bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties and validation of the Swedish Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in a clinical and non‐clinical sample among meditators and non‐meditators
Authors: Lilja Josefine L. , Falkenström Fredrik , Zelleroth Clara , Jacobson Emma , Risberg Stina , Nissling Linnea , Weineland Sandra
Published: December 2019

Over a period of 15 years several attempts to conceptualize mindfulness have been presented and revised, but there is still no clear or agreed‐upon definition. The use of mindfulness‐based interventions has increased in clinical and research settings the last couple of years, including in Sweden. As a clinician it is crucial to know if a treatment works through the theoretically postulated mechanisms of change. Mindfulness is a concept that is difficult to measure. The overall aim of the current project was to examine the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ_SWE) using three different studies. To test the construct validity of the FFMQ_SWE a hierarchal confirmatory factor analysis was performed in a meditating non‐clinical sample, to examine if all the five facets would load on an overall mindfulness construct. Psychometric properties of the instrument were examined in a non‐clinical and a clinical sample, and discriminative relationships with other variables were analysed. The convergent validity was examined by analysing the correlations between FFMQ_SWE and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Sense of Coherence and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Test‐retest reliability was tested by distributing FFMQ_SWE at two occasions. The hierarchal confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit in a population of meditators. The FFMQ_SWE showed good convergent validity and test‐retest reliability in both clinical and non‐clinical populations. In sum, the Swedish version of the FFMQ showed good psychometric properties and can be a useful instrument as an evaluation of treatment effects in both health care settings and research settings.
Gangs, gangsters, and the impact of settler colonialism on the Latina/o experience
Authors: Durán Robert J. , Campos Jason A.
Published: December 2019

As the largest minority group in the United States, Latinas/os have experienced a long history of discrimination, prejudice, and stigmatization as gang members. A contemporary survey of law enforcement agencies reported that Latinos continue to be the largest proportion of any racial or ethnic group involved in gangs. To describe such a pattern, the framework of settler colonialism will be utilized to describe differential experiences based on race, gender, and how structural inequalities vary by region and time. Latinas/os have been particularly impacted by segregation, second‐class treatment, and policies considered racially neutral. Gangs provide a topical area for examining patterns of racialization and social control. The authors of this article will outline the research literature on gangs and how settler colonialism has impacted the Latina/o population regarding the origination of gangs, reasons for joining, behaviors and activities, and the process for leaving these groups. The authors emphasize decolonization strategies including reducing structural inequalities and thereby reducing gang membership and risky behaviors. Until this can be accomplished, the authors hope for human rights, labor equity, and religious organizing efforts that can form into social movements of collective empowerment and justice.
Parental emotion regulation strategies and parenting quality predict child internalizing symptoms in families experiencing homelessness
Authors: Palmer Alyssa R. , Labella Madelyn , Plowman Elizabeth J. , Foster Rachel , Masten Ann S.
Published: December 2019

Adaptive emotion regulation (ER) in parents has been linked to better parenting quality and social–emotional adjustment in children from middle‐income families. In particular, early childhood may represent a sensitive period in which parenting behaviors and functioning have large effects on child social–emotional adjustment. However, little is known about how parent ER and parenting are related to child adjustment in high‐risk families. In the context of adversity, parents may struggle to maintain positive parenting behaviors and adaptive self‐regulation strategies which could jeopardize their children's adjustment. The current study investigated parents' own cognitive ER strategies and observed parenting quality in relation to young children's internalizing and externalizing problems among families experiencing homelessness. Participants included 108 primary caregivers and their 4–6‐year‐old children residing in emergency shelters. Using multiple methods, parenting and parent ER were assessed during a shelter stay and teachers subsequently provided ratings of children's internalizing and externalizing difficulties in the classroom. Parenting quality was expected to predict fewer classroom internalizing and externalizing behaviors as well as moderate the association between parent ER strategies and child outcomes. Results suggest that parenting quality buffered the effects of parent maladaptive ER strategies on child internalizing symptoms. The mediating role of parenting quality on that association was also investigated to build on prior empirical work in low‐risk samples. Parenting quality did not show expected mediating effects. Findings suggest that parents experiencing homelessness who use fewer maladaptive cognitive ER strategies and more positive parenting behaviors may protect their children against internalizing problems.
Safety profile of the concomitant use of foscarnet and aerosolized pentamidine in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients
Authors: Takahashi Masaya , Takahashi Katsuyuki , Inose Ryo , Sugimoto Takashi , Koh Hideo , Hino Masayuki , Nagayama Katsuya
Published: December 2019

Background

Concomitant use of foscarnet and intravenous pentamidine can very frequently cause severe hypocalcemia. However, it is unknown whether aerosolized pentamidine has a similar adverse interaction with foscarnet. The present study was aimed at examining the safety profile of concomitantly used foscarnet and aerosolized pentamidine in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Methods

Data from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients who had been administered foscarnet therapy for over 7 days were analyzed. We compared electrolyte abnormalities and serum creatinine level between patients who received aerosolized pentamidine concomitantly and those who did not.

