bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards Broader Adoption of Educational Innovations in Undergraduate Water Resources Engineering: Views from Academia and Industry
Authors: Habib Emad , Deshotel Matthew
Published: September 2018

This article investigates the challenges that face the development, community‐scale adoption, and long‐term sustainability of educational innovations in the field of hydrology and water resources engineering undergraduate education. Adopting a customer‐based discovery process, the current study conducted a set of 78 informal interviews with two main groups: faculty members who teach water resources and hydrology courses, and practicing engineers with specialty in the same field. The interviews revealed that the main motivation for faculty to develop or adopt new educational innovations stems from self‐efficacy and desire to achieve effective instructional strategies. Other factors, such as institutional requirements and faculty evaluations and incentives, seem to play a modulating role for generating self‐created motivation. The results identified time limitations and steep learning‐curves as the two adoption hindering factors cited by a majority of the interviewees. Other hindering factors reported were rigidity of resources and lack of assessment data. Industry perspectives on preparedness of recent graduates and relation to current educational practices showed that young engineers may lack critical skills on the proper use and interpretation of data and modeling analyses. The study also discusses potential solutions, such as development of sharing environments to facilitate exchange of data and resources, modular design to support adaptation and compatibility with existing curricula, collaborative efforts to produce shareable evaluation and assessment data, and potential opportunities for collaboration between academia and the professional industry to facilitate development and sustainability of educational innovations.
Using Continuous Response and Self‐Report Measures to Understand Spokesperson Evaluation Processes During Water Crises
Authors: VanDyke Matthew S. , Callison Coy
Published: September 2018

This study investigated how perceptions of news conference sources varied from measures taken in real‐time to those taken retrospectively after exposure to news conference footage. A 4 (source type) X 4 (message replication) mixed design experiment was conducted in which participants viewed four organizational spokespersons responding to water crises involving organizations. Participants evaluated spokespersons using a handheld dial during stimulus exposure, and then, retrospectively, using self‐report measures. Evaluation of source trustworthiness tended to increase over time, regardless of the type of source. However, retrospective self‐report measures demonstrated that public relations practitioner credibility suffered in comparison to that of other sources. Implications are discussed for public relations practice and future research in source credibility.
Particle atomic layer deposition of alumina for sintering yttria‐stabilized cubic zirconia
Authors: O'Toole Rebecca J. , Bartel Christopher J. , Kodas Maila U. , Horrell Alexa J. , Ricote Sandrine , Sullivan Neal P. , Gump Christopher J. , Musgrave Charles B. , Weimer Alan W.
Published: September 2018

The addition of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as a sintering aid to yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) reduces the required densification temperature. Sintering aids are incorporated using a number of processes which can lead to ambiguity when determining the effect of the sintering aid on the densification mechanism. In this study, a novel method for sintering aid addition, Particle Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), was used to deposit an amorphous Al2O3 thin film on YSZ particles. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the deposition of conformal Al2O3 thin films on the surface of the YSZ particles. The addition of Al2O3 to YSZ reduced the temperature at which densification began by ~75°C, and 2.2 wt% Al2O3 addition resulted in a minimum activation energy for the intermediate stage of densification. This concentration is well in excess of the solubility limit of Al2O3 in YSZ, showing that Al2O3 does not enhance the densification of YSZ solely by dissolving into the YSZ lattice and activating volume diffusion. The addition of 0.7 wt% Al2O3 with one Particle ALD cycle enhanced the ionic conductivity of YSZ by 23% after sintering at 1350°C for 2 hours, demonstrating that dense parts with high oxygen ion conductivities can be produced after sintering at reduced temperatures. One Particle ALD cycle is a fast, easily scaled‐up process that eliminates the use of solvents and has substantial cost/performance advantages over conventional processing.
Epicardial ventricular tachycardia in ischemic cardiomyopathy: Prevalence, electrophysiological characteristics, and long‐term ablation outcomes
Authors: Hayashi Tatsuya , Liang Jackson J. , Muser Daniele , Shirai Yasuhiro , Enriquez Andres , Garcia Fermin C. , Supple Gregory E. , Schaller Robert D. , Frankel David S. , Lin David , Nazarian Saman , Zado Erica S. , Arkles Jeffrey S. , Dixit Sanjay , Callans David J. , Marchlinski Francis E. , Santangeli Pasquale
Published: September 2018

Introduction

The characteristics of the epicardial (EPI) substrate responsible for ventricular tachycardia (VT) in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) are undefined, and data on the long‐term outcomes of EPI catheter ablation limited. We evaluated the prevalence, electrophysiologic features, and outcomes of catheter ablation of EPI VT in ICM.

