bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boundary Lubricating Properties of Black Phosphorus Nanosheets in Polyalphaolefin Oil
Authors: Xu Yufu , Yu Jingyuan , Dong Yinghui , You Tao , Hu Xianguo
Published: April 2019

As a novel layered material, black phosphorus (BP) shows unexpected characteristics in many aspects including tribological application. In this work, BP was prepared through ball milling from red phosphorus (RP). The boundary lubricating properties of the BP nanosheets were investigated on a ball-on-disk tribometer as lubricating additives in polyalphaolefin oil. The micromorphologies, concentration, and composition of the typical chemical elements on the worn surfaces were measured by the 3D laser scanning microscope, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, respectively. The results show that bulk BP can be found after RP was milled at 500 rpm for 36 h. The Raman intensity of the BP increased initially and then decreased with the increase in milling time, and the maximum intensity can be obtained at 60 h. The BP nanosheets displayed excellent antifriction and anti-wear performances as lubricating additives in PAO6 oil for steel/steel contact in boundary lubrication regime. The boundary lubrication mechanism of the BP nanosheets is dominated by the physical slippery effect of the laminated nanosheets and the tribofilm on the rubbing surfaces.
Identifying bilingual talkers after a language switch: Language experience matters
Authors: Orena Adriel John , Polka Linda , Theodore Rachel M.
Published: April 2019

The current study investigates the role of language experience in generalizing indexical information across languages within bilingual speech. Participants (n = 48) learned to identify bilingual talkers speaking in one of their languages and were then tested on their ability to identify the same talker when speaking the same language and when speaking their other language. Both monolingual and bilingual participants showed above chance performance in identifying the talkers in both language contexts. However, bilingual participants outperformed monolinguals in generalizing knowledge about the speaker's voice across their two familiar languages, which may be driven by their experience with language mixing.
“I Just Couldn’t Believe I Was There”: An Exploration of Soccer Pilgrimage
Authors: Kassing Jeffrey W. , Nyaupane Pratik
Published: April 2019

This work explores the phenomenon of soccer pilgrimage (i.e., international travel by U.S.-based supporters to matches and stadia in Europe). A purposive sample of 67 pilgrims who supported a variety of clubs participated. Respondents completed a survey questionnaire designed to inquire about their experience, including why they undertook pilgrimages, how they felt about them, their reaction to having completed pilgrimages, and how they described the experience to others when asked about it. A constant comparative analysis revealed that respondents socially constructed the social atmosphere, the sacred nature, and the authenticating capacity of soccer pilgrimages. Overall, soccer pilgrimage represents a form of secular pilgrimage defined by sociality, sacrality, and liminality.
Differential regulation of Ca
2+
influx by ORAI channels mediates enamel mineralization
Authors: Eckstein Miriam , Vaeth Martin , Aulestia Francisco J. , Costiniti Veronica , Kassam Serena N. , Bromage Timothy G. , Pedersen Pal , Issekutz Thomas , Idaghdour Youssef , Moursi Amr M. , Feske Stefan , Lacruz Rodrigo S.
Published: April 2019

SOCE mediated by ORAI1 affects the metabolism, redox status, and function of enamel cells in teeth.
Validation and Application of an HPLC-DAD Method for Routine Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Ceftobiprole
Authors: Lima Benjamin , Bodeau Sandra , Quinton Marie-Charlotte , Leven Cyril , Lemaire-Hurtel Anne-Sophie , Bennis Youssef
Published: April 2019

Ceftobiprole is a fifth-generation cephalosporin approved for the treatment of pneumonia, with a broad antibacterial spectrum, including potent activity against methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
. As for the other cephalosporins, high pharmacokinetic variability and concentration-dependent neurotoxicity are expected.
Hepatitis B Virus Precore Protein p22 Inhibits Alpha Interferon Signaling by Blocking STAT Nuclear Translocation
Authors: Mitra Bidisha , Wang Jinyu , Kim Elena S. , Mao Richeng , Dong Minhui , Liu Yuanjie , Zhang Jiming , Guo Haitao
Published: April 2019

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major global health concern, and patients who fail to mount an efficient immune response to clear the virus will develop a life-long chronic infection that can progress to chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. There is no definite cure for chronic hepatitis B, and alpha interferon (IFN-α) is the only available immunomodulatory drug, to which only a minority of chronic patients are responsive, with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients responding better than HBeAg-positive patients. We herein report that the intracellular HBeAg, also known as precore or p22, inhibits the antiviral signaling of IFN-α, which sheds light on the enigmatic function of precore protein in shaping HBV chronicity and provides a perspective toward areas that need to be further studied to make the current therapy better until a cure is achieved.
Human Astrovirus MLB Replication
In Vitro
: Persistence in Extraintestinal Cell Lines
Authors: Vu Diem-Lan , Bosch Albert , Pintó Rosa M. , Ribes Enric , Guix Susana
Published: April 2019

