bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overuse of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis among hospitalized patients with liver disease
Authors: Davis Jessica P.E. , O’Leary Kelsey E. , Intagliata Nicolas M.
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Patients with liver disease are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE); however, little is understood regarding the safety and efficacy of VTE prophylaxis in patients with cirrhosis. We examined the application of a VTE risk assessment model in VTE prophylaxis decision‐making in a closed cohort of hospitalized patients with liver disease.

Methods

Sequential patients admitted to an inpatient hepatology service at a tertiary care center were evaluated for need for VTE prophylaxis. Risk assessment by IMPROVE was compared with current practice patterns of VTE prophylaxis. Rates of bleeding and clotting events were noted.

Results

98 patient encounters were included in our analysis. 76% of patients received VTE prophylaxis in practice. IMPROVE recommended use of VTE prophylaxis in 19% of patients. Patients who received VTE prophylaxis that was not warranted had significantly lower risk of clotting compared with patients in whom VTE prophylaxis was warranted per IMPROVE.

Conclusions

Application of IMPROVE risk assessment would significantly reduce VTE prophylaxis use among hospitalized patients with liver disease. Our findings challenge the “one‐size‐fits‐all” current practice pattern of VTE prophylaxis. Future studies are needed in large cohorts of hospitalized patients with liver disease that include clinical outcomes of bleeding and clotting risk.
Human Resource Management in India: Performance and Complementarity
Authors: Darwish Tamer K. , Wood Geoffrey , Singh Satwinder , Singh Rahul
Published: December 2019

This is a study of the relationship between HR practices and organisational performance of large‐scale enterprises in India. The main survey yielded 252 usable replies from the HR directors. Results show that mutually supportive sets of HR practices do not yield disproportionately superior outcomes than limited and focused individual practices. This highlights the limitations of strategic HRM in an Indian context. It seems there is little immediate benefit in developing sophisticated mutually supporting HR systems if particular firm or regionally relevant interventions yield clear benefits on their own right. These results highlight the limitations in national level institutions made for a general lack of complementarities, and/or that firms do not want to take the risk of over‐relying on a specific institutional feature that may be subject to change. We also find that innovative firms are not in any way more likely to adopt best HR practices to a greater degree than their less innovative counterparts. India's weak and uneven institutional coverage may open up more opportunities for HR innovation, but the lack of systemic support means that there are fewer opportunities for the latter to realise its fullest potential.
Halving sunlight reveals no carbon limitation of aboveground biomass production in alpine grassland
Authors: Möhl Patrick , Hiltbrunner Erika , Körner Christian
Published: December 2019

In temperate alpine environments, the short growing season, low temperature and a slow nutrient cycle may restrict plant growth more than carbon (C) assimilation does. To test whether C is a limiting resource, we applied a shade gradient from ambient light to 44% (maximum shade) of incident photon flux density (PFD) in late successional,Carex curvula‐dominated alpine grassland at 2,580 m elevation in the Swiss central Alps for 3 years (2014–2016). Total aboveground biomass did not significantly decrease under reduced PFD, with a confidence interval ranging from +4% to −15% biomass in maximum shade. Belowground biomass, of which more than 80% were fine roots, was significantly reduced by a mean of 17.9 ± 4.6% (±SE), corresponding to 228 g/m2, in maximum shade in 2015 and 2016. This suggests reduced investments into water and nutrient acquisition according to the functional equilibrium concept. Specific leaf area (SLA) and maximum leaf length of the most abundant species increased with decreasing PFD. Foliar concentration of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) was reduced by 12.5 ± 4.3% under maximum shade (mean of eight tested species), while NSC concentration of belowground storage organs were unchanged in the four most abundant forbs. Furthermore, maximum shade lowered foliar δ13C by 1.56 ± 0.35‰ and increased foliar nitrogen concentrations per unit dry mass by 18.8 ± 4.1% across six species in 2015. However, based on unit leaf area, N concentrations were lower in shade (effect of higher SLA). Thus, while we found typical morphological and physiological plant responses to lower light, shading did not considerably affect seasonal aboveground biomass production of this alpine plant community within a broad range of PFD. This suggests that C is not a growth‐limiting resource, matching the unresponsiveness to in situ CO2enrichment previously reported for this type of grassland.
State‐targeted grievances and resources: Protest participation during economic downturns in Latin America
Authors: Zárate‐Tenorio Bárbara A.
Published: December 2019

This article analyzes the determinants of protest participation in Latin America. Whereas most research emphasizes grievances over resources, or vice versa, this article explains protest participation as the interaction between individuals' state‐targeted grievances and material resources. I argue that grievances and availability of material resources interact and fuel protest among individuals whose income falls close to the middle of the income distribution, but not among the poor or the rich. Whereas the scarcity of resources mitigates the politicization of grievances among the poor, the relative abundance of resources and alternative channels of political influence produces the same effect among the rich. Analysis of survey data from Latin American democracies provides strong support for these arguments.
Implementation analysis of transfer of development rights for conserving privately owned built heritage in Hong Kong: A transactions costs perspective
Authors: Hou Jun , Gu Dazhi , Shahab Sina , Chan Edwin Hon‐wan
Published: December 2019

