bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Older patient and family discharge medication communication: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Tobiano Georgia , Chaboyer Wendy , Teasdale Trudy , Cussen Julie , Raleigh Rachael , Manias Elizabeth
Published: October 2020

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Medication discrepancies place patients discharged from hospital at risk of adverse medication events. Patient and family participation in medication communication may improve medication safety. This study aimed to examine older medical patient and family participation in discharge medication communication.

Methods

Two‐phased mixed‐methods study. Data were collected from July 2018 to May 2019. Phase 1 comprised observations and a questionnaire of 30 patients pre‐hospital discharge. Phase 2 involved telephone interviews with 11 patients and family members post‐hospital discharge. Phase 1 analysis included descriptive statistics and deductive content analysis. Inductive content analysis was used in Phase 2. Phase 1 and 2 findings were integrated.

Results

For Phase 1, observational data were deductively coded against the “continuum of patient participation”; information‐giving was the most frequent level of participation observed on the continuum, followed by information‐seeking, shared decision making, non‐involved, and finally autonomous decision making. For descriptive statistics, written communication tools, noise, and interruptions were frequently observed during medication communication. In Phase 2, three categories were found about how patients and families participate, and the factors influencing their participation: (a) obtaining comprehensive medication information; (b) preferred approaches for receiving information; and (c) speaking about medications in hospital. Integrated findings showed that written communication tools and routine hospital tasks may promote, while lack of family presence and environmental factors may hinder medication communication. Patients' and families' role in medication communication ranged from asking questions to influencing decisions, and was enhanced by health care professionals' patient‐centred communication.

Conclusions

More active patient and family participation could be achieved by encouraging them to identify medication‐related problems. To create a climate for patient and family participation, health care professionals should use written communication tools, capitalize on participation opportunities during routine hospital tasks, and use patient‐centred communication.
The biology and feeding ecology of Arctic charr in the Kerguelen Islands
Authors: Eldøy Sindre H. , Davidsen Jan G. , Vignon Matthias , Power Michael
Published: October 2020

Subsequent to their introduction in the 1950s, Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus have been able to establish a self‐sustaining population that has adapted to the unique conditions of the sub‐Antarctic Kerguelen Islands. Here, 48 individuals (198–415 mm) were caught with gillnets and their basic biology and feeding ecology were examined using stable isotope analysis. The Lac des Fougères population split use of littoral and pelagic resources evenly, although larger fish relied more heavily on littoral production and appear to follow the size‐dependent life history habitat template seen in many Scandinavian lakes where smaller sized individuals occupy the pelagic zone and larger individuals dominate the littoral habitat. In Kerguelen, Arctic charr mature at the same ages (5.6 years) as Arctic charr in both sub‐Arctic and Arctic lakes. Although mortality was average in comparison to comparator sub‐Arctic lakes, it was high in comparison to Arctic lakes. Maximal age (>7+) was at the lower end of the range typically seen in sub‐Arctic lakes. Although they inhabit a resource‐poor environment, Kerguelen Arctic charr showed no evidence of cannibalism. Thus, while Arctic charr can survive and reproduce in the relatively unproductive Kerguelen lake environments, survival and growth nevertheless appear to be traded off against survival and longevity. The uniqueness of the population location and the recency of its introduction suggest that further monitoring of the population has the potential to yield valuable insights into both the adaptability of the species and its likely responses to ongoing large‐scale environmental change as represented by climate change.
Ontogenetic allometry and scaling in catarrhine crania
Authors: Simons Evan A. , Frost Stephen R.
Published: October 2020

In studies of ontogenetic allometry, ontogenetic scaling has often been invoked to explain cranial morphological differences between smaller and larger forms of closely related taxa. These scaled variants in shape have been hypothesized to be the result of the extension or truncation of common growth allometries. In this scenario, change in size is the determining factor, perhaps under direct selection, and changes in cranial shapes are byproducts, not under direct selection themselves. However, many of these conclusions are based on studies that used bivariate generalizations of shape. Even among multivariate analyses of growth allometries, there are discrepancies as to the prevalence of ontogenetic scaling among primates, how shared the trajectories need to be, and which taxa evince properties of scaled variants. In this investigation, we use a large, comparative ontogenetic sample, geometric morphometric methods, and multivariate statistical tests to examine ontogenetic allometry and evaluate if differences in cranial shape among closely related catarrhines of varying sizes are primarily driven by size divergence, that is, ontogenetic scaling. We then evaluate the hypothesis of size as a line of least evolutionary resistance in catarrhine cranial evolution. We found that patterns of ontogenetic allometry vary among taxa, indicating that ontogenetic scaling sensu stricto does not often account for most morphological differences and that large and small taxa within clades are generally not scaled variants. The presence of a variety of ontogenetic pathways for the evolution of cranial shapes provides indirect evidence for selection acting directly on the cranial shape, rather than on size alone.
Cortical parameters predict bone strength at the tibial diaphysis, but are underestimated by HR‐pQCT and μCT compared to histomorphometry
Authors: Schmidutz Florian , Milz Stefan , Schiuma Damiano , Richards Robert G. , Windolf Markus , Sprecher Christoph M.
Published: October 2020

