bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges in reducing TIA clinic waiting times from 9 to 3 days in an acute Welsh hospital
Authors: Krishnan Manju , Jones Andrew , Anjum Tal , Chenna Srikanth , Slade Peter Michael Edward , Ward Karen , Yeap Sarah
Published: October 2018

A patient impact project which successfully reduced the transient ischaemic attack (TIA) clinic waiting time from 9 to 3 days in an acute Welsh hospital, revealing the challenges faced and how alternative thinking and team work improved care given to our service users. Evaluating current situation, careful planning with multiple brainstorming meetings, 4 N chart and driver diagram with change ideas laid the foundation for this service improvement. Run charts, statistical process control and Pareto charts helped to identify the issues that are hindering the progress, which when rectified, reduced the clinic waiting times. Avoiding clinic cancellations by cross covering TIA clinics with mutual agreement among consultants and redeployment of ward staff to support clinics resulted in a positive impact to the patients. The average waiting time to see a patient in TIA clinic dropped from 9 days to just 3 days as a result of this, reflecting the hard-working and proactive nature of a team following a collaborative leadership journey. The service improvement initiative for ‘avoiding clinic cancellations’ was implemented in January 2017 and has reduced our waiting times by three times. Repeat analysis by six monthly Plan Do Study Act cycles revealed that this improvement is sustained.
Return to elite-level sport after clavicle fractures
Authors: Hebert-Davies Jonah , Agel Julie
Published: October 2018

Objective

To determine if return to sport following clavicle fracture occurs earlier in high-level sports than the current standard of care allows for.

Design

Observational study retrospective review of NHL prospective data.

Setting

The study was performed at a university orthopaedic surgery department.

Patients

NHL player with clavicle fracture.

Assessment of independent variables

The independent variable including time on injured reserve and type of treatment.

Main outcome measures

The primary study outcome measure was successful return to NHL play.

Results

15 athletes were identified; 10 were treated operatively and 5 non-operatively. The average return to ice hockey was 10 weeks. If the one outlier is removed, the average is 9.1 weeks. There was one re-fracture in the non-operative group. The average time from injury to return to sport was 65 days in the operative group and 97.6 days in the non-operative group. Two patients were unable to return play during the same season.

Conclusions

High-end athletes safely return to at-risk sports after clavicle fracture much sooner than the average seen with non-elite athletes. Additional study may demonstrate that return to activity can likely be accelerated without significantly increasing complications.
Continuous versus intermittent moderate energy restriction for increased fat mass loss and fat free mass retention in adult athletes: protocol for a randomised controlled trial—the ICECAP trial (Intermittent versus Continuous Energy restriction Compared in an Athlete Population)
Authors: Peos Jackson J , Helms Eric R , Fournier Paul A , Sainsbury Amanda
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Reducing fat mass (FM) while retaining fat free mass (FFM) is a common goal of athletes. Evidence suggests that some—but not all—forms of intermittent energy restriction (IER) may be superior to the conventional method of continuous energy restriction (CER) for people with excess body fat that are sedentary, by reducing some of the adaptive responses to ER. However, it is yet to be established whether this dietary approach is effective for athletes.

Methods and analysis

A single-blind, parallel group, randomised controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio is proposed. Sixty healthy athletes aged ≥18 years will be recruited from local sporting facilities and randomised to an intervention of either moderate CER (mCER) or moderate IER (mIER). Both interventions will consist of 12 weeks of moderate ER, plus 3 weeks in energy balance (EB). The mCER intervention will entail 12 weeks of continuous moderate ER, followed by 3 weeks in EB. The mIER intervention will entail 12 weeks of moderate ER, administered as 4×3 week blocks of moderate ER, interspersed with 3×1 week blocks of EB. The co-primary outcomes are changes in FM and FFM after 12 weeks of moderate ER. Secondary outcomes will be changes in FM and FFM at 15 weeks after intervention commencement, as well as muscle performance, physical activity, sleep quality, changes in resting energy expenditure, subjective drive to eat, circulating concentrations of appetite-regulating hormones, mood states and diet acceptability.

Trial registration

ACTRN12618000638235p.
Push scooter-related injuries in adults: an underestimated threat? Two decades analysed by an emergency department in the capital of Switzerland
Authors: Mebert Rhea Viola , Klukowska-Roetzler Jolanta , Ziegenhorn Stephan , Exadaktylos Aristomenis Konstantinos
Published: October 2018

Background

The number of people conducting cycling and skating sports in Switzerland is rising; likewise, we notice an increase in patients visiting our emergency department for adults due to push scooter accidents. In 2001, our emergency department published the first article worldwide on push scooter-related injuries. Nearly two decades later, we want to review the interim period—collect data, compare it with other studies and evaluate the current impact of push scooter accidents in our adult patient population.

Objective

To investigate data on the incidence, severity, treatment and approximate costs of push scooter-related injuries in adults who presented to our emergency department from 2000 to 2017.

