bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Outcomes of Women‐Only and Mixed‐Gender Intensive Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment for Female Veterans
Authors: Stefanovics Elina A. , Rosenheck Robert A.
Published: July 2019

Although most female veterans treated in specialized intensive Veterans Health Administration (VHA) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) programs receive services in settings in which over 95% of participants are men, two programs include only women. Whether outcomes for women with PTSD are superior in women‐only programs has not been evaluated. National program evaluation data on 1,357 women veterans from 57 sites were collected at program entry and 4 months after discharge. With adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics, outcomes of women in two women‐only programs (n = 469) were compared with those from 55 mixed‐gender programs (n = 888), using mixed models with random effect for site. The primary outcome was total PTSD symptom level, with supplementary information on PTSD assessment subscales, substance use, and other outcomes. At program entry, female veterans in women‐only programs had lower scores on measures of total PTSD symptoms, p = .013, d = −0.24, and on several subscales. Adjusting for these differences, there were no significant differences between program types in terms of PTSD total score or scores on secondary measures. In women‐only programs, veterans had longer lengths of stay and were rated by their clinicians to have a higher level of commitment to therapy at discharge. Thus, women‐only programs did not show superior outcomes; however, compared to participants in mixed‐gender programs, those in women‐only programs had longer lengths of stay, higher levels of commitment to therapy, and were more likely to participate in posttreatment outcome assessments following discharge.
Predictive value of the ACS NSQIP calculator for head and neck reconstruction free tissue transfer
Authors: Tierney William , Shah Janki , Clancy Kate , Lee Maxwell Y. , Ciolek Peter J. , Fritz Michael A. , Lamarre Eric D.
Published: July 2019

Background

Predictive models to forecast the likelihood of specific outcomes after surgical intervention allow informed shared decision‐making by surgeons and patients. Previous studies have suggested that existing general surgical risk calculators poorly forecast head and neck surgical outcomes. However, no large study has addressed this question while subdividing subjects by surgery performed.

Objectives

To determine the accuracy of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Surgical Risk Calculator in estimating length of hospital stay and risk of postoperative complications after free tissue transfer surgery.

Study Design

A retrospective chart review of patients at one institution was performed using Current Procedural Terminology codes for anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap, fibula free flap (FFF), and radial forearm free flap (RFFF) reconstruction. Output data from the ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator were compared with the observed rates in our patients.

Methods

Incidences of cardiac complications, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, return to the operating room, and discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF) were compared to predicted incidences. Length of stay was also compared to the predicted length of stay.

Results

Three hundred thirty‐six free flap reconstructions with 197 ALT flaps, 85 RFFFs, and 54 FFFFs were included. Brier scores were calculated using ACS NSQIP forecast and actual incidences. No Brier score was <0.01 for the entire sample or any subgroup, which indicates that the NSQIP risk calculator does not accurately forecast outcomes after free tissue reconstruction.

Conclusion

The ACS NSQIP failed to accurately forecast postoperative outcomes after head and neck free flap reconstruction for the entire sample or subgroup analyses.

Level of Evidence

4

Laryngoscope, 130:679–684, 2020
Awake thyroidectomy
Authors: Haugen Thorsen W. , Andera Luke N. , LaMadrid Archie B.
Published: July 2019

Objective

In this article, we present a series of 28 patients who underwent thyroid surgery using local anesthesia. We describe our technique, report outcomes, and assess how well the procedure was tolerated from a patient perspective.

Methods

Three surgeons performed awake thyroidectomies and recorded data, including the patient's age and gender, surgery being performed, operative time, weight of the surgical specimen, quantity and type of local anesthetic used, additional medications, patient‐reported pain assessment, and any complications.

Results

Twenty‐seven of 28 patients (96%) successfully underwent awake thyroidectomy. One patient had to be converted to general anesthesia due to airway concerns. There were no complications; however, one patient had a panic attack. Based on a 0 to 10 scaled pain score, the average amount of pain reported was 3.4. The amount of pain the patient reported was significantly dependent on the amount of experience the operating surgeon had with this technique. Seventy‐one percent of patients tolerated surgery with local anesthesia only and did not require additional medications.

Conclusion

Awake thyroidectomy is a well‐tolerated and safe procedure in appropriately selected patients, with many potential benefits over general anesthesia. In most cases, only local anesthesia is required. Increased experience with this technique may be associated with increased patient comfort.

Level of Evidence

4

Laryngoscope, 130:685–690, 2020
Injection laryngoplasty as adjunct treatment method for muscle tension dysphonia: Preliminary findings
Authors: Novakovic Daniel , Nguyen Duong Duy , Chacon Antonia , Madill Catherine
Published: July 2019

Objectives

This study examined the effectiveness of injection laryngoplasty (IL) in muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) patients who did not fully respond to voice therapy. It was hypothesized that IL would improve voice quality and voice‐related quality of life measures in MTD.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on 37 patients with a primary diagnosis of MTD who underwent IL following a suboptimal response to voice therapy (mean age = 43.0 years; standard deviation [SD] = 13.4; range = 23 to 71). Outcome measures included laryngoscopic signs of supraglottic constriction, Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) scores, maximal phonation time, vowel fundamental frequency (F0), standard deviation of F0 (F0SD), harmonics‐to‐noise ratio (HNR), and smoothed cepstral peak prominence. These were compared between baseline and within 3 months following the IL procedure.

