bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psoriasis: IL-17A-Inhibitor zeigt gute Langzeitwirksamkeit
Authors: Kirsten Natalia
Published: February 2020

Background: Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes IL-17A, has been shown to have significant efficacy and a favourable safety profile in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of secukinumab through 5 years of treatment in moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Methods: In the core SCULPTURE study, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 responders at Week 12 continued receiving subcutaneous secukinumab until Year 1. Thereafter, patients entered the extension phase and continued treatment as per the core trial. Treatment was double-blinded until the end of Year 3 and open-label from Year 4. Here, we focus on the 300 mg fixed-interval (every 4 weeks) treatment, the recommended per label dose. Efficacy data are primarily reported as observed, but multiple imputation (MI) and last observation carried forward (LOCF) techniques were also undertaken as supportive analyses. Results: At Year 1, 168 patients entered the extension study and at the end of Year 5, 126 patients completed 300 mg (every 4 weeks) treatment. PASI 75/90/100 responses at Year 1 (88.9%, 68.5% and 43.8%, respectively) were sustained to Year 5 (88.5%, 66.4% and 41%). PASI responses were consistent regardless of the analysis undertaken (as observed, MI, or LOCF). The average improvement in mean PASI was approximately 90% through 5 years compared with core study baseline. DLQI (dermatology life quality index) 0/1 response also sustained through 5 years (72.7% at Year 1 and 65.5% at Year 5). The safety profile of secukinumab remained favourable, with no cumulative or unexpected safety concerns identified. Conclusion: Secukinumab 300 mg treatment delivered high and sustained levels of skin clearance and improved quality of life through 5 years in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Favourable safety established in the secukinumab phase 2/3 programme was maintained through 5 years.
Feasibility and Safety of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Recurrent Rectal Lesions that after Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery: A Case Series
Authors: Ikezawa Nobuaki , Toyonaga Takashi , Tanaka Shinwa , Nakano Yoshiko , Ishida Tsukasa , Yoshihara Tomoatsu , Uraoka Masanao , Morita Yoshinori , Suzuki Noriko , Haji Amyn , Kodama Yuzo
Published: February 2020

Objectives: Recently, several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for residual or locally recurrent colorectal lesions after endoscopic treatment. However, the feasibility of ESD for recurrent rectal lesions after transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) has not been fully investigated. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of ESD for recurrent rectal lesions after TEM. Methods: The treatment outcomes of 10 lesions in 9 patients, who underwent ESD between January 2006 and March 2018 for recurrent rectal lesions after transanal endoscopic microsurgery, were evaluated. Results: All lesions were successfully resected en bloc, and the R0 resection rate was 90%. The median size of the resected specimens and lesions (range) was 44 mm (21–70) and 27.5 mm (5–60), respectively. The pathological diagnoses included 4 adenomas and 6 cancerous lesions. The cancerous lesions included 5 cases of mucosal cancer and 1 case of superficial submucosal invasive cancer (depth of submucosal invasion <1,000 μm from the muscularis mucosae). No adverse events occurred. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusions: ESD for recurrent rectal lesions after TEM by expert’s hands appears to be safe and feasible.
Percent Absent End-Diastolic Velocity in the Umbilical Artery and Donor Twin Demise after Laser Surgery for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: Purnell Margaret E. , Chon Andrew H. , Korst Lisa M. , Llanes Arlyn , Grubbs Brendan H. , Chmait Ramen H.
Published: February 2020

Introduction: To examine the association of preoperative absent end-diastolic velocity (AEDV) and percent AEDV (%AEDV) in the umbilical artery (UA) with donor twin intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) after laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Methods: We performed a retrospective study of stage III/IV TTTS patients who underwent laser surgery from 2006 to 2016. Donors were classified as having preoperative persistent AEDV (yes/no). %AEDV was calculated for those with AEDV as 100× the proportion of the total cardiac cycle in AEDV. Using multiple logistic regression, we tested for an association between the outcome donor IUFD and AEDV risk factors (part 1) and %AEDV (part 2). We stratified these analyses by estimated fetal weight (EFW) discordance ≥20 versus <20%. Results: Of 344 cases, 153 (44.5%) donors had AEDV. Part 1 did not confirm an independent association between AEDV and donor IUFD. In the part 2 analysis of the 153 patients with AEDV, %AEDV was a positive risk factor for donor IUFD only in those with discordance (n = 129) (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.08, p = 0.0278) when adjusting for %EFW discordance, presence of arterioarterial anastomoses, and multiparity. Discussion: Among stage III/IV TTTS patients with AEDV, %AEDV was a risk factor for donor IUFD only in the presence of EFW discordance.
Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score and Carcinoembryonic Antigen Predict Poor Prognosis in Elderly Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Numata Koji , Ono Yukari , Toda Soji , Kamioka Yuto , Suematsu Hideaki , Sawazaki Sho , Tsuchida Kazuhito , Higuchi Akio , Saeki Hiroyuki , Rino Yasushi , Masuda Munetaka , Matsukawa Hiroshi
Published: February 2020

