bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cinnarizine and sodium valproate as the preventive agents of pediatric migraine: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Amanat Man , Togha Mansoureh , Agah Elmira , Ramezani Mahtab , Tavasoli Ali Reza , Azizi Malamiri Reza , Fashandaky Fariba , Heidari Morteza , Salehi Mona , Eshaghi Hamid , Ashrafi Mahmoud Reza
Published: November 2019

Background

Few migraine preventive agents have been assessed in a pediatric population. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of cinnarizine and sodium valproate for migraine prophylaxis in children and adolescents.

Methods

We carried out a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in the Children’s Medical Center and Sina hospital, Tehran, Iran. Eligible participants were randomly assigned in 1:1:1 ratio via interactive web response system to receive either cinnarizine, sodium valproate, or placebo. The primary endpoints were the mean change in frequency and intensity of migraine attacks from baseline to the last 4 weeks of trial. The secondary endpoint was the efficacy of each drug in the prevention of migraine. The drug was considered effective if it decreased migraine frequency by more than 50% in the double-blind phase compared with the baseline. Safety endpoint was adverse effects that were reported by children or their parents.

Results

A total of 158 children participated. The frequency of migraine attacks significantly reduced compared to baseline in cinnarizine (difference: −8.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): −9.3 to −6.6), sodium valproate (difference: −8.3; 95% confidence interval: −9.3 to −7.2), and placebo (difference: −4.4; 95% confidence interval: −5.4 to −3.4) arms. The decrease was statistically greater in cinnarizine (difference: −3.6; 95% confidence interval: −5.5 to −1.6) and sodium valproate (difference: −3.9; 95% confidence interval: −5.8 to −1.9) arms, compared to placebo group. Children in all groups had significant reduction in intensity of episodes compared to baseline (cinnarizine: −4.6; 95% confidence interval: −5.2 to −4.0; sodium valproate: −4.0; 95% confidence interval: −4.8 to −3.3; placebo: −2.6; 95% confidence interval: −3.4 to −1.8). The decrease was statistically greater in cinnarizine (difference: −2.0; 95% confidence interval: −3.2 to −0.8) and sodium valproate (difference: −1.5; 95% confidence interval: −2.7 to −0.3) arms, compared to the placebo group. Seventy-one percent of individuals in the cinnarizine group, 66% of cases in the sodium valproate group, and 42% of people in the placebo arm reported more than 50% reduction in episodes at the end of the trial. The odds ratio for >50% responder rate was 3.5 (98.3% confidence interval: 1.3 to 9.3) for cinnarizine versus placebo and 2.7 (98.3% confidence interval: 1.0 to 6.9) for sodium valproate versus placebo. Nine individuals reported adverse effects (three in cinnarizine, five in sodium valproate, and one in the placebo group) and one case in the sodium valproate group discontinued the therapy due to severe sedation.

Conclusion

Cinnarizine and sodium valproate could be useful in migraine prophylaxis in children and adolescents. Trial registration: IRCT201206306907N4.
Experimental study on the repeatability of positioning of linear axes of machine tools
Authors: Sun Guangming , He Gaiyun , Zhang Dawei , Ding Bohui
Published: November 2019

This study presents experimental investigations on the mechanisms of the repeatability of positioning of linear axes of computer numerical control machine tools. First, the factors affecting the repeatability of positioning of linear axes are obtained based on orthogonal experiments. Second, the mechanism of each factor affecting the repeatability of positioning is studied based on single-factor experiments. Finally, an assembly method to improve the repeatability of positioning of linear axes is proposed. The method can provide designers and workers with informative guidelines for improving the repeatability of positioning in design and assembly processes.
Trends and advances in bioenergy production and sustainable solid waste management
Authors: Rajmohan KS , Ramya C , Varjani Sunita
Published: November 2019

Renewable energy accounts for 33 percent of the primary energy consumption across the world. Current world faces a major waste and climate change crisis. In many developing countries, over the past two and a half centuries, a variety of renewable power techniques have been actively pursued in distinct fields in the fields of research, growth, demonstration, manufacturing, and implementation. A replacement for fossil fuels using waste biomass is essential and considered as a promising strategy to meet our energy needs. At the same time, the emissions of greenhouse gas and managing municipal solid waste have to become crucial due to growing population demand. Biomass includes the energy stored in the sun and plants. It also serves as a primary energy source. Plants absorb the power of the sun during the process called photosynthesis. When biomass is combusted, chemical energy can be released into biomass as heat that can be used for domestic applications. The use of biomass results in management expenses contributes to climate changes, decrease the risk to lives and assets thereby ensure a safe and competitive energy source for the beneficial impact on the environment and the economy. This paper overviews about various applications of renewable energy sources produced from the municipal wastes and microbes. Prospects for the commercialization of bio-algal fuels, applications, and its challenges are discussed. The role of microbes (microalgae) in the energy production process and to use bioenergy as a future trend for economic development is discussed.
Design of model predictive force control for hydraulic servo system based on cuckoo search and genetic algorithms
Authors: Essa Mohamed El-Sayed M , Aboelela Magdy AS , Moustafa Hassan MA , Abdrabbo SM
Published: November 2019