Results

There was significant decrease in supraglottic constriction. Mean (SD) of VHI‐10 scores decreased from 25.4 (5.7) at baseline to 15.3 (9.3) following IL. This improvement in VHI‐10 was observed in patients with and without baseline glottal insufficiency (GI). Mean (SD) of HNR (decibels) increased from 21.1 (5.4) at baseline to 22.8 (4.3) after IL. Only patients with GI demonstrated a significant improvement in HNR from baseline to post‐IL. No statistically significant differences in other acoustic measures were observed.

Conclusions

IL resulted in positive changes in voice‐related quality of life in MTD patients with and without GI. Acoustically, only those with GI demonstrated an increase in HNR following IL. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of IL in MTD.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:980–985, 2020
Inducible laryngeal obstruction: Endoscopic quantitative analysis of glottic aperture
Authors: Henrique Peitl Gregorio Paulo , Teixeira Gomes Juliana , Rodrigues Roberto , Jacomelli Marcia , Samara Santos Ellen , Gervilla Gregorio Marcelo
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Using a method developed for this study, the objective was to perform a quantitative analysis of glottic aperture during the respiratory cycle in subjects suspected of having inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) and to compare results to healthy individuals. Correlations between glottic aperture and spirometric parameters were assessed.

Methods

Subjects with high clinical suspicion of ILO and atypical inspiratory findings in spirometry had the images of their laryngoscopy displayed alongside a respiratory flow chart and both were recorded simultaneously. This method allowed detailed analysis of the glottic aperture by measuring the angle of the anterior commissure during inspiration and expiration. Healthy volunteers who performed the same tests and agreed to provide data to this study were used as a control group.

Results

All 15 subjects with ILO and 16 healthy participants were evaluated successfully using the proposed method. Measures of the anterior commissure angle in the ILO versus control group were significantly different in all observed parameters and just three ILO subjects had an anterior commissure closure greater than 50% during the respiratory cycle. Inspired volume (FIF50) and mid‐vital capacity ratio (FEF50/FIF50) had a significant correlation with glottic aperture parameters when considering the evaluation of the subjects all together.

Conclusion

The proposed method provided precise and quantitative analysis of glottic aperture during the respiratory cycle thus indicating that the usage of equipment that allows for such assessment should be encouraged. Also, the threshold of vocal cords closure accepted as indicative of ILO should be reconsidered, especially during the intercritical period of the disease.

Level of Evidence

4

Laryngoscope, 130:E349–E356, 2020
How Do I Assess Tremor Using Novel Technology?
Authors: Longardner Katherine , Undurraga Felipe Vial , Nahab Fatta B. , Hallett Mark , Haubenberger Dietrich
Published: July 2019

Transducers are defined as any sensor that converts a physiological signal of tremor into an electrical signal. Evolving technologies have utilized transducers to develop devices for tremor measurement that are more convenient, accurate, and capable of continuous recording. Transducer‐based methods provide valuable diagnostic tools for the clinician that can distinguish between different tremor syndromes and differentiate tremor from other hyperkinetic movement disorders. Transducers are also used to objectively quantify and track tremor symptom severity over time and assess clinical response to intervention (e.g., pharmaceutical treatments or DBS). This video highlights the utility of transducer‐based methods in characterizing and quantifying tremor and reviews the available technologies for measuring tremor. We provide case examples that demonstrate how different technology‐based measures for tremor direct the approach to diagnosis and management of symptoms.
Revising rapid‐onset dystonia–parkinsonism: Broadening indications for ATP1A3 testing
Authors: Haq Ihtsham U. , Snively Beverly M. , Sweadner Kathleen J. , Suerken Cynthia K. , Cook Jared F. , Ozelius Laurie J. , Miller Charlotte , McCall William V. , Whitlow Christopher T. , Brashear Allison
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives

Rapid‐onset dystonia–parkinsonism (RDP) is caused by mutations in the ATP1A3 gene, which codes for the α‐3 subunit of the Na+/K+ ATPase. It has been characterized by rapid‐onset bulbar dysfunction, limb dystonia, bradykinesia, and a rostrocaudal spatial gradient of expression, usually after a physiologic trigger. We reexamined whether these features were in fact characteristic.

Methods

We characterized phenotypic variation within a cohort of 50 ATP1A3 mutation‐positive individuals (carriers) and 44 mutation‐negative family members (noncarriers). Potential participants were gathered through referral for clinical suspicion of RDP or alternating hemiplegia of childhood. Inclusion criteria were having a ATP1A3 mutation or being a family member of such an individual.

