bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Citizenship and Health Promotion Programs
Authors: Hicks Elaine R.
Published: November 2016

Patterns of Internet access and use among disadvantaged subgroups of Americans reveal that not all disparities are the same, a distinction crucial for appropriate public policies and health promotion program planning. In their book, Digital Citizenship: The Internet, Society, and Participation, authors Karen Mossberger, Caroline Tolbert, and Ramona McNeal deconstructed national opinion surveys and used multivariate methods of data analysis to demonstrate the impact of exclusion from online society economically, socially, and politically among disadvantaged Americans.
Results From a Nationwide Registry on Scalloped Thoracic Stent-Grafts for Short Landing Zones
Authors: van der Weijde Emma , Bakker Olaf J. , Tielliu Ignace F. J. , Zeebregts Clark J. , Heijmen Robin H.
Published: November 2016

Purpose: To report the perioperative results and short-term follow-up of patients treated with scalloped thoracic stent-grafts. Methods: A multicenter registry in the Netherlands captured data on 30 patients (mean age 68 years; 17 men) with thoracic aortic pathology and a short (<20 mm) proximal or distal landing zone who received a custom-made scalloped stent-graft between January 2013 and February 2016. Patients were treated for saccular (n=13) aneurysms, fusiform (n=9) aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms (n=4), or chronic type B dissections (n=4). The scallop was used to preserve flow in the left subclavian artery (LSA) (n=17), left common carotid artery (n=5), innominate artery (n=1), and celiac trunk (n=7). In 7 (23%) patients, the scallop also included the adjacent artery. Results: Technical success was achieved in 28 (93%) patients. In 1 patient, a minor type Ia endoleak was observed intraoperatively, which was no longer visible on computed tomography angiography at 3 months. In another patient, the LSA was unintentionally obstructed due to migration of the stent-graft on deployment. Concomitant carotid-carotid or carotid-subclavian bypass was performed in 4 patients. There was no retrograde type A dissection or conversion to open surgery. In-hospital mortality was 3%, and the perioperative ischemic stroke rate was 3%. At a mean follow-up of 9.7 months (range <1 to 31), 29 of 30 target vessels were patent. Conclusion: The scalloped stent-graft appears to be a safe and relatively simple alternative for the treatment of thoracic aortic lesions with short landing zones. Larger patient series and long-term follow-up are required to confirm these early results.
George Critchett (1817-1882) and His Son George Anderson Critchett (1845-1925)
Authors: Laios Konstantinos , Moschos Marilita M. , Androutsos George
Published: November 2016

George Critchett (1817-1882) and his son George Anderson Critchett (1845-1925) have influenced the development of ophthalmology and ocular surgery for about a century. They presented new ocular operations such as Critchett’s advancement operation, Critchett’s corneal staphyloma operation, and Critchett’s keratoconus operation, and they invented new surgical instruments such as Critchett’s cataract knife, Critchett’s scissors, and Critchett’s fixation forceps. Both were delicate ocular surgeons managing complex and difficult surgeries.
Does a Comparison View Improve the Reliability of Staging Wrist Osteoarthritis?
Authors: ten Berg Paul W. L. , Drijkoningen Tessa , Guitton Thierry G. , Ring David
Published: November 2016

Background: Radiological grading of wrist osteoarthritis associated with scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) can be difficult. A comparison radiograph of the contralateral healthy wrist and an educational training in the various SNAC stages may improve reliability. Our purposes were to evaluate the difference in the reliability: (1) between observers who rate SNAC wrists with and without a comparison radiograph; and (2) between observers who receive training prior to ratings and those who do not. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study, 82 fully trained orthopedic or hand surgeons rated anteroposterior radiographs of 19 patient wrists following a scaphoid nonunion based on SNAC stages 0 to 4. Observers were randomized online in 4 groups: one group rated unilateral views without training, a second group unilateral views with training, a third group bilateral views without training, and a fourth group bilateral views with training. Training included a 1-page clarification of the SNAC stages. Interobserver agreement was calculated using kappa statistics. Results: There was no significant difference between agreement between observers who rated unilateral radiographs (κ = 0.55) and who rated bilateral radiographs (κ = 0.58) ( P = .14), nor between agreement between observers who received training (κ = 0.59) and who did not (κ = 0.54) ( P = .058). Conclusions: The use of an additional comparison view and/or training does not seem to be clinically relevant in SNAC staging. There is room for improvement in the way we assess patients with SNAC wrists.
Should future interventional neuroradiologists be screened for mutations that impair radiation-induced DNA repair?
Authors: Murphy Kieran , Thakore Adam , Lacasse Marie Constance , Khan Danyal Z
Published: November 2016

