bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Unsteadiness Modeling for Transient Natural Convection
Authors: Fadl M. , He L. , Stein P. , Marinescu G.
Published: August 2017

Turbine flexible operations with faster startups/shutdowns are required to accommodate emerging renewable power generations. A major challenge in transient thermal design and analysis is the time scale disparity. For natural cooling, the physical process is typically in hours, but on the other hand, the time-step sizes typically usable tend to be very small (subseconds) due to the numerical stability requirement for natural convection as often observed. An issue of interest is: What time-step sizes can and should be used in terms of stability as well as accuracy? In this work, the impact of flow temporal gradient and its modeling is examined in relation to numerical stability and modeling accuracy for transient natural convection. A source term-based dual-timing formulation is adopted, which is shown to be numerically stable for very large time-steps. Furthermore, a loosely coupled procedure is developed to combine this enhanced flow solver with a solid conduction solver for solving unsteady conjugate heat transfer (CHT) problems for transient natural convection. This allows very large computational time-steps to be used without any stability issues, and thus enables to assess the impact of using different time-step sizes entirely in terms of a temporal accuracy requirement. Computational case studies demonstrate that the present method can be run stably with a markedly shortened computational time compared to the baseline solver. The method is also shown to be more accurate than the commonly adopted quasi-steady flow model when unsteady effects are non-negligible.
Comorbid depression and risk of lower extremity amputation in people with diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: O’Neill Sinéad M , Kabir Zubair , McNamara Grace , Buckley Claire Mary
Published: August 2017

Objective

To compare the risk of lower extremity amputation (LEA) in people with diabetes with and without comorbid depression.

Research design and methods

A systematic review of the published literature was conducted. Six databases were searched including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, the Cochrane Library and PsycARTICLES from inception to 22 June 2016, using a detailed search strategy and cross-checking of reference lists for potentially eligible studies published in English. No date restrictions were employed. All studies were reviewed independently for inclusion by two review authors. Data extraction was performed using a standardized data abstraction form, and study quality was assessed independently by two reviewers. A meta-analysis was performed reporting pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs in Review Manager software.

Results

In total, seven studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Data on 767 997 patients from five studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates across the studies were obtained using a random-effects model due to significant heterogeneity (I2=87%). People with diabetes and depression had an increased hazard of LEA (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.60) compared to people with diabetes and no depression.

Conclusions

Based on the available evidence, comorbid depression appears to increase the risk of LEA in people with diabetes. Limited data were available, however, with significant heterogeneity between studies. Further research is needed to inform intervention and clinical practice development in the management of diabetes.
Real-time data capture with electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation programme: a cloud platform for behavioural research
Authors: Lam Max W Y , Leung Nelson W Y , Bat Baker KK , Leung Gary K S , Tsoi Kelvin K F
Published: August 2017

Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, which led to the popularity of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) and showed to be an effective tool for tobacco smoking cessation. However, existing studies on e-cigarette use were based on users’ self-reported data. Detailed and accurate e-cigarette use records can be used to better understand e-cigarette use behaviour and design appropriate tobacco smoking cessation plan. Therefore, a platform for real-time data capture, transmission and cloud storage of e-cigarette usage is suggested to address these issues.

The application of cloud platform for data transfer, storage and analysis on medical research is still at a novel stage. In this study, a cloud-based infrastructure is established for data collection and storage of captured e-cigarette use behaviour; it consists of an e-cigarette, a smartphone, a smartphone application (APP) and a cloud server. Whenever the e-cigarette is inhaled, the time and number of puff will be transmitted to the APP through Bluetooth signal and then uploaded and stored to the cloud through the internet-connected smartphone. The flow of data transmission is performed automatically. E-cigarette smoking history can be recalled in real time and presented in the APP.

This remote cloud platform provides efficient analytical performance on a huge volume of data with high velocity of data creation. The sufficient data accuracy and completeness of e-cigarette use records help to better understand the behaviour and safety of e-cigarette usage and to plan an effective tobacco smoking cessation programme.
Maternal viral mimetic administration at the beginning of fetal hypothalamic nuclei development accelerates puberty in female rat offspring
Authors: Cakan Pinar , Yildiz Sedat , Ozgocer Tuba , Yildiz Azibe , Vardi Nigar
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal viral infection during a critical time window of fetal hypothalamic development on timing of puberty in the female offspring. For that purpose, a viral mimetic (i.e., synthetic double-strand RNA, namely, polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid, poly (I:C)) or saline was injected (i.p.) to the pregnant rats during the beginning (day 12 of pregnancy, n = 5 for each group) or at the end of this time window (day 14 of pregnancy, n = 5 for each group). Four study groups were formed from the female pups (n = 9–10 pups/group). Following weaning of pups, vaginal opening and vaginal smearing was studied daily until 2 sequential estrous cycles were observed. During the second diestrus phase, blood samples were taken for progesterone, leptin, corticosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Maternal poly (I:C) injection on day 12 of pregnancy increased body mass and reduced the time to puberty in the female offspring. Neither poly (I:C) nor timing of injection affected other parameters studied (p > 0.05). It has been shown for the first time that maternal viral infection during the beginning of fetal hypothalamic development might hasten puberty by increasing body mass in rat offspring.
Design and fabrication of a hybrid maglev model employing PML and SML
Authors: Sun R. X. , Zheng J. , Zhan L. J. , Huang S. Y. , Li H. T. , Deng Z. G.
Published: August 2017

