bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep quality and depression in adults with durable left-ventricular assist devices
Authors: D’Aoust Rita F , Antonsdottir Inga , Budhathoki Chakra , Casida Jesus
Published: December 2020

Poor sleep quality and depression remain understudied in patients implanted with a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD). This study aimed at describing sleep quality and depression pre and 6 months post LVAD implantation, examining the change in sleep quality and depression over time, and exploring the relationships among sleep quality and depression. An observational research design was used in this study involving 23 patients with LVADs. Patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, subjective and objective sleep data, and depression were collected pre and 6 months post-LVAD implantation hospitalization. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in data analysis. We found that poor sleep quality and depression were highly prevalent during pre and post LVAD. Comparing pre to post LVAD, there was a significant change in depression, sleep efficiency, and sleep quality. Differences between sleep quality and depression scores pre to post LVAD were negatively correlated, although there were positive correlations between depression sleep quality scores. These findings are fundamental to informing future research further to understand the sleep-depression phenomenon in the LVAD population. Research is needed to understand the mechanism of the phenomenon and identify
Dynamic motion analysis of impeller for the development of real-time flow rate estimations of a ventricular assist device
Authors: Shida Shuya , Masuzawa Toru , Osa Masahiro
Published: December 2020

Implantable ventricular assist devices are used in heart failure therapy. These devices require real-time flow rate estimation for effective mechanical circulatory support. We previously developed a flow rate estimation method using the eccentric position of a magnetically levitated impeller to achieve real-time estimation. However, dynamic motion of the levitated impeller can compromise the method’s performance. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of dynamic motion of the levitated impeller on the time resolution and estimation accuracy of the proposed method. The magnetically levitated impeller was axially suspended and radially restricted by the passive stability in a centrifugal blood pump that we developed. The dynamic motions of impeller rotation and whirling were analyzed at various operating conditions to evaluate the reliability of estimation. The vibration response curves of the impeller revealed that the resonant rotational speed was 1300–1400 revolutions per minute (rpm). The blood pump was used as a ventricular assist device with rotational speed (over 1800 rpm) sufficiently higher than the resonant speed. The rotor-dynamic forces on the impeller (0.03–0.14 N) suppressed the whirling motion of the impeller, indicating that the dynamic motion could be stable. Although the temporal responsiveness should be determined based on the trade-offs among the estimation accuracy and time resolution, the real-time estimation capability of the proposed method was confirmed.
Can Online Communication Prevent Depression Among Older People? A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Nakagomi Atsushi , Shiba Koichiro , Kondo Katsunori , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: December 2020

Evidence on the association between internet usage and incidence of depression remains mixed. We examined the associations between different categories of internet usage and developing clinical depression. We used data from the 2013 and 2016 waves of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) comprising 12,333 physically and cognitively independent adults aged ≥65 years. Participants were engaged in seven categories of internet usage: communication with friends/family, social media, information collection about health/medicine, searching for medical facilities, purchase of drugs and vitamins, shopping, and banking. We found that internet use for communication had a protective influence on the probability of developing clinical depression defined as the Geriatric Depression Scale scores ≥5 or self-reported diagnosed depression. Our findings support the role of online communication with friends/family in preventing clinical depression among older people. Online communication could be particularly useful in the COVID-19 crisis because many families are geographically dispersed and/or socially distanced.
The effect of large deformation on Poisson’s ratio of brain white matter: An experimental study
Authors: Eskandari Faezeh , Rahmani Zahra , Shafieian Mehdi
Published: December 2020

A more Accurate description of the mechanical behavior of brain tissue could improve the results of computational models. While most studies have assumed brain tissue as an incompressible material with constant Poisson’s ratio of almost 0.5 and constructed their modeling approach according to this assumption, the relationship between this ratio and levels of applied strains has not yet been studied. Since the mechanical response of the tissue is highly sensitive to the value of Poisson’s ratio, this study was designed to investigate the characteristics of the Poisson’s ratio of brain tissue at different levels of applied strains. Samples were extracted from bovine brain tissue and tested under unconfined compression at strain values of 5%, 10%, and 30%. Using an image processing method, the axial and transverse strains were measured over a 60-s period to calculate the Poisson’s ratio for each sample. The results of this study showed that the Poisson’s ratio of brain tissue at strain levels of 5% and 10% was close to 0.5, and assuming brain tissue as an incompressible material is a valid assumption at these levels of strain. For samples under 30% compression, this ratio was higher than 0.5, which could suggest that under strains higher than the brain injury threshold (approximately 18%), tissue integrity was impaired. Based on these observations, it could be concluded that for strain levels higher than the injury threshold, brain tissue could not be assumed as an incompressible material, and new material models need to be proposed to predict the material behavior of the tissue. In addition, the results showed that brain tissue under unconfined compression uniformly stretched in the transverse direction, and the bulging in the samples is negligible.
Peatland initiation in Central European Russia during the Holocene: Effect of climate conditions and fires
Authors: Novenko Elena Yu , Mazei Natalia G , Kupriyanov Dmitry A , Kusilman Maria V , Olchev Alexander V
Published: December 2020

