bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cocoa to Improve Walking Performance in Older People With Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: McDermott Mary M. , Criqui Michael H. , Domanchuk Kathryn , Ferrucci Luigi , Guralnik Jack M. , Kibbe Melina R. , Kosmac Kate , Kramer Christopher M. , Leeuwenburgh Christiaan , Li Lingyu , Lloyd-Jones Donald , Peterson Charlotte A. , Polonsky Tamar S. , Stein James H. , Sufit Robert , Van Horn Linda , Villarreal Francisco , Zhang Dongxue , Zhao Lihui , Tian Lu
Published: February 2020

Rationale:

Cocoa and its major flavanol component, epicatechin, have therapeutic properties that may improve limb perfusion and increase calf muscle mitochondrial activity in people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Objective:

In a phase II randomized clinical trial, to assess whether 6 months of cocoa improved walking performance in people with PAD, compared with placebo.

Methods and Results:

Six-month double-blind, randomized clinical trial in which participants with PAD were randomized to either cocoa beverage versus placebo beverage. The cocoa beverage contained 15 g of cocoa and 75 mg of epicatechin daily. The identical appearing placebo contained neither cocoa nor epicatechin. The 2 primary outcomes were 6-month change in 6-minute walk distance measured 2.5 hours after a study beverage at 6-month follow-up and 24 hours after a study beverage at 6-month follow-up, respectively. A 1-sided
P
<0.10 was considered statistically significant. Of 44 PAD participants randomized (mean age, 72.3 years [±7.1]; mean ankle brachial index, 0.66 [±0.15]), 40 (91%) completed follow-up. Adjusting for smoking, race, and body mass index, cocoa improved 6-minute walk distance at 6-month follow-up by 42.6 m ([90% CI, +22.2 to +∞]
P
=0.005) at 2.5 hours after a final study beverage and by 18.0 m ([90% CI, −1.7 to +∞]
P
=0.12) at 24 hours after a study beverage, compared with placebo. In calf muscle biopsies, cocoa improved mitochondrial COX (cytochrome c oxidase) activity (
P
=0.013), increased capillary density (
P
=0.014), improved calf muscle perfusion (
P
=0.098), and reduced central nuclei (
P
=0.033), compared with placebo.

Conclusions:

These preliminary results suggest a therapeutic effect of cocoa on walking performance in people with PAD. Further study is needed to definitively determine whether cocoa significantly improves walking performance in people with PAD.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02876887.

Visual Overview:

An online visual overview is available for this article.
User Behavior and the Importance of Stereo for Depth Perception in Fish Tank Virtual Reality
Authors: Kongsilp Sirisilp , Dailey Matthew N.
Published: February 2020

Since one of the most important aspects of a Fish Tank Virtual Reality (FTVR) system is how well it provides the illusion of depth to users, we present a study that evaluates users' depth perception in FTVR systems using three tasks. The tasks are based on psychological research on human vision and depth judgments common in VR applications. We find that participants do not perform well under motion parallax cues only, when compared with stereo only or a combination of both kinds of cues. Measurements of participants' head movement during each task prove valuable in explaining the experimental findings. We conclude that FTVR users rely on stereopsis for depth perception in FTVR environments more than they do on motion parallax, especially for tasks requiring depth acuity.
Effects of Throughput Delay on Perception of Robot Teleoperation and Head Control Precision in Remote Monitoring Tasks
Authors: Orlosky Jason , Theofilis Konstantinos , Kiyokawa Kiyoshi , Nagai Yukie
Published: February 2020

For robot teleoperators, replicating head motion in a remote environment is often necessary to complete monitoring and face-to-face service tasks. Especially in the case of a stereoscopic camera rig, remote cameras need to be moved to match the operator's head position and optical axes in order to interact with a remote entity, follow targets, or reorient. However, mechanical, computational, and network delay in such teleoperation can cause intersensory conflict, perceptual deficits, and reduction in performance, especially during activities that require head rotation. In this article, we evaluate the effects of view reconstruction on performance and perception for remote monitoring tasks. To do so, we first implemented a panoramic reconstruction method to reduce perceived latency in a humanoid robot, which allows us to compare and contrast latency. Next, we designed a bidirectional remote control system for the robot and set up a series of experiments where participants had to conduct focused head control tasks through the perspective of the robot. This allowed us to compare the effects of latency on head movement, accuracy, and subjective perception of the interface and remote teleoperation. Results showed that panoramic reconstruction significantly improved perception and comfort during teleoperation, but that performance only improved for tasks requiring slower head movements.
Type 2 Machine Learning: An Effective Hybrid Prediction Model for Early Type 2 Diabetes Detection
Authors: Albahli Saleh
Published: February 2020

