bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimizing friction, wear, and energy losses by eliminating contact charging
Authors: Sayfidinov Khaydarali , Cezan S. Doruk , Baytekin Bilge , Baytekin H. Tarik
Published: November 2018

Preventing static cling minimizes friction and wear and saves energy.
Epidemiological Evidence for Lineage-Specific Differences in the Risk of Inapparent Chikungunya Virus Infection
Authors: Bustos Carrillo Fausto , Collado Damaris , Sanchez Nery , Ojeda Sergio , Lopez Mercado Brenda , Burger-Calderon Raquel , Gresh Lionel , Gordon Aubree , Balmaseda Angel , Kuan Guillermina , Harris Eva
Published: November 2018

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an understudied threat to human health. During the 2015 chikungunya epidemic in Managua, Nicaragua, we estimated the ratio of symptomatic to asymptomatic CHIKV infections, which is important for understanding transmission dynamics and the public health impact of CHIKV. This index cluster study identified and monitored persons at risk of infection, enabling capture of asymptomatic infections. We estimated that 31 (49%) of 63 at-risk participants had asymptomatic CHIKV infections, which is significantly outside the 3% to 28% range reported in literature reviews. However, recent seroprevalence studies, including two large pediatric cohort studies in the same setting, had also found percentages of inapparent infections outside the 3% to 28% range. Bayesian and simulation analyses, informed by a systematic literature search, revealed that the percentage of inapparent infections in epidemic settings varies by CHIKV phylogenetic lineage. Our study quantifies and provides the first epidemiological evidence that chikungunya epidemic characteristics are strongly influenced by CHIKV lineage.
Long-term prognosis and quality of life in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis treated according to the 2015 ACR guideline (LELAND): protocol for a multicentre prospective observational study in Southern China
Authors: Zhao Jinjun , Zhan Taihe , Zhu Junqing , Fan Meida , Huang Qin , Ren Hao , Wu Jing , Yu Qinghong , Lin Jingli , Ouyang Qingqing , An Shengli , Yang Min
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease and one of the most disabling diseases for patients. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) issued a new guideline in 2015 for the treatment of RA based on the treat-to-target strategy to achieve better outcomes. This study will focus on the real-world rates of remission and low disease activity of patients with early RA in China, who will be treated according to the 2015 ACR guideline. Additionally, factors influencing treat-to-target outcomes will be analysed, and long-term prognosis and quality of life will be assessed.

Method and analysis

Two-hundred patients with early RA will be enrolled, treated and followed up once every 3 months for 48 months. These patients should fulfil the 2010 RA classification criteria of the ACR/European League Against Rheumatism with a disease course of no more than 6 months and should also fulfil other eligibility criteria. The patients will be treated following the 2015 ACR guideline. Their disease activity will be assessed, and they will be instructed to complete several questionnaires once every 3 months. The primary outcomes are the Disease Activity Score on 28 joints and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index. The secondary outcome variables are the Simplified Disease Activity Index, Clinical Disease Activity Index and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 results, imaging data and personal medical costs. The data will be analysed using appropriate statistical analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

This research was approved by the Nanfang Hospital Ethics Committee (NFEC-2017–192). The results of the study will be published in international peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03508713; Pre-results.
SSHeW study protocol: does slip resistant footwear reduce slips among healthcare workers? A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Cockayne Sarah , Fairhurst Caroline , Frost Gillian , Hewitt Catherine , Liddle Mark , Zand Michael , Iles-Smith Heather , Green Lorraine , Cunningham-Burley Rachel , Torgerson David
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Slips, trips and falls are common causes of injuries in the workplace. It is estimated that in Great Britain, nearly 1 million days are taken off work due to these injuries. There is some evidence to suggest this accident burden could be reduced by the use of slip resistant footwear. This protocol describes a multicentre trial investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of slip resistant footwear to prevent slips in National Health Service (NHS) staff working in clinical, general or catering environments.

Methods and analysis

A two-arm, randomised controlled trial conducted within England, with 4400 NHS staff, aged 18 years and above, who adhere to a dress code policy and work in a clinical, catering or general hospital environment. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to the intervention or waiting list control group. The intervention group will be offered a pair of 5-star GRIP rated slip resistant footwear. The control group will be offered the footwear at the end of the trial. The primary outcome is the incidence rate of self-reported slips in the workplace over a 14-week period, as reported via weekly text messages. Secondary outcomes include: time to first slip/fall, proportion of participants who slip and fall over 14 weeks and incidence rate of falls resulting from and not resulting from a slip in the workplace over 14 weeks. An economic evaluation will assess cost-effectiveness, in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life year gained. A nested qualitative study will explore the acceptability of the footwear and compliance.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol received a favourable ethical opinion from the University of York, Department of Health Sciences Research Governance Committee. The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. A summary of the findings will be made available to participants.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN33051393; Pre results.
Speech-language pathologists in paediatric palliative care: a Delphi study protocol
Authors: Krikheli Lillian , Carey Lindsay B , Mathisen Bernice A , Erickson Shane , Carey-Sargeant Christa L
Published: November 2018

Background

Given the dearth of literature and no clinical practice guidelines written for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in paediatric palliative care (PPC), a need has been identified to explore the scope of clinical practice and strategies used by SLPs.

