bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grading bunch tightness for grape by multiperspective imaging approach coupled with multivariate classification methods
Authors: Feng Shang‐kun , Yuan Lei‐ming , Ye Hua
Published: March 2019

Bunch's tightness is a significant trait in determining tablegrape and wine quality. But standard determination of tightness needs the trained technicians and complex manual measurements. This study is to validate the feasibility of multiperspective imaging analysis combined with multivariate modeling methods to grade the grape bunch compactness in a rapid, automatic, and objective approach. The detection system was developed by multiperspective projection imaging structure, where mono‐camera was used to simultaneously capture the whole surface of grape bunch by two mirrors' reflections. Through series of image processes, 23 features that described bunch regions, contours, the cluster density, and so forth, were digitalized and normalized for linear projections by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square (PLS), respectively. Then the projected latent components were obtained and were taken as input of the developed classifiers, to qualitatively assess the bunch's tightness. Results indicated these components compressed more information from PLS than PCA projection, and PLS‐support vector machine classifier outperformed best with 88.33% accuracy rate. It was concluded that the multiperspective simultaneously imaging approach coupled with image process and pattern recognition technology could be applied to evaluate the external tightness of grape bunch. Moreover, it has the potential to be a good reference for rapid grade of berry cluster.

Practical applications

The proven performance of machine vision coupled with pattern recognition could be implemented in automatic measurement system to rapidly and objectively classify the tightness of postharvest grape bunch or other berry‐clustered fruit. This work could be a useful application for the specific consumptions to distinguish the tight from the loose on account of that the tightness plays a significant role in determining table grape and wine quality.
Capital Share Risk in U.S. Asset Pricing
Authors: LETTAU MARTIN , LUDVIGSON SYDNEY C. , MA SAI
Published: March 2019

A single macroeconomic factor based on growth in the capital share of aggregate income exhibits significant explanatory power for expected returns across a range of equity characteristic portfolios and nonequity asset classes, with risk price estimates that are of the same sign and similar in magnitude. Positive exposure to capital share risk earns a positive risk premium, commensurate with recent asset pricing models in which redistributive shocks shift the share of income between the wealthy, who finance consumption primarily out of asset ownership, and workers, who finance consumption primarily out of wages and salaries.
Capital Share Dynamics When Firms Insure Workers
Authors: HARTMAN‐GLASER BARNEY , LUSTIG HANNO , XIAOLAN MINDY Z.
Published: March 2019

Although the aggregate capital share of U.S. firms has increased, capital share at the firm‐level has decreased. This divergence is due to mega‐firms that produce a larger output share without a proportionate increase in labor compensation. We develop a model in which firms insure workers against firm‐specific shocks, with more productive firms allocating more rents to shareholders, while less productive firms endogenously exit. Increasing firm‐level risk delays exit and increases the measure of mega‐firms, raising (lowering) the aggregate (average) capital share. An increase in the level of rents magnifies this effect. We present evidence that supports this mechanism.
Tourism, amenities, and welfare in an urban setting
Authors: Lanzara Gianandrea , Minerva G. Alfredo
Published: March 2019

Using data on Italian cities, we document that over the period of 2001–2011, the number of establishments and employment in some key service industries are positively related to the inflow of tourists. We then build a general equilibrium model of small open cities encompassing these empirical features to study the impact of tourism on endogenous consumption amenities, factors’ allocation across sectors, prices, and welfare. We also study the interplay of exogenous historical amenities, tourism, and residents welfare in a system of two cities. When residents are immobile, they are unambiguously better off when they live in a city with richer historical amenities, and thus more tourists, than the other city. When residents are mobile and their welfare is equalized between cities, the strength of consumption amenities becomes crucial to determine whether they are better off living in an urban system where cities are heterogeneous or similar in terms of historical amenities.
Sexual dichromatism does not translate into sex‐based difference in morphology or diet for the African boomslang
Authors: Smith C. C. D. , Layloo I. , Maritz R. A. , Maritz B.
Published: March 2019

Selection for sexual dichromatism is thought to arise mainly from intersexual niche divergence or sexual selection, including mate‐choice and intrasexual competition. However, overt sexual dichromatism is rare in snakes, limiting inference regarding its origin and maintenance in these animals. We thus aimed to assess whether boomslang (Dispholidus typus) – a species of overtly sexually dichromatic African snake – exhibits evidence for intersexual niche divergence based on three ecologically relevant morphological variables (snout‐vent length, tail length and head length) and one ecological variable (diet). We measured morphological variables on 203 museum specimens, and characterized diets for male and female snakes on the basis of dissected specimen gut contents, supplemented with literature reports of feeding, as well as online photographs. Male and female boomslang show broadly similar gross morphology and do not differ in mean snout‐vent, relative tail length or head length. Moreover, male and female snakes do not differ in the frequency with which they consume different prey classes. Similarly, diets of adult and juvenile snakes did not differ significantly. The abundance of chameleons and bird chicks (36% and 54% of prey items respectively) in the diet of boomslang suggests dietary restriction due to arboreality rather than dietary specialization per se. Despite examining a range of morphological and ecological variables, we fail to detect evidence for intersexual niche differentiation. Rather, our results suggest that juvenile coloration is likely a result of selection for camouflage from visually oriented predators, and that the overt sexual dichromatism of adults following maturation represents a shift toward either intersexual mate‐choice or intrasexual competition. We therefore recommend that boomslang visual acuity and colour differentiation be directly examined in the future.
Ultrastructural and metabolic disorders induced by short‐term cadmium exposure in Avicennia schaueriana plants and its excretion through leaf salt glands
Authors: Mizushima M. Y. B. , Ferreira B. G. , França M. G. C. , Almeida A.‐A. F. , Cortez P. A. , Silva J. V. S. , Jesus R. M. , Prasad M. N. V. , Mangabeira P. A. O.
Published: March 2019

