bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pressure and flow properties of cannulae for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation I: return (arterial) cannulae
Authors: Broman Lars Mikael , Prahl Wittberg Lisa , Westlund C Jerker , Gilbers Martijn , Perry da Câmara Luisa , Swol Justyna , Taccone Fabio S , Malfertheiner Maximilian V , Di Nardo Matteo , Vercaemst Leen , Barrett Nicholas A , Pappalardo Federico , Belohlavek Jan , Müller Thomas , Belliato Mirko , Lorusso Roberto
Published: April 2019

Adequate extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in the adult requires cannulae permitting blood flows up to 6-8 L/minute. In accordance with Poiseuille’s law, flow is proportional to the fourth power of cannula inner diameter and inversely proportional to its length. Poiseuille’s law can be applied to obtain the pressure drop of an incompressible, Newtonian fluid (such as water) flowing in a cylindrical tube. However, as blood is a pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluid, the validity of Poiseuille’s law is questionable for prediction of cannula properties in clinical practice. Pressure–flow charts with non-Newtonian fluids, such as blood, are typically not provided by the manufacturers. A standardized laboratory test of return (arterial) cannulae for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was performed. The aim was to determine pressure–flow data with human whole blood in addition to manufacturers’ water tests to facilitate an appropriate choice of cannula for the desired flow range. In total, 14 cannulae from three manufacturers were tested. Data concerning design, characteristics, and performance were graphically presented for each tested cannula. Measured blood flows were in most cases 3-21% lower than those provided by manufacturers. This was most pronounced in the narrow cannulae (15-17 Fr) where the reduction ranged from 27% to 40% at low flows and 5-15% in the upper flow range. These differences were less apparent with increasing cannula diameter. There was a marked disparity between manufacturers. Based on the measured results, testing of cannulae including whole blood flows in a standardized bench test would be recommended.
Evaluation of pioneering introduction of integrative and prophetic medicine education in an Arabic medical school (Taibah University, Saudi Arabia): 10 years' experience
Authors: Hamouda Osama , Sweilam Mohammad , Abdellah Antar , El Sayed Salah Mohamed
Published: April 2019

Objective

To assess physicians' attitudes toward integrative medicine (IM), including prophetic medicine (PM), combining the best of modern medicine with the best of alternative and complementary medicine. Most physicians are unfamiliar with IM and PM and may thus be against them and it may communicate that to the public.

Methods

Taibah University (Saudi Arabia) is the sole university in the Arab world with an educational medical course in IM and PM. We assessed IM scientific knowledge and students’ feedback regarding course contents, course design, and teaching methods. A questionnaire was administered to medical students who attended the course.

Results

A total 650 students (264 men, 386 women) participated in the study; 83% considered the IM (including PM) education beneficial. Among them, 49.6% (range, 60% to 100%) reported that they gained medical benefit from studying IM, and 74% expressed strong positive attitudes toward studying IM. Among participants, 65.8% agreed with the current course topics, without the need to add or delete any topics; 95% of students were satisfied with IM and PM education. Students' interest in the branches of IM included all IM subspecialties.

Conclusion

IM and PM education should be globally generalized to all medical students, physicians, and health practitioners, particularly in Arabic universities.
The Italian Rare Pancreatic Exocrine Cancer Initiative
Authors: Brunetti Oronzo , Luchini Claudio , Argentiero Antonella , Tommasi Stefania , Mangia Anita , Aprile Giuseppe , Marchetti Paolo , Vasile Enrico , Casadei Gardini Andrea , Scartozzi Mario , Barni Sandro , Delfanti Sara , De Vita Fernando , Di Costanzo Francesco , Milella Michele , Cella Chiara Alessandra , Berardi Rossana , Cataldo Ivana , Santini Daniele , Doglioni Claudio , Maiello Evaristo , Lawlor Rita T , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Lonardi Sara , Giuliante Felice , Brandi Giovanni , Scarpa Aldo , Cascinu Stefano , Silvestris Nicola
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

Exocrine pancreatic cancers include common type pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and cystic neoplasms, which account for 85% and 10% of cases, respectively. The remaining 5% are rare histotypes, comprising adenosquamous carcinoma, acinar cell carcinoma, signet ring cell carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, pancreatoblastoma, hepatoid carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma and its variant with osteoclast-like giant cells, solid pseudopapillary carcinoma, and carcinosarcoma. Due to their low incidence, little knowledge is available on their clinical and molecular features as well as on treatment choices. The national initiative presented here aims at the molecular characterization of series of rare histotypes for which therapeutic and follow-up data are available.

