bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the stacking sequence on the low-energy impact resistance of flax/PA11 composite
Authors: Lebaupin Yann , Hoang Thuy-Quynh T , Chauvin Michaël , Touchard Fabienne
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the low-energy impact behavior of a fully biobased composite made of bio-sourced polyamide 11 resin reinforced with flax fibers was investigated. Different composite laminates were studied in order to determine the stacking sequence effects on the impact behavior of these composites. Four stacking sequences were manufactured: unidirectional [0°]8, cross-ply [0°/90°]2s, sandwich-like [02°/902°]s and quasi-isotropic [45°/0/−45°/90°]s. A low impact energy of 3.6 J was applied on these laminates by means of a drop weight impact tower. The impact properties of these lay-ups were ascertained by analysing the impact load history, the maximal displacement of the impactor and the absorbed energy. Damage after impact was further assessed by visual inspections, topographic measurements, C-scan and X-ray micro-tomography observations. The results show that impact damage of composite plates is highly influenced by fiber orientation. The impact test data are in good agreement with damage analysis after impact and indicate that stacking plies in the same orientation lead to a larger induced damage, which is responsible for energy dissipation. The quasi-isotropic composite has the smallest induced damage and the highest peak load. Otherwise, the sandwich-like sequence shows the lowest peak load, the highest energy absorption and significant induced damage. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the most suitable lay-up, in terms of impact behavior, for each considered industrial application.
Diet-regulated behavior: FVB/N mice fed a lean diet exhibit increased nocturnal bouts of aggression between littermates
Authors: Murph Mandi M , Liu Shuying , Jia Wei , Nguyen Ha , MacFarlane Megan A , Smyth Susan S , Kuppa Sudeepti S , Dobbin Kevin K
Published: March 2019

The hyperactive FVB/N inbred mouse strain is widely used for transgenic research applications, although rarely for behavioral studies. These mice have visual impairments via retinal degeneration, but are considered highly intelligent and rely largely on olfaction. While investigating diet-induced obesity in autotaxin transgenic FVB/N mice, we observed an increase in the necessity for male, but not female, cage separations. Based on the observations, we hypothesized that feeding FVB/N mice a lean diet increases nocturnal bouts of aggression between male littermates. The diets of adult littermates were switched from normal chow to either ad libitum high-fat (45% fat) or lean (10% fat) matched diets for 27 weeks, whereby the mice reached an average of 43 g versus 35 g, respectively. Then, cage separations due to nocturnal bouts of aggression became mandatory, even though littermates peacefully cohabitated for 10–16 weeks previously. Since the data was of an unusual nature, it required uncommon statistical methods to be engendered to evaluate whether and where significance existed. Therefore, utilizing the randomization and population models, we established a methodology and postulated that either testosterone, the autotaxin transgene or diet alteration was the causal factor. Statistical evaluation demonstrated a significant correlation between cage separations and aggressive behavior associated with the lean-diet-fed mice, not autotaxin. Biochemical data did not appear to explain the behavior. In contrast, energy metabolism highlighted differences between the groups of normally hyperactive mice by diet. This characteristic makes FVB/N male mice unsuitable subjects for long-term studies with lean-diet modifications.
Effects of a Motor Intervention Program on Motor Skills and Executive Functions in Children With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Emami Kashfi Toktam , Sohrabi Mehdi , Saberi Kakhki Alireza , Mashhadi Ali , Jabbari Nooghabi Mehdi
Published: March 2019

This study examined the effect of a motor intervention based on the attention, balance, and coordination (ABC) learning approach on motor proficiency and executive functions in children with learning disabilities (LD). Forty-five male elementary school students with LD aged 7-9 years were recruited and randomly assigned into one of three groups: two experimental groups and one control group. Experimental Group A received only the motor intervention. Experimental Group B simultaneously received both motor intervention and regular educational services. The control group received only regular educational services. The motor intervention involved sequential station exercises based on ABC; this training took place in 24 sessions, scheduled three times a week for eight weeks. We obtained children’s scores on the Bruininks-Oseretsky Tests of Motor Proficiency, N-Back Test, Tower of London, and Continuous Performance Tests at pretest, posttest, and follow-up testing. Our results showed that both experimental groups significantly improved their motor skills and most measures of executive functions, relative to no significant improvement for the control group. The improvements on some measures of executive functions in Experimental Group B were just slightly better than in Experimental Group A. This study supported Blythe’s ABC learning approach emphasizing ABC, and it extended earlier findings of benefits of this approach to populations of children with LD.
Preparation of viscose fiber modified with silkworm pupa chitosan oligosaccharide by β-glucosaccharase
Authors: Jiang Wen , Zhou Xiaohua , Su Yu
Published: March 2019

