bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hearing in Static Unilateral Vestibular Schwannoma Declines More Than in the Contralateral Ear
Authors: Patel Neel B. , Nieman Carrie L. , Redleaf Miriam 
Published: January 2015

Objective: To determine the effect of static vestibular schwannomas on hearing. Study Design: Retrospective review of audiometric measures in 15 patients with documented nongrowth of internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle enhancing masses. Methods: Data from patients seen in an ambulatory tertiary care setting between the years of 2002 and 2012 with a diagnosis of acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included preexisting otologic disease, prior therapy for the schwannoma, and tumor growth. Radiology reports were reviewed to ensure nongrowth and were confirmed by taking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements ourselves. Audiologic measurements included pure tone average, enhanced pure tone average (average of .5, 1, 2, and 4 KHz thresholds), 4 KHz threshold, 8 KHz threshold, and speech discrimination. The data were analyzed using mixed effect model with unstructured variance-covariance structure. Results: Difference in audiometric measures between ears significantly ( P < .05) increased for all measures except 8 KHz. Conclusion: Spontaneous decline in hearing relative to time is exaggerated in the affected ear despite no vestibular schwannoma growth. This finding can be useful for patient counseling and treatment decision making.
Cardiovascular risk factor associations in adults with psychosis and adults in a national comparator sample
Authors: Foley Debra L , Mackinnon Andrew , Morgan Vera A , Watts Gerald F , Shaw Jonathan E , Magliano Dianna J , Castle David J , McGrath John J , Waterreus Anna , Galletly Cherrie A 
Published: January 2015

Objective: Antipsychotic drug treatment alters status on key risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to test whether cardiovascular risk factor associations differ in adults with psychosis and adults from the general community. Method: Data were analysed for those aged 25–64 years from a nationally representative psychosis sample ( n = 1,457) and a national comparator sample ( n = 8,866). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to estimate the association among tobacco use, body mass index, waist circumference, diastolic and systolic blood pressure and fasting total-, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and plasma glucose. The robust Levene test was used to test for sample differences in variance. Results: Correlations among cardiovascular risk indicators and between cardiovascular risk indicators and age were often significantly weaker in those with psychosis than in those from the national comparator sample. This was not due to a reduction in variance within the psychosis sample. Conclusions: Risk prediction that synthesizes multivariate risk indicator data needs to be connected to verified cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in those with psychosis to determine if standard risk calculators adequately discriminate those at high, medium and low future risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Until then the clinical implications of low or absent correlations among cardiovascular risk indicators and their low or absent association with increasing age is unclear but may indicate that risk equations commonly used in the general population may not be applicable for those with treated psychosis.
Establishing the upper performance limit of destination elevator group control using idealised optimal benchmarks
Authors: Al-Sharif Lutfi , Hamdan Jamal , Hussein Mohamed , Jaber Zaid , Malak Mohammad , Riyal Anas , AlShawabkeh Mohammad , Tuffaha Daoud 
Published: January 2015

The concept of an idealised optimal benchmark (IOB) is used in many engineering disciplines. An example of an IOB from the area of thermodynamics is the formula for evaluating the maximum possible efficiency of a heat engine. This paper explores the concept of an IOB in the area of elevator traffic analysis. It shows that the classical method of elevator traffic design by calculating the value of the round trip time is an example of an IOB; it also lists the assumptions that lie behind the formulae to illustrate this. It then extends the concept of an IOB to calculating the maximum performance of an elevator system when destination group control is applied under incoming traffic conditions. Formulae are derived for finding the minimum values of the expected number of stops ( S) and the highest reversal floor ( H) under destination group control during incoming traffic conditions. The assumption is that the L elevators in the group are sequenced (or rotated) to the L virtual sectors in the building, in order to equalise the handling capacities of the L sectors in the group. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the calculation of the maximum possible handling capacity and comparing it to the handling capacity that is achieved under conventional incoming traffic group control. Three numerical algorithms are also used to find the practical minimum values of H and S, the results of which are compared to the IOB using the equations derived above. Practical application: The concept and the accompanying formulae presented in this paper allow the elevator traffic designer to assess the improvement in the handling capacity of the elevator traffic system when he/she changes the group controller from a conventional group controller to a destination group controller. This improvement could be as much as 200%.
Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study
Authors: Bogenschutz Michael P , Forcehimes Alyssa A , Pommy Jessica A , Wilcox Claire E , Barbosa PCR , Strassman Rick J 
Published: January 2015