Peatlands store massive amounts of organic carbon, but the fate of this carbon remains unclear as global climate continues to warm. The age of peatland inception and the main drivers of peat initiation are one of the most important issues in Holocene paleoecology, especially for the numerous but under investigated peatlands in European Russia. This paper introduces new peatland initiation ages for 44 mires in three areas located in the central part of European Russia within the Polesie landscape belt. This region is characterised by waterlogged sandy plains and flat surface topography. Phases of peatland initiation were compared with Holocene fire regime derived from macro-charcoal data as well as with regional climatic reconstructions. We found that peat inception in the region started around 12,000 cal yr BP, but the most active phases of peatland initiation took place during the periods 8500–7500, 7000–6000, 5300–5800, 4000–3500 and 1700–1200 cal yr BP. Expect for rapid peat growth during the early Holocene, peatland initiation mostly coincided with warm climatic periods and increased fire frequency. Forest soil paludification in poorly drained Polesie landscapes was presumably enhanced by reduced evapotranspiration and changes in water balance due to disturbance of forest cover after wildfires. We expect that rising air temperature in the current century will cause higher fire frequencies and may encourage waterlogging of forests and ecosystem transformation.
Bromocriptine for the treatment of postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome in pediatric patients: Three case reports
Authors: Amor-García Miguel Á , Fernández-Llamazares Cecilia M , Manrique-Rodríguez Silvia , Narrillos-Moraza Álvaro , García-Morín Marina , Huerta-Aragonés Jorge , Sanjurjo-Sáez María
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) is a common complication after posterior fossa tumor resection. It is characterized by a significant lack or loss of speech. Its biological origin remains unclear and there are no standardized treatments. However, bromocriptine seems to be a possible treatment for this condition.

Case report

In this paper, we present three cases of pediatric patients (4, 5, and 17-year old) who developed CMS after posterior fossa tumor surgery. They were treated with bromocriptine to improve neurological symptoms. Management and outcome: Bromocriptine was started at a low dose and was progressively increased to reach the minimum effective dose. After four months of treatment, a normal and fluid speech was observed in the three patients. No discontinuation due to adverse events were reported.

Discussion

Bromocriptine has shown to be an effective and safe treatment for CMS in pediatric patients after posterior fossa tumor resection.
Diffuse approximation for identification of the mechanical properties of microcapsules
Authors: Quesada Carlos , Dupont Claire , Villon Pierre , Salsac Anne-Virginie
Published: December 2020

A novel data-driven real-time procedure based on diffuse approximation is proposed to characterize the mechanical behavior of liquid-core microcapsules from their deformed shape and identify the mechanical properties of the submicron-thick membrane that protects the inner core through inverse analysis. The method first involves experimentally acquiring the deformed shape that a given microcapsule takes at steady state when it flows through a microfluidic microchannel of comparable cross-sectional size. From the mid-plane capsule profile, we deduce two characteristic geometric quantities that uniquely characterize the shape taken by the microcapsule under external hydrodynamic stresses. To identify the values of the unknown rigidity of the membrane and of the size of the capsule, we compare the geometric quantities with the values predicted numerically using a fluid-structure-interaction model by solving the three-dimensional capsule-flow interactions. The complete numerical data set is obtained off-line by systematically varying the governing parameters of the problem, i.e. the capsule-to-tube confinement ratio, and the capillary number, which is the ratio of the viscous to elastic forces. We show that diffuse approximation efficiently estimates the unknown mechanical resistance of the capsule membrane. We validate the data-driven procedure by applying it to the geometric and mechanical characterization of ovalbumin microcapsules (diameter of the order of a few tens of microns). As soon as the capsule is sufficiently deformed to exhibit a parachute shape at the rear, the capsule size and surface shear modulus are determined with an accuracy of 0.2% and 2.7%, respectively, as compared with 2–3% and 25% without it, in the best cases (Hu et al. Characterizing the membrane properties of capsules flowing in a square-section microfluidic channel: Effects of the membrane constitutive law. Phys Rev E 2013; 87(6): 063008). Diffuse approximation thus allows the capsule size and membrane elastic resistance to be provided quasi-instantly with very high precision. This opens interesting perspectives for industrial applications that require tight control of the capsule mechanical properties in order to secure their behavior when they transport active material.
Outcomes in accommodative esotropia with a high AC/A ratio
Authors: Reynolds Margaret M , Diehl Nancy N , Mohney Brian G
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to report the outcomes of high AC/A ratio accommodative esotropia (AET) among children.