Cortical bone and its microstructure are crucial for bone strength, especially at the long bone diaphysis. However, it is still not well‐defined how imaging procedures can be used as predictive tools for mechanical bone properties. This study evaluated the capability of several high‐resolution imaging techniques to capture cortical bone morphology and assessed the correlation with the bone's mechanical properties. The microstructural properties (cortical thickness [Ct.Th], porosity [Ct.Po], area [Ct.Ar]) of 11 female tibial diaphysis (40–90 years) were evaluated by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), high‐resolution peripheral‐quantitative‐computed‐tomography (HR‐pQCT), micro‐CT (μCT) and histomorphometry. Stiffness and maximal torque to failure were determined by mechanical testing. T‐Scores determined by DXA ranged from 0.6 to −5.6 and a lower T‐Score was associated with a decrease in Ct.Th (p ≤ 0.001) while the Ct.Po (p ≤ 0.007) increased, and this relationship was independent of the imaging method. With decreasing T‐Score, histology showed an increase in Ct.Po from the endosteal to the periosteal side (p = 0.001) and an exponential increase in the ratio of osteons at rest to those after remodelling. However, compared to histomorphometry, HR‐pQCT and μCT underestimated Ct.Po and Ct.Th. A lower T‐Score was also associated with significantly reduced stiffness (p = 0.031) and maximal torque (p = 0.006). Improving the accuracy of Ct.Po and Ct.Th did not improve prediction of the mechanical properties, which was most closely related to geometry (Ct.Ar). The ex‐vivo evaluation of mechanical properties correlated with all imaging modalities, with Ct.Th and Ct.Po highly correlated with the T‐Score of the tibial diaphysis. Cortical microstructural changes were underestimated with the lower resolution of HR‐pQCT and μCT compared to the histological ‘gold standard’. The increased accuracy did not result in an improved prediction for local bone strength in this study, which however might be related to the limited number of specimens and thus needs to be evaluated in a larger collective.
Exploring Sources of Individual Differences in Children's Interest in Science
Authors: Williams Allison J. , Danovitch Judith H. , Mills Candice M.
Published: October 2020

Efforts have been made to promote children's interest in science, but little is known about how children's interest in science relates to other characteristics, such as science‐specific curiosity, domain‐general epistemic curiosity, and verbal intelligence. The current study examines how these factors relate to individual differences in children's self‐reported interest in science topics. Children 7‐ to 10‐years‐old (n = 91) rated their interest in science and non‐science topics and completed measures of science‐specific curiosity, domain‐general epistemic curiosity, and verbal intelligence. An additional 94 7‐ to 10‐year‐olds rated their interest in science and non‐science topics and completed the science‐specific curiosity measure. The results suggest that individual differences in children's science interest relate most strongly to scientific curiosity, and specifically to the drive to seek out information and new experiences.
Eyes Wide Shut: Political Ideology as a Tool of Discursive Avoidance Among Israeli‐Jewish Students in the Context of Escalating Conflict
Authors: Ben David Yael , Idan Orly
Published: October 2020

Recent years have witnessed a significant escalation in Israel's relations with the Palestinians, as well as in the internal political divide and discourse between left and right. The current research asked how these processes of escalation that occur on the sociopolitical level came into play in interpersonal political discussions held among a group of Jewish‐Israeli young adults that partook in an annual academic course exposing them to Palestinian narratives, right after the 2014 war in Gaza. Particularly, it demonstrated how internal political discourse served as a strategy to cope with threats to moral perception of social identity. Critical discourse analysis conducted on transcripts of the process revealed that the internal political discourse between left wing and right wing served as a platform for group members to establish fight/flight practices within the group discussion. Research findings discussed in light of the sociopolitical context highlight how the focus on the political Other—left or right—drew attention from the Palestinian Other and by that from the moral consequences of harm doing.
Diagnosis of pulmonary contusions with point‐of‐care lung ultrasonography and thoracic radiography compared to thoracic computed tomography in dogs with motor vehicle trauma: 29 cases (2017‐2018)
Authors: Dicker Samuel A. , Lisciandro Gregory R. , Newell Susan M. , Johnson Justine A.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To determine the accuracy of lung ultrasound (LUS) using the Veterinary Bedside Lung Ultrasound Examination (VetBLUE) protocol and 3‐view thoracic radiographs (TXR) compared to thoracic computed tomography (TCT) for diagnosing the presence and quantification of pulmonary contusions (PC).

