bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison between high‐flow nasal cannula and noninvasive ventilation in the management of infants and young children with acute bronchiolitis in the PICU
Authors: Habra Basel , Janahi Ibrahim A. , Dauleh Hajer , Chandra Prem , Veten Ahmed
Published: January 2020

Background

Different modalities of noninvasive respiratory support have been recommended for the management of acute bronchiolitis in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). High‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is among the new modalities that have been widely used in the last decade.

Methods

This is a retrospective study involving infants and young children between the ages of 1 month and 2 years during the respiratory season of 2016‐2017 (October‐May). We compared the failure rate of HFNC with the failure rates of bi‐level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the management of acute bronchiolitis in the PICU. Failure was defined as a change to another respiratory support modality or endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Results

One hundred thirty‐seven patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 77 patients needed HFNC, 10 needed CPAP, and 50 were on BiPAP. Among baseline characteristics, there were significant variations in age among the three groups. HFNC had a higher failure rate compared with the other two noninvasive ventilation modalities (50.6% for HFNC [n = 39 out of 77] vs 0% for CPAP [n = 0 out of 10] vs 8% for BiPAP [n = 4 out of 50], P < .01). Among the 39 patients who failed HFNC, 90% were successfully shifted to BiPAP and weaned off later, whereas the other 4 were intubated and required mechanical ventilation. However, all four patients who failed BiPAP were intubated and mechanically ventilated. No respiratory complications or mortalities were reported in the three groups. No differences were observed among the three groups in terms of the lengths of PICU or hospital stays.

Conclusions

We observed a higher failure rate of HFNC compared with BiPAP or CPAP in the management of infants and children with acute bronchiolitis in the PICU. Further prospective randomized trials are recommended to confirm this finding.
Household Forecasts for the Planning of Long‐Term Domestic Water Demand: Application to London and the Thames Valley
Authors: Rees Philip , Clark Stephen , Nawaz Rizwan
Published: January 2020

Methods for forecasting households in London and the Thames Valley were developed for input to forecasts of domestic water consumption. Households were forecast by ethnicity, size and property type. South Asian‐headed households consumed more water (per capita) than average. Forecast populations for 60 Local Authorities were extracted from a UK‐wide forecast and aggregated to six Water Resource Zones (WRZs). Household populations by age, sex and ethnicity were multiplied by trended headship rates to forecast households. Households were classified by size and property type using census microdata. Water demand was generated using modelled consumption rates, based on policy interventions. Between 2011 and 2101, the region will experience 85% growth in populations and 113% in households. The household growth will vary across WRZs between 54% and 126%. Water demand in London and the Thames Valley is forecast to grow by 90%, 69% and 46% under status quo, moderate and extreme conservation scenarios. The future growth in water demand under all scenarios poses a huge challenge for the region, already under water stress.
Synthesis of Nanobentonite–Poly(vinyl alcohol)–Bacterial Cellulose Nanocomposite by Electrospinning for Wound Healing Applications
Authors: Zeaiean Firouzabadi Parisa , Ghanbari Hajar , Mahmoudi Nafiseh , Haramshahi Seyed Mohammad Amin , Javadpour Jafar
Published: January 2020

Polymer‐based composites are used for wound healing applications. This work aims to prepare an inorganic‐polymer nanocomposite based on bentonite, poly(vinyl alcohol), and bacterial cellulose by electrospinning for wound healing. The nanocomposite is synthesized using a solution intercalation technique, with 1–2 wt% nanobentonite concentration variation. The effects of commercial and laboratory‐synthesized nanobentonite as well as the extract of the green walnut shell (EGWS) are examined and characterized by different techniques. The addition of nanobentonite increases the average size of fibers and tensile strength up to 200 nm and more than 15 MPa, respectively, due to the presence of hydrogen bonding formed between the nanobentonite sheets and polymer matrix. By the addition of synthetic nanoclay and EGWS, moderate elongation and strength are achieved. The hydrophilicity shows a decreasing trend up to 2 wt% of commercial nanobentonite; however, the laboratory‐synthesized nanobentonite is not significantly effective. Effects of extracts on the viability of cultured human adipose tissue–derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are quantitated, where the samples containing 1–2 wt% of commercial nanobentonite have less toxicity than others. Antibacterial activity is tested against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria according to the agar diffusion test for 72 h, in which EGWS‐based mats exhibit strong antimicrobial activity.
Single‐Crystal Multilayer Nitride, Metal, and Oxide Structures on Engineered Silicon for New‐Generation Radio Frequency Filter Applications
Authors: Dargis Rytis , Clark Andrew , Ansari Azadeh , Hao Zhijian , Park Mingyo , Kim DeaGyu , Yanka Robert , Hammond Richard , Debnath Mukul , Pelzel Rodney
Published: January 2020