A hybrid maglev model combining permanent magnet levitation (PML) and superconducting magnetic levitation (SML) was designed and fabricated to explore a heavy-load levitation system advancing in passive stability and simple structure. In this system, the PML was designed to levitate the load, and the SML was introduced to guarantee the stability. In order to realize different working gaps of the two maglev components, linear bearings were applied to connect the PML layer (for load) and the SML layer (for stability) of the hybrid maglev model. Experimental results indicate that the hybrid maglev model possesses excellent advantages of heavy-load ability and passive stability at the same time. This work presents a possible way to realize a heavy-load passive maglev concept.
Magnetic quantum oscillations in doped antiferromagnets
Authors: Kabanov V. V.
Published: August 2017

Energy spectrum of electrons (holes) doped into two-dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic (AF) semiconductors is quantized in an external magnetic field of arbitrary direction. A peculiar dependence of de Haas–van Alphen (dHvA) magneto-oscillation amplitudes on the azimuthal in-plane angle from the magnetization direction and on the polar angle from the out-of-plane direction is found. The angular dependence of the amplitude is different if the measurements are performed in the field above and below of the spin-flop field.
Influence of ZnO doping on the properties of single domain YBCO bulks fabricated by RE+011 TSIG process
Authors: Yang W. M. , Yuan X. C. , Guo Y. X.
Published: August 2017

Single domain YBCO bulk superconductors with different additions of ZnO have been successfully fabricated by RE[Formula: see text]011 TSIG process with a new solid phase of [(100-[Formula: see text])(Y2O[Formula: see text]BaCuO2)+[Formula: see text]ZnO] and a new liquid phase of (Y2O3+6CuO+10BaCuO2). The effects of ZnO additions on the growth morphology, microstructure, critical temperature ([Formula: see text]), the levitation force and trapped field of the YBCO bulks have been investigated. It is found that within the range of ZnO additions [Formula: see text]=0–1.0 wt.%, all the samples are of the typical characteristic of single-domain YBCO bulk; the [Formula: see text] of the samples decreases from 92 K to 80 K when the ZnO addition [Formula: see text] increases from [Formula: see text]=0 wt.% to [Formula: see text]=1.0 wt.%; the levitation force and trapped field of the samples firstly increase and then decrease with increase of ZnO additions after going through a maximum, which is closely related with the ZnO addition and the resulting flux pinning force caused by lattice distortion due to the substitution of Zn[Formula: see text] for Cu[Formula: see text] site in the YBCO crystal; the largest levitation force 36.8 N (77 K, 0.5 T) and trapped field 0.416 T (77 K, 0.5 T) of the samples are obtained when [Formula: see text]=0.1 wt.%, respectively. This result is significantly important and helpful for us to improve the properties of YBCO bulk superconductors.
Holographic superconductors in the presence of dark matter
Authors: Rogatko Marek , Wysokiński Karol I.
Published: August 2017

The application of the gauge-gravity duality, also known as anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory (AdS/CFT) correspondence to study condensed matter systems has resulted in a number of important findings. Using the analogy, we have studied the phase transitions between a holographic insulator and a metal at zero temperature as well as finite temperature transition between a metal and a holographic superconductor of [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-wave symmetry. The main aim of this note is to look in which way the dark matter might affect the properties of superconductors. The hope is that some of the observed modifications could be used to detect this ubiquitous but still elusive component of matter in the Universe.
Study of averaged collision strength of non-Maxwellian distribution in plasma
Authors: He Jian , Zhang Qingguo
Published: August 2017

In this paper, kappa distribution of electronic energy is discussed for non-Maxwellian distribution. Taking silicon III 189.2 nm line in solar atmospheric plasma as an example, we discuss the kappa distribution and the Maxwellian distribution when temperature varies from [Formula: see text] K to [Formula: see text] K, and we calculate the averaged collision strengths of the kappa distribution and the Maxwellian distribution. Results indicate that the kappa distribution is close to the Maxwellian distribution with the increase of parameter [Formula: see text], and the difference of the averaged collision strength between the kappa distribution and the Maxwellian distribution is not very large in the higher temperature region from [Formula: see text] K to [Formula: see text] K, while that is large in the lower temperature region from [Formula: see text] K to [Formula: see text] K. This discussion will be significant in study of plasma quantitatively.
Comparative techniques to investigate plastically deformed 5754 Al-alloy
Authors: Abdel-Rahman M. , Salah Mohammed , Ibrahim Alaa M. , Badawi Emad A.
Published: August 2017