Importance: Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause long term damage to various parts of the body. To prevent diabetic complications, different attempts integrating machine learning with medicine have been made for building models to predict whether a patient has diabetes
or not, but predicting this disease still has room for improvement. Hybrid prediction model presents a novel method and mostly achieve a much better optimal outcome than single classical machine learning algorithms. Objective: To develop a high accuracy model for different onsets of
type 2 diabetes prediction. In this way, the integration between clustering and classification techniques can be improved to help detecting diabetes at an earlier stage without deleting observations with missing values and also decrease insignificant features to get the most related features
during data collection. Methods: We implement a noise reduction based technique using Kmeans clustering followed by running the Random forest and XGBoost classifiers to extract the unknown hidden features of the dataset and for more accurate results. Results: Prediction accuracy
can be observed by benchmarking our model against up-to-date predictive models and common classification algorithms. With an accuracy of 97.53% by 10 fold cross validation, our T2ML model reaches a better accuracy compared with other experiments reported by other researchers in the literature
and over various conventional classification algorithms.
A Systematic Review of the Impact of Sports on Body Posture in Adolescents
Authors: Xing Lifu , Popik Sergey
Published: February 2020

Purpose: A correct body posture plays an important role in people’s health, especially for children and adolescents who are in intensive development. Exercise regularly can increase their health, but there is also an adverse influence on children and adolescents. Thus this
review evaluates the impacts of basketball, volleyball, football, gymnast training on the body posture of adolescents. Methods: The literature collect was complete through databases which included Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Eight of 480 studies met the inclusion criteria.
The collecting articles have assessed the impact of the sport of basketball, volleyball, football, and gymnast on body posture. Result and Conclusion: According to the analysis, the sport of basketball and volleyball play a negative effect on adolescent’s body posture and deviation
of body posture increase as training time longer. Further research is required to be done to investigate football training to affect body posture because no studies are confirming the effect of football on body posture. However, gymnast training showed a symmetrical body posture, but the changes
of the spine in the sagittal plane in adolescents are worthy of attention. Therefore, it is important to notice that the training program not only aims at the outcome but also promote the harmonious development of the adolescent.
Cooperative Enhancement Solar Hydrogen Generation of Reformed g-C3N4/TiO2 Mesocrystals Composites
Authors: Huang Jingran , Yang Xiaofei , Hussain Shahid , Tao Junnan , Liu Gui-Wu , Qiao Guan-Jun
Published: February 2020

Using template-free process of KOH modified g-C3N4 and solvothermal methods, TC-x composites are synthesized successfully. The morphological characteristics, crystal and chemical composite of the reformed TC-x composites are studied by a series of
characterization instruments and methods. Furthermore, TC-x composites is investigated as photocatalytic water splitting hydrogen catalyst. Under simulated sunlight illumination, the amount of reformed g-C3N4 added obvious effects on photocatalytic properties of
TC-x composites. The results of hydrogen (H2) production show that reformed with 100 mg g-C3N4 are 1.5 times higher efficiency than that of TiO2 Mesocrystals. Its outstanding catalytic properties are attributed to the effective electron–hole
separation which robust charge transfer and reduction capability. The mechanism of increasing hydrogen evolution activity and possible reasons for improving photocatalytic efficiency is also explained. This finding about g-C3N4/TiO2 composites provides a new
idea for synthesis and application of a new type of photocatalytic material for energy and environment.
The Importance of Relative Wind Speed in Estimating Air–Sea Turbulent Heat Fluxes in Bulk Formulas: Examples in the Bohai Sea
Authors: Song Xiangzhou
Published: February 2020

Sea surface currents are commonly neglected when estimating the air–sea turbulent heat fluxes in bulk formulas. Using buoy observations in the Bohai Sea, this paper investigated the effects of near-coast multiscale currents on the quantification of turbulent heat fluxes, namely, latent heat flux (LH) and sensible heat flux (SH). The maximum current reached 1 m s−1 in magnitude, and a steady northeastward current of 0.16 m s−1 appeared in the southern Bohai Strait. The predominant tidal signal was the semidiurnal current, followed by diurnal components. The mean absolute surface wind was from the northeast with a speed of approximately 3 m s−1. The surface winds at a height of 11 m were dominated by the East Asian monsoon. As a result of upwind flow, the monthly mean differences in LH and SH between the estimates with and without surface currents ranged from 1 to 2 W m−2 in July (stable boundary layer) and November (unstable boundary layer). The hourly differences were on average 10 W m−2 and ranged from 0 to 24 W m−2 due to changes in the relative wind speed by high-frequency rotating surface tidal currents. The diurnal variability in LH/SH was demonstrated under stable and unstable boundary conditions. Observations provided an accurate benchmark for flux comparisons. The newly updated atmospheric reanalysis products MERRA-2 and ERA5 were superior to the 1° OAFlux data at this buoy location. However, future efforts in heat flux computation are still needed to, for example, consider surface currents and resolve diurnal variations.
Sexual harassment and violence at Australian music festivals: Reporting practices and experiences of festival attendees
Authors: Fileborn Bianca , Wadds Phillip , Tomsen Stephen
Published: February 2020

