bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Indirect Effects of Trait Mindfulness Facets on State Tripartite Components Through State Rumination and State Experiential Avoidance
Authors: Parsons E. Marie , Dreyer-Oren Sarah E. , Magee Joshua C. , Clerkin Elise M.
Published: May 2019

The present study investigated whether specific trait mindfulness facets indirectly influenced state negative affect (NA), positive affect (PA), and physiological hyperarousal (PH) through state rumination and state experiential avoidance. Participants (n = 360, 68% female) rated trait mindfulness facets, then completed an interview task about life experiences intended to elicit state NA, PA, and PH. After the interview task, participants completed measures of state NA, PA, and PH, and state measures of rumination and experiential avoidance. Indirect effect results indicated that the relationships between Nonjudge, Nonreact, and Describe, and each of the state tripartite components indirectly flowed through state rumination. Further, there was a significant indirect effect of Nonjudge and Actaware on each of the three state tripartite components through experiential avoidance. Overall, strengthening the mindfulness skills of Nonjudge, Nonreact, Describe, and Actaware may have positive downstream effects via reducing reliance on maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, such as rumination or experiential avoidance.
Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Depression, Anxiety, and Pain in Patients With Postherpetic Neuralgia
Authors: Zhu Xingmin , Hu Ping , Fan Zhengying , Zhan Wenxian , Wang Huijuan , Yang Yang , Zhou Zubin , Ma Lan , Gao Haiyan
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on reducing the psychological and physical symptoms in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). A total of 50 patients with PHN from January 2017 to September 2018 were selected into the intervention group and the control group. Both groups received routine care, whereas the intervention group also was given an 8-week of MBSR. Psychological (depression and anxiety) and physical (pain) symptoms were assessed before and after the intervention. The study demonstrated evidence of MBSR effectiveness in reducing depression (p < 0.01), anxiety (p < 0.01), and pain (p < 0.01) scores after intervention for herpetic patients with neuralgia. MBSR can effectively alleviate depression, anxiety, and pain in patients with PHN. Our results provide clinical effectiveness evidence that MBSR works to improve the psychological and physical symptoms with the greatest improvement occurring during the 8-week program.
The Role of Depressive Symptoms in Suicide Attempt in Rural China
Authors: Jiang Zhuoye , Liu Yanzheng , Zhang Jie , Lamis Dorian A.
Published: May 2019

Depression is a well-established predictor of suicidal behaviors, yet its effects among Chinese rural suicide attempters are understudied. In this study, we examined the role of depressive symptoms with other common risk factors, such as impulsivity, among medically serious suicide attempters. A case-controlled study was conducted in 13 rural counties in China. Medically serious suicide attempters (n = 791) and 791 nonsuicidal controls matched for sex and age range (±3 years) in the same location were recruited and interviewed to obtain information with regard to demographics, depressive symptom severity, and psychological strain measures. Both depressive symptoms, assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and psychological strains predicted suicide attempt risk, and psychological strains significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms fully mediated the relations between value strain, deprivation strain, and suicide attempt risk, and partially mediated the associations among aspiration strain, coping strain, and suicide attempt risk. The reduction of psychological strains may help decrease both depression and suicidal behaviors.
Assessment of breast cancer treatment outcome at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Adult Oncology Unit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Dagne Selamawit , Abate Sefinew Migbaru , Tigeneh Wondemagegnhu , Engidawork Ephrem
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and ranks as the fifth cause of death from all cancers, and the most common cause of cancer death in women in both developing and developed countries. However, information regarding treatment outcome of breast cancer is scarce in Ethiopia.

Objective:

The aim of this study was therefore to assess treatment outcome among breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.

Method:

Hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected by reviewing the medical records and by phone interview.

Result:

A total of 303 patients were included in the study, more than one-fourth (31.02%) of the patients were in the age range of 30–39 years, with a mean age of 42.10 years. More than half (54.10%) of the patients were diagnosed to have breast cancer with clinical tumor, nodal status, and metastasis stage III breast cancer. The frequently used combination chemotherapy was FAC (5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide) in 66.9% patients. At the end of 3 years treatment follow-up, 46.53% of patients were dead, 34.32% were alive. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12, 0.95; P = 0.040), chemotherapy cycle (AOR = 7.36; 95% CI: 2.28, 23.79; P = 0.001), stage of the disease (AOR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.29; P = 0.000), and endocrine therapy (AOR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.22; P = 0.000) were significantly associated with the outcome of death.

Conclusion:

Treatment outcome of breast cancer is poor and requires health education and sensitization on preventive.
Quality control of cytotoxic infusions disturbed by a change of infusion bag
Authors: Le Quinio Pierre , Beiler Benoît , Lider Pauline , Demoré Béatrice , Vigneron Jean
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

In our centralized unit for the preparation of anticancer drugs, quality control is carried out by flow injection analysis (FIA) with detection by photodiode array detector. Criteria of concentration acceptance were established with ±10% of the theoretical concentration. The infusions were prepared with polyolefin infusions bags (Easyflex). However, due to an Easyflex shortage, Viaflo infusion bags were used and cyclophosphamide (CPM) concentrations showed a 10% increase despite a similar manufacturing process.