MLB astroviruses are emerging viruses infecting humans. More studies are required to determine their exact epidemiology, but several reports have already identified them as the cause of unexpected clinical diseases, including severe neurologic diseases. Our study provides the first description of a cell culture system for the propagation of MLB astroviruses, enabling the study of their replicative cycle. Moreover, we demonstrated the unknown capacity of MLB astrovirus to establish persistent infections in cell culture. Whether these persistent infections are also established
in vivo
remains unknown, but the clinical consequences would be of high interest if persistence was confirmed
in vivo
. Finally, our analysis of IFN expression provides some trails to understand the mechanism by which MLB astroviruses can cause persistent infections in the assayed cultures.
Galectin-3 Inhibits Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Growth and Impacts Paracoccidioidomycosis through Multiple Mechanisms
Authors: Hatanaka Otavio , Rezende Caroline Patini , Moreno Pedro , Freitas Fernandes Fabrício , Oliveira Brito Patrícia Kellen Martins , Martinez Roberto , Coelho Carolina , Roque-Barreira Maria Cristina , Casadevall Arturo , Almeida Fausto
Published: April 2019

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. Although the immune mechanisms to control PCM are still not fully understood, several events of the host innate and adaptive immunity are crucial to determine the progress of the infection. Mammalian β-galactoside-binding protein galectin-3 (Gal-3) plays significant roles during microbial infections and has been studied for its immunomodulatory roles, but it can also have direct antimicrobial effects. We asked whether this protein plays a role in
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
. We report herein that Gal-3 indeed has direct effects on the fungal pathogen, inhibiting fungal growth and reducing extracellular vesicle stability. Our results suggest a direct role for Gal-3 in
P. brasiliensis
infection, with beneficial effects for the mammalian host.
Diabetic muscle infarction: rare complication with a distinct clinical manifestation
Authors: Ganokroj Poranee , Boonchaya-anant Patchaya
Published: April 2019

Diabetic muscle infarction is an unusual condition with distinctive clinical characteristics seen in patients with prolonged and uncontrolled diabetes. Clinical findings and imaging study are unique and challenging. Patients usually present with acute unilateral severe muscular pain and swelling, particularly in the lower extremities. The presentation is difficult to distinguish from other common conditions such as deep venous thrombosis and infectious myositis. However, early recognition of the clinical presentation and appropriate imaging selection can lead to the diagnosis and avoid unnecessary muscle biopsy. Here, we report a case of diabetic muscle infarction in a patient with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes who had a good clinical response after an early detection and appropriate treatment.
Joubert syndrome with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency
Authors: Akcan Nese , Bas Firdevs , Poyrazoglu Sukran , Bundak Ruveyde
Published: April 2019

Joubert syndrome (JS) and JS-related disorders are a group of developmental delay, multiple congenital anomalies and complex midbrain–hindbrain malformations. A few cases of JS with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) have been reported in literature. Here, we presented an unusual presentation of JS in a newborn with MPHD. This case is intended to draw attention to the rare association of JS and MDPH by increasing the awareness of this syndrome.
Adhesional small bowel obstruction related to stapling device from previous laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair
Authors: Silva Arnaldo Neves Santos , Kouroumpas Efstratios , Fearnhead Nicola , Morton Jonathan R
Published: April 2019

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is common surgical presenting problem, accounting for roughly 15 000 laparotomies per year in the UK. However, SBO post laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair is uncommon with an estimated incidence of 0.2%–0.5%. The common causes for SBO post-TAPP include inadequate closure, port-site herniation and adhesions. Here, we present a case of adhesional SBO related to stapling device from previous laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and review alternative methods for mesh fixation. This case reports a rare but life-threatening complication from a commonly performed day case procedure and highlights importance of adequate surgical technique when inserting foreign bodies intra-abdominally. The patient required an emergency laparotomy and small bowel resection, developed postoperative ileus which managed with a nasogastric tube, intravenous fluids and parenteral nutrition and was discharged 12 days postoperatively.
Advancing Planetary Health in Australia: focus on emerging infections and antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Hill-Cawthorne Grant , Negin Joel , Capon Tony , Gilbert Gwendolyn L , Nind Lee , Nunn Michael , Ridgway Patricia , Schipp Mark , Firman Jenny , Sorrell Tania C , Marais Ben J
Published: April 2019

