bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PayPOS user experience improved small and medium sized micro business existence in the disruptive era
Authors: Rachmaniah M , Rafdi  , Miftah M R A , Yanuar A
Published: July 2019

Small and Medium Sized Micro Business (UMKM) owners often experience difficulties in running their business. UMKM needs real-time access on its transactions in order to properly oversee its business endeavors. This study was aimed to overcome UMKM restriction by taking advantage of disruptive era advancement through the development of a web-based UMKM point of sale software application named PayPOS. To do this, we carried out two iterations of user experience (UX) study parallel with the development of transaction and inventory modules. The UX study utilized the Lean UX method and applied mid-fidelity prototype interfaces and cognitive walkthrough to measure its usability metric efficiency and effectiveness. In the meantime, the transaction and inventory modules applied to the incremental method. Here, the development of the transaction module was divided into four increments: basic transactions, sales transactions, repair and maintenance orders, and transaction reports. Whereas the development of the inventory module was divided into two increments: inventory management and purchase order. On the first UX iteration, the success rate was 72%, whereas, on the second iteration, the success rate was 78%. The overall success rate on tasks tested was 92% which indicated that UX outcomes were easy to use. Further, upon modules integration completion, the PayPOS developed was successfully tested using the Black box method. The user acceptance test carried out also indicated that PayPOS exhibited an attractive interface, easy to understand, and suitable menus and submenus. Hence, the employment of UX study results in the development of PayPOS has helped facilitate business owners in managing their business processes.
Nonlinear Effects in the Behavior and Fracture of Composite Materials
Authors: Lomakin E V , Fedulov B N , Fedorenko A N
Published: July 2019

This paper presents an approach to the formulation of models characterizing nonlinear deformation and damage of composite materials. The research includes the consideration as the simplest model as more complex ones. In this research, a number of material relations to build up a theory for failure prediction in laminated composites are presented. The considered approach deals with the degradation and failure of the material using a phenomenological introduction of damage parameters explicitly influencing on the composite material stiffness. The part of this work is dedicated to the extension of formulated approach to capture and take into account the complex effects such as initial nonlinear shear deformation properties of laminated composites and the influence of high strain rate on the strength characteristics.
Experimental Setup for Studying Thermosolutal Convection in Moist Air
Authors: Somov S A , Ivanov A S
Published: July 2019

The paper is concerned with designing an experimental scheme for studying convection of moist air under conditions closely approximating the atmospheric conditions. Detailed numerical estimates, necessary conditions and dimensionless gas-dynamic parameters characteristic of the problem of dry and moist air convection are presented and analyzed. The distinctive features of convection of dry and wet air at constant pressure caused by changes in the concentration of water vapor as a result of its evaporation (condensation) are discussed. The effect of water vapor concentration on the convective instability of moist air is analyzed in the context of solutal convection, characterized by the Rayleigh concentration number. The obtained numerical estimates are used to demonstrate the possibility of differentiating and comparing between the processes of convective heat and mass transfer in humid and dry air under laboratory conditions. In future, this will allow researchers to obtain experimental data on the influence of the water-vapor phase transition on the intensity of convective motion in moist air. The structure and detailed technical characteristics of the constructed experimental setup designed for studying convection in moist air in the temperature range from 10 to 30 C are described.
Patient-Specific Bile Flow Simulation to Evaluate Cholecystectomy Outcome
Authors: Kuchumov A
Published: July 2019

Gallbladder disease has one of the leading positions by patients’ number in the World. About 16% of the adult population is suffering now from this disease. Cholecystectomy is believed to be a general surgical method of the gallbladder disease treatment, but the success rate is quite low because the surgeons do not take into account the patient-specific features during the treatment and cannot predict operation results.The main purpose of the paper is to create a computational tool for numerical evaluation of cholecystectomy outcome compared with healthy state and current pathological state based on the patient-specific patients’ data. The patient-specific features of the biliary tree were studied by 1-way FSI bile flow simulation. The extra-hepatic biliary tree geometries were extracted from MRI and after that imported to ANSYS CFX for the subsequent fluid dynamics analysis.It was revealed that in the pathology state, velocities were found to have lower magnitude while the pressures were higher. The patient-specific features have a dramatic influence on the bile flow patterns. Cholecystectomy leads to the decrease of bile flow rate in the extra-hepatic biliary tree. The proposed computational approach can be applied to medical practice to evaluate the circumstances of surgical interventions.
Amplitude Dependence of Dynamic Susceptibility of a Magnetic Fluid at Acoustic Frequencies
Authors: Koskov M A , Pshenichnikov A F
Published: July 2019