Methods:

The medical records of all children <19 years diagnosed with accommodative esotropia and a high AC/A ratio while residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from January 1, 1975, through December 31, 2004, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results:

A total of 512 patients were diagnosed with AET during the 30-year study period, of which 395 (77.1%) had fully accommodative ET, 117 (22.8%) had partially accommodative ET and 106 (20.5%) had a high AC/A ratio. Of the 93 (87.7 %) high AC/A patients managed with bifocals, 50 (53.8 %) discontinued their use after a mean of 58.7 (range: 5.6–229) months. The Kaplan–Meier rate of discontinuing bifocals was 24.5% at 3 years, 36.4% at 5 years, and 61.4% at 10 years. Patients who discontinued bifocals were more likely to have had strabismus surgery (44% vs 18.6%, p = 0.009) than those who did not discontinue bifocals. The high AC/A patients managed with bifocals achieved similar stereoacuity outcomes to those who did not wear bifocals ( p = 0.65) and were no more likely to require surgery ( p = 0.13).

Conclusion:

Among this cohort of children with accommodative esotropia and a high AC/A ratio, bifocal use was discontinued in the majority of children within 10 years, and more commonly among those who underwent strabismus surgery. The use of bifocals was not associated with a higher likelihood of undergoing surgery or enhanced stereopsis compared to those who did not use them.
Swept source OCT-Angiography assessing a case of aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization secondary to high-myopic posterior staphyloma
Authors: El Matri Khaled , Bouraoui Rim , Falfoul Yousra , Chebil Ahmed , El Matri Leila
Published: December 2020

Aim:

To report an uncommon case of aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization (polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy) secondary to high-myopic staphyloma in a Caucasian patient, assessed with multimodal imaging including swept source OCT-Angiography.

Methods:

Observational case report

Results:

About 73-year-old Caucasian male patient with high myopia (axial length = 27.24 mm). Fundus examination showed a myopic conus and a deep orange-brownish nodular lesion at the edge of a deep haemorrhage and connected to a large choroidal vessel. ICGA showed a circular hyperfluorescent lesion in mid-phase, without any branching vascular network. OCT-Angiography could detect the aneurysmal lesion non-invasively as a small circular high-flow lesion in the outer retina slab, with a shadowing in the choriocapillaris slab. At the level of the aneurysmal lesion, structural OCT showed a high bilobed PED, without any subretinal fluid. A vascular flow was noted within the PED on cross-sectional OCT-A, confirming the vascular aneurysmal nature of this lesion. Additionally, swept source OCT highlighted the presence of an abrupt change in choroidal thickness, from 62 µm in the peripapillary area to 120 µm underneath the polypoidal lesion, with dilated choroidal vessels.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first report of OCT-A findings in aneurysmal (polypoidal) dilation secondary to high-myopic staphyloma. We could demonstrate the usefulness of OCT-A detecting non-invasively the aneurysmal dilation and the usefulness of swept source OCT assessing the choroidal structure to better understand the pathophysiology of this uncommon finding.
Evaluation of the antithrombogenicity of poly-2-methoxyethylacrylate-coated catheters
Authors: Kariya Shuji , Nakatani Miyuki , Maruyama Takuji , Ono Yasuyuki , Ueno Yutaka , Komemushi Atsushi , Tanigawa Noboru
Published: December 2020

Background and objectives:

The blood compatibility of indwelling intravascular catheters is facilitated by the use of antithrombogenic materials. Heparin has typically been used for this purpose; however, since heparin-coated catheters are considered combination products, difficulties meeting the relevant Food and Drug Administration safety recommendations have disrupted commercialization. Other issues include coating durability and the occurrence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Polymer coatings are a potential alternative; however, polymer antithrombogenicity in circulating human blood has yet to be demonstrated. The present study aimed to establish the ex vivo antithrombogenicity of a poly-2-methoxyethylacrylate (PMEA) polymer coating applied to a central venous catheter using an artificial human blood circulation system.

Methods:

The present study used an artificial human blood circulation system to conduct an ex vivo evaluation of the antithrombogenicity of poly-2-methoxyethylacrylate (PMEA)-coated catheters. Human blood samples obtained from volunteer donors were loaded into a circulation system fitted with either a PMEA-coated or uncoated catheter. After 3-h, the catheter was removed and examined using scanning electron microscopy. Protein adsorption on the catheter surface was investigated by shredding the catheter that had contacted the blood inside the circulation system and immersing the pieces in 1 mL of 0.5 N NaOH for 2 days. The amount of protein in the 0.5 N NaOH was determined according to the Lowry method.

Results:

Adherent fibrin, which forms a sheath on the catheter surface, was observed on uncoated, but not PMEA-coated catheters. Furthermore, the amount of protein adsorption was significantly less with PMEA-coated than uncoated catheters ( p = 0.043).

Conclusions:

The present findings demonstrated the antithrombogenicity of PMEA-coated catheters in circulating human blood.
Agreement between physical and ultrasound examination for arteriovenous fistula maturation diagnostics in Thai hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nantakool Sothida , Prasannarong Mujalin , Srisuwan Tanop , Reanpang Termpong , Apichartpiyakul Poon , Rerkasem Kittipan
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

Physical examination (PE) is used to determine if arteriovenous fistula (AVF) meets criteria for first hemodialysis (HD) cannulation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) with HD patients. Three ultrasound (US) based criteria are adopted to investigate maturation: (i) Rule of Six: blood flow ⩾600 milliliters per minute (mL/min), vein diameter ⩾6 millimeters (mm), vein depth ⩽6 mm); (ii) Rule of Five: blood flow ⩾500 mL/min, vein diameter ⩾5 mm, vein depth ⩽6 mm; and (iii) Rule of Four: blood flow ⩾500 mL/min, vein diameter ⩾4 mm, vein depth ⩽6 mm. In Thai, no study determined optimal US criteria for predicting AVF maturation measured by PE before first cannulation. This study examined the significance of these US criteria on the physical AVF maturation in Thai.