Cold work (compression) is an important method that produces dislocations mainly used to improve the mechanical properties of Al-alloys. The effect of deformation on 5754 Al-alloy was investigated by Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS), Vickers micro-hardness (HV) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The observation of results obtained by these techniques as a function of degree of deformation showed approximately the same behavior. Mean lifetime and Vickers micro-hardness values changed from 168.0 ± 7.0 ps and 32.0 ± 1.5 Hv, respectively, for the annealed (undeformed) sample to be 214.0 ± 7.0 ps and 43.0 ± 1.5 Hv, respectively, for saturated dislocation samples. Both PALS and HV results seems to be approximately constant above 8.0% degree of deformation which is the start of the saturated dislocation region. 10% degree of deformation is considered to be a threshold point or preferred orientation point obtained from XRD measurements after which saturation of dislocation is also obtained. Due to the variation in the interatomic spacing caused by plastic deformation, a significant increase in the peak broadening and line intensities of the XRD reflections is obtained.
The neutron irradiation effects on the temperature dependencies of the electrical conductivity of nanosilicon particles
Authors: Huseynov Elchin , Garibli Aydan
Published: August 2017

The effects of temperature and neutron irradiation on the silicon nanoparticles have been studied at different frequencies. It has been defined that additional electro-active radiation defects occur in the silicon nanomaterial after neutron irradiation. Therefore, the change of neutron flux at the interval of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] increases the conductivity of nanosilicon. Activation energies of the silicon nanoparticles were calculated for 10 different constant frequencies according to Arrhenius approach before and after neutron irradiation. The mechanism of electrical conductivity which explains results has been established.
Structural, electronic, vibrational and optical properties of Bin clusters
Authors: Liang Dan , Shen Wanting , Zhang Chunfang , Lu Pengfei , Wang Shumin
Published: August 2017

The neutral, anionic and cationic bismuth clusters with the size n up to 14 are investigated by using B3LYP functional within the regime of density functional theory and the LAN2DZ basis set. By analysis of the geometries of the Bi[Formula: see text] (n = 2–14) clusters, where cationic and anionic bismuth clusters are largely similar to those of neutral ones, a periodic effect by adding units with one to four atoms into smaller cluster to form larger cluster is drawn for the stable structures of bismuth clusters. An even–odd alteration is shown for the properties of the clusters, such as the calculated binding energies and dissociation energies, as well as frontier orbital energies, electron affinities, ionization energies. All the properties indicate that the Bi4 cluster is the most possible existence in bismuth-containing materials, which supports the most recent experiment. The orbital compositions, infrared and Raman activities and the ultraviolet absorption of the most possible tetramer bismuth cluster are given in detail to reveal the periodic tendency of adding bismuth atoms and the stability of tetramer bismuth cluster.
LEARNING, ADAPTATION, AND WEATHER IN A CHANGING CLIMATE
Authors: MOORE FRANCES C.
Published: August 2017

Climate change will push the weather experienced by people affected outside the bounds of historic norms, resulting in unprecedented weather events. But people and firms should be able to learn from their experience of unusual weather and adjust their expectations about the climate distribution accordingly. The efficiency of this learning process gives an upper bound on the rate at which adaptation can occur and is therefore important in determining the adjustment costs associated with climate change. Learning about climate change requires people to infer the state of a changing probability distribution (climate) given annual draws from that distribution (weather). If the climate is stationary, it can be inferred from the distribution of historic weather observations, but if it is changing, the inference problem is more challenging. This paper first develops different learning models, including an efficient hierarchical Bayesian model in which the observer learns whether the climate is changing and, if it is, the functional form that describes that change. I contrast this with a less efficient but simpler learning model in which observers react to past changes but are unable to anticipate future changes. I propose a general metric of learning costs based on the average, discounted squared difference between beliefs and the true climate state and use climate model output to calculate this metric for two emissions scenarios, finding substantial relative differences between learning models and scenarios but small absolute values. Geographic differences arise from spatial patterns of warming rates and natural weather variability (noise). Finally, I present results from an experimental game simulating the adaptation decision, which suggests that people are able to learn about a trending climate and respond proactively.
Fluid Drugs: Revisiting the Anthropology of Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Hardon Anita , Sanabria Emilia
Published: August 2017

This review discusses a growing body of scholarship at the intersection of anthropology and science and technology studies (STS) that examines how drugs are rendered efficacious in laboratories, therapeutic settings, and everyday lives. This literature foregrounds insights into how commercial interests and societal concerns shape the kinds of pharmaceutical effects that are actualized and how some efficacies are blocked in response to moral concerns. The work brought together here reveals how regulatory institutions and health policy makers seek to stabilize pharmaceutical actions while, on the front lines of care, pharmacists, health workers, and users tinker with dosages and indications to tailor pharmaceutical actions to specific circumstances. We show that there is no pure (pharmaceutical) object that precedes its socialization. Pharmaceuticals are not “discovered”; they are made and remade in relation to shifting contexts. This review outlines five key areas of ethnographic and STS research that examines such fluid drugs.
Measuring the Impact of Human Rights: Conceptual and Methodological Debates
Authors: Fariss Christopher J. , Dancy Geoff
Published: August 2017

