bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Prediction of Tumor Invasion Depth in Early Gastric Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kang Sun Hyung , Moon Hee Seok , Sung Jae Kyu , Jeong Hyun Yong , Kim Sae Hee , Kim Ki Bae , Youn Sei Jin , Kim Sun Moon , Song Kyung Ho , Lee Seung Woo , Lee Dong Soo , Cho Young Sin , Chung Il Kwun , Bang Ki Bae
Published: November 2018

Introduction: Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) is a poorly differentiated cancer of the stomach. Recent studies imply that early gastric SRC can be well managed by endoscopic resection. Unfortunately, unlike differentiated cancers, the endoscopic features of early gastric SRC have not been well studied. This study evaluated the endoscopic features of early gastric SRC, as well as the risk factors for submucosal (SM) invasion. Method: The medical records of patients from 7 tertiary hospitals (Daejeon and Chungcheong province) were reviewed to examine endoscopic findings and clinical data. These patients underwent surgery or endoscopic resection between January 2011 and December 2016 and were divided into 2 groups (derivation group and validation group) in order to develop and validate an endoscopic scoring system for SM invasion. Results: In total, 331 patients (129 in the derivation group and 202 in the validation group) were enrolled in this study. In the derivation group, the risk factors for SM invasion, namely, fold convergence, nodular mucosal change, and deep depression, were identified by logistic regression analysis (ORs 3.4, 5.9, and 6.0, p < 0.05). A depth-prediction score was created by assigning 1 point for fold convergence and 2 points for other factors. When validation lesions of 0.5 point or more were diagnosed as SM invasion, the sensitivity and specificity were 76.8–78.6% and 61.6–74.7% respectively. Conclusion: Fold convergence, nodular mucosal change, and deep depression are risk factors for SM invasion in early gastric SRC. Our depth-prediction scoring system may be useful for differentiating SM cancers.
Kelley-Seegmiller Syndrome: Urolithiasis, Renal Uric Acid Deposits, and Gout: What is the Role of the Urologist?
Authors: Chavarriaga Julián , Ocampo Maria , Fakih Nayib , Silva Herrera José
Published: November 2018

Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome (KSS) is a disorder that occurs when there is a partial deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase. It is involved in the metabolism of purines, clinically manifesting as hyperuricemia, hyperuricosuria, gout arthritis, and urolithiasis. The aim of this article is to present the case of a 33-year-old male with KSS, with left ureteral colic, and a 5-mm, 323-HU ureteral calculi, successfully managed with conservative management. It is critical to recognize that most urologists are not familiar with this inborn metabolic error and 75% of these patients will be affected by urolithiasis, thus making it a very critical and significant disease in our practice.
Clinical Validity and Reliability of the Malay Language Translations of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire and Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia Questionnaire in a Primary Care Setting
Authors: Vadivelu Sangeta , Ma Zheng Feei , Ong Ean Wah , Hassan Norhaliza , Nik Hassan Nik Fariza Husna , Syed Abdul Aziz Syed Hassan , Kueh Yee Cheng , Lee Yeong Yeh
Published: November 2018

Background: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GERDQ) and Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia Questionnaire (QOLRAD) are reliable tools for evaluation of GERD. Aim: We aimed to test validity and reliability of Malay language translations of GERDQ and QOLRAD in a primary care setting. Methods: The questionnaires were first translated into the Malay language (GERDQ-M and QOLRAD-M). Patients from primary care clinics with suspected GERD were recruited to complete GERDQ-M, QOLRAD-M, and Malay-translated 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36 or SF-36-M), and underwent endoscopy and 24-h pH-impedance test. Results: A total of 104 (mean age 47.1 years, women 51.9%) participants were enrolled. The sensitivity and specificity for GERDQ-M cut-off score ≥8 were 90.2 and 77.4%, respectively. Based on this cut-off score, 54.7% had a high probability of GERD diagnosis. GERD-M score ≥8 vs. < 8 was associated with erosive esophagitis (p < 0.001), hiatus hernia (p = 0.03), greater DeMeester score (p = 0.001), and Zerbib scores for acid refluxes (p < 0.001) but not non-acid refluxes (p = 0.1). Mean total scores of QOLRAD-M and SF-36-M were correlated (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). GERDQ-M ≥8, erosive esophagitis, and DeMeester ≥14.72 were associated with impaired QOLRAD-M in all domains (all p < 0.02) but this was not seen with SF-36. Conclusions: GERDQ-M and QOLRAD-M are valid and reliable tools applicable in a primary care setting.
Vitamin D and Ulcerative Colitis: Is There a Relationship with Disease Extent?
Authors: Chetcuti Zammit Stefania , Schembri John , Pisani Anthea , Vella Sarah , Azzopardi Matthias , Skamnelos Alexandros , Christodoulou Dimitrios K. , Katsanos Konstantinos H. , Ellul Pierre
Published: November 2018

