bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcarreous Fly Ash Content Signifacence To Self-Terminating Carbonation Model Of Concrete
Authors: Woliński Paweł , Woyciechowski Piotr , Adamczewski Grzegorz
Published: June 2018

Calcareous Ely Ash is a combustion by-product of Brown coal. Its technical properties depend on the combustion conditions – in the paper calcareous fly ash obtained from the traditional grate furnaces is considered. The presented paper shows the results of accelerated carbonation tests according to the draft of CEN / TS 12390-12 standard. The obtained models have self-terminating character. Concretes of water to cement ratio (w / c) from 0,35 to 0,55 and Ely Ash to cement ratio (p / c) from 0,2 to 0,5 were investigated.
The influence of metahalloysite addition on tobermorite formation studied by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscope
Authors: Skawińska Anna
Published: June 2018

This paper presents the results of the studies carried out in the model systems and concerning the tobermorite synthesis with an addition of metahalloysite. Quartz sand and quicklime were the main raw material constituents. The mixtures in the form of slurries underwent hydrothermal treatment with an addition of metahalloysite (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30%) for 4 hours and 12 hours. The resultant composites were analysed for their phase composition using X-ray powder diffraction. The microstructure was examined using the Scanning Electron Microscope. Tobermorite was the principle reaction product. When 30% metahalloysite was added to the mixture containing CaO and SiO2, the formation of katoite was found.
Hygrothermal modelling of masonry blocks filled with thermal insulation
Authors: Nagy Balázs
Published: June 2018

Ceramic brick as building material has been used for thousands of years. Nowadays, the energy performance of new products has to meet rigorous requirements; therefore, in the design of new ceramic masonry blocks, building physical simulations are essential. The aim of this research is to evaluate existing masonry block shapes filled with different thermal insulation using conjugated heat and moisture transport finite element simulations with material properties measured in laboratory. The research compared four different internal structures: trapezoidal, triangular, rectangular, and with mixed shaped gaps according to existing masonry blocks. In the gaps, different thermal insulations were considered, such as mineral wool, expanded perlite and polyurethane foam. The research demonstrated that the perlite as filling material does not have a great effect on thermal conductivity comparing to unfilled blocks; however, polyurethane foam with an optimal internal structure can improve the thermal performance. Manufacturing inaccuracies in the materials’ hygrothermal properties influences their performance, since a little difference in thermal conductivity has a noticeable impact on thermal transmittance, and it may result in underperformance according to regulations.
Validation of the SunTech Medical Advantage Model 2 Series Automated Blood Pressure Module in Pregnancy
Authors: Dotson Kristin , Anderson Sarah , Harris Stacy , Harper Lorie , Tita Alan , Kuper Spencer
Published: June 2018

Objective We sought to validate the SunTech Medical Advantage Model 2 Series with firmware LX 3.40.8 algorithm noninvasive blood pressure module in a pregnant population, including those with preeclampsia.

Study Design Validation study of an oscillometric noninvasive blood pressure module using the ANSI/AAMI ISO 81060-2:2013 standard guidelines. Pregnant women were enrolled into three subgroups: normotensive, hypertensive without proteinuria, and preeclampsia (hypertensive with random protein-to-creatinine ratio ≥ 0.3 or a 24-hour urine protein > 300 mg). Two trained research nurses, blinded to each other's measurements, used a mercury sphygmomanometer to validate the module by following the protocol set forth in the ANSI/AAMI ISO 81060-2:2013 standard guidelines.

Results A total of 45 patients, 15 in each subgroup, were included. The mean systolic and diastolic differences with standard deviations between the module and the mean observers' measurements for all participants were −2.3 ± 7.3 and 0.2 ± 6.5 mm Hg, respectively. The systolic and diastolic standard deviations of the mean of the individual patient's paired module and observers' measurements were 6.27 and 5.98 mm Hg, respectively. The test device, relative to a mercury sphygmomanometer, underestimated the systolic blood pressure in patients with preeclampsia by at least 10 mm Hg in 24% (11/45) of paired measurements.

Conclusion The SunTech Medical Advantage Model 2 Series with firmware LX 3.40.8 algorithm noninvasive blood pressure module is validated in pregnancy, including patients with preeclampsia; however, it may underestimate systolic blood pressure measurements in patients with preeclampsia.
Intercalant dependence of superconductivity in Ax(NH3)yFe2-δSe2 single crystals
Authors: Lee Ji-Hyun , Kakuto Takeshi , Ashida Keishi , Shibasaki Seiji , Kambe Takashi
Published: June 2018

