bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Attentional Focus on Brain Function During a Gross Motor Task
Authors: Raisbeck Louisa D. , Diekfuss Jed A. , Grooms Dustin R. , Schmitz Randy
Published: June 2019

Context: Although the beneficial effects of using an external focus of attention are well documented in attainment and performance of movement execution, neural mechanisms underlying external focus’ benefits are mostly unknown. Objective: To assess brain function during a lower-extremity gross motor movement while manipulating an internal and external focus of attention. Design: Cross-over study. Setting: Neuroimaging center Participants: A total of 10 healthy subjects (5 males and 5 females) Intervention: Participants completed external and internal focus of attention unilateral left 45° knee extension/flexion movements at a rate of 1.2 Hz laying supine in a magnetic resonance imaging scanner for 4 blocks of 30 seconds interspersed with 30-second rest blocks. During the internal condition, participants were instructed to “squeeze their quadriceps.” During the external condition, participants were instructed to “focus on a target” positioned above their tibia. Main Outcome Measures: T1 brain structural imaging was performed for registration of the functional data. For each condition, 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging blood oxygenation level dependent data representing 90 whole-brain volumes were acquired. Results: During the external relative to internal condition, increased activation was detected in the right occipital pole, cuneal cortex, anterior portion of the lingual gyrus, and intracalcarine cortex (Zmax = 4.5–6.2, P < .001). During the internal relative to external condition, increased activation was detected in the left primary motor cortex, left supplementary motor cortex, and cerebellum (Zmax = 3.4–3.5, P < .001). Conclusions: Current results suggest that an external focus directed toward a visual target produces more brain activity in regions associated with vision and ventral streaming pathways, whereas an internal focus manipulated through instruction increases activation in brain regions that are responsible for motor control. Results from this study serve as baseline information for future prevention and rehabilitation investigations of how manipulating focus of attention can constructively affect neuroplasticity during training and rehabilitation.
Isokinetic Fatigue Ratio of Shoulder Rotators in Elite Softball Players With and Without Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, and its Association With the Subacromial Space
Authors: Wong Rodney Y. L. , Yung Patrick S. H. , Leong H. T.
Published: June 2019

Context: Fatigue of the shoulder rotators may cause reduction of the subacromial space (SAS) and contribute to rotator cuff tendinopathy. Objectives: To compare the isokinetic peak torques and fatigue ratios of shoulder external rotators (ER) and internal rotators (IR) between elite softball athletes with and without rotator cuff tendinopathy and to investigate their associations with the SAS. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Twenty-five elite softball players and 31 asymptomatic sedentary controls participated in this study. Main Outcome Measures: Isokinetic concentric IR and ER peak torque and fatigue ratio were measured at 60°/s and at 180°/s, respectively; and ultrasound measurement of the SAS was measured during 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction. Results: Athletes with rotator cuff tendinopathy demonstrated lower peak torque in shoulder concentric ER when compared with their healthy counterparts (37.8 [5.8%] vs 43.6 [8.5%]). No significant difference was found in the fatigue ratios of ER, IR, and ER/IR when compared between elite softball athletes with and without rotator cuff tendinopathy (all P > .24). In asymptomatic athletes, greater IR peak torque (r = .583, P = .03), lower ER/IR strength ratio (r = −.605, P = .02), and greater ER/IR fatigue ratio (r = .575, P = .03) were moderately associated with more reduction of the SAS during 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction. Conclusions: Decreased strength ratio and fatigue ratio of ER/IR were related to reduction of the SAS.
Comparison of Drop Jump and Tuck Jump Knee Joint Kinematics in Elite Male Youth Soccer Players: Implications for Injury Risk Screening
Authors: Lloyd Rhodri S. , Oliver Jon L. , Myer Gregory D. , De Ste Croix Mark B. , Wass Josh , Read Paul J.
Published: June 2019

Context: Despite the popularity of jump-landing tasks being used to identify injury risk factors, minimal data currently exist examining differences in knee kinematics during commonly used bilateral jumping tasks. This is especially the case for rebounding-based protocols involving young athletes. Objective: To compare the frontal plane projection angles (FPPAs) during the drop vertical jump (DVJ) and tuck jump assessment (TJA) in a cohort of elite male youth soccer players of varying maturity status. Methods: A total of 57 male youth soccer players from an English championship soccer club participated in this study. Participants performed 3 trials of the DVJ and TJA, during which movement was recorded with 2-dimensional video cameras. FPPA for both right (FPPA-r) and left (FPPA-l) legs, with values <180° indicative of medial knee displacement. Results: On a whole-group level, FPPA-r (172.7° [7.4°] vs 177.2° [11.7°]; P < .05; effect size [ES] = 0.46) and FPPA-l (173.4° [7.3°] vs 179.2° [11.0°]; P < .05; ES = 0.62) were significantly greater for both limbs in the TJA compared with the DVJ; however, these differences were less consistent when grouped by maturity status. FPPA-r during the TJA was significantly and moderately greater in the circa-peak height velocity (PHV) group compared with the post-PHV cohorts (169.4° [6.4°] vs 175.3° [7.8°]; P < .05; ES = 0.49). Whole-group data showed moderate relationships for FPPA-r and FPPA-l between the TJA and DVJ; however, stronger relationships were shown in circa- and post-PHV players compared with the pre-PHV cohort. Conclusions: Considering that the TJA exposed players to a larger FPPA and was sensitive to between-group differences in FPPA-r, the TJA could be viewed as a more suitable screen for identifying FPPA in young male soccer players.
High-Dose Ceftriaxone for Bacterial Meningitis and Optimization of Administration Scheme Based on Nomogram
Authors: Grégoire Matthieu , Dailly Eric , Le Turnier Paul , Garot Denis , Guimard Thomas , Bernard Louis , Tattevin Pierre , Vandamme Yves-Marie , Hoff Jérôme , Lemaitre Florian , Verdier Marie-Clémence , Deslandes Guillaume , Bellouard Ronan , Sébille Véronique , Chiffoleau Anne , Boutoille David , Navas Dominique , Asseray Nathalie
Published: June 2019