Design

Prospective cohort study conducted from February 2017 to June 2018.

Setting

Private emergency and referral center.

Animals

Thirty‐two dogs having sustained motor vehicle trauma were consecutively enrolled. Three dogs were excluded from statistical analysis. All dogs survived to hospital discharge.

Interventions

Within 24 hours of sustaining trauma, dogs had LUS, TXR, and TCT performed. Using the VetBLUE protocol, LUS PC were scored according to the presence and number of B‐lines and C‐lines, indicating extravascular lung water. Thoracic radiographs and TCT were scored for PC in a similar topographical pattern to the VetBLUE protocol. Lung ultrasound and TXR were compared to “gold standard” TCT for the presence and quantification of PC.

Measurements and Main Results

On TCT, 21 of 29 (72.4%) dogs were positive and 8 of 29 (27.6%) dogs were negative for PC. When LUS was compared to TCT, 19 of 21 dogs were positive for PC (90.5% sensitivity) and 7 of 8 dogs were negative (87.5% specificity) for PC. LUS PC score correlated strongly with TCT PC score (R = 0.8, P < 0.001). When TXR was compared to TCT, 14 of 21 dogs were positive for PC (66.7% sensitivity) and 7 of 8 dogs were negative (87.5% specificity) for PC. TXR PC score correlated strongly with TCT PC score (R = 0.74, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In this population of dogs with motor vehicle trauma, LUS had high sensitivity for diagnosis of PC when compared to “gold standard” TCT. LUS provides reliable diagnosis of PC after trauma. More patients with PC were identified with LUS than with TXR, and additional studies are warranted to determine whether this increased sensitivity is statistically significant.
Preliminary Study on the Maintenance Level of Waqf Properties: Federal Territory, Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Bello Hafis , Ayob Mohd Fairullazi , Ahmad Sarkawi Azila
Published: October 2020

There has been a growing interest in the development of income-generating Waqf (endowments) properties in recent times. This is quite justifiable considering the fact that Waqf properties estimated to worth up to USD 1 Trillion globally have failed to generate adequate income to meet up the maintenance costs thus resulting in poor maintenance and the inability of these properties to meet Waqf objectives. Consequently, this paper presents preliminary findings on an on-going research aimed at developing a maintenance management framework for income-generating Waqf properties. Data were gathered through content analysis and secondary sources. Findings in this paper indicate that the inadequate maintenance of Waqf properties is partly due to relatively low rents and high rental arrears. The paper also gathered that despite the unique features of Waqf, there is no specific study aimed at developing a user-driven maintenance management framework for income-generating Waqf properties. Such omission could slow down the much-anticipated progress particularly at this point in time when different funding initiatives have resulted in the construction of high-rise income-generating properties on Waqf lands. The paper also provided current information on the state of income-generating Waqf properties in Kuala Lumpur.
Characteristic Analysis of Aircraft Glyd-Ring Seal Based on Mixed Lubrication Model
Authors: Wei Wang , Xiao Wenjian , Ouyang Xiaoping , Guo Shengrong , Yang Huayong
Published: October 2020

Reciprocating seals are vital components in hydraulic systems. As a kind of reciprocating seal, the glyd-ring is commonly used as a piston seal. For the sealing characteristics of aircraft glyd-ring under severe working conditions, systematic research and experimental verification are not sufficient. The liquid-solid coupling model based on mixed lubrication theory is established in order to analyze the characteristics of the glyd-ring seal in the cylinder piston. The contact stress distribution on the glyd-ring under different fluid pressures or temperatures is discussed through finite element analysis. The mechanical analysis of solids and fluids are carried out separately, and the thickness of the fluid film is continuously updated until the results of the deformation analysis converged. According to the calculation results obtained by this model, three characteristics of the glyd-ring seal (static contact pressure, film thickness, friction force) are discussed. As the fluid pressure rises, the contact pressure in the sealing area increases by a rate which is greater than that of the corresponding fluid pressure, the seal length is shortened, the fluid film thickness is reduced, and the frictional force gradually increases, this force increase is proved by test data. As the temperature rises, the contact pressure in the seal area (near the O-ring) increases by a rate which is greater than that of the corresponding fluid pressure, the seal length increases, the oil film thickness decreases, and the frictional force increases significantly.
A 4/3-Way Flat Slide Valve With a Metallic Main Stage
Authors: Aengenheister Stefan , Liu Chao , Figge Felix , Broeckmann Christoph , Schmitz Katharina
Published: October 2020

