bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bilirubin Removal from an Hepatic Failure Patient by Resin Hemoperfusion
Authors: Mor L. , Sideman S. , Mihich M. , Taitelman U. 
Published: April 2018

An hemoperfusion (HP) column, packed with beads of a macroreticular MR ion exchange resin which were made biocompatible by coating with a fine layer of cross-linked human albumin, was applied to the removal of bilirubin (BIL) from a jaundiced 69-year old man with hepatic failure. The column was found most suitable for BIL removal. However, the high volumetric mass transfer coefficient of the unconjugated (UC) BIL indicates that this column could best be used for BIL removal from babies suffering from unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.
Sintered Platinum for Cardiac Pacing
Authors: Freud G.E. , Chinaglia B. 
Published: April 2018

Platinum electrodes for cardiac stimulation having a surface porosity in the range of 40 μm have been prepared with a sintering process. These electrodes showed excellent in vitro characteristics (low polarization and sensing impedance). Animal testing proved good tissue acceptance and clinical trials in 31 patients gave the following results: threshold at implant 0,375 μJ (SD: 0.174 μJ), chronic threshold 1.15 μJ (SD: 1.05 μJ). The longest observation period was 7 months and the mean observation period was 17.1 weeks. These results indicate that this type of electrode allows safe stimulation of the heart with low energy pulses; in particular a reliable safety margin could be obtained with pulses having the amplitude of the existing lithium batteries, avoiding the need for a voltage doubler. This would improve the battery utilization and the pulse generator longevity.
Neutrophil Adherence during Hemoperfusion in Fulminant Hepatic Failure
Authors: Altin M. , Hughes R.D. , Williams R. 
Published: April 2018

Neutrophil adherence to nylon fibre packed in plastic syringes was determined in blood from patients with fulminant hepatic failure, both before and during charcoal hemoperfusion carried out with prostacyclin infusion and resin hemoperfusion without prostacyclin. During charcoal hemoperfusion there was a progressive decrease in neutrophil adherence, reaching the lowest value at 4 h (30.4 ± SE 4.8%). After completion of hemoperfusion the adherence value returned to the preperfusion level (53.0 ± 8.4%). These effects are probably attributable to the PGI2 infusion. No marked changes in neutrophil adherence were observed during resin hemoperfusion.
Right Atrial Ball Thrombus as a Complication of Subclavian Catheter Insertion for Hemodialysis Access
Authors: Wijeyesinghe E.C.R. , Pei Y. , Feritori S.S.A. , Uldall P.R. 
Published: April 2018

In two patients right atrial ball thrombi developed following prolonged subclavian cannulation for hemodialysis. One patient died, the other had the ball thrombus removed by open heart surgery. It appears that repeated friction of the catheter tip may have damaged the endothelium of the right atrial wall. This hitherto unrecognised complication might be prevented by ensuring that subclavian hemodialysis catheters are never allowed to reach as far as the right atrium.
Technical and clinical evaluation of a new polyamide hollow fiber hemofilter for CAVH
Authors: Ronco C. , Brendolan A. , Bragantini L. , Fabris A. , Feriani M. , Chiaramonte S. , Milan M. , Dell'Aquila R. , La Greca G. 
Published: April 2018

We carried out an in-vivo and in-vitro evaluation of a new polyamide hollow fiber hemofilter especially designed to operate under conditions of low pressure and low blood flow, such as in continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH). The results obtained suggest that this filter is a prototype of a new generation of hemofilters especially designed for CAVH. Its low resistance permits its use even in patients with severe hypotension. The high blood flows achieved at a given pressure reduce the risk of clotting and increase the ultrafiltration rate. When an average ultrafiltration of 20-25 ml/min is achieved in 24 hours CAVH becomes very efficient, and alternative techniques to increase its efficiency are no longer required.
Effect of Oral Adsorbent on Blood Metabolites in Hepatic Failure Dogs
Authors: Hiraishi M. , Takahama T. , Yamazaki Z. , Kanai F. , Ohnishi K. , Idezuki Y. , Inoue N. 
Published: April 2018

