bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protest and Regime Change: Different Experiences of the Arab Uprisings and the 2009 Iranian Presidential Election Protests
Authors: Rabiei Kamran
Published: April 2020

Political developments, such as the ‘Arab Spring’, have led the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) towards instability, unrest and severe sectarian confrontations. Nearly 2 years before the ‘Arab Spring’, ‘the Iranian Green Movement’ swept over the country and led to the expectations that Iran would undergo a fundamental political change. The article addresses an important question as to why the 2009 Iranian unrest known as the ‘Green Movement’ did not lead to regime change, while on the other hand, the ‘Arab Spring’ ultimately led to the change of political systems in Tunisia and Egypt. Further, some significant factors are highlighted anticipating the degree of stability and instability for the future of political regimes in the MENA region.
Food and mobility
Authors: Hayden Tiana B. , Singh Dhan Zunino
Published: April 2020

Following JTH’s editorial calling for a deeper consideration of the movement of people and things, we propose a more integrated and spread-out consideration of the relationship between food and mobility. Our aim is to bring together two consolidated fields of study – food studies and mobilities studies – in the interest of expanding the focus and subject of history of things in motion. A focus on food helps bring to the fore questions of the social construction of non-human mobility, the socio-technological systems for the circulation of foods, and the mutual affectations between transport and what is transported. It also allows for new understandings of the materialities of power relations, everyday life, networks, scale and temporality, and place-making.
The Hispano-Moroccan Wars (1859–1927) and the (De)nationalization of the Spanish People
Authors: Iglesias Amorín Alfonso
Published: April 2020

The Spanish army participated in several armed conflicts in Moroccan territory during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These conflicts tested the capacity of the Spanish nation to inspire and induce its citizens to defend it. How the wars were fought, how they were transmitted to the population, and how the population reacted to them evolved with the times. Although nationalist fervour and ‘nation consumption’ intensified, so did the sacrifice the nation required of its people. In this gap between patriotic zeal and actual willingness, it is possible to observe the degree of nationalization among Spaniards. Analysis ‘from below’, based on the perceptions of the lower classes versus those of the upper classes, or of individuals versus the community, expands and refines the traditional scope to make nuances visible. This departure from traditional historiography, based on analysis ‘from above’, moves beyond the patriotic enthusiasm for the Hispano-Moroccan War of 1859 to the indifference surrounding the War of Melilla of 1893, resistance to recruitment as the Barranco del Lobo disaster struck in 1909, and the fear and desire for revenge after the 1921 debacle of Annual. By inverting the vantage point, resistance emerges where homogeneous support was assumed, inviting exploration to discover if the unpopularity of the twentieth-century conflicts favoured Spanish de-nationalization and the awakening of other national consciences. This attempt to discern real attitudes concerning the wars that altered the course of Spanish history involves looking at how ways of knowing have evolved regarding what happened across the Straits of Gibraltar.
The mixed and hybrid criminal courts of Brazil: Mainstreaming restoration, rehabilitation and community justice in a human rights context
Authors: Kirchengast Tyrone , Badaró Tatiana , Pardini Lucas
Published: April 2020

In Brazil, minor to mid-level criminal offences are dealt with through an inventive community problem-solving paradigm that sees a shift from traditional court engagement between the accused and state towards a therapeutic process that involves all participants in the justice process. This article considers the work of the Domestic Violence and Special Justice Courts of Brazil, by examining their use of a mixed and hybrid adversarial-inquisitorial criminal procedure that supports a participatory model of community and problem-solving justice in a human rights context. The article argues that this hybrid and mixed approach to criminal justice allows for the mainstreaming of problem-centred and community justice through the adoption of human rights measures that afford justice to all participants in the criminal justice process. This approach sees the forging of relationships between traditional and non-traditional justice stakeholders, specifically victims, police, the judiciary, defendants, the community and service providers, as a central rather than alternative pathway to justice. Importantly, this innovative criminal procedure as a standard response to crime provides for longer-term community building by engaging victims and the accused through a range of informal processes that support admonishment of wrongdoing and conciliation between the victim, offender and community, albeit more serious matters invariably proceed directly to trial. Lessons from this mixed and hybrid model for adversarial jurisdictions attempting to better integrate problem-solving justice follow.
Successful surgical management of coarctation of the aorta with infective endaortitis and splenic abscess: a case report
Authors: Wang Xuebin , Li Yongjun , Chen Yuexin
Published: April 2020