Results

We found RDP is underdiagnosed if only “characteristic” patients are tested. Rapid onset and bulbar predominance were not universally present in carriers. Among those with at least mild symptoms of dystonia, rostrocaudal severity gradient was rare (7%). Symptoms began focally but progressed to be generalized (51%) or multifocal (49%). Arm (41%) onset was most common. Arms and voice were typically most severely affected (48% and 44%, respectively). Triggers preceded onset in 77% of the participants. Rapid onset, dystonia, parkinsonism, bulbar symptoms, headaches, seizures, frontal impairment, and a history of mood disorder and a history of psychosis were more common in carriers. Approximately half of the proband mutations occurred de novo (56%).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that patients should not be excluded from ATP1A3 testing because of slow onset, limb onset, absent family history, or onset in middle adulthood. RDP should be strongly considered in the differential for any bulbar dystonia. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Therapeutic strategies for targeting telomerase in cancer
Authors: Chen Xing , Tang Wen‐Jian , Shi Jing Bo , Liu Ming Ming , Liu Xin‐Hua
Published: July 2019

Telomere and telomerase play important roles in abnormal cell proliferation, metastasis, stem cell maintenance, and immortalization in various cancers. Therefore, designing of drugs targeting telomerase and telomere is of great significance. Over the past two decades, considerable knowledge regarding telomere and telomerase has been accumulated, which provides theoretical support for the design of therapeutic strategies such as telomere elongation. Therefore, the development of telomere‐based therapies such as nucleoside analogs, non‐nucleoside small molecules, antisense technology, ribozymes, and dominant negative human telomerase reverse transcriptase are being prioritized for eradicating a majority of tumors. While the benefits of telomere‐based therapies are obvious, there is a need to address the limitations of various therapeutic strategies to improve the possibility of clinical applications. In this study, current knowledge of telomere and telomerase is discussed, and therapeutic strategies based on recent research are reviewed.
Sine‐cosine wavelet method for fractional oscillator equations
Authors: Saeed Amir , Saeed Umer
Published: July 2019

Purpose

In this article, a novel computational method is introduced for solving the fractional nonlinear oscillator differential equations on the semi‐infinite domain. The purpose of the proposed method is to get better and more accurate results.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method is the combination of the sine‐cosine wavelets and Picard technique. The operational matrices of fractional‐order integration for sine‐cosine wavelets are derived and constructed. Picard technique is used to convert the fractional nonlinear oscillator equations into a sequence of discrete fractional linear differential equations. Operational matrices of sine‐cosine wavelets are utilized to transformed the obtained sequence of discrete equations into the systems of algebraic equations and the solutions of algebraic systems lead to the solution of fractional nonlinear oscillator equations.

Findings

The convergence and supporting analysis of the method are investigated. The operational matrices contains many zero entries, which lead to the high efficiency of the method, and reasonable accuracy is achieved even with less number of collocation points. Our results are in good agreement with exact solutions and more accurate as compared with homotopy perturbation method, variational iteration method, and Adomian decomposition method.

Originality/value

Many engineers can utilize the presented method for solving their nonlinear fractional models.
On calculating kerma, collision kerma and radiative yields
Authors: Rogers D. W. O. , Townson Reid W.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To study the relationships between dose (D), kerma (K), and collision kerma () in photon beams and to investigate total radiative yields for electrons and positrons as a function of energy. To do this accurately required calculating collision kerma directly as a function of position in a phantom and making changes to the EGSnrc package (including DOSRZnrc and g applications).

Methods

Changes were made to the EGSnrc system to allow the user to distinguish events according to their initiating process, most importantly relaxation particles initiated by electron impact ionization as opposed to initiated by photons, especially those events depositing energy below energy cutoffs after relaxation events. Appropriate changes were made to the applications DOSRZnrc and g and a new application, DOSRZnrcKcol, was written.

Results

The modified codes are much more robust against changes in simulation parameters such as ECUT and AE and whether or not electron impact ionization is included in the simulation. The radiative yields for electrons generally differ from values in ICRU Report 371 (1984) which only account for radiative losses due to bremsstrahlung. The Monte Carlo calculated g(brems) values are generally greater than the ICRU 37 values due to energy‐loss straggling. Plots of D, K and vs depth in megavoltage photon beams show that some “conventional wisdom” does not hold in general (e.g., D is not always greater than K past ) and in general at 10 cm depth it is found that D≈K and . The beam radius at which reaches its saturation value depends strongly on the threshold used to define reaching saturation and is generally greater than the radius for lateral charged particle equilibrium used in the TRS‐483 Code of Practice for small beam dosimetry2 (Palmans et al, Med Phys. 2018;45:e1123–e1145).

Conclusions

The changes to EGSnrc make kerma calculations more accurate but previous calculations with electron impact ionization turned off gave close to correct results. The application DOSRZnrcKcol makes calculating collision kerma more efficient and avoids various approximations used in the past although those approximations are shown to be justified. Including energy‐loss straggling when calculating bremsstrahlung radiation yield increases the value. Fluorescence losses and annihilation in flight further increase the radiation yield of electrons and positrons. Results demonstrate the effects of EGSnrc using electron bremsstrahlung production cross sections for positrons and failing to model positron impact ionization.
Ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of fibular mononeuropathy
Authors: Bucklan Julie N. , Morren John A. , Shook Steven J.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Ultrasound (US) evaluation of peripheral nerves is a noninvasive, cost‐effective approach to diagnosing focal mononeuropathies and guiding surgical management. We used the intranerve ratio to evaluate for possible cut‐off values in diagnosis of fibular mononeuropathies (FNs).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of FN confirmed by electrodiagnosis (EDx) was performed to identify intranerve ratio values between affected and unaffected limbs at the fibular head and popliteal fossa.

