bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the Discourse of Affirmative Action and Reservation in the United States and India
Authors: Haynes Ray , Alagaraja Meera 
Published: December 2015

The Problem Discriminatory practices appear to be part of the human condition and these practices negatively impact historically oppressed and marginalized groups. The United States developed the system of Affirmative Action (AA), and India developed the system of Reservation to end discriminatory practices and increase diversity; particularly in the areas of employment and education. The sustainability of both systems is an open question because the dominant discourses about AA and Reservation generally are negative. AA and Reservation are viewed as public goods by some as well as public nuisances; and are criticized as thwarting meritocracy and creating innocent victims. Organizations as microcosms of society experience this controversy which impacts the utility of AA and Reservation, and the implementation of diversity management (DM) programs. In some instances, misunderstanding and opposition to AA, Reservation, and DM programs can be attributed to the human maladies of racism, sexism, and casteism. These conditions require dynamic and complex interventions that go beyond simplistic training and development interventions. The Solution Human resource development (HRD) practitioners should adopt an expansive definition of HRD which include the design and implementation of developmental interventions for an increasingly diverse workforce. Given the growing adoption of HRD practice internationally, we provide two units of discourse about AA and Reservation to demonstrate the importance of dialogue and inclusion when developing DM interventions. Importantly, we illustrate how conversations representing majority and minority perspectives can foster Dialogic HRD (DHRD) practice. The Stakeholders The stakeholders are organizational leaders, policymakers, DM program managers, and HRD practitioners.
Intrinsic Risk Factors of Lateral Ankle Sprain
Authors: Kobayashi Takumi , Tanaka Masashi , Shida Masahiro 
Published: December 2015

Context: Lateral ankle ligamentous sprain (LAS) is one of the most common injuries in recreational activities and competitive sports. Many studies have attempted to determine whether there are certain intrinsic factors that can predict LAS. However, no consensus has been reached on the predictive intrinsic factors. Objective: To identify the intrinsic risk factors of LAS by meta-analysis from data in randomized control trials and prospective cohort studies. Data Sources: A systematic computerized literature search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials was performed. Study Selection: A computerized literature search from inception to January 2015 resulted in 1133 studies of the LAS intrinsic risk factors written in English. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Data Extraction: The modified quality index was used to assess the quality of the design of the papers and the standardized mean difference was used as an index to pool included study outcomes. Results: Eight articles were included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis results showed that body mass index, slow eccentric inversion strength, fast concentric plantar flexion strength, passive inversion joint position sense, and peroneus brevis reaction time correlated with LAS. Conclusion: Body mass index, slow eccentric inversion strength, fast concentric plantar flexion strength, passive inversion joint position sense, and the reaction time of the peroneus brevis were associated with significantly increased risk of LAS.
Prognostic value of Pneumonia Severity Index, CURB-65, CRB-65, and procalcitonin in community-acquired pneumonia in Singapore
Authors: Zhang Zoe Xiaozhu , Zhang Weidong , Liu Ping , Yang Yong , Tan Wan Cheng , Ng Han Seong , Fong Kok Yong 
Published: December 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of three severity scoring tools and procalcitonin (PCT) in severity stratification and mortality prediction among patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Singapore. Methods: The method used was a retrospective observational study of all the consecutive patients with CAP admitted through the emergency department of Singapore General Hospital between 2012–2013. Results: Among 1902 study subjects, the overall 30-day mortality was 15.7%. The mortality rates for Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) class I–III were 0, 0, and 3.7%, which were comparable to the original published data. CURB-65 and CRB-65 had higher mortality rates in all severity levels. In three levels of risk stratification, the low risk group of PSI (class I–III) included 42.6% of the patients with mortality rate of 1.9%, whereas the low risk group defined by CURB-65 (score 0–1) and CRB-65 (score 0) included 52.0% and 24.4% of the patients with higher mortality rates (7.3% and 4.5% respectively). PSI was the most sensitive in mortality prediction with area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.82, higher than CURB-65 (0.71), CRB-65 (0.67), and PCT (0.63) ( p<0.001). The initial level of PCT was higher in non-survivors and intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted patients compared to survivors (0.91 vs 0.36 ng/ml, p<0.001) and non-ICU patients (3.70 vs 0.38 ng/ml, p<0.001). Incorporating PCT did not improve the discriminatory power of the scoring tools for mortality prediction. Conclusions: PSI was a reliable tool for severity stratification and morality prediction among the patients with CAP in Singapore.