Environmental cadmium (Cd) sources have increased in mangrove sediments in recent decades, inducing cellular damage to many plants. Avicennia schaueriana is abundant in mangrove sites and has been subject to Cd contamination. The possible effects of Cd toxicity and the structural and physiological disturbances to this plant were studied. Can this plant express early cellular tolerance mechanisms to such metal contamination?

Seedlings of A. schaueriana were collected from sites of their natural occurrence, placed in plastic pots containing nutrient solution for 60 days, and subsequently exposed to increasing Cd concentrations for 5 days under experimental conditions. The anatomical, ultrastructural and physiological changes induced by Cd were analysed.

Cd accumulated mainly in the root system and in pneumatophores, stems and leaves, induced differential accumulation of mineral nutrients, but did not induce necrosis or changes in leaf anatomy. However, there was a decrease in starch grains and an increase in deposited electron‐dense material in the cortex and vascular bundles. Cd induced both increases in calcium (Ca) content in shoots and Ca oxalate crystal precipitation in leaf mesophyll and was detected in crystals and in the secretion of salt glands.

Our observations and experimental results provide evidence of Cd tolerance in A. schaueriana. As a new feature, despite the clear cellular physiological disorders, this plant is able to eliminate Cd through leaf salt glands and immobilise it in Ca crystals, representing fast mechanisms for Cd exclusion and complexation in leaves in heavy metal coastal polluted marine ecosystems.
Cognitive reappraisal during unpleasant picture processing: Subjective self‐report and peripheral physiology
Authors: Fuentes‐Sánchez Nieves , Jaén Irene , Escrig Miguel A. , Lucas Ignacio , Pastor M. Carmen
Published: March 2019

Increased attention among the research community in exploring underlying mechanisms of emotion regulation has prompted a growth of experimental works in this field. Empirical studies have mainly focused on self‐reports, brain imaging, and electrophysiological measures, with only a few works exploring peripheral physiology. Additionally, most of such studies have not considered the specific stimuli content, even though prior literature has shown relevant differences in psychophysiological and subjective responses depending on picture categories. The current study assessed several peripheral correlates (startle amplitude, electrodermal changes, heart rate) of emotion regulation processes in a sample of 122 healthy participants. The task consisted of voluntary reappraisal of negative emotions prompted by unpleasant pictures (threat to others and victims), compared to a nonregulation control condition (looking at exemplars of the same categories and household objects). Results showed an effect of emotion regulation instructions in all psychophysiological and subjective measures. In peripheral physiology, greater responses were observed specifically when increasing negative emotions, concurring with previous research. Regarding specific content, our findings evidence a similar emotion regulation pattern, independently of the unpleasant category, suggesting a plausible effect of cognitive variables (such as cognitive effort) during voluntary reappraisal for both categories.
Drugging transcription in heart failure
Authors: Padmanabhan Arun , Haldar Saptarsi M.
Published: March 2019

Advances in our understanding of the basic biology and biochemistry of chromatin structure and function at genome scales has led to tremendous growth in the fields of epigenomics and transcriptional biology. While it has long been appreciated that transcriptional pathways are dysregulated in failing hearts, only recently has the idea of disrupting altered transcription by targeting chromatin‐associated proteins been explored. Here, we provide a brief overview of efforts to drug transcription in the context of heart failure, focusing on the bromo‐ and extra‐terminal domain (BET) family of chromatin co‐activator proteins.