Viscose fibers (VFs) modified with silkworm pupa chitosan oligosaccharide (SPCOS) by β-glucosaccharase were prepared in this study. Silkworm pupa underwent the processes of deproteinization, demineralization, decoloration and depolymerization. SPCOS with a DD of 91.64 ± 0.86% and Mw of (2.56 ± 0.15) × 104 g/mol was prepared. The prepared SPCOS was used for the modification of VFs. β-glucosaccharase was used as the enzyme for this modification. The results showed that VFs were successfully modified with SPCOS by β-glucosaccharase. The synthesized VFs modified with SPCOS (VF-SPCOS) were dyed more steadily by anionic dyes than cationic dyes. Furthermore, VF-SPCOS showed a good antibacterial property against E. coli and S. aureus, especially to E. coli. In the reuse study of SPCOS, the antibacterial property to E. coli of VF-SPCOS was still retained at 87.68 ± 1.18% of its initial value after the 12th reuse of SPCOS.
Influence of the vent pipe diameter on the discharge capacity of a circuit vent building drainage system
Authors: Guan Yuxi , Fang Zheng , Tang Zhi , Yuan Jianping
Published: March 2019

Experiments on different vent pipe diameters (nominal diameters of 100, 75 and 50 mm; DN100, DN75 and DN50, respectively) in a full-scale circuit vent building drainage system were conducted in a 60 -m high structure, and the wastewater discharge capacities as a function of vent pipe diameter were measured. Critical pipe pressures, water seal losses of sanitary fixtures and air flow rates were measured. The ultimate pressure values in pipes on lower floors were larger than those in pipes on higher floors using DN100 and DN75, which was opposite to the results with DN50. A positive correlation between the ultimate pressure values and floor heights, as well as between ultimate pressure values and water seal losses, was found for DN100 and DN75. The maximum discharge flow of the three systems using DN100, DN75 and DN50 vent pipes was 17.0 L/s, 14.0 L/s and 7.5 L/s, respectively. Nevertheless, in China, the maximum wastewater discharge capacity in a circuit vent system adopting a DN100 vent pipe connected to a DN100 drainage stack in tall residential buildings is 11.5 L/s according to the Code for Design of Building Water Supply and Drainage. Thus, the vent pipe diameter DN75 can fully meet the design requirements of drainage systems for high rise buildings in China. The engineering cost associated with material expenses for building drainage systems can be minimised by optimising the size of vent pipe based on required capacity rather than using a single size universally.

Practical application: The engineering cost associated with material expenses for building drainage systems can be minimised by optimising the size of vent pipe based on required capacity rather than using a single size universally.
Application of neural network to building environmental prediction and control
Authors: Li Ruocheng , Zhang Xiangpeng , Liu Le , Li Yifan , Xu Qingyang
Published: March 2019

Energy conservation, environmental protection, and intelligence are topics of interest in intelligent buildings. However, the energy requirement of various electrical equipment in intelligent buildings increases energy consumption. This study presents a neural network-based prediction and control system for the regulation of building environmental parameters. Neural network-based soft sensing technology can detect building environmental parameters through few sensors. The proposed system control algorithm can realize the adaptive adjustment of environmental parameters by using a neural network proportional–integral–derivative controller. Zigbee wireless communication is adopted as the information transmission medium to realize the environmental parameter measurement and network control. The soft sensing technique combined with Zigbee communication technology can effectively reduce energy consumption. The central control system analyzes the data coming from the network and regulates the environmental parameter through lifting temperature, ventilation, and switching curtains by using the neural network proportional–integral–derivative algorithm. The regulation of environmental parameters reduces unnecessary energy consumption. Finally, the effectiveness of the system is verified through simulations.

Practical applications: This work reports an energy saving scheme. The building communication system constructed by ZigBee can reduce energy consumption and can be easily expanded. The soft sensing technique based on artificial neural network can predict temperatures by using few sensors. The neural network proportional–integral–derivative control algorithm has good performance in the regulation of environmental parameters for a time-varying system. Building energy consumption can be reduced by conducting these measures.
Presentation patterns and prognosis of 109 isolated venous injuries in 99 patients
Authors: Kakkos Stavros K , Tsolakis Ioannis A , Markopoulos George , Maroulis Ioannis , Koletsis Efstratios , Fligou Fotini , Panagopoulos Konstantinos , Papadoulas Spyros , Lampropoulos George , Ntouvas Ioannis , Nikolakopoulos Konstantinos M , Papageorgopoulou Chrysanthi P , Kouri Anastasia
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To identify outcome predictors of isolated venous injuries (VIs).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected information.

