bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of the performance of the mixed flow and radial flow variable geometry turbines for an automotive turbocharger
Authors: Ramesh K , Prasad BVSSS , Sridhara K
Published: September 2018

A new design of a mixed flow variable geometry turbine is developed for the turbocharger used in diesel engines having the cylinder capacity from 1.0 to 1.5 L. An equivalent size radial flow variable geometry turbine is considered as the reference for the purpose of bench-marking. For both the radial and mixed flow turbines, turbocharger components are manufactured and a test rig is developed with them to carry out performance analysis. Steady-state turbine experiments are conducted with various openings of the nozzle vanes, turbine speeds, and expansion ratios. Typical performance parameters like turbine mass flow parameter, combined turbine efficiency, velocity ratio, and specific speed are compared for both mixed flow variable geometry turbine and radial flow variable geometry turbine. The typical value of combined turbine efficiency (defined as the product of isentropic efficiency and the mechanical efficiency) of the mixed flow variable geometry turbine is found to be about 25% higher than the radial flow variable geometry turbine at the same mass flow parameter of 1425 kg/s √K/bar m2 at an expansion ratio of 1.5. The velocity ratios at which the maximum combined turbine efficiency occurs are 0.78 and 0.825 for the mixed flow variable geometry turbine and radial flow variable geometry turbine, respectively. The values of turbine specific speed for the mixed flow variable geometry turbine and radial flow variable geometry turbine respectively are 0.88 and 0.73.
New projection of GHG reduction potentials for Korea’s cement industry and comparison with Roadmap 2030
Authors: Kim Nayeah , Hwang Yun Seop , Ho Hwang Mun
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study is to forecast the greenhouse gas reduction potential of Korea’s cement industry by applying the latest data and new reduction methods and compare them with the previously imposed reduction target, 7.1% of Roadmap 2030. The greenhouse gas emissions are estimated on two different parts of fuel combustion and industrial process emissions, and the Reference Energy System is formed based on the cement production processes in 2015. Estimated clinker productions and energy consumptions are applied to develop the BAU scenario, and the MESSAGE model is used for the reduction scenario analysis. The reduction scenarios include raw material substitution, fuel substitution, and waste heat recovery power generation. Greenhouse gas emissions of 33,775 thousand tCO2e are estimated in the BAU scenario and greenhouse gas emissions after reduction are forecasted to be 31,626 thousand tCO2e, decreased 6.4% compared to the BAU scenario. The reduction rates are expected to be 5.3% in raw material substitution, 2.9% in waste heat recovery power generation, 0.7% in fuel substitution, and 0.1% in equipment energy efficiency. Thus, we propose that raw material substitution and waste heat recovery power generation are actively utilized, to review the existing greenhouse gas reduction method and develop the new technologies and to build a cooperation system between government and industry based on mutual trust.
A novel approach to selecting classification types for time-dependent covariates in the marginal analysis of longitudinal data
Authors: Chen I-Chen , Westgate Philip M
Published: September 2018

Generalized estimating equations are routinely utilized for the marginal analysis of longitudinal data. In order to obtain consistent regression parameter estimates, these estimating equations must be unbiased. However, when certain types of time-dependent covariates are presented, these equations can be biased unless the working independence structure is used. Unfortunately, regression parameter estimation can be very inefficient with this structure because not all valid moment conditions are incorporated within the corresponding equations. Therefore, approaches have been proposed to utilize all valid moment conditions. However, these approaches assume that the data analyst knows the type of time-dependent covariate, although this likely is not the case in practice. Whereas hypothesis testing has been used to determine covariate type, we propose a novel strategy to select a working covariate type in order to avoid potentially high type II error rates with these hypothesis testing procedures. Parameter estimates resulting from our proposed method are consistent and have overall improved mean squared error relative to hypothesis testing approaches. Existing and proposed methods are compared in a simulation study and application example.
A review and empirical comparison of causal inference methods for clustered observational data with application to the evaluation of the effectiveness of medical devices
Authors: Cafri Guy , Wang Wei , Chan Priscilla H , Austin Peter C
Published: September 2018

Observational studies are commonplace in medicine. A frequent concern is confounding bias due to differences in patient characteristics across treatment groups, but other important issues include dependency among observations nested within clusters (e.g. patients clustered within physicians or surgeons) and confounding due to cluster characteristics (e.g. physician or surgeon experience or training). Given the frequency with which these issues arise in medical research, as well as their relative complexity, methods for the analysis of clustered observational data are reviewed. We argue for estimating causal treatment effects using marginal models that either match or weight observations using a suitable distance metric (e.g. the propensity score). Simulation results demonstrated that methods incorporating clustering into calculation of the variance were generally more accurate than those that did not. Moreover, methods that account for cluster confounding when estimating the treatment effect were least biased and most accurate. Throughout the paper we illustrate the proposed methods in a medical device setting that compares the effectiveness of femoral heads used in total hip replacements. Whenever possible the clustered aspect of the data should be considered in the design of the study when constructing the distance measure or in the matching process, as well as in the analysis when estimating the variance of the treatment effect.
Applied Implications of Understanding the Natural Development of Effortful Control
Authors: Durbin C. Emily
Published: September 2018