The objectives of this work were to study the influence of different containers on CPM concentrations measured by FIA and to investigate the origin of this artificial increase in concentration.

Methods:

Thirty infusions were prepared using 3 different infusion bags: Viaflo multilayer container, Ecoflac, low-density polyethylene, and Easyflex polyolefin bags.

Vials of CPM 1 g were reconstituted with 50 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride. CPM was injected into 0.9% sodium chloride 250-mL infusion bags. Then 1 mL samples were withdrawn to be analyzed by FIA, to determine CPM concentrations (ultraviolet detection at 205 nm).

Results:

Mean CPM concentration values (n = 10) were 3.52 mg/mL for Viaflo infusions, 3.12 mg/mL for Ecoflac infusions, and 3.16 mg/mL for Easyflex infusions. CPM concentrations were higher in Viaflo infusion bags. This difference could be explained by ε-caprolactam, a component released by the multilayer infusion bag.

Conclusion:

Viaflo infusion bags disturb outcomes of CPM dosage with a concentration artificially increased by about 10%. The FIA method cannot be used to quantify CPM at this concentration and at wavelength 205 nm.
Nonvitreoretinal Eye Injuries in 2 Infants Due to Nonaccidental Trauma
Authors: Brown Ryan , Pasquali Paige , Feldman Ken , Hines Larissa
Published: May 2019

Intraocular findings are well known and well documented in child abuse cases. However, eye deviation on physical examination can also be just as important in evaluating a child for maltreatment. We present 2 cases of infants younger than 6 months who presented to the emergency department with new-onset abnormal eye deviation, and further evaluation revealed other findings consistent with nonaccidental trauma. These cases were ruled as abusive head trauma and demonstrate the importance of conducting a thorough evaluation for any acute-onset ophthalmological and neurological finding.
Factors Associated With Urban Youth and Parent Perceptions of the Preventability of Assault Injury
Authors: Kironji A. Gatebe , Jones Vanya , Cheng Tina , Johnson Sarah Lindstrom , Fein Joel A. , Ryan Leticia
Published: May 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to identify factors associated with urban youth and parent's perception of the preventability of medically attended youth assault injuries to guide future violence prevention strategies.

Methods

Assault-injured youth (n = 188; ages, 10–15 years; 60% male; 96% black) and their parents were recruited from 2 pediatric emergency departments in 2 cities. Mental health, injury severity, circumstances of injury, and family composition were some of the factors explored as cross-sectional predictors of the perception of the preventability of youth assault injury. Separate models were developed using stepwise regression for youth and parents.

Results

Sixty-eight (38%) youth and 123 parents (68%) reported that the injury was definitely preventable (χ2 = 9.6250, P < 0.05). For youth, identifying themselves as the aggressor (odds ratio [OR], 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07–0.70) or having been hospitalized for psychiatric illness (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05–0.85) was associated with lower odds of perceiving their injury as preventable, while being under the care of a mental health professional (OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 1.21–12.39) was associated with higher odds. For parents, being in a household with grandparents (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.04–0.99) or having a child with a learning disability (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05–0.57) was associated with lower odds of perceiving the injury as preventable.

Conclusions

Several factors in youth and parents were identified as being associated with perception of preventability of injuries in this high-risk population of youth. Youth and parents identified different factors. In addition, although most parents reported that the assault injury sustained by their child was preventable, the opposite was true for youth perceptions. Future violence prevention programs should consider youth and parent perspectives and develop unique strategies to address both their needs.
Balanced Electrolyte Solutions or Normal Saline? Resuscitative Fluid Administration Practice in Swiss Pediatric Acute Care
Authors: Huber Jasmin L. , Berger Steffen , Löllgen Ruth M.
Published: May 2019

Introduction

The ideal asanguineous intravenous fluid for volume resuscitation in children is controversially debated and clinical practice guidelines are scarce. Administration of large amounts of normal saline has been associated with complications including hyperchloremic acidosis, dysnatremia, neurologic damage, and fatality.

Aim

We examined the current practice of intravenous fluid and blood product administration in acutely ill and injured children among pediatric acute care physicians in Switzerland.

Methods

For this descriptive, cross-sectional study, pediatric emergency departments, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units were surveyed by means of an online questionnaire.

Results

Sixty of 66 departments and 47 of 87 participants returned the survey. Normal saline (NS) was most commonly administered (n = 42/46, 91.3%) and twice as many times as balanced electrolyte solutions (n = 20/46, 43.5%). The mean fluid volumes ranged from 7.9 to 19.1 mL/kg. Hypertonic saline/NS were selected most often for shock with severe head injury. Half of participants administered colloids (48.9%). Packed red blood cells (97.7%) and fresh frozen plasma (88.4%) were most frequently given blood products.