Metal intercalation using a solvent has produced significant advances in the development of Fe-chalcogenide superconducting materials. Recently, the superconducting transition temperature (TC) of metal-intercalated FeSe has been raised to 46 K using ammonia as the solvent for the alkali-metal atom. However, multiple superconducting phases have been found, which may arise from different concentrations of intercalants, further complicating the situation. Here, we report the synthesis of single-crystals of metal-intercalated FeSe superconductors using liquid ammonia, and their physical properties. Particularly, utilization of single-crystals allows us to investigate the resistivity in these ammoniated metal-intercalated FeSe superconductors, Ax(NH3)yFe2-δSe2, for the first time. Firstly, we compared with their TC s and the interlayer distance between the FeSe layers (dI) as a function of ionic radius (r) of the exchangeable intercalant. We found that both TC and dI show weak dependence on the r, if the r is smaller than the effective size of another intercalant, i.e., NH3 molecule. Besides the enhancement of the dI by the insertion of NH3 molecule, one expects that the charge-transfer due to the intercalation of cation would leads to the shift of the Fermi energy. The intercalants (Ba and K) have similar rs, but different valences (Ba2+ and K+), which may throw light on the significance of charge transfer. When the metal concentrations were investigated on the cleaved surfaces of these single crystals, clear differences were found between the two compounds, with the K-concentration about double the Ba-concentration, which may imply the identical charge-transfer. This was also supported for the investigation of the Li-concentration. These results suggest not only the local environment within the conductive FeSe layers but also the significance of the number of electronic charges supplied to the FeSe layers by the intercalated metal and/or ammonia molecules.
Analysis and generation of chaos using compositely connected coupled memristors
Authors: Zheng Ciyan , Iu Herbert H. C. , Fernando Tyrone , Yu Dongsheng , Guo Hengdao , Eshraghian Jason K.
Published: June 2018

In large-scale high-density integrated circuits, memristors in close proximity to one another both influence, and are influenced by, the behavior of nearby memristors. However, the previous analyses of memristors-based circuit applications have seldom considered the possibility of coupling effects between memristors which invariably influences the response of all memristors, thus rendering much previous research as incomplete. In this paper, the circuit dynamics of memristive Chua's circuits are systematically analyzed based on a pair of compositely connected flux-controlled memristors characterized by cubic nonlinearity as a typical example. A theoretical analysis is undertaken and verified via MATLAB. While tuning the coupling strength, variations in circuit dynamics are characterized by phase portraits, bifurcation diagrams, and Lyapunov exponents. A new floating memristor emulator with coupling ports, described by cubic nonlinearity, is designed using off-the-shelf circuit devices and is shown to be successfully used in building chaotic circuits in hardware experiments, verifying theoretical results in simulations. This paper provides a new way through which memristors-based circuit dynamics can be influenced by tuning the coupling strength between memristors without changing other circuit parameters. It is further highlighted that when designing future memristors-based circuits, the coupling action between memristors should be considered if necessary and compensated when causing undesired circuit responses.
Integrated tandem device with photoactive layer for near-infrared to visible upconversion imaging
Authors: He Shou-Jie , Wang Deng-Ke , Yang Zhen-Xin , Man Jia-Xiu , Lu Zheng-Hong
Published: June 2018

An efficient organic near-infrared (NIR) to visible upconversion imaging device is obtained by integrating a photoactive buffer layer between two organic light-emitting diodes in a tandem configuration. As both types of photo-carriers (electrons and holes) are harvested to generate visible photons, this tandem device exhibits a significantly higher On/Off switching and has higher photon-photon conversion efficiency than conventional upconversion devices. We show that a high 5% photon-photon conversion rate is possible by optimizing the various functional layers in the tandem structure. We also demonstrate that a pixel-less NIR imaging chip can be made simply by using a large area single tandem organic upconversion device.
Magnetic domain structure in nanocrystalline nickel electrodeposits
Authors: Avramovic-Cingara G. , Zweck J. , Giallonardo J. D. , Palumbo G. , Erb U.
Published: June 2018

The correlation between the crystal/defect and the magnetic domain structure of nanocrystalline (nc) bulk nickel produced by electrodeposition was investigated. By means of conventional and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, an average grain size of 23 nm was determined; nano-grains surrounded by low angle and high angle boundaries and the presence of nanotwins and stacking faults were observed. The nc nickel exhibited soft magnetic properties. Lorentz TEM (LTEM) in the Fresnel mode revealed magnetic domains of various sizes in the micrometer range extending over many grains, with a few random pinning sites, exhibiting a magnetic ripple structure and vortices. The LTEM was used to investigate the motion of domain walls driven by an external in situ magnetic field and to determine the domain wall width. Domain wall movement was observed at very small magnetic fields along the hysteresis loop. The correlation of the grain size and magnetic properties shows good agreement with the Herzer random anisotropy model for nanocrystalline materials, although the nc nickel studied here has no traces of an amorphous phase.
Broadband unidirectional and omnidirectional bidirectional acoustic insulation through an open window structure with a metasurface of ultrathin hooklike meta-atoms
Authors: Ge Yong , Sun Hong-xiang , Yuan Shou-qi , Lai Yun
Published: June 2018

