bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evoluindo uma aplicação para Cidades Inteligentes através de Avaliação de Métricas de Qualidade e Usabilidade
Authors: Aragão Alexandre , Machado Lucas , Moreno Nathyane , Viana Davi , Silva Francisco , Sousa Tércio , Rivero Luis , Teles Ariel , Da Conceição Arlindo F. , Costa Inaldo
Published: June 2020

Diversas aplicações de software vêm modificando o estilo de vida das pessoas em aspectos tecnológicos e sociais. Aplicações no contexto de Cidades Inteligentes (CIs) podem conter características que normalmente não são avaliadas em aplicações tradicionais, uma vez que podem envolver aspectos de redes de sensores, gerenciamento de grande quantidade de dados e aplicações que possuem comportamentos específicos de acordo com o contexto. Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre a avaliação de três características de qualidade de software consideradas relevantes para CIs, são estas: contexto, calmness e Mobilidade. Para isso, realizou-se dois testes de avaliação de uma aplicação para CIs. Adicionalmente, uma avaliação heurística foi realizada visando verificar a usabilidade da aplicação e os impactos deste tipo de avaliação em aplicações para CIs. Identificou-se que tanto as características avaliadas quanto as heurísticas são adequadas para a avaliação das aplicações para CIs, mas que podem ter seus resultados influenciados por aspectos de desenvolvimento e características do contexto.
Avaliando o Desempenho de uma Rede Aeronáutica Tolerante a Interrupções Programadas para Comunicação dos Passageiros Aéreos
Authors: Silva Rafael , Sales Leandro , Anzaloni Alessandro
Published: June 2020

Este artigo descreve e avalia a abordagem SynFlight para redes de telecomunicação aeronáutica. Esta abordagem permite uma maior tolerância com interrupções na transmissão quando uma aeronave percorrer uma determinada rota aérea. Utilizase um simulador aeronáutico para realizar uma simulação comparativa entre esta abordagem e protocolos clássicos como o TCP e o DTN. As seguintes métricas são utilizadas neste trabalho: (i) número de retransmissões; (ii) atrasos de reinício da comunicação; (iii) nível do consumo de energia; e (iv) goodput. Os resultados revelam que a abordagem SynFlight apresenta um desempenho superior aos protocolos convencionais em cenários com falhas na cobertura de rede.
Experience Report about the Participation of Researchers of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul on the Internet Engineering Task Force
Authors: Nobre Jéferson , Granville Lisandro
Published: June 2020

The present work is an experience report about the participation of the authors, a Professor and a Ph.D Student of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, on the Internet Engineering Task Force. Such participation is funded by the Public Call 0001/2014 of the CGI.br.
Die Paradoxie raumbezogener Sozialplanung. Zum Prozess nichtintendierter territorialer Stigmatisierung durch Sozialberichterstattung
Authors: Baum Markus , Otto Marius
Published: June 2020

Der Text diskutiert die zeitgenössische raumbezogene Sozialplanung und ihr zentrales Instrument der Sozialberichterstattung. Vor dem Hintergrund neoliberaler Stadtfinanzierung wird die These formuliert, dass jener sozialplanerischen Praxis ein paradoxaler Effekt eigen ist: Entgegen ihrer Absichten verstärken sie territoriale Stigmatisierungsdynamiken und somit Prozesse der sozialräumlichen Segregation. Zugleich gibt der Text Anregungen zu einer anderen, reflexiven Sozialplanung, die sich der entfalteten Paradoxie bewusst bleibt.
Adorno als »Political Scholar«?
Authors: Söllner Alfons
Published: June 2020

Theodor W. Adorno war einer der einflussreichsten Intellektuellen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Der Essay skizziert seine vielschichtige Wirkungsgeschichte und diskutiert die Frage, ob und in welchem Sinn man ihn als einen politischen Intellektuellen verstehen kann.
Knowledge, Attitude, and the Real Practice of General Dental Practitioners in Shiraz, Iran Towards Accepting HIV-Positive Patients
Authors: Golkari Ali , Homayouni Mojtaba , Ranjbar Zahra , Sabokseir Aira
Published: June 2020

Background: It is vital to ensure that dental services are provided for HIV-positive (+) patients. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate dentists' knowledge, attitude, and practice towards HIV+ patients of Shiraz, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 general dentists of Shiraz were randomly selected. Dentists' knowledge and attitude about HIV oral manifestations and transmission, concerns and approach to HIV+ patients, and infection control in practice were assessed using a questionnaire translated in a backward-forward method. The dentists' real practice was assessed by sending simulated HIV+ patients to their practice two months later. The results were analyzed using the chi-square test and the spearman correlation. Results: The response rate was 85.8%, and 71.8% of the participants were male. The average age and work experience of the participants were 42 and 14 years, respectively. Dentists' knowledge about HIV oral manifestations and body fluids, which could transmit HIV, was 14% - 59% and 31% - 97%, respectively. Concern about the possibility of being infected during the treatment of HIV+ patients was the most important reason for the unwillingness to accept these patients. The percentages of dentists who claimed would accept HIV+ patients without hesitation, accept with hesitation if the patient insisted, refer, or reject immediately were 29, 31, 30, and 10, respectively. However, in reality, the observed percentages were 17.5, 0, 65, and 17.5, respectively. Conclusions: Dentists' knowledge and attitude towards HIV+ patients and the acceptance of these patients were not desirable. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between their knowledge and attitude with their real practice.
Art, Culture Change, and the Study of Solomon Islands Wood carving
Authors: Kupiainen Jari ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2020