Conclusion

There is a distinct practice variation in intravenous fluid and blood product administration in children in Switzerland. Although NS is most frequently given, we observed a trend toward the use of balanced electrolyte solutions. Prospective studies are warranted to compare NS with balanced electrolyte solution (BES) in the pediatric acute care setting. We suggest that pediatric fluid administration guidelines and mass transfusion protocols are implemented to standardize this frequent intervention and minimize complications.
Age-Related Changes in Upper Airway Anatomy Via Ultrasonography in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Dalesio Nicholas M. , Wadia Rajeev , Harvey Helen , Ly Olivia , Greenberg Steven A. , Greenberg Robert S.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Ultrasonography is a portable, noninvasive tool that may be used to evaluate the upper airway. The purpose of our study was to present a systematic approach to identify salient features of the pediatric airway and determine whether ultrasonography can identify anatomical changes that occur with growth and development.

Methods

We present a prospective, observational trial where patients included were between 1 day and 10 years of age presenting for elective surgery who had no known history of unfavorable airway pathology. We sequentially obtained 5 ultrasound views under anesthesia: (1) sagittal sternal notch view of the trachea, (2) sagittal longitudinal view of trachea (LT), (3) axial view at the level of the vocal cords (AVC), (4) axial view at the level of the cricoid membrane (AC), and (5) sagittal longitudinal submental space view (SM). A broadband linear array transducer was used to identify airway structures and perform measurements.

Results

Eighty-four percent of enrolled patients underwent airway imaging and were analyzed using multiple regression and Spearman correlation (ρ). In view 1, tracheal diameter via sagittal sternal notch view was immeasurable because of air disturbance. In the LT view, the distance from the skin to the cricothyroid membrane (LT1) did not statistically increase with age in days (P= 0.06); however, the distance from the cricoid to thyroid cartilage (LT2) did correlate to age (P< 0.001; 99% confidence interval [CI], 1.8 × 10−5, 7.7 × 10−5; ρ = 0.77,P= 0.001). We found a statistically significant relationship between age and the distance between the anterior and posterior commissures (AVC2;P< 0.001; 99% CI, 1.0 × 10–4, 1.7 × 10–4; ρ = 0.80,P< 0.001), the distance from the skin to the posterior commissure (AVC3;P< 0.001; 99% CI, 9.6 × 10−5, 2.0 × 10–4; ρ = 0.73,P< 0.001), the distance to the cricoid cartilage (AC;P< 0.001; 99% CI, 2.0 × 10−5, 7.7 × 10−5; ρ = 0.66,P< 0.001), and the distance from the tongue base to the soft palate (SM2;P< 0.001; 9% CI, 1.8 × 10–4, 3.9 × 10–4; ρ = 0.85,P< 0.001). There were no significant relationships between age and AVC1 (P= 0.16) and SM1 (P= 0.44).

Conclusions

Airway ultrasound is a feasible tool to evaluate the pediatric airway in children younger than 10 years; however, the detection of age-related changes of certain structures is limited to select measurements.
Preventable death and interpersonal violence in the United States: Who can be saved?
Authors: Carmichael Heather , Steward Lauren , Peltz Erik D. , Wright Franklin L. , Velopulos Catherine G.
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Public health initiatives to reduce mortality from penetrating trauma have largely developed from patterns of injury observed in military casualties, with a focus on hemorrhage control and use of tourniquets. Recent efforts show that injury patterns differ between civilian mass casualty events and combat settings, and no studies characterize wounding patterns in all types of civilian homicide. We hypothesize that many homicide deaths are due to nonsurvivable injuries, and that an effective strategy to reduce mortality must focus on both primary prevention as well as improvement in trauma prehospital care.

METHODS

We analyzed homicides from the National Violent Death Reporting System from 2012 to 2015. We excluded deaths due to poisoning, intentional neglect, or unknown weapon. Deaths were classified as “dead on scene” (DOS), “dead on arrival” (DOA), or “dead at or after hospital” (DAH) if the patient was admitted to a hospital. Injury patterns for penetrating weapons (firearms and sharp instruments) were further categorized.

RESULTS

We included 18,051 homicides, the vast majority of which were due to firearms (n = 12,901 or 71.5%) or sharp instruments (n = 2,265 or 12.5%). The most common injury patterns included wounds to the chest or head, with isolated extremity injuries representing a minority of both firearms deaths (n = 397 of 12,901, 3.1%) and deaths from sharp instruments (n = 50 of 2,265, 2.2%). Furthermore, over half of all deaths occurred prehospital, with only 13.3% of victims admitted prior to death.

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of deaths from interpersonal violence are due to firearm injuries. Few deaths appear to be related to extremity hemorrhage alone, and over half of all fatally injured died at the scene. Strategies to decrease mortality from interpersonal violence must go beyond treating injuries that have already occurred, and must address violence prevention directly.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiological study, level IV.
Protocols for documentation of electrical injuries for electrical safety inspectors and emergency medical practitioners
Authors: Andrews Christopher J. , Panescu Dorin
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Electric shocks are common, and victims report difficulty in finding practitioners with knowledge of the injury. Medical Practitioners, especially in private practice, report lack of knowledge of the injury and lack of expertise in assessing and treating the injury. The authors are often requested to suggest investigation protocols, assessment protocols, and treatment protocols, and to provide educational information.

