bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variable Clinical Features and Ablation of Manifest Nodofascicular/Ventricular Pathways
Authors: Hoffmayer Kurt S. , Lee Byron K. , Vedantham Vasanth , Bhimani Ashish A. , Cakulev Ivan T. , Mackall Judith A. , Sahadevan Jayakumar , Rho Robert W. , Scheinman Melvin M.
Published: December 2014

Background—

Manifest nodofascicular/ventricular (NFV) pathways are rare.

Methods and Results—

From 2008 to 2013, 4 cases were identified with manifest NFV pathways from 3 centers. The clinical findings and ablation sites are reported. All 4 cases presented with a wide complex tachycardia but with different QRS morphologies. Case 1 showed a left bundle branch block/superior axis, case 2 showed a right bundle branch block/inferior axis, case 3 showed a left bundle branch block/inferior axis, and case 4 showed a narrow QRS tachycardia and a wide complex tachycardia with a left bundle branch block/inferior axis. Three of the 4 tachycardias had atrioventricular dissociation ruling out extranodal accessory pathways, including atriofascicular pathways. Programmed extrastimuli showed evidence of a decremental accessory pathway in 3 of the 4 cases. Coexisting tachycardia mechanisms were seen in 3 of the 4 cases (atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia [2] and atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia [1]). Ablation in the slow pathway region eliminated the NFV pathway in 3 (transient in 1) with the other responding to surgical closure of a large atrial septal defect. The NFV pathway was a critical part of the tachycardia circuit in 1 and proved to be a bystander in the other 3 cases.

Conclusions—

Manifest NFV pathways presented with variable QRS expression dependent on the ventricular insertion site and often coexisted with other tachycardia mechanisms (atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia and atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia). In most cases, the atrial insertion of the pathway was in or near the slow pathway region. The NFV pathways were either critical to the tachycardia circuit or served as bystanders.
Intravenous Home Inotropic Use Is Safe in Pediatric Patients Awaiting Transplantation
Authors: Birnbaum Brian F. , Simpson Kathleen E. , Boschert Traci A. , Zheng Jie , Wallendorf Michael J. , Schechtman Kenneth , Canter Charles E.
Published: December 2014

Background—

Intravenous inotropic therapy can be used to support children awaiting heart transplantation. Although use of this therapy is discouraged in adults because of poor outcomes, its use in children, particularly outpatient, has had limited evaluation. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this practice.

Methods and Results—

A retrospective analysis of an intent to treat protocol was completed on United Network for Organ Sharing status 1A patients discharged on inotropic therapy from 1999 until 2012. Intravenous inotropic therapy was initiated for cardiac symptoms not amenable to oral therapy. Patients who were not status 1A or required >1 inotrope were excluded. Efficacy was analyzed by time to first event: transplantation; readmission until transplantation; improvement leading to inotrope withdrawal; or death. Safety included analysis of infection rates, line malfunctions, temporary hospitalization, neurological events, and arrhythmias. One hundred six patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 10.1±6.4 years, 47% of patients had congenital heart disease, and 80% of these patients had single ventricle physiology. In patients without congenital heart disease, 53% had dilated cardiomyopathy, 91% of patients received milrinone, 85% of patients underwent transplantation, 8% of patients successfully weaned from support as outpatients, whereas 6% died. Fifty percent of patients were readmitted before transplantation or weaning from support, of which 64% required only 1 readmission. The majority of readmissions were for heart failure.

Conclusions—

Outpatient intravenous inotropic therapy can be safely used as a bridge to transplantation in pediatric patients. A minority of patients can discontinue inotropic therapy because of clinical improvement.
Drug-Coated Balloon Versus Standard Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty for the Treatment of Superficial Femoral and Popliteal Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Tepe Gunnar , Laird John , Schneider Peter , Brodmann Marianne , Krishnan Prakash , Micari Antonio , Metzger Christopher , Scheinert Dierk , Zeller Thomas , Cohen David J. , Snead David B. , Alexander Beaux , Landini Mario , Jaff Michael R.
Published: December 2014

Background—

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have shown promise in improving the outcomes for patients with peripheral artery disease. We compared a paclitaxel-coated balloon with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the treatment of symptomatic superficial femoral and popliteal artery disease.

Methods and Results—

The IN.PACT SFA Trial is a prospective, multicenter, single-blinded, randomized trial in which 331 patients with intermittent claudication or ischemic rest pain attributable to superficial femoral and popliteal peripheral artery disease were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to treatment with DCB or PTA. The primary efficacy end point was primary patency, defined as freedom from restenosis or clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 12 months. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Mean lesion length and the percentage of total occlusions for the DCB and PTA arms were 8.94±4.89 and 8.81±5.12 cm (
P
=0.82) and 25.8% and 19.5% (
P
=0.22), respectively. DCB resulted in higher primary patency versus PTA (82.2% versus 52.4%;
P
<0.001). The rate of clinically driven target lesion revascularization was 2.4% in the DCB arm in comparison with 20.6% in the PTA arm (
P
<0.001). There was a low rate of vessel thrombosis in both arms (1.4% after DCB and 3.7% after PTA [
P
=0.10]). There were no device- or procedure-related deaths and no major amputations.