Introduction: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) can suffer from low serum vitamin D that can result in complications such as low bone mineral density. It can also reflect underlying disease severity. Methods: One hundred and ninety-seven patients previously diagnosed with UC from 2 European centers were prospectively recruited through the out-patient clinics. Clinical features (Montreal Classification, age, gender, previous and current medications, surgery), disease activity (Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index [SCCAI]), blood investigations including serum inflammatory markers, and serum vitamin D were analyzed. The vitamin D levels were compared to a group of age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Results: Mean vitamin D levels were lower in patients with UC (54.6 nmol/L) than in controls (80.7 nmol/L; p = 0.0001). Mean vitamin D levels was lowest in patients with extensive UC (E3; p = 0.0001). Serum vitamin D was not significantly different across treatment groups (p = 0.876). There was no statistical difference in vitamin D levels across patients receiving calcium and vitamin D supplements (p = 0.35) and there was no statistical correlation with SCCAI (p = 0.22). Conclusions: This study confirms the existence of low serum vitamin D in patients with UC when compared to healthy controls. It also provides evidence of an existing relationship between disease extent and serum vitamin D.
Shengmai San Alleviates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through Improvement of Mitochondrial Lipid Metabolic Disorder
Authors: Tian Jing , Tang Wenzhu , Xu Ming , Zhang Chen , Zhao Pei , Cao Tongtong , Shan Xiaoli , Lu Rong , Guo Wei 
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Shengmai San (SMS), prepared from Panax ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, and Schisandra chinensisin, has been widely used to treat ischemic disease. In this study, we investigated whether SMS may exert a beneficial effect in diabetic cardiomyopathy through improvement of mitochondrial lipid metabolism. Methods: A leptin receptor-deficient db/db mouse model was utilized, and lean age-matched C57BLKS mice served as non-diabetic controls. Glucose and lipid profiles, myocardial structure, dimension, and function, and heart weight to tibial length ratio were determined. Myocardial ultrastructural morphology was observed with transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression and activity of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex were assessed using western blotting and microplate assay kits. We also observed cellular viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, OXPHOS complex activity, and cellular ATP level in palmitic acid-stimulated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Changes in the sirtuin (SIRT1)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) pathway and mitochondrial uncoupling signaling were assessed using western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice exhibit obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia, accompanied by distinct myocardial hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. SMS at a dose of 3 g/kg body weight contributed to a recovery of diabetes-induced myocardial hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. SMS administration led to an effective restoration of mitochondrial structure and function both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, SMS markedly enhanced SIRT1 and p-AMPKα protein levels and decreased the expression of acetylated-PGC-1α and uncoupling protein 2 protein. SMS also restored the depletion of NRF1 and TFAM levels in diabetic hearts and H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: The results indicate that SMS may alleviate diabetes-induced myocardial hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction by improving mitochondrial lipid metabolism.
Circulating Exosomal miR-17 Inhibits the Induction of Regulatory T Cells via Suppressing TGFBR II Expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Wang Liping , Wang Chunyan , Jia Xuqiang , Yu Jing
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: A reduced prevalence of circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs)is a hallmark of inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the underlying mechanisms of alterations of Tregs are unclear. Methods: The ratio of Tregs in peripheral blood of healthy controls (HCs) and patients with RA was determined by flow cytometry. MicroRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in exosomes derived from RA patients (RA-exosomes) and in those from HCs (HC-exosomes) were detected by microarray analysis, and miR-17 was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TGFBR II) expressed by T cells was measured by flow cytometry. The interaction between miR-17 and TGFBR II was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: We found that RA-exosomes can selectively affect Treg differentiation in vitro. Several miRNAs are more abundant in the RA-exosomes than in HC-exosomes. Among those upregulated in patients with RA, miR-17 can suppress Treg induction by inhibiting the expression of TGFBR II. Conclusion: Our findings imply that altered miRNA expression in RA-exosomes may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA by disrupting the homeostasis of Tregs.
ROS Promote Ox-LDL-Induced Platelet Activation by Up-Regulating Autophagy Through the Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway
Authors: Wang Xiang , Fu Yun-Feng , Liu Xiao , Feng Guo , Xiong Dan , Mu Guang-Fu , Chen Fang-Ping
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) promotes unregulated platelet activation in patients with dyslipidemic disorders. Although oxLDL stimulates activating signaling, researchers have not clearly determined how these events drive accelerated thrombosis. Here, we describe the mechanism by which ROS regulate autophagy during ox-LDL-induced platelet activation by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Methods: For in vitro experiments, ox-LDL, the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA were used alone or in combination with other compounds to treat platelets. Then, platelet aggregation was evaluated on an aggregometer and platelet adhesion was measured under shear stress. The levels of a platelet activation marker (CD62p) were measured by flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were then quantified by measuring DCFH-DA fluorescence intensity via flow cytometry. Nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2·-) levels were determined by the nitric acid deoxidize enzyme method and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL), respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the autophagosome formation, immunofluorescence staining was employed to detect LC3 expression and western blotting was used to measure the levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway- and autophagy-related proteins. Results: Ox-LDL-induced platelets showed a significant increase in platelet aggregation and adhesion, CD62p expression, ROS level and O2·- content, with an elevated LC3II/LC3I ratio and Beclin1 expression, but a dramatic reduction in the levels of p62 and pathway-related proteins (all P < 0.05). However, platelet activation and autophagy were aggravated by the Rapamycin treatment, and decreased following treatment with NAC, 3-MA, or NAC and 3-MA, together with increased activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Additionally, decreased platelet activation and autophagy were observed in platelets treated with NAC and Rapamycin or Rapamycin and 3-MA compared with platelets treated with Rapamycin alone, suggesting that both NAC and 3-MA reversed the effects of Rapamycin. Conclusion: Inhibition of ROS production may reduce autophagy to suppress ox-LDL-induced platelet activation by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Застосування доплерівської флоуметрії як способу оцінки васкуляризації патологічних післяопераційних рубців шкіри обличчя
Authors: Melnychuk Yu. M. , Ohonovskyi R. Z. , Domnytskyi I. Ya.
Published: November 2018