Molecular beam epitaxy is used for growth of structures with ScAlN for radio frequency filter applications. The nitride layers are grown directly on Si substrates for surface acoustic wave resonators, Lamb acoustic wave resonators, and on an epitaxial Mo on Er2O3 buffer layer on Si for film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs). The crystal structure of the ScAlN layer is defined by Sc concentration. It can vary from wurtzite to hexagonal. Good crystal quality of the Mo layer results in low sheet resistance which is very close to that of the bulk material. Enhanced electroacoustic performance is achieved in fabricated acoustic devices. A Lamb acoustic wave resonator with ScAlN grown directly on Si demonstrates a high coupling factor (4.8%) and figure of merit (Q × kt2) (9.1) at a resonance frequency of 9.02 GHz. A fundamental resonance frequency 4.32 GHz is achieved for an FBAR device fabricated using the structure with the nitride layer on an epitaxial metal electrode. At the 4.32 GHz resonance frequency, the extracted figure of merit of the resonator is 10.6.
Fluorine‐Free Slippery Liquid‐Infused Porous Surfaces Prepared Using Hierarchically Porous Aluminum
Authors: Inoue Tomohiro , Koyama Akira , Kowalski Damian , Zhu Chunyu , Aoki Yoshitaka , Habazaki Hiroki
Published: January 2020

Slippery liquid‐infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) have been receiving increased attention. Fluorinated compounds have been used to prepare SLIPS, but because of bioaccumulation and ecological impact of perfluoroalkyl building blocks, the fluorine‐free SLIPS (F‐free SLIPS) system is preferable for practical applications. Herein, SLIPS are prepared from a hierarchically porous aluminum substrate, tetradecylphosphonic acid monolayer coating, and silicone lubricant oil. The several properties of the SLIPS, including durability against lubricant loss, ice adhesion, and corrosion resistance, are compared with those with a fluoroalkyl monolayer coating and fluorinated lubricant oil. The findings demonstrate that the F‐free SLIPS show higher durability against the removal of lubricant in air and also in water. Both fluorinated SLIPS (F‐SLIPS) and F‐free SLIPS samples exhibit extremely reduced ice adhesion compared with superhydrophobic surfaces obtained using the same hierarchically porous aluminum substrate with fluorinated or fluorine‐free monolayer coating. The SLIPS samples have very high corrosion resistance in NaCl solution but not in alkaline solution. The solution‐dependent corrosion resistance is discussed in terms of the stability of monolayer coating.
Cytokines in the grass, a lesson learnt: Measuring cytokines in plasma using multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry
Authors: Mendoza‐Porras Omar , Pires Pedro R.L. , Goswami Hareshwar , Meirelles Flavio V. , Colgrave Michelle L. , Wijffels Gene
Published: January 2020

Rationale

Cytokines are cell regulatory molecules of high importance as indicators for homeostasis and pathology in many species. The current method to measure cytokines in body fluids is reagent dependent, requiring highly specific paired antibodies.

Methods

A liquid chromatography/multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC/MRM‐MS)‐based approach was developed to simultaneously establish the limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) for recombinant cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, IFNγ and TNFα as pure standards and in bovine sera. All experimental LC/MRM‐MS data are available at CSIRO Data Access Portal repository under identifier doi.org/10.25919/5de8a0232a862.

Results

The present method enabled LODs and LOQs as low as 1.05 and 1.12 fmol/μL in the experiment comprised of pure standards. Comparable results were obtained in the experiment where digested cytokines were mixed with pre‐digested sera proteins. The intrinsic matrix effects were evident when intact cytokines were co‐digested within undiluted and undigested sera decreasing the ability to detect and quantify cytokines by 10,000‐fold compared with pure standards and pre‐digested sera.

Conclusions

The developed LC/MRM‐MS method provided insights into the difficulties in detecting the target peptides when embedded in complex matrices. Nonetheless, the method may potentially be readily applied in biomarker‐focused research interrogating fluids of lesser complexity such as synovial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid and tissue culture media.
Exposures to structural racism and racial discrimination among pregnant and early post‐partum Black women living in Oakland, California
Authors: Chambers Brittany D. , Arabia Silvia E. , Arega Helen A. , Altman Molly R. , Berkowitz Rachel , Feuer Sky K. , Franck Linda S. , Gomez Anu M. , Kober Kord , Pacheco‐Werner Tania , Paynter Randi A. , Prather Aric A. , Spellen Solaire A. , Stanley Darcy , Jelliffe‐Pawlowski Laura L. , McLemore Monica R.
Published: January 2020

Research supports that exposure to stressors (e.g., perceived stress and racism) during pregnancy can negatively impact the immune system, which may lead to infection and ultimately increases the risk for having a preterm or low‐birthweight infant. It is well known that Black women report higher levels of stressors at multiple timepoints across pregnancy compared with women of all other racial and ethnic groups. This study addresses gaps in the literature by describing pregnant and early post‐partum Black women's exposures to structural racism and self‐reported experiences of racial discrimination, and the extent to which these factors are related. We used a cross‐sectional study design to collect data related to exposures to racism from pregnant and early post‐partum Black women residing in Oakland, California, from January 2016 to December 2017. Comparative analysis revealed that living in highly deprived race + income neighborhoods was associated with experiencing racial discrimination in three or more situational domains (p = .01). Findings show that Black women are exposed to high levels of racism that may have negative impacts on maternal health outcomes.
Si and Ge‐Based Anode Materials for Li‐, Na‐, and K‐Ion Batteries: A Perspective from Structure to Electrochemical Mechanism
Authors: Loaiza Laura C. , Monconduit Laure , Seznec Vincent
Published: January 2020