Is bispectral index (BIS) monitoring in the emergency department helpful for prognostication during resuscitation of cardiac arrest patients?
Authors: Lim Chin Siah , Koh Joshua Yu Le , Ng Wai Yee , Shahidah Nur , Ong Marcus Eng Hock 
Published: December 2015

Objective: It has been suggested that bispectral index (BIS) can be indicative of cerebral perfusion during advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) resuscitation of cardiac arrest patients. Our aim was to determine whether BIS monitoring during resuscitation in the emergency department (ED) can predict survival or neurological outcomes of patients with cardiac arrest. Methods: This was a prospective, single-centre, observational cohort study in the ED of a tertiary hospital, where we included 100 patients whom received resuscitation in the ED between December 2010 and March 2014. We recorded BIS values, suppression ratio, electromyography and signal quality index; throughout the resuscitation. A research coordinator set up the monitoring apparatus at the earliest time possible. Results: Out of the 100 patients recruited, 22 had a sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Of these, 19 patients subsequently died in the ICU, two were discharged with good neurological recovery (cerebral performance category (CPC) 1) and one was discharged with poor neurological recovery (CPC4). By comparing the groups of patients who died in the ICU and were discharged, we found there was no significant difference in the initial BIS score ( p = 0.64), the score upon ROSC ( p = 0.36), the average BIS score 10 minutes post-ROSC ( p = 0.35), nor the BIS score upon admission to the ICU ( p = 0.22). Conclusions: Very early monitoring of BIS before admission to the ICU predicts neither survival nor neurological recovery in patients with cardiac arrest. Very low BIS scores in the ED may not indicate a poor prognosis, especially in patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia.
Impact of Era, Type of Isomerism, and Ventricular Morphology on Survival in Heterotaxy
Authors: Loomba Rohit S. , Nijhawan Karan , Anderson Robert 
Published: December 2015

Background: Heterotaxy has been demonstrated to reduce survival. There are several different subgroups of patients, however, and no single study has had a large number of patients and analyzed survival across the different subgroups such as patients born in different eras, patients with right and left isomerism, and patients with biventricular or functionally univentricular hearts. This study pools previously reported data from Kaplan-Meier curves and performs such subgroup analysis. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies reporting survival of patients with the so-called “heterotaxy” by means of Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Data were extracted from these survival curves and then pooled together. A polynomial regression was then used to generate a pooled survival curve. This was done for all patients, those born in a more recent era, those with right and left isomerism, and those with biventricular or functionally univentricular hearts. Results: Those born in the more recent era (after 2000) had increased survival compared to the overall cohort. Those with left isomerism tended to have a survival benefit compared to those with right isomerism until about 16 years of age, beyond which those with right isomerism developed a survival benefit. Those with biventricular hearts had a survival benefit compared to those with left isomerism. Conclusion: Survival in the so-called heterotaxy syndrome is based on several factors, which include era of birth, sidedness of isomerism, and whether the heart is biventricular or functionally univentricular.
