bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Canadian Patients’ Preferences in Topical Psoriasis Care: Insights From the PROPEL Surveys
Authors: Vender Ronald , Gooderham Melinda J. , Guenther Lyn C. , Kyritsis Dimitrios , Rao Jaggi , Kowalczyk Alice , Ashkenas John
Published: May 2018

Background:

Patients with psoriasis of all severities employ topical treatment, either alone or in combination. Promoting Patient Engagement at the Leading Edge of Topical Psoriasis Treatment (PROPEL) surveyed Canadian dermatologists and their patients about their attitudes toward topical care.

Objectives:

To identify gaps between patients and dermatologists regarding the burden of psoriasis, the burden of treatment, and priorities for topical care to Canadian patients with psoriasis.

Methods:

Two parallel surveys explored patient attitudes toward psoriasis and their experience with topical care, as expressed by patients or as perceived by their dermatologists. A third survey, addressed to patients, included additional questions regarding treatment adherence to current topical treatment regimens.

Results:

PROPEL dermatologists underestimated the burden associated with psoriatic itch. Otherwise, they were well aligned with patients’ views, including their preference for maintaining topical care of their psoriasis over other treatment modalities, the nature of good psoriasis control, and desirable features of topical medications. Despite holding generally positive views of topical therapy, many patients self-identified as poorly adherent.

Conclusions:

Long-term adherence to psoriasis topical care remains a challenge. Formulations with improved acceptability might help patients maintain good adherence.
Recurrent and Fixed Neutrophilic Dermatosis Associated With Dasatinib
Authors: Bergman Joel C. , Ly Thai Yen , Keating Margaret-Mary , Hull Peter R.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Dasatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Skin rashes are common, occurring in about a quarter of patients treated, and are generally mild. The commonest rash is a keratosis pilaris-like eruption. A neutrophilic dermatosis has rarely been reported.

Objective:

We report a patient whose CML was successfully treated with dasatinib and who several years later developed episodes of a neutrophilic dermatosis recurring at the same sites.

Conclusion:

This report extends the clinical spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses to include dasatinib-induced recurrent and fixed erythematous plaques.
Review of acoustic comfort evaluation in dwellings: part II—impact sound data associated with subjective responses in laboratory tests
Authors: Vardaxis Nikolaos-Georgios , Bard Delphine
Published: May 2018

The concept of acoustic comfort is hardly defined and used to refer to conditions of low noise levels or annoyance based on standardized descriptors. Airborne and impact sound measurements are used to rate acoustic comfort in dwellings, but they often do not express human perception of noise or comfort. If the descriptors are statistically associated with self-reported responses, they can be used as prediction models and considered sufficient for acoustic comfort assessment. This review article presents studies that approach acoustic comfort in dwellings via the association of acoustic data and subjective responses in laboratory tests. Specifically, we investigate the cases of impact sound, since it is usually reported as the most disturbing noise source in dwellings. We also evaluated the reviewed studies with the Bradford Hill’s criteria. The reviewed studies indicate that self-reported annoyance to impact sound is an important issue and it can be predicted well in overall. Various standardized descriptors are studied and associate sufficiently with subjective responses. Inclusion of low frequencies down to 50 Hz in measurements improves the association of impact sound descriptors to subjective responses. Some impact noise stimuli associate only with some descriptors but not all. From the standardized impact sources, the tapping machine is the most efficient to predict overall annoyance and the impact ball for human walking or typical impact sounds in dwellings.
Naturalistic language sampling to characterize the language abilities of 3-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Bacon Elizabeth C , Osuna Suzanna , Courchesne Eric , Pierce Karen
Published: May 2018

Characterization of language in naturalistic settings in autism spectrum disorder has been lacking, particularly at young ages, but such information is important for parents, teachers, and clinicians to better support language development in real-world settings. Factors contributing to this lack of clarity include conflicting definitions of language abilities, use of non-naturalistic standardized assessments, and restricted samples. The current study examined one of the largest datasets of naturalistic language samples in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder, and language delay and typically developing contrast groups at age 3. A range of indices including length of phrase, grammatical markings, and social use of language was assayed during a naturalistic observation of a parent–child play session. In contrast to historical estimates, results indicated only 3.7% of children with autism spectrum disorder used no words, and 34% were minimally verbal. Children with autism spectrum disorder and language delay exhibited similar usage of grammatical markings, although both were reduced compared to typically developing children. The greatest difference between autism spectrum disorder and language delay groups was the quantity of social language. Overall, findings highlight a range of language deficits in autism spectrum disorder, but also illustrate that the most severe level of impairments is not as common in naturalistic settings as previously estimated by standardized assessments.
Cancer care decision-making and treatment consent: An observational study of patients’ and clinicians’ rights
Authors: Dew Kevin , Signal Louise , Stairmand Jeannine , Simpson Andrew , Sarfati Diana
Published: May 2018