Fifty years ago, the world had very few human rights laws and very little information on human rights violations. Today, the situation could not be more different. The world is awash in laws and indicators of legal violations, and two perspectives have developed to explain their relationship. The factualist approach measures whatever information is available, however imperfectly, and assumes that the resulting indicators are valid representations of the theoretical concepts of interest. The constructivist approach reminds us that these processes are not independent and that a science of law and human rights is fallible. Though the conclusions from these perspectives diverge radically, they agree on a central notion: that international human rights law has contributed very little to social progress. We disagree and offer an alternative, constitutive approach that both accepts the critique of indicators and offers a way forward that encourages scholars to treat measurement itself as an object of theorizing and inquiry.
The Application of PSO‐AFSA Method in Parameter Optimization for Underactuated Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Control
Authors: Jiang Chunmeng , Wan Lei , Sun Yushan , Li Yueming
Published: August 2017

In consideration of the difficulty in determining the parameters of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles in multi‐degree‐of‐freedom motion control, a hybrid method that combines particle swarm optimization (PSO) with artificial fish school algorithm (AFSA) is proposed in this paper. The optimization process of the PSO‐AFSA method is firstly introduced. With the control simulation models in the horizontal plane and vertical plane, the PSO‐AFSA method is elaborated when applied in control parameter optimization for an underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle. Both simulation tests and field trials were carried out to prove the efficiency of the PSO‐AFSA method in underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle control parameter optimization. The optimized control parameters showed admirable control quality by enabling the underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle to reach the desired states with fast convergence.
Manipulations of Wavefront Propagation: Useful Methods and Applications for Interferometric Measurements and Scanning
Authors: Karsenty Avi , Novoselski Eitan , Yifrach Ariel , Lanzmann Emmanuel , Arieli Yoel
Published: August 2017

Phase measurements obtained by high-coherence interferometry are restricted by the 2π ambiguity, to height differences smaller than λ/2. A further restriction in most interferometric systems is for focusing the system on the measured object. We present two methods that overcome these restrictions. In the first method, different segments of a measured wavefront are digitally propagated and focused locally after measurement. The divergent distances, by which the diverse segments of the wavefront are propagated in order to achieve a focused image, provide enough information so as to resolve the 2π ambiguity. The second method employs an interferogram obtained by a spectrum constituting a small number of wavelengths. The magnitude of the interferogram’s modulations is utilized to resolve the 2π ambiguity. Such methods of wavefront propagation enable several applications such as focusing and resolving the 2π ambiguity, as described in the article.
Imaging Techniques in the Diagnostic Journey of Disorders of Sex Development
Authors: Guerra-Junior Gil , Andrade Kleber C. , Barcelos Irene H.K. , Maciel-Guerra Andréa T.
Published: August 2017

Various disorders of sex development (DSD) result in an abnormal development of genitalia that may be recognized at prenatal ultrasonography, immediately after birth, or later in life. Because of the complex nature of DSD, the participation of a multidisciplinary team, including imaging or radiology technologists, is required to address the patient's medical needs. The first steps in the management of DSD are sex evaluation, which is based on factors such as the genotype, the presence, location, and appearance of reproductive organs, the potential for fertility, and the cultural background and beliefs of the patient's family. It is also important to ensure the detection of comorbidity (as in syndromes) and to define the etiology of DSD in order to offer the best prognosis. Ultrasonography is the primary modality for demonstrating internal organs, genitography is used to assess the urethra, vagina, and any fistulas, and magnetic resonance imaging is used as an additional modality to assess internal gonads and genitalia. This review presents the advantages and disadvantages and the sensitivity and specificity for each type of radiological imaging to help in the evaluation of DSD cases before and after birth.
Association Between MGMT Promoter Methylation and Breast Cancer: a Meta-Analysis
Authors: An Nairui , Shi Yu , Ye Peng , Pan Zhongya , Long Xinghua
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Numerous studies have suggested that the promoter methylation status of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is significantly associated with breast cancer. However, these studies have not demonstrated consistent results. Methods: To obtain more accurate results for this possible association, we performed a meta-analysis-based study using the relevant data. A total of 14 articles were included in this meta-analysis. Results: Our study showed that the frequency of MGMT promoter methylation was significantly higher in patients with breast cancer than non-breast cancer subjects with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 4.47, a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) ranging between 1.95 - 10.25 and a P value of 0.0004. Moreover, MGMT methylation was significantly associated with the negative expression of the MGMT protein (OR = 4.65, 95%CI = 2.66 - 8.12, P < 0.00001), Oestrogen Receptor (ER)-negative tumours (OR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.09 - 2.93, P = 0.02), postmenopausal status (OR =1.84, 95%CI = 1.18 - 2.87, P = 0.007) and histological grade III tumours (OR = 2.49, 95%CI = 1.53 - 4.07, P = 0.0003) in breast cancer patients. However, breast cancer was not significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 0.83 - 1.70, P = 0.35), Progesterone Receptor (PR) status (OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.58 - 2.00, P = 0.81), Human epidermal growth factor receptor - 2（HER-2/neu）status (OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 0.65 - 1.57, P = 0.97), P53 mutation (OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 0.76 - 2.21, P = 0.34) and age > 50 (OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.46 - 2.51, P = 0.88). Conclusions: Our study suggests that MGMT promoter methylation may be an early biomarker for the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Catalogue of Ampulicidae, Crabronidae and Sphecidae of Iran (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)
Authors: JAHANTIGH FATEMEH , RAKHSHANI EHSAN , MOKHTARI AZIZOLLAH , RAMROODI SARA
Published: August 2017

