bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal variation in effect sizes in a long‐term, split‐plot field experiment
Authors: Leverkus Alexandro B. , Crawley Michael J.
Published: February 2020

Ecological field experiments initiate successional and evolutionary changes among resident species, yet effect sizes are often reported as if they were constants. Few ecological studies have addressed their questions through long‐term, experimental approaches, and many questions remain unanswered regarding temporal patterns in ecological effect sizes. We document temporal variation in effect sizes in response to pulse and press manipulations in a long‐term factorial field experiment at Nash's Field, England. The experiment comprises seven treatments applied in a split‐plot design to test the single and interactive effects of herbivory by insects, molluscs, and rabbits, liming, nutrient limitation (applied as press experiments), competition (exclusion of grasses or herbs with specific herbicides), and seed limitation (pulse experiments) on plant community dynamics. The response of all vascular plant species was followed for two decades. High species richness was positively related to the minus‐grass herbicide in the first decade and negatively related to both nitrogen addition and the abundance of dominant species in both decades. Many significant effects appeared quickly, but some large effects were not detected until year 15. Press experiments produced some long‐lasting effects, but effect sizes changed due to both idiosyncratic “year effects” and secular trends. For pulse experiments, most effects, including positive and negative responses to herbicide application and the invasion of most of the sown species, disappeared quickly. However, some endured or grew monotonically, such as the invasion of two sown species that benefited from particular combinations of the press treatments. The fastest effects to appear were the responses from established species. Many of these responses were negative, likely resulting from reduced niche dimensionality and competitive exclusion by new dominant species. Contrarily, one of the largest community‐level effects took well over a decade to appear: the natural invasion by one species, which responded to a four‐way interaction between experimental treatments. The insights gained from individual effects increased with the duration of the lag before their first appearance, drawing attention to the importance of long‐term, manipulative field experiments. This experiment also reinforces the point that factorial experiments are the most insightful way to explore ecological interactions.
Early experience of Sacubitril–Valsartan in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in real‐world clinical setting
Authors: Nordberg Backelin Charlotte , Fu Michael , Ljungman Charlotta
Published: February 2020

Aims

Sacubitril/Valsartan (Sac/Val) was proven more effective than enalapril for symptomatic patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This study aimed to investigate eligibility, titration, and tolerability for Sac/Val in a real‐world clinical setting.

Methods and results

This retrospective cohort study consists of two parts. In Part 1 (eligibility study), all patients discharged from Sahlgrenska University Hospital due to HF were consecutively included during 1 year. Data from the patients' medical records were collected. Patients were adjudicated to be eligible based on European Society of Cardiology (ESC) criteria for angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) with the exception of N‐terminal (NT)‐proBNP levels. Patients who received <50% of target dose angiotensin‐converting enzyme/angiotensin receptor blocker and otherwise fulfilled ESC criteria were adjudicated to be potentially eligible. In Part 2 (tolerability study), all patients receiving Sac/Val during the same period were included. Medical data regarding dose, titration, and adverse effects and events were registered. A total of 1355 patients (mean age 78 ± 13 years) were hospitalized for HF and 619 patients had an EF ≤40%. Twenty percent were eligible for initiation of ARNI, and additionally 8% were potentially eligible. In all 95 patients (mean age 65 ± 12 years) were initiated with Sac/Val, which correlates to 13%. The patients who were initiated were younger (65 years), more often had dilated cardiomyopathy (31%), more often were on guideline‐directed medical therapy, and had a higher frequency of cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable cardioverter–defibrillator compared with the patients who did not receive Sac/Val. Of the initiated patients, 59% reached target dose of Sac/Val, and 15% discontinued due to adverse effects. The most common cause of discontinuation was benign gastrointestinal adverse effects, followed by elevated creatinine, malaise, and vertigo. Female gender [odds ratio (OR) 3.58; 95% CI 1.07–2.00; P = 0.038] and NT‐proBNP ≥ median level (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.26–0.90; P = 0.021) was associated with termination of the medication.

Conclusions

Among HFrEF patients in this real‐world cohort, 20% were eligible for ARNI; however, only 13% received the treatment. Sac/Val was well tolerated, but 41% of the patients did not reach target dose. How this affects outcome is not known and needs further investigation.
Rationale and design of the CardioMEMS Post‐Market Multinational Clinical Study: COAST
Authors: Cowie Martin R. , de Groote Pascal , McKenzie Scott , Brett Marie‐Elena , Adamson Philip B. ,   the CardioMEMS Post‐Market Study Investigators
Published: February 2020

Aims

Chronic heart failure reduces quality and quantity of life and is expensive for healthcare systems. Medical treatment relies on guideline‐directed therapy, but clinical follow‐up and remote management is highly variable and poorly effective. New remote management strategies are needed to maintain clinical stability and avoid hospitalizations for acute decompensation.