Infective endaortitis with a splenic abscess is an extremely rare and fatal complication of coarctation of the aorta. We herein describe a 19-year-old female patient with a 2-month history of intermittent fever with progressive abdominal and leg pain. Aortic computed tomography angiography showed a rapidly progressive poststenotic saccular aneurysm immediately distal to the coarctation. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography showed a severe splenic abscess. During the operation, the infected spleen was resected first. We subsequently removed all of the diseased aorta and performed in situ aortic reconstruction with an artificial tube graft and without extracorporeal circulation. The patient had an uneventful postoperative clinical course and recovered very well during the 4-year follow-up. In summary, our case report details the successful surgical treatment of coarctation of the aorta with infective endaortitis and a splenic abscess and thoroughly discusses the indications and key notes for surgery without extracorporeal circulation in this complex disease.
Occupational therapists’ use of yoga in post-stroke care: A descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Andrews Alexandra P , Atler Karen E , Dickman Portz Jennifer , VanPuymbroeck Marieke , Rose Caroline M , Schmid Arlene A
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Over the past decade, yoga has gained popularity in health care. The benefits of yoga can go beyond the physical to address the psychosocial and emotional. Such gains can be beneficial for people who have had a stroke. As a leading cause of disability, stroke can lead to challenges returning to daily activities. Occupational therapists may use yoga to promote engagement in daily activities after stroke. This study aimed to understand how and why occupational therapists integrate yoga into stroke rehabilitation.

Methods

This study involved occupational therapists practicing in the United States. Ten occupational therapists using yoga in practice participated in a semi-structured interview. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding. Themes emerged from the data related to the benefits of using yoga in stroke rehabilitation.

Results

According to this study, yoga is currently being used as a treatment technique and merged with occupational therapy. Yoga may promote client-centered recovery; bring “context” to therapy; and address physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs following stroke.

Conclusion

Individuals who have had a stroke may face challenges related to both physical and psychosocial engagement. The use of yoga in occupational therapy may be beneficial after stroke for both physical and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Analysis of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Operation on Higher-Speed Roadways
Authors: Fitzpatrick Kay , Cynecki Michael J. , Pratt Michael P. , Beckley Michelle
Published: April 2020

The pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a traffic control device used at pedestrian crossings. It was first included in the 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and was based on the HAWK developed in Tucson, Arizona. The focus of an Arizona Department of Transportation research study was the investigation of the use of PHBs on higher-speed roads. Ten locations in Arizona representing higher operating speed conditions (85th percentile speed ranging from 44 to 54 mph) were selected for inclusion in this study. Data were collected using a multiple video camera setup. The final dataset reflected about 40 h of video data and included 1,214 pedestrians or cyclists crossing at PHBs. Overall, driver yielding for these 10 sites averaged 97%, which is similar to driver-yielding rates for PHBs installed on lower-speed streets.
Emergent Comprehensive Imaging of the Major Trauma Patient: A New Paradigm for Improved Clinical Decision-Making
Authors: Qamar Sadia Raheez , Evans David , Gibney Brian , Redmond Ciaran E. , Nasir Muhammad Umer , Wong Kenneth , Nicolaou Savvas
Published: April 2020

Modern advances in the medical imaging layered onto sophisticated trauma resuscitation strategies in highly organized regionalized trauma systems have created a paradigm shift in the management of severely injured patients. Although immediate exploratory surgery to identify and control life-threatening injuries still has its place, accelerated image acquisition and interpretation procedures now make it rare for trauma surgeons in major centers to venture into damage control surgery unaided by computed tomography (CT) or other imaging, particularly in cases of blunt trauma. Indeed, because of the high incidence of clinically occult injuries associated with major mechanism trauma, and even lower energy trauma in frail or elderly patients, CT imaging has become as invaluable as physical examination, if not more so, in critical decision-making in support of optimal outcomes. In particular, whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) completed promptly after initial assessment of a major trauma provides a quick, comprehensive survey of injuries that enables better surgical planning, obviates the need for multiple subsequent studies, and permits specialized reconstructions when needed. For those at risk for problematic occult injury after modest trauma, WBCT facilitates safer discharge planning and simplified follow-up. Through standardized guidelines, streamlined protocols, synoptic reporting, accessible web-based platforms, and active collaboration with clinicians, radiologists dedicated to trauma and emergency imaging enable clearer understanding of complex injuries in high-risk patients which leads to superior clinical decision-making. Whereas dated dogma has long warned that the CT scanner is the last place to take a challenging trauma patient, modern practice suggests that, more often than not, early comprehensive imaging can be done safely and efficiently and is in the patient’s best interest. This article outlines how the role of diagnostic imaging for major trauma has evolved considerably in recent years.
Numerical analysis on the sloshing of free oil liquid surface based on fuel tanks of different shapes
Authors: Zhang Enhui , He Ren
Published: April 2020