This article discusses a system identification based on a black-box state-space model for an experimental electro-hydraulic servo system. Furthermore, it presents force-tracking control for the electro-hydraulic servo system based on model predictive control. The parameters of model predictive controls have been tuned by cuckoo search algorithm as well as genetic algorithm. The realization of model predictive controls depends on using a data acquisition card (NI-6014) and Simulink/MATLAB as the core of the electro-hydraulic servo system control system. In this research, the combination of model predictive control tuned by cuckoo search algorithm and genetic algorithm has been introduced in the form of switching model predictive controls. This combination collects the advantages of two model predictive controls in one model predictive control by switching model predictive controls. The simulation and experimental results display that the suggested switching of model predictive controls introduces a good tracking performance in terms of settling time, rise time, and system overshoots as compared to the two separated model predictive controls. In addition, the experimental evaluation has shown that the proposed switching model predictive controls achieved a stable and robust control system even facing to a different reference command signals (step, multistep, and sinusoidal signals). Moreover, its behavior is more robust for system parameters perturbation and small or large perturbation of disturbances in the working environment. It also achieves the necessitated physical limits of the actuator. As a general conclusion and a deep study of electro-hydraulic servo system, one can conclude that the switching strategy between model predictive control tuned by cuckoo search algorithm and by genetic algorithm has the priority of applying it on the field of electro-hydraulic servo system. The proposed new strategy (switching of model predictive control) is promising in experimental applications.
Responsibility, rationality, and acceptance: How future users of autonomous driving are constructed in stakeholders’ sociotechnical imaginaries
Authors: Graf Antonia , Sonnberger Marco
Published: November 2019

Although autonomous driving is expected to provide a solution for various mobility-related issues, ideas on how the technology will actually unfold are vague. Nevertheless, stakeholders in the field hold expectations about the technology and the future users. With very few exceptions, so far research does not focus on these expectations as social constructions of individuals and publics. In addition, these perceptions play only a minor role in the technology-centered debate. Thus, to bring these perceptions to light and to analyze their implications, we draw on the sociotechnical imaginaries approach to reconstruct stakeholders’ views of future users and publics. We perform a qualitative content analysis and show that imaginaries unfold along the themes of responsibility for the process of driving, rationality in decision-making, and acceptance for emerging technologies. We discuss how the themes relate to each other, what role science plays, and what implications follow from the respective stakeholders’ views.
Shifting public engagement: How media coverage of climate change conferences affects climate change audience segments
Authors: Wonneberger Anke , Meijers Marijn H. C. , Schuck Andreas R. T.
Published: November 2019

While it is often assumed that media attention for events, such as international climate change conferences, can influence public opinion, research studying changes in public opinion concerning climate change is scarce. Research on climate change audience segments and the theory of motivated reasoning suggest that media effects depend on the level of audience engagement with climate change. We analyze how exposure to media coverage of the COP21 affected public opinion in the Netherlands. Based on a two-wave online panel survey ( N = 876), we identified five audience segments that varied in their degree of climate change beliefs, involvement, policy preferences, and behavioral intentions. Different media effects across segments were found indicating (dis)confirmation bias, specifically, for medium levels of positive and negative engagement. The findings indicate that important events may cause limited changes in public opinion and emphasize the importance of studying segment-specific and content-specific media effects.
Accident Conscious: Accounting for Flying Accidents in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War
Authors: Hobbins Peter , Roberts-Pedersen Elizabeth
Published: November 2019

During the Second World War the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) systematically categorized every operational and non-operational flying accident. Despite a broader service focus on ‘pilot error’, our comprehensive database of 601 RAAF Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk accident reports suggests that non-human factors were perceived as more determinative than human failings. Incorporating wartime Royal Air Force and US Army Air Force analyses, this article compares RAAF interpretations of accident statistics with our data and a detailed exploration of formal inquiries into ten fatal Kittyhawk crashes. Accounting for air force accidents negotiated a dynamic balance between heuristic integrity, operational effectiveness, and political prudence.
British Interventionism in the Red Sea Eastern Sudan and Britain’s Global Defence Strategy
Authors: Fargher James A.
Published: November 2019

The following article explores the significance of two British military expeditions deployed to the ancient Sudanese port city of Suakin on the Red Sea coast in 1884 and 1885. Although the British government claimed the expeditions were organized to support Egyptian forces in Sudan during the Mahdist revolt, the evidence suggests instead that the intervention was orchestrated as part of a wider effort to seize all Egyptian ports in the Red Sea to prevent them from falling into French hands. This move came as Britain began increasingly to rely on the imperial sea lanes to support its status as a global power in the late nineteenth century.
Policing, Ill-Discipline, and Crime in the American–Australian Alliance, 1942–1945
Authors: Kane Liam
Published: November 2019