Methods and results

The CardioMEMS Post‐Market Study is a prospective, international, single‐arm, multicentre, open‐label study (NCT02954341) designed to examine the feasibility of haemodynamic guided heart failure management using a small pressure sensor permanently implanted in the pulmonary artery (PA). Daily uploaded PA pressures will be reviewed weekly to remotely guide medical management of patients with persistent NYHA Class III symptoms at baseline and a hospitalization in the prior 12 months. The study will enrol up to 800 patients from 85 sites across the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. The primary safety endpoint will assess device or system‐related complications or sensor failures after 2 years of follow‐up. Efficacy will be estimated after 1 year of follow‐up comparing HF hospitalization rates before and after sensor implantation. Observational endpoints will include mortality, patient, and investigator monitoring compliance, PA pressure changes, quality of life, and several pre‐defined subgroup analyses.

Conclusions

The CardioMEMS Post‐Market Study will investigate the generalizability of remote haemodynamic guided HF management in a number of national settings. The results may support the more widespread implementation of this novel clinical management approach.
Propensity score analysis exploring the impact of smoking and drinking on the prognosis of patients with oral cancer
Authors: Bao Xiaodan , Liu Fengqiong , Chen Qing , Chen Lin , Lin Jing , Chen Fa , Wang Jing , Qiu Yu , Shi Bin , Pan Lizhen , Lin Lisong , He Baochang
Published: February 2020

Background

To explore the effect of smoking and drinking on survival of patients with oral cancer by comparing the characteristics and survival of nonsmoking and nondrinking (NSND) patients in contrast to smoking and/or drinking (SD) patients.

Methods

This prospective study including 1165 patients with oral cancer was conducted in Fujian, China from January 2005 to January 2019. The patients were categorized to two groups, the NSND group and SD group. We compared overall survival and disease‐specific survival between the two groups using the Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression before and after propensity score matching (PSM) to explore the effect of smoking and drinking on the prognosis of patients with oral cancer.

Results

NSND patients accounted for 55.45% (646 patients) of all the patients with oral cancer. SD patients with oral cancer tended to be older and mainly are male (98.46%) and with more advanced disease status. There are trends toward both higher risk of all‐cause death (HR = 1.678; 95% CI: 1.086‐2.594) and oral cancer specific death (HR = 1.632; 95% CI: 1.044‐2.552) in SD patients with oral cancer before PSM. After PSM, the association is still significant, with adjusted HR of 1.897 (95% CI: 1.138‐3.165) for all‐cause death and adjusted HR of 1.764 (95% CI: 1.043‐2.983) for oral cancer‐specific death. Additionally, PSM can improve the HR value and result in a stronger association.

Conclusions

Social and clinical characteristics of NSND patients differed from SD patients with oral cancer. SD patients with oral cancer have higher all‐cause mortality and oral cancer‐specific mortality than NSND patients.
Hepatic Deficiency of Augmenter of Liver Regeneration Predisposes to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Fibrosis
Authors: Kumar Sudhir , Verma Alok K. , Rani Richa , Sharma Akanksha , Wang Jiang , Shah Shimul A. , Behari Jaideep , Salazar Gonzalez Rosa , Kohli Rohit , Gandhi Chandrashekhar R.
Published: February 2020

Background and Aims

The augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) protein is critical for lipid homeostasis and mitochondrial function. We investigated high‐fat/high‐carbohydrate (HF/HC) diet–induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in wild‐type (WT), hepatocyte‐specific ALR‐knockout (ALR‐H‐KO), and ALR‐heterozygous (ALR‐H‐HET) mice. ALR was measured in serum of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NASH‐induced cirrhosis (serum and liver).

Approach and Results

HF/HC feeding decreased ALR expression in all groups of mice. The otherwise normal ALR‐H‐HET mice gained more weight and steatosis than WT mice when challenged metabolically with the HF/HC diet; ALR‐H‐KO mice gained the least weight and had the least steatosis. These findings were consistent with correspondingly increased triglycerides and cholesterol and altered expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a, sterol regulatory element‐binding protein, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase. All HF/HC‐fed mice developed insulin resistance, the magnitude being lower in ALR‐H‐KO mice. HF/HC‐fed ALR‐H‐HET mice were more resistant to glucose challenge than WT or ALR‐H‐KO mice. The frequency of tumor necrosis factor alpha–producing, interleukin 6 (IL6)–producing, and IL17‐producing cells was greater in ALR‐H‐KO than ALR‐H‐HET and lowest in WT mice. HF/HC feeding did not increase their number in ALR‐H‐KO mice, and the increase in ALR‐H‐HET was greater than that in WT mice except for IL17 cells. Cluster of differentiation 25–positive (CD25+) forkhead box P3–positive CD4+ regulatory T‐cell frequency was lower in ALR‐H‐HET than WT mice and further reduced in ALR‐H‐KO mice; HF/HC reduced regulatory T‐cell frequency only in WT mice. HF/HC‐fed ALR‐H‐HET, but not WT, mice developed fibrosis; and ALR‐H‐KO mice progressed to cirrhosis. White adipose tissue of HF/HC‐fed ALR‐deficient mice developed strong inflammation, indicating bidirectional interactions with the liver. Hepatic and serum ALR levels were significantly reduced in patients with NASH‐cirrhosis. Serum ALR was also significantly lower in patients with NASH.