We report the theoretical and experimental realization of an open window structure which exhibits the unusual properties of broadband unidirectional and omnidirectional bidirectional acoustic insulation. The open window is constructed by separate blades attached with metasurfaces of ultrathin hooklike meta-atoms which can change the lateral momentum of acoustic waves. Such a manipulation of momentum leads to an acoustic blind region and enables broadband unidirectional acoustic transmission. By improving the phase distribution of the metasurfaces, the fractional bandwidth can reach about 0.36. Interestingly, by mechanically rotating the blades to oblique positions, the unidirectional acoustic transmission can be conveniently converted into omnidirectional bidirectional acoustic insulation. The proposed metasurfaces composed of the hooklike meta-atoms have the advantages of broad bandwidth, ultrathin thickness (about λ/12), and easy fabrication. Our work opens up an approach for advanced acoustic manipulation in tunnels and windows, which has great potential in applications such as noise control and architectural acoustics.
Dynamics and density distribution of laser-produced plasma using optical interferometry
Authors: Cao S. Q. , Su M. G. , Jiao Z. H. , Min Q. , Sun D. X. , Ma P. P. , Wang K. P. , Dong C. Z.
Published: June 2018

Dynamic evolution and spatio-temporally resolved density profiles of laser-produced plasma in air were investigated using optical interferometry. A series of interferograms were obtained with a pulse energy of 50 mJ and delay times from 50 ns to 2650 ns. With increasing delay time, the expansion profiles of the shock wave change from a flat ellipsoid to a spheroid. The phase shift has been extracted using a two-dimensional (2D) fast Fourier transformation algorithm and the radial distribution of the refractive index is calculated using the inverse Abel transformation assuming that the plasma is axisymmetric along the direction of the incident laser beam. Interferograms of the 2D expansion and evolution of the plasma plume and the shock wave were obtained by exploiting the spatial dependence of the refractive index. The electron densities in the plasma region and the air densities in the compressed air region were calculated from the refractive-index distributions obtained. Our results provided further understanding of the expansion and the dynamic evolution of the laser-produced plasma and the shock wave and of the spatio-temporal evolution of the density of plasma in air.
Helium line emission spectroscopy in recombining detached plasmas
Authors: Kajita Shin , Suzuki Kensuke , Tanaka Hirohiko , Ohno Noriyasu
Published: June 2018

Line emissions from helium (He) plasmas have been used for measurement of electron density and temperature in various situations. We performed measurements of He line intensities in recombining plasmas in a divertor simulator, followed by discussion of some potential difficulties of using the line intensity ratio (LIR) method in a divertor environment under detached conditions. When using four line emissions (501.6, 667.8, 706.5, and 728.1 nm), the discrepancy of the results compared to results from the laser Thomson scattering (LTS) method increased along with increasing gas pressure. However, the LIR method agreed well with LTS when a recombination sensitive line emission (447.1 nm) was added. The influence of the transport of metastable atoms is also discussed. Additionally, anomalous characteristics of the LIR method were revealed in hydrogen helium mixture plasmas when the temperature was in the range of 1–4 eV. These anomalies were likely attributable to the dissociative recombination of HeH+.
2
step of conductance fluctuations due to the broken time-reversal symmetry in bulk-insulating BiSbTeSe2 devices
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Pan Xing-Chen , Li Zhaoguo , Xie Faji , Qin Yuyuan , Cao Lu , Wang Xuefeng , Wang Xinran , Miao Feng , Song Fengqi , Wang Baigeng
Published: June 2018

We extract the conductance fluctuations and study their magnetic field dependence in the gate-dependent transport of topological electrons in bulk-insulating BiSbTeSe2 devices. With the increasing magnetic field, the conductance fluctuation magnitudes are found to reduce by a ratio of 2 and form a quantized step. The step is observed both in n-type and p-type transport. This is related to the breaking of the time reversal symmetry of three-dimensional topological insulators.
Highly transparent tactile sensor based on a percolated carbon nanotube network
Authors: Lee Yongwoo , Choi Bongsik , Yoon Jinsu , Kim Yeamin , Park Jinhee , Kim Hyo-Jin , Kim Dae Hwan , Kim Dong Myong , Kim Sungho , Choi Sung-Jin
Published: June 2018

The demand for transparent and flexible electronic devices, which are an emerging technology for the next generation of sensors, continues to grow in both applications and development due to their potential to make a significant commercial impact in a wide variety of areas. Here, we demonstrate a highly transparent tactile sensor with 92% optical transparency in the visible range based on solution-processed 99% metallic CNTs attached on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film. We efficiently reconstructed the pressed, stimulated spatial location by increasing the injection current (Iinjection) during electrical resistance tomography (ERT) that computed the internal two-dimensional (2-D) resistivity distribution.
Electronic band structure of optimal superconductors: From cuprates to ferropnictides and back again (Review Article)
Authors: Kordyuk A. A.
Published: June 2018