Conclusions—

In this prospective, multicenter, randomized trial, DCB was superior to PTA and had a favorable safety profile for the treatment of patients with symptomatic femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique Identifiers: NCT01175850 and NCT01566461.
Mistake of law and mistake of fact in English law of restitution
Authors: Halberda Jan
Published: December 2014

The paper discusses the history of the English law doctrine according to which the mistake of law (error iuris) is a bar for restitution. The author seeks to analyze the premises of mistake that led to recovery of the payment. Since the adjudication of the leading case Bilbie v. Lumley (1802) it was settled by the courts that he who had paid while operating under mistake of fact could demand restitution. On the other hand the one who acted under mistake of law could not. Over the last two centuries, until the ground-breaking decision in Kleinwort Benson Ltd v. Lincoln City Council (1999), the distinction into mistake of law and mistake of fact was very important in cases of undue payment. The author ventures whether there are any foundations for the promotion of the thesis that the aforementioned distinction might be an example of the reception of continental doctrines by the English legal system.
Understanding the New Visibility of Religion
Authors: Hjelm Titus
Published: December 2014

This article examines recent debates about the ‘return of religion’ to the European public sphere. It argues that there is widespread confusion between religion being more visible and religion having more impact on contemporary societies. The article asks what the 'new visibility of religion' means, how religion is contested and renegotiated in the public arena—or rather, in different publics—and what the effects of these struggles are on society, state and religion itself. It does so by providing an analytical overview five distinct approaches to the new visibility of religion: desecularization, de-privatization and post-secularity; the effects of ‘welfare utopianism’ on public religion; religion as a social problem; religion as expedient; and the mediatization or publicization of religion. The article concludes that what we are witnessing is a ‘secular return’ of religion, where religion is relevant for public discourse only by virtue of being either problematic or useful.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Vlot Adrian
Published: December 2014

Every day half a million passengers, 1.5 million e-mails and 1.5 trillion dollars cross international borders. In his Jihad versus McWorld — How the planet is both falling apart and coming together Benjamin Barber2 argues vividly that our modern world is torn apart by two opposite tendencies: On one hand is the globalization into enormous economic structures with one global marketplace for gigantic ‘global players’ like McDonald’s and Microsoft, accompanied by a shallow, universal, mass culture and the consumerist and materialistic life-style of pop idols, video clips, soap series and popular brand names. And on the other hand is a flourishing fanatic nationalism claiming splintering independence of small ethnic communities and resulting in numerous bloody local wars: Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, Timor. The refugees, that as a consequence of these conflicts flood the West, create there a multi-cultural, pluralistic society and consequently societal tension.
RESPONSE
Authors: Huai-Chen Chang
Published: December 2014

As an Oriental, born and raised in Taiwan in strict conformity to the precepts of Buddhist and Confucian ethical patterns for human behaviour and who has spent most of her life in active business throughout the Far East, I would like to say in the first place that China’s contact with the West since the first half of the 19th century is a story full of disturbances. The slow process of adaptation and adjustment of China to the new situation created by Western aggressions was quite haphazard since China’s solid cultural self-consciousness made it underestimate the significance of the impact from the West, and particularly the impact emanating from the Anglo-Saxon part of the world.
THE FAMILY AND CULTURAL CHANGE  SOME CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS
Authors: Storkey Elaine
Published: December 2014

1t is encouraging that many Christians are now familiar with the notion of Worldview. This means that they readily recognize that it is not possible to understand or assess the social changes that take place without asking fundamental questions about the basic beliefs of a culture. For, even when it is unconscious of the process, every culture is an outworking of some response to deeply religious questions of life and meaning. Questions about God, reality, human personhood, time, history, evil and salvation underly the way of life in every society, whether we focus on its sexual morality, its family values, its legal and political structures or its economic and trading practices. So it makes sense to assume that changes in societal practices reflect more than simply changes in technology or economics. They reflect changes in worldview.
CHRISTIAN AESTHETIC BREAD FOR THE WORLD1
Authors: Seerveld Calvin
Published: December 2014

It is a biblical faith position that followers of the Christ should give away the bread they bake freely (Ecclesiastes 11:1-16, Matthew 5:38-42), rather than try to force your neighbour to accept it. Maybe the others only eat cake, or hard-boiled arguments. If the neighbours, however, need and ask for nutritious bread, we rich Christians are called by God to provide wholesome food for thought as well as bellies, says Scripture, with a gentleness, respect for the stranger, and with a sound, self-critical consciousness that may involve our getting hurt ourselves (I Peter 3:13-17).
IN MEMORIAM HOWARD EVAN RUNNER, 1916-2002
Authors: Tol Anthony
Published: December 2014