Objective

This study aims to undertake an international investigation into the role and scope of practice of SLPs working in PPC to develop consensus-driven ‘Recommendations for Speech-Language Pathologists in Paediatric Palliative Care Teams’ (ReSP3CT).

Methods

A modified Delphi process will be used to synthesise consensus-based statements from SLPs in six different countries about their role and practice working in PPC. Initially, preliminary survey data will be collected from SLPs to obtain demographic and caseload information. Respondents will then be invited to participate in an in-depth interview to explore common and unique themes that emerge from the online survey. Participants from the interview will then ‘opt-in’ to become Delphi panel members and receive questionnaires comprising statements for agreement over multiple rounds. Statements will be based on common themes that arise from the literature review, survey and interview data. The Delphi process for each statement will stop if statements achieve ≥ 70 % agreement and an IQR of ≤ 1 (maximum of five rounds).

Conclusion

This is the first study to investigate the role and practice of SLPs in PPC across internationally accepted scope of practice areas. The study will use existing frameworks for statistical analysis and a mixed-methods approach to aid in the synthesis of statements/recommendations for international consensus.
Novel high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Chapman Andrew R , Fujisawa Takeshi , Lee Kuan Ken , Andrews Jack Patrick , Anand Atul , Sandeman Dennis , Ferry Amy V , Stewart Stacey , Marshall Lucy , Strachan Fiona E , Gray Alasdair , Newby David E , Shah Anoop S V , Mills Nicholas L
Published: November 2018

Background

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays enable the early risk stratification of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome to identify those at low risk of myocardial infarction or cardiac death. We evaluated the performance of a novel high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay in early rule out pathways.

Methods

In 1920 patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome, cardiac troponin was measured using the Siemens Atellica high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay (99th centile: 34 ng/L women, 53 ng/L men). We evaluated three pathways which use either low risk-stratification thresholds of cardiac troponin (High-SensitivityTroponin in the Evaluation of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (High-STEACS) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 1 hour pathway) or the 99th centile diagnostic threshold (ESC 3 hour pathway) to rule out myocardial infarction.

Results

The primary outcome of myocardial infarction or cardiac death at 30 days occurred in 14.4% (277/1920). The High-STEACS pathway ruled out 63% of patients (1218/1920), with five missed events for a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.5% (95% CI (CI) 99.1% to 99.8%). Similar performance was observed for the ESC 1 hour pathway with an NPV of 99.0% (97.6% to 99.8%). In contrast, the ESC 3 hour pathway ruled out 65% of patients (1248/1920), but missed 25 events for an NPV of 98.0% (97.1% to 98.7%).

Conclusions

A novel high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay can safely identify patients at low risk of myocardial infarction or cardiac death. Diagnostic pathways that use low cardiac troponin concentrations for risk stratification miss fewer events than those that rely on the 99th centile to rule out myocardial infarction.

Trial registration

NCT1852123.
Fire-regime changes in Canada over the last half century
Authors: Hanes Chelene C. , Wang Xianli , Jain Piyush , Parisien Marc-André , Little John M. , Flannigan Mike D.
Published: November 2018

Contemporary fire regimes of Canadian forests have been well documented based on forest fire records between the late 1950s to 1990s. Due to known limitations of fire datasets, an analysis of changes in fire-regime characteristics could not be easily undertaken. This paper presents fire-regime trends nationally and within two zonation systems, the homogeneous fire-regime zones and ecozones, for two time periods, 1959–2015 and 1980–2015. Nationally, trends in both area burned and number of large fires (≥200 ha) have increased significantly since 1959, which might be due to increases in lightning-caused fires. Human-caused fires, in contrast, have shown a decline. Results suggest that large fires have been getting larger over the last 57 years and that the fire season has been starting approximately one week earlier and ending one week later. At the regional level, trends in fire regimes are variable across the country, with fewer significant trends. Area burned, number of large fires, and lightning-caused fires are increasing in most of western Canada, whereas human-caused fires are either stable or declining throughout the country. Overall, Canadian forests appear to have been engaged in a trajectory towards more active fire regimes over the last half century.
Zirconium oxynitride films: Modulation of component as a function of the preparation parameters
Authors: Yuan Yanyan , Lan Rui , Yan Chao , Liu Rui
Published: November 2018