Transfer of development rights (TDR) programs are introduced as an alternative institutional innovation to the traditional regulatory instruments for land development. They meet the demand for development and conservation while balancing the conflicts between public and private interests with minimal use of public funds. Most TDR literature is about nature conservation and there is little focus on the complicated process and diverse stakeholders’ interests of urban land use in dealing with built heritage conservation. Previous studies show that the success of TDR programs depends on various elements, especially policy design and implementation approaches. The design and implementation of TDR programs involves transaction costs that can reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of these programs. This paper aims at developing a framework for analyzing TDR programs. This proposed framework not only takes transactions costs into account, but also provides a basis for decision makers to decipher the process of informal TDR. Using Hong Kong as a case study, three TDR implementation modes are selected to examine how different informal institutional arrangements have resulted in specific transaction costs in practice and hindered TDR projects. Our findings, which are informed by transactions costs economics, provide practical insights in order to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of TDR programs, particularly in informal contexts.
Rotational thromboelastometry can predict the probability of bleeding events in a translational rat model of haemophilia A following gene‐based FVIIa prophylaxis
Authors: Larsen Malte Selch , Vestergaard Juul Rasmus , Zintner Shannon M. , T. Kristensen Annemarie , Margaritis Paris , Kjelgaard‐Hansen Mads , Wiinberg Bo , Simonsson Ulrika S. H. , Kreilgaard Mads
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Monitoring of clinical effectiveness of bypassing agents in haemophilia patients is hampered by the lack of validated laboratory assays. Thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have been evaluated for predicting clinical effectiveness of bypassing agents, however, with limited success.

Aim

Application of a longitudinal model‐based approach may allow for a quantitative characterization of the link between ROTEM parameters and the probability of bleeding events.

Methods

We analyse longitudinal data from haemophilia A rats receiving gene‐based FVIIa prophylaxis in terms of total circulatory levels of FVII/FVIIa, clotting time (CT) measured using ROTEM and the probability of bleeding events.

Results

Using population pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic (PKPD) modelling, a PK‐CT‐repeated time‐to‐event (RTTE) model was developed composed of three submodels (a) a FVII/FVIIa PK model, (b) a PK‐CT model describing the relationship between predicted FVIIa expression and CT and (c) a RTTE model describing the probability of bleeding events as a function of CT. The developed PK‐CT‐RTTE model accurately described the vector dose‐dependent plasma concentration‐time profile of total FVII/FVIIa and the exposure‐response relationship between AAV‐derived FVIIa expression and CT. Importantly, the developed model accurately described the occurrence of bleeding events over time in a quantitative manner, revealing a linear relationship between predicted change from baseline CT and the probability of bleeding events.

Conclusion

Using PK‐CT‐RTTE modelling, we demonstrated that ROTEM parameters can accurately predict the probability of bleeding events in a translational animal model of haemophilia A.
Boron mining and enrichment waste: A promising raw material for porcelain tile production
Authors: Karadagli Emirhan , Cicek Bugra
Published: December 2019

Boron mining and enrichment waste (BW) from boric acid (H3BO3) production is a by‐product of the boron industry. BW exhibits B2O3contents of 16‐31 wt%, and therefore, could be used to effectively lower the sintering temperature of ceramics without increasing their thermal expansion coefficient. Herein, we introduced 3‐10 wt% of BW to a formulation used for commercial porcelain tile production, and achieved a sintering temperature decrease of 38°C (to 1195°C). The resulting porcelain tiles exhibited a strength of 44.80 MPa and water absorption percentage of 0.01%, and therefore, met TS ISO EN 10545 requirements. Thus, this study paves the way for the use and valorization of BW in the production of porcelain tiles and could inspire the search for other opportunities to utilize BW in ceramic production.
I don't fit, so I blame you?—Influence of regulatory focus and fit on emotion generation and regulation in single and group context
Authors: Jones Christopher M. , Memmert Daniel
Published: December 2019

Person–environment interactions play a crucial role in the process of emotional experience. While Regulatory Focus Theory has been adopted to illustrate how some goal‐oriented parts of this process might shape by proposing a regulatory fit between individual and environmental characteristics, whether this fit not only implies feeling “right” but feeling “good” or at least cope better, has not been tested empirically. In this study, we extend earlier research on the influence of the regulatory fit to the generation and regulation of emotions. We additionally emphasize the role of the context, by integrating current work on group‐based emotion regulation in comparing single and group environments. We used a within‐subjects design, with 2 (situational focus) × 2 (single/group environment) levels. Thirty‐two male football players participated in one football‐specific task per level. Emotional experience and cognitive regulation strategies were measured after each. Multilevel regression showed, that a regulatory fit predicted more passive‐negative emotions in both the environments and more active‐negative emotions in the group environments. The Regulatory fit predicted stronger use of functional regulation strategies in the single but less in the group environment. Group membership predicted stronger use of group‐based regulation strategies and weaker use of other strategies—thus indicating further constraints and new ways to cope. We discuss the counter‐intuitive results regarding emotional experience in the light of the athletic context as well as theoretical accounts of regulatory fit and its role in the moderating motivational intensity and the value assignment. Results regarding the influence of group membership are integrated into current research and we highlight the directions for future research.
Kruppel‐like factor 4 improves obesity‐related nephropathy through increasing mitochondrial biogenesis and activities
Authors: Jin Lingwei , Ye Hanyang , Pan Min , Chen Yan , Ye Bairu , Zheng Yu , Huang Wenwen , Pan Shufang , Shi Zhen , Zhang Jing
Published: December 2019