Effortful control (EC) is an important target for many interventions intended to facilitate positive psychosocial outcomes. The first wave of these efforts has emphasized adult-to-child instruction and individualized practice of target skills. Future tests of these ideas will be facilitated by efforts to critically evaluate and improve the construct validity of EC measures. New avenues for these applied approaches will also grow out of a more complete understanding of the processes that govern EC development. Specifically, I argue that the natural development of EC includes important roles for contextual and peer relationship factors that have yet to be capitalized on in efforts to increase EC in children.
The influence of individualistic and collectivistic morality on dementia care choices
Authors: Hanssen Ingrid , Tran Phuong Thai Minh
Published: September 2018

Background:

If collectivistic-oriented family carers choose professional care for dependents with dementia, they risk being stigmatised as failing their obligation. This may influence dementia care choices.

Research question:

How may individualistic and collectivistic values influence choices in dementia care?

Method:

Qualitative design with in-depth interviews with a total of 29 nurses, 13 family members in Norway and the Balkans and 3 Norwegian dementia care coordinators. A hermeneutic content-focused analysis was used.

Ethical considerations:

Ethical approval was obtained from the Regional Ethics Committee for Research, South-Eastern Norway, and the nursing homes’ leadership.

Findings:

Family domain reasons why institutionalisation of dependents with dementia was seen as a last resort: obligation towards family members, particularly parents; worry about other family members’ reactions and inability to cope with the care for the person with dementia. Social domain reasons: feelings of shame and stigma regarding dementia, particularly in connection with institutionalisation of family members.

Discussion:

Children’s obligation towards their parents is an important aspect of the morality of collectivistic societies. Institutionalising parents with dementia may cause feelings of guilt and shame and worry about being stigmatised and ostracised. To avoid blame and rejection, caregiver(s) try to keep the fact that family members have dementia ‘in the family’. The decision to accept professional healthcare for dependents with severe dementia or have them admitted to a geriatric institution was postponed as long as possible.

Conclusion:

Family care morality may constitute a significant barrier against seeking professional help for persons with dementia, a barrier based on the expectation that the family will care for their old, even when suffering from severe dementia. Hence, stigma and shame may significantly affect the provision of care. Culturally tailored information may encourage family carers to seek professional help before the disruptive influence of the disease makes institutionalisation the only feasible option.
Embryonal central nervous system tumor in the brain of a goose
Authors: McHale Brittany , Armién Anibal G. , Clarke Lorelei L. , Rissi Daniel R.
Published: September 2018

Embryonal central nervous system (CNS) tumor is a rare malignant neoplasm that arises from the neural crest. Herein we describe an embryonal tumor in the brain of an adult male domestic goose ( Anser anser) that was euthanized after a short history of wandering and lethargy. Grossly, a focal, bright-red, soft plaque was present on the ventral aspect of the brain, extending from the optic chiasm to the midbrain, as well as into the dorsal neuroparenchyma. Histologically, the nodule consisted of a poorly demarcated population of neoplastic cells arranged in streams and bundles, and occasionally palisading around small capillaries (pseudorosettes). Neoplastic cells were elongate and had scant, finely granular, eosinophilic cytoplasm, and elongate nuclei with dense chromatin. Mitoses were uncommon. Scattered foci of intratumoral necrosis and microvascular proliferation were present. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for doublecortin and neuronal nuclei. Ultrastructurally, neoplastic cells had elongated-to-polyhedral cytoplasm with short processes, scarce intermediate filaments, and small round mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The cell membrane had varied numbers of intercellular anchoring-like junctions, and nuclei were round-to-elongate and had marginal aggregates of heterochromatin. Morphologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings in our case are consistent with a poorly differentiated embryonal tumor.
The Effectiveness of Interventions for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chan Ko Ling , Chen Mengtong , Lo Kin Ming Camilla , Chen Qiqi , Kelley Susan J. , Ip Patrick
Published: September 2018

Purpose:

The research objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention programs that aim to enhance the well-being of grandparent caregivers and the developmental outcomes of grandchildren and identify useful program components.

Method:

Relevant studies were identified via comprehensive literature searches of electronic databases. A random effects model was used to calculate effect sizes.