Objective: To investigate the prognostic values of the preoperative modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) alone and combined in elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) planning to receive curative surgery. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 130 elderly patients (aged ≥80 years) with CRC who received curative surgery between 2008 and 2016. The preoperative mGPS and CEA levels were calculated. Results: Elevated preoperative mGPS or CEA level was significantly associated with shorter relapse-free survival (p = 0.005, both) and cancer-specific survival (p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively). Combined use of these two factors improved the predictive accuracy for tumor recurrence relative to that of either factor. Conclusion: Both mGPS and CEA were independent prognostic factors of CRC in elderly patients receiving curative surgery, but their combination was more accurate.
Coffee Consumption, Alcohol Use, and Cigarette Smoking as Determinants of Serum Total and HDL Cholesterol in Two Serbian Cohorts of the Seven Countries Study
Authors: Jansen Désirée F. , Nedeljkovic Srecko , Feskens Edith J.M. , Ostojic Miodrag C. , Grujic Miodrag Z. , Bloemberg Bennie P.M. , Kromhout Daan
Published: February 2020

The associations between serum total and HDL cholesterol and three lifestyle factors—consumption of Turkish coffee, consumption of alcohol, and cigarette smoking—were examined in two Serbian cohorts of the Seven Countries Study. In 1988 and 1989, 319 men from Zrenjanin and Belgrade, 65 to 84 years old and free of myocardial infarction, participated. The men from Zrenjanin were originally working in a large cooperative, and the men from Belgrade were faculty members of the university. HDL cholesterol, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking were significantly higher in Zrenjanin than in Belgrade. Serum total cholesterol levels and coffee consumption were not different. ANCOVA showed that serum total cholesterol levels were 8.2% higher
(P<.05)
in men consuming two small cups of coffee per day compared with abstainers, and this was also seen after adjustment for cigarette smoking, age, body mass index, cohort, and alcohol consumption. In men consuming one or more alcoholic drinks per day (more than 10 g/d alcohol), HDL cholesterol levels were increased by 0.19 mmol/L (15.4%) compared with men consuming no alcohol
(P<.001)
. This association was stronger in the Zrenjanin cohort than in the Belgrade cohort
(P<.05)
. Smoking was not associated with total cholesterol or with HDL cholesterol levels. In Serbian men, boiled Turkish coffee and alcohol consumption are independently associated with serum total and HDL cholesterol levels, respectively.

(Arterioscler Thromb Vase Biol.
1995;15:1793-1797.)
B6.Rag1 Knockout Mice Generated at the Jackson Laboratory in 2009 Show a Robust Wild-Type Hypertensive Phenotype in Response to Ang II (Angiotensin II)
Authors: Seniuk Anika , Thiele Jonas L. , Stubbe Andra , Oser Philipp , Rosendahl Alva , Bode Marlies , Meyer-Schwesinger Catherine , Wenzel Ulrich O. , Ehmke Heimo
Published: February 2020

A key finding supporting a causal role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of hypertension is the observation that
RAG1
knockout mice on a C57Bl/6J background (B6.Rag1
−/
−
), which lack functional B and T cells, develop a much milder hypertensive response to Ang II (angiotensin II) than control C57Bl/6J mice. Here, we report that we never observed any Ang II resistance of B6.Rag1
−/−
mice purchased directly from the Jackson Laboratory as early as 2009. B6.Rag1
−/−
mice displayed nearly identical blood pressure increases monitored via radiotelemetry and hypertensive end-organ damage in response to different doses of Ang II and different levels of salt intake (0.02%, 0.3%, and 3% NaCl diet). Similarly, restoration of T-cell immunity by adoptive cell transfer did not affect the blood pressure response to Ang II in B6.Rag1
−/−
mice. Full development of the hypertension-resistant phenotype in B6.Rag1
−/−
mice appears to depend on the action of yet unidentified nongenetic modifiers in addition to the absence of functional T cells.
Differential DNA Methylation in Placenta Associated With Maternal Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Authors: Workalemahu Tsegaselassie , Ouidir Marion , Shrestha Deepika , Wu Jing , Grantz Katherine L. , Tekola-Ayele Fasil
Published: February 2020

Abnormal blood pressure during pregnancy is associated with impaired fetal growth, predisposing the offspring to cardiometabolic abnormalities over the life-course. Placental DNA methylation may be the regulatory pathway through which maternal blood pressure influences fetal and adult health outcomes. Epigenome-wide association study of 301 participants with placenta sample examined associations between DNA methylation and millimetre of mercury increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in each trimester. Findings were further examined using gene expression, gene pathway, and functional annotation analyses. Cytosine-(phosphate)-guanine (CpGs) known to be associated with cardiometabolic traits were evaluated. Increased maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure were associated with methylation of 3 CpGs in the first, 6 CpGs in the second, and 15 CpGs in the third trimester at 5% false discovery rate (
P
values ranging from 6.6×10
−15
to 2.3×10
−7
). Several CpGs were enriched in pathways including cardiovascular-metabolic development (
P
=1.0×10
−45
). Increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure were associated with increased CpG methylation and gene expression at
COL12A1
, a collagen family gene known for regulatory functions in the heart. Out of 304 previously reported CpGs known to be associated with cardiometabolic traits, 36 placental CpGs were associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in our data. The present study provides the first evidence for associations between placental DNA methylation and increased maternal blood pressure during pregnancy at genes implicated in cardiometabolic diseases. Identification of blood pressure-associated methylated sites in the placenta may provide clues to early origins of cardiometabolic dysfunction and inform guidelines for early prevention.

Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00912132.
Association Between High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin and Risk of Stroke in 96 702 Individuals
Authors: Broersen Leonie H.A. , Stengl Helena , Nolte Christian H. , Westermann Dirk , Endres Matthias , Siegerink Bob , Scheitz Jan F.
Published: February 2020

Background and Purpose—

Our study aim was to estimate risk of incident stroke based on levels of hs-cTn (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin), a specific biomarker indicating myocardial injury, in the general population, patients with atrial fibrillation, and patients with previous stroke.

Methods—

Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched until March 14, 2019 to identify relevant articles. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies assessing the risk of incident stroke based on hs-cTn were eligible. Pooled adjusted hazard ratios including 95% CI were calculated using a random-effects model due to study heterogeneity per population, coding of hs-cTn (categorical/continuous data), per hs-cTn subunit (T or I), for low risk of bias, and for all-cause and ischemic stroke separately.

Results—

We included 17 articles with 96 702 participants. In studies conducted in the general population (n=12; 77 780 participants), the pooled adjusted hazard ratio for incident stroke was 1.25 (CI, 1.10–1.40) for high versus low hs-cTn (as defined by included studies) during an average follow-up of 1 to 20 years (median 10). When categorical data were used, this was increased to 1.58 (CI, 1.26–1.90). The results were robust when accounting for stroke classification (all-cause stroke/ischemic stroke), hs-cTn subunit, risk of bias, and coding of hs-cTn. In patients with atrial fibrillation (4 studies; 18 725 participants), the pooled adjusted hazard ratio for incident stroke was 1.95 (CI, 1.29–2.62) for high versus low hs-cTn. Due to lack of data (one study, 197 participants), no meta-analysis could be performed in patients with previous stroke.

Conclusions—

This meta-analysis suggests that hs-cTn can be regarded as a risk marker for incident stroke, with different effect size in different subgroups. More research about the association between hs-cTn and incident stroke in high-risk populations is needed, especially in patients with history of ischemic stroke.
A New Aerophilic Neidium Pfister (Neidiaceae, Bacillariophyta) species from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

Authors: LIU YAN , KOCIOLEK JOHN PATRICK , LIU QI , TAN XIANG , FAN YAWEN
Published: February 2020

A new Neidium species was observed from a wet-wall in Shiwan Mountains National Forest Park, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in the Southwest of China. This region of China has not had much previous attention focused on the biodiversity of freshwater algae. The new species, Neidium convolutum Y.Liu & Kociolek, is very distinctive compared with other known Neidium species, having torsion of the valves along the apical axis, large linear valves with wedge-shaped apices, oblique striae and volate occlusions in the areolae. We present a formal description of this species based on both light and scanning electron microscopic observations, and compare it with other, morphologically-similar species.
Intensity Change of Typhoon Nancy (1961) during Landfall in a Moist Environment over Japan: A Numerical Simulation with Spectral Nudging
Authors: Tsujino Satoki , Tsuboki Kazuhisa
Published: February 2020

Intensity change of tropical cyclones (TCs) as they make landfall is closely linked to sustained periods of high surface winds and heavy precipitation. Few studies have investigated the intensity change of intense TCs that make landfall in middle latitudes such as Japan because few intense typhoons make landfall in middle latitudes. In this study, a numerical simulation of intense Typhoon Nancy (1961) was used to understand the intensity change that occurred when Nancy made landfall in Japan. A spectral nudging technique was introduced to reduce track errors in the simulation. During landfall, the simulated storm exhibited the salient asymmetric structure and rapid eyewall contraction. A tangential wind budget indicated that the maximum wind speed decreased concurrent with an increase in surface friction and advection associated with low-level asymmetric flows. Detailed evolution of the storm’s warm core was analyzed with a potential temperature budget. In the upper part of the warm core centered at a 12-km height, cooling due to ventilation by asymmetric flows and longwave radiation overcame heating due to condensation and shortwave radiation during the contraction of eyewall clouds. In the lower part of the warm core, adiabatic cooling more than offset warm-air intrusions associated with asymmetric flows and condensational heating. The condensation was supplied by an abundance of moisture due to evaporation from the ocean in the well-developed typhoon based on a moisture budget. Sensitivity experiments revealed that environmental baroclinicity in the midlatitudes, orography, and radiative processes made minor contributions to the weakening. The weakening was instead controlled by inner-core dynamics and interactions with land surfaces.
Comforting Versus Distressing Dreams of the Deceased: Relations to Grief, Trauma, Attachment, Continuing Bonds, and Post-Dream Reactions
Authors: Black Joshua , Belicki Kathryn , Piro Robert , Hughes Hannah
Published: February 2020

