bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scholarly experiences in medical education: Considering authorship
Authors: Maggio Lauren A.
Published: November 2020

This commentary discusses a recent realist review on scholarly experiences in @MedEd_Journal and considers the role such experiences may play in exposing medical students to authorship practices, values, and ethics. #MedEd
Physician‐faculty perceptions towards teaching incentives: A case study at a children’s hospital
Authors: Federico Martinez Guadalupe , Giblin Casey R. , Willis Brigham C.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This exploratory study examines affiliate physician‐faculty perceptions and attitudes regarding a teaching incentive programme at a free‐standing children's hospital in the United States. We describe the compensation model and present faculty interpretations of its influence on the institutional culture.

Methods

A case study methodology was applied to understand the sociological aspects of academic productivity interventions. In‐depth interviews, direct observation of leadership meetings, teaching activity logs, organisational theoretical lens and survey results were used for methodological triangulation. Data from these multiple sources were coded and discussed between investigators iteratively to identify core themes.

Results

Of the faculty eligible for the incentive, 32 engaged in in‐depth interviews (N = 32/107; 30%) and 88 (interviewees included) in the survey (N = 88/107; 82%). Findings suggest that while the implementation made some strides in mitigating barriers for some, for others gaps were identified that suggest further exploration within this domain of study is warranted. The incentive implementation was perceived as strategic, intending to encourage the academic culture of the hospital, though participants commonly expressed confusion about the rationale behind the omission of teaching allocations in formal contracts. However, high satisfaction levels for the programme as a conduit to change were evident. There was a perception of a shift in the collective faculty morale that reflected an evolving institutional culture that increased enthusiasm for teaching. Finally, faculty noted their perception that institutions that employ teaching incentives could positively influence faculty recruitment.

Conclusion

We found a modest incentive‐based reward for teaching activity was successful in informing the perceptions of faculty regarding their institution's academic prestige goals and teaching recognition. Such programmes, while requiring a small investment of time and resources by institutional leadership, can convey that the educational mission remains a priority in this era of increasing clinical and administrative pressure and an institutional culture that may positively influence faculty morale and dedication to teaching.
Advanced endoscopic imaging for detecting and guiding therapy of early neoplasias of the esophagus
Authors: Mashimo Hiroshi , Gordon Stuart R. , Singh Satish K.
Published: November 2020

Esophageal cancers, largely adenocarcinoma in Western countries and squamous cell cancer in Asia, present a significant burden of disease and remain one of the most lethal of cancers. Key to improving survival is the development and adoption of new imaging modalities to identify early neoplastic lesions, which may be small, multifocal, subsurface, and difficult to detect by standard endoscopy. Such advanced imaging is particularly relevant with the emergence of ablative techniques that often require multiple endoscopic sessions and may be complicated by bleeding, pain, strictures, and recurrences. Assessing the specific location, depth of involvement, and features correlated with neoplastic progression or incomplete treatment may optimize treatments. While not comprehensive of all endoscopic imaging modalities, we review here some of the recent advances in endoscopic luminal imaging, particularly with surface contrast enhancement using virtual chromoendoscopy, highly magnified subsurface imaging with confocal endomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, elastic scattering spectroscopy, angle‐resolved low‐coherence interferometry, and light scattering spectroscopy. While there is no single ideal imaging modality, various multimodal instruments are also being investigated. The future of combining computer‐aided assessments, molecular markers, and improved imaging technologies to help localize and ablate early neoplastic lesions shed hope for improved disease outcome.
Transarticular Screw Fixation in the Treatment of Severe C1–C2 Dislocation: A Case Series Report
Authors: Du Hoang Gia , Phuoc Vu Xuan , Hoang Nguyen Duc , Dung Tran Trung , Van Trung Nguyen
Published: November 2020

Background

To aim of the present paper was to evaluate the results of halo traction and transarticular screw fixation combined with bone autoplasty in patients with severe atlantoaxial dislocation.

Case presentation

This is a retrospective study of severe cases of atlantoaxial dislocation in nine patients (six men and three women) treated with preoperative halo traction and posterior C1–C2 transarticular screw fixation combined with bone autoplasty from June 2006 to June 2011 at the Saint Paul Hospital (Hanoi). The mean age of patients was 37.48 ± 13.753 years (range, 26–50 years). The possibility of fixing dislocation using a halo apparatus was investigated through a series of preoperative halo corrections performed within a span of 1–2 weeks. For transarticular screw fixation, two transarticular screws were used that were positioned according to the Magerl technique. For bone autoplasty, an iliac crest bone graft approximately 3 × 2 cm in size was used. The postoperative assessment of clinical improvement was performed using the neck disability index (NDI), the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, and the visual analog scale (VAS) measurement instruments, through the gradation of atlantoaxial dislocation, and via the clivoaxial angle(CAA) index and the space available for cord (SAC) index after 6 months. The image diagnosis demonstrates that all the cases of atlantoaxial dislocations are unstable and correspond to the Fielding and Hawkins type III dislocation. Eight patients underwent complete reduction using the halo fixation device. In one patient, the C1–C2 displacement was manually reduced during surgery. CT scanning revealed that the accuracy of screw placement was 94.4%. The bone fusion rate was 100% after 6 months. Based on the ASIA impairment scale, the preoperative examination of patients revealed grade C injuries in seven patients and grade D injuries in two patients. After surgery, all patients had grade D injuries. Six months after surgery, four patients had moderate self‐reported neck disability (30%–48%) and five patients reported mild disability (10%–28%); that is, the patient perception of the neck problem improved. In the postoperative phase, all patients showed an improvement in VAS pain scores and the SAC score returned to the normal range in all patients. The CAA returned to normal in only seven patients; in the other two patients, the CAA returned to a value that was close to normal (145° and 149°).