Methods and Results

From December 2010 to June 2013, a total of 13 of 93 (14%) patients with ICM underwent catheter ablation at our institution and had conclusive evidence of critical EPI substrate demonstrated to participate in VT with activation, entrainment and/or pace mapping during sinus rhythm (two other patients underwent EPI mapping but had no optimal ablation targets). The electrophysiologic substrate characteristics and activation/entrainment mapping data were compared with a reference group of ICM patients without evidence of critical EPI substrate (N = 44), defined as a complete procedural success (noninducibility of any VT at programmed stimulation) after endocardial (ENDO)‐only ablation. Patients with failed EPI access (N = 2) or history of cardiac surgery (N = 92) were excluded from the study. All 13 patients had evidence of abnormal EPI substrate with fractionated/late/split electrograms and low‐bipolar voltage areas. The critical VT ablation sites were all located within the EPI bipolar “dense” scar (<1.0 mV) opposite the ENDO bipolar scar in 77% of cases and extending beyond the ENDO bipolar scar (within the ENDO unipolar low‐voltage area) in the remaining patients. Compared with the reference ENDO‐only group, patients with EPI VT had a smaller ENDO bipolar scar area, 54.0 (37.1‐84) vs 86.7 (55.6‐112) cm2; P = 0.0159, with a similar extent of ENDO unipolar low voltage. No other substrate characteristics or location differed between the two groups. After 35.2 ± 24.2 months of follow‐up, VT‐free survival was 73% in patients with EPI VT compared with 66% in the ENDO‐only group (log‐rank P = 0.56).

Conclusions

The presence of the critical EPI substrate responsible for VT can be demonstrated in at least 14% of patients with ICM. The majority of EPI critical ablation sites are distributed opposite the ENDO bipolar scar area and catheter ablation is effective in achieving long‐term arrhythmia control.
The importance of extrapulmonary vein triggers and atypical atrial flutter in atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoablation: Insights from repeat ablation procedures
Authors: Chang Ting‐Yung , Lo Li‐Wei , Te Abigail Louise D. , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Chang Shih‐Lin , Hu Yu‐Feng , Chung Fa‐Po , Chao Tze‐Fan , Liao Jo‐Nan , Tuan Ta‐Chuan , Lin Chin‐Yu , Vicera Jennifer Jeanne , Huang Ting‐Chun , Hoang Minh Quang , Yamada Shinya , Chen Shih‐Ann
Published: September 2018

Introduction

It has not been previously investigated whether the recurrence mechanism after cryoballoon ablation (CBA) of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is similar to that of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). We aimed to evaluate the differences of recurrence characteristics between RFCA and CBA after the index procedure.

Methods

A total of 210 patients were enrolled in the study, and 69 patients underwent pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using a 28‐mm second‐generation CBA. The control group comprising 140 patients underwent PV isolation using an open‐irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheter. A total of 69 patients in the CBA group and 69 patients in the RFCA group were investigated after propensity score matching. Recurrence patterns of AF were studied in the repeated procedure.

Results

During the index procedure, there was no difference in PV or non‐PV triggers between the two groups. Nineteen (27.5%) patients in the CBA group and 19 (27.5%) patients in the RFCA group had recurrence after a follow‐up of 11.3 ± 7 months. The Kaplan‐Meier curve did not reveal significant difference in recurrence (log‐rank, P = 0.364) between the two groups. In the second procedure, the CBA group had more non‐PV triggers (63.6%,
P = 0.009) and left atrial (LA) flutters (54.5%,
P = 0.027) compared with the RFCA group (12.5% and 12.5%, respectively). The PV reconnection rates were similar between both groups.

