bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal 3D Assessment of Facial Asymmetry in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Al-Rudainy Dhelal , Ju Xiangyang , Mehendale Felicity V. , Ayoub Ashraf
Published: June 2018

Objective:

Longitudinal evaluation of asymmetry of the surgically managed unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) to assess the impact of facial growth on facial appearance.

Design:

Prospective study.

Setting:

Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

Patients:

Fifteen UCLP infants.

Method:

The 3-D facial images were captured before surgery, 4 months after surgery, and at 4-year follow-up using stereophotogrammetry. A generic mesh which is a mathematical facial mask that consists of thousands of points (vertices) was conformed on the generated 3-D images. Using Procustean analysis, an average facial mesh was obtained for each age-group. A mirror image of each average mesh was mathematically obtained for the analysis of facial dysmorphology. Facial asymmetry was assessed by measuring the distances between the corresponding vertices of the original and the mirror copy of the conformed meshes, and this was displayed in color-coded map.

Results:

There was a clear improvement in the facial asymmetry following the primary repair of cleft lip. Residual asymmetry was detected around the nasolabial region. The nasolabial region was the most asymmetrical region of the face; the philtrum, columella, and the vermillion border of the upper lip showed the maximum asymmetry which was more than 5 mm. Facial growth accentuated the underlying facial asymmetry in 3 directions; the philtrum of the upper lip was deviated toward the scar tissue on the cleft side. The asymmetry of the nose was significantly worse at 4-year follow-up ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

The residual asymmetry following the surgical repair of UCLP was more pronounced at 4 years following surgery. The conformed facial mesh provided a reliable and innovative tool for the comprehensive analysis of facial morphology in UCLP. The study highlights the need of refining the primary repair of the cleft and the potential necessity for further corrective surgery.
Experimental study of the dynamically induced rockburst of a rock wall with double free faces
Authors: Su Guoshao , Chen Zhiyong , Ju J Woody , Zhao Bin , Yan Sizhou , Yan Zhaofu
Published: June 2018

Dynamic disturbance is regarded as one of the most significant factors that induce rockburst around the boundary of underground excavation, particularly in high confining pressure conditions. In the present study, three types of dynamic loading tests are conducted to investigate the dynamically triggered rockburst behavior of a rock wall with double free faces. The three types of dynamic loading considered are the large stress single-pulse loading (mild-disturbance), the middle stress low-frequency cyclic loading (modest-disturbance), and the small stress high-frequency cyclic loading (weak-disturbance). The experimental results are analyzed and the damage evolution process during the dynamic disturbances is described. The tests reveal that the failure strain (i.e., the strain at unstable failure) of the dynamically triggered rockburst is greater than that of the self-initiated rockburst. The intensity of rockburst depends not only on the initial static stress level but also on the dynamic disturbance type. The rockburst induced by the mild-disturbance is mainly related to large amounts of disturbance energy imported. The rockburst caused by the modest-disturbance is contributed by the disturbance degradation of ultimate energy-storage capacity of specimen. The rockburst in a weak-disturbance specimen is primarily due to the disturbance aggravation of the damage in specimen and the elastic strain energy release. In particular, the rockburst hazard from the double free faces is more likely to be triggered and its result more serious than that of the rock structure with only one free face because the increasing free face decreases the rock strength. The fragmentation of the dynamically induced rockburst is larger than that of the self-initiated rockburst. With increasing time of dynamic loading, the damage induced by the modest-disturbance and the weak-disturbance first increases continually, subsequently increases steadily, and finally increases drastically. By contrast, the damage of the specimen under the mild-disturbance condition has a linearly increasing trend.
Ammon’s Horn 2 (CA2) of the Hippocampus: A Long-Known Region with a New Potential Role in Neurodegeneration
Authors: Pang Cindy Chi-Ching , Kiecker Clemens , O’Brien John T. , Noble Wendy , Chang Raymond Chuen-Chung
Published: June 2018

The hippocampus has a critical role in cognition and human memory and is one of the most studied structures in the brain. Despite more than 400 years of research, little is known about the Ammon’s horn region cornu ammonis 2 (CA2) subfield in comparison to other subfield regions (CA1, CA3, and CA4). Recent findings have shown that CA2 plays a bigger role than previously thought. Here, we review understanding of hippocampus and CA2 ontogenesis, together with basic and clinical findings about the potential role of this region in neurodegenerative disease. The CA2 has widespread anatomical connectivity, unique signaling molecules, and intrinsic electrophysiological properties. Experimental studies using in vivo models found that the CA2 region has a role in cognition, especially in social memory and object recognition. In models of epilepsy and hypoxia, the CA2 exhibits higher resilience to cell death and hypoxia in comparison with neighboring regions, and while hippocampal atrophy remains poorly understood in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), findings from postmortem PD brain demonstrates clear accumulation of α-synuclein pathology in CA2, and the CA2-CA3 region shows relatively more atrophy compared with other hippocampal subfields. Taken together, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the CA2 can be an ideal hallmark with which to differentiate different neurodegenerative stages of PD. Here, we summarize these recent data and provide new perspectives/ideas for future investigations to unravel the contribution of the CA2 to neurodegenerative diseases.
Preoperative Biomarker Panel, Including Fibrinogen and FVIII, Improves Diagnostic Accuracy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mattila Nora , Seppänen Hanna , Mustonen Harri , Przybyla Beata , Haglund Caj , Lassila Riitta
Published: June 2018