Why are some dreams of the deceased experienced as comforting, while others are distressing? We propose that there are different types of dreams serving diverse functions. In particular, we considered three: processing trauma, maintaining a continuing bond, and regulating emotion. We also examined the impact of post-dream reactions on the bereaved’s experience of their dreams. Participants were 216 individuals whose romantic partner or spouse had died. They provided reports of dreams of the deceased that were content analyzed and completed measures of grief intensity, posttraumatic symptoms, attachment style, internalized versus externalized continuing bonds, as well as questions about the death, and ratings of how they experienced the dream after awakening. Support was found for the three proposed functions, suggesting dreams of the deceased can actively facilitate adjustment to bereavement. In addition, there was evidence that post-dream reactions can impact both the perception of the dream and grief.
Non-linear filtering for bilinear stochastic differential systems: A Stratonovich perspective
Authors: Rathore Sandhya , Sharma Shambhu N , Bhatt Dhruvi , Nagarsheth Shaival
Published: February 2020

Bilinear stochastic differential equations have found applications to model turbulence in autonomous systems as well as switching uncertainty in non-linear dynamic circuits. In signal processing and control literature, bilinear stochastic differential equations are ubiquitous, since they capture non-linear qualitative characteristics of dynamic systems as well as offer closed-form solutions. The novelties of the paper are two: we weave bilinear filtering for the Stratonovich stochasticity. Then this paper unfolds the usefulness of bilinear filtering for switched dynamic systems. First, the Stratonovich stochasticity is embedded into a vector ‘bilinear’ time-varying stochastic differential equations. Then, coupled non-linear filtering equations are achieved. Finally, the non-linear filtering results are applied to an appealing bilinear stochastic Ćuk converter circuit. This paper also encompasses a system of coupled bilinear filtering equations for the vector input Brownian motion case. This paper brings the notions of systems theory, that is, bilinearity, Stratonovich stochasticity, non-linear filtering techniques and switched electrical networks together. Numerical simulation results are presented to demonstrate that the proposed bilinear filter can achieve much better and accurate filtering performance than the conventional Extended Kalman Filter (EKF).
Evaluation method for resource potential of shale oil in the Triassic Yanchang Formation of the Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Guo Qiulin , Chen Xiaoming , Liuzhuang Xiaoxue , Yang Zhi , Zheng Man , Chen Ningsheng , Mi Jingkui
Published: February 2020

The widely distributed, thick Chang 7 Shale is the richest shale oil formation in China. A calculation method for the evaporative hydrocarbon recovery coefficient based on formation volume factor is proposed considering the correction of heterogeneity-based total organic carbon differences to improve the adsorbed oil calculation method, and light hydrocarbon evaporative sampling losses, which can make mobile and total oil calculations more accurate. The adsorbed oil, S1 evaporative loss, total oil yield, and movable oil yield of 200 shale samples from the Chang 7 Member were calculated using the new methods. Results show that S1 evaporative loss accounts for 29% of S1, total oil yield is 3.5 times S1, and movable oil yield accounts for 37% of total oil yield. Based on the calculated total oil yield and movable oil yield results, the relationships among total oil yield, movable oil yield, and total organic carbon of the Chang 7 were established yielding total oil yield and movable oil yield estimates of 11.12 × 109 t and 4.01 × 109 t, respectively, revealing its tremendous shale exploration potential.
Effects of pressure garment on spasticity and function of the arm in the early stages after stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ooi Hwa Kee , Chai Siaw Chui , Kadar Masne
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To investigate the effects of pressure (Lycra) garment on the spasticity and function of the arm in the early stages after stroke.

Design:

A randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Occupational therapy unit of a public hospital.

Subjects:

A total of 46 adults with stroke.

Intervention:

After random assignment, for six weeks, both intervention group and control group received a 2 hour/week conventional occupational therapy program, with the intervention group receiving an extra 6 hour/day pressure garment application (long glove).

Main Measures:

Modified Modified Ashworth Scale, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure, and Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test. Eligibility measures: Mini Mental State Examination and Modified Modified Ashworth Scale. Assessments were performed at baseline and six weeks postintervention.

Results:

There were 21 participants with the mean age of 51.19 (8.28) years in the intervention group and 22 participants with the mean (SD) age of 52.82 (8.71) years in the control group. The intervention group had median (interquartile range (IQR)) post-stroke duration of 1 (1) month, while for the control group, they were 2 (2) months. There was no difference in spasticity, and both perceived and actual arm functions between the groups at six weeks after baseline.