The energy dissipation in a magnetic fluid in the alternating magnetic field at the acoustic frequency was investigated experimentally. The purpose of the work is to gain information concerning the amplitude dependence of the dynamic susceptibility and the applicability range of the simplest linear relaxation equation for magnetization. Two independent methods were used: direct measurement of the dynamic susceptibility by a mutual inductance bridge in a weak sounding field and measurement of heat release in a magnetic fluid at high magnetic field amplitudes. In the latter case, the measuring technique is based on the well-known formula relating the heat release rate to the imaginary part of the dynamic susceptibility, which directly follows from the linear relaxation equation. A comparison of the results obtained by different methods revealed a systematic discrepancy between the results of two series of experiments, which is explained by the existence of multi-particle clusters (aggregates) in the magnetic fluid with uncompensated magnetic moments. At frequencies of about 104 Hz, the brownian mechanism for the relaxation of magnetic moments is blocked due to the large size of the aggregates (ωτ
B ≫ 1). In addition, at small amplitudes of the sounding field, the Neel relaxation mechanism is also blocked due to the high energy of inter-particle interactions inside the aggregate and the appearance of high potential barriers. The situation changes with an increase in the field amplitude, when the energy of interaction of the aggregated particles with the external field becomes comparable with the height of the potential barrier. The aggregates are involved in the process of magnetization reversal, increasing the dynamic susceptibility and energy dissipation in a magnetic fluid.
Non-isothermal Steady Flow of Non-Newtonian Fluid in an Axisymmetric Channel
Authors: Borzenko E I , Ryltseva K E , Shrager G R
Published: July 2019

Non-isothermal steady-state flow of a viscoplastic fluid in an axisymmetric channel is studied with account for viscous dissipation at a specified constant flow rate. The rheology of the medium is described by the Herschel-Bulkley law with a temperature dependence of yield stress and consistency defined by exponential law. On the solid wall, the no-slip boundary condition and the assigned temperature are used. The mathematical statement of the problem includes the dimensionless motion and energy equations and boundary conditions. The problem is solved numerically using a finite-difference approach. The difference equations are solved by sweep method. When applying a shock-capturing method for calculating the flow, the rheological model is regularized in order to eliminate stress singularity in the regions of zero shear rates. The steady-state distributions of velocity, temperature, viscosity, and dissipative function are obtained. A limiting value of pressure drop defining the existence domain of a steady solution is proved to exist. Two problem solutions are obtained at a specified pressure drop, which are referred to as high- and low-temperature flow regimes. As a result of computations, different flow structures with unyielded regions occurring near symmetry line and in the dead zone next to a solid wall are revealed.
Investigation of the Extrusion Process Influence on the Thermophysical, Rheological Properties and Operational Characteristics of Insulating Polymers
Authors: Ershov S V , Trufanova N M
Published: July 2019

In this work, we carried out complex experimental studies of the thermophysical and rheological properties of the initial and secondary (after extrusion) polymer compositions based on low, medium and high density polyethylene, intended for the cable insulation production. On the basis of the obtained experimental data, a comparative analysis of the numerical study results of the flow processes in the extruder metering zone with a constant technological regime was carried out. Changes in the graphics of maximum and average temperature values along the length of the channel are received.
Energy levels in a self-similar fractal cluster
Authors: Yorikawa H
Published: July 2019

The energy spectrum of atomic clusters with a fractal structure corresponding to a Sierpiński triangle on a hexagonal lattice are studied theoretically using a simple tight-binding Hamiltonian. The evolution of the energy levels and degeneracy with the growing generation of the fractal cluster is investigated. The energy states are classified into two groups: growing states and temporary states. States belonging to the first group continue to grow after appearing at a certain generation, while those of the second group do not grow. The self-similar structure of the cluster model is reflected in the growing states, which consist of three distinct types. The energy levels of the growing states, whose degeneracy obeys a recurrence relation, can be expressed by an iterated or multi-nested function including the infinitely nested square root function.
Hessenberg varieties, intersections of quadrics, and the Springer correspondence
Authors: Chen Tsao-Hsien , Vilonen Kari , Xue Ting
Published: July 2019

In this paper we introduce a certain class of families of Hessenberg varieties arising from Springer theory for symmetric spaces. We study the geometry of those Hessenberg varieties and investigate their monodromy representations in detail using the geometry of complete intersections of quadrics. We obtain decompositions of these monodromy representations into irreducibles and compute the Fourier transforms of the IC complexes associated to these irreducible representations. The results of the paper refine (part of) the Springer correspondece for the split symmetric pair

(
S
L
(
N
)
,
S
O
(
N
)
)

(SL(N),SO(N))

in [Compos. Math. 154 (2018), pp. 2403–2425].
Development of a Job-Exposure Matrix for Assessment of Occupational Exposure to High-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (3 kHz–300 GHz)
Authors: Migault Lucile , Bowman Joseph D , Kromhout Hans , Figuerola Jordi , Baldi Isabelle , Bouvier Ghislaine , Turner Michelle C , Cardis Elisabeth , Vila Javier
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The aim of this work was to build a job-exposure matrix (JEM) using an international coding system and covering the non-thermal intermediate frequency (IF) (3–100 kHz, named IFELF), thermal IF (100 kHz–10 MHz, named IFRF), and radiofrequency (RF) (>10 MHz) bands.