With rising population numbers, anthropogenic changes to our environment and unprecedented global connectivity, the World Economic Forum ranks the spread of infectious diseases second only to water crises in terms of potential global impact. Addressing the diverse challenges to human health and well-being in the 21st century requires an overarching focus on ‘Planetary Health’, with input from all sectors of government, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and industry. To clarify and advance the Planetary Health agenda within Australia, specifically in relation to emerging infectious diseases (EID) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), national experts and key stakeholders were invited to a facilitated workshop. EID themes identified included animal reservoirs, targeted surveillance, mechanisms of emergence and the role of unrecognised human vectors (the ‘invisible man’) in the spread of infection. Themes related to AMR included antimicrobial use in production and companion animals, antimicrobial stewardship, novel treatment approaches and education of professionals, politicians and the general public. Effective infection control strategies are important in both EID and AMR. We provide an overview of key discussion points, as well as important barriers identified and solutions proposed.
Self-collection of samples as an additional approach to deliver testing services for sexually transmitted infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ogale Yasmin , Yeh Ping Teresa , Kennedy Caitlin E , Toskin Igor , Narasimhan Manjulaa
Published: April 2019

Background

Self-collection of samples for diagnostic testing offers the advantages of patient autonomy, confidentiality and convenience. Despite data showing their feasibility and accuracy, there is a need to better understand how to implement such interventions for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To support WHO guidelines on self-care interventions, we conducted a systematic review to investigate whether self-collection of samples should be made available as an additional approach to deliver STI testing services.

Methods

Peer-reviewed studies were included if they compared individuals who self-collected samples for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and/or trichomonas testing to individuals who had samples collected by clinicians on the following outcomes: uptake/frequency of STI testing, social harms/adverse events, positive yield (case finding), linkage to clinical assessment/treatment and reported sexual risk behaviour. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS and EMBASE for articles published through July 2018. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and the Evidence Project tool for non-RCTs. Meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models to generate pooled estimates of relative risk (RR).

Results

Eleven studies, including five RCTs and six observational studies with a total of 202 745 participants, met inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted in Australia, Denmark and the USA. Meta-analysis found that programmes offering self-collection of samples increased overall uptake of STI testing services (RR: 2.941, 95% CI 1.188 to 7.281) and case finding (RR: 2.166, 95% CI 1.043 to 4.498). No studies reported measuring STI testing frequency, social harms/adverse events, linkage to care or sexual risk behaviour.

Discussion

While greater diversity in study designs, outcomes and settings would strengthen the evidence base, findings from this review suggest that self-collection of STI samples could be an effective additional strategy to increase STI testing uptake.

Prospero registration number

PROSPERO CRD42018114866.
Chronic rhinosinusitis: a qualitative study of patient views and experiences of current management in primary and secondary care
Authors: Vennik Jane , Eyles Caroline , Thomas Mike , Hopkins Claire , Little Paul , Blackshaw Helen , Schilder Anne , Savage Imogen , Philpott Carl M
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To explore patient views and perspectives of current management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in primary and secondary care.

Design

Semistructured qualitative telephone interviews as part of the MACRO programme (Defining best Management for Adults with Chronic RhinOsinusitis).

Setting

Primary care and secondary care ear, nose and throat outpatient clinics in the UK.

Participants

Twenty-five patients consented to in-depth telephone interviews. Transcribed recordings were managed using NVivo software and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

CRS has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life, affecting their ability to work effectively, their social interactions and daily living. Patients seek help when symptoms become unmanageable, but can become frustrated with the primary care system with difficulties obtaining an appointment, and lack of continuity of care. Patients perceive that general practitioners can be dismissive of CRS symptoms, and patients often prioritise other concerns when they consult. Health system barriers and poor communication can result in delays in accessing appropriate treatment and referral. Adherence to intranasal steroids is a problem and patients are uncertain about correct technique. Nasal irrigation can be time-consuming and difficult for patients to use. Secondary care consultations can appear rushed, and patients would like specialists to take a more ‘holistic’ approach to their management. Surgery is often considered a temporary solution, appropriate when medical options have been explored.

Conclusions

Patients are frustrated with the management of their CRS, and poor communication can result in delays in receiving appropriate treatment and timely referral. Patients seek better understanding of their condition and guidance to support treatments decisions in light of uncertainties around the different medical and surgical options. Better coordinated care between general practice and specialist settings and consistency of advice has the potential to increase patient satisfaction and improve outcomes.
Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Byrne Paula , Cullinan John , Smith Amelia , Smith Susan M
Published: April 2019

Objective

To synthesise evidence from exclusively primary prevention data on the effectiveness of statins for prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including stroke, and outcomes stratified by baseline risk and gender.

Design

Overview of systematic reviews (SRs) using Revised-AMSTAR approach to assess quality.

Data sources

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Scopus and PROSPERO to June 2017.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

SRs of randomised control trials (RCTs) or individual patient data (IPD) from RCTs, examining the effectiveness of statins versus placebo or no treatment on all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease, CVD (including stroke) and composite endpoints, with stratification by baseline risk and gender.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality. A narrative synthesis was conducted.