Results

A total of 84 consecutive patients and 135 episodes of foscarnet therapy between May 2011 and April 2016 were evaluable. Of these 135 episodes, 25 episodes of therapy included concurrent therapy with 300 mg dose of aerosolized pentamidine once a month (pentamidine group) and 110 episodes did not (non‐pentamidine group). The incident rates of grade 3/4 hypocalcemia did not significantly differ between the pentamidine and non‐pentamidine groups (P = .207; 0/25 [0%] vs 10/110 [9.1%], respectively). In addition, we observed no significant difference in the incident rates of grade 3/4 serum creatinine increase between the two groups (P = 1.00; 0/25 [0%] vs 4/110 [3.6%], respectively).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the drug interactions between foscarnet and aerosolized pentamidine may not be clinically significant.
Sieve elements rapidly develop ‘nacreous walls’ following injury − a common wounding response?
Authors: Knoblauch Jan , Knoblauch Michael , Vasina Viktoriya V. , Peters Winfried S.
Published: December 2019

Thick glistening cell walls occur in sieve tubes of all major land plant taxa. Historically, these ‘nacreous walls’ have been considered a diagnostic feature of sieve elements; they represent a conundrum, though, in the context of the widely accepted pressure–flow theory as they severely constrict sieve tubes. We employed the cucurbit Gerrardanthus macrorhizus as a model to study nacreous walls in sieve elements by standard and in situ confocal microscopy and electron microscopy, focusing on changes in functional sieve tubes that occur when prepared for microscopic observation. Over 90% of sieve elements in tissue sections processed for microscopy by standard methods exhibit nacreous walls. Sieve elements in whole, live plants that were actively transporting as shown by phloem‐mobile tracers, lacked nacreous walls and exhibited open lumina of circular cross‐sections instead, an appropriate structure for Münch‐type mass flow of the cell contents. Puncturing of transporting sieve elements with micropipettes triggered the rapid (<1 min) development of nacreous walls that occluded the cell lumen almost completely. We conclude that nacreous walls are preparation artefacts rather than structural features of transporting sieve elements. Nacreous walls in land plants resemble the reversibly swellable walls found in various algae, suggesting that they may function in turgor buffering, the amelioration of osmotic stress, wounding‐induced sieve tube occlusion, and possibly local defence responses of the phloem.
Blood loss from laboratory testing, anemia, and red blood cell transfusion in the intensive care unit: a retrospective study
Authors: Jackson Chornenki Nicholas L. , James Tyler E. , Barty Rebecca , Liu Yang , Rochwerg Bram , Heddle Nancy M. , Siegal Deborah M.
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND

Anemia is common in critically ill patients and associated with adverse outcomes. Phlebotomy associated with laboratory testing is a potentially modifiable contributor. This study aims to 1) characterize the blood volume taken for laboratory testing, and 2) explore the effect of blood loss on red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and anemia in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

METHODS

Using a transfusion research database, we retrospectively reviewed consecutively admitted patients to four medical‐surgical ICUs in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The primary outcome was estimated blood loss for laboratory testing during ICU admission. Secondary outcomes were hemoglobin (Hb) of 90 g/L or less and RBC transfusion.

RESULTS

Among the 7273 patients included, the median blood volume per patient taken for laboratory testing during their ICU stay was 213 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 133‐382 mL). On ICU admission, median Hb was 97 g/L (IQR, 82‐116 g/L). An Hb of 90 g/L or less occurred in 67.0% of patients during their ICU stay. Median Hb on ICU discharge adjusted for RBC transfusion was 84 g/L (IQR, 58‐105 g/L). RBC transfusion was administered to 47.5% of patients, who received a median of 3 units (IQR, 2‐7 units). Cumulative blood loss due to laboratory testing from Day 2 to Day 7 of ICU admission was independently associated with RBC transfusion (hazard ratio, 2.28 for each 150‐mL increment; 95% confidence interval, 2.02–2.59).

CONCLUSIONS

Blood loss for laboratory testing is substantial in ICU patients and significantly associated with RBC transfusion. Strategies to reduce blood loss from laboratory testing represents an area for further investigation.
Foreign assistance and emigration: Accounting for the role of non‐transferred aid
Authors: Lanati Mauro , Thiele Rainer
Published: December 2019

Since policymakers increasingly regard foreign aid as a means to manage international flows of migrants, it is important to obtain accurate empirical evidence on the complex link between aid and migration. Recent research has shown that the impact of foreign assistance on migrant flows is highly heterogeneous across aid categories. In this paper, we focus on a dimension of heterogeneity that has so far not been considered in the literature, namely whether or not the delivery of foreign aid is associated with a transfer of resources to the recipient country. We show in a first step that non‐transferred aid is quantitatively important, accounting for more than 25% of overall aid given by OECD DAC donors in 2016. Running separate gravity‐type regressions for transferred and non‐transferred aid, we then find that transferred aid has a much stronger (negative) impact on migration than the previously used total aid variable that includes the non‐transferred component. As may be expected, non‐transferred aid itself does not appear to affect migrant flows. A high share of non‐transferred aid would therefore be at odds with the donors’ stated goal of tackling the root causes of migration.
Has the Reporting Quality of Systematic Review Abstracts in Nursing Improved Since the Release of PRISMA for Abstracts? A Survey of High‐Profile Nursing Journals
Authors: Jiancheng Wang , Jinhui Tian , Lin Han , Yuxia Ma , Juxia Zhang
Published: December 2019

Background

The PRISMA for Abstracts (PRISMA‐A) was developed to guide authors to present a structured abstract. However, the adherence of abstracts to these guidelines in some areas was of concern.