Results

A total of 99 patients with 109 isolated VI were included. All-cause mortality was 18/99 (18%) and mortality related to the VI was 10/99 (10%). On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of all-cause mortality included age (odds ratio – OR – 1.06, p = 0.042), external cause – trauma and foreign body retention – of VI (OR 34.62, p = 0.002) and the number of red blood cell units transfused intraoperatively (OR 2.10, p < 0.001), while independent predictors of VI-related mortality included external cause of VI (OR 47.60, p = 0.001) and the number of red blood cell units transfused intraoperatively (OR 1.72, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

VIs due to external causes have a high mortality rate. On the other hand, VIs due to internal causes (iatrogenic injuries during a surgical procedure) are managed promptly and have a very low mortality related to the VI.
Biodegradable hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticles for gene/chemo-synergetic therapy of breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Liu Qi , Liu Mengyuan , Shi Peipei , Zhu Lichong , Zhang Lu , Li Ruifang
Published: March 2019

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles have been extensively explored in anticancer nanomedicine due to their excellent biodegradability, which is one important focus in their further clinical translations. However, the traditional design concepts based on the functional modification with active groups cannot significantly improve the controlled drug release efficiency and anticancer effect. Herein, a molecularly organic–inorganic hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticle (HMSN) nanocarrier coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) was constructed for the gene/chemo-synergetic therapy of breast cancer. Notably, HMSN with tumor-sensitive disulfide bond and targeting ligand HA can be decomposed when it encounters high concentration of glutathione (GSH) and hyaluronidase (HAase). The biodegradability of host molecules and the fast disintegration of the framework in tumor microenvironment can also accelerate the stimuli responsive release of cargos inside the pore space. Furthermore, the grafting of polyethyleneimine (PEI) could increase gene loading efficiency. From the above, the smart approach involves a combination of biodegradability and biological effect and results in synergetic antitumor effect of gene and chemical drug on breast cancer. All these findings demonstrated that HMSN/HA/PEI nanocarriers can be suitable for biomedical application, paving the way to fast development of multi-functional nano-biomedicine.
Doxorubicin-loaded Fe3O4-ZIF-8 nano-composites for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy
Authors: Cheng Chong , Li Cheng , Zhu Xulong , Han Wei , Li Jianhui , Lv Yi
Published: March 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and malignant cancers and has no effective therapeutic approaches. Chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used for HCC therapy, but its application is limited by the clinical toxicity. In the present study, an Fe3O4-ZIF-8 magnetic nano-composite was fabricated and used for DOX delivery for HCC therapy. The morphology, structure and property of Fe3O4-ZIF-8 nano-composites were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms studies. The drug release from DOX@Fe3O4-ZIF-8 was measured in pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline. The cellular uptake ability of DOX@Fe3O4-ZIF-8 into hepatocarcinoma cell line (MHCC97H) was visualized with a confocal laser scanning microscope. The effects of Fe3O4-ZIF-8, DOX and DOX@Fe3O4-ZIF-8 against MHCC97H cells were evaluated by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry assay. Fe3O4-ZIF-8 nano-composites were synthesized and used as a nano-carrier for the delivery of DOX. Because of high drug loading property of ZIF-8, 1 mg Fe3O4-ZIF-8 nano-composites loaded 120 μg DOX when DOX@Fe3O4-ZIF-8 was synthesized in 30 mg/mL DOX solution. The cumulative DOX release curve showed a slow and sustained release pattern over time. The results of CCK-8 assay showed that Fe3O4-ZIF-8 was nontoxic to MHCC97H cells, and DOX@Fe3O4-ZIF-8 presented effective inhibiting effect on cell viability of MHCC97H cells. Cellular uptake assay showed that DOX@Fe3O4-ZIF-8 accumulated in both cytoplasm and nuclei. Moreover, because of valid drug accumulation, DOX@Fe3O4-ZIF-8 exhibited a good inducing effect on cell apoptosis of MHCC97H cells. In conclusion, based on the nontoxic and high drug loading capability of Fe3O4-ZIF-8, DOX@Fe3O4-ZIF-8 presented enhanced effects on HCC cells compared to free DOX, indicating its potential for the chemotherapy of HCC.
Age-dependent overall survival benefit of androgen deprivation therapy for metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Keating Matthew J , Giscombe Lisa , Tannous Toufic , Reddy Nishitha , Mukkamalla Shiva Kumar R , DeSouza Andre , Rathore Ritesh
Published: March 2019

Background

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains a standard of care in metastatic prostate cancer. Recent prospective trials have explored addition of chemotherapy to ADT. We retrospectively examined overall survival in metastatic prostate cancer patients treated with ADT, chemotherapy plus ADT (C + ADT), or observation from 2004 to 2010 using National Cancer Database data.

Methods

Using the National Cancer Database, 21,977 patients with metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed from 2004 to 2010 were identified. Multivariate logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling were implemented, with overall survival as the primary endpoint.

Results

Five-year overall survival was 13.6% in patients aged ≥ 75 years vs. 30.1% (age 65–74) and 34.5% (age 18–64). Subgroup analysis of age-based cohorts (<65 and ≥65 years) showed poor overall survival for C + ADT vs. ADT alone, both in younger (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21–1.50; p < 0.0001) as well as older (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08–1.34; p = 0.0006) populations. Younger patients had no significant difference in overall survival for observation vs. ADT (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92–1.08; p = 0.9121). Besides age, other factors impacting overall survival included race, rural/urban settings, comorbidity score, income, PSA and radiation.

