bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Temporal (In)Stability of the Unemployment and Crime Relationship
Authors: Ha Olivia K. , Andresen Martin A. , Davies Garth
Published: January 2020

The complex relationship between crime and economic change has had a long pedigree in criminological research. This article considers the temporal stability of the Cantor and Land model of unemployment and crime using a decomposition model of Canadian provinces, 1981 to 2009. We include multiple economic measures for a more comprehensive representation of economic performance, allowing for the estimates of long- and short-run unemployment effects to vary over time. We undertake this analysis considering 12 crime types, finding strong support for the Cantor and Land model in both property and violent crimes. However, in a number of cases, we find that there is significant variation of these relationships over time. This result implies that support for this model depends on the time period analyzed and that any policy derived from this model of unemployment and crime is time-period dependent.
The real estate risk fix: Residential insurance-linked securitization in the Florida metropolis
Authors: Taylor Zac J.
Published: January 2020

Insurance-linked securitization (ILS) plays an increasingly important role in the protection of valuable real estate markets from devaluation due to climate risk. This paper critically investigates ILS in the Florida context, where billions of dollars of residential hurricane wind exposure are securitized on behalf of re/insurers and institutional investors each year. Building on Harvey’s seminal concept of the spatial fix, it is argued that ILS represents a real estate risk fix. ILS transforms uncertain property catastrophe exposures into a liquid asset class, and in doing so turns institutional investor funds into re/insurance capacity for capital-hungry ‘peak peril’ re/insurers. Securitization helps to sustain the circulation of capital through risky built environments by absorbing the catastrophe exposures of mortgages and other forms of property-linked finance. In this way, ILS provides a fix for the Harveyian spatial fix, one which momentarily offsets growing environmental barriers to property-led accumulation. The paper shows how specific modes of urbanization and property finance, waves of ‘natural’ catastrophe, patterns of public and private institutional intervention, transnational flows of risk capital, and the creation of new market-making devices have constituted ILS as a provisional (if extractive) fix. To this end, the paper furthers our conceptual and empirical understandings of the operation of ILS and re/insurance at specific urban conjunctures, while also highlighting key dilemmas associated with securing the real estate-finance system from climate risk.
Interpersonal Sexual Objectification, Jezebel Stereotype Endorsement, and Justification of Intimate Partner Violence Toward Women
Authors: Cheeseborough Thekia , Overstreet Nicole , Ward L. Monique
Published: January 2020

Sexual objectification and Jezebel stereotype endorsement, a racialized characterization of Black women as promiscuous, have been linked to harmful violence attitudes toward women. Although Black women’s experiences of sexual objectification may be compounded by racialized stereotypes, research has yet to examine how these processes intersect to influence justification of intimate partner violence toward women. This study fills this gap in the objectification literature by examining associations between interpersonal sexual objectification, endorsement of racialized stereotypes, and justification of violence toward women in a sample of Black men and women. Participants were 432 Black Americans who completed an online survey. Among Black men, we found that greater objectifying behaviors and greater endorsement of the Jezebel stereotype were associated with greater justification of violence toward women. We did not find evidence of an interaction between these two processes. Among Black women, we found an interaction between objectification experiences and stereotype endorsement, such that justification of violence was highest for Black women who endorsed the Jezebel stereotype and had more frequent experiences of sexual objectification. Violence prevention work, such as perpetrator rehabilitation programs and victim support groups, should explicitly address how stereotypical images of Black women impact their experiences of violence.
Pyrolysis treatment of nonmetal fraction of waste printed circuit boards: Focusing on the fate of bromine
Authors: Xiong Jingjing , Yu Shaoqi , Wu Daidai , Lü Xiaoshu , Tang Junhong , Wu Weihong , Yao Zhitong
Published: January 2020

Advanced thermal treatment of electronic waste offers advantages of volume reduction and energy recovery. In this work, the pyrolysis behaviour of nonmetallic fractions of waste printed circuit boards was studied. The fate of a bromine and thermal decomposition pathway of nonmetallic fractions of waste printed circuit boards were further probed. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the temperatures of maximum mass loss were located at 319°C and 361°C, with mass loss of 29.6% and 50.6%, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared Spectroscopy analysis revealed that the spectra at temperatures of 300°C–400°C were complicated with larger absorbance intensity. The nonmetallic fractions of waste printed circuit boards decomposed drastically and more evolved products were detected in the temperature range of 600°C–1000°C. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis indicated that various brominated derivates were generated in addition to small molecules, such as CH4, H2O and CO. The release intensity of CH4 and H2O increased with temperature increasing and reached maximum at 600°C–800°C and 400°C–600°C. More bromoethane (C2H5Br) was formed as compared with HBr and methyl bromide (CH3Br). The release intensity of bromopropane (C3H7Br) and bromoacetone (C3H5BrO) were comparable, although smaller than that of bromopropene (C3H5Br). More dibromophenol (C6H4Br2O) was released than that of bromophenol (C6H5BrO) in the thermal treatment. During the thermal process, part of the ether bonds first ruptured forming bisphenol A, propyl alcohol and tetrabromobisphenol A. Then, the tetrabromobisphenol A decomposed into C6H5BrO and HBr, which further reacted with small molecules forming brominated derivates. It implied debromination of raw nonmetallic fractions of waste printed circuit boards or pyrolysis products should be applied for its environmentally sound treating.
Multimodal Language of Attitude in Digital Composition
Authors: Mills Kathy A. , Stone Bessie G. , Unsworth Len , Friend Lesley
Published: January 2020