Materials and methods

For this descriptive retrospective study, data were collected in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Inselspital (University Hospital), Berne, Switzerland, from October 2000 to September 2017. We used two clinical reporting systems during that period: Qualicare from 2000 to April 2012 and Ecare from May 2012 to 2017.

Results

165 patients were included, aged 16–80 years. The accidents were mainly classified as unspecified falls in 139 cases (84.24%). 21 patients (12.73%) were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, while the remaining 144 (87.27%) were not. The most common injuries suffered were fractures in 73 patients (44.24%). 92 patients (55.76%) sustained an impact to the head. The most common treatment was surgery in the operating theatre (59 patients, 35.76%). The mean total cost per case was SFr7566.65 (emergency room visit, hospital stay and outpatient controls for the initial case).

Conclusion

The incidence of push scooter-related injuries in adults in our patient population is small but rising. Nevertheless, the resulting injuries are potentially life-threatening and can lead to persistent medical impairment.
Use of head camera-cued recall and debrief to externalise expertise: a systematic review of literature from multiple fields of practice
Authors: Blackhall Vivienne Isabella , Walker Kenneth Grant , Whiteley Iya , Wilson Philip
Published: October 2018

Background

The study of decision making in complex naturalistic environments poses several challenges. In response to these, video-stimulated cued-recall-debrief was developed. It involves an individual wearing a head-mounted camera which records a task from their point of view. Afterwards, footage captured is reviewed along with a facilitated debrief to help externalise cognitive processes. In theory, motion, audio and visual cues generate a high level of experiential immersion which helps the expert to articulate previously hidden thoughts and actions.

Objective

To examine the current evidence for video-stimulated cued-recall-debrief as a means of explicating expert thoughts and feelings in complex tasks in a range of environments.

Study selection

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Education Resources Information Center, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were searched for articles containing the key terms ‘cued-recall (debrief)’, ‘decision making’, ‘skills’ and ‘video recording’. Studies were included if they examined the following outcomes: (1) feasibility, (2) extent of experiential immersion, (3) ability to generate unique insight into decision-making processes and (4) current applications. 1831 articles were identified initially, and 9 studies were included in the final review.

Findings

Video-stimulated cued-recall-debrief is associated with a high level of experiential immersion and generates between two and four times the number of recollections compared with free recall. It can be used to build models of cognitive activity and to characterise the way in which more and less skilled individuals tend to think and feel.

Conclusions

The technique could be used to explicate expertise within medicine: these insights into performance could be used as a training tool for other practitioners.

Trial registration number

CRD42017057484.
Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is associated with area-level socioeconomic status
Authors: Jonsson Martin , Härkönen Juho , Ljungman Petter , Rawshani Araz , Nordberg Per , Svensson Leif , Herlitz Johan , Hollenberg Jacob
Published: October 2018

Objective

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of death in the Western world. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between area-level socioeconomic status (SES) and 30-day survival after OHCA. We hypothesised that high SES at an area level is associated with an improved chance of 30-day survival.

Methods

Patients with OHCA in Stockholm County between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015 were analysed retrospectively. To quantify area-level SES, we linked the patient’s home address to 250 × 250/1000 × 1000 meter grids with aggregated information about income and education. We constructed multivariable logistic regression models in which area-level SES measures were adjusted for age, sex, emergency medical services response time, witnessed status, initial rhythm, aetiology, location and year of cardiac arrest.

Results

We included 7431 OHCAs. There was significantly greater 30-day survival (p=0.003) in areas with a high proportion of university-educated people. No statistically significant association was seen between median disposable income and 30-day survival. The adjusted OR for 30-day survival among patients in the highest educational quintile was 1.70 (95% CI 1.15 to 2.51) compared with patients in the lowest educational quintile. We found no significant interaction for sex. Positive trend with increasing area-level education was seen in both men and women but the trend was only statistically significant among men (p=0.012)

Conclusions

Survival to 30 days after OHCA is positively associated with the average educational level of the residential area. Area-level income does not independently predict 30-day survival after OHCA.
Long working hours, anthropometry, lung function, blood pressure and blood-based biomarkers: cross-sectional findings from the CONSTANCES study
Authors: Virtanen Marianna , Magnusson Hansson Linda , Goldberg Marcel , Zins Marie , Stenholm Sari , Vahtera Jussi , Westerlund Hugo , Kivimäki Mika
Published: October 2018

Background

Although long working hours have been shown to be associated with the onset of cardiometabolic diseases, the clinical risk factor profile associated with long working hours remains unclear. We compared the clinical risk profile between people who worked long hours and those who reported being never exposed to long hours.

Methods

A cross-sectional study in 22 health screening centres in France was based on a random population-based sample of 75 709 participants aged 18–69 at study inception in 2012–2016 (the CONSTANCES study). The data included survey responses on working hours (never, former or current exposure to long working hours), covariates and standardised biomedical examinations including anthropometry, lung function, blood pressure and standard blood-based biomarkers.