Results:

We included 20 studies published in and before April 2018. Our review indicates that interventions for grandparent caregivers have positive effects in regard to various well-being outcomes. Small to moderate effect sizes for increases in social support and parenting skills and a decrease in children’s behavioral problems were found. Supportive and educational components could contribute to a promising intervention.

Conclusions:

The implementation of interventions for grandparents requires ongoing research efforts to obtain high-quality evidence for program effectiveness. We suggest future research be conducted to develop tailored interventions to meet the needs of different grandparent caregivers.
Managing the complexity of new product development project from the perspectives of customer needs and entropy
Authors: Yang Qing , Shan Chen , Jiang Bin , Yang Na , Yao Tao
Published: September 2018

To successfully develop a complex product, a firm must answer two critical questions: how to “develop the right product” and how to “develop the product right.” Motivated by the real practice of Xiaomi’s new product development (NPD) projects, this article responds to these calls in the following ways. To design the right product, using an enhanced PageRank algorithm to investigate customer needs, NPD managers can select appropriate function modules of the new product to meet customers’ demand. To develop the new product in the right way, NPD managers should optimize the NPD organization. This article applies the multi-domain matrix (MDM) to identify the technical coordination dependency strength among different teams and then to measure the NPD organization’s complexity according to its entropy. By proposing the External Entropy of Cluster (EEC) and Internal Entropy of Cluster (IEC), we develop an entropy-based two-stage clustering criterion of design structure matrix ( DSM) to optimize the NPD organization. The first-stage clustering criterion maximizes the added average dependency strength of DSM, and the second-stage clustering criterion minimizes the Weighted Total Entropy, including the IEC and EEC. An industrial example is provided to illustrate the proposed model. The results indicate that the clustered DSM can reduce the organization’s complexity.
TRENDS: How Does Partisanship Influence Policy Diffusion?
Authors: Butler Daniel M. , Pereira Miguel M.
Published: September 2018

We explore the role of partisanship in policy diffusion. Previous studies suggest that partisanship may influence the willingness of public officials to learn from the experience of their peers. Officials’ willingness to consider policies endorsed by copartisans can arise either because party labels are used as informational cues or simply due to copartisan imitation. In the latter case, knowing more about the policy trade-offs should have no effects on politicians’ preferences. Based on two experiments with local public officials where both the party endorsing a policy and the type of information provided were manipulated, we find consistent partisan bias. When a policy is endorsed by copartisans, public officials are more likely to consider pursuing it, and additional policy information does not mitigate this bias. Exploratory analyses of the information-seeking behavior of officials suggest that the partisan bias is not due to differential exposure or attention to policy trade-offs.
Community Interest Congruence
Authors: Rennebohm Samuel B. , Caris Melissa , Seebeck Jyssica , Thoburn John W.
Published: September 2018

Attachment has been shown to play a significant role in adult romantic relationships, and there is substantial evidence supporting the use of attachment-based interventions with couples. Prevailing conceptualizations of dyadic functioning often incorporate biological and psychological factors, such as attachment, but often limit their scope of social factors to the dyad itself. Such conceptualizations do not attend to the relationship between couples and their wider community. Awareness of social and community values is much more common in individual therapy but has not been integrated into couple’s work. In this article, we propose a biopsychosocial foundation for viewing the relationship between couples and their wider community through the lens of attachment, in which securely attached couples are more likely to have community interest congruence and insecurely attached couples are more likely to experience incongruence. Translating this theoretical foundation into practice, we also propose a stepwise approach for integrating community interest work into the established framework of emotionally focused therapy with couples.
Manufacturing Consent: Rereading News on Four Climate Summits (2000-2012)
Authors: Pepermans Yves , Maeseele Pieter
Published: September 2018

This article examines if and how news media contribute to manufacturing consent by disabling ideological disagreement about established social structures underlying climate disruption. A critical discourse analysis reveals three discursive constructions emerging in two Belgian elite newspapers and one alternative news site during four climate summits (2000-2012). Despite advocating different policy approaches based on opposing ideological preferences, the newspapers were found to manufacture consent about these preferences by relying on depoliticizing discursive strategies. Only during Conferences of the Parties 18, ideological disagreement about alternative policy frameworks was enabled in the alternative news site and opinionated sections of one newspaper, by relying on politicizing strategies.
Developing recommendations for the safe handling of oral anti-cancer drugs in community pharmacies: A pan-Canadian consensus approach
Authors: Vu Kathy , Emberley Philip , Brown Erika , Abbott Rick , Bates Justin , Bourrier Venetia , Djordjevic Kathryn , Greenall Julie , Leung Mova , Pasetka Mark , Paquet Louise , Logan Heather
Published: September 2018

Purpose

To create a set of consensus-based and evidence-informed recommendations to provide guidance around the safe dispensing and handling of oral anti-cancer drugs in low-volume settings unique to the community pharmacy setting.