An updated checklist of the Sphecidae sensu lato (Ampulicidae, Crabronidae and Sphecidae) of Iran is presented. Records were extracted from the literature published between 1871 and 2016. In total, 404 species belonging to 71 genera and 11 subfamilies are listed. While Crabronidae and Sphecidae are represented by 315 (6 subfamilies, 56 genera) and 87 species (4 subfamilies, 13 genera), respectively, only two species belonging to the genera Ampulex Jurine, 1807 and Trirogma Westwood, 1841 from the family Ampulicidae were recorded from Iran. Two species, Bembecinus escalerae (Turner, 1912b) and Tachytes panzeri(Dufour, 1841), are excluded from the sphecid wasp fauna of the country. Among the listed taxa, 18 species are exclusively known from Iran. Also listed are 54 subspecies belonging to 47 species. For each species, recorded distribution in Iran as well as overall distribution is presented. The majority of species were recorded from Fars (140) followed by Sistan-o Baluchestan (103) and Tehran (63) provinces.Printed copy of this book is available from US$31.2 plus postage, Click here to order.
Ethnic diversity, out-group contacts and social trust in a high-trust society
Authors: Loxbo Karl
Published: August 2017

Although ethnic diversity is widely believed to undermine social trust, several scholars have argued that this outcome ultimately depends on the extent of high-quality contacts between diverse groups as well as the extent of equality in society. This article scrutinises these different hypotheses by exploring the association between ethnic diversity and social trust among Swedish schoolchildren. Building on data from Sweden, where legacies of equality would be expected to provide unique opportunities for building trust among diverse groups, the contribution of the article to the literature is twofold. First, it was found that contextual diversity is only weakly related to adolescents’ trust. Furthermore, while interactions revealed that a higher socio-economic level in a classroom reinforces, rather than cushions, the adverse effect, it is concluded that contextual measures obscure the micro-level dynamic underlying the association between diversity and trust in classrooms. Second, when accounting for compositional effects, and the distinction between in-group and out-group contact, the findings strongly supported the conflict hypothesis, while rejecting the contact hypothesis. The principal finding is that ethnic diversity in a classroom undermines social trust among native-born adolescents, whereas the effect is the exact opposite for minorities. In addition, social trust is only promoted if adolescents interact with members of their ethnic in-group. Because these disconcerting results were found in the high-trust context of Sweden, it is suggested that similar findings are likely in less favourable settings. The article concludes by arguing that the high levels of social trust in traditionally homogenous, but increasingly segregated, countries such as Sweden may conceal the fact that individuals primarily include others who are similar to themselves in their ‘imagined communities’.
Pediatric Resident Education and Preparedness Regarding Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Authors: Cordrey Kyla , McLaughlin Laura , Das Prithwijit , Milanaik Ruth
Published: August 2017

This study assessed pediatric residents’ reported knowledge of and self-confidence in identifying/treating 8 vaccine-preventable diseases. Pediatric residents nationwide (n = 385) reported (1) if they had previously diagnosed measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, varicella, and/or polio; (2) their comfort level in treating these diseases; (3) the likelihood of identifying symptoms; and (4) 16 disease-related statements as true/false. More than 25% of residents were not comfortable treating 5 of the 8 diseases. More than 25% reported themselves as unlikely/extremely unlikely to identify symptoms of 3 of these diseases. Third- or fourth-year residents did not feel more confident in identifying disease symptoms than first-year residents, except for pertussis ( P ≤ .01). True/false statement accuracy ranged from 56.8% correct (polio) to 94.6% correct (pertussis). Most residents (73.3%) were “extremely concerned” regarding parental vaccine refusal, and 96.0% felt that they would benefit from receiving more information. Increased emphasis on this subject in residency education is essential for the management of potential disease outbreaks.
Negotiating positions through reflexivity in international fieldwork
Authors: Noh Jae-Eun
Published: August 2017