Methods:

Fifty CKD patients, operated brachiocephalic AVF, were enrolled and examined on the operative day and 6 weeks afterwards. PE was evaluated by an experienced vascular surgeon, and US measurements were obtained by an experienced US technologist. Matching mature number between US criteria and PE was computed using McNemar test. Agreement between US criteria and PE was measured using Kappa. Mature and immature discrimination were evaluated by the Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) curve and Youden index.

Results:

Rule of Six and Rule of Five had higher non-mature matching number than Rule of Four ( p < 0.001 both). Regarding Kappa statistics, Rule of Six and Rule of Five agreed with the PE ( p < 0.01 both). The ROC curve of Rule of Six and Rule of Five were 0.75 and 0.74, respectively ( p <0.01 both). Youden index (maturity and immaturity discriminating performance) of both rules was 0.5 and 0.47, respectively.

Conclusion:

Rule of Six and Rule of Five agreed with the PE, with the highest performance of the Rule of Six to predict first successful cannulation in Thai.
Analytical study on torsional behavior of concrete beams strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer laminates using softened truss model
Authors: Majed Muhanad M , Tavakkolizadeh Mohammadreza , Allawi Abbas A
Published: December 2020

This study aimed at evaluating the torsional capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams externally wrapped with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials. An analytical model was described and used as a new computational procedure based on the softened truss model (STM) to predict the torsional behavior of RC beams strengthened with FRP. The proposed analytical model was validated with the existing experimental data for rectangular sections strengthened with FRP materials and considering torque-twist relationship and crack pattern at failure. The confined concrete behavior, in the case of FRP wrapping, was considered in the constitutive laws of concrete in the model. Then, an efficient algorithm was developed in MATLAB environment to accomplish the analysis, solve the appropriate equations, and calculate the torsional moment and angle of twist at all points. The parametric study considered the effect of effective fiber strain to reach a better prediction for the full torsional behavior. The model was able to predict the torsional behavior of the RC beams strengthened with FRP materials before and after cracking stages with reasonable accuracy.
New mothers and social support: A mixed-method study of young mothers in Australia
Authors: Hoffmann Heidi , Olson Rebecca E , Perales Francisco , Baxter Janeen
Published: December 2020

Motherhood can bring joy and enrichment but may also be associated with stress leading to poor health outcomes and low life satisfaction. Young mothers are a group particularly at risk of adverse outcomes, including increased social, economic, and health disadvantage following early entry to motherhood. This article reports results from a mixed-method study examining variations in levels of social support reported by mothers. Cross-sectional analyses of survey data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children showed that young mothers (aged less than 25 years when their child was born) generally reported higher levels of social support, but poorer family relationships than older mothers. In-depth interviews with nine young mothers provided insights into how they perceived support under these circumstances. Our research shows that young mothers often experienced difficult childhoods and strained relationships with parents, but many reconnected with their mothers after pregnancy and saw them as important sources of support.
The effect of metallic fiber geometry and multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the mechanical behavior of aluminum fiber-reinforced composite adhesive joints
Authors: Khayamdar Maryam , Khoramishad Hadi
Published: December 2020

The effect of the geometry of metallic fibers on the mechanical response of aluminum fiber-reinforced composite adhesive joints was studied experimentally. Moreover, a combination of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and aluminum fibers was used for reinforcing the composite adhesive joints. Different geometries for the aluminum fibers including straight, twisted and spring-shaped with different pitch lengths were considered. The results indicated that the composite adhesive joints reinforced with a combination of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and aluminum fibers experienced the highest improvement of 171% in the strength compared to the unreinforced specimen. It was found out that the aluminum fiber geometry can significantly influence the adhesive joint behavior. Incorporating the twisted aluminum fibers into the adhesive layer increased, while the spring-shaped fibers decreased the strength of the composite adhesive joints compared to the straight aluminum fibers. The fracture surfaces of the composite adhesive joints were analyzed using scanning electron microscope.
Thinking against trauma binaries: the interdependence of personal and collective trauma in the narratives of Bosnian women rape survivors
Authors: Rajiva Mythili , Takševa Tatjana
Published: December 2020

