bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study of the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised
Authors: Wang Jing , Di Haibo , Hua Wen , Cheng Liwen , Xia Zhigang , Hu Zhouyao , Huang Wangshan , Chatelle Camille , Laureys Steven
Published: June 2020

Objective:

The aim of the study was to check on the reliability and validity of the translated version of Nociception Coma Scale–Revised.

Design:

Prospective psychometric study.

Setting:

Rehabilitation and neurology unit in hospital.

Subjects:

Patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness.

Interventions:

None.

Main measures:

The original English version of the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised was translated into Chinese. The reliability and validity were undertaken by trained raters. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to assess inter-rater reliability and test–retest reliability. Cronbach’s alpha test was used to investigate internal consistency. Spearman’s correlation was used to calculate concurrent validity. The Coma Recovery Scale–revised was used to assess the consciousness of patients.

Results:

Eighty-four patients were enrolled in the study. Inter-rater reliability of the Chinese version of Nociception Coma Scale–Revised was high for total scores and motor and verbal subscores and good for facial subscores. Test–retest reliability was high for total score and for all subscores. Analysis revealed a moderate internal consistency for subscores. For the concurrent validity, a strong correlation was found between the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability behavioral scale for all patients. A moderate correlation was found between the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised and the Coma Recovery Scale–revised scores for all patients.

Conclusion:

The Chinese version of Nociception Coma Scale–Revised has good reliability and validity data for assessing responses to pain in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness.
Use of rsfMRI-fALFF for the detection of changes in brain activity in patients with normal-tension glaucoma
Authors: Li Han-Lin , Chou Xue-Mei , Liang Ying , Pan Tong , Zhou Qiong , Pei Chong-Gang , Jiang Jian , Li Biao , Shao Yi
Published: June 2020

Background

We know little about the changes of brain activity in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

Purpose

To investigate the altered spontaneous brain activity in patients with NTG through the resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging–fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (rsfMRI-fALFF) technique, and to explore the relationship with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and field of vision.

Material and Methods

Twenty patients with NTG and 20 healthy controls (HCs) (matched for sex, age, and level of education) were enrolled. Spontaneous cerebral activity variations were investigated using the rsfMRI-fALFF technique in all individuals. The average fALFF values of patients with NTG and HCs were compared.

Results

Compared with HCs, patients with NTG had significantly lower fALFF values in the right angular gyrus and precuneus; however, higher fALFF values in the brain regions were not observed. The values showed statistically significant negative correlation with those of the retinal nerve fiber layer (right angular gyrus: r = −0.607, P = 0.010; right precuneus: r = −0.504, P = 0.020). There was no significant correlation between the fALFF value and cup-disc ratio (right angular gyrus: r = 0.158, P = 0.494; right precuneus: r = −0.087, P = 0.706), mean deviation (right angular gyrus: r = 0.096, P = 0.468; right precuneus: r = 0.026, P = 0.845), and pattern SD value (right angular gyrus: r = 0.064, P = 0.626; right precuneus: r = −0.145, P = 0.268).

Conclusion

Abnormal spontaneous activities were detected in numerous brain regions of patients with NTG, which may provide useful information for understanding the dysfunction in NTG. These activity changes in brain regions may be used as effective clinical indicators for NTG.
Investigating the Effect of Prestress Force on Cross-Tensioned Concrete Pavement Vibration
Authors: Zhao Hongduo , Zeng Mengyuan , Chen Hui , Ling Jianming , Wu Difei
Published: June 2020

Prestress force loss is crucial to the structural performance of cross-tensioned concrete pavement (CTCP). Severe loss in prestress force will reduce the constricting-cracking capacity of the CTCP, resulting in damage with load and temperature applied. Vibration-based methods are commonly used in prestress force monitoring, but few relative studies are reported into CTCP and the relationship between prestress force and CTCP vibration is still unclear. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of prestress force on CTCP vibration. The vibration characteristics of CTCP subjected to different prestress forces were studied through field testing and finite element (FE) analysis. Impulse load was applied as excitation at the anchorage zone and dynamic responses were measured in the time domain. A signal processing method was employed to obtain short-time power spectral from original vibration signals, which was utilized to extract vibration characteristics in time and frequency. As shown in both the field testing and the FE analysis, the prestress force has a more significant effect on frequency spectral distribution, rather than the dominant frequency. Integrated frequency is proved to be a reliable index for describing frequency spectral distribution and has a good correlation with prestress force, which suggests it can be used to reflect the change in prestress force. Overall, these findings indicate that vibration testing has potential in prestress force monitoring in CTCP, though the practicality of this method requires further demonstration.
A Combination Treatment of Raloxifene and Vitamin D Enhances Bone-to-Tendon Healing of the Rotator Cuff in a Rat Model
Authors: Kim Dong Min , Shim In Kyoung , Shin Myung Jin , Choi Jae Hee , Lee Yu Na , Jeon In-Ho , Kim Hyojune , Park Dongjun , Kholinne Erica , Koh Kyoung-Hwan
Published: June 2020