Obesity is positively linked to multiple metabolic complications including renal diseases. Several studies have demonstrated Kruppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) participated in renal dysfunction and structural disorders in acute kidney injuries, but whether it affected the process of chronic kidney diseases was unknown. Therefore, present study was to disclose the role of renal KLF4 in dietary‐induced renal injuries and underlying mechanisms in obesity. Through utilizing high‐fat diet‐fed mice and human renal biopsies, we provided the physiological roles of KLF4 in protecting against obesity‐related nephropathy. Decreased levels of renal KLF4 were positively correlated with dietary‐induced renal dysfunction, including increased levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Overexpression of renal KLF4 suppressed inflammatory response in palmitic acid‐treated mouse endothelial cells. Furthermore, overexpressed KLF4 also attenuated dietary‐induced renal functional disorders, abnormal structural remodelling and inflammation. Mechanistically, KLF4 maintained renal mitochondrial biogenesis and activities to combat obesity‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction. In clinical renal biopsies and plasma, the renal Klf4 level was negatively associated with circulating levels of creatinine but positively associated with renal creatinine clearance. In conclusions, the present findings firstly supported that renal KLF4 played an important role in combating obesity‐related nephropathy, and KLF4/mitochondrial function partially determined the energy homeostasis in chronic kidney diseases.
Efficacy and satisfaction of surgical treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Fertitta L. , Hotz C. , Wolkenstein P. , Méningaud J.P. , Sawan D. , Hersant B. , Sbidian E.
Published: December 2019

Background

Surgery is a radical treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and may be considered as the only one potentially curative.

Objectives

To characterize HS recurrence in patients after surgery and assess the risk factors of recurrence.

Methods

We conducted a monocentric retrospective cohort study. All consecutive patients who had surgery (January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017) were included. We estimated the rate of recurrence of HS lesions after surgery (<1 cm from the scar), and recurrence‐associated factors were analysed by univariate then multivariate logistic regression, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 75 patients [median age 31.4 years (range 16–71); 36 females], corresponding to 115 interventions were included. The Hurley score at surgery was III for 70 (60%) patients. In total, 61/115 (53%) interventions involved wide excision and 50 (43%) limited local excision. The localizations were axillary folds (n = 46; 40%), buttocks (n = 15, 13%), genital area (n = 13; 11%), perineal area (n = 12; 10%) and inguinal folds (n = 18; 16%). We observed 11 (10%) complications and 40 (35%) recurrences. On multivariate analysis, probability of recurrence was associated with only one‐stage surgical closure [OR 3.2 (95% CI 1.4–7.3), P = 0.005]. Overall, 44 (52%) patients were completely satisfied and 22 (26%) partially satisfied, and most (81%) considered the surgery the best treatment.

Conclusions

Hidradenitis suppurativa recurrence in our study was 35% and associated with one‐stage surgical closures, but two‐thirds of patients were satisfied with surgical treatment and would recommend surgery.
Can we still predict the future from the past? Implementing non‐stationary flood frequency analysis in the UK
Authors: Faulkner Duncan , Warren Sarah , Spencer Peter , Sharkey Paul
Published: December 2019

The Environment Agency in England is investing £2.5 billion with the aim of reducing flood risk to at least 300,000 homes by 2020/21. Several of the schemes being considered are on rivers that have experienced an upsurge of flooding over recent years. Decisions on whether to invest and how high to build are usually made on the basis of stationary methods of flood frequency analysis that assume the probability of flood flows is unchanging over time. Following successive severe floods in Cumbria, trend tests and non‐stationary flood frequency analysis techniques have been applied. These allow parameters of the frequency distribution to change over time or with some other covariate. The resulting estimates of flow, for the present day, were up to 55% higher than the stationary estimates at river gauges in north‐west England. The results have been incorporated into the scheme appraisal process. A national analysis indicates that there is evidence of upward trends in peak flows at nearly a quarter of river flow gauges across Great Britain. Many rivers show an abrupt increase in flood flows in the late 1990s. Trends tend to occur in upland areas but they are also seen on some rivers across south‐east England.
Temporal and Geographic Variation in the Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis in the US between 2007 and 2014
Authors: Kirson Noam Y. , Meadows Eric S. , Desai Urvi , Smith Brian P. , Cheung Hoi Ching , Zuckerman Peter , Matthews Brandy R.
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to describe the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the United States, overall and by geographic region.