This study identified ways in which patients and medical specialists negotiated decisions about cancer treatment by observing decision-making discussion in situ. Audio-recordings of cancer care consultations with 18 patients, their support people, and their medical specialists, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons were collected in different regions of New Zealand. Patients were followed up with interviews and specialists provided consultation debriefings. The interpretation of the data drew on the concepts of epistemic and deontic rights to argue that in complex consultations, such as occur in cancer care, we need to reconsider the simple dichotomy of preferred consultations styles as paternalistic or based on shared decision-making. Decision-making is a dynamic process with specialists and patients linked into networks that impact on decision-making and where rights to knowledge and rights to decision-making are interactionally negotiated. The level of information and understanding that patients desire to exercise rights needs to be reconsidered.
Sustainability of an Enhanced Recovery Program for Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Pancreaticogastrostomy
Authors: Williamsson C. , Karlsson T. , Westrin M. , Ansari D. , Andersson R. , Tingstedt B.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Enhanced recovery program for pancreaticoduodenectomy have become standard care. Little is known about adherence rates and sustainability of the program, especially when pancreaticogastrostomy is used in reconstruction. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate adherence rates and continued outcome, after implementation of an enhanced recovery program.

Methods:

Consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at the Department of Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden were followed, after implementation of enhanced recovery program, October 2012. In April 2015, some items in the enhanced recovery program were modified, namely earlier removal of nasogastric tubes and abdominal drain. The patients were analyzed in three groups, the implementation group (control) and two post-implementation groups; intermediate and modified group. Sustainability was assessed according to length of stay and adherence rate.

Results:

In total, 160 patients were identified. The overall protocol adherence rate increased from 65% to 72%, p = 0.035. While the pre- and intraoperative protocol items were fulfilled to more than >90%, the postoperative were lower, but increasing over time; 48%, 50%, and 58%, p = 0.033. Postoperative complications and hospital length of stay did not change significantly.

Conclusion:

The positive outcome of an enhanced recovery program for pancreaticoduodenectomy was reasonably well sustained. Compliance with the protocol has increased, but strict adherence remains a challenge, especially with the postoperative items.
A physics-based zero-dimensional model for the mass flow rate of a turbocharger compressor with uniform/distorted inlet condition
Authors: Song Kang , Zhao Ben , Sun Harold , Yi Weilin
Published: May 2018

Turbocharger compressor, when fitted to a vehicle, usually operates with a curved inlet pipe which leads to distorted inlet flow field, hence deteriorating compressor flow capability. During the measurement of compressor performance, turbocharger-engine matching and controller design, the inlet flow field is, however, assumed to be uniform, which deviates from the real-world conditions. Consequently, the overall system performance could be compromised if the inlet distortion effect is ignored. To address this issue, in this article, a turbomachinery physics-based zero-dimensional model was proposed for the mass flow rate of a compressor with distorted inlet flow field due to 90° and 180° bent inlet pipe. The non-uniform flow is approximated as two-zone flow field, similar to parallel compressors, with the total pressure deviation between two zones modeled as a function of the flow velocity and pipe geometry. For each flow zone, the corresponding mass flow rate is estimated by approximating each sub-compressor as an adiabatic nozzle, where the fluid is driven by external work delivered by a compressor wheel governed by Euler’s turbomachinery equation. By including turbomachinery physics and compressor geometry information into the modeling, the model achieves high fidelity in compressor map interpretation and extrapolation, which is validated in experiments and the three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulation.
Do spacing and self-testing predict learning outcomes?
Authors: Rodriguez Fernando , Kataoka Sabrina , Janet Rivas Mariela , Kadandale Pavan , Nili Amanda , Warschauer Mark
Published: May 2018

Studies have demonstrated that utilizing spacing (spreading out study sessions at regular intervals) and self-testing strategies are optimal for learning. While some applied work has examined the relationship between these strategies on general academic achievement, there is still a need to explore how both spacing and self-testing are related to course-level learning outcomes. The goal of this study was to examine whether utilizing spacing and self-testing strategies was related to final course grade. Participants were asked to report the study strategies they utilized during the course. We found no relationship between using spacing strategies and final course grade. However, self-testing was significantly related to higher final course grades. The relationship between self-testing and final course grade remained significant even after accounting for demographic differences and prior academic achievement. Our results suggest that self-testing strategies can enhance learning even in a highly structured course.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Tiffany’s: Existentialism and consumption in Capote’s novella
Authors: Canavan Brendan
Published: May 2018