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Improving the Surface Integrity of Additive-Manufactured Metal Parts by Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Burnishing
Authors: Teramachi Akinori , Yan Jiwang
Published: March 2019

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) has been attracting attention as a new manufacturing method, but a surface finishing process is usually needed to improve the surface quality. As a new surface finishing process, ultrasonic vibration-assisted burnishing (UVAB) is promising. In this study, UVAB was performed on an additive-manufactured AlSi10 Mg workpiece to improve its surface/subsurface integrity. The effects of ultrasonic vibration (UV) and lateral tool pass width on the burnishing performance were investigated. It was observed that the surface roughness, filling ratio, and hardness of the surface layer were simultaneously improved after burnishing. This study shows the effectiveness of applying UVAB to improve the surface quality of additive-manufactured products for various industrial uses.
Immune Evasion byStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: de Jong Nienke W. M. , van Kessel Kok P. M. , van Strijp Jos A. G.
Published: March 2019

Staphylococcus aureushas become a serious threat to human health. In addition to having increased antibiotic resistance, the bacterium is a master at adapting to its host by evading almost every facet of the immune system, the so-called immune evasion proteins. Many of these immune evasion proteins target neutrophils, the most important immune cells in clearingS. aureusinfections. The neutrophil attacks pathogens via a plethora of strategies. Therefore, it is no surprise thatS. aureushas evolved numerous immune evasion strategies at almost every level imaginable. In this review we discuss step by step the aspects of neutrophil-mediated killing ofS. aureus, such as neutrophil activation, migration to the site of infection, bacterial opsonization, phagocytosis, and subsequent neutrophil-mediated killing. After each section we discuss howS. aureusevasion molecules are able to resist the neutrophil attack of these different steps. To date, around 40 immune evasion molecules ofS. aureusare known, but its repertoire is still expanding due to the discovery of new evasion proteins and the addition of new functions to already identified evasion proteins. Interestingly, because the different parts of neutrophil attack are redundant, the evasion molecules display redundant functions as well. Knowing how and with which proteinsS. aureusis evading the immune system is important in understanding the pathophysiology of this pathogen. This knowledge is crucial for the development of therapeutic approaches that aim to clear staphylococcal infections.
Use of clinical algorithms and rapid influenza testing to manage influenza-like illness: a cost-effectiveness analysis in Sri Lanka
Authors: Tillekeratne L Gayani , Bodinayake Champica , Nagahawatte Ajith , Kurukulasooriya Ruvini , Orlando Lori A , Simmons Ryan A , Park Lawrence P , Woods Christopher W , Reed Shelby D
Published: March 2019

Background

Acute respiratory infections are a common reason for antibiotic overuse. We previously showed that providing Sri Lankan clinicians with positive rapid influenza test results was associated with a reduction in antibiotic prescriptions. The economic impact of influenza diagnostic strategies is unknown.

Methods

We estimated the incremental cost per antibiotic prescription avoided with three diagnostic strategies versus standard care when managing Sri Lankan outpatients with influenza-like illness (ILI): (1) influenza clinical prediction tool, (2) targeted rapid influenza testing and (3) universal rapid influenza testing. We compared findings with literature-based estimates of the cost of antimicrobial resistance attributable to each antibiotic prescription.

Results

Standard care was less expensive than other strategies across all parameter values in one-way sensitivity analyses. The incremental cost per antibiotic prescription avoided with clinical prediction versus standard care was US$3.0, which was lower than the base-case estimate of the cost of antimicrobial resistance per ILI antibiotic prescription (US$12.5). The incremental cost per antibiotic prescription avoided with targeted testing and universal testing versus standard care were both higher than the base-case cost of antimicrobial resistance per ILI antibiotic prescription: US$49.1 and US$138.3, respectively. To obtain a cost-effectiveness ratio lower than US$12.5 with targeted testing versus standard care, the test price must be <US$2.6. At a higher threshold of US$28.7, the test price must be <US$7.7.

Conclusion

Clinical prediction tools and targeted rapid influenza testing may be cost-saving strategies in Sri Lanka when accounting for the societal cost of antimicrobial resistance.
Prescribing practice of pregabalin/gabapentin in pain therapy: an evaluation of German claim data
Authors: Viniol Annika , Ploner Tina , Hickstein Lennart , Haasenritter Jörg , Klein Karl Martin , Walker Jochen , Donner-Banzhoff Norbert , Becker Annette
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To analyse the prevalence and incidence of pregabalin and gabapentin (P/G) prescriptions, typical therapeutic uses of P/G with special attention to pain-related diagnoses and discontinuation rates.

Design

Secondary data analysis.

Setting

Primary and secondary care in Germany.

Participants

Four million patients in the years 2009–2015 (anonymous health insurance data).

Intervention

None.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

P/G prescribing rates, P/G prescribing rates associated with pain therapy, analysis of pain-related diagnoses leading to new P/G prescriptions and the discontinuation rate of P/G.

Results

In 2015, 1.6% of insured persons received P/G prescriptions. Among the patients with pain first treated with P/G, as few as 25.7% were diagnosed with a typical neuropathic pain disorder. The remaining 74.3% had either not received a diagnosis of neuropathic pain or showed a neuropathic component that was pathophysiologically conceivable but did not support the prescription of P/G. High discontinuation rates were observed (85%). Among the patients who had discontinued the drug, 61.1% did not receive follow-up prescriptions within 2 years.