Communication using popular digital media involves understanding multimodal systems of appraisal for expressing attitude, which traditionally deals with emotions, ethics, and aesthetics in language. The formulation and teaching of multimodal grammars for attitudinal meanings in popular texts and culture is currently underresearched. This article reports findings from multisite qualitative research that developed students’ ability to use semiotic resources for communicating attitude multimodally. The research participants were 68 students (ages 9–11 years) from two elementary schools. Students learned how to use attitudinal language—affect, judgment, and appreciation—and applied this knowledge to multimodal design. The findings advance a leading system of appraisal for discourse by adapting the system to the multimodal communication of attitude in digital comic making in schooling. The research is significant because it demonstrates the potentials for augmenting students’ linguistic and visual semiotic resources to convey multimodal attitudinal meanings in contemporary communication.
Cheek Dimpleplasty: A New Classification of Described Procedures
Authors: Opoku-Agyeman Jude L. , Simone Jamee E.
Published: January 2020

Cheek dimpleplasty has become a popular request amongst patients requesting cosmetic surgery. Since the first reported dimpleplasty in 1962, there have been many reported procedures in the literature for cheek dimple creation. Some of the procedures described by various authors as “novel” are actually similar if not identical to existing procedures. This study reviews the different procedures of cheek dimple creation and provides the first ever systematic classification for these techniques. EMBASE, Cochrane library, Ovid medicine, and PubMed databases were searched from its inception to June of 2019. We included all studies describing the surgical creation of cheek dimples. The studies were reviewed, and the different procedures were cataloged. We then proposed a new classification system for these procedures based on their common characteristics. The study included 12 articles published in the English language that provided a descriptive procedure for cheek dimple creation. We classified the procedures into 3 broad categories and subcategories. Type 1 procedures are nonexcisional myocutaneous dimpleplasties. In these procedures, the buccinator muscle is not excised. In type 1A, the suture used to create the adhesion traverses the epidermis. In type 1B, the suture does not traverse the epidermis, rather, the suture travels up into the dermis and returned back to the mucosa. Type 2 procedures are excisional dimpleplasties. In these procedures, the buccinator muscle is excised with (open) or without (closed) the excision of the mucosa. Type 3 procedures are incisional dimpleplasty. In these procedures, the muscle is incised and fixed to the dermis. Each of these groups of procedures has potential unique advantages and disadvantages. There are multiple procedures reported in the English language literature for the creation of cheek dimples. Most of the procedures are based on similar concept with minor variations. Our classification system, the Opoku-Simone Classification, will help facilitate communication when describing the different configurations of these procedures. Procedure within each group has similar potential advantages and disadvantages.
Native American and Non-Native American Women Prisoners, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and the Perpetration of Physical Violence in Adult Intimate Relationships
Authors: Jones Melissa S. , Worthen Meredith G. F. , Sharp Susan F. , McLeod David A.
Published: January 2020

Native American women are at an especially high risk of lifetime violence, including childhood abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual assault, and are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Yet few studies have examined how the long-term effects of child maltreatment and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect Native American women prisoners’ perpetration of physical violence in adult intimate relationships. This is surprising because ample research illustrates that childhood adverse events, particularly childhood abuse and neglect, have far-reaching effects across the life course and that these experiences are especially apparent in the lives of women involved in the criminal justice system. Using data from a stratified random sample of Native American ( n = 92) and non-Native American ( n = 264) women prisoners in Oklahoma, we explore the relationships between individual, cumulative, and clusters of ACEs as they relate to the use of physical violence in adult intimate relationships. Utilizing a feminist life course theoretical framework, our findings indicate that ACEs are not only critical to understanding adult IPV but also that the mechanisms and processes underlying the relationships between ACEs and the perpetration of physical violence in adult intimate relationships differ for Native American and non-Native American women. The findings of the current study demonstrate that it is imperative that prison programming includes trauma-informed and trauma-specific interventions targeting Native Americans.
Why Restrictive NGO Foreign Funding Laws Reduce Voter Turnout in Africa’s National Elections
Authors: Dupuy Kendra , Prakash Aseem
Published: January 2020