Methods

A review of published and grey literature (published in non-commercial domains such as national organizations and associations) documents and nine key informant interviews were conducted and a modified Delphi approach was taken to achieve consensus. The final list of 47 candidate recommendations was reviewed by a task force and validated by multi-disciplinary stakeholders. A draft of the statements was circulated broadly within the community pharmacy community in an effort to assess relevance and implementation feasibility.

Results

The final report included 44 recommendations that addressed 11 key areas germane to the safe handling of oral anti-cancer drugs in community pharmacies. Mean agreement increased from 70% to 95%. Early feedback from community pharmacy leaders during the external review suggests that many of the proposed recommendations can be feasibly implemented within a reasonable timeframe when released with appropriate education and resource materials.

Conclusions

A modified-Delphi approach supplemented by key informant interviews and a comprehensive external review resulted in a set of evidence-informed, community-driven recommendations for community pharmacies. The recommendations address a gap in existing literature to improve understanding of the risks associated with handling and dispensing oral anti-cancer drugs for both community pharmacy staff and management and offer mitigating strategies to reduce those risks. Incorporating feasibility assessment actions early (through the key informant interviews) and late (through the external review) ensures recommendations are grounded in practicality and support broad and early knowledge translation strategies.
Role of Parent Affective Behaviors and Child Negativity in Behavioral Functioning for Young Children With Developmental Delays
Authors: Rispoli Kristin M.
Published: September 2018

This study examined individual and interactive effects of child negativity and parental affective behaviors when children were 4 years of age on externalizing issues exhibited by children at 5 years of age using a subsample of children with developmental delays drawn from a nationally representative data set ( N = 450). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to address research questions. Results indicated that negativity displayed by parents when children were 4 years of age was associated with more externalizing issues when children reached age 5. Interactions between parent and child affective behaviors did not significantly explain additional variance in the model, though there was a trend in which parent and child negativity interacted to predict children’s 5-year externalizing issues. Findings suggest interventions targeting emotional regulation in preschool-age children with developmental delays should target child and parent affective expression, and equip parents with skills to manage negative emotion.
Efficacy of addition of nepafenac 0.1% to steroid eye drops in prevention of post-phaco macular edema in high-risk eyes
Authors: El Gharbawy Shahenda A , Darwish Essam A , Abu Eleinen Khaled G , Osman Moataz Hamed
Published: September 2018

Purpose:

To compare the efficacy of addition of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops to steroidal eye drops with that of using postoperative steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops alone in prevention of macular edema in high-risk patients.

Setting:

Cairo University Hospital.

Design:

This study was comparative prospective interventional randomized study.

Methods:

This study included 100 cataractous eyes divided into five subgroups: 20 eyes of diabetic patients, 20 uveitic eyes, 20 traumatic cataracts, 20 glaucomatous eyes on topical prostaglandin analogs, and 20 eyes with posterior capsular rupture during phacoemulsification. Each subgroup of 20 was randomized between two groups of 10 eyes, group A received postoperative topical steroids alone and group B received both steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Results:

There was significant increase in postoperative central foveal thickness as compared to preoperative values in both groups (60.9 ± 87.95 µ in group A and 25.52 ± 57.26 µ in group B) that was significantly more in group A (P value 0.016). There was significant difference in postoperative macular thickness between both groups (280.1 ± 86.0 µ and 246.80 ± 57.73 µ, respectively, in groups A and B) (P value = 0.012). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in preoperative and postoperative corrected distance visual acuity and intraocular pressure.

Conclusion:

Addition of topical nepafenac eye drops to topical steroid drops significantly reduced the amount of pseudophakic macular edema after cataract surgery in high-risk eyes.
Post-Brexit EU/UK security cooperation: NATO, CSDP+, or ‘French connection’?
Authors: Martill Benjamin , Sus Monika
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this article is to understand the EU/UK security relationship after Brexit and the institutional form(s) it may take. Taking stock of the literature on the consequences of Brexit for European foreign affairs, this article employs a question-driven approach to examine uncertainties regarding the future EU/UK security relationship. These questions relate in particular to the United Kingdom’s commitment to European security after Brexit, the nature of post-Brexit developments within the Union, and the European Union’s willingness to afford the United Kingdom a substantial role after withdrawal. This article examines each of these questions in turn, before considering the viability of three frequently mooted institutional arrangements post-Brexit: UK participation in the CSDP as a third country; increased engagement with NATO that becomes the main platform for cooperation between the United Kingdom and the European Union; and the enhancement of bilateral ties between the United Kingdom and key European allies – especially France.
Structural damage detection via combining weighted strategy with trace Lasso
Authors: Chen Chengbin , Pan Chudong , Chen Zepeng , Yu Ling
Published: September 2018