Results

The optimal fibular head/popliteal fossa intranerve ratio to discriminate between limbs with and without disease was 1.25 (sensitivity, 51%; specificity, 71%). There was no statistically significant difference between affected vs unaffected limbs (ratio, 1.13; P = .15) nor in subgroup analyses. However, 25% of patients had structural lesions amenable to surgery.

Discussion

The utility of US in diagnosis of FN is limited using intranerve ratio data, but US has a distinct advantage over EDx for identifying treatable structural lesions.
One‐year results with selective bladder denervation in women with refractory overactive bladder
Authors: Rovner Eric S. , Versi Eboo , Le Mai Tu , Dmochowski Roger R. , De Wachter Stefan
Published: July 2019

Aims: To report 1‐year results with selective bladder denervation (SBD) of the trigone in women with refractory overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods: In this prospective, international, multicenter case series, women with refractory OAB underwent a single SBD treatment of the bladder subtrigone region using temperature‐controlled radiofrequency. Patients were followed for 1 year and evaluated for changes in OAB symptoms and adverse events.

Results: Among 35 women, 29 (83%) returned for 1‐year follow up. Median symptom reductions based on 3‐day bladder diaries were 68% for urgency urinary incontinence (
P < .001), 67% for urinary incontinence (
P < .001), 43% for urgency episodes (
P < .001), 5% for urinary frequency (
P = .19), and 33% for the total urgency and frequency score (
P < .001), with the majority of treatment benefit realized in the first month. Treatment benefit was reported in 72% of patients, the clinical success rate (≥50% reduction in urgency urinary incontinence) was 69%, and the dry rate was 10%. Statistically significant improvements occurred on Symptom Bother and Health‐related Quality of Life scales on the Overactive Bladder questionnaire, and on 6 of 9 King's Health Questionnaire domains. Patients with less severe baseline symptoms had similar quality of life improvements as those with more severe baseline symptoms. Device‐ or procedure‐related adverse events were reported in 6 (17%) patients.

Conclusions: A single treatment with selective bladder denervation is durable for 1‐year in a significant proportion of women with refractory overactive bladder.
Comparison of tri‐exponential decay versus bi‐exponential decay and full fitting versus segmented fitting for modeling liver intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion MRI
Authors: Chevallier Olivier , Zhou Nan , Cercueil Jean‐Pierre , He Jian , Loffroy Romaric , Wáng Yì Xiáng J.
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To determine whether bi‐ or tri‐exponential models, and full or segmented fittings, better fit the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging signal of healthy livers.

Methods

Diffusion‐weighted images were acquired with a 3 T scanner using a respiratory‐triggered echo‐planar sequence and 16b‐values (0–800 s/mm2). Eighteen healthy volunteers had their livers scanned twice in the same session, and then once in another session. Liver parenchyma region‐of‐interest‐based measurements were processed with bi‐exponential and tri‐exponential models, with both full fitting and segmented fitting (thresholdb‐value = 200 s/mm2).

Results

With the signal of all scans averaged, bi‐exponential model full fitting showedDslow = 1.14 × 10−3 mm2/s,Dfast = 193.6 × 10−3 mm2/s, and perfusion fraction (PF) = 16.9%, and segmented fitting showedDslow = 0.98 × 10−3 mm2/s,Dfast = 42.2 × 10−3 mm2/s, and PF = 23.3%. IVIM parameters derived from the tri‐exponential model were similar for full fitting and segmented fitting, with slow (D'slow = 0.98 × 10−3 mm2/s;F'slow = 76.4 or 76.6%), fast (D'fast = 15.1 or 15.4 × 10−3 mm2/s;F'fast = 11.8 or 11.7%) and very fast (D'Vfast = 445.0 or 448.8 × 10−3 mm2/s;F'Vfast = 11.8 or 11.7%) diffusion compartments. The tri‐exponential model provided an overall better fit than the bi‐exponential model. For the bi‐exponential model, full fitting provided a better fit at very low and lowb‐values compared with segmented fitting, with the latter tending to underestimateDfast; however, the segmented method demonstrated lower error in signal prediction for highb‐values. Compared with full fitting, tri‐exponential segmented fitting offered better scan‐rescan reproducibility.

Conclusion

For healthy liver, tri‐exponential modeling is preferred to bi‐exponential modeling. For the bi‐exponential model, segmented fitting underestimatesDfast, but offers a more accurate estimation ofDslow.
Facilitators to the continuous abuse of tramadol among the youth: A qualitative study in Northern Ghana
Authors: Fuseini Abdul‐Ganiyu , Afizu Alhassan , Yakubu Yakubu H. , Nachinab Gilbert
Published: July 2019

Study aim

Considering the alarming rate at which young people abuse tramadol, as evidenced by the numerous media reports on the subject, this qualitative study was conducted to explore the facilitators to the abuse of tramadol by young people.