Laws that restrict foreign funding to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can depress voting through two mechanisms. First, they can signal a democracy recession. Consequently, citizens might fear rigged elections where their vote will not influence who forms the next government. Second, by denying funding to NGOs, these laws can undermine NGOs’ ability to generate social capital, which is crucial to mitigate collective action problems associated with voting. Since 1990, 13 of Africa’s 54 states have enacted laws restricting foreign funding for NGOs. Drawing on the 2016 Afrobarometer survey (36 countries, 53,936 respondents), we find support for the argument that restrictive NGO laws reduce citizens’ electoral participation in national elections probably by signaling democracy recession, and not by undermining social capital that foreign-funded NGOs are supposed to generate. In fully democratic countries, respondents are around 94% more likely to report having voted in a recent national election even after controlling for restrictive NGO laws.
The earliest datable noctilucent cloud observation (Parma, Italy, AD 1840)
Authors: Bertolin Chiara , Domínguez-Castro Fernando
Published: January 2020

Noctilucent clouds (NLCs) are an uncommon phenomenon that provides information about the conditions and dynamics of the mesosphere. The first observation of NLCs was recorded in 1884/1885, following Krakatoa’s eruption in 1883. The literature speculates that this observation was trigged by the injection of millions of tons of H2O by the Krakatoa into the stratosphere. We have discovered that 43 years before Krakatoa, Antonio Colla observed an NLC in Parma. He was a meticulous astronomer and meteorologist with special interest in astronomical and atmospheric phenomena occurring during twilight. On 18 June 1840, from 21:00 to 22:15 (Local Mean Sideral Time), Antonio Colla observed a ‘ phosphoric cloud’. Analysis of the Colla’s description, the local sky and the condition of the observation proves that he was recording an NLC. This finding forces to develop a new hypothesis to explain the early NLC observations and encourages the rescue of NLC observations from documentary sources.
Knowledge from the ancient sea – a long-term perspective of human impact on aquatic life in Mesolithic Scandinavia
Authors: Boethius Adam , Bergsvik Knut Andreas , Nilsson Björn
Published: January 2020

Lately, evidence for early-Holocene emerging sedentism has been suggested among foragers in Northern Europe. The core of this suggested sedentism lies in the increasing dependency on large-scale fishing and mass consumption of fish and a territorial behaviour associated with access to the best fishing locations. This territoriality might also be associated with increasing numbers of people settling and living in Northern Europe at this time. In this article, we review the evidence for forager sedentism and territoriality and relate it to large-scale fishing, during a time of global warming, in early-Holocene Scandinavia. We explore the requisites of using the archaeological record to study the long-term effect of intense fishing on some of the best-preserved Stone Age sites in the area of study. We suggest that the archaeological record can enable a discussion of how aquatic life varies corresponding to human exploitation and climate change. In addition, we discuss how these changes might be traceable through temporal fluctuations in species composition, within species size reduction/increases, temporal fish age changes and within species dietary changes. In the end, we suggest that the archaeological record holds one of the keys to predict future impact on life below the surface, by offering a long-term perspective on aquatic exploitation in a period of climate change. At the same time as we acknowledge the potential hidden in the archaeological record, we also raise the dire warning that this record might be rapidly disappearing, because of an accelerated deterioration of archaeological organic remains in areas previously known for their good preservation.
Drought, freshwater availability and cultural resilience on Easter Island (SE Pacific) during the Little Ice Age
Authors: Rull Valentí
Published: January 2020

After decades of human-deterministic explanations for the collapse of the ancient Rapanui culture that inhabited Easter Island (Rapa Nui) before European contact (1722 CE), paleoecological studies developed over the last decade have provided sound evidence of climate changes and their potential socioecological impacts. Especially significant is the occurrence of a century-scale drought (1570–1720 CE) during the Little Ice Age (LIA). Freshwater is a critical resource on Easter Island that heavily depends on rain, which maintains the only three permanent surficial freshwater sources on the island: two lakes (Rano Kao and Rano Raraku) and a marsh (Rano Aroi). Under these conditions, the LIA drought could have significantly affected human life; however, the Rapanui society remained healthy, showing remarkable resilience. There are two main hypotheses on how the ancient Rapanui could have obtained freshwater to guarantee their continuity. One of these hypotheses proposes that Lake Kao was a permanent source of freshwater, even during the LIA drought, which led to some intraisland cultural and population reorganizations. The coastal groundwater hypothesis dismisses the use of lakes and other surficial freshwater sources to maintain the water-stressed Rapanui population and contends that the only routine freshwater sources during the LIA drought were the abundant and widespread coastal seeps fed by fresh/brackish groundwater. The pros and cons of these two hypotheses are discussed on the basis of the available archeological and paleoecological evidence, and it is concluded that given the present state of knowledge, neither can be rejected. Therefore, these two proposals could be complementary rather than mutually exclusive.
Adaptive modal vibration control for smart flexible beam with two piezoelectric actuators by multivariable self-tuning control
Authors: Zhang Ting , Li Hongguang
Published: January 2020