With the rapid development of computation technologies, swarm intelligence–based algorithms become an innovative technique used for addressing structural damage detection issues, but traditional swarm intelligence–based structural damage detection methods often face with insufficient detection accuracy and lower robustness to noise. As an exploring attempt, a novel structural damage detection method is proposed to tackle the above deficiency via combining weighted strategy with trace least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso). First, an objective function is defined for the structural damage detection optimization problem by using structural modal parameters; a weighted strategy and the trace Lasso are also involved into the objection function. A novel antlion optimizer algorithm is then employed as a solution solver to the structural damage detection optimization problem. To assess the capability of the proposed structural damage detection method, two numerical simulations and a series of laboratory experiments are performed, and a comparative study on effects of different parameters, such as weighted coefficients, regularization parameters and damage patterns, on the proposed structural damage detection methods are also carried out. Illustrated results show that the proposed structural damage detection method via combining weighted strategy with trace Lasso is able to accurately locate structural damages and quantify damage severities of structures.
Efficacy and safety of inhaled low-dose methoxyflurane for acute paediatric pain: A systematic review
Authors: Hartshorn Stuart , Middleton Paul M
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Undertreatment of acute, moderate-to-severe pain in children is common, due in part to barriers to the use of opioids. Low-dose methoxyflurane is an inhaled, non-opioid analgesic widely used in Australia and recently approved in Europe for the emergency relief of acute moderate-to-severe trauma pain in adults.

Methods

Using an integrative review framework, we conducted a literature analysis to examine the potential utility of methoxyflurane in children with acute pain. EMBASE®, MEDLINE® and PubMed were searched (criteria included ‘methoxyflurane’ ‘child*’ or ‘adolescent’ or ‘pediatr*’ or ‘paediatr*’) from January 2000 to October 2017, along with internet-based sources to identify relevant grey literature (no predefined search criteria). A series of investigative questions were developed regarding the safety and efficacy of methoxyflurane in this setting and addressed using evidence collated from the identified studies.

Results

Of 366 results from the literature searches, 6 clinical trials and observational studies were identified which explored the safety and/or efficacy of inhaled methoxyflurane in individuals < 18 years in either a clinical trial or observational study. All six studies concluded that methoxyflurane provides effective and rapid analgesia for paediatric acute moderate-to-severe pain. Methoxyflurane was well tolerated and associated with good levels of patient/healthcare provider satisfaction in this setting.

Conclusions

While large-scale studies are needed to better inform treatment approaches for paediatric use, inhaled methoxyflurane has potential to provide easy to administer, needle-free analgesia with a rapid onset and good safety profile.
A fresh start for screening under the Habitats Regulations: Case c-323/17 People Over Wind, Peter Sweetman v Coillte Teoranta [2018] Ecr I-244
Authors: Broadbent Richard , Caine Catherine Ann
Published: September 2018

For over twenty-five years, the courts have been delivering judgments that shape and refine the requirements of the Habitats Directive. The recent CJEU judgment of People Over Wind, Peter Sweetman v Coillte Teoranta [2018] ECR I-244 provides further clarification that will keep developers and decision-makers on their toes. In the judgment delivered in April 2018, the sole question for the court was whether, or in what circumstances, mitigation measures can be considered when carrying out screening for appropriate assessment under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive? The court’s response to this question is significant. In a confident judgment, it was held that mitigation measures cannot be considered when carrying out screening for appropriate assessment. This case note provides a detailed overview of the judgment, followed by an analysis of the extent to which the decision is consistent with existing case law authority in England. Finally, this commentary concludes with a consideration of the potential implications that the ruling may have on developers and decision-makers.
Child welfare inequalities in the four nations of the UK
Authors: Bywaters Paul , Scourfield Jonathan , Jones Chantel , Sparks Tim , Elliott Martin , Hooper Jade , McCartan Claire , Shapira Marina , Bunting Lisa , Daniel Brigid
Published: September 2018