Methods:

A nationwide Italian Rare Pancreatic Cancer (IRaPaCa) task force whose first initiative is a multicentric retrospective study involving 21 Italian cancer centers to retrieve histologic material and clinical and treatment data of at least 100 patients with rare exocrine pancreatic cancers has been created. After histologic revision by a panel of expert pathologists, DNA and RNA from paraffin tissues will be investigated by next-generation sequencing using molecular pathway–oriented and immune-oriented mutational and expression profiling panels constructed availing of the information from the International Cancer Genome Consortium. Bioinformatic analysis of data will drive validation studies by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, as well as nanostring assays.

Conclusions:

We expect to gather novel data on rare pancreatic cancer types that will be useful to inform the design of therapeutic choices.
A formal Anthropocene is compatible with but distinct from its diachronous anthropogenic counterparts: a response to W.F. Ruddiman’s ‘three flaws in defining a formal Anthropocene’
Authors: Zalasiewicz Jan , Waters Colin N , Head Martin J , Poirier Clément , Summerhayes Colin P , Leinfelder Reinhold , Grinevald Jacques , Steffen Will , Syvitski Jaia , Haff Peter , McNeill John R , Wagreich Michael , Fairchild Ian J , Richter Daniel D , Vidas Davor , Williams Mark , Barnosky Anthony D , Cearreta Alejandro
Published: April 2019

We analyse the ‘three flaws’ to potentially defining a formal Anthropocene geological time unit as advanced by Ruddiman (2018). (1) We recognize a long record of pre-industrial human impacts, but note that these increased in relative magnitude slowly and were strongly time-transgressive by comparison with the extraordinarily rapid, novel and near-globally synchronous changes of post-industrial time. (2) The rules of stratigraphic nomenclature do not ‘reject’ pre-industrial anthropogenic signals – these have long been a key characteristic and distinguishing feature of the Holocene. (3) In contrast to the contention that classical chronostratigraphy is now widely ignored by scientists, it remains vital and widely used in unambiguously defining geological time units and is an indispensable part of the Earth sciences. A mounting body of evidence indicates that the Anthropocene, considered as a precisely defined geological time unit that begins in the mid-20th century, is sharply distinct from the Holocene.
Household Trip Generation and the Built Environment: Does More Density Mean More Trips?
Authors: Zhang Qin , Clifton Kelly J. , Moeckel Rolf , Orrego-Oñate Jaime
Published: April 2019

Trip generation is the first step in the traditional four-step trip-based transportation model and an important transport outcome used in evaluating the impacts of new development. There has been a long debate on the association between trip generation and the built environment, with mixed results. This paper contributes to this debate and approaches the problem with two hypotheses: 1) built environment variables have significant impacts on household total trip generation; and 2) built environment variables have different impacts on trip generation by purpose. This study relied on data from the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area to estimate negative binomial regression models of household trip generation rates across all modes. Results show that the built environment does have significant and positive influences on trip generation, especially for total number of trips, total number of tours, and home-based shopping-related trips. Moreover, log likelihood ratio tests implied that adding built environment to the base model contributed significantly to improving model explanatory and predictability. These findings suggest that transportation demand models should be more sensitive to the effects of the built environment to better reflect the variations in trip making across regions.
Characterisation of bio-oil and its sub-fractions from catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass mixture
Authors: Kar Turgay , Keleş Sedat
Published: April 2019

The present study aim is to characterise catalytic and non-catalytic biomass pyrolysis liquid products. Turkey is the world’s largest hazelnut producer and also ranks fifth in tea production, so a mixture of hazelnut shell, tea bush and hazelnut knot was selected as the biomass sample, and vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) was also used as a catalyst. Considering the biomass mixture and catalyst used, this research is unique for the literature. Bio-oils, which are obtained by catalytic and non-catalytic processes and collected in two sub-fractions, were characterised. The sub-fractions of toluene and ethyl acetate, there was a significant increase in calorific values compared with the mixture without catalyst, because of the decrease in the amount of oxygen and increase in the amount of carbon. The increase in this calorific value in the toluene sub-fraction is about 76% higher than the raw material mixture. In the sub-fractions of toluene and ethyl acetate produced by catalytic pyrolysis, an increase in carbon content was observed when compared with non-catalytic products, while the amounts of oxygen decreased. Considering the results, the toluene sub-fraction is generally composed of phenolic structures. Generally, the ethyl acetate sub-fraction comprises the carbonyl group – containing ketone and aldehyde structures as well as aromatic and phenolic compounds. The resulting bio-oil has the potential to be used as a liquid fuel both in terms of calorific values and in terms of the H/C and O/C ratio.
The Physician’s Role in Responding to Existential Suffering: What Does It Mean to Comfort Always?
Authors: Amonoo Hermioni L. , Harris Jennifer H. , Murphy William S. , Abrahm Janet L. , Peteet John R.
Published: April 2019

Existential suffering is commonly experienced by patients with serious medical illnesses despite the advances in the treatment of physical and psychological symptoms that often accompany incurable diseases. Palliative care (PC) clinicians wishing to help these patients are faced with many barriers including the inability to identify existential suffering, lack of training in how to address it, and time constraints. Although mental health and spiritual care providers play an instrumental role in addressing the existential needs of patients, PC clinicians are uniquely positioned to coordinate the necessary resources for addressing existential suffering in their patients. With this article, we present a case of a patient in existential distress and a framework to equip PC clinicians to assess and address existential suffering.
Global Health Education in Child Neurology and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Training Programs in the United States: A National Survey
Authors: Jimenez-Gomez Andres , Stowe Robert C. , Balasa Alfred , Castillo Jonathan , Lotze Timothy E.
Published: April 2019

Objectives:

To describe the current landscape of opportunities and education in global health among child neurology and neurodevelopmental disabilities training programs and provide a framework for future development of global health education.