Discussion

Younger patients had no significant difference in overall survival between observation or ADT. This implies a group of younger patients in whom ADT does not confer any overall survival benefit. Future clinical trials with genetic and biologic markers are needed to delineate which subgroups would not benefit from C + ADT or ADT alone. This is of utmost clinical importance given the negative impact of ADT on quality of life and comorbidities.
Nivolumab-induced hypothyoidism with consequent hypothyroid related myopathy
Authors: Johnson Eric D , Kerrigan Katie , Butler Katerina , Patel Shiven B
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Nivolumab is a fully human IgG4 programmed death 1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) antibody that has anti-tumor activity by selectively blocking the interaction of the programmed death 1 receptor with its two known programmed death ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. In doing so, this immune checkpoint inhibitor removes the negative signal stifling T cell activation and proliferation within the tumor microenvironment and demonstrates favorable antitumor activity.

Case report

We report an interesting case of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced primary hypothyroidism with associated hypothyroid myopathy in a young patient with surgically resected stage IIIB melanoma receiving adjuvant nivolumab. He presented 12 weeks into therapy with severe myalgias, arthralgias, and intermittent disequilibrium of unclear etiology. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated a significant elevation in thyroid stimulating hormone and creatine kinase with an undetectable free T4 with standard laboratory measurement. With thyroid hormone replacement therapy alone, he had rapid improvement in his musculoskeletal symptoms and laboratory parameters over a three-week period.

Discussion

This case emphasizes the serious nature of endocrine immune-related adverse events in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, it highlights that unlike most other immune-related adverse events, endocrine immune-related adverse events can generally be managed with adequate hormone replacement alone with swift improvements in symptoms. This allows patients to continue immune checkpoint inhibitors safely without immunosuppression which may dampen the anti-tumor activity of these agents.

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of early recognition and the appropriate management of endocrine immune-related adverse events to maximize patient safety and good outcomes.
Quasi-static indentation analysis on three-dimensional printed continuous-fiber sandwich composites
Authors: Dikshit Vishwesh , Nagalingam Arun Prasanth , Goh Guo Dong , Agarwala Shweta , Yeong Wai Yee , Wei Jun
Published: March 2019

Fiber reinforced sandwich structures are widely used as structural elements due to their lightweight and high load-bearing capacity. In this paper, effort is taken to fabricate fiber facesheet (0°/90° orientation) and corrugated cores (trapezoidal vertical pillared, core-1 and sinusoidal vertical pillared, core-2) of the sandwich structure using fused filament fabrication and Inkjet printing techniques, respectively. Firstly, the quasi-static indentation properties of the additively manufactured facesheet, cores, and sandwich structures were investigated. In addition, acoustic emission signals were monitored during quasi-static indentation testing and the resulting hits data were correlated with quasi-static indentation test results. The quasi-static indentation test results showed that sinusoidal sandwich structures have the highest load-bearing capacity of 1.79 kN until crack initiation and a total energy-absorption capacity of 20.05 J. Acoustic emission hits recorded in the range of 1–30, 30–100, and above 100 represented crack initiation, crack propagation, and specimen failure, respectively. Lastly, micro-computed tomography analysis was performed on the sandwich structures at intermediate indentation displacements, thus leading to the identification of hard to detect failure points and damage propagation. Fracture surface morphology of the sandwich structures showed that fiber pullout and core shear were the dominant damage mechanisms.
Wear analysis of an automotive window regulator slider
Authors: Xiong Xiaoshuang , Hua Lin , Wan Xiaojin , Guo Wei , Yang Can , Xie Chongyang , Chen Mingzhang
Published: March 2019

The slider, which is made of polyoxymethylene, is the key component of an automotive window regulator. Its function is to guide the window's movement, but it is prone to wear and tear. To reduce noise and improve the wear life of slider, a study of its contact characteristic and the wear life is significant. In this paper, the wear and friction properties of polyoxymethylene under dry sliding condition and grease lubrication condition are investigated using a pin-on-disc apparatus. The complex force conditions of the slider at the normal working condition are studied by a mechanics analysis method. The contact pressure of slider is analyzed by the finite element analysis and the wear of slider is calculated by the proposed wear prediction model. Prediction of the wear life of slider is verified by a window regulator wear experiment. Results show that the value of wear rate of polyoxymethylene under unlubricated condition is much higher than that under lubricated condition. The estimation of wear depth of slider, based on the combination of finite element contact pressure analysis and wear properties of polyoxymethylene, is in accordance with window regulator wear test under unlubricated condition. Besides, the practical wear depth of slider under grease lubrication condition is also in the range of the predicted wear depth of slider under dry and grease lubrication condition.
A Nonlinear vibration analysis of forced response for a bladed-disk with dry friction dampers
Authors: Liu Tianyuan , Zhang Di , Xie Yonghui
Published: March 2019