Comparative international data on patterns of inequality in child welfare interventions, for example, the proportion of children about whom there are substantiated child protection concerns or who are in out-of-home care, are far less developed than data about inequalities in health. Few countries collect reliable, comprehensive information and definitions, methods of data collection and analysis are rarely consistent. The four UK countries (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) provide a potential ‘natural experiment’ for comparing intervention patterns. This study reports on a large quantitative, descriptive study focusing on children in contact with children’s services on a single date in 2015. It found that children’s chances of receiving a child protection intervention were related to family socio-economic circumstances, measured by neighbourhood deprivation, within all four countries. There was a strong social gradient which was significantly steeper in some countries than others. Ethnicity was another important factor underlying inequalities. While inequalities in patterns of intervention between the four countries were considerable, they did not mirror relative levels of deprivation in the child population. Inequalities in intervention rates result from a combination of demand and supply factors. The level and extent of inequity raise profound ethical, economic and practical challenges to those involved in child protection, the wider society and the state.
A novel measure to analyse the reliability of LED luminaires
Authors: Padmasali AN , Kini SG
Published: September 2018

LED luminaires are the most promising lighting solutions for general lighting in the current era due to their durability and lower power consumption. Reliability of LED luminaires is dependent on the electrolytic capacitor at the output stage of the LED driver as this is the weakest link failing the luminaire. So, it is required to develop a general measure to understand the effect of capacitance on the drive current and thus on the light output to analyse the reliability of the LED luminaire. To investigate the effect of capacitance and equivalent series resistance (ESR), a capacitor bank setup is developed, with values ranging from 0.017 μF to 860 μF. Six LED luminaires of different ratings and manufacturers are selected and drive current, and lumen output for each is studied. Based on the drive current ripple patterns observed, capacitors are classified into two classes, and also percentage flicker is determined. As driver capacitors decide the amount of ripple in the output current, a generalised measure of capacitance and ESR limit is established for the LED luminaire to work reliably. The work also helps in formulating metrics for determining the service life of an LED luminaire accurately.
Emerging PET Radiotracers and Targets for Imaging of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Outlook Beyond TSPO
Authors: Narayanaswami Vidya , Dahl Kenneth , Bernard-Gauthier Vadim , Josephson Lee , Cumming Paul , Vasdev Neil
Published: September 2018

The dynamic and multicellular processes of neuroinflammation are mediated by the nonneuronal cells of the central nervous system, which include astrocytes and the brain’s resident macrophages, microglia. Although initiation of an inflammatory response may be beneficial in response to injury of the nervous system, chronic or maladaptive neuroinflammation can have harmful outcomes in many neurological diseases. An acute neuroinflammatory response is protective when activated neuroglia facilitate tissue repair by releasing anti-inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophic factors. On the other hand, chronic neuroglial activation is a major pathological mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases, likely contributing to neuronal dysfunction, injury, and disease progression. Therefore, the development of specific and sensitive probes for positron emission tomography (PET) studies of neuroinflammation is attracting immense scientific and clinical interest. An early phase of this research emphasized PET studies of the prototypical imaging biomarker of glial activation, translocator protein-18 kDa (TSPO), which presents difficulties for quantitation and lacks absolute cellular specificity. Many alternate molecular targets present themselves for PET imaging of neuroinflammation in vivo, including enzymes, intracellular signaling molecules as well as ionotropic, G-protein coupled, and immunoglobulin receptors. We now review the lead structures in radiotracer development for PET studies of neuroinflammation targets for neurodegenerative diseases extending beyond TSPO, including glycogen synthase kinase 3, monoamine oxidase-B, reactive oxygen species, imidazoline-2 binding sites, cyclooxygenase, the phospholipase A2/arachidonic acid pathway, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1, cannabinoid-2 receptor, the chemokine receptor CX3CR1, purinergic receptors: P2X7 and P2Y12, the receptor for advanced glycation end products, Mer tyrosine kinase, and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1. We provide a brief overview of the cellular expression and function of these targets, noting their selectivity for astrocytes and/or microglia, and highlight the classes of PET radiotracers that have been investigated in early-stage preclinical or clinical research studies of neuroinflammation.
Marching Forward: The Music Education Innovation and Legacy of James R. Wells (1931 – )
Authors: Brumbach Glen A.
Published: September 2018

James R. Wells, retired professor of West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania, could be considered one of the most influential and innovative band directors of the late twentieth century. Wells influenced and mentored many current leaders in the music education field as well as created educational music programs that continue today. In the 2016–2017 school year, Wells’s ensemble music adjudication festival programs involved more than 220,000 students. To gain further insight into the origin and development of these leaders and programs, I conducted an oral history case study with Wells. I collected interviews, e-mail correspondence, and artifacts provided by former students and colleagues of Wells’s to provide additional facts and corroborate Wells’s memories. Results demonstrated Wells incorporated comprehensive musicianship and aesthetic education in marching band pedagogy, professional development and educational experiences for music educators through films, workshops, and adjudicated festivals. He also empowered student leadership and promoted gender equality in instrumental ensembles. Knowledge gained from this study provides insight into the origin of these important music education individuals and programs. I hope that the findings in this study serve as an inspiration to future music educators as they continue to improve and create new experiences and opportunities for students.
Global Trends and Prostate Cancer: A Review of Incidence, Detection, and Mortality as Influenced by Race, Ethnicity, and Geographic Location
Authors: Taitt Harold Evelyn
Published: September 2018

Although research has reported that prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality rates are among the highest for African Americans, the data is inconclusive regarding PCa rates in native African men, Black men residing in other countries, and men in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Data reveals that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and disease incidence have risen significantly in developing and Asian countries, and PCa has become one of the leading male cancers in many of those nations.