Conclusion

Through halo traction combined with transarticular screw fixation and bone autoplasty, noticeable postoperative improvements were attained based on the clinical scores for NDI, ASIA, and VAS, as well as SAC and CAA.
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 with Severe Dystrophic Kyphosis: Surgical Treatment and Prognostic Analysis of 27 Patients
Authors: Cai Siyi , Tian Ye , Qiu Guixing , Zhang Jianguo , Shen Jianxiong , Zhao Hong , Zhao Yu
Published: November 2020

Objective

The aim of the present study was to explore the surgical treatment and prognosis of 27 cases of neurofibromatosis type 1 with severe dystrophic kyphosis.

Methods

We performed surgical treatment for scoliosis and kyphosis caused by dystrophic curves at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China from December 2015 to December 2017. The study included 21 patients with moderate to severe kyphosis, 12 males and 9 females, with an average age of 14.95 ± 6.05 years. All patients had kyphosis angles greater than 70° and had more than four skeletal developmental defects. A total of 6 patients with severe kyphosis, 2 males and 4 females, with an average age of 12.5 years, had more than five skeletal developmental defects with a kyphosis angle greater than 90° or a lumbar kyphosis angle greater than 40°. According to the patient's own situation, we adopted a low‐grade surgery scheme (grades 1 or 2) or a high‐grade surgery scheme (grades 3–6). The low‐grade surgery was mainly lower articular surface resection or pontodestomy, and the high‐grade surgery was mainly apical vertebral body or upper discectomy. All patients were followed up to determine their prognosis.

Results

Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in preoperative and postoperative scores between the two groups (P < 0.05), and scoliosis correction showed that surgical treatment had a significant effect on scoliosis kyphosis. The mean follow‐up time was 66.7 months. Follow‐up results showed that 50% of complications after internal fixation were related to high‐level surgery. Complications included displacement of the titanium cage, removal of the lamina hook, formation of pseudoarthrosis, and internal fixation failure (with a rate of 7.7%–14.3%). In contrast, there were no associated symptoms for low‐grade surgery. In addition, the results showed that gender, age, extent of resection, height, and body mass index had no significant effect on preoperative, postoperative, and prognostic indicators of patients (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Early identification of dysplastic scoliosis‐related deformities plays an important role in surgical planning and prognosis, and low‐level surgical procedures are more favorable for patients' prognosis.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy with intraoperative epicardial mapping via minithoracotomy: 10 years’ experience
Authors: Hejjel László , Németh Marianna , Melczer László , Kónyi Attila
Published: November 2020

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is considered an efficient method to improve the left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with left bundle branch block. However, coronary venous anatomy is not appropriate in about 10% of the cases; thus other alternatives, such as epicardial lead implantation via minithoracotomy are needed.

Methods

During the period 2007‐2017, a total of 57 patients were operated at our institute via left anterior minithoracotomy after an unsuccessful transvenous CRT. The best position of the LV epicardial electrode was determined by intraoperative epicardial mapping, that is locating the latest activation spot relative to the right ventricular (RV) electrode. The authors analyzed the survival by Kaplan‐Meier estimator with Tarone‐Ware equality test and multiple Cox regression analysis, the changes of the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and dimensions, the development of the impedance and threshold of the LV epicardial electrode, the possible associations between the survival and intraoperative sensed RV‐LV activation delay.

Results

The intraoperative RV‐LV activation delay was 92.250 ± 26.538 milliseconds. There were no intraoperative complications except ventricular fibrillation in three patients. Within 30 days there were neither wound healing complications nor pocket hematoma. There was no significant difference in survival with regard to gender or etiology, but significantly better survival was found in the cohort with intraoperative sensed RV‐LV activation delay >86 milliseconds. The LVEF and dimensions improved following the operation and continued to be improved in the survivors.