During the colonial contact and especially after the 2nd World War in the Solomon Islands local communities various traditions of woodcarving and other handicrafts have transformed from religious and ritual objects to commercial 'tourist arts' that have become economically important for local communities. In the course of culture change Western concepts such as art and culture have been adopted to local languages and they have replaced local terminologies and classifications in various ways. These processes may be described as 'conceptual colonialism'. The meaning shifts and emerging new conceptual categories produce homogenising effects that transform the local ways of cultural thinking towards the direction of hegemonic Western interpretations of socio-cultural phenomena. The concept of art should be treated as one major element in this linguistic power play between the local and the global.
Jumping Cultures — Is the Baggage All Packed?
Authors: Jones Gayle C. ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2020

Western aesthetics attends to its art as a symbohsm-statement created by an artist with a signature-statement. Accompanying every piece is a unique set of informative signs, symbols and techniques which allow for interpretive readings from an individual expression within the Western cultural context. Does an art form from another culture, specifically the Tibetan thanka as selfless art in a selfless culture, retain its aflfectivity and integrity when attended to by Western perusal outside its cultural context? And when the thanka travels (outside its culture), does it come with all its baggage?
Cultural Identity in the Second World
Authors: Erjavec Aleš ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2020

In the author's opinion the current resurgence of national issues could be interpreted as an attempt of Second World countries to counter the effects of oncoming late capitalism. Under such conditions national culture is often perceived as a bastion of national identity. The insurmountable problem encountered by these national cultures attempting to play such a role, is that under the present conditions of global late capitalism national culture as well, if it wishes to achieve recognition, is forced to accept the logic of postmodern culture which is simultaneously commodified and international. Hence national culture in the Second World countries, which in the past could integrate everything from avant-garde to folk art, is bound to increasingly resemble tradition culture in First World countries.
Environmental Aesthetics and Chinese Gardens
Authors: Pajin Dušan ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: June 2020

Analysis of Chinese landscape design offered a challenge to test the concepts of environmental aesthetics developed in the West. With comparative approach we improved our understanding of art and environment, and of different strategies (inspired by Taoist, and/or Buddhist concepts) in designing forms of Chinese gardens. In order to describe the "hidden" symbohsm of Chinese landscape design we applied various concepts and metaphors: completeness, large and small, mirror and mirroring, garden as entrance and separate reality, disclosure and concealment, and returning to the source.
On the taxonomic validity of Indian ground spiders: II. Genera Drassyllus Chamberlin, 1922 and Nodocion Chamberlin, 1922 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)
Authors: Sankaran Pradeep M. , Caleb John T.D. , Sebastian Pothalil A.
Published: June 2020

Indian species of Drassyllus and Nodocion are revised, mostly based on the type material available in the National Zoological Collection, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. All the Indian representatives of the former genus are transferred to Cryptodrassus, with a synonymy of Drassyllus jabalpurensis syn. nov. with Cryptodrassus khajuriai comb. nov., while the Indian species of the latter genus are transferred to Setaphis, with a provisional transfer of Nodocion solanensis. All the examined type specimens are imaged and supplementary descriptions are provided.
Workflow Mapping—A Q-Probes Study of Preanalytic Testing Processes: A College of American Pathologists Q-Probes Study of 35 Clinical Laboratories
Authors: Perrotta Peter , Novis David A. , Nelson Suzanne , Blond Barbara , Stankovic Anna , Talbert Michael
Published: June 2020

Context.—

Workflow mapping is a tool used to characterize operational processes throughout most industries and to identify non–value-added activities.

Objective.—

To develop a set of workflow mapping tools to compare the sequence and timing of activities, including waiting steps, used by clinical laboratories to process specimens during the preanalytic testing phase.

Design.—

Laboratories enrolled in this College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study created workflow maps detailing the steps they used to process specimens from the time of sample arrival in the laboratory to the time of sample delivery to chemistry analyzers. Enrollees recorded the sequence and types of steps involved in specimen processing and the time needed to complete each step.

Results.—

Institution average total specimen processing times (SPTs) and the number of steps required to prepare samples varied widely among institutions. Waiting steps, that is, steps requiring specimens to wait before advancing to the next process step, and specimen centrifugation consumed the greatest amount of processing times for both routine and STAT testing. Routine and STAT testing SPTs were shorter at institutions that used rapid centrifuges to prepare samples. Specimen processes requiring more sample waiting steps and computer entry steps had longer aggregate total process times than those with fewer such steps.