Several lines of evidence suggest that classic (5HT2A agonist) hallucinogens have clinically relevant effects in alcohol and drug addiction. Although recent studies have investigated the effects of psilocybin in various populations, there have been no studies on the efficacy of psilocybin for alcohol dependence. We conducted a single-group proof-of-concept study to quantify acute effects of psilocybin in alcohol-dependent participants and to provide preliminary outcome and safety data. Ten volunteers with DSM-IV alcohol dependence received orally administered psilocybin in one or two supervised sessions in addition to Motivational Enhancement Therapy and therapy sessions devoted to preparation for and debriefing from the psilocybin sessions. Participants’ responses to psilocybin were qualitatively similar to those described in other populations. Abstinence did not increase significantly in the first 4 weeks of treatment (when participants had not yet received psilocybin), but increased significantly following psilocybin administration ( p < 0.05). Gains were largely maintained at follow-up to 36 weeks. The intensity of effects in the first psilocybin session (at week 4) strongly predicted change in drinking during weeks 5–8 ( r = 0.76 to r = 0.89) and also predicted decreases in craving and increases in abstinence self-efficacy during week 5. There were no significant treatment-related adverse events. These preliminary findings provide a strong rationale for controlled trials with larger samples to investigate efficacy and mechanisms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02061293
How accurate is the label “allergic to iodinated contrast agents”?
Authors: Mammarappallil Joseph G , Hiatt Kevin D , Vincent William , Bettmann Michael A 
Published: January 2015

Background Iodinated contrast agents (ICAs) are crucial to the use of many imaging studies. Reported allergies to ICAs in the medical record can interfere with optimal diagnostic imaging workups. Purpose To investigate the accuracy with which the label “allergic to ICAs” is applied. Material and Methods The medical records of 500 patients labeled “allergic to ICAs” at a single tertiary care hospital were reviewed. Patients were separated into three groups based on documentation in their medical records, as follows: Group 1, documented hypersensitivity reaction to ICAs; Group 2, documented ICA exposure with non-hypersensitivity adverse event (Group 2a) or without documented reaction (Group 2b); and Group 3, no documented prior exposure to an ICA. We then further reviewed the EMR to determine whether or not patients had subsequent administration of an ICA, whether or not they were given specific premedication, and whether or not they had a subsequent ICA-related event. Results A total of 16.6% of patients ( n = 83) listed as “allergic to ICAs” had a documented hypersensitivity reaction following ICA administration (Group 1) while 58.6% ( n = 293) of patients (Group 2) had a documented exposure to ICAs with either: (i) a non-hypersensitivity adverse event (23.5%, n = 69) or (ii) no record of a reaction to ICAs (76.5%, n = 224). The remaining 24.8% ( n = 124), Group 3, had no record of exposure to an ICA, yet still carried the label. Conclusion The majority of patients carrying the label “allergic to ICAs” had no record of a prior hypersensitivity reaction to ICAs.
Intra- and Interobserver Agreement in the Classification and Treatment of Distal Third Clavicle Fractures
Authors: Bishop Julie Y. , Jones Grant L. , Lewis Brian , Pedroza Angela ,   MOON Shoulder Group, Baumgarten Keith , Kuhn Jed , Dunn Warren , Cox Charlie , Wolf Brian , Hettrich Carolyn , Bollier Matt , Carey James , Kelly John , Sennett Brian , McCarty Eric , Vidal Armando , Bravman Jonathan , Poddar Sourav , Spencer Edwin , Holloway Brian , Ma Ben , Allen Christina , Feeley Brian , Marx Robert , Miller Bruce , Carpenter Jim , Wright Rick , Brophy Robert , Smith Matt , Abboud Joseph 
Published: January 2015

Background: In treatment of distal third clavicle fractures, the Neer classification system, based on the location of the fracture in relation to the coracoclavicular ligaments, has traditionally been used to determine fracture pattern stability. Purpose: To determine the intra- and interobserver reliability in the classification of distal third clavicle fractures via standard plain radiographs and the intra- and interobserver agreement in the preferred treatment of these fractures. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Thirty radiographs of distal clavicle fractures were randomly selected from patients treated for distal clavicle fractures between 2006 and 2011. The radiographs were distributed to 22 shoulder/sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons. Fourteen surgeons responded and took part in the study. The evaluators were asked to measure the size of the distal fragment, classify the fracture pattern as stable or unstable, assign the Neer classification, and recommend operative versus nonoperative treatment. The radiographs were reordered and redistributed 3 months later. Inter- and intrarater agreement was determined for the distal fragment size, stability of the fracture, Neer classification, and decision to operate. Single variable logistic regression was performed to determine what factors could most accurately predict the decision for surgery. Results: Interrater agreement was fair for distal fragment size, moderate for stability, fair for Neer classification, slight for type IIB and III fractures, and moderate for treatment approach. Intrarater agreement was moderate for distal fragment size categories (κ = 0.50, P < .001) and Neer classification (κ = 0.42, P < .001) and substantial for stable fracture (κ = 0.65, P < .001) and decision to operate (κ = 0.65, P < .001). Fracture stability was the best predictor of treatment, with 89% accuracy ( P < .001). Conclusion: Fracture stability determination and the decision to operate had the highest interobserver agreement. Fracture stability was the key determinant of treatment, rather than the Neer classification system or the size of the distal fragment.
The Prevalence and Combined Prevalences of Anatomic Factors Associated With Recurrent Patellar Dislocation
Authors: Steensen Robert N. , Bentley Jared C. , Trinh Thai Q. , Backes Jeffrey R. , Wiltfong Roger E. 
Published: January 2015