Conclusions

Hepatic ALR deficiency may be a critical predisposing factor for aggressive NAFLD progression.
The effects of the genetic polymorphisms of antioxidant enzymes on susceptibility to papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Salimi Saeedeh , Harati‐Sadegh Mahdiyeh , Eskandari Moein , Heidari Zahra
Published: February 2020

Several lines of evidences have indicated that inflammation play an important role in the carcinogenesis. During the inflammatory processes, free radical species are produced from oxidative stress. In normal conditions, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants remove these products. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), glutathione peroxidase‐1 (GPx‐1), and catalase (CAT) are three important enzymes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects ofMnSOD(SOD2),GPX‐1, andCATgenetic polymorphisms on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) susceptibility. A total of 134 patients with PTC and 151 healthy controls were recruited to participate in this study. All samples were genotyped forSOD2 rs4880,GPX1 1050450, andCAT rs7943316polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The frequencies of thers1050450,rs4880, andrs7943316alleles and genotypes were not different between PTC patients and controls. However, the TC genotype ofSOD2rs4880 polymorphism was significantly higher in males compared to that in females in PTC patients (odds ratio [OR], 3.9 [95% CI, 1.5–11],p= .007). The rs4880 polymorphism was also associated with higher stages (III‐IV) of PTC in dominant model. No significant correlation was found betweenGPX1‐rs1050450andCAT‐rs7943316polymorphisms and demographic, clinical, and pathological features of the disease. TheSOD2rs4880CT genotype was more frequent in males with PTC and patients with higher stages (III–IV) of disease (OR, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.1–7.7],p= .04). However, no significant association was found betweenGPX1‐rs1050450andCAT‐rs7943316 variants and PTC or itsdemographic, clinical, and pathological features.
Safety of drug use in patients with a primary mitochondrial disease: An international Delphi‐based consensus
Authors: De Vries Maaike C. , Brown David A. , Allen Mitchell E. , Bindoff Laurence , Gorman Gráinne S. , Karaa Amel , Keshavan Nandaki , Lamperti Costanza , McFarland Robert , Ng Yi Shiau , O'Callaghan Mar , Pitceathly Robert D. S. , Rahman Shamima , Russel Frans G. M. , Varhaug Kristin N. , Schirris Tom J. J. , Mancuso Michelangelo
Published: February 2020

Clinical guidance is often sought when prescribing drugs for patients with primary mitochondrial disease. Theoretical considerations concerning drug safety in patients with mitochondrial disease may lead to unnecessary withholding of a drug in a situation of clinical need. The aim of this study was to develop consensus on safe medication use in patients with a primary mitochondrial disease. A panel of 16 experts in mitochondrial medicine, pharmacology, and basic science from six different countries was established. A modified Delphi technique was used to allow the panellists to consider draft recommendations anonymously in two Delphi rounds with predetermined levels of agreement. This process was supported by a review of the available literature and a consensus conference that included the panellists and representatives of patient advocacy groups. A high level of consensus was reached regarding the safety of all 46 reviewed drugs, with the knowledge that the risk of adverse events is influenced both by individual patient risk factors and choice of drug or drug class. This paper details the consensus guidelines of an expert panel and provides an important update of previously established guidelines in safe medication use in patients with primary mitochondrial disease. Specific drugs, drug groups, and clinical or genetic conditions are described separately as they require special attention. It is important to emphasise that consensus‐based information is useful to provide guidance, but that decisions related to drug prescribing should always be tailored to the specific needs and risks of each individual patient. We aim to present what is current knowledge and plan to update this regularly both to include new drugs and to review those currently included.
The atmospheric oxidation of hydroxyacetone: Chemistry of activated and stabilized CH3C(O)CH(OH)OO• radicals between 252 and 298 K
Authors: Orlando John J. , Tyndall Geoffrey S.
Published: February 2020

The products of the Cl‐atom‐initiated oxidation of hydroxyacetone (HYAC, CH3C(O)CH2OH) have been examined under conditions relevant to the earth's lower atmosphere. Over the range of temperatures studied (252‐298 K), in the absence of NOx, methylglyoxal (CH3C(=O)CH=O, MGLY) was formed with a primary yield >84% (96 ± 9% at 298 K), while in the presence of elevated NOx, MGLY and formic acid were both formed as major primary products. In contrast to a previous study, acetic acid was not identified as a major primary product under the conditions studied. The results are quantitatively interpreted from a consideration of the formation of a stabilized CH3C(O)CH(OH)OO• radical, either in a ≈50% yield from the addition of O2 to CH3C(O)CH•(OH) or in 100% yield from the addition of HO2 to MGLY. At high temperature and low NOx, decomposition of the stabilized CH3C(O)CH(OH)OO• radical to MGLY is favored, while lower temperatures and conditions of high NOx favor bimolecular reactions of the stabilized radical, with subsequent production of formic acid. Analysis of the data allows for a semiquantitative determination of K3 = (2.9 ± 0.4) × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1, for the HO2 + MGLY ↔ CH3C(O)CH(OH)OO• equilibrium process at 298 K and a roughly order of magnitude increase in K3 at 252 K.
The miniature lateral crural strut graft: Efficacy of a novel technique in tip plasty
Authors: Abdelwahab Mohamed , Most Sam P.
Published: February 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To describe a novel technique for tip plasty and determine its efficacy using validated patient‐reported outcome measures and objective measures.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