Conclusions

There was no difference in AF recurrence after catheter ablation between CBA and RFCA, but significant increases of non‐PV triggers and LA flutter during the second procedure suggest the importance of the atrial substrate in maintaining AF during the second procedure after previous CBA.
Effect of thermosonication on the quality attributes of star fruit juice
Authors: Nayak Prakash Kumar , Chandrasekar Chandra Mohan , Kesavan Radha Krishnan
Published: September 2018

The effect of pasteurization and thermosonication on the quality of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) juice was reported in the present study. Freshly extracted star fruit juice was pasteurized and thermosonicated to compare the effect on physiochemical properties, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ascorbic acid levels, microbial populations, and sensorial properties. The results were compared with the raw star fruit juice. The treatments did not show any significant (p < .05) variations in pH, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. A significant (p < .05) increase in antioxidant activity, TPC, TFC, ascorbic acid content, cloud index, and browning index of thermosonicated juices was observed. Pasteurization and thermosonication treatments also displayed significant effect in the reduction of microbial populations. Thus, findings in this study revealed that thermosonication may be a viable option for fruit juice industry, especially, for star fruit processing.

Practical applications

Ultrasound processing is an emerging nonthermal technique which can be utilized in the processing of liquid food products. In general, fruit juices are processed through thermal treatments to keep the safe microbial levels. However, thermal processing adversely affects the quality of food products. The present study demonstrated the application of thermosonication that effectively maintained the quality of star fruit juices. Furthermore, it can be added that, thermosonication may be employed as a suitable technique to improve the quality parameters of star fruit juice.
A new method for classifying nuts using image processing and k‐means++ clustering
Authors: Solak Serdar , Altinişik Umut
Published: September 2018

In this study, nuts are determined using image processing techniques and classified by k‐means and k‐means++ methods in rapid time. Firstly, pixel area (PA) and square area (SA) features are extracted by an image processing technique. Then, the obtained data are classified by the k‐means and k‐means++ clustering methods. We present a new method called the pixel area and square area method (PASAM), which is realized by clustering feature selection of PA and SA values. Our proposed method is applied on numerous real RGB images of nuts for different cases. Experimental results show that k‐means++ clustering based on PASAM is more efficient than other techniques such as k‐means and k‐means++ clustering based on PA and SA. The nuts in the working environment are determined and classified with 100% accuracy by PASAM.

Practical applications

The proposed research distinguishes small, medium and big nuts based on image processing and PASAM. This method is appropriate to use to separate all vegetables and fruits for which classification is important.
The Effect of Maternal Age on Obstetric Interventions in a Low‐Risk Population
Authors: Einarsdóttir Kristjana , Bogadóttir Hjördís Ýr , Bjarnadóttir Ragnheiður Ingibjörg , Steingrímsdóttir Þóra
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Obstetric interventions appear to increase with advancing maternal age, but limited supporting evidence exists, particularly for young women and specifically for prelabor and intrapartum cesarean birth. The aim of this study was to explore the association between obstetric interventions and maternal age in a low‐risk population.

Methods

The study was restricted to all low‐risk, nulliparous women with singleton, vertex, term births who gave birth in Iceland from 1997 to 2015, identified in the Icelandic Medical Birth Registry. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs for the risks of labor induction, instrumental birth, and cesarean birth (prelabor and intrapartum), according to maternal age group. All models were adjusted for gestational age, year of birth, and demographic factors, and the models for intrapartum cesarean birth were also adjusted for dystocia and fetal distress.

Results

For women aged more than 40 years, the aOR for induction of labor was 4.69 (95% CI, 3.2‐6.8) compared with women aged between 25 and 29 years. In women aged more than 40 years, the increased risks for prelabor cesarean birth and intrapartum cesarean birth were 7.4 (95% CI, 3.0‐18.0) and 3.6 (95% CI, 2.1‐6.0), respectively. The risk of instrumental birth was slightly increased for women aged between 35 and 39 years (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3‐2.0), compared with women aged between 25 and 29 years, but not for women aged at least 40 years (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7‐1.9). For women aged less than 20 years, the risk of induction of labor (aOR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.7‐0.9) and instrumental births (aOR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5‐0.7) was reduced compared with women aged between 25 and 29 years.

Discussion

The risk of interventions generally increased with increasing maternal age, but the risk of instrumental births was not increased for women aged over 40 years. Also, young women were at a decreased risk of induction of labor and instrumental births.
Detection and genomic analysis of genital group B streptococcus in pregnant Korean women
Authors: Lee Hwan Tae , Kim Suk Young , Park Pil‐Whan , Ahn Jeong‐Yeal , Kim Kyung‐Hee , Seo Ja Young , Jeong Ji‐Hun , Kwoun Woo‐Jae , Seo Yiel‐Hea
Published: September 2018

Aim

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of life‐threatening bacterial infections among newborns, and neonates born to heavily colonized women may be subject to vertical transmission. We sought to determine an appropriate detection method for genital GBS in pregnant women by comparing culture‐based methods and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, we performed molecular serotyping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) on isolates.