Results

Three SRs were included. Quality of included SRs was mixed, and none reported on the risk of bias of included trials.

We found trends towards reduced all-cause mortality in all SRs (RR 0.91 [95% CI 0.85 to 0.97]), (RR 0.91 [95% CI 0.83 to 1.01]) and (RR 0.78 [95% CI 0.53 to 1.15]) though it was not statistically significant in two SRs. When stratified by baseline risk, the effect on all-cause mortality was no longer statistically significant except in one medium risk category. One review reported significant reductions (RR 0.85 [95% CI 0.77 to 0.95]) in vascular deaths and non-significant reductions in non-vascular deaths (RR 0.97 [95% CI 0.88 to 1.07]). There were significant reductions in composite outcomes overall, but mixed results were reported in these when stratified by baseline risk. These reviews included studies with participants considered risk equivalent to those with established CVD.

Conclusions

There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of statins for primary prevention with mixed findings from studies including participants with widely ranging baseline risks. Decision making for the use of statins should consider individual baseline risk, absolute risk reduction and whether risk reduction justifies potential harms and taking a daily medicine for life.

Trial registration number

CRD42017064761.
Barriers to and facilitators of the identification, management and referral of childhood anxiety disorders in primary care: a survey of general practitioners in England
Authors: O’Brien Doireann , Harvey Kate , Creswell Cathy
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Although anxiety disorders are the most common emotional disorders in childhood and are associated with a broad range of negative outcomes, only a minority of affected children receive professional support. In the UK, general practitioners (GPs) are seen as ‘gate-keepers’ to mental health services. The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which GPs experience barriers to and facilitators of identifying, managing and accessing specialist services for these disorders, as well as factors associated with GPs’ confidence.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional, self-report questionnaire in primary care, addressing identification, management and access to specialist services for children (under 12 years) with anxiety disorders.

Participants

971 GPs in England.

Primary outcomes

The primary outcomes for this research was the extent to which GPs felt confident (1) identifying and (2) managing anxiety disorders in children.

Results

Only 51% and 13% of GPs felt confident identifying and managing child anxiety disorders, respectively. A minority believed that their training in identification (21%) and management (10%) was adequate. Time restrictions inhibited identification and management, and long waiting times was a barrier to accessing specialist services. Being female (Ex(B)=1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.9) and being in a less deprived practice (Ex(B)=1.1, 95% CI 1 to 1.1) was associated with higher confidence identifying childhood anxiety disorders. Being a parent of a child over the age of 5 (Ex(B)=2, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.5) and being in a less deprived practice (Ex(B)=1.1, 95% CI 1 to 1.2) was associated with higher confidence in management. Receipt of psychiatric or paediatric training was not significantly associated with GP confidence.

Conclusions

GPs believe they have a role in identifying and managing childhood anxiety disorders; however, their confidence appears to be related to their personal experience and the context in which they work, rather than their training, highlighting the need to strengthen GP training and facilitate access to resources and services to enable them to support children with these common but debilitating conditions.
Publicly insured caesarean sections in private hospitals: a repeated cross-sectional analysis in Chile
Authors: Borrescio-Higa Florencia , Valdés Nieves
Published: April 2019

Objective

To measure the likelihood of delivery by caesarean section (C-section) for publicly insured births as compared with privately insured births, across all hospitals and within private hospitals.

Design

Repeated cross-sectional analysis.

Setting

The universe of hospital births in 15 regions of Chile.

Participants

2 405 082 singleton births between 2001 and 2014.

Outcome measures

C-section rates by type of hospital and type of insurance; contribution to overall C-section rates of subgroups by type of insurance and type of hospital; adjusted OR of privately insured births delivered by C-section compared with publicly insured births, across all hospitals and within private hospitals; percentage of discharges related to maternal morbidity and mortality across groups; length of stay after delivery.

Results

An increasing percentage of publicly insured births occur in private facilities each year. Approximately three out of four publicly insured births in private hospitals are delivered by C-section. The adjusted odd of C-section delivery in a private maternity unit is lower for those privately insured than for those with public insurance: OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.64. There is no evidence that these women would have been more likely to have a C-section out of medical necessity.

Conclusions

We find an association between high C-section rates and publicly insured women delivering at private institutions in Chile, and show that this group is driving the overall high and growing rates. There is a need for a more informed surveillance on the part of the public insurance system of its private providers’ C-section practices.
Disease burden of liver cancer in China from 1997 to 2016: an observational study based on the Global Burden of Diseases
Authors: Ding Cheng , Fu Xiaofang , Zhou Yuqing , Liu Xiaoxiao , Wu Jie , Huang Chenyang , Deng Min , Li Yiping , Li Lanjuan , Yang Shigui
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate the trends in disease burden and the epidemiological features of liver cancer in China while identifying potential strategies to lower the disease burden.