Despite the well-documented under-reporting of sexual violence, to date, no research has considered reporting practices within the specific context of music festivals. Drawing on 16 in-depth interviews with victim-survivors, this article examines survivors’ experiences of (non)reporting sexual violence in festival settings. We argue that while some barriers to reporting are shared across contexts, others play out in context-specific ways. Our research argues that the liberal, often transgressive culture of music festivals, combined with site-specific policing practices and spatial context, creates unique impediments to reporting with particular implications in responding to, and aiming to prevent, sexual violence at music festivals.
Screening, Counseling, and Health Care Utilization Among a National Sample of Adolescent Smokers
Authors: Merianos Ashley L. , Mahabee-Gittens E. Melinda
Published: February 2020

Our objective was to assess the association between cigarette smoking and tobacco use screening and advising to quit use by a clinician among adolescents nationwide. We also examined the relationships between smoking and health-related indicators and health care utilization. A secondary analysis of the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted (N = 11 884). Ever smokers were less likely to be screened for tobacco use. Current smokers and those who were nicotine dependent were more likely to have been advised to quit use. Ever and current smokers were significantly more likely to report good/fair/poor health status, illness-related school absenteeism in the past 30 days, and were more likely to have had an emergency department visit or an overnight hospital stay. Standardized tobacco control efforts are needed in health care settings to support clinicians to screen all adolescents for tobacco use and advise every smoker irrespective of smoking frequency to quit use.
The mechanical and physical properties of nylon 6/glass fiber-reinforced hybrid composites manufactured by thermal and ultraviolet-cured pultrusion methods
Authors: Alikhani Hossein , Sharifzadeh Fatemeh , Khoramishad Hadi
Published: February 2020

In this study, the effect of hybridizing glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites with nylon 6 fibers on the physical and mechanical properties of composites was investigated experimentally. The ultraviolet-cured and thermal pultrusion methods were employed for manufacturing the glass fiber-reinforced polymer and hybrid composite rods containing different volume percentages of nylon 6 fibers at low and high temperatures. The effects of the nylon 6 fibers and the pultrusion methods were investigated on the curing degree, the void content, the diameter expansion, the surface characteristics, and the quasi-static tensile and Charpy impact properties of the composite rods. The ultraviolet-cured hybrid composites showed superior mechanical properties than the thermally cured samples indicating the sensitivity of nylon 6 fibers to high-temperature curing. Moreover, the curing speed of ultraviolet-cured pultrusion was significantly higher than the thermal pultrusion. Delamination and fiber pull-out were the dominant damage mechanisms in the hybrid composites due to the low interfacial strength between the nylon 6 fibers and matrix.
If You Don’t Know, Now You Know: Utilizing Hip-Hop Pedagogy as a Tool for Promoting Change in Students and Community
Authors: Hains Bryan J. , Salazar Janela , Hains Kristina D. , Hill John C.
Published: February 2020

Hip-hop began in the 1970s as an artistic response to social, political, and economic oppression within African American communities in the United States. This artivist movement allowed community members to convey social inequities through music. Decades later, educators have begun using hip-hop as an educational tool. Our study examined whether hip-hop, as an educational pedagogy, could be a catalyst for perceived community change, inside and outside a collegiate classroom. Results suggested that hip-hop pedagogy can be a positive tool in student learning and community change, creating a safe educational space encouraging inclusion, self-expression, and student/instructor engagement.
The Role of Social Networks on Depressive Symptoms: A Comparison of Older Koreans in Three Geographic Areas
Authors: Park Nan Sook , Jang Yuri , Chiriboga David A. , Chung Soondool
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of depressive symptoms among older Korean adults in three geographic locations with varying densities of the Korean population: mainland Korea (mostly Koreans), New York metropolitan area (high Korean density), and west central Florida (low Korean density). The study focused on the role of family and friend networks. Data were drawn from three sources: (1) a multistage national sample of Koreans in South Korea ( n = 403); (2) a survey conducted in the western/central Florida area that used a variety of culturally sensitive sampling strategies ( n = 672); and (3) a survey in the New York metropolitan area ( n = 420) that replicated the Florida study. For those living in Korea, living alone and lower perceived financial status were independently associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. For the New York and Florida samples, fair or poor self-rating of health, lower levels of acculturation, and weaker ties with family were related to higher levels of depressive symptoms. Similar to the older Korean sample, lower perceived financial status was linked with greater depressive symptoms in the New York sample. The overall results suggest that it is important to consider the interplay of the social network, personal, and cultural resources when working with older adults in diverse contexts. Intervention efforts should address mental health issues tailored to cultural and social settings.
Rich and poor in the kin-dom of God
Authors: Mumford Debra J.
Published: February 2020