This article analyses policing, ill-discipline, and crime in the Australian–American alliance during the Second World War. Though these topics have received considerable scholarly attention, previous studies have been narrowly focused both geographically and thematically. Providing a broad analysis of these subjects, this article places these issues within their wider political and legal context, and examines the nature of cooperation between Australian police (both military and civil) and their US allies. It also traces general patterns of ill-discipline and crime in Australia and its territory of Papua and mandate of New Guinea, highlighting policies that successfully limited inter-Allied violence.
Finding the Strength to Heal: Understanding Recovery After Gender-Based Violence
Authors: Sinko Laura , Saint Arnault Denise
Published: November 2019

Little research has focused on the trauma healing processes of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, with most research focusing on adverse outcomes. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore the nature of GBV healing through survivor narratives. Our analysis revealed important barriers and facilitators of trauma healing. Social context was discovered to have a powerful influence over both barriers and facilitators. Analysis of the nature of healing revealed three main objectives: reconnecting with the self, others, and the world. This information can be utilized by clinicians to create safer, more empowering, healing spaces for survivors.
Hypocholesterolemia in cats: a multicenter retrospective study of 106 cats
Authors: Bowman Claudia , Viall Austin , Rudinsky Adam , Gilor Chen , Palerme Jean-Sébastien
Published: November 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic findings and associated diseases found in a population of hypocholesterolemic cats referred to two tertiary care facilities.

Methods

An electronic medical record search was performed at two veterinary university referral centers to identify cats with serum cholesterol values below the reference interval between January 2004 and 2016. Clinicopathologic data were reviewed for each case and cats were classified into specific disease categories based on clinical diagnosis. Median cholesterol values were compared between disease categories, as well as between survivors and non-survivors.

Results

In total, 106 hypocholesterolemic cats were included. The median age of the cats was 6 years (range 0.24–18 years). The most common disease categories were gastrointestinal (25.9%), hepatobiliary (19.8%), hematologic (14.8%) and urogenital (14.8%). Though median serum cholesterol values did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors, cats with concurrent hypoalbuminemia were at higher risk (odds ratio 15.6, 95% confidence interval 5.2–46.6; P <0.0001) of not surviving to discharge than cats with normal serum albumin concentrations.

Conclusions and relevance

Taken together, our data suggest that while the degree of hypocholesterolemia did not appear to influence survival rates, the concurrent presence of hypocholesterolemia and hypoalbuminemia was associated with a worse prognosis.
Conditional effects of development aid on political perceptions: mixed-methods evidence from North-East Afghanistan
Authors: De Juan Alexander , Gosztonyi Kristóf , Koehler Jan
Published: November 2019

Can aid create political trust in conflict-affected states? International aid organizations often argue that supporting states in providing basic services can contribute to strengthening state–society relations. Previous studies in international development have indicated that the provision of basic services can indeed improve people’s attitudes towards state institutions. We take this research a step further: in addition to analysing the impact of aid on political trust, we assess how violence influences this effect. We argue that aid can create opportunities for constructive state–society interactions. As violence increases, however, development-related interactions are crowded out by security-related ones. Violence also fosters corrupt aid governance, which undermines the positive effects of aid on public perceptions. We analyse this hypothesis with a mixed-methods research design that combines original opinion survey data with qualitative interview material systematically collected in 252 villages of northeast Afghanistan. Based on a combination of (a) quantitative analyses, (b) a comparison of most-similar villages, (c) a systematic comparison of qualitative survey response patterns across levels of insecurity, and (d) an in-depth analysis of interview material on aid and trust in highly insecure areas, we show that violence negatively impacts the relative relevance as well as the quality of aid-related state–society interactions. These findings indicate that international aid agencies should refocus from mainly output-oriented project appraisal, design, and monitoring to a stronger process orientation that maximizes state–society interaction and prevents elite capture in areas exposed to high levels of violence.
Attitudes of French populations towards the disclosure of unsolicited findings in medical genetics
Authors: Rosier Marion , Guedj Myriam , Calvas Patrick , Julia Sophie , Garnier Christelle , Cambon-Thomsen Anne , Muñoz Sastre Maria Teresa
Published: November 2019

Next-generation sequencing techniques enable unsolicited findings to be detected. This discovery raises ethical questions concerning the return of these findings. Our study aimed to highlight the views of the general public, patients under supervision and health professionals concerning the acceptability of disclosing unsolicited results to patients. In total, 449 participants assessed scenarios, consisted of all combinations of three factors (patient’s information and consent, prevention and treatment of the unsolicited disease and doctor’s decision). The response profiles were grouped into six clusters. The participants took ethical aspects into account, but health professionals also considered the medical aspects to a greater extent.
Discursive representations of domestic helpers in cyberspace
Authors: Ho Janet
Published: November 2019