On the 14th of March 2002 Dr. H. Evan Runner passed away. Readers of Philosophia Reformata who are unfamiliar with Calvinist-Reformed life in North America may perhaps recognize the name from the former listing of this journal’s corresponding members. Readers acquainted with developments in North America will mourn the passing of a key figure who, with inspirational force, urged the necessity of semper reformanda of education, society and culture, and who applied all the energy of his mature life towards implementing a biblically inspired redirection of life.
PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS
Authors: Verkerk Maarten J. , Zijlstra Arthur
Published: December 2014

Around the turn of the century the American engineer Frederick Taylor (1856-1917) introduced scientific methods in manufacturing to improve the efficiency. The objective was to control labour by means of rational methods, technological means, and management techniques. Taylor has been at the centre of bitter controversies. On the one hand, his principles were warmly welcomed by industries and universities. On the other hand, they were strongly opposed by unions and politics. Despite the strong opposition, the ideas of Taylor spread quickly.
VIRTUE ETHICS AND THE PUBLIC CALLING OF REFORMATIONAL THOUGHT
Authors: Mouw Richard J.
Published: December 2014

In 2001 the leading American newsweekly, Time magazine, ran a series featuring the people who (according to the magazine’s researchers) were considered to be the most influential in their fields of leadership. The religious thinker who was given the title “America’s Best Theologian” was Stanley Hauerwas, who teaches ethics at Duke University. There is an element of irony in the fact that one of the leading arbiters of cultural popularity would choose to honor Hauerwas in this manner. While Hauerwas is officially a Methodist, he identifies closely with the Anabaptist tradition of ethical thought, often citing the late Mennonite theological ethicist John Howard Yoder as the primary influence on the development of his ethical thought. The Anabaptists, as we all know, make much of the need to form communities of radical disciples of Jesus who stand over against the dominant cultural patterns, and Hauerwas, like his mentor Yoder, is not shy about calling for this over-against-ness.
GLOBAL ETHICS AND A COMMON MORALITY
Authors: Kang Young Ahn
Published: December 2014

'Globalization’ is on everybody‘s lips; a fad word fast turning into a shibboleth, a magic incantation, a pass-key meant to unlock the gates to all present and future mysteries. For some, ‘globalization‘ is what we bound to do if we wish to be happy; for others ‘globalization‘ is the cause of our unhappiness. For everybody, though, ‘globalization‘ is the intractable fate of the world, an irreversible process; it is also a process which affects us all in the same measure and in the same way.1 These words of Zygmund Bauman succinctly depict the contemporary situation all of us are facing no matter where we come from. As Christians, it is very difficult for us to oppose globalization, in principle, since Christians have been globalist almost from the start. Even though Christians have historically felt a deep rootedness in a certain national, ethnic or cultural identity, there was always someone or some groups who were ready to transcend their local and cultural bounds. Christian zeal for mission work over the whole globe: “to the ends of the earth” demonstrates this. Christianity is a ‘global religion,‘ even though there is still prejudice to think of it as typically Western. Contrary to the global North, Christianity is rapidly growing in the global South, especially in Africa and Latin America.
Austinia, a new genus of Convolvulaceae from Brazil
Authors: Buril Maria Teresa , Simões Ana Rita , Carine Mark , Alves Marccus
Published: December 2014

Austinia, a new genus of Convolvulaceae is described and its relationship with other genera is discussed. Two species previously placed in Jacquemontia are referable to the genus. However, a revision of species delimitation demonstrates that the two are conspecific. Austinia therefore comprises a single species, endemic to Brazil.
Diatrypaceous fungi in north-eastern China. 1. Cryptosphaeria and Diatrype
Authors: Vasilyeva Larissa N , Ma Hai-Xia
Published: December 2014

The paper considers 13 species belonging to the genera Diatrype and Cryptosphaeria (Diatrypaceae) found in north-eastern China (Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces). Cryptosphaeria nigrescens and Diatrype sinensis are described as new species. Four species recorded are only known from the area around the Sea of Japan, three other species display a biogeographical pattern known as ‘Asa Gray disjunction’, and two species are reported far from their main findings in Europe.
A new species of the Genus Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) from Lahul Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Agnihotri Priyanka , Husain Danish , Husain Tariq
Published: December 2014

A new species of Delphinium (Ranunculaceace) is described and illustrated from Lahul valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Its affinities with the allied species D. viscosum and D. cashmerianum are discussed. It differs from closely allied species in having bracteoles with hooked apex, shape of spur that resembles parrot’s beak, staminode with dense hoard of hairs at ventral apex, hairs in single line on the inner surface of ovary and cleft stigma.
Supplements to species groups of the subgenus Homoneura in China (Diptera: Lauxaniidae: Homoneura), with descriptions of twenty new species
Authors: SHI LI , YANG DING
Published: December 2014