Zirconium oxynitride films have recently received much attention because their properties may gradually be changed by varying the concentration of N, O and Zr constituents during processing. Here, we reported zirconium oxynitride films prepared by RF reactive magnetron sputtering technique. The films were deposited by different targets: ZrO2 and ZrN with the variation of nitrogen and oxygen flow rate. To explore whether the N content could be gradually incorporated into the films, two series of samples were prepared: one was prepared by the ZrO2 target with the variation of the nitrogen flow rate; the other was prepared by the ZrN target with the variation of the oxygen flow rate. The composition and structure of the films were investigated by XPS, EDS and XRD techniques. XPS results show that when the ZrO2 material was used as target the concentration of N was highly dependent on the flow rate of nitrogen, while the Zr concentration gradually decreased with the increase of N concentration; ZrO[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] and ZrO were formed. However, for ZrN used as target, the fresh film of the sample comprised of O and Zr elements without N detected. When the N2 was introduced as reactive gas with oxidized ZrN target, ZrO[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] film with a certain content of N was formed.
Development of six-DOF welding robot with machine vision
Authors: Huang Wensheng , Xu Hongli
Published: November 2018

The application of machine vision to industrial robots is a hot topic in robot research nowadays. A welding robot with machine vision had been developed, which is convenient and flexible to reach the welding point with six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) manipulator, while the singularity of its movement trail is prevented, and the stability of the mechanism had been fully guaranteed. As the precise industry camera can capture the optical feature of the workpiece to reflect in the camera’s CCD lens, the workpiece is identified and located through a visual pattern recognition algorithm based on gray scale processing, on the gradient direction of edge pixel or on geometric element so that high-speed visual acquisition, image preprocessing, feature extraction and recognition, target location are integrated and hardware processing power is improved. Another task is to plan control strategy of control system, and the upper computer software is programmed in order that multi-axis motion trajectory is optimized and servo control is accomplished. Finally, prototype was developed and validation experiments show that the welding robot has high stability, high efficiency, high precision, even if welding joints are random and workpiece contour is irregular.
Compensation method of error caused from maladjustment of optical path based on microfluidic chip
Authors: Yang Ning , Wang Pan , Pan Chen , Xiang Chang-Hua , Xie Liang-Liang , Mao Han-Ping
Published: November 2018

Photometric detection plays a significant role in microfluidics technology. However, the mismatch between the solution concentration and the optical path length will increase detection error. In this study, we proposed a round microfluidic chip for concentration detection to obtain the continuous gradient distribution of concentration. The optimum absorbance can be found by dynamic accurately searching. The solution concentration will be accurately calculated finally according to the relationship between arc length and solution concentration. The overall detection process runs automatically. Under the optimization of injection velocity and concentration, the experimental result shows that the compensation ratio increases as the solution concentration increases. The compensation ratio in the detection of pesticide residue has already reached 14.22% and the reproducibility is acceptable. Therefore, this novel method lays the theoretical foundation for the research of high precision microfluidic photometric detection equipment.
Diamonds, compactness, and measure sequences
Authors: Ben-Neria Omer
Published: November 2018

We establish the consistency of the failure of the diamond principle on a cardinal [Formula: see text] which satisfies a strong simultaneous reflection property. The result is based on an analysis of Radin forcing, and further leads to a characterization of weak compactness of [Formula: see text] in a Radin generic extension.
Project Star Catcher
Authors: Elor Aviv , Teodorescu Mircea , Kurniawan Sri
Published: November 2018

Modern immersive virtual reality experiences have the unique potential to motivate patients undergoing physical therapy for performing intensive repetitive task-based treatment and can be utilized to collect real-time user data to track adherence and compliance rates. This article reports the design and evaluation of an immersive virtual reality game using the HTC Vive for upper limb rehabilitation, titled “Project Star Catcher” (PSC), aimed at users with hemiparesis. The game mechanics were adapted from modified Constraint Induced Therapy (mCIT), an established therapy method where users are asked to use the weaker arm by physically binding the stronger arm. Our adaptation changes the physical to psychological binding by providing various types of immersive stimulation to influence the use of the weaker arm. PSC was evaluated by users with combined developmental and physical impairments as well as stroke survivors. The results suggest that we were successful in providing a motivating experience for performing mCIT as well as a cost-effective solution for real-time data capture during therapy. We conclude the article with a set of considerations for immersive virtual reality therapy game design.
Towards Devising a Low-cost and Easy-to-use Arithmetic Learning Framework for Economically Less-privileged Visually Impaired Children
Authors: Chakraborty Tusher , Khan Taslim Arefin , Al Islam A. B. M. Alim
Published: November 2018