Existentialism has been used within marketing to enrich understanding of consumer motivations and behaviour. Consumption may be used as a means of existential avoidance or facilitator of existential authenticity. However the overlap, mutual support, limitations and nuances of the relationships between existentialism and consumption are underdeveloped. Drawing on the literary tradition of the philosophy, this think piece explores the themes of existentialism and consumption within Truman Capote’s classic fiction. Breakfast at Tiffany’s provides a succinct, engaging and holistic depiction of existential consumption and demonstrates the value of reading literature in enriching marketing theory.
An empirical analysis of consumer resistance to smart-lighting products
Authors: Juric J , Lindenmeier J
Published: May 2018

Considering the low market penetration of smart-lighting technology, this study investigates the drivers and consequences of consumer resistance to these innovative lighting products. The paper builds on research on passive and active consumer resistance and on the technology acceptance theory to analyse individuals’ inclination to adopt or reject smart-lighting products. Moreover, the paper evaluates the moderating effects of gender and age. In addition to the influence of passive and active innovation resistance and based on a representative survey of German consumers ( N = 653), the empirical results identify performance expectancy, social pressure and compatibility and health concerns as major determinants of consumer behaviour. Furthermore, the results vary among consumers of different ages and genders. A follow-up study ( N = 115) investigates consumers’ health concerns more deeply. This study provides practical implications and avenues for future research.
Evaluation of pedestrian reassurance gained by higher illuminances in residential streets using the day–dark approach
Authors: Fotios S , Monteiro A Liachenko , Uttley J
Published: May 2018

A field study was conducted to investigate how changes in the illuminance affect pedestrian reassurance when walking after dark in an urban location. The field study was conducted in daytime and after dark in order to employ the day–dark approach to analysis of optimal lighting. The results suggest that minimum illuminance is a better predictor of reassurance than is mean illuminance. For a day–dark difference of 0.5 units on a 6-point response scale, the results suggest a minimum horizontal illuminance of approximately 2.0 lux.
Cost Analysis of Initial Treatment With Endovascular Revascularization, Open Surgery, or Primary Major Amputation in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Tang Linda , Paravastu Sharath C. V. , Thomas Shannon D. , Tan Elaine , Farmer Eric , Varcoe Ramon L.
Published: May 2018

Purpose: To compare the total initial treatment costs for open surgery, endovascular revascularization, and primary major amputation within a single-payer healthcare system. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective analysis was undertaken to evaluate 1138 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) who underwent 1017 endovascular procedures, 86 open surgeries, and 35 major amputations between 2013 and 2016. A cost-mix analysis was performed on individual patient data generated for selected diagnosis-related groups. Mean costs are presented with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: There was no intergroup difference in demographics or private health insurance status. However, the amputation group had a higher proportion of emergency procedures (68.6% vs 13.3% vs 27.9%, p<0.001) and critical limb ischemia (88.6% vs 35.9% vs 37.2%, p<0.001) compared with the endovascular therapy and open surgery groups, respectively. The endovascular revascularization group spent less time in hospital and used fewer intensive care unit (ICU) resources compared with the open surgery and major amputation groups (hospital length of stay: 3.4 vs 10.0 vs 20.2 days, p<0.01; ICU: 2.4 vs 22.6 vs 54.6 hours, p<0.01), respectively. While mean prosthetic and device costs were higher in the endovascular group [AUD$2770 vs AUD$1658 (open) and AUD$1219 (amputation), p<0.01], substantial disparities were observed in costs associated with longer operating theater times, length of stay, and ICU utilization, which resulted in significantly higher costs in the open and amputation groups. After adjusting for confounders, the AUD$18,396 (95% CI AUD$16,436 to AUD$20,356) mean cost per admission for the endovascular revascularization group was significantly less (p<0.001) than the open surgery (AUD$31,908, 95% CI AUD$28,285 to AUD$35,530) and major amputation groups (AUD$43,033, 95% CI AUD$37,706 to AUD$48,361). Conclusion: Endovascular revascularization procedures for PAD cost the health payer less compared with open surgery and primary amputation. While devices used to deliver contemporary endovascular therapy are more expensive, the reduction in bed days, ICU utilization, and related hospital resources results in a significantly lower mean total cost per admission for the initial treatment.
Optimal Team Contests to Induce More Efforts
Authors: Lee Dongryul , Song Joon
Published: May 2018

We show that, if the team sports designer puts more weight on the performance of high-ability members (e.g., star players) than on low-ability members, the designer encourages the low-ability member to free ride on the high-ability members so that the high-ability members exert even greater efforts. Thus, the designer’s choice approximates the best shot team contest. With more weight on the low-ability member’s performance, the choice approximates the weakest link team contest to undermine the free riding. The approximations work better with more convex effort cost function and/or smaller heterogeneity of group members.
Campus-Based Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy and Title IX: Revisiting Tensions Between Grassroots Activism and the Criminal Justice System
Authors: Brubaker Sarah Jane
Published: May 2018

