bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy consumption, economic growth and CO2 emissions: evidence from G7 countries
Authors: Banday Umer Jeelanie , Aneja Ranjan
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out the relationship between energy consumption, economic growth and CO2 emissions for the G7 countries over the period 1971–2014. The second intent of the paper is to make a comparison whether it is renewable energy consumption, non-renewable energy consumption, or both that determine sustainable economic growth in G7 countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors testify the relationship among energy consumption, economic growth and CO2 emissions using numerous econometric techniques. The authors have applied pooled mean group autoregressive distribution model (ARDL) for long-run and short-run relationships for individual countries. Finally, the authors have applied Granger causality testing based on Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) and Emirmahmutoglu and Kose’s (2011) approach in order to check the causal relationship between energy consumption and economic growth, CO2 emission and economic growth and vice versa.

Findings

However, energy usage is a greater concern due to the increase in imported energy prices. With this preposition, new thinking needs to be carried out for energy usage and sustainable economic growth. The authors consider cross-sectional reliance and cross-country heterogeneity for seven developed countries. The tests utilized in this investigation include the bootstrap causality approach of Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) and LA–VAR approach of Toda and Yamamoto (1995) that permits testing the causality for every individual panel individuals independently. However, not very many empirical works bring these two separate streams of writing together to analyze the causal connections between energy consumption, economic growth and CO2 emission for G7 countries.

Originality/value

However, energy usage is a greater concern due to the increase in imported energy prices. Meanwhile, the exhaustive use of fossil fuels increases emission level which leads to climate change, global warming, reduction in agriculture productivity and danger to human life. With this preposition, new thinking needs to be carried out for energy usage and sustainable economic growth. There are limited number of studies addressing energy consumption, economic growth and CO2 emission relationship. This study employs different methodology to find out the relationship among the variables.
Does an impaired capacity for self-care impact the prevalence of social and emotional loneliness among elderly people?
Authors: Canjuga Irena , Železnik Danica , Neuberg Marijana , Božicevic Marija , Cikac Tina
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of self-care on the prevalence of loneliness among elderly people living in retirement homes and older people living in their homes/communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted through standardized SELSA-L assessment loneliness questionnaires and the Self Care Assessment Worksheet for self-care assessment. The results were processed using the Kruskal–Wallis test.

Findings

The obtained results have shown that impaired self-care ability affects the prevalence of loneliness among the elderly almost the same in both groups of participants. However, regarding the relationship between the state of health and self-care, only a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of loneliness is found in the case of the participants living in their homes, with the worst health condition affecting the poorer psychological care.

Research limitations/implications

It is necessary to point out the limitations of the research, primarily sample limitations and the selected design of the study. The sample consisted of two different and relatively small groups of participants which could adversely affect the representativeness of the sample and reduce the possibility of generalising the results. The next limiting factor is the age distribution the authors used in the research, where the age of the participants as a very important variable was collected by age range and not precisely which consequently resulted in inequality in subgroup sizes. Thus, the middle age (75–85) covers up to ten years, which is a huge range at an older age and can mean major differences in functional ability, and can impact the self-care assessment.

Practical implications

Nurses are indispensable in care for the elderly and they need to promote and encourage self-care of the elderly through health care. Elderly people living in retirement homes should be allowed to participate equally in health care in order to preserve their own autonomy and dignity. However, to benefit those who live in their homes, nurses should be connected to the local community and thus stimulate various forms of preventative (testing blood sugar levels, blood pressure and educating on the importance of preventive examinations) or recreational activities in the environment of elderly people with the goal of preserving their functional abilities.

Originality/value

The impact of self-care on loneliness was not sufficiently researched, and this paper contributed to understanding the complexity of loneliness phenomena among the elderly with the aim of developing a model of prevention.
A Workable New Plan, or Just Wishful Thinking?
Authors: Smith David
Published: November 2018

There are large parts of the Commission on Economic Justice's diagnosis that are unanswerable. There are some good ideas in the report, but some seem seriously misguided. There is a strong sense, as in other reports, of ‘industry good, finance bad’. The Commission says that the aim of its report is to ‘spark a national conversation on why we need a change of direction, and what that direction should be’. Such a conversation is needed, at this time more than most others, and so it has succeeded in that respect.
The Jewel in the Crown: Co‐optive Capacity and Participation During Austerity in Cardiff and San Sebastián‐Donostia
Authors: Guarneros‐Meza Valeria , Tellería Imanol , Blas Asier , Pill Madeleine
Published: November 2018