High dosages of ceftriaxone are used to treat central nervous system (CNS) infections. Dosage adaptation according to the glomerular filtration rate is currently not recommended. Ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics (PK) was investigated by a population approach in patients enrolled in a French multicenter prospective cohort study who received high-dose ceftriaxone for CNS infection as recommended by French guidelines (75 to 100 mg/kg of body weight/day without an upper limit).
A Global Survey of Mycobacterial Diversity in Soil
Authors: Walsh Corinne M. , Gebert Matthew J. , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Maestre Fernando T. , Fierer Noah
Published: June 2019

Mycobacteria are common inhabitants of soil, and while most members of this bacterial group are innocuous, some mycobacteria can cause environmentally acquired infections of humans and other animals. Human infections from nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly prevalent worldwide, and some areas appear to be “hotspots” for NTM disease. While exposure to soil is frequently implicated as an important mode of NTM transmission, the diversity, distributions, and ecological preferences of soil mycobacteria remain poorly understood. We analyzed 143 soils from a range of ecosystems and found that mycobacteria and lineages within the group often exhibited predictable preferences for specific environmental conditions. Soils harbor large amounts of previously undescribed mycobacterial diversity, and lineages that include known pathogens were rarely detected in soil. Together, these findings suggest that soil is an unlikely source of many mycobacterial infections. The biogeographical patterns we documented lend insight into the ecology of this important group of soil-dwelling bacteria.
mSphere of Influence: Engineering Microbes
Authors: McNamara Patrick J.
Published: June 2019

Patrick J. McNamara works in the field of environmental engineering. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how the papers “Bacterial community structure in the drinking water microbiome is governed by filtration processes” (A. J. Pinto, C. Xi, and L.
A Role for the VPS Retromer in
Brucella
Intracellular Replication Revealed by Genomewide siRNA Screening
Authors: Casanova Alain , Low Shyan Huey , Québatte Maxime , Sedzicki Jaroslaw , Tschon Therese , Ketterer Maren , Smith Kevin , Emmenlauer Mario , Ben-Tekaya Houchaima , Dehio Christoph
Published: June 2019

With >300,000 new cases of human brucellosis annually,
Brucella
is regarded as one of the most important zoonotic bacterial pathogens worldwide. The agent causing brucellosis resides inside host cells within vacuoles termed
Brucella-
containing vacuoles (BCVs). Although a few host components required to escape the degradative lysosomal pathway and to establish the ER-derived replicative BCV (rBCV) have already been identified, the global understanding of this highly coordinated process is still partial, and many factors remain unknown. To gain deeper insight into these fundamental questions, we performed a genomewide RNA interference (RNAi) screen aiming at discovering novel host factors involved in the
Brucella
intracellular cycle. We identified 425 host proteins that contribute to
Brucella
cellular entry, intracellular trafficking, and replication. Together, this study sheds light on previously unknown host pathways required for the
Brucella
infection cycle and highlights the VPS retromer components as critical factors for the establishment of the
Brucella
intracellular replicative niche.
Change in seismic attenuation as a long-term precursor of gas-driven eruptions
Authors: Caudron Corentin , Girona Társilo , Taisne Benoît , Suparjan  , Gunawan Hendra , Kristianto  , Kasbani
Published: June 2019