Conclusion

CRT via minithoracotomy with epicardial mapping is a safe, efficient, simple, and reproducible second‐line alternative to the transvenous method.
Tailored ablation index for pulmonary vein isolation according to wall thickness within the ablation circle
Authors: Wang Yong , Zhou Genqing , Chen Songwen , Wei Yong , Lu Xiaofeng , Xu Juan , Wu Xiaoyu , Liu Shaowen
Published: November 2020

Background

Ablation index (AI), a novel lesion quality marker, includes contact force, time, and power of radiofrequency (RF) application, but not regional variation in wall thickness within the wide antral catheter ablation (WACA) circle. This study explored the relationships among AI target value, atrial wall thickness, and gap formation within the WACA circle in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods

We evaluated 102 consecutive patients (mean age, 65 ± 9 years) with PAF who underwent AI‐guided WACA for ipsilateral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Each WACA circle was subdivided into eight segments, and overall 7143 RF applications were delivered, including 125 gaps in PVI ablation lines. For each RF tag within the ablation circle, we collected data on ablation lesion depth surrogates (time of application, delivery power, impedance drop, average contact force, force‐time integral [FTI], and AI) and left atrial wall thickness measured by multidetector computer tomography scanning.

Results

The anterior and roof walls were the thickest segments of the ablation circle, in which 85.8% of gaps concentrated, while the posterior and inferior walls were the thinnest. Gap formation was significantly associated with FTI, AI, wall thickness, FTI/wall thickness, and AI/wall thickness. AI/wall thickness had the highest predictive value for gap formation, with a cutoff of 195.6 au/mm for effective ablation.

Conclusions

In AI‐guided PVI of PAF, AI/wall thickness by normalizing myocardial thickness variation along the WACA circle was a strong predictor of gap formation, with a target of 195.6 au/mm appearing suitable for effective ablation.
An examination of the relationship between applicant race and accrued recruitment source information: Implications for applicant withdrawal and test performance
Authors: McFarland Lynn A. , Kim Youngsang
Published: November 2020

We examine the role of accrued recruitment source diagnosticity (i.e., cumulative information from recruitment sources) and show its importance in enhancing diversity in recruitment and selection. First, based on social network and homophily theories, we propose that racial minority candidates will be less likely to use diagnostic recruitment sources, and this lack of use contributes to less organizational attraction and greater withdrawal. Second, based on the realism hypothesis, we theorize that racial differences in accrued recruitment source diagnosticity contribute (in part) to racial differences in selection test performance. Using a sample of candidates in a high‐stakes selection context, we find that White applicants are significantly more likely to use the most diagnostic sources (compared to non‐Whites). Further, applicants with higher accrued recruitment source diagnosticity show greater organizational attraction (before and after testing), withdraw from the hiring process in fewer numbers, and perform significantly better on the selection tests. Altogether, these findings have important theoretical implications because they identify a fairly neglected determinant of recruitment and selection outcomes (accrued recruitment source diagnosticity) and may yield practical implications by suggesting actionable ways organizations can help reduce subgroup differences and enhance diversity.
New records of Chondracanthus saundersii and Schottera koreana (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) from Japan based on molecular and morphological analyses
Authors: Suzuki Masahiro , Terada Ryuta , Shibata Kensuke , Kawai Hiroshi
Published: November 2020

We report two red algal species, Chondracanthus saundersii C.W. Schneider & C.E. Lane (Gigartinaceae, Gigartinales) and Schottera koreana M.S. Calderon, T.H. Seo & S.M. Boo (Phyllophoraceae, Gigartinales), from Japan for the first time based on molecular and morphological analyses. A C. saundersii specimen was collected at a depth of 35 m offshore of Mageshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The rbcL and COI‐5P (cox1) sequences of C. saundersii form a clade with the type specimen from Bermuda and additional specimens from Cuba and Brazil. Morphologically, C. saundersii is characterized by the presence of secondary attachments, compressed to flattened axes up to 1 mm in width, and a looser medulla. Two specimens of S. koreana were collected in lower intertidal to subtidal waters at Ohara, Chiba Prefecture, and Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The rbcL sequences of S. koreana were closely related to reported sequences of specimens from South Korea including the type specimens. Morphologically, S. koreana is characterized by the presence of unicellular colorless hair developed from cortical cells.
Combination of resistance and aerobic exercise for six months improves bone mass and physical function in HIV infected individuals: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ghayomzadeh Morteza , Earnest Conrad P. , Hackett Daniel , SeyedAlinaghi SeyedAhmad , Navalta James Wilfred , Gholami Mohammad , Hosseini Rouzbahani Negin , Mohraz Minoo , Voltarelli Fabrício Azevedo
Published: November 2020