In this article we compare Cardiff and San Sebastián‐Donostia (Donostia) qualitatively, arguing that local governments’ capacity to co‐opt non‐state actors provides a relevant approach to understanding changes in citizen participation under fiscal austerity. Our argument is based on the close interrelationships of co‐optation, legitimacy and procedural regulation. These concepts help us understand how citizen participation is maintained in periods of instability, as experienced by city governments during and in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Local governments’ legitimacy is maintained in so far as it shows capacity to co‐opt through negotiation, capture, ‘technicalization’ of processes and minimization of conflict. These elements work in tandem with factors of urban austerity embedded into a longer‐term neoliberalizing discourse. Our findings show that both city governments maintained their legitimacy but that, in the process, Cardiff Council's co‐optive capacity weakened, in contrast to Donostia's.
Impact of Dialysate Sodium Concentration Lowering on Home Blood Pressure Variability in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Chen Ziye , Sun Fang , Shen Yang , Ma Lijie , Liu Jing , Zhou Yilun
Published: November 2018

Blood pressure variability is an independent risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients. Dialysate sodium concentration may not only have effects on blood pressure but also on blood pressure variability. We investigated whether dialysate sodium concentration lowering could decrease home blood pressure variability in hemodialysis patients. Forty‐three hemodialysis patients at their dry weight assessed by bioimpedance methods with pre‐dialysis serum sodium >136 mmol/L were recruited. Firstly, patients underwent a 1‐month standard dialysis with dialysate sodium concentration of 138 mmol/L, and then the dialysate sodium concentration was decreased to 136 mmol/L for 8 weeks. Home blood pressure was assessed on waking up and at bedtime for 1 week. Coefficient of variation was used to define home blood pressure variability. After the intervention, whole‐day systolic blood pressure variability decreased from 5.7 ± 2.6% to 4.3 ± 1.7% and evening systolic blood pressure variability decreased from 7.9 ± 4.1% to 6.2 ± 3.1%. Morning systolic blood pressure variability had a reduction from 7.8 ± 2.4% to 5.9 ± 3.3% but did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.077). Whole‐day, morning and evening systolic blood pressure were decreased significantly. Less changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure parameters. Interdialytic weight gain mildly but significantly decreased. Volume parameters, dietary sodium intake and incidence of adverse events were similar throughout the study period. Lowering dialysate sodium concentration could improve home blood pressure variability among hemodialysis patients who had achieved their dry weight.
Oestradiol influences on dopamine release from the nucleus accumbens shell: sex differences and the role of selective oestradiol receptor subtypes
Authors: Yoest Katie E , Cummings Jennifer A , Becker Jill B
Published: November 2018

Background and Purpose

Females are more sensitive than males to both the acute and prolonged effects of psychomotor stimulants. In females, this is regulated by oestradiol, which enhances dopamine release in the dorsal striatum. In this study, we tested the acute effect of oestradiol on dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell after cocaine administration and investigated which oestradiol receptors (ERs) contribute to sex differences in the response to cocaine.

Experimental Approach

The ability of oestradiol benzoate (EB) to acutely modulate the effect of cocaine on phasic dopamine release in the NAc shell was measured by fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry in anaesthetized male and female rats. The roles of ER subtypes, ERα and ERβ, was determined with selective agonists.

Key Results

EB acutely enhanced the effect of cocaine on stimulated dopamine release from the NAc shell in females but not in male rats only at levels of stimulation expected to optimally saturate dopamine transporters. Enhanced dopamine release after cocaine administration was also observed in females after selective activation of ERβ but not ERα. EB attenuated the effect of cocaine on NAc shell dopamine reuptake in males but not in females.

Conclusions and Implications

Oestradiol acutely and rapidly regulates dopamine release in females and dopamine reuptake in males. In females, oestradiol rapidly enhances the effect of cocaine on dopamine release, likely via activation of ERβ. The effect of oestradiol in males is not seen with selective receptor subtype activation, a topic deserving of further study.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on The Importance of Sex Differences in Pharmacology Research. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.21/issuetoc
Sleep Disorders Among People With Migraine: Results From the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study
Authors: Buse Dawn C. , Rains Jeanetta C. , Pavlovic Jelena M. , Fanning Kristina M. , Reed Michael L. , Manack Adams Aubrey , Lipton Richard B.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

We examined the cross‐sectional association of sleep apnea and indices of sleep quality with both episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM).

Background

Sleep apnea and abnormal patterns of sleep, such as insomnia, were associated with migraine onset, severity, and progression in previous research.

Methods

The Chronic Migraine Epidemiology & Outcomes Study, a longitudinal study, used a series of web‐based surveys to assess migraine symptoms, burden, and patterns of health care utilization. Quota sampling was used from September 2012 to November 2013 to generate a representative sample of the US population. Persons who screened positive for sleep apnea on the Berlin Questionnaire are said to be at “high risk” for sleep apnea. Respondents indicated if they believed that they had sleep apnea, if a physician had diagnosed it, and if and how they were treated. Other aspects of sleep quality were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Measures.