Мета роботи – вивчення застосування доплерівської флоуметрії як діагностичного методу для оцінки комбінованого методу профілактики утворення патологічних рубців шкіри обличчя.

Матеріали і методи. Роботу виконано на базі відділення ЩЛХ Львівської ОКЛ. Обстежено 25 пацієнтів, які в подальшому були розподілені на 2 групи. До групи порівняння (n=10) включено хворих, в яких рани загоювалися первинним натягом та не проводили жодних профілактичних процедур. До  основної групи (n=15) входили пацієнти, в яких рани гоїлися первинним натягом та застосовували комбінацію сеансів ЕУХТ та аплікацій силіконового гелю “Стратадерм”.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. При контрольній доплерографії післяопераційних рубців у пацієнтів групи порівняння візуалізуються поодинокі локуси кровопостачання довкола рубця, ознак набряку чи запальної інфільтрації не виявлено.

При контрольній доплерівській флоуметрії післяопераційних рубців у пацієнтів основної групи, виявлено виражені локуси кровопостачання різної інтенсивності з наявністю живильних судинних структур по всій площі обстежуваної ділянки.
Análise comparativa da obra espírita Nosso Lar e duas de suas versões em língua inglesa
Authors: Silveira Ana Luiza da , Belam Patrícia Viana
Published: November 2018

O presente estudo objetiva analisar quais foram os procedimentos tradutórios utilizados em duas versões para a língua inglesa da obra Nosso Lar, psicografada pelo médium Chico Xavier e ditada pelo espírito André Luiz. As versões receberam o nome de Nosso Lar – Life in the spirit world e Astral City. A pesquisa apoia-se em estudos sobre a doutrina e a literatura espírita, os procedimentos técnicos da tradução trazidos por Barbosa (2004), o conceito de paratexto de Bastianetto (2005) e os conceitos de Venuti (2002) sobre domesticação e estrangeirização do texto traduzido. Os resultados apontaram para o uso de procedimentos variados, e revelou uma tendência à estrangeirização por parte de uma das versões e à domesticação por parte de outra. A área acadêmica necessita de mais trabalhos na área da tradução da literatura espírita, justificando-se, portanto, a realização deste estudo.
O lugar da literatura juvenil distópica no polissistema literário brasileiro: o caso da trilogia “Divergente”
Authors: Silva Natalia Regina da , Almeida Sandra Aparecida Faria de
Published: November 2018

Este artigo visa a discutir a tradução de literatura juvenil distópica no Brasil, considerando a demanda por este subgênero e sua relação direta com as escolhas do tradutor. Com base na Teoria dos Polissistemas (Even-Zohar 1990 [1978]) e nos conceitos de manipulação e patronagem (Lefevere 1992b), argumentamos que o polissistema literário brasileiro sofre influência de forças externas e internas que propiciam a entrada do subgênero distopia no sistema e que a literatura juvenil, tradicionalmente periférica ao sistema literário, tende a assumir posições mais privilegiadas face ao crescente consumo do subgênero, que estimula a produção nacional. No que diz respeito às escolhas tradutórias, analisamos qualitativamente, com base em Berman (2013 [1985]), trechos dos três volumes da trilogia Divergent, de Veronica Roth. Defendemos que as escolhas do tradutor estão sujeitas às pressões dos demais sistemas que coexistem ao sistema literário, podendo, dessa forma, sofrer deformações na medida em que buscam se adequar ao polissistema-alvo.
Reinstatement of the Sikkim Himalaya species Oberonia orbicularis (Orchidaceae, Malaxideae)
Authors: LI YU-LING , TIAN HUAI-ZHEN , FU LIN , CHEN HONG-FENG , XING FU-WU , YI QI-FEI
Published: November 2018