Basic arithmetic operations are essential skills needed in our life, and this is no different for the visually impaired. However, working arithmetic out on paper is always a challenge for visually impaired people. This situation is exacerbated by low-resource settings due to a paucity of low-cost and easy-to-use solutions. As a remedy to this situation, we propose a low-cost and easy-to-use arithmetic learning framework and draw a contrast between the conventional means of solving arithmetic problems and our proposed framework. Our proposal is engendered from comprehensive studies, both qualitative and quantitative, over the challenges faced by visually impaired children from two low-income countries. These studies are conducted in three phases—exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory—involving six visually impaired children and sixteen visually impaired grownups. User evaluation of our framework, in disguise of a tutorial session, confirms its acceptability and adaptability, along with its effectiveness in evoking interest in arithmetic. We believe that our study and proposed framework will help in breaking barriers to similar challenges in other developing regions across the border.
Study of Influence of Environmental Factors on Deep Shale Creep Properties
Authors: Wang Yanchun , Wang Yongyan , Su Chuanqi , Li Jianguang
Published: November 2018

In order to study the influence of environmental factors on creep properties of deep shale, a series of creep tests of deep black shales are performed under different environmental conditions, including stress deviation, temperature, and chemical pH value. The influence of these conditions on creep properties of deep shale is studied. The results show that the creep and creep rate of shale will grow with the increase of temperature, stress difference, and acidity‐alkalinity. We get nonlinear creep model of deep shale when pH = 4 and T = 30°C. The critical stress difference of deep shale is no larger than 31.04 MPa when the chemical pH value is 4 and the temperature is 30°C. By scanning shale after corrosion, we know that the effects of chemical pH value on the creep characteristics are mainly determined by the feldspar dissolution and corrosion caused by chemical action. Our work has important theoretical significance and practical value for evaluating rock engineering stability.
Lepanthes agatarum (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), a new species honoring an ancient tribe from the eastern Andes in Colombia
Authors: MORENO JUAN SEBASTIÁN , GUTIÉRREZ NICOLÁS , VIEIRA-URIBE SEBASTIÁN
Published: November 2018

Lepanthes agatarum, a new species of Orchidaceae from the eastern Andes of Colombia, with cup-shaped flowers, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to Lepanthes calocodon from Venezuela, but can be distinguished from it by its longer petals and a bilaminate lip with the blade apices elongate, long acuminate-slender to filiform.
Morphology of a unique ophidiid, Hypopleuron caninum Radcliffe 1913 (Ophidiiformes, Ophidiidae, Neobythitinae), suggesting a close relationship with the family Carapidae
Authors: OHASHI SHINPEI
Published: November 2018

Osteological and myological characters of the ophidiid Hypopleuron caninum are described here in detail. In addition to well-known characters of Ophidiidae (e.g., anal-fin origin well posterior to dorsal-fin origin; barbel-like pelvic fin; many scales), many unique or rare conditions were also recognized, including predorsal bone and maxilla condition, and canine teeth on the premaxilla, which were suggestive of a relationship with Carapidae. Furthermore, the predorsal bone appear to be homologous with the vexillar support, a carapid synapomorphy. Although several characters differ from carapid counterparts (e.g., more anterior anal-fin origin and scales absent in Carapidae), some intermediate conditions between Ophidiidae and Carapidae are apparent in Hypopleuron caninum, which may therefore occupy an intermediate phylogenetic position between the two families. A unique morphology of small second infraorbital bone is recognized in all ophidiiform species observed in this study, and it may be a synapomorphic character of the order Ophidiiformes.
Parotocinclus yaka, a new species of armored catfish (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae), from the Amazon basin in Brazil
Authors: LEHMANN A. PABLO , LIMA FLÁVIO C. T. , REIS ROBERTO E.
Published: November 2018

Parotocinclus yaka is described as a new species of hypoptopomatine cascudinho from tributaries of the Rio Tiquié, tributary to the Rio Uaupés, upper Rio Negro drainage, Amazon basin, Amazonas State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in northeastern and southeastern Brazil by having the cheek canal plate elongated posteriorly on the ventral surface of the head and in contact with the cleithrum. Parotocinclus yaka is diagnosed from the Parotocinclus species of the Amazon, Orinoco and Guianas watersheds by having a conspicuous dark spots smaller than the pupil diameter distributed dorsally and laterally on the head; it is also differentiated from P. polyochrus (Casiquiare, Venezuela), P. longirostris (Rio Amazonas, Brazil), and P. eppleyi (Río Orinoco) by the absence of a Y-shaped light mark dorsally on the head. In addition, the absence of premaxillary and dentary accessory teeth and the presence of a Y-shaped spot on the snout distinguish the new species from P. collinsae (Essequibo River, Guyana), P. halbothi (Rio Trombetas, Brazil and Marowijne River, Suriname) and P. variola (Río Amazonas, Colombia). Parotocinclus yaka also differs from P. amazonensis (lower Amazon basin), P. aripuanensis (lower Amazon basin), P. britskii (Guyana, Suriname, eastern Venezuela, and Amapá State, Brazil), and P. dani (Rio Tapajós basin), by having more numerous oral teeth. The new species described herein is part of the group of small cascudinhos usually associated with marginal or submerged vegetation and submerged logs, of moderate current and clear transparency, found in conserved habitats in streams of the Amazon, Orinoco and Guianas rivers.
Linking occupational therapy models and assessments to the ICF to enable standardized documentation of functioning
Authors: Maritz Roxanne , Baptiste Sue , Darzins Susan W. , Magasi Susan , Weleschuk Chelsey , Prodinger Birgit
Published: November 2018