METHODS

The international body establishing electrical standards on the effects of current on the body (International Electrotechnical Commission, Maintenance Team 4 (MT4) of Technical Committee 64 (TC64)) have established protocols for the factors which require documentation and reporting of the injury. This article provides a narrative approach to using these protocols in accord with the standards (IEC 60479). The level of evidence is Level III (US/Canada classification).

TYPE

This article collects together and collates physical and medical aspects of investigating electric shocks, and summarizes those of importance, and which are potentially forgotten. The thoroughness of initial assessment is emphasized.

SUBSTANCE

Summaries are set out to guide first attenders and emergency medical personnel as to findings and observations which must be recorded for later comprehensive medicolegal reporting and which are often overlooked.

CONCLUSION

Wider teaching in the nature of electric shocks will enhance assessment of victims and thorough recording of pertinent information and thus will enhance later medicolegal reporting. Many such factors are initially overlooked and lead to inadequate reporting for forensic purposes.
Motocross versus motorcycle injury patterns: A retrospective National Trauma Databank analysis
Authors: Fierro Nicole , Inaba Kenji , Aiolfi Alberto , Recinos Gustavo , Benjamin Elizabeth , Lam Lydia , Strumwasser Aaron , Demetriades Demitrios
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Motocross-related injury patterns and outcomes are poorly understood. The purpose of this analysis was to characterize the epidemiology, injury patterns, and outcomes of motocross collisions. These parameters were compared with motorcycle collisions for context.

METHODS

The National Trauma Databank (NTDB) (2007–14) was used to identify and compare injured motorcycle and motocross riders. Variables extracted were demographics, Abbreviated Injury Scale for each body area, Injury Severity Score, and emergency department vital signs. Outcomes included mortality, ventilation days, intensive care unit length of stay, and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS

Of the 5,774,836 NTDB patients, 141,529 were involved in motocross or motorcycle collisions (31,252 motocross and 110,277 motorcycle). Overall, 94.4% were drivers and 87.4% were male. Motocross riders were younger (23 vs. 42, p < 0.001), more likely to use helmets (68.9% vs. 54.1%, p < 0.001), and less likely to have used alcohol (8.4% vs. 23.0%, p < 0.001). Head and chest injuries were less common in motocross patients (28.6% vs. 37.2%, p < 0.001; 25.5% vs. 37.7%, p < 0.001, respectively), as were Injury Severity Score of greater than 15 and Glasgow Coma Scale of less than or equal to 8 (18.2% vs. 28.1%, p < 0.001; 3.7% vs. 7.7%, p < 0.001, respectively). Overall mortality was significantly lower in the motocross group (0.3% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified age of older than 60 years, Glasgow Coma Scale of less than or equal to 8, hypotension on admission, head Abbreviated Injury Scale of greater than or equal to 3, and riding a motorcycle, either as a driver or passenger, to be independent predictors of mortality. Subgroup analysis revealed being a motocross driver or passenger to be an independent predictor of improved survival (odds ratio [OR], 0.458; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.359–0.585; p < 0.001 and OR, 0.127; CI 95%, 0.017–0.944; p = 0.044, respectively). Helmets were protective against mortality for all patients (OR, 0.866; 95% CI, 0.755–0.992; p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

Motocross and motorcycle collisions are distinct mechanisms of injury. Motocross riders are younger, more likely to wear protective devices, and less likely to use alcohol. Motocross collisions are associated with better outcomes compared with motorcycle collisions. Wearing a helmet is associated with improved survival for all riders.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective epidemiological study, level IV.
Gunshot wounds to the liver: No longer a mandatory operation
Authors: Schellenberg Morgan , Benjamin Elizabeth , Piccinini Alice , Inaba Kenji , Demetriades Demetrios
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Selective nonoperative management (SNOM) of gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the liver is a contemporary management strategy that remains controversial. This study examined national trends and outcomes after SNOM versus operative management (OM) of hepatic GSWs.

METHODS

The National Trauma Data Bank was used to identify patients who sustained an isolated GSW to the liver (2007–2014). Patients with emergency department death, transfer, or associated hollow viscus or major abdominal vascular injury were excluded. The defined study groups were SNOM versus OM, with SNOM specified as patients who did not undergo laparotomy within 4 hours of admission. Outcomes included mortality and complications. Logistic regression was used to compare outcomes between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 4,031 patients were included, with 38.8% (n = 1,564) undergoing SNOM and 61.2% (n = 2,467) undergoing OM. The rate of SNOM increased over time, from 34.5% to 41.0% (p = 0.004). By the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma liver injury grade, SNOM was used in 45.0% of grades I and II, 40.6% of grade III, 27.3% of grade IV, and 16.7% of grade V injuries. On regression analysis, SNOM was independently associated with fewer complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.811; p = 0.003) and lower mortality (OR, 0.438; p < 0.001). On subgroup analysis, patients with grade IV injury were most likely to benefit from SNOM with fewer complications (OR, 0.676; p = 0.019) and improved mortality (OR, 0.238; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Selective nonoperative management of GSW to the liver has gained acceptance in the United States. Selective nonoperative management is independently associated with improved survival and decreased complications. In the appropriate clinical scenario, SNOM is a safe and effective method for treating hepatic GSWs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/care management, level III.
Effect of surgical rib fixation for rib fracture on mortality: A multicenter, propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Shibahashi Keita , Sugiyama Kazuhiro , Okura Yoshihiro , Hamabe Yuichi
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Rib fracture is a common injury and can be associated with complications and a high mortality rate. There has been growing interest in surgical rib fixation as a treatment for rib fracture. However, results from previous studies are conflicting, and conclusive results regarding the efficacy of surgical rib fixation for rib fracture are lacking. This study aimed to investigate if surgical rib fixation improves prognosis in patients with traumatic rib fractures.