Methods

Detailed occupational data were collected in a large population-based case–control study, INTEROCC, with occupations coded into the International Standard Classification of Occupations system 1988 (ISCO88). The subjects’ occupational source-based ancillary information was combined with an existing source-exposure matrix and the reference levels of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for occupational exposure to calculate estimates of level (L) of exposure to electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields by ISCO88 code and frequency band as ICNIRP ratios (IFELF) or squared ratios (IFRF and RF). Estimates of exposure probability (P) were obtained by dividing the number of exposed subjects by the total number of subjects available per job title.

Results

With 36 011 job histories collected, 468 ISCO88 (four-digit) codes were included in the JEM, of which 62.4% are exposed to RF, IFRF, and/or IFELF. As a reference, P values for RF E-fields ranged from 0.3 to 65.0% with a median of 5.1%. L values for RF E-fields (ICNIRP squared ratio) ranged from 6.94 × 10−11 to 33.97 with a median of 0.61.

Conclusions

The methodology used allowed the development of a JEM for high-frequency electromagnetic fields containing exposure estimates for the largest number of occupations to date. Although the validity of this JEM is limited by the small number of available observations for some codes, this JEM may be useful for epidemiological studies and occupational health management programs assessing high-frequency electromagnetic field exposure in occupational settings.
SCAT Symptom Recall Bias in Concussed Athletes
Authors: Arends P , Wagner R J S , Mrazik M
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The assessment of concussed athletes uses standardized tools like the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether concussed athletes accurately recalled baseline functioning.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis of University football student-athletes from 2014-16 seasons was conducted. Forty-six student-athletes (M=19.7, SD=1.8) who suffered a concussion during the competitive season underwent a post-concussion assessment with a sports medicine physician within 24 hours of injury. Assessments included use of the symptom report from The SCAT3. Athletes were asked to recall their pre-injury baseline functioning.

Results

Of the 46 athletes who underwent assessments, 22 reported having at least 1 symptom (M=1.4, SD=2.0) at baseline evaluations. Yet at the initial medical evaluation, only 10 of these athletes correctly recalled having symptoms prior to injury, and none of them accurately reported their total symptom report. Paired t-tests revealed significant differences between an athletes predicted recall of the number of symptoms (M=0.7, SD=1.2) and total symptom scores (M=2.1, SD=3.4) conditions; t(45)=-3.28, p=.002, d=0.48.

Conclusion

Having accurate information for diagnosing concussions is important during concussion medical evaluations. Many clinicians depend on an athlete’s subjective reporting of symptom change. Our results indicate that an athlete’s accuracy of pre-injury functioning is poor, consistent with what has been termed “the good old days bias.” The findings suggest having baseline assessments can be helpful and clinicians may need to carefully understand an athletes pre-morbid functioning.
The Effect of Protective Headgear on Frequency and Magnitude of Impacts in Girls’ High School Varsity Lacrosse
Authors: Kelshaw P M , Lincoln A E , Hepburn L H , Herman D C , Vincent H K , Cortes N , Caswell S V
Published: July 2019

Purpose

In an effort to reduce head and facial injuries in girls’ lacrosse, ASTM F3137-approved headgear for girls’ lacrosse was developed. However, the effect of wearing headgear on impacts during girls’ lacrosse game play is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate differences in impact rates and magnitudes across two conditions (No Headgear, and Headgear) during girls’ lacrosse games.

Methods

Thirty-five female participants (16.2±1.2years, 1.66±0.05m, 61.2±6.4kg) volunteered for this study during 18 games in the 2016 (No Headgear), and 15 games in the 2017 (Headgear) lacrosse seasons. All participants were instrumented with wearable sensors (X2 Biosystems) prior to each game paired with video verification.

Results

There were a total of 700 sensor-instrumented player-games. A total of 204 impacts ≥ 20g recorded by the wearable sensors were verified using video analysis (102 No Headgear; 102 Headgear). Impact rates did not vary between the No Headgear and Headgear conditions (0.27 vs 0.31 AEs/per team game, IRR=0.87, 95% CI=0.66, 1.14). The No Headgear condition experienced higher magnitudes (median peak linear acceleration (PLA)=26.9g and peak rotational velocity (PRV)=1578.6 deg/s) than the Headgear conditions (median PLA=24.7g; Z= –2.6, P<. 0.01 and PRV=1304.2 deg/s; Z = –2.6, P<. 0.01). No game-related concussions were reported during this two-year study.

Conclusion

There were no meaningful differences between impact rates and only slight differences in impact magnitudes in the No Headgear and Headgear groups. Further research should be conducted with a larger sample and different levels of play to evaluate the consequences of ASTM F3137-approved headgear on impacts, injury risk, and game play.
Association Between Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) and Concussion Recovery Time in Collegiate Participants
Authors: Petit K M , Anderson M , Bretzin A C , Tomczyk C P , Savage J L , Covassin T
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) change scores and total scores with recovery time after a concussion in collegiate participants.