Background.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) can serve as reference for standardized documentation of health in clinical practice.

Purpose.

This study aims to bridge the gap between the ICF and occupational therapy specific concepts, represented by occupational therapy models and their derived assessments.

Method.

Occupational therapy assessments in relation to their models were systematically linked to the ICF, and a compatibility analysis was conducted. To strengthen reliability of the linkings, feedback from the respective assessment hosts was obtained.

Findings.

Linking tables were developed for the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool. Similarities and differences between the ICF and the three assessments and their associated models show how they differ from and complement each other.

Implications.

The findings of this study lay the foundation for standardized documentation in occupational therapy and enhance the practicability of the ICF.
Progress in Marketing Research
Authors: Taylor Malcolm D.
Published: November 2018

Members of the Associations are requested to supply the Chairman with summaries of all marketing research projects that are under way, or that have been completed recently, so that these can be included in the next issue of the Journal. Brief abstracts of doctoral dissertations based on marketing research should be sent in also.
Explaining Cross-Language Asymmetries in Prosodic Processing: The Cue-Driven Window Length Hypothesis
Authors: Ortega-Llebaria Marta , Olson Daniel J. , Tuninetti Alba
Published: November 2018

Cross-language studies have shown that English speakers use suprasegmental cues to lexical stress less consistently than speakers of Spanish and other Germanic languages ; accordingly, these studies have attributed this asymmetry to a possible trade-off between the use of vowel reduction and suprasegmental cues in lexical access. We put forward the hypothesis that this “cue trade-off” modulates intonation processing as well, so that English speakers make less use of suprasegmental cues in comparison to Spanish speakers when processing intonation in utterances causing processing asymmetries between these two languages. In three cross-language experiments comparing English and Spanish speakers’ prediction of hypo-articulated utterances in focal sentences and reporting speech, we have provided evidence for our hypothesis and proposed a mechanism, the Cue-Driven Window Length model, which accounts for the observed cross-language processing asymmetries between English and Spanish at both lexical and utterance levels. Altogether, results from these experiments illustrated in detail how different types of low-level acoustic information (e.g., vowel reduction versus duration) interacted with higher-level expectations based on the speakers’ knowledge of intonation providing support for our hypothesis. These interactions were coherent with an active model of speech perception that entailed real-time adjusting to feedback and to information from the context, challenging more traditional models that consider speech perception as a passive, bottom-up pattern-matching process.
Optimizing cut-out distance for maximum coal productivity
Authors: Anani Angelina , Nyaaba Wedam , Hekmat Asieh , Córdova Eduardo A
Published: November 2018

The need to increase productivity has led to innovations in highly mechanized equipment such as the continuous miner (CM). However, often times the CM is underutilized, resulting in loss of productivity and increased operating cost. The objective of this study is to apply a simulation tool to evaluate if optimizing support systems, such as cut-out distance, fleet size, and panel dimensions, can maximize CM utilization and productivity. Discrete event simulation is used to analyze different cut-out distances for a room and pillar mining system. The results show that an 11-entry panel width with a fleet size of three shuttle cars is optimum for the variable cut-out distances examined. The utilization and production rate also increases by 6% at the maximum cut-out distance.
Reduction of weaving process-induced warp yarn damage and crimp of leno scrims based on coarse high-performance fibers
Authors: Weise D , Vorhof M , Brünler R , Sennewald C , Hoffmann G , Cherif Ch
Published: November 2018

