensive rehabilitation programme, no significant differences were recorded regarding functional outcome nor patient satisfaction compared to fast-track surgery performed in the Netherlands.
Drivers of preventable high health care utilization: a qualitative study of patient, physician and health system leader perspectives
Authors: Das Lala Tanmoy , Kaushal Rainu , Garrison Kelsey , Carrillo Vanessa , Grinspan Zachary , Theis Ryan , Shenkman Elizabeth , Abramson Erika
Published: September 2019

Objectives

A small percentage of patients account for the bulk of population health care utilization and costs in many countries including the United States (US). In the US, 5% of the population has high health care utilization accounting for nearly 50% of health care costs. A subset of this utilization is deemed preventable, and thus potentially cost saving to patients as well as to the health care system. This study sought to identify drivers of preventable utilization from the perspectives of three stakeholder groups in the US: health system leaders; high-need, high-cost (HNHC) patients or their primary caregivers; and physicians.

Methods

We performed a qualitative study using interviews of health system leaders and focus groups of HNHC patients, caregivers and physicians. We used a mixed inductive deductive approach to analyse transcripts and identify themes.

Results

We identified three key drivers of preventable high health care utilization: (1) unmet behavioural health needs, (2) socio-economic determinants of health and (3) challenges associated with accessing health care delivery systems.

Conclusions

To be potentially more effective, interventions to reduce preventable high health care utilization should incorporate the perspectives of patients, health system leaders and physicians. Particularly important to stakeholders is increased access to mental-health resources, support for patients with low socio-economic resources and systemic changes that reduce wait times for primary care visits and allow providers more time during patient visits.
Behind the screen of Facebook: Identity construction in the rehearsal stage of online interaction
Authors: Ditchfield Hannah
Published: September 2019

Social media platforms such as Facebook have been understood to present new possibilities for interaction. Yet, there have been concerns surrounding the reducing quality of our interaction and conversation. Such debates, however, have not considered the pre-post dimension of online environments: that is, the preparatory work that occurs to online posts before they are shared with their audience. Based on real-time recordings of Facebook Messenger interactions, this article asks what the pre-post perspective tells us about the quality of our interactions online. The analysis is theoretically informed by Goffman and methodologically by conversation analysis and addresses this question with a specific focus on processes of identity construction and face. In presenting innovative screen capture data, this article argues against claims that our interaction online is declining in quality instead showing the ways users perfect their online posts by elaborating a new stage of online communication: the ‘rehearsal’ stage.
Game perspective-taking effects on willingness to help immigrants: A replication study with a Spanish sample
Authors: Peña Jorge , Hernández Pérez Juan Francisco
Published: September 2019

This study replicated an experiment examining video game character perspective-taking effects on socio-political opinions with a sample of Spanish participants. Random assignment to play a game as an immigration inspector decreased intention and attitudes toward helping immigrants relative to baseline scores. These effects were observed while controlling for social dominance orientation or preference for inequality among social groups. The intention and attitudes of participants randomly assigned to play a control group game featuring the role of a newspaper editor remained unchanged. Overall, this study expanded perspective-taking research by replicating theoretical predictions with a different sample. We discuss future directions and findings that deviated from the original study.
Regional Disparities in Transplantation With Deceased Donor Kidneys With Kidney Donor Profile Index Less Than 20% Among Candidates With Top 20% Estimated Post Transplant Survival
Authors: Husain S. Ali , King Kristen L. , Dube Geoffrey K. , Tsapepas Demetra , Cohen David J. , Ratner Lloyd E. , Mohan Sumit
Published: September 2019

Introduction:

The Kidney Allocation System in the United States prioritizes candidates with Estimated Post-Transplant Survival (EPTS) ≤20% to receive deceased donor kidneys with Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) ≤20%.

Research Question:

We compared access to KDPI ≤ 20% kidneys for EPTS ≤ 20% candidates across the United States to determine whether geographic disparities in access to these low KDPI kidneys exist.