A large fraction of volcanic eruptions do not expel magma at the Earth’s surface. Although less known than magmatic eruptions, gas-driven eruptions expel fragments of preexisting rocks, volcanic gases, and steam, causing substantial casualties. The destructive potential of these eruptions lies in the difficulty in identifying clear warning signals. Some gas-driven eruptions have been preceded by some physicochemical changes, but these were extremely short-term (from minutes to hours), and no long-term trends have been clearly evidenced so far. Here, we show that unheralded gas-driven eruptions can be forecast in the long term using seismic signals recorded at nearby active craters. In particular, we have found that the most recent gas-driven eruptions at Kawah Ijen (Indonesia) and Ruapehu and Tongariro (New Zealand) volcanoes were all preceded by a systematic relative increase in lower-frequency (4.5–8 Hz) seismic amplitude compared to higher frequencies (8–16 Hz) over time scales of months to years. We show that this precursory activity reflects significant increases in seismic attenuation affecting preferentially high-frequency travelling waves; this probably results from the accumulation of volatiles in the shallow crust, which increases pore pressure in small-scale rock heterogeneities and eventually leads to gas-driven eruptions. Our results highlight the feasibility of better constraining the onset and the end of an unrest episode, which is of paramount importance for agencies in charge of volcano monitoring.
Effects of flow rate on transnasal pulmonary aerosol delivery of bronchodilators via high-flow nasal cannula for patients with COPD and asthma: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Li Jie , Luo Jian , Chen Yibing , Xie Lixing , Fink James B
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Both in vitro and in vivo radiolabelled studies on nebulisation via high-flow nasal cannula showed that inhaled dose decreases as the administered gas flow increases. In our previous in vitro study, we investigated the effects of the ratio of gas flow to subject’s peak inspiratory flow (GF:IF) on the aerosol deposition, which increased as the GF:IF decreased, with an optimal GF:IF between 0.1 and 0.5 producing a stable ‘lung’ deposition in both quiet and distressed breathing. Thus, we aim to validate our in vitro findings in subjects with reversible airflow limitations by assessing their response to inhaled bronchodilator.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre, randomised controlled trial. Subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma with positive response to 400μg albuterol via metered dose inhaler and valved holding chamber will be enrolled and consented. After a washout period (1–3 days), subjects will be randomly assigned to inhale albuterol with one of three gas flows: 50 L/min, GF:IF=1.0 and GF:IF=0.5. In each arm, subjects will inhale 2 mL saline, followed by escalating doubling doses (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg) of albuterol in a fill volume of 2 mL, delivered by a vibrating mesh nebuliser via heated nasal cannula set up at 37°C. An interval of 30 min between each dose of albuterol, with spirometry measured at baseline and after each inhalation. Titration will be terminated if forced expiratory volume in 1 s improvement is <5%, or adverse event is observed.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial has been approved by the Ethic Committee of People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China (no. S2018-200-01). The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03739359; Pre-results.
Analysis on geographic variations in hospital deaths and endovascular therapy in ischaemic stroke patients: an observational cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Chen Hui , Shi Lizheng , Wang Ni , Han Yangtong , Lin Yilu , Dai Mingfeng , Liu Honglei , Dong Xiao , Xue Ming , Xu Hua
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Stroke is the leading cause of death and adult disability in China, following a rise in incidence over the last few decades. We aimed to explore the geographic variations in hospital mortality and endovascular therapy (EVT) use among ischaemic stroke (IS) patients in China, and investigate the associated potential risk factors.

Design

Observational cross-sectional study of patients hospitalised for stroke.

Setting

Hospital discharge data for 1267 tertiary hospitals between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 were derived from the Nationwide Hospital Discharge Database operated by the National Health Commission of China.

Participants

1 826 332 patients aged ≥18 years, hospitalised following stroke.

Outcome measures

In-hospital mortality and EVT use.

Results

The nationwide hospital mortality rate of IS patients was 0.88% (95% CI 0.86% to 0.90%); there was a significantly greater risk of mortality in the Northeast (OR 2.37; 95% CI 2.23 to 2.52), West (1.65; 1.54 to 1.78), South (1.25; 1.17 to 1.33) and North (1.29; 1.20 to 1.39) than in the East. Tertiary B hospitals (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.09), patients admitted from emergency departments and older patients were associated with higher hospital mortality. The national EVT use rate was 0.45% (95% CI 0.44% to 0.46%). Compared with in East China, EVT use was significantly lower in the Northeast (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.24) and West (0.64; 0.58 to 0.71), though not the North (1.23; 1.14 to 1.33). Tertiary A hospitals (OR 2.62; 95% CI 2.43 to 2.83), male patients and patients admitted from emergency departments were also associated with higher EVT use rates.

Conclusions

There were substantial disparities in mortality and EVT use for hospitalised patients with IS among China’s tertiary hospitals, linked with both geographic and hospital characteristics. More targeted intervention at regional and hospital levels is needed for providing effective health technologies and eventually improving post-stroke outcomes.
Exploring the association between urbanisation and self-rated health of older adults in China: evidence from a national population sample survey
Authors: Liu Ye , Huang Baishi , Wang Ruoyu , Feng Zhixin , Liu Yuqi , Li Zhigang
Published: June 2019

Objectives

This study investigated the association between urbanisation and self-rated health of older adults in China, particularly how different dimensions, rate and level of urbanisation are related to older people’s health. Additionally, it examined the moderating effect of education on the association between each of the four dimensions of urbanisation and older people’s health.

Design

The study uses a cross-sectional survey design.

Participants

This study analysed 236 030 individuals (aged 60–79 years) nested within 267 prefecture-level cities from 2005 China’s 1% population sample survey.

Outcome measures

Self-rated health was the outcome variable. Four groups of predictors assessed prefectures’ level and rate of urbanisation: land-use conversion, economic growth, population concentration and health services. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine the association between self-rated health and the level and rate of urbanisation, after adjusting for individual-level covariates. Multiplicative interactions explored variations by education.