Design

Observational study based on the Global Burden of Diseases.

Participants

Data were publicly available and de-identified and individuals were not involved.

Measurement and methods

To measure the liver cancer burden, we extracted data from the Global Health Data Exchange using the metrics of prevalence, incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Joinpoint and negative binomial regressions were applied to identify trends and risk factors.

Results

From 1997 to 2016, the prevalence, incidence, mortality and DALYs of liver cancer in China were from 28.22/100 000 to 60.04/100 000, from 27.33/100 000 to 41.40/100 000, from 27.40/100 000 to 31.49/100 000 and from 10 311 308 to 11 539 102, respectively. The prevalence, incidence and mortality were increasing, with the average annual percent changes (AAPCs) of 4.0% (95% CI 3.9% to 4.2%), 2.1% (95% CI 2.0% to 2.2%) and 0.5% (95% CI 0.2% to 0.9%), respectively. Meanwhile, the rate of DALYs was stable with the AAPCs of −0.1% (95% CI −0.4% to 0.3%). The mortality-to-incidence ratio of liver cancer decreased from 1.00 in 1997 to 0.76 in 2016 (β=−0.014, p<0.0001). Males (OR: 2.98, 95% CI 2.68 to 3.30 for prevalence, OR: 2.45, 95% CI 2.21 to 2.71 for incidence) and the elderly individuals (OR: 1.57, 95% CI 1.55 to 1.59 for prevalence, OR: 1.58, 95% CI 1.56 to 1.60 for incidence) had a higher risk. Hepatitis B accounted for the highest proportion of liver cancer cases (55.11%) and deaths (54.13%).

Conclusions

The disease burden of liver cancer continued to increase in China with viral factors as one of the leading causes. Strategies such as promoting hepatitis B vaccinations, blocking the transmission of hepatitis C and reducing alcohol consumption should be prioritised.
Theory-based self-management intervention to improve adolescents’ asthma control: a cluster randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: Harris Katherine , Mosler Gioia , Grigg Jonathan
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Asthma-related morbidity and mortality in the UK is higher than elsewhere in Europe. Although the reasons for this are largely unclear, one explanation could be a higher prevalence of poorly controlled asthma in the UK. Findings from our earlier study found that, in a sample of 766 children with asthma, 45.7% had poorly controlled asthma. Our earlier study also showed that adherence to inhaled corticosteroids was low. Subsequent focus groups identified concerns regarding embarrassment and bullying as barriers to adherence, as well as forgetfulness and incorrect medication beliefs. Following this, a school-based self-management intervention has been developed, aimed to improve asthma control and self-management behaviours.

Methods and analysis

The theory-based cluster randomised controlled trial tests an intervention comprising two components: (1) a theatre workshop for all children in years 7 and 8, and (2) self-management workshops for children with asthma. The COM-B model was used to guide the development of the intervention. Questionnaire data will be collected in schools at baseline, immediately post intervention, and 3, 6 and 12 months post intervention. The data collected at 6 months will measure the effect of the intervention against the baseline data. The primary outcome will be asthma control, measured using the Asthma Control Test. All the data will be analysed quantitatively using generalised linear and non-linear mixed effects models.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained by the Queen Mary University of London Ethics Committee on 12 April 2018. Regular meetings will be held with key patient and public stakeholders to plan the key messages from this research. Key messages from the study will also be tweeted via the project twitter account (@SchoolsAsthma). The findings of the study will be submitted for presentation at conferences, as well as written into a manuscript.

Trial registration number

MGU0400
Realist evaluation of cancer rehabilitation services in South Wales (REEACaRS): a mixed methods study protocol
Authors: Csontos Judit Katalin , Fitzsimmons Deborah , Jones Mari , Wilkinson Wendy M , Horton Joanne , Love-Gould Lisa , Tee Anna , Watts Tessa
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Long-term and late effects of cancer treatments can cause functional limitations and reduce quality of life. Cancer rehabilitation services, which can comprise physical exercise, psychological support and educational interventions depending on the individual’s needs, have been found to have a positive effect on health-related quality of life worldwide. However, accessibility or the lack of awareness on available help can act as barriers and influence the uptake of services, resulting in people having unmet rehabilitation needs. In Wales, UK, 41% of people, who have had health and social care needs resulting from cancer and its treatments, reported that they did not receive care when needed. The reason for this lack of support has not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the conditions in which cancer rehabilitation services work and their underpinning mechanisms in South Wales, UK, specifically addressing barriers, facilitators and costs.

