bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Watch your language! Students as citizen sociolinguists
Authors: Rymes Betsy
Published: January 2020

Carelessly used language can create offense and miscommunication, so it’s important for students and teachers alike to pay attention to the language they use. Betsy Rymes advocates adopting a practice of citizen sociolinguistics, which involves curiosity about the differences in the way people use language. She encourages teachers to build on students’ curiosity and wonderment about language to start conversations about how the words people use vary according to context. In addition, she suggests that when someone critiques another person’s language use, those “citizen sociolinguist’s arrests” can provide fodder for conversations about when and where certain types of language are appropriate. Such conversations require a willingness to take others’ views seriously and to avoid being tone-deaf about the different ways language is used.
Conversation in the classroom
Authors: Holmberg Carrie , Muwwakkil Jamaal
Published: January 2020

Linguists have found that certain dynamics of conversation are consistent across languages worldwide, and these dynamics can affect the classroom discussions that teachers use to assess student understanding and make instructional decisions. Carrie Holmberg and Jamaal Muwwakkil discuss how conversational pauses, for example, might lead questioners to infer meaning that isn’t overtly expressed. Yes/no questions tend to elicit quick yes responses, while no answers and expressions of uncertainty come more slowly. This means that in whole-class discussions, students who are fast processors or are inclined to answer yes to teacher questions tend to dominate conversations, leaving teachers with less information about students who respond more slowly. The authors urge teachers to think about how these dynamics affect conversations in their classrooms and to use tools and policies that create more equitable discussions.
Data Mining of Assessments to Generate Learner Remediation Teams: Method, Efficacy, and Perceptions in an Undergraduate Engineering Pilot Offering
Authors: DeMara Ronald F. , Bacanli Salih S. , Bidoki Neda , Xu Jun , Nassiff Edwin , Donnelly Julie , Turgut Damla
Published: January 2020

This research developed an approach to integrate the complementary benefits of digitized assessments and peer learning. Its basic premise and associated hypotheses are that by using student assessments of correct and incorrect quiz answers using a fine-grained resolution to pair them into remediation peer-learning cohorts is an effective means of learning. Delivered and scored in a computer-based testing center, the assessment of digitized formative quizzes paired students whose scores indicated a different knowledge skill level so that by the end of the same week as the quiz, the paired students cooperatively took an in-class quiz during a remediation session to determine if there were any learning improvements. This research article discusses this research approach and presents the findings.
Goal Ambiguity, Management, and Performance in U.S. Nursing Homes
Authors: Song Miyeon , Meier Kenneth J. , Amirkhanyan Anna
Published: January 2020

Public administration research has produced a large literature on the determinants, consequences, and complexities of goal clarity and ambiguity. This article contributes to this line of work by examining how perceived goal ambiguity and goal multiplicity condition the effect of top administrators’ management on performance. In the context of U.S. nursing homes, we find that the positive effect of management on service quality tends to decrease when administrators report facing high levels of goal ambiguity and pursue numerous priorities that they consider important. This study improves our understanding of the complex mechanisms through which managerial strategies influence organizational outcomes.
People’s Opinions and Stereotypes about Stepfamilies
Authors: Saint-Jacques Marie-Christine , Godbout Élisabeth , Ivers Hans
Published: January 2020

The stepfamily represents an increasingly common form of the family structure. Numerous studies have nonetheless shown that people living in stepfamilies are often stigmatized. The present study focused on public opinion based on a representative sample ( N = 1,202) regarding: (a) stepfamilies as a unit; (b) the current situation and future of children; (c) the rights and responsibilities of stepparents; and (d) the perception of stepparents as well as the stereotypes about them. The results showed that people had a favorable opinion about some dimensions, like the future of children living in stepfamilies, but an examination of stereotypes concerning stepfathers and perceptions about stepparents showed a more unfavorable opinion. A latent class analysis showed that there were three opinion profiles. Though there was a positive perception of several stepfamily dimensions, it can be seen that the opinions about stepfamilies were not monolithic. Moreover, the stereotype of the sexual abuser was always present.
The Influence of Vestibular Schwannoma Tumor Volume and Growth on Hearing Loss
Authors: Patel Neil S. , Huang Alice E. , Dowling Eric M. , Lees Katherine A. , Tombers Nicole M. , Lohse Christine M. , Marinelli John P. , Van Gompel Jamie J. , Neff Brian A. , Driscoll Colin L. W. , Link Michael J. , Carlson Matthew L.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To ascertain the relationship among vestibular schwannoma (VS) tumor volume, growth, and hearing loss.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Single tertiary center.