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly cancer often diagnosed late. Earlier detection is urgently needed. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is known to associate with increased coagulation activity. We studied whether preoperative coagulation biomarkers are useful in distinguishing PDAC from a benign tumor, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) in this observational study. We analyzed standard clinical and coagulation variables in patients operated during 2010 and 2015 at Helsinki University Hospital. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with preoperative coagulation variables available and no neoadjuvant treatment or other active cancer was observed in 80 patients (stage I-III in 67 and IV in 13) and IPMN in 18 patients. Fibrinogen, factor VIII (FVIII), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, and conjugated bilirubin were higher in both stages I to III and IV PDAC compared to IPMN ( P < .05). Factor VIII was highest in stage IV ( P < .05). Combining these variables in a panel increased sensitivity and specificity for PDAC. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve (95% confidence interval) was 0.95 (0.90-1.00) for the panel, compared to 0.80 (0.71-0.88) for CA 19-9 alone ( P < .01). In conclusion, PDAC was associated with increased fibrinogen and FVIII. Combining these coagulation biomarkers with CA 19-9, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase improves diagnostic accuracy.
Investigating Self-Control Resource Depletion as a Situational Risk Factor for Aversive Interpartner Communication by Young Adults With ADHD
Authors: Wymbs Brian T.
Published: June 2018

Objective: Adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have more conflictual relations with their romantic partners than adults without ADHD. This study investigated whether adults with ADHD are differentially susceptible to conflict when self-control resources are depleted. Method: Heterosexual adult couples (20 including at least one adult with ADHD; 12 including no adults with ADHD) were randomly assigned to have resources temporarily depleted or not. Positive and negative communication was assessed during a subsequent problem-solving task with their partners. Results: Adults with ADHD whose self-control resources were depleted communicated less positively and more negatively with their romantic partners than adults without ADHD whose resources were depleted. Conclusion: Adults with ADHD appear to have a differential susceptibility to interpartner discord when their self-control resources have been depleted. Clinicians seeking to remediate discordant romantic relationships of adults with ADHD should consider evaluating how often their resources needed to manage their impulses are depleted.
Applying Item Response Trees to Personality Data in the Selection Context
Authors: LaHuis David Michael , Blackmore Caitlin E. , Bryant-Lees Kinsey Blue , Delgado Kristin
Published: June 2018

Self-report personality scales are used frequently in personnel selection. Traditionally, researchers have assumed that individuals respond to items within these scales using a single-decision process. More recently, a flexible set of item response (IR) tree models have been developed that allow researchers to investigate multiple-decision processes. In the present research, we found that IR tree models fit the data better than a single-decision IR model when fitted to seven self-report personality scales used in a concurrent criterion-related validity study. In addition, we found evidence that the latent variable underlying the direction of a response (agree or disagree) decision process predicted job performance better than latent variables reflecting the other decision processes for the best fitting IR tree model.
Terrorist Masculinities: Political Masculinity between Fiction, Facts, and Their Mediation
Authors: Emig Rainer
Published: June 2018

This essay proposes that terrorism manifests itself in a relation that encompasses masculinity as well as the media. The origin of this relationship is the joint performativity of gender and acts of terror. This makes terrorism an instrument of social and political change. But in order to legitimize themselves, terrorism as well as masculinity require authorization by a phantasmagorical power. Drawing on the dominance of males among terrorists, this essay will look at an early depiction of terrorism in Conrad’s The Secret Agent, a contemporary representation in Sahota’s novel Ours Are the Streets and terrorism’s real manifestation in the Paris carnage of November 2015. It will show that in the desire to satisfy an imagined “higher authority” and thereby assert an individual as well as political identity, masculinity and terrorism share a performative root. This also suggests a possible way of exposing and exploding terrorism and masculinity from within, by feeding into the mediated stream of its representations images and ideas of inferiority, ridicule, and failure.
Stabilizing or Challenging Patriarchy? Sketches of Selected “New” Political Masculinities
Authors: Myrttinen Henri
Published: June 2018