Results

Of 12,810 eligible respondents with migraine and data on sleep, 11,699 with EM (91.3%) and 1111 with CM (8.7%) provided valid data for this analyses. According to the Berlin Questionnaire, 4739/12,810 (37.0%) were at “high risk” for sleep apnea, particularly persons with CM vs EM (575/1111 [51.8%] vs 4164/11,699 [35.6%]), men vs women (1431/3220 [44.4%] vs 3308/9590 [34.5%]), people with higher body mass index, and older people (all P < .001). Among respondents to the MOS Sleep Measures, persons with CM were more likely to report poor sleep quality than those with EM, including sleep disturbance (mean [SD] values: 53.2 [26.9] vs 37.9 [24.3]), snoring (38.0 [33.9] vs 31.0 [32.1]), shortness of breath (34.9 [29.8] vs 15.3 [20.6]), somnolence (44.1 [23.4] vs 32.2 [21.2]), and less likely to report sleep adequacy (34.0 [24.2] vs 39.2 [22.1]).

Conclusions

Compared with respondents with EM, a larger proportion of those with CM were at “high risk” for sleep apnea and reported poor sleep quality. This reflects an association between CM vs EM and sleep apnea and poor sleep quality; the potential relationships are discussed.
Testing forBartonellassp. DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with inflammatory central nervous system disease
Authors: Bartner Lisa R. , McGrath Stephanie , Drury Adam , Chen Annie V. , Morris Arianne , Brewer Melissa , Hall Meri , Lappin Michael R.
Published: November 2018

Background

Neurobartonellosis occurs in people. The role these organisms might play in inflammatory brain disease of dogs is unclear.

Hypothesis/Objectives

ThatBartonellaspp. DNA would be amplified more commonly from the CSF of dogs with inflammatory disease compared to those with noninflammatory disease. To report the prevalence ofBartonellaspp. in dogs with and without inflammatory CNS disease with a commercially available PCR assay.

Animals

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 172 dogs from either Washington State University or Colorado State University.

Methods

Retrospective study. A search was performed of all medical records from dogs with CSF samples submitted to CSU's Center for Companion Animal Studies or Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory from CSU or WSU forToxoplasmaorNeosporaPCR assay. Increased CSF nucleated cell counts and an adequate volume of CSF must have been present to evaluateBartonellaspp. by PCR assay.

Results

Inflammatory CNS disease was confirmed in 65 dogs, none of which were positive forBartonellaspp. DNA. Of the other 107 dogs, one was positive forB. henselaeDNA. The CSF from this dog contained red blood cells.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Failure to amplifyBartonellaspp. DNA from the CSF of the dogs with inflammatory disease suggests the organism was not involved in the etiology of the disease, the organism was in the CNS tissues but not in the CSF, or the organism was present but in quantities undetectable by this PCR assay. The combination of PCR and culture is the most sensitive way to detectBartonellaspp. and the use of that technique should be considered in future studies.
Drought tolerance response of high‐yielding soybean varieties to mild drought: physiological and photochemical adjustments
Authors: Buezo Javier , Sanz‐Saez Álvaro , Moran Jose F. , Soba David , Aranjuelo Iker , Esteban Raquel
Published: November 2018

Soybean is a crop of agronomic importance that requires adequate watering during its growth to achieve high production. In this study, we determined physiological, photochemical and metabolic differences in five soybean varieties selected from the parental lines of a nested association mapping population during mild drought. These varieties have been described as high yielding (NE3001, HY1; LD01‐5907, HY2) or drought tolerant (PI518751; HYD1; PI398881, HYD2). Nevertheless, there has been little research on the physiological traits that sustain their high productivity under water‐limited conditions. The results indicate that high‐yielding varieties under drought cope with the shortage of water by enhancing their photoprotective defences and invest in growth and productivity, linked to a higher intrinsic water use efficiency. This is the case of the variety N‐3001 (HY1), with a tolerance strategy involving a faster transition into the reproductive stage to avoid the drought period. The present study highlights the role of the physiological and biochemical adjustments of various soybean varieties to cope with water‐limited conditions. Moreover, the obtained results underscore the fact that the high phenotypic plasticity among soybean phenotypes should be exploited to compensate for the low genetic variability of this species when selecting plant productivity in constrained environments.
Dissecting Perceptions: Exploring the Determinants of Health‐Care Reform Preferences*
Authors: Mitchell Joshua L. , Dowe Pearl K. Ford
Published: November 2018

Objective

There is significant research regarding health‐care preferences in other nations and racial preference for health‐care providers. However, minimal research examines health‐care reform preferences in the United States. Therefore, this study aims to fill this void by demonstrating how a subterranean agenda, or attitudes toward race that manifest themselves into policy, at least partially drove public opinion regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Methods

Drawing from a nationally representative sample in the 2012 Blair Center–Clinton School Poll, this study examines how various “subterranean” elements in addition to economic, demographic, sociological, ideological, regional, and conditional factors shaped attitudes toward the ACA.

