bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An audit of the quantity of immediate release oxycodone 5 mg tablets prescribed for discharge: an area for improved opioid stewardship?
Authors: Edmonds Michelle , Tynan Kristin , See Nicholas , Maunsell Trudy , Snoswell Centaine L.
Published: October 2020

Background

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended reduced pack sizes of oxycodone 5 mg immediate release (IR) tablets from 20 tablets per box to 10 in 2019. Queensland Health hospitals adopted this recommendation before full implementation of the PBAC requirement and restricted discharge and outpatient quantities to a maximum of 10 tablets. Examining prescribing trends in line with the altered PBAC prescribing quantities is an important component of Opioid Stewardship programs.

Aim

To review the current state of oxycodone 5 mg IR tablet quantity prescribing on discharge prior to the pack size changes.

Method

A retrospective audit on a randomised cohort of every fifth patient discharged with a prescription for oxycodone 5 mg IR tablets was undertaken at a tertiary metropolitan hospital during July 2019. Quantity supplied was reviewed based on age, indication, length of stay and opioid taking status prior to admission.

Results

141 patients were audited, representing 19% of the eligible 730 patients. Patients were prescribed a mean quantity of 13.1 oxycodone 5 mg IR tablets. The lowest quantity prescribed was three tablets, and the largest was 20 tablets. 71 (50%) patients received 10 tablets on discharge, and 51 (26%) received 20 tablets. No statistically significant difference in the quantity of tablets prescribed was found between the patient sub‐categories examined.

Conclusion

Further improvement to individualise opioid quantities on discharge is required. Consideration should be given to widen the scope of repeat audits to include a more patient‐centred approach to opioid prescribing follow up survey.
Rapid screening for hazelnut oil and high‐oleic sunflower oil in extra virgin olive oil using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry and machine learning
Authors: Hou Xuewen , Wang Guangli , Wang Xin , Ge Xinmin , Fan Yiren , Jiang Rui , Nie Shengdong
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

As extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has high commercial value, it is routinely adulterated with other oils. The present study investigated the feasibility of rapidly identifying adulterated EVOO using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) relaxometry and machine learning approaches (decision tree, K‐nearest neighbor, linear discriminant analysis, support vector machines and convolutional neural network (CNN)).

RESULTS

LF‐NMR spectroscopy effectively distinguished pure EVOO from that which was adulterated with hazelnut oil (HO) and high‐oleic sunflower oil (HOSO). The applied CNN algorithm had an accuracy of 89.29%, a precision of 81.25% and a recall of 81.25%, and enabled the rapid (2 min) discrimination of pure EVOO that was adulterated with HO and HOSO in the volumetric ratio range of 10–100%.

CONCLUSIONS

LF‐NMR coupled with the CNN algorithm is a viable candidate for rapid EVOO authentication. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Monoglyceride oleogels as fat replacers in filling creams for sandwich cookies
Authors: Palla Camila A , Wasinger María F , Carrín María E
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Many food products need to be reformulated to reduce the intake of saturated and trans fats which are considered unhealthy. In particular, the reformulation of filling creams (FCs) is challenging as these fats cannot be directly replaced with liquid oil without affecting the final product properties. This research studied the formulation and characterization of FCs for sandwich cookies using monoglyceride oleogel as fat material.

RESULTS

FC formulated with 260 g kg−1 oleogel showed viscoelastic moduli values that did not differ significantly from those measured in a filling cream of commercial sandwich cookies (FC‐CSCs) used as reference. The oil binding capacity of the FCs decreased with the increase of oleogel content. The increase of the oleogel amount in the formulation produced a decrease in hardness but an increase in adhesiveness and cohesiveness. Hardness, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness ranged from 0.66 to 3.48 N, 0.44 to 0.86 N s, and 0.07 to 0.29, respectively. When FCs were used for assembling cookies into sandwiches, an oil loss of about 9 g kg−1 FC after 21 days of storage was found in FCs containing 220 and 260 g kg−1 oleogel. The nutritional improvement due to the use of oleogel in FCs led to a reduction in saturated fatty acids between 64.5% and 35.2% and from 1.0 to 0.0% trans fatty acids in comparison with FC‐CSC.

CONCLUSION

Full fat replacement with monoglyceride oleogel in FC formulations allows the obtention of products with good quality and some similar characteristics to those obtained for FC‐CSC, with the added benefit of a healthier nutritional profile. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of cassava starch degradation using sonication process in aqueous sodium chloride
Authors: Airlangga Bramantyo , Sugianto Ayu Maulina , Parahita Ghaluh , Puspasari Febriyati , Mayangsari Novi Eka , Trisanti Prida Novarita , Sutikno Juwari Purwo , Sumarno Sumarno
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Starch degradation is an important process that can increase starch utilization in some industrial applications. In many polysaccharide compounds, the addition of salt is an alternative method to enhance the structural degradation of starch by sonication. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sonication in aqueous NaCl solution on the structural degradation of cassava starch.