Although it has come under multiple attacks and pressures over the past decades, patriarchy has proven itself to be highly resilient and adaptive. However, new ways of “being men” have started to emerge over the past years that at least seemingly question dominant masculinities. I examine here four “new” forms of political masculinities: violently fratriarchal masculinities, “softer” militarized masculinities of peacekeepers, the less violent masculinities promoted by global antidomestic violence campaigns, and lastly what I term the “He4She” masculinities of international political actors. These four manifestations of political masculinities underscore on the transitional and temporal nature of gender roles and identities. All have arisen out of political and social transitions in which previously dominant notions of masculinity have been challenged. These changes, however, do not necessarily mean an end to patriarchy. Indeed, the new somewhat more egalitarian masculinities may serve to shore up and stabilize patriarchy.
Vibration analysis of composite and sandwich plates reinforced with parabolic fibers using an alternative hierarchical finite element method
Authors: Serdoun SMN , Hamza Cherif SM
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a numerical method for determining natural frequencies and vibration modes of sandwich thick plates reinforced with parabolic fibers. The approach is based on the p-version finite element method with hierarchical trigonometric functions and Reddy’s high order shear deformation theory. The equations of motion of free vibration of thick composite laminated and sandwich plates are obtained based on Hamilton’s principle. A very fast convergence is obtained by increasing the number of hierarchical shape functions. The accuracy of the present method is established by a comparisons made between the present results and published results. The effects of boundary conditions, thickness ratio, material properties, and orientation angle on natural frequencies and normalized cross-sections of mode shape for sandwich plates reinforced with parabolic fibers are studied and investigated.
Chronic Stress in Children and Adolescents: A Review of Biomarkers for Use in Pediatric Research
Authors: Condon Eileen M.
Published: June 2018

Problem:

Incorporating biomarkers of chronic stress into pediatric research studies may help to explicate the links between exposure to adversity and lifelong health, but there are currently very few parameters to guide nurse researchers in choosing appropriate biomarkers of chronic stress for use in research with children and adolescents.

Methods:

Biomarkers of chronic stress are described, including primary mediators (glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and cytokines) and secondary outcomes (neurologic, immune, metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and anthropometric) of the chronic stress response.

Results:

Evidence of the use of each biomarker in pediatric research studies is reviewed. Recommendations for pediatric researchers, including selection of appropriate biomarkers, measurement considerations, potential moderators, and future directions for research, are presented.

Discussion:

A wide range of biomarkers is available for use in research studies with children. While primary mediators of chronic stress have been frequently measured in studies of children, measurement of secondary outcomes, particularly immune and metabolic biomarkers, has been limited. With thoughtful and theoretically based approaches to selection and measurement, these biomarkers present an important opportunity to further explore the physiologic pathways linking exposure to chronic stress with later health and disease.

Conclusion:

The incorporation of chronic stress biomarkers into pediatric research studies may provide valuable insight into the mechanisms through which stressful environments “get under the skin” and ultimately inform efforts to promote health and reduce inequities among children exposed to adversity.
Detecting the Population Structure and Scanning for Signatures of Selection in Horses (Equus caballus) From Whole-Genome Sequencing Data
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Ni Pan , Ahmad Hafiz Ishfaq , Gemingguli M , Baizilaitibei A , Gulibaheti D , Fang Yaping , Wang Haiyang , Asif Akhtar Rasool , Xiao Changyi , Chen Jianhai , Ma Yunlong , Liu Xiangdong , Du Xiaoyong , Zhao Shuhong
Published: June 2018

Animal domestication gives rise to gradual changes at the genomic level through selection in populations. Selective sweeps have been traced in the genomes of many animal species, including humans, cattle, and dogs. However, little is known regarding positional candidate genes and genomic regions that exhibit signatures of selection in domestic horses. In addition, an understanding of the genetic processes underlying horse domestication, especially the origin of Chinese native populations, is still lacking. In our study, we generated whole genome sequences from 4 Chinese native horses and combined them with 48 publicly available full genome sequences, from which 15 341 213 high-quality unique single-nucleotide polymorphism variants were identified. Kazakh and Lichuan horses are 2 typical Asian native breeds that were formed in Kazakh or Northwest China and South China, respectively. We detected 1390 loss-of-function (LoF) variants in protein-coding genes, and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that some LoF-affected genes were overrepresented in GO terms related to the immune response. Bayesian clustering, distance analysis, and principal component analysis demonstrated that the population structure of these breeds largely reflected weak geographic patterns. Kazakh and Lichuan horses were assigned to the same lineage with other Asian native breeds, in agreement with previous studies on the genetic origin of Chinese domestic horses. We applied the composite likelihood ratio method to scan for genomic regions showing signals of recent selection in the horse genome. A total of 1052 genomic windows of 10 kB, corresponding to 933 distinct core regions, significantly exceeded neutral simulations. The GO enrichment analysis revealed that the genes under selective sweeps were overrepresented with GO terms, including “negative regulation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway,” “muscle contraction,” and “axon guidance.” Frequent exercise training in domestic horses may have resulted in changes in the expression of genes related to metabolism, muscle structure, and the nervous system.
New Neurons in the Dentate Gyrus Promote Reinstatement of Methamphetamine Seeking
Authors: Mandyam Chitra D , Somkuwar Sucharita S , Oliver Robert J , Takashima Yoshio
Published: June 2018