Methods

A total of 150 pregnant women were enrolled and underwent vaginal‐rectal swabbing at 16–40 weeks of gestation. GBS was identified by conventional culture and real‐time PCR with or without enrichment. Molecular serotyping and MLST were performed on isolates.

Results

Overall genital GBS positive rate among the 150 study subjects was 17.3%. Direct culture identified 18 (12.0%) positive specimens, enrichment culture 22 (14.6%), direct PCR 24 (16.0%) and enrichment PCR 25 (16.6%). The sensitivity and specificity by direct and enrichment PCR were as follows: for direct PCR, 90.9% and 96.9%, respectively; and for enrichment PCR, 95.5% and 96.9%, respectively. Resistance rates to clindamycin and erythromycin were 33.3% and 19.1%, respectively. Serotype III‐1 was the most common (26.3%), followed by serotype Ib (21.1%), III‐3 (15.8%), V (15.8%), II (10.5%), IV (5.3%) and VI (5.3%). Most common sequence types (ST) were ST‐1, ST‐19 and ST‐862 (15.8%), followed by ST‐2 and ST‐654 (10.5%).

Conclusion

Direct real‐time PCR using vaginal‐rectal specimen could be used for detecting GBS in emergent conditions. Molecular serotypes III, Ib and V were most common. MLST analysis frequently presented ST‐1, ST‐19 and ST‐862.
Asia & Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine Committee's consensus statements on screening for hyperglycemia in pregnancy
Authors: Tan Tony Y. T. ,   on behalf of Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy Consensus Working Group, Ounjai Kor‐anantakul
Published: September 2018

These are consensus statements on screening for hyperglycemia in pregnancy derived from AOFOG MFM Committee's Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy Consensus Working Group during a workshop in Singapore on 13 January 2018.
18F‐FPEB PET/CT Shows mGluR5 Upregulation in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Kang Yeona , Henchcliffe Claire , Verma Ajay , Vallabhajosula Shankar , He Bin , Kothari Paresh J. , Pryor Kane O. , Mozley P. David
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Dopamine and glutamate reciprocally regulate each other in some of the neurocircuits affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this pilot study was to explore relationships between these neurotransmitter systems with positron emission tomography.

METHODS

The sample consisted of nine patients with PD and eight healthy volunteers (HVs). Dynamic images of the brain were acquired after the IV administration of ∼370 MBq (10 mCi) of [11C]PE2i, a dopamine transporter (DaT) imaging agent, and ∼185 MBq (∼5 mCi) of [18F]FPEB, a selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist. Multiple volumes of interest were semiautomatically placed on contemporaneously acquired MRI scans. Nondisplaceable binding potentials (BPND) were calculated with the Logan reference tissue model using cerebellar white matter as the reference region.

RESULTS

The findings showed that average [18F]FPEB BPND values were slightly more than 20% higher in PD than HVs in several mesocortical regions, including the bilateral putamen (P = .01), hippocampus (P = .02), and amygdala (P = .05). Average [11C]PE2i BPND was significantly reduced by about half or more in patients with PD in the bilateral caudate (P < .001) and putamen (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

mGluR5 seems upregulated in strategic dopaminergic brain regions adversely affected by PD. The findings seem to confirm that DaT tracers are better discriminatory biomarkers for diagnosing PD; however, mGluR5 tracers might deserve further exploration as potential biomarkers of response in clinical trials.
Baseline ASPECTS and e‐ASPECTS Correlation with Infarct Volume and Functional Outcome in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy
Authors: Olive‐Gadea Marta , Martins Nuno , Boned Sandra , Carvajal Jaime , Moreno Maria Jose , Muchada Marian , Molina Carlos A. , Tomasello Alejandro , Ribo Marc , Rubiera Marta
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The role of Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) in predicting which patients are likely to benefit from endovascular therapy (EVT) is not well defined. An automated software (e‐ASPECTS) has been created to solve its poor interrater reliability. We aim to evaluate correlation between radiologist (Rx) and e‐ASPECTS scoring with cerebral blood volume (CBV) infarct core and with final infarct volume; as well as with long‐term functional outcome.