Silicon and germanium are among the most promising candidates as anodes for Li‐ion batteries, meanwhile their potential application in sodium‐ and potassium‐ion batteries is emerging. The access of their entire potential requires a comprehensive understanding of their electrochemical mechanism. This Review highlights the processes taking place during the alloying reaction of Si and Ge with the alkali ions. Several associated challenges, including the volumetric expansion, particle pulverization, and uncontrolled formation of solid electrolyte interphase layer must be surmounted and different strategies, such as nanostructures and electrode formulation, have been implemented. Additionally, a new approach based on the use of layered Si and Ge‐based Zintl phases is presented. The versatility of this new family permits the tuning of their physical and chemical properties for specific applications. For batteries in particular, the layered structure buffers the volume expansion and exhibits an enhanced electronic conductivity, allowing high power applications.
Low‐Temperature‐Processed WOx as Electron Transfer Layer for Planar Perovskite Solar Cells Exceeding 20% Efficiency
Authors: Chen Cong , Jiang Yue , Wu Yehui , Guo Jiali , Kong Xiangyu , Wu Xiayan , Li Yuzhu , Zheng Dongfeng , Wu Sujuan , Gao Xingsen , Hou Zhipeng , Zhou Guofu , Chen Yiwang , Liu Jun-Ming , Kempa Krzysztof , Gao Jinwei
Published: January 2020

Low‐temperature, solution‐processed metal oxides are of great interest as alternative materials for electron transport layers in perovskite solar cells. WOx is a promising candidate that could truly enable low‐temperature (<100 °C) processing. However, its amorphous‐state form typically obtained with the solution process suffers from high defect density. This causes large charge recombination, and consequently significant deterioration of the solar cell efficiency. Herein, an ultra‐low‐temperature processed (50 °C) nanocrystalline WOx as the electron transport layer, free of this problem, is demonstrated. This material is obtained by the reaction of tungsten chloride with hexanol, which induces transformation of the precursor solution into stable colloidal particles. The best solar cell, with the WOx electron transport layer, achieved an efficiency of 20.77%, which is a record performance for this class of perovskite solar cells.
Boost student success with support initiatives, culture change
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2020

DALLAS — If you want to rethink student success at your institution, you'll need buy‐in and good ideas to implement. But that's not all. For your efforts to achieve the highest level of success, you need to create culture change. That's the message Monica Brockmeyer, Senior Associate Provost for Student Success at Wayne State University, shared in her presentation at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Strategic Enrollment Management conference.
Consider employment, educational experiences of graduates
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: January 2020

How do your graduates compare with those across the country? Baccalaureate and Beyond (B&B:16/17): A First Look at the Employment and Educational Experiences of College Graduates, 1 Year Later, a report from the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences of the National Center for Education Statistics, provides nationwide data on 2015–16 graduates a year after they completed their bachelor's degree. Review a few of the findings below.
Don't shy away from paradigm‐shifting projects; benefits usually outweigh difficulties
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: January 2020

When Robert “Bobby” Lothringer joined Texas Woman's University in September 2011, he was the fifth University Registrar in a two‐year span. His immediate predecessors had held the position in an interim capacity. As a result, Lothringer's first year at TWU was dedicated to what he described as “putting out fires,” including establishing a chain of command in his department, developing and adopting an official university policy for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, implementing electronic transcript ordering, and replacing paper tickets with electronic ticketing for graduations. Then, he turned his attention to TWU's degree‐audit system.
Platform stabilization and load reduction of floating offshore wind turbines with tension‐leg platform using dynamic vibration absorbers
Authors: Wu Zhongyou , Li Yaoyu
Published: January 2020

Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT) are subject to significant increases in structural loads due to the platform motion under turbulent wind and wave. The under‐actuation challenge in FOWT control demands for development of extra actuators for platform stabilization. For FOWT with tension‐leg platform (TLP), this paper presents a comprehensive study on design and control simulation for realizing active mooring line control via the deployment of vertically operated dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs) at the spokes of TLP structure. The DVA is designed based on the suppression of the primary modes of platform pitch and roll motion. In addition to the enhancement of FAST‐based simulation module, an 11 degrees‐of‐freedom (DOFs) control‐oriented model is derived for the TLP‐FOWT‐DVA system. Based on the control‐oriented model, a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller is designed. Simulations are performed for 9 m/s and 18 m/s turbulent winds with different wind and wave directions. The wind turbine performance, platform motions, and structural fatigue loads are evaluated. The results show that the platform motion and tower loads in the lateral direction are significantly reduced, while the tower load in the fore‐aft direction can be moderately reduced. Also, significant reduction in the mooring line tension loads is observed. For achieving the performance in platform motion stabilization and load reduction, the average power consumption of the DVA actuators is less than 0.27% of the wind turbine power generated during the simulated periods. The figures of merits promise significant potential for the feasibility of DVA based control for TLP‐FOWT.
Particularities and commonalities of singular spectrum analysis as a method of time series analysis and signal processing
Authors: Golyandina Nina
Published: January 2020