This paper focuses on the steady vibration characteristics of the bladed-disk subjected to the dry friction damping under periodic excitation. The multi-harmonic method and continuation procedure are combined to trace the solution of the nonlinear forced vibration problem. To obtain a stable and fast nonlinear solver, the analytical formulation of Jacobian matrix in frequency-domain is derived for elastic Coulomb friction model with variable normal force. Furthermore, the continuation method is generalized to trace the solution via different parameters, including not only commonly used excitation frequency but also other design parameters of interest. In numerical simulations, a two degrees of freedom system and a lumped parameter bladed-disk model with dry friction dampers are employed to validate the effectiveness and stability of the method. Meanwhile, the effects of damper design parameters on the responses are investigated, especially the effect of normal force is studied to find the optimal solution. The results indicate that the proposed analytical method can provide an accurate quantitative assessment for the optimum design of the bladed-disk dampers.
Identification of damping and stiffness parameters of cervical and lumbar spines of supine humans under vertical whole-body vibration
Authors: Qiao Guandong , Rahmatalla Salam
Published: March 2019

This work presents a methodology to estimate the unknown damping and stiffness parameters of supine humans at the cervical and lumbar regions while reducing errors presented in the data. Modal parameters (natural frequencies, damping ratios, and eigenvectors) determined from experiments on 11 supine-human subjects exposed to vertical whole-body vibration were used in an inverse modal problem to solve for physical parameters (stiffness and damping). Due to uncertainty in the error level in the modal data, a methodology is presented to reduce the error by correcting the phase of the eigenvectors. Constraints that preserve the inter-connectivity of the physical stiffness and damping matrices were utilized via semi-definite programming. A four-degree-of-freedom human model, as suggested by the experimental modal analysis, was used for computational and analysis purposes. The resulting damping and stiffness parameters of the cervical and lumbar regions produced the right structure of the stiffness and damping matrices and satisfied the equation of motion. Validation analysis on the predicted acceleration response in the time domain of the human model, using the resulting damping and stiffness parameters, demonstrated characteristics very close to those found by the experiments. This work presents new information with many potential applications to the field of biomechanics.
Strain rate dependence of a crash resistant adhesive as a function of temperature for the automotive industry
Authors: Machado JJM , Hayashi A , Nunes PDP , Marques EAS , Carbas RJC , Sato C , da Silva LFM
Published: March 2019

The wide and diverse application of adhesives in the automotive industry has increased over the last decades, driven by the need to produce efficient yet strong vehicles, able to meet both fuel economy and safety standards. This method allows to bond a variety of dissimilar materials used for structural parts, as well as to achieve lighter structures, and higher failure loads over other traditional methods such as fastening or welding. It is therefore important to understand the behaviour of adhesives under a wide range of strain rates and temperatures. These data are fundamental to ensure vehicle safety, as adhesives must be able to sustain impact conditions, deforming but at the same time keeping the integrity of the structure and transmitting the loads without damaging the joint. The aim and novelty of this work is the complete mechanical characterization of a high-performance crash resistant adhesive under varied strain rate and temperature conditions, necessary for the validation of structures used in the automotive industry. The mechanical behaviour of these materials is still poorly understood and described in the literature. The results showed a change in the mechanical properties of the adhesive with the variation of strain rate (quasi-static and impact of 3 m/s) and temperature (−30, 24 and 80 ℃). With the mechanical properties determined it was possible to define cohesive laws for implementation in finite element simulation, as a function of strain rate and temperature.
Portrait of a ‘real’ marero: Fantasy and falsehood in stories of gang violence
Authors: Wayne Fontes Anthony
Published: March 2019

In 21st-century Guatemala transnational gangs (or maras) have become erstwhile emissaries of extreme peacetime violence, distilling in spectacular fashion the fear, rage, and trauma swirling around out-of-control crime. Young gang members (or mareros) are drawn in by and work hard to recreate the phantasmagoric figure the maras cut in social imaginaries, linking the acts of violence gangs perform to the ways gang members – and myriad others – make sense of this violence. This article traces how collective fantasies about gangs are essential in the making of the ‘real’ marero by engaging with the oral history of a single informant: a former member of the Mara Salvatrucha named Andy who became a protected witness for the Guatemalan government. Through Andy’s life and violent death, it illuminates how essential shared fantasies and falsehoods are in the production of knowledge about criminal terror, as well as in the production of violence itself.
Fashioning a master’s degree
Authors: Schramme Annick , King Ian W
Published: March 2019