Design:

We identified all incident adult deceased donor kidney candidates wait-listed January 1, 2015, to March 31, 2018, using United Network for Organ Sharing data. We calculated the proportion of candidates transplanted, final EPTS, and KDPI of transplanted kidneys for candidates listed with EPTS ≤ 20% versus >20%. We compared the odds of receiving a KDPI ≤ 20% deceased donor kidney for EPTS ≤ 20% candidates across regions using logistic regression.

Results:

Among 121 069 deceased donor kidney candidates, 28.5% had listing EPTS ≤ 20%. Of these, 16.1% received deceased donor kidney transplants (candidates listed EPTS > 20%: 17.1% transplanted) and 12.3% lost EPTS ≤ 20% status. Only 49.4% of transplanted EPTS ≤ 20% candidates received a KDPI ≤ 20% kidney, and 48.3% of KDPI ≤ 20% kidneys went to recipients with EPTS > 20% at the time of transplantation. Odds of receiving a KDPI ≤ 20% kidney were highest in region 6 and lowest in region 9 (odds ratio 0.19 [0.13 to 0.28]). The ratio of KDPI ≤ 20% donors per EPTS ≤ 20% candidate and likelihood of KDPI ≤ 20% transplantation were strongly correlated ( r 2 = 0.84).

Discussion:

Marked geographic variation in the likelihood of receiving a KDPI ≤ 20% deceased donor kidney among transplanted EPTS ≤ 20% candidates exists and is related to differences in organ availability within allocation borders. Policy changes to improve organ sharing are needed to improve equity in access to low KDPI kidneys.
“Millennial India”: Global Digital Politics in Context
Authors: Udupa Sahana , Venkatraman Shriram , Khan Aasim
Published: September 2019

In this special issue, we examine the two decades of digital media expansion in India, the world’s second largest Internet user domain, to propose the idea of “millennial India.” Millennial India highlights the processes of digitalization as a distinct sociopolitical moment entailing new conditions of communication, and the stakes of “millennials” who are drawn to digital media to articulate political matters. These processes, we suggest, have led to a democratization of public participation through the self-activity of online users. Qualifying the assumption that participation leads to empowerment, we show that a politics of civic action has grown simultaneously with violent exclusions via digital circulation. Millennial India emphasizes the need to take a contextual approach to global digital politics, and recognizes the continuities in the structures of political action in as much as the disruptions engendered by digital infrastructures.
Compression and recovery behavior of three-dimensional woven spacer composites
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Hamdani Syed Talha Ali , Nawab Yasir , Asghar Muhammad Ayub , Hussain Tanveer
Published: September 2019

Three-dimensional woven spacer composites have great potential for use in different parts of automobiles and construction application due to their better mechanical performance. In literature, time-dependent compression and recovery behavior of three-dimensional woven spacer composites was not studied. In this study, three-dimensional woven spacer composites (three thickness levels) were evaluated under static and dynamic (time-dependent) compression and recovery. The static compressive strength of composites was reduced with the increase in sample thickness. Also, the highest amount of energy was absorbed during the fracture of 4 mm (Comp4) thick composite, followed by 10 mm (Comp10) and 20 mm (Comp20) thick composites. Compressibility (%) and resiliency (%) was highest in Comp4 but recovery (%) was a bit lower as compared to the Comp10 and Comp20, while recovery (%) was highest in 10 mm thick composite as compared to the 4 mm and 20 mm thick samples. Moreover, higher value of permanent deformation in thickness with time was observed in Comp20 showing higher creep followed by Comp4 and Comp10. Furthermore, Comp4 showed the highest values of work done during cyclic compression loading–unloading testing, presenting highest toughness.
Use of the C.A.T. Project for a Socially Anxious Teenager: Lessons Learned From Manual Modification
Authors: McClain Cara M. , Bolden Jennifer , Elledge L. Christian
Published: September 2019

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a prevalent mental disorder among adolescents, often causing significant impairments in social and academic functioning with a broad pattern of fear and avoidance. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for SAD with more than 20 randomized controlled trials. Specifically, the present case study utilized the C.A.T. Project (adolescent version of Coping Cat), which is a widely studied and commonly used treatment for youth anxiety disorders. Treatment consisted of 22 sessions over 11 months with a 14-year-old Caucasian female with outcome data demonstrating some significant reductions in anxiety. However, the client terminated prior to finishing the C.A.T. Project manual. As such, this case study emphasizes complicating factors, potential benefits and drawbacks of manual modifications, and resulting treatment implications for clinician consideration.
Pastor Wellness among Chinese Churches: A Canadian Study
Authors: Poon Vincent H. K.
Published: September 2019