Addictive drugs effect the brain reward circuitry by altering functional plasticity of neurons governing the circuits. Relapse is an inherent problem in addicted subjects and is associated with neuroplasticity changes in several brain regions including the hippocampus. Recent studies have begun to determine the functional significance of adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, where new neurons in the granule cell layer are continuously generated to replace dying or diseased cells. One of the many negative consequences of chronic methamphetamine (METH) abuse and METH addiction in rodent and nonhuman primate models is a decrease in neural progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus and reduced neurogenesis in the granule cell layer during METH exposure. However, the number of progenitors rebound during withdrawal and abstinence from METH and the functional significance of enhanced survival of the progenitors during abstinence on the propensity for relapse was recently investigated by Galinato et al. A rat model of METH addiction in concert with a pharmacogenetic approach of ablating neural progenitor cells revealed that neurogenesis during abstinence promoted a relapse to METH-seeking behavior. Biochemical and electrophysiology studies demonstrated that an increase in neurogenesis during abstinence correlated with increases in plasticity-related proteins associated with learning and memory in the dentate gyrus and enhanced spontaneous activity and reduced neuronal excitability of granule cell neurons. Based on these findings, we discuss the putative molecular mechanisms that could drive aberrant neurogenesis during abstinence. We also indicate forebrain-dentate gyrus circuits that could assist with aberrant neurogenesis and drive a relapse into METH-seeking behavior in METH-addicted animals.
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Alcohol Neuroadaptation: Insights from Drosophila
Authors: Ramirez-Roman Maria E , Billini Carlos E , Ghezzi Alfredo
Published: June 2018

Alcohol addiction is a serious condition perpetuated by enduring physiological and behavioral adaptations. An important component of these adaptations is the long-term rearrangement of neuronal gene expression in the brain of the addicted individual. Epigenetic histone modifications have recently surfaced as important modulators of the transcriptional adaptation to alcohol as these are thought to represent a form of transcriptional memory that is directly imprinted on the chromosome. Some histone modifications affect transcription by modulating the accessibility of the underlying DNA, whereas others have been proposed to serve as marks read by transcription factors as a “histone code” that helps to specify the expression level of a gene. Although the effects of some epigenetic modifications on the transcriptional activity of genes are well known, the mechanisms by which alcohol consumption produces this rearrangement and leads to lasting changes in behavior remain unresolved. Recent advances using the Drosophila model system have started to unravel the epigenetic modulators underlying functional alcohol neuroadaptations. In this review, we discuss the role of 3 different histone modification systems in Drosophila, which have a direct impact on key alcohol neuroadaptations associated with the addictive process. These systems involve the histone deacetylase Sirt1, the histone acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein (CBP), and a subset of the Drosophila JmjC-Domain histone demethylase family.
Retrocalcaneal Bursitis Precedes or Accompanies Achilles Tendon Enthesitis in the Early Phase of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Suzuki Takeshi , Hidaka Yuka , Seri Yu
Published: June 2018

The consecutive reports and stored images of ultrasound examinations for 100 symptomatic ankles of 74 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were reviewed for the presence or absence of retrocalcaneal bursitis (RCB) and Achilles tendon enthesitis (ATE). The ankles were classified into 4 categories based on the presence or absence of RCB or ATE. The number of RCB(−)/ATE(−), RCB(+)/ATE(−), RCB(+)/ATE(+), and RCB(−)/ATE(+) ankles was 62, 16, 12, and 10, respectively. When classifying patients into early RA and established RA, the percentage of RCB(−)/ATE(+) ankles with early RA was significantly lower than that with established RA ( P = .00595). The disease duration was significantly longer in the RCB(−)/ATE(+) ankles than in the RCB(+)/ATE(−) ankles (median [interquartile range]: 15.29 [8.69] months vs 3.6 [3.06] months, P = .0247). It was speculated that RCB precedes or accompanies ATE in the early phase of RA, which suggests that entheseal inflammation in RA arises from synovial tissues.
A Case of Hailey-Hailey Disease Managed With Oral Magnesium Citrate and High-Dose Vitamin D3
Authors: Gu Kaien , Silver Shane
Published: June 2018