Most proportional directional control valves currently in practical use are piston spool valves. A disadvantage of this type of design is the occurring leakage between spool and sleeve or housing. A second disadvantage is that the service life is limited by wear on the control edges. The ceramic flat slide valve is a promising concept, which allows to reduce the mentioned leakage and to increase service life. In contrast to piston spool valves, the main stage of the flat slide valve consists of three plates. Two control plates and a movable slide plate, which is located in between. An external force is applied to the plates by the so-called pressure compensation, which presses the plates together and thus counteracts a gap expansion and thereby an effective reduction of occurring leakage is accomplished. The plate-by-plate design of the main stage allows the use of technical ceramics, which are more resistance to abrasive wear and can thereby extend the service life of valves. A challenge in the realization of the flat slide valve is the design of the pressure compensation. If the force applied by the pressure compensation is not sufficient to prevent a gap formation between the plates, an increased leakage will occur, which results in a reduction of efficiency. In case the applied force is too high due to the pressure compensation, high frictional forces between the plates occur and an adjustment of the slide plate position through an actuator is no longer possible. Therefore, the design of the pressure compensation is essential for the success of the concept. This contribution presents the results of testing a main stage, which consists out of two metallic control plates and a slide plate made of special brass. The main stage is designed in such a way that a 4/3-way directional control valve with a proportional characteristic can be realized, as it is also achieved by valves currently available on the market. Therefore, in addition to the pressure forces, further influences on the resulting force of the pressure compensation were determined and their influence was estimated based on test bench results. With a program written in MATLAB, the forces prevailing in the valve can be calculated time-efficiently for different geometries and are validated with test bench trials.
Analysis of the Flow Force Compensation in Relief Valves With Conical Poppet
Authors: Fornaciari Andrea , Zardin Barbara , Borghi Massimo , Ceriola Michele
Published: October 2020

The paper deals with experimental tests and numerical simulations (3D and 0D fluid-dynamic modelling) of a conical poppet pressure relief valve with flow force compensation.

The aim of the study was to realize a dynamic model of the valve, able to consider the effect of the pressure force, which arises downstream the metering edge and is determined by both the flow forces and the pressure recovery on the flow deflector.

Starting from a 3D-CFD model, it was possible to study the interaction between the poppet opening and the pressure field, in order to evaluate the total pressure force as a function of the poppet displacement.

The contribution of the pressure recovered on the deflector was separated from the traditional flow force and then parametrized as a function of some geometric features.

It was then possible to develop a 0D fluid-dynamic model that is suitable not only for the considered valve but also for valves with similar geometries.

Lastly, the model was validated using experimental data acquired on test bench for three different valves. The comparison of the predicted flow-pressure characteristics with the experimental ones indeed showed a good result matching.

This model can also lead towards design considerations to study the behaviour of a larger number of valve geometries.
On the 0D – 3D Modelling Procedure for the Filling Analysis of the Lubrication System of Internal Combustion Engines
Authors: Polastri Marco , Battarra Mattia , Milani Massimo , Storchi Gabriele , Montorsi Luca , Mucchi Emiliano
Published: October 2020

The paper focuses on the development of a predictive numerical tool for the assessment of the filling performance of engine lubrication systems. Filling analyzes are typically carried out by means of multi-phase 3-D CFD models but, despite allowing detailed and reliable results, they require very demanding computational requirements. On this basis, a procedure for the lumped parameter modelling of the fluid domain is proposed, allowing the discretization of complex systems that cannot be straightforwardly attributable to elementary submodels. The presented criteria are then applied to the lubrication system of a heavy-duty engine, for which the filling of the circuit plays a fundamental role. Different temperature conditions are simulated, and the predictive capabilities of the numerical model are presented in terms of flow pattern and filling time of the circuit branches. The same simulations are also carried out by means of a 3-D CFD model, permitting a result comparison. The comparative analysis concerns both the overall distribution of the lubricant over time, and the local phenomena within the oil domain, in order to assess the approximation of the lumped parameter approach with respect to the more accurate three-dimensional models.
Design and Numerical Simulation of Piezoelectrically-Driven Single Piston Pump With Distributing Valves
Authors: Xu Nanyue , Wang Bin , Yang Rongfei
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a piezoelectrically driven single piston pump is designed for high delivery pressure and large displacement. It is composed of a piezoelectric stack, a hydrostatic amplifier and a plunger with two check valves from a radial plunger pump commercially available. Passive check valves instead of active membranes in the pump allow higher pressure delivery, and the hydrostatic amplifier is adopted for larger displacement of the pump. In order to study delivery characteristic of a piezoelectrically driven single piston pump, numerical simulation of unsteady flow inside the pump is conducted by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Moving mesh technique is adopted to characterize the behavior of two check valves for oil distributing. Influences of typical design and operation parameters on delivery performance of the single piston piezo pump are analyzed. The results show that, driving frequency and spring stiffness of the valves and chamber configuration should be properly designed for stable oil delivery with low flow ripple as possible. Numerical simulation is valid to describe the behavior of the pump, on target for theoretical reference to its counterparts used in miniature EHA actuators.
Self-Sensing Design of Proportional Solenoids
Authors: Kramer Thomas , Weber Jürgen
Published: October 2020

Proportional solenoids are electro-magneto-mechanical transducers, which are widely used as drives for proportional valves in fluid systems. Besides the actuator properties, they exhibit also sensor properties due to air gap-dependent electrical behaviour, e.g. for condition monitoring or position controlling tasks. However, the sensor properties of conventional solenoids are poor due to ambiguities caused by hysteresis effects (magnetic hysteresis, eddy currents) and saturation effects.