To evaluate the effect of combined resistance and aerobic training (RT+AT) on regional bone mineral density (BMD) and physical performance in people living with HIV (PLWH). Forty PLWH (20 men and 20 women) were randomized into RT+AT group (n = 20; age = 38.3 ± 4.9) or non‐exercise control group (n = 20; age = 37.9 ± 5.1). The RT+AT group was required to perform a nonlinear periodized resistance training program targeting large muscle groups followed by 20 min aerobic exercise at 65‐80% of maximal heart rate. Participants in RT+AT performed three supervised sessions per week for 6‐months, whereas participants in the control group were instructed to continue with their current lifestyle habits. The primary outcome was bone mineral density (lumbar spine (L2‐L4), femoral neck, and distal 1/3 radius). Secondary outcomes included physical function, anthropometry, inflammatory markers, and growth factors. The RT+AT group demonstrated a significant increase in BMD at follow‐up for the Lumbar spine (L2‐L4), femoral neck, and 1/3 radius (all, P < .05), and There were no gender differences in the training response between men and women for any of the BMD regions. Similar findings were also observed for lean body mass, IGF1and Adiponectin (P < .001). We observed a decrease in percent body fat, fat mass, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and myostatin in the RT+AT group (P < .001). Finally, there was a significant increase in handgrip strength and gait speed for both women and men in the RT+AT group (P < .001). A combination of resistance and aerobic training appears to be a feasible and effective means for counteracting bone loss and improving various inflammatory markers, physical function, and growth hormones in PLWH.
The Structure of Social Cohesion: An Analysis of Its Levels and Dimensions in Mexico City1
Authors: Martínez‐Martínez Oscar A. , Rodríguez‐Brito Anidelys , Ramírez‐López Araceli
Published: November 2020

This article aims to conceptualize and assess social cohesion in Mexico, taking into account their multilevel and multidimensional nature. To measure social cohesion levels and dimensions, we used the Social Welfare Survey (N = 2871) for the 16 municipalities in Mexico City. Then, we employed the distance method to construct a social cohesion index. In addition, we define social cohesion degrees (very high, high, medium, and low) to explore the relevance of each indicator. The findings suggest that the objective and subjective indicators at the meso‐level has the highest contribution, regardless of the territory or degrees of cohesion. This finding suggests that neighborhoods are well organized for solving everyday problems. Meanwhile, the willingness to help both friends and members of one’s network was not a priority, which can be explained by the suspicion toward other people and the prevalent economic conditions.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐B*15:514 allele in a French hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Dard Céline , Senoussi Ornella , Buhler Stéphane , Bardy Béatrice , Masson Dominique
Published: November 2020

The novel HLA‐B*15:514 allele was characterized using two next‐generation sequencing technologies.
Improving blood‐prescribing decisions: Evaluating the efficacy of a blood guidelines app
Authors: Watson Paul , Watson Denise , Dhesi Amanpreet , New Helen V. , Davidson Anne , Armstrong Richard , Birchall Janet
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To assess the effect of an app providing national blood transfusion guidelines on prescribing decisions.

Background

National, regional and local audits in England consistently show inappropriate use of all blood components; around 15%–20% of red blood cells (RBC) and 20%–30% of platelets and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Hospital transfusion guidelines may be difficult to locate and not agree with national guidelines. We developed and tested a dedicated app providing national evidence‐based guidelines for use at the point of care to help clinicians make better decisions when authorising blood.

Methods/materials

We identified areas of blood authorisation with high frequency of component use and evidence of widespread unnecessary authorisation. We developed seven representative clinical scenarios where the transfusion of blood components may or may not benefit the adult patient. Responding doctors were invited to select their authorisation choice via an online questionnaire, initially without and then with access to the app. Adherence to guidelines was assessed with and without aid of the app.

Results

Using the app, doctors were much more likely to select the correct decision, in accordance with national guidance. Compared with baseline measurements, decisions improved by 67% for RBC, 58% for platelets and 73% for FFP. These improvements were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Apps such as “Blood Components” can help doctors do “the right thing rather than the wrong thing”. Further studies are required to assess the impact of using the app in clinical practice and the effect on blood component management and financial savings.
Clinicopathological abnormalities associated with increased animal triage trauma score in cats presenting for vehicular trauma: 75 cases (1998–2009)
Authors: Lyons Bridget M. , Ateca Laura B. , Otto Cynthia M.
Published: November 2020

Objective

To document the clinical and clinicopathological changes in cats presenting with vehicular trauma (VT) and to determine whether the calculated animal trauma triage (ATT) score was associated with any clinicopathological abnormalities.

Design

Retrospective descriptive study conducted between 1998 and 2009.

Setting

University veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Seventy‐five client‐owned cats that presented for VT to an urban veterinary hospital.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and main results

Pertinent history, physical examination findings, results of biochemical testing, and outcome were extracted from medical records. ATT score was calculated based on physical examination. Patients were classified as having either a low (<5) ATT (n = 30) or a high (≥5) ATT (n = 45) score. Male cats were overrepresented (60.0%), and a majority of cats had outdoor access (65.3%). Low PCV (P = 0.024), low total plasma protein concentration (P = 0.032), low venous blood pH (P = 0.047), high plasma lactate concentration (P = 0.047), low plasma bicarbonate concentration (P = 0.047), low base excess (P = 0.047), and high plasma glucose concentration (P = 0.047) were associated with higher ATT scores. In addition, low noninvasive blood pressure measurements (P = 0.008) were associated with higher ATT scores.

