bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of Video‐Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Open Thoracotomy for the Management of Chest Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Na , Wu Long , Qiu Chongying , Yu Zubin , Xiang Ying , Wang Minghao , Jiang Jun , Li Yafei 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to systematically review and compare the perioperative outcomes of video‐assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) with open thoracotomy for chest trauma patients.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized control trials and cohort studies comparing the perioperative outcomes of VATS with open thoracotomy for chest trauma patients. Clinical endpoints included postoperative complications, perioperative mortality rate, chest tube drainage volume, duration of tube drainage, duration of hospitalization, operation time, and amount of bleeding and transfusion volume in operation. A subgroup analysis was performed to explore the potential source of heterogeneity.ResultsTwenty‐six studies were included. Pooled analyses showed significant reductions in the incidence of postoperative complications (risk ratio [RR] [95 % confidence interval (CI)], 0.47 [0.35, 0.64]), chest tube drainage volume (mean difference [MD] [95 % CI], −146.88 ml [−196.04, −97.72]), duration of tube drainage (MD, −1.71 days; 95 % CI −2.16 to −1.26), duration of hospitalization (MD, −4.67 days; 95 % CI −5.19 to−4.14), operation time (MD, −41.18 min; 95 % CI −52.85 to −29.51), and amount of bleeding (MD, −119.10 ml; 95 % CI −147.28 to −90.92) and transfusion volume (MD, −379.51 ml; 95 % CI −521.24 to−237.77) in chest trauma patients treated with VATS compared with open thoracotomy. The perioperative mortality rate was not significantly different between patients received VATS and open thoracotomy (RR, 0.52; 95 % CI 0.22–1.21).ConclusionsCompared to open thoracotomy, VATS is an effective and even better treatment for improving perioperative outcomes of hemodynamically stable patients with chest trauma and reduce the complications. However, caution should also be exercised in certain clinical scenarios.
Surgical Care in Liberia and Implications for Capacity Building
Authors: Chao Tiffany E. , Patel Pratik B. , Kikubaire Michael , Niescierenko Michelle , Hagander Lars , Meara John G. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground
Situational needs of health care facilities inform the optimal allocation of resources and quality improvement efforts. This study examines surgical care delivery metrics at a tertiary care institution in Liberia.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed operative and ward logbooks from January 1 to December 31, 2012. Data parameters included patients’ age, diagnosis, procedure, mortality, and perioperative provider information.ResultsIn 2012, 1,036 operations were performed. The breakdown of adult surgical cases reveals 452 (45.1 %) general surgery operations, 192 (18.5 %) orthopedic operations, and 180 (17.4 %) ophthalmic operations. Other significant case volume included urologic 53 (5.1 %), ENT 36 (3.5 %), neurosurgical 31 (3.0 %), vascular 24 (2.3 %), and plastic 14 (1.4 %) operations. Pediatric patients accounted for 24.5 % (243) of surgical cases, and 9 % of pediatric surgical cases were for hydrocephalus. General, spinal, and total intravenous anesthesia was provided by non‐physician personnel, except when surgeons provided their own anesthesia. Ward logs documented 7.4 % mortality among all patients admitted to the surgical ward, most of which occurred after exploratory laparotomy (44 %), in burn (14 %) patients, and in patients with head/neck emergencies (12 %).ConclusionsThis operative log review can be used to identify surgical practice patterns, needs, and deficits in order to inform the growth of surgical capacity at Liberia’s only tertiary medical institution. Using this data to identify critical areas of high‐yield operations (e.g., for pediatric hydrocephalus), or excessively high mortality rates (e.g., in burn care), can focus the direction of limited resources toward areas of need. While the heavy reliance on non‐consultant surgeons reflects human capacity shortages and a pressing need for postgraduate training programs, identifying the breadth of surgical expertise demonstrated in these operative logs reveals the proficiencies required of surgeons to provide comprehensive surgical care in this setting.