Aims

To determine whether the publication of PRISMA‐A resulted in an improvement in the abstracts reported with nursing systematic reviews (SRs).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study. We searched PubMed for randomized controlled trials–based SRs published in top‐tier nursing journals. A PRISMA‐A checklist was used to assess abstracts in the SR included. Total score on checklists, comparison of total scores between two periods, and effect factors were analyzed.

Results

Overall, abstract reporting compliance with PRISMA‐A has not improved significantly with the time span. Of the 81 SRs, 74.1% were structured. About half reported eligibility criteria, information sources, and description of the effect as recommended. Registration status was reported only in 4.9%. The reporting quality was significantly higher for journals with higher impact factors (p < .001).

Linking Evidence to Action

Although not inclusive of all SRs in the nursing field, our sample reflects the general trend that there was no significant improvement in the compliance of SR abstracts reported in nursing with the release of PRISMA‐A. There is room for improvement, as most items have not been fully reported.
Visual and Auditory Information During Decision Making in Sport
Authors: Klatt Stefanie , Smeeton Nicholas J.
Published: December 2019

In 2 experiments, the authors investigated the effects of bimodal integration in a sport-specific task. Beach volleyball players were required to make a tactical decision, responding either verbally or via a motor response, after being presented with visual, auditory, or both kinds of stimuli in a beach volleyball scenario. In Experiment 1, players made the correct decision in a game situation more often when visual and auditory information were congruent than in trials in which they experienced only one of the modalities or incongruent information. Decision-making accuracy was greater when motor, rather than verbal, responses were given. Experiment 2 replicated this congruence effect using different stimulus material and showed a decreasing effect of visual stimulation on decision making as a function of shorter visual stimulus durations. In conclusion, this study shows that bimodal integration of congruent visual and auditory information results in more accurate decision making in sport than unimodal information.
Claims in Surfing: The Influence of Emotional Postperformance Expressions on Performance Evaluations
Authors: Furley Philip , Thrien Fanny , Klinge Johannes , Dörr Jannik
Published: December 2019

The goal of the present research was to investigate whether claims (postperformance nonverbal emotional expressions) influence people in evaluating performance during surf contests. To test this research question, the authors sampled videos from professional surf contests and asked laypeople (Experiment 1;N = 110) and surf judges (Experiment 2;N = 41) to evaluate the performance in 2 online experiments. A subset of the surfing performances showed surfers displaying postperformance emotional expressions (claims), while another subset showed the same performances without the claims (nonverbal emotional expressions). Both experiments provided evidence that both laypeople and surf judges were biased by claims in judging surfing performances, with claims better than the performances without claims. The findings are in line with social-cognitive models emphasizing the socioconsequences of emotion expressions. The authors discuss the implications of the findings for sport competitions that rely on judging sport performance.
Inflation, proton decay, and Higgs-portal dark matter in $$SO(10) \times U(1)_\psi $$
Authors: Okada Nobuchika , Raut Digesh , Shafi Qaisar
Published: December 2019

We propose a simple non-supersymmetric grand unified theory (GUT) based on the gauge group $$SO(10) \times U(1)_\psi $$SO(10)×U(1)ψ. The model includes 3 generations of fermions in $$\mathbf{16}$$16 ($$+1$$+1), $$\mathbf{10}$$10 ($$-2$$-2) and $$\mathbf{1}$$1 ($$+4$$+4) representations. The $$\mathbf{16}$$16-plets contain Standard Model (SM) fermions plus right-handed neutrinos, and the $$\mathbf{10}$$10-plet and the singlet fermions are introduced to make the model anomaly-free. Gauge coupling unification at $$M_{GUT} \simeq 5 \times 10^{15}{-}10^{16}$$MGUT≃5×1015-1016 GeV is achieved by including an intermediate Pati–Salam breaking at $$M_{I} \simeq 10^{12}{-}10^{11}$$MI≃1012-1011 GeV, which is a natural scale for the seesaw mechanism. For $$M_{I} \simeq 10^{12}{-}10^{11}$$MI≃1012-1011, proton decay will be tested by the Hyper-Kamiokande experiment. The extra fermions acquire their masses from $$U(1)_\psi $$U(1)ψ symmetry breaking, and a $$U(1)_\psi $$U(1)ψ Higgs field drives a successful inflection-point inflation with a low Hubble parameter during inflation, $$H_{inf} \ll M_{I}$$Hinf≪MI. Hence, cosmologically dangerous monopoles produced from SO(10) and PS breakings are diluted away. This is the first SO(10) model we are aware of in which relatively light intermediate mass ($$\sim 10^{10}{-}10^{12}$$∼1010-1012 GeV) primordial monopoles can be adequately suppressed. The reheating temperature after inflation can be high enough for successful leptogenesis. With the Higgs field contents of our model, a $$\mathbf{Z}_2$$Z2 symmetry remains unbroken after GUT symmetry breaking, and the lightest mass eigenstate among linear combinations of the $$\mathbf{10}$$10-plet and the singlet fermions serves as a Higgs-portal dark matter (DM). We identify the parameter regions to reproduce the observed DM relic density while satisfying the current constraint from the direct DM detection experiments. The present allowed region will be fully covered by the future direct detection experiments such as LUX-ZEPLIN DM experiment. In the presence of the extra fermions, the SM Higgs potential is stabilized up to $$M_{I}$$MI.
Instantaneous Modal Parameter Identification of Linear Time‐Varying Systems Based on Chirplet Adaptive Decomposition
Authors: Zhang Jie , Shi Zhiyu
Published: December 2019