METHODS

We included patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion who underwent EVT. We measured baseline radiologist (Rx) ASPECTS and e‐ASPECTS, and baseline CBV infarct core on CT perfusion. Final infarct volume was measured on 24‐hour control CT.

RESULTS

We included 184 patients, in which 82.1% of patients achieved complete recanalization. Median Rx‐ASPECTS/e‐ASPECTS was 9 (IQR 8–10 vs. IQR 7.75‐10) and mean CBV lesion was 29.51 (±47.41) mL. Correlation (rs) between ASPECTS and e‐ASPECTS was .44 (P < .01). Both ASPECTS scores correlated with CBV after 180 minutes of symptom onset (rs = –.41 vs. –.54, P < .01) and with final infarct volume in patients with complete recanalization (rs = –.40 vs. –.43, P < .01). In a logistic regression, either Rx‐ASPECTS, e‐ASPECTS, and CBV (OR 1.60 vs. 1.87 vs. .96; P < .05) predicted a low infarct volume. Rx‐ASPECTS and e‐ASPECTS also predicted functional independence (mRS 0–2) at 3 months (1.52 vs. 1.37; P < .05).

CONCLUSION

ASPECTS and e‐ASPECTS showed a mild correlation with CBV. Rx‐ASPECTS, e‐ASPECTS, and CBV predicted a low infarct volume after thrombectomy in recanalized patients but only Rx‐ASPECTS and e‐ASPECTS predicted functional independence at 3 months.
Lay conceptions of norm‐based approach and avoidance motivation: Implications for the performance‐approach and performance‐avoidance goal relation
Authors: Hangen Emily J. , Elliot Andrew J. , Jamieson Jeremy P.
Published: September 2018

Objective

Performance‐approach goals and performance‐avoidance goals are conceptually distinct, but they are often moderately or even highly positively correlated. The present research examines lay conceptions of approach and avoidance motivation as a moderator of this intergoal relation.

Method

Study 1 (N = 281) assessed whether participants considered norm‐based approach motivation as being the same or different from norm‐based avoidance motivation and tested these conceptions as a moderator of the performance goal correlation. Study 2 (N = 990) measured and experimentally manipulated lay conceptions.

Results

In both studies, individuals who viewed approach and avoidance motivation as different exhibited a smaller performance goal correlation and lower performance‐based goal adoption than those who viewed approach and avoidance goals as the same. Findings from experimentally manipulated conceptions provided further clarity regarding the precise nature of the relations and mean differences observed. Specifically, moderation was driven by the different condition (where the differences between approach and avoidance were highlighted).

Conclusions

This research sheds light on the nature and magnitude of the focal performance‐based goal correlation and highlights the value of attending to lay conceptions of approach and avoidance motivation as well as lay conceptions of ability.
Sexual Orientation–Based Depression and Suicidality Health Disparities: The Protective Role of School‐Based Health Centers
Authors: Zhang Lei , Finan Laura J. , Bersamin Melina , Fisher Deborah A.
Published: September 2018

This study's purpose was to examine whether school‐based health centers (SBHCs) support mental health indicators among sexual minority youth (SMY). Data came from the 2015 Oregon Healthy Teens Survey with 13,608 11th graders in 137 public high schools in Oregon. Regression results revealed significant SBHC by SMY status interactions indicating relative reductions in likelihood of depressive episodes (30%), suicidal ideation (34%), and suicide attempts (43%) among SMY in schools with SBHCs. SMY students in SBHC schools reported lower likelihood of a past‐year depressive episode, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt versus those attending non‐SBHC schools. Conversely, no differences in these outcomes were observed for non‐SMY by SBHC status. SBHCs may help reduce mental health disparities among SMY, a marginalized, underserved population.
Synthesis of new anticancer and anti-inflammatory isoxazolines and aziridines from the natural (-)-deltoin
Authors: Znati Mansour , Debbabi Meriem , Romdhane Anis , Ben Jannet Hichem , Bouajila Jalloul
Published: September 2018

Objectives

This work describes the synthesis, the bioactivity and the structure–activity relationship of new derivatives from a natural coumarin.

Methods

(-)-Deltoin 1 and the corresponding isoxazolines and aziridines were characterized by spectroscopic means. The cytotoxic (HTC-116, IGROV-1 and OVCAR-3 cancer cell lines) and 5-lipoxygenase activity of (-)-deltoin 1 and its structural analogues have been evaluated.