Conclusion

The results show that P/G is widely prescribed in cases of chronic pain irrespective of neuropathic pain diagnoses. The high discontinuation rate indicates a lack of therapeutic benefits and/or the occurrence of adverse effects.
Music Interventions for Dementia and Depression in ELderly care (MIDDEL): protocol and statistical analysis plan for a multinational cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Gold Christian , Eickholt Jasmin , Assmus Jörg , Stige Brynjulf , Wake Jo Dugstad , Baker Felicity Anne , Tamplin Jeanette , Clark Imogen , Lee Young-Eun Claire , Jacobsen Stine Lindahl , Ridder Hanne Mette Ochsner , Kreutz Gunter , Muthesius Dorothea , Wosch Thomas , Ceccato Enrico , Raglio Alfredo , Ruggeri Mirella , Vink Annemiek , Zuidema Sytse , Odell-Miller Helen , Orrell Martin , Schneider Justine , Kubiak Christine , Romeo Renee , Geretsegger Monika
Published: March 2019

Introduction

In older adults, dementia and depression are associated with individual distress and high societal costs. Music interventions such as group music therapy (GMT) and recreational choir singing (RCS) have shown promising effects, but their comparative effectiveness across clinical subgroups is unknown. This trial aims to determine effectiveness of GMT, RCS and their combination for care home residents and to examine heterogeneity of treatment effects across subgroups.

Methods and analysis

This large, pragmatic, multinational cluster-randomised controlled trial with a 2×2 factorial design will compare the effects of GMT, RCS, both or neither, for care home residents aged 65 years or older with dementia and depressive symptoms. We will randomise 100 care home units with ≥1000 residents in total across eight countries. Each intervention will be offered for 6 months (3 months 2 times/week followed by 3 months 1 time/week), with extension allowed if locally available. The primary outcome will be the change in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes will include depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning, neuropsychiatric symptoms, psychotropic drug use, caregiver burden, quality of life, mortality and costs over at least 12 months. The study has 90% power to detect main effects and is also powered to determine interaction effects with gender, severity and socioeconomic status.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained for one country and will be obtained for all countries. Results will be presented at national and international conferences and published in scientific journals.

Trial registration numbers

NCT03496675; Pre-results, ACTRN12618000156280.
Does ethnic diversity explain intra-UK variation in mortality? A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Schofield Lauren , Walsh David , Feng Zhiqiang , Buchanan Duncan , Dibben Chris , Fischbacher Colin , McCartney Gerry , Munoz-Arroyo Rosalia , Whyte Bruce
Published: March 2019

Objectives

It has been proposed that part of the explanation for higher mortality in Scotland compared with England and Wales, and Glasgow compared with other UK cities, relates to greater ethnic diversity in England and Wales. We sought to assess the extent to which this excess was attenuated by adjusting for ethnicity. We additionally explored the role of country of birth in any observed differences.

Setting

Scotland and England and Wales; Glasgow and Manchester.

Participants

We used the Scottish Longitudinal Study and the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study of England and Wales (2001–2010). Participants (362 491 in total) were aged 35–74 years at baseline.

Primary outcome measures

Risk of all-cause mortality between 35 and 74 years old in Scotland and England and Wales, and in Glasgow and Manchester, adjusting for age, gender, socioeconomic position (SEP), ethnicity and country of birth.

Results

18% of the Manchester sample was non-White compared with 3% in Glasgow (England and Wales: 10.4%; Scotland: 1.2%). The mortality incidence rate ratio was 1.33 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.56) in Glasgow compared with Manchester. This reduced to 1.25 (1.07 to 1.47) adjusting for SEP, and to 1.20 (1.02 to 1.42) adjusting for ethnicity and country of birth. For Scotland versus England and Wales, the corresponding figures were 18% higher mortality, reducing to 10%, and then 7%. Non-Whites born outside the UK had lower mortality. In the Scottish samples only, non-Whites born in the UK had significantly higher mortality than Whites born in the UK.

Conclusions

The research supports the hypothesis that ethnic diversity and migration from outside UK play a role in explaining Scottish excess mortality. In Glasgow especially, however, a large excess remains: thus, previously articulated policy implications (addressing poverty, vulnerability and inequality) still apply.
Health informatics competencies in postgraduate medical education and training in the UK: a mixed methods study
Authors: Jidkov Lydia , Alexander Matthew , Bark Pippa , Williams John G , Kay Jonathan , Taylor Paul , Hemingway Harry , Banerjee Amitava
Published: March 2019

Objective

To assess health informatics (HI) training in UK postgraduate medical education, across all specialties, against international standards in the context of UK digital health initiatives (eg, Health Data Research UK, National Health Service Digital Academy and Global Digital Exemplars).

Design

A mixed methods study of UK postgraduate clinician training curricula (71 specialties) against international HI standards: scoping review, curricular content analysis and expert consultation.

Setting and participants

A scoping literature review (PubMed until March 2017) informed development of a contemporary framework of HI competency domains for doctors. National training curricula for 71 postgraduate medical specialties were obtained from the UK General Medical Council and were analysed. Seven UK HI experts were consulted regarding findings.

Outcomes

The International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) Recommendations for Biomedical and Health Informatics Education were used to develop a framework of competency domains. The number (maximum 50) of HI competency domains included in each of the 71 UK postgraduate medical specialties was investigated. After expert review, a universal HI competency framework was proposed.