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR) Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) reinvigorated the application of Title IX to campus sexual assault and changed the way campuses are handling these incidents. This article explores Title IX from the standpoint of campus-based victim advocates working within the formal system of higher education and compares this approach to campus sexual assault with historical tensions between feminist grassroots activists and the criminal justice system. Advocates’ mixed allegiances to both the institution and to feminist ideals of survivor empowerment produce conflicts and identify needs for system advocacy.
Telling stories of rape, revenge and redemption in the age of the TED talk
Authors: Crawley Karen , Simic Olivera
Published: May 2018

The last few years have witnessed increasing discussion of sexual violence in the mainstream media and public debate in North America and elsewhere, especially with the most recent wave of sexual assault and harassment allegations in entertainment, media and public institutions, called the #MeToo campaign. Despite the view that men must be engaged in this conversation in order to be effective at preventing violence and changing deep-seated patriarchal attitudes, the place of male voices in this ongoing conversation is hotly in question. This article analyzes an unusual and controversial project by Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger, who, 20 years after Stranger raped Elva, produced a TED talk (2016) watched by over 3 million people, and a jointly written book, South of Forgiveness (Elva and Stranger, 2017), detailing their story of forgiveness and redemption. The first part of this article situates this unprecedented victim-rapist enterprise within the history of feminist anti-rape politics and men’s involvement in that politics, arguing that this project both instantiates, and critiques, an appeal to the ‘good man’. The second part analyzes the book South of Forgiveness as a survivor story that is more complex than the highly reductive format of a TED talk allows, and shows how its uneasy fit within the putative frameworks of ‘restorative’ or informal justice (as Elva and others claim it to be) is a function of the unacknowledged dimension to the performance in the form of revenge. The third part of the article turns to Elva’s and Stranger’s public performances that began with the TED talk and book tour, which we attended, to show how this function of revenge played out theatrically and implicates the spectator as bystander and witness. We conclude by reflecting upon the implications of listening to male perpetrators speak against sexual violence against women and our responsibility towards these questions as feminist legal academics.
Emotional storytelling: Sensational media and the creation of the HIV sexual predator
Authors: Kilty Jennifer M , Bogosavljevic Katarina
Published: May 2018

More than 180 people in Canada have faced criminal charges related to HIV nondisclosure. Media coverage is often sensational and commonly portrays people living with HIV as hypersexualized threats to the (inter)national body politic. This article analyzes mainstream news media coverage of four HIV nondisclosure cases to examine how the accused (two men, two women) are constructed as sexual predators, which we found occurs through two key discursive moves. First, by tying the narrative to stereotypical conceptualizations of hegemonic and toxic masculinity and pariah femininity to construct the individual as promiscuous, hypersexual and dangerous. Second, by crafting a narrative that evokes complex moral emotions; notably, these include the ‘negative’ emotions of anger, disgust and fear. Given that racialized men are disproportionately represented and demonized in media accounts, and the tense race relations in the current western political landscape, it is important to consider how emotions (rather than medical evidence of the risks of transmission, intent to infect or actual transmission) might contribute to shaping punitive mentalities and the harsh application of the law. By examining how race, gender, class and sexuality are mobilized to construct narratives of Black masculinity as inherently toxic and women’s sexual freedom as exemplifying pariah femininity, and the ways in which the coverage evokes negative moral emotions, we contend that media coverage shores up moralized discourses about sexuality, masculinity and femininity and HIV/AIDS.
Individual differences in the production of disfluency: A latent variable analysis of memory ability and verbal intelligence
Authors: Engelhardt Paul E , McMullon Mhairi EG , Corley Martin
Published: May 2018

Recent work has begun to focus on the role that individual differences in executive function and intelligence have on the production of fluent speech. However, isolating the underlying causes of different types of disfluency has been difficult given the speed and complexity of language production. In this study, we focused on the role of memory abilities and verbal intelligence, and we chose a task that relied heavily on memory for successful performance. Given the task demands, we hypothesised that a substantial proportion of disfluencies would be due to memory retrieval problems. We contrasted memory abilities with individual differences in verbal intelligence as previous work highlighted verbal intelligence as an important factor in disfluency production. A total of 78 participants memorised and repeated 40 syntactically complex sentences, which were recorded and coded for disfluencies. Model comparisons were carried out using hierarchical structural equation modelling. Results showed that repetitions were significantly related to verbal intelligence. Unfilled pauses and repairs, in contrast, were marginally ( p < .09) related to memory abilities. The relationship in all cases was negative. Conclusions explore the link between different types of disfluency and particular problems arising in the course of production, and how individual differences inform theoretical debates in language production.
High School Teachers’ Perceptions of Giftedness, Gifted Education, and Talent Development
Authors: Russell Joseph L.
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to form a deeper understanding of how high school teachers view giftedness and gifted education. Open-ended surveys and interviews were conducted with high school teachers in a suburban school district with three large high school, and data were analyzed using a grounded theory methodology. Data were collected and analyzed in two phases with two groups of teachers ( n1 = 7 and n2 = 13). Text data from both phases were analyzed separately and then validated using constant comparison processes. Initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding led to data categories and an emergent theory to explain high school teachers’ perceptions regarding gifted education. Results indicated a need to clarify the perception of giftedness among high school teachers, as well as how effective training of those teachers can be implemented.
Long-Term Changes in Forest Cover in Central Veracruz, Mexico (1993–2014)
Authors: Gómez-Díaz Jorge Antonio , Brast Kristina , Degener Jan , Krömer Thorsten , Ellis Edward , Heitkamp Felix , Gerold Gerhard
Published: May 2018