In our current medical practice, an increasing number of specialists now have access to radiology technical platforms in order to perform imaging-guided procedures. Although knowledge about the current guidelines and radiation protection devices is a pre-requisite for the use of radiation, the preventive measures are often more or less strictly followed, leading to chronic daily exposure to significant doses of radiation and large accumulated lifetime exposures. Aortic intervention, electrophysiology, and neuro intervention in particular can result in large doses to the operators. Interventionalists might try to rationalize their dismissal of the exposure risks with various excuses: they don’t know where they left their badges (even though, guiltily, they would readily admit it is good practice to always wear them), the estimated short duration of the procedure, significant muscular strain and spasm caused by the heaviness of lead aprons, decreased dexterity with lead gloves, or discomfort in wearing lead protective glasses. But their dismissive attitude is most likely due to the inherent inability to feel threatened by something they cannot see or feel, a commitment to the patient at all cost, and a culture of bravado that reinforces their behavior.
Output dynamic control of a late model sustainable energy automobile system with nonlinearity
Authors: Cai Maolin , Wang Yixuan , Shi Yan , Liang Hanwen
Published: November 2016

Air-liquid pressurization convertor has been applied in energy boosting which is widely used in sustainable energy automobile. In this article, output dynamic control method is analyzed by model simulation and experimental validation to set foundation for optimization, in which the pneumatic and hydraulic nonlinear combination equations, total nonlinear frictions on pistons, and load nonlinear equilibrium equation are considered. Moreover, influences on output dynamic control characteristics of the late automobile model with nonlinearity are studied. The conclusion can be made as follows: first, the built model is effectively verified by comparison of experimental and simulation results. Second, as one of the key power system parameters, longer piston stroke will lead to better output dynamic property within a certain limit. Third, area ratio is considered to be approximately 8, which can avoid the unsteadiness of the output dynamic characteristics. Furthermore, suitably bigger orifice will greatly promote the characteristic property of the air-liquid pressurization convertor. Finally, under the condition of this article, input pressure can be set to 0.65 MPa to obtain a better power system combination property. This study can provide reference for the optimization of dynamic characteristics of the sustainable energy automobile.
Developing the process in matching a wind turbine system to attain optimal performance
Authors: Kao Jui-Hsiang
Published: November 2016

The objective of this article is to develop the procedure in the matching of turbine blades and generator to increase the efficiency of a wind turbine. Hydrodynamic simulation of turbine blades and the logic setting of the controller are always focused on obtaining maximum power from the turbine system. Research on the matching of the two systems, turbine blades and the generator, is rare. If turbine blades are not initially well matched with the generator, the optimal design of the turbine blades to reach peak performance will not be realized, and the controller will be unable to increase the power capture. Thus, the matching problem is worthy of being discussed. In this article, the efficiency of the wind turbine system is increased by determining the optimal constant voltage mode of the generator. As the optimal constant voltage mode is selected, the characteristics of the operating points, such as tip speed ratio, revolutions per minute, blade torque, and efficiency, can be identified by the crossover point of the T (torque)– N (r/min) curves of the turbine blades and the generator. A horizontal upwind turbine is treated as the study case here. It is suggested that the tip speed ratio value calculated by the determined revolutions per minute should be located in the high-efficiency region of efficiency curves of the turbine blades, but not in the steep-slope region of the selected constant voltage mode of the generator. The results show that, if the two systems operate well, the final output power at a low wind speed of 4–5 m/s will be increased by 65%–44%, and at a high wind speed of 10–12 m/s, it will be increased by 3%–5%.
Transmission and measurement characteristics evaluation of surface acoustic wave sensor on rotating spindle in machine tools
Authors: Yao Xinhua , Luan Congcong , Fu Jianzhong
Published: November 2016

Surface acoustic wave sensors offer overwhelming advantages over other potentially competitive sensing technologies in rotating mechanical structures for their wireless and passive capability. Nevertheless, the challenges of using these sensors have not been adequately addressed. Radio frequency signal of surface acoustic wave sensors acts as not only the role of data transmission but also the role of energy supply during the sensing system working process. Thus, the performance of surface acoustic wave sensors when they are used to monitor rotating spindles should be investigated due to the harsh metallic environments for radio propagation in machine tool. This article aims to experimentally study the performance of surface acoustic wave sensors on both rotating spindle with Computer Numerical Control machine tool and self-developed spindle apparatus. The measurement study is performed using a temperature surface acoustic wave sensor working in the Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) band (433.05–434.79 MHz). Experimental results have shown that transmission and measurement characteristics were closely depended on the surface acoustic wave sensor installation location and rotation speeds. The conclusions will directly guide the sensor location optimization, power setting, errors avoidance, or correction in the future work.
Losing the media battle, waging the policy war: The pharmaceutical industry’s response to the access to medicines crisis in the Global South
Authors: Stavinoha Ludek
Published: November 2016

This article sheds new light on the pharmaceutical industry’s response to the public relations crisis generated by the global civil society campaign for access to HIV/AIDS medicines since the early 2000s – one of the most contentious policy areas of global trade and health governance. Drawing on interviews with industry insiders, the article explores the industry’s communicative agency in both the media sphere and key sites of power, with a focus on the European Union (EU) policy sphere. The analysis shows that the industry has focused primarily on maintaining access to policymakers and sustaining elite consensus around the existing global intellectual property rights regime through political communication activities that largely bypass mediated public arenas – from strategically promoting its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and mobilizing third-party endorsement to direct lobbying. The article concludes by reflecting on the implications of the findings for critical investigations of the interplay between media and political power in relation to global economic governance.
Whose data? Problematizing the ‘gift’ of social labour
Authors: Kalantzis-Cope Phillip
Published: November 2016

Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google, and Jared Cohen, Founder and Director of Google Ideas, contend that ‘for governments and companies’, the user-generated content that constitutes big data is ‘a gift, enabling them to better respond to citizen and customer concerns, and, within the emergent field of predictive analysis, to predict what the future will hold’. In this article, I interrogate what it means for data from our social lives to be interpreted as a ‘gift’ by private enterprises such as Google. Who is giving what to whom? What is the nature of the transaction? Whose property is this data? By putting into conversation Schmidt and Cohen’s gift thesis with an analysis of the ‘value’ of participation in digital communication networks, this article seeks to uncover an intellectual property conundrum that legitimizes the rise of new kinds of labour vulnerabilities in the digital age; intensifying the extension of the logic of privatization into our digital social lives; and, in doing so, the importance of intellectual property as a language of critique and resistance.
Is there a Qatari–Al-Jazeera nexus? Coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup controversy by Al-Jazeera versus Sky News, CNNI and ITV
Authors: Samuel-Azran Tal , Assaf Inbal , Salem Annie , Wahabe Loreen , Halabi Nadine
Published: November 2016

The Al-Jazeera–Qatari nexus is debatable and hard to examine because Qatari affairs are rarely in the news. Recently, Qatar made global headlines in connection with an alleged bribe to win the 2022 World Cup bid, which creates a rare opportunity to examine Al-Jazeera’s coverage of this as well as other Qatari affairs. We compared coverage by Al-Jazeera Arabic, Al-Jazeera English and Al-Jazeera America with coverage of international networks (Sky News, CNN International and ITV). The analysis reveals that while Al-Jazeera English and America maintained high journalistic norms when reporting on the 2022 World Cup controversy, Al-Jazeera Arabic almost never criticizes its Qatari sponsor. The study highlights the dramatic differences between Al-Jazeera’s English and Arabic versions, looking at journalistic values in general and Qatari affairs coverage in particular.
Acute kidney injury
Authors: Gillies Kirsty , Blakeman Thomas , Lasserson Daniel
Published: November 2016

Acute kidney injury is a clinical syndrome that has become increasingly recognised as a marker of severity of illness in the acutely sick patient. It can lead to, or worsen, chronic kidney disease, and as a result, increase cardiovascular risk. This article sets out the relevance of acute kidney injury for general practice, detailing the identification, management, follow-up and strategies for prevention.
Making the Case for Practice-Based Research and the Imperative Role of Design Practitioners
Authors: Freihoefer Kara , Zborowsky Terri
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this article is to justify the need for evidence-based design (EBD) in a research-based architecture and design practice. This article examines the current state of practice-based research (PBR), supports the need for EBD, illustrates PBR methods that can be applied to design work, and explores how findings can be used as a decision-making tool during design and as a validation tool during postoccupancy. As a result, design professions’ body of knowledge will advance and practitioners will be better informed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the society. Furthermore, characteristics of Friedman’s progressive research program are used as a framework to examine the current state of PBR in design practice. A modified EBD approach is proposed and showcased with a case study of a renovated inpatient unit. The modified approach demonstrates how a highly integrated project team, especially the role of design practitioners, contributed to the success of utilizing baseline findings and evidence in decision-making throughout the design process. Lastly, recommendations and resources for learning research concepts are provided for practitioners. It is the role of practitioners to pave the way for the next generation of design professionals, as the request and expectation for research become more prevalent in design practice.
Removal of Osteoid Osteoma of the Calcaneus Using Subtalar Arthroscopy
Authors: Jurina Andrija , Dimnjaković Damjan , Smoljanović Tomislav , Bojanić Ivan
Published: November 2016

Intra-articular calcaneal osteoid osteoma is a very rare condition and the diagnosis as well as the treatment is extremely challenging. We report a case of a 19-year-old male with intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus, initially treated for peroneal tenosynovitis with unsatisfactory results. Thorough diagnostic procedure revealed the superolateral location of a calcaneal osteoid osteoma, near the sinus tarsi. A cherry-red elevated lesion typical of an osteoid osteoma nidus was completely removed arthroscopically using the anterolateral portal and the middle portal for subtalar arthroscopy. Histopathology confirmed the suspected diagnosis. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful with immediate pain relief and full weightbearing and movement allowed soon. The patient had no recurrent pain and normal joint mobility 8 months postoperatively. Considering the accessibility of the lesion, intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus can be successfully treated arthroscopically using lateral approach for subtalar arthroscopy.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Retrospective, Case report
Two-Year Evaluation of Osteochondral Repair with a Novel Biphasic Graft Saturated in Bone Marrow in an Equine Model
Authors: McCarrel Taralyn M. , Pownder Sarah L. , Gilbert Susannah , Koff Matthew F. , Castiglione Emme , Saska Ryan A. , Bradica Gino , Fortier Lisa A.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To evaluate a biphasic cartilage repair device (CRD) for feasibility of arthroscopic implantation, safety, biocompatibility, and efficacy for long-term repair of large osteochondral defects.