Conclusions.—

Aggregate specimen processing times may be shortened by reducing the number of steps involving sample waiting and computer entry activities. Rapid centrifugation is likely to reduce overall average institutional SPTs.
Point-of-Care Drug of Abuse Testing in the Opioid Epidemic
Authors: Li Zhao , Wang Ping
Published: June 2020

Context.—

The United States is experiencing an opioid overdose epidemic. Point-of-care (POC) drug of abuse testing is a useful tool to combat the intensified opioid epidemic.

Objectives.—

To review commercially available POC drug of abuse testing involving opioids, to review opportunities and challenges for POC opioid testing and emerging testing methods in research literature, and finally to summarize unmet clinical needs and future development prospects.

Data Sources.—

The Google search engine was used to access information for commercial opioid POC devices and the Google Scholar search engine was used to access research literature published from 2000 to 2019 for opioid POC tests.

Conclusions.—

The opioid epidemic provides unprecedented opportunities for POC drug testing, with significant clinical needs. Compared with gold standard tests, limitations for commercially available opioid POC testing include lower analytical sensitivity, lower specificity, and cross-reactivity. In response to unmet clinical needs, novel methods have emerged in research literature, such as microfluidics and miniature mass spectrometry. Future prospects include the development of quantitative POC devices and smarter and real-time drug testing.
Une bibliothèque inclusive pour les Autochtones
Authors: Séguin Catherine
Published: June 2020

Au Canada, pendant deux siècles, les Autochtones ont été assimilés et privés de leurs droits. Le réveil indien depuis les années 1970 a contribué à la montée d’une élite intellectuelle autochtone et a mené à la publication du rapport Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada en 2012. Depuis, nombre d’organisations sociales et étatiques canadiennes tentent de répondre aux différentes revendications concernant leur champ d’expertise respectif.

Pour y répondre à leur tour, plusieurs milieux documentaires canadiens ont mis de l’avant des initiatives très variées. Pourtant, les enjeux autochtones demeurent méconnus pour nombre de professionnels des sciences de l’information. De plus, leur opérationnalisation en bibliothèque semble être une tâche délicate pour laquelle peu de professionnels se sentent outillés.

Pour démystifier ces enjeux et inspirer leur opérationnalisation, une recension d’écrits et d’initiatives a été menée. Le présent texte propose une synthèse des enjeux autochtones pour le professionnel des sciences de l’information et la bibliothèque. Puis, il identifie des initiatives répertoriées qui contribuent à répondre aux revendications du rapport Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada.
Clientèles difficiles dans les bibliothèques de Montréal : témoignages sur la réalité des employés1
Authors: Courchesne Stéphanie
Published: June 2020

Les bibliothèques publiques ont comme mission de permettre l’accessibilité au plus grand nombre de personnes, sans discrimination. Cela a comme effet de diversifier la clientèle et comme conséquence de permettre l’accès à des « clientèles difficiles ». Malgré cela, plusieurs gestionnaires voudraient développer un « troisième lieu » en bibliothèque, un « chez-soi » en dehors de la maison et du travail.

Toutefois, la différence entre la vision théorique et la perception par les employés n’est pas bien connue. C’est ce fossé qui est au coeur de notre problématique. Des entrevues semi-dirigées auprès d’employés de bibliothèques publiques montréalaises ont permis de comprendre les enjeux auxquels font face ces employés, qui doivent intervenir lorsque des problèmes surviennent avec des clientèles difficiles. Cet article présente les principales catégories de clientèles difficiles rencontrées par les répondants, leur gestion, les interventions nécessaires et les différents problèmes rencontrés.
A new species of frog (Terrarana, Strabomantidae,Phrynopus) from the Peruvian Andean grasslands
Authors: Chávez Germán , García Ayachi Luis Alberto , Catenazzi Alessandro
Published: June 2020

We describe a new, medium-sized species of terrestrial frog of the genusPhrynopusfrom a single locality in the central Andes of Peru (Departamento de Huánuco) at 3,730 meters of elevation. Phylogenetic analyses supportedPhrynopus remotumsp. nov. as an independent lineage, sister to most of its congeners. The new species is morphologically distinguishable by the presence of small tubercles on upper eyelids and heels, an areolate venter, and the absence of dorsolateral folds or ridges. This species inhabits the highlands adjacent to the Marañón Dry valley. The only sympatric amphibian species recorded is the marsupial frogGastrotheca peruana.
The CHK1 inhibitor MU380 significantly increases the sensitivity of human docetaxel‐resistant prostate cancer cells to gemcitabine through the induction of mitotic catastrophe
Authors: Drápela Stanislav , Khirsariya Prashant , van Weerden Wytske M. , Fedr Radek , Suchánková Tereza , Búzová Diana , Červený Jan , Hampl Aleš , Puhr Martin , Watson William R. , Culig Zoran , Krejčí Lumír , Paruch Kamil , Souček Karel
Published: June 2020