METHODS

Using the Japan Trauma Data Bank, a nationwide trauma registry, we identified patients 18 years or older with rib fracture between 2004 and 2015. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate a propensity score to predict reception of surgical rib fixation. We used a 1:4 propensity score matching analysis to compare patients who underwent surgical rib fixation with those who did not.

RESULTS

Overall, 236,698 patients were registered in the database, and 37,571 were eligible for propensity score matching analysis. This analysis included 147 patients who underwent surgical rib fixation and 588 as controls. The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly lower in patients who underwent surgical rib fixation than in those who did not (4.8% vs. 16.2%, respectively; absolute difference: −11.4%; 95% confidence interval: −14.8% to −8.0%).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that surgical fixation may reduce in-hospital mortality in patients with rib fracture. Surgical rib fixation may offer a better modality for the management of selected patients with rib fracture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, level III.
Yucatán carnivorans shed light on the Great American Biotic Interchange
Authors: Schubert Blaine W. , Chatters James C. , Arroyo-Cabrales Joaquin , Samuels Joshua X. , Soibelzon Leopoldo H. , Prevosti Francisco J. , Widga Christopher , Nava Alberto , Rissolo Dominique , Erreguerena Pilar Luna
Published: May 2019

The Great American Biotic Interchange is considered to be a punctuated process, primarily occurring during four major pulses that began approximately 2.5 Ma. Central America and southeastern Mexico have a poor fossil record of this dynamic faunal history due to tropical climates. Exploration of submerged caves in the Yucatán, particularly the natural trap Hoyo Negro, is exposing a rich and remarkably well-preserved late Pleistocene fauna. Radiometric dates on megafauna range from approximately 38 400–12 850 cal BP, and extinct species include the ursidArctotherium wingeiand canidProtocyon troglodytes. Both genera were previously thought to be indigenous to and confined to South America and appear to represent an instance of large placental mammals, descended from North American progenitors, migrating back north across the Panama Isthmus. This discovery expands the distribution of these carnivorans greater than 2000 km outside South America. Their presence along with a diverse sloth assemblage suggests a more complex history of these organisms in Middle America. We suggest that landscape and ecological changes caused by latest Pleistocene glaciation supported an interchange pulse that includedA. wingei,P. troglodytesandHomo sapiens.
Excitatory versus inhibitory feedback in Bayesian formulations of scene construction
Authors: Abadi Alireza Khatoon , Yahya Keyvan , Amini Massoud , Friston Karl , Heinke Dietmar
Published: May 2019

The selective attention for identification model (SAIM) is an established model of selective visual attention. SAIM implements translation-invariant object recognition, in scenes with multiple objects, using the parallel distributed processing (PDP) paradigm. Here, we show that SAIM can be formulated as Bayesian inference. Crucially, SAIM uses excitatory feedback to combine top-down information (i.e. object knowledge) with bottom-up sensory information. By contrast, predictive coding implementations of Bayesian inference use inhibitory feedback. By formulating SAIM as a predictive coding scheme, we created a new version of SAIM that uses inhibitory feedback. Simulation studies showed that both types of architectures can reproduce the response time costs induced by multiple objects—as found in visual search experiments. However, due to the different nature of the feedback, the two SAIM schemes make distinct predictions about the motifs of microcircuits mediating the effects of top-down afferents. We discuss empirical (neuroimaging) methods to test the predictions of the two inference architectures.
Microstructure-based numerical simulation of the mechanical behaviour of ocular tissue
Authors: Zhou Dong , Abass Ahmed , Eliasy Ashkan , Studer Harald P. , Movchan Alexander , Movchan Natalia , Elsheikh Ahmed
Published: May 2019

This paper aims to present a novel full-eye biomechanical material model that incorporates the characteristics of ocular tissues at microstructural level, and use the model to analyse the age-related stiffening in tissue behaviour. The collagen content in ocular tissues, as obtained using X-ray scattering measurements, was represented by sets of Zernike polynomials that covered both the cornea and sclera, then used to reconstruct maps of collagen fibril magnitude and orientation on the three-dimensional geometry of the eye globe. Fine-mesh finite-element (FE) models with eye-specific geometry were built and supported by a user-defined material model (UMAT), which considered the regional variation of fibril density and orientation. The models were then used in an iterative inverse modelling study to derive the material parameters that represent the experimental behaviour of ocular tissues from donors aged between 50 and 90 years obtained in earlierex vivostudies. Sensitivity analysis showed that reducing the number of directions that represented the anisotropy of collagen fibril orientation at each X-ray scattering measurement point from 180 to 16 would have limited and insignificant effect on the FE solution (0.08%). Inverse analysis resulted in material parameters that provided a close match with experimental intraocular pressure–deformation behaviour with a root mean square of error between 3.6% and 4.3%. The results also demonstrated a steady increase in mechanical stiffness in all ocular regions with age. A constitutive material model based on distributions of collagen fibril density and orientation has been developed to enable the accurate representation of the biomechanical behaviour of ocular tissues. The model offers a high level of control of stiffness and anisotropy across ocular globe, and therefore has the potential for use in planning surgical and medical procedures.
The thermodynamic uncertainty relation in biochemical oscillations
Authors: Marsland Robert , Cui Wenping , Horowitz Jordan M.
Published: May 2019