Background:

Tearing and degeneration of the rotator cuff at the tendon-to-bone junction are common in adults aged ≥50 years. Few studies have reported on the relationship between estrogen and the rotator cuff enthesis. In addition to preventing bone loss, selective estrogen receptor modulators have been shown to improve tendon and muscle quality.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of raloxifene (RLX) and vitamin D on rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing in a rat model.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 29 female rats (58 shoulders) were assigned to 4 groups: (1) control group, (2) ovariectomy (OVX)–only group, (3) no RLX group (OVX and rotator cuff repair [RCR]), and (4) RLX group (OVX, RCR, and RLX). Rats that did not undergo rotator cuff tear (RCT) surgery were divided into the control and OVX-only groups according to OVX surgery. Rats that underwent RCT surgery and RCR were divided into the no RLX and RLX groups according to RLX and vitamin D administration. An estrogen-deficient state was induced by OVX at 12 weeks of age. Bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone characteristics were measured by micro–computed tomography, and healing of the tendon-to-bone junction was evaluated by biomechanical testing, histomorphometry, and micro–magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results:

The mean final body weight (BW; 461.6 ± 47.3 g) of the OVX-only group was significantly higher and BMD (0.25 ± 0.07 g/cm3) was significantly lower ( P < .001) than the mean final BW (338.5 ± 35.1 g) and BMD (0.48 ± 0.05 g/cm3) of the control group. In contrast, the RLX group showed that the BW (369.6 ± 35.8 g) and BMD (0.41 ± 0.08 g/cm3) were not significantly different from the control group. The RLX group had a significantly higher histomorphometric total score (8.50 ± 1.05) than the no RLX group (4.83 ± 2.48). On biomechanical testing, the RLX group (29.7 ± 9.1 N) showed a significantly higher load to failure than the no RLX group (19.4 ± 8.8 N). On micro-MRI, the RLX group had a more homogeneous low signal and tendon continuity than the no RLX group.

Conclusion:

The combination treatment of RLX and vitamin D prevented a decrease in local BMD (greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus) and enhanced tendon-to-bone healing of the rotator cuff in a rat model.

Clinical Relevance:

This study induced an estrogen-deficient state similar to the human postmenopausal state and used drugs that are actually being prescribed in a clinical situation.
A map of technopolitics: Deep convergence, platform ontologies, and cognitive efficiency
Authors: Peters Michael A.
Published: June 2020

This paper, based on an invited Thesis Eleven presentation (8 August 2019), provides a ‘map of technopolitics’ that springs from an investigation of the theoretical notion of technological convergence adopted by the US National Science Foundation, signaling a new paradigm of ‘nano-bio-info-cogno’ (NBIC) technologies. This integration at the nano-level is expected to drive the next wave of scientific research, technology and knowledge economy. The paper explores the concept of ‘technopolitics’ by investigating the links between Wittgenstein’s anti-scientism and Lyotard’s ‘technoscience’, reviewing the history of the notion in the work of the Belgium philosopher Gilbert Hottois. The ‘deep convergence’ representing a new technoscientific synergy is the product of long-term trends of ‘bioinformational capitalism’ that harnesses the twin forces of information and genetic sciences that coalesce in the least mature ‘cognosciences’ in their application to education and research. The map of technopolitics systematically identifies the political relations between Big Tech and ‘new digital publics’ to reveal that the new paradigm is based on the supreme value of cognitive efficiency. There are a closely-knit cluster of concerns that frame a map of political issues about the fifth-generation technological impacts on human beings, their bodies and minds, and public institutions, not least the logic of the distribution and ownership of data, information and knowledge, and its effects on democracy.
Are You Prepared for End-of-Life Care? A Content Review of Canadian End-of-Life Care Standards and Competencies for Saskatchewan
Authors: Buness Michelle , Compton Roslyn M. , Press Madeline , Peternelj-Taylor Cindy
Published: June 2020

Background:

The provision of end-of-life care is receiving attention locally, provincially, and nationally in Canada. It is important to ensure that interprofessional standards and competencies are in place to provide quality end-of-life care that meets the needs of patients and their families. The purpose of this content review was to identify core standards and competencies essential to an interprofessional team providing end-of-life care.

Methods:

The researchers conducted a review of health professional associations and registration bodies that support professionals providing end-of-life care to identify existing standards and competencies. Key concepts were reviewed and organized using thematic analysis; relationships were developed; and core themes for interprofessional end-of-life care were identified.

Results:

Four themes essential to the provision of end-of-life care were common across all health professions: (1) access to care, (2) professional practice, (3) person-centered care, and (4) the process and delivery of care.