This study was carried out at a tertiary center. Patients undergoing tip plasty using the miniature lateral crural strut grafts (mini‐LCSG) in cosmetic/combined rhinoplasty between January 2016 and August 2019 with available outcome measures were included. We used the Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores, visual analog scale: functional and cosmetic, and lateral wall insufficiency (LWI) grades.

Results

Among 52 patients, 33 were included; 26 had cosmetic whereas seven had combined functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty, with a follow‐up up to 3 years. Both cosmetic and combined subjects showed significant improvement in SCHNOS‐Cosmesis (C) scores (−57.31 ± 1.79, P < .001 and − 53.57 ± 8.39, P < .001, respectively) and zone 1 LWI (P < .05, both sides). SCHNOS‐Obstruction (O) and NOSE scores showed significant decrease among subjects undergoing combined rhinoplasty only (−55.36 ± 18.58, P < .004, and − 53.93 ± 15.99, P < .003, respectively). With specific regard to tip cosmesis, the mean SCHNOS‐6 (item 6 of the SCHNOS questionnaire for tip cosmesis) showed significant improvement (−2.61, P < .001).

Conclusions

The mini‐LCSG is a novel modification for tip plasty that improves tip cosmesis and symmetry, both subjectively and objectively without compromising nasal function.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:2581–2588, 2020
Active surveillance for patients with very low‐risk thyroid cancer
Authors: Lohia Shivangi , Hanson Martin , Tuttle R. Michael , Morris Luc G. T.
Published: February 2020

Over the past 30 years in the United States, increasing identification of small thyroid nodules has led to a dramatic rise in the detection of small thyroid cancers, many of which are unlikely to progress to overt clinical disease. Because autopsy studies reveal that up to 30% of people harbor clinically occult thyroid cancers, the growing use of diagnostic technologies has identified an increasing number of small, clinically low risk papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs). In recent years, clinical practice has evolved to de‐intensify the treatment for PTCs, with fewer total thyroidectomy and nodal dissection procedures being performed, in favor of more limited operations. In addition, vigilant observation of selected low risk cancers has demonstrated outcomes comparable to those patients who undergo immediate surgical intervention. Active surveillance has emerged as a new option within the treatment algorithm of PTCs. There is now robust data from cancer centers in Japan and Korea which have reported excellent oncologic outcomes among patients undergoing active surveillance for PTC, as well as more recent, similar data from the United States. American Thyroid Association guidelines now include the option of active surveillance for appropriately selected patients with low‐risk PTC. With active surveillance now one option within the standard of care for patients with certain thyroid cancers, surgeons have become critical to facilitating shared decision‐making for patients facing this diagnosis.
Comparison of arterial and venous implantable Doppler postoperative monitoring of free flaps: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of diagnostic test accuracy
Authors: Klifto Kevin M. , Milek David , Gurno Caresse F. , Seal Stella M. , Hultman C. Scott , Rosson Gedge D. , Cooney Damon S.
Published: February 2020

Background

Early detection of vascular compromise following free flap microsurgical reconstruction is essential. This can lead to timely reoperations and flap salvage. Both arteries and veins are monitored postoperatively with implantable ultrasound Dopplers based on surgeon preference with no consensus as to which method is best. This systematic review and meta‐analysis compared arterial to venous implantable Dopplers for postoperative monitoring of microsurgical free flap reconstruction.

Methods

Five databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically and independently searched. PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines were strictly followed. Clinical characteristics, donor and recipient sites, specific arterial or venous vessels, diagnostic data, outcomes, and complications were recorded.

Results

The seven studies included in the meta‐analysis were published from 1994 to 2018, with results from 38 of the possible 64 outcomes and complications queried. A total of 763 flaps with implantable Doppler probes on 527 arteries and 388 veins were included in the study. Compared to patients monitored with venous implantable Dopplers, arterial monitoring was associated with a risk of false‐positives reduced by 74% (RR:0.26, 95% CI:0.12, 0.55, I2 = 40%, p = .0004) and risk of signal loss reduced by 63% (RR:0.37, 95% CI:0.24, 0.59, I2 = 26%, p < .0001). Patients being monitored with a venous implantable Doppler did not show significantly different sensitivities, specificities, true‐positives, false‐negatives, true‐negatives, positive predictive values, negative predictive values, time to signal loss, take‐backs, salvage rates, flap failures, flap failure rates, arterial, venous, vascular, and hematoma compromise compared to an arterial implantable Doppler.