Background: Anatomic factors, including patella alta, increased tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, rotational deformities, and trochlear dysplasia, are associated with dislocation of the patella. Identifying the presence of these anatomic factors both in isolation and in combination may influence treatment in patients with patellar dislocation. Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and combined prevalences of these anatomic factors using magnetic resonance imaging in a group of patients with and without histories of recurrent dislocation of the patella. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The prevalence and combined prevalences of patella alta, increased TT-TG distance, rotational deformity, and trochlear dysplasia on magnetic resonance imaging were reported and compared in 60 patients (60 knees) with and 120 patients (120 knees) without histories of recurrent patellar dislocation. Results: Patients with recurrent patellar dislocation possessed higher rates of patella alta (60.0% vs 20.8%), increased TT-TG distance (42.0% vs 3.2%), rotational deformity (26.7% vs 2.5%), and trochlear dysplasia (68.3% vs 5.8%) compared with patients without histories of patellar dislocation. Multiple anatomic factors were identified in 58.3% of patients (35/60) with recurrent dislocation compared with only 1.7% of controls (2/120). Conclusion: Recurrent patellar dislocation is associated with an increased prevalence of patella alta, increased TT-TG distance, rotational deformity, and trochlear dysplasia compared with patients with no histories of patellar dislocation. Multiple anatomic factors were identified in the majority of patients with recurrent dislocation. Further research may identify which factors play a greater role in patellar stability and may allow physicians to predict which first-time dislocation patients are more likely to sustain recurrence.
Confronting neoliberal penality: Placing prison reform and critical criminology at the core of social work's social justice agenda
Authors: Garrett Paul Michael 
Published: January 2015

Summary Social work practitioners and educators should be more attentive to the expansion of the penal estate occurring across a number of jurisdictions. The article presents an overview of the crisis in prisons within one European state, the Republic of Ireland. Findings Relying on official sources and critical commentaries on those sources, six factors are highlighted: the growth in prisoner numbers; the cost of imprisonment; ‘inhuman and degrading’ conditions prisoners are subjected to; particular hardships faced by specific groups of detainees; the changing role of probation services; the lack of robust, independent inspection mechanisms. Application The value base of the profession and its commitment to the promotion of social justice could prompt social workers to become better informed about the growth of the penal estate and more intent on campaigning for better conditions for prisoners and their families and less reliance on incarceration.
A Preseason Checklist for Predicting Elbow Injury in Little League Baseball Players
Authors: Yukutake Taiki , Kuwata Masumi , Yamada Minoru , Aoyama Tomoki 
Published: January 2015