Conclusions:

Health professional associations need to ensure end-of-life care standards and competencies are in place for the provision of appropriate and holistic care. Aligning standards and competencies across professions improves the preparedness of health professionals to provide interprofessional end-of-life care.
Attitude and Barriers in Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning in Nonmalignant Chronic Lung Disease: Results From a Danish National Survey
Authors: Sørensen Anita Rath , Marsaa Kristoffer , Prior Thomas Skovhus , Bendstrup Elisabeth
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease have a significant burden of symptoms. Many are not offered palliative care (PC). Our aim was to investigate the attitudes to and barriers for PC among physicians.

Method:

A web-based survey was conducted among members of the Danish Respiratory Society. The questionnaire included contextual (gender, age, clinical experience, type of center, patient caseload) and outcome questions (knowledge and use of statements for PC and advance care planning [ACP], practice of communication about end-of-life decisions, practice for referral to PC, barriers regarding structural surroundings, clinical skills, and organization).

Results:

One hundred fifty-six (45%) physicians responded. Median age was 40 - 49 years and 55% were female. Fifty-two percent were specialists; 71% worked at a university hospital. The majority of physicians (60%) reported barriers for discussions about PC and ACP; 63% reported lack of time, 52% lack of multidisciplinary staff settings, 63% reported the unpredictability of the prognosis, and 20% insufficient awareness of patient’s culture, religion, or spirituality. Fewer specialists than nonspecialists reported barriers toward ACP. The majority had knowledge of guidelines in PC and ACP, but only a minority used these in daily clinical practice.

Conclusion:

The attitude toward PC and ACP conversations was positive and implementation was regarded as important, but only a minority performed these conversations in practice. Main barriers were lack of time and staff. Palliative care guidelines were known but only scarcely used. Structural changes at the organizational level to improve access to palliation for patients with nonmalignant chronic lung diseases are needed.
PVA/anionic collagen membranes as drug carriers of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride with sustained antibacterial activity and potential use in the treatment of ulcerative keratitis
Authors: Daza Jorge Humberto Unas , Righetto Gabriela Marinho , Chaud Marco Vinicius , da Conceição Amaro Martins Virginia , Lopes Baratella da Cunha Camargo Ilana , Maria de Guzzi Plepis Ana
Published: June 2020

Devices such as contact lenses and collagen shields have been used to improve the antibiotic bioavailability of eye drops formulations in the treatment of ulcerative keratitis. Nevertheless, these devices are not sustained drug delivery systems, and a combination with eye drops is necessary. In animal patients, it requires constant supervision by trained personnel to avoid device loss, which increases the cost of treatment. In this study, PVA/anionic collagen membranes containing ciprofloxacin or tobramycin were prepared using two different methodologies, and the release, physical and antimicrobial properties were evaluated. The membrane containing ciprofloxacin was selected as a sustained drug delivery system with antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli during 48 h. Despite to be opaque, due to its heterogeneous morphology, this membrane had the adequate mechanical strength, water content, hydrophilicity, water vapor permeability, and surface pH to interact with cornea without causing discomfort. In the surface of this membrane it was observed dispersed collagen fibrils which could serve as a substrate for corneal proteinases, contributing to the reduction in stromal damage and enhancing the epithelium regeneration. These results encourage the idea these membranes are new cost-effective and safe alternatives to treat corneal ulcers in animal patients.
Koh group influence on titanium surfaces and pure sol-gel silica for enhanced osteogenic activity
Authors: Guimarães Rodrigo Porto , Xavier Ludmila Gonçalves de Oliveira , Maltos Kátia Lucy de Melo , Sá Ana Flôr , Domingues Rosana Zacarias , Carvalho Vagner Eustáquio de , Elias Daniel Cunha , Discacciati José Augusto César , Pacheco Cinthia Mara da Fonseca , Moreira Allyson Nogueira
Published: June 2020

Although, the excellent level of success of titanium surfaces is based on the literature, there are some biological challenges such as unfavorable metabolic conditions or regions of poor bone quality where greater surface bioactivity is desired. Seeking better performance, we hypothesized that silica-based coating via sol-gel route with immersion in potassium hydroxide basic solution induces acceleration of bone mineralization. This in vitro experimental study coated titanium surfaces with bioactive glass synthesized by route sol-gel via hydrolysis and condensation of chemical alkoxide precursor, tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and/or deposition of chemical compound potassium hydroxide (KOH) to accelerate bone apposition. The generated surfaces titanium(T), titanium with potassium hydroxide deposition (T + KOH), titanium with bioactive glass deposition synthesized by sol-gel route via tetraethylorthosilicate hydrolysis (TEOS), titanium with bioactive glass deposition synthesized by sol-gel route via tetraethylorthosilicate hydrolysis with potassium hydroxide deposition (TEOS + KOH) were characterized by 3D optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle by the sessile drop method, x-ray excited photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDX). The addition of the KOH group on the pure titanium (T) or bioactive glass (TEOS) surfaces generated a tendency for better results for mineralization. Groups covered with bioactive glass (TEOS, TEOS + KOH) tended to outperform even groups with titanium substrate (T, T + KOH). The addition of both, bioactive glass and KOH, in a single pure titanium substrate yielded the best results for the mineralization process.
The effect of zwitterionic surface content on blood circulation time of nanocapsule
Authors: Han Xing , Li Sidi , Li Xueping , Zhan Qi , Zhan Yueying , Zhao Jin , Hou Xin , Yuan Xubo
Published: June 2020