Methods:

Authors surveyed Trainee and Program Director groups, obtaining information regarding global health interest, participation and obstacles (trainees); and collaborations in global health, academic yield and obstacles, and global health educational development within the training program (program directors).

Results:

Of identified trainees and program directors, 35% and 48% responded, respectively. Among trainees, 82% reported interest in global health, with 25% reporting influence in program selection. Among program directors, 34% reported global health collaborations, most frequently clinical. Academic yield (conference participation or publications) was described by 46% of programs. Major obstacles described by both groups included administrative issues and funding; however, the latter was most important for program directors but not for trainees. Among program directors, 16% reported global health curricula, with lectures (100%), orientation courses (50%), and pre/post-travel sessions (50%) being commonest elements. The main content included education in public health, resourcefulness, and epidemiology. Half of responding programs offered a formal global health training track, including opportunities in language education (67%) and advanced degrees (33%).

Conclusions:

Similar to other specialties, growing interest in global health among trainees corresponds to growing availability of said opportunities; however, most display significant logistic obstacles and lack curricular development. Potential areas for intervention, including an interdisciplinary approach, and potential benefits to stakeholders are identified for programs wishing to expand in global health education.
Clinical, Neuroimaging, and Electrographic Predictors of Phenobarbital Failure in Newborns With Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Seizures
Authors: Dwivedi Deepak , Lin Nan , Venkatesan Charu , Kline-Fath B. , Holland Katherine , Schapiro Mark
Published: April 2019

Background:

Many neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and seizures do not respond to the first line antiepileptic drug, phenobarbital. Little is known about what factors are associated with its failure.

Objective:

To examine factors associated with failure of phenobarbital therapy in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and seizures.

Design/Methods:

A single-center retrospective review of 50 term (>35 weeks) neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and seizures treated with phenobarbital as the first-line antiepileptic. Neonates were classified into either responders (n = 30) or nonresponders (n = 20). Nonresponse was defined as continued seizures after maximum dosing of phenobarbital or an additional antiepileptic. Subjects with acceptable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans obtained within 2 weeks of birth were included in the study and rated using an MRI injury scoring system. Charts were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables. Resuscitation and seizure scores were also calculated. Electroencephalographic (EEG) background activity was reviewed in 2 different time epochs (12-24 hours and 24-36 hours of life) and graded as per ACNS guidelines.

Results:

There were no significant group differences in demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables except nonresponders, who had higher mean seizure score ( P = .01) and significantly more injury on MRI scan for white matter ( P = .004), parenchymal cortex ( P = .027), and watershed ( P = .009) regions. Neonates with moderately abnormal or severely abnormal background EEG responded poorly to phenobarbital.

Conclusion:

In the presence of above factors, one can anticipate that additional antiepileptic medication may be needed. These data also support that larger studies should be done to look prospectively at using alternative agents first line in patients with severe injury.
Polyvictimization Among Russian Sex Workers: Intimate Partner, Police, and Pimp Violence Cluster With Client Violence
Authors: Peitzmeier Sarah M. , Wirtz Andrea L. , Beyrer Chris , Peryshkina Alena , Sherman Susan G. , Colantuoni Elizabeth , Decker Michele R.
Published: April 2019

Female sex workers (FSW) are a key population in the HIV epidemic and face high levels of violence. While women globally are predominantly at risk of intimate partner violence (IPV), FSW are additionally vulnerable to violence from clients, police, and pimps associated with their occupation. FSW are therefore at risk of cumulative trauma from polyvictimization, or violence from multiple types of perpetrators. Polyvictimization is a driver of morbidity and mortality in numerous populations, but there has been little research on how multiple types of victimization are related to one another in FSW. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 754 FSW from three cities in the Russian Federation. Surveys assessed lifetime experiences of client, police, intimate partner, and pimp violence. Multivariate log-binomial and Poisson regression were used to test associations between these types of violence. Forty-five percent experienced any type of violence, including 31.7% from clients, 16.0% from police, 15.7% from intimate partners, and 11.4% from pimps. One fifth (20.4%) experienced polyvictimization. Client violence was central to polyvictimization: Only 5.9% of polyvictimization occurs without client violence. When client violence was not present, police, pimp, or IPV co-occurred significantly less than would be expected under an assumption that these types of violence occur independently ( p < .001). However, they co-occurred more than would be expected when client violence is present. After adjusting for other types of violence experienced and demographic factors, experiencing client violence was independently associated with police violence (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 2.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.67, 4.59]), IPV (ARR = 3.67, 95% CI [1.95, 6.89]), and pimp violence (ARR = 5.26, 95% CI [2.80, 9.86]). Client violence may drive exposure to other types of violence and enable polyvictimization in a way that other types of violence do not in this setting. Violence prevention interventions may achieve maximal effect in reducing multiple types of violence by focusing on client violence.
Running-in behaviour of thermal barrier coatings in the combustion chamber of a diesel engine
Authors: Thibblin Anders , Kianzad Siamak , Jonsson Stefan , Olofsson Ulf
Published: April 2019