Conclusions

There was a significant association between lower PCV, lower total plasma protein concentration, lower venous blood pH, higher plasma lactate concentration, lower plasma bicarbonate concentration, lower base excess, higher whole blood glucose concentration, and lower noninvasive blood pressure and higher ATT scores at presentation in feline patients suffering from VT. Prospective evaluation of these values may prove useful in furthering understanding of the pathophysiology of trauma in cats.
Kinematics and Force Transmission Analysis of a Decoupled Remote Center of Motion Mechanism Based on Intersecting Planes
Authors: Wu Kaiyu , Zhang Fan , Cui Guohua , Sun Jing , Zheng Minhua
Published: November 2020

A decoupled mechanism based on intersecting planes that can be considered as a parallel mechanism with two arms is presented in this paper. The end-effector is connected to the base through two planar serial arms. The new specific characteristics of novel mechanism allow the generation of a remote center of motion (RCM) possessing two decoupled rotational degrees-of-freedom (DoF) and a tanslational DoF. It has a simpler control scheme and a larger workspace due to the decoupling characteristics of this mechanism when compared with the RCM mechanism based on intersecting planes proposed by Li et al. This mechanism also eliminates the singularity inside its workspace that impairs the original mechanism. In the final part of this paper, through an analysis of the force transmission performance, we derive a method to adjust the length of the linkage to optimize its force transmission performance.
Mechanical Behavior of Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion Additively Manufactured Ti6Al4V Parts at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Mian Md Jamal , Razmi Jafar , Ladani Leila
Published: November 2020

Ti6Al4V is one of the vital metal alloys used in various industries including aerospace, especially at high-temperature applications, because of having high strength-to-weight ratio, and high melting temperature. Manufacturing these metal parts by the conventional subtractive methods have been challenging due to the difficulty involved with the cutting and machining it. However, additive manufacturing (AM) offers a convenient way for shaping this metal into the desired complex parts. Although different powder bed fusion (PBF) AM processes are time and cost effective, degradation of mechanical properties during high-temperature applications could be a concern for parts produced by them. Therefore, this study focuses on the anisotropic and high-temperature elastic and plastic behaviors of Ti6Al4V parts made using electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) process. Mechanical properties, like modulus of elasticity, 0.2% yield strength, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and percent elongation, have been determined at 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C temperatures from the samples produced in different build orientations. Considerable anisotropic behavior and temperature dependency were observed for all the analyzed properties. At 600 °C, various softening mechanisms such dislocation glide, grain boundary slip, and grain growth were anticipated to be activated reducing the flow stress and increasing the elasticity. Fractography analysis on fractured surfaces of the samples reveals various defects, including partially melted or unmelted powder particles near the surface and subsurface areas. Those internal and external defects are analyzed further using X-ray computed tomography (CT) and surface profilometer to show their effect on the anisotropic behaviors.
Flow Field Analysis and Nearfield Acoustic Signature Reduction of a Stationary Fan Blade Array
Authors: Zaheer Syed Qasim , Disimile Peter J.
Published: November 2020

A highly cambered and loaded stationary fan blade cascade of an in-service centrifugal fan is analyzed in this research work at flow conditions corresponding to design point operation of subject fan. The configuration of enclosed blade cascade includes upstream and downstream ducts. A preliminary analysis of flow variables and nearfield acoustic spectra is carried out experimentally which then provided boundary conditions and validation data for an extensive numerical analysis using embedded large eddy simulation turbulence model in ansysfluent 19.0 environment. The comprehensive analysis of flow field and nearfield aeroacoustics of blade array configuration reveals vortex shedding from blade leading edge and its interaction with pressure side surface of adjacent blade becomes one of major source in the aeroacoustics signature of blade array. The vortex shedding frequency and the frequency of upstream turbulence interaction with blade leading edge are identified. A novel method of placing rectangular cavity on pressure side of blade array to suppress the impact of impingement of leading-edge vortex via cavity acoustic wave is explored. The numerical results reveal a reduction in noise by 6 dB encouraging the efficacy of this method as a passive technique to reduce aeroacoustics signature of researched blade array configuration.
A Theoretical Model for Ship–Wave Impact Generated Sea Spray
Authors: Mintu Shafiul , Molyneux David , Colbourne Bruce
Published: November 2020