Methods

Participants completed the VOMS within 72 hours of concussion diagnosis. The VOMS consists of smooth pursuits, horizontal saccades, vertical saccades, near-point convergence (NPC), horizontal vestibular ocular reflex (VOR), vertical VOR, and visual motions sensitivity (VMS). Prior to the VOMS, athletes rate pre-provocation symptoms for headache, dizziness, nausea and fogginess, and again after each VOMS component on a scale from 0 (none) to 10 (severe) to obtain a total provocation score for each component. Change scores were calculated by subtracting total pre-provocation symptoms from total provocation for each component. Recovery time was defined as the number of days from injury to physician clearance. A Spearman’s rank correlation assessed relationships between recovery time and VOMS outcomes.

Results

Seventy-six participants (47 male, 29 female; 18.6±2.2 years old) completed the VOMS and took 13.5±5.4 days to recover. Total provocation scores for each VOMS component were associated with recovery time (smooth pursuits r=.36, p<.001; horizontal saccades r=.40, p<.001; vertical saccades r=.40, p<.001; NPC r=.40, p<.001; horizontal VOR r=.38, p=.001; vertical VOR rs=.31, p=.01; VMS rs=.38, p=.001). Only horizontal saccades (r=.37, p=.001), vertical saccades (r=.30, p=.01), and NPC (r=.27, p=.02) change scores were associated with recovery time.

Conclusion

VOMS total symptom provocation and change scores for vertical saccades, horizontal saccades, and convergence may provide insight into concussion recovery length. Future research should assess the utility of VOMS change scores when evaluating for a concussion.
The Association Between Past Speech Therapy and Preseason Symptom Reporting in Adolescent Student Athletes
Authors: Reese K , Terry D P , Maxwell B , Zafonte R , Berkner P D , Iverson G L
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD, have been shown to be associated with different baseline symptom reporting, but the relationship between a history of speech therapy and symptom reporting is not well understood. This study examined the association between prior speech therapy and baseline symptom reporting in student athletes.

Methods

A preseason baseline database contained 40,378 athletes ages 13–18 who had not sustained a concussion in the past 6 months. Of these, 27,550 athletes denied having all developmental/health conditions (controls) and 1,497 reported only having history of speech therapy (total sample: age M=15.5, SD=1.26; 47% girls). Mann-Whitney U-Tests were used to compare baseline symptom reporting on the ImPACT® Post-Concussion Symptom Scale between athletes with prior speech therapy and controls. Individual symptoms were dichotomized (absent vs. present) and compared between groups using chi-square tests.

Results

There was a higher proportion of boys in the prior speech therapy group than in the control group (62% vs. 53%; X2=41.9, p<.001). Athletes with speech therapy histories reported greater overall baseline symptoms (ps<.001). The effect sizes were minimal-to-small (Cohen’s d: girls= 0.10; boys=0.20). Slightly higher portions of boys and girls with a history of speech therapy reported trouble falling asleep, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating/ remembering compared to their control counterparts (ps<.05). Further, compared to controls, a higher portion of boys (but not girls) with speech therapy histories reported physical and emotional symptoms.

Conclusion

Adolescents with speech therapy histories report slightly more symptoms than controls during baseline testing, with a stronger effect in boys. However, effect sizes were very small.
Exposure to Serial Post-Concussion Neurocognitive Testing Does not Affect Future “Updated” Baseline Neurocognitive Performance in Adolescent Athletes
Authors: O'Connor S , Dean T , Elbin R J , Schatz P
Published: July 2019

Purpose

We investigated a dose response for serial post-concussion neurocognitive testing exposure on updated post-concussion baseline testing performance.

Methods

Athletes (13-18 yrs) that completed two, valid baseline neurocognitive testing (ImPACT) sessions approximately 1-3 years apart participated in this study. A sub-sample of athletes that sustained a SRC between baseline sessions were categorized into dose-response groups based on the number of serial, post-concussion neurocognitive tests completed following SRC: ONE (n=76), TWO (n=99), and THREE OR MORE (n=111). Athletes that did not sustain a SRC comprised the ZERO group (n=289). Change scores between the first to the second baseline were calculated for the ImPACT Composite and Symptom Scores and compared between the dose-response groups and controls with 5 ANOVAs, with a Bonferroni-corrected p-value of (p<.01). Baseline testing was administered using ImPACT stimuli within the “Baseline” administration, and all post-concussion ImPACT testing was administered using alternate-form associated with that specific post-injury assessment (Post-Injury1, Post-Injury2, etc).

Results

ANOVAs revealed no effect of number of post-concussion assessments (0, 1, 2, or 3+) on magnitude of the change between first and final baselines, for Verbal Memory (p=.08), Visual Memory (p=.96), Visual Motor Speed (p=.47), Reaction Time (p=.91), or Total Symptom Scores (p=.86).

Conclusion

Repeated exposure to neurocognitive testing has revealed improvements in Visual Motor Speed among normal controls, across test-retest intervals of 1-month, 1-year, and 2-years. However, in this study, exposure to post-concussion, serial neurocognitive testing had no effect on future performance on post-concussion baseline neurocognitive testing.
Examining the Relationship between Biopsychosocial History and Clinical Profiles Following Concussion
Authors: Emami K , Sufrinko A M , Collins M W , Kontos A P , Rossi E A
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To determine if clinical risk factors (e.g., migraine history, motion sickness, concussion history) place an individual at risk for specific clinical profiles (e.g., posttraumatic migraine, vestibular) designated by a clinician following concussion.