Deforestation and fragmentation are threats to the conservation of species and have consequences for ecosystem functions. The focus of this study was to elucidate forest cover change in the period of 1993 to 2014. Our study area is in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. Land cover and land use classes for the Years 1993, 2000, and 2014 were derived from Landsat images applying supervised classification. Then, we quantified the net change in forest area, the loss of original forest area, and evaluated forest fragmentation using landscape metrics. Our results showed that the area covered by remnant forests decreased 57%. The annual net forest cover change rate for 1993 to 2000 was −0.44%; since then forest cover increased at a rate of 0.11% from 2000 to 2014. The decreasing total edge density and the mean proximity index during the entire period of the study indicate decreasing irregularity in the shape of remnant forest patches and a slight decrease of vulnerability to edge effects. Forest patches augmented in 2000 and decreased in 2014 demonstrating an 18% decrease in relation to the number of fragments existing in 1993. According to our study, this area demands an urgent attention on preservation initiatives because only 2% of the surface extent is below federal protection and 0.8% is under State protection. It is important to protect the larger forest areas left in the pine-oak and humid montane forest belt because of their importance to plant diversity conservation and particularly, as these are threatened by urban and agricultural expansion.
Augmenting visual design: Designing the changing classroom
Authors: Sinfield David , Cochrane Thomas
Published: May 2018

Art and design undergraduate educational programmes such as Graphic Design studies are based upon best practice within the Graphic Design industry. Thus, the classroom environment is designed to mirror a typical design studio environment. However, traditional design studio interaction and collaboration are undergoing rapid transformation in practice triggered by an increasingly global digitally networked professional environment. In response, this paper outlines our journey of redesigning an undergraduate graphic design curriculum to enable students to engage beyond the context of the classroom to a potentially global audience. Over two redesign iterations Visual Communication Design students explored new technologies including mobile augmented reality and virtual reality to enhance the reach and impact of their portfolios of work. Using the concept of Visual Poetry and a combination of typography and moving image, the students created a range of art pieces inspired by a specific location, and shared these via an ecology of resources chosen to digitally augment their work and facilitate the production of student eportfolios. The goal of the curriculum redesign is to broaden students’ educational experiences beyond the confines of the traditional studio based classroom to include wider community outreach and participation within an increasingly global environment.
Reserve-building activities attenuate treatment burden in chronic illness: The mediating role of appraisal and social support
Authors: Schwartz Carolyn E , Zhang Jie , Michael Wesley , Eton David T , Rapkin Bruce D
Published: May 2018

This study examines the importance of four psychosocial factors—personality, cognitive appraisal of quality of life, social support, and current reserve-building—in predicting treatment burden in chronically ill patients. Chronically ill patients ( n = 446) completed web-based measures. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate psychosocial factors predicting treatment burden. Reserve-building activities indirectly reduced treatment burden by: (1) reducing health worries appraisals, (2) reducing financial difficulties, (3) increasing calm and peaceful appraisals, and (4) increasing perceived social support. These findings point to key behaviors that chronically ill people can use to attenuate their treatment burden.
Health literacy and digital media use: Assessing the Health Literacy Skills Instrument – Short Form and its correlates among African American college students
Authors: Rosenbaum Judith E. , Johnson Benjamin K. , Deane Amber E.
Published: May 2018

Improving health literacy is increasingly seen as a solution to health problems and inequalities. This study assesses how one of the more recent measures of health literacy, the Health Literacy Skills Instrument – Short Form, performs among African American college students, and ascertains if and how media use relates to health literacy. Results indicate that both the use of health-related websites and apps as well as overall time spent with the media were positively, but conditionally, linked to health literacy. However, findings also pointed to the need for further test development.
The use of functional electrical stimulation to improve upper limb function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A feasibility study
Authors: Garzon Luisa C , Switzer Lauren , Musselman Kristin E , Fehlings Darcy
Published: May 2018

Background

Grasping and manipulating objects are common problems for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Multichannel-functional electrical stimulation may help facilitate upper limb movements and improve function.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of multichannel-functional electrical stimulation to improve grasp and upper limb function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy to inform the development of a clinical trial.