In this paper, a constructively and technologically modified leno loom is introduced, which enables for the first time the low-damage processing of coarse high-performance fibers such as heavy tows with a non-crimped warp and weft yarn system to scrims. The modified leno loom requires just a single shedding element to achieve the vertical and horizontal offset motion of the weft yarn system for pattern generation. These modifications allow the low-damage processing of coarse high-performance fibers in the warp (straight yarn) and the weft yarn systems to create leno fabrics. These leno fabrics produced with the modified loom are investigated experimentally. By means of a three-factorial analysis of variance, the influence of tensile forces operating during processing and weft density on the crimp and the tensile strength of the straight yarn is examined. It is revealed that the property degradation (tensile/breaking strength) of the straight yarn caused by the weaving process is drastically reduced to 4.2% compared to an unprocessed roving. The determined crimp of the straight yarn affected by process-inherent tensile forces is 0.1% at its maximum. Thus, the presented leno-woven fabrics offer an enormous application potential for the reinforcement of brittle matrices, such as ceramic or concrete.
Measurement of fabric handle characteristics based on the Quick-Intelligent Handle Evaluation System for Fabrics (QIHES-F)
Authors: Sun Yi , Zhang Mingyue , Liu Gui , Du Zhaoqun
Published: November 2018

A quick-intelligent handle evaluation system for fabrics (QIHES-F) was developed to evaluate tactile perceptions of fabric by measuring thickness and multiple mechanical properties of fabrics via a single testing process. The main aim dealt with in this study was to establish optimal and suitable regression models by a stepwise regression method based on the QIHES-F and human sensations of fabrics, thereby estimating total handle values effectively. Subjective evaluation by American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists EP5-2007 and objective tests by QIHES-F of a wide range of 50 fabrics were conducted, to predict fabric handle from four primary handle characteristics and total handle values. Five prediction models corresponding to the fullness, stiffness, roughness, tightness and total handle of fabrics were built based on featured indexes to analyze the relationship between the subjective handle and experimental curve parameters. The indexes were featured from the force-displacement curves of QIHES-F. The results show that these featured indexes can be treated as indicators to characterize fabric properties, and that the five corresponding prediction models can predict handle characteristics of fabrics reliably, as the Pearson’s coefficients and adjusted coefficients are high. They indicate that QIHES-F can directly and accurately obtain fabric handle values and can evaluate the grades of fabric quality.
Peasant Cooperation and Agricultural Growth in Historical Perspective: Southeastern Shanxi in the 1950s
Authors: Gao Yuan
Published: November 2018

Historical evidence suggests that peasant cooperation in the form of mutual aid teams and co-ops contributed to agricultural growth in southeastern Shanxi before 1958. Well-managed mutual aid teams and co-ops could improve the efficiency of input allocation, help to increase the use of traditional inputs, and accelerate the diffusion of output-enhancing technologies. The case of the Guo Yu’en co-op in Chuandi village illustrates how institutions providing sufficient work incentives could emerge in rural communities. By linking the southeastern Shanxi story to national trends of agrarian change in the 1950s, this article emphasizes that cooperativization before the Great Leap Forward generated heterogeneous effects across different regions and cannot be indiscriminately labeled as inefficient.
Gender and intraoperative blood transfusion: analysis of 54,122 non-reoperative coronary revascularization procedures
Authors: Stammers Alfred H. , Tesdahl Eric A. , Mongero Linda B. , Stasko Andrew
Published: November 2018

Background:

Previous studies have shown that women undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have an increased risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality when compared to men. Additionally, recent evidence suggests that blood transfusions are independently associated with an increased risk of adverse outcome.

Methods:

We evaluated gender differences in the risk of intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during CABG surgery. Consecutive, non-reoperative CABG procedures performed across 196 institutions between April 2012 and May 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Gender differences for intraoperative transfusion were evaluated with a multi-variable binary logistic regression model, adjusting for age, blood volume (Nadler formula to normalize for height and weight), body mass index, procedure acuity, net extracorporeal circuit prime volume, use of autologous priming, first hematocrit (Hct) in the operating room (OR), nadir Hct on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), volume added on CPB, ultrafiltration volume, urine output on CPB and procedure duration.

Results:

Among 54,122 patients (25.3% female), 21.6% (n = 11,701) received a RBC transfusion. Compared to men, female patients were older (66 years vs. 64 years, p<0.001), had lower blood volumes (4.3L vs. 5.6L, p<0.001) and a lower preoperative Hct (32.9% vs. 37.2%, p<0.001). Transfusion rates were three-fold higher in women versus men (45.1% vs. 13.7%, p<0.001). After adjustment for independent predictors of intraoperative transfusion, women remained at increased risk versus men (OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.19−1.43).

Conclusions:

Women have an increased risk of intraoperative RBC transfusion versus men. After adjusting for height and weight, much of this risk is due to gender differences in preoperative Hct and blood volume; however, a residual significant risk remained after adjustment. Perfusion strategies aimed at gender differences may minimize unnecessary transfusions. Future study on the impact of gender on transfusion practice in cardiac surgery is warranted.
Prognostic impact of blood product transfusion in VA and VV ECMO
Authors: Guimbretière Guillaume , Anselmi Amedeo , Roisne Antoine , Lelong Bernard , Corbineau Hervé , Langanay Thierry , Flécher Erwan , Verhoye Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2018

Background:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an accepted and reliable technique to provide temporary circulatory and/or respiratory support. Our objective was to describe the transfusion requirements in ECMO recipients. Secondarily, we addressed the effect of indications for ECMO on transfusion requirements and the baseline factors associated with worse survival.