Results

A framework of 50 HI competency domains was developed using 21 curricula from a scoping review, curricular content analysis and expert consultation. All 71 UK postgraduate medical curricula documents were mapped across 29 of 50 framework domains; that is, 21 domains were unrepresented. Curricula mapped between 0 (child and adolescent psychiatry and core surgical training) and 16 (chemical pathology and paediatric and perinatal pathology) of the 50 domains (median=7). Expert consultation found that HI competencies should be universal and integrated with existing competencies for UK clinicians and were under-represented in current curricula. Additional universal HI competencies were identified, including information governance and security and secondary use of data.

Conclusions

Postgraduate medical education in the UK neglects HI competencies set out by international standards. Key HI competencies need to be urgently integrated into training curricula to prepare doctors for work in increasingly digitised healthcare environments.
Kids in Action: the protocol of a Youth Participatory Action Research project to promote physical activity and dietary behaviour
Authors: Anselma Manou , Altenburg Teatske , Chinapaw Mai
Published: March 2019

Introduction

In this study, researchers collaborate with children from a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Amsterdam in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions targeting their health behaviours. This Youth Participatory Action Research project focuses on the promotion of physical activity and healthy dietary behaviour.

Methods and analysis

This study is a controlled trial using participatory methods to develop interventions together with children aged 9–12 years. At four primary schools in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Amsterdam, an ‘Action Team’ is installed: a group of six to eight children who actively participate as co-researchers in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions. An academic researcher facilitates the participatory process. Four control schools, also located in low socioeconomic areas in and around Amsterdam, continue with their regular curriculum and do not participate in the participatory process. For the effect evaluation, physical activity and sedentary behaviour are assessed using accelerometers and self-reporting; dietary behaviour using self-reporting and motor fitness (strength, flexibility, coordination, speed and endurance) using the motor performance fitness test. Effectiveness of the interventions is evaluated by multilevel regression analysis. The process of co-creating interventions and the implemented interventions is continually evaluated during meetings of the Action Teams and with children participating in the interventions. Empowerment of children is evaluated during focus groups. Summaries and transcripts of meetings are coded and analysed to enrich children’s findings.

Ethics and dissemination

The Medical Ethics Committee of the VU Medical Center approved the study protocol (2016.366).

Trial registration number

TC=6604.
Risk of gastroschisis with maternal genitourinary infections: the US National birth defects prevention study 1997–2011
Authors: Feldkamp Marcia L , Arnold Kathryn E , Krikov Sergey , Reefhuis Jennita , Almli Lynn M , Moore Cynthia A , Botto Lorenzo D
Published: March 2019

Objective

To assess the association between occurrence and timing of maternal self-reported genitourinary tract infection (urinary tract infections [UTIs] and/or sexually transmitted infection [STI]) and risk for gastroschisis in the offspring.

Design

Population-based case–control study.

Setting

National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a multisite study in the USA.

Participants

Mothers of 1366 gastroschisis cases and 11 238 healthy controls.

Main outcome measures

Crude and adjusted ORs (aORs) with 95% CIs.

Results

Genitourinary infections were frequent in case (19.3%) and control women (9.9%) during the periconceptional period (defined as 3 months prior to 3 months after conception). UTI and/or STI in the periconceptional period were associated with similarly increased risks for gastroschisis (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.8; aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.3, respectively). The risk was increased with a UTI before (aOR 2.5; 95% CI 1.4 to 4.5) or after (aOR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.6) conception only among women ≥25 years of age. The risk was highest among women <20 years of age with an STI before conception (aOR 3.6; 95% CI 1.5 to 8.4) and in women ≥25 years of age, the risk was similar for before (aOR 2.9; 95% CI 1.0 to 8.5) and after (aOR 2.8; 95% CI 1.3 to 6.1) conception. A specific STI pathogen was reported in 89.3% (50/56) of cases and 84.3% (162/191) of controls withChlamydia trachomatisthe most common (25/50 cases, 50%; 58/162 controls, 36%) and highest among women <20 years of age (16/25 cases, 64%; 22/33 controls, 67%).

Conclusions

UTI and/or STI were associated with an increased risk for gastroschisis, with the strength of the association varying by maternal age and timing of infection.
The effect of luseogliflozin and alpha-glucosidase inhibitor on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in diabetic patients: rationale and design of the MUSCAT-HF randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ejiri Kentaro , Miyoshi Toru , Nakamura Kazufumi , Sakuragi Satoru , Munemasa Mitsuru , Namba Seiji , Takaishi Atsushi , Ito Hiroshi
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a strong risk factor for coronary artery disease and heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The aim of the ongoing MUSCAT-HF (It stands for Prospective Comparison of Luseogliflozin and Alpha-glucosidase on the Management of Diabetic Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction) trial is to evaluate the efficacy of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, versus voglibose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, using brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as the index of therapeutic effect in T2DM patients with HFpEF.