RESULTS

This method produces reducing sugar which its amount is relatively smaller than the amount of total dissolved solid product. The maximum total reducing sugar (TRS) was 0.365 ± 0.005 kg m–3 (or about 7.3 mg g–1) that resulted by S50 for 60 min reaction. The increase of sonication amplitude was in line with the increase of granule defect in SEM image. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the degradation process was characterized by rupturing of the amorphous region.

CONCLUSION

The structural alteration and the increase in NaCl weight suggest that this process may become a useful method for starch modification. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Colonization of Aspergillus carbonarius and accumulation of ochratoxin A in Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca, and hybrid grapes – research on the most promising alternatives for organic viticulture
Authors: Veras Flávio Fonseca , Dachery Bruna , Manfroi Vitor , Welke Juliane Elisa
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Aspergillus carbonarius has been identified as one of the main fungi that produce ochratoxin A (OTA) in grapes. This nephrotoxic mycotoxin has been legislated against in several countries and is a major concern for viticulture. Knowledge of resistance to, or susceptibility to, colonization by A. carbonarius may be useful in selecting the most promising cultivars for organic agriculture and could help in preventing fungal contamination in vineyards. This study aimed to evaluate the colonization potential and the capacity to produce OTA by A. carbonarius in Vitis vinifera, V. labrusca, and hybrid grapes. The correlation between OTA levels and grape berry characteristics was also analyzed.

RESULTS

The OTA content was only strongly correlated with the thickness and hardness of the grape skins. The correlation between OTA levels and these parameters was negative (grapes with the least thickness and hardness had the highest OTA levels). Vitis vinifera grapes were more susceptible to A. carbonarius than V. labrusca and hybrid grapes at both 25 and 4 °C. Chardonnay (V. vinifera) grapes showed the highest levels of OTA, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, and Moscato Branco. Italia grapes were the exceptions among V. vinifera cultivars, since they showed similar thickness, hardness, and fungal resistance as the V. labrusca and hybrid grapes.

CONCLUSION

The highest resistance to A. carbonarius was observed in the following grapes: hybrids (BRS Lorena and BRS Violeta), V. labrusca (Isabel and Bordo), and V. vinifera (Italia). These cultivars can be prioritized in the implementation of organic viticulture. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The effects of nitrogen application rate on the grain physicochemical properties of japonica rice under controlled and flooding irrigation
Authors: Ning Huifeng , Sun Jingsheng , Liu Hao , Gao Yang , Shen Xiaojun , Wang Guangshuai , Zhang Kai
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

In this study, we investigated the effects of water–nitrogen interaction on the grain quality of two varieties of japonica rice grown on the North China Plain, based on evaluations of grain biochemical components, starch X‐ray diffraction properties, thermal and pasting characteristics, and particle size distribution.

RESULTS

We found that, under controlled irrigation, increasing levels of nitrogen resulted in a reduction in grain starch content and an increase in protein content. Nitrogen fertilization, irrigation, and their interaction had significant effects on the particle size and size distribution of rice flour. Under both controlled and flooding irrigation, the lowest values of pasting parameters for cultivars Xindao22 and Xindao10 were observed in response to moderate and high nitrogen application, respectively. Under flooding irrigation, Xindao22 exhibited lower mean value of gelatinization onset, peak, and conclusion temperatures and enthalpy in response to control irrigation, whereas in Xindao10 these parameters were relatively stable with respect to nitrogen and irrigation treatments. However, we observed no significant effects of either nitrogen or irrigation on amylopectin chain length distribution or starch relative crystallinity.

CONCLUSION

Nitrogen application rate and irrigation methods had distinct effects on the physicochemical properties of flour derived from treated rice plants. The findings will provide support for scientific irrigation and fertilization in order to improve rice grain quality. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Voice‐Related Quality of Life Is Associated with Postoperative Change in Subglottic Stenosis
Authors: Schuman Ari D. , Neevel Andrew , Morrison Robert J. , Hogikyan Norman D. , Kupfer Robbi A.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To characterize the impact of subglottic stenosis (SGS) on voice‐related quality of life (V‐RQOL) and quantify the effect of treatment on voice outcomes.

Study Design

Case series.

Methods

Retrospective review of SGS patients treated from 1996 to 2018 at a single institution to assess for 1) V‐RQOL association with individual patient cumulative treatment number and 2) V‐RQOL correlation with treatment type, time between treatments, and degree of stenosis. Analysis included both parametric and nonparametric statistical comparison across treatment types and multivariable and univariate linear regression.

Results

Sixty‐one patients, predominantly white (93%) and female (93%), were included. Etiology of SGS included idiopathic (61%), iatrogenic (16%), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (16%), and other (7%). The plurality of patients had four or more treatments (44%), with the remainder having one (28%), two (13%), or three treatments (15%). Analysis of change between pre‐ and postoperative V‐RQOL scores was completed for 130 treatments. These included dilation with laser incision (52%), in‐office injection (34%), dilation without division (8%), cricotracheal resection (1%), and all other treatment (8%). For every 10% improvement in airway caliber postoperatively, there was a 1.3‐point improvement in calculated V‐RQOL (r = 0.27, P = .02). After adjustment for treatment type, age, sex, and SGS etiology, this association held (beta = 1.5, P = .02). Change in V‐RQOL was not associated with treatment type, treatment number, or time between treatments.