Methods:

We reviewed the prospectively collected data of 509 patients receiving venoarterial (VA) or venovenous (VV) ECMO therapy (2005-2016). Follow-up was prospectively conducted. Data were prospectively entered in the Rennes ECMO database.

Results:

VA ECMO was employed in 81% of cases; indications were post-cardiotomy myocardial failure in 28% of cases, post-heart transplantation (early graft failure) in 13.2% and cardiogenic shock in 149 (36.4%). VV ECMO was employed in the remaining patients. Average follow-up was 80.25 ± 85.13 days and was 100% complete. In the VA and VV groups, survival at the 30th post-implantation day was 58.3% and 71.1%, respectively, and survival at 6 months was 40.5% and 50.5%, respectively. Platelets and prothrombin time (PT) levels were significantly lower in the VA ECMO group at implantation (p<0.001). VA ECMO patients had a higher rate of thrombotic/haemorrhagic complications (p<0.001) and received both fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (60.5% vs. 31.8% p<0.001) and platelet units (Plt) (61.7% vs. 34.1% p<0.001) more frequently than VV ECMO patients. Post-cardiotomy and post-transplantation patients had significantly higher rates of transfusion of packed red blood cells (pRBC), FFP and Plt than other VA ECMO cases (p<0.001, all). Mortality was equal or greater than 80% among patient subgroups who received more than 19 pRBC, 5 Plt and/or 12 FFP.

Conclusions:

An ECMO program is associated with important consumption of blood products. VA ECMO patients have a greater transfusion burden than VV ECMO patients. Mortality is greater in the case of extreme transfusion requirements.
Intraoperative assessment of tubules in predicting microdissection testicular sperm extraction outcome in men with Sertoli cell-only syndrome
Authors: Yu Yang , Xi Qi , Wang Ruixue , Zhang Hongguo , Li Leilei , Zhu Haibo , Pan Yuan , Liu Ruizhi
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study aimed to assess the value of measuring the tubule diameter during microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in predicting outcomes in patients with Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS).

Methods

Fifty-six consecutive patients with SCOS were included. Patients were classified into two groups on the basis of the diameter of seminiferous tubules measured against 5/0 surgical suture (≥100 µm or <100 µm).

Results

The sperm retrieval rate (SRR) in men with a tubule diameter ≥100 µm was significantly lower than that in those with <100 µm (3.1% vs. 25.0%). The SRR from the contralateral testis in men with a tubule diameter ≥100 µm was lower than that in those with <100 µm (0% vs. 14.3%). Men with a tubule diameter ≥100 µm had a significantly larger testis and lower follicle-stimulating hormone levels than did men with <100 µm (8.1 ± 2.4 vs. 5.3±1.8 mL, 19.9 ± 9.7 vs. 25.9 ± 7.1 mIU/mL, respectively).

Conclusions

The diameter of tubules is a useful predictor for a successful SRR in men with SCOS. Intraoperative assessment of homogeneous large tubules allows some men to perform a limited (superﬁcial) contralateral micro-TESE after no spermatozoa are initially identified.
Reporting Harassment and Stalking to the Police: A Qualitative Study of Victims’ Experiences
Authors: Taylor-Dunn Holly , Bowen Erica , Gilchrist Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2018

To date, there have been few studies with victims of stalking in the United Kingdom, and this is the first to have been conducted following the clarification of stalking as a criminal offense in 2012. In 2016, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Inspectorate (HMCPSI) announced the first ever inspection into harassment and stalking in England and Wales. This article presents research commissioned by HMICFRS as part of the inspection. In particular, we explore how victims described the response of the police and situate this within the context of changing legislation and previous research in the field. In total, 35 people shared their experiences of reporting harassment and stalking, 14 people completed an online survey, and 21 participants were interviewed. Responses were analyzed thematically and a series of themes were identified. The analysis suggests that despite the clarification of stalking as a criminal office in 2012, the majority of participants described poor responses from the police—with many describing police inaction, or inappropriate action—in addition to feeling blamed and not being taken seriously. The article considers possible explanations for these issues and concludes by calling for harassment and stalking legislation in England and Wales to be clarified, and for police training to shift the focus of the investigation from the behavior of the offender, to the emotional impact on the victim.
Participation in Two Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs by Adults Aging With a Long-Term Disability: Case-Control Study of Reach and Effectiveness
Authors: Eagen Thomas J. , Teshale Salom M. , Herrera-Venson Angelica P. , Ordway Anne , Caldwell Joe
Published: November 2018