Singular spectrum analysis (SSA), starting from the second half of the 20th century, has been a rapidly developing method of time series analysis. Since it can be called principal component analysis (PCA) for time series, SSA will definitely be a standard method in time series analysis and signal processing in the future. Moreover, the problems solved by SSA are considerably wider than that for PCA. In particular, the problems of frequency estimation, forecasting and missing values imputation can be solved within the framework of SSA. The idea of SSA came from different scientific communities, such as that of researchers in time series analysis (Karhunen–Loève decomposition), signal processing (low‐rank approximation and frequency estimation) and multivariate data analysis (PCA). Also, depending on the area of applications, different viewpoints on the same algorithms, choice of parameters, and methodology as a whole are considered. Thus, the aim of the paper is to describe and compare different viewpoints on SSA and its modifications and extensions to give people from different scientific communities the possibility to be aware of potentially new aspects of the method.

This article is categorized under:

Data: Types and Structure > Time Series, Stochastic Processes, and Functional Data

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Exploratory Data Analysis

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Modeling Methods
Alternative splicing programming of axon formation
Authors: Zheng Sika
Published: January 2020

Alternative pre‐mRNA splicing generates multiple mRNA isoforms of different structures and functions from a single gene. While the prevalence of alternative splicing control is widely recognized, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms have long been studied, the physiological relevance and biological necessity for alternative splicing are only slowly being revealed. Significant inroads have been made in the brain, where alternative splicing regulation is particularly pervasive and conserved. Various aspects of brain development and function (from neurogenesis, neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, to the homeostasis of neuronal activity) involve alternative splicing regulation. Recent studies have begun to interrogate the possible role of alternative splicing in axon formation, a neuron‐exclusive morphological and functional characteristic. We discuss how alternative splicing plays an instructive role in each step of axon formation. Converging genetic, molecular, and cellular evidence from studies of multiple alternative splicing regulators in different systems shows that a biological process as complicated and unique as axon formation requires highly coordinated and specific alternative splicing events.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
Transverse parton distribution and fragmentation functions at NNLO: the gluon case
Authors: Luo Ming-Xing , Yang Tong-Zhi , Zhu Hua Xing , Zhu Yu Jiao
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We calculate in this paper the perturbative gluon transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDPDFs) and fragmentation functions (TMDFFs) using the exponential regulator for rapidity divergences. We obtain results for both unpolarized and linearly polarized distributions through next-to-next-to leading order in strong coupling constant, and through $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(ϵ2) in dimensional regulator. We find a nontrivial momentum conservation sum rule for the linearly polarized component for both TMDPDFs and TMDFFs in the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 super-Yang-Mills theory. The TMDFFs are used to calculate the two-loop gluon jet function for the energy-energy correlator in Higgs gluonic decay in the back-to-back limit.
Comparative analysis of wobble milling, helical milling and conventional drilling of CFRPs
Authors: Pereszlai Csongor , Geier Norbert
Published: January 2020

Due to its excellent specific mechanical properties, carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite is a widely used structural material in the aerospace industry. However, this material is difficult to cut, mainly due to its inhomogeneity and anisotropic features and because of the strong wear effects of its carbon fibres. In the scope of aerospace industrial uses of this material, thousands of holes have to be machined for purposes of assembly. Nevertheless, conventional drilling technology – even if special drilling tools are used – is only moderately able to manufacture good quality holes. Wobble milling is a novel advanced hole-making technology, which has been developed to minimize machining-induced geometrical defects like delamination or uncut fibres. The main objective of the present paper is to compare wobble milling, helical milling and conventional drilling technologies concerning unidirectional CFRPs. In addition, the kinematics of wobble milling technology is discussed in detail. In the scope of this paper, numerous machining experiments were conducted in unidirectional CFRPs: herein the impact of the type of cutting tool and of process parameters on the quality of machined holes are analysed and discussed (diameter of holes, circularity error and characteristics of uncut fibres). During these investigations, experimental data were evaluated with the help of digital image processing (DIP) and with the help of analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques. Experimental results show that the amount of uncut fibres can significantly be minimized through the application of wobble milling technology.
Predicting Intestinal Ischaemia in Patients with Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: A Simple Score
Authors: Bouassida Mahdi , Laamiri Ghazi , Zribi Slim , Slama Helmi , Mroua Bassem , Sassi Selim , Aboudi Rania , Mighri Mohamed Mongi , Bouzeidi Khaled , Touinsi Hassen
Published: January 2020

Background/aims

Intestinal ischaemia (II) is the most critical factor to determine in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) because intestinal ischaemia could be reversible. The aim of this study was to create a clinicoradiological score to predict II in patients with ASBO.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study including 124 patients with ASBO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors of II. We assigned points for the score according to the regression coefficient. The area under the curve (AUC) was determined using receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Six independent predictive factors of II were identified: age, pain duration, body temperature, WBC, reduced wall enhancement and segmental mesenteric fluid at CT scan. According to the regression, coefficient points were assigned to each of the variables associated with II. The estimated rates of II were calculated for the total scores ranging from 0 to 24. The AUC of this clinicoradiological score was 0.92. A cut‐off score of 6 was used for the low‐probability group (the risk of II was 1.13%). A score ranging from 7 to 15 defined intermediate‐probability group (the risk of II was 44%). A score ≥16 defined high‐probability group (100% of patients in this group had II).