The objective of this study was to review published peer-reviewed studies that address PCa in different regions of the world to get a better understanding of how PCa incidence, prevalence, detection, and mortality are influenced by race, ethnicity, and geography. A secondary goal was to compare PCa data from various world regions to contextualize how disproportionate the incidence and mortality rates are among men from the African diaspora versus men of European, Hispanic, and Asian descent, as well as to highlight the need for more robust screening and treatment guidelines in developing countries.

There are differences in incidence and mortality rates between men of African, Asian, Hispanic, and European ancestry, confirming the involvement of genetic factors. However, differences between men of the same race and ethnicity who live in different countries suggest that environmental factors may also be implicated. Availability and access to diagnostic and health-care services as well as recommendations regarding PCa testing vary from country to country and contribute to the variability in incidence and mortality rates.
An experimental study of the optimal design parameters of a wind power tower used to improve the performance of vertical axis wind turbines
Authors: Cho Soo-Yong , Choi Sang-Kyu , Kim Jin-Gyun , Cho Chong-Hyun
Published: September 2018

In order to augment the performance of vertical axis wind turbines, wind power towers have been used because they increase the frontal area. Typically, the wind power tower is installed as a circular column around a vertical axis wind turbine because the vertical axis wind turbine should be operated in an omnidirectional wind. As a result, the performance of the vertical axis wind turbine depends on the design parameters of the wind power tower. An experimental study was conducted in a wind tunnel to investigate the optimal design parameters of the wind power tower. Three different sizes of guide walls were applied to test with various wind power tower design parameters. The tested vertical axis wind turbine consisted of three blades of the NACA0018 profile and its solidity was 0.5. In order to simulate the operation in omnidirectional winds, the wind power tower was fabricated to be rotated. The performance of the vertical axis wind turbine was severely varied depending on the azimuthal location of the wind power tower. Comparison of the performance of the vertical axis wind turbine was performed based on the power coefficient obtained by averaging for the one periodic azimuth angle. The optimal design parameters were estimated using the results obtained under equal experimental conditions. When the non-dimensional inner gap was 0.3, the performance of the vertical axis wind turbine was better than any other gaps.
Study of the flow characteristics in multi-row vaned diffusers of a centrifugal compressor stage
Authors: Zhao Yanjie , Li Jingyin
Published: September 2018

The vaned diffuser has a significant impact on the performance and operating range of a centrifugal compressor stage, and multi-row vaned diffusers are applied to improve the compressor characteristics in this article. In order to validate the effectiveness of the present calculation method, the calculation results of the centrifugal compressor with the conventional diffuser have been verified by the experimental data. The simulation results reveal that, compared with the original model at design point, the isentropic efficiency increases by 2.8% and 4.1%, and the total pressure ratio increases by 1.9% and 3.4%, for the compressor stage with the two-row vaned diffuser and the three-row vaned diffuser, respectively. The models with multi-row vaned diffusers also give higher static pressure recovery coefficient and lower total pressure loss coefficient. A pressure gradient formed on vane suction surface near vane leading edge develops the flow separation in the conventional diffuser. The pressure gradient thus causes the secondary flow from hub to shroud on vane suction surface, aggravating the separation in the rear part of the conventional diffuser. The analysis of flow characteristics in diffuser passages also shows that using multi-row vaned diffusers can alleviate flow separation appearing in the diffuser passages.
Urinary fibrinogen is elevated in hospitalized patients undergoing angiography
Authors: Du Tian , Dong Honglin , Li Chunhong , Yan Sheng , Li Haifeng
Published: September 2018

Objectives

Previously, we found that urinary fibrinogen (Fg) levels were positively related to contrast-induced acute renal injury degree in mice. Reduction of fibrinogen in heterozygous mice can improve renal function. Here, we prospectively observed the variation in urinary Fg levels in patients undergoing angiography to determine the relationship between serum creatinine (Scr) and serum cystatin C (Cys C) levels.