Hailey-Hailey disease, or benign familial pemphigus, is a rare blistering disease originally described in 1939. The disease is due to an autosomal dominant mutation in the ATP2C1 gene on chromosome 3, which encodes for an adenosine triphosphate–dependent calcium pump in the Golgi apparatus whose function is to maintain intercellular calcium homeostasis. Common treatments for Hailey-Hailey disease involve calcineurin inhibitors, topical corticosteroids, topical or systemic antibiotics, topical antifungals, ablative lasers, or botulin toxin. In this case report, we highlight a unique case of Hailey-Hailey disease that was resistant to many conventional therapies and ultimately managed with oral magnesium citrate and high-dose vitamin D3.
Dynamic variation of arc discharge and its effect on corrosion direction under current-carrying sliding
Authors: Deng Chaoyong , Yin Jian , Zhang Hongbo , Xiong Xiang , Wang Pei , Sun Miao , Wu Xiaoguang
Published: June 2018

Current-carrying sliding tests were performed on an HST-100 high-speed multifunction friction and wear tester. Cf/Cu/C composite was used as the pin, and commercial QCr0.5 was employed as the disk. Sliding tests were carried out at a speed of 30 m/s and a load of 70 N under 25 A, 50 A, 75 A, and 100 A, respectively. Light intensity was collected by a photodiode, and the arc discharge process was recorded by a high-speed camera (HX-5) with a capture rate of 20,000 fp/s. The worn surfaces were characterized by a Nova NanoSEM230 scanning electron microscope and a NANO Focus AG three-dimensional topography instrument. The result indicates that arc discharge occurs randomly, both temporally and spatially, as long as the condition is suitable and occurs more at the beginning and end of the friction process. The arc moves constantly along the friction direction to the outlet. Compared to the inlet, the erosion of the outlet is considerably worse. This finding indicates the arc is moving towards the outlet and grows by a large margin when it leaves the friction surface at the outlet end.
Guideline adherence in acute coronary syndromes between telemedically supported paramedics and conventional on-scene physician care: A longitudinal pre–post intervention cohort study
Authors: Bergrath Sebastian , Müller Michael , Rossaint Rolf , Beckers Stefan K , Uschner Diane , Brokmann Jörg C
Published: June 2018

Health informatics applications reduce time intervals in acute coronary syndromes, but their impact on guideline adherence is unknown. This pre–post intervention study compared guideline adherence between telemedically supported (n = 101, April 2014–July 2015) and conventional on-scene care (n = 120, January 2014–March 2014) in acute coronary syndrome. A multivariate logistic regression was performed for dependent variables: adverse events 0 versus 0, p = NA; electrocardiogram 101 versus 120, p = NA; acetylic salicylic acid 91 versus 102, p = 0.21; heparin 92 versus 112, p = 0.99; morphine 96 versus 107, p = 0.33; oxygen 83 versus 102, p = 0.92; glyceroltrinitrate 55 versus 90, p = 0.038; correct destination: 100 versus 119, p = 1.0. The time from ambulance arrival to hospital arrival was prolonged with telemedicine: 48.7 ± 11 min versus 35.5 ± 8.1 min, p < 0.001. Guideline adherence showed no differences except for glyceroltrinitrate. Prolonged time requirements are critical, though explainable. However, this approach enables a timely and high-quality backup strategy if only paramedics are on-scene.
Quantitative and qualitative testing of DARWeb: An online self-guided intervention for children with functional abdominal pain and their parents
Authors: Nieto Rubén , Boixadós Mercè , Hernández Eulàlia , Beneitez Imma , Huguet Anna , McGrath Patrick
Published: June 2018

The main objective of this study was to preliminary explore the effects of DARWeb on different outcomes. A Quasi-experimental, one-group, pretest–posttest design was used. Parents and children were asked to complete questionnaires and questions (separately) about quality of life, abdominal pain severity, and satisfaction. Semi-structured interviews with families were also performed. This study focuses on 17 families. Results showed that parent’s ratings of children’s abdominal pain severity were significantly lower after finishing the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up, and quality of life scores had increased significantly after 3 months. From children’s ratings, mean abdominal pain severity scores were significantly lower after the intervention compared to the preintervention assessment. Both parents and children were quite satisfied with the intervention. In qualitative interviews, families suggested that DARWeb helped them to give less importance to pain and to learn coping strategies. In conclusion, this study showed the potential usefulness of DARWeb for children with functional abdominal pain and for their parents.
A novel design of the dynamic vibration absorbers for damped main systems under torsional excitation using least squares estimation of the equivalent linearization method
Authors: Phuc Vu Duc , Tran Van-The , Van Quyen Nguyen
Published: June 2018