Results

Among men, long working hours were associated with higher anthropometric markers (Body Mass Index, waist circumference and waist:hip ratio), adverse lipid levels, higher glucose, creatinine, white blood cells and higher alanine transaminase (adjusted mean differences in the standardised scale between the exposed and unexposed 0.02–0.12). The largest differences were found for Body Mass Index and waist circumference. A dose–response pattern with increasing years of working long hours was found for anthropometric markers, total cholesterol, glucose and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Among women, long working hours were associated with Body Mass Index and white blood cells.

Conclusion

In this study, men who worked long hours had slightly worse cardiometabolic and inflammatory profile than those who did not work long hours, especially with regard to anthropometric markers. In women, the corresponding associations were weak or absent.
Impact of extra-articular spondyloarthritis manifestations and comorbidities on drug retention of a first TNF-inhibitor in ankylosing spondylitis: a population-based nationwide study
Authors: Lindström Ulf , Olofsson Tor , Wedrén Sara , Qirjazo Ilia , Askling Johan
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To assess the impact of extra-articular spondyloarthritis (SpA) manifestations (anterior uveitis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)), and of comorbidities, on tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitor (TNFi) drug retention in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

We identified all bio-naïve patients with AS starting a first ever TNFi July 2006 to December 2015 from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality register and followed these from treatment start through December 2015. We determined the presence of extra-articular SpA-manifestations, comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, affective disease, diabetes, malignancies, chronic lung disease and kidney disease) and socioeconomic status before TNFi start, through linkage to five other national registers, and calculated, for each factor, crude and adjusted HRs for discontinuing the TNFi.

Results

2577 patients with AS (71% men) started a first TNFi during the study period. 27% had a history of anterior uveitis, 6% psoriasis and 7% IBD. Anterior uveitis was associated with a superior TNFi drug retention (HR 0.72; 0.62 to 0.83), psoriasis with an inferior (HR 1.48; 1.18 to 1.86), whereas IBD did not affect TNFi drug retention. The effect of the SpA manifestations on TNFi drug retention was of a similar magnitude to that of the comorbidities.

Conclusions

In AS, anterior uveitis and psoriasis, but not IBD, affect TNFi drug retention. Possible explanations include differential effects of TNFi on these extra-articular SpA manifestations, or inherent differences in AS, associated with the inflammatory phenotype. Further, comorbidities and socioeconomy affect TNFi drug retention to a similar magnitude as the SpA manifestations, and should, as such, receive due attention in clinical practice.
Spontaneous non‐traumatic tension pneumocephalus in a dog with a nasal meningoencephalocele
Authors: Shea Anita , Dominguez Elisabet , Stewart Jennifer
Published: October 2018

A 1.5‐year‐old neutered male Border collie was presented with acute onset left forebrain signs and unilateral nasal discharge 14 months after MRI diagnosis of nasal meningoencephalocele. Subsequent MRI revealed intraventricular pneumocephalus with a gas‐filled tract extending to the rostral aspect of the intranasal brain parenchyma. Transient clinical improvement was noted with medical management, with euthanasia eight months post diagnosis due to deteriorating neurological status. The diagnoses of intraventricular pneumocephalus and frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele were confirmed post mortem. This is the first reported case of non‐traumatic tension pneumocephalus in a dog and the first report of pneumocephalus associated with a nasal meningoencephalocele in a dog.
Influence of the sex and type of tissue on the basic chemical composition and the content of minerals in the sirloin and offal of fattener pigs
Authors: Babicz Marek , Kasprzyk Anna , Kropiwiec-Domańska Kinga
Published: October 2018

The aim of the study was to determine the basic chemical composition and mineral content in the sirloin and offal of fattener pigs, taking their sex into consideration. In addition, comparative analysis of the content of chemical and mineral components in the sirloin and offal was performed. The experimental material included 24 crossbred (Polish Landrace × Polish Large White) fatteners, from which samples of sirloin (musculus longissimus lumborum), liver, heart, and kidneys were collected for the analysis. A significant effect of the sex on the fat content in the sirloin and liver and on the level of magnesium (Mg), zinc, and iron (Fe) in the sirloin was demonstrated. Significant differences were found in the basic chemical composition and mineral content between the sirloin and the offal. In comparison with the liver, the sirloin contained lower amounts of protein and fat and higher potassium and Mg contents. In turn, the offal was shown to be a rich source of sodium, calcium, and trace elements (Fe, manganese, and copper). The mean cadmium concentration in the sirloin and offal was significantly lower than the threshold values for these elements, i.e., it accounted for 26% and 6.2% (liver)–19.5% (heart) of the allowable content of this element in pork meat and offal.
Warm winters reduce landscape-scale variability in the duration of egg incubation for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) on the Copper River Delta, Alaska
Authors: Adelfio Luca A. , Wondzell Steven M. , Mantua Nathan J. , Reeves Gordon H.
Published: October 2018