The following twenty species are new to science: Homoneura (Homoneura) longifurcata sp. nov. and H. (H.) triprocessa sp. nov. in the H. (H.) abnormis group; H. (H.) quadristriata sp. nov. in the H. (H.) bistriata group; H. (H.) subulifera sp. nov. and H. (H.) triangulata sp. nov. in the H. (H.) formosae group; H. (H.) dadongshanica sp. nov., H. (H.) denticulata sp. nov., H. (H.) simigrandis sp. nov., H. (H.) tianjingshanica sp. nov. and H. (H.) zhangjiajiensis sp. nov. in the H. (H.) henanensis group; H. (H.) hamata sp. nov. in the H. (H.) lii group; H. (H.) degenerata sp. nov. in the H. (H.) sauteri group; H. (H.) falcata sp. nov., H. (H.) fengyangshanica sp. nov., H. (H.) hongmaoensis sp. nov. and H. (H.) zhejiangensis sp. nov. in the H. (H.) singularis group; H. (H.) shunxica sp. nov. in the H. (H.) striatifrons group; H. (H.) bicuspidata sp. nov. and H. (H.) noticomata sp. nov. in the H. (H.) trispina group; H. (H.) jianlingensis sp. nov. in the H. (H.) unguiculata group. The H. (H.) interrupta Sasakawa, 2001 and H. (H.) strigata (Mejere, 1910) are recorded for the first time in China. Two synonyms are proposed, including H. (H.) beijingensis Gao & Yang, in Wang, Gao & Yang, 2012 as a junor synonym of H. (H.) henanensis Yang, Zhu & Hu, 1999, H. (H.) trunciformis Shi & Yang, 2009 as a junor synonym of H. (H.) ornatifrons (Kertész, 1913).
A-Train Observations of Maritime Midlatitude Storm-Track Cloud Systems: Comparing the Southern Ocean against the North Atlantic
Authors: Huang Yi , Protat Alain , Siems Steven T. , Manton Michael J.
Published: December 2014

Cloud and precipitation properties of the midlatitude storm-track regions over the Southern Ocean (SO) and North Atlantic (NA) are explored using reanalysis datasets and A-Train observations from 2007 to 2011. In addition to the high-level retrieval products, lower-level observed variables—CloudSat radar reflectivity and Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) lidar attenuated backscatter—are directly examined using both contoured frequency by altitude diagrams (CFADs) and contoured frequency by temperature diagrams (CFTDs) to provide direct insight into thermodynamic phase properties. While the wintertime temperature profiles are similar over the two regions, the summertime environment is warmer over the NA. The NA atmosphere is generally moister than the SO, while the SO boundary layer is moister during winter. The results herein suggest that although the two regions exhibit many similarities in the prevalence of boundary layer clouds (BLCs) and frontal systems, notable differences exist. The NA environment exhibits stronger seasonality in thermodynamic structure, cloud, and precipitation properties than the SO. The regional differences of cloud properties are dominated by microphysics in winter and thermodynamics in summer. Glaciated clouds with higher reflectivities are found at warmer temperatures over the NA. BLCs (primarily below 1.5 km) are a predominant component over the SO. The wintertime boundary layer is shallower over the SO. Midlevel clouds consisting of smaller hydrometeors in higher concentration (potentially supercooled liquid water) are more frequently observed over the SO. Cirrus clouds are more prevalent over the NA. Notable differences exist in both the frequencies of thermodynamic phases of precipitation and intensity of warm rain over the two regions.
An exploration of the importance of the strategy used to identify gentrification
Authors: Barton Michael
Published: December 2014

Urban scholars have described the importance of gentrification in major cities across the USA since the 1970s. While there is consensus that gentrification shaped social and physical aspects of neighbourhoods, scholars have yet to agree on how gentrified neighbourhoods should be identified. Owing to the lack of consensus, gentrification was measured in a variety of ways, which greatly influenced the neighbourhoods studied in previous research and potentially the findings of research that assessed the importance of gentrification for other neighbourhood outcomes. The current study contributes to this debate by applying and comparing two census-based strategies for identifying gentrified neighbourhoods with a qualitative neighbourhood selection strategy derived from The New York Times to New York City neighbourhoods for the span of years from 1980 to 2009. Results confirm that each of the strategies identified different neighbourhoods and that qualitative strategies for identifying gentrified neighbourhoods may overlook areas that experienced similar changes to those more widely recognised as gentrified. Given these findings, additional analyses assessed which census-based neighbourhood selection strategy better represented the neighbourhoods perceived by The New York Times, a major media outlet that shaped discourse on gentrification in the USA, as having experienced gentrification.
Nonlinear generator excitation and superconducting magnetic energy storage control for transient stability enhancement via immersion and invariance
Authors: Kanchanaharuthai Adirak , Chankong Vira , Loparo Kenneth A
Published: December 2014