Oberonia orbicularis (Orchidaceae, Malaxideae) has been treated as the synonym of O. pachyrachis, O. obcordata and O. maxima, respectively. Our critical examination of protologues and type materials of these four names demonstrates that they are morphologically distinct from each other. We therefore reinstate the independent specific status of O. orbicularis. A detail description of this species was also provided.
A partial cpDNA trnL sequence from the extinct legume Streblorrhiza speciosa confirms its placement in the tribe Coluteae (Fabaceae)
Authors: HEENAN PETER B. , WOOD JAMIE R. , COLE THERESA L.
Published: November 2018

We report a partial cpDNA trnL sequence of 203 base pairs from the extinct legume Streblorrhiza speciosa that was obtained from herbarium specimens collected from Phillip Island, south-western Pacific Ocean, in 1836. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of the trnL sequence of S. speciosa and those of other Fabaceae species placed S. speciosa as a member of the tribe Coluteae, along with the Australian and New Zealand genera Carmichaelia, Clianthus, Montigena and Swainsona. Smaller genetic distances and shared morphological features indicate stronger links within this group may exist between S. speciosa and Carmichaelia.
A new species of Plaumanniola Costa Lima in French Guiana (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: November 2018

The genus Plaumanniola Costa Lima, 1962 was a subject of several taxonomical and morphological studies. It is one of very few scydmaenines originally placed not only in a different beetle family, but even a superfamily. The first species of Plaumanniola, P. sanctaecatharinae Costa Lima, 1962 was confused with myrmecophilous spider beetles and placed in a new subfamily Plaumanniolinae of Ptinidae. Transferred to Scydmaenidae by Lawrence & Reichardt (1966), it remained placed as a separate subfamily, and after merging the ant-like stone beetles with Staphylinidae, as a tribe Plaumanniolini of Scydmaenitae (Newton & Franz 1998; Grebennikov & Newton 2009). Franz (1990) redescribed P. sanctaecatharinae, but Jałoszyński (2013) found his redescription to have been based on a misidentified new species, which he described as P. regina Jałoszyński, 2013. The latter author illustrated previously unknown morphological structures, redefined Plaumanniola and discussed its possible close affinities with Glandulariini (Jałoszyński 2013). The unusually stout and flattened body, with especially flat and broad head (interpreted as possible adaptations towards myrmecophily, e.g., Lenko (1972)), differentiated Plaumanniolini from all other Scydmaeninae, but no other characters were found to support a separate position of this monogeneric tribe. Shortly later, a relatively slender P. simplicissima Jałoszyński, 2014 was described on the basis of material collected in Bolivia. Finally, a discovery made by Jałoszyński (2016) that Euconnus octosetosus Franz, 1994, was in fact a strikingly slender member of Plaumanniola, and that the aedeagus of Plaumanniola highly resembles that of Euconnus (Rhomboconnus Franz, 1986), lead to placing Plaumanniolini as a junior synonym of Glandulariini. It is possible that in future Plaumanniola will be reduced to a subgenus of Euconnus.
The Search for a Paradigm to inform Cross-cultural Classroom Research
Authors: Osborne Barry
Published: November 2018

This paper, beginning from a concern about the ‘current state of muddle’ in educational research (Wilson & Cowell, 1983, p. 213), outlines the strengths and weaknesses of the quantitative and qualitative classroom research approaches. It recommends the qualitative approach as essential to cross-cultural classroom research, but with some modification to its aims and reporting. Furthermore team research by members of different disciplinary orientations and cultural backgrounds is strongly advocated.
Metis diplomacy: The everyday politics of becoming a sovereign state
Authors: Visoka Gëzim
Published: November 2018

How do emerging states obtain international recognition and secure membership of international organizations in contemporary world politics? Using the concept of ‘metis’, this article explores the role of everyday prudent and situated discourses, diplomatic performances and entanglements in the enactment of sovereign statehood and the overcoming of external contestation. To this end, it describes Kosovo’s diplomatic approach to becoming a sovereign state by obtaining international recognition and securing membership of international organizations. Drawing on institutional ethnographic research and first-hand observations, the article argues that Kosovo’s success in consolidating its sovereign statehood has been the situational assemblage of multiple discourses, practiced through a broad variety of performative actions and shaped by a complex entanglement with global assemblages of norms, actors, relations and events. Accordingly, this study contributes to the conceptualization of the everyday in diplomatic practice by offering an account of how micro-practices feed into macro-practices in world politics.
The European Union and natural resources that fund armed conflicts: Explaining the EU’s policy choice for supply chain due-diligence requirements
Authors: Vlaskamp Martijn C
Published: November 2018

Natural resources can be an important source of funding for warring parties in armed conflicts. Curbing the trade in these so-called conflict resources is, therefore, part of the European Union’s conflict management policies. The article explores the EU’s policies in this field and asks, specifically, why the EU is using supply chain due-diligence measures to achieve this goal. The author argues that they are the response to enforcement problems of most existing multilateral and unilateral sanction regimes because of state weakness in the targeted regions. This approach results from a broader idea from the EU that transparency can improve resource governance and, therefore, safeguard both its political and economic interests in conflict zones, such as the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, when the issue becomes specific—as in the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation—translating this idea into concrete policies becomes more contentious as the EU institutions set different priorities for the final policy design.
Income Inequality and Population Health: A Global Gradient?
Authors: Curran Michaela , Mahutga Matthew C.
Published: November 2018