Spray generated by ships traveling in cold oceans often leads to topside icing, which can be dangerous to vessels. Estimation of the spray flux is a first step in predicting icing accumulation. The amount of spray water, the duration of exposure to the spray, and the frequency at which the spray is generated are all important parameters in estimating the spray flux. Most existing spray flux formulae are based on field observations from small fishing vessels. They consider meteorological and oceanographic parameters but neglect the vessel behavior. Ship heave and pitch motions, together with ship speed, determine the frequency of spray events. Thus, the existing formulae are not generally applicable to different sizes and types of vessels. This paper develops simple methods to quantify spray properties in terms that can be applied to vessels of any size or type. Formulae to estimate water content and spray duration are derived based on principles of energy conservation and dimensional analysis. To estimate spray frequency considering ship motions, a theoretical model is proposed. The model inputs are restricted to ship’s principal particulars, operating conditions, and environmental conditions. Wave-induced motions are estimated using semi-empirical analytical expressions. A novel spray threshold is developed to separate deck wetness frequency from spray frequency. Spray flux estimates are validated against full-scale field measurements available in the open literature with reasonable agreement.
Fracture Pressure Prediction Using Surface Drilling Parameters by Artificial Intelligence Techniques
Authors: Ahmed Abdulmalek , Elkatatny Salaheldin , Ali Abdulwahab
Published: November 2020

Several correlations are available to determine the fracture pressure, a vital property of a well, which is essential in the design of the drilling operations and preventing problems. Some of these correlations are based on the rock and formation characteristics, and others are based on log data. In this study, five artificial intelligence (AI) techniques predicting fracture pressure were developed and compared with the existing empirical correlations to select the optimal model. Real-time data of surface drilling parameters from one well were obtained using real-time drilling sensors. The five employed methods of AI are functional networks (FN), artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), radial basis function (RBF), and fuzzy logic (FL). More than 3990 datasets were used to build the five AI models by dividing the data into training and testing sets. A comparison between the results of the five AI techniques and the empirical fracture correlations, such as the Eaton model, Matthews and Kelly model, and Pennebaker model, was also performed. The results reveal that AI techniques outperform the three fracture pressure correlations based on their high accuracy, represented by the low average absolute percentage error (AAPE) and a high coefficient of determination (R2). Compared with empirical models, the AI techniques have the advantage of requiring less data, only surface drilling parameters, which can be conveniently obtained from any well. Additionally, a new fracture pressure correlation was developed based on ANN, which predicts the fracture pressure with high precision (R2 = 0.99 and AAPE = 0.094%).
Optimized Artificial Neural Network Model and Compensator in Model Predictive Control for Anomaly Mitigation
Authors: Hong Seong Hyeon , Cornelius Jackson , Wang Yi , Pant Kapil
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a new artificial neural network (ANN)-based system model that concatenates an optimized artificial neural network (OANN) and a neural network compensator (NNC) in series to capture temporally varying system dynamics caused by slow-paced degradation/anomaly. The OANN comprises a complex, fully connected multilayer perceptron, trained offline using nominal, anomaly free data, and remains unchanged during online operation. Its hyperparameters are selected using genetic algorithm-based meta-optimization. The compact NNC is updated continuously online using collected sensor data to capture the variations in system dynamics, rectify the OANN prediction, and eventually minimize the discrepancy between the OANN-predicted and actual response. The combined OANN–NNC model then reconfigures the model predictive control (MPC) online to alleviate disturbances. Through numerical simulation using an unmanned quadrotor as an example, the proposed model demonstrates salient capabilities to mitigate anomalies introduced to the system while maintaining control performance. We compare the OANN–NNC with other online modeling techniques (adaptive ANN and multinetwork model), showing it outperforms them in reference tracking of altitude control by at least 0.5 m and yaw control by 1 deg. Moreover, its robustness is confirmed by the MPC consistency regardless of anomaly presence, eliminating the need for additional model management during online operation.
The Physiological and Perceptual Effects of Stochastic Simulated Rugby League Match Play
Authors: Mullen Thomas , Twist Craig , Highton Jamie
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To examine responses to a simulated rugby league protocol designed to include more stochastic commands, and therefore require greater vigilance, than traditional team-sport simulation protocols. Methods: Eleven male university rugby players completed 2 trials (randomized and control [CON]) of a rugby league movement simulation protocol, separated by 7 to 10 d. The CON trial consisted of 48 repeated ∼115-s cycles of activity. The stochastic simulation (STOCH) was matched for the number and types of activity performed every 5.45 min in CON but included no repeated cycles of activity. Movement using GPS, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and Stroop test performance was assessed throughout. Maximum voluntary contraction peak torque, voluntary activation (in percentage), and global task load were assessed after exercise. Results: The mean mental demand of STOCH was higher than CON (effect size [ES] = 0.56; ±0.69). Mean sprint speed was higher in STOCH (22.5 [1.4] vs 21.6 [1.6] km·h−1, ES = 0.50; ±0.55), which was accompanied by a higher rating of perceived exertion (14.3 [1.0] vs 13.0 [1.4], ES = 0.87; ±0.67) and a greater number of errors in the Stroop test (10.3 [2.5] vs 9.3 [1.4] errors; ES = 0.65; ±0.83). Maximum voluntary contraction peak torque (CON = −48.4 [31.6] N·m and STOCH = −39.6 [36.6] N·m) and voluntary activation (CON = −8.3% [4.8%] and STOCH = −6.0% [4.1%]) was similarly reduced in both trials. Conclusions: Providing more stochastic commands, which requires greater vigilance, might alter performance and associated physiological, perceptual, and cognitive responses to team-sport simulations.
To tackle pandemic, Biden must overcome distrust and division
Authors: Wadman Meredith , Cornwall Warren
Published: November 2020