Conclusion

Patients with subglottic stenosis who have greater degree of change in airway caliber experience greater improvement in V‐RQOL scores following treatment. V‐RQOL scores are not associated with treatment type or time between individual treatments.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:360–365, 2021
The calculation of the sum of the spaces of the K‐method of real interpolation
Authors: Berezhnoĭ Evgenii I.
Published: October 2020

It is shown that the calculation of the sum of the spaces of the K‐Peetre interpolation method can be reduced to the calculation of the sum of the cones of the concave functions included by the parameter in the definition of the spaces of the K‐Peetre interpolation method. As an example, a new extrapolation theorem for operators in Lipschitz spaces is obtained.
A New Approach to the Development of Disease‐Modifying Therapies for PD; Fighting Another Pandemic
Authors: Kieburtz Karl , Katz Russell , McGarry Andrew , Olanow C. Warren
Published: October 2020

A disease‐modifying therapy that slows disease progression and development of disability is the major unmet need in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Recent scientific advances suggest many promising and exciting new interventions. However, despite these opportunities, the cost, time and uncertainty of being able to receive an indication as a disease‐modifying therapy has caused many pharmaceutical companies to abandon development of potentially disease‐modifying drugs. We propose a new approach to development of these agents that will reduce the cost and facilitate approval of putative disease‐modifying drugs that should prove acceptable to pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A high‐gain cavity‐backed slot antenna using a perfect magnetic conductor ground plane and multilayered superstrates
Authors: Kialashaki Majid , Khaleghi Ali , Taraji Mahboubeh
Published: October 2020

This article presents a high gain cavity‐backed slot antenna using a perfect magnetic conductor (PMC) ground plane and multilayered superstrates. A textured surface of periodic pins is applied to realize a high impedance surface (HIS), which simulates a PMC ground plane. The main advantage of using this structure is to suppress the surface wave propagation, improve the input impedance matching, increase the bandwidth, control the side‐lobe levels, and also provide higher gain. Moreover, the multilayered superstrates has been used to enhance the antenna gain. The simulations and measurements for the S‐parameter, gain, and radiation patterns of the antenna are presented. The proposed cavity‐backed slot antenna offers a maximum gain of 18 dBi and an impedance bandwidth of 16.5% at 11.5 GHz.
Design of tunable power detector towards 5G applications
Authors: Alaji Issa , Aouimeur Walid , Ghanem Haitham , Okada Etienne , Lépilliet Sylvie , Gloria Daniel , Ducournau Guillaume , Gaquière Christophe
Published: October 2020

This paper presents the design and characterization of two tunable power detectors, based on PN diodes, integrated in SiGe 55‐nm BiCMOS technology from ST‐Microelectronics. The working frequency band of the circuits is (35‐50) GHz dedicated for 5G applications. The detector parameters are adjusted by controlling the biasing current, this characteristic makes them suitable to be utilized in different 5G applications. Two different diode sizes are used (L1N1, L2N5) in order to compare their performances. For three values of biasing current, the extracted voltage sensitivity values are between (700‐1400) V/W for L1N1 and (500‐1150) V/W for L2N5 showing the agreement with the simulation. Comparing to recent works, our designs exhibit very low power consumption (down to 60 nW) with relatively high sensitivity values. A targeted sensitivity value can be obtained with lower power consumption using larger diode size.
Physical and dosimetric characterization of thermoset shape memory bolus developed for radiotherapy
Authors: Aoyama Takahiro , Uto Koichiro , Shimizu Hidetoshi , Ebara Mitsuhiro , Kitagawa Tomoki , Tachibana Hiroyuki , Suzuki Kojiro , Kodaira Takeshi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

We developed a thermoset shape memory bolus (shape memory bolus) made from poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) polymer. This study aimed to investigate whether the shape memory bolus can be applied to radiotherapy as a bolus that conformally adheres to the body surface, can be created in a short time, and can be reused.

Methods

The shape memory bolus was developed by cross‐linking tetrabranch PCL with reactive acrylate end groups. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to evaluate shape memory characterization before deformation and after restoration. In addition, the degree of adhesion to the body surface and crystallization time were calculated. Moreover, dosimetric characterization was evaluated using the water equivalent phantom and an Alderson RANDO phantom.

Results

The DSC value between before deformation and after restoration was close to 1. The degree of adhesion of the shape memory bolus (1.9%) was improved compared with the conventional bolus (45.6%) and was equivalent to three‐dimensional (3D) printer boluses (1.3%–3.5%). The crystallization time was approximately 1.5 min, which was clinically acceptable. The dose calculation accuracy, dose distribution, and dose index were the equivalent compared with 3D boluses.