This study investigates the online narratives Hong Kong employers construct around foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and aims to compensate for the existing gap in discursive research and mainstream media, which tend to focus on the perspective of FDHs. It examines how employers portrayed FDHs both positively and negatively, as well as how they represented themselves in online environments. Critical discourse analysis was used to analyse more than 2000 Facebook posts on the subject of FDHs, identifying discursive strategies used in constructing both power dynamics and identities. The findings revealed that nomination strategies dominated the discourse, constructing both the in- and out-group identities of FDHs. Other strategies, such as predication and augmentation, showed how employers portrayed themselves as opportunity-givers and food critics, which further contributed to the inferior self-perception of FDHs. The study concludes that employers have developed a sense of ideological ambivalence, in which they perceived FDHs as motherly figures while simultaneously maintaining their superior status.
Macao Dementia Policy: Challenges and prospects (innovative practice)
Authors: Iek Long Lo , Wen Zeng , Chin Ion Lei , Chong Lam , Hong Lei Lou
Published: November 2019

This paper highlights the challenges and prospects of older people with dementia in Macao. Macao Dementia Policy was launched in 2016 as the 27th globally, aligned with World Health Organization Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017–2025, includes a 10-year strategic framework to establish dementia friendly communities across the region. Dementia Working Group, cognitive assessment network in Health Centers, Dementia Medical Center, and Dementia Support Center were established subsequently. These initiatives manifest that Macao Government has taken great strides to improve waiting times, diagnosis rates, integrated care, and dementia friendliness through a seamless dementia service network.
Collective allostatic load measures for teams
Authors: Davaslioglu Kemal , Pokorny Bob , Sagduyu Yalin E. , Molintas Henrik , Soltani Sohraab , Grossman Rebecca , Bowers Clint
Published: November 2019

Teams in action, such as emergency responders and medical personnel, are challenged with environments that are characterized by time pressure, rapidly unfolding events, high information processing demand, and severe consequences of wrong decisions. Such environments in general have adverse effects on team performance. To mitigate this problem and increase the performance and resilience of teams, we developed the Collective Allostatic Load Measures system. Collective Allostatic Load Measures system collects, aggregates, and analyzes multimodal data, and provides recommendation and intervention mechanisms under acute and chronic stressors. The key innovation in Collective Allostatic Load Measures is the integration of multimodal sensing capabilities with accurate algorithms that can process sequential multimodal data from heterogeneous sensors. We built a prototype of Collective Allostatic Load Measures that incorporates the core functionalities that can assess allostatic load at the team level, namely collective allostatic load. Collective Allostatic Load Measures includes a set of commercial off-the-shelf sensors that record an individual’s physiological responses, a speech processing module that can extract the communication patterns of a team, a machine-learning based computational analysis module, a mobile phone app, and a web-based dashboard for visualization. Collective Allostatic Load Measures provides near real-time quantitative measurement of collective allostatic load that is leveraged to improve team performance and resilience by recommending interventions.
The Impact of Hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Differences in TV Viewership Between Seasoned Football Fans and Occasional Watchers of Football Games in Russia
Authors: Van Reeth Daam , Osokin Nikita
Published: November 2019

This article explores Russian TV viewership for football games at seven international football tournaments from 2006 to 2018. The research goal is 2-fold. First, we identify the determinants of Russian viewership for football mega-events. We focus on patriotism effects, and we check for any hosting impact of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Second, we analyze how these determinants differ in explaining two distinct TV metrics: Audience Size and Reach. Results indicate that the metrics are partially driven by different determinants which can be linked to two types of viewers: seasoned football fans and occasional watchers of football games.
Effects of Interactive Metronome and golf swing mechanics training on technique and motor timing in professional and amateur golfers
Authors: Kim Jin Hyun , Ridgel Angela L
Published: November 2019

Accurate motor timing is required to produce well-coordinated movements during the golf swing. We developed the Interactive Metronome protocol, which included golf swing mechanics to improve motor timing. Thirty golfers were recruited into a category based on their experience: (a) professionals who qualified to play in the Professional golf tournament ( n =  10) and (b) amateurs who played in the college golf tournament ( n =  20). The amateur group was then randomized into either an intervention or control group. The intervention groups completed 12 sessions of Interactive Metronome with golf swing mechanics. During Interactive Metronome with golf swing mechanics training, golf swing mechanics were practiced with both audio and visual timing cues. The control group completed golf swing training only. Motor timing and golf mechanics were measured before and after the training. There was a significant time by group interaction ( p =  0.048) in the coordination of the upper limbs where the professional and amateur groups showed a significant improvement compared with the control ( p =  0.048). There was a main effect of time and a significant improvement in overall motor timing ( p <  0.001), hand and feet ( p <  0.01) timing, and balance ( p =  0.003) from pre to post test. Club speed ( p =  0.008), club path variability ( p =  0.009), and smash factor ( p <  0.001) showed a main effect of group where the professional golfers showed greater smash factor and club speed and less variability than the amateur golfers. These findings suggest that Interactive Metronome with golf swing mechanics can improve coordination in limbs and golf swing mechanics.
Sensory mapping of lumbar facet joint pain: a feasibility study
Authors: Kanakarajan Saravanakumar , Fernando Kasun , Dharmavaram Sudhindra , Galley Helen F
Published: November 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the feasibility of sensory mapping of lumbar facet joint pain in patients scheduled to undergo radiofrequency (RF) denervation.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