We quantified the sum of daily mean temperature above 0 °C and modeled incubation duration using water temperature data collected at 12 coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) spawning sites during two incubation periods with cool, snow-dominant conditions and three incubation periods with anomalously warm, rain-transitional conditions, a proxy for a future climate scenario. Warmer water temperatures during warm–rain-transitional winters yielded a 58-day reduction in the median duration of egg incubation; however, the magnitude of change at individual sites varied widely and was controlled by water source. At groundwater-fed sites, temperature variations were strongly attenuated, leading to small interannual differences in incubation duration that were relatively insensitive to short-term changes in air temperature. In contrast, modeled incubation duration was shortened by up to 3 months during warm–rain-transitional winters at precipitation-fed sites. Remarkably, our modeling showed increased uniformity in incubation duration across the landscape during warm–rain-transitional winters. The potential loss of diversity in incubation duration during warmer winters, in isolation, may reduce portfolio effects in this region’s coho salmon population by promoting greater synchronization in the time of spawning.
Change in conductivity of magnetohydrodynamic Darcy–Forchheimer second-grade fluid flow due to variable thickness surface
Authors: Haider A. , Salahuddin T. , Malik M.Y.
Published: October 2018

The current investigation is communicated to analyze the characteristics of Darcy–Forchheimer second-grade fluid flow enclosed by a deformable sheet in the existence of both variable thermal conductivity and magnetohydrodynamics. The leading nonlinear energy and momentum partial differential equations are converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations by utilizing suitable analogous approach. Then the acquired nonlinear problem is numerically calculated by utilizing BVP4C (built in) technique in MATLAB. The influence of certain appropriate physical parameters, namely wall thickness, second-grade fluid, Hartmann number, power index, porosity parameter, inertia coefficient, Prandtl number, and thermal conductivity, on temperature and velocity is studied and deliberated in detail. Numerical calculations of Nusselt number and skin friction for distinct estimations of appearing parameters are analysed through graphs and tables.
The pectin–insulin patch application prevents the onset of peripheral neuropathy-like symptoms in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Sibiya Ntethelelo , Mabandla Musa
Published: October 2018

Peripheral neuropathic condition is amongst the classical symptoms of progressed diabetes. An intensive glycemic control with insulin injections has been shown to delay the onset and the progression of this condition in diabetes. In this study, we investigated the effect of pectin–insulin patch application on peripheral neuropathic symptoms in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Pectin–insulin patches (20.0, 40.8, and 82.9 μg/kg) were daily applied thrice in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 45 days. The diabetic animals sham treated with insulin-free patch served as negative control, while diabetic animals receiving subcutaneous insulin served as positive controls. The locomotor activity, gripping strength, and thermal perception were assessed at day 36, day 40, and day 44, respectively. On the 45th day, the animals were sacrificed, after which the plasma insulin, nitric oxide, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and malondialdehyde were measured. The patch application attenuated hyperglycemia with an improvement in the locomotor activity, thermal perception, and gripping strength in diabetic animals. Furthermore, the application of the patch augmented plasma nitric oxide while attenuating plasma malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor alpha. The application of pectin–insulin patch delays the onset of peripheral neuropathic-like symptoms in diabetic animals.
Coupling of a j = 3/2 nucleon to an even–even core with Davidson potential
Authors: Inci I. , Sonkaya H.
Published: October 2018

The properties of odd nuclei have been investigated within the collective model by assuming the system is composed of a single nucleon in the [Formula: see text] single particle orbit coupled to a [Formula: see text]-unstable even-core. The Davidson potential has been used in the corresponding Bohr Hamiltonian for the even core. The excitation energy spectrum and the electric quadrupole transition ratios have been obtained. The results have been used to predict the experimental data of the some selected odd isotopes.
Possible mechanisms for production of slow target fragments
Authors: Abdelsalam A. , El–Nagdy M. S. , Abdalla A. M. , Saber A.
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we investigate the possible mechanisms, which are responsible for the production of slow target fragments with energy [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV that are emitted from interactions of [Formula: see text]Si nucleus with emulsion nuclei at energy 14.6[Formula: see text]GeV per nucleon. Angular distributions of slow fragments are compared with the corresponding results from collisions of1H,3He,4He,7Li and [Formula: see text]C with emulsion at the energy range 2.2–3.7[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]GeV. We investigate the effects of both projectile energy and mass number on the angular distributions for slow secondary charged fragments called gray and black track producing particles. The average emission angles are found to be [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for gray and black tracks, respectively. These values are nearly constant for all compared experiments. There are two different mechanisms of gray particle production in forward and backward directions while there is a single symmetric mechanism for black particles in both directions. The temperatures are found to be 58 and 6[Formula: see text]MeV for systems of emissions for gray and black particles, respectively. There are strong effects of target size on those mechanisms. The emission system of these particles becomes slower and shows low temperature with the increase in volume of target nucleus.
RESEARCH PROGRESS ON TITANIUM-CONTAINING ORGANIC–INORGANIC HYBRID PROTECTIVE COATINGS
Authors: GUO FEIFEI , GAO JIN , LI XIAOGANG
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we summarize research progress on the design and preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid coating molecular networks, which are based on the basic theory of organic–inorganic hybrid network construction. Among them, we focus on expounding the essential problems of hydrolysis during sol preparation particularly. In addition, the status of research related to titanium-containing organic–inorganic hybrid protective coatings for the surfaces of lightweight alloys such as steel, aluminum and magnesium is introduced here.
THE EFFECT OF FIBER REINFORCEMENT ON FRACTURE TOUGHNESS ASSESSMENT OF NANOCLAY FILLED POLYMER COMPOSITES
Authors: ARULMURUGAN S. , VENKATESHWARAN N.
Published: October 2018