As treatment options for patients with incurable metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are considerably limited, novel effective therapeutic options are needed. Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is a highly conserved protein kinase implicated in the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway that prevents the accumulation of DNA damage and controls regular genome duplication. CHK1 has been associated with prostate cancer (PCa) induction, progression, and lethality; hence, CHK1 inhibitors SCH900776 (also known as MK‐8776) and the more effective SCH900776 analog MU380 may have clinical applications in the therapy of PCa. Synergistic induction of DNA damage with CHK1 inhibition represents a promising therapeutic approach that has been tested in many types of malignancies, but not in chemoresistant mCRPC. Here, we report that such therapeutic approach may be exploited using the synergistic action of the antimetabolite gemcitabine (GEM) and CHK1 inhibitors SCH900776 and MU380 in docetaxel‐resistant (DR) mCRPC. Given the results, both CHK1 inhibitors significantly potentiated the sensitivity to GEM in a panel of chemo‐naïve and matched DR PCa cell lines under 2D conditions. MU380 exhibited a stronger synergistic effect with GEM than clinical candidate SCH900776. MU380 alone or in combination with GEM significantly reduced spheroid size and increased apoptosis in all patient‐derived xenograft 3D cultures, with a higher impact in DR models. Combined treatment induced premature mitosis from G1 phase resulting in the mitotic catastrophe as a prestage of apoptosis. Finally, treatment by MU380 alone, or in combination with GEM, significantly inhibited tumor growth of both PC339‐DOC and PC346C‐DOC xenograft models in mice. Taken together, our data suggest that metabolically robust and selective CHK1 inhibitor MU380 can bypass docetaxel resistance and improve the effectiveness of GEM in DR mCRPC models. This approach might allow for dose reduction of GEM and thereby minimize undesired toxicity and may represent a therapeutic option for patients with incurable DR mCRPC.
Super‐recognisers: Face recognition performance after variable delay intervals
Authors: Davis Josh P. , Bretfelean L. Diandra , Belanova Elena , Thompson Trevor
Published: June 2020

Outstanding long‐term face recognition of suspects is a hallmark of the exceptionally skilled police ‘super‐recognisers’ (SRs). Yet, research investigating SR's memory for faces mainly employed brief retention intervals. Therefore, in Experiment 1, 597 participants (121 SRs) viewed 10 target videos and attempted identification of targets from 10 target‐present line‐ups after 1–56 days. In Experiment 2, 1,421 participants (301 SRs) viewed 20 target videos, and after a baseline of no delay to 28 days,—10 target‐present and 10 target‐absent line‐ups, to assess correct line‐up rejections. Overall, delay positively correlated with hits but not with correct rejections. Most, but not all SRs, made more correct identifications and correct rejections than controls at all retention intervals, demonstrating that many SRs possess enhanced long‐term face memory. This research adds to the knowledge of SR's skillsets, and enhances the case for the selection of SRs to identity critical roles—particularly policing.
Defending or relinquishing belief in occurrence for remembered events that are challenged: A social‐cognitive model
Authors: Scoboria Alan , Henkel Linda
Published: June 2020

We describe a social‐cognitive model explaining processing of cognitive dissonance resulting from being told by someone that a vividly remembered event did not actually occur. The model proposes that receiving challenges to one's recollection of events results in both intrapersonal and interpersonal cognitive dissonance. Rememberers process intrapersonal dissonance by weighing features of memory representations against the qualities of the feedback, and they process interpersonal elements by weighing the potential costs of agreeing or disagreeing with the challenger within the social dynamics of the relationship. To resolve the dissonance, people will either maintain or reduce belief in occurrence for the event, and will agree or disagree with the challenger. We explore factors that can influence dissonance and how they impact the rememberers' beliefs in occurrence of the event and their interaction with challengers in terms of defending or relinquishing their memory, and we discuss preliminary data confirming some of these factors.
“All I remember is the black eye”: A distinctive facial feature harms eyewitness identification
Authors: Jones Alyssa R. , Carlson Curt A. , Lockamyeir Robert F. , Hemby Jacob A. , Carlson Maria A. , Wooten Alex R.
Published: June 2020

Many crimes occur in which a perpetrator has a distinctive facial feature, such as a tattoo or black eye, but few eyewitness identification (ID) studies have involved such a feature. We conducted an experiment to determine how eyewitness ID performance is impacted by a distinctive facial feature, and how police could deal with this issue. Participants (N = 4,218) studied a target face with or without a black eye, and later viewed a simultaneous photo lineup either containing the target or not. For those who saw a target with a black eye, this feature was either replicated among all lineup members or was removed. The black eye harmed empirical discriminability regardless of replication or removal, which did not differ. However, participants responded more conservatively when the black eye was removed, compared to replication. Lastly, immediate confidence was consistently indicative of accuracy.
The influence of suspect ethnicity and evidence direction on alibi credibility assessment
Authors: Rozmann Nir , Nahari Galit
Published: June 2020