Subjects and Methods

Adults with observed VS and serviceable hearing at diagnosis were included. The primary outcome was the development of nonserviceable hearing as estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Associations of tumor volume with baseline hearing were assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Associations of volume and growth with the development of nonserviceable hearing over time were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models and summarized with hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

Of 230 patients with VS and serviceable hearing at diagnosis, 213 had serial volumetric tumor data for analysis. Larger tumor volume at diagnosis was associated with increased pure‐tone average (PTA) (P <. 001) and decreased word recognition score (WRS) (P =. 014). Estimated rates of maintaining serviceable hearing at 6 and 10 years following diagnosis were 67% and 49%, respectively. Larger initial tumor volume was associated with development of nonserviceable hearing in a univariable setting (HR for 1‐cm3 increase: 1.36, P =. 040) but not after adjusting for PTA and WRS. Tumor growth was not significantly associated with time to nonserviceable hearing (HR, 1.57; P =. 14), although estimated rates of maintaining serviceable hearing during observation were poorer in the group that experienced growth.

Conclusion

Larger initial VS tumor volume was associated with poorer hearing at baseline. Larger initial tumor volume was also associated with the development of nonserviceable hearing during observation in a univariable setting; however, this association was not statistically significant after adjusting for baseline hearing status.
Acquisition of L2 Japanese WH questions: Evidence of phonological contiguity and non-shallow structures
Authors: Archibald John , Croteau Nicole
Published: January 2020

In this article we look at some of the structural properties of second language (L2) Japanese WH questions. In Japanese the WH words are licensed to remain in situ by the prosodic contiguity properties of the phrases which have no prosodic boundaries between the WH word and the question particle. In a rehearsed-reading, sentence production task, we look to see whether non-native speakers of Japanese who are learning the L2 in university classes in North America are able to acquire grammars which are constrained by such universal properties as Match Theory and Contiguity Theory. While linear mixed effects analyses of the pitch contours reveal that the L2ers have not acquired the phonetic implementation distinction of the documented pitch boost on WH words compared to non-WH DPs, our data show that the participants have acquired the pitch compression patterns indicative of having no prosodic phrases intervening between the WH word and the question particle. This property of Japanese WH questions is not taught in their classes, and, thus we argue, that the data are supportive of the position that interlanguage grammars are constrained by universal grammatical properties such as the prosodic contiguity of WH-phrase licensing. We also present these results as being counter to the Shallow Structure Hypothesis.
Practice review: Evidence-based and effective management of pain in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Chapman Emma J , Edwards Zoe , Boland Jason W , Maddocks Matthew , Fettes Lucy , Malia Catherine , Mulvey Matthew R , Bennett Michael I
Published: January 2020

Background:

Pain of a moderate or severe intensity affects over half of patients with advanced cancer and remains undertreated in at least one-third of these patients.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to provide a pragmatic overview of the evidence supporting the use of interventions in pain management in advanced cancer and to identify where encouraging preliminary results are demonstrated but further research is required.

Design:

A scoping review approach was used to examine the evidence supporting the use of guideline-recommended interventions in pain management practice.

Data sources:

National or international guidelines were selected if they described pain management in adult cancer patients and were written within the last 5 years in English. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (January 2014 to January 2019) was searched for ‘cancer’ AND ‘pain’ in the title, abstract or keywords. A MEDLINE search was also made.

Results:

A strong opioid remains the drug of choice for treating moderate or severe pain. Bisphosphonates and radiotherapy are also effective for cancer-related bone pain. Optimal management requires a tailored approach, support for self-management and review of treatment outcomes. There is likely a role for non-pharmacological approaches. Paracetamol should not be used in patients taking a strong opioid to treat pain. Cannabis-based medicines are not recommended. Weak opioids, ketamine and lidocaine are indicated in specific situations only.

Conclusion:

Interventions commonly recommended by guidelines are not always supported by a robust evidence base. Research is required to evaluate the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-convulsants, anti-depressants, corticosteroids, some invasive anaesthetic techniques, complementary therapies and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Diagnostic value of 3.0 T cardiac MRI in children with suspected myocarditis: multi-parameter analysis for the evaluation of acute and chronic myocarditis
Authors: Jia Haipeng , Guo Jing , Liu Bo , Meng Hong , Pan Fengmin , Li Chunhai
Published: January 2020

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is an established tool for detection of myocarditis. However, no comprehensive data for CMR based on the “Lake Louise” criteria in pediatric myocarditis exists to date.

Purpose

To evaluate the value of multi-parameter CMR in children with suspected acute (AMC) and chronic myocarditis (CMC).

Material and Methods

We examined 73 pediatric patients with clinically suspected AMC (n = 25) and CMC (n = 48). We compared them to 17 controls. All individuals underwent CMR, including function analyses, T2 ratio, early gadolinium enhancement ratio (EGEr), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Results

In AMC, 19 (76%) patients were abnormal in any two of three parameters (T2 ratio, EGEr, and LGE). There was a significant difference between AMC and controls in LVEF (51.2% vs. 61.3%), mass (130.2 ± 14.0 vs. 120.5 ± 13.9 g), T2 ratio (1.96 ± 0.2 vs. 1.69 ± 0.13), and EGEr (4.1 ± 0.27 vs. 3.4 ± 0.39) ( P < 0.05). In CMC, 26 (54.1%) patients were abnormal in any two of three parameters. There was no significant difference between CMC and controls in LVEF and mass, but there was a statistical difference in T2 ratio (1.88 ± 0.18 vs. 1.69 ± 0.13) and in EGEr (3.93 ± 0.22 vs. 3.4 ± 0.39) ( P < 0.05). There was an increase in LVEF while both T2 ratio and EGEr significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) during follow-up of acute fulminant myocarditis.