Conclusion

These findings suggest arteries may be the best vessels to monitor when using an implantable Doppler following free flap microsurgical reconstruction. Caution is advised when interpreting these findings for clinical significance due to no significant differences in take‐backs, SR, flap failures, and FFR.
Enhancing Data Reliability in TOMAHAQ for Large‐Scale Protein Quantification
Authors: Liu Fang , Singhal Kratika , Matney Rowan , Acharya Swati , Akdis Cezmi A. , Nadeau Kari C. , Chien Allis S. , Leib Ryan D.
Published: February 2020

The analytical scale of most mass‐spectrometry‐based targeted proteomics assays is usually limited by assay performance and instrument utilization. A recently introduced method, called triggered by offset, multiplexed, accurate mass, high resolution, and absolute quantitation (TOMAHAQ), combines both peptide and sample multiplexing to simultaneously improve analytical scale and quantitative performance. In the present work, critical technical requirements and data analysis considerations for successful implementation of the TOMAHAQ technique based on the study of a total of 185 target peptides across over 200 clinical plasma samples are discussed. Importantly, it is observed that significant interference originate from the TMTzero reporter ion used for the synthetic trigger peptides. This interference is not expected because only TMT10plex reporter ions from the target peptides should be observed under typical TOMAHAQ conditions. In order to unlock the great promise of the technique for high throughput quantification, here a post‐acquisition data correction strategy to deconvolute the reporter ion superposition and recover reliable data is proposed.
Quasi‐synchronization of multilayer heterogeneous networks with a dynamic leader
Authors: Yang Huihui , Wang Zhengxin , Song Qiang , Liu Xiaoyang , Xiao Min
Published: February 2020

This article considers the pinning quasi‐synchronization problem for a class of leader‐following multilayer heterogeneous complex networks. The leader has nonzero control inputs that are unavailable to the followers. Multilayer heterogeneous networks with heterogeneous node dynamics and two different layer structures are proposed in this article. Two types of discontinuous coupling laws are designed for achieving synchronization in multilayer heterogeneous networks. Based on Lyapunov stability theory and the matrix theory, some sufficient criteria for pinning quasi‐synchronization are derived, and the upper bound of quasi‐synchronization errors is solved. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Adjusted score functions for monotone likelihood in the Cox regression model
Authors: Kenne Pagui Euloge C. , Colosimo Enrico A.
Published: February 2020

Standard inference procedures for the Cox model involve maximizing the partial likelihood function. Monotone partial likelihood is an issue that frequently happens in the analysis of health science studies. Monotone likelihood mainly occurs in samples with substantial censoring of survival times and is associated with categorical covariates. In particular, and more frequently, it usually happens when one level of a categorical covariate has just experienced censoring times. In order to overcome this problem, Heinze and Schemper proposed an adjusted partial likelihood score function obtained by suitably adapting the general approach of Firth for mean bias reduction. The procedure is effective in preventing infinite estimates. As an alternative solution, we propose an approach based on the adjusted score function recently suggested by Kenne Pagui et al for median bias reduction. This procedure also solves the infinite estimate problem and has an additional advantage of being invariant under componentwise reparameterizations. This latter fact is fundamental under Cox model since hazards ratio interpretation is obtained by exponentiating parameter estimates. Numerical studies of the proposed method suggest better inference properties than those of the mean bias reduction. A real‐data application related to a melanoma skin dataset is used as illustration for a comparison basis of the methods.
Requirement change management challenges in GSD: An analytical hierarchy process approach
Authors: Akbar Muhammad Azeem , Khan Arif Ali , Khan Abdul Wahid , Mahmood Sajjad
Published: February 2020

Majority of software development firms are adopting the concepts of global software development (GSD) in order to develop high‐quality and low‐cost products. However, the requirements change management (RCM) becomes a significant challenge in the GSD environment because of the unavailability of proper RCM framework and taxonomy. The objective of this study is to develop a taxonomy of the challenging factors of the RCM process in GSD. The taxonomy is developed based on the results of the data collected during the survey study and the implementation of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Total 25 challenging factors are identified and mapped into four core categories, ie, “organizational management,” “team,” “technology,” and “process.” Moreover, the AHP analysis is performed to prioritize the challenging factors and their categories. The prioritization process highlight that “process” is the most significant category of the RCM challenging factors. The taxonomy developed in this study provides a robust framework to tackle problems associated with RCM activities in GSD environment, which is significant to the success and progression of GSD firms.
AFC with gain adjustment in control system in HDDs for compensation of speaker‐induced vibration
Authors: Yabui Shota , Atsumi Takenori , Inoue Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2020

In recent years, hard disk drives (HDDs) have been primarily used in data servers. At the data servers, the head positioning accuracy of control systems is influenced by various external vibrations. The deterioration of the positioning accuracy causes degradation of the digital data transfer rate in the data server. To compensate for the external vibrations in the head positioning systems of HDDs, in this research, the authors developed an adaptive feedforward control (AFC) with a gain learning function. The proposed AFC can update the characteristics of the control system to compensate for the external vibrations in real‐time. This paper reports on the results of experiments in which the proposed AFC is employed to compensate for the speaker‐induced vibration due to buzzing of the data server, implemented to act as notification for any issues occurring in the system. It was noted that the proposed AFC can compensate for the vibrations caused by the buzzing. Moreover, the control parameters updated in real‐time can be used to sense the occurrence of buzzing in the system. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
From AAL to ambient assisted rehabilitation: a research pilot protocol based on smart objects and biofeedback
Authors: Meriggi Paolo , Mandalà Martina , Brazzoli Elena , Piacente Tecla , Mazzola Marcella , Olivieri Ivana
Published: February 2020