This paper deals with self-sensing design of proportional solenoids for achieving clear sensor properties by considering the proportional actuator properties. Based on simulation analyses of the behaviour of conventional proportional solenoids, design measures are derived for improving especially sensor properties. A self-sensing design is proposed and implemented as demonstrator. Measurements on the demonstrator show the improved sensor behaviour by largely maintaining the actuator characteristics.
High-Fidelity Calculation of Effective Thermal Response of Composite Media With Heat Generation Source
Authors: Irick Kevin , Fathi Nima
Published: October 2020

The complexity of conductive heat transfer in a structure increases with heterogeneity (e.g., multi-component solid-phase systems with a source of internal thermal heat generation). Any discontinuity of material property — especially thermal conductivity — would warrant a thorough analysis to evaluate the thermal behavior of the system of interest. Heterogeneous thermal conditions are crucial to heat transfer in nuclear fuel assemblies, because the thermal behavior within the assemblies is governed significantly by the heterogeneous thermal conditions at both the system and component levels. A variety of materials have been used as nuclear fuels, the most conventional of which is uranium dioxide, UO2. UO2 has satisfactory chemical and irradiation tolerances in thermal reactors, whereas the low thermal conductivity of porous UO2 can prove challenging. Therefore, the feasibility of enhancing the thermal conductivity of oxide fuels by adding a high-conductivity secondary solid component is still an important ongoing topic of investigation. Undoubtedly, long-term, stable development of clean nuclear energy would depend on research and development of innovative reactor designs and fuel systems. Having a better understanding of the thermal response of the unit cell of a composite that represents a fuel matrix cell would help to develop the next generation of nuclear fuel and understand potential performance enhancements. The aim of this article is to provide an assessment of a high-fidelity computational model response of heterogeneous materials with heat generation in circular fillers. Two-dimensional, steady-state systems were defined with a circular, heat-generating filler centered in a unit-cell domain. A Fortran-based finite element method (FEM) code was used to solve the heat equation on an unstructured triangular mesh of the systems. This paper presents a study on the effects of a heat-generating filler material’s relative size and thermal conductivity on effective thermal conductance, Geff, within a heterogenous material. Code verification using the method of manufactured solution (MMS) was employed, showing a second-order accurate numerical implementation. Solution verification was performed using a global deviation grid convergence index (GCI) method to assess solution convergence and estimate solution numerical uncertainty, Unum. Trend results are presented, showing variable response in Geff to filler size and thermal conductivity.
Heat-protected plants offer cool surprise—greater yields
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: October 2020

Engineered rice grows better at normal temperatures.
Quadrupedal robots trot into the wild
Authors: Ha Sehoon
Published: October 2020

Deep reinforcement learning enables quadruped robots to traverse challenging natural environments using only proprioception.
Complete Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus johnsonii NCK2677, Isolated from Mice
Authors: O'Flaherty Sarah , Foley Matthew H. , Rivera Alissa J. , Theriot Casey M. , Barrangou Rodolphe
Published: October 2020

We report the closed genome sequence of a
Lactobacillus johnsonii
strain (NCK2677) that was isolated from a cefoperazone-treated mouse model designed for the study of
Clostridioides difficile
infection. Illumina and Nanopore sequencing reads were assembled into a circular 1,951,416-bp chromosome with a G+C content of 34.7%, containing 1,865 genes.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Salinivibrio
sp. Strain EAGSL, a Biotechnologically Relevant Halophilic Microorganism
Authors: Gaffney Erin M. , Grattieri Matteo , Minteer Shelley D.
Published: October 2020

The halophilic bacterium
Salinivibrio
sp. strain EAGSL was isolated from the Great Salt Lake (Utah) for use in microbial electrochemical technologies experiencing fluctuating salt concentrations. Genome sequencing was performed with Ion Torrent technology, and the assembled genome reported here is 3,234,770 bp, with a GC content of 49.41%.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Acetic Acid Bacterium Acetobacter aceti NBRC 14818
Authors: Arai Hiroyuki , Kameya Masafumi , Ishii Masaharu
Published: October 2020