AST-120 is a specially synthesized carbonaceous adsorbent for oral use. It mainly adsorbs low to middle molecules in the alimentary tract. In the present study, AST-120 was administered to hepatic failure dogs, and blood metabolites were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thirty adult mongrel dogs underwent posta-cavae (P-C) shunts with 40% and 70% hepatectomies. They were divided into two groups, the AST group (n= 19) and control group (n=11). The AST group received about 0.5 g/kg of the adsorbent intermittently with diet after the operation. The control group was fed the ordinary diet. Body weight, blood ammonia, plasma bile acids were measured, and blood metabolites were analyzed by the multi-column HPLC system. P-C shunt dogs with 70% hepatotectomies died within three months showing about 40–50% body weight loss. HPLC analysis of their plasma showed some specific peaks for middle molecules, about 3000–5000 daltons. After administration of the adsorbent, these peaks were not detected, so it was considered that these substances had been adsorbed.
Impact of a Statewide Oral Oncolytic Initiative on Five Participating Practices
Authors: Mackler Emily , Scappaticci Gianni B. , Salgado Teresa M. , Petersen Laura , Davis Emily J. , Peltier Emily , Griggs Jennifer J. , Sabo Roy T. , Farris Karen B. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose:The shift from infusion to oral oncolytic therapy presents challenges to oncology practitioners. The purpose of this study was to describe how a statewide quality-improvement collaborative can enhance quality of care for patients receiving oral oncolytic therapy.Methods:The Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium hosted a series of learning sessions focused on oral oncolytic quality improvement, providing multiple resources to oncology community practices. The first five participating practices reported which of the evidence-based Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium resources provided were implemented at their site. They also performed prepost self-assessments in October 2013 and April 2015 and another in December 2017 to assess sustainability. Concordance with the ASCO Quality Oncology Practice Initiative oral chemotherapy standards, including documentation (five measures), patient education (seven measures), and follow-up/monitoring (four measures), was compared.Results:All practices showed improvement between 2013 and 2015 in documentation (32% to 88%; P = .03), patient education (37% to 100%; P could not be calculated), and monitoring (40% to 80%; P > .2). Overall, a significant improvement in concordance was observed (36% to 91%; P = .03). Use of resources from each practice varied, and practices that used more resources showed greater improvements. There was a slight decrease in overall concordance between 2015 and 2017, which was not found to be significant (91% to 84%; P = .53).Conclusion:Use of tools from a quality-improvement collaborative improved concordance with national standards of care. Large-scale deployment of this model program may provide a clinically efficient and effective mechanism to enhance widespread change.
Collective Memory and the Transfeminist 1970s
Authors: Enke Finn 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAs we witness a resurgence of white supremacy and fascism and the emergence of new, transformative justice movements, this article encourages a more mixed-up understanding of 1970s feminisms. Many historians have offered nuanced ways of narrating trans and feminist pasts that compel us to consider processes of exclusion past and present. Yet it seems that historians had barely begun to scratch the surface of 1970s feminist history before an ever-evolving set of binary characterizations started to eclipse feminisms' multivocal and multivalent complexities. How did “1970s feminism” enter collective memory as an exclusionary thing distinct from the experiences, labor, and critiques by feminists of color and trans and queer people of the same era? And why, when existing nuanced narratives might invite us to deeper analysis, are stories of exclusion and abjection so magnetic? More to the point, how might we highlight the mixings in the past and envision a less polarized present?
Educational sessions may not be enough to improve knowledge about hand hygiene: Assessing the knowledge about hand hygiene of health workers before and after an educational workshop in Sudan
Authors: Abdalrahman Ihab B. , Shamat Sara , Mamoun Sara , Abdelraheem Reem , Salah Esraa , Elkhalifa Mohammed , Farah Abduraheem , Ali Duaa , Abdalla Abdelmohaymin A. , Saeed Eman , Dafaalla Mohamed 
Published: April 2018