Living systems regulate many aspects of their behaviour through periodic oscillations of molecular concentrations, which function as ‘biochemical clocks.’ The chemical reactions that drive these clocks are intrinsically stochastic at the molecular level, so that the duration of a full oscillation cycle is subject to random fluctuations. Their success in carrying out their biological function is thought to depend on the degree to which these fluctuations in the cycle period can be suppressed. Biochemical oscillators also require a constant supply of free energy in order to break detailed balance and maintain their cyclic dynamics. For a given free energy budget, the recently discovered ‘thermodynamic uncertainty relation’ yields the magnitude of period fluctuations in the most precise conceivable free-running clock. In this paper, we show that computational models of real biochemical clocks severely underperform this optimum, with fluctuations several orders of magnitude larger than the theoretical minimum. We argue that this suboptimal performance is due to the small number of internal states per molecule in these models, combined with the high level of thermodynamic force required to maintain the system in the oscillatory phase. We introduce a new model with a tunable number of internal states per molecule and confirm that it approaches the optimal precision as this number increases.
In vivo
effects of different orthodontic loading on root resorption and correlation with mechanobiological stimulus in periodontal ligament
Authors: Zhong Jingxiao , Chen Junning , Weinkamer Richard , Darendeliler M. Ali , Swain Michael V. , Sue Andrian , Zheng Keke , Li Qing
Published: May 2019

Orthodontic root resorption is a common side effect of orthodontic therapy. It has been shown that high hydrostatic pressure in the periodontal ligament (PDL) generated by orthodontic forces will trigger recruitment of odontoclasts, leaving resorption craters on root surfaces. The patterns of resorption craters are the traces of odontoclast activity. This study aimed to investigate resorptive patterns by: (i) quantifying spatial root resorption under two different levels of
in vivo
orthodontic loadings using microCT imaging techniques and (ii) correlating the spatial distribution pattern of resorption craters with the induced mechanobiological stimulus field in PDL through nonlinear finite-element analysis (FEA)
in silico
. Results indicated that the heavy force led to a larger total resorption volume than the light force, mainly by presenting greater individual crater volumes (
p
< 0.001) than increasing crater numbers, suggesting that increased mechano-stimulus predominantly boosted cellular resorption activity rather than recruiting more odontoclasts. Furthermore, buccal–cervical and lingual–apical regions in both groups were found to have significantly larger resorption volumes than other regions (
p
< 0.005). These clinical observations are complemented by the FEA results, suggesting that root resorption was more likely to occur when the volume average compressive hydrostatic pressure exceeded the capillary blood pressure (4.7 kPa).
The Role of Patronage in early nineteenth-century science, as evidenced in letters from Humphry Davy to Joseph Banks
Authors: Fulford Tim
Published: May 2019

The recently published
Collected edition
of Davy's letters throws new light on the importance and
modus operandi
of Banksian patronage as a means of organizing and promoting science. It demonstrates how dependent on, and manipulative of, Banks's favour Davy's careerism was, despite his later fame as an original genius. Here, I select from the edition some examples that offer new perspectives on how the patronage relationship worked—how Davy fashioned himself to be patronized, as well as how Banks operated as patron. Discussing Davy's activities at the Royal Institution, at the Royal Society and for the Board of Agriculture, I show that his public success allowed him to shift the power balance in this relationship, so that he was able to call upon Banks's support over issues of his choice, and, during the safety lamp affair (1815–18), to cause Banks to take the rare step of entering a scientific controversy in the newspapers. This shift to a highly public medium heralded a significant change: in a new era of widespread industrialization, in which engineers operating outside scientific institutions had increasing scope to put their inventions into production, priority—and the general reputation of scientific knowledge—increasingly needed demonstration before a wider court of public opinion than hitherto. Davy pulled Banks into a new, exposed, position in an expanded and oppositional public sphere. After Banks died, and Davy was no longer a protégé of a powerful patron but was himself in a position to distribute patronage—Banks's successor as President of the Royal Society and Commissioner of the Board of Longitude—the letters reveal the strengths and limitations of Banksian governance in an era in which science was specializing and was increasingly discussed in the national press. Davy rejected some of his predecessor's policies but essentially retained Banks's method of directing science by privately exerting influence and controlling patronage. I suggest that this method was relatively successful at the Royal Society, where Davy managed (uneasily) to incorporate a generation of mathematical savants excluded by Banks; at the Board of Longitude it failed: Davy's efforts to emulate Banks as the promoter of exploration fell foul of institutional intransigence that he had neither power nor influence enough to shift.
Regulators of cell movement during development and regeneration in
Drosophila
Authors: Myat Monn Monn , Louis Dheveline , Mavrommatis Andreas , Collins Latoya , Mattis Jamal , Ledru Michelle , Verghese Shilpi , Su Tin Tin
Published: May 2019