Transcervical, intrauterine ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of uterine fibroids with the VizAblate® System: three- and six-month endpoint results from the FAST-EU study
Authors: Bongers Marlies , Brölmann Hans , Gupta Janesh , Garza-Leal José Gerardo , Toub David 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis was a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, single-arm controlled trial, using independent core laboratory validation of MRI results, to establish the effectiveness and confirm the safety of the VizAblate® System in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. The VizAblate System is a transcervical device that ablates fibroids with radiofrequency energy, guided by a built-in intrauterine ultrasound probe. Fifty consecutive women with symptomatic uterine fibroids received treatment with the VizAblate System. Patients had a minimum Menstrual Pictogram score of 120, no desire for fertility, and met additional inclusion and exclusion criteria. The VizAblate System was inserted transcervically and individual fibroids were ablated with radiofrequency energy. An integrated intrauterine ultrasound probe was used for fibroid imaging and targeting. Anesthesia was at the discretion of each investigator. The primary study endpoint was the percentage change in perfused fibroid volume, as assessed by contrast-enhanced MRI at 3 months. Secondary endpoints, reached at 6 months, included safety, percentage reductions in the Menstrual Pictogram (MP) score and the Symptom Severity Score (SSS) subscale of the Uterine Fibroid Symptom-Quality of Life questionnaire (UFS-QOL), along with the rate of surgical reintervention for abnormal uterine bleeding and the mean number of days to return to normal activity. Additional assessments included the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) subscale of the UFS-QOL, medical reintervention for abnormal uterine bleeding, and procedure times. Fifty patients were treated, representing 92 fibroids. Perfused fibroid volumes were reduced at 3 months by an average of 68.8 ± 27.8 % (P < 0.0001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). At 6 months, mean MP and SSS scores decreased by 60.8 ± 38.2 and 59.7 ± 30.4 %, respectively; the mean HRQOL score increased by 263 ± 468 %. There were two serious adverse events (overnight admissions for abdominal pain and bradycardia, respectively) and no surgical reinterventions. These 6-month results suggest that the VizAblate System is safe and effective in providing relief of abnormal uterine bleeding associated with fibroids, with appropriate safety and a low reintervention rate.
Prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding and experiences of affected women in a European patient survey
Authors: Fraser Ian S. , Mansour Diana , Breymann Christian , Hoffman Camille , Mezzacasa Anna , Petraglia Felice 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the prevalence and impact of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) among women in Europe, and their experience of HMB assessment and management.MethodsAn internet‐based survey was conducted among women (aged 18–57 years) in five European countries between January and February 2012. The prevalence of HMB among the general population was determined in a short survey, and women who had been diagnosed with HMB were then asked to complete an extended survey about their diagnosis and symptoms.ResultsOverall, 4506 women responded, of whom 1225 (27.2%) had experienced two or more predefined HMB symptoms within the previous year. Of these women, 564 (46.0%) had never consulted a physician. Among 330 women who completed the detailed survey, 208 (63.0%) had ever been diagnosed with iron deficiency or iron‐deficiency anemia. Symptoms associated with iron deficiency were used to help confirm a diagnosis in 83 (39.9%) women. Only 152 (46.1%) of the 330 patients with confirmed HMB had received prescription medication for iron deficiency.ConclusionMany women affected by HMB do not seek medical help, and few of those who do consult physicians report that they have received appropriate treatment. HMB continues to be underdiagnosed and poorly treated.
A Unified Wall-Boundary Condition for the Lattice Boltzmann Method and its Application to Force Evaluation
Authors: Lin S.-Y. , Chin Y.-H. , Yang F.-L. , Lin J.-F. , Hu J.-J. , Chen C.-S. , Hsieh S.-H. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractA unified wall-boundary condition for the pressure-based lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is proposed. The present approach is developed from the direct-forcing technique in the immersed boundary method and is derived from the equilibrium pressure distribution function. The proposed method can handle many kinds of wall boundaries, such as fixed wall and moving wall boundaries, in the same way. It is found that the new method has the following advantages: (1) simple in concept and easy to implement, (2) higher-order accuracy, (3) mass conservation, and (4) a stable and good convergence rate. Based on this wall-boundary condition, if a solid wall is immersed in a fluid, then by applying Gauss's theorem, the formulas for computing the force and torque acting on the solid wall from fluid flow are derived from the volume integrals over the solid volume instead of from the surface integrals over the solid surface. Based on the pressure-based LBM, inlet and outlet boundary conditions are also proposed. The order of accuracy of the proposed boundary condition is demonstrated with the errors of the velocity field, wall stress, and gradients of velocity and pressure. The steady flow past a circular cylinder is simulated to demonstrate the efficiency and capabilities of the proposed unified method.
Distributed Dislocation Method for Determining Elastic Fields of 2D and 3D Volume Misfit Particles in Infinite Space and Extension of the Method for Particles in Half Space
Authors: Lerma J. D. , Khraishi T. , Kataria S. , Shen Y.-L. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractA multitude of researchers have utilized a variety of techniques to formulate the stresses and deformations caused by volume misfit inclusions in infinite host media. Few of such techniques can also be extended to derive solutions for inclusions in a half space. In this manuscript we present a novel computational method for determining the elastic fields of two and three-dimensional inclusions of arbitrary shape in an infinite host matrix. The misfit strain is treated by a distribution of prismatic dislocation loops. A systematic numerical assessment illustrates that the discretization can yield excellent agreement with existing analytical solutions for certain particle geometries. This method is then further developed to solve for two-dimensional problems in a half space.