Conclusion

The shape memory bolus has excellent adhesion to the body surface, can be created in a short time, and can be reused. In addition, the shape memory bolus needs can be made from low‐cost materials and no quality control systems are required for individual clinical departments, and it is useful as a bolus for radiotherapy.
Automatic intraprostatic lesion segmentation in multiparametric magnetic resonance images with proposed multiple branch UNet
Authors: Chen Yizheng , Xing Lei , Yu Lequan , Bagshaw Hilary P. , Buyyounouski Mark K. , Han Bin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Contouring intraprostatic lesions is a prerequisite for dose‐escalating these lesions in radiotherapy to improve the local cancer control. In this study, a deep learning‐based approach was developed for automatic intraprostatic lesion segmentation in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) images contributing to clinical practice.

Methods

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging images from 136 patient cases were collected from our institution, and all these cases contained suspicious lesions with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) score ≥ 4. The contours of the lesion and prostate were manually created on axial T2‐weighted (T2W), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and high b‐value diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) images to provide the ground truth data. Then a multiple branch UNet (MB‐UNet) was proposed for the segmentation of an indistinct target in multi‐modality MRI images. An encoder module was designed with three branches for the three MRI modalities separately, to fully extract the high‐level features provided by different MRI modalities; an input module was added by using three sub‐branches for three consecutive image slices, to consider the contour consistency among different image slices; deep supervision strategy was also integrated into the network to speed up the convergency of the network and improve the performance. The probability maps of the background, normal prostate and lesion were output by the network to generate the segmentation of the lesion, and the performance was evaluated using the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) as the main metric.

Results

A total of 162 lesions were contoured on 652 image slices, with 119 lesions in the peripheral zone, 38 in the transition zone, four in the central zone and one in the anterior fibromuscular stroma. All prostates were also contoured on 1,264 image slices. As for the segmentation of lesions in the testing set, MB‐UNet achieved a per case DSC of 0.6333, specificity of 0.9993, sensitivity of 0.7056; and global DSC of 0.7205, specificity of 0.9993, sensitivity of 0.7409. All the three deep learning strategies adopted in this study contributed to the performance promotion of the MB‐UNet. Missing the DWI modality would degrade the segmentation performance more markedly compared with the other two modalities.

Conclusions

A deep learning‐based approach with proposed MB‐UNet was developed to automatically segment suspicious lesions in mpMRI images. This study makes it feasible to adopt boosting intraprostatic lesions in clinical practice to achieve better outcomes.
Technical Note: 4D cone‐beam CT reconstruction from sparse‐view CBCT data for daily motion assessment in pencil beam scanned proton therapy (PBS‐PT)
Authors: den Otter Lydia A. , Chen Kuanling , Janssens Guillaume , Meijers Arturs , Both Stefan , Langendijk Johannes A. , Rosen Lane R. , Wu Hsinshun T. , Knopf Antje‐Christin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The number of pencil beam scanned proton therapy (PBS‐PT) facilities equipped with cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging treating thoracic indications is constantly rising. To enable daily internal motion monitoring during PBS‐PT treatments of thoracic tumors, we assess the performance of Motion‐Aware RecOnstructiOn method using Spatial and Temporal Regularization (MA‐ROOSTER) four‐dimensional CBCT (4DCBCT) reconstruction for sparse‐view CBCT data and a realistic data set of patients treated with proton therapy.

Methods

Daily CBCT projection data for nine non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and one SCLC patient were acquired at a proton gantry system (IBA Proteus® One). Four‐dimensional CBCT images were reconstructed applying the MA‐ROOSTER and the conventional phase‐correlated Feldkamp‐Davis‐Kress (PC‐FDK) method. Image quality was assessed by visual inspection, contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and the structural similarity index measure (SSIM). Furthermore, gross tumor volume (GTV) centroid motion amplitudes were evaluated.

Results

Image quality for the 4DCBCT reconstructions using MA‐ROOSTER was superior to the PC‐FDK reconstructions and close to FDK images (median CNR: 1.23 [PC‐FDK], 1.98 [MA‐ROOSTER], and 1.98 [FDK]; median SNR: 2.56 [PC‐FDK], 4.76 [MA‐ROOSTER], and 5.02 [FDK]; median SSIM: 0.18 [PC‐FDK vs FDK], 0.31 [MA‐ROOSTER vs FDK]). The improved image quality of MA‐ROOSTER facilitated GTV contour warping and realistic motion monitoring for most of the reconstructions.