Cell migration is a fundamental cell biological process essential both for normal development and for tissue regeneration after damage. Cells can migrate individually or as a collective. To better understand the genetic requirements for collective migration, we expressed RNA interference (RNAi) against 30 genes in the
Drosophila
embryonic salivary gland cells that are known to migrate collectively. The genes were selected based on their effect on cell and membrane morphology, cytoskeleton and cell adhesion in cell culture-based screens or in
Drosophila
tissues other than salivary glands. Of these, eight disrupted salivary gland migration, targeting: Rac2, Rab35 and Rab40 GTPases, MAP kinase-activated kinase-2 (MAPk-AK2), RdgA diacylglycerol kinase, Cdk9, the PDSW subunit of NADH dehydrogenase (ND-PDSW) and actin regulator Enabled (Ena). The same RNAi lines were used to determine their effect during regeneration of X-ray-damaged larval wing discs. Cells translocate during this process, but it remained unknown whether they do so by directed cell divisions, by cell migration or both. We found that RNAi targeting Rac2, MAPk-AK2 and RdgA disrupted cell translocation during wing disc regeneration, but RNAi against Ena and ND-PDSW had little effect. We conclude that, in
Drosophila,
cell movements in development and regeneration have common as well as distinct genetic requirements.
Competition for novelty reduces information sampling in a research game - a registered report
Authors: Tiokhin Leonid , Derex Maxime
Published: May 2019

Incentive structures shape scientists' research practices. One incentive in particular, rewarding priority of publication, is hypothesized to harm scientific reliability by promoting rushed, low-quality research. Here, we develop a laboratory experiment to test whether competition affects information sampling and guessing accuracy in a game that mirrors aspects of scientific investigation. In our experiment, individuals gather data in order to guess true states of the world and face a tradeoff between guessing quickly and increasing accuracy by acquiring more information. To test whether competition affects accuracy, we compare a treatment in which individuals are rewarded for each correct guess to a treatment where individuals face the possibility of being ‘scooped’ by a competitor. In a second set of conditions, we make information acquisition contingent on solving arithmetic problems to test whether competition increases individual effort (i.e. arithmetic-problem solving speed). We find that competition causes individuals to make guesses using less information, thereby reducing their accuracy (
H1a
and
H1b
confirmed). We find no evidence that competition increases individual effort (
H2
, inconclusive evidence). Our experiment provides proof of concept that rewarding priority of publication can incentivize individuals to acquire less information, producing lower-quality research as a consequence.
Effect of chemical additives on electrokinetic remediation of Cr-contaminated soil coupled with a permeable reactive barrier
Authors: Yu Xu , Muhammad Faheem , Yan Yujie , Yu Lin , Li Huilin , Huang Xiao , Jiao Binquan , Lu Ning , Li Dongwei
Published: May 2019

Chromium (Cr) contamination in soil, especially Cr(VI), is a serious threat to the environment and human health. The electrokinetic remediation (EKR) is a promising technology to remediate the Cr(VI). Therefore, in this study, EKR coupled with a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) was used to treat the Cr(VI)-contaminated soil. The CTMAB-Z, a modified zeolite (prepared with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) alone and a mixture of CTMAB-Z and Fe(0) were used as PRB-1 and PRB-2 reactive media, respectively. The effect of chemical enhancers/additives, i.e. DL-tartaric acid and Tween 80 on EKR of Cr(VI) was also analysed in the contrasting experiments. While the effects of repair time, voltage gradient and DL-tartaric acid concentration on Cr(VI) remediation were investigated by using the multifactor orthogonal experiment which was based on contrasting experiments. The contrasting experiment results showed that the highest Cr(VI) removal rate (66.27%) and leaching efficiency (71.29%) were observed in the experimental group which had DL-tartaric acid and PRB-2. Furthermore, the multifactor orthogonal experiment results had depicted that the highest Cr(VI) removal rate (80.92%) and leaching efficiency (85.25%) were achieved after treating the samples at a voltage gradient of 2.5 V cm
−1
for 8 days in the presence of 0.15 M concentration of DL-tartaric acid. This study demonstrated that Cr(VI) remediation through EKR process could be significantly enhanced by the use of PRB and additives.
Continuous flow hydrogenation of methyl and ethyl levulinate: an alternative route to
γ
-valerolactone production
Authors: Tukacs József M. , Sylvester Áron , Kmecz Ildikó , Jones Richard V. , Óvári Mihály , Mika László T.
Published: May 2019