Background: In an attempt to defeat the high prevalence of health care associated infections, by raising the awareness about hand hygiene, we implemented a quasi-experimental study as part of a quality improvement project to evaluate the efficacy of focused educational workshop on knowledge about hand hygiene among health care workers in Sudan. Methods: Seventy-three participants were recruited from two public hospitals and one private hospital in Khartoum, Sudan in September 2017. The knowledge before and after the educational workshop was assessed for each participant using the World Health Organization hygiene associated infection questionnaire. We analyzed data using SPSS v22 and used McNemar’s test to compare knowledge before and after the workshop. Results: Around 40% of participants worked in general ward and 85% of them were women. Almost 70% were midwives or nurses. The mean age of participants was 28.4 years. We compared the knowledge of hand hygiene between nurses and doctors before the workshop, and the results showed that nurses had better knowledge in almost all aspects of hand hygiene. When we compared the knowledge before and immediately after the workshop for all participants, we found that there was no significant improvement in almost all aspects of knowledge about hand hygiene (P>0.05). Conclusion: Comparing the knowledge before and after the workshop, we found no significant improvement in almost all aspects of hand hygiene. Of note, nurses’ knowledge about hand hygiene was consistently higher than doctors. Additional studies are needed to identify the optimal design of educational sessions.
The acid tolerance response and pH adaptation of Enterococcus faecalis in extract of lime Citrus aurantiifolia from Aceh Indonesia
Authors: Mubarak Zaki , Soraya Cut 
Published: April 2018

Background: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the acid tolerance response and pH adaptation whenEnterococcusfaecalisinteracted with extract of lime (Citrus aurantiifolia).Methods:We usedE. faecalisATCC 29212 and lime extract from Aceh, Indonesia. The microbe was analyzed for its pH adaptation, acid tolerance response, and adhesion assay using a light microscope with a magnification of x1000. Further, statistical tests were performed to analyze both correlation and significance of the acid tolerance and pH adaptation as well as the interaction activity.Results:E. faecaliswas able to adapt to a very acidic environment (pH 2.9), which was characterized by an increase in its pH (reaching 4.2) at all concentrations of the lime extract (p < 0.05).E. faecaliswas also able to provide acid tolerance response to lime extract based on spectrophotometric data (595 nm) (p < 0.05). Also, the interaction activity ofE. faecalisin different concentrations of lime extract was relatively stable within 6 up to 12 hours (p < 0.05), but it became unstable within 24–72 hours (p > 0.05) based on the mass profiles of its interaction activity.Conclusions:E. faecaliscan adapt to acidic environments (pH 2.9–4.2); it is also able to tolerate acid generated byCitrus aurantiifoliaextract, revealing a stable interaction in the first 6–12 hours.
Dynamic Scheduling in a Many-Server, Multiclass System: The Role of Customer Impatience in Large Systems
Authors: Kim Jeunghyun , Randhawa Ramandeep S. , Ward Amy R. 
Published: April 2018

Problem definition: We study optimal scheduling of customers in service systems, such as call centers. In such systems, customers typically hang up and abandon the system if their wait for service is too long. Such abandonments are detrimental for the system, and so managers typically use scheduling as a tool to mitigate it. In this paper, we study the interplay between customer impatience and scheduling decisions when managing heterogeneous customer classes. Academic/practical relevance: Call centers constitute a large industry that has a global spending of around $300 billion and employs more than 15 million people worldwide. Our work focuses on improving call center operations, which can reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Mathematically, customer patience is typically modeled as exponentially distributed for tractability. Our work makes inroads into relaxing this restrictive assumption to allow modeling more realistic call center situations. Methodology: We use heavy traffic–motivated asymptotic queueing machinery that provides us the traction to successfully capture and incorporate the customer impatience distribution into the scheduling problem. In our approach, the scheduling problem reduces to a diffusion control problem, which we solve to propose near-optimal scheduling policies. Results: We propose near-optimal scheduling policies that can be implemented by call centers to improve their quality-of-service metrics. One of our main results is that, for a class of parameters, we establish sufficient conditions for both the optimality and nonoptimality of threshold policies. Managerial implications: Threshold policies are widely used for scheduling. Our work provides additional insight into whether these may be suboptimal. Our work provides an easy-to-implement alternative that can reduce customer abandonments considerably; for instance, our numerical results indicate that for a system with two customer types, the abandonment rate of one class can be lowered by 30% by using our policy relative to the best threshold policy. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2017.0642 .
An evaluation of an ultrasonic debridement system in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: a case series
Authors: Campitiello Ferdinando , Mancone Manfredi , Corte Angela Della , Guerniero Raffaella , Canonico Silvestro 
Published: April 2018