Methods

A prospective pre-/post-test/follow-up (six months) design with three children, aged 6–13 years, was used. Multichannel-functional electrical stimulation (mFES) was applied to the hemiplegic upper limb for up to 48 sessions over 16 weeks. Feasibility indicators included recruitment of participants and adherence rates, safety, and discomfort/pain. Effectiveness was assessed using the grasp domain of the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, and other secondary clinical outcome measures with “success” criteria set a priori.

Results

Participant recruitment target was not met but adherence was high, and multichannel-functional electrical stimulation was found to be safe and comfortable. Of the three participants, two improved in grasp at post-test, whereas one child’s ability deteriorated. Only one child met success criteria on most outcomes at post-test.

Conclusions

Feasibility indicators met success criteria, except for participant recruitment. Treatment effectiveness was mixed. A future case comparison investigation with a larger but more selected sample is suggested.
Hesperidin enhances angiogenesis via modulating expression of growth and inflammatory factor in diabetic foot ulcer in rats
Authors: Wang Li , He Ting , Fu Adan , Mao Zhijin , Yi Lan , Tang Sha , Yang Jing
Published: May 2018

One of the most devastating consequences of diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition, diabetic foot ulcer. Numerous investigations are being targeted to explore newer compounds for treatment of diabetic foot ulcer wounds in diabetic patients. Hesperidin (HSP), an isoflavone glycoside has been established to exhibit antidiabetic and antioxidant potential. In the current investigation, diabetes was induced in rats by administration by streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg). Wound-healing capacity was estimated in hind paw of rats by artificially initiating wound injury on the paw dorsal surface. The injured animals were administered with incremental doses of HSP suspension orally (10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg) and insulin subcutaneously (10 IU/kg). Parameters such as wound area were estimated every 2 days, and at the end of 20 days of study, biochemical estimations in serum and histopathological observations of the wound were made. HSP (60 and 80 mg/kg) revealed statistically significant ( P < 0.05) improvement in wound dimension, glucose and insulin concentration, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Administration of HSP indicated significant ( P < 0.05) modulation of mRNA associated with expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), whereas the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were lowered compared to the control group of animals. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) indicated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) compared to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Histological observations indicated higher expression of VEGF in the groups receiving HSP, indicative of angiogenesis stimulation in the diabetic wound. The results advocate angiogenesis activity of HSP was enhanced owing to reduction in hyperglycemia and oxidative stress–induced damage, reduced expression of inflammatory mediators, and enhanced expression of growth-related factors, thereby promoting healing of diabetic foot ulcer.
The Effect of Health Education by Pharmacists on 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Cluster-Randomized Control Study in a Low Socioeconomic Status Javanese Population
Authors: Suhadi Rita , Virginia Dita Maria , Setiawan Christianus Heru
Published: May 2018

Background: Evidence from previous studies demonstrates that lifestyle modification reduces the incidence and complications of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The study aimed to investigate the effect of a lifestyle intervention provided by pharmacists on the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and quality of life (QoL) in a low socioeconomic status Javanese population. Methods: This research was a cluster-randomized controlled study of 1-year duration, conducted in a lower social economic community in the Sleman District of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The eligible subjects were dichotomized into 2 groups: 40 to 55 years (n = 61 vs 65) and 56 to 70 years (n = 21 vs 43) for intervention and control subjects, respectively. The ASCVD score and risk factors within the age-based groups were analyzed using T test/Mann-Whitney test for continuous data or chi-square test for categorical data. Results: The intervention and control subjects had similar baseline characteristics ( P > .05), including the ASCVD risk with the low- and high-risk classification for younger and elder subjects, respectively. At final follow-up, the younger intervention subjects had lower 10-year ASCVD risk ( P = .001), higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = .02), smoking status ( P = .001), persistence rate ( P = .03), and QoL value for the physical and social function domains ( P < .05) than the control subjects, whereas the elder intervention subjects only had better ASCVD risk score than controls ( P = .03). Smoking interacting with intervention was the most influential variable on ASCVD risk in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the health education by the pharmacists produce significant outcomes of the ASCVD risk, smoking status, and QoL of physical and social function particularly in the younger group.
Diabetes Control: Is Vinegar a Promising Candidate to Help Achieve Targets?
Authors: Siddiqui Fahad Javaid , Assam Pryseley Nkouibert , de Souza Nurun Nisa , Sultana Rehena , Dalan Rinkoo , Chan Edwin Shih-Yen
Published: May 2018

Background.