While the beginning decade of the high-Tc cuprates era passed under domination of local theories, Abrikosov was one of the few who took seriously the electronic band structure of cuprates, stressing the importance of an extended Van Hove singularity near the Fermi level. These ideas have not been widely accepted that time mainly because of a lack of experimental evidence for correlation between saddle point position and superconductivity. In this short contribution, based on the detailed comparison of the electronic band structures of different families of cuprates and iron-based superconductors I argue that a general mechanism of the Tc enhancement in all known high-Tc superconductors is likely related with the proximity of certain Van Hove singularities to the Fermi level. While this mechanism remains to be fully understood, one may conclude that it is not related with the electron density of states but likely with some kind of resonances caused by a proximity of the Fermi surface to topological Lifshitz transition. One may also notice that the electronic correlations often shift the electronic bands to optimal for superconductivity positions.
Optimizing the Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials for Antibacterials Against Multidrug-resistant Organisms: A White Paper From COMBACTE’s STAT-Net
Authors: de Kraker Marlieke E A , Sommer Harriet , de Velde Femke , Gravestock Isaac , Weiss Emmanuel , McAleenan Alexandra , Nikolakopoulos Stavros , Amit Ohad , Ashton Teri , Beyersmann Jan , Held Leonhard , Lovering Andrew M , MacGowan Alasdair P , Mouton Johan W , Timsit Jean-François , Wilson David , Wolkewitz Martin , Bettiol Esther , Dane Aaron , Harbarth Stephan ,   The COMBACTE-NET Consortium
Published: June 2018

Innovations are urgently required for clinical development of antibacterials against multidrug-resistant organisms. Therefore, a European, public-private working group (STAT-Net; part of Combatting Bacterial Resistance in Europe [COMBACTE]), has reviewed and tested several innovative trials designs and analytical methods for randomized clinical trials, which has resulted in 8 recommendations. The first 3 focus on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling, emphasizing the pertinence of population-based pharmacokinetic models, regulatory procedures for the reassessment of old antibiotics, and rigorous quality improvement. Recommendations 4 and 5 address the need for more sensitive primary end points through the use of rank-based or time-dependent composite end points. Recommendation 6 relates to the applicability of hierarchical nested-trial designs, and the last 2 recommendations propose the incorporation of historical or concomitant trial data through Bayesian methods and/or platform trials. Although not all of these recommendations are directly applicable, they provide a solid, evidence-based approach to develop new, and established, antibacterials and address this public health challenge.
Imaging of Acute Stroke
Authors: Mokin Maxim
Published: June 2018

The goal of initial imaging performed in the emergency department is to rapidly and reliably establish whether the patient with a suspected acute stroke is suffering from an ischemic or a hemorrhagic event or whether there is an alternative diagnosis, which could present as stroke mimics. This chapter reviews the value of imaging modalities available for the evaluation of patients with a suspected stroke. For patients with ischemic stroke, imaging criteria defining eligibility for intravenous alteplase and endovascular thrombectomy are discussed. Indications, advantages and limitations of computed tomography are detailed including the Alberta Stroke Program, Early CT Score (ASPECTS) grading scale, magnetic resonance imaging and advanced perfusion imaging modalities.
Medical Management of Hemorrhagic Stroke
Authors: Shekhar Shashank , Gangadhara Shreyas , Sugg Rebecca
Published: June 2018

Since the management of hemorrhagic stroke differs from that of ischemic stroke, prompt, accurate, and early diagnosis is vital in the management of patients who present with acute onset of focal neurologic symptoms and/or with altered mental status. Diagnostic imaging in the form of computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging and a vessel study is required to ascertain the bleeding characteristic, location, and etiology. A multidisciplinary approach is required in the management of hemorrhagic stroke. Early diagnosis and treatment of the hemorrhagic stroke impacts the long-term outcome of such patients. This chapter reviews the common clinical presentations, diagnostic imaging modalities and prehospital and emergency department medical management of the most common types of hemorrhagic stroke.
Dignity and respect
Authors: Flynn Maria , Mercer Dave
Published: June 2018

More than any other concept, ‘dignity’ captures the philosophical and professional essence of nursing. This chapter looks at how language and communication can play a pivotal role in the provision of dignified, respectful, and compassionate care. It is suggested that the promotion of dignity is a product of the professional identity of nurses and the healthcare culture within which care is enacted, acknowledging that core values need to be shared by the clinical team. Emphasis is given to practical ways nurses can utilize communication skills and take account of the physical environment, to sustain the emotional and humanistic components of caring about people, as well as for them. An important part of this process is valuing each person and working with them to develop individualized care based on shared decision-making. For certain groups of service users, there are additional challenges, and attention is given to communicating with older people, those who live with dementia, people with a learning disability, and individuals who have mental health issues or experience psychological distress.
Renal and urinary tract conditions
Authors: Flynn Maria , Mercer Dave
Published: June 2018