Zwitterionic modification can prolong the blood circulation time of nanocarrier in vivo, but zwitterionic content will affect the functions of nanocarrier such as enzyme-responsive and intracellular or extracellular delivery. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the relationship between the zwitterionic content and circulation time of nanocarrier so as to figure out what content of zwitterion can enable the nanocarrier to obtain both the long blood circulation ability and other functions mentioned above. Herein, using nanocapsule as a research model, we investigated the nanocapsule modified with zwitterion of phosphorylcholine (PC) or carboxybetaine (CB) respectively, and through 1H-NMR quantification we determined the zwitterionic surface content, so as to study the effect of PC or CB surface content on blood circulation performance of nanocapsule. In vivo study showed that the nanocapsule possessed an optimal surface filling ratios range for blood circulation of 43–68% for PC and of 20–68% for CB, with the longest t1/2=37.35 h for PC-nanocapsule and t1/2=45.27 h for CB-nanocapsule. Furthermore, the protein adsorption and macrophage endocytosis experiments indicated that when the surface filling ratio reached 43% for PC-nanocapsule and 20% for CB-nanocapsule, it could effectively reduce the protein adsorption and weaken macrophage endocytosis, thus explaining the phenomenon of long circulation time of nanocapsules from the point of protein adsorption and interaction with immune cells. This study proposes a new direction for designing long-circulating nanocarrier, and provides basis for constructing enzyme-responsive and intracellular or extracellular delivery platform.
Do Sexual Minorities Face Greater Risk for Sexual Harassment, Ever and at School, in Adolescence?
Authors: Smith Davey M. , Johns Nicole E. , Raj Anita
Published: June 2020

Bullying of sexual minorities in the United States is common and often begins in middle and high school, yet research that examines sexual harassment of sexual minorities is limited. This study examines whether sexual minorities are more likely than straight people to (a) report sexual harassment and (b) report sexual harassment as adolescents at middle or high school. We analyzed survey data from a cross-sectional study of sexual harassment and assault, conducted with nationally representative samples of adults in 2019 ( N = 2,205). Sexual harassment was categorized as non-physically aggressive sexual harassment only (NPSH; e.g., verbal or cyber harassment), physically aggressive sexual harassment (PSH; e.g., stalking, rubbing up against you; with or without NPSH), sexual assault (SA; i.e., forced sex; with or without NPSH or PSH), or no sexual harassment (none). In total, 6% of female and male respondents identified as a sexual minority. A history of sexual harassment or assault was reported by 95.0% of sexual minority women and 80.3% of straight women ( p = .001), and by 77.3% of sexual minority men and 41.3% of straight men ( p = .001). Multivariable multinomial models demonstrate that sexual minorities were more likely than straight individuals to report NPSH (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.88, 95% [Confidence Interval] CI = [1.33, 6.20]), PSH (AOR = 4.15, 95% CI: [1.77, 9.77]), and SA (AOR = 5.48, 95% CI = [2.56, 11.73]; reference group: no harassment), as well as to report PSH (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI = [1.30, 5.47]) at school in middle or high school. These abuses demonstrate increased risk for sexual harassment among sexual minorities, including increased risk for physically aggressive sexual harassment when in middle and high school.
‘Casting Shadows’: Militarised boyhoods in apartheid South Africa during the 1980s
Authors: Symons Stephen
Published: June 2020

This article provides a series of insights into the structures and scaffolding of militarising White South African adolescents during the 1980s, including the processes of militarisation from childhood up until induction into the former South African Defence Force. Although this article traces the process and presents personal accounts of militarised childhoods, it ultimately questions how these indeterminate memories attempt to navigate a contested present, namely, a post-apartheid space.
A systematic estimation approach for the importance of engineering characteristics based on online reviews
Authors: Xing Tao , Wang Guan , Yuan Lin , Liu Yusheng , Ye Xiaoping , Zhao Jianjun
Published: June 2020

Online reviews are a new source for the valuable voice of customers. By identifying the customer’s opinion, designers can comprehend the important features of a product to satisfy customer demand, thus enhancing the market competitiveness of the product. Customers have opinions on multiple aspects of products hidden in reviews, and sentiment divergence may exist. Moreover, there is a gap between customer requirements and the product’s system requirements. How to effectively analyze a large number of reviews to extract the aspect-level customer opinion and thus determine the most important product engineering characteristics in design are the critical challenges for market-driven design. A systematic requirement analysis framework is proposed in this work. First, a convolutional neural network and sentiment analysis are used for opinion mining of online reviews. Then, based on fuzzy logic, the customer sentiment divergence (which is quantified by controversy indexes) and the average sentiment of a requirement are used to determine the degree of satisfaction. Finally, based on the product’s quality function development matrix, the satisfaction and frequency of the customer requirements are used to estimate the importance of the product’s engineering characteristics, which identifies the focus of product design. A case study of a hair dryer is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Impacts of blade inlet angle of diffuser on the performance of a submersible pump
Authors: Qingshun Wei , Xihuan Sun , Shamseldin Asaad Y , Chaoqun Li
Published: June 2020