Results

The odd of reporting fair or poor health was negatively associated with the level and rate of population concentration (OR 0.93,95%CI 0.87 to 0.99 and 0.74,95%CI 0.59 to 0.93, respectively) and positively associated with the level of health services (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.19). Land-use conversion, economic growth and health service improvements (the forms of rate of urbanisation) were not significantly associated with self-rated health. Education had a moderating effect on the association between urbanisation and self-rated health.

Conclusions

Older people living in more densely populated areas and areas undergoing rapid population concentration were less likely to report fair or poor health. This result supports healthy migration and ‘salmon bias’ hypotheses. No urban health penalty was observed for the older adults in China; therefore, the following pathways linking urbanisation to health are unclear: lifestyle changes, environmental pollution and cultivated land reduction.
Lessons for leadership and culture when doctors become second victims: a systematic literature review
Authors: Willis Donna , Yarker Joanna , Lewis Rachel
Published: June 2019

This review set out to understand what leaders and organisational cultures can learn about supporting doctors who experience second victim phenomenon; the types, levels and availability of support offered; and the psychological symptoms experienced. A systematic review of keywords ‘Medical Error’ [MeSH], ‘Near Miss’, ‘Adverse Event’, ‘Second Victim’ and ‘Support’ was carried out using CINAHL Plus, Medline and Embase Classic and Embase 1947-2017 databases. Results show that poor organisational culture and leadership negatively influences and hinders doctors who make mistakes. Leaders who promote and create environments for open and constructive dialogue following adverse events enable the concept of fallibility and imperfection to be assimilated into new ways of learning. Guilt and fear are the most consistently reported psychological symptoms along with a perception of loss of professional respect and standing. Doctors often carry unresolved trauma for several years causing them to constantly relive an event. Unchecked, this can lead to poor relationships with colleagues and impact greatly on their ability to sleep and performance at work. The review concludes that a prevailing silence, exacerbated by poor organisational culture, inhibits proper disclosure to the first victim, the patient and family. It also impedes a healthy recovery trajectory for the doctor, the second victim. Leaders of organisations have a vital strategic and operational role in creating open, transparent and compassionate cultures where dialogue and understanding takes place for those affected by second victim phenomenon.
The impact of general anesthesia, baseline ASPECTS, time to treatment, and IV tPA on intracranial hemorrhage after neurothrombectomy: pooled analysis of the SWIFT PRIME, SWIFT, and STAR trials
Authors: Raychev Radoslav , Saver Jeffrey L , Jahan Reza , Nogueira Raul G , Goyal Mayank , Pereira Vitor M , Gralla Jan , Levy Elad I , Yavagal Dileep R , Cognard Christophe , Liebeskind David S
Published: June 2019

Background

Despite the proven benefit of neurothrombectomy, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) remains the most serious procedural complication. The aim of this analysis was to identify predictors of different hemorrhage subtypes and evaluate their individual impact on clinical outcome.

Methods

Pooled individual patient-level data from three large prospective multicenter studies were analyzed for the incidence of different ICH subtypes, including any ICH, hemorrhagic transformation (HT), parenchymal hematoma (PH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). All patients (n=389) treated with the Solitaire device were included in the analysis. A multivariate stepwise logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of each hemorrhage subtype.

Results

General anesthesia and higher baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) were associated with a lower probability of any ICH (OR 0.36, p=0.003), (OR 0.80, p=0.032) and HT (OR 0.54, p=0.023), (OR 0.78, p=0.001), respectively. Longer time from onset to treatment was associated with a higher likelihood of HT (OR 1.08, p=0.001) and PH (OR 1.11, p=0.015). Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) was also a strong predictor of PH (OR 7.63, p=0.013). Functional independence at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2) was observed significantly less frequently in all hemorrhage subtypes except SAH. None of the patients who achieved functional independence at 90 days had sICH.

Conclusions

General anesthesia and smaller baseline ischemic core are associated with a lower probability of HT whereas IV-tPA and prolonged time to treatment increase the risk of PH after neurothrombectomy.

Trial registration numbers

SWIFT-NCT01054560; post results, SWIFT PRIME-NCT01657461; post results, STAR-NCT01327989; post results.
Effect of time from onset to endovascular therapy on outcomes: the National Acute Stroke Israeli (NASIS)-REVASC registry
Authors: Peretz Shlomi , Raphaeli Guy , Borenstein Natan , Leker Ronen R , Brauner Ran , Horev Anat , Cohen José E , Telman Gregory , Halevi Hen , Tanne David
Published: June 2019

Background

Endovascular therapy (EVT) is currently the most effective treatment for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) stroke. Earlier treatment is associated with a better clinical outcome. Our aim was to examine the association between onset-to-EVT (OTE) time and clinical outcomes using real-world nationwide data from the National Acute Stroke ISraeli (NASIS)-REVASC registry.

Methods

Stroke patients undergoing EVT within the Endovascular Capable Centres (ECCs) in Israel between January 2014 and March 2016 were prospectively included. Several clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated. The association between OTE time and outcomes was analyzed with logistic regression models using time as a continuous variable and then by OTE groups of <2, 2–4, 4–6, and >6 hours.