The progressive miniaturization of electronic devices and their exponential increase in processing, storage and transmission capabilities, represent key factors of the current digital transformation, also sustaining the great development of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) and the Internet of Things. Although most of the investigations in the recent years focused on remote monitoring and diagnostics, rehabilitation too could be positively affected by the widespread integrated use of these devices. Smart Objects in particular may be among the enablers to new quantitative approaches. In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept and some preliminary results of an innovative pediatric rehabilitation protocol based on Smart Objects and biofeedback, which we administered to a sample of children with unilateral cerebral palsy. The novelty of the approach mainly consists in placing the sensing device into a common toy (a ball in our protocol) and using the information measured by the device to administer multimedia-enriched type of exercises, more engaging if compared to the usual rehabilitation activities used in clinical settings. We also introduce a couple of performance indexes, which could be helpful for a quantitative continuous evaluation of movements during the exercises. Even if the number of children involved and sessions performed are not suitable to assess any change in the subjects’ abilities, nor to derive solid statistical inferences, the novel approach resulted very engaging and enjoyable by all the children participating in the study. Moreover, given the almost non-existent literature on the use of Smart Objects in pediatric rehabilitation, the few qualitative/quantitative results here reported may promote the scientific and clinical discussion regarding AAL solutions in a “Computer Assisted Rehabilitation” perspective, towards what can be defined “Pediatric Rehabilitation 2.0”.
Evaluation Infrastructures for Academic Shared Tasks
Authors: Schaible Johann , Breuer Timo , Tavakolpoursaleh Narges , Müller Bernd , Wolff Benjamin , Schaer Philipp
Published: February 2020

Academic search systems aid users in finding information covering specific topics of scientific interest and have evolved from early catalog-based library systems to modern web-scale systems. However, evaluating the performance of the underlying retrieval approaches remains a challenge. An increasing amount of requirements for producing accurate retrieval results have to be considered, e.g., close integration of the system’s users. Due to these requirements, small to mid-size academic search systems cannot evaluate their retrieval system in-house. Evaluation infrastructures for shared tasks alleviate this situation. They allow researchers to experiment with retrieval approaches in specific search and recommendation scenarios without building their own infrastructure. In this paper, we elaborate on the benefits and shortcomings of four state-of-the-art evaluation infrastructures on search and recommendation tasks concerning the following requirements: support for online and offline evaluations, domain specificity of shared tasks, and reproducibility of experiments and results. In addition, we introduce an evaluation infrastructure concept design aiming at reducing the shortcomings in shared tasks for search and recommender systems.
The particle finite element method for transient granular material flow: modelling and validation
Authors: Larsson Simon , Rodríguez Prieto Juan Manuel , Gustafsson Gustaf , Häggblad Hans-Åke , Jonsén Pär
Published: February 2020

The prediction of transient granular material flow is of fundamental industrial importance. The potential of using numerical methods in system design for increasing the operating efficiency of industrial processes involving granular material flow is huge. In the present study, a numerical tool for modelling dense transient granular material flow is presented and validated against experiments. The granular materials are modelled as continuous materials using two different constitutive models. The choice of constitutive models is made with the aim to predict the mechanical behaviour of a granular material during the transition from stationary to flowing and back to stationary state. The particle finite element method (PFEM) is employed as a numerical tool to simulate the transient granular material flow. Use of the PFEM enables a robust treatment of large deformations and free surfaces. The fundamental problem of collapsing rectangular columns of granular material is studied experimentally employing a novel approach for in-plane velocity measurements by digital image correlation. The proposed numerical model is used to simulate the experimentally studied column collapses. The model prediction of the in-plane velocity field during the collapse agrees well with experiments.
Incorporating Deposit Ageing into Visualisation of Crude Oil Preheat Train Fouling
Authors: Ishiyama E.M. , Pugh S.J. , Wilson D.I.
Published: February 2020

Fouling is an acute problem in crude oil preheat train heat exchangers as it affects the thermal and hydraulic performance of individual units as well as the network. Ageing of fouling deposits complicates these interactions and effective tools for visualising these effects are needed. The modified temperature field plot construction, devised by Graham Polley and co-workers in 2002, allows the impact of fouling on pressure drop and heat duty across individual units and the preheat train to be presented in a systematic way. The simple deposit ageing model of Ishiyama et al. (AIChEJ 56:531–545, 2010a) was incorporated into the analysis of a simple preheat train based on that presented by Panchal and Huang-Fu (Heat Transfer Eng 21:3–9, 2000) to calculate the impact of ageing on fouling dynamics and network performance. The modified temperature field plot is shown to be effective in communicating the impact of fouling and ageing, allowing a designer or operator to be able to interpret correctly what might otherwise be conflicting trends or unexpected behaviour.
Critical Separation Versus Effective Sweep Width: Bridging the Old and New Search-and-Rescue Worlds
Authors: Chiacchia Kenneth B.
Published: February 2020

Introduction

“Critical separation” is a simple method for spacing searchers intended to produce a predictable probability of detection (POD). A more precise method, based on effective sweep width ( W), has been adopted only slowly. Accurate PODs are critical in planning priorities in future operational periods. Therefore, it would be useful to know what POD a critical separation determination actually produces.