Renewed interest in vinegar as a glucose-lowering agent led to several small trials in the recent past. However, none of the trials could independently provide sufficient evidence.

Objectives.

Our review aimed to obtain reliable estimates of effects of vinegar on short-term and long-term blood glucose control.

Methods.

Large bibliographic databases were searched from inception to date of search without language and publication date restrictions. All clinical trials evaluating effect of vinegar on diabetes mellitus patients were eligible. Two authors independently extracted data on fasting and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, insulin, and HbA1c levels at the various time points. MS Excel, SAS® v9.3, and RevMan v5.3 were used for data analysis.

Results.

Small significant reduction in mean HbA1c was observed after 8 to 12 weeks of vinegar administration: −0.39% (95% confidence interval = −0.59, −0.18; I2 = 0%). Other long-term outcomes favored vinegar but were not significant. Short-term outcomes showed significantly lower pooled mean difference in glucose levels at 30 minutes in the vinegar group. Readings at 60, 90, and 120 minutes were lower in the vinegar group but not statistically significant. Adverse effects profile also favored the vinegar group.

Conclusions.

It is worthwhile to carry out carefully planned large trails to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of vinegar as an adjunct treatment modality.
Involuntary Resettlement as an Opportunity for Development
Authors: Reddy A. Amarender
Published: May 2018

The rebuilding of livelihoods in the involuntary resettlement is commonly based on providing compensation to those who are displaced along with the creation of employment and income opportunities to sustain their livelihoods. Unlike rural resettlement, urban resettlement is very complex as it involves providing business opportunities, urban-based employment and income. The article examined the resettlement of displaced families affected by Tehri Hydro Power Project by constructing an entirely new town ‘New Tehri Town’ (NTT) by using impoverishment risks and reconstruction (IRR) framework developed by Cernea (1997, World Development, 25(10), 1569–1587). The result shows that project-affected families (PAFs) are better off in NTT in terms of community amenities, income and employment opportunities and in terms of increase in value of houses, but traditional employment opportunities have been lost, they have to search for new jobs and livelihoods. The R&R policies in urban areas should focus on improving skill sets of the people along with increased income and employment opportunities through the development of market and business opportunities.
The Relationship of Workplace Flexibility to Employee Engagement among Information Technology Employees in India
Authors: Ugargol Jason Diwaker , Patrick Harold Andrew
Published: May 2018

Historically, organizations have been provisioning flexible work arrangement (FWA) options in the workplace to help employees achieve a balance between work obligations and private obligations. We explore the utilization of FWA offerings in the Indian information technology (IT) industry and its relation to employee engagement (EE). Employees working in IT organizations in Bengaluru, India, were approached and data were obtained from 504 participants. The study found that availability of FWA options coincided with their utilization. Disconcertingly, only 7 per cent of the employees were “highly engaged”, 51 per cent were neither engaged nor disengaged and 41 per cent of the employees were disengaged with their current organization. FWAs were positively related to EE. We find congruence that FWA options lead to better EE warranting further exploration that can guide FWA policies.
Religion and HIV-Related Stigma among Nurses Who Work with People Living with HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico
Authors: Reyes-Estrada Marcos , Varas-Díaz Nelson , Parker Richard , Padilla Mark , Rodríguez-Madera Sheilla
Published: May 2018

HIV-related stigma among nurses can impact health care services for people with HIV/AIDS (PWHA). health care professionals’ religious views can potentially foster stigmatizing attitudes. There is scarce scientific literature exploring the role of religion on HIV/AIDS stigma among nurses. This study aimed to explore the role of religion in the stigmatization of PWHA by nurses in Puerto Rico. We conducted an exploratory study using qualitative techniques. We conducted 40 in-depth interviews with nurses who provided services to PWHA. Three main factors emerged in the analysis as contributors to HIV/AIDS stigmatization: (1) nurses’ personal religious experiences, (2) religion as a rationale for HIV-related stigma, and (3) religious practices during health care delivery. The results show that religious beliefs play a role in how nurses understood HIV/AIDS and provided service. Results point toward the need for interventions that address personal religious beliefs while reducing HIV/AIDS stigma among nurses.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Challenges among Rural Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Salem Benissa E. , Bustos Yvita , Shalita Chidyaonga , Kwon Jordan , Ramakrishnan Padma , Yadav Kartik , Ekstrand Maria L. , Sinha Sanjeev , Nyamathi Adeline M.
Published: May 2018