University teaching hospital.

Subjects:

A total of 15 participants listed for RF denervation of lumbar facet joint.

Method:

After written informed consent, participants were recruited to the study. Participants completed a pain diagram prior to their procedure. After successful image-guided placement of RF cannulas, the sensory detection threshold using 50 Hz stimulation was obtained, followed by application of suprathreshold stimulation. Participants mapped their stimulated area in comparison to their pre-procedure pain diagram.

Results:

All 15 participants had previously undergone diagnostic blocks. All participants were able to report either pain or paraesthesia during suprathreshold stimulation. In total, 14 out of 15 participants reported complete coverage of their usual painful area with suprathreshold stimulation of nerves scheduled for RF denervation. In one of the participants, an area of upper lumbar pain was not covered during suprathreshold stimulation. Nearly two-thirds of the participants (n = 9), reported either pain or paraesthesia, outside their normal painful area during suprathreshold stimulation. A total of 71 nerves were scheduled for RF denervation. Sensory electrical stimulation was successfully achieved in 68 out of 71 nerves (96%). The average sensory detection threshold was found to be 0.3 V while the suprathreshold stimulation was 0.6 V.

Conclusion:

Lumbar facet joint pain can be mapped using suprathreshold sensory stimulation, which has the potential to introduce objectivity during RF denervation.
Frail Patients Benefit From Less Invasive Procedures
Authors: Stenvers Elke , Mars Riemke C. , Zuurmond Rutger G.
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

A traumatic periprosthetic fracture (PPF) is a long-term complication of total hip arthroplasty. Treatment options include revision, open reposition and internal fixation (ORIF), and minimally invasive techniques (MITs). To select the optimal surgical procedure, the level of frailty has to be considered, especially in patients with geriatric trauma. The aim of this study is to determine whether a frail patient has a better outcome postoperatively after less invasive treatment.

Methods and materials:

Sixty-three patients with an PPF were analyzed in this retrospective study. The level of frailty was obtained by the complex fracture frailty index (CFFI). The CFFI combines comorbidities, laboratory tests, physical abilities, social factors, and cognitive functions. Primary outcomes in this study include mortality, minor complications, and 3 major complications (deceased, reoperation or immobility after 1 year).

Results:

Thirty frail patients had lower survival rates ( P = .014) and significantly more major complications with a relative risk of 3.7 ( P = .02). In the entire group of 63 patients, there were no significant differences detected in the outcome measures; however, when specified in a subgroup of 30 frail patients according to our CFFI, significant differences were found. Patients treated with MIT had significantly less major and minor complications compared to ORIF and revision. Furthermore, patients treated with ORIF experienced significantly less minor complications than with revision surgery ( P = .015).

Discussion and conclusion:

This study shows that frail patients can be adequately detected using our frailty score CFFI and have a lower survival rate, regardless the type of surgery. Another finding is that for frail patients, more invasive surgery has a negative influence on the outcome of the treatment. Therefore, it is of great importance to assess and use the patient’s level of frailty to determine the surgical procedure for a PPF.
Developing Children’s Oral Health Assessment Toolkits Using Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Wang Y. , Hays R.D. , Marcus M. , Maida C.A. , Shen J. , Xiong D. , Coulter I.D. , Lee S.Y. , Spolsky V.W. , Crall J.J. , Liu H.
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

Evaluating children’s oral health status and treatment needs is challenging. We aim to build oral health assessment toolkits to predict Children’s Oral Health Status Index (COHSI) score and referral for treatment needs (RFTN) of oral health. Parent and Child toolkits consist of short-form survey items (12 for children and 8 for parents) with and without children’s demographic information (7 questions) to predict the child’s oral health status and need for treatment.

Methods:

Data were collected from 12 dental practices in Los Angeles County from 2015 to 2016. We predicted COHSI score and RFTN using random Bootstrap samples with manually introduced Gaussian noise together with machine learning algorithms, such as Extreme Gradient Boosting and Naive Bayesian algorithms (using R). The toolkits predicted the probability of treatment needs and the COHSI score with percentile (ranking). The performance of the toolkits was evaluated internally and externally by residual mean square error (RMSE), correlation, sensitivity and specificity.

