bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statin Lipophilicity and the Risk of Incident Heart Failure
Authors: Imran Tasnim , Wong Adrian , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Desai Rishi J.
Published: April 2020

Background: To compare the risk of incident heart failure (HF) between initiators of hydrophilic and lipophilic statins. Methods: Using claims data for commercial health insurance program enrollees in the USA (2005–2014), we identified new initiators of hydrophilic or lipophilic statins. Follow-up for the primary outcome of incident HF began after a lag period of 1 year after statin initiation. The outcome was defined as 1 inpatient or 2 outpatient diagnosis codes for HF and the use of loop diuretics. Propensity scores (PS) were used to account for confounding. Hazard ratios (HR) for incident HF were computed separately for low and high-intensity statin users, and then pooled to provide dose-adjusted effect estimates. Results: A total of 7,820,204 patients met all our inclusion criteria for statin initiation (hydrophilic and lipophilic statins). Mean age was 58 years, 40% had hypertension, and 23% had diabetes mellitus. After PS matching, there were 691,584 patients in the low-intensity statin group and 807,370 patients in the high-intensity statin group. After a median follow-up of 725 days (IQR 500–1,153),there were 8,389 cases of incident HF (incidence rate 4.5/1,000 person years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4–4.6). The unadjusted HR for the risk of HF was 0.77 (95% CI 0.76–0.79) and the pooled adjusted HR for incident HF after PS matching was 0.94 (95% CI 0.90–0.98) for hydrophilic versus lipophilic statins. The HR for incident HF was 1.06 (95% CI 1.00–1.12) for hydrophilic versus lipophilic statins for the low-intensity statin group and 0.82 (95% CI 0.78–0.87) for the high-intensity statin group. In subgroup analyses, a similar trend persisted for those younger and older than 65 years and when comparing rosuvastatin with atorvastatin. Conclusion: In this observational cohort study, hydrophilic statins were associated with a modest risk reduction in incident HF as compared to lipophilic statins. Future research replicating these findings in different populations is recommended.
Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid Induces CXCL1 Expression in Cultured hCMEC/D3 Human Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Li Yuchen , Imaizumi Tadaatsu , Matsumiya Tomoh , Seya Kazuhiko , Kawaguchi Shogo , Ding Jiangli , Ohkuma Hiroki
Published: April 2020

Objective: Brain microvascular endothelial cells are integral components of the blood-brain barrier and play a role in protecting the brain from invading microbes. CXC motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) induces the chemotaxis of neutrophils, and neutrophils are important in host defense in the brain. However, dysregulated neutrophil infiltration leads to brain diseases. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is a pattern recognition receptor that recognizes viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an TLR3 agonist on the expression of CXCL1 in brain vascular endothelial cells. Methods: hCMEC/D3 human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells were cultured and treated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), a potent synthetic dsRNA agonist for TLR3. The production of CXCL1 mRNA and protein was assessed by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. The expression of CXCL1 was compared with that of CXCL8. The effect of pretreatment of cells with a NF-κB inhibitor (SN50), a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor (SB203580), a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125), an interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 3 inhibitor (MRT67307), and an anti-type I IFN-neutralizing antibody mixture was examined. Phosphorylation of p38 was examined using Western blotting. Results: Treating cultured hCMEC/D3 human cells with poly IC induced the expression of CXCL1 as well as another chemokine CXCL8. Pretreatment of cells with SN50, SB203580, and SP600125 decreased the induction of CXCL1 by poly IC. However, it was not affected by MRT67307 or by an anti-type I IFN-neutralizing antibody mixture. Pretreatment of cells with SN50 decreased the poly IC-induced phosphorylation of p38. Conclusions: Poly IC induces the expression of CXCL1 in hCMEC/D3 cells. NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and JNK are involved in this reaction. There is a cross-talk between NF-κB and p38, and NF-κB partially regulates phosphorylation of p38. CXCL1 produced by brain microvascular endothelial cells may contribute to the brain’s defense against viral infection and various neurological diseases associated with neutrophil accumulation.
Seasonal Variation in Activity Budget of Assamese Macaques in Limestone Forest of Southwest Guangxi, China
Authors: Li Yuhui , Ma Guangzhi , Zhou Qihai , Huang Zhonghao
Published: April 2020