Rural women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) in India experience challenges self-managing HIV/AIDS in their rural communities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore factors influencing their care and antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence. Themes that emerged from the qualitative focus groups among WLHA (N = 24) in rural Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India, included: (1) coming to know about HIV and other health conditions, (2) experiences being on ART, (3) challenges maintaining a nutritious diet, (4) factors affecting health care access and quality, and (5) seeking support for a better future. Chronic disease self-management in rural locales is challenging, given the number of barriers which rural women experience on a daily basis. These findings suggest a need for individual- and structural-level supports that will aid in assisting rural WLHA to self-manage HIV/AIDS as a chronic illness.
Stroke Prevalence in Children With Sickle Cell Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Marks Lianna J. , Munube Deogratias , Kasirye Philip , Mupere Ezekiel , Jin Zhezhen , LaRussa Philip , Idro Richard , Green Nancy S.
Published: May 2018

Objectives. The prevalence of stroke among children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in sub-Saharan Africa was systematically reviewed. Methods. Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were performed for articles published between 1980 and 2016 (English or French) reporting stroke prevalence. Using preselected inclusion criteria, titles and abstracts were screened and full-text articles were reviewed. Results. Ten full-text articles met selection criteria. Cross-sectional clinic-based data reported 2.9% to 16.9% stroke prevalence among children with SCD. Using available sickle gene frequencies by country, estimated pediatric mortality, and fixed- and random-effects model, the number of affected individuals is projected as 29 800 (95% confidence interval = 25 571-34 027) and 59 732 (37 004-82 460), respectively. Conclusion. Systematic review enabled the estimation of the number of children with SCD stroke in sub-Saharan Africa. High disease mortality, inaccurate diagnosis, and regional variability of risk hamper more precise estimates. Adopting standardized stroke assessments may provide more accurate determination of numbers affected to inform preventive interventions.
Model Uncertainty and the Crisis in Science
Authors: Young Cristobal
Published: May 2018

The “crisis in science” today is rooted in genuine problems of model uncertainty and lack of transparency. Researchers estimate a large number of models in the course of their research but only publish a small number of preferred results. Authors have much influence on the results of an empirical study through their choices about model specification. I advance methods to quantify the influence of the author—or at least demonstrate the scope an author has to choose a preferred result. Multimodel analysis, combined with modern computational power, allows authors to present their preferred estimate alongside a distribution of estimates from many other plausible models. I demonstrate the method using new software and applied empirical examples. When evaluating research results, accounting for model uncertainty and model robustness is at least as important as statistical significance.
Language Use in Mathematical Practice: An Ethnographic Perspective
Authors: Malviya Saumya
Published: May 2018

Mathematics is often seen as an epitome of cold objectivity and astounding infallibility. Particularly for the outsiders, it comes across as an extremely rigid and closed system which seems impenetrable owing to its very specific and technical language. This article problematises these assumptions and seeks to study mathematics as a social practice with insights drawn from an anthropology of language and concepts, Wittgenstein’s philosophy of mathematics and semiotics. Using the anthropological insight that a language is always embedded in a form of life, this article shows how mathematical practice generates its own conventions and forms of language use. In particular, two dimensions of language use in mathematics are delineated and their consequences for further research are drawn out. In the first part of the article, the role of concepts in the discourse of mathematics is explored and in the second it is shown how applying a rigid distinction between syntax and semantics to mathematical language obstructs our understanding of its fluid and dynamic character. The argument unfolds through an analyses of interviews, texts and classroom sessions and shows how mathematical practice is heavily context bound and mathematicians often display an ethnographic attentiveness towards their work. The general tenor of the description is such that it attempts to trace the ethical dimension latent in mathematical practice and suggests a possibility of exploring it as a form of life. Connected to this thought is the argument that like any other practice, mathematical practice generates its own forms of reflections which cannot simply be assimilated to philosophical/theoretical knowledge. The question whether this action knowledge regarding mathematics has some relation to the South Asian location where the ethnography unfolds is also tentatively explored.
Henna (Lawsonia inermis) as an Inexpensive Method to Prevent Decubitus Ulcers in Critical Care Units: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Hekmatpou Davood , Ahmadian Fatemeh , Eghbali Maryam , Farsaei Shadi
Published: May 2018

Background.

Henna has been used to combat various diseases and pathological conditions of the skin. This study aimed to determine the cooling and protecting effects of henna on prevention of decubitus ulcers in critical care units.

Method.

This is a randomized clinical trial. It was conducted on 80 patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups of control and intervention (n = 40) by blocking method. For the intervention group, along with the standard prevention cares for decubitus ulcers, henna was applied with 15 cm extent on the patients’ sacrum.

Results.

At the end of the study, 1 patient in the intervention group (2.7% male) and 6 patients in the control group (14.29% male, 2.85% female) had developed decubitus ulcers; this difference was significant ( P = .001).

Conclusion.

For every patient at risk of developing decubitus ulcers, application of henna as a preventive measure is recommended.