Conclusion:

Wearing a pressure garment on the arm for 6 hours daily had no effect in controlling spasticity or on improving arm function in the early stages after stroke.
Mind the Gap: Strategies to Bridge the Research-to-Practice Divide in Early Intervention Caregiver Coaching Practices
Authors: Romano Mollie , Schnurr Melissa
Published: February 2020

While caregiver coaching approaches in early intervention have a comprehensive literature base, the field continues to experience a research-to-practice gap in the implementation of capacity-building coaching approaches. We examined the caregiver coaching divide and identified strategies for researchers and Part C programs to bridge the gap so that all families benefit from a capacity-building approach during this critical developmental period of the child’s life. Using available evidence and implementation science frameworks, we suggest five actionable strategies for research and practice teams.
The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with breast density and breast cancer survival: the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study
Authors: Sartor Hanna , Brandt Jasmine , Grassmann Felix , Eriksson Mikael , Czene Kamila , Melander Olle , Zackrisson Sophia
Published: February 2020

Background

Genetic factors are important in determining breast density, and heritable factors account for 60% of the variation. Certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with density and risk of breast cancer but the association with prognosis is not clear.

Purpose

To investigate associations between selected SNPs and breast cancer survival in the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (MDCS).

Material and Methods

A total of 724 unrelated women with breast cancer and registered radiological and pathological data were identified in MDCS 1991–2007, with genotyping available for 672 women. Associations among 15 SNPs, density, and breast cancer-specific survival were analyzed using logistic/Cox regression, adjusted for factors affecting density and survival. Variants significantly associated with either density or survival were validated in a large independent breast cancer cohort (LIBRO-1).

Results

Minor homozygotes of SNPs rs9383589, CCDC170 and rs6557161, ESR1 were associated with high breast density (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 8.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–59.57; AOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.19–3.65, respectively) and poorer breast cancer survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj] 6.46, 95% CI 1.95–21.39; HRadj 2.30, 95% CI 1.33–3.96, respectively) compared to major homozygotes. For SNP rs3757318, ESR1, minor homozygotes (HRadj 7.46, 95% CI 2.28–24.45) were associated with poorer survival. We confirmed that rs6557161, ESR1 was significantly associated with both density and survival in the LIBRO-1 study.

Conclusion

These findings support a shared genetic basis for density and breast cancer survival. The SNP significantly associated with both density and survival in both cohorts may be of interest in future research investigating polygenic risk scores for breast cancer risk and screening stratification purposes.
The effects of timbre on absolute pitch judgment
Authors: Li Xiaonuo
Published: February 2020

This article reports the high prevalence of Absolute Pitch (AP) among students at Shanghai Conservatory of Music and explores the effects of timbre on AP judgment through a large-scale direct-test study. This study used two types of timbres (piano timbre and string timbre) to explore the correlation between the different types of timbre and note-naming accuracy. The participants included 71 undergraduate students majoring in piano and string at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, who had begun musical training at an age ⩽ 9 and focused on Western tonal music. The main results showed that the overall performance levels were very high and that the students scored 73% correct without semitone errors and 80% with semitone errors. All groups exhibited higher performance in judging pitches in piano timbre than string timbre. In addition, after listening to piano timbre, the accuracy in judging pitches in string timbre was significantly increased, and after listening to string timbre, the accuracy in judging pitches in piano timbre decreased but not significantly.
A review of implantable pulsatile blood pumps: Engineering perspectives
Authors: Wu Tingting , Khir Ashraf W , Kütting Maximilian , Du Xinli , Lin Hao , Zhu Yuxin , Hsu Po-Lin
Published: February 2020

It has been reported that long-term use of continuous-flow mechanical circulatory support devices (CF-MCSDs) may induce complications associated with diminished pulsatility. Pulsatile-flow mechanical circulatory support devices (PF-MCSDs) have the potential of overcoming these shortcomings with the advance of technology. In order to promote in-depth understanding of PF-MCSD technology and thus encourage future mechanical circulatory support device innovations, engineering perspectives of PF-MCSD systems, including mechanical designs, drive mechanisms, working principles, and implantation strategies, are reviewed in this article. Some emerging designs of PF-MCSDs are introduced, and possible elements for next-generation PF-MCSDs are identified.
Who Governs in the Council? Determinants of Ministerial Participation in Council Meetings
Authors: Kovář Jan , Kovář Kamil
Published: February 2020

The Council of the EU is the primary institution through which ministers of member states can express their positions on Commission proposals and vote upon legislation. This article first examines the extent to which ministers actually attend Council meetings before moving toward investigating the determinants of ministerial participation in over a period covering almost thirteen years between May 2004 and December 2016. It aims to identify determinants of why ministers from the Visegrad countries participate at some meetings and are absent from others. Using an original data set containing information about 940 Council meetings as well as several country-specific characteristics, we show that, on average, at about four out of every six meetings, ministers are absent. The results of our regressions indicate a pattern in which holding the office of the EU’s rotating presidency, the number of b-points on the agenda, and the size of the government increase the likelihood of ministerial participation in meetings. In contrast, high levels of popular support for Eurosceptic parties and holding of national legislative elections decrease the probability of ministerial attendance. Moreover, meetings of Council formations related to policy areas with a low level of EU competence are significantly less likely to be attended by ministers.
Improved performance of a nanorefrigerant-based vapor compression refrigeration system: A new alternative
Authors: Kundan Lal , Singh Kuljeet
Published: February 2020