Prosperity preachers contend that God wants all of God’s people to be rich. However, the reality is that wealth is often gained for the few through the labor of the many. Prosperity for the rich minority in first century Palestine, much like in our day, was made possible by the systematic exploitation of the working class majorities. By studying the socio-economic ecology at work in the biblical texts, we are better able to understand the socio-economic dynamics at play throughout our world (both inside and outside of the church) and develop strategies to secure justice for all of God’s people.
Teaching feminism: Problems of critical claims and student certainty
Authors: Stopford Richard
Published: February 2020

Learning about feminism can be a revelation for many students. However, for others, it can be a confounding, troubling experience. These difficulties return as problems for the teacher: how to help sceptical, resistant students understand the theory. Moreover, understanding what can be so troubling about learning feminism helps us to better understand the situation of feminist modules in the contexts of broader humanities curricula. Obviously, these are complex issues, and I wish to focus on just two specific points: how feminist theories make critical claims and the challenges that emerge for students as a result; how feminist theory claims find challenges in student certainty. Firstly, feminist theory claims, which describe sociocultural states of affairs while at the same time destabilising them, are operating with critical norms. These critical norms are at odds with norms of descriptive theory claims that students find elsewhere in their curriculum. As such, I want to explore the effects of this clash in student learning experience, and the difficulties that teachers face a result. In the second part of the article, I use Wittgenstein’s analysis of certainty to explore how feminist theory claims often challenge the very foundations of students’ understanding of themselves, and the world around them. As such, learning in the feminist classroom is not merely an issue of learning about and then adjudicating between theories. Feminist theories implicate the way in which we live, and the conditions of intelligibility for theories as such. In light of my discussions, I do not think there are onesize solutions to these issues. However, I think that recognising these problems in theory can help us to articulate them in the classroom, and this might go some way to alleviating the structural challenges faced by teachers of feminism.
Looking Behind and Looking Ahead: Personality Differences in Counterfactual and Prefactual Thinking
Authors: Bacon Alison M. , Walsh Clare R. , A. Briazu Raluca
Published: February 2020

Counterfactual thinking (CFT) involves the mental simulation of alternatives to the past. In contrast, prefactual thinking (PFT) simulates potential outcomes that have yet to happen. Individuals differ in the extent to which they think in these ways, but we know little about how personality is implicated in these differences. This study investigated the relationship between Big Five personality traits and levels of spontaneous CFT and PFT embedded within a fictional diary entry. Results indicated that CFT was related to high neuroticism and low agreeableness, while PFT was related to low neuroticism and high agreeableness, as well as high extraversion. This suggests that CFT and PFT are, in part, dispositionally based and may be predicted by Big Five measures. This has implications for our understanding of individual differences in terms of the functionality of CFT and PFT and their potential influence on life outcomes.
Influence of depression and self-esteem on oral health-related quality of life in students
Authors: Oancea Roxana , Timar Bogdan , Papava Ion , Cristina Bredicean Ana , Ilie Adrian Cosmin , Dehelean Liana
Published: February 2020

Objective

We aimed to investigate the influence of depression and self-esteem on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in students.

Methods

Among the 67 included participants, we measured self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, severity of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), personality dimensions with the Neuroticism–Extraversion–Openness Five-Factor Inventory, and OHRQoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile 49 (OHIP-49).

Results

Among all participants, 7.5% (n = 5) had the dominant personality trait openness to experience, 11.9% (n = 8) presented a neurotic personality type, and 64.% (n = 11) had an extraverted personality type. The most frequent was conscientious personality type, accounting for 64.2% (n = 43) of participants. Our results showed a significant correlation between increased PHQ-9 scores and OHIP scores (Spearman’s r = 0.280); thus, participants with poorer oral health tended to have more severe depression. An increase in depression severity was significantly and positively correlated with increased scores across the other two OHIP subcategories, physical pain (Spearman’s r = 0.314) and physical disability (Spearman’s r = 0.290).

Conclusion

The presence and severity of depression influences OHRQoL. An important factor in the presence of depression and level of self-esteem is the personality type, especially the neuroticism dimension.
Salusin-β is superior to salusin-α as a marker for evaluating coronary atherosclerosis
Authors: Wang Yuxue , Wang Songjiao , Zhang Jun , Zhang Maona , Zhang Hong , Gong Guofu , Luo Min , Wang Teng , Mao Xiaolu
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study was performed to evaluate the interaction effect of salusin-α and salusin-β on coronary artery injury or stenosis.

Methods

The salusin-α and salusin-β concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 256 patients who underwent coronary angiography for chest pain, and coronary artery stenosis was assessed by the SYNTAX scoring system. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between variables and coronary artery stenosis. The interaction of salusin-α and salusin-β on coronary artery stenosis was further explored by multiple linear regression.