Objective:This study evaluated the use of ultrasonic debridement in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU).Method:In this prospective, single-arm, open-label study, all patients with DFUs underwent wound debridement by ultrasonic debridement system (SonicOne OR Ultrasonic debridement system). Wherever possible, the edges were approximated by means of stitches. In other cases, the surgical breach healed by secondary intention, or a partial thickness skin graft (with or without Integra Dermal Regeneration Template or Integra Flowable Wound Matrix) was applied, and subsequently healed by primary intention.Results:We assessed 15 patients with a DFU. The time required for debridement was short (an average 15.06±4.02 minutes). Complete wound healing (defined as 100% re-epithelialisation) was achieved in all 15 cases. Median time to heal was 39.20±16.05 days. The ultrasonic debridement system was found to show adequate debridement while preserving more viable tissue to promote rapid healing.Conclusion:Our findings show that the device demonstrates advantages in the reduction of debridement times, and efficacy in safely preserving the viable tissue, with a low complication rate in surgery of DFUs. A study that uses a larger cohort is required to fully evaluate the effectiveness, or otherwise, of the ultrasonic debridement system.
Contact disturbance and self-esteem as the predictors of the abuse perceived in romantic relationship<p>Romantik ilişkilerde algılanan istismarın yordayıcıları olarak temas engelleri ve benlik saygısı
Authors: Tagay Özlem , Çalışandemir Fatma , Ünüvar Perihan 
Published: April 2018