This paper focuses on the design of nonlinear coordinated generator excitation and superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) control to enhance the transient stability of an electrical power system. An immersion and invariance (I&I) nonlinear control design technique is used to achieve power angle stability and frequency and voltage regulation, and to ensure that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stable. The main contributions of this paper are: (1) use of a generator excitation and SMES combination to improve transient stability, (2) demonstrating the applicability of nonlinear control theory (particularly the I&I methodology) for the design of a stabilizing (state) feedback controller in a single machine infinite bus system to enhance transient system performance and (3) developing a methodology that can employ the additional degree of freedom in power systems that include the combined excitation and SMES and advanced nonlinear control in a way that can further improve the dynamic transient performance of the system. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller design, numerical simulation results are provided to illustrate the performance in maintaining stability and simultaneously achieving improvements in voltage regulation during small and large disturbances, and to show that our proposed nonlinear controller has more advantages by comparing it with the control performance of two existing nonlinear controllers and a conventional linear controller, in particular, feedback linearizing and coordinated passivation controllers, and a power system stabilizer (PSS), respectively.
H∞ stabilization of 2-D discrete switched delayed systems represented by the Roesser model subject to actuator saturation
Authors: Ghous Imran , Xiang Zhengrong
Published: December 2014

This paper is concerned with the problem of state feedback H∞ stabilization for a class of 2-D (two-dimensional) discrete-time switched delayed systems with saturation on the control input. First, a sufficient condition for asymptotical stability and H∞ disturbance attenuation performance of the underlying system is derived using a new multiple Lyapunov functional. Second, the convex hull is used to describe the saturation behaviour and a sufficient condition for the existence of a state feedback controller, which ensures that the resulting closed-loop system is asymptotically stable and achieves a prescribed disturbance attenuation level, is developed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, two examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Developing the Governance Space: A Study of the Role and Potential of the Company Secretary in and around the Board of Directors
Authors: McNulty Terry , Stewart Abigail
Published: December 2014

This study brings together developments in corporate governance and organization studies to examine the work of the company secretary, a mandatory legal officer in UK listed corporations, typically positioned close to the board of directors, but hitherto largely ignored in governance and organizational research. Regulation continues to use distinctions between inside executive and outside independent non-executives on boards, opening up organizational space between what one director actually does vis-a-vis another. This study combines a socio-spatial perspective of organization with theories of board behaviour to identify the potential for company secretaries to engage in a vibrant role performance in and around the boardroom. Findings show the potential for company secretaries to act as boundary spanners, ‘walking the lines and working the spaces’ that connect executive and non-executive directors, so developing the governance space in ways that enable board effectiveness.
Effect of stamping condition on age deformation of textile carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate laminates
Authors: Ozaki Hiroaki , Nakada Masayuki , Uzawa Kiyoshi , Miyano Yasushi
Published: December 2014

This study examines the effect of stamping condition on age deformation after stamping of textile carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate laminates. The laminates were stamped to a hat shape at various stamping temperatures between the glass transition temperature Tg and the melting temperature Tm of polycarbonate. Then the age deformation, which is the hat angle variation, was measured. Results show that the age deformation occurs at the stamping temperature in the vicinity of Tg. The age deformation is suppressed when the stamping temperature is sufficiently higher than Tg. Furthermore, the long-term age deformation as the dimensional stability was predicted from the measured deformation at elevated temperature based on the time–temperature superposition principle for the viscoelasticity of the polycarbonate matrix.
It Is Time for Employees to Set Their Retirement GPS
Authors: Rhim Michael
Published: December 2014

Employees are confused by all the retirement issues facing them, as they are now responsible for managing their retirement future. Employers, however, are not off the hook as they have a fiduciary responsibility to manage the operations of the plan offered to their employees. This article explores how employees can create a retirement GPS to help them sift through the maze of retirement information and follow a planning path to a successful retirement destination, and why it is important for employers to play a role in helping them during this process.
Heavy rain effects on aircraft longitudinal stability and control determined from numerical simulation data
Authors: Wu Zhenlong , Cao Yihua , Ismail M
Published: December 2014

In this study, the effects of heavy rain on the longitudinal stability and control performance of the DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft are determined based on data from numerical simulation. A two-way momentum coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian approach for two-phase flows developed in the authors’ previous work is adopted to obtain the basic aerodynamic coefficients in rain. Then the aerodynamic derivatives of the aircraft in rain are evaluated on the basis of the narrow-strip theory. Finally, the longitudinal stability and control performance of the aircraft in rain are analyzed. Our research results suggest that heavy rain can cause degradations in both of aerodynamic and flight mechanics performances to an aircraft. In practice, these short-duration rainfall encounters should be avoided as far as possible since rain mainly has significant adverse effects on the short-period mode characteristics.
Natural versus anthropogenic climate change: Swedish farmers’ joint construction of climate perceptions
Authors: Asplund Therese
Published: December 2014