Methods

Serum Cys C and urinary Fg levels were evaluated by ELISA before and 2, 12, and 24 h after angiography in 115 enrolled inpatients. Scr was assessed before and 24 and 48 h after angiography. Data were analyzed using ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA and Spearman correlation.

Results

Urinary Fg levels were elevated as early as 2 h after angiography and decreased thereafter before returning to baseline levels 24 h after angiography. Urinary Fg was correlated with the amount of contrast agent ( r = 0.24, p = 0.036) and the presence of diabetes and hypertension ( r = 0.31, r = 0.28, p < 0.05, respectively). Urinary Fg levels 2 h after angiography were positively related with Cys C at 12 and 24 h and Scr at 48 h after angiography ( r = 0.34, r = 0.51, r = 0.85, p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions

Our results showed that variations in urinary Fg levels are consistent with serum Cys C and Scr in patients undergoing angiography and that urinary Fg levels were the earliest parameter to become elevated. Urinary Fg should be investigated as a useful predictor for abnormal renal function after angiography.
Beyondp-values: A phase II dual-criterion design with statistical significance and clinical relevance
Authors: Roychoudhury Satrajit , Scheuer Nicolas , Neuenschwander Beat
Published: September 2018

Background

Well-designed phase II trials must have acceptable error rates relative to a pre-specified success criterion, usually a statistically significant p-value. Such standard designs may not always suffice from a clinical perspective because clinical relevance may call for more. For example, proof-of-concept in phase II often requires not only statistical significance but also a sufficiently large effect estimate.

Purpose

We propose dual-criterion designs to complement statistical significance with clinical relevance, discuss their methodology, and illustrate their implementation in phase II.

Methods

Clinical relevance requires the effect estimate to pass a clinically motivated threshold (the decision value (DV)). In contrast to standard designs, the required effect estimate is an explicit design input, whereas study power is implicit. The sample size for a dual-criterion design needs careful considerations of the study’s operating characteristics (type I error, power).

Results

Dual-criterion designs are discussed for a randomized controlled and a single-arm phase II trial, including decision criteria, sample size calculations, decisions under various data scenarios, and operating characteristics. The designs facilitate GO/NO-GO decisions due to their complementary statistical–clinical criterion.

Limitations

While conceptually simple, implementing a dual-criterion design needs care. The clinical DV must be elicited carefully in collaboration with clinicians, and understanding similarities and differences to a standard design is crucial.

Conclusion

To improve evidence-based decision-making, a formal yet transparent quantitative framework is important. Dual-criterion designs offer an appealing statistical–clinical compromise, which may be preferable to standard designs if evidence against the null hypothesis alone does not suffice for an efficacy claim.
A vanishing complication of haemodialysis: Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome
Authors: Ali Muzzammil , Bakhsh Umar
Published: September 2018

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) is a rare syndrome characterised by neurological symptoms related to cerebral oedema. New patients who are started on haemodialysis are at the greatest risk for developing dialysis disequilibrium syndrome. Classical DDS develops during or immediately after haemodialysis. It is a generally self-limiting condition and settles with supportive management. Our case report describes DDS in a patient on chronic haemodialysis. She developed a tonic-clonic seizure shortly after completing 4 h of haemodialysis. This occurred in the context of having missed one session of dialysis, but with no new changes made to her usual dialysis regime. She was managed supportively in the intensive care unit and made a full recovery.
Conceptualizing Health Promotion in Relation to Outpatient Healthcare Building Design: A Scoping Review
Authors: Miedema Elke , Lindahl Göran , Elf Marie
Published: September 2018

Objective:

This review explored different conceptualizations of health promotion in the context of, and in relation to, outpatient building design.

Background:

Today’s healthcare organizations are implementing holistic healthcare approaches such as health promotion, while simultaneously increasing their outpatient services. These health promotion approaches, focused on empowering people to take control of their health, are expected to have implications for the outpatient healthcare building design. Yet there is limited knowledge what these may be. A review of the literature on the current state of the art is thus needed to enable and support dialog on future healthcare building design.

Method:

A scoping review of 4,506 papers, collected from four databases and three scientific journals in 2015, resulted in 14 papers relating health promotion to building design and outpatient healthcare. From the subsequent content analysis, multiple common themes and subthemes emerged.

Results:

The review reveals diverse range of health promotion interpretations, three health promotion perspectives (health behavior, health equity, and sense of coherence), associated design approaches, design objectives, health-related outcomes, building features, and solutions.

Conclusions:

While diverse health promotion perspectives might merely represent variations in focus, these differences become problematic when relating to building design. To support further dialogs on development of health promotion in, and in relation to, the build environment, there is a need to strengthen the health promotion vocabulary. Further research is needed to compare different design approaches and how these can be combined to minimize contradicting implications for building design.