An attempt has been made to improve the heat transfer characteristics of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle using nanorefrigerant (R134a and Al2O3, size 20 nm). The performance parameters such as, coefficient of performance, cooling capacity, energy consumption, and temperature drop across condenser and evaporator have been investigated and analyzed. This has been done by varying the mass fraction of nanoparticles of Al2O3 (0.5–1 wt%) and the flow rate of nanorefrigerant. The investigation has been carried out using three types of nanorefrigerants, i.e. pure R134a, R134a+Al2O3 (0.5 wt%), and R134a+Al2O3 (1 wt%) at flow rates of 6.5 L/h and 11 L/h, respectively. The coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system using 0.5% of Al2O3 (wt%) is found to be improving with volume flow rates of nanorefrigerant, i.e. 7.20% for 6.5 L/h and 16.34% for 11 L/h. The use of nanorefrigerant (R134a+Al2O3) has also resulted in a significant increase in the cooling capacity of the refrigeration system. A substantial drop in the temperature across the condenser (3.0–23.77%), and gain in temperature across the evaporator (4.69–39.30%) is also observed for the refrigeration system under investigation.
Elastic–plastic damage prediction in notched epoxy resin specimens under mixed mode I/II loading using two virtual linear elastic failure criteria
Authors: Rahimi AS , Ayatollahi MR , Torabi AR
Published: February 2020

Elastic–plastic damage of a ductile epoxy resin is investigated for the first time in the configuration of semicircular bend specimen weakened by U-shaped notches under mixed mode I/II loading conditions. U-notched specimens are prepared from the characterized epoxy material with different notch rotation angles and notch tip radii. Load-carrying capacities of the U-notched specimens are experimentally obtained by performing fracture tests under various combinations of mode I and mode II loading. The reformulated Equivalent Material Concept is employed for the polymeric material in conjunction with the maximum tangential stress and mean stress criteria to provide the theoretical predictions without any necessity for elastic–plastic analyses of their damage. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs are also taken from the fracture surfaces and utilized for realizing the micromechanical processes of damage in the tested specimens. A very good consistency is found between the experimental results and the predictions of the combined Equivalent Material Concept-maximum tangential stress criterion, as well as those of the Equivalent Material Concept-mean stress criterion.
Reasons for Divorce in Turkey and the Characteristics of Divorced Families: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Coşkun Sibel , Sarlak Deniz
Published: February 2020

Turkey is a country where, between Eeastern and Wwestern culture, recently divorce rates are increasing. This study was conducted to investigate the reasons for divorce and the characteristics of families who appealed for divorce. In this study, the divorce court cases filed in 2010 were examined as retrospective. Three hundred thirty-six case files could be accessed and content analysis was done. The findings showed that 60.1% of all appeals were made by women, and the marriage duration of 41.9% of couples was between 1 and 6 years. The reasons were determined that 48.4% of cases were fighting/conflict, 38.7% were psychological violence, 19.4% were financial problems, 18.5% were nonmarital relationships, and 12.9% were alcohol/drug abuse. The custody of 69.1% of children below age 18 was given to the mother. However, only half of these mothers received alimony. As a consequence, violence continues to be an important reason in divorce, and family counseling services should be more effective in Turkey. This study will contribute to understand the causes of increasing divorces and to development of family counseling services.
Measuring Values at Work: Extending Existing Frameworks to the Context of Work
Authors: Albrecht Simon , Marty Andrew , Brandon-Jones Nicholas J.
Published: February 2020

Personal values have been shown to be associated with a range of important psychological experiences, attitudes, and behaviors. Researchers and practitioners have, however, called for additional models and measures of employee values, specific to the context of work. Drawing from Schwartz’s extensively studied model of personal values, this study aimed to develop a scale that researchers and practitioners can use to measure individual work values. Data from 2,968 participants who were currently working or had previous work experience were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. An 11-factor model, aligning closely with Schwartz’s original personal values framework, yielded good fit. Furthermore, the 11 newly developed work values correlated significantly with Schwartz’s generalized values, and multidimensional scaling broadly supported a configuration consistent with that previously proposed for general values. Overall, the research makes a contribution by extending Schwartz’s extensively validated personal values framework to the context of work. The results support the psychometrics of a new measure of work values that will enable valid and reliable assessment of the important influence that work values can have on individual, team, and organizational outcomes. Practical implications, research limitations, and proposed future research directions are discussed.
Using Complete Enumeration to Derive “One-Size-Fits-All” Versus “Subgroup-Specific” Diagnostic Rules for Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Boness Cassandra L. , Loeffelman Jordan E. , Steinley Douglas , Trull Timothy , Sher Kenneth J.
Published: February 2020