We investigated whether evidence direction (incriminating versus exonerating) moderated the influence of intergroup bias on alibi credibility assessments. Israeli‐Jewish participants (n = 160) assessed the credibility of an alibi statement provided by either an Israeli‐Jewish or an Israeli‐Arab suspect. Along with the alibi statement, half of the participants were presented with incriminating evidence, while the other half were presented with exonerating evidence. The results indicated that evidence direction influenced credibility assessment regarding both in‐group and out‐group suspects. Specifically, under incriminating evidence, Israeli‐Jewish suspects were perceived as more deceptive than Israeli‐Arab suspects, whereas under exonerating evidence, no such differences were found. These results emphasize the significance of group bias in assessing the credibility of alibi statements.
Synergistic Use of Pyridine and Selenophene in a Diketopyrrolopyrrole‐Based Conjugated Polymer Enhances the Electron Mobility in Organic Transistors
Authors: Liu Qian , Kumagai Shohei , Manzhos Sergei , Chen Yingqian , Angunawela Indunil , Nahid Masrur Morshed , Feron Krishna , Bottle Steven E. , Bell John , Ade Harald , Takeya Jun , Sonar Prashant
Published: June 2020

To achieve semiconducting materials with high electron mobility in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), low‐lying energy levels (the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO)) and favorable molecular packing and ordering are two crucial factors. Here, it is reported that the incorporation of pyridine and selenophene into the backbone of a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐based copolymer produces a high‐electron‐mobility semiconductor, PDPPy‐Se. Compared with analogous polymers based on other DPP derivatives and selenophene, PDPPy‐Se features a lower LUMO that can decrease the electron transfer barrier for more effective electron injection, and simultaneously a lower HOMO that, however, can increase the hole transfer barrier to suppress the hole injection. Combined with thermal annealing at 240 °C for thin film morphology optimization to achieve large‐scale crystallite domains with tight molecular packing for effective charge transport along the conducting channel, OFET devices fabricated with PDPPy‐Se exhibit an n‐type‐dominant performance with an electron mobility (μe) as high as 2.22 cm2 V−1 s−1 and a hole/electron mobility ratio (μh/μe) of 0.26. Overall, this study demonstrates a simple yet effective approach to boost the electron mobility in organic transistors by synergistic use of pyridine and selenophene in the backbone of a DPP‐based copolymer.
A 3D Cell Culture Model Identifies Wnt/β‐Catenin Mediated Inhibition of p53 as a Critical Step during Human Hepatocyte Regeneration
Authors: Oliva‐Vilarnau Nuria , Vorrink Sabine U. , Ingelman‐Sundberg Magnus , Lauschke Volker M.
Published: June 2020

The liver is a highly regenerative organ. While mature hepatocytes under homeostatic conditions are largely quiescent, upon injury, they rapidly enter the cell cycle to recover the damaged tissue. In rodents, a variety of injury models have provided important insights into the molecular underpinnings that govern the proliferative activation of quiescent hepatocytes. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of human hepatocyte regeneration and experimental methods to expand primary human hepatocytes (PHH). Here, a 3D spheroid model of PHH is established to study hepatocyte regeneration and integrative time‐lapse multi‐omics analyses show that upon isolation from the native liver PHH acquire a regenerative phenotype, as seen in vivo upon partial hepatectomy. However, proliferation is limited. By analyzing global promoter motif activities, it is predicted that activation of Wnt/β‐catenin and inhibition of p53 signaling are critical factors required for human hepatocyte proliferation. Functional validations reveal that activation of Wnt signaling through external cues alone is sufficient to inhibit p53 and its proliferative senescence‐inducing target PAI1 (SERPINE1) and drive proliferation of >50% of all PHH. A scalable 3D culture model is established to study the molecular and cellular biology of human hepatocyte regeneration. By using this model, an essential role of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling during human hepatocyte regeneration is identified.
Procedural Skills Training in Emergency Medicine Physicians Within the Edmonton Zone: A Needs Assessment
Authors: Schonnop Rebecca , Stauffer Brandy , Gauri Aliyah , Ha David
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The objectives were to describe the current procedural skill practices, attitudes toward procedural skill competency, and the role for educational skills training sessions among emergency medicine (EM) physicians within a geographic health zone.

Methods

This is a multicenter descriptive cross‐sectional survey of all EM physicians working at 12 emergency departments (EDs) within the Edmonton Zone in 2019. Survey items addressed current procedural skill performance frequency; perceived importance and confidence; current methods to maintain competence; barriers and facilitating factors to participation in a curriculum; preferred teaching methods; and desired frequency of practice for each procedural skill.

Results

Survey response rate was 53.6%. Variability in frequency of performed procedures was seen across the type of hospital sites. For the majority of skills, there was a significantly positive correlation between the frequency at which a skill was performed and the perceived confidence performing said skill. There was inconsistency and no significant correlation with perceived importance, perceived confidence or frequency performing a given skill, and the desired frequency of training for that skill. Course availability (76.2%) and time (72.8%) are the most common identified barriers to participation in procedural skills training.

Conclusions

This study summarized the current ED procedural skill practices among EM physicians in the Edmonton Zone and attitudes toward an educational curriculum for procedural skill competency. This represents a step toward targeted continuing professional development in staff physicians.
Multi‐institutional Implementation of the National Clinical Assessment Tool in Emergency Medicine: Data From the First Year of Use
Authors: Hiller Katherine , Jung Julianna , Lawson Luan , Riddell Rebecca , Franzen Doug
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Uniformly training physicians to provide safe, high‐quality care requires reliable assessment tools to ensure learner competency. The consensus‐derived National Clinical Assessment Tool in Emergency Medicine (NCAT‐EM) has been adopted by clerkships across the country. Analysis of large‐scale deidentified data from a consortium of users is reported.