Instantaneous modal parameter identification of time‐varying dynamic systems is a useful but challenging task, especially in the identification of damping ratio. This paper presents a method for modal parameter identification of linear time‐varying systems by combining adaptive time‐frequency decomposition and signal energy analysis. In this framework, the adaptive linear chirplet transform is applied in time‐frequency analysis of acceleration response for its higher energy concentration, and the response of each mode can be adaptively decomposed via an adaptive Kalman filter. Then, the damping ratio of the time‐varying systems is identified based on energy analysis of component response signal. The proposed method can not only improve the accuracy of instantaneous frequency extraction but also ensure the antinoise ability in identifying the damping ratio. The efficiency of the method is first verified through a numerical simulation of a three‐degree‐of‐freedom time‐varying structure. Then, the method is demonstrated by comparing with the traditional wavelet and time‐domain peak method. The identified results illustrate that the proposed method can obtain more accurate modal parameters in low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) scenarios.
Deficiency of Dietary Fiber in Slc5a8-Null Mice Promotes Bacterial Dysbiosis and Alters Colonic Epithelial Transcriptome towards Proinflammatory Milieu
Authors: Sivaprakasam Sathish , Ganapathy Pramodh K. , Sikder Mohd Omar Faruk , Elmassry Moamen , Ramachandran Sabarish , Kottapalli Kameswara Rao , Ganapathy Vadivel
Published: December 2019

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the intestinal tract due to disruption of the symbiotic relationship between the host immune system and microbiota. Various factors alter the gut microbiota which lead to dysbiosis; in particular, diet and dietary fibers constitute important determinants. Dietary fiber protects against IBD; bacteria ferment these dietary fibers in colon and generate short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which mediate the anti-inflammatory actions of dietary fibers. SLC5A8 is a high-affinity transporter in the apical membrane of colonic epithelium which mediates the entry of SCFAs from the lumen into cells in Na+-coupled manner. Due to the unique transport kinetics, the function of the transporter becomes important only under conditions of low dietary fiber intake. Here, we have examined the impact of dietary fiber deficiency on luminal microbial composition and transcriptomic profile in colonic epithelium in wild-type (WT) and Slc5a8-null (KO) mice. We fed WT and KO mice with fiber-containing diet (FC-diet) or fiber-free diet (FF-diet) and analyzed the luminal bacterial composition by sequencing 16S rRNA gene in feces. Interestingly, results showed significant differences in the microbial community depending on dietary fiber content and on the presence or absence of Slc5a8. There were also marked differences in the transcriptomic profile of the colonic epithelium depending on the dietary fiber content and on the presence or absence of Slc5a8. We conclude that absence of fiber in diet in KO mice causes bacterial dysbiosis and alters gene expression in the colon that is conducive for inflammation.
Severe Hyperbilirubinemia: A Rare Complication of Lyme Disease
Authors: Baig Maarij , Zheng Lin , Farmer Alka
Published: December 2019

Gastrointestinal signs and symptoms are common in the early stages of Lyme disease. However, hyperbilirubinemia from Lyme disease is extremely uncommon. There are only two case reports in literature attributing Lyme disease to hyperbilirubinemia. Here we report a case of severe hyperbilirubinemia as the presenting symptom of Lyme disease. Other plausible etiologies have been ruled out after extensive workups, including liver biopsy. His hyperbilirubinemia gradually resolved after being started on doxycycline. With high incidence of Lyme disease, it should be considered for patients who present with hyperbilirubinemia in endemic areas with possible tick exposure.
Advanced Thyroid Follicular Carcinoma in a Pregnant Woman
Authors: Pinheiro Victor Rocha , Miamoto Bruno Minoru , Rocha Júlia Thalita Queiróz , Soares Carlos Segundo Paiva , Tagliarini José Vicente , de Araujo Costa Roberto Antônio , da Silva Mazeto Glaucia Maria F. , Marques Mariangela Esther Alencar , Oliveira Cristiano Claudino
Published: December 2019