The shape of fuel tank is one of the main factors influencing oil liquid sloshing in fuel tank without baffles. The change of oil liquid sloshing pressure and free oil liquid surface area in fuel tanks of different shapes is the focus of this study. First, the reliability of the simulation method is verified by the test. Second, three different shapes of fuel tanks, which are rectangle, ellipse, and triangle, are proposed, and each shape of fuel tank is improved. A series of simulations are carried out under the same condition. The related history curves of oil liquid sloshing pressure and free oil liquid surface area are obtained, and the pressure contours of oil liquid sloshing and position diagrams of free oil liquid surface are displayed in the process of oil liquid sloshing. Finally, simulation data are compared and analyzed. In three different shapes of fuel tanks, it is found that the pressure of oil liquid sloshing in elliptical fuel tank is the biggest and time-area value of free oil liquid surface area in triangular fuel tank is the smallest. The curved bottom wall of fuel tank is beneficial to reduce the pressure amplitude of oil liquid sloshing and time-area value. All things considered, the heart-shaped fuel tank is optimal for reducing the pressure amplitude of oil liquid sloshing and evaporative emission under the same condition.
The nonlocal multi-directional vibration behaviors of buckled viscoelastic nanoribbons
Authors: Li Haibo , Wang Xi , Wang Heling , Chen Jubing
Published: April 2020

This paper presents the multi-directional vibration behaviors of buckled viscoelastic nanoribbons based on the nonlocal theory containing scale effect, where the Lagrange’s motion equation is introduced to construct the nonlocal viscoelastic governing equation. The first-order transverse vibration mode and the first-order longitudinal vibration mode are considered to study the influences of the scale characteristics on the natural frequency of two different vibration modes. The Kelvin–Voigt model is used to characterize the material viscoelastic property, and an analytical method is presented to solve the nonlocal viscoelastic vibration behaviors of the buckled nanoribbon containing scale effect. Results show that the scale effect could decrease the natural frequency of buckled nanoribbon with viscoelastic behavior, as well as the half bandwidth during forced vibration. The presented results may be taken as a useful reference for the fabrications and applications of buckled nanostructures-based sensors & actuators, electronics, energy harvesters, etc.
Action Effects on Visual Perception of Distances: A Multilevel Bayesian Meta-Analysis
Authors: Molto Lisa , Nalborczyk Ladislas , Palluel-Germain Richard , Morgado Nicolas
Published: April 2020

Previous studies have suggested that action constraints influence visual perception of distances. For instance, the greater the effort to cover a distance, the longer people perceive this distance to be. The present multilevel Bayesian meta-analysis (37 studies with 1,035 total participants) supported the existence of a small action-constraint effect on distance estimation, Hedges’s g = 0.29, 95% credible interval = [0.16, 0.47]. This effect varied slightly according to the action-constraint category (effort, weight, tool use) but not according to participants’ motor intention. Some authors have argued that such effects reflect experimental demand biases rather than genuine perceptual effects. Our meta-analysis did not allow us to dismiss this possibility, but it also did not support it. We provide field-specific conventions for interpreting action-constraint effect sizes and the minimum sample sizes required to detect them with various levels of power. We encourage researchers to help us update this meta-analysis by directly uploading their published or unpublished data to our online repository ( https://osf.io/bc3wn/ ).
An efficient fiber-based ELISA for detection of antibody against fowl adenovirus serotypes 7 and 8
Authors: Lu Hao , Wang Weikang , Zhang Jianjun , Shao Hongxia , Li Luyuan , Li Tuofan , Xie Quan , Wan Zhimin , Qin Aijian , Ye Jianqiang
Published: April 2020

An outbreak of inclusion body hepatitis caused by fowl adenovirus serotype 8 (FAdV-8) has caused significant economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. However, a rapid serology test kit specific to FAdV-8 is not available to date. We developed a fiber-based ELISA using the purified GST-fiber of FAdV-8 as coating antigen to measure antibodies against FAdV-8. Specificity analysis showed that our ELISA could react with sera against FAdV-7, -8a, and -8b, but not with sera against the other pathogens tested. Moreover, detection of positive sera with our ELISA had 83% and 94% agreement with an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and a commercial ELISA from BioChek, respectively. Our ELISA was also effective in the detection of antibodies against FAdV-8 in sera from both experimentally infected and clinically vaccinated chickens. Our FAdV-8 fiber-based ELISA can be a valuable tool to specifically and sensitively detect antibodies against FAdV-7 and/or -8 in infected or vaccinated chickens.
Planned Luck: How Incubators Can Facilitate Serendipity for Nascent Entrepreneurs Through Fostering Network Embeddedness
Authors: Busch Christian , Barkema Harry
Published: April 2020

Incubators often play an important role in facilitating networks for entrepreneurs. However, nascent entrepreneurs typically face high uncertainty and goal ambiguity, and which ties could provide the resources needed for achieving the respective goal is often unknown in advance. How do incubators facilitate entrepreneurs’ network embeddedness in the context of such uncertainty? Using an explorative case-study approach, we studied an incubator in Kenya, an extreme setting from an uncertainty perspective. Our findings show how in high-uncertainty contexts, a social structure that allows for flexibility can provide the conditions under which unexpected discoveries are enabled, facilitating opportunity-inducing networks.
State Tax Haven Legislation and Corporate Income Tax Revenues
Authors: Lusch Stephen J. , Stekelberg James
Published: April 2020