Methods

Fifty (22M; 28F) symptomatic, concussed patients (17.02±3.14 years old) were evaluated within 21days post-injury. Demographics and medical history were obtained, including history of migraine, motion sickness, ADHD, learning disability (LD), oculomotor disorder, psychiatric diagnoses, and prior concussion. The presence of each clinical profile was determined by a clinician, based on synthesis of evaluation findings, including neurocognitive testing, symptom report, and vestibular/oculomotor screening results. Chi-square analyses were used to explore associations between risk factors and clinical profile post-injury.

Results

Chi-square analyses found that female sex was associated with increased odds (OR=5.25,95% CI[1.55, 17.77]) of vestibular clinical profile, X2(1, n=50)=7.55, p=.006. History of concussion was associated with increased odds (OR=7.10,95%CI[1.39,35.87]) of the PTM profile (X2[1, n=50]=6.56, p=.01) and increased odds (OR=9.85,95%CI[1.00,96.67]) of anxiety/mood profile (X2 1, n=50]=5.24, p=.022. Further, history of motion sickness was associated with increased odds OR=10.2,95%CI[1.2,86.69] of the PTM profile (X2[1, n=50]=6.11, p=.013). No other relationships were found.

Conclusion

Some clinical risk factors were associated with post-injury clinical profiles consistent with prior literature, while others were not. For example, females were more likely to have a vestibular profile. While motion sickness was associated with PTM, history of migraine was not. Concussion history, which has inconsistent findings for re-injury outcomes, was associated with increased likelihood of PTM and anxiety/mood profiles. Findings add to the literature supporting relationships among risk factors and clinical outcomes.
Dynamic Reaction Time: Jumping into the Future of Concussion Management
Authors: Johnson R S , Lempke L B , Schmidt J D , Lynall R C
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To explore the relationship between reaction time (RT) on a commonly used post-concussion computerized neurocognitive assessment and dynamic RT during sport-like movements, with and without a cognitive task.

Methods

Fourteen healthy individuals (7 females; age=22.3±2.5yrs, height=169.1±14.0cm, mass=71.1±16.8kg) completed a computerized Stroop task (CNS Vital Signs), where the individual presses the space bar when the color of the word does not match the word, and two dynamic RT tasks (jump landing [4 trials], anticipated cutting [8 trials]). Dynamic RT tasks were performed with (dual-task) and without (single-task) a cognitive task (subtracting by 6’s or 7’s). Participants jumped off of a 30cm box and then either performed a maximum vertical jump landing or an anticipated cut at 45. Dynamic RT, recorded using high-speed 3D-motion capture (Qualisys), was the average time (seconds) between visual stimulus and when participants’ sacrum moved >3cm in the sagittal or transverse plane. Pearson correlation coefficients (α=0.05) were calculated between all RT measures.

Results

Stroop RT (0.67±0.01s) was not significantly correlated with jump landing single-task (p=0.45; r=0.22), jump landing dual-task (p=0.10; r=0.45), anticipated cutting single-task (p=0.7; r=0.11), or anticipated cutting dual-task (p=0.85; r=0.06) RTs. We found positive correlations between all single- and dual-task dynamic RTs (p=.03, r=.56).

Conclusion

Stroop RT was not correlated with dynamic RTs, which may more closely reflect RT associated with sport participation. Commonly used computerized RT assessments may not fully represent the dynamic RT athletes need in sport tasks. Further investigation is warranted in order to develop the most appropriate RT assessments for post-concussion return-to-play.
How Accurate are Concussed College Athlete’s Self-reported Balance Problems?
Authors: DaCosta A , Fasciana M , Crane A , LoGalbo A
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) has been determined to be a reliable and valid measure of balance performance (Bell et al., 2011). Previous research indicates self-reported balance difficulties and postural stability are positively correlated (Broglio et al., 2009). Furthermore, athletes exhibit an increase in errors on the BESS following a concussion (McCrea et al., 2004).

Methods

68 collegiate athletes (age 18-23; M=19.62, SD=1.44) received baseline, post-concussion, and follow-up evaluations. Balance performance was measured via the BESS on the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool-5th edition (SCAT5), while symptom reporting was measured by the SCAT5 and ImPACT neurocognitive testing.

Results

Multiple simple linear regressions were conducted, suggesting that changes in BESS performance from baseline to post-trauma significantly predicted self-report of “balance problems” at post-trauma on ImPACT (F(1, 66)=11.94, p=.001; R2=.15) and SCAT5 (F(1, 66)=5.73, p=.02; R2=.08). While baseline BESS errors were significantly correlated with post-trauma BESS errors (r=.29, p=.02), BESS errors at post-trauma did not significantly predict self-reporting of balance problems on either assessment.