Conclusion

Comprehensive CMR may serve as a powerful tool in children with suspected AMC. CMR in assessment of CMC may be valuable, but it is not satisfactory.
Hemispheric Organization for Visual Object Recognition: A Theoretical Account and Empirical Evidence
Authors: Behrmann Marlene , Plaut David C.
Published: January 2020

Despite the similarity in structure, the hemispheres of the human brain have somewhat different functions. A traditional view of hemispheric organization asserts that there are independent and largely lateralized domain-specific regions in ventral occipitotemporal (VOTC), specialized for the recognition of distinct classes of objects. Here, we offer an alternative account of the organization of the hemispheres, with a specific focus on face and word recognition. This alternative account relies on three computational principles: distributed representations and knowledge, cooperation and competition between representations, and topography and proximity. The crux is that visual recognition results from a network of regions with graded functional specialization that is distributed across both hemispheres. Specifically, the claim is that face recognition, which is acquired relatively early in life, is processed by VOTC regions in both hemispheres. Once literacy is acquired, word recognition, which is co-lateralized with language areas, primarily engages the left VOTC and, consequently, face recognition is primarily, albeit not exclusively, mediated by the right VOTC. We review psychological and neural evidence from a range of studies conducted with normal and brain-damaged adults and children and consider findings which challenge this account. Last, we offer suggestions for future investigations whose findings may further refine this account.
Sharing stories of lived experience: A qualitative analysis of the intersection of experiences between storytellers with acquired brain injury and storytelling facilitators
Authors: D’Cruz Kate , Douglas Jacinta , Serry Tanya
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Narrative storytelling is a relational process. While interest in storytelling in brain injury rehabilitation is increasing, little attention has been directed to the interpersonal relationships experienced through storytelling. As part of a larger study exploring narrative storytelling, this paper reports on the intersection of experiences between those sharing their story and those listening to the story.

Method

A qualitative grounded theory approach informed all stages of the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with adult storytellers with severe acquired brain injury and facilitators of a storytelling advocacy programme.

Findings

Analysis of the intersection of data from 28 transcripts of interviews with eight storytellers and six facilitators was conducted. Two key relationships emerged to be central to the storytelling experience: (1) a collaborative partnership between the storytellers and the advocacy organisation, and (2) an intentional story-sharing relationship between the storytellers and facilitators. The advocacy context of helping others through story-sharing was central to the meaningfulness of the experience.

Conclusion

Narrative storytelling is a social relationship experience with much potential for building relationships in rehabilitation. Sharing stories of lived experience of disability presents an opportunity for meaningful occupational engagement, enabling social connectedness and contribution to society.
Global cities, creative industries and their representation on social media: A micro-data analysis of Twitter data on the fashion industry
Authors: Casadei Patrizia , Lee Neil
Published: January 2020

The creative and cultural industries form an important part of many urban economies, and the fashion industries are one of the exemplar creative industries. Because fashion is based on intangibles such as branding and reputation, it tends to have a two-way relationship with cities: urban areas market themselves through their fashion industry, while the fashion industry draws heavily on the representation of place. In this paper we investigate this interlinked relationship between the fashion industry and place in four of the major cities of global fashion – London, New York, Milan and Paris – using data from the social media platform Twitter. To do this, we draw upon a variety of computer-aided text analysis techniques – including cluster, correspondence and specificity analyses – to examine almost 100,000 tweets collected during the Spring–Summer fashion weeks of February and March 2018. We find considerable diversity in how these cities are represented. Milan and Paris are seen in terms of national fashion houses, artisanal production and traditional institutions such as galleries and exhibitions. New York is focused on media and entertainment, independent designers and a ‘buzzy’ social life. London is portrayed in the most diverse ways, with events, shopping, education, social movements, political issues and the royal family all prominent. In each case, the historical legacy and built environment form important parts of the city’s image. However, there is considerable diversity in representation. We argue that social media allow a more democratic view of the way cities are represented than other methodologies.
Opportunities for and challenges to further reductions in the “specific power” rating of wind turbines installed in the United States
Authors: Bolinger Mark , Lantz Eric , Wiser Ryan , Hoen Ben , Rand Joseph , Hammond Robert
Published: January 2020