Methods and analysis

Realist evaluation, which explains for whom a service works in what circumstances and how through context-mechanism-outcome pattern conjunctions, will be used in three phases to investigate the conditions in which cancer rehabilitation services work and their underpinning mechanisms. Phase 1 will be secondary analysis of a cancer rehabilitation database from a local Health Board to give context to who are accessing rehabilitation. Phase 2 will be thematic analysis of face-to-face, semistructured rehabilitation participant (n=20) and healthcare professional (n=20) interviews to explore the mechanisms of how cancer rehabilitation works. Phase 3 will be two case studies and cost-consequences analysis of cancer rehabilitation services.

Ethics and dissemination

This study received favourable ethical opinion from London South-East Research Ethics Committee (17/LO/2123) in December 2017. This project is part of the author’s PhD thesis and it is expected that the findings will be disseminated in academic journals and at local and international conferences.
What US hospitals are currently doing to prevent common device-associated infections: results from a national survey
Authors: Saint Sanjay , Greene Michael Todd , Fowler Karen E , Ratz David , Patel Payal K , Meddings Jennifer , Krein Sarah L
Published: April 2019

Background

Despite focused initiatives to reduce device-associated infection among hospitalised patients, the practices US hospitals are currently using are unknown. We thus used a national survey to ascertain the use of several established and novel practices to prevent device-associated infections.

Methods

We mailed surveys to infection preventionists in a random sample of nearly 900 US acute care hospitals in 2017. Our survey asked about the use of practices to prevent three common device-associated infections: catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Using sample weights, we estimated the percentage of hospitals reporting regular use of each practice. We also conducted multivariable regression to determine associations between selected hospital characteristics (eg, perceived support from leadership) and use of CAUTI, CLABSI and VAP prevention practices.

Results

The response rate was 59%. Several practices are reportedly used in over 90% of US hospitals: aseptic technique during indwelling urethral catheter insertion and maintenance (to prevent CAUTI); maximum sterile barrier precautions during central catheter insertion and alcohol-containing chlorhexidine gluconate for insertion site antisepsis (to prevent CLABSI); and semirecumbent positioning of the patient (to prevent VAP). Antimicrobial devices are used in the minority of hospitals for these three device-associated infections.

Conclusions

We provide an updated snapshot of the practices US hospitals are currently using to prevent device-associated infections. Compared with previous studies using a similar design and questions, we found that the use of recommended practices increased in US hospitals, especially for CAUTI prevention.
BET 1: Functional treatment is non-inferior to below the knee cast in adults with acute closed proximal fifth metatarsal fractures
Authors: Janssen Emmy , Rijpsma Douwe
Published: April 2019

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether functional treatment is better than conservative treatment with a below knee cast at decreasing time to functional recovery and fracture union in adults with an acute closed proximal fifth metatarsal fracture. Four papers presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that in proximal (zone 1 and 2) fractures of the fifth metatarsal functional treatment with immediate mobilisation is at least non-inferior to immobilisation in a cast.
Community detection in facebook activity networks and presenting a new multilayer label propagation algorithm for community detection
Authors: Alimadadi Fatemeh , Khadangi Ehsan , Bagheri Alireza
Published: April 2019

The emergence of online social networks has revolutionized millions of web users’ behavior so that their interactions with each other produce huge amounts of data on different activities. Community detection, herein, is one of the most important tasks. The very recent trend is to detect meaningful communities based on users’ interactions or the activity network. However, in many of such studies, authors consider the basic network model while almost ignoring the model of the interactions in the multi-layer network. In this research, an experimental study is done to compare community detection in Facebook friendship network to that of activity network, considering different activities in Facebook OSN such as sharing. Then, a new community detection evaluation metric based on homophily is proposed. Eventually, a new method of community detection based on different activities in Facebook social network is presented. In this method, we generalized three familiar similarity methods, Jaccard, Common Neighbors and Adamic-Adar for multi-layered network model.
Explicit logarithmic formulas of special values of hypergeometric functions 3F2
Authors: Asakura Masanori , Yabu Toshifumi
Published: April 2019

In [M. Asakura, N. Otsubo and T. Terasoma, An algebro-geometric study of special values of hypergeometric functions [Formula: see text], to appear in Nagoya Math. J.; https://doi.org/10.1017/nmj.2018.36 ], we proved that the value of [Formula: see text] of the generalized hypergeometric function is a [Formula: see text]-linear combination of log of algebraic numbers if rational numbers [Formula: see text] satisfy a certain condition. In this paper, we present a method to obtain an explicit description of it.
Monotonicity and rigidity of solutions to some elliptic systems with uniform limits
Authors: Farina Alberto , Sciunzi Berardino , Soave Nicola
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we prove the validity of Gibbons’ conjecture for a coupled competing Gross–Pitaevskii system. We also provide sharp a priori bounds, regularity results and additional Liouville-type theorems.
The comultiplication of modified quantum affine 𝔰𝔩n
Authors: Fu Qiang
Published: April 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be the modified quantum affine [Formula: see text] and let [Formula: see text] be the positive part of quantum affine [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be the canonical basis of [Formula: see text] and let [Formula: see text] be the canonical basis of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we use the theory of affine quantum Schur algebras to prove that the structure constants for the comultiplication with respect to [Formula: see text] are determined by the structure constants for the comultiplication with respect to [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]. In particular, from the positivity property for the comultiplication of [Formula: see text], we obtain the positivity property for the comultiplication of [Formula: see text], which is conjectured by Lusztig [Introduction to Quantum Groups, Progress in Mathematics, Vol. 110 (Birkhäuser, Boston, 1993), 25.4.2].
Advances in aPDT based on the combination of a porphyrinic formulation with potassium iodide: Effectiveness on bacteria and fungi planktonic/biofilm forms and viruses
Authors: Vieira Cátia , Santos Adriele , Mesquita Mariana Q. , Gomes Ana T. P. C. , Neves M. Graça P. M. S. , Faustino M. Amparo F. , Almeida Adelaide
Published: April 2019