The activity budget is important for understanding behavioural variability and adaptation in primates. Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) found in the limestone forest of Guangxi Nonggang National Nature Reserve, Southwest China, primarily feed on young leaves of Bonia saxatilis (a shrubby, karst-endemic bamboo). To understand how a specific bamboo leaf-based diet and ecological factors affect activity budget, one group of Assamese macaques was studied using instantaneous scan sampling for 1 year. The macaques spent most of their time feeding (32.7 ± 5.4%), followed by resting (28.6 ± 6.3%), moving (28.6 ± 5.3%), grooming (8.0 ± 3.0%), playing (1.7 ± 1.6%) and other activities (0.4 ± 0.2%). Their activity budget was similar to that of typical frugivorous primates and bamboo-dominated primates, which spent more time on active behaviours (feeding and moving, 61.3 ± 6.0%) than on inactive behaviours (resting and grooming, 36.6 ± 6.4%). The macaques spent significantly more time resting during the fruit-lean season and more time moving during the fruit-rich season. Their activity budget was significantly affected by diet. Resting time increased with decreased fruit consumption, whereas moving time decreased with the increasing mature leaf consumption. Playing time decreased when the macaques consumed more young bamboo leaves. The activity budget was also influenced by food availability and climatic factors. Resting time increased with decreasing temperature, whereas moving time increased with increasing day length and young leaf availability. Grooming time increased with decreasing day length and increasing temperature, and playing time increased with increasing day length. Our findings provide evidence of the importance of diet, food availability, temperature and day length in coping with seasonal variation in ecological factors, highlighting the need to increase knowledge of the behavioural ecology of the Assamese macaques living in the unique limestone forest and to understand the influence of a bamboo-dominated diet and ecological factors on their survival.
In Different Voices: The Views of People with Disabilities about Return of Results from Precision Medicine Research
Authors: Sabatello Maya , Zhang Yuan , Chen Ying , Appelbaum Paul S.
Published: April 2020

Purpose: Returning genetic results to research participants is gaining momentum in the USA. It is believed to be an important step in exploring the impact of efforts to translate findings from research to bedside and public health benefits. Some also hope that this practice will incentivize research participation, especially among people from historically marginalized communities who are commonly underrepresented in research. However, research participants’ interest in receiving nongenomic medical and nonmedical results that may emerge from precision medicine research (PMR) is understudied and no study to date has explored the views of people with disabilities about return of genomic and nongenomic results from PMR. Methods: In a national online survey of people with disabilities, participants were queried about their interest in receiving biological, environmental, and lifestyle results from PMR (n = 1,294). Analyses describe findings for all of the participants and comparisons for key demographic characteristics and disability subgroups. Results: The participants expressed high interest in biological and health-related results and less interest in other findings. However, the interest among the study participants was lower than that found in comparable studies of the general population. Moreover, this interest varied significantly across gender, race/ethnicity, and disability subgroups. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed. Conclusion: Insofar as return of results from PMR may impact translational efforts, it is important to better understand the role of sociomedical marginalization in decisions about return of results from PMR and to develop strategies to address existing barriers.
Double Filtration Plasmapheresis in the Treatment of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis with Severe Kidney Dysfunction
Authors: Cheng Lu , Tang Yue-Qiu , Yi Jing , Ren Qian , Yang Xiao-Yan , Gou Shen-Ju , Zhang Ling , Fu Ping
Published: April 2020

Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been recommended by guidelines for the treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis (AAV) with severe kidney dysfunction. In recent years, some researchers have proposed that double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) can also be used effectively in the treatment of these patients, but the difference between the 2 modalities of plasmapheresis is not clear. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of AAV patients with serum creatinine ≥500 μmol/L from March 2013 to July 2018 who received TPE or DFPP treatment, we compared TPE and DFPP in terms of the changes of clinical parameters before and after plasmapheresis, the rates of adverse events during plasmapheresis, and kidney and patient survival during follow-up. Results: Forty-two AAV patients with kidney injury were included in this study. Twenty patients were treated with TPE and 22 patients were treated with DFPP. All patients were followed up for a median of 22 months. In each group, there were 10 deaths, and 6 patients developed end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). There were no significant differences between TPE and DFPP in terms of the changes of renal function or other laboratory results after treatment. During the plasmapheresis treatment, there was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events (p = 0.67). During the follow-up, there was no difference between the groups regarding the level of serum creatinine for patients with kidney recovery. The hazard ratio (HR) for TPE compared to DFPP for the outcome of ESKD was 0.92 (95% CI 0.45–1.9; p = 0.79) and the HR for death was 1.11 (95% CI 0.45–2.76; p = 0.82). Conclusion: There were no differences in short-term effectiveness, safety, or long-term outcomes between the 2 modalities of plasmapheresis. Our study suggests that DFPP may be a choice of plasmapheresis for AAV patients with severe kidney injury especially in countries and regions with limited blood resources.
Active Surveillance of the Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Registry for Defibrillator Lead Failures
Authors: Resnic Frederic S. , Majithia Arjun , Dhruva Sanket S. , Ssemaganda Henry , Robbins Susan , Marinac-Dabic Danica , Hewitt Kathleen , Ohno-Machado Lucila , Reynolds Matthew R. , Matheny Michael E.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Several defibrillator leads have been recalled due to early lead failure leading to significant patient harm. Confirming the safety of contemporary defibrillator leads is essential to optimizing treatment for patients receiving implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). We therefore sought to assess the comparative long-term safety of the 4 most commonly implanted ICD leads within the National Cardiovascular Data Registry ICD Registry.