DESIGN

We conducted retrospective analyses of administrative claims data for a 5% random sample of US Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older. AD incidence, defined as a diagnosis for AD (International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 331.0×) in a given year, with no AD diagnosis in the beneficiary's entire medical history, was estimated for each calendar year between 2007 and 2014. Beneficiaries were required to be enrolled in Medicare for the calendar year of evaluation as well as the preceding 12 months. In addition, a cross‐sectional assessment of geographic variation in AD incidence was conducted for 2014. For each population area (specifically, core‐based statistical area, as defined by the US Census Bureau), AD incidence was estimated overall, as well as adjusted for differences in underlying patient demographics and metrics of access to care and quality of care. Changes in AD incidence from 2007 were also estimated.

SETTING

US fee‐for‐service Medicare.

Participants

US Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with no history of AD.

RESULTS

Overall, the diagnosed incidence of AD decreased over time, from 1.53% in 2007 to 1.09% in 2014; trends were similar for most population areas. In 2014, the rates of AD incidence ranged from 0% to more than 3% across population areas, with the highest observed incidence rates in areas of the Midwest and the South. Statistical models explain little of the geographic variation, although following adjustment, the incidence rates increased the most (in relative terms) in rural areas of western states.

CONCLUSION

Our findings are consistent with previously reported estimates of incidence of AD in the United States and its recent declining trend. Additionally, the study highlights the considerable geographic variation in the incidence of AD in the United States and suggests that further research is needed to better understand the determinants of this geographic variation. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:346–353, 2020
Can social behaviour drive accessory olfactory bulb asymmetries? Sister species of caviomorph rodents as a case in point
Authors: Fernández‐Aburto Pedro , Delgado Scarlett E. , Sobrero Raúl , Mpodozis Jorge
Published: December 2019

In mammals, the accessory olfactory or vomeronasal system exhibits a wide variety of anatomical arrangements. In caviomorph rodents, the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) exhibits a dichotomic conformation, in which two subdomains, the anterior (aAOB) and the posterior (pAOB), can be readily distinguished. Interestingly, different species of this group exhibit bias of different sign between the AOB subdomains (aAOB larger than pAOB or vice versa). Such species‐specific biases have been related with contrasting differences in the habitat of the different species (e.g. arid vs. humid environments). Aiming to deepen these observations, we performed a morphometric comparison of the AOB subdomains between two sister species of octodontid rodents, Octodon lunatus and Octodon degus. These species are interesting for comparative purposes, as they inhabit similar landscapes but exhibit contrasting social habits. Previous reports have shown that O. degus, a highly social species, exhibits a greatly asymmetric AOB, in which the aAOB has twice the size of the pAOB and features more and larger glomeruli in its glomerular layer (GL). We found that the same as in O. degus, the far less social O. lunatus also exhibits a bias, albeit less pronounced, to a larger aAOB. In both species, this bias was also evident for the mitral/tufted cells number. But unlike in O. degus, in O. lunatus this bias was not present at the GL. In comparison with O. degus, in O. lunatus the aAOB GL was significantly reduced in volume, while the pAOB GL displayed a similar volume. We conclude that these sister species exhibit a very sharp difference in the anatomical conformation of the AOB, namely, the relative size of the GL of the aAOB subdomain, which is larger in O. degus than in O. lunatus. We discuss these results in the context of the differences in the lifestyle of these species, highlighting the differences in social behaviour as a possible factor driving to distinct AOB morphometries.
Prospective comparison of transient elastography, point shear wave elastography, APRI and FIB‐4 for staging liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Udompap Prowpanga , Sukonrut Kamonthip , Suvannarerg Voraparee , Pongpaibul Ananya , Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai
Published: December 2019

Ultrasound‐based elastography and serum indexes have been individually validated as noninvasive methods for staging liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis. We aimed to compare the accuracy of transient elastography (TE), shear wave elastography (SWE), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet index (APRI) and Fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4) with the METAVIR liver fibrosis staging in viral hepatitis patients. We enrolled 121 treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B and C monoinfected patients. All underwent liver biopsy had biochemistry tests and liver stiffness measurements by TE using M and XL probes followed by point SWE performed on the same day. The accuracy of each method for predicting different fibrosis stages was demonstrated as an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves. The AUROCs of TE using M and XL probes, SWE, APRI and FIB‐4 were 0.771, 0.761, 0.700, 0.698 and 0.697, respectively, for significant fibrosis; 0.974, 0.973, 0.929, 0.738 and 0.859, respectively, for advanced fibrosis; and 0.954, 0.949, 0.962, 0.765 and 0.962, respectively, for cirrhosis. TE using the M probe was comparable to the XL probe in detecting all fibrosis stages. TE was superior to SWE for assessing significant fibrosis and advanced fibrosis. For cirrhosis, the performances of TE, SWE and FIB‐4 were similar. APRI was least accurate in liver fibrosis staging. To conclude, for patients with viral hepatitis, TE using either M or XL probe is an effective noninvasive test for assessing liver fibrosis, particularly advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, while SWE and FIB‐4 possess an excellent accuracy in predicting cirrhosis.
Genetic consequences of plant edaphic specialization to solfatara fields: Phylogenetic and population genetic analysis of Carex angustisquama (Cyperaceae)
Authors: Nagasawa Koki , Setoguchi Hiroaki , Maki Masayuki , Goto Hayato , Fukushima Keitaro , Isagi Yuji , Suyama Yoshihisa , Matsuo Ayumi , Tsunamoto Yoshihiro , Sawa Kazuhiro , Sakaguchi Shota
Published: December 2019