The increasing world-wide rate of antibiotic resistance as well as the capacity of microorganisms to form biofilms, have led to a higher incidence of mortal infections that require alternative methods for their control. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) emerged as an effective solution against resistant strains. The present work aims to evaluate the aPDT efficiency of a photosensitizer (PS) based on a low-cost formulation constituted by five cationic porphyrins (FORM) and its potentiation effect by KI on a broad spectrum of microorganisms under white light (380–700 nm, 25 W/m[Formula: see text]. The aPDT assays were performed with different concentrations of FORM (0.1 to 5.0 [Formula: see text]M) and 100 mM of KI on planktonic and biofilm forms of gram-positive (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus–MRSA) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli resistant to chloramphenicol and ampicillin) bacteria, of the fungi Candida albicans and on a T4-like bacteriophage as a mammalian virus model. The results indicate that the FORM alone is an efficient PS to photoinactivate not only gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, but also C. albicans, in planktonic and biofilm forms, and T4-like phage at low concentrations (<5.0 [Formula: see text]M). The presence of KI enhanced the photodynamic effect of this FORM for all microorganisms on the planktonic form, allowing the reduction of PS concentration and treatment time. The results also show that the combination FORM/KI is highly efficient in the elimination of already well-established biofilms of E. coli,S. aureus and C. albicans. This effect is probably associated with longer-lived iodine reactive species produced during the aPDT treatment.
Truncated vitamin B12 derivative with the phosphate group retained
Authors: Hassan Sidra , Jackowska Agnieszka , Gryko Dorota
Published: April 2019

Cobyric acid and cobinamide are valuable building blocks for the synthesis of artificial cobalamins modified at the nucleotide loop. However, truncated vitamin B[Formula: see text] derivatives are devoid of the phosphate group. We have found that 2-iodoxy benzoic acid-mediated phosphorolysis leads to the cleavage of only one of the phosphodiester bond giving a vitamin B[Formula: see text] analogue with the phosphate moiety preserved. Subsequent alkylation with an organic halide establishes its role as a precursor for the synthesis of vitamin B[Formula: see text] mimics modified at the nucleotide loop.
Implementing Stretch-Based Strain Energy Functions in Large Coupled Axial and Torsional Deformations of Functionally Graded Cylinder
Authors: Valiollahi Arash , Shojaeifard Mohammad , Baghani Mostafa
Published: April 2019

In this paper, coupled axial and torsional large deformation of an incompressible isotropic functionally graded nonlinearly elastic solid cylinder is investigated. Utilizing stretch-based constitutive models, where the deformation tensor is non-diagonal is complex. Hence, an analytical approach is presented for combined extension and torsion of functionally graded hyperelastic cylinder. Also, finite element analysis is carried out to verify the proposed analytical solutions. The Ogden model is employed to predict the mechanical behavior of hyperelastic materials whose material parameters are function of radius in an exponential fashion. Both finite element and analytical results are in good agreement and reveal that for positive values of exponential power in material variation function, stress decreases and the rate of stress variation intensifies near the outer surface. A transition point for the hoop stress is identified, where the distribution plots regardless of the value of stretch or twist, intersect and the hoop stress alters from compressive to tensile. For the Ogden model, the torsion induced force is always compressive which means the total axial force starts from being tensile and then eventually becomes compressive i.e., the cylinder always tends to elongate on twisting.
From medicalized to mundane self-care technologies
Authors: Nunes Francisco
Published: April 2019

This forum is dedicated to personal health in all its many facets: decision making, goal setting, celebration, discovery, reflection, and coordination, among others. We look at innovations in interactive technologies and how they help address current critical healthcare challenges.
--- Yunan Chen, Editor
The remarkable illusions of technology for social good
Authors: Sambasivan Nithya
Published: April 2019