A diffuser acts as an energy conversion device to improve the performance of a submersible pump. The blade inlet angle of a diffuser is the most important geometric parameter that affects the performance of a submersible pump. The present paper focused on the effects of different blade inlet angles of a diffuser on the performance of a submersible pump. Firstly, the theoretical analysis of the diffuser characteristic curve was carried out; Secondly, five sets of submersible pump models with different blade inlet angles and the same impeller were built and simulated. Finally, based on the obtained results, two characteristic parameters reflecting inlet and outlet velocity distributions in the diffuser were introduced, and the quantitative relationship between internal and external characteristics of the diffuser was established. It was found that as the blade inlet angle of the diffuser increased, the optimum operating point moved in the direction of large flow rate. When the blade inlet angle of the diffuser was in the range of 27°–30°, the efficiency of the submersible pump reached more than 75%, and the maximum change in the corresponding working flow was 0.2 times of the theoretical discharge. Furthermore, the values of the maximum speed reduction ratio ([Formula: see text], that is the ratio of inlet circumferential flow velocity to minimum flow velocity on the intermediate flow surface of a diffuser.) were located near 1.6, and they were positioned ([Formula: see text], that is the relative position of the lowest flow velocity on the intermediate flow surface along the flow path of the diffuser.) near the midpoint of the flow path of the diffuser. Moreover, with the increase in the change rate of different blade inlet angles ([Formula: see text]), the high-efficiency interval breadth ([Formula: see text], that is the relative rate of change in flow rate with respect to the highest flow rate at [Formula: see text].) manifested an increasing trend. When [Formula: see text] exceeded 0.06, the value of [Formula: see text] increased significantly, and the range of applicable flow intervals expanded simultaneously. According to performance requirements, the distribution of the internal flow field was specified to further enhance the adaptability of the submersible pump to different working conditions.
Effect of electron beam irradiation on the thermal and mechanical properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer/polyamide blends
Authors: Ahmed Jawad , Zhang Yong
Published: June 2020

The effect of electron beam (e-beam) irradiation on the thermal and mechanical properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer/ternary polyamide (EVA/tPA) blends was studied. The e-beam irradiation was carried out over a range of dose from 50 kGy to 500 kGy with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) as cross-linking coagents. With increasing irradiation dose, the gel fraction of the EVA/tPA blends increased significantly. After irradiated by e-beam at 500 kGy, the insoluble fraction of EVA/tPA blends with 3 parts per hundred rubber TMPTMA increased from 28% to 86%. The tensile strength of EVA/tPA/TMPTMA-3 (70/30/3) considerably increased up to 172% with a value of 10.01 MPa at 500 kGy due to an increase in cross-linking compared to the EVA/tPA/TAIC-3 (70/30/3) blend. However, the melting temperature and crystallization peak temperature of EVA/tPA blends decreased with increasing irradiation dose. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the irradiation cross-linking could improve the thermal stability of the EVA/tPA blends. The degradation kinetics of the EVA/tPA blends at elevated temperatures were studied using the Kissinger, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and Friedman methods. Irradiation cross-linked EVA/tPA blends exhibited a remarkable improvement in their oil resistance, with the identified improvement being most prominent in the EVA/tPA/TMPTMA-3 blend.
Sport and exercise in times of self-quarantine: How Germans changed their behaviour at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Mutz Michael , Gerke Markus
Published: June 2020

Due to the massive spread of a new Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), many European governments enacted rules and legislations in order to reduce social interactions and contain the spread of the virus. German authorities put in force a lockdown of all non-essential infrastructure, starting on 22 March 2020. These policies included the closing of sports clubs, fitness centres and community sports grounds. Most federal states prohibited social gatherings of more than two people, thereby further restricting opportunities to play sport and exercise together. The paper addresses how Germans adapted their leisure time sport and exercise (LTSE) activities in this unprecedented situation. Based on survey data representing the adult population (⩾ 14 years, N=1001, data collection 27 March to 6 April 2020), the paper shows a significant decline in LTSE activities at population level. Overall, 31% of Germans reduced their LTSE, while 27% maintained and 6% intensified their LTSE level. A share of 36% was not engaged in LTSE, either before or at the beginning of the lockdown. Younger age groups were more likely to maintain LTSE levels compared with older ones. Comparisons of ‘reducers’ and ‘maintainers/ intensifiers’ indicate that the latter group increased home-based workouts and outdoor endurance sports, while ‘reducers’ did not find adequate substitutes for their sporting routines.
Applying career human agency theory to practice
Authors: Chen Charles P , Hong Julie Wai Ling
Published: June 2020