Results:

The toolkits were developed based on survey responses from 545 families with children aged 2 to 17 y. The sensitivity and specificity for predicting RFTN were 93% and 49% respectively with the external data. The correlation(s) between predicted and clinically determined COHSI was 0.88 (and 0.91 for its percentile). The RMSEs of the COHSI toolkit were 4.2 for COHSI (and 1.3 for its percentile).

Conclusions:

Survey responses from children and their parents/guardians are predictive for clinical outcomes. The toolkits can be used by oral health programs at baseline among school populations. The toolkits can also be used to quantify differences between pre- and post-dental care program implementation. The toolkits’ predicted oral health scores can be used to stratify samples in oral health research.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

This study creates the oral health toolkits that combine self- and proxy- reported short forms with children’s demographic characteristics to predict children’s oral health and treatment needs using Machine Learning algorithms. The toolkits can be used by oral health programs at baseline among school populations to quantify differences between pre and post dental care program implementation. The toolkits can also be used to stratify samples according to the treatment needs and oral health status.
Tourmaline from the Solnechnoe tin deposit, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia
Authors: Baksheev Ivan A. , Vigasina Marina F. , Yapaskurt Vasily O. , Bryzgalov Igor A. , Gorelikova Nina V.
Published: November 2019

Tourmaline from the Solnechnoe hydrothermal granitoid-related tin deposit in the Khabarovsk Krai, Russian Far East has been studied with electron microprobe, infrared and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Tourmaline formed in three distinct stages with different types of chemical substitution. Tourmaline from the first unmineralised stage is classified as dravite or schorl, which could be enriched locally in Ca, the X-site vacancy and F. This tourmaline is characterised by the Fe ↔ Mg and X vacancy + Al ↔ Na + Fe substitutions. The second, molybdenum-stage tourmaline, is schorl–dravite and fluor-schorl–fluor-dravite enriched in Ca, and a few compositions belong to the calcic group. The predominant substitution is Ca + Mg ↔ Na + Al. The third, tin-stage tourmaline, is classified as schorl–dravite with some tourmalines being fluor-schorl, oxy-schorl, foitite and magnesio-foitite. The tin-stage tourmaline is characterised by the substitutions Fe2+ ↔ Mg, Altot + O2– ↔ Fe2+ + OH–, and Fe3+ ↔ Altot. An increase of the Fe3+/Fetot value from 3–9% in the molybdenum stage to 12–16% in the tin-stage tourmalines indicates an increase in oxidation potential, which possibly contributed to cassiterite deposition. Comparison of tourmalines from greisen, porphyry and intrusion-related tin deposits worldwide shows they differ in primary chemical substitutions so can be characterised by this mechanism. The Fe3+/Fetot value in tourmaline also appears to be one of the indications for the tin deposit type. The Fe3+/Fetot value increases from <10% in greisen tourmaline through 15% in tourmaline from intrusion-related deposits to 20% in tourmaline from porphyry deposits.
Altered functional connectivity of the red nucleus and substantia nigra in migraine without aura
Authors: Huang Xiaobin , Zhang Di , Chen Yuchen , Wang Peng , Mao Cunnan , Miao Zhengfei , Liu Chunmei , Xu Chenjie , Wu Xinying , Yin Xindao
Published: November 2019

Background

Functional connectivity (FC) has been used to investigate the pathophysiology of migraine. Accumulating evidence is pointing toward malfunctioning of brainstem structures, i.e., the red nucleus (RN) and substantia nigra (SN), as an important factor in migraine without aura (MwoA). We aimed to identify atypical FC between the RN and SN and other brain areas in patients with MwoA and to explore the association between RN and SN connectivity changes and performance on neuropsychological tests in these patients.

Methods

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were obtained from 30 patients with MwoA and 22 age-, sex-, and years of education-matched healthy controls (HC). The FC of the brainstem structures was analyzed using a standard seed-based whole-brain correlation method. The results of the brainstem structure FC were assessed for correlations with other clinical features.

Results

Patients with MwoA exhibited reduced left RN-based FC with the left middle frontal gyrus, reduced right RN-based FC with the ipsilateral superior parietal lobe, and increased FC with the ipsilateral cerebellum. Additionally, patients with MwoA demonstrated significantly decreased right SN-based FC with the right postcentral gyrus, left parietal lobule, and left superior frontal gyrus. Hypo-connectivity between the right SN and right postcentral gyrus was negatively correlated with disease duration (r = − 0.506, P = 0.004). Additionally, increased connectivity of the right RN to the ipsilateral cerebellar lobes was positively correlated with the Headache Impact Test-6 scores (r = 0.437, P = 0.016).