This is a forum for perspectives on designing for communities marginalized by economics, social status, infrastructure, or policies. It will discuss design methods, theoretical and conceptual contributions, and methodological engagements for underserved communities.
--- Nithya Sambasivan, Editor
Production Application Performance Data Streaming for System Monitoring
Authors: Izadpanah Ramin , Allan Benjamin A. , Dechev Damian , Brandt Jim
Published: April 2019

In this article, we present an approach to streaming collection of application performance data. Practical application performance tuning and troubleshooting in production high-performance computing (HPC) environments requires an understanding of how applications interact with the platform, including (but not limited to) parallel programming libraries such as Message Passing Interface (MPI). Several profiling and tracing tools exist that collect heavy runtime data traces either in memory (released only at application exit) or on a file system (imposing an I/O load that may interfere with the performance being measured). Although these approaches are beneficial in development stages and post-run analysis, a systemwide and low-overhead method is required to monitor deployed applications continuously. This method must be able to collect information at both the application and system levels to yield a complete performance picture.

In our approach, an application profiler collects application event counters. A sampler uses an efficient inter-process communication method to periodically extract the application counters and stream them into an infrastructure for performance data collection. We implement a tool-set based on our approach and integrate it with the Lightweight Distributed Metric Service (LDMS) system, a monitoring system used on large-scale computational platforms. LDMS provides the infrastructure to create and gather streams of performance data in a low overhead manner. We demonstrate our approach using applications implemented with MPI, as it is one of the most common standards for the development of large-scale scientific applications.

We utilize our tool-set to study the impact of our approach on an open source HPC application, Nalu. Our tool-set enables us to efficiently identify patterns in the behavior of the application without source-level knowledge. We leverage LDMS to collect system-level performance data and explore the correlation between the system and application events. Also, we demonstrate how our tool-set can help detect anomalies with a low latency. We run tests on two different architectures: a system enabled with Intel Xeon Phi and another system equipped with Intel Xeon processor. Our overhead study shows our method imposes at most 0.5% CPU usage overhead on the application in realistic deployment scenarios.
Experiential AI
Authors: Hemment Drew , Aylett Ruth , Belle Vaishak , Murray-Rust Dave , Luger Ewa , Hillston Jane , Rovatsos Michael , Broz Frank
Published: April 2019

Experiential AI is proposed as a new research agenda in which artists and scientists come together to dispel the mystery of algorithms and make their mechanisms vividly apparent. It addresses the challenge of finding novel ways of opening up the field of artificial intelligence to greater transparency and collaboration between human and machine. The hypothesis is that art can mediate between computer code and human comprehension to overcome the limitations of explanations in and for AI systems. Artists can make the boundaries of systems visible and offer novel ways to make the reasoning of AI transparent and decipherable. Beyond this, artistic practice can explore new configurations of humans and algorithms, mapping the terrain of inter-agencies between people and machines. This helps to viscerally understand the complex causal chains in environments with AI components, including questions about what data to collect or who to collect it about, how the algorithms are chosen, commissioned and configured or how humans are conditioned by their participation in algorithmic processes.
Subcutaneous adipose tissue free fatty acid uptake measured using positron emission tomography and adipose biopsies in humans
Authors: Cao Yanli , Gathaiya Nicola , Han Qiaojun , Kemp Bradley J. , Jensen Michael D.
Published: April 2019

Positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals can noninvasively measure free fatty acid (FFA) uptake into adipose tissue. We studied 29 volunteers to test whether abdominal and femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue FFA uptake measured using [1-11C]palmitate PET agrees with FFA storage rates measured using an intravenous bolus of [1-14C]palmitate and adipose biopsies. The dynamic left ventricular cavity PET images combined with blood sample radioactivity corrected for the 11CO2 content were used to create the blood time activity curve (TAC), and the constant ( Ki) was determined using Patlak analysis of the TACs generated for regions of interest in abdominal subcutaneous fat. These data were used to calculate palmitate uptake rates in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (µmol·kg−1·min−1). Immediately after the dynamic imaging, a static image of the thigh was taken to measure the standardized uptake value (SUV) in thigh adipose tissue, which was scaled to each participant’s abdominal adipose tissue SUV to calculate thigh adipose palmitate uptake rates. Abdominal adipose palmitate uptake using PET [1-11C]palmitate was correlated with, but significantly ( P < 0.001) greater than, FFA storage measured using [1-14C]palmitate and adipose biopsy. Thigh adipose palmitate measured using PET calculation was positively correlated ( R2 = 0.44, P < 0.0001) with and not different from the biopsy approach. The relative differences between PET measured abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue palmitate uptake and biopsy-measured palmitate storage were positively correlated ( P = 0.03) with abdominal subcutaneous fat. We conclude that abdominal adipose tissue FFA uptake measured using PET does not equate to adipose FFA storage measured using biopsy techniques.