While previous research into understandings of climate change has usually examined general public perceptions, this study offers an audience-specific departure point. This article analyses how Swedish farmers perceive climate change and how they jointly shape their understandings. The agricultural sector is of special interest because it both contributes to and is directly affected by climate change. Through focus group discussions with Swedish farmers, this study finds that (1) farmers relate to and understand climate change through their own experiences, (2) climate change is understood either as a natural process subject to little or no human influence or as anthropogenic and (3) various communication tools contribute to the formation of natural and anthropogenic climate change frames. The article ends by discussing frame resonance and frame clash in public understanding of climate change and by comparing potential similarities and differences in how various segments of the public make sense of climate change.
Reimagining smartphones in a local mediascape
Authors: Jin Dal Yong , Yoon Kyong
Published: December 2014

Drawing upon in-depth interviews with young smartphone users, as well as socioeconomic analyses, this study examines a localized media landscape emerging with the smartphone and its applications (apps). With particular reference to young Koreans’ engagement with the popular local app platform, KakaoTalk, the study explores how smartphone technology is reimagined in a local context. The KakaoTalk-scape shows that smartphones and their apps are articulated with community-based local modes of communication and the rhythm of urban space. It also demonstrates that media convergence occurs not only between different media platforms but also between global and local media practices.
Bio-based soft elastomeric capacitor for structural health monitoring applications
Authors: Kharroub Sari , Laflamme Simon , Madbouly Samy , Ubertini Filippo
Published: December 2014

Recent advances in flexible electronics have enabled the development of large-area electronics, which are typically fabricated from petroleum-based polymers. With the rapidly growing market of flexible electronics and sensors, there is a pressure to move toward environmentally friendly products. In this article, a bio-based polyurethane soft elastomeric capacitor for structural health monitoring applications is presented. The sensor’s dielectric is fabricated using castor oil–based waterborne polyurethane, mixed with titanium dioxide, which replaces petroleum-based dielectric materials (e.g. styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) previously used by the authors. A critical advantage of the proposed castor oil–based polyurethane over styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene is the environmentally friendly nature of the bio-based polymer and water-based fabrication process of the dielectric that limits the use of solvents. Static characterization demonstrates the linearity of the sensor and its ability to transduce local strain of large surfaces into change in capacitance. Material test results show good physical and chemical properties, despite a decay of the dielectric that occurs after the first 16 days of fabrication.
The mental health imaginary vis-à-vis its nurses and Australian environs: an essay
Authors: Nicholls Daniel
Published: December 2014

This paper aims to contribute to a debate around the state of mental health nursing in the early 21st century. The author uses his nursing background in mental health in Australia as well as his training in philosophy to attempt to say something about what he terms the mental health imaginary. The research in situ commences with an outline of the philosophical traditions that are called upon, in particular Husserlian phenomenology, before launching into an experiential exegesis. Tracing his memory of a work history in mental and general health the author seeks to uncover constitutive elements of nursing in mental health. Outlining the evolution of nursing in mental health in Australia, as he recalls it, he touches on developments in education, professional amalgamations and the introduction of crisis teams. The question of risk and uncertainty is opened up to reveal that the assimilation of these elements into practice is what distinguishes nursing in mental health from nursing in other areas. The questions of subjectivity and objectivity are addressed throughout in relation to how they might operate within the imaginary.
Forging a strong nursing future: insights from the Canadian context
Authors: Duncan Susan , Rodney Patricia Anne , Thorne Sally
Published: December 2014

Canadian nurses, with their colleagues around the globe, are experiencing waves of change in their practice and work lives, and in expectations of how they will continue to make a difference for health and health care. We describe how Canadian nurses have been called to action to lead system wide changes in nursing practice, and to influence the wider public policy arenas for health. We aim to add to the growing international awareness of the status of nursing prompted by the Francis inquiry by offering our analysis of nursing practice and nursing leadership in Canada, in the context of the dominance of a managerial culture in health care systems. A review of prior commission reports, task forces and research reports sheds light on strategies needed to support nurses to address today’s challenges in nursing practice, including staff and skill mix determinations. We share our reflection on the current situation in Canadian nursing as a basis for learning about how our issues compare and contrast with others profiled in the journal. Our goal is to join with colleagues from Canada and other countries to forge a strong future – a future in which nursing’s voices are clearly heard in practice and policy decision-making, and where our knowledge and actions actualise societal health.
Evidence for the efficacy of aztreonam for inhalation solution in the management of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Hansen Christine , Skov Marianne
Published: December 2014

Chronic airway infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) is a main cause of the increased morbidity and mortality found with this disease. The most common cause of Gram-negative infection is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The introduction of inhaled antibiotics has changed the lives of affected patients and the clinical outcome of this infection; this article focuses on the use of inhaled antibiotics in chronic P. aeruginosa infection in CF, and specifically on studies including the use of inhaled aztreonam lysine in P. aeruginosa infection. Studies were identified using PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov, searching for ‘inhaled aztreonam’ and ‘cystic fibrosis’. Inhaled aztreonam is an important new treatment option for chronic P. aeruginosa infection in CF. Long-term studies have shown that the drug is safe and superior to inhaled tobramycin in these specific infections.
Mechanism of Action of Levonorgestrel Emergency Contraception
Authors: Kahlenborn Chris , Peck Rebecca , Severs Walter B.
Published: December 2014