A wind turbine’s “specific power” rating relates its capacity to the swept area of its rotor in terms of Watt per square meter. For a given generator capacity, specific power declines as rotor size increases. In land-rich but capacity-constrained wind power markets, such as the United States, developers have an economic incentive to maximize megawatt-hours per constrained megawatt, and so have favored turbines with ever-lower specific power. To date, this trend toward lower specific power has pushed capacity factors higher while reducing the levelized cost of energy. We employ geospatial levelized cost of energy analysis across the United States to explore whether this trend is likely to continue. We find that under reasonable cost scenarios (i.e. presuming that logistical challenges from very large blades are surmountable), low-specific-power turbines could continue to be in demand going forward. Beyond levelized cost of energy, the boost in market value that low-specific-power turbines provide could become increasingly important as wind penetration grows.
Quantifying Disciplinary Voices: An Automated Approach to Interactional Metadiscourse in Successful Student Writing
Authors: Yoon Hyung-Jo , Römer Ute
Published: January 2020

This article reports on a study that explored cross-disciplinary variation in the use of metadiscourse markers in advanced-level student writing, put forward as a realistic target for novice writers. Starting from the stance and engagement categories included in Hyland’s model, we first conducted a comprehensive quantitative analysis of interactional metadiscourse across disciplines. For this analysis, we used an automated processing tool that generates quantity scores for each metadiscourse category. We then carried out a detailed qualitative analysis of selected items that contributed significantly to these category scores. The data for our analyses come from a corpus of 829 student papers from 16 different disciplines. The results showed notable differences in students’ use of metadiscourse features across academic divisions and disciplines. We suggest that this offers evidence of advanced students’ ability to express interactional strategies that are in line with disciplinary expectations. We also found, however, that disciplines that fall into the same academic division were not necessarily similar in their use of interactional metadiscourse, which calls into question the usefulness of existing disciplinary groupings. The findings of this study offer insights into how to build an appropriate writerly stance in different academic communities.
Respondent Fatigue in Estimates of the Cost of White-Collar Crime: Implications From Willingness-to-Pay Surveys
Authors: Layana M. Cristina , Lee Jacqueline G.
Published: January 2020

Contingent valuation (CV) methods are used in many contexts to estimate non-tangible costs, despite some indications that they may not be reliable. In criminal justice, CV has been used to generate “costs of crime” for street, violent, and white-collar crimes. This article explores respondent fatigue using both quantitative and qualitative indicators from an open-ended CV survey where respondents were asked how much they would be willing to pay to reduce certain crimes. Our findings reveal that willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce crime increases when both problematic response patterns and fatigue effects are accounted for in the calculation, indicating that fatigued respondents who also engage in straight lining are driving the WTP estimates down. We conclude by discussing the implications of our results for policymakers and other consumers of CV studies.
Fluid structure interaction analysis of flexible beams vibrating in a time-varying fluid domain
Authors: Ma Chicheng , Shao Mingyu , Ma Juncheng , Liu Canchang , Gao Kunming
Published: January 2020

In this work, the transversal vibration of a submerged cantilever beam is studied with a time-varying fluid domain taken into consideration. The elastic beam is modeled using the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, and the fluid is simplified by potential fluid theory. The governing equations of this fluid-structure interaction system are obtained using the mode superposition method and Galerkin’s method. Then the influence of the time-varying fluid is investigated in detail, based on modal analysis and transient analysis. Time-frequency analysis is given for signal processing of the obtained response, as the frequencies are time-varying. The analytical results obtained in this paper show good agreement with numerical results by ANSYS and results in the previous study. This study reports a new phenomenon that changing of the fluid induces an additional nonstructural damping, which is proportional to the velocity of the depth changing of the fluid. The induced damping influences vibration of the beam significantly and must be taken into account in dynamic analysis of structures in a time-varying fluid.
Shape memory characteristics of microwave sintered porous Ti–30 at.%Ta alloy for biomedical applications
Authors: Ibrahim Mustafa K , Saud Safaa N , Hamzah E , Nazim EM
Published: January 2020

In this work, the influence of microwave sintering time and temperature on the microstructure characterisation, and thermal and mechanical behaviours of Ti–30Ta were investigated. The relative densities of Ti–30Ta samples were in the range of 65–72% and as the sintering times/temperatures increased, the relative density decreased. The pore size averages were in the range of 6–17 µm with different sintering parameters, for instance the smallest pore size of 6.8 µm was observed after being sintered at 900 ℃ for 30 min (Ta2). Two morphologies of plate-like (P) and needle-like (N) structures were observed, as well as two regions – dark region (Ti-rich region) and bright region (Ta-rich region), also two phases – β and α. The DSC results revealed that the Ms to Mf transformation range was 98.86 to 80.5 ℃, respectively, while the range of As to Af transformation was about −22.35 to 92 ℃, respectively. The maximum fracture strength and its strain were acquired in the sintered sample of 900 ℃ for 30 min. The total strain recovery (ɛT) was improved linearly as the sintering temperature increased, correspondingly, the best ɛT was implied in Ti–Ta shape memory alloys after being sintered at 1000 ℃ for 30 min (Ta4).
Analysis of the ‘Endoworm’ prototype’s ability to grip the bowel in in vitro and ex vivo models
Authors: Tobella Javier , Pons-Beltrán Vicente , Santonja Alberto , Sánchez Carlos , Campillo-Fernández Alberto J , Vidaurre Ana
Published: January 2020