Results

The model goodness of fit ( R) for the interaction effect of salusin-α and salusin-β on coronary artery stenosis was 0.863, and the adjusted R value revealed that the interaction could explain 74.3% of the variation in SYNTAX scores. The F-statistic exceeded F0.05 (3.031485935) and P < 0.001, further showing that salusin-α and salusin-β had a significant interaction effect on coronary artery stenosis. The standard coefficient for salusin-β (0.797) was higher than that for salusin-α (−0.367, indicating an inhibitory effect), showing that salusin-β had a greater effect on coronary artery stenosis.

Conclusions

Salusin-β, a potential marker for assessing coronary atherosclerosis, was superior to salusin-α, contributing to our understanding of the etiology of coronary artery stenosis.
Bridging the gap between geographic concept and the data we have: The case of labor markets in the USA
Authors: Fowler Christopher S , Jensen Leif
Published: February 2020

A broad literature has made it clear that geographic units must be selected with care or they are likely to introduce error and uncertainty into results. Nevertheless, researchers often use data “off the shelf” with the implicit assumptions that their observations are consistent with the geographical concept relevant for their research question, and that they are of uniformly high quality in capturing this geographic identity. In this paper, we consider the geographical concept of “labor market” and offer a template for both clarifying its meaning for research and testing the suitability of extant labor-market delineations. We establish a set of metrics for comparing the quality of existing labor-market delineations with respect to the diverse meanings that researchers apply to the concept. Using the fit metrics established here, researchers can explore how delineations vary geographically, how they vary over time, and how this variation may shape research outcomes. Our assessment is that the quality of the extant delineations is relatively high overall. However, we find that different delineations vary significantly in the types of labor markets they represent, and that regional variations in fit within any given delineation may introduce noise or regional bias that merits consideration in any analysis conducted with these units. More broadly, the kinds of metrics we propose here have applicability for many other geographic entities where boundaries and scale can be only imperfectly defined.
Roadway Context Classification Approach for Developing Regional Safety Performance Functions for Florida Intersections
Authors: Gamaleldin Ghalia , Al-Deek Haitham , Sandt Adrian , El-Urfali Alan , Kayes Md Imrul , Gamero Valentina
Published: February 2020

Understanding how the type and location of intersections affect crashes is important to reduce these crashes effectively. This paper discusses the development of regional safety performance functions (SPFs) based on a new context classification system developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This classification system (which has not previously been used) categorizes intersections into eight different categories based on land use and other parameters, allowing SPFs to be developed for up to 32 different types of intersections. The Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) 2.0 was used as the standard inventory for the data elements collected. Using MIRE 2.0 allows for the procedures conducted in this study to be easily implemented in other states. SPFs were developed for two intersection groups. First, a linear regression model was built to predict missing minor traffic volumes. This statistically significant model ( p-value < 0.05) had an adjusted R-square of 0.7648. Data were collected for over 25 potential predictor variables (including a regional variable for FDOT districts) and used to fit a negative binomial model to each studied intersection group. Some variables (such as major traffic volume) were significant for both groups, but each SPF had unique variables (such as speed limit and road width). Different regions were significant for each group, showing how crashes vary for different intersection types in different regions. By allowing for the development of SPF models for many intersection classifications, FDOT’s context classification system can be used by other agencies to identify crash-influencing factors better for different conditions.
How Does Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Influence Patellar Height?
Authors: Luceri Francesco , Roger Julien , Randelli Pietro Simone , Lustig Sébastien , Servien Elvire
Published: February 2020

Background:

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the gold standard treatment for recurrent patellar dislocation. Patella alta has been reported in about half of patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability.

Hypothesis:

MPFL reconstruction (MPFLr) has a beneficial role in the correction of patellar height in patients with mild patella alta (Caton-Deschamps index [CDI] between 1.20 and 1.40).

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Skeletally mature patients, with no history of previous or concomitant knee surgical procedures, who underwent isolated MPFLr using hamstring autograft for recurrent patellar instability between 2005 and 2018, were included in this study. The authors calculated CDI, modified Insall-Salvati index (MISI), and Blackburne-Peel index (BPI) ratios. Measurements done by 2 independent observers were calculated and used to compare pre- and postoperative patellar height (patella alta: CDI >1.20).

Results:

A total of 89 patients (95 knees) were included in the study, with a mean age of 25.0 years (range, 15.0-45.0 years). There were 70% women and 30% men. We found patella alta in 35.8% of cases preoperatively. Among them, 79.4% had reduced patellar height indices, within normal limits, postoperatively (mean follow-up, 18.4 ± 12.0 months). All the ratios showed a significant reduction in patellar height after surgery (CDI: 0.19 [range, –0.05, 0.60]; MISI: 0.22 [–0.14, 0.76]; BPI: 0.18 [–0.08, 0.59]; P < .00001). The CDI of 79.4% of the study knees was reduced to within normal limits postoperatively. The CDI was maintained within normal limits postoperatively in 93.4% of the knees with normal patellar height and reduced to normal in 50% of the knees with severe patella alta before surgery . No patient reported patella infera before surgery, whereas this condition was found in 8.2% of study patients postoperatively. A moderate correlation was reported between preoperative radiographic indices and their reduction after surgery (CDI: P < .001, ρ = 0.39; MISI: P < .001, ρ = 0.39; BPI: P < .001, ρ = 0.48).