Thermal barrier coatings have the potential to improve the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty diesel engines by reducing heat losses. A method for in-situ measurement of heat flux from the combustion chamber of a heavy-duty diesel engine has been developed and was used to study the running-in behaviour of different thermal barrier coating materials and types of microstructures. The in-situ measurements show that the initial heat flux was reduced by up to 4.7% for all investigated thermal barrier coatings compared to a steel reference, except for an yttria-stabilized zirconia coating with sealed pores that had an increase of 12.0% in heat flux. Gd2Zr2O7 had the lowest initial value for heat flux. However, running-in shows the lowest values for yttria-stabilized zirconia after 2–3 h. Potential spallation problems were observed for Gd2Zr2O7 and La2Zr2O7.
Rahul Gandhi on Twitter: An Analysis of Brand Building Through Twitter by the Leader of the Main Opposition Party in India
Authors: Antil Anjuman , Verma Harsh V.
Published: April 2019

The article analyses the tweets of Rahul Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress (INC), the largest opposition party in India. The analysis covers his tweets over a period of around 6 months from the date he took over as the President of the INC. The study determines the main themes underlying his tweets, the frequency of words and phrases appearing in the text of the tweets and the sentiments conveyed through his Twitter communication. Also, as a special subset, a comparison of Gandhi’s tweets campaigning for elections to the legislative assembly of Karnataka, which were held during the sample period, has been made with those of his political rival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the most followed Indian on Twitter, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of Gandhi’s Twitter campaign in comparison with those of Modi have been brought out. Overall, the study highlights the effective use of Twitter as a political communication tool and how its data can be harnessed using different ways.
Social Support Network Types and Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in South Korea
Authors: Kim Young Bum , Lee Seung Hee
Published: April 2019

The purposes of this study were to derive empirical types of social support networks in a sample of 1000 community-dwelling, older Koreans 65 years of age or older and examine which types of social support network are associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptom was assessed using the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale–Short Form. Using K-means cluster analysis, we identified 4 social support network types: friend, family, restricted, and diverse. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that diverse and family support networks were protective against depressive symptoms, whereas restricted support networks were least. Encouraging older people to develop a variety of social support networks with family and friends may help prevent depressive symptoms in the community-dwelling elderly. These findings extended prior studies and provided valuable information on how to prevent depressive symptoms of the community-dwelling elderly.
Trends in Diabetes Mortality by Gender in Urban and Rural Areas in China From 2003 to 2012: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Kou Changgui , Bai Wei , Hua Wanqing , Yu Weiying , Song Yan , Liu Xinyu , Li Wenjun
Published: April 2019

We aimed to provide updated estimates for the trends and the effects attributable to age, period, and cohort by gender in urban and rural areas in China. The data were based on the vital registration system in China from 2003 to 2012. The annual percentage change used Joinpoint Regression Analysis. Spline functions were fitted to the age-period-cohort analysis. The average age-adjusted diabetes mortality rate was higher in women than in men, and it was higher in urban than in rural residents among both genders. The trend analysis of diabetes showed a favorable pattern among urban residents in both genders. Mortality increased with age, and compared with period and cohort effects, age effects were the most important risk factor in diabetes mortality. Although the overall trends in diabetes mortality decelerated, aging and rural-urban differences could still be driving the epidemic underlining a continued need for the priorities for health care programs to focus on predictors in diabetes mortality.
The Evolution of Active Shooter Response Training Protocols Since Columbine: Lessons From the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center
Authors: Martaindale M. Hunter , Blair J. Pete
Published: April 2019

On April 20, 1999, two active shooters attacked Columbine High School. This attack became a catalyst that changed the manner in which law enforcement prepared for similar attacks at schools and other locations. Departments across the United States developed and adopted active shooter response training protocols. To assist law enforcement with this work, training centers were created including the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center. ALERRT was formed in 2002 and was named the national standard in active shooter training by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2013. To date, ALERRT has trained more than 130,000 first responders from over 9,000 agencies in active shooter response. This commentary leverages our extensive expertise as directors of ALERRT. Specifically, we discuss how training protocols have evolved over the last two decades to include active shooter response teams, solo officer response, medical intervention training, integrated response training, and civilian response.
Dissipative systems and living bodies
Authors: Barrett Nathaniel F
Published: April 2019