Access to the small bowel by means of an enteroscope is difficult, even using current devices such as single-balloon or double-balloon enteroscopes. Exploration time and patient discomfort are the main drawbacks. The prototype ‘Endoworm’ analysed in this paper is based on a pneumatic translation system that, gripping the bowel, enables the endoscope to move forward while the bowel slides back over its most proximal part. The grip capacity is related to the pressure inside the balloon, which depends on the insufflate volume of air. Different materials were used as in vitro and ex vivo models: rigid polymethyl methacrylate, flexible silicone, polyester urethane and ex vivo pig small bowel. On measuring the pressure–volume relationship, we found that it depended on the elastic properties of the lumen and that the frictional force depended on the air pressure inside the balloons and the lumen’s elastic properties. In the presence of a lubricant, the grip on the simulated intestinal lumens was drastically reduced, as was the influence of the lumen’s properties. This paper focuses on the Endoworm’s ability to grip the bowel, which is crucial to achieving effective endoscope forward advance and bowel folding.
Cervical cancer screening and prevention in Kazakhstan and Central Asia
Authors: Aimagambetova Gulzhanat , Chan Chee Kai , Ukybassova Talshyn , Imankulova Balkenzhe , Balykov Askhat , Kongrtay Kuralay , Azizan Azliyati
Published: January 2020

Objective

To examine the state of cervical screening and prevention in Central Asian states, specifically Kazakhstan.

Results

In the five Central Asian countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are far higher than those in most Western and high-income nations, and are increasing. Cervical cancer screening is available in all five countries, but is mainly opportunistic. Only Kazakhstan has a structured cytological screening program, from which screening coverage analysis is possible.

Conclusion

Despite significant decreases in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in developed countries, the problem is still of great concern in these Central Asian countries and is attributed to poorly organized screening and the absence of vaccination programs.
Communicative generalisation: Dialogical means of advancing knowledge through a case study of an ‘unprecedented’ disaster
Authors: Cornish Flora
Published: January 2020

In the interest of learning from a unique and devastating disaster, this paper develops a conceptualisation of generalisation as a communicative process. Growing from the author’s experience of conducting and communicating an ethnographic case study of the community response to the Grenfell Tower disaster, a tower block fire which traumatised a West London community, and has been widely labelled an ‘unprecedented’ event, the paper considers ways of developing knowledge with wider application from this unique case. ‘Communicative generalisation’ is concerned with the significance of knowledge to epistemic communities rather than abstract universal truth. Four modes of communicative generalisation are explored. By elaborating the multi-perspectival nature of a case and its relation to its context, case studies may enrich readers’ generalised other. Case studies may address an epistemic community by problematising a taken-for-granted situation or theory. A case study can extend the situations to which it may transfer by multiplying its audiences, and thus forcing its authors to take multiple perspectives. It can also extend its meaningfulness by multiplying speakers, facilitating expressions of diverse perspectives on the case. ‘Communicative generalisation’ distributes the agency of generalisation among authors, cases and audiences. This redistribution has implications for the politics and temporality of generalisation.
An Introduction to Gangs and Serious Youth Violence in the United Kingdom
Authors: Densley James , Deuchar Ross , Harding Simon
Published: January 2020

This article introduces the special issue on UK gangs and youth violence. Written to coincide with the launch of the National Centre for Gang Research at the University of West London, this collection adds the voices of academics who have spent years researching serious violence to a conversation dominated by policymakers and media commentators. The authors examine trends in youth violence and offer a brief history of UK gang research before previewing the contribution of the seven empirical articles dealing with police gang databases, knife crime, county lines drug dealing, contextual safeguarding, offender mental health, gang disengagement and criminal desistance.
Investigation on the rebound rate for polymeric composites and nonwoven needle punched fabrics at various depths
Authors: Jhang Jia-Ci , Lin Ting Ru , Chen Yueh-Sheng , Lou Ching-Wen , Lin Jia-Horng
Published: January 2020