Conclusion

Results suggest that self-reported balance difficulties following a concussion are an indicator of change in intraindividual balance performance, but not post-trauma balance performance alone. Furthermore, it provides clinical context as the individuals’ perception of change may be greater, impacting the likelihood of self-reporting of balance problems at post-trauma. These results support the clinical utility of examining pre- and post-injury changes in balance by including balance measurements in pre-participation baseline testing.
Safety and Effectiveness of VYC-17.5L for Long-Term Correction of Nasolabial Folds
Authors: Dayan Steven , Maas Corey S , Grimes Pearl E , Beer Kenneth , Monheit Gary , Snow Sean , Murphy Diane K , Lin Vince
Published: July 2019

Background

Juvéderm Vollure XC (VYC-17.5L; Allergan plc, Dublin, Ireland) belongs to a family of hyaluronic acid gels based on the Vycross technology platform.

Objectives

The authors sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Vollure for correction of moderate to severe nasolabial folds (NLFs) over 18 months and after repeat treatment.

Methods

In this prospective, randomized study, patients (N = 123) received initial/touch-up treatment with Vollure in 1 NLF and control filler in the contralateral NLF. Patients received optional repeat treatment with Vollure after month 12, 15, or 18. Assessments included investigator-rated NLF Severity Scale responder rates (≥1-point improvement vs baseline), patient-assessed Appraisal of Nasolabial Folds scale of the FACE-Q questionnaire, and patient satisfaction (11-point scale).

Results

Median volume of Vollure injected was 1.7 mL for initial/touch-up treatment combined and 0.6 mL for repeat treatment. The NLF Severity Scale responder rates were 93%, 85%, and 59% at months 6, 9, and 18 after initial/touch-up treatment and increased to 94% at 1 month after repeat treatment. Mean patient-reported FACE-Q scores significantly improved from baseline at all timepoints. Most patients were very satisfied with treatment at all timepoints from day 3 (75%) through month 18 (68%) and at 1 month after repeat treatment (94%). Common injection site responses after initial/touch-up and repeat treatment were firmness, swelling, and tenderness to touch; most were mild/moderate.

Conclusions

Vollure was safe and effective for correction of moderate to severe NLFs, with results lasting 18 months in 59% of NLFs. Repeat treatment required one-third of the injection volume to achieve similar improvement in NLF severity as initial/touch-up treatment.

Level of Evidence: 2
Human recreation reduces clutch size in great tits Parus major regardless of risk-taking personality
Authors: Hutfluss A , Dingemanse N J
Published: July 2019

Recreation negatively affects wildlife by influencing animal behavior vital to reproduction and survival. Such nonconsumptive effects of perceived predation risk are mainly studied in ground-breeding birds. However, if antipredator responses characterize bird species generally, so should nonconsumptive effects of perceived predation associated with human recreation. Moreover, as individuals consistently differ in behaviors linked to antipredator responses, they should also differ in responses to recreation, with bolder birds being less affected. To test this key prediction, we quantified effects of human recreation pressure on a cavity-breeding passerine. We uniquely quantified human recreation pressure over a substantial (8-year) period within 12 nest box populations of the great tit Parus major, assayed annually for reproductive parameters. We detected considerable spatial variation in recreation pressure. In plots with high recreation pressure, we found strong support for birds breeding further away from highly frequented paths and birds producing smaller clutches; we also found moderate support for birds producing fewer fledglings. These detrimental effects did not vary with behavioral proxies of an individual’s risk-taking phenotype (exploratory activity). This implies that effects of recreation pressure apply to the average bird, and extend to species (like forest birds) not previously considered.
COX2 is induced in the ovarian epithelium during ovulatory wound repair and promotes cell survival†
Authors: Carter Lauren E , Cook David P , Collins Olga , Gamwell Lisa F , Dempster Holly A , Wong Howard W , McCloskey Curtis W , Garson Ken , Vuong Nhung H , Vanderhyden Barbara C
Published: July 2019

The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) is a monolayer of cells surrounding the ovary that is ruptured during ovulation. After ovulation, the wound is repaired, however, this process is poorly understood. In epithelial tissues, wound repair is mediated by an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 (TGFβ1) is a cytokine commonly known to induce an EMT and is present throughout the ovarian microenvironment. We, therefore, hypothesized that TGFβ1 induces an EMT in OSE cells and activates signaling pathways important for wound repair.