In this article, we draw on feminist trauma studies with the aim of deconstructing the theoretical and methodological binary between individual and collective trauma. Based on first-hand interviews with Bosnian survivors of rape, we attempt to ‘think against’ the private/public split that trauma studies work often unintentionally reifies. We draw upon recent methodological innovations that have been influenced by thinkers such as Derrida and Deleuze. Specifically, we work with what Jackson and Mazzei call rhizomatic and trace readings in the threshold. Through a rhizomatic and trace reading of narrative pieces extracted from the interviews, we engage with the following questions: 1) How do we theorise what Davoine and Gaudilliere call ‘the sociopolitical faultlines’ between collective/public accounts of trauma and those traditionally constructed as private/personal? 2) How do accounts of war rape, which narrate the eruption of the past into the present, elucidate the myriad links between the private and public in a number of ways; among others, the echoes or traces of the everyday ‘before’ in subjects’ stories of the monstrous ‘after’? And 3) What is the relationship between the ‘unspeakable’ in the traumatic memories of the survivors and the ‘speakable’ collective memories of traumatic humanmade events? How does the collective desire ‘not to know’ or ‘to forget’ impact on the individual survivor’s ability to reconstitute their post-trauma identity in a personal as well as a social context? The aim of the analysis is to show that the multifaceted nature of the traumatic reality demands a multifaceted approach that resists binary constructions relating to self/other, private/public, individual/collective.
How do new nations arise? The case of the Kashubians
Authors: Warmińska Katarzyna
Published: December 2020

The main aim of the article is to describe and interpret the national aspirations of the part of Kashubian leaders. The discussions concerning the ethnic character of the community have been taking place for the last three decades. Different voices could be heard, among which there is one claiming that the Kashubs are a separate nation. In my paper, I focus on three issues. First of all, I analyze how a nation is conceptualized by them, generally. Secondly, I show how they are talking about their group of belonging, what vision of their own nation they share, how they define criteria for membership and how they construct symbolic boundaries. Thirdly, I concentrate on the process which can be named as the mechanics of construction of a nation. This concept well described in sociological and anthropological literature (i.a. A.D. Smith, R. Brubaker, C. Calhoun, T.H.Eriksen. E. Gellner, B. Anderson), still evokes some questions, especially if it is applied to rather new phenomena, as the Kashubian case. At the end, I will deliberate whether the concept of nationalism or the concept of identity politics better explains current ethnic/national processes, especially in the discussed group. The analysis of this case enable not only to show the example of national process taking place in this part of Europe, but also to formulate some general conclusions concerning ethnicity nowadays. An empirical material which will be the base of this paper comes from my field work which I have been conducting since 2008.
Strut remodeling with hypercompliant balloon: A new approach to Y stent-assisted coil embolization in the treatment of complex wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms
Authors: Binboga Ali Burak , Onay Mehmet , Altay Cetin Murat
Published: December 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to present the long-term safety and effectiveness of strand remodelling with a hypercompliant balloon.

Methods

Patients with complex wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) who underwent strand remodelling with a hypercompliant balloon via Y-stent-assisted coil embolization (Y-SACE) between September 2016 and January 2020 were included in the study. The feasibility, safety, effectiveness, and complication rates of the strand remodelling technique were investigated.

Results

A total of 12 patients (6 females, 6 males) were included in this study. Significant expansion was obtained in the intersection zone after remodelling. No regression was observed in the expansion rates during follow-up. There was no additional morbidity or mortality. No delayed thromboembolic complications occurred in our patients during long-term follow-up.

Conclusions

Performing strand remodelling to reduce thromboembolic complications triggered by structural faults caused by the Y-stent configuration is feasible, safe, and effective. This new approach can aid in the prevention of thromboembolic complications in Y-SACE.
Expectant management of a parturient with serotonin syndrome: A case report
Authors: Hammond Brandon , Straube Lacey , Cobb Benjamin
Published: December 2020

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially fatal condition caused by central nervous system serotonergic overactivity. The primary principle of managing serotonin syndrome in pregnancy focuses on discontinuation of offending agents and supportive care. In general, delivery should be avoided pending resolution of serotonin syndrome.
Relationships between ball speed and arm speed during the volleyball serve in youth elite male players, and why statistical significance might be misleading
Authors: Lima Ricardo , Afonso José , Silva Ana Filipa , Silva Rui , Clemente Filipe Manuel
Published: December 2020

The purpose of the study was three-fold: (i) to describe ball speed and arm speed during power jump serve in volleyball; (ii) compare the outcomes among playing positions, and (iii) analyze the relationships among outcomes. One middle blocker (MI), three opposites (OP), three setters (S), and six outside hitters or receiver-attackers (RA) youth elite volleyball players from the French national team participated in this study. This cross-sectional study analyzed the ball and arm speeds while serving over two consecutive weeks. A total of 150 valid power speed serves (ball speed = 103.0 ± 7.0 km h−1; arm speed = 40.0 ± 4.2 km h−1) were recorded during the six training sessions using a radar-gun and an inertial measurement unit. Ball speed varied from 90 to 110 km h−1, while the coefficient of variation ranged from 1.5% to 7.5%. Arm speed varied between 35 and 45 km h−1, while the coefficient of variation ranged between 2 and 14%. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences among playing positions for the variables of ball speed ( p = 0.018), arm speed ( p = 0.019) and ratio of ball to arm speed ( p = 0.002). Very large correlations between arm speed and the ratio of ball speed to arm speed were found ( r = −0.77 [−0.83; −0.69]; p ≤ 0.001). The results suggest that players reduce their variability regarding the outcome. Finally, despite being related, the velocity of the arm and ball were not perfectly correlated. Thus, measuring both the arm and ball velocity may be necessary.
Perceived Burdens and Benefits Associated With Continuous Glucose Monitor Use in Type 1 Diabetes Across the Lifespan
Authors: Divan Vidita , Greenfield Margaret , Morley Christopher P. , Weinstock Ruth S.
Published: December 2020

Background:

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) help people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) improve their glycemic profiles but are underutilized. To better understand why, perceived CGM burdens and benefits in nonusers versus users with type 1 diabetes across the lifespan were assessed.