Conclusion

MA‐ROOSTER based 4DCBCTs performed well in terms of image quality and appear to be promising for daily internal motion monitoring in PBS‐PT treatments of (N)SCLC patients.
Limestone Remediation of an Acidic Stream Creates a Microchemical Batch Mark for Brook Trout within an Appalachian Watershed
Authors: Huntsman Brock M. , Kim Hae , Phelps Quinton , Petty J. Todd
Published: October 2020

The addition of limestone sand directly to streams is an effective method for treating chemical and biological issues associated with acid precipitation, a common concern in many Appalachian watersheds. The unique water chemistry created by limestone remediation potentially creates a “mark” in fish hard parts (e.g., otoliths and fin rays) that can be used to identify fish from remediated habitats, even after fish disperse into the surrounding riverscape. We tested whether elevated concentrations of calcium from a limestone-treated stream could be identified by microchemistry in the otoliths of Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis and whether the concentrations could distinguish fish among treated and untreated habitats within the upper Shavers Fork watershed in West Virginia. Calcium concentrations in water were similar between the treated headwater stream and the control stream. Multivariate ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses indicated that calcium and strontium concentrations were significantly higher in Brook Trout otoliths from the treatment stream than in those from the control stream. Our results suggest that hard-part microchemistry is a promising tool for identifying locally produced fish from limestone-remediated streams in the surrounding riverscape.
Simulated Use of YY Male Stocking and Suppression for Eradicating Common Carp Populations
Authors: McCormick Joshua L. , Schill Daniel J. , Meyer Kevin A.
Published: October 2020

The introduction and subsequent spread of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio throughout the world represent one of the most destructive and pervasive forces impacting aquatic ecosystems. Herein we use computer simulations to predict if stocking YY male carp in conjunction with manual netting or piscicide use could eradicate invasive Common Carp populations. Two forms of YY males were evaluated, including sperm-producing (MYY) and egg-producing (FYY) fish. A stochastic individual-based population model was used to evaluate the effects of simulated management actions on both the abundance and extirpation probabilities of high- and low-density populations. Results predicted that some YY male stocking scenarios alone could eradicate carp populations. For example, when stocking FYY carp into low-density populations, predicted extirpation probabilities exceeded 0.87 when stocking at least 50 carp/ha was maintained for at least 10 years. Additionally, a one-time use of rotenone (to reduce the virtual population by 90%) plus stocking at least 50 FYY carp/ha for at least 5 years into low-density populations resulted in predicted extirpation probabilities exceeding 0.88. Favorable extirpation probabilities were also obtained by combining YY male stocking and either selective (i.e., no culling of stocked YY males) or non-selective annual suppression. For example, FYY stocking with only 10% sustained, non-selective suppression yielded extinction probabilities exceeding 95% in 15 years, while increasing suppression levels to 50% resulted in extirpation probabilities over 95% within 5 years. Without exception, MYY stocking functioned far less efficiently in simulations than FYY stocking, but MYY carp did work in a small subset of low-density scenarios and may also have prophylactic utility where prior eradication has occurred and where there is a high risk of re-invasion. We conclude that stocking of YY male Common Carp is worthy of field testing, but additional simulations are needed to explore other questions not addressed in this study.
A coupled CFD‐DEM investigation of suffusion of gap graded soil: Coupling effect of confining pressure and fines content
Authors: Liu Yajing , Wang Lizhong , Hong Yi , Zhao Jidong , Yin Zhen‐Yu
Published: October 2020

Suffusion involves fine particles migration within the matrix of coarse fraction under seepage flow, which usually occurs in the gap‐graded material of dams and levees. Key factors controlling the soil erodibility include confining pressure (p′) and fines content (Fc), of which the coupling effect on suffusion still remains contradictory, as concluded from different studies considering narrow scope of these factors. For this reason, a systematical numerical simulation that considers a relative wide range ofp′ andFcwas performed with the coupled discrete element method and computational fluid dynamics approach. Two distinct macroresponses of soil suffusion top′ were revealed, ie, for a given hydraulic gradienti = 2, an increase inp′ intensifies the suffusion of soil with fines overfilling the voids (eg,Fc = 35%), but have negligible effects on the suffusion of gap‐graded soil containing fines underfilling the voids (eg,Fc = 20%). The micromechanical analyses, including force chain buckling and strain energy release, reveal that when the fines overfilled the voids between coarse particles (eg,Fc = 35%) and participated heavily in load‐bearing, the erosion of fines under highicould cause the collapse of the original force transmission structure. The release of higher strain energy within samples under higherp′ accelerated particle movement and intensified suffusion. Conversely, in the case where the fines underfilled the voids between coarse particles (eg,Fc = 20%), the selective erosion of fines had little influence on the force network. Highp′ in this case prevented suffusion.
Displacement‐based and hybrid formulations of zero‐thickness mortar/interface elements for unmatched meshes, with application to fracture mechanics
Authors: de Francisco Miguel , Carol Ignacio
Published: October 2020

The present article develops two formulations of zero‐thickness mortar/interface finite elements for unmatched meshes, which are implemented in a unified theoretical framework. The first one is displacement‐based and may be considered a natural extension of the traditional zero‐thickness interface element to the case of unmatched meshes on each side of the discontinuity. The other one is hybrid, with an interpolation of stress tractions along the contact surface, which coexists with the standard displacement interpolations of the continuum surfaces in contact. The hybrid formulation shares some features with mortar formulations found in the literature of contact‐friction, and turns out fully equivalent to the displacement‐based in the particular case of matched nodes and uniform, linear elastic behavior. Flow chart diagrams for the numerical implementation are also presented and discussed, as well as some examples of application.
Is nurses’ clinical competence associated with their compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress? A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zakeri Mohammad Ali , Bazmandegan Gholamreza , Ganjeh Hamid , Zakeri Maryam , Mollaahmadi Sekineh , Anbariyan Ali , Kamiab Zahra
Published: October 2020

Aim

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between clinical competence and subscale of professional quality of life (ProQOL).