Edaphic specialization is one of the main drivers of plant diversification and has multifaceted effects on population dynamics. Carex angustisquama is a sedge plant growing only on heavily acidified soil in solfatara fields, where only extremophytes can survive. Because of the lack of closely related species in similar habitats and its disjunct distribution, the species offers ideal settings to investigate the effects of adaptation to solfatara fields and of historical biogeography on the genetic consequences of plant edaphic specialization to solfatara fields. Here, genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to reveal the phylogenetic origin of C. angustisquama, and 16 expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeat markers were employed to infer population demography of C angustisquama. Molecular phylogenetic analysis strongly indicated that C. angustisquama formed a monophyletic clade with Carex doenitzii, a species growing on nonacidified soil in the sympatric subalpine zone. The result of population genetic analysis showed that C. angustisquama has much lower genetic diversity than the sister species, and notably, all 16 loci were completely homozygous in most individuals of C. angustisquama. Approximate Bayesian computation analysis supported the model that assumed hierarchical declines of population size through its evolutionary sequence. We propose that the edaphic specialist in solfatara fields has newly attained the adaptation to solfatara fields in the process of speciation. Furthermore, we found evidence of a drastic reduction in genetic diversity in C. angustisquama, suggesting that the repeated founder effects associated with edaphic specialization and subsequent population demography lead to the loss of genetic diversity of this extremophyte in solfatara fields.
When I say … quantification in qualitative research
Authors: Monrouxe Lynn V. , Rees Charlotte E.
Published: December 2019

Researchers regularly quantify qualitative data in a variety of ways: a few …some…around half…the majority… But when is it appropriate? Monrouxe & Rees discuss the issues, and provide clarity and caution in their "when I say…" article.
Strategies to achieve adequate vitamin A intake for young children: options for Cameroon
Authors: Vosti Stephen A. , Kagin Justin , Engle‐Stone Reina , Luo Hanqi , Tarini Ann , Clermont Adrienne , Assiene Jules Guintang , Nankap Martin , Brown Kenneth H.
Published: December 2019

Meeting children's vitamin A (VA) needs remains a policy priority. Doing so efficiently is a fiscal imperative and protecting at‐risk children during policy transitions is a moral imperative. Using the Micronutrient Intervention Modeling tool and data for Cameroon, we predict the impacts and costs of alternative VA intervention programs, identify the least‐cost strategy for meeting targets nationally, and compare it to a business‐as‐usual (BAU) strategy over 10 years. BAU programs effectively cover ∼12.8 million (m) child‐years (CY) and cost ∼$30.1 m; ∼US$2.34 per CY effectively covered. Improving the VA‐fortified oil program, implementing a VA‐fortified bouillon cube program, and periodic VA supplements (VAS) in the North macroregion for 3 years effectively cover ∼13.1 m CY at a cost of ∼US$9.5 m, or ∼US$0.71 per CY effectively covered. The tool then identifies a sequence of subnational policy choices leading from the BAU toward the more efficient strategy, while addressing VA‐attributable mortality concerns. By year 4, fortification programs are predicted to eliminate inadequate VA intake in the South and Cities macroregions, but not the North, where VAS should continue until additional delivery platforms are implemented. This modeling approach offers a concrete example of the strategic use of data to follow the Global Alliance for VA framework and do so efficiently.
The effect of base‐in prism on vision‐related symptoms and clinical characteristics of young adults with convergence insufficiency; a placebo‐controlled randomised clinical trial
Authors: Nabovati Payam , Kamali Mohammad , Mirzajani Ali , Jafarzadehpur Ebrahim , Khabazkhoob Mehdi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of base‐in prism on symptoms and clinical characteristics of young adults with convergence insufficiency.

Methods

In this randomised clinical trial, 64 CI patients aged 18–38 years who presented to Bina Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran between November 2018 and April 2019 were selected and randomly assigned to either prism or placebo groups. All participants underwent complete optometric examinations, including the measurement of visual acuity, objective and subjective refraction, and complete accommodative and binocular vision examinations. Clinical examinations were repeated after three months. The overall score of the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) was considered as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included near exophoria, positive fusional vergence at near, near point of convergence, vergence facility, monocular accommodative facility, accommodative response, negative relative accommodation and accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) ratio.

Results

The mean (S.D.) age of the participants was 25.5 (5.5) years and 44% of them were male. The mean CISS score was significantly lower in the prism group compared to the placebo group in the outcome examination (p < 0.001). Moreover, the values of monocular accommodative facility, accommodative response, and negative relative accommodation were significantly higher in the prism group versus the placebo group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in other parameters, including near positive fusional vergence, near point of convergence, vergence facility, and AC/A ratio between the two groups in the outcome examination (p > 0.10).