This article reports the results of a survey of Canadian Chinese pastors (N = 79) regarding pastor wellness by using a 10-item questionnaire. The results indicate that 22 (27.84%) have significant concerns and 38 (48.1%) have some concerns, with females slightly more affected. Major areas of concern are marital and/or family satisfaction, physical health, problem dealing with relationships in church, and emotional health. The author discusses the implications of the results and makes some recommendations to the pastors and churches.
Fast implementations of ARX-based lightweight block ciphers (SPARX, CHAM) on 32-bit processor
Authors: Seok Byoungjin , Lee Changhoon
Published: September 2019

Recently, many lightweight block ciphers are proposed, such as PRESENT, SIMON, SPECK, Simeck, SPARX, GIFT, and CHAM. Most of these ciphers are designed with Addition–Rotation–Xor (ARX)-based structure for the resource-constrained environment because ARX operations can be implemented efficiently, especially in software. However, if the word size of a block cipher is smaller than the register size of the target device, it may process inefficiently in the aspect of memory usage. In this article, we present a fast implementation method for ARX-based block ciphers, named two-way operation. Moreover, also we applied SPARX-64/128 and CHAM-64/128 and estimated the performance in terms of execution time (cycles per byte) on a 32-bit Advanced RISC Machines processor. As a result, we achieved a large amount of improvement in execution time. The cycles of round function and key schedule are reduced by 53.31% and 31.51% for SPARX-64/128 and 41.22% and 19.40% for CHAM-64/128.
Cooperative packet-forwarding strategies in mobile ad hoc networks with unreliable channels: An evolutionary game approach
Authors: Li Yuanjie , Wu Xiaojun
Published: September 2019

In mobile ad hoc networks, network nodes accomplish a target task usually by cooperative packet forwarding from the source to the destination. It is a challenge to enforce their mutual cooperation for a node’s self-interest. In this article, we focus on cooperative packet forwarding in a one-hop unreliable channel, which leads to packet loss and retransmission. We model the process of packet forwarding with the nodes’ remaining energy and reputation value. We propose a packet-forwarding non-cooperative game model reflecting the utilities of different packet-forwarding strategies, in which an incentive mechanism is introduced to enforce cooperation of packet forwarding. Furthermore, we analyze the packet-forwarding game with replicator dynamics and derive and prove three theorems. If the conditions of the theorems are met, the evolutionarily stable strategies can be attained. Three inferences also reveal how convergence speed to evolutionarily stable states is affected by the cooperative incentive, the probability of successful packet transmissions, and the upper limit of the retransmission number. The simulation results support the proposed theorems and inferences. In addition, we show that our game model with a reputation value and the mechanism of incentive cooperation can improve the probability of successful packet transmissions, and reduce the network overhead.
Repair of Sinus Venosus Defects With Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection in Children by Modified Right Vertical Infra Axillary Thoracotomy
Authors: Rao Rajesh Kishan , Varadaraju R , Basappa Girish , Nagaraja PS
Published: September 2019

Objective

To evaluate the safety and reproducibility of modified right vertical infra axillary thoracotomy (RVIAT) for repair of sinus venosus defects with right-sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) in children.

Methods

Between March 2017 and February 2018, we performed intracardiac repair for sinus venosus defects with right-sided PAPVC in 14 children through modified RVIAT. Median age and weight were 9.5 years and 21 kg, respectively. We modified RVIAT by avoiding central venous cannulation and used total peripheral venous cannulation (right internal jugular vein and right femoral vein). In all children double-patch technique was followed, using untreated autologous pericardium.

Results

Intracardiac repair was safely performed in all children. There was no conversion to another approach and there were no complications related to peripheral venous cannulation. All children were in sinus rhythm with no residual defects, with non-obstructive pulmonary venous drainage at the time of discharge and during subsequent follow-ups.