The use of fixed diagnostic rules, whereby the same diagnostic algorithms are applied across all individuals regardless of personal attributes, has been the tradition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This practice of “averaging” across individuals inevitably introduces diagnostic error. Furthermore, these average rules are typically derived through expert consensus rather than through data-driven approaches. Utilizing National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2013 ( N = 23, 889), we examined whether subgroup-specific, “customized” alcohol use disorder diagnostic rules, derived using deterministic optimization, perform better than an average, “one-size-fits-all” diagnostic rule. The average solution for the full sample included a set size of six and diagnostic threshold of three. Subgroups had widely varying set sizes ( M = 6.870; range = 5-10) with less varying thresholds ( M = 2.70; range = 2-4). External validation verified that the customized algorithms performed as well, and sometimes better than, the average solution in the prediction of relevant correlates. However, the average solution still performed adequately with respect to external validators.
Do Private Regulations Ratchet Up? How to Distinguish Types of Regulatory Stringency and Patterns of Change
Authors: Judge-Lord Devin , McDermott Constance L. , Cashore Benjamin
Published: February 2020

Due to inconsistent concepts of regulatory stringency, scholars offer conflicting accounts about whether competing private governance initiatives “race to the bottom,” “ratchet up,” “converge,” or “diverge.” To remedy this, we offer a framework for more systematic comparisons across programs and over time. We distinguish three often-conflated measures of stringency: regulatory scope, prescriptiveness, and performance levels. Applying this framework, we compare competing U.S. forestry certification programs, one founded by environmental activists and their allies, the other by the national industry association. We find ‘upwardly divergent’ policy prescriptiveness: both programs increased in prescriptiveness, but this increase was greater for the activist-backed program. Furthermore, requirements added by the activist-backed program were more likely to impose costs on firms than requirements added by the industry-backed program, many of which may even benefit firms. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that industry-backed programs emphasize less costly types of stringency than activist-backed programs. They also reveal patterns of change that previous scholarship failed to anticipate, illustrating how disentangling types of stringency can improve theory building and testing.
Bipolar hemiarthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty in femoral neck fracture patients: results from Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register
Authors: Stucinskas Justinas , Grigaitis Kazimieras , Smailys Alfredas , Robertsson Otto , Tarasevicius Sarunas
Published: February 2020

Introduction:

Elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures (FNF) are usually operated with arthroplasty but with various combinations of implants and approaches. Thus, the optimal treatment is still controversial. We aimed to compare the results between the cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients operated for FNF regarding revision rate at 1 year postoperatively.

Methods:

The data were derived from the Lithuanian Arthroplasty Register. We included patients operated with cemented bipolar HA and compared them to the most frequently used cemented THA with 28-mm head during 2011–2016. For survival analysis, we used both revision for all reasons and for dislocations as an endpoint. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the influence of covariates (age groups, gender, surgical approaches and arthroplasty groups).

Results:

There were 1177 bipolar HA and 514 THA included in our study. 26 (2.2%) revisions had occurred among the bipolar HAs as compared to 25 (4.9%) among the THAs 1 year after surgery. The main reason for revision was dislocation. The unadjusted cumulative revision rate for any reason at 1 year after surgery was 2.4% for the bipolar HA group and 5.1% for the THA group ( p  = 0.0054). Cox regression analysis showed that the use of bipolar HA, anterolateral approach and younger age groups had lower risk of revision for all reasons.

Conclusion:

Bipolar HA and anterolateral approach had a significantly lower overall 1-year risk of revision in femoral neck fracture patients as compared to THA with 28-mm femoral heads.
The Concept of Vulnerability in Mental Health Research: A Mixed Methods Study on Researcher Perspectives
Authors: Lajoie Corinne , Poleksic Jelena , Bracken-Roche Dearbhail , MacDonald Mary Ellen , Racine Eric
Published: February 2020

The concept of vulnerability plays a central role in research ethics in signaling that certain research participants warrant more careful consideration because their risk of harm is heightened due to their participation in research. Despite scholarly debates, the descriptive and normative meanings ascribed to the concept have remained disengaged from the perspective of users of the concept and those concerned by its use. In this study, we report a survey- and interview-based investigation of mental health researcher perspectives on vulnerability. We found that autonomy-based understandings of vulnerability were predominant but that other understandings coexisted, reflecting considerable pluralism. A wide range of challenges were associated with this concept, and further training was recommended by researchers.
A low-cost autonomous navigation system for a quadrotor in complex outdoor environments
Authors: Wang Hanzhang , Liu Yisha
Published: February 2020

In this article, we design a low-cost navigation system for a quadrotor working in unknown outdoor environments. To reduce the computing burden of the quadrotor, we build a separated system and transfer the computing resources from onboard side to ground station side. Both sides’ communication is guaranteed by 5G wireless networks. We utilize a stereo camera to acquire point clouds and build Octomap for the quadrotor’s navigation. Then, the trajectory is generated in two stages. In the first stage, a modified RRT*-CONNECT algorithm is adopted to generate a set of collision-free waypoints. In the second stage, a curve fitting algorithm is utilized to get a smooth piecewise Bezier trajectory. The advantage of the proposed method is to optimize the path into a safe, smooth, and dynamically feasible trajectory in real time. The modules of the state estimation, dense mapping, and motion planning are integrated into a DJI Matrice 100 quadrotor. Finally, simulation and experiments are both conducted to show the validity and practicality of our method.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Warnings: Policing Women’s Behavior Distorts Science
Authors: Killian Caitlin , Thomas Emma M.
Published: February 2020