Results

299 patients with acute stroke were included in the analysis. OTE time was significantly associated with favorable outcomes. ORs for each hour of delay in EVT were 0.84 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.99) for significant early recovery, 0.80 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.94) for discharge to home, 0.80 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.95) for freedom from disability at discharge, and 0.78 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.91) for excellent reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia 3). The <2 OTE group was significantly associated with better outcomes than the ≥2 OTE group including significant early recovery (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 9.1), discharge to home (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.3 to 8.5), and excellent reperfusion (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 29.5). The same trend was observed for freedom from disability at discharge and 3 months (OR 2.08, 95% CI 0.7 to 5.7 and OR 2.57, 95% CI 0.8 to 8.3, respectively). Only 1% of transferred patients achieved an OTE time of <2 hours.

Conclusions

Nationwide real-life registry data indicate that benefit from EVT is strongly associated with OTE time and is most prominent within the ‘two golden hours’ from stroke onset. This time goal may not be applicable in inter-hospital transfer patients.
Intracranial bailout stenting with the Acclino (Flex) Stent/NeuroSpeed Balloon Catheter after failed thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: a multicenter experience
Authors: Stracke Christian Paul , Meyer Lukas , Fiehler Jens , Leischner Hannes , Bester Maxim , Buhk Jan Hendrik , Thomalla Goetz , Krause Lars Udo , Lowens Stephan , Rothaupt Jan , Chapot René , Hanning Uta
Published: June 2019

Background and purpose

To report on the feasibility, safety, and outcome of acute intracranial stenting (ICS) with the Acclino (Flex) Stent and NeuroSpeed Balloon Catheter in cases of failed mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients treated with acute bailout stenting after failed MT in three large neurointerventional centers using exclusively the Acclino (Flex) Stent and the NeuroSpeed Balloon Catheter. Functional outcome was assessed by the rate of major early neurological recovery (mENR) at 24 hours and at 90 days with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Safety evaluation included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), mortality, and intervention-related serious adverse events (SAEs).

Results

50 patients with a median age of 71 years met the inclusion criteria and 52% (26/50) of the occluded vessels were located within the anterior circulation. mENR was observed in 38.8% and 90-day favorable outcome (mRS ≤2) was 40.6% (13/32). Higher NIH Stroke Scale scores on admission were significantly associated with poor functional outcome (mRS ≥3) at 90 days (adjusted OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.53; p=0.007). sICH occurred in two cases of the study population. There were no intervention-related SAEs.

Conclusion

Intracranial bailout stenting with the Acclino (Flex) Stent and the NeuroSpeed Balloon Catheter after failed MT is a feasible and effective recanalization method for atherosclerotic stenosis-based stroke that is associated especially with low rates of sICH.
An international multicenter retrospective study to survey the landscape of thrombectomy in the treatment of anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke: outcomes with respect to age
Authors: Martini Michael , Mocco J , Turk Aquilla , Siddiqui Adnan H , Fiorella David , Hanel Ricardo , Woodward Keith , Rai Ansaar , Frei Don , Delgado Almandoz Josser E , Kelly Michael E , Peeling Lissa , Arthur Adam S , Baxter Blaise , English Joey , Linfante Italo , De Leacy Reade
Published: June 2019

Background

Thrombectomy is an efficacious treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, relatively few studies to date have specifically examined the impact and clinical implications of age on outcomes for thrombectomy in anterior AIS.

Objective

To provide a snapshot of patient metrics and outcomes with respect to age following thrombectomy for anterior AIS to supplement the current body of data for predictors of clinical outcomes in a real-world setting.

Methods

Data were collected for 20 consecutive patients with AIS treated with thrombectomy at 15 high-volume stroke centers across North America between 2015 and 2016. Patients with anterior occlusions were dichotomized based on whether they were older or younger than 80 years. Ordinal logistic regression analyzed how clinical variables impacted disability using 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores.

Results

Adequate revascularization (TICI ≥2B) was achieved in 92.3% of patients aged <80 years with an average 1.7±0.1 passes taken with the primary technique and in 88.0% of patients aged ≥80 years with an average 1.7±0.2 passes. Despite similar baseline characteristics, mRS scores were significantly higher in older patients postoperatively and at 90 days after intervention. Age was a significant predictor of 90-day mRS across the study population.

Conclusion

This analysis affirms age is a significant determinant of 90-day mRS scores following thrombectomy for large vessel anterior AIS. Further investigation into risks faced by elderly patients during thrombectomy may provide actionable information to help refine patient selection and improve outcomes.
Effects of inclusion of granulated rubber tires on the mechanical behaviour of a compressive sand
Authors: Li W. , Kwok C.Y. , Senetakis K.
Published: June 2019