Objective: Adults aging with a long-term disability (LTD) are at an increased risk for falls. The Older Americans Act Title III-D and Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) support several organizations to deliver falls prevention evidence-based programs designed to reduce risk factors; however, little is understood about the reach and effectiveness of these fall prevention programs for those with LTD compared to those without LTD. This study compared the reach and effectiveness of two evidence-based falls prevention programs between older adults with and without LTD. Method: Using a matched case-control design, 105 LTD older adults enrolled in A Matter of Balance (AMOB) or Stepping On were matched to 315 non-LTD older adults on age, sex, race, and education. Results: On average, LTD older adults attended a higher number of class sessions and were significantly more likely to complete the program compared with the matched-sample of non-LTD older adults. LTD older adults were equally likely as non-LTD older adults to report significant reductions in self-reported fear of falling, falls-related activity restriction, and improvement in falls self-efficacy following completion of the programs. Discussion: These findings provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of these evidence-based falls prevention programs for LTD older adults; however, more research is needed to extend these findings.
Entrepreneurial learning in practice: The impact of knowledge transfer
Authors: Cowdean Stephanie , Whitby Philip , Bradley Laura , McGowan Pauric
Published: November 2018

The aim of this research is to provide perspectives on how entrepreneurial practitioners, specifically owners of high-tech small firms (HTSFs), engage with knowledge transfer and learn. The authors draw on extant research and report on the views and observations of the principals in two case study companies in the HTSF sector with regard to growing their ventures and developing learning while part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme. Entrepreneurial learning is an area of significant interest due to the growth of entrepreneurship and the varied ways in which learning can take place. There are many different interventions that can be used to transfer knowledge and develop learning, but there is limited, if any, consensus on their respective effectiveness. The researchers used an ethnographic approach in two companies over an 18-month period. The study concludes that the KTP intervention facilitates an opportunity for learning through disruption, with the key barrier to any new learning being established practice. Interestingly, the findings suggest that entrepreneurial learning is greatly facilitated by ‘on-the-job’ learning.
Entrepreneurship education as human capital: Implications for youth self-employment and conflict mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Anosike Paschal
Published: November 2018

Previous research has focused on stable developed economies to predict that human capital and entrepreneurship education (EE) provision at the higher education (HE) level will positively affect entrepreneurial success. This article draws on the outcome of recent EE projects in two HE institutions in a conflict-torn northern Nigeria as a proxy to advocate the introduction of entrepreneurship as a compulsory component into the secondary school curriculum in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using semi-structured interview data, it is found that the provision of EE at secondary education level could help to facilitate human capital development and assist efforts to curb youth unemployment. Specifically, the study suggests that EE comprises both generic and specific human capital that increases an individual’s ability to identify and exploit opportunities, particularly for young people, and in doing so helps to reduce their vulnerability to poverty and involvement in armed conflict. Suggestions for future research and policy considerations are provided.
Path following of a stratospheric satellite by the aid of wind currents
Authors: Lin Kang , Zheng Zewei , Wu Zhe , Wang Qiang
Published: November 2018

Path-following controller of a stratospheric satellite is designed under circumstances of wind currents utilization, parameter uncertainty, input value errors, and external disturbances. In order to reduce the energy consumption of the stratospheric satellite, the stratospheric east (west) wind currents are utilized by the stratospheric satellite to track the desired path. To utilize the wind currents, an air balloon as well as altitude control model are designed. Fuzzy disturbances observers are presented to estimate uncertainties and external disturbances. Input values are quantized by logarithmic quantizers. Rigorous stability analysis proves that path-following errors of the stratospheric satellite can be reduced to zero, and all closed-loop signals are uniformly bounded regardless of uncertainties and disturbances. Simulation results show that the stratospheric satellite can track the desired path well and the proposed control strategy can reduce the energy consumption of the stratospheric satellite effectively.
Synergetic control of permanent magnet synchronous motor based on load torque observer
Authors: Wang Tao , Li Jikun , Liu Yuwen
Published: November 2018

The control of permanent magnet synchronous motor has become an important research, and many control methods have been developed because of its high efficiency and energy-saving characteristics. This article proposes a new motor control approach based on synergetic approach in control theory (SACT) and sliding-mode control (SMC). Since the load torque of the motor will change, the moment of inertia will increase in the experiment. The load torque is estimated by the sliding-mode observer. The moment of inertia is calculated by the least squares method by adding a forgetting factor. The practical application of synergetic control theory broadens the train of thought to meet the demand of high-performance motor drive further. The simulation and experimental results show that this control scheme in this article can improve the transient response and system robustness of dynamic systems.