We report here the complete genome sequence of the acetic acid bacterium
Acetobacter aceti
type strain NBRC 14818. The genome comprises a chromosome of 3,596,270 bp with 57.1% GC content and four plasmids/phages of 63,279 bp, 25,755 bp, 4,858 bp, and 2,964 bp, with an average GC content of 57.0%.
Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus EDCC 5398, a Clinical Isolate from Implant-Associated Bone Infection
Authors: Mannala Gopala Krishna , Rupp Markus , Ghosh Hiren , Hain Torsten , Domann Eugen , Alt Volker
Published: October 2020

Here, we report the high-quality complete genome sequence of
Staphylococcus aureus
EDCC 5398, which was isolated from a patient with implant-associated bone infection. The assembled genome consists of 2,843,534 bp, with a G+C content of 33%; it has 2,739 coding sequences, belongs to sequence type 22, and contains
mecA
and
balz
genes, which contribute to methicillin resistance.
Supplemental Material: The nanogeochemistry of abiotic carbonaceous matter in serpentinites from the Yap Trench, western Pacific Ocean
Authors: Nan Jingbo , Plümper Oliver , al. et
Published: October 2020

Methods and supplemental information.
Supplemental Material: Determining the source of placer gold in the Anaconda metamorphic core complex supradetachment basin using detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, western Montana, USA
Authors: Howlett C.J. , Laskowski A.K.
Published: October 2020

Sample locations, analytical techniques, data reduction methods, and ICP-MS zircon U-Pb datasets.
Association of parental social network diversity with behaviour problems and resilience of offspring in a large population-based study of Japanese children
Authors: Koyama Yuna , Fujiwara Takeo , Isumi Aya , Doi Satomi
Published: October 2020

Objectives

The current study aimed to elucidate the impact of parental social network diversity on the behaviour problems and resilience of offspring.

Design

We used cross-sectional data from the Kochi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty study in 2016.

Setting and participants

Participants were first, fifth and eighth grade children living in Kochi prefecture, Japan (N=9653). We calculated parental social network diversity by counting the number of people with whom parents connected on a daily basis (ie, structural social network diversity) and by assessing perceived psychosocial support (ie, functional social network diversity).

Primary outcome measures

Child behaviour problems and resilience were respectively assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Child’s Resilient Coping Scale (CRCS), as rated by caregivers.

Results

Diversity in parental structural and functional social networks showed an inverse association with SDQ total difficulties score (B=−0.16 (95% CI −0.25 to −0.07) and −0.20 (95% CI −0.27 to −0.13), respectively), and a positive association with prosocial behaviour score (B=0.11 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.15) and 0.09 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.12), respectively) and CRCS score (B=0.75 (95% CI 0.46 to 1.05) and 1.12 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.35), respectively) in the adjusted model. Parental mental health accounted for 36% and 43% of the total effects of structural and functional social network diversity respectively on the total difficulties score. For prosocial behaviour score, parental involvement accounted for 31% of the effects of functional social network diversity.

Conclusion

The results shed light on new strategies to enhance child mental health that do not directly involve children but rather focus on parental social networking.
Violence against women during pregnancy and postpartum period: a mixed methods study protocol
Authors: Sánchez Odette del Risco , Bonás Mariana Kerche , Grieger Isabella , Baquete Aline Geovanna Lima , Nogueira Vieira Daniella Aparecida , Contieri Bozzo Campos Bianca , Guerazzi Pousa Pereira Carla Grazielle , Surita Fernanda G
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Violence against women is a public health problem that poses serious consequences for victims and their environments. The healthcare system struggles to assess this phenomenon during prenatal and postpartum care because of pregnant and postpartum women’s potential vulnerabilities. The research protocol presents the aims to evaluate the prevalence of violence, the period(s) in which it occurs, aggressors and forms it takes as well as to explore how violence against women is perceived among pregnant and postpartum women.

Methods and analysis

This mixed methods study protocol uses an explanatory sequential design and is based on the establishment of meta-inferences that result from the combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Probabilistic sampling will be used to select the study participants: 584 women attending prenatal and/or postpartum care outpatient services at the University of Campinas Women’s Hospital, Brazil. The quantitative approach will consist of four validated questionnaires, and the qualitative approach will use focus groups that serve to deepen the understanding of participants’ views about the study topic. To create the focus groups, 72 study participants will be invited and divided into 6 groups (3 adolescents and 3 adults) based on age and pregnancy/postpartum condition. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic characteristics and questionnaire results will be used to identify the prevalence and forms of violence experienced by women during the pregnancy-puerperal cycle, the relationships between women and their aggressors, and the existence of a history of violence. A bivariate and multivariate analysis will be performed to identify the association between sociodemographic factors and violence as an outcome. Qualitative data will be analysed through Grounded Theory to understand women’s perceptions of the phenomenon studied.