This article elaborates the emerging career human agency theory and its applicability to career psychology practice. Using Bandura’s human agency theory as a foundation, career human agency theory is a meta-theory that integrates key tenets from major theories in vocational and career psychology. It presents an endeavour of theoretical integration to conceive and understand career issues and vocational behaviours. The article provides a brief overview of career human agency theory, indicating its postmodern constructivist and constructionist worldview in conceptualizing life-career phenomena, while integrating life and career experiences into a dynamic and coherent whole. To this end, the four pillar theoretical principles and constructs of career human agency theory are reviewed, namely, career intentionality, career forethought, career self-reactiveness, and career self-reflectiveness. Furthermore, the article considers and explains the usefulness of the four constructs as they are applied to professional helping and self-helping processes that improve and enhance the vocational wellness of individuals, connecting career human agency theory to practice. In doing so, the article concludes with a case study illustration to demonstrate how these career human agency theory constructs and their related tenets and ideas can inform and guide career development practice and career counselling interventions, utilizing and strengthening agentic functioning in individuals’ worklife wellbeing.
Surgical Pathology Findings in Patients Who Have Undergone Radical Cystectomy/Cystoprostatectomy With Extended Versus Standard Lymph Node Dissection for Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder: A Contemporary Analysis
Authors: Kagan Joshua , Alemozaffar Mehrdad , Carthon Bradley , Osunkoya Adeboye O.
Published: June 2020

Radical cystectomy/cystoprostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection (with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy) is the gold standard in the management of patients with urothelial carcinoma (UCa) with muscularis propria (detrusor muscle) invasion. However, it remains controversial how extensive the lymph node dissection should be. In this article, we analyzed the clinicopathologic findings in patients who had radical cystectomy/cystoprostatectomy with extended versus standard lymph node dissection. A search was made through our Urologic Pathology files for radical cystectomy/cystoprostatectomy cases with extended and standard lymph node dissection for UCa. A total of 264 cases were included in the study (218 cystoprostatectomy and 46 cystectomy specimens). Mean patients age was 68 years (range = 32-92 years). Patients in all stage categories had more extended lymph node dissection performed compared with standard lymph node dissection: pT0 (20 vs 7), pTis (40 vs 12), pTa (8 vs 4), pT1 (27 vs 5), pT2 (39 vs 8), pT3 (51 vs 17), and pT4 (18 vs 8). In cases with neoadjuvant therapy there was a 19% lymph node positivity rate compared with a 24% positivity rate in those with no presurgical therapy. The only cases categorized as pT2 and below with positive lymph node metastasis were those that had extended lymph node dissection performed. Positive lymph nodes were more frequently detected in cases that had extended lymph node dissection. More than 35% of the positive lymph nodes were in nonregional distribution. Extended lymph node dissection should be considered in patients with UCa even in the low stage or post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy setting.
Women’s Experiences of Managing Work and End-of-Life Care: Challenges, Rewards and Recommendations for Vocational Psychologists
Authors: O’Brien Karen M. , Yang NaYeon , Jankauskaite Greta
Published: June 2020

End-of-life care is a form of unpaid care work that is primarily the responsibility of women and can affect their career development, employment, finances, and vocational success. This paper provides a review of the literature on the career and economic effects of providing unpaid end-of-life care for women caregivers. Illustrative reflections from women caregivers highlight challenging and positive aspects of providing end-of-life care. Challenges identified by the women caregivers included managing conflicting demands among work, home and caregiving as well as experiencing emotional strain, financial burden and economic instability. In addition, work schedules had to be altered and career trajectories were interrupted. Interestingly, caregivers reported receiving support from their employers and co-workers and few work-related benefits were used. Despite the many challenges in managing work and end-of-life care, many participants felt positively about their ability to provide a caring environment for a loved one at the time of their death. Recommendations for individual, familial, workplace, and societal changes related to unpaid end-of-life care will be provided.
Relationship Between Severity of Fibrinolysis Based on Rotational Thromboelastometry and Conventional Fibrinolysis Markers
Authors: Saito Tomoyo , Hayakawa Mineji , Honma Yoshinori , Mizugaki Asumi , Yoshida Tomonao , Katabami Kenichi , Wada Takeshi , Maekawa Kunihiko
Published: June 2020