This article focuses on the recent resurgence of concerns regarding fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warning even women not trying to conceive to abstain from alcohol completely if not using contraceptives, and a medical article covered by the New York Times that claims that rates of FAS are much higher than previously thought, have reignited anxiety over FAS, even though there remains substantial gray area in the relationship between alcohol and pregnancy outcomes. Not only is there scant evidence that less than a drink a day affects offspring, and none that an occasional drink during pregnancy has any effect, even among alcoholic women, FAS is more than 10 times more likely to strike the children of poor alcoholics than those of higher means who drink excessively. We explore why researchers, physicians, and public health officials continue to hyperbolize the effects of drinking alcohol leading to recommendations that target not just alcoholic women, but all women, pregnant or not. Building on past authors’ suspicion of previous overblown cautioning about FAS, we do in-depth tracing of the bibliographic lineage of these warnings, highlighting the problems with the medical researchers’ and health agencies’ recommendations including extending the scope of the problem and relying on misleading statistics. We argue that while policing women’s bodies to insure compliance with “proper” feminine behavior is an ongoing phenomenon, these new attacks on women’s autonomy veiled in scientific language must be unmasked and challenged.
Downregulation of LncRNA OIP5-AS1 Induced by IL-1β Aggravates Osteoarthritis via Regulating miR-29b-3p/PGRN
Authors: Zhi Liqiang , Zhao Jianwu , Zhao Hongmou , Qing Zhong , Liu Hongliang , Ma Jianbing
Published: February 2020

Background

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) OIP5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) is an oncogenic lncRNA; however, its role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathology still remains unknown.

Materials and Methods

qRT-PCR was performed to measure the expressions of OIP5-AS1, miR-29b-3p and progranulin (PGRN) mRNA in OA cartilage tissues and normal cartilage tissues. Chondrocyte cell lines, CHON-001 and ATDC5, were treated with different doses of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to induce the inflammatory response. Overexpression plasmids, microRNA mimics, microRNA inhibitors and small interfering RNAs were constructed and transfected into CHON-001 and ATDC5 cells. CCK-8 assay was used for determining the cell viability and Transwell assay was used for monitoring cell migration. Western blot was applied to measure the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the contents of inflammatory factors. StarBase and TargetScan were used to predict the binding sites between OIP5-AS1 and miR-29b-3p, miR-29b-3p and 3′-UTR of PGRN respectively, which were verified by dual luciferase reporter assay.

Results

OIP5-AS1 and PGRN mRNA were downregulated while miR-29b-3p was upregulated in OA tissues and models. The up-regulated OIP5-AS1 facilitated the proliferation and migration of CHON-001 and ATDC5 cells, while ameliorated the apoptosis and inflammatory response. However, miR-29b-3p had opposite effects. PGRN was identified as a target gene of miR-29b-3p, which could be indirectly suppressed by OIP5-AS1 knockdown.

Conclusion

Downregulation of OIP5-AS1 induced by IL-1β could inhibit the proliferation and migration abilities of CHON-001 and ATDC5 cells and facilitate the apoptosis and inflammation response via regulating miR-29b-3p/PGRN axis.
CT-guided drainage of a brainstem abscess in a cat as an emergency treatment procedure
Authors: Bersan Erika , Maddox Thomas , Walmsley Gemma , Piviani Martina , Burrow Rachel
Published: February 2020

Case summary

A 3-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented with a 1-week progressive and rapidly deteriorating history of lethargy and abnormal behaviour. Neurolocalisation indicated multifocal intracranial lesions (right oculomotor nerve, brainstem [obtundation, non-ambulatory tetraparesis, vestibular dysfunction and intermittent decerebrate rigidity] and possibly the thalamus [left-sided pleurothotonus]), or more likely a single brainstem lesion with mass effect. MRI of the brain demonstrated a brainstem abscess causing severe dorsal displacement particularly affecting the pons and the medulla oblongata causing cerebellar vermis herniation through the foramen magnum. CT-guided free-hand technique drainage of the brain abscess was performed and broad spectrum antibiotics were started based on sensitivity results. The cat recovered uneventfully from anaesthesia displaying marked improvement immediately after the procedure. Antibiotics were continued for 8 months; repeat imaging prior to withdrawal found complete resolution of the brainstem abscess.

Relevance and novel information

Free-hand CT-guided drainage of a brainstem abscess is not without risk; however, in this case it led to significant clinical improvement and stabilisation likely owing to reduced intracranial pressure. It also provided a diagnostic sample that allowed successful medical treatment planning and outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the successful management of a brainstem abscess by CT-guided drainage in the veterinary literature. It suggests that stereotactic drainage followed by medical therapy can be considered a successful therapeutic alternative to brain surgery or medical treatment alone, providing an emergency treatment in cases of acute brainstem dysfunction.