Results

Testing multiple hypotheses, we found that a subterranean agenda shaped preferences for ACA along with various other factors, such as presidential approval, individuals' perception regarding the role of the federal government, ideology, feeling toward blacks, feeling toward the Tea Party, and a conditional effect between a person's financial status and feeling toward blacks.

Conclusion

Preference for ACA is complex and driven by a multitude of factors. Future studies should explore the dynamics of public opinion over time and other state‐level and temporally driven factors that may increase or decrease the probability of individuals supporting health‐care reform.
English Material Development for Three Departments of Chemistry Vocational School to Meet the Industrial Needs
Authors: Widijantie Nunung , Handayani Wuriy
Published: November 2018

Vocational school students, mostly have a great intention to have job immediately after finishing their study. In fact, industry will absorb the graduates if they have skills that match with the industrial needs. The competency of chemistry vocational school graduates that industry needs is not only on the chemical analysis skill but also the competency to communicate all aspects related to chemical industrial process in English. Therefore, there is the need to develop English materials that meet the industrial needs. The English materials are developed based on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) focusing on chemistry field. The objective of this research is to find the appropriate English materials that meet the industrial needs to increase students’ language skills on reading, writing, and speaking for three departments: Analytical Chemistry, Food Industrial Quality Assurance, and Industrial waste Treatment. This research used questionnaire as the instrument which was distributed to industries, alumni, English teachers, and Chemistry teachers and was analyzed qualitatively. The result shows 30 selected English materials for each department that consist of 10 materials for reading, 10 materials for writing, and10 other materials for speaking which are considered can be used to develop the existing English materials.
Interneuronal NMDA receptors regulate long‐term depression and motor learning in the cerebellum
Authors: Kono Maya , Kakegawa Wataru , Yoshida Kazunari , Yuzaki Michisuke
Published: November 2018

Key points

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are required for long‐term depression (LTD) at parallel fibre–Purkinje cell synapses, but their cellular localization and physiological functions in vivo are unclear.

NMDARs in molecular‐layer interneurons (MLIs), but not granule cells or Purkinje cells, are required for LTD, but not long‐term potentiation induced by low‐frequency stimulation of parallel fibres.

Nitric oxide produced by NMDAR activation in MLIs probably mediates LTD induction.

NMDARs in granule cells or Purkinje cells are dispensable for motor learning during adaptation of horizontal optokinetic responses.

Long‐term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), which serve as cellular synaptic plasticity models for learning and memory, are crucially regulated by N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in various brain regions. In the cerebellum, LTP and LTD at parallel fibre (PF)–Purkinje cell (PC) synapses are thought to mediate certain forms of motor learning. However, while NMDARs are essential for LTD in vitro, their cellular localization remains controversial. In addition, whether and how NMDARs mediate motor learning in vivo remains unclear. Here, we examined the contribution of NMDARs expressed in granule cells (GCs), PCs and molecular‐layer interneurons (MLIs) to LTD/LTP and motor learning by generating GC‐, PC‐ and MLI/PC‐specific knockouts of Grin1, a gene encoding an obligatory GluN1 subunit of NMDARs. While robust LTD and LTP were induced at PF–PC synapses in GC‐ and PC‐specific Grin1 (GC‐Grin1 and PC‐Grin1, respectively) conditional knockout (cKO) mice, only LTD was impaired in MLI/PC‐specific Grin1 (MLI/PC‐Grin1) cKO mice. Application of diethylamine nitric oxide (NO) sodium, a potent NO donor, to the cerebellar slices restored LTD in MLI/PC‐Grin1 cKO mice, suggesting that NO is probably downstream to NMDARs. Furthermore, the adaptation of horizontal optokinetic responses (hOKR), a cerebellar motor learning task, was normally observed in GC‐Grin1 cKO and PC‐Grin1 cKO mice, but not in MLI/PC‐Grin1 cKO mice. These results indicate that it is the NMDARs expressed in MLIs, but not in PCs or GCs, that play important roles in LTD in vitro and motor learning in vivo.
Application of the Computational Singular Perturbation Method to a Turbulent Diffusion CH4/H2/N2 Flame Using OpenFOAM
Authors: Awakem David , Obounou Marcel , Noume Hermann Chopkap
Published: November 2018

This work highlights the ability of the computational singular perturbation (CSP) method to calculate the significant indices of the modes on evolution of species and the degree of participation of reactions. The exploitation of these indices allows us to deduce the reduced models of detailed mechanisms having the same physicochemical properties. The mechanism used is 16 species and 41 reversible reactions. A reduction of these 41 reactions to 22 reactions is made. A constant pressure application of the detailed and reduced mechanism is made in OpenFOAM free and open source code. Following the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulation scheme, standard k–ε and partial stirred reactor are used as turbulence and combustion models, respectively. To validate the reduced mechanism, comparison of numerical results (temperature and mass fractions of the species) was done between the detailed mechanism and the simplified model. This was done using the DVODE integrator in perfectly stirred reactor. After simulation in the computational fluid code dynamic (CFD) OpenFOAM, other comparisons were made. These comparisons were between the experimental data of a turbulent nonpremixed diffusion flame of type “DLR-A flame,” the reduced mechanism, and the detailed mechanism. The calculation time using the simplified model is considerably reduced compared to that using the detailed mechanism. An excellent agreement has been observed between these two mechanisms, indicating that the reduced mechanism can reproduce very well the same result as the detailed mechanism. The accordance with experimental results is also good.
Control Laws for a Linear Fresnel Reflector Solar Steam Generator in Once-Through Mode on a Commercial Operating Power Plant
Authors: Bodini Laurent , Delale Laurent , Nouet Jean-Luc , Dumercq Bernard
Published: November 2018