Ethics and dissemination

The research protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Campinas, Brazil number CAAE: 13426819.1.0000.5404. The results will be disseminated to the health science community.
Case of TB in a sheep caused by Mycobacterium bovis with transmission to another sheep and a steer in the same building
Authors: Konold Timm , Dale James , Spiropoulos John , Simmons Hugh , Godinho Ana
Published: October 2020

An adult sheep housed indoors developed chronic respiratory tract infection that was unresponsive to treatment and resulted in euthanasia. Granulomas were found in multiple organs and lymph nodes, which contained acid‐fast bacilli identified in Ziehl‐Neelsen stains, and Mycobacterium bovis was cultured from tissues, confirming tuberculosis. Tuberculin skin testing of other animals in the building subsequently identified another sheep as infected, which had been housed with the index case for 46 months, although no visible lesions were seen postmortem. A steer that shared common air space with the sheep in the same building was also identified as test reactor and M bovis was cultured from the retropharyngeal lymph node. Strain typing of the isolates from the index case and the steer revealed the same genotype, suggestive of transmission from sheep to steer. This is the first documented episode of M bovis transmission from sheep to cattle.
On the fit of skins with a particular focus on the biomechanics of loose skins of hagfishes
Authors: Uyeno T.A. , Clark A.J.
Published: October 2020

There is a considerable diversity in how skins fit. Here, we review the function of both tight and loose skins and note that the latter are poorly understood. Analysis of loose skin examples suggest five functional categories: (I) freedom of movement, (II) surface area enhancement, (III) increased structural extensibility, (IV) lubrication, and (V) maladaptive examples arising through sexual or artificial selection. We investigate the skins of hagfishes as a model for understanding loose skin function by examining its structure using histology, standardized puncture resistance testing using the ASTM F1306 protocol, and the effect of internal pressure using a simple inflated balloon model. Skins of hagfishes are composed of multiple layers of cross-helically wound connective tissue fibers of a 45° angle to the longitudinal axis, resulting in a skin that functions as fabric cut “on the bias”. Hagfish skins are relatively yielding; however, skin looseness adds a “structural extensibility” that may allow hagfishes to compensate for low puncture resistance. Physical balloon models, with stiff cores that limit length changes, show that only low pressures allow short loop radii without local buckling. Hagfishes represent ideal organisms for studying loose skin function because their skins seem to fit in all functionally adaptive categories.
Effective investments due to seasonal morphological changes? Possible reasons and consequences of allometric growth and reproduction in adult signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)
Authors: Buřič M. , Haubrock P.J. , Veselý L. , Kozák P. , Kouba Antonín
Published: October 2020

Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852)) are among the most invasive macroinvertebrates in Europe, representing economic value as well as serious threats to ecosystems. Despite decades of research, uncertainties with respect to its biology remain. The present study describes the observations of adult signal crayfish during a single growing season, with a sex ratio of 1:1, reared under natural ambient conditions, in which moulting events, growth increments, morphological changes, mortality, and reproductive output were monitored. Two moults were observed in the majority of both sexes, with significant differences in moult growth increments of once- and twice-moulted animals. These led to modifications in morphology during the growing season. Females showed isometric growth at the first moult, while, at the second moult, they strengthened the functional state of structures linked to reproduction. In males, the effect was similar, but to a lesser extent, with extensive chelae development at the second moult. There were no differences in relative fecundity of once- and twice-moulted females. However, signal crayfish have different needs during the growing and reproductive seasons. The presented results indicate the ability to use resources according to current needs (development of strategical body parts) via their seasonal morphological plasticity as seen in representatives of the family Cambaridae.
An Effective Approach for Context Driven Testing in Practice — A Case Study
Authors: Huynh Quyet-Thang , Pham Le-Trinh , Ha Nhu-Hang , Nguyen Duc-Man
Published: October 2020

Software testing is a continuous process during the software development stages to ensure quality software products. Researchers, experts and software engineers keep going on studying new techniques, methods and approaches of testing to accommodate changes in software development because of the flexible requirement along with the changing of technology. So, developers and testers need to have effective methods, tools and approaches to create a high-quality product at an efficient cost. This paper provides an effective approach for context-driven testing (CDT) in an agile software development process. CDT is a testing approach that supports the tester to choose their testing techniques and test objectives based on specific contexts. The aim of this paper is to propose an effective approach for implementing the CDT in practice, called CDTiP. Through an analysis of two case studies using an agile development process with different contexts, we validate the effectiveness of the approach in terms of test coverage, detect errors, test effort. The empirical results show that CDTiP is suitable for the agile development process that can help the tester to detect defects faster at minimum cost. The results of this method have been applied at Enclave, an ODC Software Engineering company, on real projects.
Algorithmic Transparency of Large-Scale *AIDA Programs
Authors: Watanobe Yutaka , Mirenkov Nikolay
Published: October 2020