This article explores the role of reflexivity in negotiating the researcher’s positions while undertaking qualitative research in an international setting. Negotiating my positions between a researcher and a student and/or practitioner, and an insider and an outsider was complicated. This article suggests that endogenous and referential reflexivity can contribute towards reflecting a researcher’s positionality and its potential influence on the research process and findings.
A proposal for a collaborative ‘journal’ on the messy, inter-subjective and critically evidential in social and community work research
Authors: Dullea Karen
Published: August 2017

This is a proposal for a collaborative ‘journal’ on the messiness of research in the profoundly inter-subjective area of social and community work in international locations.
Postnatal Identification of Zika Virus Peptides from Saliva
Authors: Zuanazzi D. , Arts E.J. , Jorge P.K. , Mulyar Y. , Gibson R. , Xiao Y. , Bringel dos Santos M. , Machado Maria Aparecida A. M. , Siqueira W.L.
Published: August 2017

We explored the potential to diagnose Zika virus (ZIKV) infection by analyzing peptides in saliva during a convalescent phase of infection, long after resolution of acute disease. A 25-y-old woman clinically diagnosed with Zika fever in the first trimester was enrolled with her dizygotic twins for a 3-mo postnatal sample of saliva (9-mo after maternal infection). The female baby (A) had microcephaly while the male baby (B) was born healthy. Peptidomic analysis was completed by mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and ZIKV peptides were identified using the National Institutes of Health Zika Virus Resource database, then aligned and mapped to the ZIKV polyprotein to determine proteome coverage and phylogenetic studies. A total of 423 (mother), 607 (baby A), and 183 (baby B) unique ZIKV peptides were identified in saliva by MS/MS, providing a coverage of 67%, 84%, and 45%, respectively, of the entire ZIKV polyprotein (>3,400 amino acids). All peptides were aligned to other flaviviruses that are circulating in Brazil (dengue and yellow fever) to discard false-positive matches. Nine peptides identified were highly conserved to dengue virus. Alignment of a contiguous peptide sequence for mother/babies with the 74 ZIKV sequences suggested that the virus may have entered the oral cavity through the salivary glands, leading to an infection that persists into the postnatal period (vertical transmission). Furthermore, we identified 9 sequence variations that were unique to the baby with microcephaly (not found in the mother or the twin). This sequence information could provide a template for future neuropathogenic studies. A much larger sample size is required to determine whether sequence variation in the envelope protein significantly associates with microcephaly. Finally, from a public health perspective, it will be important to determine whether viral replication is still taking place after birth and whether the virus can be transmitted through salivary contact.
Simulation of braking energy recovery for the metro vehicles based on the traction experiment system
Authors: Ruigang Song , Tianchen Yuan , Jian Yang , Hao He
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a new onboard energy storage system (ESS) is designed. In addition, the experiment system is developed for the energy recovery of the metro vehicle braking. The proposed ESS is not connected to the DC bus, but to the brake chopper in the inverter. The ESS has a simple structure and high reliability due to its independence from the metro vehicle traction system, and it does not feedback the energy to the traction system. The mathematical model of traction dynamics was studied. A scaled experiment system is developed to simulate metro vehicle traction conditions and to test the characteristics of the ESS. The whole experiment system is modeled and simulated in the Matlab/Simulink software. The experiment results show that the highest recovery efficiency of the system is 84.6%. Both the simulation and the experiment results confirm the validity and the feasibility of the proposed ESS.
Incorporating land use and pricing policies for reducing car dependence: Analytical framework and empirical evidence
Authors: Zhang Wenjia , Zhang Ming
Published: August 2017

This article develops an analytical framework to connect the theories of market and planning failures with the reasoning of incorporating land use and pricing policies for reducing driving and car dependence. A multilevel multinomial logit model (MML) is applied to estimate the effects of neighbourhood land use characteristics and price variables on travel mode choice of non-work trips and their interaction effects in the city of Austin, Texas. Results reveal that pricing policies are more efficient for reducing auto travel while land use policies appear better for adjusting non-auto travel. The practical significance of land use policies for reducing car dependence are more reflected in the modified effects of land use on pricing elasticities of driving probability. Pricing policies are more effective for reducing driving in neighbourhoods with a higher sidewalk density and a better accessibility to mixed-use activity centres. These findings validate the theoretical analysis and demonstrate the importance of coordinating land use and pricing policies together in the transportation planning practice.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pheochromocytoma-induced cardiogenic shock
Authors: Bouabdallaoui Nadia , Bouchard Denis , Jolicoeur E. Marc , Chronopoulos Alexandra , Garneau Pierre Y , Lamarche Yoan
Published: August 2017