Methods and Results:

A propensity-matched survival analysis of the ICD Registry was performed evaluating 4 contemporary ICD leads in patients receiving an ICD system for the first time. All patients in the ICD Registry aged ≥18 years who underwent an implant of an ICD between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2016 were included. Monitoring of safety began with ICD implant and continued up to 5 years. A meaningful difference in ICD failure rate was defined as twice (or more) the lead failure rate observed in the propensity-matched comparator patients. Among the 374 132 patients who received a new ICD implant, no safety alerts were triggered for the primary safety end point of lead failure for any of the high energy leads studied. Estimated rates of freedom from lead failure at 5 years ranged from 97.7% to 98.9% for the 4 high-energy leads of interest.

Conclusions:

Though limited by incomplete long-term outcomes ascertainment, active surveillance of the ICD Registry suggests that there were no meaningful differences in the rate of ICD high-energy lead survival for the 4 most commonly used high-energy ICD leads.
Body Composition in Young Adults Living With a Fontan Circulation: The Myopenic Profile
Authors: Tran Derek , D'Ambrosio Paolo , Verrall Charlotte E. , Attard Chantal , Briody Julie , D'Souza Mario , Fiatarone Singh Maria , Ayer Julian , d'Udekem Yves , Twigg Stephen , Davis Glen M. , Celermajer David S. , Cordina Rachael
Published: April 2020

Background

We sought to characterize body composition abnormalities in young patients living with a Fontan circulation and explore potential pathophysiologic associations.

Methods and Results

Twenty‐eight patients with a Fontan circulation were prospectively recruited in this cross‐sectional study. Participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, echocardiography, and biochemical assessment. Mean age was 26±7 years. Skeletal muscle mass, estimated by appendicular lean mass index Z score, was reduced compared with reference data (−1.49±1.10,
P
<0.001). Percentage body fat Z score overall was within normal range (0.23±1.26,
P
=0.35), although 46% had elevated adiposity. Those with reduced skeletal muscle mass (
appendicular lean mass index
Z score of −1 or lower) had lower percent predicted oxygen pulse (55±15 versus 76±16%,
P
=0.002). Overall agreement between body mass index and
dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry
to assess adiposity was fair only (weighted [linear] κ coefficient: 0.53; 95%
CI
, 0.34–0.73) and slight in the setting of muscle mass deficiency (weighted κ coefficient: 0.32; 95%
CI
, 0.13–0.50). Appendicular lean mass was independently associated with absolute peak
VO
2
(β=70.6
mL
/min,
P
=0.001). A
ppendicular lean mass index
Z score was inversely associated with hemoglobin (
r
=−0.4,
P
=0.04), and the degree of muscle deficit was associated with ventricular systolic impairment.

Conclusions

Young patients with a Fontan circulation have a body composition characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass, which is associated with peak exercise capacity. Increased adiposity is common despite a normal body mass index. Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with systolic dysfunction and compensatory erythrocytosis.
A new species of Sphaeronemoura (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China
Authors: MO RAORAO , WANG GUOQUAN , YANG DING , LI WEIHAI
Published: April 2020

A new amphinemurine nemourid species, Sphaeronemoura acutispina sp. n. is reported from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China and is compared to its most similar congener.
Limbodessus skalei sp. nov., a new diving beetle species from the west Papuan Archipelago (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Bidessini)
Authors: HENDRICH LARS , SURBAKTI SURIANI , BALKE MICHAEL
Published: April 2020

Here we describe Limbodessus skalei sp. nov. from the island of Waigeo, off the coast of West Papua. It can be easily distinguished from the nearby New Guinea mainland species as well as the other members of the genus by its small size and testaceous elytra with conspicuous darker broad basal and subapical patches. Altogether four Limbodessus species are now known from the New Guinea region.
Mechanical Characterization of Cellulosic Thecal Plates in Dinoflagellates by Nanoindentation
Authors: Lau Ringo K. L. , Kwok Alvin C. M. , Chan W. K. , Zhang T. Y. , Wong Joseph T. Y.
Published: April 2020

Dinoflagellates constitute an important group of microorganisms. Symbiotic dinoflagellates are responsible for the primary production of coral reef ecosystems and the phenomenon of their demise is known as "coral bleaching." Blooming of the planktonic dinoflagellates is the major cause
of "red tides." Many dinoflagellates have prominent membrane-bound thecal plates at their cell cortices. These thecal plates have high cellulose content and are biologically fabricated into various shapes. However, the mechanical properties of theca have not previously been characterized;
understanding these properties, including hardness and elastic modulus, will give insights into the ecological significance and biotechnological potential of bio-fabricated structures. A series of nanoindentation tests were performed on various locations of cellulosic thecal plates isolated
from the dinoflagellates Alexandrium catenella and Lingulodinium polyedrum.2 Despite having transparent properties, thecal plates possess mechanical properties comparable to softwood cell walls, implicating their role as a protective cell covering. Consistent measurements were
obtained when indentation was performed at various locations, which contrasts with the high variability of cellulose microfibers from plant sources. The present study demonstrated the novel properties of this potential new source of cellulose.
Clinical Consensus Statement: Ankyloglossia in Children
Authors: Messner Anna H. , Walsh Jonathan , Rosenfeld Richard M. , Schwartz Seth R. , Ishman Stacey L. , Baldassari Cristina , Brietzke Scott E. , Darrow David H. , Goldstein Nira , Levi Jessica , Meyer Anna K. , Parikh Sanjay , Simons Jeffrey P. , Wohl Daniel L. , Lambie Erin , Satterfield Lisa
Published: April 2020