Methods

The CRD was press-fit into defects (10 mm diameter, 10 mm deep) created in the femoral trochlea of 12 horses. In the contralateral limb, 10 mm diameter full-thickness chondral defects were treated with microfracture (MFX). Radiographs were obtained pre- and postoperatively, and at 4, 12, and 24 months. Repeat arthroscopy was performed at 4 and 12 months. Gross assessment, histology, mechanical testing, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed at 24 months.

Results

The CRD was easily placed arthroscopically. There was no evidence of joint infection, inflammation, or degeneration. CRD-treated defects had significantly more sclerosis compared to MFX early ( P = 0.0006), but was not different at 24 months. CRD had better arthroscopic scores at 4 months compared to MFX ( P = 0.0069). At 24 months, there was no difference in repair tissue on histology or mechanical testing. Based on MRI, CRD repair tissue had less proteoglycan (deep P = 0.027, superficial P = 0.015) and less organized collagen (deep P = 0.028) compared to MFX. Cartilage surrounding MFX defects had more fissures compared to CRD.

Conclusion

The repair tissue formed after CRD treatment of a large osteochondral lesion is fibrocartilage similar to that formed in simple chondral defects treated with MFX. The CRD can be easily placed arthroscopically, is safe, and biocompatible for 24 months. The CRD results in improved early arthroscopic repair scores and may limit fissure formation in adjacent cartilage.
Character Decomposition and Transposition of Chinese Compound Words in the Right and Left Visual Fields
Authors: Cao Hong-Wen , Yang Kai-Fu , Yan Hong-Mei
Published: November 2016

This study investigated the character decomposition and transposition processes of Chinese two-character compound words (canonical and transposed words) and pseudowords in the right and left visual fields using a dual-target rapid serial visual presentation paradigm. The results confirmed a right visual field superiority for canonical words, but this advantage vanished for transposed words. The findings further indicated that the same quality of lexical processing could be obtained from the foveal and parafoveal regions of the right and left visual fields, regardless of the character order, but not in the periphery of the right visual field. Moreover, the proportion of order reversals peaked at the central position and the shortest exposure time, but it declined with increasing eccentricity and time interval. We concluded that the character transposition of Chinese compound words was significantly sensitive in the periphery of the right visual field. Furthermore, the character order errors were mainly encoded in the foveal vision with a duration of 100 ms, which suggested that the order of the foveally presented Chinese characters was more likely to be reversed at the early stage of visual word processing.
Digital play: Exploring young children’s perspectives on applications designed for preschoolers
Authors: Verenikina Irina , Kervin Lisa , Rivera Maria Clara , Lidbetter Alison
Published: November 2016

This study builds on and contributes to research on digital play with young children. Previous research has examined digital play from different viewpoints, but no studies have specifically addressed young children’s perspectives as they interact with applications (apps) that have been designed specifically for their age group. While our review of the literature provides insights from investigations of young children’s perspectives, there is limited research on preschoolers’ views on the apps designed for them by adults. In this article, we discuss young participants’ perspectives on the apps that they engaged with in our research. In particular, we emphasise the importance of various contexts for digital play in relation to meaningful conversations and social interactions. Our findings provide insights about how children choose to engage in digital play and through this, pose implications for the design of apps.
Neurological complications in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Arnold Ria , Issar Tushar , Krishnan Arun V , Pussell Bruce A
Published: November 2016

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are frequently afflicted with neurological complications. These complications can potentially affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Common neurological complications in CKD include stroke, cognitive dysfunction, encephalopathy, peripheral and autonomic neuropathies. These conditions have significant impact not only on patient morbidity but also on mortality risk through a variety of mechanisms. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of these conditions can provide insights into effective management strategies for neurological complications. This review describes clinical management of neurological complications in CKD with reference to the contributing physiological and pathological derangements. Stroke, cognitive dysfunction and dementia share several pathological mechanisms that may contribute to vascular impairment and neurodegeneration. Cognitive dysfunction and dementia may be differentiated from encephalopathy which has similar contributing factors but presents in an acute and rapidly progressive manner and may be accompanied by tremor and asterixis. Recent evidence suggests that dietary potassium restriction may be a useful preventative measure for peripheral neuropathy. Management of painful neuropathic symptoms can be achieved by pharmacological means with careful dosing and side effect considerations for reduced renal function. Patients with autonomic neuropathy may respond to sildenafil for impotence. Neurological complications often become clinically apparent at end-stage disease, however early detection and management of these conditions in mild CKD may reduce their impact at later stages.
Issue-handling beats leadership: Issues and Leaders model predicts Clinton will defeat Trump
Authors: Graefe Andreas
Published: November 2016