Methods

Detection ranges ( Rd) were measured on high- and low-visibility adult mannequins (stuffed Tyvek suits of varying colors) and a red helmet detected by 6 searcher volunteers. Conversion factors previously described in the literature were used to convert Rds into predicted Ws and the previously described logit model to convert Ws into PODs.

Results

The Rds were 26±6 m (mean±SD) for the high-visibility mannequin, 15±5 m for the low-visibility mannequin, and 24±6 m for the helmet used in the critical separation determination. The predicted Ws were 47±15 m, 16±8 m, and 42±14 m, respectively. Critical separation would therefore result in predicted PODs of 67±17% or 32±16% for nonresponsive adults in high- versus low-visibility clothing.

Conclusions

Critical separation is a simple, quick way to array searchers in the field. The current study suggests that the value of critical separation in producing the 50% target POD will depend on the whether the search object used for the critical separation determination has a similar detectability/ W to the actual target of the search effort. Still, the results from a critical separation determination may offer more predictability and reliability than the common practice of POD estimation by team leaders.
Neuroprotection Following Concussion: The Potential Role for Cannabidiol
Authors: Singh Jyotpal , Neary John Patrick
Published: February 2020

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been generating increasing interest in medicine due to its therapeutic properties and an apparent lack of negative side effects. Research has suggested that high dosages of CBD can be taken acutely and chronically with little to no risk. This review focuses on the neuroprotective effects of a CBD, with an emphasis on its implications for recovering from a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion. CBD has been shown to influence the endocannabinoid system, both by affecting cannabinoid receptors and other receptors involved in the endocannabinoid system such as vanilloid receptor 1, adenosine receptors, and 5-hydroxytryptamine via cannabinoid receptor-independent mechanisms. Concussions can result in many physiological consequences, potentially resulting in post-concussion syndrome. While impairments in cerebrovascular and cardiovascular physiology following concussion have been shown, there is unfortunately still no single treatment available to enhance recovery. CBD has been shown to influence the blood brain barrier, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, cognitive capacity, the cerebrovasculature, cardiovascular physiology, and neurogenesis, all of which have been shown to be altered by concussion. CBD can therefore potentially provide treatment to enhance neuroprotection by reducing inflammation, regulating cerebral blood flow, enhancing neurogenesis, and protecting the brain against reactive oxygen species. Double-blind randomized controlled trials are still required to validate the use of CBD as medication following mild TBIs, such as concussion.
An investigation of the use of standardised leaving certificate performance as a method of estimating pre-morbid intelligence
Authors: Costello E. , Burke T. , Lonergan K. , Burke T. , Pender N. , Mulrooney M.
Published: February 2020

Background:

In cases of brain pathology, current levels of cognition can only be interpreted reliably relative to accurate estimations of pre-morbid functioning. Estimating levels of pre-morbid intelligence is, therefore, a crucial part of neuropsychological evaluation. However, current methods of estimation have proven problematic.

Objective:

To evaluate if standardised leaving certificate (LC) performance can predict intellectual functioning in a healthy cohort. The LC is the senior school examination in the Republic of Ireland, taken by almost 50 000 students annually, with total performance distilled into Central Applications Office points.

Methods:

A convenience sample of university students was recruited (n = 51), to provide their LC results and basic demographic information. Participants completed two cognitive tasks assessing current functioning (Vocabulary and Matrix Reasoning (MR) subtests – Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition) and a test of pre-morbid intelligence (Spot-the-Word test from the Speed and Capacity of Language Processing). Separately, LC results were standardised relative to the population of test-takers, using a computer application designed specifically for this project.

Results:

Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that standardised LC performance [F(2,48) = 3.90, p = 0.03] and Spot-the-Word [F(2,47) = 5.88, p = 0.005] significantly predicted current intellect. Crawford & Allen’s demographic-based regression formula did not. Furthermore, after controlling for gender, English [F(1,49) = 11.27, p = 0.002] and Irish [F(1,46) = 4.06, p = 0.049) results significantly predicted Vocabulary performance, while Mathematics results significantly predicted MR [F(1,49) = 8.80, p = 0.005].