This paper represents the nanomechanical properties of various loading levels of montmorillonite clay filled polyester composites and randomly distributed jute fiber reinforced hybrid composites through Vickers micro-hardness test. The study of indentation fracture mechanics in polymer materials is a simple and cost-effective technique for the determination of fracture toughness. Ultrasonication technique was used to disperse the clay in the polyester matrix. The hand layup method was adapted to prepare the test specimens. Incorporation of 5[Formula: see text]wt.% montmorillonite clay into the polymer matrix results in an enhancement in hardness of 26.52% and the modulus of elasticity increased from 4205.21[Formula: see text]MPa for neat polyester to 5051.46[Formula: see text]MPa with the addition of clay. Fracture toughness was observed to depend on the montmorillonite clay content, and the maximum value was observed at 5[Formula: see text]wt.% nanoclay and 25[Formula: see text]wt.% jute fibers. The results show that the increase in the fiber content reduces the crack propagation in hybrid composites and increases the fracture toughness. To predict the crack size, the scanning electron microscope images are used.
OPTIMIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF DRY SLIDING WEAR BEHAVIOR OF STIR CASTED AlSi6Cu4–TiO2 COMPOSITE USING CENTRAL COMPOSITE DESIGN
Authors: SIVASANKARAN SUBBARAYAN
Published: October 2018

The present research paperfocusses on manufacture of AlSi6Cu4–3 wt.% TiO2 metal matrix composite (MMC) through liquid metallurgy route, and the manufactured composites are tested for their dry sliding wear behavior using response surface methodology (RSM). The extensive microstructural investigation is carried out to examine the dispersion of Titania particles, its bonding ability, and embedment characteristics with the matrix. The wear rate on the developed MMC is investigated and predicted using regression model. Further, the confirmation test is conducted to validate the model. The microstructures of the composite had revealed that TiO2 particles are dispersed in the Al matrix. Further, the surface plots show that the wear rate started to vary linearly with the function of load whereas the wear rate starts to vary nonlinearly with the function of the sliding velocity and the sliding distance. In addition, the worn surfaces were investigated through the scanning electron microscopewhich addressed the wear mechanisms and revealed that TiO2 particles enhance the wear performance of aluminum alloy by a reduction in material removal at all wear conditions.
Scattered second harmonic generation on ultrashort laser pulse processed zinc coatings
Authors: Rother Anne-Sophie , Kohns Peter , Ankerhold Georg
Published: October 2018

We report on an easy way to achieve scattered second harmonic generation (SHG) on zinc-coated glass substrates by focusing femtosecond laser light with a pulse energy of around 50[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]J on the sample in ambient air. Contrary to irradiation in other gases, in ambient air the generated plasmas oxidized the sample surface in the focal point. The formed crater was covered with arbitrarily arranged small needle-like ZnO crystals, leading to scattered SHG. Aside from pure ZnO itself, which is well known for its SHG, several other zinc containing samples had to be laser processed before showing SHG. Comparing those samples, the strongest second harmonic (SH) signal emerged from zinc-coated glass substrates, easily prepared with ordinary zinc spray. Its SHG was comparable to that of pressed ZnO powder. For lower pulse energies, an increased SH signal emerged when moving the spot a few 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m away from the crater center.
Distribution of the primes involving the ceiling function
Authors: Ma Wu-Xia , Chen Yong-Gao , Wu Bing-Ling
Published: October 2018

The distribution of the primes of the forms [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are studied extensively, where [Formula: see text] denotes the largest integer not exceeding [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we will consider several new type problems on the distribution of the primes involving the ceiling (floor) function. For any real number [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the number of integers [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is prime and let [Formula: see text] be the number of primes [Formula: see text] for which there exists an integer [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the least integer not less than [Formula: see text]. These are closely related to the number of the prime factors of the denominator of the Bernoulli polynomial [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study asymptotic properties of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The methods in this paper are also effective for corresponding distribution functions of the primes involving the floor function.
The minimum value of the harmonic index for a graph with the minimum degree two
Authors: Deng Hanyuan , Balachandran S. , Raja Balachandar S.
Published: October 2018

For a simple and connected graph [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] vertices and the minimum degree two, we show that [Formula: see text] by a technique based on linear programming, where [Formula: see text] is the harmonic index of a graph [Formula: see text], defined as the sum of the weights [Formula: see text] of all edges [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] denotes the degree of a vertex [Formula: see text], and characterize the graph with the minimum value.
Tax Administration Reform in China
Authors: QIAN Jiwei
Published: October 2018