Treating primary cultures of mouse OSE cells with TGFβ1 induced an EMT mediated by TGFβRI signaling. The transcription factor Snail was the only EMT-associated transcription factor increased by TGFβ1 and, when overexpressed, was shown to increase OSE cell migration. A polymerase chain reaction array of TGFβ signaling targets determined Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2) to be most highly induced by TGFβ1. Constitutive Cox2 expression modestly increased migration and robustly enhanced cell survival, under stress conditions similar to those observed during wound repair. The increase in Snail and Cox2 expression with TGFβ1 was reproduced in human OSE cultures, suggesting these responses are conserved between mouse and human. Finally, the induction of Cox2 expression in OSE cells during ovulatory wound repair was shown in vivo, suggesting TGFβ1 increases Cox2 to promote wound repair by enhancing cell survival. These data support that TGFβ1 promotes ovulatory wound repair by induction of an EMT and activation of a COX2-mediated pro-survival pathway. Understanding ovulatory wound repair may give insight into why ovulation is the primary non-hereditary risk factor for ovarian cancer.
Threshold-Dependent Gene Drives in the Wild: Spread, Controllability, and Ecological Uncertainty
Authors: Backus Gregory A , Delborne Jason A
Published: July 2019

Gene drive technology could allow the intentional spread of a desired gene throughout an entire wild population in relatively few generations. However, there are major concerns that gene drives could either fail to spread or spread without restraint beyond the targeted population. One potential solution is to use more localized threshold-dependent drives, which only spread when they are released in a population above a critical frequency. However, under certain conditions, small changes in gene drive fitness could lead to divergent outcomes in spreading behavior. In the face of ecological uncertainty, the inability to estimate gene drive fitness in a real-world context could prove problematic because gene drives designed to be localized could spread to fixation in neighboring populations if ecological conditions unexpectedly favor the gene drive. This perspective offers guidance to developers and managers because navigating gene drive spread and controllability could be risky without detailed knowledge of ecological contexts.
Controlling Drug Users: Forms of Power and Behavioural Regulation in Drug Treatment Services
Authors: Bacon Matthew , Seddon Toby
Published: July 2019

This article examines the control practices used in drug treatment services to regulate the behaviour of people with drug problems. Drawing on an extensive qualitative study, we developed a conceptual framework, integrating the notion of responsive regulation with Wrong’s sociology of power. The picture that emerges is of a complex ‘web of controls’, combining diverse forms of power and control techniques, used to steer action and shape behavioural outcomes. It is argued that we can understand these control practices within drug treatment as part of broader strategies for the social regulation of the poor, built on deep-rooted hybrids of punishment and welfare. The article concludes with the suggestion that drug treatment represents an important site for understanding penal power today.
Geometric morphometrics of corolla shape in Campanula (Campanulaceae) from Cabo Verde archipelago
Authors: Gardere Mathieu L , Dubuisson Jean-Yves , Muller Serge , Savriama Yoland
Published: July 2019

In the Cabo Verde archipelago, Campanula spp. (bellflowers) are currently represented by four endemic species restricted to mountainous islands (C. bravensis, C. feijoana, C. hortelensis and C. jacobaea), all of which are known for high floral polymorphism. Diagnostic features of the corolla often differ from original descriptions, bringing into question their taxonomic delimitation. Based on the variations in the corolla shape observed during fieldwork, eight morphogeographical entities were distinguished among the taxa in the archipelago. Geometric morphometrics was used to quantify and examine these floral variations. Corolla morphology of 221 photographed flowers was captured by 2D landmarks and semi-landmarks configurations and analysed with canonical variate analysis. The results show agreement between morphological groupings and their geographical ranges. For most entities, the geographical origin may be determined with accurate morphological examination of the flower. In this case, the corolla shape proves to be a taxonomically discriminant trait. Furthermore, the terminology used until now to characterize these different floral forms is discussed. The present study contributes significantly to clarifying the floral polymorphism in Cabo Verdean Campanula and suggests that taxonomic revision of this group is necessary.
Pathway-Specific Genetic Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease Differentiates Regional Patterns of Cortical Atrophy in Older Adults
Authors: Caspers Svenja , Röckner Melanie E , Jockwitz Christiane , Bittner Nora , Teumer Alexander , Herms Stefan , Hoffmann Per , Nöthen Markus M , Moebus Susanne , Amunts Katrin , Cichon Sven , Mühleisen Thomas W
Published: July 2019

Brain aging is highly variable and represents a challenge to delimit aging from disease processes. Moreover, genetic factors may influence both aging and disease. Here we focused on this issue and investigated effects of multiple genetic loci previously identified to be associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on brain structure of older adults from a population sample. We calculated a genetic risk score (GRS) using genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms from genome-wide association studies of AD and tested its effect on cortical thickness (CT). We observed a common pattern of cortical thinning (right inferior frontal, left posterior temporal, medial occipital cortex). To identify CT changes by specific biological processes, we subdivided the GRS effect according to AD-associated pathways and performed follow-up analyses. The common pattern from the main analysis was further differentiated by pathway-specific effects yielding a more bilateral pattern. Further findings were located in the superior parietal and mid/anterior cingulate regions representing 2 unique pathway-specific patterns. All patterns, except the superior parietal pattern, were influenced by apolipoprotein E. Our step-wise approach revealed atrophy patterns that partially resembled imaging findings in early stages of AD. Our study provides evidence that genetic burden for AD contributes to structural brain variability in normal aging.
The Consensus Hepatitis C Cascade of Care: Standardized Reporting to Monitor Progress Toward Elimination
Authors: Safreed-Harmon Kelly , Blach Sarah , Aleman Soo , Bollerup Signe , Cooke Graham , Dalgard Olav , Dillon John F , Dore Gregory J , Duberg Ann-Sofi , Grebely Jason , Boe Kielland Knut , Midgard Håvard , Porter Kholoud , Razavi Homie , Tyndall Mark , Weis Nina , Lazarus Jeffrey V
Published: July 2019