I agree with Villalobos and Razeto-Barry’s main argument that living beings are autopoietic bodies. I suggest, however, that if we apply this definition of life to a consideration of living beings as dissipative systems, we find opportunities for further refinement. I propose that living bodies are autopoietic bodies that maintain themselves by using their boundaries to control their constituent processes of dissipative adaptation.
Sex Differences in Multilevel Factors of Smoking Experimentation and Age of Initiation in Korean Adolescents
Authors: Kim Eun-Mi , Park Eunhee , Kim Heejung
Published: April 2019

This study purpose was to investigate sex differences in multilevel factors associated with smoking experimentation and age of initiation among Korean adolescents. Based on the ecological model, this cross-sectional study used data from the 2016 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey ( N = 65,528). Among 33,803 males (51.6%) and 31,725 females (48.4%), a greater proportion of males (21.9%) than females (7.1%) engaged in smoking experimentation. Males started smoking earlier than females (males: 12.7 years, females: 12.9 years, respectively, p < .05). In both sex groups, common factors associated with smoking were age, depression, suicidal ideation, academic achievement, household economic status, and having friends smoking and a specific person to talk with about their personal concern (all p values <.05). There were significant sex differences in psychological, family, and school factors of smoking initiation and experimentation. It is necessary to develop smoking interventions considering both individual and environmental factors with sex-specific strategies.
Primary Thrombophilia in Mexico XIII: Localization of the Thrombotic Events in Mexican Mestizos With the Sticky Platelet Syndrome
Authors: Azamar-Solis Brizeida , Cantero-Fortiz Yahveth , Olivares-Gazca Juan Carlos , Olivares-Gazca Jesús Mauricio , Gómez-Cruz Gisela Berenice , Murrieta-Álvarez Iván , Ruiz-Delgado Guillermo J. , Ruiz-Argüelles Guillermo J.
Published: April 2019

The sticky platelet syndrome (SPS) is a common cause of both arterial and venous thrombosis, being a dominant autosomal disease with qualitative platelet alterations and familial occurrence. It is characterized by platelet hyperreactivity with increased platelet aggregability in response to low concentrations of platelet agonists: epinephrine, adenosine diphosphate, or both. The clinical manifestations involve venous or arterial thrombosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and fetal growth retardation. To analyze the localization of the thrombotic episodes in a cohort of Mexican mestizo patients with SPS. Between 1992 and 2016, 86 Mexican mestizo patients with SPS as the single thrombophilic condition were prospectively identified; all of them had a history of thrombosis. There were 15 males and 71 females. The thrombotic episodes were arterial in 26 cases and venous in 60 (70%). Arterial thrombosis was mainly pulmonary thromboembolism, whereas venous thromboses were identified most frequently in the lower limbs. Mexican mestizo population with SPS is mainly female; the type I of the condition is the most frequent; both arterial and venous thrombosis can occur, and they are mainly pulmonary embolism and lower limbs venous thrombosis, respectively.
Analytical solution for magneto-thermo-elastic responses of an annular functionally graded sandwich disk by considering internal heat generation and convective boundary condition
Authors: Dini Ali , Nematollahi Mohammad Amin , Hosseini Mohammad
Published: April 2019

In this paper, an exact solution for stress distribution of a rotating sandwich disk subjected to magnetic, thermal fields, and convection heat transfer with the consideration of internal heat generation is presented. The sandwich disk is composed of three different layers in which the central layer is made of functionally graded material, whereas the inner and outer layers are made from pure metal and ceramic materials, respectively. All mechanical and thermal properties of the central layer are assumed to obey a power-law form in the radial direction with different non-homogeneity constants. Axisymmetric temperature distributions in each layer are obtained by solving Fourier heat conduction equation. By substituting the constitutive equations in equilibrium equation, a second-order differential equation in terms of radial displacement for each layer is derived by considering centrifugal force and Lorentz magnetic force obtained from Maxwell’s relations. Thereafter, the governing equations are analytically solved and radial displacement, radial and circumferential stresses for the current disk are obtained. Numerical simulations reveal the effects of internal heat generation, convection heat transfer, magnetic field, material properties, and angular velocity on the magneto-thermo-elastic response of the functionally graded sandwich disk. Also, a comparison study between metal, functionally graded, ceramic, and functionally graded sandwich disks is performed.
Galectins in the Pathogenesis of Cerebrovascular Accidents: An Overview
Authors: Abel William F , Funk Christopher Ronald , Blenda Anna V
Published: April 2019