Background: Despite pitch count limits, the incidence of Little League elbow is increasing. A risk-evaluation tool capable of predicting which players are predisposed to throwing injury could potentially prevent injuries. Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of a risk factor checklist for predicting elbow injury in Little League baseball players during 1 season. The hypothesis was that a preseason risk-evaluation checklist could predict which players were predisposed to elbow injury. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A preseason risk-evaluation checklist was distributed to Little League baseball teams in Japan. Six months later, a follow-up questionnaire was mailed to determine injuries sustained during the season. Logistic regression analysis was performed, assigning presence or absence of elbow injury during the season as the dependent variable, and an injury risk score (IRS) was developed based on the statistically significant variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to determine the predictive validity of the checklist and the optimal cutoff IRS. Results: Data from 389 Little League players were analyzed. Among them, 53 players experienced an elbow injury requiring medical treatment during the season. Six checklist items associated with a medical history of throwing injury, pitch volume, and arm fatigue were found to be significant. Responses to the items could predict the players who were susceptible to injury during the season, with a two-thirds cutoff value for a 6-item checklist (area under the curve, 0.810; sensitivity, 0.717; specificity, 0.771). Conclusion: Results from a 6-item preseason checklist can predict which Little League players are to sustain an elbow injury by the end of the season. Clinical Relevance: The ability to predict which Little League baseball players are predisposed to elbow injury allows parents and coaches to initiate preventive measures in those players prior to and during the baseball season, which could lead to fewer elbow injuries.
X-ray Computerized Tomography Observation of the Interfacial Structure of Liquid Marbles
Authors: Matsukuma Daisuke , Watanabe Hirohmi , Fujimoto Aya , Uesugi Kentaro , Takeuchi Akihisa , Suzuki Yoshio , Jinnai Hiroshi , Takahara Atsushi 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
We have demonstrated that the liquid/solid interfacial structure of liquid marbles is determined by the surface–interface interaction between the encapsulating particles and liquid droplet. X-ray computerized tomography (X-ray CT) confirmed that the decrease of the solid-over-liquid spreading coefficient (SS/L) allowed the particles to be submerged in the liquid. Moreover, the difference in interfacial structure had a strong effect on the dynamic mechanical stability of liquid marbles. Two liquid marbles only merged upon contact when at least one liquid marble had a small SS/L value. X-ray CT observations also revealed that the liquid at the solid/liquid interface did not interdiffuse easily.
The harmonic mean measure of symmetry for convex bodies
Authors: Taschuk Steven 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
We introduce a measure of (central) symmetry for a convex body K in ℝn based on the volume of the harmonic mean of K and −K (that is, the body whose gauge is the average of the gauges of K and −K), and compare it to other classical volumetric measures of symmetry. We prove sharp inequalities between the volume of the harmonic mean of K and −K and the volume of their intersection, and we show that, if K is in John’s position, then the harmonic mean of K and −K has the smallest volume exactly when K is the Euclidean ball and the largest volume exactly when K is a simplex.
An Economic Analysis of ‘Comply or Explain Principle’ under a Review Panel Regime
Authors: Biondi Yuri 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis note comments on the Sergakis (2015)’s proposal to amend the ‘comply and explain principle’ concerning corporate governance disclosure through the introduction of a review panel in charge to supervise the disclosure process. Our preliminary economic analysis focuses on the review task that is foreshadowed for this panel that may be established at the macro- or the micro-level. Accordingly, we conclude that the Panel composition, including representatives for stakeholders inside and outside the firms, is critical to discover and obtain disclosure of sensitive information. In fact, although supervised by a review panel, the ‘comply or explain’ mechanism appears still quite unable to obtain disclosure of information that threatens the majority of vested interests represented in the panel.
Ceramide and sphingosine in pulmonary infections
Authors: Seitz Aaron P. , Grassmé Heike , Edwards Michael J. , Pewzner-Jung Yael , Gulbins Erich 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Acid sphingomyelinase and ceramide have previously been shown to play a central role in infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Mycobacterium avium. Recent studies have extended the role of sphingolipids in bacterial infections and have demonstrated that ceramide and sphingosine are central to the defense of lungs against bacterial pathogens. Ceramide accumulates in the airway epithelium of cystic fibrosis and ceramide synthase 2 (CerS2)-deficient mice, which respond to the lack of very long chain (C22-C24-) ceramides with a profound compensatory increase of long chain (mainly C16-) ceramides. In contrast, sphingosine is present in healthy airways and is almost completely absent from diseased or deficient epithelial cells. Both sphingolipids are crucially involved in the high susceptibility to infection of cystic fibrosis and CerS2-deficient mice, as indicated by findings showing that the normalization of ceramide and sphingosine levels rescue these mice from acute infection with P. aeruginosa.
Dental aesthetics perception and eating behavior in adolescence
Authors: Settineri Salvatore , Rizzo Amelia , Ottanà Angela , Liotta Marco , Mento Carmela 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Background: This correlational study explored the psychosocial aspects related to eating behavior in different age samples of adolescents in treatment from 0 to 60 months at the Clinic of Orthodontics and Dentistry of Messina, Messina, Italy. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between psychosocial impact, levels of self-esteem, and the possible connection with eating habits of adolescents under orthodontic treatment.

Methods: Sixty-one adolescents, aged between 12 and 22 years (mean=15.6±2.8) participated to the study. Each adolescents was interviewed with the Eating Attitudes Test, the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, and the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire.

Results: Data did not show a direct connection between eating disorder and dental aesthetics, nevertheless, adolescents under orthodontic treatment, especially in the earliest phase of wearing braces, showed peculiar eating habits and underwent a higher psychological impact of dental aesthetics. Eating behaviors are strictly linked to global self-esteem. The processing of the results was made through the Student’s t-test and using Pearson’s correlation analysis.

Conclusion: Increased knowledge of the psychological aspects involved in orthodontic treatment compliance may have positive effects in the relationship between adolescent patients and orthodontists. More attention should be paid to aspects that are often underestimated in clinical practice, thus, influencing the outcome of treatment and patient satisfaction, not only in terms of dental health, but also of mental health.