The recent initiative to integrate National Tax Service and Local Tax Service at the provincial level and below is a major step towards reforming the tax administration. The State Administration of Taxation will be the main supervisor of the integrated taxation agencies. Social insurance contributions by employees and employers will be collected by tax authority nationwide and not by social security bureaus.
Massive Return Migration Emerging in China
Authors: ZHAO Litao
Published: October 2018

After decades of large-scale rural-to-urban migration, a massive wave of return migration has emerged in China, signalling China’s entry to a new stage of economic and social development. Behind the new trend are the economic take-off of China’s hinterland and the ageing of the first-generation migrant workers. While potentially a benign transformative force for rural China, return migration also risks becoming a way to “dump” ageing, unproductive or laid-off migrant workers in the vast countryside.
China’s National People’s Congress in 2018: Defence Budget Increase and Veteran Affairs
Authors: LI Nan
Published: October 2018

Restructuring and downsizing of China’s military, its counter-corruption drive and improved supervision, its focus on its professional role and its limited goals may help optimise the use of the defence budget approved recently by the National People’s Congress (NPC). Similarly, the NPC’s decision to establish a Ministry of Veteran Affairs to resolve grievances of military veterans may enhance social stability and boost morale in the People’s Liberation Army as well as help Xi Jinping to consolidate power.
BEAR Scotland NW trunk road maintenance: efficient management of geotechnical emergencies
Authors: McMillan Fraser N. , Holt Chris A.
Published: October 2018

This paper examines the procedures developed and employed by BEAR Scotland Limited to efficiently deal with geotechnical emergencies on the trunk road network in NW Scotland, and specifically how BEAR can call upon expert geotechnical consultancy and construction services to promptly resolve failures which impact on road infrastructure. The paper considers two case studies involving the failure of a significant embankment on the A9 and a natural terrain hazard (landslide/debris flow) failure affecting the A83, and how BEAR's approach allowed these geotechnical emergencies to be dealt with in an efficient manner.
Growth hormone acts along the PPARγ-FSP27 axis to stimulate lipolysis in human adipocytes
Authors: Sharma Vishva M. , Vestergaard Esben Thyssen , Jessen Niels , Kolind-Thomsen Peter , Nellemann Birgitte , Nielsen Thomas S. , Vendelbo Mikkel Holm , Møller Niels , Sharma Rita , Lee Kevin Y. , Kopchick John J. , Jørgensen Jens Otto Lunde , Puri Vishwajeet
Published: October 2018

The lipolytic effects of growth hormone (GH) have been known for half a century and play an important physiological role for substrate metabolism during fasting. In addition, sustained GH-induced lipolysis is causally linked to insulin resistance. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In the present study, we obtained experimental data in human subjects and used human adipose-derived stromal vascular cells (hADSCs) as a model system to elucidate GH-triggered molecular signaling that stimulates adipose tissue lipolysis and insulin resistance in human adipocytes. We discovered that GH downregulates the expression of fat-specific protein (FSP27), a negative regulator of lipolysis, by impairing the transcriptional ability of the master transcriptional regulator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) via MEK/ERK activation. Ultimately, GH treatment promotes phosphorylation of PPARγ at Ser273and causes its translocation from nucleus to the cytosol. Surprisingly, FSP27 overexpression inhibited PPARγ Ser273phosphorylation and promoted its nuclear retention. GH antagonist treatment had similar effects. Our study identifies a novel signaling mechanism by which GH transcriptionally induces lipolysis via the MEK/ERK pathway that acts along PPARγ-FSP27 in human adipose tissue.
Overexpression of IRS-4 Correlates with Procaspase 3 Levels in Tumoural Tissue of Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Sanmartín-Salinas Patricia , Guijarro Luis G.
Published: October 2018

We reported that insulin receptor substrate 4 (IRS-4) levels increased in tissue from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and promoted retinoblastoma-cyclin-dependent kinase activation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of IRS-4 on IGF-1 receptor pathway and its impact on procaspase 3 and PARP expression in RKO and HepG2 cancer cell lines. The results obtained in vitro were compared with those obtained from biopsies of patients with CRC (n = 18), tubulovillous adenomas (TA) (n = 2) and in matched adjacent normal colorectal (MANC) tissue (n = 20). IRS-4 overexpression in cultured cells induced the overactivation of IGF-1/BRK/AKT/GSK-3/β-catenin/cyclin D1 pathways, which led to increased expression of procaspase 3 and PARP protein levels. Studies carried out on CRC and TA tissues revealed the overactivation of the IGF-1 receptor signalling pathway, as well as the overexpression of procaspase 3 and PARP in tumoural tissue with respect to MANC tissue. The upregulation of IRS-4 in tumoural samples correlated significantly with the increase in pIGF-1 receptor (Tyr 1165/1166) (r = 0.84; p < 0.0001), procaspase 3 (r = 0. 77; p < 0. 0005) and PARP (r = 0. 89; p < 0. 0005). Similarly, we observed an increase in the proteolysis of procaspase 3 in tumoural tissue with respect to MANC tissue, which correlated significantly with the degradation of PARP (r = 0.86; p < 0.0001), p53 (r = 0.84; p < 0.0001), and GSK-3 (r = 0.78; p < 0.0001). The stratification of patient samples using the TNM system revealed that procaspase 3 and caspase 3 increased gradually with T values, which suggests their involvement in the size and local invasion of primary tumours. Taken together, our findings suggest that IRS-4 overexpression promotes the activation of the IGF-1 receptor pathway, which leads to the increase in procaspase 3 levels in CRC.
Length Scale Matters: Real-Time Elastography versus Nanomechanical Profiling by Atomic Force Microscopy for the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions
Authors: Zanetti-Dällenbach Rosanna , Plodinec Marija , Oertle Philipp , Redling Katharina , Obermann Ellen C. , Lim Roderick Y. H. , Schoenenberger Cora-Ann
Published: October 2018