Torsional vibration usually occurs in the working process of machines and equipment such as in transmission drive and working shaft of machine tool. To reduce this vibration, the dynamic balancing method and dual mass flywheel systems are applied. There are fewer researches that used the dynamic vibration absorber for reducing the torsional vibration. However, an analytical solution for designing the optimal parameters of dynamic vibration absorbers attached to the damped main system is found to be difficult and complicated. This paper proposes a novel idea to approximately replace an original damped main system by an equivalent undamped system using the least squares estimation of equivalent linearization method. An explicit closed-form expression of the optimal damping ratio and tuning parameters of dynamic vibration absorber are determined for the undamped main system under torsional excitation. The expressions are quite simple and have effective practical applications. Numerical results for time and frequency responses of the system are presented to reveal stronger effect and accuracy of the proposed solution on the damped main system. It is observed that the torsional vibration of the damped main system has been reduced significantly also in the resonant region. The proposed expressions of the optimal parameters are powerful tools for design dynamic vibration absorber to reduce the torsional vibration of rotary system such as the transmission and working shafts, etc.
Advanced Technical Considerations for Implanting the t-Branch Off-the-Shelf Multibranched Stent-Graft to Treat Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms
Authors: Ferreira Marcelo , Ferreira Diego , Cunha Rodrigo , Bicalho Guilherme , Rodrigues Eduardo
Published: June 2018

Purpose: To demonstrate different techniques and device modifications that can expand the anatomic suitability of the off-the-shelf multibranched t-Branch for treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Technique: The t-Branch device is not customized for specific patient anatomy, and the most frequent limitations to its use are an inadequate sealing zone and renal artery anatomy. Experience with this device has prompted the development of several techniques that can be employed to maximize the suitability of this stent-graft. Advice is offered on modification of the device to minimize the risk of paraplegia or better match patient anatomy. Maneuvers are explained to ease delivery through tortuous anatomy or existing stent-grafts, catheterize visceral target vessels, select a bridging stent, reduce ischemia time in the limbs, and alter the configuration of the branches. Conclusion: Employing adjunctive maneuvers can increase the anatomic suitability of the t-Branch; in our experience, these techniques have increased the applicability to more than 80% of all elective and urgent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm cases.
Air Embolism During TEVAR: An Additional Flush Port on the Delivery System Pusher Significantly Reduces the Amount of Air Released During Deployment of a Thoracic Stent-Graft in an Experimental Setting
Authors: Rohlffs Fiona , Tsilimparis Nikolaos , Trepte Constantin , Kratzberg Jarin , Mogensen John , Debus E. Sebastian , Kölbel Tilo
Published: June 2018

Purpose: To investigate the influence of (1) an additional side port for flushing the hollow pusher in Zenith thoracic stent-graft delivery systems and (2) additional carbon dioxide flushing on the amount of air released during stent-graft deployment. Methods: Twenty thoracic stent-grafts with an additional flush port to fill the hollow pusher were separated into 2 equal groups (C and D). Both groups were flushed with 20 mL of normal saline through the extra side port connected to the pusher and with 60 mL of saline through the regular flushing port. One group of grafts (group D) was additionally flushed with carbon dioxide through the regular flushing port prior to saline. All grafts were deployed into a curved plastic pipe attached to the bottom of a water-filled container. The released gas was recorded and measured using a calibrated setup. To evaluate the influence of the extra side port irrespective of the carbon dioxide flushing technique, group C was compared with a previously published reference group A without an extra side port that was flushed with the standard 60 mL of saline. Results: Volumes of gas were released in various amounts from the stent-grafts during deployment. The average amount of released gas was 0.51 mL in group C and 0.07 mL in group D (p<0.001). The mean amount of gas from group C samples (0.51 mL) was also significantly lower (p=0.002) compared with the reference group (0.79 mL). Conclusion: Thoracic endografts release air during deployment. Reducing the air-filled space inside the pusher of the catheter assembly using an additional side port can significantly reduce the amount of released air. Using the extra side port in combination with the carbon dioxide flushing technique reduces gas release further to small volumes. In a clinical setting this could be a promising approach to lower the risk of air embolism and stroke during thoracic endovascular aortic repair.
The bearing parallel misalignment running model–based machine tool spindle thermal error analysis
Authors: Dong Yanfang , Zhou Zude , Chen Lihai
Published: June 2018

As a key component of the machine tool spindle, bearing has critical influences on the spindle thermal error. In particular, the installation errors of bearing have considerable effects upon the spindle thermal error by altering the bearings’ internal contact angles, contact loads, and friction torques for different ball positions, but have yet to be fully elucidated. In this article, the influence of installation errors on the resulting spindle thermal error was evaluated using both empirical methods and simulation method, with the ultimate aim of reducing installation error. Deviations within the bearing support were used to simulate bearing parallel misalignment; bearing parallel misalignment running model was built, and an analysis and comparison of various conditions were used to determine the influence, showing that the parallel misalignment has significant influence on the spindle Z direction thermal error.
Mechanical properties of equal-strength stainless reinforced replacement piers under lateral impact loading
Authors: Zhou Xiwu , Gao Yushen , Zhang Guoxue , Xu Shixiang
Published: June 2018