Objective

To identify and seek consensus on issues and controversies related to ankyloglossia and upper lip tie in children by using established methodology for American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery clinical consensus statements.

Methods

An expert panel of pediatric otolaryngologists was assembled with nominated representatives of otolaryngology organizations. The target population was children aged 0 to 18 years, including breastfeeding infants. A modified Delphi method was used to distill expert opinion into clinical statements that met a standardized definition of consensus, per established methodology published by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

Results

After 3 iterative Delphi method surveys of 89 total statements, 41 met the predefined criteria for consensus, 17 were near consensus, and 28 did not reach consensus. The clinical statements were grouped into several categories for the purposes of presentation and discussion: ankyloglossia (general), buccal tie, ankyloglossia and sleep apnea, ankyloglossia and breastfeeding, frenotomy indications and informed consent, frenotomy procedure, ankyloglossia in older children, and maxillary labial frenulum.

Conclusion

This expert panel reached consensus on several statements that clarify the diagnosis, management, and treatment of ankyloglossia in children 0 to 18 years of age. Lack of consensus on other statements likely reflects knowledge gaps and lack of evidence regarding the diagnosis, management, and treatment of ankyloglossia. Expert panel consensus may provide helpful information for otolaryngologists treating patients with ankyloglossia.
Additional Benefits of Facial Nerve Monitoring during Otologic Surgery
Authors: Casano Kelsey , Giangrosso Gerard , Mankekar Gauri , Sevy Alexander , Mehta Rahul , Arriaga Moises
Published: April 2020

Objective

This study assesses the role of facial nerve monitoring (FNM) for intraoperative decision making during otologic surgery and possible benefits beyond protecting facial nerve integrity.

Study Design

This prospective study examines intraoperative FNM data and structured interviews collected during 52 otologic procedures.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods

Subjects include adults and children undergoing middle ear or mastoid surgery. Data include intraoperative neuromonitoring activity and structured interviews conducted with the operating surgeon immediately following surgery.

Results

Facial nerve stimulation was used to confirm the position of the nerve in 42 of 52 surgical procedures. In 26.9% of cases, the patient became “light” and moved under anesthesia, which was predicted by neuromonitoring 71.4% of the time. Through structured interviews, the operating surgeons reported the following. (1) The facial nerve took an unexpected anatomic course in 7.8% of patients and was difficult to identify in 39.2%. (2) The nerve was at increased risk of injury in 66.7% of cases due to chronic disease or previous surgery. (3) Among these high‐risk cases, the monitor helped reduce the risk of nerve damage 100% of the time. (4) Neuromonitoring allowed the surgeon to operate faster 86.5% of the time, and (5) FNM allowed the resident to perform more of the operation 68.9% of the time. No patients experienced postoperative facial weakness.

Conclusions

Beyond potentially protecting facial nerve integrity, this study identified additional benefits of FNM, including warning of patient movement during anesthesia, confirming facial nerve anatomic location, reducing operative time, and enhancing resident surgical experience.
Patterns in Pain and Opiate Use after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Ndon Sifon , Spock Todd , Torabi Sina J. , Manes R. Peter
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate postoperative opiate use and patients’ opinions regarding pain management after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Study Design

Case series with planned data collection.

Setting

Tertiary referral medical center.

Subjects and Methods

We prospectively evaluated postoperative opiate utilization in adults undergoing ESS over a 2‐year period at an academic medical facility. Exclusion criteria included use of nasal packing, intracranial or orbital procedures, tumor surgery, and any use of endoscopic drills. All patients underwent bilateral maxillary antrostomy, total ethmoidectomy, sphenoidotomy, and frontal sinusotomy with or without septoplasty. Patients were discharged with 30 oxycodone‐acetaminophen (5‐325 mg) and a survey assessing pain and narcotic/nonnarcotic use on postoperative days 0 to 7.

Results

A total of 64 patients completed surveys. Mean ± SD narcotic use over the 7‐day postoperative period was 7.7 ± 7.6 pills. Patients with high narcotic use (>6 pills total) had no differences in demographic or surgical factors from those with low use (≤6 pills) but did report a higher level of postoperative day 1 pain (4.8 ± 1.1 vs 2.0 ± 1.4, P <. 001). Narcotic use declined during this period, with <30% of patients requiring narcotics by postoperative day 3.