Methods:

Burdens (BurCGM) and benefits of CGM (BenCGM) questionnaires were completed during T1D outpatient visits ( n = 1334) from February 2019 to February 2020. Mean scores were calculated (scale one to five; higher scores reflect greater perceived burdens/benefits). Data were collected from medical records including glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) within 3 months of the visit.

Results:

Individuals of all ages using CGM described more benefits and less burdens (mean scores 4.48 and 1.69, respectively) when compared with those who were not using CGM (mean score 4.19 and 2.35, respectively) ( P < .001). There were no differences in burdens or benefits by sex. Non-CGM users aged ≥50 years had higher mean BurCGM scores than those aged <50 years ( P = .004); the cost was the greatest barrier in those aged 27+ years. Other burdens were readings not trusted, painful to wear, and takes too much time to use. For those aged 65+, nonusers versus users, 18.5% versus 3.1% agreed with “it was too hard to understand CGM information,” and 21.4% versus 7.7% agreed that CGM causes too much worry. Mean HbA1C was lower in CGM users (8.1%) versus non-CGM users (mean A1c 9.1%; P < .001).

Conclusions:

CGM was perceived as having more burdens and less benefits in nonusers, with differences in concerns varying across the lifespan. Lower costs and age-appropriate education are needed to address these barriers.
Using low-dose tissue plasminogen activator through external ventricular drain and Cerebrolysin for the treatment of severe intraventricular hemorrhage: A case report
Authors: Hoang Ngoc Nguyen , Van Tuyen Nguyen
Published: December 2020

Acute obstructive hydrocephalus is a complication of intraventricular hemorrhage, which requires a combination of medical and surgical treatments. We report a clinical case of intraventricular hemorrhage extension secondary to a ruptured arteriovenous malformation, successfully treated with a combination of methods: endovascular embolization of arteriovenous malformation, external ventricular drainage, intraventricular fibrinolysis with low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, and medical treatment with the neurotrophic drug Cerebrolysin in combination with neurorehabilitation.
Targeting insulin resistance with selected antidiabetic agents prevents menopausal associated central obesity, dysglycemia, and cardiometabolic risk
Authors: Jankie Satish , Pinto Pereira Lexley Maureen
Published: December 2020

Menopause consequent to reduced circulating estrogen is associated with diminished insulin receptor sensitivity and fat redistribution, particularly central adiposity and increased waist circumference. Peri and menopausal women are at risk of hyperglycemia, prediabetes and attendant metabolic disturbances. Hormone replacement therapy increases insulin receptor sensitivity, but may precipitate an increased cardiovascular risk, depending on the route, if not commenced within the proposed period denoted by the ‘timing hypothesis’. The therapeutic ideal of dietary modification with increased physical activity may have compliance issues. We theorize that selected antidiabetic agents reduce visceral fat deposits, restore insulin sensitivity and inhibit inflammatory mediator release. Glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and even metformin are worthy interventions to treat menopausal-induced obesogenic metabolic conditions. Loss of visceral fat restores insulin receptor sensitivity, decreases central obesity and adipokines to halt dysmetabolic changes.
Attributes of High-Performing Small Practices in a Guideline Implementation: A Multiple-Case Study
Authors: Nguyen Ann M. , Cuthel Allison M. , Rogers Erin S. , Van Devanter Nancy , Pham-Singer Hang , Shih Sarah , Berry Carolyn A. , Shelley Donna R.
Published: December 2020

Objective

HealthyHearts NYC was a stepped wedge randomized control trial that tested the effectiveness of practice facilitation on the adoption of cardiovascular disease guidelines in small primary care practices. The objective of this study was to identify was to identify attributes of small practices that signaled they would perform well in a practice facilitation intervention implementation.

Methods

A mixed methods multiple-case study design was used. Six small practices were selected representing 3 variations in meeting the practice-level benchmark of >70% of hypertensive patients having controlled blood pressure. Inductive and deductive approaches were used to identify themes and assign case ratings. Cross-case rating comparison was used to identify attributes of high performing practices.

Results

Our first key finding is that the high-performing and improved practices in our study looked and acted similarly during the intervention implementation. The second key finding is that 3 attributes emerged in our analysis of determinants of high performance in small practices: (1) advanced use of the EHR; (2) dedicated resources and commitment to quality improvement; and (3) actively engaged lead clinician and office manager.