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been extensively used for cardiopulmonary support in cardiogenic shock. However, its clinical value in the management of pheochromocytoma crisis remains unclear. We report a rare case of life-threatening cardiogenic shock managed with peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation combined with endovascular left ventricular venting, in a 40-year-old female patient, in the setting of unknown adrenal pheochromocytoma. We highlight the life-saving role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in undiagnosed endocrine emergencies, allowing cardiac and end-organ recovery, and giving time for accurate diagnosis and specific treatment in such unusual situations.
Glycocalyx degradation leads to blood–brain barrier dysfunction and brain edema after asphyxia cardiac arrest in rats
Authors: Zhu Jiajia , Li Xing , Yin Jia , Hu Yafang , Gu Yong , Pan Suyue
Published: August 2017

The role of glycocalyx in blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity and brain damage is poorly understood. Our study aimed to investigate the impacts of endothelial glycocalyx on BBB function in a rat model of cardiac arrest (CA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to 8-min asphyxia CA/CPR. Compared to controls, glycocalyx was mildly injured by CA, severely disrupted by hyaluronidase (HAase) with CA, and mitigated by hydrocortisone (HC) with CA. More importantly, the disruption of glycocalyx caused by HAase treatment was associated with higher BBB permeability and aggravated brain edema at 24 h after return of spontaneous circulation, as well as lower survival rate and poorer neurologic outcome at seventh day. Reversely, less degradation of glycocalyx by HC treatment was accompanied by higher seven-day survival rate and better neurologic outcome. Mechanistically, HAase treatment further increased CA/CPR-induced activation of glia cells and expression of inflammatory factors, whereas HC decreased them in the brain cortex and hippocampus. Glycocalyx degradation results in BBB leakage, brain edema, and deteriorates neurologic outcome after asphyxia CA/CPR in rats. Preservation of glycocalyx by HC could improve neurologic outcome and reduce BBB permeability, apparently through reduced gene transcription-protein synthesis and inflammation.
Vitamin D attenuates cerebral artery remodeling through VDR/AMPK/eNOS dimer phosphorylation pathway after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats
Authors: Enkhjargal Budbazar , Malaguit Jay , Ho Wing M , Jiang Wu , Wan Weifeng , Wang Gaiqing , Tang Jiping , Zhang John H
Published: August 2017

The role of vitamin D3 (VitD3) in the upregulation of osteopontin (OPN) and eNOS in the endothelium of cerebral arteries after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is investigated. The endovascular perforation SAH model in Sprague-Dawley rats ( n = 103) was used. The VitD3 pretreatment (30 ng/kg) increased endogenous OPN and eNOS expression in cerebral arteries compared with naïve rats ( n = 5 per group). Neurobehavioral scores were significantly improved in Pre-SAH+VitD3 group compared with the SAH group. The effects of VitD3 were attenuated by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injections of siRNA for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and OPN in Pre-SAH+VitD3+VDR siRNA and Pre-SAH+VitD3+OPN siRNA rats, respectively ( n = 5 per group). The significant increase of VDR, OPN and decrease of C44 splicing in the cerebral arteries of Pre-SAH+VitD3 rats lead to an increase in basilar artery lumen. The increase in VDR expression led to an upregulation and phosphorylation of AMPK and eNOS, especially dimer form, in endothelium of cerebral artery. The results provide that VitD3 pretreatment attenuates cerebral artery remodeling and vasospasm through the upregulation of OPN and phosphorylation of AMPK (p-AMPK) and eNOS (p-eNOS) at Ser1177-Dimer in the cerebral arteries. Vitamin D may be a useful new preventive and therapeutic strategy against cerebral artery remodeling in stroke patients.
Evaluation of an iterative model-based reconstruction of pediatric abdominal CT with regard to image quality and radiation dose
Authors: Aurumskjöld Marie-Louise , Söderberg Marcus , Stålhammar Fredrik , von Steyern Kristina Vult , Tingberg Anders , Ydström Kristina
Published: August 2017

Background

In pediatric patients, computed tomography (CT) is important in the medical chain of diagnosing and monitoring various diseases. Because children are more radiosensitive than adults, they require minimal radiation exposure. One way to achieve this goal is to implement new technical solutions, like iterative reconstruction.

Purpose

To evaluate the potential of a new, iterative, model-based method for reconstructing (IMR) pediatric abdominal CT at a low radiation dose and determine whether it maintains or improves image quality, compared to the current reconstruction method.

Material and Methods

Forty pediatric patients underwent abdominal CT. Twenty patients were examined with the standard dose settings and 20 patients were examined with a 32% lower radiation dose. Images from the standard examination were reconstructed with a hybrid iterative reconstruction method (iDose4), and images from the low-dose examinations were reconstructed with both iDose4 and IMR. Image quality was evaluated subjectively by three observers, according to modified EU image quality criteria, and evaluated objectively based on the noise observed in liver images.

Results

Visual grading characteristics analyses showed no difference in image quality between the standard dose examination reconstructed with iDose4 and the low dose examination reconstructed with IMR. IMR showed lower image noise in the liver compared to iDose4 images. Inter- and intra-observer variance was low: the intraclass coefficient was 0.66 (95% confidence interval = 0.60–0.71) for the three observers.