This paper aims to present the process control laws developed for the concentrated solar power plant in Dhursar India by Areva Solar. The technology (linear Fresnel reflector (LFR), direct steam generation (DSG), once-through) used to produce superheated steam although being the most direct method is also the most challenging regarding the controls. The main control loops presented here are the flow control, the energy input control, and the steady-state optimization. With these control laws, the plant was able to produce 110 MWe in March 2016.
Evolution and Progress in the Development of Savonius Wind Turbine Rotor Blade Profiles and Shapes
Authors: Alom Nur , Saha Ujjwal K.
Published: November 2018

The blade profiles and blade shapes of vertical-axis Savonius wind turbine rotors have undergone a series of changes over the past three decades. Wind turbine aerodynamicists have carried out numerous computational and experimental research to arrive at a suitable rotor blade design configuration so as to harvest maximum energy from the available wind. In most of the studies, the geometric and aerodynamic aspects of the rotor blade design have been reported. Interestingly enough, a couple of review papers got published in the area of Savonius rotors during the last one decade. However, there is not a single piece of literature that gives a comprehensive and a systematic review of Savonius rotor blade profiles and shapes. This paper aims to collate all the research findings related to these blade profiles/shapes and makes an attempt to highlight their features together with future recommendations.
An Orthotropic Integrated Flow-Stress Model for Process Simulation of Composite Materials—Part I: Two-Phase Systems
Authors: Amini Niaki Sina , Forghani Alireza , Vaziri Reza , Poursartip Anoush
Published: November 2018

An integrated flow-stress (IFS) model provides a seamless and mechanistic connection between the two distinct regimes during the manufacturing process of composite materials, namely, fluid flow in the pregelation stage of the thermoset resin and stress development in the composite when it acts as a solid material. In this two-part paper, the two- and three-phase isotropic IFS models previously developed by the authors are extended to the general case of composite materials with orthotropic constituents. Part I presents the two-phase, fluid-solid, orthotropic model formulation for the case where the fluid phase solidifies during the course of curing. Part II extends the orthotropic formulation to a three-phase model that includes a gas phase as the third constituent of the composite material system. A broader definition of material properties in poroelasticity formulation is adopted in the development of the general orthotropic formulation. The model is implemented in a two-dimensional (2D) plane strain u-v-P finite element (FE) code and its capability in predicting the flow-compaction behavior and stress development is demonstrated through application to a case study involving an L-shaped unidirectional laminate undergoing curing on a conforming convex tool. Comparison of the results with those obtained from sole modeling of the stress development reveals the importance of capturing the simultaneous and interactive effect of the mechanisms involved during the entire process cycle using an IFS modeling approach presented in this paper.
Development of a Finite Element Model for Pressure Test Simulation of Transformer Tanks With Skid Bases
Authors: Abbas Mir Aamir
Published: November 2018

Deciding the boundary conditions is the most difficult part of developing an effective finite element model. Incorrect boundary conditions can cause significant errors in analysis. The finite element analysis has become a popular method of design validation for the transformer tank but the boundary conditions to be used for simulating the pressure test by finite element analysis are not clear. The pressure test analysis is carried out by assuming the bottom surface of the transformer tank to be fixed. This common practice has not been validated and requires verification. In this work, a generalized model of the transformer tank under the pressure was solved to eliminate the assumption, and the results were compared with those of the usual practice. It was found that there was significant difference in the results of the two models indicating the incorrectness of the usual practice.
Experimental Study of Periodic Free Stream Unsteadiness Effects on Discrete Hole Film Cooling in Two Geometries
Authors: Borup Daniel D. , Fan Danyang , Elkins Christopher J. , Eaton John K.
Published: November 2018