Renal conditions can be an acute health problem or a debilitating life-limiting condition. Kidney failure can present as a slowly progressing chronic disease (chronic kidney disease) or as acute life-threatening medical emergencies known as acute kidney injury (AKI). People with chronic kidney failure will normally be cared for by specialist nurses and clinical teams working in hospital or community settings. General adult nurses will encounter people with kidney disease in all areas of clinical practice, either as a primary complaint or as a secondary complication of other disorders or treatments. This chapter outlines key facts about kidney disease which are likely to be useful to the general nurse. These include an overview of renal conditions and the principles of renal replacement therapy. Common urinary tract conditions and the management of urinary incontinence are also discussed, as are key nursing considerations when working with people with renal or urinary tract disorders. An overview of frequently prescribed medicines for renal and urinary tract conditions is presented in a summary table.
Conditions of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat
Authors: Flynn Maria , Mercer Dave
Published: June 2018

Many disorders of vision and hearing are concomitant with the growing elderly demographic, and conditions of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat are often associated with other health states. Whilst ophthalmic and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) interventions are largely the domain of distinct clinical specialisms, general adult nurses are likely to encounter people with eyes and ENT conditions across all care settings. This chapter outlines key facts about eye and vision disorders and ENT conditions which are likely to be useful to the general nurse. These include an overview of common conditions, investigations, and treatments. The chapter also includes short sections of key facts related to ophthalmic and ENT surgery. Important nursing considerations for decision-making and practice are outlined, and an overview of frequently prescribed medications is presented in a summary table.
Surgery
Authors: Flynn Maria , Mercer Dave
Published: June 2018

When working with people who are having any type of surgery, the primary nursing responsibility is minimizing risk and maintaining patient safety. Nurses should always act within the limits of their knowledge, skills, and competence. All nursing decision-making in relation to surgery is framed by legal and ethical considerations, professional values, and teamwork, and grounded in respectful, appropriate communication skills. Anaesthetics, recovery, and operating departments are specialized areas of nursing practice, but general adult nurses will be involved in preparing people for surgery and in supporting them after their operation until they are discharged from hospital. All organizations will have policies and procedures for surgical safety, and it is incumbent on nurses to operate within local requirements. This chapter describes generic principles of safe surgery and surgical nursing practices.
Plasticity and Function of Spinal Oxytocin and Vasopressin Signaling during Recovery from Surgery with Nerve Injury
Authors: Severino Amie L. , Chen Rong , Hayashida Kenichiro , Aschenbrenner Carol A. , Sun Haiguo , Peters Christopher M. , Gutierrez Silvia , Pan Bethany , Eisenach James C.
Published: June 2018

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background

Recovery from pain after surgery is faster after cesarean delivery than after other abdominal procedures. The authors hypothesized that recovery in rats after surgery could be reversed by antagonism of spinal oxytocin or vasopressin receptors, that there may be a sex difference, and that spinal oxytocin innervation could change after surgery.

Methods

Male and female rats underwent partial spinal nerve ligation surgery. Effects of nonselective and selective oxytocin and vasopressin 1A receptor antagonists on mechanical hypersensitivity during partial recovery were assessed (n = 8 to 14/group). Oxytocin immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (n = 7 to 8/group) and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression for oxytocin-binding receptors in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord (n = 8/group) were measured.

Results

Intrathecal injection of oxytocin and vasopressin receptor antagonists were similarly effective at reducing withdrawal threshold (in all experiments from 22 [19, 26] median [first quartile, third quartile]) g to 8.3 [6.4, 12] g after injection) in both sexes, while having no or minimal effects in animals without surgery. Oxytocin fiber immunoreactivity was 3- to 5-fold greater in lumbar than other regions of the spinal cord and was increased more than 2-fold in lumbar cord ipsilateral to surgery. Injury was also associated with a 6.5-fold increase in oxytocin receptor and a 2-fold increase in vasopressin 1A receptor messenger RNA expression in the L4 dorsal root ganglion ipsilateral to surgery.

Conclusions

: These findings suggest that the capacity for oxytocin signaling in the spinal cord increases after surgery and that spinal oxytocin signaling plays ongoing roles in both sexes in recovery from mechanical hypersensitivity after surgery with known nerve injury.
Use of the STTGMA Tool to Risk Stratify 1-Year Functional Outcomes and Mortality in Geriatric Trauma Patients
Authors: Konda Sanjit R. , Lott Ariana , Saleh Hesham , Gales Jordan , Egol Kenneth A.
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

To determine whether a novel inpatient mortality risk assessment tool designed to be calculated in the emergency department setting can risk stratify patient-reported functional outcomes and mortality at 1 year.

Design:

Prospective cohort.