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to May 2019 on 291 nurses working in public hospitals in south Iran (Rafsanjan). The nurses were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the ProQOL questionnaire that included three subscales: compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress and burnout and the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurse (CIRN) that measured clinical competence.

Results

A significant positive relationship was observed between compassion satisfaction and clinical competence. A significant negative association was found between compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress/burnout and also between secondary traumatic stress and clinical competence. The results of regression analysis indicated that compassion satisfaction was the best predictor of secondary traumatic stress (R2 = 65%), burnout (R2 = 40%) and clinical competence (R2 = 12%). Moreover, secondary traumatic stress was found to be the best predictor of compassion satisfaction (R2 = 53%).
A re‐evaluation of Kulubnarti: A synthesis of the osteoarchaeological evidence
Authors: Godde Kanya
Published: October 2020

The medieval Nubian cemeteries at Kulubnarti (R and S) have greatly impacted bioarchaeological knowledge. Recent dating of the cemeteries showed they are contemporaries, contrary to prior conclusions that the R cemetery was later in date. Four lines of evidence used to argue for socio‐economic status (SES) differences between the cemeteries in the literature are evaluated: (1 and 2) architecture of houses/churches, (3) age‐at‐death distributions and pathology prevalence, and (4) distribution/frequency of textile types. It is hypothesized that the S cemetery is probably a special use cemetery for subadults and/or there was a monastic presence at the site. First, the original monographs and articles were synthesized to describe the characteristics of Kulubnarti. Second, to verify that genetic differences from social isolation due SES disparities were not operating at Kulubnarti, cranial metrics and nonmetrics from the Kulubnarti cemeteries and other samples from medieval Lower Nubia (Semna South, el‐Hesa) were separately input into Mahalanobis D2 variations, principal coordinates analyses and Procrustes analyses to produce and plot biodistances. Space and time differences were also tested via Mantel tests. Third and fourth, age‐at‐death distributions from the Kulubnarti cemeteries were modelled with a binomial logistic regression, as were textile‐type distributions/frequencies. The literature demonstrates that the cemeteries and the settlements/churches attributed to them did not overlap in time. The biodistance plots show that there are only small differences between the Kulubnarti cemeteries, which are not suggestive of genetic differences due to social isolation from SES disparities. The age‐at‐death logistic regression indicates a more than sixfold increase in the odds of infants being interred in the S cemetery, as compared with adult females, and a nearly threefold increase of other subadults. Further, there were no significant differences in textile‐type distributions/frequencies between the cemeteries. Alternative models explaining who was buried in the S cemetery are better supported than differences in SES.
Membrane Capacitance from a Bioimpedance Approach: Associations with Insulin Resistance in Relatively Healthy Adults
Authors: Garr Barry Valene , Peterson Courtney M. , Gower Barbara A.
Published: October 2020

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether higher membrane capacitance (CM), a bioelectrical measure of cell membrane function, is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and/or metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods

Cross‐sectional analyses were performed on 2,191 relatively healthy adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The CM of those with low/no disease risk was compared with those with IR, MetS, or both IR and MetS using ANCOVA. The associations between CM and related clinical measures were assessed with multiple linear regression.

Results

Compared with those with low/no risk, women and men with IR (P < 0.001) and IR + MetS (P < 0.001) had higher CM, whereas CM was similar in women (P = 0.4526) and men (P = 0.1126) with MetS alone. Positive associations with CM were seen with waist circumference (women and men standardized beta [STD‐β] = 0.18, P < 0.0001) and fasting insulin (women STD‐β = 0.15, P < 0.0001; men STD‐β = 0.12, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Higher CM was associated with IR in relatively healthy adults. In the absence of IR, higher CM was not associated with MetS as defined by its clinical diagnostic criteria. This study suggests that with further investigation, CM may be a potential tool to detect IR‐related cell membrane dysfunction.
Adiposity Without Obesity: Associations with Osteoporosis, Sarcopenia, and Falls in the Healthy Ageing Initiative Cohort Study
Authors: Scott David , Johansson Jonas , Ebeling Peter R. , Nordstrom Peter , Nordstrom Anna
Published: October 2020

Objective

Obesity is commonly defined by BMI rather than adiposity, which may have differential effects on musculoskeletal health. Musculoskeletal outcomes were compared in older adults with normal adiposity and normal BMI (NA‐NBMI), those with high adiposity but normal BMI (HA‐NBMI), and those with high adiposity and high BMI (HA‐HBMI).