Discrete hole film cooling is widely employed to protect turbine blades and vanes from hot combustion gases entering the high-pressure turbine stage. Accurate prediction of the heat transfer near film cooling holes is critical, and high-fidelity experimental data sets are needed for validation of new computational models. Relatively few studies have examined the effects of periodic main flow unsteadiness resulting from the interaction of turbine blades and vanes, with a particular lack of data for shaped hole configurations. Periodic unsteadiness was generated in the main flow over a laidback, fan-shaped cooling hole at a Strouhal number (St = fD/U) of 0.014 by an airfoil oscillating in pitch. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with water as the working fluid was used to obtain full-field, phase-resolved velocity and scalar concentration data. Operating conditions consisted of a hole Reynolds number of 2900, channel Reynolds number of 25, 000, and blowing ratio of unity. Both mean and phase-resolved data are compared to the previous measurements for the same hole geometry with steady main flow. Under unsteady freestream conditions, the flow separation pattern inside the hole was observed to change from an asymmetric separation bubble to two symmetric bubbles. The periodic unsteadiness was characterized by alternating periods of slow main flow, which allowed the coolant to penetrate into the freestream along the centerplane, and fast, hole-impinging main flow, which deflected coolant toward the laidback wall and caused ejection of coolant from the hole away from the centerplane. Mean adiabatic surface effectiveness was reduced up to 23% inside the hole, while mean laterally averaged effectiveness outside the hole fell 28–36% over the entire measurement domain. A brief comparison to a round jet with and without unsteadiness is included; for the round jet, no disturbance was observed inside the hole, and some fluctuations directed coolant toward the wall, which increased mean film cooling effectiveness. The combined velocity and concentration data for both cases are suitable for quantitative validation of computational fluid dynamics predictions for film cooling flows with periodic freestream unsteadiness.
Optimization of Biomimetic Propulsive Kinematics of a Flexible Foil Using Integrated Computational Fluid Dynamics–Computational Structural Dynamics Simulations
Authors: You Jiho , Lee Jinmo , Hong Seungpyo , You Donghyun
Published: November 2018

A computational methodology, which combines a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique and a computational structural dynamics (CSD) technique, is employed to design a deformable foil whose kinematics is inspired by the propulsive motion of the fin or the tail of a fish or a cetacean. The unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations are solved using a second-order accurate finite difference method and an immersed-boundary method to effectively impose boundary conditions on complex moving boundaries. A finite element-based structural dynamics solver is employed to compute the deformation of the foil due to interaction with fluid. The integrated CFD–CSD simulation capability is coupled with a surrogate management framework (SMF) for nongradient-based multivariable optimization in order to optimize flapping kinematics and flexibility of the foil. The flapping kinematics is manipulated for a rigid nondeforming foil through the pitching amplitude and the phase angle between heaving and pitching motions. The flexibility is additionally controlled for a flexible deforming foil through the selection of material with a range of Young's modulus. A parametric analysis with respect to pitching amplitude, phase angle, and Young's modulus on propulsion efficiency is presented at Reynolds number of 1100 for the NACA 0012 airfoil.
Trajectories of Sport Participation Among Children and Adolescents Across Different Socio-Economic Categories: Multilevel Findings From the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth
Authors: Perks Tom
Published: November 2018

Building upon prior theoretical and empirical work, this study explores the sport participation trajectories of children across different socio-economic status (SES) categories to assess the possibility of changes in the SES-sport participation relationship as children age. Using representative panel data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, a multilevel analysis of 4,858 children aged 6 to 9 suggests that as children age the SES effect on sport participation persists over time. However, the SES effect on sport participation appears to have relatively small predictive import compared to other factors.
Microbiome conservancy stores global fecal samples
Authors: Rabesandratana Tania
Published: November 2018

Research could help prevent or treat diseases of the gut.
Disorder at the border
Authors: Cavalleri Andrea
Published: November 2018

The photoinduced phase transition in vanadium oxide involves ultrafast loss of coherence
Collector's item or cultural heritage?
The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, and the Quest for Earth's Ultimate Trophy
Paige Williams
Hachette Books, 2018. 432 pp.
Authors: Arbour Victoria M.
Published: November 2018

A riveting tale of a smuggled dinosaur illuminates an enduring tension in paleontology
Sources of human viruses
Authors: Woolhouse Mark
Published: November 2018

Machine learning predicts the hosts and vectors of RNA viruses that can infect humans
Shifting summer rains
Authors: McGee David
Published: November 2018

Trace-element records in Chinese caves reveal the effects of climate change on Asian monsoons
Characterization of the First OXA-10 Natural Variant with Increased Carbapenemase Activity
Authors: Kotsakis Stathis D. , Flach Carl-Fredrik , Razavi Mohammad , Larsson D. G. Joakim
Published: November 2018

While carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is mainly due to the production of efficient carbapenemases, β-lactamases with a narrower spectrum may also contribute to resistance when combined with additional mechanisms. OXA-10-type class D β-lactamases, previously shown to be weak carbapenemases, could represent such a case.
Bacterial Clearance Is Enhanced by α2,3- and α2,6-Sialyllactose via Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis and Phagocytosis
Authors: Kim Jimin , Kim Yong-Jae , Kim Jae Wha
Published: November 2018