Methods

Thirteen sites entered data into a Web‐based platform resulting in over 6,400 discrete NCAT‐EM assessments from 748 students and 704 assessors. Reliability, internal consistency analysis, and factorial analysis of variance for hypothesis generation were performed.

Results

All categories on the NCAT‐EM rating scales and professionalism subdomains were used. Clinical rating scale and global assessment scores were positively skewed, similar to other assessments commonly used in emergency medicine (EM). Professionalism lapses were noted in <1% of assessments. Cronbach's alpha was >0.8 for each site; however, interinstitutional variability was significant. M4 students scored higher than M3 students, and EM‐bound students scored higher than non–EM‐bound students. There were site‐specific differences based on number of prior EM rotations, but no overall association. There were differences in scores based on assessor faculty rank and resident training year, but not by years in practice. There were site‐specific differences based on student sex, but overall no difference.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first large‐scale multi‐institutional implementation of a single clinical assessment tool. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a unified approach to clinical assessment across multiple diverse sites. Challenges remain in determining appropriate score distributions and improving consistency in scoring between sites.
Emergency surgery for gastrointestinal cancer: A nationwide study in Japan based on the National Clinical Database
Authors: Hoshino Nobuaki , Endo Hideki , Hida Koya , Ichihara Nao , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Kimura Toshimoto , Kitagawa Yuko , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Miyata Hiroaki , Nakayama Takeo , Sakai Yoshiharu
Published: June 2020

Background

Emergency gastrointestinal surgery, although rare, is known for its high mortality and morbidity. However, the risks of emergency surgery for gastrointestinal cancer have not been investigated in depth. This study aimed to investigate the impact of emergency surgery on mortality and morbidity in patients with gastrointestinal cancers and to identify associated risk factors.

Methods

We extracted data from the National Clinical Database, a nationwide surgery registration system in Japan, for patients with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent esophageal resection, total gastrectomy, distal gastrectomy, right hemicolectomy, or low anterior resection between 2012 and 2017. The impacts of emergency surgery on 30‐day mortality and incidence of overall postoperative complications were compared with those of non‐emergency surgery. Risk factors for mortality and overall postoperative complications were then sought in patients who underwent emergency surgery.

Results

Thirty‐day mortality and incidence of overall postoperative complications were significantly higher in emergency surgeries for gastric, colon, and rectal cancers than in non‐emergency surgeries (odds ratios 4.86‐6.98 and 1.68‐2.18, respectively; all P < .001). Various risk factors were identified in the group that underwent emergency surgery, including preoperative sepsis and lower body mass index. Some of the risk factors were common to all types of surgery and others were specific to a certain type of surgery.

Conclusion

The actual risk of emergency surgery and the risk factors for overall postoperative complications in emergency cases are shown to serve as a reference for postoperative management. Emergency surgery had an additional burden on patients depending on the type of surgery.
Reduction in Osteoarthritis Risk After Treatment With Ticagrelor Compared to Clopidogrel: A Propensity Score–Matching Analysis
Authors: Baker Matthew C. , Weng Yingjie , Robinson William H. , Ahuja Neera , Rohatgi Nidhi
Published: June 2020

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of joint pain and disability, and effective treatments are lacking. Extracellular adenosine has antiinflammatory effects and can prevent and treat OA in animal models. Ticagrelor and clopidogrel are both used in patients with coronary artery disease, but only ticagrelor increases extracellular adenosine levels. This study was undertaken to determine whether treatment with ticagrelor was associated with a lower risk of OA.

Methods

We conducted a 1:2 propensity score–matching analysis using data from 2011–2017 in the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart. Patients who had received either ticagrelor or clopidogrel for ≥90 days were included in our study, and patients with a prior diagnosis of OA or inflammatory arthritis were excluded. OA was identified using International Classification of Diseases codes. The primary outcome was the time to diagnosis of OA after treatment with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel.

Results

Our propensity score–matched cohort consisted of 7,007 ticagrelor‐treated patients and 14,014 clopidogrel‐treated patients, with a median number of days receiving treatment of 287 and 284, respectively. For both groups, the mean age was 64 years, and 73% of the patients were male. Multivariate Cox regression analysis estimated a hazard ratio for developing OA of 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.64–0.79) (P < 0.001) after treatment with ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel.