Drained triaxial shearing tests were performed on a well-graded compressive sand (completely decomposed granite, CDG) and its mixtures with granulated rubber tires to investigate the effects of rubber size and content on their mechanical behaviour. Three sizes of rubber particles, GR1, GR2, and GR3, were used with size ratios to CDG (D50,rubber : D50,CDG) of 0.9, 3.5, and 7.2, respectively, and the rubber content ranged from 0% to 30%. The results show that for CDG–GR1 mixtures, the strength decreases with increasing rubber content, while for CDG–GR2 and CDG–GR3 mixtures, the strength decreases only at 10% rubber content and then increases markedly with increasing rubber content. The increase of strength is mainly because the inclusion of large rubber particles widens the particle size distributions of the mixtures, resulting in denser packings. The denser packings also lead to a decrease in compressibility. At larger size ratio and higher rubber content, the CDG–rubber mixtures show higher shear strength and lower compressibility than pure CDG, which indicates the CDG–rubber mixtures are very suitable to be used as filling materials.
Reliability-based design of truck escape ramps
Authors: Greto Kaitlyn , Easa Said M.
Published: June 2019

The design method of truck escape ramps (TERs) presented by the Transportation Association of Canada and other organizations is deterministic and assumes fixed values of the design speed, rolling resistance, and ramp grade. This paper presents a reliability-based method for TER design based on the first-order second-moment (FOSM) method and the advanced FOSM (AFOSM) method. These methods rely on the distribution of the component random variables. Each method was used to analyze a TER with one grade and two grades. The FOSM is simple and can be easily used by practitioners, even with calculators. The AFOSM is more complicated but more accurate as it considers the design points in determining the probability of failure. The AFOSM method was used to establish design graphs for the required length of TERs. Application of the proposed method is illustrated using actual TERs in the United States and considering a hypothetical design scenario.
Influence of spin–orbit interaction on band structure of TlInSe2
Authors: Ismayilova N. A. , Orudzhev G. S.
Published: June 2019

In this work, we report the effect of the spin–orbit (SO) interaction on the band structure of TlInSe2. Calculation was performed by implementing density functional theory (DFT) method. Our results show that SO interaction is significant for two high symmetrical point ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) and line ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) of Brillouin zone in the band structure and negligible changes was observed in the bands near the Fermi level. The maximum SO splitting is [Formula: see text]0.9 eV.
An Ultra-Low Power Consumption High-Linearity Switching Scheme for SAR ADC
Authors: Chen Yushi , Zhuang Yiqi , Tang Hualian
Published: June 2019

An ultra-low power consumption high-linearity switching scheme for successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is presented with a mixed switching method. Based on the combination of C-2C dummy capacitors, the charge sharing technique and monotonic switching method, the proposed switching method achieves high-energy saving and high linearity. Compared with the conventional SAR ADC, the proposed method consumes no reset energy and achieves 98.9% less switching energy and 87.2% reduction in capacitor area. Moreover, the proposed scheme obtains good performance in linearity. Furthermore, the common-mode voltage variation of the proposed scheme is smaller than other published schemes, which is important for decreasing input-dependent offset of the comparator.
A Refactoring Catalog for Lambda Expressions in Java
Authors: Teixeira Jânio Elias , Neto Heres Edison Valdivieso Tobar , Faveri Cristiano de , Saccol Deise de Brum , Vizzotto Juliana Kaizer , Piveta Eduardo Kessler
Published: June 2019

Language evolution provides room for improvements in existing programs. Developers can update a system design by using new language features in existing code bases. In this sense, we present a catalog with a set of refactorings to deal with lambda expressions in Java. A case study evaluates the applicability of the proposed refactorings in a set of open source projects, using an Eclipse-based tool for searching for refactoring opportunities dealing with lambda expressions.
Vibration Analysis of Piezolaminated Plates for Sensing and Actuating Applications Under Dynamic Excitation
Authors: Wankhade Rajan L. , Bajoria Kamal M.
Published: June 2019

The vibration characteristics of piezolaminated plates under coupled electromechanical loading are investigated using the finite element method. Higher order shear deformation theory is adopted to incorporate the effect of shear in the formulation. In the finite element formulation, an isoperimetric eight-nodded rectangular element is employed with linear through-the-thickness electric potential distribution. In the parametric study, the influences of geometry and boundary conditions on the vibration characteristics of piezolaminated plates are evaluated. Numerical results are presented for the frequencies of simply supported, clamped plates fitted with piezoelectric patches at the top and bottom surfaces of the laminate. For this, a model simulating the effect of the electromechanical loading with control potential is developed. Studies are also performed for piezolaminated plates with various thickness-to-span ratios, along with convergence test. The effect of the provision of piezoelectric layers to improve the vibration response of plates is investigated. This analysis reveals that the electro-mechanical coupling can strengthen the plate’s resistance to vibration.
Laser-Assisted Fabrication of Nanoparticles in Liquids and Their Application for Improving Analytical Performance of LIBS
Authors: Tarasenko N. , Kiris V. , Tarasenka N. , Nevar A. , Kuzmanovic M. , Rankovic D. P. , Savovic J. , Trtica M.
Published: June 2019

Gold and copper oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using pulsed Nd:YAG laser ablation in liquids (acetone and distilled water). The possibility of emission increasing from laser-induced plasma after the deposition of the prepared NPs on a glass surface promising for spectroscopic analysis of transparent samples was demonstrated.
A Transformation for Imposing the Rigid Bodies on the Solution of the Vorticity-Stream Function Formulation of Incompressible Navier–Stokes Equations
Authors: Badri Mohammadali , Sabetghadam Fereidoun
Published: June 2019