The Issues and Leaders model predicts the national popular two-party vote in US presidential elections from people’s perceptions of the candidates’ issue-handling competence and leadership qualities. In previous elections from 1972 to 2012, the model’s Election Eve forecasts missed the actual vote shares by, on average, little more than one percentage point and thus reduced the error of the Gallup pre-election poll by 30%. This research note presents the model’s forecast prior to the 2016 election, when most polls show that voters view Republican candidate Donald Trump as the stronger leader but prefer the Democrat’s nominee Hillary Clinton when it comes to dealing with the issues. A month prior to Election Day, the model predicts that Clinton will win by four points, gaining 52.0% of the two-party vote.
Marginal resection and adjuvant strontium plesiotherapy in the management of feline eyelid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours: two cases
Authors: Berlato Davide , Serras Ana Rita , Matas Riera Marian , Rasotto Roberta
Published: November 2016

Case series summary

Two cats with a marginally resected eyelid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour were treated with adjuvant strontium plesiotherapy a few weeks after surgery. The dose applied in both cases was 200 Gy to the surface, in five fractions, on a Monday–Wednesday–Friday basis. The treatment aimed to achieve a clinical margin of approximately 1 cm around the surgical scar and multiple application fields were required to cover such an area. Local recurrence was not seen in either case after 1330 and 645 days, respectively.

Relevance and novel information

The majority of periocular malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours reported in the literature recur after surgery. In the two cases described in this report the combination of surgery and adjuvant plesiotherapy has been able to provide good local control with minimal toxicity. This multimodal approach could be considered as an alternative to aggressive surgery such as enucleation or exenteration.
Successful treatment of vaginal malakoplakia in a young cat
Authors: Cattin Ryan P , Hardcastle Michael R , Simpson Kenneth W
Published: November 2016

Case summary

A 3-year-old, female, spayed, domestic shorthair cat presented for dysuria and haematuria, unresponsive to antibiotic treatment. A small, fleshy, erythematous mass protruded from the vaginal vault. Ultrasound identified a vaginal mass effect with mixed echogenicity measuring in excess of 3 cm. Vaginoscopy confirmed an extensive, fleshy, irregular mass that was characterised histologically as pyogranulomatous vaginitis, with periodic acid–Schiff-positive macrophages containing gram-negative bacteria. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis demonstrated invasive intracellular Escherichia coli. Vaginal malakoplakia was diagnosed. Tissue culture and antimicrobial susceptibility of E coli was used to guide treatment. A 6 week course of enrofloxacin 5 mg/kg q24h resulted in complete resolution of the mass and clinical signs.

Relevance and novel information

Malakoplakia is a rare chronic inflammatory condition that has been previously reported in the bladder of two cats. The pathogenesis of malakoplakia is thought to involve ineffective killing of bacteria (eg. E coli), similar to granulomatous colitis in Boxers and French Bulldogs. The literature on malakoplakia in cats is sparse. This is the first reported feline case with vaginal involvement, intracellular E coli and successful treatment with a fluoroquinolone. Malakoplakia is an important, non-neoplastic differential diagnosis when a mass is identified in the urogenital system of a young cat.
Respiratory distress associated with lungworm infection in a kitten
Authors: Hawley Melissa M , Johnson Lynelle R , Traversa Donato , Bucy Dan , Vernau Karen M , Vernau William
Published: November 2016

Case summary

A 5-month-old feral kitten developed worsening respiratory signs, including tachypnea, coughing and wheezing after standard anthelmintic treatment with fenbendazole at a local shelter. The kitten was referred to the University of California, Davis, William R Pritchard Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital for further evaluation. Thoracic radiographs revealed a severe diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern with bronchial cuffing, ill-defined nodules and lymphadenomegaly. Differentials included infectious etiologies such as toxoplasmosis, feline infectious peritonitis and cryptococcosis. Parasitic infection was considered less likely, owing to previous anthelmintic treatment. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed marked neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation, and parasitic larvae were observed in a swab of trachea mucus. PCR confirmed the larvae as Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. The kitten recovered with two more rounds of anthelmintic treatment.

Relevance and novel information

Parasitic pneumonia should be considered as a cause of respiratory distress in kittens and cats. Lungworm infections have been more commonly reported in free-roaming young and adult cats, but cannot be excluded as a differential diagnosis in cats from varied environments and in kittens. Kittens appear to be especially sensitive to lungworm infections, manifested by the development of more severe clinical signs; thus lungworm infection should always be considered when presented with a kitten in respiratory distress. In the absence of cytologic confirmation of infection via bronchoalveolar lavage or oropharyngeal swab, PCR provides a valuable means for identification of lungworms, such as A abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior.
Quality of governance and regime support
Authors: Park Chong-Min
Published: November 2016