Design and methods

A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed in conducting the study. A total of 18 participants were purposively sampled. Data for the study were collected through two focused group discussions and three in‐depth‐interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

The findings of the study revealed four main themes. These themes were initiating factors of abuse; desirable physical effects; desirable psychological effects; and undesirable effects. It was revealed that many young people initially get into tramadol abuse because of peer pressure, curiosity or post‐traumatic addiction. However, they often continue the practice for various physical and psychological gratifications including euphoria, attentiveness, high energy levels, pain relief and improved sexual performance. The study also revealed some unpleasant side effects of tramadol abuse such as severe vomiting, loss of appetite, seizures, emotional aloofness and irritability. Many of the participants in this study also expressed willingness to quit tramadol abuse because of social discrimination and the enormous side effects that come with the abuse of the drug.
A Systematic Scoping Review of Surgically Manipulated Adipose Tissue and the Regulation of Energetics and Body Fat in Animals
Authors: Murillo Anarina L. , Kaiser Kathryn A. , Smith Daniel L. , Peterson Courtney M. , Affuso Olivia , Tiwari Hemant K. , Allison David B.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Surgical manipulations of adipose tissue by removal, or partial lipectomy, have demonstrated body fat compensation and recovered body weight, suggesting that the body is able to resist changes to body composition. However, the mechanisms underlying these observations are not well understood. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide an update on what is currently known about the regulation of energetics and body fat after surgical manipulations of adipose tissue in small mammals.

Methods

PubMed and Scopus were searched to identify 64 eligible studies. Outcome measures included body fat, body weight, food intake, and circulating biomarkers.

Results

Surgeries performed included lipectomy (72%) or transplantation (12%) in mice (35%), rats (35%), and other small mammals. Findings suggested that lipectomy did not have consistent long‐term effects on reducing body weight and fat because regain occurred within 12 to 14 weeks post surgery. Hence, biological feedback mechanisms act to resist long‐term changes of body weight or fat. Furthermore, whether this weight and fat regain occurred because of “passive” and “active” regulation under the “set point” or “settling point” theories cannot fully be discerned because of limitations in study designs and data collected.

Conclusions

The regulation of energetics and body fat are complex and dynamic processes that require further studies of the interplay of genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors.
Towards New Robust Zn(II) Complexes for the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Lactide Under Industrially Relevant Conditions
Authors: Schäfer Pascal M. , Dankhoff Katja , Rothemund Matthias , Ksiazkiewicz Agnieszka N. , Pich Andrij , Schobert Rainer , Weber Birgit , Herres‐Pawlis Sonja
Published: July 2019

The synthesis of bio‐based and biodegradable plastics is a hot topic in research due to growing environmental problems caused by omnipresent plastics. As a result, polylactide, which has been known for years, has seen a tremendous increase in industrial production. Nevertheless, the manufacturing process using the toxic catalyst Sn(Oct)2 is very critical. As an alternative, five zinc acetate complexes have been synthesized with Schiff base‐like ligands that exhibit high activity in the ring‐opening polymerization of non‐purified lactide. The systems bear different side arms in the ligand scaffold. The influence of these substituents has been analyzed. For a detailed description of the catalytic activities, the rate constants kapp and kp were determined using in‐situ Raman spectroscopy at a temperature of 150 °C. The polymers produced have molar masses of up to 71 000 g mol−1 and are therefore suitable for a variety of applications. Toxicity measurements carried out for these complexes proved the nontoxicity of the systems.
Antidepressant use during pregnancy and risk of congenital heart defects: A case‐time‐control study
Authors: Sun Yuelian , Pedersen Lars Henning , Wu Chun Sen , Petersen Irene , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Olsen Jørn
Published: July 2019

Purpose

We estimated the association between maternal antidepressant (AD) use in early pregnancy and risk of congenital heart defects.

Methods

We applied a case‐time‐control design with the aim of controlling for confounding from time‐invariant factors and compared the results of the design to results from a cohort design in a population of 792 685 singletons born alive in Denmark during 1995‐2008. In the case‐time‐control design, we identified children diagnosed with a congenital heart defect in the first 5 years of life (cases) and compared maternal AD use in the risk period (the first 3 months of pregnancy) and the reference period (gestational months 5‐7). A nondiseased control group was included to adjust for time trends of exposure. In the cohort design, we identified children whose mothers redeemed at least one AD prescription in the first 3 months of pregnancy (the exposed) and two other groups including the unexposed children with maternal AD prescriptions in the 12 months before pregnancy. We applied conditional logistic regression and logistic regression to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The case‐time‐control OR for any congenital heart defect was 1.03 (95% CI, 0.61‐1.73), which was similar to the OR (1.09, 95% CI, 0.88‐1.35) from the cohort design when we compared the exposed children with the unexposed children with maternal AD use before pregnancy.