Due to limitations of neuroimaging, such as the isodense appearance of blood to neuronal tissue in subacute hemorrhagic stroke, a body of studies have been performed to evaluate candidate biomarkers which may aid in accurate determination of cerebrovascular accident type. Beyond aiding in the delineation of stroke cause, biomarkers could also confer useful prognostic information to help clinicians plan use of resources. One of the candidate biomarkers studied for detection of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) includes a class of proteins called galectins. Galectins bind β-galactoside through a highly conserved carbohydrate recognition domain, endowing an ability to interact with carbohydrate moieties on glycoproteins, some of which are relevant to CVA response. Furthermore, galectins-1, -2, -3, -9, and -12 are expressed in tissues relevant to CVA, and some exhibit characteristics (eg, extracellular secretion) that could render feasible their detection in serum. Galectins-1 and -3 appear to have the largest amounts of preclinical evidence, consistently demonstrating increased activity and expression levels during CVA. However, a lack of standardization of biochemical assays across cohort studies limits further translation of these basic science studies. This review aims to increase awareness of the biochemical roles of galectins in CVA, while also highlighting challenges and remaining questions preventing the translation of basic science observations into a clinically useful test.
Analysis of general low-amplitude roughness in rolling–sliding elastohydrodynamic contacts including thermal effects
Authors: Hooke Chris J , Morales-Espejel Guillermo E
Published: April 2019

In a previous paper, the authors developed a method for calculating the behaviour of low-amplitude, sinusoidal roughness in line contacts including the effect of temperature changes in the fluid and surfaces. The present paper extends the analysis to cover all low-amplitude surface roughness.
Sexual experiences of clinically referred adolescents with features of gender dysphoria
Authors: Kaltiala-Heino Riittakerttu , Työläjärvi Marja , Lindberg Nina
Published: April 2019

Gender dysphoria in adolescence could be expected to be associated with delayed sexual development because of the distress related to the sexual characteristics of the body. However, identity challenges may also increase early and risk-taking sexual behaviours among adolescents with gender dysphoria. We studied sexual experiences among 101 adolescents, attending an adolescent gender identity service, desiring gender reassignment. Their experiences were compared to the sexual experiences of the same-aged population, evaluated in a large adolescent survey. A majority of adolescents with gender dysphoria had been in love or had a crush on somebody. Birth assigned females had experiences of romantic relationships twice as commonly as birth assigned males. Otherwise, there was no statistically significant difference in the adolescents’ sexual experiences. About half of the subjects had experiences of kissing, and about 40% had intimate (genital) sexual experiences with a partner. Compared to the general adolescent population, adolescents with gender dysphoria were less experienced. Autism spectrum disorder was associated with more delayed sexual development.
How proximal are pescatarians to vegetarians? An investigation of dietary identity, motivation, and attitudes toward animals
Authors: Rosenfeld Daniel L , Tomiyama A Janet
Published: April 2019

Research on the psychology of eating behavior often treats vegetarians as a monolithic group. Yet, a considerable proportion of people (17% in Study 1) who self-identify as vegetarian are actually pescatarians—those who forgo all meats except fish. Research on the psychology of pescatarianism is profoundly lacking, which may hinder future interventionists’ efforts to improve diet. Through two preregistered studies of adults from the United States recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (total N = 490), we investigated pescatarianism with respect to dietary identity, motivation, and attitudes toward animals. Results suggest that future research may benefit from studying pescatarians as a distinct dietary group and paying greater attention to whether or not pescatarians self-identify as vegetarian.
Towards a state of play: A case study exploring insight-oriented musical experiences with a woman with severe brain injury
Authors: Swaney Maybelle
Published: April 2019

This article presents an improvisational approach to insight-oriented therapy in music therapy with a woman with severe cognitive impairments following haemorrhagic stroke. Analysis of five clinical excerpts across 40 sessions demonstrates how a prepared improvised musical experience can facilitate meaningful self-exploration in dialogue, leading to a renewed self-identity in life after brain injury. The therapist’s reflective processing is integral to the therapeutic outcomes; these are examined alongside the casework material. This article suggests that insight-oriented musical experiences may be one way of supporting the emotional health of individuals living with the enduring consequences of severe brain injury in slow-stream rehabilitation or long-term neurological care.
Hypokalaemia with flaccid paralysis following high-voltage electrical injury in an adolescent patient
Authors: Bird R , Naji S , Vowles B , Shaw A , Martin NA
Published: April 2019

The authors present a case report of a previously healthy 15-year-old male who experienced global weakness in the presence of profound hypokalaemia following a high-voltage electrical arc injury. The clinical picture is discussed in the context of our evolving understanding of electrical injuries and potassium homeostasis.
The impact of vibration response due to rolling bearing components waviness on the performance of grinding machine spindle system
Authors: Alfares Mohammed , Al-Daihani Ghanim , Baroon Jasim
Published: April 2019