Conclusion

Treatment with ticagrelor was associated with a 29% lower risk of developing OA compared to treatment with clopidogrel over 5 years of follow‐up. We hypothesize that the reduction in OA seen in patients who received ticagrelor may in part be due to increased extracellular adenosine levels.
How Computer‐Assisted Learning Influences Medical Students' Performance in Anatomy Courses
Authors: Santos Raquel Sofia , Carvalho Ana Cristina , Tsisar Stanislav , Bastos Ana Raquel , Ferreira Diogo , Ferreira Maria Amélia , Povo Ana , Guimarães Bruno
Published: June 2020

Anatomy is an essential subject of the medical curriculum. Despite its relevance, the curricular time and logistical resources devoted to teaching anatomy are in decline, favoring the introduction of new pedagogical approaches based on computer‐assisted learning (CAL). This new pedagogical approach provides an insight into students' learning profiles and features, which are correlated with knowledge acquisition. The aim of this study was to understand how training with CAL platforms can influence medical students' anatomy performance. A total of 611 medical students attending Musculoskeletal Anatomy (MA) and Cardiovascular Anatomy (CA) courses were allocated to one of three groups (MA Group, CA Group, and MA + CA Group). An association between the performance in these anatomy courses and the number of CAL training sessions was detected. In the MA Group (r = 0.761, P < 0.001) and the MA + CA Group (r = 0.786, P < 0.001), a large positive correlation was observed between musculoskeletal anatomy performance and the number of CAL training sessions. Similarly, in the CA Group (r = 0.670, P < 0.001) and the MA + CA Group (r = 0.772, P < 0.001), a large positive correlation was observed between cardiovascular anatomy performance and the number of CAL training sessions. Multiple linear regression models were performed, considering either musculoskeletal or cardiovascular anatomy performance as the dependent variable. The results suggest that using CAL platforms to study has a positive dose‐dependent effect on anatomy performance. Understanding students' individual features and academic background may contribute to the optimization of the learning process.
Development of Novel d‐Cycloserine Tablet with Improvement of Drug Stability and Dissolution‐Equivalence to the d‐Cycloserine‐Loaded Commercial Hard Capsule
Authors: Kim Jung Suk , Choi Yoo Jin , Woo Mi Ran , Kim Kyeong Soo , Jin Sung Giu , Choi Han‐Gon
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study was to develop a novel d‐cycloserine tablet with improved stability and dissolution equivalent to the d‐cycloserine‐loaded commercial hard capsule. The effect of alkalizing agents on the d‐cycloserine was investigated. Numerous d‐cycloserine tablets were prepared with various calcium hydroxide contents, using direct or wet granulation compression, and their stability and dissolution were assessed compared to the commercial d‐cycloserine‐loaded hard capsule. Long‐term stability of the selected d‐cycloserine tablet in aluminum polyvinylchloride blister were conducted at 25 °C/60% RH or 40 °C/75% RH for 6 months. Amongst the stabilizers tested, calcium hydroxide gave the best stability at 60 °C/75% RH for 2 days due to its alkaline and waterproofing properties. Calcium hydroxide hardly affected dissolution of drug from the tablets but considerably increased stability of drug in the tablets. Particularly, the tablet prepared with d‐cycloserine, calcium hydroxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and talc in the weight ratio of 250/250/40/7.5 using direct compression gave similar dissolution but significantly improved stability compared to the commercial hard capsule. This tablet, packaged in aluminum polyvinylchloride blister, was stable in the above accelerated conditions for 6 months. Therefore, this novel d‐cycloserine tablet with enhanced stability and dissolution equivalent to the commercial hard capsule would be recommended as an alternative.
Quantitative determination of canagliflozin in human plasma samples using a validated HPTLC method and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats
Authors: Alam Prawez , Iqbal Muzaffar , Foudah Ahmed I. , Alqarni Mohammad H. , Shakeel Faiyaz
Published: June 2020

Canagliflozin (CNZ) is the first sodium–glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitor approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the proposed work, a sensitive, rapid and validated high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was established for the estimation of CNZ in human plasma for the first time. HPTLC analysis of CNZ and internal standard (sildenafil) was performed on glass coated silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates using a binary mixture of chloroform–methanol 9:1 (%, v/v) as the mobile phase. Densitometric detection was done at 295 nm. Retardation factor values were obtained as 0.22 and 0.52 for the CNZ and the IS, respectively. The linearity range of CNZ was obtained as 200–3,200 ng/ml. A simple protein precipitation method was used for the extraction of analyte from plasma using methanol. The proposed HPTLC technique was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness. The proposed HPTLC technique was successfully utilized for the assessment of pharmacokinetic profile of CNZ in rats after oral administration. After oral administration, the peak plasma concentration of CNZ was obtained as 1458.01 ng/ml in 2 h. The proposed HPTLC method could be applied to the study of the pharmacokinetic profile of pharmaceutical formulations containing CNZ.
In Vitro Effects of Ginseng and the Seed of Zizyphus jujuba var. spinosa on Gut Microbiota of Rats with Spleen Deficiency
Authors: Li Fang‐Tong , Yang Di , Song Feng‐Yuan , Liu Ming , Dai Yu‐Lin , Zheng Fei , Yue Hao
Published: June 2020

Ginseng and the seed of Zizyphus jujuba var. spinosa, which are traditional Chinese medicinal materials, were often used in ancient Chinese recipes as a pair of medicines. They can replenish the primordial qi and tonify the spleen. This study investigated the effects of ginseng and the seed of Zizyphus jujuba var. spinosa (GS) extract on gut microbiota diversity in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS). A total of 52 compounds (including 16 flavonoids, 35 saponins, and 1 alkaloid) were identified and analyzed from the GS extract by UPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐MS/MS. The GS extract significantly increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in rats with SDS but decreased that of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, the GS extract significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in rats with SDS but decreased that of Streptococcus, Escherichia‐Shigella, Veillonella, and Enterococcus. In addition, the GS extract influenced glucose and amino acid metabolism. In summary, the results showed that the GS extract changed the structure and diversity of gut microbiota in rats with SDS and balanced the metabolic process.
Effect of sugar type and concentration on pasting and textural properties of corn starch in water and skim milk
Authors: Köse Şenol
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives

Pasting and textural characteristics of corn starch in water and skim milk were prepared with different types of sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose) and different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8%) were examined using Rapid Visco and Texture Analyzer.