Conclusions

The case‐time‐control design provided results similar to the cohort design when the cohort design had a better confounder control strategy. We discussed the strengths and drawbacks of case‐time‐control design.
Medication‐Induced Hyperlactatemia and Lactic Acidosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Smith Zachary R. , Horng Michelle , Rech Megan A.
Published: July 2019

Hyperlactatemia and lactic acidosis are two syndromes that are associated with morbidity and mortality. Medication‐induced hyperlactatemia and lactic acidosis are diagnoses of exclusion and have the potential to be overlooked. The purposes of this systematic review are to identify published reports of medication‐induced lactate level elevations to aid clinicians in diagnosing and comprehending the underlying mechanism of this rare adverse drug effect and to provide management strategies. The PubMed database was searched for case reports, case series, retrospective studies, and prospective studies describing cases of medication‐induced lactate level elevation, including lactic acidosis and hyperlactatemia, published between January 1950 and June 2017. A standardized search strategy was used, and the articles identified underwent two rounds of independent evaluation by two reviewers to assess for inclusion. Articles were included if they described at least one patient older than 12 years with hyperlactatemia or lactic acidosis caused by a medication with United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and if alternative etiologies for an elevated lactate level were ruled out. Metformin and nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors were excluded since the pathophysiology and incidence of lactic acidosis have been well established for these agents. Overall, 1918 articles were identified, and 101 met inclusion criteria. A total of 286 patients experienced medication‐induced lactate level elevations, from which 59 unique medications were identified. The most commonly identified agents were epinephrine and albuterol. Medication‐induced lactate level elevation was classified as lactic acidosis (64.0%), hyperlactatemia (31.1%), or not specified (4.9%). The doses ingested included FDA‐labeled doses (86%), intentional overdoses (10.8%), or prescribed doses exceeding the FDA‐labeled dose (3.1%). Medications were continued without a change (40.8%), were permanently discontinued (34.4%), were continued with a dosage reduction (11.6%), or were initially withheld then resumed after lactate level normalized (2.9%); medication management for the remaining 10.0% was not reported. Forty‐six patients died (16%). Six deaths were attributed by treating clinicians to be secondary to medication‐induced lactic acidosis. Management strategies were heterogeneous, and treatment included supportive care, exogenous bicarbonate therapy, medication specific antidotes, and decontamination strategies. Unexplained lactate level elevations should prompt clinicians to assess for medication‐induced lactate level elevations. Pharmacists are members of the health care team that are well positioned to serve as experts in the diagnosis and management of medication‐induced lactate level elevations.
Guarding Public Coffers or Trapping the Poor? The Role of Public Assistance Asset Limits in Program Efficacy and Family Economic Well‐Being
Authors: Hamilton Leah , Rothwell David , Huang Jin , Nam Yunju , Dollar Taylor
Published: July 2019

Devolution of the American welfare state over the last 40 years means that states have more control to set eligibility criteria in public assistance programs. One such criterion, limits on participant assets, is designed to improve program efficiency by allocating scarce public resources only to the truly needy, but it presents a unique set of barriers to financial independence for low‐income families. In this article, we present the historical policy context for asset limits in the primary cash assistance, food assistance, health, and disability programs in the United States and discuss the theoretical implications for program participation and efficiency, household assets, and the labor market. Finally, we provide a review of the existing empirical literature in each of these areas and recommendations for future research and policy development.
Examining How Community Poverty, Family Structure, and Community Involvement Influence the Earnings of Youth
Authors: Monahan Emma Kahle
Published: July 2019

The field of neighborhood effects has grown over the past few decades, and the impact of neighborhoods is often significant for youth outcomes and development. Using Add Health data, this study examines how community poverty, family structure, and community involvement during adolescence predict income in young adulthood. Multilevel modeling allows us to see how these variables operate within community‐level effects to impact young adult income. The results of a random intercept model suggest that community poverty does have a significant, negative association with young adult income. Additionally, when the random effects of community poverty are accounted for, family structure does not appear to be an important predictor of income. The interaction of family structure with community poverty, however, suggests that single‐mother family structures have a protective effect in higher‐poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, interactions between community poverty and community involvement suggest greater youth community involvement in high‐poverty neighborhoods may have a negative influence on adult income.
The Effect of Minimum Wage on Per Capita Income in Arizona: Empirical Analysis
Authors: Overstreet Dallin
Published: July 2019

Arizonans have elected to increase the minimum wage twice since 2006 via ballot measures while lawmakers doubt that increasing the minimum wage positively affects workers. Past studies have had conflicting results about the effects of changes in the minimum wage on various indicators of economic health. We utilize a quasi‐experimental time‐series study analyzing the impact a change in minimum wage has on per capita income specifically within the state of Arizona. The experiment reviews data from 1976 to 2017 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the St. Louis Federal Reserve. We conclude that a 1 percent increase in the minimum wage will on average produce a 1.13 percent increase in per capita income in Arizona. Although this study used data specific to Arizona, we believe that there could be a strong case for external validity based on the findings of past studies done in this research area. This conclusion could have large implications concerning the use of minimum wage as an anti‐poverty and economic growth policy tool.
Ceramide cross‐linking leads to pore formation: Potential mechanism behind CAP enhancement of transdermal drug delivery
Authors: Van der Paal Jonas , Fridman Gregory , Bogaerts Annemie
Published: July 2019