A new penalization method is proposed for implementing the rigid bodies on the solution of the vorticity-stream function formulation of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The method is based upon an active transformation of dependent variables. The transformation may be interpreted as time dilation. In this interpretation, the rigid body is considered as a region where the time is dilated infinitely, that is, time is stopped. The transformation is introduced in the vorticity and stream function equations to achieve a set of modified equations. The, in the modified equations, the time dilation of the solid region is approached to infinity. The mathematical and physical properties of the modified equations are investigated and implementation of the no-slip and no-penetration conditions are justified. Moreover, a suitable numerical method is presented for the solution of the modified equations. In the proposed numerical method, time integration is performed via the Crank–Nicolson method, and the semi-discrete equations are spatially discretized via second-order finite differencing on a uniform Cartesian grid. The method is applied to the fluid flow around a square obstacle placed in a channel, a sudden flow perpendicular to a thin flat plate, and the flow around a circular cylinder. The accuracy of the numerical solutions is evaluated.
EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP IN R&D — MODERATING EFFECTS OF THE STRATEGIC AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
Authors: SCHROEDER STEFFEN H. , BALDEGGER URS
Published: June 2019

Successful new product development is of crucial importance for the survival of enterprises and for creating and securing competitive positions. In R&D performance in new product development is generally affected by interpersonal leadership. Empowering leadership, specifically, is suitable for this context, as the need for autonomy and achievement, as well as the cooperation of the followers, are taken into account through the support of the leader. However, so far no moderating effects of the context have been examined. Therefore, the present study examined the influence of the contextual factors of strategic, structural, and cultural orientation on the relations between empowering leadership and new product development performance in R&D. Additionally, a wide range of leadership behaviors with transformational and transactional leadership is taken into account in this study. Empowering leadership is assumed to have the highest impact on the R&D context. The moderating effects of the context were investigated in a quantitative design with 116 leaders and 371 respective followers from 32 R&D departments of various branches of industrial enterprises. The results confirmed a main effect of empowering leadership on new product development performance. Additionally, moderation analyses showed moderating effects on strategic and cultural orientation, while structural orientation had no moderating effect. It can be concluded that empowering leadership has a positive effect on new product development performance; nevertheless, the context in which leadership is practiced has to be considered.
Artificial intelligence-assisted light control and computational imaging through scattering media
Authors: Cheng Shengfu , Li Huanhao , Luo Yunqi , Zheng Yuanjin , Lai Puxiang
Published: June 2019

Coherent optical control within or through scattering media via wavefront shaping has seen broad applications since its invention around 2007. Wavefront shaping is aimed at overcoming the strong scattering, featured by random interference, namely speckle patterns. This randomness occurs due to the refractive index inhomogeneity in complex media like biological tissue or the modal dispersion in multimode fiber, yet this randomness is actually deterministic and potentially can be time reversal or precompensated. Various wavefront shaping approaches, such as optical phase conjugation, iterative optimization, and transmission matrix measurement, have been developed to generate tight and intense optical delivery or high-resolution image of an optical object behind or within a scattering medium. The performance of these modulations, however, is far from satisfaction. Most recently, artificial intelligence has brought new inspirations to this field, providing exciting hopes to tackle the challenges by mapping the input and output optical patterns and building a neuron network that inherently links them. In this paper, we survey the developments to date on this topic and briefly discuss our views on how to harness machine learning (deep learning in particular) for further advancements in the field.
The top 10 things executives should know about software
Authors: Limoncelli Thomas A.
Published: June 2019

Software acumen is the new norm.
Bringing more women, immigrants, to computer science
Authors: Townsend Gloria , Waite Sheldon
Published: June 2019

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A new labor market for people with 'coolabilities'
Authors: Nordfors David , Grundwag Chally , Ferose V. R.
Published: June 2019

How the unique perspective and enhanced strengths accompanying disabilities can benefit the workforce.
Obeticholic acid ameliorates dyslipidemia but not glucose tolerance in mouse model of gestational diabetes
Authors: McIlvride Saraid , Nikolova Vanya , Fan Hei Man , McDonald Julie A. K. , Wahlström Annika , Bellafante Elena , Jansen Eugene , Adorini Luciano , Shapiro David , Jones Peter , Marchesi Julian R. , Marschall Hanns-Ulrich , Williamson Catherine
Published: June 2019