There has been much debate regarding levonorgestrel emergency contraception's (LNG-EC's) method of action since 1999 when the Food and Drug Administration first approved its use. Proponents of LNG-EC have argued that they have moral certitude that LNG-EC works via a non-abortifacient mechanism of action, and claim that all the major scientific and medical data consistently support this hypothesis. However, newer medical data serve to undermine the consistency of the non-abortifacient hypothesis and instead support the hypothesis that preovulatory administration of LNG-EC has significant potential to work via abortion. The implications of the newer data have important ramifications for medical personnel, patients, and both Catholic and non-Catholic emergency room protocols. In the future, technology such as the use of early pregnancy factor may have the potential to quantify how frequently preovulatory LNG-EC works via abortion.

Lay Summary: How Plan B (levonorgestrel emergency contraception) works has been vigorously debated ever since the Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1999. Many doctors and researchers claim that it has either no—or at most—an extremely small chance of working via abortion. However, the latest scientific and medical evidence now demonstrates that levonorgestrel emergency contraception theoretically works via abortion quite often. The implications of the newer data have important ramifications for medical personnel, patients, and both Catholic and non-Catholic emergency room rape protocols.
Five hematologic tests and treatments to question
Authors: Hicks Lisa K. , Bering Harriet , Carson Kenneth R. , Haynes Adam E. , Kleinerman Judith , Kukreti Vishal , Ma Alice , Mueller Brigitta U. , O'Brien Sarah H. , Panepinto Julie A. , Pasquini Marcelo C. , Rajasekhar Anita , Sarode Ravi , Wood William A.
Published: December 2014

Choosing Wisely® is a medical stewardship initiative led by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation in collaboration with professional medical societies in the United States. The American Society of Hematology (ASH) released its first Choosing Wisely® list in 2013. Using the same evidence-based methodology as in 2013, ASH has identified 5 additional tests and treatments that should be questioned by clinicians and patients under specific, indicated circumstances. The ASH 2014 Choosing Wisely® recommendations include: (1) do not anticoagulate for more than 3 months in patients experiencing a first venous thromboembolic event in the setting of major, transient risk factors for venous thromboembolism; (2) do not routinely transfuse for chronic anemia or uncomplicated pain crises in patients with sickle cell disease; (3) do not perform baseline or surveillance computed tomography scans in patients with asymptomatic, early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia; (4) do not test or treat for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia if the clinical pretest probability of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is low; and (5) do not treat patients with immune thrombocytopenia unless they are bleeding or have very low platelet counts.
An implicit method for finding a common fixed point of a representation of nonexpansive mappings in Banach spaces
Authors: Hussain Nawab , Lashkarizadeh Bami Mahmood , Soori Ebrahim
Published: December 2014

We introduce an implicit method for finding an element of the set of common fixed points of a representation of nonexpansive mappings. Then we prove the strong convergence of the proposed implicit scheme to the common fixed point of a representation of nonexpansive mappings.

MSC:90C33, 47H10.
Current practices and barriers impairing physicians’ and nurses’ adherence to analgo-sedation recommendations in the intensive care unit - a national survey
Authors: Sneyers Barbara , Laterre Pierre-François , Perreault Marc M , Wouters Dominique , Spinewine Anne
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Appropriate management of analgo-sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with improved patient outcomes. Our objectives were: a) to describe utilization of analgo-sedation regimens and strategies (assessment using scales, protocolized analgo-sedation and daily sedation interruption (DSI)) and b) to describe and compare perceptions challenging utilization of these strategies, amongst physicians and nurses.

Methods

In the 101 adult ICUs in Belgium, we surveyed all physicians and a sample of seven nurses per ICU. A multidisciplinary team designed a survey tool based on a previous qualitative study and a literature review. The latter was available in paper (for nurses essentially) and web based (for physicians). Topics addressed included: practices, perceptions regarding recommended strategies and demographics. Pre-testing involved respondents’ debriefings and test re-test reliability. Four reminders were sent.

Results

Response rate was 60% (898/1,491 participants) representing 94% (95/101) of all hospitals. Protocols were available to 31% of respondents. Validated scales to monitor pain in patients unable to self-report and to monitor sedation were available to 11% and 75% of respondents, respectively. Frequency of use of sedation scales varied (never to hourly). More physicians than nurses agreed with statements reporting benefits of sedation scales, including: increased autonomy for nurses (82% versus 68%, P <0.001), enhancement of their role (84% versus 66%, P <0.001), aid in monitoring administration of sedatives (83% versus 68%, P <0.001), and cost control (54% versus 29%, P <0.001). DSI was used in less than 25% of patients for 75% of respondents. More nurses than physicians indicated DSI is contra-indicated in hemodynamic instability (66% versus 53%, P <0.001) and complicated weaning from mechanical ventilation (47% versus 29%, P <0.001). Conversely, more physicians than nurses indicated contra-indications including: seizures (56% versus 40%, P <0.001) and refractory intracranial hypertension (90% versus 83%, P <0.001). More nurses than physicians agreed with statements reporting DSI impairs patient comfort (60% versus 37%, P <0.001) and increases complications such as self-extubation (82% versus 69%, P <0.001).