Conclusion

The base‐in prism reduced symptoms in young adults with convergence insufficiency, while it had no significant effect on the near point of convergence, near positive fusional vergence, vergence facility and AC/A ratio. However, the results of this study only supports the symptomatic effectiveness of prism in the short term and further studies are needed to assess the long‐term effect of prism.
Selective responses of Trissolcus basalis and Telenomus podisi to chemical footprints of preferred hosts
Authors: Gomes Lagôa Ana Carolina , Blassioli Moraes Maria Carolina , Borges Miguel , Laumann Raúl Alberto
Published: December 2019

Chemical trails of the hosts (footprints) are important cues for the host searching behaviour of egg parasitoids of the family Scelionidae. The present study aims to determine the influence of the footprints of three neotropical stink bugs (Euchistus heros, Dichelops melacanthus and Nezara viridula) on the foraging behaviour of two parasitoids, Trissolcus basalis and Telenomus podisi, as well as a possible selective response to fooprints of their preferred hosts. Accordingly, Tr. basalis and Te. podisi females are allowed to forage on open arenas where E. heros, D. melacanthus or N. viridula had walked or on open arenas that had been treated with samples of an extract from each stink bug's footprints. Hexane extracts of stink bug footprints are obtained from solvent‐washed Petri dishes where insects were allowed to walk for 24 h, and these extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Each parasitoid responds selectively to the footprints of their preferred host (Tr. basalis to footprints of N. viridula and Te. podisi to footprints of E. heros). Twenty‐six compounds comprising of C18 to C35 (saturated and unsaturated) and methyl branched hydrocarbons were identified in extracts of E. heros, D. melacanthus and N. viridula, respectively. There are significant differences in the total amount of the compounds identified in the footprint stink bug's extracts and also a difference in the amounts of individual compounds. In addition, the behavioural assays showed that footprints of stink bugs are stimuli that are used by egg parasitoids to search, discriminate and selectively locate their preferred host.
Leishmania major adenylate kinase immunization offers partial protection to a susceptible host
Authors: Zutshi Shubhranshu , Kumar Sunil , Sarode Aditya , Roy Somenath , Sarkar Arup , Saha Bhaskar
Published: December 2019

Leishmania major causes mild‐to‐severe cutaneous lesions resulting in significant disfigurations, if untreated. The drugs are toxic, and drug‐resistance parasites are emerging. Therefore, a prophylactic vaccination is an urgent need. As no vaccine is available, we compared the genes expressed by virulent and avirulent parasites. We identify L major adenylate kinase (AdeK) as a probable vaccine candidate after a series of experimentations. We cloned the gene in mammalian pcDNA6/HisA and pet28a+ vector for in vivo expression following immunization and in vitro protein expression for booster, respectively. We observed that immunization of susceptible BALB/c mice with AdeK resulted in significant protection against L major challenge infection. The protection was accompanied by increased IFN‐γ producing lymphocytes and reduced IL‐4, IL‐17 and IL‐10 secreting central and effector Th2, Th17 and Treg memory cells, respectively. These observations indicate L major AdeK as a potential vaccine candidate.
Kynurenine elevation correlates with T regulatory cells increase in acute Plasmodium vivax infection: A pilot study
Authors: dos Santos Rafaella Oliveira , Gonçalves‐Lopes Raquel M. , Lima Nathália F. , Scopel Kézia K. G. , Ferreira Marcelo U. , Lalwani Pritesh
Published: December 2019

Background

Disease‐tolerance mechanisms limit infection severity by preventing tissue damage; however, the underlying mechanisms in human malaria are still unclear. Tryptophan (TRP), an essential amino acid, is catabolized into tolerogenic metabolites, kynurenines (KYN), by indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), which can induce Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs). In this study, we evaluated the relationship of these metabolites with Treg‐mediated tolerance induction in acute malaria infections.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional study that evaluated asymptomatic, symptomatic malaria patients and endemic control patient groups. We assessed plasmatic concentration of cytokines by ELISA. Plasmatic TRP and KYN levels were measured by HPLC. Peripheral T regulatory cells were measured and phenotyped by flow cytometry.

Results

The KYN/TRP ratio was significantly elevated in asymptomatic and symptomatic Plasmodium infection, compared to healthy controls. Also, Th1 and Th2 cytokines were elevated in the acute phase of malaria disease. IFN‐γ increase in acute phase was positively correlated with the KYN/TRP ratio and KYN elevation was positively correlated with the increase of peripheral FoxP3+ T regulatory cells.