Sialyllactose (SL) is a representative human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) of human breast milk. The roles of SL in infant brain development and immunity have been reported in previous studies.
Isolation and Characterization of a Distinct Influenza A Virus from Egyptian Bats
Authors: Kandeil Ahmed , Gomaa Mokhtar R. , Shehata Mahmoud M. , El Taweel Ahmed N. , Mahmoud Sara H. , Bagato Ola , Moatasim Yassmin , Kutkat Omnia , Kayed Ahmed S. , Dawson Patrick , Qiu Xueting , Bahl Justin , Webby Richard J. , Karesh William B. , Kayali Ghazi , Ali Mohamed A.
Published: November 2018

Through surveillance, we isolated and characterized an influenza A virus from Egyptian fruit bats. This virus had an affinity to avian-like receptors but was also able to infect mice. Our findings indicate that bats may harbor a diversity of influenza A viruses. Such viruses may have the potential to cross the species barrier to infect other species, including domestic birds, mammals, and, possibly, humans.
What information needs do people with recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus have and what are the associated factors? A cross-sectional study in Germany
Authors: Grobosch Sandra , Kuske Silke , Linnenkamp Ute , Ernstmann Nicole , Stephan Astrid , Genz Jutta , Begun Alexander , Haastert Burkhard , Szendroedi Julia , Müssig Karsten , Burkart Volker , Roden Michael , Icks Andrea
Published: November 2018

Objectives

This study aimed to identify: (1) information needs of people with recently diagnosed type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM); (2) information needs within different subgroups; and (3) factors associated with information needs concerning DM such as current level of information, health-related quality of life or participation preferences.

Design

A mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Information needs for different topics and estimated associated factors were described using logistic regression models. Additionally, a qualitative content analysis was performed.

Setting

Monocentre study.

Participants

Information needs were assessed and analysed in 138 consecutive participants with DM who took part in the German Diabetes Study (54% type 2 diabetes, 64% male, mean age 46.3±12.3 years, known diabetes duration <1 year).

Results

Most participants displayed a need for information in all topics provided, especially in diabetes research (86%) and treatment/therapy (80%). Regarding those topics, participants wished for information regarding new treatments that simplify their everyday life. In general, participants preferred topics that focus on the management or handling of DM over topics related to clinical factors of DM, such as causes and complications. A low current level of information and treatment with antihyperglycaemic medication were significantly associated with higher information needs, and diabetes-related comorbidity and higher mental component summary score in the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) with lower information needs.

Conclusion

People with recently diagnosed DM display high information needs, which differ according to the current level of information, mode of diabetes treatment, diabetes-related comorbidity and mental component summary score in the SF-36. There appears to be a preference for information, which can help to simplify life with diabetes and for information that corresponds to their level of knowledge. This should be considered in patient information activities.

Trial registration number

NCT01055093.
Management of acute venous thromboembolism among a cohort of patients discharged directly from the emergency department
Authors: Bungard Tammy J , Ritchie Bruce , Bolt Jennifer , Semchuk William M
Published: November 2018

Objective

To report the proportion of patients discharged directly from the emergency department (ED) on traditional therapy (parenteral anticoagulant±warfarin) or a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for the management of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Design

Retrospective medical record review across four EDs in Edmonton, Alberta, two in Regina, Saskatchewan and three in rural Alberta.

Setting

EDs from April 2014 through March 2015.

Participants

Discharged directly from the ED with acute VTE. Patients were excluded if they had another indication for anticoagulants, were pregnant/breastfeeding or anticipated lifespan <3 months.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primarily, the proportion of patients discharged directly from the ED that were prescribed traditional therapy or a DOAC, with comparisons between Edmonton, Regina and rural Alberta. Secondarily, therapy selection was compared based on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) versus pulmonary embolism (PE) and clot burden. Dosing of DOACs was assessed (when applicable) and follow-up in the community was compared.

Results

After screening 1723 patients, 417 (24.2%) were included with DVT and PE occurring in 65.5% and 34.5%, respectively. More patients with PE were discharged from EDs in Edmonton (43%) than Regina (7%). Overall, the majority of patients were discharged on traditional therapy (70.7%), with 27.8% receiving a DOAC. Uptake of DOAC use was highest in rural Alberta (53.3%) compared with Edmonton (29.6%) and Regina (12.1%). DOACs were more commonly prescribed for PE (34.0%) than DVT (24.5%) (p=0.04), proximal versus distal DVT (28.4% and 17.3%; p<0.001), and when prescribed were appropriately dosed in 79.3%. Follow-up most commonly occurred via a VTE clinic in Edmonton or family physician in Regina and rural Alberta.

Conclusions

Regional variation in discharging patients directly from the ED with PE is evident. While traditional therapy is most common, uptake of DOACs was modest given the timing of indication approval.
Assessing the readiness of health facilities for diabetes and cardiovascular services in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Biswas Tuhin , Haider M Moinuddin , Das Gupta Rajat , Uddin Jasim
Published: November 2018

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the readiness of health facilities for diabetes and cardiovascular services in Bangladesh.