The association between severity of fibrinolysis, ascertained by rotational thromboelastometry to diagnose hyperfibrinolysis in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and conventional fibrinolysis markers (ie, tissue-plasminogen activator [t-PA], plasminogen, α2-plasmin inhibitor [α2-PI], and plasminogen activator inhibitor [PAI]) with key roles in the fibrinolytic system was investigated. This prospective observational study included 5 healthy volunteers and 35 patients with OHCA from the Hokkaido University Hospital. Blood samples were drawn immediately upon admission to the emergency department. Assessments of the extrinsic pathway using tissue factor activation (EXTEM) and of fibrinolysis by comparison with EXTEM after aprotinin addition (APTEM) were undertaken. Conventional coagulation and fibrinolysis markers were measured in the stored plasma samples. Significant hyperfibrinolysis observed in EXTEM disappeared in APTEM. Patients exhibited significantly higher levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products, plasmin–α2-PI complex, and t-PA but lower levels of fibrinogen, plasminogen, and α2-PI than healthy controls. The PAI level was unchanged. Fibrinolytic parameters of EXTEM correlated with levels of lactate and conventional fibrinolysis markers, especially t-PA. Increased t-PA activity and decreased plasminogen and α2-PI significantly correlated with increased severity of fibrinolysis (hyperfibrinolysis).
Vibration analysis of a flexible gearbox system considering a local fault in the outer ring of the supported ball bearing
Authors: Liu Jing , Yuan Lei
Published: June 2020

Ball bearings are key components in the gear transmission system. Supported ball bearings have great influences on the vibrations of the gear transmission system, especially the presence of the local faults. Although some reported works formulated the local fault in the supported bearings of the gear transmission system, the box and shaft were considered as rigid bodies. To overcome this problem, a rigid-flexible coupling dynamic model for a flexible gearbox with the supported ball bearings is developed, which cannot be described by the previous multibody models. The local fault in the supported bearing is described by a time-varying impact force model with a half-sine profile. The bearing clearance, flexible shaft, and box are considered in the rigid-flexible coupling dynamic model. The flexible shaft and box are formulated by a finite element method. The damping and contact stiffness in the bearings and gears are obtained by the previous methods in the listed works. The frictions between the mating components are formulated by the Coulomb friction model. An experimental study is applied to validate the rigid-flexible coupling dynamic model. The effects of the faults on the vibration transmission characteristics are investigated. The results provide that the local fault in the supported bearings will greatly affect the vibrations of the gearbox system. Moreover, it depicts that the vibration collection point for the defective bearings should be located at the same side to obtain better singles. This work can provide a more reasonable method for understanding the vibration transmission characteristics of the gearbox system with the local faults in the supported bearings than the reported multibody models.
Tangible Service Automation: Decomposing the Technology-Enabled Engagement Process (TEEP) for Augmented Reality
Authors: Heller Jonas , Chylinski Mathew , de Ruyter Ko , Keeling Debbie I. , Hilken Tim , Mahr Dominik
Published: June 2020

The rise of augmented reality (AR) technology, which overlays digital content to alter customers’ views of a physical service setting, using mobile and wearable computing, drives the digital automation of physical services. In particular, it promises to achieve tangibility even in service encounters delivered in digital formats. However, customer engagement with AR is falling short of expectations. Managers lack an integrated framework of AR service automation and therefore tend to focus on the technology rather than on the process of customer engagement with AR service automation. To address this problem, the current study proposes a technology-enabled engagement process that integrates multiple stages of customer engagement, as a service-centric process. To establish that engagement with AR service automation requires the inclusion of service tangibility, as part of the process, the authors decompose the steps of interactive service engagement, the spatial presence of the service, customers’ emotional and cognitive engagement with the service, and perceived value-in-use, which lead to emergent behavioral forms of engagement.
MRI findings, including diffusion-weighted imaging, in seven cats with nasal lymphoma and two cats with nasal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tanaka Toshiyuki , Ashida Kazuna , Iimori Yasumasa , Yamazaki Hiroki , Mie Keiichiro , Nishida Hidetaka , Akiyoshi Hideo
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Primary nasal tumours in cats are rare, with lymphoma being the most common feline nasal tumour, followed by adenocarcinoma. Although CT can reliably detect feline nasal tumours, there are no specific CT features that identify each tumour type. To our knowledge, there have been no reports describing MRI findings, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), for nasal lymphomas and adenocarcinomas in cats. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to evaluate the MRI findings of nasal lymphoma and adenocarcinoma, including qualitative and quantitative analysis of DWI.

Methods

MRI examination was performed on seven cats with histologically confirmed lymphoma and on two with adenocarcinoma. The MRI protocol included T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and DWI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured using DWI. Contrast agent was not used in one cat with lymphoma.

Results

Of the cats with lymphoma, three (43%) were iso- and hyperintense on T2WI, seven (100%) were isointense on T1WI, five (83%) exhibited mild heterogeneous enhancement, including a prominent region of non-enhancement on post-contrast T1WI, and seven (100%) cats exhibited hyperintensity on DWI. The median ADC values were 0.45 × 10−3 mm2/s (range 0.37–0.53 × 10−3 mm2/s). For adenocarcinoma, two (100%) were iso- and hyperintense on T2WI, two (100%) were isointense on T1WI, two (100%) exhibited marked heterogeneous enhancement on post-contrast T1WI and two (100%) were isointense on DWI. The median ADC values were 1.08 × 10−3 mm2/s (range 0.88–1.27 × 10−3 mm2/s). The median ADC values of lymphoma tended to be lower than adenocarcinoma ( P = 0.056).