Setting:

Academic level 1 trauma center.

Patients:

Six hundred eight-five patients >55 years of age who were orthopaedic surgery consults or trauma surgery consults in the emergency department between January 10, 2014, and September 30, 2015.

Intervention:

Calculation of the validated score for trauma triage in the geriatric and middle-aged (STTGMA) using each patient's demographics, injury severity, and functional status.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Mortality, EQ-5D questionnaire, and percent return to baseline function since their hospitalization at 1-year after hospitalization.

Results:

Forty-five (6.6%) patients died within the year after hospitalization. Of remaining 639 patients available for follow-up, 247 (38.7%) were successfully contacted. There was no observed difference between patients who were successfully contacted and those who were not. The mean STTGMA score was 2.1% ± 3.6%. Patients reported on average a 76.4% ± 27.5% return to baseline function. When comparing patients between risk groups, there was a significant difference in EQ-5D scores and percent return to baseline. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve shows that high-risk patients had pronounced decreased survival within the initial days after discharge compared with other cohorts.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that patients identified with the STTGMA tool as having an increased risk of inpatient mortality after trauma correlate with poorer functional outcomes at 1 year. The STTGMA risk score is also a valuable tool to stratify risk of mortality up to 1 year after discharge.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Pediatric Upper Extremity Replantation: Courage in the Face of a Life-altering Injury
Authors: Sivak Wesley N. , Schusterman M. Asher , Grunwaldt Lorelei J.
Published: June 2018

Background:

Pediatric plastic surgeons perform reconstructive surgeries for various congenital, oncologic, and traumatic injuries.

Methods:

Our Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Plastic Surgery team was tasked to care for a young man who suffered a proximal humeral amputation of his dominant upper extremity.

Results:

A multidisciplinary team collaborated throughout his entire acute care and postoperative course, guiding treatment and care in effort to maximize function of his replanted extremity.

Conclusions:

This case report details the patient’s unique journey and highlights his determination and courage to return back to a normal life.
Difficulties in Conducting Long Term Follow Ups in Psychotherapy Research—Issues in the Literature and Data From a Randomized Therapy Comparison Study for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: König Julia , Karl Regina , Rosner Rita , Butollo Willi
Published: June 2018

Studies of psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) typically encompass short follow-up periods, leading to a dearth of information on the long-term course of symptoms after treatment. We summarize existing long-term follow-up studies and highlight the issues making such research difficult. In this context, we report on a 2-year follow-up on a randomized treatment study comparing dialogical exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy for adults with PTSD after type I trauma. Many of the problems connected to long-term follow-up also pertained to this study. Attrition was high, and the recruited sample was not representative of the study completers. Gains made during therapy were mostly stable, with no significant differences between interventions. At least for an originally successful subset of patients, the gains made during both treatments in our study tended to stay stable 2 years after the end of treatment.
Zika Virus Infection and Differential Diagnosis in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Calvet Guilherme Amaral , Brasil Patricia , Siqueira Andre Machado , Zogbi Heruza Einsfeld , de Santis Gonçalves Bianca , da Silva Santos Aline , Lupi Otilia , Valls de Souza Rogerio , Damasceno dos Santos Rodrigues Cintia , da Silveira Bressan Clarisse , Wakimoto Mayumi Duarte , Saraiva de Araújo Eliane , Cardoso dos Santos Ingrid , Georg Ingebourg , Ribeiro Nogueira Rita Maria , Veloso Valdilea Gonçalves , Bispo de Filippis Ana Maria
Published: June 2018

Background:

Zika virus (ZIKV) emergence in South America revealed the lack of knowledge regarding clinical manifestations in HIV-infected individuals.

Objectives:

We described the clinical characteristics, laboratory manifestations, differential diagnosis, and outcome of ZIKV infection in a large, single-center cohort of HIV-infected patients.

Methods:

HIV-infected patients aged 18 years and older with clinical suspected arboviral disease from an ongoing cohort were followed from February 2015 through December 2015. Acute serum samples were tested for ZIKV, dengue virus (DENV), and chikungunya virus by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, anti-DENV immunoglobulin (Ig)M/IgG, and syphilis assays; convalescent samples were tested for anti-DENV IgM/IgG; and urine samples were tested for ZIKV by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. ZIKV disease was defined according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) guidelines.

Results:

Of 101 patients, ZIKV was confirmed in 43 cases and suspected in 34, and another diagnosis was assumed for 24 patients (dengue, secondary/latent syphilis, respiratory infections, human parvovirus B19, adverse drug reaction, musculoskeletal disorders, and acute gastroenteritis). ZIKV-confirmed and ZIKV-suspected patients reported similar signs and symptoms. Pruritic rash was the most common symptom, followed by myalgia, nonpurulent conjunctivitis, arthralgia, prostration, and headache. In the short-term follow-up [median 67.5 days (interquartile range: 32–104.5)], CD4 cell count (Z = −0.831, P = 0.406) and HIV viral load (Z = −0.447, P = 0.655) did not change significantly after ZIKV infection. There were no hospitalizations, complications, or deaths.