Design

This study was a cross-sectional survey.

Setting

This study used data from a nationwide Bangladesh Health Facility Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in 2014.

Participants

A total of 319 health facilities delivering services focused on diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were included in the survey. Some of these facilities were run by the public sector while others were managed by the private sector and non-governmental organisations. It was a mix of primary and secondary care facilities.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was readiness of health facilities for diabetes and cardiovascular services. We analysed relevant data following the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment manual of the WHO to assess the readiness of selected health facilities towards services for diabetes and CVD.

Results

58% and 24.1% of the facilities had diagnosis and treatment services for diabetes and CVD, respectively. Shortage of trained staff (18.8% and 14.7%) and lack of adequate medicine supply (23.5% and 43.9%) were identified to be factors responsible for inadequate services for diabetes and CVD. Among the facilities that offer services for diabetes and CVD, only 0.4% and 0.9% had all the four service readiness factors (guideline, trained staff, equipment and medicine).

Conclusions

The study suggests that health facilities suffered from numerous drawbacks, such as shortage of trained staff and required medicine. Most importantly, they lack effective guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment for diabetes and CVD. It is, therefore, essential now to ensure that there are trained staff, adequate medicine supply, and appropriate guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment for diabetes and CVD in Bangladesh.
Uterine distention as a factor in birth timing: retrospective nationwide cohort study in Sweden
Authors: Bacelis Jonas , Juodakis Julius , Adams Waldorf Kristina M , Sengpiel Verena , Muglia Louis J , Zhang Ge , Jacobsson Bo
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To determine whether uterine distention is associated with human pregnancy duration in a non-invasive observational setting.

Design

Retrospective cohort study modelling uterine distention by interaction between maternal height and uterine load.

Setting

The study is based on the 1990–2013 population data from all delivery units in Sweden.

Participants

Uncomplicated first pregnancies of healthy Nordic-born mothers with spontaneous onset of labour. Pregnancies were classified as twin (n=2846) or singleton (n=527 868). Singleton pregnancies were further classified as carrying a large for gestational age fetus (LGA, n=24 286) or small for gestational age fetus (SGA, n=33 780).

Outcome measures

Statistical interaction between maternal height and uterine load categories (twin vs singleton pregnancies, and LGA vs SGA singleton pregnancies), where the outcome is pregnancy duration.

Results

In all models, statistically significant interaction was found. Mothers carrying twins had 2.9 times larger positive linear effect of maternal height on gestational age than mothers carrying singletons (interaction p=5e−14). Similarly, the effect of maternal height was strongly modulated by the fetal growth rate in singleton pregnancies: the effect size of maternal height on gestational age in LGA pregnancies was 2.1 times larger than that in SGA pregnancies (interaction p<1e−11). Preterm birth OR was 1.4 when the mother was short, and 2.8 when the fetus was extremely large for its gestational age; however, when both risk factors were present together, the OR for preterm birth was larger than expected, 10.2 (interaction p<0.0005).

Conclusions

Across all classes, maternal height was significantly associated with child’s gestational age at birth. Interestingly, in short-statured women with large uterine load (twins, LGA), spontaneous delivery occurred much earlier than expected. The interaction between maternal height, uterine load size and gestational age at birth strongly suggests the effect of uterine distention imposed by fetal growth on birth timing.
General practitioners (GPs) and end-of-life care: a qualitative study of Australian GPs and specialist palliative care clinicians
Authors: Rhee Joel J , Teo Patrick C K , Mitchell Geoffrey K , Senior Hugh E , Tan Aaron J H , Clayton Josephine M
Published: November 2018

Objectives

General practitioners (GPs) are well placed to be involved in end-of-life care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. However, differing views exist regarding their role. This study aims to explore the views of GPs and specialist palliative care clinicians (SPCCs) on the role that GPs should play in the planning and provision of end-of-life care and important barriers and facilitators to GPs’ involvement in end-of-life care including suggestions for improvement.

Methods

Qualitative description methodology using semistructured interviews of 11 GPs and 10 SPCCs.

Results

The participants identified two key roles that GPs should play in the planning and provision of end-of-life care: care planning and referring to palliative care services and being the primary clinician in charge of patient care. GPs and SPCCs expressed similar views; however, a significant proportion of the GP participants were not actively involved in end-of-life care. Factors affecting GPs’ involvement in end-of-life care included: (1) GP and practice factors including continuity of care, long-term relationships with patients, knowledge and skills in end-of-life care, resource limitations and work patterns; (2) communication and collaboration between GPs and the acute healthcare system and (3) communication and collaboration between GPs and SPCCs.

Conclusion

GPs have a key role in the planning and provision of end-of-life care. GPs could be encouraged in this role by providing them with education and practical experience in end-of-life care, making changes to remuneration structure, formalised arrangements for shared care and encouraging continuity of care and developing long-term relationship with their patients.