Conclusions

Current analgo-sedation practices leave room for improvement. Physicians and nurses meet different challenges in using appropriate analgo-sedation strategies. Implementational interventions must be tailored according to profession.
Expert consensus and recommendations on safety criteria for active mobilization of mechanically ventilated critically ill adults
Authors: Hodgson Carol L , Stiller Kathy , Needham Dale M , Tipping Claire J , Harrold Megan , Baldwin Claire E , Bradley Scott , Berney Sue , Caruana Lawrence R , Elliott Doug , Green Margot , Haines Kimberley , Higgins Alisa M , Kaukonen Kirsi-Maija , Leditschke Isabel Anne , Nickels Marc R , Paratz Jennifer , Patman Shane , Skinner Elizabeth H , Young Paul J , Zanni Jennifer M , Denehy Linda , Webb Steven A
Published: December 2014

Introduction

The aim of this study was to develop consensus recommendations on safety parameters for mobilizing adult, mechanically ventilated, intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

A systematic literature review was followed by a meeting of 23 multidisciplinary ICU experts to seek consensus regarding the safe mobilization of mechanically ventilated patients.

Results

Safety considerations were summarized in four categories: respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and other. Consensus was achieved on all criteria for safe mobilization, with the exception being levels of vasoactive agents. Intubation via an endotracheal tube was not a contraindication to early mobilization and a fraction of inspired oxygen less than 0.6 with a percutaneous oxygen saturation more than 90% and a respiratory rate less than 30 breaths/minute were considered safe criteria for in- and out-of-bed mobilization if there were no other contraindications. At an international meeting, 94 multidisciplinary ICU clinicians concurred with the proposed recommendations.

Conclusion

Consensus recommendations regarding safety criteria for mobilization of adult, mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU have the potential to guide ICU rehabilitation whilst minimizing the risk of adverse events.
Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for infection, sepsis and mortality in the critically ill: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: de Haan Kim , Groeneveld AB Johan , de Geus Hilde RH , Egal Mohamud , Struijs Ard
Published: December 2014

Introduction

In Europe, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent varying between 40% and 60% in the healthy general adult population. The consequences of vitamin D deficiency for sepsis and outcome in critically ill patients remain controversial. We therefore systematically reviewed observational cohort studies on vitamin D deficiency in the intensive care unit.

Methods

Fourteen observational reports published from January 2000 to March 2014, retrieved from Pubmed and Embase, involving 9,715 critically ill patients and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 (OH)-D) concentrations, were meta-analysed.

Results

Levels of 25 (OH)-D less than 50 nmol/L were associated with increased rates of infection (risk ratio (RR) 1.49, 95% (confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 1.99), P = 0.007), sepsis (RR 1.46, 95% (CI 1.27 to 1.68), P <0.001), 30-day mortality (RR 1.42, 95% (CI 1.00 to 2.02), P = 0.05), and in-hospital mortality (RR 1.79, 95% (CI 1.49 to 2.16), P <0.001). In a subgroup analysis of adjusted data including vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for 30-day mortality the pooled RR was 1.76 (95% CI 1.37 to 2.26, P <0.001).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases susceptibility for severe infections and mortality of the critically ill.
Clinical neurophysiological assessment of sepsis-associated brain dysfunction: a systematic review
Authors: Hosokawa Koji , Gaspard Nicolas , Su Fuhong , Oddo Mauro , Vincent Jean-Louis , Taccone Fabio Silvio
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Several studies have reported the presence of electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities or altered evoked potentials (EPs) during sepsis. However, the role of these tests in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of sepsis-associated encephalopathy remains unclear.

Methods

We performed a systematic search for studies evaluating EEG and/or EPs in adult (≥18 years) patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy. The following outcomes were extracted: a) incidence of EEG/EP abnormalities; b) diagnosis of sepsis-associated delirium or encephalopathy with EEG/EP; c) outcome.

Results

Among 1976 citations, 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of EEG abnormalities during sepsis ranged from 12% to 100% for background abnormality and 6% to 12% for presence of triphasic waves. Two studies found that epileptiform discharges and electrographic seizures were more common in critically ill patients with than without sepsis. In one study, EEG background abnormalities were related to the presence and the severity of encephalopathy. Background slowing or suppression and the presence of triphasic waves were also associated with higher mortality. A few studies demonstrated that quantitative EEG analysis and EP could show significant differences in patients with sepsis compared to controls but their association with encephalopathy and outcome was not evaluated.

Conclusions

Abnormalities in EEG and EPs are present in the majority of septic patients. There is some evidence to support EEG use in the detection and prognostication of sepsis-associated encephalopathy, but further clinical investigation is needed to confirm this suggestion.