Abuse in romantic relationships, in a general sense, includes provision of power and control by means of physical, psychological and sexual senses by couples who are in an emotional relationship. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between young adults’ perceived abuse in romantic relationships and their self-esteem and contact disturbances. Work group of the study consisted of a total of 255 young adults including 182 women (71.4%) and 73 men (28.6%) whose age ranged between 21 and 35. Considering relationship status in the work group, it was specified that 91 of young adults did not have any relationships, 67 of them had a relationship, 23 of them were engaged, 72 of them were married and 2 of them were divorced. Research data was collected through Romantic Relationships Assessment Scale, Contact Disturbances Scale and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. For the analysis of data obtained, Pearson Moment Correlation technique and multiple linear regression analysis were used. When research results were examined, it was found that full contact disturbances predicted perceived abuse in romantic relationships significantly in positively and self-esteem predicted perceived abuse significantly negatively.Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetRomantik ilişkilerde yaşanan istismar en genel anlamda duygusal beraberliği olan çiftlerin birbirlerine karşı fiziksel, psikolojik ve cinsel anlamda baskı yoluyla güç ve kontrol sağlamasıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı genç yetişkinlerin romantik ilişkilerinde algıladıkları istismar ile temas engelleri ve benlik saygısı arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektedir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Burdur ilinde yaşayan lisans mezunu ve lisan son sınıfa devam eden yaşları 21 ile 35 arasında değişen 182 kadın (%71,4) ve 73 erkek (%28,6) olmak üzere toplam 255 genç yetişkin oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma grubunun ilişki durumuna bakılacak olursa genç yetişkinlerin 91’i ilişkisinin olmadığını, 67’si flört yaşadığını, 23’ü nişanlı olduğunu, 72’si evli olduğunu, 2’si boşanmış olduğunu belirtmiştir. Araştırmanın verileri Romantik İlişkileri Değerlendirme Ölçeği, Temas Engelleri Ölçeği ve Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği ile elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen verilerin analizi için Pearson Momentler Çarpımı Korelasyon tekniği ve çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları incelendiğinde tam temas engelinin romantik ilişkilerde algılanan istismarı pozitif yönde anlamlı düzeyde yordadığı ve benlik saygısının ise romantik ilişkilerde algılanan istismarı negatif yönde anlamlı düzeyde yordadığı bulunmuştur.
Playing with Intoxication: On the Cultivation of Shame and Virtue in Plato’s Laws
Authors: Baima Nicholas R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis paper examines Plato’s conception of shame and the role intoxication plays in cultivating it in theLaws. Ultimately, this paper argues that there are two accounts of shame in theLaws. There is a public sense of shame that is more closely tied to the rational faculties and a private sense of shame that is more closely tied to the non-rational faculties. Understanding this division between public and private shame not only informs our understanding of Plato’s moral psychology, but his political and ethical theory as well.
On the number of subsets of the residue ring such that the difference of any pair of elements is not invertible
Authors: Roldugin Pavel V. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The paper is concerned with subsets I of the residue group Zd
in which the difference of any two elements is not relatively prime to d. The class of such subsets is denoted by U(d), the class of sets from U(d) of cardinality r is denoted by U(d, r). The present paper gives formulas for evaluation or estimation of |U(d)| and |U(d, r)|.
Ethical, moral and social dimensions in farm production practices: a segmentation study to assess Irish consumers’ perceptions of meat quality
Authors: Regan Á. , Henchion M , McIntyre B 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGrowing consumer concerns with modern farming and food production systems indicate a significant market opportunity for meat production practices that consider ethical, moral and social value traits. In the current study, we aimed to identify and characterise distinct segments of Irish consumers based on their perceptions of the quality of meat from different farm-level production practices (organic farming, high animal welfare standards, free range farming, and “natural”, treatment-free feeding regimes). An online survey was carried out with 251 Irish meat consumers. Using cluster analysis, we identified three distinct segments: “Target consumers”, “Purist consumers” and “Disinterested consumers”. Chi-square analyses revealed differences between the segments based on gender, age and meat-purchasing motivations. The results provide insight into the opportunities that exist for exploring new viable market segments as well as for engaging Irish consumers and empowering them with information around the ethical, social and moral aspects of farm-level practices related to meat production.
Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students
Authors: Abiodun Olumide , Alausa Kamil , Olasehinde Olanrewaju 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Background:
An emerging pattern of increasing median age at first birth among women has been well documented in Western countries. A similar but less remarkable trend is being experienced in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a paucity of information in Sub-Saharan Africa about awareness of age-related fertility decline. The aim of this study was to assess the perception of fertility, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students.

Materials and methods:
A cross-sectional survey of 231 female and 158 male students randomly selected university undergraduates in Nigeria using a self-reported questionnaire.

Results:
The respondents overestimated the ages of slight (92.1%) and marked decline (89.4%) in female fertility. The chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex during ovulation was overestimated by 93.1% of the respondents. Over three-quarters of them overestimated the success rate of in-vitro fertilization. The sources of information regarding fertility issues were mainly school (40.1%), the media (20.6%) and family members (18.8%). About 98.7% of the childless respondents reported an intention to have children in the future. The mean number of children desired was 3.29±1.14. Females desire to have their first and last children earlier than males (p=0.000). The perceived potential obstacles to having the desired children were the pursuit of career aspirations (35.5%) and the pursuit of personal interests (20.8%).

Conclusions:
Misconceptions about fertility issues have grave implications for involuntary childlessness and secondary infertility. Comprehensive family planning education that will address the misconceptions about female fecundity and parenting issues are required.