It has been popular for decades that the vibrations of space structures are suppressed with smart actuators. However, the higher mode vibrations are often motivated when a control strategy is applied to attenuate the vibration for the smart structures. Moreover, if the multi-mode vibration of a smart structure is suppressed with multi-actuators, a proper multivariable control law will be adopted to solve the coupling problem caused by the multi-actuators of the smart structure. Therefore, in the paper, a decoupling technique for two modal vibrations of a smart flexible beam with two piezoelectric patches is adopted by adaptive control. The proposed control law is designed with a multivariable minimum variance self-tuning control. Considering the first two orders of modal vibrations, two piezoelectric patches are configured on the flexible beam according to the strain of the first two orders of modal vibrations along the longitudinal direction of the beam. A dynamical model for the flexible beam with two piezoelectric actuators is constructed by the mode superposition method. With the dynamical model, simulations are implemented to suppress the free vibration of the flexible beam. Moreover, experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the multivariable minimum variance self-tuning control for vibration suppression of the flexible structure. The control results clearly show that the free vibration amplitude of the cantilevered beam with two control voltages applied to the two piezoelectric patches is less than that with one control voltage applied to the first piezoelectric actuator. Thus, multivariable minimum variance self-tuning control is a more efficient approach for suppressing multimodal vibration for a smart flexible beam with two piezoelectric actuators compared with the conventional velocity feedback control.
Provider-to-provider telemedicine improves adherence to sepsis bundle care in community emergency departments
Authors: Mohr Nicholas M , Campbell Kalyn D , Swanson Morgan B , Ullrich Fred , Merchant Kimberly A , Ward Marcia M
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency. Together, early recognition and intervention decreases mortality. Protocol-based resuscitation in the emergency department (ED) has improved survival in sepsis patients, but guideline-adherent care is less common in low-volume EDs. This study examined the association between provider-to-provider telemedicine and adherence with sepsis bundle components in rural community hospitals.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study of adults presenting with sepsis or septic shock in community EDs participating in rural telemedicine networks. The primary outcome was adherence to four sepsis bundle requirements: lactate measurement within 3 hours, blood culture before antibiotics, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and adequate fluid resuscitation. Multivariable generalized estimating equations estimated the association between telemedicine and adherence.

Results

In this cohort ( n = 655), 5.6% of subjects received ED telemedicine consults. The telemedicine group was more likely to be male and have a higher severity of illness. After adjusting for severity and chief complaint, total sepsis bundle adherence was higher in the telemedicine group compared with the non-telemedicine group (aOR 17.27 [95%CI 6.64–44.90], p < 0.001). Telemedicine consultation was associated with higher adherence with three of the individual bundle components: lactate, antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation.

Discussion

Telemedicine patients were more likely to receive initial blood lactate measurement, timely broad-spectrum antibiotics, and adequate fluid resuscitation. In rural, community EDs, telemedicine may improve sepsis care and potentially reduce disparities in sepsis outcomes at low-volume facilities. Future work should identify specific components of telemedicine-augmented care that improve performance with sepsis quality indicators.
Meeting Online or Offline? Patterns and Trends for Co-Resident Couples in Early 21st-Century Britain
Authors: Lampard Richard
Published: January 2020

Data from the 2010–2012 National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (NATSAL-3) are used to document trends and patterns in where co-resident couples in Britain first met, focusing specifically on the rapid rise of meeting online, which both echoes and differs from a corresponding US increase; in Britain, meeting online largely appears to have substituted for meetings in settings to which access is relatively unrestricted, for example, pubs and public places. While meeting online appears widespread across British society, variations are identified and linked to ideas from the online dating and place of meeting literatures. Offline partner availability and how well the processes within offline and online settings suit particular types of people are interpreted as underpinning many of these variations. Perhaps surprisingly, meeting online does not appear class-related, and involves levels of socio-demographic homogamy that do not differ systematically from those for compositionally heterogeneous offline settings.
Field measurements of typhoon effects on a transmission tower and its modal parameter identification
Authors: Li Hong-Nan , Wang Jin-Xin , Fu Xing , Ren Liang , Zhang Qing
Published: January 2020