Conclusion:

The higher the preoperative patellar height, the more important is the lowering effect of MPFLr using the hamstring for patellar instability. Bony procedures should not be indicated in patients with patellar instability and a CDI between 1.20 and 1.40.
Lateral Meniscus Posterior Root Lesion Influences Anterior Tibial Subluxation of the Lateral Compartment in Extension After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Zheng Tong , Song Guan-yang , Feng Hua , Zhang Hui , Li Yue , Li Xu , Zhang Zhi-jun , Ni Qian-kun , Feng Zheng
Published: February 2020

Background:

The lateral meniscus posterior root (LMPR) lesion further decreases dynamic knee stability after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury owing to the loss of the “wedge effect” maintained by the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. However, the effect of LMPR lesions on the static tibiofemoral relationship in extension after ACL injuries is not determined.

Purpose:

To (1) determine the effect of LMPR lesions on anterior tibial subluxation of the lateral compartment (ATSLC) in extension in patients with ACL injuries and to (2) identify the LMPR-related factors associated with excessive ATSLC in extension.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Between January 2015 and December 2017, 405 consecutive patients with diagnosed ACL injuries who underwent primary ACL reconstructions were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 45 patients with combined ACL injuries and LMPR lesions (ACL+LMPR group) and 51 patients with isolated ACL injuries (ACL group) were identified. Values of ATSLC in extension were measured on preoperative supine magnetic resonance imaging and classified into high grade (≥6 mm) and low grade (<6 mm). The mean ATSLC in extension and the proportion of patients with high-grade ATSLC in extension were compared between the groups by univariate analysis. In the ACL+LMPR group, predictors of high-grade ATSLC in extension—including age, sex, body mass index, affected side, cause of injury, period from injury (<12 or ≥12 weeks), LMPR lesion pattern (radial tear or root avulsion), and meniscofemoral ligament integrity (intact or impaired)—were assessed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results:

The mean ATSLC in extension in the ACL+LMPR group was significantly greater than that in the ACL group (5.6 mm vs 3.1 mm; P = .001). The proportion of patients with high-grade ATSLC in extension in the ACL+LMPR group was also significantly larger than that in the ACL group (44.4% vs 15.7%; P = .002). In addition, the root avulsion (instead of radial tear) (odds ratio, 28.750; 95% CI, 2.344-352.549; P = .009) and the period from injury ≥12 weeks (odds ratio, 17.095; 95% CI, 1.207-242.101; P = .036) were determined to be the 2 independent predictors of high-grade ATSLC in extension. However, age, sex, body mass index, affected side, cause of injury, and meniscofemoral ligament integrity were not.

Conclusion:

After ACL injuries, concomitant LMPR lesion further increased ATSLC in extension. Chronic LMPR avulsion was associated with high-grade ATSLC in extension.
Violence-Related Deaths Among People Released From Prison: A Data Linkage Study
Authors: Willoughby Melissa , Spittal Matthew J. , Borschmann Rohan , Tibble Holly , Kinner Stuart A.
Published: February 2020

People released from prison are a socially marginalized group and are at high risk of death from preventable causes, including violence. Despite this, little is known about the epidemiology of violence-related death (VRD) after release from prison. This knowledge is essential for developing targeted, evidence-informed violence prevention strategies. We examined VRDs among a representative sample of people released from prisons in Queensland, Australia, by sex and Indigenous status. Correctional records for all people (aged ≥17 years) released from prisons from January 1994 until December 2007 ( N = 41,970) were linked probabilistically with the National Death Index. The primary outcome was VRD following release from prison. We calculated crude mortality rates (CMRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) standardized by age and sex to the Australian population. We used Cox regression to identify predictors of VRD. Of 2,158 deaths after release from prison, 3% ( n = 68) were violence-related. The SMR for VRD was 10.0 (95% confidence interval (CI): [7.9, 12.7]) and was greatest for women (SMR = 16.3, 95% CI: [8.2, 32.7]). The rate of VRD was 2.5 deaths per 10,000 person-years (95% CI: [2.0, 3.2]) and was highest between 2 and 6 months after release from prison (CMR = 6.3, 95% CI: [3.4, 11.6]). Risk factors for VRD included short sentences (<90 days; for males and non-Indigenous people) and experiencing two or more imprisonments (for non-Indigenous people). No significant risk factors for VRD were identified for women or Indigenous people. People released from prison die from violence at a rate that is greatly elevated compared with the general population, with women experiencing the greatest elevation in risk. Reducing the number of VRDs in this population could improve the health and wellbeing of some of our most marginalized community members.
The Drug Court Team and Discretionary Decision-Making: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Sanctioning Responses to Continued Participant Alcohol and Other Drug Use
Authors: Gibbs Benjamin R. , ten Bensel Tusty , Doyle Madison K. , Wakefield William
Published: February 2020