Methods

In 3,411 70‐year‐olds, obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and adiposity as body fat percentage ≥ 25% (men) or ≥ 35% (women) from dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. Bone parameters were measured by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Sarcopenia was defined as low handgrip strength with or without low appendicular lean mass. Falls were self‐reported 6 and 12 months later.

Results

Prevalence of NA‐NBMI, HA‐NBMI, and HA‐HBMI was 14.2%, 68.1%, and 17.7%, respectively. Compared with HA‐HBMI, HA‐NBMI had increased likelihood for sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio: 3.99; 95% CI: 1.41‐11.32) and osteoporosis (2.91; 95% CI: 2.35‐3.61) but similar likelihood of falls (P > 0.05). HA‐NBMI had lower values for bone geometry parameters, as well as grip strength, than both NA‐NBMI and HA‐HBMI (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

High adiposity without high BMI is more common than BMI‐defined obesity in older Swedish adults but does not provide similar protection from osteoporosis and sarcopenia.
Fully coupled mean‐field FBSDEs with jumps and related optimal control problems
Authors: Li Wenqiang , Min Hui
Published: October 2020

In this article, we study a type of fully coupled mean‐field forward‐backward stochastic differential equations with jumps under the monotonicity condition, including the existence and the uniqueness of the solution of our equations as well as the continuity property of the solutions with respect to the parameters. Then we establish the stochastic maximum principle for the corresponding optimal control problems and give the applications to the mean‐variance portfolio problem and linear‐quadratic problem, respectively.
HPWS and knowledge sharing behavior: The role of psychological empowerment and organizational identification in public sector banks
Authors: Abbasi Saliha Gul , Shabbir Muhammad Salman , Abbas Mazhar , Tahir Muhammad Sohail
Published: October 2020

Taking a social identity perspective, we predict that high‐performance work system (HPWS) has a relationship with knowledge sharing behavior (KSB) through psychological empowerment (PE) in public sector banks in Pakistan. To test our hypothesized model, we collected a three‐wave research data from 276 employees from the banking sector of Pakistan. Results indicated that HPWS is positively related to KSB and PE mediated the linkage between HPWS and KSB. In addition, organizational identification moderates the indirect relationship between HPWS and KSB via PE, such that the indirect effect was stronger for employees with high organizational identification rather than low. This study sheds new light on the intervening process that explains how HPWSs influence employee KSB. The findings also extend the current literature by adding a moderator to explain when and why employees increase their knowledge sharing when work in HPWSs public sector banks.
Institutional reproduction, contradiction and legitimacy crisis: The politics of policy design and practice in Malawi's Ministry of Health
Authors: Tambulasi Richard , Chasukwa Michael
Published: October 2020

This paper examines the politics and dynamics of the policy design and practical policy implementation realities of institutional transformation in a developing country context. The paper finds that there has been a mismatch between policy design templates of institutional transformation and the actual practice in terms of transformational implementation outcomes. Taking decentralisation reforms within the Ministry of Health in Malawi as a case study, the paper underscores that the contextual realities of institutional transformation in the country have been manifested by path dependence tendencies characterised by reproduction that takes shape in a contradictory fashion to the underlying institutional logics. The resultant policy of the reproduction and contradiction in terms of policy practice is institutional legitimacy crisis characterised by support from institutional entrepreneurs that are benefiting from positive feedback and increasing returns of the old institution, and challengers that regard the reproductions and contradictions as restrictive and mismatching institutional transformation design.
Identification of prognostic factors in childhood T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Results from DFCI ALL Consortium Protocols 05‐001 and 11‐001
Authors: Burns Melissa A. , Place Andrew E. , Stevenson Kristen E. , Gutiérrez Alejandro , Forrest Suzanne , Pikman Yana , Vrooman Lynda M. , Harris Marian H. , Weinberg Olga K. , Hunt Sarah K. , O'Brien Jane E. , Asselin Barbara L. , Athale Uma H. , Clavell Luis A. , Cole Peter D. , Gennarini Lisa M. , Kahn Justine M. , Kelly Kara M. , Laverdiere Caroline , Leclerc Jean‐Marie , Michon Bruno , Schorin Marshall A. , Sulis Maria Luisa , Welch Jennifer J.G. , Neuberg Donna S. , Sallan Stephen E. , Silverman Lewis B.
Published: October 2020

Background/objectives

While outcomes for pediatric T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL) are favorable, there are few widely accepted prognostic factors, limiting the ability to risk stratify therapy.

Design/methods

Dana‐Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) Protocols 05‐001 and 11‐001 enrolled pediatric patients with newly diagnosed B‐ or T‐ALL from 2005 to 2011 and from 2012 to 2015, respectively. Protocol therapy was nearly identical for patients with T‐ALL (N = 123), who were all initially assigned to the high‐risk arm. End‐induction minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) or next‐generation sequencing (NGS), but was not used to modify postinduction therapy. Early T‐cell precursor (ETP) status was determined by flow cytometry. Cases with sufficient diagnostic DNA were retrospectively evaluated by targeted NGS of known genetic drivers of T‐ALL, including Notch, PI3K, and Ras pathway genes.