Conclusions

We performed a score to predict the risk of intestinal II with a good accuracy (the AUC of our score exceeded 0.90). This score is reliable and reproducible, so it can help surgeon to prioritize patients with II for surgery because ischaemia could be reversible, avoiding thus intestinal necrosis.
Patterns of granulocyte colony–stimulating factor prophylaxis in patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy
Authors: Gawade Prasad L. , Li Shuling , Henry David , Smith Nancy , Belani Rajesh , Kelsh Michael A. , Bradbury Brian D.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To evaluate patterns of primary prophylactic (PP) granulocyte colony–stimulating factor (G-CSF) use following chemotherapy by cancer type and febrile neutropenia (FN) risk.

Methods

Using a commercial administrative database, we identified adult patients diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian cancer, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who initiated chemotherapy with high risk (HR) or intermediate risk (IR) for FN between January 1, 2013, and August 31, 2017. We describe use of PP-G-CSF, proportion completing all their cycles with pegfilgrastim, timing of pegfilgrastim, and duration of short-acting G-CSF.

Results

Among 22,868 patients (breast 11,513; colorectal 3765; lung 4273; ovarian 1287; and NHL 2030), 36.8% received HR and 63.2% received IR (64.4% of whom had ≥ 1 risk factor [RF] for FN). Proportions of patients receiving PP-G-CSF in the first cycle were 76.1%, 28.2%, and 26.4% among patients receiving HR, IR, and IR plus ≥ 1 RF, respectively. Among breast cancer patients receiving HR regimens and initiating PP-pegfilgrastim, 60.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 57.2–63.6%) initiating via on-body injector (OBI) and 51.9% (95% CI 48.0–55.8%) initiating via prefilled syringe (PFS) completed all their cycles with OBI and PFS, respectively. Among all cycles with PP-PFS, 8.5% received PFS on the same day as chemotherapy completion. Mean administrations/cycle were 3.2 (standard deviation [SD] 2.3) for filgrastim, 3.0 (SD 1.6) for filgrastim-sndz, and 4.3 (SD 2.5) for tbo-filgrastim.

Conclusions

There is under- and mistimed use of PP-G-CSF among patients at HR for FN. Novel pegfilgrastim delivery devices could help breast cancer patients at HR for FN complete all their cycles with timely prophylaxis.
Results at 3-year follow-up of totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia surgery with long-term resorbable mesh
Authors: Ruiz-Jasbon F. , Ticehurst K. , Ahonen J. , Norrby J. , Falk P. , Ivarsson M.-L.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Synthetic non-resorbable mesh is almost standard in hernia surgery. However, several studies have showed negative effects of permanent implants such as chronic inflammation and complications involving different organs bordering the mesh. Such complications can raise the risk of chronic post-operative pain (CPP). Recently promising results regarding CPP have been published in patients with Lateral Inguinal Hernia (LIH) using a slowly resorbable mesh in Lichtenstein technique. For this reason the aim of the present study was to find the effect of a slowly resorbable implant on the long-term rate of hernia recurrence and chronic post-operative pain in patients with LIH repaired with TEP procedure.

Methods

Prospective pilot study of TEP repair using TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh in 35 primary LIH. At 3-year follow-up the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire were employed to assess pain. Recurrence was determined by ultrasound and clinical examination.

Results

All patients completed the pain questionnaires but one patient did not attend the planned clinical examination for the 3-year follow-up. No patients had CPP, as defined in the World Guidelines for Groin Hernia Management. Almost all patients had lower VAS score in any activity 3 years following surgery in comparison to the preoperative period. Three patients (8.8%) suffered symptomatic recurrence during the 3-year follow-up.

Conclusion

TEP repair in patients with LIH using a synthetic long-term resorbable mesh was found to be encouraging respecting chronic post-operative pain at 3-year follow-up but at the cost of an increased risk of recurrence.
Trait-dependent resemblance of the flowering phenology and floral morphology of the allopolyploid Cardamine flexuosa to those of the parental diploids in natural habitats
Authors: Akiyama Reiko , Milosavljevic Stefan , Leutenegger Matthias , Shimizu-Inatsugi Rie
Published: January 2020