Cross-national empirical research about the link between income inequality and population health produces conflicting conclusions. We address these mixed findings by examining the degree to which the income inequality and health relationship varies with economic development. We estimate fixed-effects models with different measures of income inequality and population health. Results suggest that development moderates the association between inequality and two measures of population health. Our findings produce two generalizations. First, we observe a global gradient in the relationship between income inequality and population health. Second, our results are consistent with income inequality as a proximate or conditional cause of lower population health. Income inequality has a 139.7% to 374.3% more harmful effect on health in poorer than richer countries and a significantly harmful effect in 2.1% to 53.3% of countries in our sample and 6.6% to 67.6% of the world’s population but no significantly harmful effect in richer countries.
Healthcare Work in Marriage: How Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Spouses Encourage and Coerce Medical Care
Authors: Reczek Corinne , Gebhardt-Kram Lauren , Kissling Alexandra , Umberson Debra
Published: November 2018

Marriage benefits health in part because spouses promote one another’s well-being, yet how spouses facilitate formal healthcare (e.g., doctor’s visits, emergency care) via what we call healthcare work is unknown. Moreover, like other aspects of the marital-health link, healthcare work dynamics likely vary by gender and couple type. To explore this possibility, we use in-depth interviews with 90 midlife gay, lesbian, and heterosexual spouses to examine how spouses perform healthcare work. Our results show that in heterosexual marriage, women perform the bulk of healthcare work and typically do so in coercive ways. A minority of heterosexual men provide instrumental healthcare work for their wives. Gay and lesbian spouses appear to commonly use both coercive and supportive healthcare work strategies to effectively promote healthcare use. Our findings demonstrate the ways spouses are central to supporting and coercing one another to obtain medical care and how these patterns are gendered.
Robotic kinematics teaching system with virtual reality, remote control and an on–site laboratory
Authors: Xu Xiao , Guo Peisen , Zhai Jingmei , Zeng Xianwen
Published: November 2018

Given the ever-growing need for robotics learning, an experimental teaching model was developed in combination with virtual reality, remote control and an on-site laboratory to support robotic kinematics teaching. Based on the Browser/Server mode, a kinematics simulation platform of a 6-DOF articulated robot and a 4-DOF SCARA robot was established. Furthermore, a Client/Server mode SCARA robot’s remote-control system was developed along with a simulation with the same functionality and interface. Experiments with virtual reality simulation can eliminate the safety concerns associated with real-world robot operations. Test resources can be web-shared for wider audiences. Remote-controlled experiments could operate the robot off-site and achieve the same results as on-site operations. Virtual reality and remote-controlled experiments could also alleviate the shortages of lab time, space, equipment, staff and teaching time. Students could choose one of the three modes to examine the effectiveness of their study, or they could first use simulations and later operate robots on-site or remotely and obtain real-world experimental results. The various testing combinations available to learners would improve the flexibility, effectiveness and safety of experiments and would meet various learners’ needs.
Voice Control Tasks on Cognitive Workload and Driving Performance: Implications of Modality, Difficulty, and Duration
Authors: Miller Erika E. , Boyle Linda Ng , Jenness James W. , Lee John D.
Published: November 2018

The effects of an in-vehicle voice control system (VCS) on cognitive workload and driving performance were evaluated using a driving simulator study with 24 participants. Participants were asked to perform two types of in-vehicle tasks while driving: voice-command based radio and navigation tasks. The tasks were of two difficulty levels (easy, hard) with half of the tasks audio only and the other half audio with a visual display. Cognitive workload was measured using a tactile detection response task (TDRT) and a revised remote detection response task (RDRT). Driving performance was measured using standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP) and standard deviation of vehicle speed. An analysis of covariance for standard deviation of speed was used to examine the effects of VCS display with task duration as the covariate. Three separate mixed models were used to evaluate the variation in SDLP, response time, and misses given VCS tasks and detection response task (DRT) type. No significant differences were observed between TDRT and RDRT, suggesting both methods capture congruent measures of workload and that neither interfere with driving performance. Engagement with each hybrid VCS task was significantly associated with an increase in DRT misses above baseline driving. Additionally, hybrid display tasks had larger variations in vehicle speed and were completed more quickly than equivalent audio only tasks. Increasing values of task duration were associated with greater variation in lateral vehicle position. The results of this study suggest that design of VCSs should consider the modality, temporal components, and difficulty of tasks to reduce cognitive load.
Prefunding Public Sector Retiree Health Benefits: The California Example
Authors: Kilgour John G.
Published: November 2018