Stainless reinforced equal-strength replacement piers are used to solve the problems of steel corrosion, surplus strength, and resource waste for piers in marine environments. In this study, an ultrahigh drop weight impact test system was applied for a comparative experimental model of the horizontal impacts between two groups of stainless reinforced replaced concrete piers. The impact forces and displacements, strain time–history curves, crack propagations and distributions, and concrete damages, were analyzed during the experimental test. The results showed that the original specimen had consistent change trends with the stainless reinforced equal-strength replaced specimens in regard to maximum impact, steel bar and concrete strains, displacement peaks, and other aspects. Furthermore, under equal impact energies, the relative ratios were found to all range at ±5%, and the fracture quantities and distributions, as well as the concrete damages, were approximately consistent. These research results will potentially provide technical support for the future designs of anti-impact stainless reinforced concrete piers.
Three-dimensional numerical study on flow dynamics characteristics in supercritical water fluidized bed with consideration of real particle size distribution by computational particle fluid dynamics method
Authors: Wu Zhenqun , Jin Hui , Ou Guobiao , Guo Liejin , Cao Changqing
Published: June 2018

Supercritical water fluidized bed is a promising reactor which can realize the efficient and clean gasification of coal to produce hydrogen. As the high pressure and temperature inside supercritical water fluidized bed, the study of the detail flow behaviors needs the help of numerical method. Considering the limitation of the two-fluid method and discrete element method, the computational particle fluid dynamics method was applied to this work. When particle size distribution was taken into consideration, the simulated results showed that the transformation from fixed bed regime to fluidized bed regime is a gradual process. With the increase in superficial fluid velocity, particles in small diameter migrate to the top of the bed and there exits layering phenomenon in the bed. Besides, though the particles are categorized as Geldart B group, the minimum fluidization velocity is not equal to the minimum bubbling fluidization velocity and there is a complicated bed expansion process after incipient fluidization. The bed expansion process is also influenced by the particle size distribution.
Sensing pipes of a nuclear power mechanism using low-cost snake robot
Authors: Huang Chiung-Wei , Huang Chung-Hao , Hung Yu-Hsiang , Chang Cheng-Yuan
Published: June 2018

Snake robots have come to represent a new subfield of bionic robot research in recent years. A snake robot comprises many modules and performs various movements in arranged connections. The structure of a snake body enables it to move smoothly in narrow spaces or pipes with high stability and reliability. This article studies the application of a snake robot on a large-scale nuclear power facility to sense in pipe components. Therefore, a snake robot must move in pipes in which high radiation is present to explore the surrounding environment and take samples. A simple but effective method of locomotion is developed and executed to confirm feasibility of motion, especially in narrow space. A sampling mechanism with a storage box is designed at the tail of the snake to take and keep the samples well at designated locations. We built a pipe system which has two right-angled turns to simulate the pipes of a large-scale nuclear power facility. A user interface helps operators to manipulate the snake robot.
Incidence and impact of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies in clinical trials of severe traumatic brain injury: A systematic review
Authors: Leblanc Guillaume , Boutin Amélie , Shemilt Michèle , Lauzier François , Moore Lynne , Potvin Véronique , Zarychanski Ryan , Archambault Patrick , Lamontagne François , Léger Caroline , Turgeon Alexis F
Published: June 2018

Background

Most deaths following severe traumatic brain injury follow decisions to withdraw life-sustaining therapies. However, the incidence of the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies and its potential impact on research data interpretation have been poorly characterized. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the reporting and the impact of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies in randomized clinical trials of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, BIOSIS, and CINAHL databases and references of included trials. All randomized controlled trials published between January 2002 and August 2015 in the six highest impact journals in general medicine, critical care medicine, and neurocritical care (total of 18 journals) were considered for eligibility. Randomized controlled trials were included if they enrolled adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8) and reported data on mortality. Our primary objective was to assess the proportion of trials reporting the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies in a publication. Our secondary objectives were to describe the overall mortality rate, the proportion of deaths following the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies, and to assess the impact of the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies on trial results.

Results

From 5987 citations retrieved, we included 41 randomized trials (n = 16,364, ranging from 11 to 10,008 patients). Overall mortality was 23% (range = 3%–57%). Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies was reported in 20% of trials (8/41, 932 patients in trials) and the crude number of deaths due to the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies was reported in 17% of trials (7/41, 884 patients in trials). In these trials, 63% of deaths were associated with the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (105/168). An analysis carried out by imputing a 4% differential rate in instances of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies between study groups yielded different results and conclusions in one third of the trials.