Conclusions

The present study suggested that patients with MwoA have disruption in their RN and SN resting-state networks, which are associated with specific clinical characteristics. The changes focus on the regions associated with cognitive evaluation, multisensory integration, and modulation of perception and pain, which may be associated with migraine production, feedback, and development. Taken together, these results may improve our understanding of the neuropathological mechanism of migraine.
Carbon Nanomaterials for the Treatment of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Water and Environmental Remediation
Authors: Baby Rabia , Saifullah Bullo , Hussein Mohd Zobir
Published: November 2019

Nanotechnology is an advanced field of science having the ability to solve the variety of environmental challenges by controlling the size and shape of the materials at a nanoscale. Carbon nanomaterials are unique because of their nontoxic nature, high surface area, easier biodegradation, and particularly useful environmental remediation. Heavy metal contamination in water is a major problem and poses a great risk to human health. Carbon nanomaterials are getting more and more attention due to their superior physicochemical properties that can be exploited for advanced treatment of heavy metal-contaminated water. Carbon nanomaterials namely carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene, graphene oxide, and activated carbon have great potential for removal of heavy metals from water because of their large surface area, nanoscale size, and availability of different functionalities and they are easier to be chemically modified and recycled. In this article, we have reviewed the recent advancements in the applications of these carbon nanomaterials in the treatment of heavy metal-contaminated water and have also highlighted their application in environmental remediation. Toxicological aspects of carbon-based nanomaterials have also been discussed.
TiO2 Nanosheet Arrays with Layered SnS2 and CoOx Nanoparticles for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Cao Zhou , Yin Yanling , Fu Peng , Li Dong , Zhou Yulan , Deng Yuanwen , Peng Yuehua , Wang Weike , Zhou Weichang , Tang Dongsheng
Published: November 2019

Converting solar energy into sustainable hydrogen fuel by photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising technology to solve increasingly serious global energy supply and environmental issues. However, the PEC performance based on TiO2 nanomaterials is hindered by the limited sunlight-harvesting ability and its high recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers. In this work, layered SnS2 absorbers and CoOx nanoparticles decorated two-dimensional (2D) TiO2 nanosheet array photoelectrode have been rationally designed and successfully synthesized, which remarkably enhanced the PEC performance for water splitting. As the result, photoconversion efficiency of TiO2/SnS2/CoOx and TiO2/SnS2 hybrid photoanodes increases by 3.6 and 2.0 times under simulated sunlight illumination, compared with the bare TiO2 nanosheet arrays photoanode. Furthermore, the TiO2/SnS2/CoOx photoanode also presented higher PEC stability owing to CoOx catalyst served as efficient water oxidation catalyst as well as an effective protectant for preventing absorber photocorrosion.
Fall-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations among community-dwelling older adults: examination of health problems and injury characteristics
Authors: Choi Namkee G. , Choi Bryan Y. , DiNitto Diana M. , Marti C. Nathan , Kunik Mark E.
Published: November 2019

Background

Fall injuries and related healthcare use among older adults are increasing in the United States. This study examined chronic illnesses, sensory and memory problems, and injury characteristics that were associated with ED visits and hospitalizations among older adults who received medical attention for fall injuries within a 91-day reference period.

Methods

Data were from the publicly available 2013–2017 US National Health Interview Survey files (unweighted N = 1840 respondents aged > 60 years with fall injuries). We first described socioeconomic, health/mental health, healthcare utilization, and injury characteristics among three groups: those who neither visited an ED nor were hospitalized for their fall injury, those who visited an ED only, and those who were hospitalized. Then, using multinomial logistic regression analysis, we examined associations of healthcare utilization (ED visit only and hospitalization vs. no ED visit/hospitalization) with chronic illnesses, other health problems, and injury characteristics, controlling for socioeconomic factors.

Results

Of older adults who received medical attention for fall injuries, a little more than one-third had an ED visit only and a little less than a fifth had an overnight hospital stay. Multivariable analysis showed that lung disease and memory problems were associated with higher risk of ED visit only; hip and head injuries, facial injuries, and broken bones/fractures (from any type of injury) were more likely to result in hospitalization than other injuries. Fall injuries sustained inside the home, falls from loss of balance/dizziness, and living alone were also more likely to result in hospitalization.

Conclusions

These healthcare utilization findings indicate the significant toll that fall injuries exact on older adults and healthcare systems. Fall prevention should target risk factors that are specific to serious injuries requiring costly care. Strategies for implementing scalable, adaptable, and measurable fall prevention models by primary care and emergency medical service providers and ED staff are needed.
Longitudinal associations between BMI change and the risks of colorectal cancer incidence, cancer-relate and all-cause mortality among 81,388 older adults
Authors: Li Ji-Bin , Luo Sheng , Wong Martin C. S. , Li Cai , Feng Li-Fen , Peng Jian-Hong , Li Jing-Hua , Zhang Xi
Published: November 2019

Background

It remains controversial whether weight change could influence the risks of colorectal cancer (CRC) and mortality. This study aimed to quantify the associations between full-spectrum changes in body mass index (BMI) and the risks of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence, cancer-related and all-cause mortality among midlife to elder population.