Conclusion

Our results support reduced opiate prescription and encouragement of nonnarcotic use after ESS without compromising effective pain management.
Guns for Christmas: Advertising in Boys’ Life Magazine, 1911-2012
Authors: Witkowski Terrence H.
Published: April 2020

Giving guns as Christmas presents has been one of the ways in which boys and young men have traditionally been recruited into American gun culture. This paper explores how advertising in Boys’ Life magazine, among other data sources, has represented this special Christmas giving in terms of suitable types and brands of guns, appropriate shooting activities, family gifting tableaux and rituals, fantasy consumption, and masculinity theory. Over the period studied, from the turn of the twentieth century until the early twenty-first, this socialization through gift-giving has been remarkably consistent and provides insight into the durability of American gun culture.
Rolling direction prediction of tensegrity robot on the slope based on FEM and GA
Authors: Zhao Kaikai , Chang Jian , Li Bin , Du Wenjuan
Published: April 2020

Six-strut tensegrity robot is a new mobile robot whose outer surface is an icosahedron containing 8 regular triangles and 12 isosceles triangles, and the robot performs rolling locomotion along the edges of the triangle. On the slope, it has lots of poses depending on the slope’s angles and positions of robot, which is difficult to control the rolling directions in the real world. This paper proposed a new method based on finite element method and a genetic algorithm to predict the rolling directions of the robot. The balanced forces equations of robot nodes are established using finite element method, which is a constrained optimization problem. The equations are transformed into an unconstrained optimization problem by the thinking of sequential unconstrained minimization technique. Finally, the unconstrained optimization problem is calculated by genetic algorithm, and the relations between the actuators and the rolling directions are obtained through the dot product of gravitational torque and the edge vector of bottom triangle. This method is verified by simulation and experiment results.
Risk assessment in different Judo techniques for children and adolescent athletes
Authors: Vacca Luca , Rosso Valeria , Gastaldi Laura
Published: April 2020

Judo is a combat sport that involves throwing the opponent onto the back. When being thrown, head biomechanics may be related to head injury risk. This study aimed to assess head injury risks associated with four Judo techniques in children and adolescents with different experience levels. Twenty children (<12 years) and 20 adolescents (≥ 12 years) judoka were recruited. Each group was divided into non-expert and expert. Two inertial sensors were fixed on fallers’ head and torso. Two backward ( o-soto-gari and o-uchi-gari) and two forward ( ippon-seoi-nage and tai-otoshi) techniques were performed. Peak of linear and angular head acceleration magnitude, impact time duration, neck angle, and the Gadd Severity Index were assessed. Children did not show differences between techniques or experience levels. In contrast, adolescents showed greater linear acceleration peak in o-soto-gari than tai-otoshi (p = 0.03), greater angular acceleration peak in o-soto-gari and o-uchi-gari than ippon-seoi-nage (p < 0.05), and greater neck flexion in o-uchi-gari than ippon-seoi-nage (p = 0.004). Compared to expert adolescents, non-expert adolescents showed greater angular acceleration peak, impact duration, and the Gadd Severity Index in o-soto-gari (p < 0.05) and greater neck extension in o-uchi-gari (p = 0.02). Current results pointed out higher risks for adolescents judoka while being thrown with backward techniques, especially for non-expert participants. This study highlights the need of training athletes in controlling head and neck during back falls from a young age to become expert judoka in adulthood.
Prosecution of female genital mutilation in the United Kingdom: Injustice at the intersection of good public health intentions and the criminal law
Authors: Berer Marge
Published: April 2020

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional practice and a serious public health issue in the countries where it is carried out. It is also a violation of the rights of the girls to whom it is done. The main action taken in the United Kingdom to stop FGM, has been to criminalise it. Public health measures, such as the provision of specialist clinics for those who experience complications of FGM have been implemented as well, and some education in schools is provided. This article is about the injustice that has arisen from the pursuit of prosecutions for FGM in the United Kingdom, in spite of good public health intentions. Since 2012, there have been four criminal cases, several arrests that never came to trial, and for reasons of safeguarding, an unknown number of investigations with the threat of girls being taken into care, and people stopped from travelling with girl children to visit their families in FGM-practising countries. To date, only one criminal case in 2019 – R v. N (FGM) – which is the main subject of this article, has resulted in a guilty verdict. This article outlines this history in relation to the criminal law and uses courtroom observation to analyse what happened in the 2019 case in detail. It argues that the conviction depended on medical opinion and the highly uncertain evidence of two children and was influenced by a spurious link to witchcraft that should never have been permitted in the courtroom. It argues that this conviction is unsafe and should be appealed. It further argues that to use protection orders only because a child’s mother had FGM, in the absence of any evidence of risk, is discriminatory and a form of impermissible racial/ethnic profiling. The article concludes that the United Kingdom should stop recording a history of FGM in women seeking healthcare. It calls for the current law against FGM to be reconsidered and replaced with positive measures for countering FGM which have the support and involvement of the community groups to whom they are addressed.
Damage detection in nonlinear civil structures using kernel principal component analysis
Authors: Ghoulem Khaoula , Kormi Tarek , Bel Hadj Ali Nizar
Published: April 2020