In this article I examine public evaluations of quality of governance in East Asia and analyze the effects of perceived governance quality on regime support. I distinguish between two modes of governance, democratic and law-based, and examine which mode of governance matters. It was found that East Asian democracies suffered various governance deficits in the eyes of their publics. It was also revealed that a weak rule of law remained the most notable governance malaise across much of the region. The micro-level analysis shows that perceived quality of governance shaped regime allegiance and institutional confidence but not all aspects of governance mattered. It was shown that law-based governance served as the major source of regime support regardless of regime types. On the whole, public support for the prevailing system of government across much of the region depended on quality of law-based governance as well as national economic performance. Yet, evidence indicates that democratic governance encourages citizen skepticism of the ongoing political order, supporting the thesis of assertive citizenship. Overall, the findings suggest that establishing a strong rule of law constitutes one of the major challenges to regime consolidation across much of East Asia.
Cultural change in Asia and beyond
Authors: Welzel Christian , Dalton Russell
Published: November 2016

In their classic, The Civic Culture, Almond and Verba (1963) define the ideal democratic citizen as an allegiant, trustful, and modestly participatory person. This ideal has shaped how scholars think about consolidated democracies as well the process of democratic development. In contrast, we argue that a new model of assertive citizenship spreads as nations experience social modernization, and that these new norms have potentially positive consequences for government performance. We replicate earlier analyses by Welzel and Dalton (2014) using the new sixth wave of the World Values Survey. Our results broadly confirm the earlier findings on the shift toward a more assertive model of citizenship and the consequences of this shift in producing more effective and accountable governments.
Recurrent Parotid Carcinosarcoma in an Asymptomatic Patient
Authors: Mansour Joshua , Mangaonkar Abhishek , Kota Vamsi
Published: November 2016

In this article, we present the case of a 52-year-old male with a history of parotid carcinosarcoma with initial diagnosis being 18 months prior. Initial treatment included a combination of gamma knife surgery coupled with high dosage chemotherapy and X-ray radiation therapy. At the time of follow-up, the patient presented with no complaints and had a nearly normal physical exam with the exception of some facial nerve weakness on the same side as the initial surgery. Despite being asymptomatic, the patient had a significant progression of disease that was manifested with intracranial lesions, multiple pathologic fractures, and a dramatic increase in overall tumor burden. Ultimately, the patient decided to pursue comfort measures only and succumbed to the disease peacefully soon thereafter.
Spectrotemporal Modulation Sensitivity as a Predictor of Speech-Reception Performance in Noise With Hearing Aids
Authors: Bernstein Joshua G. W. , Danielsson Henrik , Hällgren Mathias , Stenfelt Stefan , Rönnberg Jerker , Lunner Thomas
Published: November 2016

The audiogram predicts <30% of the variance in speech-reception thresholds (SRTs) for hearing-impaired (HI) listeners fitted with individualized frequency-dependent gain. The remaining variance could reflect suprathreshold distortion in the auditory pathways or nonauditory factors such as cognitive processing. The relationship between a measure of suprathreshold auditory function—spectrotemporal modulation (STM) sensitivity—and SRTs in noise was examined for 154 HI listeners fitted with individualized frequency-specific gain. SRTs were measured for 65-dB SPL sentences presented in speech-weighted noise or four-talker babble to an individually programmed master hearing aid, with the output of an ear-simulating coupler played through insert earphones. Modulation-depth detection thresholds were measured over headphones for STM (2cycles/octave density, 4-Hz rate) applied to an 85-dB SPL, 2-kHz lowpass-filtered pink-noise carrier. SRTs were correlated with both the high-frequency (2–6 kHz) pure-tone average (HFA; R2 = .31) and STM sensitivity ( R2 = .28). Combined with the HFA, STM sensitivity significantly improved the SRT prediction (Δ R2 = .13; total R2 = .44). The remaining unaccounted variance might be attributable to variability in cognitive function and other dimensions of suprathreshold distortion. STM sensitivity was most critical in predicting SRTs for listeners < 65 years old or with HFA <53 dB HL. Results are discussed in the context of previous work suggesting that STM sensitivity for low rates and low-frequency carriers is impaired by a reduced ability to use temporal fine-structure information to detect dynamic spectra. STM detection is a fast test of suprathreshold auditory function for frequencies <2 kHz that complements the HFA to predict variability in hearing-aid outcomes for speech perception in noise.
A Profiling System for the Assessment of Individual Needs for Rehabilitation With Hearing Aids
Authors: Dreschler Wouter A. , de Ronde-Brons I.
Published: November 2016