Conclusions

Additional studies are needed not only to identify innate mechanisms that increase tryptophan catabolism but also the role of Tregs in controlling malaria‐induced pathology and malaria tolerance by the host.
Comparison of line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography images with histological sections: Validation of a new method for in vivo and non‐invasive quantification of superficial dermis thickness
Authors: Pedrazzani Mélanie , Breugnot Josselin , Rouaud‐Tinguely Pauline , Cazalas Maxime , Davis Arthur , Bordes Sylvie , Dubois Arnaud , Closs Brigitte
Published: December 2019

Background

Line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC‐OCT) is an imaging technique providing “optical biopsies” of the skin in real time and non‐invasively. At a center optical wavelength of 1.3 µm, this innovative technology can be applied to dermo‐cosmetic product development due to both high image resolution (~2 µm) and sufficient penetration (~0.5 mm). Nevertheless, the precise dermal area analyzed with LC‐OCT has never been identified. In this study, the objective was to compare LC‐OCT images with histological sections of the same area, in order to validate a new method for in vivo and non‐invasive quantification of superficial dermis thickness. Once validated, this standardized and quantitative method was used to assess age‐related changes of the superficial dermis.

Materials and Methods

Ex vivo LC‐OCT acquisitions and hematoxylin‐eosin‐safran staining were performed on a panel of four healthy Caucasian female volunteers. In vivo LC‐OCT study of skin aging was performed on a panel of 37 healthy Caucasian female divided into five different age‐groups.

Results

Comparison with histological sections revealed that LC‐OCT images allow the visualization and the quantification of the superficial portion of papillary dermis. Applied to different age‐group of volunteers, LC‐OCT images show a constant decrease in this superficial dermis thickness with age.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we have introduced LC‐OCT as a novel technique for in vivo and non‐invasive evaluation of superficial dermis thickness. This approach could be used in the future to demonstrate visually and quantitatively the capacity of a dermo‐cosmetic active ingredient to renormalize the structural properties of the dermis.
Does “Politicizing” Gun Violence Increase Support for Gun Control? Experimental Evidence from the Las Vegas Shooting
Authors: Kantack Benjamin R. , Paschall Collin E.
Published: December 2019

Objective

Gun control advocacy regularly escalates in the aftermath of a mass shooting. But is the American public more susceptible to pro‐gun‐control arguments in the wake of mass gun violence?

Methods

We analyze a survey experiment fielded immediately before and after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.

Results

Pro‐gun‐control arguments were not effective at increasing support for or confidence in expanded background checks before or after the Las Vegas shooting. Anti‐gun‐control arguments were less effective at reducing support for expanded background checks after the Las Vegas shooting.

Conclusion

Even the largest mass shooting in American history was insufficient to mobilize public opinion on gun control in a way that would affect federal policy.
Estimation of the burden of leptospirosis in New Zealand
Authors: Sanhueza Juan M. , Baker Michael G. , Benschop Jackie , Collins‐Emerson Julie M. , Wilson Peter R. , Heuer Cord
Published: December 2019

Background

Human leptospirosis mainly affects people in close occupational contact with domestic livestock and their products in New Zealand. The disease has an unquantified impact on both human health and animal production in the country. This study aimed to estimate the burden of leptospirosis in terms of disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) and cost associated with loss due to absence from work, treatment of disease, animal production loss and cost of vaccination.

Methods

Previously published studies of abattoir workers farmers, and veterinarians, reporting annual risks of influenza‐like illness attributable toLeptospirainfection, were used to estimate the expected number of cases in a year. The cost of lost animal production was based on results of observational studies in beef cattle, sheep and deer conducted in New Zealand.

Results

Expected median annual number of severe and mild cases of human leptospirosis was 2,025 (95% probability interval [95% PI] 1,138–3,422). Median annual DALYs were 0.42 (95% PI: 0.06–2.40) per 100,000 people for the entire population, and 15.82 (95% PI: 2.09–90.80) per 100,000 people working in at‐risk occupations (i.e. abattoir workers, farmers and veterinarians). Human infection resulted in a median cost of 4.42 (95% PI: 2.04–8.62) million US dollars (USD) due to absence from work and disease treatment. Median production loss cost in beef cattle, sheep and deer was USD 7.92 (95% PI: 3.75–15.48) million, while median vaccination cost in cattle, (including dairy), sheep and deer was USD 6.15 (95% PI: 5.30–7.03) million. Total annual cost of leptospirosis plus vaccination was USD 18.80 (95% PI: 13.47–27.15) million, equivalent to USD 440,000 (95% PI: 320,000–640,000) per 100,000 people.

Conclusion

This study provides an estimate of the disease burden and cost of leptospirosis in New Zealand that could support occupational health authorities and livestock industries in assessing interventions for this disease.
Comprehensive Review on India’s Growth in Renewable Energy Technologies in Comparison With Other Prominent Renewable Energy Based Countries
Authors: Elavarasan Rajvikram Madurai
Published: December 2019