Key findings

The phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of the flowers of Ferula lutea (Poir.) Maire has led to the isolation of (-)-deltoin 1. A series of new isoxazoline 2a,a′–2f,f′ and aziridine 3a,a′–3e,e′ derivatives have been prepared by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. It has been found that the derivatives 2a (IC50 = 3.3 ± 0.1 μm), 3a,a′ (IC50 = 5.9 ± 0.1 μm), 3b,b′ (IC50 = 6.1 ± 0.7 μm) and 3c,c′ (IC50 = 7.3 ± 0.9 μm) bearing a phenyl isoxazoline, a phenylaziridine, a 4-methlphenylaziridine and a 4-methoxyphenylaziridine, respectively, are more cytotoxic than (-)-deltoin 1 (IC50 = 14.3 ± 0.2 μm). The diastereoisomers in mixture (2f,f′) with a 6-chloropyridin-2-yl system have shown the best anti-5-lipoxygenase activity (% inhibition = 53.1 ± 4.8% at 200 μm).

Conclusions

Some analogues have been found more bioactive than deltoin 1. Their activity has been related to the nature of the added heterocycles. It would be interesting to evaluate their in-vivo activity.
Long‐term administration of human albumin improves survival in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites
Authors: Di Pascoli Marco , Fasolato Silvano , Piano Salvatore , Bolognesi Massimo , Angeli Paolo
Published: September 2018

Background & Aims

In patients with cirrhosis, the clinical benefit of the treatment with human albumin for ascites is debated, and no data are available regarding refractory ascites. In this study, in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites, we assessed the effect of long‐term albumin administration on emergent hospitalization and mortality.

Methods

Seventy patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites, followed at the Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, University and General Hospital of Padova, Italy, were included into the study. Forty‐five patients were non‐randomly assigned to receive long‐term administration of human albumin at the doses of 20 g twice per week (n = 45), in addition to standard medical of care (SOC), and compared to those followed according to SOC. Patients were followed up to the end of the study, liver transplantation or death.

Results

The cumulative incidence of 24‐month mortality was significantly lower in patients treated with albumin than in the group of patients treated with SOC (41.6% vs 65.5%; P = 0.032). The period free of emergent hospitalization was significantly longer in patients treated with long‐term administration of albumin (P = 0.008). Analysing separately the causes of inpatient admission, patients treated with albumin showed a reduction in the incidence of overt hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and non‐SBP infections. In addition, a non‐significant trend towards a reduced probability of hepatorenal syndrome was observed.

Conclusion

In patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites, long‐term treatment with albumin improves survival and reduces the probability of emergent hospitalizations.
Both toxic and beneficial effects of pyocyanin contribute to the lifecycle of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Meirelles Lucas A. , Newman Dianne K.
Published: September 2018

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen, produces redox‐active pigments called phenazines. Pyocyanin (PYO, the blue phenazine) plays an important role during biofilm development. Paradoxically, PYO auto‐poisoning can stimulate cell death and release of extracellular DNA (eDNA), yet PYO can also promote survival within biofilms when cells are oxidant‐limited. Here, we identify the environmental and physiological conditions in planktonic culture that promote PYO‐mediated cell death. We demonstrate that PYO auto‐poisoning is enhanced when cells are starved for carbon. In the presence of PYO, cells activate a set of genes involved in energy‐dependent defenses, including: (i) the oxidative stress response, (ii) RND efflux systems and (iii) iron‐sulfur cluster biogenesis factors. P. aeruginosa can avoid PYO poisoning when reduced carbon is available, but blockage of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis either through carbon limitation or direct inhibition of the F0F1‐ATP synthase triggers death and eDNA release. Finally, even though PYO is toxic to the majority of the population when cells are nutrient limited, a subset of cells is intrinsically PYO resistant. The effect of PYO on the producer population thus appears to be dynamic, playing dramatically different yet predictable roles throughout distinct stages of growth, helping rationalize its multifaceted contributions to biofilm development.
Pathways to resilience: adapting to sea level rise in Los Angeles
Authors: Aerts Jeroen C.J.H. , Barnard Patrick L. , Botzen Wouter , Grifman Phyllis , Hart Juliette Finzi , De Moel Hans , Mann Alyssa Newton , de Ruig Lars T. , Sadrpour Nick
Published: September 2018