President-elect vows "bedrock of science" will drive his administration's response to worsening U.S. crisis.
Living with heat
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

Studies are probing how heat threatens health—and how to lower the risks.
The disease of distrust
Authors: Tuckson Reed V.
Published: November 2020

An uncomfortable question has poked out from the chaos of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis—why does health inequity still persist in the United States? American people of color have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This, sadly, is no surprise because socioeconomic conditions, health care access challenges, and distrust in health care systems have historically prevented people of color from having healthier lives. As infections and deaths from COVID-19 continue to increase, effective treatments and vaccines are anxiously expected to become available soon. Unfortunately, less attention is being paid to questions about their equitable distribution and uptake. This only contributes to the suspicion felt by minority groups in the United States—particularly people of color—of the medical community. This barrier must come down. Every level of the health enterprise should pledge to reclaim the trust of all populations that is demanded by its professional oaths and missions.
Identification of Three New GGDEF and EAL Domain-Containing Proteins Participating in the Scr Surface Colonization Regulatory Network in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Kimbrough John H. , McCarter Linda L.
Published: November 2020

A key survival decision, in the environment or the host, is whether to emigrate or aggregate. In bacteria, c-di-GMP signaling almost universally influences solutions to this dilemma.
Dissemination and implementation research in sports and exercise medicine and sports physical therapy: translating evidence to practice and policy
Authors: Owoeye Oluwatoyosi B A , Rauvola Rachel S , Brownson Ross C
Published: November 2020

Knowledge from research evidence is wasted unless it is applied. While the scientific evidence base for many sports and exercise medicine and sports physical therapy interventions is robust, real-world implementation and evolution to scale remains an ongoing challenge. Dissemination and implementation research is important to generate evidence-informed, cost-effective and context-specific strategies for implementation partners and stakeholders to effectively apply and sustain the best research evidence in public health and clinical practice. However, this field of inquiry remains underexplored in sports and exercise medicine and sports physical therapy. Most intervention studies in sports and exercise medicine and sports physical therapy are terminated at the efficacy trial stage without considerations for best practices for translation to community and clinical settings. Lack of context-specific dissemination and implementation strategies to drive the translation of evidence-based interventions results in poor execution of, and attrition from, interventions, and this is associated with suboptimal outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Theory-driven quality research informing the successful dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions is needed to address lingering evidence-to-practice gaps. Dissemination and implementation research completes the final stage in the research-to-practice pipeline. It seeks to close evidence-to-practice gaps, thereby ensuring speedy application of research evidence to achieve desired public health outcomes while making more efficient use of limited resources. This review introduces sports and exercise medicine and sports physical therapy researchers and stakeholders to key concepts and principles in dissemination and implementation research.
Tips for reducing risk and improving welfare when handling dogs in practice
Authors: Hedges Stephanie
Published: November 2020

The risk of being bitten is often considered intrinsic to working in the veterinary profession. However, most bites are both predictable and avoidable. This article highlights the various ways of reducing the risk of dog‐related injuries in practice, including managing the environment, changing the way we approach and handle patients, using treats and training to motivate different behaviour, and pharmacology to minimise handling and manipulation.
Combination of gemcitabine and anti-PD-1 antibody enhances the anticancer effect of M1 macrophages and the Th1 response in a murine model of pancreatic cancer liver metastasis
Authors: Ho Tuyen Thuy Bich , Nasti Alessandro , Seki Akihiro , Komura Takuya , Inui Hiiro , Kozaka Takashi , Kitamura Yoji , Shiba Kazuhiro , Yamashita Taro , Yamashita Tatsuya , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Kawaguchi Kazunori , Wada Takashi , Honda Masao , Kaneko Shuichi , Sakai Yoshio
Published: November 2020

Background

Pancreatic ductular adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most dreadful of malignancies, in part due to the lack of efficacious chemotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1) antibodies, are novel promising forms of systemic immunotherapy. In the current study, we assessed whether gemcitabine (GEM) combined with anti-PD-1 antibody treatment was efficacious as immunochemotherapy for advanced PDAC using a murine model of liver metastasis.

Methods

The murine model of PDAC liver metastasis was established by intrasplenically injecting the murine pancreatic cancer cell line PAN02 into immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice. The mice were treated with an anti-PD-1 antibody, GEM, or a combination of GEM plus anti-PD-1 antibody, and compared with no treatment (control); liver metastases, immune cell infiltration, gene expression, immune cell response phenotypes, and overall survival were investigated.