Evolution of Surgical Approaches in the Management of Congenital Tracheal Stenosis
Authors: Hofferberth Sophie C. , Watters Karen , Rahbar Reza , Fynn-Thompson Francis 
Published: December 2015

Background: Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a serious and rare condition that often presents a complex surgical challenge. We reviewed the evolution of surgical approaches to the management of CTS at a single institution. Methods: We conducted a retrospective clinical review of all patients who underwent surgical repair of CTS at our institution. From January 1992 to January 2014, a total of 30 patients (median age 92 days; range 3 days-1.7 years) underwent surgery for CTS at our institution. Techniques included slide tracheoplasty (n = 16), tracheal resection (n = 10), pericardial patch tracheoplasty (n = 3), and costal cartilage tracheoplasty (n = 1). Twenty-two (73%) patients had associated intracardiac or great vessel anomalies, including 18 (60%) with left pulmonary artery sling. Five (17%) patients had associated single lung malformation. All procedures were performed via a median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass. Results: Median postoperative length of stay was 25 days (range, 5-431 days). Late airway reintervention was required in seven (26%), including two (15%) infants after slide tracheoplasty, two (22%) posttracheal resection, and two (100%) post pericardial patch tracheoplasty. The one patient who underwent costal cartilage tracheoplasty required multiple reinterventions. Overall mortality was 13% (n = 4), two deaths occurred post slide tracheoplasty, one death occurred after tracheal resection, and one after pericardial patch tracheoplasty, respectively. Conclusion: Slide tracheoplasty is the procedure of choice for repair of CTS, while tracheal resection is a viable option for patients with discreet, short-segment stenosis.
Anatomic Factors Associated With Truncal Valve Insufficiency and the Need for Truncal Valve Repair
Authors: Patrick William L. , Mainwaring Richard D. , Carrillo Sergio A. , Ma Michael , Reinhartz Olaf , Petrossian Edwin , Selamet Tierney Elif Seda , Reddy V. Mohan , Hanley Frank L. 
Published: December 2015

Purpose: Truncus arteriosus is a complex and heterogeneous form of congenital heart defect. Many of the risk factors from several decades ago, including late repair and interrupted aortic arch, have been mitigated through better understanding of the entity and improved surgical techniques. However, truncal valve dysfunction remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomic factors associated with truncal valve dysfunction and the need for truncal valve surgery. Methods: This was a retrospective review of 72 infants who underwent repair of truncus arteriosus at our institution. The median age at surgery was nine days, and the median weight was 3.1 kg. Preoperative assessment of truncal valve insufficiency by echocardiography revealed no or trace insufficiency in 30, mild in 25, moderate in 10, and severe in 7. The need for truncal valve surgery was dictated by the severity of truncal valve insufficiency. Results: Sixteen (22%) of the 72 patients undergoing truncus arteriosus repair had concomitant truncal valve surgery. Anatomic factors associated with the need for truncal valve surgery included an abnormal number of truncal valve cusps ( P < .005), presence of valve dysplasia ( P < .005), and the presence of an anomalous coronary artery pattern ( P < .005). Fifteen (94%) of the sixteen patients who underwent concomitant surgery had two or all three of these anatomic factors (sensitivity = 94%, specificity = 85%). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the presence of specific anatomic factors was closely associated with the presence of truncal valve insufficiency and the need for concomitant truncal valve surgery. Preoperative evaluation of these anatomic factors may provide a useful tool in determining who should undergo concomitant truncal valve surgery.
Institutional Experience of Assisting Cavopulmonary Circulation With Central Systemic Artery-to-Central Systemic Vein Shunt
Authors: Rajashekar Palleti , Talwar Sachin , Kothari Shyam Sunder , Anand Abhishek , Airan Balram 
Published: December 2015

Objective: Patients who have undergone a previous bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis and have hypoxemia and anatomy considered unsuitable for the Fontan completion present a difficult subset. We performed common carotid artery-to-internal jugular vein (CCA-IJV) shunt in these patients. Methods: Between January 2010 and January 2015, eight patients underwent a CCA-IJV shunt. Their records were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were no early deaths. The baseline arterial saturation prior to the shunt procedure was median 67% (range 60%-72%), which increased to median 83% (range 80%-90%) after the procedure. The preoperative arterial oxygen partial pressure (Pao2) ranged from 30 to 49 mm Hg (median 40 mm Hg). The hematocrit dropped from a preoperative median of 65% (range 55%-72%) to a median of 45% (range 42%-48%) after the procedure. Median intensive care unit stay was 2.5 days, and the median hospital stay was 7 days. Median follow-up was 24 months. At the last follow-up, these patients were classified in New York Heart Association class II. Conclusions: In a selected group of patients who are considered to be unsuitable for completion of Fontan circulation following superior cavopulmonary anastomosis, creation of a CCA-IJV shunt may be helpful to improve saturations and improve ventricular function.