Many transmission towers have collapsed under typhoons in recent years, mainly due to the unclear behaviors of their structural properties, introducing many deficiencies in the design process. Therefore, implementing structural health monitoring is of great importance for investigating the structural features of large-span transmission lines. This study develops a stochastic subspace identification method to identify the modal parameters of transmission towers, and a finite element model of a transmission tower-line system is established based on a case in Guangdong Province, China. Moreover, a MATLAB program is written using the stochastic subspace identification method to perform a modal analysis on the wind-induced responses of a transmission tower, and the results are compared with those of the finite element model to verify the program’s reliability. A structural health monitoring system installed on a transmission tower recorded the wind field data around the tower and its vibration responses during Typhoon Khanun. The characteristics of the typhoon wind field and the changes in the acceleration responses under different wind speeds were calculated, and the developed stochastic subspace identification method was used to identify the frequencies and damping ratios of the tower. The results show that the identified frequencies under different wind speeds in the longitudinal and transverse directions remain essentially unchanged, indicating that the monitoring tower was safe and suffered no damage during Typhoon Khanun. The damping ratios of the monitoring tower range from 1% to 4%, where the larger values may be caused by bolt slippage.
Effect of solar radiation on human thermal comfort in a tropical climate
Authors: Chaiyapinunt Somsak , Khamporn Nopparat
Published: January 2020

The contribution of solar radiation on the global thermal comfort and local thermal comfort condition for a person sitting near a glass window in a building located in a tropical climate was studied. The effects of transmitted direct solar radiation, transmitted diffuse solar radiation, inside glass surface temperature and distance of a seated person from the glass window on the predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) and plane radiant temperature asymmetry (RTA) were studied. PPD and RTA due to transmitted diffuse solar radiation and high inside glass surface temperature were decreased with the distance from the glass window. PPD was decreased exponentially with the distance from the glass window, while RTA was decreased slowly with the distance from the glass window. The findings show that PPD and RTA due to transmitted direct solar radiation striking the human body are not dependent on the distance from the glass window, but they are dependent on the magnitude and direction of the solar beam radiation incident on a human body. The results of the study would help the building designers to be able to design the interior working space for the tenant sitting near the glass window to achieve the acceptable level of thermal comfort condition.
Vortex structures and wake flow analysis from moving manikin models
Authors: Tao Yao , Inthavong Kiao , Petersen Phred , Mohanarangam Krishna , Yang William , Tu Jiyuan
Published: January 2020

Vortex shedding in the wake flow generated by moving bodies exerts considerable influence on pollutant dispersion. This study investigated the effects of different body shapes using scaled models 1/5th of realistic size, including thin and wide shapes, standing and walking poses. The airflow from moving bodies was simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with dynamic meshing to account for the manikin movement. Experimental data from a smoke visualisation technique provided validation data for computational simulations which included flow separation angle over the head computed through image processing. Vortex structures were visualised using an Omega vortex identification method and compared with experimental visualisations. The main objective of this study is to verify the CFD simulations with smoke visualisation in terms of predicting motion-induced vortex structures, thus helping identify contaminant transport around different shaped bodies during walking and when coming to a stop. The results showed matching locations and patterns of vortex structures between the smoke visualisation and CFD simulations. After the manikin came to a stop, the flow induced by the larger body was characterised by a longer residence time for airborne contaminants in the breathing region while a reduced flow residence time for the thinner bodied manikin.
Pragmatic randomised controlled trial of a personalised intervention for carers of people requiring home oxygen therapy
Authors: Frith Peter , Sladek Ruth , Woodman Richard , Effing Tanja , Bradley Sandra , van Asten Suzanne , Jones Tina , Hnin Khin , Luszcz Mary , Cafarella Paul , Eckermann Simon , Rowett Debra , Phillips Paddy A
Published: January 2020

We used a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to evaluate a behavioural change strategy targeting carers of chronically hypoxaemic patients using long-term home oxygen therapy. Intervention group carers participated in personalised educational sessions focusing on motivating carers to take actions to assist patients. All patients received usual care. Effectiveness was measured through a composite event of patient survival to hospitalisation, residential care admission or death to 12 months. Secondary outcomes at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months included carer and patient emotional and physical well-being. No difference between intervention ( n = 100) and control ( n = 97) patients was found for the composite outcome (hazard ratio (HR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.89, 1.68; p = 0.22). Improved fatigue, mastery, vitality and general health occurred in intervention group patients (all p values < 0.05). No benefits were seen in carer outcomes. Mortality was significantly higher in intervention patients (HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.00, 4.14; p = 0.05; adjusted for Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Status), with a significant diagnosis–intervention interaction ( p = 0.028) showing higher mortality in patients with COPD (HR 4.26; 95% CI = 1.60, 11.35) but not those with interstitial lung disease (HR 0.83; 95% CI = 0.28, 2.46). No difference was detected in the primary outcome, but patient mortality was higher when carers had received the intervention, especially in the most disabled patients. Trials examining behavioural change interventions in severe disease should stratify for functionality, and both risks and benefits should be independently monitored. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12607000177459).
Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by quatsomes in low concentrations
Authors: Dong Dong , Thomas Nicky , Ramezanpour Mahnaz , Psaltis Alkis J , Huang Shuman , Zhao Yulin , Thierry Benjamin , Wormald Peter-John , Prestidge Clive A , Vreugde Sarah
Published: January 2020

Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are primary pathogens in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and the presence of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms has been associated with negative outcomes after surgery. This study investigated the inhibition effect of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-quatsomes at low concentrations on both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms in vitro, as well as their toxicities towards cultured human airway epithelial (NuLi-1) cells. S. aureus ATCC 25923 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 15692 were used to establish biofilms. CPC-quatsome and CPC micelle solutions at concentrations of 0.01%, 0.025%, and 0.05% were prepared. AlamarBlue was used to test the viability of both planktonic S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and their biofilms after treatment for 5 min and 2 h, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to investigate the interactions between CPC-quatsomes and S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was used to determine the toxicity of CPC-quatsomes on NuLi-1 cells. CPC-quatsome and CPC micelle solutions had significant inhibition effects at all tested concentrations on planktonic S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and their biofilms after 5-min exposure ( P <  0.05). In the CLSM study, different interactions between CPC-quatsomes and S. aureus or P. aeruginosa biofilms were observed. After 2-h treatment, the size of S. aureus biofilms decreased, while the number of dead bacteria increased in P. aeruginosa biofilms. Neither CPC-quatsomes nor CPC micelle solutions showed significant toxicity on NuLi-1 cell at all tested CPC concentrations ( P <  0.05). CPC-quatsomes at low concentrations inhibited S. aureus and P. aeruginosa in both planktonic form and biofilms. No adverse effects on NuLi-1 cells were observed, indicating their promising potential in the treatment of CRS.

Impact statement

Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms are significant contributors to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and are associated with poor prognosis. The killing effect of CPC-quatsomes on S. aureus biofilm at or above the CPC concentration of 0.5% (5 mg/mL) has been reported previously. This is the first study that showed the significant inhibition effect of CPC-quatsomes at low concentrations on both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms in vitro, and no adverse effects towards cultured human airway epithelial (NuLi-1) cells. In our study, CPC-quatsomes at concentrations of 0.01%, 0.025%, and 0.05% had significant inhibition effects on both planktonic and biofilms of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The result of this study indicates the promising potential of CPC-quatsome in the treatment of CRS.
A new path planning method based on concave polygon convex decomposition and artificial bee colony algorithm
Authors: Li Zhaoying , Zhang Zhao , Liu Hao , Yang Liang
Published: January 2020

Free space algorithms are kind of graphics-based methods for path planning. With previously known map information, graphics-based methods have high computational efficiency in providing a feasible path. However, the existing free space algorithms do not guarantee the global optimality because they always search in one connected domain but not all the possible connected domains. To overcome this drawback, this article presents an improved free space algorithm based on map decomposition with multiple connected domains and artificial bee colony algorithm. First, a decomposition algorithm of single-connected concave polygon is introduced based on the principle of concave polygon convex decomposition. Any map without obstacle is taken as single-connected concave polygon (the convex polygon map can be seen as already decomposed and will not be discussed here). Single concave polygon can be decomposed into convex polygons by connecting concave points with their visible vertex. Second, decomposition algorithm for multi-connected concave polygon (any map with obstacles) is designed. It can be converted into single-connected concave polygon by excluding obstacles using virtual links. The map can be decomposed into several convex polygons which form multiple connected domains. Third, artificial bee colony algorithm is used to search the optimal path in all the connected domains so as to avoid falling into the local minimum. Numerical simulations and comparisons with existing free space algorithm and rapidly exploring random tree star algorithm are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The results show that this method is able to find the optimal path with high computational efficiency and accuracy. It has advantages especially for complex maps. Furthermore, parameter sensitivity analysis is provided and the suggested values for parameters are given.
Anatomy of Ankle Syndesmotic Ligaments: A Systematic Review of Cadaveric Studies
Authors: Anand Prakash Akilesh
Published: January 2020

Diagnosis and management of isolated syndesmotic injuries are controversial and highly debated. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore and gain the current understanding pertaining to detailed anatomy of syndesmotic ligaments through a systematic review of published cadaveric studies. A systematic review was conducted online for literature published in English using PubMed and Google Scholar, as per PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, up to April 30, 2019. Predefined eligibility criteria were applied, and the data thus compiled was analyzed. Study quality was assessed based on Quality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies (QUACS) scale. A total of 12 studies reporting 365 ankles were included in this review. Considerable inconsistency in the naming and description of syndesmotic ligaments was observed, with only 2 studies reporting the vasculature of the ligaments. Hence further investigation of the anatomy of the syndesmotic ligaments is recommended so as to better inform clinical practice, as awareness of anatomy is critical for assessment, healing, and successful surgical management.