Most state and local governments have historically funded their retiree health care benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. This has resulted in massive amounts of unfunded liability in many states including the five largest states of California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas. Recent accounting and reporting rules changes by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board has made these liabilities more visible and has resulted in more attention being paid to this problem. California has adopted a plan to pay off its huge unfunded retiree health benefit liability by 2044. It might serve as an example for other states with similar problems.
Design of bending dominated lattice architectures with improved stiffness using hierarchy
Authors: Alkhader Maen , Nazzal Mohammad , Louca Karim
Published: November 2018

Micro-architectured lattices are a promising subclass of cellular solids whose inner topologies can be tailored to enhance their stiffness. Generally, enhancing lattices' stiffness is achieved by increasing their connectivity. This strategy gives rise to a stiffer response by forcing lattices' ligaments to deform mainly in an axial manner. Conversely, this work is interested in developing micro-architectured lattices with enhanced stiffness, but whose cell walls deform in a flexural manner. Such structures can be more ductile and exhibit better energy mitigation abilities than their stretching dominated counterparts. Enhancing the stiffness of bending dominated lattices without increasing their connectivity can be realized by transforming them to hierarchical ones. This work explores, using experimentally verified finite element simulations, the effect of fractal-inspired hierarchy and customized nonfractal-based hierarchy on stiffness, anisotropy, and deformation mechanisms of an anisotropic bending dominated diamond lattice. Results show that fractal-inspired hierarchy can significantly enhance the stiffness of bending dominated lattices without affecting their deformation mechanisms or anisotropy level; ill-designed hierarchy can have a detrimental effect on lattice's stiffness; and customized hierarchy are more effective than fractal-inspired hierarchy in enhancing lattices' stiffness as well as can be more compatible with traditional, reliable, mass-producing manufacturing processes.
Methamphetamine use in patients presenting to emergency departments and psychiatric inpatient facilities: what are the service implications?
Authors: Unadkat Anish , Subasinghe Su , Harvey Richard J , Castle David J
Published: November 2018

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to understand better the service implications of patients presenting to an inner city Australian Emergency Department (ED) and Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Service (AIS) with a history of recent crystal methamphetamine use.

Methods:

An audit was taken of all patients with recent crystal methamphetamine use presenting to St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne ED and AIS over the month of September 2017. Recorded information included patient demographics, diagnosis, aggressive episodes, restrictive interventions and other risk incidents.

Results:

Methamphetamine was related to 21.7% of AIS admissions. Of these individuals, half were involved in aggression towards staff. In the ED, 65.7% of patients with amphetamine use were aggressive to staff and 50% were aggressive towards other patients. There were high rates of physical (69.2%) and mechanical restraint (61.5%) in the ED setting. Methamphetamine use in the AIS was commonly associated with enduring psychotic disorders, whilst those managed exclusively in the ED were most commonly in an acute intoxicated state.

Conclusions:

Methamphetamine use presents a significant challenge to EDs and acute mental health services. Additional resources are required to manage these patients and their impact on the health system needs to be factored into future service planning.
Risks and Opportunities for Success: Perceptions of Urban Youths in a Distressed Community and Lessons for Adults
Authors: Fogel Sondra J.
Published: November 2018

This article presents the challenges facing 41 youths living in a distressed urban area, and their adaptations to those challenges. Scholarship in the areas of community building, youth civic engagement, and employment helped to develop the theoretical outline for this project. Through the use of focus groups, adolescents of color, ages 14–18, were asked a series of open-ended questions about what youths need in order to be economically and socially involved in their neighborhood. Responses indicate a need for practitioners to incorporate protective factors in the community environment, and nonkin adults in intervention plans and programs. In addition, the evolving innovative partnership between a newly formed community development corporation and the neighborhood youths that emerged from this process is discussed.
Transmission of Attitudes regarding Family Life from Parents to Adolescents in Israel
Authors: Kulik Liat
Published: November 2018

This study dealt with intergenerational transmission of attitudes toward family life from parents to their adolescent children in Israel. Family life attitudes were examined in relation to 3 topics: gender roles, divorce, and homosexuality. The sample consisted of 300 participants: 15-year-old adolescents ( n = 51 girls and 49 boys), their fathers ( n = 100), and their mothers ( n = 100). Significant correlations were found between the attitudes of the children and those of their parents. However, fathers’ attitudes toward gender roles and divorce correlated more strongly with those of their sons than with those of their daughters. No significant differences were found in the correlations between the attitudes of mothers and those of their children, or between the attitudes of the daughters and those of the parents. However, sons’ attitudes toward divorce were more traditional than those of both parents, and sons’ gender role attitudes were more traditional than those of their mothers.
The Effects of Shift Work on Family Satisfaction
Authors: Grosswald Blanche
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the impact of shift work (work performed during nonstandard hours) on the family relationships of shift workers. The author examined secondary 1997 data from the Families and Work Institute's National Study of the Changing Workforce ( N = 3,552), and analyzed the differences in level of satisfaction with one's family (family satisfaction; FS) between shift workers and people who worked standard hours. Results demonstrated that working a nonstandard, nonflexible shift was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of FS, particularly for evening and night shifts. Although the total number of hours worked was not associated with FS, preferring to work fewer hours decreased the probability of reporting high FS. Job autonomy was another strong predictor of FS. Future research should include longitudinal studies to examine the long-term impact of shift work on families.
Symbolic Interactionism and Social Work: A Forgotten Legacy, Part 2
Authors: Forte James A.
Published: November 2018