Renewable energy will be the irrefutable future of mankind, where fulfilling fuel needs is concerned and its non-renewable predecessors were by definition, destined to short-lived in the grand scheme of things. Debating this issue is equivalent to flogging a dead horse, so now what is left is to optimize the utilization of these resources. This research work first reviews India’s technological advancements in the renewable energy field in recent decades. Simultaneously, it is going to be compared with the rate of other country’s work in the same field. The goal of this study is to identify the specific renewable methods of electricity generation where India is significantly trailing behind and that requires a redirection of the country’s efforts. A focus is given not only to the technological aspects of the various renewable energies but also to the obstacles faced while using them. And the policies to overcome those obstacles are also discussed. Other than China, India is the only other nation with a population exceeding 1.3 billion mark and the nation with the highest population density at a rather astonishing 382 humans/km2. India also has a population growth rate of 1.10%, compared with China’s 0.39%. Its current energy consumption model may prove unsustainable and will soon need to convert to renewable energy sources for basic survival.
Constructal Open Reactors for Thermochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Malley-Ernewein Alexandre , Lorente Sylvie
Published: December 2019

This work documents the study of two concepts of open reactors for thermochemical energy storage. While classical thermal storage uses sensible or latent heat to store thermal energy, thermochemical energy storage uses an endothermic / exothermic chemical reaction. The process studied is based on the hydration and dehydration of a reactive salt by a flow of moist air in order to release and store heat respectively. The first concept studied is a storage module composed by the pattern “one salt bed surrounded by an inlet and an outlet channel, placed in parallel”. The second concept is a storage module made of by tubes impregnated with the reactive salt on their intern face. In this configuration, the tubes and the impregnated salt layer length scales are in the order of micrometer. Both concepts are presented using the Constructal law of design.

In the first concept, air flows through the salt bed, corresponding to a forced convection through porous media problem, whereas in the second concept the air flow licks the impregnated salt and the chemical reaction occurs within the salt thanks to diffusion only.

The analytical part is based on the Constructal law approach. From the main trends in terms of pressures distribution the geometrical features are deduced to obtain the design of compact and thermally efficient systems.

Next, the discovered trends are backed up with numerical experiments. The geometrical dimensions are morphed with the purpose to move towards better performances. A ratio β between the heat produced by the chemical reaction within the entire module and the overall pumping power necessary to blow the fluid is determined to compare the configurations of each concepts.

In accord with Constructal design, the number of salt beds in the first concept is morphed to reach equipartition of imperfections. The results show that with this evolution, the ratio β increases. In the second concept, the salt volume must be allocated in such a way that the time for water vapor diffusion through the salt matches the time for hydration / dehydration.
Numerical Simulation of Flow Boiling in Micro Channel to Study Bubble Dynamics
Authors: Alugoju Uday Kumar , Dubey Satish Kumar , Javed Arshad
Published: December 2019

With the recent developments in miniaturization techniques of electronic chips, the power density of these chips has risen drastically. Available thermal management technologies like air cooled heat sink and liquid cooled heat sink are unable to keep up with the demand. However, thermal management technologies using flow boiling in microchannel heat sink can dissipate higher heat fluxes. Flow boiling technologies in micro channel heat sinks are not commercially established due to issues such as reliability, flow reversal, dry out, critical heat flux, limited knowledge of bubble dynamics, correlations, etc. In this study, performance of flow boiling in a diverging microchannel with uniform heat flux condition has been investigated. Simulations have been performed on ANSYS Fluent using Volume of Fluid (VOF). VOF is used to track the interface between different phases. The impact of angle on the bubble dynamics of the coolant and flow patterns has been studied. The simulated numerical results are compiled and presented. The results provide a clear understanding of the impact of angle on the bubble dynamics in flow boiling microchannel heat sink.
The Testing and Model Validation of an Additively Manufactured Twisted Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Bernardin John D. , Ferguson Kyle , Sattler David
Published: December 2019

Performance enhancements in heat exchanger design and manufacturing have been achieved over the past several decades through a combination of improved thermal-hydraulic modeling and experimentation tools, enhancements in material formulations and associated property characterizations, and new manufacturing methods. Most recently, Additive Manufacturing (AM) methods have matured sufficiently that they are now being considered as realizable heat exchanger fabrication methods. More complex, compact, and efficient designs can be achieved with AM methods that could not be easily obtained through more traditional manufacturing techniques.

This study expands upon a previous work [1] in which an optimized twisted tube shell and tube stainless steel heat exchanger was designed, analyzed, and fabricated with a Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DLMS) AM method. In that study, the twisted tube heat exchanger performance was a considerable improvement over that of a traditional straight tube shell and tube heat exchanger. In the present study, the AM twisted tube heat exchanger was subjected to thermal-hydraulic tests to measure its performance and to identify any necessary refinements to the previous CFD model.

For the conditions used in this study, the experimental data will show how the previous CFD model over-predicted the twisted tube heat exchanger’s heat transfer rate of 2,297 W and under predicted its overall heat transfer coefficient of 1,008 W/m2/K. Interrogation of the CFD model found that this discrepancy was due to the utilization of a k-ε turbulence model. Once this turbulence characterization was replaced with a more suitable shear transport model, the numerical predictions and experimental measurements of total heat transfer rate and overall heat transfer coefficient were in very close (∼10%) agreement. When combined with the previous study, this current work reveals how a complex, twisted tube shell and tube heat exchanger can be designed with existing CFD modeling tools and efficiently manufactured with current AM technologies to significantly improve its performance over a more traditionally manufactured straight tube version of the heat exchanger.