In the general framework of data-driven structural health monitoring, principal component analysis has been applied successfully in continuous monitoring of complex civil infrastructures. In the case of linear or polynomial relationship between monitored variables, principal component analysis allows generation of structured residuals from measurement outputs without a priori structural model. The principal component analysis has been widely used for system monitoring based on its ability to handle high-dimensional, noisy, and highly correlated data by projecting the data onto a lower dimensional subspace that contains most of the variance of the original data. However, for nonlinear systems, it could be easily demonstrated that linear principal component analysis is unable to disclose nonlinear relationships between variables. This has naturally motivated various developments of nonlinear principal component analysis to tackle damage diagnosis of complex structural systems, especially those characterized by a nonlinear behavior. In this article, a data-driven technique for damage detection in nonlinear structural systems is presented. The proposed method is based on kernel principal component analysis. Two case studies involving nonlinear cable structures are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The validity of the kernel principal component analysis–based monitoring technique is shown in terms of the ability to damage detection. Robustness to environmental effects and disturbances are also studied.
Dynamic model and analysis of the traction unit gear system in long wall coal shearer
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhang Yimin
Published: April 2020

The present work contributes to the analysis of dynamic behavior of long wall coal shearer traction unit through dynamic model of geared drives. In contrast to the majority of the models in the literature, complete machine dynamic model of coal shearer is introduced for obtaining dynamic gear loads for traction unit. A new stochastic coal cutting loads model is presented. Predicted vibration accelerations were compared with coal cutting experiments. It is demonstrated that the predictions match very well with experimental data. Forced vibrations of traction unit gear system are studied to investigate the influence of some of the key design parameters. Frequency coupling phenomenon and cutting rock interlayer process are also investigated in this paper.
Analyzing the effects of interphase on the effective damping properties of aligned carbon nanotube-reinforced epoxy nanocomposites using a micromechanical approach
Authors: Pakseresht M , Ansari R , Hassanzadeh-Aghdam MK
Published: April 2020

In this work, a micromechanical approach consisting of high-fidelity generalized method of cells (HFGMC) and Mori-Tanaka (M-T) model is proposed to calculate the damping properties of aligned carbon nanotube-epoxy nanocomposites. To determine the resultant directional specific damping coefficients, these models, by applying strain energy approach in the global system utilize each constituent’s specific damping coefficients and mechanical properties. The effects of interphase created in the contact region of the two initial phases—carbon nanotube and polymer matrix—are extensively investigated. Comparative studies show that the micromechanical results are in good agreement with experimental data. One major finding is the thickness and mechanical and damping properties of interphase significantly affect the overall specific damping coefficients of the carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites. It is found that by increasing the elastic modulus of the interphase, the longitudinal specific damping property continuously increases, while other components of damping, initially increase and then asymptotically decrease. The damping properties of polymer nanocomposites can be increased by increasing the interphase damping capacity. However, the rise of interphase thickness leads to a reduction of nanocomposite damping properties. Also, the influences of carbon nanotube volume fraction and radius are examined on the damping response of polymer nanocomposites.
Nonlinear ultrasonic evaluation of disorderedly clustered pitting damage using an in situ sensor network
Authors: Cao Wuxiong , Wang Kai , Zhou Pengyu , Yang Xiongbin , Xu Lei , Liu Menglong , Fromme Paul , Pang Baojun , Chi Runqiang , Su Zhongqing
Published: April 2020

Pervasive but insidious, pitting damage—from pitting corrosion in maritime structures through electrical pitting in bearings to debris cloud–induced pitting craters in spacecraft—is a typical modality of material degradation and lesion in engineering assets in harsh service environment. Pitting damage may feature hundreds of clustered, localized craters, cracks, and diverse microscopic defects (e.g. dislocation, micro-voids, and cracks) disorderedly scattered over a wide area. Targeting accurate, holistic evaluation of pitting damage (mainly the existence, location, and size of the pitted area), an insight into the generation of nonlinear features in guided ultrasonic waves (i.e. high-order harmonics) that are triggered by pitting damage, is achieved using a semi-analytical finite element approach, based on which a monotonic correlation between the nonlinear ultrasonic features and the holistic severity of pitting damage is established. With such correlation, a structural health monitoring framework is developed, in conjunction with the use of an in situ sensor network comprising miniaturized piezoelectric wafers, to characterize pitting damage accurately and monitor material deterioration progress continuously. The framework is experimentally validated, in which highly complex pitting damage in a space structure, engendered by a hypervelocity debris cloud, is evaluated precisely.
A Novel Development and Portfolio Management Strategy for Generic Small Molecule Drug Products: Watergile ANDA
Authors: Tomassini Sandra , Pazhayattil Ajay Babu , Ingram Marzena
Published: April 2020