Social workers have forgotten their interactionist ancestors. This article is the second installment in a 2-part series designed to remedy this amnesia. Part 1 introduced the tradition of applied symbolic interactionism, reported on historical partnerships, and reviewed the social work use of symbolic interactionism as behavior theory and as a framework for helping varied size social systems. Part 2 reviews interactionist contributions to social work in varied fields of practice, to social policy and welfare, to research, and to professional education. The author argues that the time is opportune for reconciliation between justice-oriented social workers and critically minded interactionists. An appraisal of the social work use of the interactionist legacy and a summary of resources from within and outside North America for revitalizing this partnership are also provided.
Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Midterm Follow-up
Authors: Gaul Florian , Tírico Luís E. P. , McCauley Julie C. , Pulido Pamela A. , Bugbee William D.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation represents a biologic restoration technique as an alternative treatment option for larger osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate midterm outcomes after OCA transplantation for the treatment of OLT.

Methods:

Nineteen patients (20 ankles) received partial unipolar OCA transplant for symptomatic OLT between January 1998 and October 2014. The mean age was 34.7 years, and 53% were male. The average graft size was 3.8 cm2. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Outcomes included the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle Module (AAOS-FAM), the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), and pain and satisfaction questionnaires. Failure of OCA was defined as conversion to arthrodesis or revision OCA transplantation.

Results:

Five of 20 ankles (25%) required further surgery, of which 3 (5%) were considered OCA failures (2 arthrodesis and 1 OCA revision). The mean time to failure was 3.5 (range, 0.9 to 6.7) years. Survivorship was 88.7% at 5 years and 81.3% at 10 years. The median follow-up of the 17 patients with grafts in situ was 9.7 years. The mean OMAS improved significantly from 40 points preoperatively to 71 points postoperatively ( P < .05; range, 5 to 55). The mean postoperative AAOS-FAM core score was 81.5 ± 15 (range, 40.5 to 96.6). Fifteen of 17 patients responded to follow-up questions regarding their ankle; 14 patients reported less pain and better function, and 13 patients were satisfied with the results of the procedure.

Conclusion:

Our study of midterm results after OCA transplantations showed that this procedure was a reasonable treatment option for large OLT.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation in Mitral Valve Disease
Authors: McCartney Sharon L. , Taylor Bradley S. , Nicoara Alina
Published: November 2018

Functional tricuspid regurgitation is a common finding in patients with left-sided heart disease. If left untreated, it may reduce survival, limit functional capacity and cause end-organ dysfunction. Annulus dilation and leaflet tethering due to right ventricle remodeling are 2 major pathophysiologic mechanisms in functional tricuspid regurgitation. Even if surgical treatment remains the gold standard, indication and timing of surgical interventions remain the object of debate in the medical community. More recently, numerous transcatheter therapies have been developed in order to offer less invasive options to patients who otherwise would have a high risk of mortality and morbidity with surgical interventions.
Cat owners’ perceptions of psychoactive medications, supplements and pheromones for the treatment of feline behavior problems
Authors: Grigg Emma K , Kogan Lori R , van Haaften Karen , Kolus Cheryl
Published: November 2018

Objectives

This study assessed cat owners’ perceptions of the use of psychoactive medications and alternative products for the treatment of behavioral problems in their cats. Factors that potentially impact these perceptions were explored and discussed.

Methods

An online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess US-based cat owners’ experiences with behavior problems of their cats, familiarity with psychoactive medications for treatment of behavior problems and comfort levels using the following products for treatment of feline behavior problems: fast-acting or situational prescription medications, slow-acting or long-term prescription medications, herbal/nutritional supplements, pheromone products and cannabinoid products.

Results

Many respondents reported that their cats had behavioral problems, but few had ever sought behavioral help for their cats. Only half were aware of the availability of psychoactive medications for cat behavior problems. Respondents who had personally used a prescription psychoactive medication in the past were more comfortable with giving fast- and slow-acting prescription medications, pheromone products and cannabinoids to their cats than respondents who had never used a prescription psychoactive medication. No difference in comfort level was seen for herbal/nutritional supplements. Overall, owners tended to be more comfortable with the situational vs long-term medications.