The study employs the mechanical interlocking theory and hot pressing treatment to generate nonimpregnation of highly rebounding composites. This design preserves the high flexibility, elasticity, and stability of elastic polymer while reserving the skin-friendly feature, resilience, and recovery of the highly elastic nonwoven fabrics without using an adhesive. During the preparation of highly rebounding composites, elastic polymers are hot pressed to form films, after which they are combined with highly elastic nonwoven fabrics. The composites are then examined in terms of the mechanical properties and the level of adhesion. Fluffy nonwoven fabrics and elastomer polymers are hot pressed in order to obtain better adhesion and puncture resistance. The tensile and hammer rebound rate test results show that highly rebounding composites that are reinforced using stiff nonwoven fabrics exhibit greater resilient and tensile properties. Comparing to pure nonwoven fabrics, the proposed highly rebounding composites have a structure that is 1.5 time greater compactness, as well as 1.5 times greater a tensile strength and 1.6 time greater resilience. Namely, they provide great variety according to the users’ ends as their performances are better and adjustable. For example, shallowly or deeply needle punched nonwoven fabrics can be separately used in the garments or cushions. The proposed highly rebounding cushion composites are protective materials and are suitable for the application as in cushions, packaging, and buffering protective equipment.
Violent Crime Among Israeli Inmates: Does Gender Matter?
Authors: Chen Gila
Published: January 2020

The purpose was to examine (a) gender differences in violent crime, (b) gender differences in the risk factors related to violent offending, and (c) the factors that moderate the relationship between gender and violent crime among 290 inmates. The findings indicated no gender differences in violent crimes. The findings revealed that violent crime is associated with family crime, exposure to interparental violence, child abuse and neglect (CAN), and mental health. Low–medium economic status and CAN were associated with higher risk of violence only among the women. The findings highlight the intersection of CAN with self-destructive behaviors which require simultaneous interventions.
Retrograde three-dimensional rotational angiography: A novel method for the detection of plaque protrusion during carotid artery stenting under continuous distal balloon protection
Authors: Hosoo Hisayuki , Tsuruta Wataro , Hamada Yusuke , Katsumata Masahiro , Ishigami Daiichiro , Ishikawa Eiichi , Matsumaru Yuji , Matsumura Akira
Published: January 2020

Background

To prevent ischemic complications during carotid artery stenting, accurate detection of plaque protrusion and appropriate additional treatment are essential. Here, we introduce a novel method for the detection of plaque protrusion under distal balloon protection using three-dimensional rotation angiography—“retrograde 3DRA.” We evaluated the safety and efficacy of this method.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed 28 consecutive carotid artery stenting procedures under distal balloon protection at our hospital between July 2017 and August 2019. The first line of protection was dual balloon protection (proximal and distal balloon). After stent deployment, balloon dilatation, and subsequent blood aspiration, 3DRA was performed with the injection of diluted contrast medium from the aspiration catheter positioned just proximal to the distal protection balloon. The stent lumen was analyzed by obtaining the reconstruction maximum intensity projection image.

Results

Among the 28 cases, all cases could be assessed for in-stent plaque protrusion using “retrograde 3DRA.” We were able to evaluate the stent lumen clearly. There were three cases (10.7%) in which plaque protrusion could be confirmed. Since additional balloon dilatation was performed for all protrusion cases under continuing balloon protection, no ischemic complications occurred.

Conclusion

Retrograde 3DRA could be safe and useful for the detection of plaque protrusions and to avoid ischemic complication for tolerable cases of internal carotid artery transient balloon protection.
The use of single low-profile visualized intraluminal support stent-assisted coiling in the treatment of middle cerebral artery bifurcation unruptured wide-necked aneurysm
Authors: Yan Yazhou , Zeng Zhangwei , Wu Yina , Xiong Jiachao , Zhao Kaijun , Hong Bo , Xu Yi , Liu Jianmin , Huang Qinghai
Published: January 2020

Objective

Endovascular treatment of unruptured wide-necked aneurysms located at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment for middle cerebral artery bifurcation unruptured wide-necked aneurysms using a low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stent.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with middle cerebral artery bifurcation unruptured wide-necked aneurysms treated using an LVIS device at our institution between October 2014 and December 2018. Clinical presentation, aneurysmal characteristics, technical feasibility, perioperative complications, clinical outcome, and angiographic and clinical follow-up results were evaluated.

Results

Fifty-seven patients with 57 wide-necked aneurysms arising from the middle cerebral artery bifurcation were identified. The technical success rate of stent deployment was 100%. Immediate postoperative angiograms showed Raymond 1 in 26 aneurysms (45.6%), Raymond 2 in 10 (17.6%), and Raymond 3 in 21 (36.8%). Perioperative complications developed in two patients (3.5%), including one procedure-related hemorrhagic event and one thromboembolic event. The follow-up angiogram was available for 47 aneurysms obtained at an average of 11.7 months (range, 5 to 49 months) after intervention; the latest follow-up angiograms revealed complete occlusion in 37 (78.7%) aneurysms, improvement in three (6.4%), stabilization in five (10.6%), and recanalization in two (4.3%). During the follow-up, one patient was found to have in-stent stenosis and two patients were found to have slow flow or occlusion of the jailed branch. All three of these patients were asymptomatic. No hemorrhagic or thromboembolic events occurred during clinical follow-up.