In this research, an analytical model based on a five-degrees-of-freedom nonlinear dynamical system was utilized to investigate the impact of vibration response due to inner race, outer race, and ball bearing waviness on the performance of grinding machine spindle system supported by two angular ball bearings. The waviness of rolling elements is modeled as a sinusoidal function is incorporated along the inner or outer races of bearing and ball surface. The elastic deflection and nonlinear contact force are calculated based on Hertzian contact model, while the shaft has five-degrees-of-freedom motions, three translational and two angular motions. The five–degrees-of-freedom nonlinear governing equations of the spindle system were developed taking into consideration the effect of outer race, inner race, and ball surface waviness, which are included in the kinematic constraints and force equilibrium equations of a ball. The developed model and its results are validated against results found in literature. Results by this paper indicate that the inner race waviness can significantly distort the tolerance and machining quality of grinding spindle-bearing systems more than does waviness in the outer race and ball elements. This is because the inner race waviness generates more complicated vibrations than the outer race and ball waviness. The most severe vibrations caused by the inner race waviness were found to occur when the waviness was of the order that is equal to multiple of number of balls in a bearing set plus or minus one ([Formula: see text]).
Passing on the good vibes: Entrepreneurs’ social support
Authors: Nielsen Mette Søgaard
Published: April 2019

This study investigates whether the emotional support individuals have available from their social network influences the likelihood that they in turn provide instrumental support to entrepreneurs they know: if they pass on the good vibes. Hypotheses are tested on a Danish data set consisting of individuals who know a nascent entrepreneur ( N = 392). The article demonstrates how emotional support made available to individuals from their social network impacts the likelihood of them providing entrepreneurs with instrumental support. Furthermore, findings show how the relation between available emotional support and the provision of instrumental support depends on culturally defined norms associated with various role-relationships and gender. The study contributes to existing theory by changing the perspective from focusing only on differences in characteristics between entrepreneurs to how the individuals in entrepreneurs’ social networks differ in characteristics and how this affects their social support to entrepreneurs. Furthermore, a significant contribution is the demonstration of how the provision of social support to entrepreneurs is contingent on different role-relationships.
Effect of Ti on dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization performance over bulk Ni2P
Authors: Han Chunbao , Song Hua , Jiang Nan , Chen Yanguang , Li Feng , Hao Tianzhen
Published: April 2019

A series of Ti-incorporated bulk Ni2P catalysts was prepared by means of temperature-programmed reduction, and the role of metallic Ti on the structure and catalytic activity of the Ni2P catalysts was studied. For this purpose, bulk Ni2P catalysts with metal Ti contents of 0.005 wt%, 0.01 wt%, and 0.02 wt% were synthesized. X-ray diffraction, CO uptake, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were utilized to characterize the catalysts. Addition of titanium could increase the surface area and promote the formation of small, highly dispersed Ni2P particles. The Ti0.02-Ni2P system with a Ti molar fraction of 0.02 showed the highest hydrodesulfurization activity of 99.6%, which was an increase of 44% compared with that found for the bulk Ni2P.
Improving Hospital Safety Culture for Falls Prevention Through Interdisciplinary Health Education
Authors: Lopez-Jeng Cassie , Eberth Steven D.
Published: April 2019

Background. Falls are a serious public health problem, with an estimated 37.3 million falls a year requiring medical assistance. Improving hospital culture to address safety and falls prevention is a major organizational challenge that requires interdisciplinary teams and evidence-based education to change individual behaviors and improve outcomes. Methods. We collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of health practitioners at a critical access hospital to develop a health education program tailored to their internal assessment of falls and safety issues. The resulting program used the Five As behavior change model and evidence-based health education. Education session activities and posttests were used to measure participant outcomes, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture was distributed hospital-wide to measure patient safety culture pre- and postintervention. Results. Participants reported increased knowledge, attitudes, and motivations with attendance at education sessions. The AHRQ Hospital Survey showed positive improvements in 10 of the 11 composite categories, 4 of which were statistically significant. Conclusion. The use of the Five As, along with an interdisciplinary health education approach, can improve individual hospital employee falls prevention knowledge, attitudes, and motivations. That individual-level change can improve patient safety culture at the organizational level.
Treatment of Diabetic Foot Gangrene Using the STAGE Principle: A Case Series
Authors: Zhu Chaojun , Yue Ping , Lü Jiakang , Liu Xianzhou , Huo Lei , Zhang Zhaohui
Published: April 2019