Organizational justice of work–life balance for professional/managerial group and non-professional group in Australia: Creation of inclusive and fair organizations
Authors: Fujimoto Yuka , Azmat Fara 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis study quantitatively and qualitatively examines perceptions of organizational justice among 227 professionals/managers and 210 non-professional full-time employees across Australia in relation to their work–life balance. Findings confirm that the professional/managerial groups perceive higher levels of organizational justice than the non-professional group in all work–life balance/justice dimensions (procedural, distributive, interpersonal and informational), demonstrating the pervasive power status differences between different occupational groups. This study underlines the importance of justice-based work–life balance efforts for all occupational groups to create more inclusive and fair organizations. We conclude with policy implications and directions for future research.
Narrating Brunei: Travelling histories of Brunei Indians
Authors: MENON SRIDEVI 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBetween the late 1950s and the 1960s, a significant community of Indians appeared in Seria, an oil town in Brunei. Most of these Indians were recruited from India by the British Malayan Petroleum Company to staff its company offices in the wake of the rehabilitation of the Seria oilfields after the end of the Japanese occupation of Borneo. However, in official hagiographies of the Sultanate and historical accounts of Brunei, the Indians of Seria are invisible. Juxtaposed against this silence in the historical record, I pose the narrative agency of these Indians in asserting their place in the emergence of the modern state of Brunei and in historicizing their presence in a frontier oil town in Borneo. This article is based on extensive fieldwork in India, where most of these Indians retired to after decades of expatriate life in Brunei. Recalling their work and youth in Seria, they collectively claim an ‘origin’ in Seria while improvising a Brunei-Indian diaspora in India through their shared memories. In the absence of an archival record for the Indians in Seria, this article seeks to affirm the historical value of story-telling and diasporic remembering in recording a partisan genealogy of migration and settlement.
Framing scandalous nursing home care: what is the problem?
Authors: JÖNSON HÅKAN 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe aim of this article is to investigate different ways in which nursing home scandals in Sweden have been framed, to discuss the relations between these existing frameworks, and to identify ways of describing the problem that are absent in the current debates. Data for the study consisted of media articles, television documentaries and internet debates, expert reports and court hearings, and interviews with representatives of organisations dealing with the issue of mistreatment in care services for older people. An analytical tool developed within social movement research was used to identify three ‘debates’ on such mistreatment in Sweden, where competing ways of framing the problem have been used: (a) a debate where staff are cast as either perpetrators or victims, (b) a debate on privatisation and profit as the motive for neglect of care recipients, and (c) a debate on deserving and non-deserving recipients of socially provided care centred around populist claims. The analysis highlights a need to introduce an alternative frame for interpretation where mistreatment in care for older people is regarded as involving scandalous cases of ageism. This anti-ageism frame would provide older people with a lead role in the drama – not just as victims but as stakeholders in relation to the problem.
The circulation of children in rural Ireland during the first half of the twentieth century
Authors: GRAY JANE 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses the interactions amongst family, household and extended kin through an examination of two ‘circulations’ of children within rural Irish communities during the first half of the twentieth century: (1) the daily journey from home to school; (2) going to live with relatives other than parents. Drawing on life-history narratives, the article develops a new perspective on the stem-family system in Ireland by showing how ‘incomplete’ family households formed integral parts of local kinship circles and were deeply engaged in the everyday lives of ‘complete’ family households, including the promotion of extended family survival and social mobility.
The impact of conventional dietary intake data coding methods on foods typically consumed by low-income African-American and White urban populations
Authors: Mason Marc A , Fanelli Kuczmarski Marie , Allegro Deanne , Zonderman Alan B , Evans Michele K 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveAnalysing dietary data to capture how individuals typically consume foods is dependent on the coding variables used. Individual foods consumed simultaneously, like coffee with milk, are given codes to identify these combinations. Our literature review revealed a lack of discussion about using combination codes in analysis. The present study identified foods consumed at mealtimes and by race when combination codes were or were not utilized.DesignDuplicate analysis methods were performed on separate data sets. The original data set consisted of all foods reported; each food was coded as if it was consumed individually. The revised data set was derived from the original data set by first isolating coded foods consumed as individual items from those foods consumed simultaneously and assigning a code to designate a combination. Foods assigned a combination code, like pancakes with syrup, were aggregated and associated with a food group, defined by the major food component (i.e. pancakes), and then appended to the isolated coded foods.SettingHealthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study.SubjectsAfrican-American and White adults with two dietary recalls (n 2177).ResultsDifferences existed in lists of foods most frequently consumed by mealtime and race when comparing results based on original and revised data sets. African Americans reported consumption of sausage/luncheon meat and poultry, while ready-to-eat cereals and cakes/doughnuts/pastries were reported by Whites on recalls.ConclusionsUse of combination codes provided more accurate representation of how foods were consumed by populations. This information is beneficial when creating interventions and exploring diet–health relationships.