Allopolyploids possess complete sets of genomes derived from different parental species and exhibit a range of variation in various traits. Reproductive traits may play a key role in the reproductive isolation between allopolyploids and their parental species, thus affecting the thriving of allopolyploids. However, empirical data, especially in natural habitats, comparing reproductive trait variation between allopolyploids and their parental species remain rare. Here, we documented the flowering phenology and floral morphology of the allopolyploid wild plantCardamine flexuosaand its diploid parentsC. amaraandC. hirsutain their native range in Switzerland. The flowering ofC. flexuosastarted at an intermediate time compared with those of the parents and the flowering period ofC. flexuosaoverlapped with those of the parents.Cardamine flexuosaresembledC. hirsutain the size of flowers and petals and the length/width ratio of petals, while it resembledC. amarain the length/width ratio of flowers. These results provide empirical evidence of the trait-dependent variation of allopolyploid phenotypes in natural habitats at the local scale. They also suggest that the variation in some reproductive traits inC. flexuosais associated with self-fertilization. Therefore, it is helpful to consider the mating system in furthering the understanding of the processes that may have shaped trait variation in polyploids in nature.
Differences in the recommendation of laparoscopic clinical practice guidelines according to the recommendation system—Re-evaluation using GRADE
Authors: Leung J. , Ng A. , Gurusamy K.
Published: January 2020

Background

Guidelines are essential for safe and effective treatment. They usually have multiple statements. Since the supporting information for the guidelines varies widely, the degree to which these statements are recommended also differ. We rely on recommendation systems for grading the recommendations for different statements. All recommendation systems have different grading criteria and they could potentially cause confusion and affect the quality of recommendations. Therefore, there is a need to determine the extent of variation and explore the potential reasons behind it.

Methods

A purposive sampling on PubMed was conducted to find four different laparoscopic guidelines using different methods to grade the recommendations. Each statement was then re-evaluated using the GRADE recommendation system.

Results

The guidelines used GRADE, Oxford Methodology, SIGN, and ‘bespoke’ systems. The number of statements with similar strength for the different statements as the re-evaluated strengths in the four guidelines were 24.1, 62.2, 35.8 and 50.0% respectively.

Conclusion

There were a wide variety of recommendation systems for laparoscopic guidelines and there were differences between the recommendations from the guidelines using GRADE, Oxford Methodology, SIGN and the ‘Bespoke’ system when re-evaluated by GRADE. A systematic review of recent laparoscopic guidelines might provide the extent and the main reasons of the problem.
A Priori Assessment of Subgrid-Scale Models and Numerical Error in Forced Convective Flow at High Prandtl Numbers
Authors: Sufrà Lorenzo , Steiner Helfried
Published: January 2020

An extensive a priori analysis has been carried out on data from Direct numerical simulation of fully developed heated turbulent pipe flow at high molecular Prandtl numbers $$Pr=10$$

P
r
=
10

/20, testing three popular modelling candidates for subgrid-scale closure in Large-Eddy simulation (LES). Aside from assessing the models’ capabilities to describe quantitatively the unresolved turbulent fluxes, a special focus is also put on the role of the numerical error, which arises from the discretization of the filtered advective fluxes on a coarse LES grid. The present analysis extends here previous studies on subgrid-scale momentum transport in a isothermal mixing layer and channel flow carried out by Brandt (J Numer Methods Fluids 51: 635–657, 2006) and Vreman et al. (J Eng Math 29: 299–327, 1995), respectively, to the subgrid-scale transport of heat at high Prandtl numbers. The statistical dependence between the individual contributions (resolved, subgrid-scale, numerical discretization error) constituting the filtered advective flux divergence in the LES formulation is investigated as well, in terms of corresponding cross-correlations. The sensitivity of the tested sgs-models to a grid refinement is further examined performing also a posteriori LES, where the basically more sophisticated candidates turn out to be more demanding in terms of required grid resolution.
The Internalization of Social Stigma Among Minor-Attracted Persons: Implications for Treatment
Authors: Lievesley Rebecca , Harper Craig A. , Elliott Helen
Published: January 2020

In this article, we sought to build on existing stigmatization research by examining the extent to which internalized stigmatization (i.e., the personal adoption and incorporation of social views, operationalized as thought suppression—an avoidant coping strategy—and low psychological well-being) among minor-attracted persons (MAPs) may impact upon help-seeking behaviors and their avoidance of children. We adopted a cross-sectional anonymous survey design to recruit a sample of self-identified MAPs (N = 183) from prominent online support fora. We found that increased levels of suppression and lower levels of psychological well-being were associated with lower levels of hope about the future, but higher levels of both shame and guilt about having a sexual interest in minors. Thought suppression was not significantly associated with outcomes related to help-seeking behaviors, but did significantly predict higher rates of actively avoiding children, even after controlling for psychological well-being and other emotional variables. Independently, lower levels of self-reported psychological well-being were associated with a desire for more support and higher rates of actively avoiding children. We explore the potential implications of our data in relation to treating and supporting MAPs within the community, increasing their well-being, and encouraging help-seeking behavior.
Marine macroalgae as food for earthworms: growth and selection experiments across ecotypes
Authors: Butt Kevin Richard , Méline Camille , Pérès Guénola
Published: January 2020