Fashion has a varied and explosive history. Our responsibility as educators preparing students and therefore careers for this context places us in a very difficult and complex position. Do we prepare students to be successful or do we prepare them to ‘invest’ in their industry? In this paper, we construct our story of developing an ethical, sustainable international master’s degree in Fashion Management. It is a journey of development that sees higher education establishments from Belgium and Italy join together with a ‘third-party’ university from an emerging third-world market in sharing and developing a group of international students willing to ‘invest’ and become industry transformers. Integral to our approach is context and the importance of narrative and responsibility for the learner; as such, this requires a return to old ‘andragogic’ versus ‘pedagogic’ education philosophies. Our account provides a full description of the rationale for aligning the ‘pedagogic’ with ‘andragogic’ and this involves learners to actually experience and understand in context. The principal aim of this paper is to explore the experience of introducing narratives between fashion industry and academia in these different locations as a means of ‘raising’ issues regarding future responsibility and thereby develop critical reflexive skills that will be valuable in other geographical and market contexts for the future.
Self-cleaning properties of polyester fabrics coated with flower-like TiO2 particles and trimethoxy (octadecyl)silane
Authors: Khan Muhammad Zaman , Baheti Vijay , Militky Jiri , Wiener Jakub , Ali Azam
Published: March 2019

The presented work reported the growth of 3D-shaped TiO2 flower particles on the surface of polyester fabrics using two step approaches of sol–gel technology and hydrothermal method. The scanning electron microscopy, EDS analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques were employed to study the effect of titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) concentration on the growth of flower-like TiO2 microstructures. Later, a layer of trimethoxy(octadecyl)silane was applied on TiO2-coated polyester fabrics to fabricate the self-cleaning textiles. The physical self-cleaning properties were examined based on superhydrophobicity and contact angle measurements, where maximum static contact angle of 160.1o and minimum roll off angle of 3° was found for 2 mL TTIP concentration. The degradation of methyl orange dyes under UV light irradiation was observed to confirm the photocatalytic chemical self-cleaning behavior, where the samples coated with 2 mL TTIP decolorized the dye solution in 150 min, whereas the samples coated with 1 mL and 1.5 mL TTIP took almost 300 and 210 min, respectively.
Mapping the microbial interactome: Statistical and experimental approaches for microbiome network inference
Authors: Dohlman Anders B , Shen Xiling
Published: March 2019

Advances in high-throughput sequencing have ushered in a new era of research into the gut microbiome and its role in human health and disease. However, due to the unique characteristics of microbiome survey data, their use for the detection of ecological interaction networks remains a considerable challenge, and a field of active methodological development. In this review, we discuss the landscape of existing statistical and experimental methods for detecting and characterizing microbial interactions, as well as the role that host and environmental metabolic signals play in mediating the behavior of these networks. Numerous statistical tools for microbiome network inference have been developed. Yet due to tool-specific biases, the networks identified by these methods are often discordant, motivating a need for the development of more general tools, the use of ensemble approaches, and the incorporation of prior knowledge into prediction. By elucidating the complex dynamics of the microbial interactome, we will enhance our understanding of the microbiome’s role in disease, more precisely predict the microbiome’s response to perturbation, and inform the development of future therapeutic strategies for microbiome-related disease.

Impact statement

This review provides a comprehensive description of experimental and statistical tools used for network analyses of the human gut microbiome. Understanding the system dynamics of microbial interactions may lead to the improvement of therapeutic approaches for managing microbiome-associated diseases. Microbiome network inference tools have been developed and applied to both cross-sectional and longitudinal experimental designs, as well as to multi-omic datasets, with the goal of untangling the complex web of microbe-host, microbe-environmental, and metabolism-mediated microbial interactions. The characterization of these interaction networks may lead to a better understanding of the systems dynamics of the human gut microbiome, augmenting our knowledge of the microbiome’s role in human health, and guiding the optimization of effective, precise, and rational therapeutic strategies for managing microbiome-associated disease.
Explant of aortic stent grafts following endovascular aneurysm repair
Authors: Boyle E , McHugh SM , Elmallah A , Lynch M , McGuire D , Ahmed Z , Canning C , Colgan MP , O’Neill SM , O’Callaghan A , Martin Z , Madhavan P
Published: March 2019

Background

Failure of endovascular aneurysm repair may require explant of the stent graft in a subset of patients. We sought to assess outcomes in a cohort of patients undergoing explant of endovascular aneurysm repair in both emergency and elective settings.

Methods

Patients undergoing explant of endovascular aneurysm repair were identified from a prospectively maintained database, with additional information obtained through retrospective analysis of medical records.

Results

Over a 21-year period, 1997–2018 (May), there were 597 endovascular aneurysm repair procedures performed in our institution for abdominal aortic aneurysm. There were 19 endovascular aneurysm repair explants; five of these were referrals from other vascular centres. The median age was 73 years (range 46–81). The median length of time from insertion to explant was 39.2 months (range 0–153). Indications for elective explant were type Ia endoleak (n = 4), type 1b endoleak (n = 1), type II endoleak with increasing sac size (n = 1), type I/III endoleak (n = 1), type IV endoleak (n = 1), and increasing sac size without evident endoleak (type V, n = 2). The remaining nine cases were emergency procedures, with four patients presenting with rupture post endovascular aneurysm repair, four patients presenting with acute stent thrombosis, of which one also had a type 1a endoleak and one aorto-enteric fistula. There were no mortalities in the elective group and three mortalities in the emergency group (0 vs 33.3%, p = 0.087). Overall 30-day mortality was 15.8%

Conclusion

Explant of aortic stent grafts can be associated with high mortality and morbidity rates, especially in the emergent setting. Patient and device selection and post-operative surveillance remain vitally important to optimise outcomes post endovascular aneurysm repair.
Saphenous vein diameter is a single risk factor for early recanalization after endothermal ablation of incompetent great saphenous vein
Authors: Kemaloğlu Cemal
Published: March 2019

Background and aim

The aim of this study was to compare endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) techniques for efficacy and side effects for great saphenous vein (GSV) ablation.