Diabetic foot gangrene with lower extremity ischemia can preclude amputation. However, wound treatment principles based on the Wagner classification system are lacking. We proposed the STAGE principle for the surgical management of diabetic foot wounds. The STAGE principle guides surgical intervention during the wound treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and emphasizes that “based on anatomical layers, the management focuses on blood supply and includes layer-by-layer incision to the infected area, maintenance of effective wound drainage, and step-by-step treatment of the wound.” We applied the STAGE principle for the treatment of 7 patients with an ankle brachial index <0.5 and Wagner grade 4 diabetic foot gangrene. The average ankle brachial index was 0.42 (0.32-0.48; SD = 0.06), and male patients smoked an average of 1.28 packs/day (0.4-2; SD = 0.63). The average wound duration was 45.86 days (14-63 days; SD = 18.46). The average wound healing time was 8.86 months (5-13 months; SD = 2.36). The follow-up time was 37.71 months (3-84 months; SD = 25.04; median = 36 months). Patient 1 received endovascular interventional therapy twice for the lower extremity artery, and the wound healed. After 3 months of follow-up, the patient exhibited recurrence. After the third application of endovascular interventional therapy for the lower extremity artery, the blood supply was improved, and the wound healed after 1 month. In summary, the treatment of 7 cases of diabetic foot gangrene with severe lower extremity ischemia using the STAGE principle resulted in remarkable efficacy.
Retention and Academic Success of First-Year Student-Athletes and Intramural Sports Participants
Authors: McElveen Michael , Ibele Kelly
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the relationship of intramural sports and Division III athletic participation to retention and academic success in first-year college students. A first-year student cohort ( n = 568) was grouped into four categories: no participation, student-athlete, intramural participant, and participant in both. There was no statistically significant difference in academic success among the participant groups, F(6, 1084) = .626, p = .710. Both the student-athlete and intramural participant groups were retained at a higher rate than the no participation group, 4.65% and 10.48%, respectively. Of the 46 student-athletes who discontinued playing varsity sports, only 17 remained at the institution. This investigation supports that intramural sports and Division III varsity athletic participation does not negatively affect grade point average and credit hours earned in first-year students, while demonstrating a positive relationship with retention. The results also highlight the need for intentional intervention and research related to the disengaged student-athlete.
Research on working principle and cross-track cutting characteristic of the axis-tilted rock-breaking tool
Authors: Ren Haitao , Yang Yingxin , Zhou Chunxiao , Niu Shiwei , Zhang Chunliang , Huang Kuilin
Published: April 2019

Concentric-track cutting method of a conventional polycrystalline diamond compact bit makes the bit suffer from inadequate rock-penetrating capacity and severely hinders the improvement of rock-breaking efficiency. Nevertheless, cross-track cutting method is already proved to be an effective way to improve the penetrating ability of the bit. Accordingly, a novel rock-breaking tool with tilted rotating axis is put forward in this article. In this research, first, the structural characteristics of the rock-breaking tool with tilted rotating axis are introduced in detail, relation equations of key geometric parameters of the bit are established, and coordinates of the feature points of the cutters are represented. Second, tracks and motion tendency of the cutters in different areas, as well as the bottom-hole coverage pattern, are respectively analyzed, and the influences of different factors on cutter motion are compared. Third, corresponding indoor experiment is conducted to research the influences of revolution/rotation ratio and axis-tilt angle on drilling efficiency, and the rock particles are compared to reveal the rock-breaking mechanism of the tool. This research is intended to provide basic theoretical support for the engineering application of the tool and is of certain referential significance to improving the rock-breaking efficiency in formations of poor drillability.
Confidence random tree-based algorithm for mobile robot path planning considering the path length and safety
Authors: Kim Yong Nyeon , Ko Dong Wook , Suh Il Hong
Published: April 2019

This article introduces a novel confidence random tree-based sampling path planning algorithm for mobile service robots operating in real environments. The algorithm is time efficient, can accommodate narrow corridors, enumerates possible solutions, and minimizes the cost of the path. These benefits are realized by incorporating notable approaches from other existing path planning algorithms into the proposed algorithm. During path selection, the algorithm considers the length and safety of each path via a sampling and rejection method. The algorithm operates as follows. First, the confidence of a path is computed based on the clearance required to ensure the safety of the robot, where the clearance is defined as the distance between the path and the closest obstacle. Then, the sampling method generates a tree graph in which the edge lengths are controlled by the confidence. In a low confidence space, such as a narrow corridor, the corresponding graph has denser samples with short edges while in a high confidence space, the samples are widely spaced with longer edges. Finally, a rejection method is employed to ensure a reasonably short computation time by optimizing the sample density by rejecting unnecessary samples. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated by comparing the experimental results to those of several commonly used algorithms.
Hypertension in pregnancy: Pathophysiology and treatment
Authors: Braunthal Stephanie , Brateanu Andrei
Published: April 2019

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, an umbrella term that includes preexisting and gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, complicate up to 10% of pregnancies and represent a significant cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Despite the differences in guidelines, there appears to be consensus that severe hypertension and non-severe hypertension with evidence of end-organ damage need to be controlled; yet the ideal target ranges below 160/110 mmHg remain a source of debate. This review outlines the definition, pathophysiology, goals of therapy, and treatment agents used in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.