In response to the rise of foreign tax haven usage by multinational corporations, several US states have enacted laws that require income from affiliated entities operating in tax haven jurisdictions to be included on the firm’s state income tax return. We examine the revenue effects of this legislation. Employing a variety of alternative empirical approaches including a difference-in-differences specification, state and year fixed effects regressions, and a synthetic control methodology, our results provide consistent evidence of a positive association between the enactment of tax haven legislation and state corporate income tax revenues in all enacting states except West Virginia. Our study contributes to the state tax policy literature and the literature on tax havens. Moreover, given that states continue to consider implementing, changing, or repealing tax haven legislation, our results inform this current policy debate.
Mobile Application for Communication Increases the Efficiency of Organ Procurement and Transplantation
Authors: Pahl Eric , Emery Robert W. , Noce Michael , Conrad Suzanne , Patterson Nicole , Timm Brynn
Published: April 2020

Background:

Donor organ recovery is a complex process involving organ procurement organizations and multiple surgical teams from various transplant centers. Nearly 30% of discarded organs are wasted due to reasons related to improper coordination and communication.

Problem Statement:

Lack of real-time communication results in many hours of preventable delay between procurement and transplant teams resulting in the high volume of organ waste, clinical frustration, and critical delays.

Methods:

A Plan-Do-Study-Act performance improvement methodology was utilized to design and implement a dedicated mobile communication application (app). Critical time points in the organ offer, procurement, and transplant processes were analyzed from the Report of Organ Offers, and relation coordination metrics were measured.

Processes Addressed:

Members of procurement and transplant teams in Iowa were interviewed and a dedicated smartphone application was implemented to replace phone calls, e-mails, faxes, and text messages during upcoming kidney offers from July 31, 2017 to July 31, 2018.

Outcomes:

Teams reported a substantial increase in clinical productivity and case progress awareness, including a noteworthy reduction in phone calls. The relational coordination data indicated substantially higher relationship and communication quality with the app. The Report of Organ Offer data revealed a 35% increase in organs transplanted and a 50% reduction in time from initial organ offer to transplant with the use of the mobile application.

Implications for Practice:

The use of a dedicated communication application reduces clinical frustration and delays during the coordination of organ offer, procurement, and transplant. Technologies that improve communication have the potential to improve organ utilization.
Effects of Virtual Reality Therapy on Gait and Balance Among Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Abou Libak , Malala Vonjiniaina Domohina , Yarnot Rebecca , Alluri Aditya , Rice Laura A.
Published: April 2020

Background and Purpose. The use of virtual reality (VR) therapy among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) is a relatively new rehabilitation approach replicating real-life scenarios. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of VR therapy for improving gait and balance in individuals with SCI. Methods. Databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SportDiscuss, and CINHAL were searched from inception until September 2019. Two independent reviewers screened articles for inclusion, extracted data, and evaluated methodological quality of the trials. Results. Ten trials, including 3 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and 7 pre-post trials, with a total of 149 participants were analyzed. Meta-analysis of RCTs demonstrated significant improvement in sitting balance (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.65; 95% CI 1.21-2.09; P < .01) after VR therapy with conventional rehabilitation compared with only conventional rehabilitation. Also, pre-post studies using VR therapy without a control group showed improvement in standing balance (Berg Balance Scale, MD = 4.22; 95% CI 1.78-6.66; P < .01 and Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, MD = 8.53; 95% CI 2.52-14.53; P = .01) and a trend for improvement in gait (SMD = 0.34; 95% CI 0.02-0.66; P = .04). Conclusion. This study demonstrated the beneficial effects of VR therapy to enhance sitting and standing balance and showed a trend of gait improvement in individuals with SCI. This conclusion is based on mainly preliminary data and therefore, more RCTs are needed to confirm the effects of the use of VR in individuals with SCI.
Bisphenol A and the Risk of Obesity a Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of the Epidemiological Evidence
Authors: Wu Wentao , Li Minmin , Liu Amin , Wu Chenlu , Li Daning , Deng Qiwei , Zhang Binyan , Du Jiaoyang , Gao Xiangyu , Hong Yan
Published: April 2020

Bisphenol A (BPA) is suspected to be associated with several chronic metabolic diseases. The aim of the present study was to review previous epidemiological studies that examined the relationship between BPA exposure and the risk of obesity. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were systematically searched by 2 independent investigators for articles published from the start of database coverage until January 1, 2020. Subsequently, the reference list of each relevant article was scanned for any other potentially eligible publications. We included observational studies published in English that measured urinary BPA. Odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the highest versus lowest level of BPA were calculated. Ten studies with a sample size from 888 to 4793 participants met our inclusion criteria. We found a positive correlation between the level of BPA and obesity risk. A dose–response analysis revealed that 1-ng/mL increase in BPA increased the risk of obesity by 11%. The similar results were for different type of obesity, gender, and age.
Coupled vibration of piezoelectric-based propeller blades for a novel unmanned underwater vehicle
Authors: Lu Daohua , Li Chong , Wang Jia , Fang Jiwen
Published: April 2020