Real-time elastography (RTE) is a noninvasive imaging modality where tumor-associated changes in tissue architecture are recognized as increased stiffness of the lesion compared to surrounding normal tissue. In contrast to this macroscopic appraisal, quantifying stiffness properties at the subcellular level by atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals aggressive cancer cells to be soft. We compared RTE and AFM profiling of the same breast lesion to explore the diagnostic potential of tissue elasticity at different length scales. Patients were recruited from women who were scheduled for a biopsy in the outpatient breast clinic of the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. RTE was performed as part of a standard breast work-up. Individual elastograms were characterized based on the Tsukuba elasticity score. Additionally, lesion elasticity was semiquantitatively assessed by the strain ratio. Core biopsies were obtained for histologic diagnosis and nanomechanical profiling by AFM under near-physiological conditions. Bulk stiffness evaluation by RTE does not always allow for a clear distinction between benign and malignant lesions and may result in the false assessment of breast lesions. AFM on the other hand enables quantitative stiffness measurements at higher spatial, i.e., subcellular, and force resolution. Consequently, lesions that were false positive or false negative by RTE were correctly identified by their nanomechanical AFM profiles as confirmed by histological diagnosis. Nanomechanical measurements can be used as unique markers of benign and cancerous breast lesions by providing relevant information at the molecular level. This is of particular significance considering the heterogeneity of tumors and may improve diagnostic accuracy compared to RTE.
Micropore Structure and Fractal Characteristics of Low‐Permeability Coal Seams
Authors: Deng Guang-zhe , Zheng Rui
Published: October 2018

With the raw coal from a typical low‐permeability coal seam in the coalfield of South Junger Basin in Xinjiang as the research object, this paper examined six kinds of coal samples with different permeabilities using a scanning electron microscope and a low‐temperature nitrogen adsorption test that employed a JSM‐6460LV high‐resolution scanning electron microscope and an ASAP2020 automatic specific surface area micropore analyzer to measure all characteristic micropore structural parameters. According to fractal geometry theory, four fractal dimension calculation models of coal and rock were established, after which the pore structure characteristic parameters were used to calculate the fractal dimensions of the different coal seams. The results show that (1) the low‐permeability coal seam in the coalfield of South Junger Basin in Xinjiang belongs to mesoporous medium, with a certain number of large pores and no micropores. The varying adsorption capacities of the different coal seams were positively correlated with pore volume, surface area, and the mesoporous surface area proportions, from which it was concluded that mesopores were the main contributors to pore adsorption in low‐permeability coal seams. (2) The raw coal pore fractal dimension had a negative linear relationship to average pore size, a positive linear relationship with total pore volume, total surface area, and adsorption capacity, and a positive correlation with the mesoporous surface area proportion; that is, the higher the fractal dimension, the larger the pore volume and surface area of the raw coal. (3) The permeability of the low‐permeability coal seam had a phase correlation with the micropore development degree; that is, the permeability had a phase negative correlation with the pore distribution fractal dimension, and there was a positive correlation between permeability and porosity. These results are of theoretical significance for the clean exploitation of low‐permeability coal seam resources.
Augmentation versus No Augmentation for Immediate Postextraction Implants
Authors: Mohamed Huda Hamed Basher , Serag Eldien Asma M. , Zahran Amr
Published: October 2018