Methods

A total of 81,388 participants who were free of cancer and aged 55 to 74 years from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) screening program were involved. The percentage change of BMI was calculated as (BMI in 2006 - BMI at baseline)/BMI at baseline, and was categorized into nine groups: decrease (≥ 15.0%, 10.0–14.9%, 5.0–9.9%, 2.5–4.9%), stable (decrease/increase < 2.5%), increase (2.5–4.9%, 5.0–9.9%, 10.0–14.9%, ≥ 15.0%). The associations between percentage change in BMI from study enrolment to follow-up (median: 9.1 years) and the risks of CRC and mortality were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Results

After 2006, there were 241 new CRC cases, 648 cancer-related deaths, and 2361 all-cause deaths identified. Overall, the associations between BMI change and CRC incidence and cancer-related mortality, respectively, were not statistically significant. Compared with participants whose BMI were stable, individuals who had a decrease in BMI were at increased risk of all-cause mortality, and the HRs were 1.21 (95% CI: 1.03–1.42), 1.65 (95% CI: 1.44–1.89), 1.84 (95% CI: 1.56–2.17), and 2.84 (95% CI: 2.42–3.35) for 2.5–4.9%, 5.0–9.9%, 10.0–14.9%, and ≥ 15.0% decrease in BMI, respectively. An L-shaped association between BMI change and all-cause mortality was observed. Every 5% decrease in BMI was associated with a 27% increase in the risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.22–1.31, p < 0.001). The results from subgroups showed similar trends.

Conclusions

A decrease in BMI more than 5% shows a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality among older individuals; but no significant association between increase in BMI and all-cause mortality. These findings emphasize the importance of body weight management in older population, and more studies are warranted to evaluate the cause-and-effect relationship between changes in BMI and cancer incidence/mortality.
Serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing invasive diseases in China: a meta-analysis
Authors: Fu Jinjian , Yi Rongsong , Jiang Yongjiang , Xu Shaolin , Qin Peixu , Liang Zhuoxin , Chen Jichang
Published: November 2019

Background

To summarize information about invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among children in mainland China.

Methods

Sixteen eligible studies were included in this systematic review and the random effect model was used to estimate the pool prevalence of IPD.

Results

The most predominant serotypes circulating in children were 19F (27.7, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 17.7–37.6%), 19A (21.2%, 16.4–26.1%), 14 (16.5%, 12.8–20.1%), 6B (8.6%, 5.2–10.8%) and 23F (7.3%, 5.2–9.5%). The serotype coverage of the available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13 was 60.8% (52.5–69.4%), 65.1% (57.7–72.4%), and 90.0% (87.1–92.8%), respectively. The pooled antibiotic resistance rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae revealed a resistance to penicillin prevalence rate of 32.0% (12.1–51.9%). Approximately 94.4% (90.7–98.1%) and 92.3% (87.4–97.3%) of isolates were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin. eBURST analysis revealed great diversity among isolates, with 102 sequence types (STs) for 365 isolates. The major predominant clonal complexes (CCs) were CC271 (43.6%, 159/365), CC876 (13.4%, 49/365), CC81 (5.2%, 19/365), and CC90 (4.1%, 15/365). Long-term and regional surveillance of S. pneumoniae is necessary.

Conclusions

Based on our pooled results showing that PCV13 coverage of the reported serotypes was 90% and that most serotypes contributed to the distribution of antibiotic-resistant isolates, implementation of PCV13 into the Chinese Expanded Program on Immunizations (EPI) would achieve health benefits in Chinese children.
Complete appendiceal inversion with local high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia in an adult female: a case report
Authors: Liu Xinlu , Liu Ge , Liu Yanfeng , Zhou Hongsheng , Yu Liyu , Xu Yun , Song Xue , Zhang Jing
Published: November 2019

Background

Appendiceal inversion with neoplasia in adults is an extremely rare event with a reported incidence of < 0.01%. Preoperative diagnosis is very important for surgical treatment; however, it is very difficult to be exact.

Case presentation

The patient was a 60-year-old woman with complaints of intermittent abdominal pain. Computed tomography and colonoscopy revealed a cecal mass, which was diagnosed as a tubulovillous adenoma in the preoperative colonoscopic biopsy. At surgery, the appendix was found to be completely inverted into the cecum. The cecum was partially resected, and surgical pathology examination confirmed a tubulovillous adenoma of the appendix with local high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia.

Conclusions

Although preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal inversion with neoplasia may be often difficult due to its non-specific symptoms, clinicians should consider this disease entity when they encounter an intraluminal protruding cecal mass without visualization of the normal appendix on CT and colonoscopy.