Methods and analysis

A total of 190 patients with T2DM and HFpEF (ejection fraction >45%) who are drug-naïve or taking any anti-diabetic agents will be randomised (1:1) to receive luseogliflozin 2.5 mg one time per day or voglibose 0.2 mg three times per day. The patients will be stratified by age (<65 years, ≥65 years), baseline haemoglobin A1c (<8.0%, ≥8.0%), baseline BNP (<100 pg/mL, ≥100 pg/mL), baseline renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, <60 mL/min/1.73 m2), use of thiazolidine or not and presence or absence of atrial fibrillation and flutter at screening. After randomisation, participants will receive the study drug for 12 weeks in addition to their background therapy. The primary endpoint is the proportional change in baseline BNP after 12 weeks of treatment. The key secondary endpoints are the change from baseline in the ratio of early mitral inflow velocity to mitral annular early diastolic velocity, body weight and glycaemic control after 12 weeks of treatment.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the ethics committee and the patients will be included after informed consent. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

UMIN000018395
Within-individual analysis of pain and sickness absence among employees from low and high occupational classes: a record linkage study
Authors: Hiilamo Aapo , Butterworth Peter , Shiri Rahman , Ropponen Annina , Pietiläinen Olli , Mänty Minna , Kouvonen Anne , Lahelma Eero , Rahkonen Ossi , Lallukka Tea
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Pain is linked to an increased risk of sickness absence (SA); however, the extent to which unmeasured time-invariant differences explain this association is yet unknown. Therefore, we determined the within-individual associations between pain and short-term (in the survey year) and long-term (2 years following the survey years) SA risk in high and low occupational classes while controlling for the potential bias due to unobservable time-invariant characteristics.

Methods

The Helsinki Health Study data consisting of midlife public sector employees with mailed surveys from up to four time points, and SA record linkage were used (3983 persons). The within-individual estimates were calculated using hybrid negative binomial regression models.

Results

Acute/subacute pain was associated with a 13% increase in the rate of short-term SA days (incidence rate ratio 1.13 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.27]), while the association was somewhat stronger for chronic pain (1.32 [1.19–1.47]). For the employees in the low occupational class, these associations were robust (1.29 [1.10–1.50] for acute/subacute and 1.43 [1.23–1.66] for chronic pain), whereas only chronic pain was associated with SA among those in the high occupational class (1.25 [1.08–1.46]). Chronic pain was also associated with SA days in the long term without occupational class differences. Similar results were obtained for multisite pain (pain in several locations).

Conclusions

These results indicate that particularly chronic and multisite pain have a within-individual link to SA but ignoring unobservable differences between those reporting pain and those not might yield overstated effect sizes. Pain might have a different relation to SA in low and high occupational classes.
Trends in hepatitis C treatment initiation among HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected men engaged in primary care in a multisite community health centre in Maryland: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Yun-Chi , Thio Chloe L , Cox Andrea L , Ruhs Sebastian , Kamangar Farin , Wiberg Kjell J
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Little is known about the cascade of hepatitis C care among HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients in community-based clinics. Thus, we analysed our data from the interferon era to understand the barriers to HCV treatment, which may help improve getting patients into treatment in the direct-acting antivirals era.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Four HIV clinics of a multisite community health centre in the USA.

Participants

1935 HIV-infected men with >1 medical visit to the clinic between 2011 and 2013. Of them, 371 had chronic HCV and were included in the analysis for HCV care continuum during 2003–2014.

Outcome measures

HCV treatment initiation was designated as the primary outcome for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with HCV treatment initiation.

Results

Among the 371 coinfected men, 57 (15%) initiated HCV treatment. Entering care before 2008 (adjusted OR [aOR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.95 to 7.78), higher educational attainment (aOR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.59 to 6.44), HCV genotype 1 versus non-1 (aOR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.65) and HIV suppression (aOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.12 to 4.06) independently predicted treatment initiation. Stratification by entering care before or after 2008 demonstrated that higher educational attainment was the only factor independently associated with treatment uptake in both periods (aOR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.13 to 6.88 and aOR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.34 to 12.50, pre- and post-2008, respectively). Additional associated factors in those entering before 2008 included HCV genotype 1 versus non-1 (aOR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.54) and HIV suppression (aOR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.04 to 5.33).

Conclusions

Some traditional barriers predicted HCV treatment initiation in those in care before 2008; however, the patients’ level of educational attainment remained an important factor even towards the end of the interferon era. Further studies will need to determine whether educational attainment persists as an important determinant for initiating direct-acting antiviral therapies.
Effect of communicating phenotypic and genetic risk of coronary heart disease alongside web-based lifestyle advice: the INFORM Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Silarova Barbora , Sharp Stephen , Usher-Smith Juliet A , Lucas Joanne , Payne Rupert A , Shefer Guy , Moore Carmel , Girling Christine , Lawrence Kathryn , Tolkien Zoe , Walker Matthew , Butterworth Adam , Di Angelantonio Emanuele , Danesh John , Griffin Simon J
Published: March 2019

Objective

To determine whether provision of web-based lifestyle advice and coronary heart disease risk information either based on phenotypic characteristics or phenotypic plus genetic characteristics affects changes in objectively measured health behaviours.