Levels of Evidence: Level III: Systematic review of anatomical dissections
Dexamethasone Addition to Popliteal Nerve Blocks: Effects on Duration of Analgesia and Incidence of Postoperative Nerve Complication
Authors: Noori Naudereh , Anand Kapil , Pfeffer Glenn , Thordarson David
Published: January 2020

Background. The purpose of this prospective, double-blinded randomized control pilot study was to evaluate the effect of adjunctive dexamethasone on analgesia duration and the incidence of postoperative neuropathic complication. Peripheral nerve blocks are an effective adjunct to decrease postoperative pain in foot and ankle surgery, and any possible modalities to augment their efficacy is of clinical utility. Methods. Patients were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 25) receiving nerve blocks of bupivacaine and epinephrine or an experimental group (n = 24) with an adjunctive 8 mg dexamethasone. The patients, surgeons, and anesthesiologists were all blinded to allocation. Patients had a minimum 1 year postoperative follow-up. Results. Forty-nine patients completed the protocol. There was no statistically significant difference in analgesia duration ( P = .38) or postoperative neuropathic complication incidence ( P = .67) between the 2 groups. Conclusions. The addition of dexamethasone to popliteal nerve blocks does not appear to affect analgesia duration or incidence of postoperative neuropathic complications. However, our study was underpowered, and we recommend a larger scale prospective study for validation.

Levels of Evidence: Level II: Prospective, randomized control pilot study
The Effects of Environmental Policy and the Perception of Electric Motorcycles on the Acceptance of Electric Motorcycles: An Empirical Study in Macau
Authors: Liu Yide , Lai Ivan Ka Wai
Published: January 2020

Air pollution is a serious environmental issue across the world and has drawn attention from researchers with different backgrounds. The carbon exhaust from gasoline vehicles is one cause of air pollution. One solution for reducing carbon emissions is to provide green vehicles, such as electric motorcycles, for drivers and passengers, which can help the sustainable development of the environment in an ecological way. This research discusses the market response to electric motorcycles in Macau by focusing on the effects of environmental policy. An environmental technology acceptance model was developed, based on which 325 valid questionnaires were collected. The research demonstrates the impact on motorcyclists’ acceptance of electric motorcycles by considering their perceptions of environmental policy, pollution reduction, the saving of energy, and driving performance; the results can lead to valuable discussions on the environment–technology–society ecosystem in further studies. The research results could help relevant government bodies to develop appropriate environmental policies to encourage motorcyclists to adopt electric motorcycles. Furthermore, the electric motorcycle industry could identify key success factors for developing or promoting electric motorcycles using the study variables.
Ambulatory Surgical Centers: Improving Quality of Operative Spine Care?
Authors: Witiw Christopher D. , Wilson Jefferson R. , Fehlings Michael G. , Traynelis Vincent C.
Published: January 2020

Study Design:

Narrative review with commentary.

Objective:

Present healthcare reform focuses on cost-optimization and quality improvement. Spine surgery has garnered particular attention; owing to its costly nature. Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC) present a potential avenue for expenditure reduction. While the economic advantage of ASCs is being defined, cost saving should not come at the expense of quality or safety.

Methods:

This narrative review focuses on current definitions, regulations, and recent medical literature pertinent to spinal surgery in the ASC setting.

Results:

The past decade witnessed a substantial rise in the proportion of certain spinal surgeries performed at ASCs. This setting is attractive from the payer perspective as remuneration rates are generally less than for equivalent hospital-based procedures. Opportunity for physician ownership and increased surgeon productivity afforded by more specialized centers make ASCs attractive from the provider perspective as well. These factors serve as extrinsic motivators which may optimize and improve quality of surgical care. Much data supports the safety of spine surgery in the ASC setting. However, health care providers and policy makers must recognize that current regulations regarding safety and quality are less than comprehensive and the data is predominately from selected case-series or comparative cohorts with inherent biases, along with ambiguities in the definition of “outpatient.”