To reduce the vibration of the propeller blades, a novel unmanned underwater vehicle–integrated piezoelectric additive manufacturing technology is proposed in this article. The operating principle and design procedure of the proposed unmanned underwater vehicle are illustrated. Utilizing piezoelectric dynamic theory and Lagrange’s equation, the coupled vibration equations of piezoelectric-propeller blades system under complex excitation are established. Applying MATLAB simulation method, the dynamic responses of the coupled blades under external and piezoelectric excitation are investigated. With finite-element method software, the correctness of the theoretical analysis is verified. Results show that the maximum amplitudes of the propeller blades are distributed at the end of the blades, thus placing the piezoelectric layers at the terminal blades can minimize the vibration of the propeller blades. Meanwhile, the vibration amplitudes of propeller blades can be reduced by more than 70% by applying piezoelectric coating. These results can be used to reduce the vibration and improve the dynamic performance during the unmanned underwater vehicle operating.
Multiple Internet of Robotic Things robots based on LiDAR and camera sensors
Authors: Dai Yanyan , Lee Suk Gyu
Published: April 2020

A combination of Internet of Things and multiple robots with sensors has been an attractive research topic over the past years. This article proposes an Internet of Robotic Things system structure to monitor events, fuse sensor data, use local robots to determine a best action, and then act to control multiple mobile robots. The Internet of Robotic Things system includes two main layers: the host controller layer and the multiple robots layer. The controller layer communicates with the multiple robots layer by Wi-Fi module. The Internet of Robotic Things system helps finish five tasks: localizing robots, planning paths, avoiding obstacles, moving to waypoint stable, and creating a map. Based on depth data from depth camera and robot posture, a mapping algorithm is proposed to create map. Based on light detection and ranging sensor data and google cartographer, simultaneously localization and mapping (SLAM) is also processed in this article. The fuzzy sliding mode tracking control method is proposed for each robot to guarantee the robot stable moves. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and are used to compare with the experiment result. In the experiment, one host computer and two Kobuki mobile robots with light detection and ranging and depth camera sensors are integrated as an Internet of Robotic Things system. Two robots successfully localize themselves and avoid obstacles. The follower robot simultaneously builds a map.
The Negative Implications of Being Tolerated: Tolerance From the Target’s Perspective
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel , Yogeeswaran Kumar , Adelman Levi
Published: April 2020

Intergroup toleration is a requirement for living with diversity and actively promoted by local, national, and international bodies. However, although psychological researchers have extensively considered the implications of being discriminated, little is known about the psychological consequences of being tolerated. In this article, we argue that beyond the freedoms implied by tolerance, being “merely” tolerated also implies social identity threats that compromise specific psychological needs (belongingness, esteem, control, certainty). We further consider the psychological consequences of being tolerated at the personal, interpersonal, and intergroup levels and consider factors that may moderate the impact of being tolerated for minority outcomes. Taken together, this work provides the first theoretical argument and overview of what it means to be tolerated by considering the negative implications of toleration in diverse nations.
Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a ready-to-drink bowel preparation in overweight and obese adults: subanalysis by body mass index from a phase III, assessor-blinded study
Authors: Hookey Lawrence , Bertiger Gerald , Johnson Kenneth Lee , Boules Mena , Ando Masakazu , Dahdal David N.
Published: April 2020

Background:

We performed a post hoc secondary analysis for the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of ready-to-drink sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid (SPMC oral solution) bowel preparation.

Methods:

A phase III, randomized, assessor-blinded, multicenter, noninferiority study was conducted comparing split-dose, low-volume SPMC oral solution with a powder formulation for oral solution. A post hoc secondary analysis assessed efficacy, safety, and tolerability of SPMC oral solution stratified by BMI. BMI was classified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions (underweight and normal weight: BMI < 25 kg/m2; overweight: BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2; class I obesity: BMI 30–34.9 kg/m2; class II obesity: BMI 35–39.9 kg/m2; class III/severe obesity: BMI ⩾40 kg/m2). Prespecified primary efficacy endpoint (‘responders’) was the proportion of participants with ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ ratings on a modified Aronchick Scale (AS). Secondary efficacy outcomes were the quality of cleansing of the right colon as assessed by the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS); as well as selected findings from the Mayo Clinic Bowel Prep Tolerability Questionnaire. Safety assessments included adverse events (AEs) and laboratory evaluations.

Results:

Between 82.8% and 92.5% of participants in any BMI group were responders by AS, and between 91.3% and 100% were responders by BBPS in the right colon. Efficacy was consistent across BMI groups, with no clear trends. Greater than 83% of participants in any BMI group found the preparation ‘easy’ or ‘acceptable’ to ingest, and the majority (>58%) rated SPMC oral solution as ‘better’ than a prior bowel preparation. In all BMI groups, safety data were similar to the overall cohort. Commonly reported, drug-related, treatment-emergent AEs were, by ascending BMI group, nausea (1.1%, 5.3%, 1.0%, 5.7%, and 0%) and headache (1.1%, 4.1%, 1.0%, 5.7%, and 0%).