Methods

A parallel-group, open randomised trial including 956 male and female blood donors with no history of cardiovascular disease (mean [SD] age=56.7 [8.8] years) randomised to four study groups: control group (no information provided); web-based lifestyle advice only (lifestyle group); lifestyle advice plus information on estimated 10-year coronary heart disease risk based on phenotypic characteristics (phenotypic risk estimate) (phenotypic group) and lifestyle advice plus information on estimated 10-year coronary heart disease risk based on phenotypic (phenotypic risk estimate) and genetic characteristics (genetic risk estimate) (genetic group). The primary outcome was change in physical activity from baseline to 12 weeks assessed by wrist-worn accelerometer.

Results

928 (97.1%) participants completed the trial. There was no evidence of intervention effects on physical activity (difference in adjusted mean change from baseline): lifestyle group vs control group 0.09 milligravity (mg) (95% CI −1.15 to 1.33); genetic group vs phenotypic group −0.33 mg (95% CI −1.55 to 0.90); phenotypic group and genetic group vs control group −0.52 mg (95% CI −1.59 to 0.55) and vs lifestyle group −0.61 mg (95% CI −1.67 to 0.46). There was no evidence of intervention effects on secondary biological, emotional and health-related behavioural outcomes except self-reported fruit and vegetable intake.

Conclusions

Provision of risk information, whether based on phenotypic or genotypic characteristics, alongside web-based lifestyle advice did not importantly affect objectively measured levels of physical activity, other health-related behaviours, biological risk factors or emotional well-being.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN17721237; Pre-results.
Effect of a cognitive test at license renewal for older drivers on their crash risk in Japan
Authors: Ichikawa Masao , Inada Haruhiko , Nakahara Shinji
Published: March 2019

Objective

To evaluate the effect of adding a cognitive test to a license renewal procedure for drivers aged 75 years or older in reducing their motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). The test has been obligatory since June 2009.

Methods

Using monthly police-reported national data on MVCs from January 2005 through December 2016, we calculated the rates of MVCs per licensed driver-year by sex and age group (70–74, 75–79, 80–84 and 85 years or older) for each month together with the ratios of MVC rates of drivers in the three oldest age groups (which are subject to the test) to those of the 70–74 years group (not subject to the test) to control for extraneous factors affecting MVCs over the study period. Then, we conducted an interrupted time-series analysis by regressing the rate ratio stratified by sex and age group on the number of months from January 2005, June 2009 (when the cognitive test was introduced to a license renewal procedure) and June 2012 (when all drivers subject to the test have taken it at least once).

Results

The rates showed a longitudinal decrease in male and female drivers over the study period without any apparent effects of the introduction of the cognitive test while no significant decrease was observed in the rate ratios after the introduction of the cognitive test.

Conclusions

There were no clear safety benefits of the cognitive test for drivers aged 75 years or older to reduce their MVCs.
Firearm assault injuries by residence and injury occurrence location
Authors: Mills Brianna , Hajat Anjum , Rivara Frederick , Nurius Paula , Matsueda Ross , Rowhani-Rahbar Ali
Published: March 2019

Research on spatial injury patterns is limited by a lack of precise injury occurrence location data. Using linked hospital and death records, we examined residence and injury locations for firearm assaults and homicides in or among residents of King County, Washington, USA from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2014. In total, 670 injuries were identified, 586 with geocoded residence and injury locations. Three-quarters of injuries occurred outside the census tract where the victim resided. Median distance between locations was 3.9 miles, with victims 18–34 having the greatest distances between residence and injury location. 40 of 398 tracts had a ratio of injury incidents to injured residents of >1. Routine collection of injury location data and homelessness status could decrease misclassification and bias. Researchers should consider whether residential address is an appropriate proxy for injury location, based on data quality and their specific research question.
Use of imatinib mesylate in a cat with gastrointestinal stromal tumour
Authors: Won Sungjun , Kim Yongbaek , Yoon Junghee
Published: March 2019

A two‐year‐old, Turkish Angora, neutered male cat was evaluated for acute onset of melena and anaemia. A mass was identified in the duodenum and was diagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) through immunohistochemistry. The cat developed suspected nephropathy after 12 months of imatinib treatment for GIST. Imatinib was discontinued, but the patient died after two months due to renal failure. GIST is a rare neoplasm in cats, and treatment with imatinib in feline GIST has not been previously reported.
Multiple DGs for Reducing Total Power Losses in Radial Distribution Systems Using Hybrid WOA-SSA Algorithm
Authors: Alzaidi Khalid Mohammed Saffer , Bayat Oguz , Uçan Osman N.
Published: March 2019