Purpose. To assess the effects of augmentation versus no augmentation in patients restored with immediate postextraction single-tooth implants on implant failure and patient satisfaction. Materials and methods. We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trial Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and the WHO International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (22 March 2017). Two reviewers independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data, and checked for accuracy. We have expressed results as risk ratio or mean differences, together with their 95% confidence intervals. Results. We included six studies (287 participants). Two trials compared no augmentation versus bone graft augmentation and reported no implant failures in both groups after a follow-up period of 6 months (20 implants) and 1 year (34 implants). One trial compared bone graft augmentation versus membrane augmentation and reported no difference in implant failure between both groups after 6 months (risk ratio (RR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06 to 15.31) or 1 year of follow-up (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.86), and no implants were lost after 3 years. Three trials compared membrane augmentation versus combined bone graft and membrane augmentation, and there was no difference between the groups after six months of follow-up in implant failure (RR 5.13, 95% CI 0.63 to 41.93) or after 1 year (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.02 to 9.05). There was insufficient evidence regarding patient satisfaction in all the included trials. Conclusions. In patients restored with immediate postextraction single-tooth implants, there is insufficient evidence to recommend simultaneous augmentation or a certain augmentation protocol to enhance implant survival and patient satisfaction. This trial is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017054439).
Does Gender Influence Physiological Tolerance in Resuscitators When Using Personal Protection Equipment against Biological Hazards?
Authors: Martín-Rodríguez Francisco , Martín Conty José Luis , Casado Vicente Verónica , Arnillas Gómez Pedro , Mohedano-Moriano Alicia , Castro Villamor Miguel Ángel
Published: October 2018

Introduction. Certain professions, such as those related to emergency services, have usually been performed by men, progressively incorporating women into these professions. The main objective of our study was to determine, according to gender, how the use of level D biohazard personal protection equipment (PPE) affects emergency professionals during the performance of resuscitation. Materials and Methods. An uncontrolled quasi-experimental study was performed on 96 volunteers selected by means of random sampling stratified by gender. Baseline and final vital signs of the assessment activity were analyzed. This activity involves volunteers performing a simulated resuscitation in a controlled environment whilst wearing personal protective suits in a biohazard situation. Results. Analyzing the physiological tolerance pattern parameter by parameter, and according to gender, through a univariate model, we can observe that there is no interaction between tolerance and gender; that is, having good or bad tolerance does not depend on gender. Conclusion. This specialized skilled work can be performed by any properly trained professional.
Prognostic Factors for Survival and Relapse in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis with Renal Involvement: A Clinical Long-Term Follow-Up Study
Authors: Salmela Anna , Törnroth Tom , Poussa Tuija , Ekstrand Agneta
Published: October 2018

Aim. We describe the clinical pattern of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and assess long-term prognostic factors of patients and renal survival and relapse. Methods. Data from 85 patients with renal biopsy-proven AAV at a single center with up to 20-year [median 16.2 years (95% CI 14.9-17.7)] follow-up were retrospectively collected. Results. Overall, 55% of the patients had microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and 45% had granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). The histopathological classes were focal in 35%, crescentic in 26%, mixed in 20%, and sclerotic glomerulonephritis in 19% of the patients. As induction treatment, a combination of cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids was given to 82%, while a combination of azathioprine and corticosteroids was maintenance therapy in 79%. The twenty-year patient survival was 45%. In a multivariable analysis, age ≥58 years [hazard ratio (HR) 7.64, 95% CI 3.44-16.95] and myeloperoxidase (MPO) ANCA (HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.08-4.17) were associated with shorter patient survival time. Renal survival was 68% overall: 88% in focal, 71% in crescentic, 56% in mixed, and 37% in sclerotic class (p=0.01). Female sex (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10-0.73) was a predictor of improved renal survival, whereas GFR <30 ml/min and MPO-ANCA were associated with worse renal survival (HR 4.10, 95% CI 1.35-12.49 and HR 3.10, 95% CI 1.21-7.95, respectively). Relapse-free survival at 20 years was 10%. MPA was associated with a lower risk for relapse (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.28–0.82). Conclusion. We confirmed the improved patient and renal survival in AAV patients with glomerulonephritis, while relapse remained the primary challenge. Histopathological classification may be relevant for survival.
A Simulation‐Based Analysis of the Loss Process of Broadcast Packets in WAVE Vehicular Networks
Authors: Gonzalez Salvador , Ramos Victor
Published: October 2018

The IEEE 802.11p standard operates with the WAVE (Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments) system in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). The broadcast process is used to send messages for safety and non‐safety applications. A previous work on broadcast packets over the control channel proposes an analytical model to study the loss process. Even if such work does not consider all of the phenomena affecting the operation of vehicular networks, we can obtain a very good approximation of the performance that VANETs may exhibit. Regardless of its importance, this subject has been barely studied. Moreover, there is in the literature only a couple of contributions on this subject, being both analytical models. Therefore, we present in this paper an analysis of the loss process of broadcast packets on the control channel of VANETs over different scenarios. First, we consider a typical two‐way scenario and then we analyze a scenario with intersections, both for different vehicle densities. We conduct a campaign of extensive simulations with the NS‐3 simulator to study the average loss rate of broadcast packets, and then we compare our results with an analytical model proposed by Campolo et al. We prove the relationship among the contention window, the packet size, and the number of vehicles with the loss rate, including losses caused by noise, collisions, hidden terminal, and channel switching. Thus, we analyze the loss process validating the results obtained by Campolo et al. We find that there are additional factors affecting the loss rate, which cannot be captured with the analytical model. One key finding in this work is that the loss rate due to channel switching differs between both approaches. Also, we find bounds on the use of the control channel, with the loss rate and the traffic load in the network as parameters.