Cascade-of-care (CoC) monitoring is an important component of the response to the global hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic. CoC metrics can be used to communicate, in simple terms, the extent to which national and subnational governments are advancing on key targets, and CoC findings can inform strategic decision-making regarding how to maximize the progression of individuals with HCV to diagnosis, treatment, and cure. The value of reporting would be enhanced if a standardized approach were used for generating CoCs. We have described the Consensus HCV CoC that we developed to address this need and have presented findings from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, where it was piloted. We encourage the uptake of the Consensus HCV CoC as a global instrument for facilitating clear and consistent reporting via the World Health Organization (WHO) viral hepatitis monitoring platform and for ensuring accurate monitoring of progress toward WHO's 2030 hepatitis C elimination targets.
‘History’s Attic’: The Role of Legends and Family Stories in Gendering and Decolonizing US Immigration and Ethnic History Through Laurie Fabiano’s Family Saga Elizabeth Street (2006)
Authors: Sañudo Eva Pelayo
Published: July 2019

This article explores the role of legends and family stories in gendering and decolonizing US immigration and ethnic history, particularly through the lens of Italian/American literature and culture. Using the theoretical framework of the politics of representation, the analysis concentrates on the function of mythic and passed-down stories not only as naturalizing agents of cultural norms but as a means to destabilize hegemonic narratives, particularly gendered history and media influence. Laurie Fabiano’s family saga Elizabeth Street (2006) is a debut novel that intertwines the strands of history, autobiography and journalistic research, among others. Precisely the status of this novel as a hybrid genre sheds light into the additional use of alternative sources such as legendary and familial narratives to study migration and ethnic history, as well as to (re)imagine the past from a feminist perspective.
Projected longevities of cardiac implantable defibrillators: a retrospective analysis over the period 2007–17 and the impact of technological factors in determining longevity
Authors: Paton Maria F , Landolina Maurizio , Billuart Jean-Renaud , Field Duncan , Sibley Jonathan , Witte Klaus
Published: July 2019

Aims

Implanters of cardiac implantable electronic devices cannot easily choose devices by longevity as usually current models only have projected longevity data since those with known performance are obsolete. This study examines how projected device longevities are derived, the influencing factors, and their roles in guiding model choice.

Methods and results

Ninety-eight implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) models released in Europe in 2007–17 were analysed for reported battery capacities, projected longevities for standardized settings stipulated by the French Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) and manufacturer-chosen settings. Battery capacities and HAS projected longevities increased during the study period. Based on current drain estimation, therapy functions consumed only a small portion (2–7%) of the battery energy for single- and dual-chamber ICDs, but up to 50% (from biventricular pacing) for CRT-Ds. Large differences exist between manufacturers and models both in terms of battery capacity and energy consumption.

Conclusion

Battery capacity is not the sole driver of longevity for electronic implantable cardiac devices and, particularly for ICDs, the core function consume a large part of the battery energy even in the absence of therapy. Providing standardized current drain consumption in addition to battery capacity may provide more meaningful longevity information among implantable electronic cardiac devices.
Detection of random noise and anatomy of continuous seismic waveforms in dense array data near Anza California
Authors: Meng Haoran , Ben-Zion Yehuda , Johnson Christopher W
Published: July 2019

We develop a methodology to separate continuous seismic waveforms into random noise (RN), not random noise (NRN) produced by earthquakes, wind, traffic and other sources of ground motions, and an undetermined mixture of signals. The analysis is applied to continuous records from a dense seismic array on the San Jacinto fault zone. To detect RN signals, we cut hourly waveforms into non-overlapping 1 s time windows and apply cross-correlations to separate RN candidates from outliers. The cross-correlation coefficients between different RN candidates fall into a tight range (i.e. 0.09–0.35), while cross-correlation coefficients of RN candidates with NRN signals (e.g. seismic or air-traffic events) are lower. The amplitude spectra of RN candidates have a well-defined level, while the amplitude spectra of other signals deviate from that level. Using these properties, we examine the amplitude spectra of moving time windows and cross-correlation coefficients with RN templates in each hour. The hourly RN is quasi-stationary and the results cluster tightly in the parameter space of cross-correlation coefficients and L2 norm deviations from the mean spectra of RN candidates. Time windows with parameters in this tight cluster are identified as RN, windows that deviate significantly from the RN cluster are identified as NRN and windows with values in between are identified as mixed signals. Several iterations on each hourly data are used to update and stabilize the selection of RN templates and mean noise spectra. For the days examined, the relative fractions of RN, NRN and mixed signals in local day (night) times are about 26 (42 per cent), 40 (33 per cent) and 34 per cent (25 per cent), respectively.