Los Angeles (LA) County's coastal areas are highly valued for their natural benefits and their economic contributions to the region. While LA County already has a high level of exposure to flooding (e.g. people, ports, and harbors), climate change and sea level rise will increase flood risk; anticipating this risk requires adaptation planning to mitigate social, economic, and physical damage. This study provides an overview of the potential effects of sea level rise on coastal LA County and describes adaptation pathways and estimates associated costs in order to cope with sea level rise. An adaptation pathway in this study is defined as the collection of measures (e.g., beach nourishment, dune restoration, flood‐proofing buildings, and levees) required to lower flood risk. The aim of using different adaptation pathways is to enable a transition from one methodology to another over time. These pathways address uncertainty in future projections, allowing for flexibility among policies and potentially spreading the costs over time. Maintaining beaches, dunes, and their natural dynamics is the foundation of each of the three adaptation pathways, which address the importance of beaches for recreation, environmental value, and flood protection. In some scenarios, owing to high projections of sea level rise, additional technical engineering options such as levees and sluices may be needed to reduce flood risk. The research suggests three adaptation pathways, anticipating a +1 ft (0.3 m) to +7 ft (+2 m) sea level rise by year 2100. Total adaptation costs vary between $4.3 and $6.4 bn, depending on measures included in the adaptation pathway.
Molecular tools enabling pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) as a model plant and oilseed cash cover crop
Authors: McGinn Michaela , Phippen Winthrop B. , Chopra Ratan , Bansal Sunil , Jarvis Brice A. , Phippen Mary E. , Dorn Kevin M. , Esfahanian Maliheh , Nazarenus Tara J. , Cahoon Edgar B. , Durrett Timothy P. , Marks M. David , Sedbrook John C.
Published: September 2018

Thlapsi arvense L. (pennycress) is being developed as a profitable oilseed cover crop for the winter fallow period throughout the temperate regions of the world, controlling soil erosion and nutrients run‐off on otherwise barren farmland. We demonstrate that pennycress can serve as a user‐friendly model system akin to Arabidopsis that is well‐suited for both laboratory and field experimentation. We sequenced the diploid genome of the spring‐type Spring 32‐10 inbred line (1C DNA content of 539 Mb; 2n = 14), identifying variation that may explain phenotypic differences with winter‐type pennycress, as well as predominantly a one‐to‐one correspondence with Arabidopsis genes, which makes translational research straightforward. We developed an Agrobacterium‐mediated floral dip transformation method (0.5% transformation efficiency) and introduced CRISPR‐Cas9 constructs to produce indel mutations in the putative FATTY ACID ELONGATION1 (FAE1) gene, thereby abolishing erucic acid production and creating an edible seed oil comparable to that of canola. We also stably transformed pennycress with the Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) gene, producing low‐viscosity acetyl‐triacylglycerol‐containing seed oil suitable as a diesel‐engine drop‐in fuel. Adoption of pennycress as a model system will accelerate oilseed‐crop translational research and facilitate pennycress’ rapid domestication to meet the growing sustainable food and fuel demands.
Who Cares If They Need Help? The Deservingness Heuristic, Humanitarianism, and Welfare Opinions
Authors: Hansen Kristina Jessen
Published: September 2018

Citizens’ welfare opinions are highly susceptible to cues about welfare recipients’ deservingness. Extant research argues that this deservingness heuristic is a universal feature of human help‐giving psychology, implying that all citizens, regardless of their values, are evenly affected by deservingness cues. This article suggests that the deservingness heuristic is much more conditional than previously appreciated. Specifically, its influence on welfare opinions is conditioned by humanitarianism: the belief that others in need should be helped. The more people adhere to this value, the more they need information that signals whether others are genuinely needy. Citizens should thus rely more on the deservingness heuristic the stronger their humanitarian values are. I find support for this argument in three survey experiments (two nationally representative), where citizens are exposed to cues that welfare recipients are either lazy (undeserving) or unlucky (deserving). These findings have important implications for our understanding of citizens’ welfare opinions.
Modeling the Airborne Infection Risk of Tuberculosis for a Research Facility in eMalahleni, South Africa
Authors: Küsel Ralf R. , Craig Ian K. , Stoltz Anton C.
Published: September 2018