In recent years, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been proposed as a novel method to enhance transdermal drug delivery, while avoiding tissue damage. However, the underlying mechanism for the increasing skin permeability upon CAP treatment is still undefined. We propose a mechanism in which CAP‐generated reactive species induce cross‐linking of skin lipids, leading to the generation of nanopores, thereby facilitating the permeation of drug molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations support this proposed mechanism. Furthermore, our results indicate that to achieve maximum enhancement of the permeability, the optimal treatment will depend on the exact lipid composition of the skin, as well as on the CAP source used.
Carbon‐Doped Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Prepared from Metal Nitrates in Supercritical CO2‐Enabled Polymer Nanoreactors
Authors: Jiang Nina , Wang Yiwei , Li Danyang , Niu Jie , Wang Shibin , Chen Aizheng
Published: July 2019

Various C‐doped metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared from metal nitrates in poly‐(methyl vinyl ether‐co‐maleic anhydride) (PVM/MA) nanoreactors. The loading of metal nitrates in the nanoreactors is realized via a process of solution‐enhanced dispersion by supercritical CO2. When the temperature exceeds the thermal decomposition temperature of the nitrates, the nitrates‐loaded nanoreactors transform into C‐doped metal oxide NPs. ZnO, NiO, and Co3O4 NPs as representative of the doped oxides are successfully fabricated. A precise control over the doping concentration and doping site in the lattice is achieved by changing the mass ratio between PVM/MA and metal nitrate. The controllable carbon doping avoids undesirable aggregation of carbon species and metal oxide NPs, endows the NPs with broad and strong absorption bands in the visible light region, and creates channels for separation of photo‐generated electrons and holes. In this regard, the resultant C‐doped metal oxide NPs exhibit excellent photocatalytic, photo‐induced antibacterial, and photothermal performances.
ADN and HAN‐Based Monopropellants – A Minireview on Compatibility and Chemical Stability in Aqueous Media
Authors: Freudenmann Dominic , Ciezki Helmut K.
Published: July 2019

This article gives a short review on compatibility and chemical stability of selected aqueous ADN and HAN‐based energetic formulations. A brief introduction will outline Energetic Ionic Liquids (EILs) as a new class of energetic materials with beneficial physical‐chemical properties which make them valuable for application in propulsion technologies. EILs combine the advantages of e. g. low toxicity, showing equal or superior propulsion power compared to the state‐of‐the‐art monopropellant hydrazine. Focus is set on open access ADN and HAN‐based monopropellant formulations that are e. g. realized in the advanced blends LMP‐103S, FLP‐106 or LGP 1845.
Defect Absorption in Ge2Sb2Te5 Phase‐Change Films
Authors: Gotoh Tamihiro
Published: July 2019

Defect absorption spectra in amorphous and crystalline Ge2Sb2Te5 phase‐change films are investigated. Photothermal deflection spectroscopy extended to the IR region reveals subgap absorption of the Ge2Sb2Te5 films. Subgap absorption peaks are observed around 0.480, 0.415, and 0.368 eV for as‐deposited films, around 0.475, 0.410, and 0.360 eV for 180 °C‐annealed films, and around 0.410 and 0.350 eV for 300 °C‐annealed films at room temperature. The intensity and energies of the absorption peaks vary with heat treatments in the range of 90–300 °C. Broad absorption of 0.5–0.6 eV is also observed for as‐deposited films. Based on the experimental results, the generation mechanisms of the defect levels in amorphous, metastable, and stable crystalline Ge2Sb2Te5 are discussed.
Self‐Assembled Monomolecular Layer Modified ZnO for Efficient Inverted Polymer Solar Cells with 11.53% Efficiency
Authors: Xie Guanshui , Zhang Zheling , Li Junli , Hu Yong , Ge Xiaomei , Tu Guoli , Zhang Xiaoling , Zhang Xiuyun , Zhang Jian
Published: July 2019

Interfacial materials play a vital role in determining the charge carrier collection for the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a monomolecular (3‐aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) layer is deposited onto ZnO, acting as cathode interfacial layer (CIL) in the inverted PSCs. Inverted PBDB‐T:IT‐M PSCs with the ZnO‐APTES CILs exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 11.53% with a short‐circuit current density of 18.37 mA cm−2, an open‐circuit voltage of 0.91 V and fill factor of 68.77%. More than 13% improvement on the power conversion efficiency is achieved by inserting APTES, due to efficient charge collection obtained by a built‐in electric field and reduced oxygen defects at the ZnO surface. The results indicate that the ZnO‐APTES layer is an efficient CIL for inverted PSCs.
Leakage Current Control of SrTiO3 Thin Films through Al Doping at the Interface between Dielectric and Electrode Layers via Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Kim Sang Hyeon , Lee Woongkyu , An Cheol Hyun , Kim Yumin , Kwon Dae Seon , Kim Dong-Gun , Cha Soon Hyung , Cho Seong Tak , Lim Junil , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: July 2019