Results

The 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with T‐ALL was 81% (95% CI, 73‐87%) and 90% (95% CI, 83‐94%), respectively. ETP phenotype was associated with failure to achieve complete remission, but not with inferior OS. Low end‐induction MRD (<10−4) was associated with superior disease‐free survival (DFS). Pathogenic mutations of the PI3K pathway were mutually exclusive of ETP phenotype and were associated with inferior 5‐year DFS and OS.

Conclusions

Together, our findings demonstrate that ETP phenotype, end‐induction MRD, and PI3K pathway mutation status are prognostically relevant in pediatric T‐ALL and should be considered for risk classification in future trials. DFCI Protocols 05‐001 and 11‐001 are registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00165087 and NCT01574274, respectively.
Ceiba speciosa St. Hill fruit fiber as a potential source for nanocellulose production and reinforcement of polyvinyl acetate composites
Authors: Leal Márcia Regina , Flores‐Sahagun Thais Helena Sydenstricker , Franco Talita Szlapak , Muniz Graciela I.B.
Published: October 2020

The natural cottony aspect of silk‐floss tree fruit fiber allied with its high‐cellulose content turned our attention for their application at the nanocellulose production since spares the prerefining and pulping processes that are obligatory for the size reduction of the main cellulosic fiber sources. This study presents preparation and characterization of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) using mechanical defibrillation to explore their potential in the preparation of polymer composites using polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) emulsion. We characterized and subjected silk‐floss fruit fiber to four chemical treatments. Based on the degree of delignification, treatments with sodium chlorite (II) and their mixture with methanol and toluene (IV) were chosen for further studies. The resulting CNFs were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Composites were prepared using several amounts (0.50‐1.00 wt%) of CNFs and their tensile strengths were determined. Composites containing 1.00% CNFs (Treatment II) were found to exhibit lowest strength while those with 0.5% CNFs (Treatment IV) showed the highest strength with 351% and were 518% higher resistant than the PVAc matrix, respectively.
Engagement and effectiveness of digitally enabled behavioural change support for people living with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kar Partha , Goward Charlotte , Whitman Michael , Davies Mark , Willner Tamara , Shaw Ken
Published: October 2020

People living with type 2 diabetes are usually offered diabetes structured education, brief diet and lifestyle advice, or referral to weight management services. These are delivered in a face‐to‐face setting traditionally, but attendance and outcome data are inconsistent. Digital alternatives provide a different approach, but outcomes and engagement are poorly understood. This study aims to strengthen this evidence by evaluating a digital lifestyle change programme.

Data were analysed from participants referred as an alternative to face‐to‐face weight management or structured education courses. They were adults living with type 2 diabetes, with a mean baseline BMI of 35.9kg/m2 (SD ±6.7). Weight data were collected using digital weighing scales, and the participants’ general practitioners collected HbA1c data. Engagement data were collected through interactions with educational articles, tracking devices, and support from peers or a health coach.

In total, 144 participants started the programme, and 94 (65.3%) submitted weight readings after 12 months. Of these, 60.6% achieved over 5% total body weight loss, and 28.7% achieved over 10% total body weight loss. The analysis found 41/144 (28.5%) participants returned to their general practice for a blood test, and 39% reduced their HbA1c to below 48mmol/mol. A higher number of interactions with the application was associated with greater weight loss.

This evidence supports the effectiveness of digital behaviour change interventions, using structured education and weight management advice. Findings provide information on engagement with these programmes, suggesting a potential association between programme engagement and weight loss. Copyright © 2020 John Wiley & Sons.
Theoretical and experimental study on three‐layered polymeric balloon catheter processing
Authors: Jin Guobao , Hua Weijian , Wang Kesheng , Xu Changxue , Bian Jinyao , Dai Guanghui , Qin Peng , Jin Yifei
Published: October 2020

Multilayered polymeric balloon catheters, one of the most important components during interventional treatment, are drawing more attention recently due to the microscale cross section, excellent mechanical properties, and high accuracy. During multilayered polymeric balloon catheter processing, many operating conditions can affect the size and shape of cross sections. In this study, polymer melt flow behavior inside extrusion die is theoretically analyzed first. Then, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polypropylene (PP) are selected as the build materials to produce the middle and inner layers of three‐layered polymeric balloon catheters, while polyamide (PA) and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) are used to make the outer layer of two types of catheters, respectively. Based on the material selection, a three‐layered coaxial die is designed and manufactured to coextrude three different polymer melts to form corresponding catheters. In addition, the effects of operating conditions including outer layer materials, pulling speed, gas flow rate, and screw rotation speeds on the diameters and wall thicknesses as well as the concentricity and ovality of the extrudates are investigated. Finally, the PA‐EVA‐PP and TPE‐EVA‐PP three‐layered catheters are successfully fabricated, which have well‐defined geometries and high shape accuracy.