Conclusions:

Ready-to-drink SPMC oral solution had consistent, good quality colon cleansing, and favorable tolerability among participants of all BMI groups.

ClinicalTrials.gov Registration:

NCT03017235
Macrophages promote network formation and maturation of transplanted adipose tissue–derived microvascular fragments
Authors: Später Thomas , Menger Maximilian M , Nickels Ruth M , Menger Michael D , Laschke Matthias W
Published: April 2020

Adipose tissue–derived microvascular fragments rapidly reassemble into microvascular networks within implanted scaffolds. Herein, we analyzed the contribution of macrophages to this process. C57BL/6 mice received clodronate (clo)-containing liposomes for macrophage depletion, whereas animals treated with phosphate-buffered-saline-containing liposomes served as controls. Microvascular fragments were isolated from clo- and phosphate-buffered-saline-treated donor mice and seeded onto collagen–glycosaminoglycan matrices, which were implanted into dorsal skinfold chambers of clo- and phosphate-buffered-saline-treated recipient mice. The implants’ vascularization and incorporation were analyzed by stereomicroscopy, intravital fluorescence microscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Compared to controls, matrices within clo-treated animals exhibited a significantly reduced functional microvessel density. Moreover, they contained a lower fraction of microvessels with an α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)+ cell layer, indicating impaired vessel maturation. This was associated with a deteriorated implant incorporation. These findings demonstrate that macrophages not only promote the reassembly of microvascular fragments into microvascular networks, but also improve their maturation during this process.
The Coronary ARteriogenesis with combined Heparin and EXercise therapy in chronic refractory Angina (CARHEXA) trial: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled stress echocardiographic study
Authors: Petrovic Marija T , Djordjevic-Dikic Ana , Giga Vojislav , Boskovic Nikola , Vukcevic Vladan , Cvetic Vladimir , Mladenovic Ana , Radmili Oliver , Markovic Zeljko , Dobric Milan , Aleksandric Srdjan , Tesic Milorad , Juricic Stefan , Nedeljkovic Beleslin Biljana , Stojkovic Sinisa , Ostojic Miodrag C , Beleslin Branko , Picano Eugenio
Published: April 2020

Background

Coronary collateral circulation exerts protective effects on myocardial ischaemia due to coronary artery disease and can be promoted by exercise with heparin co-administration. Whether this arteriogenetic effect is accompanied by functional improvement of left ventricle during stress and lessening of angina symptoms remains unknown.

Aims

To evaluate the anti-ischaemic efficacy of heparin plus exercise in coronary artery disease.

Methods

In a prospective, single-centre, randomized, double-blind study we recruited 32 ‘no-option’ patients (27 males; mean age 61 ± 8 years) with stable angina, exercise-induced ischaemia and coronary artery disease not suitable for revascularization. All underwent a two-week cycle of exercise (two exercise sessions per day, five days per week) and were randomized (n = 16 per group) to intravenous placebo (0.9% saline) versus unfractionated heparin (5.000 IU intravenously), 10 min prior to exercise. We assessed Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina class, stress electrocardiogram and echo parameters (wall motion score index) and computed tomography angiography for collaterals.

Results

After two-week cycle, Canadian Cardiovascular Society class statistically decreased in both groups (heparin plus exercise group: 2.6 ± 0.7 to 1.9 ± 0.7, p < 0.001, exercise group: 2.4 ± 0.7 to 2.1 ± 0.9, p = 0.046). Only the heparin plus exercise group improved time-to-ST segment depression (before 270, 228–327 s vs. after 339, 280–360 s, p = 0.012) and wall motion score index (before 1.38 ± 0.25 vs. after 1.28 ± 0.18, p = 0.005). By multi-slice computed tomography angiography, collaterals improved in 12/15 (80%) in the heparin plus exercise group versus 2/16 (12.5%) in the exercise group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

A two-week, 10-test cycle of heparin plus exercise is better than exercise in improving angina class, myocardial ischaemia and collaterals by computed tomography angiography.
An Empirical Investigation of the Impact of the Communication and Employee Motivation on the Project Success Using Agile Framework and Its Effect on the Software Development Business
Authors: Salman Ahmad , Jaafar Mastura , Malik Summaira , Mohammad Diana , Muhammad Sohail Ayaz
Published: April 2020

Throughout the years, project management has evolved tremendously. As technological innovations occur, project management framework also evolved. As the project management framework evolved, project success became more and more difficult. This article examines the impact of communication and employee motivation on the success of the project and evaluates the impact on the software development business. Even though there is a considerable amount of research being conducted on project success, the communication and employee motivation attribute still lack research, especially in the field of software development. The data gathered through this research were empirically tested using SPSS, and a significant relationship was observed between the dependent and the independent variables. It was found out that communication and employee motivation indeed play a role in the success of the project. It is crucial to train employees in an agile framework and keep on motivating them so that they can deal with the continuous changes. The results of this research indicated that organizations should implement a proper communication channel between the customers and the development team. Furthermore, the more the employees are motivated, the more chances the project will have on success, making the business profitable.
Diagnosis and Operative Treatment of Peroneal Tendon Tears
Authors: Danna Natalie R. , Brodsky James W.
Published: April 2020