Ninety per cent of US prescriptions volumes are generic drug products. Solid oral products constitute more than 75% of the generic drugs. The generic product development and commercialization incorporate complex process steps that need close portfolio management, alignment and monitoring. With increased regulatory actions, market insecurity and pricing pressures, generic organizations are required to apply evidence based new empirical approaches to product development and portfolio management. Watergile approach discussed in this article allows generic organizations to adapt, respond and evolve based on emerging conditions while delivering much needed affordable drug products to the end patient.
‘Can’t hack the whack’: Exploring young men’s gendered discourses on time in prison
Authors: Murray Conor
Published: April 2020

Although there is a growing body of literature that documents prisoners’ experiences of time in custody, and while prison is usually the experience of young men, there are few studies that focus on young men’s experiences of time in prison. Based on findings from a 9-month ethnographic study of a young offenders’ institution, this article addresses these gaps in the literature, exploring how young men’s (aged 18–24) gendered discourses on time in prison shape their prison experience. This is explored through three principal themes: ‘heavy-whacking’, the subordination of those young men who were struggling to cope with their time in prison; ‘time-hierarchy’, the gendered discourses in prison that associated sentence length with toughness; and the ‘Young-Elders’, a group of young men who benefitted from the gendered discourses in the prison and lived relatively free from stigmatisation on the most enhanced landings in the prison.
How Do Crop Area and Management Intensity Influence Tropical Lizard Species Diversity?
Authors: Badillo-Saldaña Luis M. , Castellanos Ignacio , Ramírez-Bautista Aurelio
Published: April 2020

Crop area (CA) and agricultural management intensity (AMI) are the two main factors associated with agricultural systems that can negatively affect the diversity of animal communities. Despite existing knowledge, the effect of both factors has not been analyzed for all biological groups. In this study, we evaluated the effect of CA and AMI in two types of crop farming (intensive and semitraditional) on the diversity of tropical lizards in a mosaic of agricultural land and subdeciduous tropical forest. The results of this study show that by grouping crops, CA reduces lizard species richness and diversity, while lizard abundance is not related to either CA or AMI. However, when crops are assessed separately, AMI and CA are found to reduce richness and diversity in semitraditional crops. Lizard abundances in both types of crops are unrelated to any factor. Our results show that lizard diversity is more affected by CA than AMI; however, the magnitude of the effect depends on the type of crop farming.
The use of high dose topical capsaicin in the management of peripheral neuropathy: narrative review and local experience
Authors: Thomas Sarah E , Laycock Helen
Published: April 2020

Capsaicin, derived from the chilli pepper plant, is available in high concentration (8%) patches to provide topical therapy for neuropathic pain. Its analgesic effects relate to defunctionalisation and nerve terminal retraction of predominantly C fibres in the dermis and epidermis. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis support its use for the management of post-herpetic neuralgia and HIV neuropathy with some evidence for use in painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy. The article concludes with advice on the practicalities of running a topical 8% capsaicin clinic for peripheral neuropathic pain.
A scoring system based on computed tomography for the correct diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis
Authors: Ito Ryota , Kobayashi Takashi , Ogasawara Gou , Kono Yoshiharu , Mori Kazuhiko , Kawasaki Seiji
Published: April 2020

Background

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is an uncommon variant of chronic cholecystitis. The differential diagnoses of XGC include gallbladder cancer (GBC), adenomyomatosis, and actinomycosis of the gallbladder.

Purpose

To assess the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) findings in the diagnosis of XGC and differentiation from GBC.

Material and Methods

We retrospectively assessed the pathological and radiological records of 13 patients with pathologically proven XGC and 33 patients with GBC.

Results

Significant differences were observed for the following five CT findings: diffuse wall thickening (XGC = 85%, GBC = 15%, P < 0.01); absence of polypoid lesions (XGC = 100%, GBC = 48%, P < 0.01); intramural nodules or bands (XGC = 54%, GBC = 9%, P < 0.01); pericholecystic infiltration (XGC = 69%, GBC = 9%, P < 0.01); and pericholecystic abscess (XGC = 23%, GBC = 0%, P = 0.018). We defined the scoring system based on how many of the five CT findings were observed. Our scoring system, which included these findings, revealed that patients with three or more findings had sensitivity of 77% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 57–87) and specificity of 94% (95% CI = 86–98).