Conclusions

These attributes may be important determinants of high performance, indicating not only a small practice’s capability to engage in an intervention but possibly also its readiness to change. We recommend developing tools to assess readiness to change, specifically for small primary care practices, which may help external agents, like practice facilitators, better translate intervention implementations to context.
Examining the Relative Influences of the Risk Factors and Protective Factors That Affect Firefighter Resilience
Authors: Song Yunjo , Ha Jung Hee , Jue Juliet
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the relative influences of the risk factors and protective factors that affect firefighters’ resilience. Based on previous studies, we selected three risk factors and four protective factors. The former included cognitive bias, socially prescribed perfectionism, and social anxiety. The latter included deliberate rumination, self-encouragement, family relations, and peer support. A total of 330 full-time professional firefighters in Korea participated in the study, and we analyzed 271 questionnaires. We conducted multiple regression analyses and the results were as follows. The risk factors explained 43.7% of resilience and both cognitive bias and social anxiety showed significant negative influences. Meanwhile, the protective factors explained 52.6% of resilience and we found both peer support and self-encouragement to be significant. Finally, we included seven variables in our multiple regression analysis to verify their relative influences on resilience, and these variables explained 59.5% of resilience. In the final analysis, we identified cognitive bias, peer support, and self-encouragement as the relatively significant variables that affect firefighters’ resilience. We conclude this paper by outlining the relevant implications of our findings and discussing the study’s limitations.
Does Entrepreneurship Contribute to Innovation Performance When Considering Spatial Spillover Effects? Evidence From the Automobile Industrial Cluster in China
Authors: Li Haishi , Xu Xiangyi , Li Shuaishuai
Published: December 2020

Entrepreneurship, as one of the important factors to promote industrial innovation, is closely related to the development of the regional economy. Based on the methods of Kernel density and standard deviation ellipse, this article presents the spatio-temporal patterns of entrepreneurship and innovation performance. The article also examines the spatial spillover mechanism of entrepreneurship on innovation performance by establishing spatial Durbin models. The heterogeneous results of the spatial regression models in six clusters are also discussed. The final results show that the spatio-temporal patterns of entrepreneurship are gradually presenting three major hot spots and two secondary hot spots while the spatio-temporal patterns of innovation performance are presenting four major hot spots and a secondary hot spot; the spatial distribution of both entrepreneurship and innovation performance are changing regularly; the spillover effects of entrepreneurship and innovation performance are both significant; the spatial spillover mechanisms in six automobile industrial clusters are different. The results can provide empirical support for decision-making in the automobile industry in China in the future.
Cryogenic Refrigerant Burns: A Rare Occupational Hazard
Authors: Dash Suvashis , Muthukumar Vamseedharan , Rajkumar R , Karki Durga
Published: December 2020

Background

Cryogenic burns induced by coolant gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners are rarely encountered, despite the wide use of these gases. To date, only a few cases have been reported in the literature. This study examined the occupational circumstances leading to such injuries, relevant injury sites, types of chemicals involved, and treatment measures.

Methods

This study was conducted in a tertiary burn center in India between March 2015 and March 2019. The demographic details, chemicals involved, and burn regions and characteristics were analyzed.

Findings

There were 15 burn cases all involving injury to the hand. All injuries were managed initially with dressings and nonoperative management. One patient required anti-edema therapy with limb elevation and fingertip debridement, while another patient required skin grafting. All patients had satisfactory hand function after treatment.

Conclusions/Application to Practice

Cryogenic burn injuries caused by refrigerants are rare, and their etiology varies considerably. Exposure time is the primary factor that determines burn depth and severity; hence, reducing exposure time is important in first aid. Our findings suggest that after exposure, the patient should be treated in a specialized burn center. Adequate knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of these types of burn injuries and their management is necessary; otherwise, misjudgments in the treatment plan can lead to adverse consequences.
Employee Wellness Pilot Program
Authors: Van Kirk Michelle L.
Published: December 2020

Background

Mental health professionals caring for the veteran population are at increased risk for compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress based on the nature of their work. While mental health professionals may experience positive outcomes from providing compassionate care to veterans, compassion fatigue can lead to instability of the workforce.

Methods

A pilot employee wellness program was implemented over a 9-week period, offering a different wellness module weekly during the employee lunch hour. Demographic data were collected pre-program, and mental health employees were surveyed pre- and post-program using an intent to stay scale and the Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5 (ProQOL-5) to measure compassion satisfaction, burn out, and secondary traumatic stress.

Findings

Pre-program participants ( N = 42) reported significant differences in intent to stay in their current position for the next year compared to the post-program group ( N = 15). Pre-program participants reported no intent to leave their current position, apply for internal or external positions, or retire in the following year. However, post-program participants reported intent to leave their current positions, apply to internal or external positions, or retire. Pre- and post-program compassion satisfaction scores increased and burnout and secondary traumatic stress scores decreased; these scores were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusions/Application to Practice

While no significant differences were found between ProQOL-5 subscale scores, the change in participants’ scores may indicate some change, potentially as a result of the intervention. This pilot program offered a creative solution to organizations with limited resources to combat occupation-related compassion fatigue.
Cost effectiveness analysis of implementing tuberculosis screening among applicants for non-immigrant U.S. work visas
Authors: Sayed Bisma Ali , Posey Drew L. , Maskery Brian , Wingate La’Marcus T. , Cetron Martin S.
Published: December 2020

Background

While persons who receive immigrant and refugee visas are screened for active tuberculosis before admission into the United States, nonimmigrant visa applicants (NIVs) are not routinely screened and may enter the United States with infectious tuberculosis.