Historically, subsistence farmers around the Atlantic coast of NW Europe utilized marine algae as a fertilizer in agroecosystems, a practice that continued in small areas and is now considered to have real potential for re-establishing sustainable food production systems on marginal soils. Earthworms form a significant component of soil fauna, and their ecosystem services are well-documented. Therefore, palatability of marine organic amendments to faunal detritivores of terrestrial systems is of interest. This work aimed to assess the potential for growth ofAporrectodea caliginosa,Lumbricus rubellusandAporrectodea longafed with two common macroalgae (seaweeds),Laminaria digitataandFucus serratus. In addition, choice chambers were constructed to permit earthworm selection of these macroalgae with more conventional organic materials, horse manure (HM) and birch leaves (BL). Over a period of 2 months, earthworm species showed significantly greater mass gain with conventional food (p < 0.05).LaminariaoutperformedFucus, which in turn was superior to soil alone. Similarly, when given a choice, a significant preference (p < 0.001) was shown for the more nitrogen-rich HM and BL over the seaweeds. No removal was recorded forA. caliginosawhen offered seaweeds only. By contrast,L. rubellusandA. longashowed significant preferences (p < 0.001) forLaminariaoverFucusand fresh material over degraded. These results underline an interest to profit from natural resources (seaweeds) to maintain or improve soil biological quality in marginal coastal areas.
Isogeometric topology optimization based on energy penalization for symmetric structure
Authors: Xie Xianda , Wang Shuting , Ye Ming , Xia Zhaohui , Zhao Wei , Jiang Ning , Xu Manman
Published: January 2020

We present an energy penalization method for isogeometric topology optimization using moving morphable components (ITO-MMC), propose an ITO-MMC with an additional bilateral or periodic symmetric constraint for symmetric structures, and then extend the proposed energy penalization method to an ITO-MMC with a symmetric constraint. The energy penalization method can solve the problems of numerical instability and convergence for the ITO-MMC and the ITO-MMC subjected to the structural symmetric constraint with asymmetric loads. Topology optimization problems of asymmetric, bilateral symmetric, and periodic symmetric structures are discussed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed energy penalization approach. Compared with the conventional ITO-MMC, the energy penalization method for the ITO-MMC can improve the convergence rate from 18.6% to 44.5% for the optimization of the asymmetric structure. For the ITO-MMC under a bilateral symmetric constraint, the proposed method can reduce the objective value by 5.6% and obtain a final optimized topology that has a clear boundary with decreased iterations. For the ITO-MMC under a periodic symmetric constraint, the proposed energy penalization method can dramatically reduce the number of iterations and obtain a speedup of more than 2.
Evolution and taxonomy of nematode-associated entomopathogenic bacteria of the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus: an overview
Authors: Sajnaga Ewa , Kazimierczak Waldemar
Published: January 2020

Entomopathogenic bacteria from the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus are closely related Gram-negative bacilli from the family Enterobacteriaceae (γ-Proteobacteria). They establish obligate mutualistic associations with soil nematodes from the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis to facilitate insect pathogenesis. The research of these two bacterial genera is focused mainly on their unique interactions with two different animal hosts, i.e. nematodes and insects. So far, studies of the mutualistic bacteria of nematodes collected from around the world have contributed to an increase in the number of the described Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus species. Recently, the classification system of entomopatogenic nematode microsymbionts has undergone profound revision and now 26 species of the genus Xenorhabdus and 19 species of the genus Photorhabdus have been identified. Despite their similar life style and close phylogenetic origin, Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus bacterial species differ significantly in e.g. the nematode host range, symbiotic strategies for parasite success, and arrays of released antibiotics and insecticidal toxins. As the knowledge of the diversity of entomopathogenic nematode microsymbionts helps to enable the use thereof, assessment of the phylogenetic relationships of these astounding bacterial genera is now a major challenge for researchers. The present article summarizes the main information on the taxonomy and evolutionary history of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, entomopathogenic nematode symbionts.
Intra-articular Injection Administration in UK Ex-professional Footballers During Their Playing Careers and the Association with Post-career Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Fernandes Gwen S. , Parekh Sanjay M. , Moses Jonathan P. , Fuller Colin W. , Scammell Brigitte E. , Batt Mark E. , Zhang Weiya , Doherty Michael
Published: January 2020

Background

The long-term risk from knee intra-articular (KIA) injections in professional athletes such as ex-footballers remains unknown. The use of KIA injections is controversial and remains anecdotally prolific as it is perceived as being safe/beneficial. The aim of this study was to determine the number, type and frequency KIA injections administered to retired professional footballers during their playing careers and the associations with post-career knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study involving a postal questionnaire (n = 1207) and subsequent knee radiographs in a random sample of questionnaire responders (n = 470). Footballers self-reported in the questionnaire whether they had received KIA injections and the estimated total number over the course of their playing career. Participant characteristics and football career-related details were also recorded. KOA was measured as self-reported knee pain (KP), total knee replacement (TKR) and radiographic KOA (RKOA).