Conclusion

Our scoring system can assist in the differentiation of XGC from GBC.
Staged Surgical Management of Anatomically Corrected Malposition of Great Arteries
Authors: Kari Fabian A. , Siddiqui Saira , Farooqi Kanwal M. , DiLorenzo Michael P. , Bacha Emile A.
Published: April 2020

A nine-month-old girl diagnosed with anatomically corrected malposition (atrioventricular discordance, ventriculoarterial concordance, and malposed great arteries) complicated by multiple ventricular septal defects (VSD) and multifactorial left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) presented for management after pulmonary artery banding. She underwent interim palliation in the form of bilateral cavopulmonary connections, a modified Damus-Kaye-Stansel-type anastomosis, and subsequent staged one-and-a-half ventricle repair (1.5 repair) at the age of three years in the form of VSD closure, hemi-Mustard, and LVOTO resection.
HeartMate 3 in a ccTGA patient
Authors: Clark Daniel Eugene , Richardson Tadarro L. , Byrne Ryan D. , Klausner Rachel E. , Frischhertz Benjamin P. , Zalawadiya Sandip K. , Mettler Bret A. , Danter Matthew R. , Menachem Jonathan N.
Published: April 2020

A 49-year-old female with congenitally corrected (or levo-) transposition of the great arteries complicated by nonischemic cardiomyopathy presented for worsening heart failure despite guideline-directed medical therapy and was found to be in cardiogenic shock. She successfully underwent ventricular assist device placement with a HeartMate III to her systemic right ventricle as a bridge to transplantation.
Bone Bruise Distribution Patterns After Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures: Implications for the Injury Mechanism
Authors: Shi Huijuan , Ding Li , Jiang Yanfang , Zhang Haocheng , Ren Shuang , Hu Xiaoqing , Liu Zhenlong , Huang Hongshi , Ao Yingfang
Published: April 2020

Background:

Bone bruises observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury could provide significant information about ACL injury mechanisms.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to investigate common bone bruise patterns after an ACL injury. It was hypothesized that the most common bone bruise distribution pattern would be only the lateral side of both the femur and tibia.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Knee MRI scans of patients who underwent acute ACL reconstruction from August 2016 to August 2018 at our institution were selected. Imaging sequences in the sagittal and coronal planes were used for determining the bone bruise location in the lateral-medial and anterior-posterior directions, respectively. The presence, location, and intensity of bone bruises within specific compartments of the tibia and femur were documented. The relative bone bruise patterns of the tibia and femur were classified and analyzed.

Results:

A total of 207 patients (165 men, 42 women) met the inclusion criteria from a total of 4209 ACL reconstruction cases. The most common relative bone bruise pattern was located on only the lateral side of both the femur and the tibia (44.4%), followed by the lateral and medial sides of both the femur and tibia (29.0%). For the pattern found on the lateral and medial sides of both the femur and tibia, the bone bruises on only the lateral side of both the tibia and femur were more severe ( P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) and more anterior ( P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) than those on only the medial side.

Conclusion:

The most common relative bone bruise pattern observed was on only the lateral side of both the tibia and femur. Bone bruises on the lateral side were more severe than those on the medial side in patients with bone bruises on the lateral and medial sides of both the femur and tibia. Anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur occurred during an ACL injury based on the location of bone bruises in the anterior-posterior direction.
Life-Saving Silicone Breast Implant After Firearm Injury: Case Report and Treatment Recommendations
Authors: McEvenue Giancarlo , Oikonomou Anastasia , Ditkofsky Noah , Lipa Joan
Published: April 2020

Breast augmentation with silicone implants is one of the most commonly performed operations by plastic surgeons. Here, we report a case of a 30-year-old female patient with a ballistic injury to bilateral breast implants, where the silicone implant was likely responsible for deflecting the bullets trajectory and saving the women’s life. Ballistics analysis of bullet trajectory was performed with high-resolution computed tomography scan analysis. Operative management was implant removal, pocket irrigation, and a short course of antibiotics. A literature review was performed on all previously published breast implant–related firearm injuries. The authors advise operative management with implant removal and delay of replantation for minimum 6 months’ time.
Thermoelectric Effect in a Correlated Quantum Dot Side-Coupled to Majorana Bound States
Authors: Chi Feng , Fu Zhen-Guo , Liu Jia , Li Ke-Man , Wang Zhigang , Zhang Ping
Published: April 2020

We theoretically study the thermoelectric effect in a hybrid device composed by a topological semiconducting nanowire hosting Majorana bound states (MBSs) and a quantum dot (QD) connected to the left and right non-magnetic electrodes held at different temperatures. The electron-electron Coulomb interactions in the QD are taken into account by the non-equilibrium Green’s function technique. We find that the sign change of the thermopower, which is useful for detecting the MBSs, will occur by changing the QD-MBS hybridization strength, the direct overlap between the MBSs at the opposite ends of the nanowire, and the system temperature. Large value of 100% spin-polarized or pure spin thermopower emerges even in the absence of Zeeman splitting in the QD or magnetic electrodes because the MBSs are coupled to electrons of only one certain spin direction in the QD due to the chiral nature of the Majorana fermions. Moreover, the magnitude of the thermopower will be obviously enhanced by the existence of MBSs.