The diagnostic and therapeutic approach for pregnant women with thyroid nodules can present a challenge, especially concerning surgical procedures. In the context of malignant diagnosis, by fine needle aspiration (FNA), during pregnancy, the uncertainty lies in performing surgery. This article reports the case of a 41-year-old pregnant woman in her first gestation, who sought medical care complaining of right shoulder pain. Imaging workup depicted the destruction of the humeral head and involvement of the surrounding soft tissue. She was 20 weeks pregnant. The histological report favored the diagnosis of malignancy and the thyroid as the primary site. At 30 weeks of gestation, the patient underwent a cesarean section, a total thyroidectomy, and total resection of the metastasis. The child was born healthy, but one year after the diagnosis, the patient died. Bone and soft tissue metastasis of thyroid neoplasms are not very common and indicate poor prognosis.
QoS3: Secure Caching in HTTPS Based on Fine-Grained Trust Delegation
Authors: Al-Dailami Abdulrahman , Ruan Chang , Bao Zhihong , Zhang Tao
Published: December 2019

With the ever-increasing concern in network security and privacy, a major portion of Internet traffic is encrypted now. Recent research shows that more than 70% of Internet content is transmitted using HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). However, HTTPS encryption eliminates the advantages of many intermediate services like the caching proxy, which can significantly degrade the performance of web content delivery. We argue that these restrictions lead to the need for other mechanisms to access sites quickly and safely. In this paper, we introduce QoS3, which is a protocol that can overcome such limitations by allowing clients to explicitly and securely re-introduce in-network caching proxies using fine-grained trust delegation without compromising the integrity of the HTTPS content and modifying the format of Transport Layer Security (TLS). In QoS3, we classify web page contents into two types: (1) public contents that are common for all users, which can be stored in the caching proxies, and (2) private contents that are specific for each user. Correspondingly, QoS3 establishes two separate TLS connections between the client and the web server for them. Specifically, for private contents, QoS3 just leverages the original HTTPS protocol to deliver them, without involving any middlebox. For public contents, QoS3 allows clients to delegate trust to specific caching proxy along the path, thereby allowing the clients to use the cached contents in the caching proxy via a delegated HTTPS connection. Meanwhile, to prevent Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks on public contents, QoS3 validates the public contents by employing Document object Model (DoM) object-level checksums, which are delivered through the original HTTPS connection. We implement a prototype of QoS3 and evaluate its performance in our testbed. Experimental results show that QoS3 provides acceleration on page load time ranging between 30% and 64% over traditional HTTPS with negligible overhead. Moreover, QoS3 is deployable since it requires just minor software modifications to the server, client, and the middlebox.
Structure and Rheological Properties of Bovine Aortic Heart Valve and Pericardium Tissue: Implications in Bioprosthetic and Tissue-Engineered Heart Valves
Authors: Alhadrami Hani A. , Syed Raza ur Rehman , Zahid Alap Ali , Ahmed Rashid , Hasan Shajia , Hasan Anwarul
Published: December 2019

Heart valve (HV) diseases are among the leading causes of cardiac failure and deaths. Of the various HV diseases, damaged HV leaflets are among the primary culprits. In many cases, impaired HV restoration is not always possible, and the replacement of valves becomes necessary. Bioprosthetic HVs have been used for the replacement of the diseased valves, which is obtained from the sources of bovine and porcine origin, while tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHV) have emerged as a promising future solution. The bioprosthetic valves are prone to become calcified, and thus they last for only ten to fifteen years. The adequate understanding of the correlations between the biomechanics and rheological properties of native HV tissues can enable us to improve the durability of the bioprosthetic HV as well as help in the development of tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHV). In this study, the structural and rheological properties of native bovine aortic HV and pericardium tissues were investigated. The microstructures of the tissues were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, while the rheological properties were studied using oscillatory shear measurement and creep test. The reported results provide significant insights into the correlations between the microstructure and viscoelastic properties of the bovine aortic HV and pericardium tissues.
Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using the Ethanolic Extract of Pelargonium sidoides DC
Authors: Kgatshe Mogomotsi , Aremu Oluwole S. , Katata-Seru Lebogang , Gopane Ramokone
Published: December 2019

Development of cost-effective and eco-friendly methods of nanoparticle synthesis could play a crucial role in integrating nanotechnology and phytomedicine for biological applications. In this study, biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the ethanolic extract of Pelargonium sidoides DC at 60°C. Formation of nanoparticles was monitored using UV-Visible spectroscopy at different time intervals. A maximum absorption at 456 nm was observed as the reaction time increased, resulting in a red shift of the surface plasmon band (SPB). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the reducing and stabilizing activity of flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, and phenols. Size and morphology of the AgNPs were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) which indicated the spherical nature of the nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 11 to 90 nm. Further characterization of the AgNPs was carried out using EDS, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Additionally, the AgNPs had a marginally higher antimicrobial activity when compared to the plant extract against Gram-positive Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 27336) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10876) and Gram-negative Moraxella catarrhalis (ATCC 25240), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853).
Application of Electrical Capacitance Tomography for Imaging Conductive Materials in Industrial Processes
Authors: Deabes Wael , Sheta Alaa , Bouazza Kheir Eddine , Abdelrahman Mohamed
Published: December 2019