Heterogeneous continuous transformation of methyl levulinate (ML) and ethyl levulinate (EL) to
γ
-valerolactone (GVL), as a promising C
5
-platform molecule was studied at 100°C. It was proved that the H-Cube
®
continuous hydrogenation system equipped with 5% Ru/C CatCart
®
is suitable for the reduction of both levulinate esters. While excellent conversion rates (greater than 99.9%) of ML and EL could be achieved in water and corresponding alcohols, the selectivities of GVL were primarily affected by the solvent used. In water, 100% conversion and
ca
50% selectivity that represent
ca
0.45 mol
GVL
g
metal
−1
h
−1
productivity towards GVL, were obtained under 100 bar of total system pressure. The application of alcohols as a solvent, which maintained high conversion rates up to 1 ml min
–1
flow rate, resulted in lower productivities (less than 0.2 mol
GVL
g
metal
−1
h
−1
) of GVL. Therefore, from a synthesis point of view, the corresponding 4-hydroxyvalerate esters could be obtained even at a higher reaction rate. The addition of sulfonated triphenylphosphine ligand (TPPTS) allowed reduction of the system pressure and resulted in the higher selectivity towards GVL.
On the linear in probability model for binary data
Authors: Battey H. S. , Cox D. R. , Jackson M. V.
Published: May 2019

The analysis of binary response data commonly uses models linear in the logistic transform of probabilities. This paper considers some of the advantages and disadvantages of simple least-squares estimates based on a linear representation of the probabilities themselves, this in particular sometimes allowing a more direct empirical interpretation of underlying parameters. A sociological study is used in illustration.
Electiveness of agro-pulping process in the sustainable production of black liquor-based activated carbons
Authors: Lotfy Vivian F. , Basta Altaf H.
Published: May 2019

During the production of paper pulp, the waste water loaded with organic materials from pulping process is discharged. Therefore, water treatment should be performed before disposing of such effluent. The use of such effluent for production of activated carbon will be effective in omitting the wastewater treatment and in obtaining the product required in many industries. In this respect, this paper deals with evaluating the performance of activated carbons (ACs) produced from black liquors (BLs) as by-products from three pulping processes of rice straw (RS) and sugar-cane bagasse (SCB), namely: alkaline, sulfite and neutral sulfite, which are coded SP, SSP and NSP, respectively. Elemental analysis and thermal analysis (TGA and DTGA) are carried out on the BLs, while the surface area (SBET), micro-/mesoporous distribution, adsorption capacity of methylene blue (MB) and iodine (I2-value), as well as Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and scanning electron micrograph (SEM) are studied on synthesizing ACs. The optimal pulping approach for achieving BL-based AC, with the following characteristics: specific surface area (SBET) ∼ 921 and 545 m2g−1, MB adsorption capacity 238 and 370 mg g−1, and I2-value 928 and 1255 mg g−1of BL-based ACs, are from neutral sulfite pulping of SCB (B-NSP) and RS (RS-NSP), respectively. These finding data are ascribed to the carbon content of BL, as well as greatest total volume (VT0.786 and 0.701 cm3g−1) together with decreasing the volume of micropores/total (38 and 48%) of BL-NSP-ACs. It is interesting to note that the AC provided from RS-NSP has greater adsorption capacity for I2and MB than the AC produced from RS-pulp fibres.
Facile immobilization of glucose oxidase onto gold nanostars with enhanced binding affinity and optimal function
Authors: Moses Phiri Masauso , Wingrove Mulder Danielle , Mason Shayne , Christiaan Vorster Barend
Published: May 2019

Gold nanoparticles provide a user-friendly and efficient surface for immobilization of enzymes and proteins. In this paper, we present a novel approach for enzyme bioconjugation to gold nanostars (AuNSs). AuNSs were modified with
l
-cysteine (Cys) and covalently bound to
N
-hydroxysulfosuccinimide (sulfo-NHS) activated intermediate glucose oxidase (GOx) to fabricate a stable and sensitive AuNSs–Cys–GOx bioconjugate complex. Such a strategy has the potential for increased attachment affinity without protein adsorption onto the AuNSs surface. Good dispersity in buffer suspension was observed, as well as stability in high ionic environments. Using the AuNSs–Cys–GOx bioconjugates showed greater sensitivity in the measuring of low concentrations of glucose based on plasmonic and colorimetric detection. Such a novel approach for enzyme immobilization can lead to AuNSs–Cys–GOx bioconjugate complexes that can be used as catalytic nanodevices in nanobiosensors based on oxidases in biomedical applications.
Classifying and analysis of random composites using structural sums feature vector
Authors: Nawalaniec Wojciech
Published: May 2019

The main goal of this paper is to present the application of structural sums, mathematical objects originating from the computational materials science, in construction of a feature space vector of two-dimensional random composites simulated by distributions of non-overlapping discs on the plane. Construction of the feature vector enables the immediate application of machine learning tools and data analysis techniques to random structures. In order to present the accuracy and the potential of structural sums as geometry descriptors, we apply them to classification problems comprising composites with circular inclusions as well as composites with shapes formed by discs. As an application, we perform the analysis of different models of composites in order to formulate the irregularity measure of random structures. We also visualize the relationship between the effective conductivity of two-dimensional composites and the geometry of inclusions.