Al is doped to a SrTiO3 (STO) thin film grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to decrease the leakage current. One ALD cycle of Al2O3 is processed either at the top or at the bottom of the STO films, and the electrical properties are compared with those of the undoped STO films. The ≈3.5 nm‐thick seed layer is first deposited and crystallized through rapid thermal annealing, and from 5 to 20 nm‐thick main layers are subsequently grown for in situ crystallization of the main layer. When an Al2O3 deposition cycle is inserted below the first seed layer, the crystallization of the STO films is disturbed, and the bulk dielectric constant degrades from 149 (undoped STO) to 71. When the Al2O3 deposition cycle is performed after the STO main layer growth, however, the dielectric constant degradation is minimized (120). In both cases, the leakage current decreases 20 times compared with the undoped STO case because of the conduction band offset increase. Consequently, the equivalent oxide thickness and physical oxide thickness decrease from 0.71 to 0.63 nm and from 10.3 to 8.6 nm, respectively, through Al doping on the top of the STO films with a sufficiently low leakage current (<10−7 A cm−2).
Current‐Induced Magnetization Switching by the High Spin Hall Conductivity α‐W
Authors: Liao Wei-Bang , Chen Tian-Yue , Ferrante Yari , Parkin Stuart S. P. , Pai Chi-Feng
Published: July 2019

The spin Hall effect originating from 5d heavy transition‐metal thin films such as Pt, Ta, and W is able to generate efficient spin–orbit torques that can switch adjacent magnetic layers. This mechanism can serve as an alternative to conventional spin‐transfer torque for controlling next‐generation magnetic memories. Among all 5d transition metals, W in its resistive amorphous phase typically shows the largest spin–orbit torque efficiency ≈0.20–0.50. In contrast, its conductive and crystalline α phase possesses a significantly smaller efficiency of ≈0.03 and no spin–orbit torque switching is realized using α‐W thin films as the spin Hall source. Herein, through a comprehensive study of high‐quality W/CoFeB/MgO and the reversed MgO/CoFeB/W magnetic heterostructures, it is shown that although amorphous‐W has a greater spin–orbit torque efficiency, the spin Hall conductivity of α‐W is ≈3.5 times larger than that of amorphous W . Moreover, spin–orbit torque‐driven magnetization switching using a MgO/CoFeB/α‐W heterostructure is demonstrated. The findings suggest that the conductive and high spin Hall conductivity α‐W is a potential candidate for future low‐power consumption spin–orbit torque memory applications.
Polyphenols: A concise overview on the chemistry, occurrence, and human health
Authors: Durazzo Alessandra , Lucarini Massimo , Souto Eliana B. , Cicala Carla , Caiazzo Elisabetta , Izzo Angelo A. , Novellino Ettore , Santini Antonello
Published: July 2019

This review gives an updated picture of each class of phenolic compounds and their properties. The most common classification implies the subdivision of phenolics in two main groups: flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanins, flavanols, flavanones, flavonols, flavonones, and isoflavones) and non‐flavonoids (e.g., phenolic acids, xanthones, stilbens, lignans, and tannins) polyphenols. The great interest in polyphenols is associated with their high potential application for food preservation and for therapeutic beneficial use. The relationship between polyphenol intake and human health has been exploited with special reference to cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cancer. The use of current existing databases of bioactive compounds including polyphenols is described as key tools for human health research.
Clinical and metabolic responses to crocin in patients under methadone maintenance treatment: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ghaderi Amir , Rasouli‐Azad Morad , Vahed Neda , Banafshe Hamid Reza , Soleimani Anvar , Omidi Abdollah , Ghoreishi Fatemeh Sadat , Asemi Zatollah
Published: July 2019

Patients under methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs are susceptible to several complications including metabolic and clinical disorders. This study was designed to determine the effect of crocin supplementation on mental health parameters and metabolic profiles in subjects under MMT. The current randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, clinical trial was conducted among 53 patients under MMT to receive either 15 mg/day of crocin (n = 26) or placebo (n = 27) twice a day for 8 weeks. Crocin administration significantly decreased Beck Depression Inventory score (P = 0.01) and Beck Anxiety Inventory score (P = 0.008) compared with the placebo. In addition, crocin administration resulted in a significant reduction in fasting glucose (P = 0.003), insulin levels (P = 0.01), insulin resistance (P = 0.008), triglycerides (P = 0.001), very low‐density lipoprotein (P = 0.001), total cholesterol levels (P = 0.03), and a significant increase in insulin sensitivity (.003) compared with the placebo. Additionally, crocin intake was associated with a significant reduction in high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (p < .001) and malondialdehyde (P = 0.001) and a significant rise in total antioxidant capacity levels (P = 0.01) compared with the placebo. The findings of this clinical trial indicate that taking crocin for 8 weeks by patients under MMT had beneficial effects on their mental health and improved their metabolic profiles.
A new age‐ and state‐dependent degradation process with possibly negative increments
Authors: Giorgio Massimiliano , Pulcini Gianpaolo
Published: July 2019

A new age‐ and state‐dependent degradation process is proposed, which can be used in the case the degradation phenomenon under study is not necessarily monotonic increasing. In particular, the degradation increments of the proposed model are assumed to be possibly dependent on each other and negative. The model is obtained by generalizing the well‐known and largely applied Wiener process and partially preserves the mathematically tractability of the Wiener process. In the paper, the main features and properties of the proposed model are first discussed and the maximum likelihood estimators of its parameters are derived. An applicative example is finally developed, which shows the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed approach.