Peroneal tendon tears are a common but under-recognized source of ankle pain and dysfunction. Recognition of the characteristic symptoms, physical findings, and imaging results of peroneal tendon tears is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Acute, limited tears of a single peroneal tendon may be debrided and repaired. However, by the time operative treatment is undertaken, many tears of a single tendon are sufficiently advanced that the surgeon may need to consider excision of the nonviable segment and tenodesis of the damged tendon to the to the adjacent peroneal tendon. Irreparable tearing of both peroneal tendons may be treated with flexor tendon transfer and/or allograft reconstruction. This review article focuses on diagnosis and operative treatment of peroneal tendon tears, including the treatment algorithms, operative technique, and published outcomes.
Metasurface Color Filters Using Aluminum and Lithium Niobate Configurations
Authors: Lin Yu-Sheng , Dai Jie , Zeng Zhuoyu , Yang Bo-Ru
Published: April 2020

Two designs of metasurface color filters (MCFs) using aluminum and lithium niobate (LN) configurations are proposed and numerically studied. They are denoted as tunable aluminum metasurface (TAM) and tunable LN metasurface (TLNM), respectively. The configurations of MCFs are composed of suspended metasurfaces above aluminum mirror layers to form a Fabry-Perot (F-P) resonator. The resonances of TAM and TLNM are red-shifted with tuning ranges of 100 nm and 111 nm, respectively, by changing the gap between the bottom mirror layer and top metasurface. Furthermore, the proposed devices exhibit perfect absorption with ultra-narrow bandwidth spanning the whole visible spectral range by composing the corresponding geometrical parameters. To increase the flexibility and applicability of proposed devices, TAM exhibits high sensitivity of 481.5 nm/RIU and TLNM exhibits high figure-of-merit (FOM) of 97.5 when the devices are exposed in surrounding environment with different refraction indexes. The adoption of LN-based metasurface can enhance FWHM and FOM values as 10-fold and 7-fold compared to those of Al-based metasurface, which greatly improves the optical performance and exhibits great potential in sensing applications. These proposed designs provide an effective approach for tunable high-efficiency color filters and sensors by using LN-based metamaterial.
Food intake biomarkers for green leafy vegetables, bulb vegetables, and stem vegetables: a review
Authors: Brouwer-Brolsma Elske M. , Brandl Beate , Buso Marion E. C. , Skurk Thomas , Manach Claudine
Published: April 2020

Background

Numerous studies acknowledged the importance of an adequate vegetable consumption for human health. However, current methods to estimate vegetable intake are often prone to measurement errors due to self-reporting and/or insufficient detail. More objective intake biomarkers for vegetables, using biological specimens, are preferred. The only concentration biomarkers currently available are blood carotenoids and vitamin C, covering total fruit and vegetable intake. Identification of biomarkers for specific vegetables is needed for a better understanding of their relative importance for human health. Within the FoodBAll Project under the Joint Programming Initiative “A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life”, an ambitious action was undertaken to identify candidate intake biomarkers for all major food groups consumed in Europe by systematically reviewing the existent literature. This study describes the review on candidate biomarkers of food intake (BFIs) for leafy, bulb, and stem vegetables, which was conducted within PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for studies published through March 2019.

Results

In total, 65 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility for leafy vegetables, and 6 full-text articles were screened for bulb and stem vegetables. Putative BFIs were identified for spinach, lettuce, endive, asparagus, artichoke, and celery, but not for rocket salad. However, after critical evaluation through a validation scheme developed by the FoodBAll consortium, none of the putative biomarkers appeared to be a promising BFI. The food chemistry data indicate that some candidate BFIs may be revealed by further studies.

Conclusion

Future randomized controlled feeding studies combined with observational studies, applying a non-targeted metabolomics approach, are needed in order to identify valuable BFIs for the intake of leafy, bulb, and stem vegetables.
ATP Hydrolysis Determines Cold Tolerance by Regulating Available Energy for Glutathione Synthesis in Rice Seedling Plants
Authors: Yu Pinghui , Jiang Ning , Fu Weimeng , Zheng Guangjie , Li Guangyan , Feng Baohua , Chen Tingting , Ma Jiaying , Li Hubo , Tao Longxing , Fu Guanfu
Published: April 2020

Background

Glutathione (GSH) is important for plants to resist abiotic stress, and a large amount of energy is required in the process. However, it is not clear how the energy status affects the accumulation of GSH in plants under cold stress.