Conclusions

Our experience suggests that endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery bifurcation unruptured wide-necked aneurysms with an LVIS stent is safe and effective, but the effect on branches needs to be further studied.
Association between anatomical distribution of symptomatic peripheral artery disease and cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Virtanen Juha , Varpela Markus , Biancari Fausto , Jalkanen Juho , Hakovirta Harri
Published: January 2020

Aim

Peripheral arterial disease is frequently associated with significant atherosclerosis of other vascular beds. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible association between peripheral arterial disease segment-specific disease burden and cerebrovascular disease.

Methods

Two-hundred and twenty-six patients with clinically symptomatic peripheral arterial disease from the prospective PureASO registry were followed up after revascularization. The breadth of peripheral arterial disease was quantified at the time patients entered the study. The segment-specific peripheral arterial disease burden was correlated to cerebrovascular disease and imaging findings during a five-year follow-up.

Results

At five years, cerebrovascular disease-free survival after lower limb revascularization was 31%. Patients with peripheral arterial disease involving the crural arteries had significantly more ischemic degenerative changes at brain imaging ( p = 0.031), whereas patients with aorto-iliac and femoropopliteal segment peripheral arterial disease had more significant (>50% uni- or bilaterally) internal carotid artery stenosis compared to patients with crural peripheral arterial disease ( p = 0.006). According to Cox regression analyses, crural arteries burden was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality (adjusted HR 2.07, CI 95% 1.12–3.28, p = 0.021) and cerebrovascular events (adjusted HR 1.97, CI 95% 1.19–3.26, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Present results suggest that atherosclerosis burden at different lower limb artery segments is associated with defined cerebrovascular disease. This further suggests that risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms are congruent across particular vascular beds.
Frequency of anxiety after stroke: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Knapp Peter , Dunn-Roberts Alexander , Sahib Nimah , Cook Liz , Astin Felicity , Kontou Eirini , Thomas Shirley A
Published: January 2020

Background

Anxiety is a common and distressing problem after stroke.

Aims

To undertake an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies of anxiety after stroke and integrate the findings with those reported previously.

Summary of review

Multiple databases were searched in May 2018 and 53 new studies were included following dual independent sifting and data extraction. These were combined with 44 previous studies to form a combined data set of 97 studies, comprising 22,262 participants. Studies using interview methods were of higher quality. Rates of anxiety by interview were 18.7% (95% confidence interval 12.5, 24.9%) and 24.2% (95% confidence interval 21.5, 26.9%) by rating scale. Rates of anxiety did not lower meaningfully up to 24 months after stroke. Eight different anxiety subtypes were also reported.

Conclusions

This review confirms that anxiety occurs in around one in four patients (by rating scale) and one in five patients (by interview). More research on anxiety subtypes is needed for an informed understanding of its effects and the development of interventions.
Recurrent Dupuytren’s disease after fasciectomy and collagenase injection are histologically indistinguishable
Authors: Sanjuan-Cervero Rafael , Carrera-Hueso Francisco J. , Vaquero-Perez Manuel , Montaner-Alonso Daniel
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to determine whether recurrent Dupuytren’s disease after collagenase Clostridium histolyticum treatment differs histologically from recurrence in those treated with fasciectomy. We carried out a prospective cohort study of patients with Dupuytren’s disease who underwent fasciectomy to treat disease recurrence after previous treatment with collagenase Clostridium histolyticum or fasciectomy. The pathologists and statistician were blinded to the previous treatment. Longitudinal biopsy sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and the nodular zones were examined. Fifteen patients were studied: nine previously treated with collagenase Clostridium histolyticum and six previously treated with fasciectomy. There were no histological differences between the samples from the two groups of patients. Dupuytren’s disease recurrences after fasciectomy and collagenase Clostridium histolyticum are histologically indistinguishable.
Effect of distance to specialist care for the diagnosis and disease outcome of inflammatory bowel disease in the Swiss inflammatory bowel disease cohort study
Authors: Grob Lorenz , Bluemel Sena , Biedermann Luc , Fournier Nicolas , Rossel Jean-Benoit , Vavricka Stephan R. , Zeitz Jonas , Rogler Gerhard , Stallmach Andreas , Scharl Michael
Published: January 2020

Background:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) needs early interventions and an individual specialist–patient relationship. Distance from a tertiary IBD center might affect patient’s disease course and outcome. We investigated whether the patient-to-specialist distance has an impact on the disease course using the well-defined patient collective of the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study (SIBDCS).

Methods:

Patient’s home address at diagnosis (postal zip code) was extracted from the SIBDCS database. Distance between each zip code and the nearest located IBD specialist center was calculated and classified into the following three sections based on proximity: <10 km (group 1); 10–35 km (group 2); >35 km (group 3).