Formation and stability of 14C-containing organic compounds in alkaline iron-water systems: preliminary assessment based on a literature survey and thermodynamic modelling
Authors: Wieland E. , Hummel W. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractCarbon-14 is an important radionuclide in the inventory of radioactive waste and is considered to be a key radionuclide in performance assessment. In Switzerland, the 14C inventory in a cement-based repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste is mainly associated with activated steel (∼85%). Anaerobic corrosion of the activated steel will determine the time-dependent release of 14C-bearing compounds from the cementitious near field into the host rock. The present study was carried out to provide an overview on the current state of the art knowledge regarding the carbon speciation during the anaerobic corrosion of activated and non-activated iron/steel and to critically assess the capability of thermodynamic modelling to predict 14C speciation in anoxic alkaline conditions. Previous experimental work showed the presence of oxidized and reduced hydrocarbons during corrosion in iron-water systems in anoxic (near neutral to alkaline) conditions which appears to be inconsistent with the negative redox potential of the system. The capability of thermodynamic modelling to predict the carbon speciation in these conditions was found to be limited due to uncertainties associated with the concept of metastability in the C–H–O system.
Microbially mediated reduction of Np(V) by a consortium of alkaline tolerant Fe(III)-reducing bacteria
Authors: Williamson Adam J. , Morris Katherine , Boothman Christopher , Dardenne Kathy , Law Gareth T.W. , Lloyd Jonathan R. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNeptunium-237 will be present in radioactive wastes over extended time periods due to its long half-life (2.13 × 106years). Understanding its behaviour under conditions relevant to radioactive waste disposal is therefore of particular importance. Here, microcosm experiments were established using sediments from a legacy lime workings with high-pH conditions as an analogue of cementitious intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal. To probe the influence of Fe biogeochemistry on Np(V) in these systems, additional Fe(III) (as ferrihydrite) was added to select experiments. Biogeochemical changes were tracked in experiments with low levels of Np(V) (20 Bq ml–1; 3.3 μM), whilst parallel higher concentration systems (2.5 KBq ml–1;414 μM) allowed X-ray absorption spectroscopy. As expected, microbial reduction processes developed in microbially-active systems with an initial pH of 10; however, during microbial incubations the pH dropped from 10 to ∼7, reflecting the high levels of microbial metabolism occurring in these systems. In microbially-active systems without added Fe(III), 90% sorption of Np(V) occurred within one hour with essentially complete removal by one day. In the ferrihydrite-amended systems, complete sorption of Np(V) to ferrihydrite occurred within one hour. For higher-activity sediments, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at end points where Fe(II) ingrowth was observed confirmed that complete reductive precipitation of Np(V) to Np(IV) had occurred under similar conditions to low-level Np experiments. Finally, pre-reduced, Fe(III)-reducing sediments, with and without added Fe(III) and held at pH 10, were spiked with Np(V). These alkaline pre-reduced sediments showed significant removal of Np to sediments, and XAS confirmed partial reduction to Np(IV) with the no Fe system, and essentially complete reduction to Np(IV) in the Fe(III)-enriched systems. This suggested an indirect, Fe(II)-mediated pathway for Np(V) reduction under alkaline conditions. Microbial analyses using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing suggested a role for alkali-tolerant, Gram-positive Firmicutes in coupled Fe(III) reduction and Np immobilization in these experiments.