Drug courts attempt to gain participant compliance and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use abstinence through a strategy of moderate and progressive sanctioning, but its discretionary application possesses the capacity for disparity across participants and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the drug court team’s (DCT) discretionary use of sanctions in response to continued participant AOD use. A mixed-methods approach was used for analyzing agency data ( n = 1,032) and interviews of five members of the DCT. Data were collected from an adult felony drug court over a 6-year period (2008–2013) and use to answer the following research question: “What participant characteristics and program performance measures affected sanctioning outcomes?” We found that offender attributes did play a role in the sanctioning decision, but program performance measures were stronger predictors of sanction type.
PE and ETFE wire insulation flame morphologies and spread rates under subatmospheric pressures
Authors: Fang Jun , Xue Yan , Wang Jingwu , He Xuanze , Zhang Yue , Zhao Siwei , Zhang Yongming
Published: February 2020

Understanding the effects of pressure and oxygen concentration on the flame spread behaviors of electrical wires is crucial for establishing fire safety strategies for plateau cities, aircraft, and spacecraft. During the combustion, the polymeric coating first liquefies to form molten agglomerations, after which these droplets boil to release combustible gases that propagate the combustion process, which brings a potential fire threat. To better evaluate this fire risk, the flame spread of polyethylene (PE) and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)-insulated nichrome wires was investigated in a subatmospheric cabin. During the combustion of the insulation, the PE flame always presents a closed teardrop-like structure, while at the limiting oxygen concentration condition, the ETFE flame presents an asymmetric pentagram-like structure due to uneven heat losses. In this experiment, dripping was exhibited only by the PE insulation mainly because of the difference in surface tension. When the oxygen concentration was raised from 21% to 30%, the critical pressure for dripping shifts from 60 kPa to 38 kPa. Air pressure has a slight negative effect on flame spread rates, because, at lower pressure, the burning rate is lower, but the heat loss and convective and radiant heats of the flame decrease.
Enhancing process capabilities of electric discharge machining for nonconductive ceramics
Authors: Verma Sanjeev , Satsangi PS , Chattopadhyay KD
Published: February 2020

The application of nonconductive ceramic materials is growing in engineering and manufacturing field due to their properties such as high hardness, low thermal conductivity, and resistance to oxidation. But fabricating structures from such materials are difficult and most of the traditional machining techniques are not appropriate. The electrical discharge machining has become a popular machining process for machining nonconducting oxide and nonoxide ceramics such as alumina, silicon nitrides, SiAlON, and zirconium. In the present study, a technique to machine the nonconductive SiAlON ceramic, having resistivity of the order of 100000 Ω-cm is developed. An assistive electrode technique along with graphite powder mixed specially made dielectric mixture of hydrocarbon fluids was used for the electrical discharge machining process. The experiments were conducted according to the Taguchi design and analysis of variance using signal-to-noise ratios showcasing significant parameters and their optimal values for material removal, electrode wear, and size overcut achieved after electrical discharge machining. For multiparameter optimization, the grey relational analysis was carried out for response parameters with suitable weights. Analysis of variance on the grey relational grade showed discharge current, duty factor, and additive percentage as most significant parameters. As the central aim of this research is material removal, the significant parameters found for material removal rate were further used for response surface methodology and their optimum values as central design values for experimentation. A second-order response model was formulated to estimate the machining performance. To validate the study, confirmation experiments were carried out and predicted results have been found to be in good agreement with experimental findings. Based on the experimental investigations, it can be said that a novel and efficient technique has been developed to machine the high resistivity ceramics. The scanning electron microscopic images confirmed that material is removed mostly by spalling and no significant cracks are visible.
Cytochrome P450 4B1 (CYP4B1) as a target in cancer treatment
Authors: Lim SYM , Alshagga M , Ong CE , Chieng JY , Pan Y
Published: February 2020

Cytochrome P450 4B1 (CYP4B1) plays crucial roles in biotransforming of xenobiotics. Its predominant extrahepatic expression has been associated with certain tissue-specific toxicities. However, the expressions of CYP4B1 in various cancers and hence their potential roles in cancer development were inclusive. In this work, existing knowledge on expression and regulation of CYP4B1 gene and protein, catalysis of CYP4B1, association of CYP4B1 with cancers, contradicting findings about human CYP4B1 activities as well as the employing CYP4B1 in suicide gene approach for cancer treatment were reviewed. To date, it appears that there is a wide spectrum of tissue distribution of CYP4B1 with lungs as the predominant sites. Several nuclear receptors are possibly responsible for regulating its gene expression. The involvement of CYP4B1 in cancer was considered via activation of procarcinogens and neovascularization. However, human CYP4B1 was found to be inactive due to a substitution of proline with serine at position 427. Suicide gene approach combining reengineered CYP4B1 and prodrug 4-ipomeanol (4-IPO) has shown a promising potential for targeted cancer therapy. Further studies should focus on the verification of human CYP4B1 catalytic activities. More compounds with similar structure as 4-IPO should be tested to identify more alternative agents for the suicide gene approach in cancer treatment.
Interventions to ensure follow-up of positive fecal immunochemical tests: An international survey of screening programs
Authors: Selby Kevin , Senore Carlo , Wong Martin , May Folasade P , Gupta Samir , Liang Peter S
Published: February 2020