Conclusion

Data on the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies are incompletely reported in randomized controlled trials of patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Given the high proportion of deaths due to the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies in severe traumatic brain injury patients, and the potential of this medical decision to influence the results of clinical trials, instances of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies should be systematically reported in clinical trials in this group of patients.
How long is long-term priming? Classification and action priming in the scale of days
Authors: Moutsopoulou Karolina , Pfeuffer Christina , Kiesel Andrea , Yang Qing , Waszak Florian
Published: June 2018

Previous research has shown that stimulus–response associations comprise associations between the stimulus and the task (a classification task in particular) and the stimulus and the action performed as a response. These associations, contributing to the phenomenon of priming, affect behaviour after a delay of hundreds of trials and they are resistant against overwriting. Here, we investigate their longevity, testing their effects in short-term (seconds after priming) and long-term (24 hr and 1 week after priming) memory. Three experiments demonstrated that both stimulus–classification (S-C) and stimulus–action (S-A) associations show long-term memory effects. The results also show that retrieval of these associations can be modulated by the amount of engagement on the same task between encoding and retrieval, that is, how often participants performed this task between prime and probe sessions. Finally, results show that differences in processing time during encoding are linked to the amount of conflict caused during retrieval of S-C, but not S-A associations. These findings add new information to the existing model of priming as a memory system and pose questions about the interactions of priming and top-down control processes.
Working with coaches and their teams in youth and collegiate sport in the USA: An interview with Dr Andy Gillham
Authors: Jenkins Simon PR
Published: June 2018

Insights are provided from a coaching consultant’s work with sports teams, including helping coaches in figure skating cope with parents who were always in their way; being unable to help a women’s soccer coach eliminate toxic behaviour from senior players; devising a goal setting programme involving peer assessment in women’s soccer that was successful in motivating reserve players on the bench during matches; empowering a pitcher in women’s softball as a solution to a head coach’s poor relationship with his pitching coach; facilitating culture change in a figure skating club by rewriting the club coaching contracts; and improving team cohesion in women’s volleyball through role play in the locker room.
Untold Stories of DIY/Underground Iranian Rap Culture: The Legitimization of Iranian Hip-Hop and the Loss of Radical Potential
Authors: Golpushnezhad Elham
Published: June 2018

In this article, I aim to explore how legitimization and de-radicalization of the underground hip-hop subculture have restrained the DIY creation of social norms and cultural behaviours that mobilized Iranian hip-hop in the early 2000s. The article offers a critical discussion of the literature around legitimization of DIY/underground subcultures, specifically youth musical subcultures such as punk and hip-hop, before turning to an analysis of Iranian hip-hop culture in three phases: (1) hip-hop and the creation of a community, 2000–2003; (2) the golden age of Iranian hip-hop, 2003–2009; (3) contemporary Iranian hip-hop, 2009–2016. The article suggests that these three phases have finally led to the entry of hip-hop into the mainstream system and cultural industry, as recent trends bringing it in line with the values and standards of Islamic Iran result in turning underground DIY culture into a mainstream popular form of music supported and funded (indirectly) by the Islamic state.
Dip and drip, swipe or squeeze? The best method of draining water for optimal strength in a plaster of Paris backslab
Authors: Elvey Michael H. , Pastides Philip , Protopapa Evangelia , Halsey Timothy
Published: June 2018

Plaster of Paris backslabs are used post-operatively to provide stability and protect repaired structures. We hypothesized that forceful expulsion of excess water during backslab construction could weaken the backslab by reducing the final gypsum content. Our aim was to compare the final dry mass and strength of backslabs prepared by three different techniques: ‘dip and drip’, ‘swipe’ and ‘squeeze’. We applied an increasing force until the point of failure of the 30 backslabs prepared by the three methods. Backslabs prepared by swiping or squeezing away excess water were 9% lighter and 26% weaker and 13% lighter and 33% weaker, respectively, in comparison with simple drip drainage, and all results were statistically significant. We conclude that forceful drainage of excess water produces significantly weaker backslabs.
Needs assessment for continuing education and health promotion training for Senegalese chief nurses/ Étude des besoins de formation continue en promotion de la santé pour les infirmières et infirmiers chefs de postes de santé (ICP) au Sénégal/ Estudio de las necesidades de formación permanente en promoción de la salud para las enfermeras y enfermeros jefe de los puestos de salud en Senegal
Authors: Seck Awa , Morin Diane , O'Neill Michel
Published: June 2018

This study, whose purpose is to contribute to improving chief nurses’ (ICP, French acronym) performance and practice in the realm of health promotion, was conducted in the medical region of Kaolak in Senegal. The objective is to identify the needs for ICP's continuing education and health promotion training and to delineate their priorities. This is a descriptive study characterised by a combined methodology which integrates a qualitative phase and a quantitative phase, in which six continuing education and training experts and 74 ICPs working in the region participated respectively. The method initially allowed the team to identify what are in theory the different types of health promotion skills that ICPs have, to validate this typology and it's contents through an expert panel and to adjust this to the practice of nursing at the community level in the Senegalese national context. Second, the range of training needs were measured by the ICPs and the classification of abilities was established in order of priority. This study allows for a comprehensive and detailed listing of needs for continuing education and training among Senegalese ICPs based on consensus on what their abilities are. The study also suggests that nurses’ initial education and training be adapted and continuing education and training be established.