This paper presents highly robust, novel approaches to solving the forward and inverse problems of an Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) system for imaging conductive materials. ECT is one of the standard tomography techniques for industrial imaging. An ECT technique is nonintrusive and rapid and requires a low burden cost. However, the ECT system still suffers from a soft-field problem which adversely affects the quality of the reconstructed images. Although many image reconstruction algorithms have been developed, still the generated images are inaccurate and poor. In this work, the Capacitance Artificial Neural Network (CANN) system is presented as a solver for the forward problem to calculate the estimated capacitance measurements. Moreover, the Metal Filled Fuzzy System (MFFS) is proposed as a solver for the inverse problem to construct the metal images. To assess the proposed approaches, we conducted extensive experiments on image metal distributions in the lost foam casting (LFC) process to light the reliability of the system and its efficiency. The experimental results showed that the system is sensible and superior.
Air Leak Syndrome: Pneumoperitoneum in a Ventilated Neonate
Authors: Ravikumar Chandana , McDaniel Dawn , Quinn Amy
Published: December 2019

Air leak syndrome has several manifestations and is common in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) due to air trapping. While pneumoperitoneum is classically a result of intestinal perforation, intra-abdominal free air may be a less common presentation of air leak syndrome. In the ventilated neonate, there is insufficient clinical evidence outlining management of pneumoperitoneum in this situation. We report a case of a term neonate with MAS and air leak syndrome who developed benign pneumoperitoneum (BPPT).
The Role of Digital Fluorescence in Acne Vulgaris: Correlation of Ultraviolet Red Fluorescence with the Severity of Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Putra Imam Budi , Jusuf Nelva K. , Dewi Nani Kumala
Published: December 2019

Background. Colonization of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and increased sebum production play important roles in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Severity of acne vulgaris correlates with the lesion counts both noninflammatory and inflammatory. Digital fluorescence has been found useful in pathogenesis investigation and treatment evaluation. Ultraviolet-induced red fluorescence (UVRF) was found to be correlated with sebum and porphyrin production that can be synthesized by P. acnes. Therefore, UVRF assessment could be useful for the evaluation of the degree and extent of acne vulgaris. Objective. To evaluate the correlation of UVRF with the severity of acne vulgaris using the digital fluorescence tool. Methods. Forty-five patients were diagnosed with mild-to-severe acne vulgaris according to Lehmann classification. Lesion counts both noninflammatory and inflammatory and UVRF assessment using Visiopor PP34 camera were done to all participants in 5 divided facial areas (forehead, nose, right and left cheeks, and chin). Clinical assessment for each patient was done by 3 dermatologists. Determination of correlation between UVRF with acne lesion counts was done using Pearson test and with acne severity using Spearman test. Results. From 45 participants, majority had moderate acne (64.4%), followed by severe (24.5%) and mild acne (11.1%). Mean number of UVRF spots was 39.98 ± 11.45 and percentage area covered with UVRF was 4.39 ± 1.72. There was no correlation found between acne lesion counts, including noninflammatory and inflammatory with the number and percentage area covered with UVRF spots. Severity grade of acne vulgaris was found to be uncorrelated with the number of UVRF spots (r = 0.27, p=0.073) and percentage area covered with UVRF spots (r = 0.173, p=0.256). Conclusion. The severity of acne vulgaris has no correlation with spot counts and percentage area covered with UVRF. Digital fluorescence might be helpful in investigating further of the interrelated pathogenesis factors of acne.
Development of Hartigan’s Dip Statistic with Bimodality Coefficient to Assess Multimodality of Distributions
Authors: Kang Young-Jin , Noh Yoojeong
Published: December 2019

In general, although some random variables such as wind speed, temperature, and load are known to have multimodal distributions, input or output random variables are considered to follow unimodal distributions without assessing the unimodality or multimodality of distributions from samples. In uncertainty analysis, estimating unimodal distribution as multimodal distribution or vice versa can lead to erroneous analysis results. Thus, whether a distribution is unimodal or multimodal must be assessed before the estimation of distributions. In this paper, the bimodality coefficient (BC) and Hartigan’s dip statistic (HDS), which are representative methods for assessing multimodality, are introduced and compared. Then, a combined HDS with BC method is proposed. The proposed method has the advantages of both BC and HDS by using the skewness and kurtosis of samples as well as the dip statistic through a link function between the BC values in BC and significance level in HDS. To verify the performance of the proposed method, statistical simulation tests were conducted to evaluate the multimodality for various unimodal, bimodal, and trimodal models. The implementation of the proposed method to real engineering data is shown through case studies. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is more accurate, robust, and reliable than the BC and original HDS alone.
Prediction of the Strength of Rubberized Concrete by an Evolved Random Forest Model
Authors: Sun Yuantian , Li Guichen , Zhang Junfei , Qian Deyu
Published: December 2019