Conclusion

IMR provided image quality equivalent or superior to the standard iDose4 method for evaluating pediatric abdominal CT, even with a 32% dose reduction.
Combined pelvic and femoral reconstruction in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Alassaf Nabil , Saran Neil , Benaroch Theirry , Hamdy Reggie Cherine
Published: August 2017

Objective

The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of age, femoral head migration, and ambulatory status on radiographic outcomes after combined pelvic and femoral reconstruction in children with cerebral palsy. The secondary aim was to evaluate the fate of the opposite hip after unilateral reconstruction.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study design of consecutive patients from 1995–2009 was used. The records were screened for patients who underwent varus derotational osteotomy and modified Dega osteotomy.

Results

Eighty-five hips in 71 patients were included. The mean age was 8.4 ± 3.2 years and the mean follow-up was 6.6 ± 3.1 years. The final measures were a mean migration index of 20% ± 15.58%, centre edge angle of 28.45° ± 15.98°, and Sharp’s angle of 40.75° ± 8.5°. Those values were not correlated with age and the initial migration index. Nonambulatory status did not negatively affect hip stability. Final measurements of the contralateral hips were similar to the reconstructed hips, and the cumulative incidence for later reconstruction was 5.67%.

Conclusions

Regardless of age, preoperative displacement, and ambulation, the combined procedure provides durable radiographic improvement. In unilateral cases, there is a low risk of later deterioration of the opposite side.
The need to train uncertified rural practitioners in India
Authors: Das Saibal , Barnwal Preeti
Published: August 2017

Uncertified rural practitioners (URPs) without formal medical qualification occupy an indispensable yet dangerous position in the rural health care system in India. The low cost, close proximity, and higher health hazards in rural areas along with the inability of established health-care setups to fulfill existing demands have favored the flourishing trade of URPs. Irrational and dangerous drug prescriptions, unauthorized interventions, improper waste disposal, and several cases of malpractice by URPs are serious threats to the exposed population. However, because of the practical compulsion and real-world necessity of their existence, URPs should be scientifically trained and sensitized to regulate, qualify, and integrate them as a part of the existing health care system in India.
Opportunities for a meaningful life for working-aged adults with neurological conditions living in residential aged care facilities: A review of qualitative research
Authors: Levack William , Thornton Kerry
Published: August 2017

Introduction

The aim of this review was to identify and synthesise findings from all published qualitative research investigating the experiences of working-aged adults with neurological conditions living in residential aged care facilities.

Methods

A qualitative metasynthesis approach was used. Two authors independently screened all citations and critically appraised all included studies. Data extraction and analysis was undertaken using conceptual description and interpretive explanation. Sensitivity analysis was used to ensure credibility of review findings.

Findings

Seven studies were identified, with varying relevance to this review. Five themes were identified that described the experiences of working-aged adults regarding contributors and barriers to social participation and personal growth. These related to: (1) safety; (2) dignity; (3) dependency; (4) flexibility; and (5) the ‘size’ of one’s physical and social world.

Conclusions

All people should have the option to live in private residences rather than institutional care should they choose to do so. However, if residential aged care is the only option available, more efforts are needed to ensure that these facilities are sufficiently resourced, have appropriately trained staff, and are encouraged to be creative and flexible in their service delivery to meet the individual needs of their residents, particularly working-aged adults with neurological conditions.
Determining the fracture forming limits in sheet metal forming: A technical note
Authors: Cristino Valentino AM , Silva Maria Beatriz , Wong Pak Kin , Martins Paulo AF
Published: August 2017

This technical note describes an experimental method to determine the formability limits by fracture in sheet metal forming. The method makes use of laboratory test specimens commonly utilized in the mechanical, fracture and formability characterization of sheet materials and involves determination of the gauge length strains at the cracked regions of the specimens after testing. The presentation explains how measurements are made and what calculations need to be performed in order to determine the fracture forming limit by tension in the principal strain space. The method is applied to Titanium grade 1 sheets, and the fracture forming limit is validated by subsequent experiments with single point incremental forming.
Identification of ice mass accumulated on wind turbine blades using its natural frequencies
Authors: Gantasala Sudhakar , Luneno Jean-Claude , Aidanpää Jan-Olov
Published: August 2017

This work demonstrates a technique to identify information about the ice mass accumulation on wind turbine blades using its natural frequencies, and these frequencies reduce differently depending on the spatial distribution of ice mass along the blade length. An explicit relation to the natural frequencies of a 1-kW wind turbine blade is defined in terms of the location and quantity of ice mass using experimental modal analyses. An artificial neural network model is trained with a data set (natural frequencies and ice masses) generated using that explicit relation. After training, this artificial neural network model is given an input of natural frequencies of the iced blade (identified from experimental modal analysis) corresponding to 18 test cases, and it identified ice masses’ location and quantity with a weighted average percentage error value of 17.53%. The proposed technique is also demonstrated on the NREL 5-MW wind turbine blade data.