Conclusions and relevance

Given the prevalence of feline behavior problems reported in this study, the lack of awareness of either the availability or potential benefits of psychoactive medications for the treatment of feline behavior problems, and the fact that very few owners had ever sought help for behavior problems with their cats, are concerning. These results suggest a missed opportunity for veterinarians to help clients identify, understand and treat feline behavior problems. Many owners appear open to these treatment options for their cats; it is suggested that, when warranted, educating cat owners about the potential benefits and risks of these medications would be of value.
Theorizing affective ethnography for organization studies
Authors: Gherardi Silvia
Published: November 2018

This article introduces a new label, ‘Affective Ethnography’, and grounds it within the debates on post-qualitative methodologies and affective methodologies. Affective ethnography is theorized as a style of research practice that acknowledges that all elements—texts, actors, materialities, language, agencies—are already entangled in complex ways, and that they should be read in their intra-actions, through one another, as data in motion/data that move. I discuss three pillars for affective ethnographies that relate to researchers’ presence in doing fieldwork and their bodily capacity to affect/be affected. The first is embodiment and embodied knowing. Doing fieldwork implies the ability to resonate with, becoming-with, and the capacity for affective attunement. The second aspect relates to place as flow, and process—to placeness. The third relates to affect as the power to act and therefore to the presence in the fieldwork of the capacity to ‘make do’, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Rapid detection of building cracks based on image processing technology with double square artificial marks
Authors: Yang Gang , Wu Jianchao , Hu Qing
Published: November 2018

In order to measure the crack width of dangerous buildings quickly and accurately, this article presents a new crack width measurement method, which is based on image processing technology, using double square artificial markers to identify building cracks and calculate crack width. It makes two 10 mm × 10 mm black square artificial marks and places them near the sides of the crack. Then it uses a camera to collect crack images and transfer photos to a computer. The crack image is subjected to image graying, binarization, denoising, image segmentation, and pixel calibration based on the image processing technique. Finally, the actual length value of the unit pixel is calculated. Then it can calculate the actual width of the crack according to the number of pixels included in the test crack. The calculation results show that the accuracy of the proposed method is 98.56% compared with the measured data. The calculation method can accurately and effectively detect the crack width of dangerous buildings and improve work efficiency. At the same time, it can avoid long hours of work in dangerous operating environments.
Environmental Citizenship and the Courts
Authors: Reid Colin T.
Published: November 2018

This article provides an overview of key issues arising when individuals and groups wishing to pursue environmental objectives have occasion to turn to the courts. After a brief consideration of how the courts can be used against environmental activists, both legal and practical matters are considered across a range of litigation, civil and criminal, public law and private. These issues include matters of standing, the timing of actions and the availability and effect of remedies, as well as difficulties of cost and obtaining the evidence to proceed. A further issue is the new possibilities for litigation arising from the recent constitutional changes, in relation to both devolution and human rights. Finally, consideration is given to the extent to which alternative means of dispute resolution might be used, and indeed already are being used, in the environmental context.
Differences in clinical features of acute exacerbation between connective tissue disease-associated interstitial pneumonia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Enomoto Noriyuki , Oyama Yoshiyuki , Enomoto Yasunori , Yasui Hideki , Karayama Masato , Kono Masato , Hozumi Hironao , Suzuki Yuzo , Furuhashi Kazuki , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Inui Naoki , Nakamura Yutaro , Suda Takafumi
Published: November 2018

Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is a devastating condition that frequently occurs in the advanced stage of IPF. However, the clinical features in AE of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial pneumonia (AE-CTD-IP) have not been well-established. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features of AE-CTD-IP and to compare them with those of AE-IPF. Fifteen AE-CTD-IP patients and 48 AE-IPF patients who were diagnosed and treated at our hospital were retrospectively studied. Compared with AE-IPF patients, AE-CTD-IP patients had a significantly higher %FVC (median, 94.8 vs. 56.3%; p < 0.001) and a lower extent of honeycombing on HRCT ( p = 0.020) within 1 year before AE. At AE, AE-CTD-IP patients showed higher white blood cell counts (12.0 vs. 9.9 × 103/μL; p = 0.023), higher CRP (10.2 vs. 6.7 mg/dL; p = 0.027), and longer period from admission to the beginning of AE treatment (4 vs. 1 days; p = 0.003) than AE-IPF patients. In addition, patients with AE-CTD-IP had poor prognosis as in those with AE-IPF (log-rank; p = 0.171). In conclusion, AE-CTD-IP occurred even in the early stage of IP and had more inflammatory status than in AE-IPF.
Striking Encounters: Problematics With Experience, Reflexivity, and Learning
Authors: Pearce Cathie , Flynn Judith , Patterson Rebecca , Ramsay Alison , Macrory Gee
Published: November 2018

This article seeks to explore a series of encounters where we engage with research with a view to learning differently. We argue that every encounter is a form of research if we can marshall the connecting threads and consider the individual as both singularity and collective. We use reflexivity to go beyond reflection and strive to construct knowledge as individual and collective purpose. We draw upon striking examples to explore how issues of learning, reflexivity, and pedagogy develop thinking in education, especially in Higher Education (HE). We seek to move beyond accounts of experience that merely describe and report and which borrow from humanistic accounts of a subject (one which both experiences and who thinks) an approach which we dub “De(s)-carting.” We then move toward explorations, which seek more engaged, concrete, ethical approaches that open up possibilities and offer alternative conceptions of working with experience in education, in all its variety.