Conclusions and relevance

Determining ADC value and tumours with a large area of non-enhancement may be helpful in differentiating nasal lymphoma from nasal adenocarcinoma.
Experimental and numerical study for effective thermal conductivity of metallic honeycomb sandwich structures
Authors: Yuan Rongnan , Lu Shouxiang
Published: June 2020

Effective thermal conductivity is an essential parameter to investigate thermal properties of metallic honeycomb sandwich structures. And it cannot be measured by traditional methods due to sandwich structure imbedded with air. A practical experimental equipment was designed to evaluate the value under different temperature from 100°C to 400°C. And it was found that the value of effective thermal conductivity can also be calculated by knowing the thermal conductivity of the reference, thickness of the reference and the slope and intercept of temperature in different layers. Meanwhile, numerical simulation was conducted and the results agreed well with that achieved by experiment. Also, the value of effective thermal conductivity calculated by experiment is close to the value calculated by Swann-Pittman empirical equation. And the method is not limited in metallic honeycomb sandwich structure while it can be applied in most structures with amounts of air. On that basis, heat transfer process of the structure is discussed including heat conduction, heat convection and heat radiation.
The fate of positive intraoperative cultures following conversion total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Cichos Kyle H , Detweiler Maxwell , Parvizi Javad , McGwin Gerald , Heatherly Alex R , Ghanem Elie S
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

The objectives of this study are to report the rates of positive intraoperative cultures obtained during conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) according to index surgery, and to describe the natural history of treatment for a consecutive series of patients with unexpected positive intraoperative cultures during conversion THA.

Methods:

We reviewed all patients at 2 institutions undergoing conversion THA from prior open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of acetabular and hip fractures or hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures from 2011 to 2018. Intraoperative cultures were taken in 105 patients. Positive intraoperative cultures during conversion were recorded and managed with an infectious diseases consult. The outcomes including PJI at 90 days and 1 year follow-up were documented.

Results:

Overall, 19 of 105 patients (18%) undergoing conversion THA had positive intraoperative cultures, with the highest rates in the hemiarthroplasty 7/16 (44%) and acetabular ORIF 9/48 (19%) groups. All 19 patients were initially treated conservatively: 8 received IV antibiotics, 10 received no additional therapy, and 1 received oral antibiotics. 4/9 acetabular fracture conversions developed PJI at 1 year, with 3 requiring multiple irrigation and debridement/polyethylene exchanges to control the infection while the 4th patient required 2-stage exchange. There were no 1-year PJI from any of the other index procedures after conversion. All 7 hemiarthroplasty patients with positive cultures were treated to resolution with 4–8 weeks IV antibiotics alone.

Conclusions:

Patients undergoing conversion THA from prior hip or acetabular fracture have a high rate of positive intraoperative cultures. As such, all patients undergoing conversion THA from prior hip or acetabular fracture fixation should undergo thorough diagnostic workup prior to surgery, and have intraoperative cultures obtained during surgery if infection remains suspicious. Further work should be performed to develop MSIS criteria for preoperative management of patients undergoing conversion THA.
Method to test the durability of fiber-reinforced polymers based on elastic modulus
Authors: Li WenXiao , Yang Yongxin
Published: June 2020

The performance degradation of fiber-reinforced polymer is often assessed based on the ultimate strength obtained during a destructive test. This method has the advantages of simple operation, clear internal mechanism, and noticeable data variation. However, because fiber-reinforced polymers are composed of high molecular compounds, their properties are influenced by several factors, such as the manufacturing process and composition ratio. Without a unified benchmark, it is difficult to unify destructive test data obtained by different researchers and organizations. In this study, a new test method named SNFT (Same Non-failure FRP Test) is proposed for assessing the durability of fiber-reinforced polymers. SNFT is a testing method in which the same specimen can be repeatedly tested at different aging periods. The rationality of the SNFT method is analyzed using the displacement compatibility between the degraded zone and the undegraded zone. The conversion principle based on the degraded degree between the destructive test and the SNFT method is deduced by calculation. An experimental test was designed to investigate the test conditions and control parameters of the SNFT method. SNFT and synchronous destructive tests on glass fiber–reinforced plastic were carried out under the conditions of wet heat and alkali solution, and the theoretical results were compared and verified with data in the literature. The results show that compared with the traditional durability destructive test method, the SNFT method shows more consistent data and less data fluctuation and incurs a lower test cost. The elastic modulus, adopted as the durability benchmark, can be similar to the test results of traditional destructive test methods and could be transformed based on the transformation relationship proposed in this article. The degradation of fiber-reinforced polymer in different environments is characterized by the variation in elastic modulus measured using the SNFT method. This study provides a theoretical basis for establishing a unified benchmark of durability tests and data and supports the quantitative design of durability.