Conclusions:

Among HIV-infected patients with suspected arboviral disease, 42.6% were ZIKV-infected. CD4 cell counts and HIV viral load were not different after ZIKV infection. Differential diagnosis with other diseases and adverse drug reaction should be evaluated.
Colour and illumination in computer vision
Authors: Finlayson Graham D.
Published: June 2018

In computer vision, illumination is considered to be a problem that needs to be ‘solved’. The colour cast due to illumination is removed to support colour-based image recognition and stable tracking (in and out of shadows), among other tasks. In this paper, I review historical and current algorithms for illumination estimation. In the classical approach, the illuminant colour is estimated by an ever more sophisticated analysis of simple image summary statistics often followed by a bias correction step. Bias correction is a function applied to the estimates made by a given illumination estimation algorithm to correct consistent errors in the estimations. Most recently, the full power, and much higher complexity, of deep learning has been deployed (where, effectively, the definition of the image statistics of interest and the type of analysis carried out are found as part of an overall optimization). In this paper, I challenge the orthodoxy of deep learning, i.e. that it is the best approach for illuminant estimation. We instead focus on the final bias correction stage found in many simple illumination estimation algorithms. There are two key insights in our method. First, we argue that the bias must be corrected in an exposure invariant way. Second, we show that this bias correction amounts to ‘solving for a homography’. Homography-based illuminant estimation is shown to deliver leading illumination estimation performance (at a very small fraction of the complexity of deep learning methods).
A complete high-quality MinION nanopore assembly of an extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing lineage strain identifies novel variation in repetitive PE/PPE gene regions
Authors: Bainomugisa Arnold , Duarte Tania , Lavu Evelyn , Pandey Sushil , Coulter Chris , Marais Ben J. , Coin Lachlan M.
Published: June 2018

A better understanding of the genomic changes that facilitate the emergence and spread of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains is currently required. Here, we report the use of the MinION nanopore sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) to sequence and assemble an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolate, which is part of a modern Beijing sub-lineage strain, prevalent in Western Province, Papua New Guinea. Using 238-fold coverage obtained from a single flow-cell, de novo assembly of nanopore reads resulted into one contiguous assembly with 99.92 % assembly accuracy. Incorporation of complementary short read sequences (Illumina) as part of consensus error correction resulted in a 4 404 064 bp genome with 99.98 % assembly accuracy. This assembly had an average nucleotide identity of 99.7 % relative to the reference genome, H37Rv. We assembled nearly all GC-rich repetitive PE/PPE family genes (166/168) and identified variants within these genes. With an estimated genotypic error rate of 5.3 % from MinION data, we demonstrated identification of variants to include the conventional drug resistance mutations, and those that contribute to the resistance phenotype (efflux pumps/transporter) and virulence. Reference-based alignment of the assembly allowed detection of deletions and insertions. MinION sequencing provided a fully annotated assembly of a transmissible XDR strain from an endemic setting and showed its utility to provide further understanding of genomic processes within Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Nuclear speckle fusion via long-range directional motion regulates the number and size of speckles
Authors: Kim Jiah , Han Kyu Young , Khanna Nimish , Ha Taekjip , Belmont Andrew S.
Published: June 2018

Although the formation of RNA-protein bodies has been studied intensively, their mobility and how their number and size are regulated are still poorly understood. Here, we show significant increased mobility of nuclear speckles after transcriptional inhibition, including long-range directed motion of one speckle towards another speckle, terminated by speckle fusion, over distances up to 4 um and with velocities between 0.2-1.5 μm/min. Frequently, 3 or even 4 speckles follow very similar paths, with new speckles appearing along the path followed by a preceding speckle. Speckle movements and fusion events contribute to fewer but larger speckles after transcriptional inhibition. These speckle movements are not actin-dependent, but occur within chromatin-depleted channels enriched with small granules containing the speckle-marker protein SON. Our observations suggest a mechanism for long-range, directed nuclear speckle movements, contributing to overall regulation of nuclear speckle number and size as well as overall nuclear organization.
Properties of visual episodic memory following repeated encounters with objects
Authors: Schurgin Mark W. , Flombaum Jonathan I.
Published: June 2018