This study focuses on the development of a profiling system to specify the needs of hearing-aid candidates. As a basis for the profile of compensation needs, we used a slightly modified version of the Amsterdam Inventory of Disability and Handicap, combined with the well-known Client-Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI). The first questionnaire results in scores for six audiological dimensions: detection, speech in quiet, speech in noise, localization, focus or discrimination, and noise tolerance. The goal of this study was to determine whether the six dimensions derived from the disability questionnaire are appropriate to also categorize individual COSI targets. The results show a good agreement between eight audiologists in the categorization of COSI goals along the six dimensions. The results per dimension show that the dimension focus or discrimination can be regarded as superfluous. Possible additional dimensions were tinnitus and listening effort. The results indicate that it is possible to translate individual user needs (administered using COSI) into more general dimensions derived from a disability questionnaire. This allows to summarize the compensation needs for individual patients in a profile of general dimensions, based on the degree of disability and the individual user needs. This profile can be used as a starting point in hearing aid selection. This approach also offers a well-structured method for the evaluation of the postfitting results.
Optimal cut-off criteria for duplex ultrasound compared with computed tomography angiography for the diagnosis of restenosis in stented carotid arteries in the international carotid stenting study
Authors: Bosch Floris TM , Hendrikse Jeroen , Davagnanam Indran , Bonati Leo H , van der Lugt Aad , van der Worp HB , de Borst Gert J , Mali Willem , Brown Martin M , Nederkoorn Paul J
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Previous studies that reported duplex-ultrasound cut-off criteria, based on blood velocity parameters, for the degree of stenosis in a stented carotid artery were either retrospective, or the reference test was carried out only when a patient was suspected of having restenosis at duplex ultrasound, which is likely to have resulted in verification bias. We performed a prospective study of diagnostic accuracy to find new blood velocity cut-offs in duplex ultrasound for in-stent restenosis.

Patients and methods

Stented patients within the international carotid stenting study were eligible. Patients had a carotid computed tomography angiography in addition to routine duplex ultrasound performed at a yearly follow-up. Duplex-ultrasound bloodflow velocity parameters were compared to the degree of stenosis on computed tomography angiography. The results were analysed using receiver-operating-characteristic curves.

Results

We included 103 patients in this study. On computed tomography angiography, 30 (29.1%) patients had a 30%–49% in-stent restenosis, 21 (20.4%) patients had 50%–69% in-stent restenosis and 5 (4.9%) patients a ≥70% in-stent restenosis. The cut-off value ≥50% stenosis was a peak systolic velocity of 125 cm/s (sensitivity: 63% (95% CI: 41–79), specificity: 83% (95% CI: 72–90)).

Discussion

This study provides a level 2b evidence for new cut-off values for in-stent restenosis. Unfortunately, we could not say anything about severe stenosis because of the low number of severe stenosis after one year.

Conclusions

The 125 cm/s cut-off value on duplex ultrasound is lower than found in previous studies and equal to unstented arteries. Duplex-ultrasound measurements made in stented carotid arteries should not be corrected for the presence of a stent when determining the degree of stenosis.
Antiplatelet therapy following ischaemic stroke – Continue or change pre-existing therapy?
Authors: Mazlan-Kepli Wardati , MacIsaac Rachael L , Walters Matthew , Bath Philip MW , Dawson Jesse
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Antiplatelet therapy is routinely prescribed early after ischaemic stroke. Many patients will already be taking antiplatelet therapy and it is unknown whether these patients should continue the same antiplatelet treatment or switch to a different regimen.

Methods

We selected patients with ischaemic stroke from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive database who were prescribed antiplatelets both before and after their stroke and who had detailed records of adverse events after stroke. We compared patients who changed to a new antiplatelet regimen after their stroke to those who continued the same regimen. The primary outcome was recurrent ischaemic stroke within 90 days after their index stroke and the secondary outcome was intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) or extracranial haemorrhage (ECH). We used logistic regression analysis and adjusted for age and baseline NIHSS.

Results

A total of 1129 participants were included. Of these, 538 subjects changed antiplatelet regimen post stroke and 591 continued the same regimen. A recurrent ischaemic event occurred in 4.1% of subjects who changed regimen and 4.3% who continued unchanged (adjusted OR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.54–1.75, p = 0.929). The incidence of ICH and ECH within the first 90 days was similar in both groups (2.4% vs. 2.6% (adjusted OR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.48–2.18, p = 0.955) and 4.7% vs. 2.9% (adjusted OR = 1.82; 95% CI 0.96–3.43, p = 0.065), respectively).

Discussion

The analysis was performed using a non-randomised registry data.

Conclusion

In patients who suffer ischaemic stroke whilst taking antiplatelets, a change in antiplatelet regimen was not associated with an altered risk of early recurrent ischaemic stroke rate or bleeding. However, the results must be interpreted in view of the low event rates.
G-CSF-induced sympathetic tone provokes fever and primes antimobilizing functions of neutrophils via PGE2
Authors: Kawano Yuko , Fukui Chie , Shinohara Masakazu , Wakahashi Kanako , Ishii Shinichi , Suzuki Tomohide , Sato Mari , Asada Noboru , Kawano Hiroki , Minagawa Kentaro , Sada Akiko , Furuyashiki Tomoyuki , Uematsu Satoshi , Akira Shizuo , Uede Toshimitsu , Narumiya Shuh , Matsui Toshimitsu , Katayama Yoshio
Published: November 2016

Key Points

G-CSF-induced sympathetic tone provokes fever and modulates microenvironment via PGE2 production by bone marrow Gr-1high neutrophils.
Distributed gene expression modelling for exploring variability in epigenetic function
Authors: Budden David M. , Crampin Edmund J.
Published: November 2016

Background

Predictive gene expression modelling is an important tool in computational biology due to the volume of high-throughput sequencing data generated by recent consortia. However, the scope of previous studies has been restricted to a small set of cell-lines or experimental conditions due an inability to leverage distributed processing architectures for large, sharded data-sets.