Conclusions:

ASCs hold promise for providing safe and efficient surgical management of spinal conditions; however, as more procedures shift from the hospital to the ASC rigorous quality and safety data collection is needed to define patient appropriateness and track variability in quality-related outcomes.
Quality and Clinical Care Development in Spine Surgery—Connecting the Dots: An Expanded Clinical Narrative
Authors: Hopkins Sarah , Brune Polly , Chapman Jens R. , Horton Marc , Oskouian Rod , Patel Akshal , Moisi Marc D.
Published: January 2020

Our health care system is an evidenced-based quality-centric environment. Pursuit of quality is a process that encompasses knowledge development and care advancements through collaboration and expertise. Depicted here is the foundational knowledge, process, and contributions that hallmark successful clinical quality programs. Beginning with methodology, followed by process and form, we create the foundational knowledge and exemplars demonstrating framework and continuum of process in pursuit and attainment of successful clinical quality and care development for patients. Although our protocol has been devised for complex spine care, this could be implemented across all health care specialties to provide individualized and high-quality care for all current and future patients, all while creating a culture of accountability for physicians.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Quality and Safety
Authors: Lee Michelle S. , Grabowski Matthew M. , Habboub Ghaith , Mroz Thomas E.
Published: January 2020

As exponential expansion of computing capacity converges with unsustainable health care spending, a hopeful opportunity has emerged: the use of artificial intelligence to enhance health care quality and safety. These computer-based algorithms can perform the intricate and extremely complex mathematical operations of classification or regression on immense amounts of data to detect intricate and potentially previously unknown patterns in that data, with the end result of creating predictive models that can be utilized in clinical practice. Such models are designed to distinguish relevant from irrelevant data regarding a particular patient; choose appropriate perioperative care, intervention or surgery; predict cost of care and reimbursement; and predict future outcomes on a variety of anchored measures. If and when one is brought to fruition, an artificial intelligence platform could serve as the first legitimate clinical decision-making tool in spine care, delivering on the value equation while serving as a source for improving physician performance and promoting appropriate, efficient care in this era of financial uncertainty in health care.
Effect of fiber architecture on the residual strength of laminate glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites after impact
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Hongying , Feng Haoyu , Hu Miao , Chen Zishan
Published: January 2020

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites are widely applied in automotive and shipbuilding industry. However, impact damage is unavoidable to the composites during production or service, and the evaluation of performance degradation after impact is necessary. The architecture of the fiber preform shows significant influence on the impact damage behavior of GFRP. The present work focused on the influence of preform structure on damage evolution and residual load-bearing capability of the composites. The microstructure and the residual strength after the impact of GFRP with plain-weave preform structure and cross-ply preform structure have been investigated, respectively. The low velocity impact primarily caused matrix cracking and delamination, but unobvious fiber failure to GFRP. More impact-damaged plies were detected in cross-ply composites than plain-weave composites after impact. It indicated that plain-weave preform structure owes better impact damage shielding capability. However, the GFRP with plain-weave preform structure exhibited better impact resistant ability under low impact energy but less residual strength under high impact energy, compared with the GFRP with cross-ply preform structure. The interaction between the warp and weft fibers made the plain-weave composites absorbing more energy in a single ply, which was the reason for the plain-weave composites to exhibit excellent damage shielding performance but poor residual strength under high impact energy.
Polymeric nanocomposites reinforced with nanowhiskers: Design, development, and emerging applications
Authors: Kausar Ayesha
Published: January 2020

This article provides insights into nanowhisker nanofiller particles, different categories of polymer/nanowhisker nanocomposites, and broad span of applications. Nanowhiskers are hierarchical needle-like elementary crystallites, often used as nanofillers in polymers. Cellulose, chitin, zinc oxide, fullerene, and aluminum nitride-based nanowhiskers have been employed in matrices. Inclusion of organic and inorganic nanowhiskers in polymers has enhanced thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, water resistance, and other physical properties of nanocomposites. Polymer/nanowhisker nanocomposites have found technical applications in supercapacitors, sensors, anticorrosion agents, antibacterial agents, and drug delivery systems. Future research directions for potential applications rely on material design, nanowhisker functionalization, better dispersion, better reinforcement, and better processing techniques.
An Interprofessional Approach to Targeted Sonography Training Using Computer-Based Simulation in Medical Students’ Clinical Training: A Case Series
Authors: Mohammad Sundus H. , Evans Kevin D. , Bahner David , Sommerich Carolyn M.
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Document a feasibility study of an interprofessional approach to targeted sonography training (TST) for medical students, incorporating computer-based simulation (CBS).

Procedure:

Three participants received TST on the abdominal aorta from credentialed sonographers using CBS. Training included didactic instruction, skill demonstration, debrief, and feedback. An assessment template was developed to assess students’ skills and provide structured feedback. Students completed a feedback survey on the learning process that followed the training.

Results:

Students’ template scores were similar, despite varying prior exposure to CBS. The importance of deliberate practice, direct feedback when a student is struggling, and a debrief session following skill demonstration was evident in this study. Students agreed that this targeted instructional process provided a low-pressure environment where they could learn from mistakes and improve their confidence.

Conclusion:

This case series demonstrated how readily a TST session can be accomplished using computer-based simulation and the value of structured feedback.