Objectives

We evaluated the costs and benefits of expanding pre-departure tuberculosis screening requirements to a subset of NIVs who arrive from a moderate (Mexico) or high (India) incidence tuberculosis country with temporary work visas.

Methods

We developed a decision tree model to evaluate the program costs and estimate the numbers of active tuberculosis cases that may be diagnosed in the United States in two scenarios: 1) “Screening”: screening and treatment for tuberculosis among NIVs in their home country with recommended U.S. follow-up for NIVs at elevated risk of active tuberculosis; and, 2) “No Screening” in their home country so that cases would be diagnosed passively and treatment occurs after entry into the United States. Costs were assessed from multiple perspectives, including multinational and U.S.-only perspectives.

Results

Under “Screening” versus “No Screening”, an estimated 179 active tuberculosis cases and 119 hospitalizations would be averted in the United States annually via predeparture treatment. From the U.S.-only perspective, this program would result in annual net cost savings of about $3.75 million. However, rom the multinational perspective, the screening program would cost $151,388 per U.S. case averted for Indian NIVs and $221,088 per U.S. case averted for Mexican NIVs.

Conclusion

From the U.S.-only perspective, the screening program would result in substantial cost savings in the form of reduced treatment and hospitalization costs. NIVs would incur increased pre-departure screening and treatment costs.
Real-time collision dynamics of vector solitons in a fiber laser
Authors: Zhao Kangjun , Gao Chenxin , Xiao Xiaosheng , Yang Changxi
Published: December 2020

Particle-like structures of solitons, as a result of the balance between dispersion and nonlinearity, enable remarkable elastic and inelastic soliton collisions in many fields. Despite the experimental observation of temporal vector-soliton collisions in birefringent fibers, collision dynamics of vector solitons in fiber lasers have not been revealed before, to the best of our knowledge. Here, the real-time spectral evolutions of vector solitons during collisions in a dual-comb fiber laser, which generates vector solitons with slightly different repetition rates, are captured by a time-stretch dispersive Fourier transform technique. We record the whole process of vector-soliton collisions, including the formation of weak pulses induced by cross-polarization coupling, opposite central wavelength shifts of both vector solitons, distinct intensity redistribution and dissipative energy, and gradual recovery to initial states. Furthermore, extreme collisions with strong four-wave mixing sidebands are observed by virtue of coherent coupling between the orthogonal polarization components of vector solitons. Numerical simulations match well with the experimental observations. The experimental and numerical evidences of vector-soliton collision dynamics could give insight into the understanding of nonlinear dynamics in fiber lasers and other physical systems, as well as the improvement of laser performance for application in dual-comb spectroscopy.
19. YÜZYILIN ORTALARINDA VERGİ KAYITLARINA GÖRE NEVREKOP VE RAZLIK KIPTİLERİ
Authors: KARTAL Kazım , ALTI Aziz
Published: December 2020

Osmanlı Devleti, kuruluşundan yıkılışına kadar sınırları içerisinde farklı aidiyetlere mensup olan toplulukları bünyesinde barındırmıştır. Osmanlı toplum düzeni çeşitlilikler üzerine inşa edilen bir düzen olup, bu mozaik toplum modeli inanç farklılıklarına göre şekillenmiş ve kanun yoluyla güvence altına alınmıştır. Bu model sosyo-kültürel ve dinî plânda çoğulcu bir nitelik taşımaktadır. Osmanlı devletindeki bu çoğulculuk, farklılıkları güvence altına alma ve sürdürme şeklinde anlaşılmış ve uygulamaya konulmuştur. Buna göre Osmanlı Devleti’nde toplumun farklı dinî ve kültürel kesimleri bir araya gelebilir, ancak kendileri olmaktan çıkmazlar, her grup veya cemaat kendi dini özelliklerini, dilini, kültürünü, fikirlerini ve yaşama şeklini korur ve sürdürürlerdi. Osmanlı Devleti’ndeki bu çok kültürlülük, Osmanlı millet sisteminin de yapı taşını oluşturmuştur. Kıptiler de Osmanlı toplumu içerisinde yer alan bir topluluktur. Ortaya konulan bu çalışma da Cumhurbaşkanlığı Devlet Arşivleri Başkanlığı Osmanlı Arşivi’nde bulunan vergi defterlerinden/kayıtlarından yola çıkılarak 19. Yüzyıldaki Nevrekop ve Razlık kazasında yaşayan Müslüman/Hırisitiyan Kıptiler hakkında çıkarımda bulunulmaya çalışılmıştır.