Metabolism alters markedly with advancing gestation, characterized by progressive insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and raised serum bile acids. The nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has an integral role in bile acid homeostasis and modulates glucose and lipid metabolism. FXR is known to be functionally suppressed in pregnancy. The FXR agonist, obeticholic acid (OCA), improves insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We therefore hypothesized that OCA treatment during pregnancy could improve disease severity in a mouse model of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD; 60% kcal from fat) for 4 wk before and throughout pregnancy to induce GDM. The impact of the diet supplemented with 0.03% OCA throughout pregnancy was studied. Pregnant HFD-fed mice displayed insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. OCA significantly reduced plasma cholesterol concentrations in nonpregnant and pregnant HFD-fed mice (by 22.4%, P < 0.05 and 36.4%, P < 0.001, respectively) and reduced the impact of pregnancy on insulin resistance but did not change glucose tolerance. In nonpregnant HFD-fed mice, OCA ameliorated weight gain, reduced mRNA expression of inflammatory markers in white adipose tissue, and reduced plasma glucagon-like peptide 1 concentrations (by 62.7%, P < 0.01). However, these effects were not evident in pregnant mice. OCA administration can normalize plasma cholesterol levels in a mouse model of GDM. However, the absence of several of the effects of OCA in pregnant mice indicates that the agonistic action of OCA is not sufficient to overcome many metabolic consequences of the pregnancy-associated reduction in FXR activity.
Differential effects of a 40-hour fast and bile acid supplementation on human GLP-1 and FGF19 responses
Authors: van Nierop F. Samuel , Meessen Emma C. E. , Nelissen Kyra G. M. , Achterbergh Roos , Lammers Laureen A. , Vaz Frédéric M. , Mathôt Ron A. A. , Klümpen Heinz-Josef , Olde Damink Steven W. , Schaap Frank G. , Romijn Johannes A. , Kemper E. Marleen , Soeters Maarten R.
Published: June 2019

Bile acids, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) play an important role in postprandial metabolism. In this study, we investigated the postprandial bile acid response in plasma and its relation to insulin, GLP-1, and FGF19. First, we investigated the postprandial response to 40-h fast. Then we administered glycine-conjugated deoxycholic acid (gDCA) with the meal. We performed two separate observational randomized crossover studies on healthy, lean men. In experiment 1: we tested 4-h mixed meal after an overnight fast and a 40-h fast. In experiment 2, we tested a 4-h mixed meal test with and without gDCA supplementation. Both studies measured postprandial glucose, insulin, bile acids, GLP-1, and FGF19. In experiment 1, 40 h of fasting induced insulin resistance and increased postprandial GLP-1 and FGF19 concentrations. After an overnight fast, we observed strong correlations between postprandial insulin and gDCA levels at specific time points. In experiment 2, administration of gDCA increased GLP-1 levels and lowered late postprandial glucose without effect on FGF19. Energy expenditure was not affected by gDCA administration. Unexpectedly, 40 h of fasting increased both GLP-1 and FGF19, where the former appeared bile acid independent and the latter bile acid dependent. Second, a single dose of gDCA increased postprandial GLP-1. Therefore, our data add complexity to the physiological regulation of the enterokines GLP-1 and FGF19 by bile acids.
Jiedu Sangen Decoction Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Cells by Regulating EMT through the Hippo Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yuan Li , Zhou Mengmeng , Wasan Harpreet S. , Zhang Kai , Li Zhaoyi , Guo Kaibo , Shen Fengfei , Shen Minhe , Ruan Shanming
Published: June 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors affecting the digestive tract. Moreover, the invasion and metastasis of CRC are the main reason therapy is usually inefficient. Decreased intercellular adhesion and enhanced cell motility induced by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) provide the basic conditions for the invasion and metastasis of the epithelial tumor cells of CRC. The Jiedu Sangen Decoction (JSD) is a prescription that has been used for more than 50 years in the treatment of CRC in the Zhejiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of JSD-triggered inhibition of invasion and metastasis in colon cancer. In vitro, the EMT model of the SW480 cells was induced by using epithelial growth factor (50 ng/mL). In vivo, the murine model of liver metastasis was constructed by inoculating mice with the SW480 cells. The effects of JSD on cell migration, invasion, and proliferation were determined using the transwell assay and CCK-8 assay. Moreover, the proteins related to the EMT process and the Hippo signaling pathway in the cancerous tissues and cell lines were determined by western blotting and immunostaining. JSD could significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells and reverse their EMT status (all, P < 0.05). Moreover, after intervention with JSD, the levels of E-Cadherin (E-cad) increased, whereas the expression levels of N-Cadherin (N-cad), Yes-associated protein (YAP), and the transcriptional coactivator with the PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) decreased in both the SW480 cells and the tumor tissues. In summary, JSD reversed EMT and inhibited the invasion and metastasis of CRC cells through the Hippo signaling pathway.
An OGM‐Based Visual Navigation System with Reduced Homographies and Accurate Computations for Mobile Robots
Authors: Guerra-Hernandez Erick I. , Ibarra-Manzano Mario A. , Batres-Mendoza Patricia , Almanza-Ojeda Dora L. , Soria-Alcaraz Jorge A. , Espinal Andres , Rostro-Gonzalez Horacio
Published: June 2019

This article presents a novel approach to calculate and accelerate the Occupancy Grid Mapping (OGM) for real‐time mobile robot navigation. Here, we have improved the main process involved in the construction of OGMs in two ways. On one hand, we propose a new method to perform the camera calibration (CC) process, in which we reduce the number of intermediate steps (homographies) when the reference system is transformed from the real world into a navigation map, reducing consequently the computational costs. On the other hand, the OGM is constructed by an online probabilistic method, which simultaneously performs both the camera calibration and maps construction, thus reducing cumulative errors when these two processes are separately treated. Furthermore, the proposed system can be easily parallelized and mapped onto a digital system (e.g., Field Programmable Gate Arrays, FPGAs) for real‐time robot navigation.