Results

We present a distributed implementation of gene expression modelling using the MapReduce paradigm and prove that performance improves as a linear function of available processor cores. We then leverage the computational efficiency of this framework to explore the variability of epigenetic function across fifty histone modification data-sets from variety of cancerous and non-cancerous cell-lines.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that the genome-wide relationships between histone modifications and mRNA transcription are lineage, tissue and karyotype-invariant, and that models trained on matched -omics data from non-cancerous cell-lines are able to predict cancerous expression with equivalent genome-wide fidelity.
BMP4 acts as a dorsal telencephalic morphogen in a mouse embryonic stem cell culture system
Authors: Watanabe Momoko , Fung Ernest S. , Chan Felicia B. , Wong Jessica S. , Coutts Margaret , Monuki Edwin S.
Published: November 2016

The concept of a morphogen – a molecule that specifies two or more cell fates in a concentration-dependent manner – is paradigmatic in developmental biology. Much remains unknown, however, about the existence of morphogens in the developing vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), including the mouse dorsal telencephalic midline (DTM). Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are candidate DTM morphogens, and our previous work demonstrated BMP4 sufficiency to induce one DTM cell fate – that of choroid plexus epithelial cells (CPECs) – in a mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) culture system. Here we used BMP4 in a modified mESC culture system to derive a second DTM fate, the cortical hem (CH). CH and CPEC markers were induced by BMP4 in a concentration-dependent manner consistent with in vivo development. BMP4 concentrations that led to CH fate also promoted markers for Cajal–Retzius neurons, which are known CH derivatives. Interestingly, single BMP4 administrations also sufficed for appropriate temporal regulation of CH, CPEC, and cortical genes, with initially broad and overlapping dose-response profiles that sharpened over time. BMP4 concentrations that yielded CH- or CPEC-enriched populations also had different steady-state levels of phospho-SMAD1/5/8, suggesting that differences in BMP signaling intensity underlie DTM fate choice. Surprisingly, inactivation of the cortical selector gene Lhx2 did not affect DTM expression levels, dose-response profiles, or timing in response to BMP4, although neural progenitor genes were downregulated. These data indicate that BMP4 can act as a classic morphogen to orchestrate both spatial and temporal aspects of DTM fate acquisition, and can do so in the absence of Lhx2.
Boundary layer control by a fish: Unsteady laminar boundary layers of rainbow trout swimming in turbulent flows
Authors: Yanase Kazutaka , Saarenrinne Pentti
Published: November 2016

The boundary layers of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss [0.231±0.016 m total body length (L) (mean±s.d.); N=6], swimming at 1.6±0.09 L s−1 (N=6) in an experimental flow channel (Reynolds number, Re=4×105) with medium turbulence (5.6% intensity) were examined using the particle image velocimetry technique. The tangential flow velocity distributions in the pectoral and pelvic surface regions (arc length from the rostrum, lx=71±8 mm, N=3, and lx=110±13 mm, N=4, respectively) were approximated by a laminar boundary layer model, the Falkner−Skan equation. The flow regime over the pectoral and pelvic surfaces was regarded as a laminar flow, which could create less skin-friction drag than would be the case with turbulent flow. Flow separation was postponed until vortex shedding occurred over the posterior surface (lx=163±22 mm, N=3). The ratio of the body-wave velocity to the swimming speed was in the order of 1.2. This was consistent with the condition of the boundary layer laminarization that had been confirmed earlier using a mechanical model. These findings suggest an energy-efficient swimming strategy for rainbow trout in a turbulent environment.
Relationship between the grades of a learned aversive-feeding response and the dopamine contents inLymnaea
Authors: Aonuma Hitoshi , Kaneda Mugiho , Hatakeyama Dai , Watanabe Takayuki , Lukowiak Ken , Ito Etsuro
Published: November 2016

The pond snail Lymnaea learns conditioned taste aversion (CTA) and remembers not to respond to food substances that initially cause a feeding response. The possible relationship between how well snails learn to follow taste-aversion training and brain dopamine contents is not known. We examined this relationship and found the following: first, snails in the act of eating just before the commencement of CTA training were poor learners and had the highest dopamine contents in the brain; second, snails which had an ad libitum access to food, but were not eating just before training, were average learners and had lower dopamine contents; third, snails food-deprived for one day before training were the best learners and had significantly lower contents of dopamine compared to the previous two cohorts. There was a negative correlation between the CTA grades and the brain dopamine contents in these three cohorts. Fourth, snails food-deprived for five days before training were poor learners and had higher dopamine contents. Thus, severe hunger increased the dopamine content in the brain. Because dopamine functions as a reward transmitter, CTA in the severely deprived snails (i.e. the fourth cohort) was thought to be mitigated by a high dopamine content.