Distributed generators (DGs) are currently extensively used to reduce power losses and voltage deviations in distribution networks. The optimal location and size of DGs achieve the best results. This study presents a novel hybridization of new metaheuristic optimizations in the last two years, namely, salp swarm algorithm (SSA) and whale optimization algorithm (WOA), for optimal placement and size of multi-DG units in radial distribution systems to minimize total real power losses (kW) and solve voltage deviation. This hybrid algorithm is implemented on IEEE 13- and 123-node radial distribution test systems. The OpenDSS engine is used to solve the power flow to find the power system parameters, such power losses, and the voltage profile through the MATLAB coding interface. Results describe the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid WOA-SSA algorithm compared with those of the IEEE standard case (without DG), repeated load flow method, and WOA and SSA algorithms applied independently. The analysis results via the proposed algorithm are more effective for reducing total active power losses and enhancing the voltage profile for various distribution networks and multi-DG units.
Investigation of Applicability of an Embedded EM Sensor to Measure the Tension of a PSC Girder
Authors: Kim Junkyeong , Kim Ju-Won , Park Seunghee
Published: March 2019

This study investigates the applicability of an embedded EM sensor using a series of experimental studies. To verify the embedded EM sensor, the magnetic hysteresis of various types of PS tendons is measured. After that, the embedded EM sensor is embedded into the concrete and the possibility of obtaining measurements is verified. Finally, the downscaled PSC girder specimen having a sheath with a different curvature is fabricated and the influence of the sheath curvature is investigated. The magnetic hysteresis was changed constantly even though the type of PS tendon was changed, and the embedded EM sensor can measure the magnetic hysteresis, even in the concrete and curved sheath. The area of magnetic hysteresis was decreased according to the increase in the tension force, but the actual values were different according to the number and cross-sectional area of tendons and the initial state of sensors. To compensate for the measured data, the tensile force was converted to the tensile stress and the area ratio was used to compensate for the initial value of the EM sensor. According to the test results, the embedded EM sensor could be applied to the actual PS girder and it can measure the actual tension, which includes the friction loss.
Seismic Methods in Geothermal Water Resource Exploration: Case Study from Łódź Trough, Central Part of Poland
Authors: Maćkowski Tomasz , Sowiżdżał Anna , Wachowicz-Pyzik Anna
Published: March 2019

The geothermal waters constitute a specific type of water resources, very important from the point of view of their thermal energy potential. This potential, when utilized, supplies an ecological and renewable energy, which, after effective development, brings many environmental, social, and industrial benefits. The key element of any geothermal investment is the proper location of geothermal installation, which would guarantee the relevant hydrogeothermal parameters of the water intake. Hence, many studies and analyses are carried out in order to characterize the reservoir parameters, including the integrated geophysical methods. For decades, the geophysical surveys have been the trusty recognition methods of geological structure and petrophysical parameters of rock formations. Thus, they are widely applied by petroleum industry in exploration of conventional and unconventional (shale gas/oil, tight gas) hydrocarbon deposits. Advances in geophysical methods extended their applicability to many other scientific and industrial branches as, e.g., the seismic survey used in studies of geothermal aquifers. The following paper presents the opportunities provided by seismic methods applied to studies of geothermal resources in the central Poland where the geothermal waters are reservoired in both the Lower Cretaceous and the Lower Jurassic sedimentary successions. The presented results are obtained from a network of seismic profiles. An important advantage of the seismic survey is that they may support the selection of an optimal location of geothermal investment and determination of the geometry of geothermal aquifer. Furthermore, the application of geophysical methods can significantly contribute to the reduction of estimation error of groundwater reservoir temperature.
Assembly Variation Analysis of Aircraft Panels under Part-to-part Locating Scheme
Authors: Liu Xia , An Luling , Wang Zhiguo , Tan Changbai , Wang Xiaoping , Yu Shouxin
Published: March 2019

A typical aircraft panel is the assembly consisting of a multitude of thin and lightweight compliant parts. In panel assembly process, part-to-part locating scheme has been widely adopted in order to reduce fixtures. By this locating scheme, a part is located onto the pre-fixed part/subassembly by determinant assembly (DA) holes, and temporary fasteners (e.g., spring pin) are used for joining these DA hole-hole pairs. The temporary fasteners can fasten DA hole-hole pairs in the axial and radial directions of DA holes. The fastening in the radial directions is realized by the expansion of temporary fasteners. Although the usage of temporary fasteners helps reduce the positional differences between hole-hole pairs, their clamping forces thereby may lead to elastic deformation of compliant parts/subassemblies. Limited research has been conducted on such elastic deformation produced by temporary fastener and its influence on assembly dimensional quality. This paper proposes a novel rigid-compliant variation analysis method for aircraft panel assembly, incorporating the deformation in part-to-part locating process. Based on the kinematic theory and linear elasticity deformation assumption, the variation propagation through the locating process, as well as the entire assembly process of an aircraft panel, is formulated. Then, the statistical variation analysis is performed with Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Finally, the proposed method is validated by a case study. The result shows the deformation in the part-to-part locating process significantly impacts the assembly variations, and our method can provide a more accurate and reliable prediction.