A person sees an object once, and then seconds, minutes, hours, days, or weeks later, she sees it again. How is the person's visual memory for that object changed, improved, or degraded by the second encounter, compared to a situation in which she will have only seen the object once? The answer is unknown, a glaring lacuna in the current understanding of visual episodic memory. The overwhelming majority of research considers recognition following a single exposure to a set of objects, whereas objects reoccur regularly in lived experience. We therefore sought to address some of the more basic and salient questions that are unanswered with respect to how repetition affects visual episodic memory. In particular, we investigated how spacing between repeated encounters affects memory, as well as variable input quality across encounters and changes in viewed orientation. Memory was better when the spacing between encounters was larger, and when a first encounter with an object supplied high quality input (compared to low quality input first, followed later by higher quality input). These experiments lay a foundation for further understanding how memory changes, improves, and degrades over the course of experience.
Characterization of a submicro-X-ray fluorescence setup on the B16 beamline at Diamond Light Source
Authors: Rauwolf M. , Turyanskaya A. , Ingerle D. , Szoboszlai N. , Pape I. , Malandain A. W. , Fox O. J. L. , Hahn L. , Sawhney K. J. S. , Streli C.
Published: June 2018

An X-ray fluorescence setup has been tested on the B16 beamline at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron with two different excitation energies (12.7 and 17 keV). This setup allows the scanning of thin samples (thicknesses up to several micrometers) with a sub-micrometer resolution (beam size of 500 nm × 600 nm determined with a 50 µm Au wire). Sensitivities and detection limits reaching values of 249 counts s−1 fg−1 and 4 ag in 1000 s, respectively (for As Kα excited with 17 keV), are presented in order to demonstrate the capabilities of this setup. Sample measurements of a human bone and a single cell performed at B16 are presented in order to illustrate the suitability of the setup in biological applications.
Causes and mitigation for declining productivity in the Australian mid-rise residential construction sector
Authors: Böhme Tillmann , Escribano Alberto , Heffernan Emma Elizabeth , Beazley Scott
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The construction industry is a significant driver of economic activity in many countries. However, there has been a lack of growth in productivity within the Australian construction sector over recent years. The purpose of this paper is to gain an in-depth understanding of the causes for declining productivity within the Australian mid-rise residential construction network.

Design/methodology/approach

Two in-depth case studies have been conducted with a builder and developer, both significant entities of the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Case study data collection comprised a five-stage process including semi-structured interviews and archival information review.

Findings

Drivers for declining construction productivity were identified under the categories of: industry-, firm- and project-level productivity. The drivers include: incomplete documentation, design changes, inefficient project management, supply chain fragmentation, among others.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is the identification and categorisation of major issues impacting sector productivity along the mid-rise residential construction supply chain. The research identified that the substructure and superstructure are the construction phases during which most productivity losses occur. Mitigations are discussed in terms of systemic sector productivity increases at an industry, firm and project levels.
Mediating and non-linear relationships among supply chain integration dimensions
Authors: Sacristán-Díaz Macarena , Garrido-Vega Pedro , Moyano-Fuentes José
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationships between the different dimensions of supply chain integration (SCI). First, the sequence in which these dimensions should be implemented and some possible mediating effects are investigated. Then, relationships are examined more closely to observe whether they present more complex non-linear forms than those usually analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

Required information was gathered from a sample of 477 Spanish industrial companies (23.4 per cent response rate). PLS structural equation modelling was applied to capture non-linear relationships between SCI dimensions.

Findings

The results indicate that internal integration leads to external integration and that within external integration, information flow integration provides the basis for financial flow integration and physical flow integration. Thus, the results suggest the existence of a logical sequence to achieve SCI. In addition, clearly different non-linear relationships are observed between the analysed variables.

Practical implications

It seems that a sufficient minimum value has to be reached for internal integration to have a positive effect on external information and financial integration. In addition, a higher degree of information integration appears to facilitate financial and physical integration, although a medium degree of information integration results in a lower degree of financial integration. Therefore, managers should not expect that efforts made to increase one integration dimension will always produce the same effect on the other dimensions.

Originality/value

An empirical contribution is made to knowledge of the logical SCI sequence. This contribution is not only important for academia, but also for managers seeking to improve supply chain performance through integration.
Improving the intellectual capital management approach using the hybrid decision method
Authors: Wudhikarn Ratapol
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel managerial approach for improving traditional intellectual capital (IC) management, and its other latter improved approaches, by integrating the comprehensive IC model with more reliable decision science methods, including the Delphi technique and the analytic network process. This proposed integration endeavors to resolve the issues of IC management related to intuitive decisions by executives and the lack of information regarding the relationships among the considered elements.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method was applied to a real case study of a logistics organization. This application is expected to increase the IC study in this field since logistics is identified as an underdeveloped business in the field of IC management. In this study, the proposed method was used to identify the priorities of IC management of the firm.

Findings

The obtained results showed that the method provides a new managerial approach to IC management by conveying the important weights and priorities of the major and minor IC elements of a logistics business. The obtained outcome also confirmed the results of past studies.

Originality/value

This study provides a systematic and scientific decision framework that improves previous IC management approaches. This proposed method conveys a new management approach by including proper decision science methods with the comprehensive IC framework. This hybrid concept has not been explored by previous IC management approaches.