Objective

Colorectal cancer screening programs frequently report problems ensuring adequate follow-up of positive fecal immunochemical tests (FITs). We investigated strategies implemented by ongoing screening programs to improve follow-up for FIT-positive participants, and explored associations between interventions and reported rates of follow-up.

Methods

We submitted an electronic survey to 58 colorectal cancer screening programs or affiliated researchers. Primary outcomes were the proportion of program participants with a positive FIT completing diagnostic colonoscopy, and patient, provider, and system-level interventions used to improve follow-up. We compare mean colonoscopy completion at six months in programs with and without interventions.

Results

Thirty-five programs completed the survey (60% response). The mean proportion of participants with a positive FIT who completed colonoscopy was 79% (standard deviation 16%). Programs used a mean of five interventions to improve follow-up. Programs using patient navigators had an 11% higher rate of colonoscopy completion at six months ( p = 0.05). Programs sending reminders to primary care providers when no colonoscopy has been completed had a 12% higher rate of colonoscopy completion ( p = 0.03). Other interventions were not associated with significant differences.

Conclusions

Almost all programs employ multiple interventions to ensure timely follow-up of positive FIT. The use of patient navigators and provider reminders is associated with higher rates of colonoscopy completion.
Global Supply Chains: European Union, Euro Area and New Member States
Authors: Apostolov Mico , Scagnelli Simone Domenico , Vasile Lorenzo
Published: February 2020

Supply chains are comprised of events that link the product or service from conception, different phases of production, to final delivery to the consumers. In this regard, global supply chains (GSC) economics is concerned with the effects on the host economy due to presence of GSC as well as the importance of GSC for exports, or more specifically, the value added from exports. Thus, in this study, the concept of value-added trade was used in relation to exports, employment and foreign direct investment (FDI) in terms of trade facilitation for the host economies. The analysis presented in this article is based on the main dataset for structural business statistics (SBS) presented by Eurostat, where, first, we calculate the extent of overall changes in exports, employment and FDI stock relative to manufacturing, and second, to capture the effect of export restructuring on manufacturing productivity growth, we use the standard growth accounting approach, a production function at the industry level to total factor productivity (TFP) growth. The results show that TFP is reliant on exports for the whole European Union economy and especially for the new member states.
Technology Intensity and Employment in the Indian Economy
Authors: Paul Shampa , Lal Kaushalesh
Published: February 2020

The article investigates the impact of technology on employment in key sectors of the Indian economy. The analysis encompasses services and manufacturing sectors. The services sectors include firms engaged in financial and non-financial segments, while manufacturing sector consists of firms engaged in production of consumer goods. The findings suggest that indicators that have affected employment in manufacturing sector are size of operations, import of capital goods and better human resource (HR) practices, while in financial services sector, the factors affecting employment are better HR policies, profitability and expenditure on Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Whereas in non-financial sector firms, import of capital goods and expenditure on training and welfare of workforce significantly influenced employment. The distinguishing finding is that association between employment creation and age of firms is negative in financial services sector, while age of firm is immaterial in manufacturing and non-financial sectors. The study uses Prowess database for the period between 2011–2012 and 2015–2016.

JEL: O14, O15, O33
Perspectives, Experiences, and Practices in the Use of Digital Information Technologies in the Management of Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder in Health Care Systems in Colombia
Authors: Cárdenas Paula , Bartels Sophia M. , Cruz Viviana , Gáfaro Lina , Uribe-Restrepo José M. , Torrey William C. , Castro Sergio M. , Cubillos Leonardo , Williams Makeda J. , Marsch Lisa A. , Oviedo-Manrique Diana Goretty , Gómez-Restrepo Carlos
Published: February 2020

Digital information technologies are increasingly used in the treatment of mental health disorders. Through this qualitative study, researchers illuminated perspectives, experiences, and practices among diverse stakeholders in the use of digital information technologies in the management of depression and alcohol use disorders in Colombia. In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted in five primary care institutions across Colombia. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The use of technology in the treatment of mental health disorders can facilitate the evaluation and diagnosis, treatment, and promotion and prevention of mental health disorders, as well as multiple nonmental health applications in the primary care setting. Potential barriers to the use of technology in this setting include challenges of digital literacy, access to technology, confidentiality, and financing. This study can inform the implementation of digital information technologies in the care of depression and problematic alcohol use within health care systems in Colombia.