Results

Two rice pure lines, Zhongzao39 (ZZ39) and its recombinant inbred line 82 (RIL82) were subjected to cold stress for 48 h. Under cold stress, RIL82 suffered more damages than ZZ39 plants, in which higher increases in APX activity and GSH content were showed in the latter than the former compared with their respective controls. This indicated that GSH was mainly responsible for the different cold tolerance between these two rice plants. Interestingly, under cold stress, greater increases in contents of carbohydrate, NAD(H), NADP(H) and ATP as well as the expression levels ofGSH1andGSH2were showed in RIL82 than ZZ39 plants. In contrast, ATPase content in RIL82 plants was adversely inhibited by cold stress while it increased significantly in ZZ39 plants. This indicated that cold stress reduced the accumulation of GSH in RIL82 plants mainly due to the inhibition on ATP hydrolysis rather than energy deficit.

Conclusion

We inferred that the energy status determined by ATP hydrolysis involved in regulating the cold tolerance of plants by controlling GSH synthesis.
Patterns and characteristics of cognitive functioning in older patients approaching end stage kidney disease, the COPE-study
Authors: van Deudekom Floor J. , Kallenberg Marije H. , Berkhout-Byrne Noeleen C. , Blauw Gerard J. , Boom Henk , de Bresser Jeroen , van Buchem Mark A. , Gaasbeek André , Hammer Sebastiaan , Lagro Joep , van Osch Matthias J. P. , Witjes-Ané Marie-Noëlle , Rabelink Ton J. , van Buren Marjolijn , Mooijaart Simon P.
Published: April 2020

Background

The prevalence of impaired cognitive functioning in older patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) is high. We aim to describe patterns of memory, executive function or psychomotor speed and to identify nephrologic, geriatric and neuroradiologic characteristics associated with cognitive impairment in older patients approaching ESKD who have not yet started with renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods

The COPE-study (Cognitive Decline in Older Patients with ESRD) is a prospective cohort study including 157 participants aged 65 years and older approaching ESKD (eGFR ≤20 ml/min/1.73 m2) prior to starting with RRT. In addition to routinely collected clinical parameters related to ESKD, such as vascular disease burden and parameters of metabolic disturbance, patients received a full geriatric assessment, including extensive neuropsychological testing. In a subgroup of patients (n = 93) a brain MRI was performed.

Results

The median age was 75.3 years. Compared to the normative data of neuropsychological testing participants memory performance was in the 24th percentile, executive function in the 18th percentile and psychomotor speed in the 20th percentile. Independent associated characteristics of impairment in memory, executive and psychomotor speed were high age, low educational level and low functional status (all p-values < 0.003). A history of vascular disease (p = 0.007) and more white matter hyperintensities on brain MRI (p = 0.013) were associated with a lower psychomotor speed.

Conclusion

Older patients approaching ESKD have a high prevalence of impaired memory, executive function and psychomotor speed. The patterns of cognitive impairment and brain changes on MRI are suggestive of vascular cognitive impairment. These findings could be of potentially added value in the decision-making process concerning patients with ESKD.
Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and pregnancy outcomes in association with HIV-1 infection in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Onwughara Chidebere E. , Moodley Dhayendre , Valashiya Nthabiseng , Sebitloane Motshedisi
Published: April 2020

Background

SubSaharan Africa has a disproportionate burden of HIV and preterm births (PTB). We hypothesized that PTB in HIV-1 infected women are more likely a result of prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) and could lead to worse birth outcomes than HIV-uninfected women. We also hypothesized that PPROM increased the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1. Current clinical management protocols for PPROM do not include a differential treatment plan for HIV-infected women.

Methods

The maternity register at a regional hospital in a high HIV-burden district in South Africa was reviewed to identify all preterm births over a 3 month-period in 2018. We determined the incidence of PPROM using predefined criteria. Maternal age, parity, previous pregnancy complications, antenatal care, body mass index, history of smoking or alcohol, HIV infection and syphilis were computed on chi-square contingency tables to determine risk of PPROM. Overall pregnancy outcomes that included mode of delivery, fetal survival, birth weight, gestational age and newborn apgar scores were compared between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women whose pregnancies were complicated by PPROM. HIV-exposed newborns are routinely tested at birth for HIV by PCR.

Results

A total of 1758 deliveries were recorded for Jan-Mar, 2018, and 295 (16.8%) were preterm. Maternity charts were retrieved for 236 (80.0%) PTB; 47 of PTB (19.9%; 95%CI 15.0–25.6) were further complicated by PROM which translates to 2.7% (95%CI 1.9–3.4) of all deliveries. None of the risk variables including HIV-positive status (48.9% vs 47.6%) were different between PPROM and non-PPROM groups and the majority of women were receiving cART (94.7 and 92.0%). There were no differences in the proportion of low birth weight (RR 1.2 95%CI 0.6–2.1) or severe preterm birth (RR 1.6; 95%CI 0.9–2.9) between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women whose pregnancies were complicated by PPROM. None of the 22 HIV-exposed newborns in the PPROM group were HIV-infected at birth.

Conclusion

The PPROM incidence is not higher among HIV-infected women and our findings suggest that HIV-infected women who are virally suppressed on cART and presenting with PPROM are less likely to transmit HIV to their infants and do not have worse birth outcomes than HIV-uninfected women.