Materials and methods

Two hundred twenty-one patients and 287 extremities that underwent GSV ablation with EVLA and RFA methods were analysed retrospectively; 135 GSVs were treated with EVLA, 152 GSVs were treated with RFA. Physical examination and Ultrasound (US) records at the first week, first month and third month were evaluated. Recanalization, endothermal heat-induced thrombosis formation, presence of ecchymosis greater than 10 cm and GSV diameter parameters were statistically analyzed.

Results

In the RFA group, 96.7% of the GSVs that were ablated were occluded at the end of the third month. In the EVLA group, this rate was 92.6%. There was no statistically significant difference between success of ablation ( P = 0.118). In the RFA group, ecchymotic areas, that is larger than 10 cm diameter were observed in 16 extremities, whereas in the EVLA group, 66 of 135 (48.9%) limbs were found to have ecchymotic area larger than 10 cm ( P < 0.001). More recanalizations were observed in GSVs larger than 10 mm in diameter which was statistically significant ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Both EVLA and RFA methods are effective in treating GSV reflux. Compared to the EVLA, less ecchymosis occurs after RFA procedures. Regardless of the type of method used, the GSV diameter is a single predictor of recanalization.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Daher A , Sauvetre G , Girszyn N , Verspyck E , Levesque H , Le Besnerais M
Published: March 2019

The association of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and pregnancy is rare and therapeutic options are limited by the risk of teratogenicity and fetotoxicity. There is a paucity of published literature to guide clinical decision-making in these cases. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman with no medical history who presented at 21 weeks of gestation with a bilateral sudden loss of hearing and erosive rhinitis. The diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis was confirmed radiologically and biologically. Corticosteroids were not enough to stabilize the disease and she received intravenous immunoglobulins with remission. A successful delivery of a healthy male newborn was done at 36 weeks. A review of all published literature on granulomatosis with polyangiitis in pregnancy between 1970 and 2017 is presented.

Trial registration: Not applicable.
Myotonic disorders and pregnancy
Authors: Morton Adam
Published: March 2019

Myotonic disorders represent significant risk in pregnancy due to their complexity and the risk of maternal and fetal complications. Care of these pregnancies requires detailed pre-conception counselling, close monitoring of mother and fetus during the pregnancy and a delivery and postpartum plan involving a multidisciplinary team approach. A case of a woman with myotonia congenita diagnosed in pregnancy is presented, the general principles of care of women with myotonic disorders discussed, and care of the specific conditions in pregnancy reviewed.

Trial registration: Not applicable.
Influence of Multiple Types of Proximity on the Degree of Visual Crowding Effects Within a Single Gap Detection Task
Authors: Hayashi Daisuke , Ohnishi Madoka
Published: March 2019

The visual system cannot recognize an object (target) in peripheral vision when presented with neighboring similar stimuli (flanker). This object recognition disability is known as crowding. Studies have shown that various types of proximity, such as spatial distance or semantic category, affect the degree of crowding. However, thus far, these effects have mostly been studied separately. Hence, their underlying similarities and differences are still unknown. In this study, we developed a novel gap detection task and tested whether the effect of three different types of proximity in crowding (the relative position between target gap and nearest flanker edge, the flanker location compared with the target location, and the semantic category of the target) can be measured within a single task. A psychometric function analysis revealed that two of the assumed types of proximity affected the degree of crowding within a single task.
The case for extended thromboprophylaxis in medically hospitalised patients – not yet made
Authors: Cao Jacob Y , Lee Seung Yeon , Dunkley Scott , Adams Mark , Keech Anthony
Published: March 2019

Background

The role of extended thromboprophylaxis is established for surgical patients, but not yet for hospitalised medical patients.

Design

This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to explore the role of extended thromboprophylaxis for medically ill hospitalised patients.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Libraries were searched and five randomised controlled trials were identified, comprising 20,046 extended and 20,078 standard duration thromboprophylaxis patients.

Results

Allocation to extended treatment, compared with standard duration therapy, significantly reduced the risk of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (relative risk (RR) 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29–0.78, P = 0.003) and non-fatal pulmonary embolism (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39–0.91, P = 0.02). The risk of venous thromboembolism-related death was comparable between the extended and standard duration treatment groups (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.6–1.09, P = 0.16). Extended treatment also doubled the risk of major bleeding (RR 2.04, 95% CI 1.42–2.91, P < 0.001), without significantly affecting the risk of intracranial bleeding or bleeding-associated death. The cost of preventing one symptomatic deep vein thrombosis and non-fatal pulmonary embolism was found to be £24,972 (€27,969) and £45,148 (€50,566), respectively, which outweigh the direct cost of managing established venous thromboembolism as previously reported.