Retention of chlorine-36 by a cementitious backfill
Authors: van Es E. , Hinchliff J. , Felipe-Sotelo M. , Milodowski A.E. , Field L.P. , Evans N.D.M. , Read D. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractRadial diffusion experiments have been carried out to assess the migration of 36Cl, as chloride, through a cementitious backfill material. Further experiments in the presence of cellulose degradation products were performed to assess the effect of organic ligands on the extent and rate of chloride diffusion. Results show that breakthrough of 36Cl is dependent on chloride concentration: as the carrier concentration increases, both breakthrough time and the quantity retained by the cement matrix decreases. Experiments in the presence of cellulose degradation products also show a decrease in time to initial breakthrough. However, uptake at various carrier concentrations in the presence of organic ligands converges at 45% of the initial concentration as equilibrium is reached. The results are consistent with organic ligands blocking sites on the cement that would otherwise be available for chloride binding, though further work is required to confirm that this is the case. Post-experimental digital autoradiographs of the cement cylinders, and elemental mapping showed evidence of increased 36Cl activity associated with black ash-like particles in the matrix, believed to correspond to partially hydrated glassy calcium-silicate-sulfate-rich clinker.
Evaluation of the use of magnetic sector secondary ion mass spectrometry to investigate 14C distribution in Magnox reactor core graphite
Authors: Payne Liam , Heard Peter J. , Scott Thomas B. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractLarge quantities of irradiated graphite will arise from the decommissioning of the UK's Magnox power stations. Irradiated graphite contains 14C as well as other longer lived radionuclides (e.g. 36Cl). The potential use of magnetic sector secondary ion mass spectrometry (MS-SIMS) to examine the distribution of the 14C within trepanned graphite samples from a Magnox nuclear power station has been investigated. This work indicates that the methodology proposed has the potential to be used to analyse irradiated graphite samples with preliminary results highlighting a possible 14C enrichment in the carbonaceous deposit found on a channel wall sample. 14C concentrations in samples without this deposit were below the limits of detection of the instrument. The methodology used for these determinations ensured that possible mass interferences between 14C species and oxygen-bearing or nitrogen-bearing species were eliminated from the analysis. Future work will utilize the methodology proposed in this work on a larger number of samples.
Effect of solution composition on the recrystallization of kaolinite to feldspathoids in hyperalkaline conditions: limitations of pertechnetate incorporation by ion competition effects
Authors: Littlewood Janice , Shaw Samuel , Bots Pieter , Peacock Caroline L. , Trivedi Divyesh , Burke Ian T. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe incorporation of pertechnetate (TcO4–) into feldspathoids produced by alkaline alteration of aluminosilicate clays may offer a potential treatment route for 99Tc-containing groundwater and liquors. Kaolinite was aged in NaOH to determine the effect of base concentration, temperature, and solution composition on mineral transformation and pertechnetate uptake. In all reactions, increased temperature and NaOH concentration increased the rate of kaolinite transformation to feldspathoid phases. In reactions containing only NaOH, sodalite was the dominant alteration product; however, small amounts (6–15%) of cancrinite also formed. In experiments containing NaOH/Cl and NaOH/NO3 mixtures, sodalite and nitrate cancrinite were crystallized (at 70°C), with no reaction intermediates. The addition of SO42– crystallized sulfatic sodalite at 40 and 50°C, but at higher temperatures (60 and 70°C) sulfatic sodalite transforms to vishnevite (sulfatic cancrinite). In experiments where a pertechnetate tracer was added (at ∼1.5 μmol l–1), only 3–5% of the 99Tc was incorporated into the feldspathoid phases. This suggests that the larger pertechnetate anion was unable to compete as favourably for the internal vacancies with the smaller OH–, NO3–, SO42– or Cl– anions in solution, making this method likely to be unsuitable for groundwater treatment.