Programming in pictures is an approach where pictures and moving pictures are used as super-characters to represent the features of computational algorithms and data structures, as well as for explaining the models and application methods involved. *AIDA is a computer language that supports programming in pictures. This language and its environment have been developed and promoted as a testbed for various innovations in information technology (IT) research and implementation, including exploring the compactness of the programs and their adaptive software systems, and obtaining better understanding of information resources. In this paper, new features of the environment and methods of their implementation are presented. They are considered within a case study of a large-scale module of a nuclear safety analysis system to demonstrate that *AIDA language is appropriate for developing efficient codes of serious applications and for providing support, based on folding/unfolding techniques, enhancing the readability, maintainability and algorithmic transparency of programs. Features of this support and the code efficiency are presented through the results of a computational comparison with a FORTRAN equivalent.
It's More Complicated
Authors: Sameroff Arnold J.
Published: October 2020

Lifespan developmental psychology extends from birth to old age. I describe my research career from studies of newborns through childhood and adolescence to adulthood. I also include reflections from my aging brain on determinants of the life course especially in regard to risk and resilience. Infant learning, toddler temperament, and parental conceptions are highlighted content areas. A number of increasingly complex concepts from transactions to a unified theory are described to capture the ingredients that form development, requiring models of growth, context, regulation, and representation. I conclude by discussing applications to infant mental health and developmental disabilities.
Incidence of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor: Case Series, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Hospital-Based Tumor Board Registry
Authors: Albishi Abdullah Mohammed , Mostafa Ahmed Mostafa Mohamed , Ali Hatim Mahgoub , Alhagawi Yahia Atiah , Bazeed Mohamed F. , Hussein Mahmoud R. A. , Aloba Elshfeia Elhag Mohmed Ali , Aboelyazid Ahmed Youssef
Published: October 2020

Neuroendocrine tumors are aggressive and rare tumors which can occur almost everywhere in the body. The annual incidence of neuroendocrine tumors is 2.5-5 per 100000. We report seven cases of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors which were diagnosed and treated at our hospital from the time period of 2016-2018 knowing that the total number of our hospital tumor board cases registry during the same period was 444 cases.
A Secure Communication Scheme Based on Equivalent Interference Channel Assisted by Physical Layer Secret Keys
Authors: Hu Xiaoyan , Jin Liang , Huang Kaizhi , Ma Keming , Song Changcheng , Xiao Shuaifang
Published: October 2020

Due to the channel estimation error, most of the physical layer secret key generation schemes need information reconciliation to correct error key bits, resulting in reduced efficiency. To solve the problem, this work proposes a novel secure communication scheme based on a equivalent interference channel. Different keys generated from imperfect channel state information are directly applied to signal scrambling and descrambling, which is equivalent to the process of a signal passing through an interference channel. Legitimate communication parties can reduce interference with the help of similar keys and channel coding without sending additional signals, while the eavesdropper channel is deteriorated due to the spatial decorrelation. For this kind of schemes, we first establish a discrete memoryless broadcast channel model to derive the expressions of bit error rate (BER), channel capacity, and security capacity for performance analysis. Simulation results verify the derivations that the proposed scheme achieves secure communication with a correlated eavesdropping channel and has a higher upper bound of transmission rate. Furthermore, we design a new metric to evaluate the efficiency and the result shows that the proposed scheme has superior performance on error reconciliation efficiency, despite its slight increase in BER.
Hip Impingement after Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine Avulsion Fractures: A Case Report with Review of the Literature
Authors: Lambrechts Mark J. , Gray Aaron D. , Hoernschemeyer Dan G. , Gupta Sumit Kumar
Published: October 2020

Avulsion fractures of the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) are rare injuries in adolescent athletes. We present a case of a 15-year-old male who sustained an avulsion injury to his right AIIS when kicking a soccer ball. The patient had chronic pain and extra-articular subspinal impingement leading to decreased hip flexion and rotation. The injury occurred 1.5 years prior to symptom onset, and we were the first health care providers to manage the injury. We attempted six months of nonoperative management including activity modifications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) therapy without improvement. Although this injury can often be managed nonoperatively, his symptoms required excision of the AIIS and associated heterotopic ossification. He had an excellent outcome with return to soccer and no pain at his final follow-up visit two years after surgery. Due to the limited literature guiding the surgeon’s management of AIIS avulsion injuries with associated heterotopic ossification, we provide a review of the literature detailing pre- and postoperative ranges of motion, surgical approach, fixation or excision of the avulsion fragment, and return to sport in this patient population.