Conclusions

Modified RVIAT can be safely performed for repair of sinus venosus defects with right-sided PAPVC, without compromising on the quality of repair. With this modification not only the intracardiac repair was easier, also it provided more working space with minimal rib spreading.
Culinary Medicine: Paving the Way to Health Through Our Forks
Authors: Parks Kimberly , Polak Rani
Published: September 2019

Recent findings reveal that suboptimal diet is responsible for more deaths than any other risk factor nationally and globally. It is estimated that with improving eating behaviors, 1 in 5 deaths can be prevented, underscoring the urgent need for effective dietary interventions.
Pipeline embolization for an iatrogenic intracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor surgery: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Nariai Yasuhiko , Kawamura Yosuke , Takigawa Tomoji , Hyodo Akio , Suzuki Kensuke
Published: September 2019

Intracranial pseudoaneurysms are uncommon and among the most difficult lesions to treat with surgery or endovascular means without parent artery sacrifice. Here, we report on a patient who underwent successful treatment using a flow-diverting stent for an iatrogenic intracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm following a vessel injury after endoscopic pituitary tumor resection via the transsphenoidal approach. A 62-year-old man with a Rathke’s cleft cyst presenting with bitemporal hemianopia and progressive decline of left visual acuity underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection. During dura incision, brisk arterial bleeding was encountered from the right internal carotid artery. Immediate packing was performed, and hemostasis was achieved. Three days after the vessel injury, an angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm (2.9 × 2.1 mm) at the cavernous segment of the right internal carotid artery, which showed enlargement on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at six days postoperatively. Pipeline embolization was performed nine days after the vessel injury. Angiography performed one month after Pipeline embolization revealed significant stagnation but not complete occlusion of blood flow inside the pseudoaneurysm cavity. Dual antiplatelet therapy was replaced with single antiplatelet therapy. Follow-up angiograms three months after Pipeline embolization confirmed complete obliteration of the pseudoaneurysm and successful endoluminal reconstruction of the damaged vessel. Despite the possibility of short-term bleeding and the need for dual antiplatelet therapy administration for a certain period, the use of flow-diverting stents is a feasible vessel-sparing option in the management of intracranial internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms resulting from transsphenoidal surgery injuries if intraoperative hemodynamic stability can be achieved with effective packing.
Characteristic measurement of a surface acoustic wave nano-stepping motor by using a fiber-optic Michelson interferometer
Authors: Yu Tai-Ho
Published: September 2019

The actuation technique of a surface acoustic wave motor with nanometer scale linear motion was experimentally investigated in this study. The surface acoustic wave motor comprised a stator made of a Y+128° cut, X-propagation lithium niobate substrate with silicon sliders and an array of pillar projections manufactured using semiconductor fabrication techniques. Two sets of interdigital transducers deposited on the substrate were used to generate Rayleigh waves with a driving frequency of up to 9.7 MHz. The surface acoustic wave motor was driven by friction exerted on the contact area between the slider and the surface acoustic waves in a retrogressive elliptical locus. The stepping motion of the surface acoustic wave motor was measured directly using a fiber-optic Michelson interferometer through demodulation with a digital signal processing method. A displacement of several nanometers was achieved at each step during the experiment.
Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts the risk of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Furong , Chen Bin , Zeng Jiling , Wang Zhiming , Xiao Liang , Deng Guangtong
Published: September 2019

Background:

Preoperative estimation of microvascular invasion is of great significance for the clinical decision making in hepatocellular carcinoma. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to be correlated with the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the conclusions are conflicting on whether high preoperative NLR level is associated with the presence of microvascular invasion.

Aim:

To evaluate the association between preoperative NLR level and the risk of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods:

Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase through February 2019. Fixed or random models were applied to analyze the data based on the heterogeneity. Subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses were performed. Review Manager 5.3 and STATA software were used for the meta-analysis.