A Unifying Framework for Measuring Weighted Rich Clubs
Authors: Alstott Jeff , Panzarasa Pietro , Rubinov Mikail , Bullmore Edward T. , Vértes Petra E. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractNetwork analysis can help uncover meaningful regularities in the organization of complex systems. Among these, rich clubs are a functionally important property of a variety of social, technological and biological networks. Rich clubs emerge when nodes that are somehow prominent or ‘rich’ (e.g., highly connected) interact preferentially with one another. The identification of rich clubs is non-trivial, especially in weighted networks and to this end multiple distinct metrics have been proposed. Here we describe a unifying framework for detecting rich clubs which intuitively generalizes various metrics into a single integrated method. This generalization rests upon the explicit incorporation of randomized control networks into the measurement process. We apply this framework to real-life examples and show that, depending on the selection of randomized controls, different kinds of rich-club structures can be detected, such as topological and weighted rich clubs.
Area‐efficient high‐voltage switch using floating control circuit for 3D ultrasound imaging systems
Authors: Jung Sung‐Jin , Hong Seong‐Kwan , Kwon Oh‐Kyong 
Published: December 2014

A high‐voltage (HV) switch is proposed which adopts the floating control circuit to reduce area by removing the passive components and reducing the number of laterally diffused metal–oxide semiconductor field effects (LDMOSFETs). The proposed HV switch consists of three LDMOSFETs and three MOSFETs without any passive components. In addition, the routing complexity of the control signals is greatly reduced by sharing all control signals in the array of switches. The proposed HV switch is fabricated using a 0.18 μm CMOS process with 50 V devices and occupies 85 × 65 μm2. The measured off‐isolation is −53 dB.
Wideband absorber at X‐band adopting trumpet‐shaped structures
Authors: Kim Beom‐Kyu , Lee Bomson 
Published: December 2014

A wideband single‐layer absorber at X‐band adopting trumpet structures is presented. One unit of the proposed absorber is composed of a trumpet‐shaped resonator loading four chip resistors, a metallic backplane and an FR‐4 (εr = 4.4‐j0.02) substrate between them. The absorption is 99% at 10.9 GHz. The full width at half maximum is 95% at 12.7 GHz (6.7–18.7 GHz). The 90% absorption bandwidth is 65% at 12.75 GHz (8.6–16.9 GHz). The size of the unit cell is 5.6 × 5.6 × 2.4 mm3. The proposed absorber is almost insensitive to polarisations of incident waves due to the symmetry of the structure. The results of EM simulation and measurements are in good agreement.
Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array with single‐layer graphene membrane
Authors: Chong Po‐Fat , Shi Xiaomei , Cheng Ching‐Hsiang 
Published: December 2014

A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) with a graphene membrane is reported. The CMUT membranes were commonly made from very thin silicon nitride or metal material. To date, no graphene CMUT has been successfully used. In this reported work, a photomask were used for the cavity pattern to make a 1μm layer EPON SU‐8 photoresist on the silicon substrate. Then a single‐layer graphene were tranferred directly to be attached to the EPON SU‐8 cavity layer to form the CMUT with a graphene membrane. The resonance frequency was measured to be 95 MHz in air.
Sharp spatially constrained inversion with applications to transient electromagnetic data
Authors: Vignoli Giulio , Fiandaca Gianluca , Christiansen Anders Vest , Kirkegaard Casper , Auken Esben 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTTime‐domain electromagnetic data are conveniently inverted by using smoothly varying 1D models with fixed vertical discretization. The vertical smoothness of the obtained models stems from the application of Occam‐type regularization constraints, which are meant to address the ill‐posedness of the problem. An important side effect of such regularization, however, is that horizontal layer boundaries can no longer be accurately reproduced as the model is required to be smooth. This issue can be overcome by inverting for fewer layers with variable thicknesses; nevertheless, to decide on a particular and constant number of layers for the parameterization of a large survey inversion can be equally problematic.Here, we present a focusing regularization technique to obtain the best of both methodologies. The new focusing approach allows for accurate reconstruction of resistivity distributions using a fixed vertical discretization while preserving the capability to reproduce horizontal boundaries. The formulation is flexible and can be coupled with traditional lateral/spatial smoothness constraints in order to resolve interfaces in stratified soils with no additional hypothesis about the number of layers. The method relies on minimizing the number of layers of non‐vanishing resistivity gradient, instead of minimizing the norm of the model variation itself. This approach ensures that the results are consistent with the measured data while favouring, at the same time, the retrieval of horizontal abrupt changes. In addition, the focusing regularization can also be applied in the horizontal direction in order to promote the reconstruction of lateral boundaries such as faults.We present the theoretical framework of our regularization methodology and illustrate its capabilities by means of both synthetic and field data sets. We further demonstrate how the concept has been integrated in our existing spatially constrained inversion formalism and show its application to large‐scale time‐domain electromagnetic data inversions.