Conclusions:

These results suggest that standardised LC performance may represent a useful resource for clinicians when estimating pre-morbid intelligence.
American Environmentalism And The Visage Of A Second Gilded Age
Authors: Johnson Benjamin H.
Published: February 2020

The moniker “Gilded Age” invokes questions of wealth, class, and political economy. When paired with a subsequent “Progressive Era,” as in the name of this journal and the society that sponsors it, the implication is that economic developments after the Civil War gave rise to pressing questions of workplace safety, income distribution, monopoly, and the like, which reform and protest movements rightly sought to rectify. Whether to invoke the Gilded Age to describe the current era of U.S. history also centers on such questions: it makes sense to say that we are living in a Second Gilded Age, Thomas Piketty and others have argued, because inequalities of wealth and the rise of corporate power echo those of the 1880s and 1890s; or, respond skeptics like Heath Carter, it is not a helpful comparison because the cultural and organizational forces contesting inequality are so much weaker now.
The Enigma of Neoproterozoic Giant Ooids—Fingerprints of Extreme Climate?
Authors: Trower Elizabeth J.
Published: February 2020

Geologists have documented at least 14 occurrences of “giant ooids,” a geologically rare type of carbonate allochem, in Neoproterozoic successions at low paleolatitudes. Recent experiments and modeling demonstrated that ooid size reflects an equilibrium between precipitation and abrasion rates, such that ooid size could be used as a geological proxy for CaCO3 mineral saturation state (Ω). Here, the documented sizes of Neoproterozoic giant ooids were applied to estimate seawater Ω, which provided a novel approach to constraining temperature, partial pressure of CO2, and alkalinity preceding Neoproterozoic glaciations. The results suggest that giant ooid formation was most plausible with seawater alkalinity elevated over its present value by at least a factor of 2, and either much warmer (40 °C) or much colder (0 °C) climate than modern tropical carbonate platforms, which have important and divergent implications for climate states and ecosystem responses prior to the initiation of each Neoproterozoic glaciation.
Remote Sensing Estimates of CME Density in the Ecliptic Using the STEREO Heliospheric Imagers
Authors: Barnes David
Published: February 2020

We present a method to estimate electron densities in the ecliptic plane using the STEREO Heliospheric Imagers (HIs). The nature of Thomson scattering of photospheric light by solar wind electrons is such that visible‐light observations by HI provide a means to infer information about plasma density from afar. This is achieved using discrete tomography, whereby line‐of‐sight integrals from HI are used to estimate electron density in the heliosphere over a predefined grid. The technique is applied to the Earth‐impacting coronal mass ejection (CME) launched on 12 December 2008. The two vantage points afforded by STEREO are insufficient to reproduce the density structure of the CME in detail; however, the technique is successful in locating the presence of a density enhancement associated with the CME. When applied to consecutive images, we are able to use the technique as a means to track the CME through interplanetary space. From these observations we make estimates of the CME radial velocity and density profiles, the results of which are consistent with measurements made in situ by Wind at L1. This method is presented as a new approach to determine CME propagation from HI observations, one that avoids many of the assumptions of CME morphology and dynamics that are often applied when tracking CMEs in such data. We also expect that this technique will prove useful, and a test of the long‐standing heliospheric reconstruction technique employed by using single images over time (Jackson et al., 2006, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JA010942) when views from many wide‐angle imagers become available.
Evaluation of CloudSat's Cloud‐Profiling Radar for Mapping Snowfall Rates Across the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Ryan Jonathan C. , Smith Laurence C. , Wu Mengxi , Cooley Sarah W. , Miège Clément , Montgomery Lynn N. , Koenig Lora S. , Fettweis Xavier , Noel Brice P. Y. , van den Broeke Michiel R.
Published: February 2020

The Greenland Ice Sheet is now the single largest cryospheric contributor to global sea‐level rise yet uncertainty remains about its future contribution due to complex interactions between increasing snowfall and surface melt. Reducing uncertainty in future snowfall predictions requires sophisticated, physically based climate models evaluated with present‐day observations. The accuracy of modeled snowfall rates, however, has yet to be systematically assessed because observations are sparse. Here, we produce high spatial resolution (15 km) snowfall climatologies (2006–2016) derived from CloudSat's 2C‐SNOW‐PROFILE product to evaluate climate model simulations of snowfall across the Greenland Ice Sheet. In comparison to accumulation datasets acquired from ice cores and airborne accumulation radar, we find that our CloudSat climatologies capture broad spatial patterns of snowfall in both the accumulation and ablation zones. By comparing our CloudSat snowfall climatologies with the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model Version 2.3p2 (RACMO2.3p2), Modèle Atmosphérique Régional 3.9 (MAR3.9), ERA5, and Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1), we demonstrate that climate models likely overestimate snowfall rates at the margins of the ice sheet, particularly in South, Southeast, and Northwest Greenland during autumn and winter. Despite this overestimation, there are few areas of the ice sheet where the models and CloudSat substantially disagree about the spatial pattern and seasonality of snowfall rates. We conclude that a combination of CloudSat snowfall observations and the latest generation of climate models has the potential to improve understanding of how snowfall rates respond to increasing air temperatures, thereby constraining one of the largest sources of uncertainty in Greenland's future contribution to global sea levels.