Results:

A total of 15 studies were eventually included in this meta-analysis. Pooled data based on retrospective cohort studies showed there are more hepatocellular carcinoma patients with vascular invasion (OR 1.74; 95% Cl 1.42, 2.12; P < 0.001) and microvascular invasion (OR 1.62 95% Cl 1.39, 1.89; P < 0.001) in the high NLR group than in the low NLR group. Of case-control studies, a higher preoperative NLR level was found in the microvascular invasion positive group than in the microvascular invasion negative group (OR 0.62; 95% Cl 0.35, 0.90; P < 0.001). The subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses did not change the results.

Conclusion:

A higher preoperative NLR level is positively correlated with the risk of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.
A Standardized Checklist Improves the Transfer of Stroke Patients from the Neurocritical Care Unit to Hospital Ward
Authors: Murray Nick M. , Joshi Aditya N. , Kronfeld Kassi , Hobbs Kyle , Bernier Eric , Hirsch Karen G. , Gold Carl A.
Published: September 2019

Background and Purpose:

The transfer of patients with ischemic stroke from the intensive care unit (ICU) to noncritical care inpatient wards involves detailed information sharing between care teams. Our local transfer process was not standardized, leading to potential patient risk. We developed and evaluated an “ICU Transfer Checklist” to standardize communication between the neurocritical care team and the stroke ward team.

Methods:

Retrospective review of consecutive patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the neurocritical care unit who were transferred to the stroke ward was used to characterize transfer documentation. A multidisciplinary team developed and implemented an ICU Transfer Checklist that contained a synthesis of the patient’s clinical course, immediate “to-do” action items, and a system-based review of active medical problems. Postintervention checklist utilization was recorded for 8 months, and quality metrics for the postintervention cohort were compared to the preintervention cohort. Providers were surveyed pre- and postintervention to characterize perceived workflow and quality of care.

Results:

Patients before (n = 52) and after (n = 81) ICU Transfer Checklist implementation had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. In the postchecklist implementation period, the ICU Transfer Checklist was used in over 85% of patients and median hospital length of stay (LOS) decreased (8.6 days vs 5.4 days, P = .003), while ICU readmission rate remained low. The checklist was associated with improved perceptions of safety and decreased time needed to transfer patients.

Conclusions:

Use of the standardized ICU Transfer Checklist was associated with decreased hospital LOS and with improvements in providers’ perceptions of patient safety.
Failures, Reoperations, and Improvement in Knee Symptoms Following Matrix-Assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Comparative Trials
Authors: Everhart Joshua S. , Jiang Eric X. , Poland Sarah G. , Du Amy , Flanigan David C.
Published: September 2019

Objective

Though multiple high-level comparative studies have been performed for matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT), quantitative reviews synthesizing best-available clinical evidence on the topic are lacking.

Design

A meta-analysis was performed of prospective randomized or nonrandomized comparative studies utilizing MACT. A total of 13 studies reporting 13 prospective trials (9 randomized, 5 nonrandomized) were included (658 total study participants at weighted mean 3.1 years follow-up, range 1-7.5 years).

Results

Reporting and methodological quality was moderate according to mean Coleman (59.4 SD 7.6), Delphi (3.0 SD 2.1), and MINORS (Methodological Index For Non-Randomized Studies) scores (20.2 SD 1.6). There was no evidence of small study or reporting bias. Effect sizes were not correlated with reporting quality, financial conflict of interest, sample size, year of publication, or length of follow-up ( P > 0.05). Compared to microfracture, MACT had greater improvement in International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC)-subjective and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Pain Subscale Score (KOOS)-pain scores in randomized studies ( P < 0.05). Accelerated weight-bearing protocols (6 or 8 weeks) resulted in greater improvements in IKDC-subjective and KOOS-pain scores than standard protocols (8 or 11 weeks) for MACT in randomized studies ( P < 0.05) with insufficient nonrandomized studies for pooled analysis.

Conclusions

Compared to microfracture, MACT has no increased risk of clinical failure and superior improvement in patient-reported outcome scores. Compared to MACT with standardized postoperative weight-bearing protocols, accelerated weight-bearing protocols have no increased risk of clinical failure and show superior improvement in patient-reported outcome scores. There is limited evidence regarding MACT compared to first-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation, mosaicplasty, and mesenchymal stem cell therapy without compelling differences in outcomes.