Results:

Our study included in total 408 IBD patients [234 Crohn’s disease (CD), 154 ulcerative colitis (UC), 20 IBD unclassified (IBDU)]. Median age was lowest in group 2 at diagnosis (G1: 28 years; G2: 21 years, G3: 26 years, p < 0.01). The diagnostic delay did not differ between groups. CD patients in group 1 were treated more often with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents (72% versus 56%, p = 0.04) and 5-aminosalicylates (44% versus 28%, p = 0.04) than in group 3. UC/IBDU patients in group 1 were treated more often with corticosteroids than patients in group 3 (83% versus 58%, p < 0.01). The occurrence of IBD-related surgeries did not differ between groups.

Conclusions:

Patient-to-specialist distance might affect drug treatment. However, disease course and the need for IBD-related surgery does not seem to be associated with a longer distance to specialist care in Switzerland.
Predictive factors of death associated with infective endocarditis in adult patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Ly Reaksmei , Compain Fabrice , Gaye Bamba , Pontnau Florence , Bouchard Melissa , Mainardi Jean-Luc , Iserin Laurence , Lebeaux David , Ladouceur Magalie
Published: January 2020

Aims

Infective endocarditis is a severe infection which can occur in adult patients with congenital heart disease. We aimed to determine outcomes and risk factors of death in adult congenital heart disease and to investigate differences with infective endocarditis in non-congenital heart disease.

Methods and results

Between March 2000 and June 2018, 671 consecutive episodes of infective endocarditis in adult patients were retrospectively recorded. Cases were classified according to the modified Duke classification. All adult congenital heart disease cases were managed by infectious disease specialists and adult congenital heart disease cardiologists. During this period, 142 infective endocarditis episodes (21%) occurred in adult congenital heart disease patients with simple (46.5%), moderate (21.1%), or complex (32.4%) congenital heart disease. In-hospital mortality was 12.7%. The strongest predictive factors of in-hospital death in multivariate analysis were complexity of congenital heart disease (odds ratio (OR) 8.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53–42.07), age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.19) and white blood cell count 12 g/L or greater (OR 8.72, 95% CI 2.42–31.43). Patients with congenital heart disease were significantly younger (median age 36 vs. 67 years, P<0.001), had undergone more redo cardiac surgeries (35.7% vs. 11.3%, P<0.01) and presented with more right-sided infective endocarditis (39.4% vs. 7.9%, P<0.01) than patients without congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease was associated with two-fold lower in-hospital mortality rates (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19–0.74), independently of age, gender, obesity, renal function and side of infective endocarditis.

Conclusion

Although mortality associated with infective endocarditis is lower in adult patients with congenital heart disease than patients without congenital heart disease, infective endocarditis mortality is particularly high in patients with complex congenital heart disease. Education and prevention about the risk of infective endocarditis is essential, especially in this group.
Projecting the Number of Posttransplant Clinic Visits With a Rise in the Number of Kidney Transplants: A Case Study From Ontario, Canada
Authors: Mann Shawna , Naylor Kyla L. , McArthur Eric , Kim S. Joseph , Knoll Greg , Zaltzman Jeffrey , Treleaven Darin , Ouedraogo Alexandra , Jevnikar Anthony , Garg Amit X.
Published: January 2020

Background:

In Ontario, kidney transplants have risen by 4% annually in recent years. An understanding of how this will affect the future annual number of posttransplant follow-up visits informs how to organize and deliver care.

Objective:

We projected the required number of annual posttransplant follow-up nephrology visits to inform posttransplant care delivery.

Design:

Population-based retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Linked databases from Ontario, Canada (population 14 million).

Patients:

Incident kidney transplant recipients from years 2008 to 2013.

Measurements:

Frequency, distance traveled, and current and projected visits for posttransplant follow-up.

Methods:

Assuming a graft survival of 13 years and using the mean number of posttransplant clinic visits in years 1, 2, and 3, we forecasted the number of clinic visits needed in the year 2027.

Results:

Using data from 2443 recipients, the mean (SD) number of clinic visits per recipient was 14.0 (9.2) in the first year after transplant, and 3.9 (6.2) and 3.0 (5.3) in the second and third year, respectively. If transplant rates rise by 4% per year until 2027, the estimated annual visits number will increase from 30 622 to 43 948. The median (25th, 75th percentile) distance between transplant center and patient’s home was 30 (13, 65) km. The median round-trip travel distance for these visits in the first year after transplantation was 603 km per recipient, and median driving cost was Can$344 (2017).

Limitations:

Regarding patient expense, limitations include that distances traveled were calculated orthodromically, and we did not account for patient cost of follow-up beyond that of vehicular travel. Regarding follow-up projections, limitations include the assumption that graft life span will not change, follow-up patterns do not differ between donor kidney type, and we did not survey stakeholders as to their preferred method of follow-up.

Conclusion:

We quantified the increase in posttransplant visits when regional annual rates of transplantation rise. Strategies recognizing the burden of these visits may enhance patient-centered care, as it is unclear how some patients manage costs, nor how the current health care system will manage the demand.