Conclusions

Extended duration thromboprophylaxis caused a reduction in the risk of venous thromboembolic events, but also a numerically comparable increase in major bleeding. Further trials are required in high-risk subpopulations who may derive mortality benefits from treatment. Only then could a change in current policy and practice be supported.
Is there a role for mindfulness-based interventions (here defined as MBCT and MBSR) in facilitating optimal psychological adjustment in the menopause?
Authors: Molefi-Youri Wendy
Published: March 2019

The menopause presents many challenges for middle-aged women worldwide, often highly productive women who are in the prime of their lives juggling busy careers and family responsibilities, when good quality of life and functional ability is an imperative. Some women cope well with their menopausal symptoms and seem to embrace this time of change, while others struggle psychologically to adjust to the changes. Mindfulness-based interventions have a robust evidence base in relation to their efficacy in both physical and psychological conditions. Both programs have been adapted for conditions where difficulties in psychological adjustment to change and/or loss are amongst the core mechanisms that maintain distress. I explored the potential aetiology of distress in the menopause and evaluated existing empirical literature to ascertain whether there is a role for mindfulness-based interventions to facilitate optimal psychological adjustment to changes in the menopause, paying particular attention to the mechanisms that lend themselves to mindfulness training being efficacious. Current available evidence is promising and supports the hypothesis that mindfulness-based interventions may have a role in facilitating psychological adjustment during the menopause transition. The dearth of literature specific to mindfulness-based interventions and the menopause was noted.
A symposium on teaching virtue: Interdisciplinary perspectives on pedagogy, liturgy, and moral formation
Authors: Gutacker Paul , Parker Elizabeth Travers , Strecker Cody , Krause Nicholas
Published: March 2019

Theologian Paul J. Griffiths has argued that thinking about Christian learning “must begin from thinking about the liturgy.” This comparison between learning and liturgy invites reflection upon the nature and ends of Christian higher education, particularly how pedagogy might be informed by liturgy. This interdisciplinary symposium considers this very connection, proposing that the space of the classroom, the activities of teaching and learning, and the aims of Christian higher education are contiguous with the liturgical life of the Church. Four short reflections from the fields of composition, theology, ethics, and history offer four approaches to the relationship between liturgy and learning, demonstrating that the “liturgical” habits of these various disciplines cooperate in moral formation.
Independent Influence of Spinal Cord Injury Level on Thermoregulation during Exercise
Authors: FORSYTH PETA , MILLER JOANNA , PUMPA KATE , THOMPSON KEVIN G. , JAY OLLIE
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This study aimed to establish the true influence of spinal cord injury (SCI) level on core temperature and sweating during exercise in the heat independently of biophysical factors.

Methods

A total of 31 trained males (8 with tetraplegia [TP; C5–C8], 7 with high paraplegia [HP; T1–T5], 8 with low paraplegia [LP; T6–L1], and 8 able bodied [AB]) performed 3 × 10 min of arm ergometry with 3-min rest at a metabolic heat production of (a) 4.0 W·kg−1 (AB vs TP) or (b) 6.0 W·kg−1 (AB vs HP vs LP), in 35°C, 50% relative humidity. Esophageal (T
es) and local skin temperatures and local sweat rate (LSR) on the forehead and upper back were measured throughout.

Results

Change in T
es was greatest in TP (1.86°C ± 0.32°C vs 0.29°C ± 0.07°C, P < 0.001) and greater in HP compared with LP and AB, reaching 1.20°C ± 0.50°C, 0.66°C ± 0.23°C, and 0.53°C ± 0.12°C, respectively (P < 0.001). Approximately half of the variability in end-trial ΔT
es was described by SCI level in paraplegics (adjusted R
2 = 0.490, P = 0.005). Esophageal temperature onset thresholds of sweating at the forehead and upper back were similar among HP, LP, and AB, whereas no sweating was observed in TP. Thermosensitivity (ΔT
es vs ΔLSR) was also similar, except for LP demonstrating lower thermosensitivity than AB at the upper back (0.78 ± 0.26 vs 1.59 ± 0.89 mg·cm−2·min−1, P = 0.039). Change in skin temperature was greatest in denervated regions, most notably at the calf in all SCI groups (TP, 2.07°C ± 0.93°C; HP, 2.73°C ± 0.68°C; LP, 2.92°C ± 1.48°C).

Conclusion

This study is the first to show the relationship between ΔT
es and SCI level in athletes with paraplegia after removing variability arising from differences in metabolic heat production and mass. Individual variability in ΔT
es is further reduced among athletes with TP because of minimal evaporative heat loss secondary to an absence of sweating.