Findings

Pasting parameters such as pasting temperature, peak time, peak, breakdown, trough, final and setback viscosities of corn starch–water and milk were influenced with the addition of sugar type and concentrations. Also, addition of sugar significantly influenced textural properties such as hardness, springiness, gumminess, adhesiveness, chewiness, cohesiveness, and resilience values of samples.

Conclusions

The results showed that addition of sugar to corn starch should be done carefully in terms of textural and pasting properties.

Significance and Novelty

Sugar type and concentration directly influenced the product of corn starch samples.
Mob grazing increases trampling but not litter deposition on a Nebraska Sandhills subirrigated meadow
Authors: Guretzky John A. , Mamo Martha , Schacht Walter H. , Volesky Jerry D. , Wingeyer Ana B.
Published: June 2020

High cattle stocking densities may enhance trampling, litter deposition, and soil organic matter (OM) formation in grasslands. To test this, we measured aboveground vegetation production, standing live and dead mass before and after grazing, vegetation utilization, trampling, litter accumulation, and spring standing dead mass across 2014 and 2015, comparing high [210,343 lb live weight (LW) acre–1] and low (7,011 lb LW acre–1) stocking densities in a Nebraska Sandhills subirrigated meadow. Pregrazing live mass in the cool‐season grass‐dominated meadow averaged 3,722 and 4,128 lb acre–1 under the low and high densities, respectively. Utilization was greater under the high (93%) than the low (85%) stocking density, resulting in less postgrazing live mass (272 and 521 lb acre–1, respectively). The high stocking density also increased trampling (41%) of live vegetation relative to the low density (25%) but did not affect annual litter accumulation, which averaged 1,957 lb acre–1. Trampling accounted for 97% of annual litter accumulation under the high stocking density but 51% under the low density, indicating the importance of senescence and fall of standing plant material under the latter. Transfer of trampled tissue to the litter pool was 931 and 1,762 lb acre–1 at maximum, whereas the transfer of senescent and detached standing plant material to the litter pool was 1,085 and 136 lb acre–1 at minimum under the low and high densities, respectively. We reject the hypothesis that high stocking densities enhances annual litter deposition and, in turn, soil OM formation in grasslands.
An Eight‐Step Total Synthesis of Pyrroloquinolone‐TypeLycopodium Alkaloid via a Tandem Annulation Approach†
Authors: Zhong Lin‐Rui , Yang Yuanjie , Huang Bing‐Bing , Yao Zhu‐Jun
Published: June 2020

Summary of main observation and conclusion

A total synthesis of 6,7,9,10,12,12a‐hexahydro‐2‐methyl‐(2R,4aS,12aS)‐2H,5H‐benzo[e]pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinolone‐4,11(1H,3H)‐dione (1), a unique pyrroloquinolone‐type Lycopodium alkaloid containing a complex 6/6/6/5 tetracyclic core, has been disclosed in eight steps and 38% overall yield. The reported synthesis features a short, efficient synthesis of the crucial multi‐substituted cyclohexanone intermediate with three stereogenic centers, and one‐pot generation of the complex 6/6/6/5 tetracyclic core in a single tandem step.
A biomechanical analysis of 3D stress and strain patterns in patellar tendon during knee flexion
Authors: Wang Kunyang , Hosseinnejad Soroosh H. , Jabran Ali , Baltzopoulos Vasilios , Ren Lei , Qian Zhihui
Published: June 2020

Patellar tendinopathy is among the most widespread patellar tendon diseases in athletes that participate in activities involving running and jumping. Although their symptoms can be detected, especially at the inferior pole of the patella, their biomechanical cause remains unknown. In this study, a three‐dimensional finite element model of knee complex was developed to investigate principal stress and strain distributions in the patellar tendon during 0° to 90° knee flexion and slow and fast level‐ground walking. Results indicate that the patellar tendon is subjected to tensile stress and strains during all three activities. During flexion, its central proximal posterior region exhibited highest peak stress and strain, followed by central distal posterior, central distal anterior and central proximal anterior region. Similar trends and magnitudes were reported during slow and fast walking. The region with highest principal stresses and strains, central proximal anterior region, also corresponds to the most commonly reported patellar tendinopathy lesion site, suggesting that principal stress and strain are good indicators of lesion site location. Additional factors such as regional variations in material properties and frequency and duration of cyclic loading also need to be considered when determining the biomechanical aetiology of patellar tendinopathy.