Results

In the metastatic tumor tissues of mice treated with GEM plus anti-PD-1 antibody, we observed the increased infiltration of Th1 lymphocytes and M1 macrophages. Gene expression profile analysis of peripheral blood cells obtained from mice treated with GEM plus anti-PD-1 antibody clearly highlighted T cell and innate immune signaling pathways. Survival of PDAC liver metastasis mice was significantly prolonged by the combination therapy (median survival, 66 days) when compared with that of GEM alone treatment (median survival, 56 days). Expanded lymphocytes, which were isolated from the splenocytes of PDAC liver metastasis mice treated with GEM plus anti-PD-1 antibody, had an increased number of M1 macrophages.

Conclusion

The combination of anti-PD-1 antibody immunotherapy with GEM was beneficial to treat a murine model of PDAC liver metastasis by enhancing the immune response mediated by Th1 lymphocytes and M1 macrophages and was associated with CD8+ T cells.
Diabetes mellitus and anterior uveitis secondary to the systemic effects of a functional adrenal tumour in a cat
Authors: Toleson Lauren E , Tamulevicus Amy , Rahilly Louisa
Published: November 2020

A 10‐year‐old, neutered male domestic longhair (DLH) cat presented for evaluation of cloudiness in the anterior chamber of both eyes. He was diagnosed with anterior uveitis, chorioretinitis and systemic hypertension. An abdominal ultrasound (AUS), adrenal panel and urine metanephrine fractionation test were consistent with an oestradiol‐secreting adrenal tumour. Additional testing was consistent with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperthyroidism. A right adrenalectomy was performed and the patient was subsequently determined to have hypoadrenocorticism, though mineralocorticoid deficiency never developed. DM and systemic hypertension resolved following adrenalectomy. The patient was reported to have a good quality of life with steroid supplementation. A hepatic mass, cytologically consistent with metastatic disease, was discovered on AUS 2 years following adrenalectomy. The patient subsequently developed congestive heart failure secondary to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and humane euthanasia was performed.
Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) gene flow across a mountain transition zone in western North America
Authors: Watt C.M. , Kierepka E.M. , Ferreira C.C. , Koen E.L. , Row J.R. , Bowman J. , Wilson P.J. , Murray D.L.
Published: November 2020

Mountain ecotones have the potential to cause multiple patterns in divergence, from simple barrier effects to more fundamental ecological divergence. Most work in mountain ecotones in North America has focused on reinforcement between refugial populations, making prediction of how mountains impact species that are not restricted to separate glacial refugia remains difficult. This study focused on the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis Kerr, 1792), a highly mobile felid considered to be a habitat and dietary specialist. Specifically, we used 14 microsatellite loci and landscape genetic tools to investigate if the Rocky Mountains and associated climatic transitions influence lynx genetic differentiation in western North America. Although lynx exhibited high gene flow across the region, analyses detected structuring of neutral genetic variation across our study area. Gene flow for lynx most strongly related to temperature and elevation compared with other landscape variables (terrain roughness, percent forest cover, and habitat suitability index) and geographic distance alone. Overall, genetic structure in lynx is most consistent with barrier effects created by the Rocky Mountains rather than ecological divergence. Furthermore, warmer temperatures had a measurable impact on gene flow, which suggests connectivity may further decrease in peripheral or fragmented populations as climate warms.
Vertebrate Chromosome Evolution
Authors: Damas Joana , Corbo Marco , Lewin Harris A.
Published: November 2020

The study of chromosome evolution is undergoing a resurgence of interest owing to advances in DNA sequencing technology that facilitate the production of chromosome-scale whole-genome assemblies de novo. This review focuses on the history, methods, discoveries, and current challenges facing the field, with an emphasis on vertebrate genomes. A detailed examination of the literature on the biology of chromosome rearrangements is presented, specifically the relationship between chromosome rearrangements and phenotypic evolution, adaptation, and speciation. A critical review of the methods for identifying, characterizing, and visualizing chromosome rearrangements and computationally reconstructing ancestral karyotypes is presented. We conclude by looking to the future, identifying the enormous technical and scientific challenges presented by the accumulation of hundreds and eventually thousands of chromosome-scale assemblies.
Theory and Technology in Organizational Psychology: A Review of Technology Integration Paradigms and Their Effects on the Validity of Theory
Authors: Landers Richard N. , Marin Sebastian
Published: November 2020

Despite the centrality of technology to understanding how humans in organizations think, feel, and behave, researchers in organizational psychology and organizational behavior even now often avoid theorizing about it. In our review, we identify four major paradigmatic approaches in theoretical approaches to technology, which typically occur in sequence: technology-as-context, technology-as-causal, technology-as-instrumental, and technology-as-designed. Each paradigm describes a typically implicit philosophical orientation toward technology as demonstrated through choices about theory development and research design. Of these approaches, one is unnecessarily limited and two are harmful oversimplifications that we contend have systematically weakened the quality of theory across our discipline. As such, we argue that to avoid creating impractical and even inaccurate theory, researchers must explicitly model technology design. To facilitate this shift, we define technology, present our paradigmatic framework, explain the framework's importance, and provide recommendations across five key domains: personnel selection, training and development, performance management and motivation, groups and teams, and leadership.