Results

44.5% of footballers had received at least one KIA injection (mean: 7.5; SD ± 11.2) during their professional career. 71% of knee injections were cortisone/corticosteroid based. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI) and significant knee injury identified that footballers with injections were two times more likely to have KP (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.40–2.34) and TKR (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.43–3.42) than those without injections. However, there was no association with RKOA (OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.85–2.01). Given, the association with KP and TKR, we found a significant dose–response relationship as the more injections a player received (by dose–response groups), the greater the risk of KP and TKR outcomes after adjustment for knee injury and other confounders (p for trend < 0.01).

Conclusion

On average, 8 KIA injections were given to the ex-footballers during their professional career. The most commonly administered injections were cortisone based. These injections associated with KP and TKR after they retired. The associations are independent of knee injuries and are dose dependent. The study suggests that there may have been excessive use of KIA injections to expedite return to play and this contributed to detrimental long-term outcomes such as KP and TKR post-retirement from professional football.
Biomimic Vein-Like Transparent Conducting Electrodes with Low Sheet Resistance and Metal Consumption
Authors: Jia Guobin , Plentz Jonathan , Dellith Andrea , Schmidt Christa , Dellith Jan , Schmidl Gabriele , Andrä Gudrun
Published: January 2020

In this contribution, inspired by the excellent resource management and material transport function of leaf veins, the electrical transport function of metallized leaf veins is mimicked from the material transport function of the vein networks. By electroless copper plating on real leaf vein networks with copper thickness of only several hundred nanometre up to several micrometre, certain leaf veins can be converted to transparent conductive electrodes with an ultralow sheet resistance 100 times lower than that of state-of-the-art indium tin oxide thin films, combined with a broadband optical transmission of above 80% in the UV–VIS–IR range. Additionally, the resource efficiency of the vein-like electrode is characterized by the small amount of material needed to build up the networks and the low copper consumption during metallization. In particular, the high current density transport capability of the electrode of > 6000 A cm−2 was demonstrated. These superior properties of the vein-like structures inspire the design of high-performance transparent conductive electrodes without using critical materials and may significantly reduce the Ag consumption down to < 10% of the current level for mass production of solar cells and will contribute greatly to the electrode for high power density concentrator solar cells, high power density Li-ion batteries, and supercapacitors.
Disparitäten bei Grundschulkindern bezüglich computer- und informationsbezogener Kompetenzen im Bereich Produzieren und Präsentieren
Authors: Köhn Verena , Fricke Katharina , Todorova Maria , Windt Anna
Published: January 2020

Forschungsbefunde zeigen, dass bei deutschen Schülerinnen und Schülern des achten Jahrgangs Disparitäten hinsichtlich computer- und informationsbezogener Kompetenzen vorliegen. Offen ist, inwiefern diese Disparitäten auch bereits bei deutschen Grundschulkindern existieren. Dazu wurden 76 Kinder der 4. Jahrgangsstufe untersucht. Eine multiple Regressionsanalyse zeigt, dass sich der sozioökonomische Status, der häusliche Tabletbesitz sowie die kognitiven Fähigkeiten auf die computer- und informationsbezogenen Kompetenzen im Bereich Produzieren und Präsentieren auswirken. Für den Migrationshintergrund und das Geschlecht konnte kein signifikanter Zusammenhang festgestellt werden. Mögliche Gründe für die Ergebnisse und Konsequenzen für den Unterricht der Grundschule werden diskutiert.
Clitoral Reconstruction After Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Review of Surgical Techniques and Ethical Debate
Authors: Sharif Mohamed Fatima , Wild Verina , Earp Brian D. , Johnson-Agbakwu Crista , Abdulcadir Jasmine
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Clitoral reconstruction (CR) is a controversial surgical procedure performed for women who have undergone medically unnecessary, often ritualistic genital cutting involving the clitoris. Such cutting is known by several terms; we will use female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Treatments offered to women affected by complications of FGM/C include defibulation (releasing the scar of infibulation to allow penetrative intercourse, urinary flow, physiological delivery, and menstruation) and CR to decrease pain, improve sexual response, and create a pre-FGM/C genital appearance.

Aim

In this study, our aim is to summarize the medical literature regarding CR techniques and outcomes, and stimulate ethical discussion surrounding potential adverse impacts on women who undergo the procedure.

Methods

A broad literature review was carried out to search any previous peer-reviewed publications regarding the techniques and ethical considerations for CR.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome measure includes benefits, risks, and ethical analysis of CR.

Results

While we discuss the limited evidence regarding the risks and efficacy of CR, we did not find any peer-reviewed reports focused on ethical implications to date.

Clinical Implications

CR can be indicated as a treatment for pain and potential improvement of associated sexual dysfunction when these have not responded to more conservative measures. Women must be appropriately informed about the risks of CR and the lack of strong evidence regarding potential benefits. They must be educated about their genital anatomy and disabused of any myths surrounding female sexual function as well as assessed and treated in accordance with the current scientific evidence and best clinical practices.

Strength & Limitations

This is the first formal ethical discussion surrounding CR. This is not a systematic review, and the ethical discussion of CR has only just begun.

Conclusion

We present a preliminary ethical analysis of the procedure and its potential impact on women with FGM/C.