Rubberized concrete (RC) has attracted more attention these years as it is an economical and environmental‐friendly construction material. Normally, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of RC needs to be evaluated before application. In this study, an evolutionary random forest model (BRF) combining random forest (RF) and beetle antennae search (BAS) algorithms was proposed, which can be used for establishing the relationship between UCS of RC and its key variables. A total number of 138 cases were collected from the literature to develop and validate the BRF model. The results showed that the BAS can tune the RF effectively, and therefore, the hyperparameters of RF were obtained. The proposed BRF model can accurately predict the UCS of RC with a high correlation coefficient (0.96). Furthermore, the variable importance was determined, and the results showed that the age of RC is the most significant variable, followed by water‐cement ratio, fine rubber aggregate, coarse rubber aggregate, and coarse aggregate. This study provides a new method to access the strength of RC and can efficiently guide the design of RC in practice.
Eustachian Tube Foreign Body with Endoscopic-Assisted Surgical Removal
Authors: Purnell Phillip R. , Bender-Heine Adam , Zalzal Habib , Tarabishy Abdul R. , Cassis Adam
Published: December 2019

Objectives. Foreign bodies of the external and middle ear are not uncommon; however, foreign bodies in the eustachian tube are rare. Here we describe the presentation, imaging, and endoscopic-assisted surgical management of a case of eustachian tube foreign body. Methods. A 34-year-old male was seen for evaluation of foreign body of the left eustachian tube while working with metal at a machine shop. Imaging and surgical management are highlighted and review of available literature regarding foreign bodies of the eustachian tube is presented. Results. A CT scan revealed a foreign body present approximately 1 cm into the bony eustachian tube. The patient underwent middle ear exploration which required endoscopic assistance to adequately visualize the foreign body. The foreign body was unable to be removed and required the creation of a bony tunnel lateral to the eustachian tube for visualization and access to the foreign body. Conclusions. This report presents a rare case of eustachian tube foreign body. Use of the endoscope during the surgical removal greatly enhanced the ease and safety of removal. This report also highlights the importance of ear protection with any machining and welding work.
Acute Abdomen Revealing an Unusual Case of Intra-Abdominal Testicular Torsion
Authors: Halidou Maazou , Roua Amadou , Amadou Magagi Ibrahim , Adamou Harissou , Adakal Ousseini , Rouga Mohamed , Amadou Soumana , Sani Rachid
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Intra-abdominal testicular torsion is a rare event. We report hereby our experience of the management of a spermatic cord twist on intra-abdominal testis discovered during an acute surgical abdomen. Case Presentation. This was a 42-year-old patient admitted to the emergency department for abdominal pain that had been evolving for a week. The physical examination showed tenderness and guarding in the left iliac fossa with an empty ipsilateral hemiscrotum. Complementary examinations led to the discovery of an intra-abdominal left-lateral mass. The laparotomy found a whitish mass with areas of infarction, which was resected. Anatomopathological examination of the operative specimen identified it as a testis with atrophy of germ cells and necrotic areas without evidence of malignancy. Conclusion. Intra-abdominal testicular torsion should be considered in case of patients with an acute surgical abdomen with vacuity of one of the bursae.
Effectiveness of Nurse Led Intervention on Health Related Quality of Life among Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Oman: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pandarakutty Suthan , Murali Kamala , Arulappan Judie , Thomas Deepa Shaji
Published: December 2019

Introduction. The children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) generally have poor Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse led intervention on HRQOL among children with SCD. Methods. A total of 30 samples were selected using convenient sampling. Children with SCD and their caregivers completed Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) SCD-Module version 3.0. The nurse led intervention was given to the study group for 10 consecutive weeks. The control group received the routine medical care. On completion of 10 weeks, the post-test was conducted. Results. The participants in study group had poor HRQOL scores P>0.05 in pre-test. After nurse led intervention, the HRQOL score in the study group significantly improved P<0.05. The control group did not show any significant difference in the pretest and post-test. Discussion. Therefore nurse led intervention is effective in improving HRQOL among children with SCD.
pH-Responsive TiO2 Nanotube Drug Delivery System Based on Iron Coordination
Authors: Liu Yan , Xie Chunling , Zhang Fengfen , Xiao Xiufeng
Published: December 2019

Nanostructured materials play a fundamental role in orthopedic research owing to their outstanding properties and excellent biocompatibility. Titania nanotube (TNT) arrays engineered by electrochemical anodization process have been extensively explored and used as effective carriers for controlled drug delivery. In this study, we proposed a drug delivery system based on coordination bond. Iron (III), Fe3+, on the nanotube surface can effectively bind to alendronate sodium (NaAL), a drug for the treatment of osteoporosis, through coordination bonds, which can be formed or broken through the change of pH, and thus can be controlled by pH. The pH-responsive system was prepared by three-step procedure: (i) fabrication of TNTs by electrochemical anodization, (ii) modification of amino groups on the surface of nanotubes by hydrothermal method, and (iii) amino-functionalized nanotubes by Fe3+ solution soak. The Fe-modified TNTs not only allowed alendronate-loading content of up to 50.2% by weight, which is significantly higher than most drug delivery systems previously reported, but also delayed and prolonged drug release. Moreover, in vitro drug release experiments demonstrated that coordination bond-based TNT system may have great potential applications in clinical use.
Self-Evaluation of Anxiety in Dental Students
Authors: Gerreth Karolina , Chlapowska Joanna , Lewicka-Panczak Katarzyna , Sniatala Renata , Ekkert Michal , Borysewicz-Lewicka Maria
Published: December 2019

Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze anxiety in female and male dental students related to their first procedure performed on a pediatric patient as part of their study curriculum.Materials and Methods. The study was carried out in eighty-four 3rd year dental students (75.00% females and 25.00% males), aged 22–28 years. The participation in the research was anonymous and voluntary. The study was performed during clinical classes in pediatric dentistry where the students were supposed to perform simple prophylactic or therapeutic procedures on pediatric patients. To assess anxiety, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used prepared by Spielberger et al. based on the American STAI questionnaire of 1970 that is composed of two-parts scales: the X-1 scale to assess anxiety as a state and the X-2 scale to assess anxiety as a trait. For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Pearson’s chi-squared test, and Mann–Whitney test as well as Statistica 10 programme were used.Results. The results obtained from the first and second part of the questionnaire concerning anxiety as a state and as a trait showed high level of anxiety as a state in 51.19% of the students and as a trait in 32.14% and low level in 19.05% and 41.67%, respectively. The obtained results showed minimal and maximal values to be 24 and 71, respectively, for the STAI-1 scale (mean = 40.55), and 24 and 57, respectively, for the STAI-2 scale (mean = 41.75).Conclusions. The results show that the anxiety level during clinical classes is relatively high in the studied population of students. Preparing the students to cope with stress resulting from treating the patients seems to be of importance. Such programmes should be implemented before the start of practical clinical classes. The acquired knowledge will be useful in further professional career.
Cod-Liver Oil Improves Metabolic Indices and hs-CRP Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yang Shuli , Lin Ruixin , Si Lihui , Li Zhuo , Jian Wenwen , Yu Qing , Jia Yan
Published: December 2019

Objective. To investigate the effects of cod-liver oil on metabolic status and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods. This study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with the allocation ratio of 1 : 1. The contents of EPA and DHA in cod-liver oil were measured using a gas chromatograph. A total of 550 GDM patients were randomly divided into the intervention group (cod-liver oil) and the control group (placebo, mineral oil), and both groups were given regular dietary care. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG), lipid profiles, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and hs-CRP were measured. Primary outcomes were different in HbA1c, FPG, 2hPG, and HOMA-IR between the two groups after 4-week randomization. Secondary outcomes were the blood glucose levels and perinatal complications (pregnancy-induced hypertension, polyhydramnios, premature delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum infection, premature rupture of membranes, and cesarean section) between the two groups before and after 12-16 weeks of cod-liver oil intervention from middle pregnancy to late pregnancy.Results. EPA and DHA were the main components of cod-liver oil with 76 mg/mL and 150 mg/mL, respectively. There was no significant difference for primary outcomes in the levels of HbA1c, FPG, 2hPG, HOMA-IR, and lipid profiles between the two groups (P>0.05). For the secondary outcomes, the levels of HbA1c, FPG, 2hPG, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (LDL-C), HOMA-IR, and hs-CRP in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of perinatal complications in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group too (P<0.05).Conclusions. Cod-liver oil consumption effectively reduced the levels of blood glucose, lipid levels, hs-CRP, and HOMA-IR and the incidence of perinatal complications.
Ki-67 Expression is a Significant Prognostic Factor Only When Progesterone Receptor Expression is Low in Estrogen Receptor-Positive and HER2-Negative Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Kang Young-Joon , Lee Han-Byoel , Kim Yun Gyoung , Han JaiHong , Kim Yumi , Yoo Tae-Kyung , Lee Eun-Shin , Moon Hyeong-Gon , Noh Dong-Young , Han Wonshik
Published: December 2019

Objective. While the value of Ki-67 has been recognized in breast cancer, controversy also exists. The goal of this study is to show the prognostic value of Ki-67 according to progesterone receptor (PgR) expression in patients who have estrogen receptor- (ER-) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) negative early breast cancer. Methods. The records of nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer patients who underwent surgery at a single institution between 2009 and 2012 were reviewed. Primary end point was recurrence-free survival (RFS), and secondary end point was overall survival (OS). Ki-67 and PgR were assessed with immunohistochemistry for the tumor after surgery. Results. A total of 1848 patients were enrolled in this study. 223 (12%) patients had high (≥10%) Ki-67, and 1625 (88%) had low Ki-67 expression. Significantly worse RFS and OS were observed in the high vs. low Ki-67 expression only when the PgR was low (<20%) (p<0.001 and 0.005, respectively, for RFS and OS). There was no significant difference in RFS and OS according to Ki-67 when the PgR was high (p=0.120 and 0.076). RFS of four groups according to high/low Ki-67 and PgR expression was compared. The low PgR and high Ki-67 expression group showed worst outcome among them (p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, high Ki-67 was an independent prognostic factor when the PgR was low (HR 3.05; 95% CI 1.50–6.19; p=0.002). Conclusions. Ki-67 had a value as a prognostic factor only under low PgR expression level in early breast cancer. PgR should be considered in evaluating the prognosis of breast cancer patients using Ki-67.