A detailed mathematical modeling framework for the risk of airborne infectious disease transmission in indoor spaces was developed to enable mathematical analysis of experiments conducted at the Airborne Infections Research (AIR) facility, eMalahleni, South Africa. A model was built using this framework to explore possible causes of why an experiment at the AIR facility did not produce expected results. The experiment was conducted at the AIR facility from August 31, 2015 to December 4, 2015, in which the efficacy of upper room germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) irradiation as an environmental control was tested. However, the experiment did not produce the expected outcome of having fewer infections in the test animal room than the control room. The simulation results indicate that dynamic effects, caused by switching the GUV lights, power outages, or introduction of new patients, did not result in the unexpected outcomes. However, a sensitivity analysis highlights that significant uncertainty exists with risk of transmission predictions based on current measurement practices, due to the reliance on large viable literature ranges for parameters.
Modeling the Effectiveness of Respiratory Protective Devices in Reducing Influenza Outbreak
Authors: Yan Jing , Guha Suvajyoti , Hariharan Prasanna , Myers Matthew
Published: September 2018

Outbreaks of influenza represent an important health concern worldwide. In many cases, vaccines are only partially successful in reducing the infection rate, and respiratory protective devices (RPDs) are used as a complementary countermeasure. In devising a protection strategy against influenza for a given population, estimates of the level of protection afforded by different RPDs is valuable. In this article, a risk assessment model previously developed in general form was used to estimate the effectiveness of different types of protective equipment in reducing the rate of infection in an influenza outbreak. It was found that a 50% compliance in donning the device resulted in a significant (at least 50% prevalence and 20% cumulative incidence) reduction in risk for fitted and unfitted N95 respirators, high‐filtration surgical masks, and both low‐filtration and high‐filtration pediatric masks. An 80% compliance rate essentially eliminated the influenza outbreak. The results of the present study, as well as the application of the model to related influenza scenarios, are potentially useful to public health officials in decisions involving resource allocation or education strategies.
Population growth and the transfer paradox in an overlapping generations model
Authors: Hamada Kojun , Shinozaki Tsuyoshi , Yanagihara Mitsuyoshi
Published: September 2018

This study investigates whether the transfer paradox (donor enrichment and/or recipient impoverishment) occurs when a donor and a recipient have different population growth rates by using a one‐sector, two‐country overlapping generations model. We show that if the population growth rates differ, neither donor enrichment nor recipient impoverishment occurs in the steady state under dynamic efficiency. This result is in stark contrast to the existing results that the transfer paradox might occur when a donor and a recipient country have different marginal propensities to save, assuming that both have the same population growth rate. Furthermore, we present the condition for the transfer problem to occur on the transition path and show that the transfer paradox is less likely to occur as the economy converges to the steady state. Our result shows that the prevailing finding that the transfer paradox can occur in an overlapping generations model is limited to the special case of countries having the same population growth rate.
Virtual reality exercise intradialysis to improve physical function: A feasibility randomized trial
Authors: Segura‐Ortí Eva , Pérez‐Domínguez Borja , Ortega‐Pérez de Villar Lucía , Meléndez‐Oliva Erika , Martínez‐Gramage Javier , García‐Maset Rafael , Gil‐Gómez José Antonio
Published: September 2018

Objective

The main objective of this investigation was to assess feasibility of conducting a future RCT with an intradialysis non‐immersive virtual reality exercise intervention. The secondary aim was to explore the impact of either conventional or VR exercise on physical function.

Design

Feasibility randomized trial.

Participants

Eighteen subjects who participated in a 16‐week intradialysis combined exercise program.

Interventions

The program lasted four additional weeks of either combined exercise or virtual reality exercise.

Main outcome measures

Physical function was measured through several reliable tests (sit‐to‐stand‐to‐sit tests 10 and 60, gait speed, one‐leg heel‐rise tests, and 6‐minute walk test) at baseline, after 16 weeks of intradialysis combined exercise and by the end of four additional weeks of exercise. Adherence to the exercise programs was registered.

Results

There was a significant time effect, so that physical function improved in both groups. By the end of the 20 weeks, function improved as measured through the sit‐to‐stand‐to‐sit tests 10 and 60, gait speed, one‐leg heel‐rise left leg, and the 6‐minute walk test. Changes that did not occur due to error in the test were seen after 20 weeks were achieved in the sit‐to‐stand‐to‐sit test 60, gait speed, one‐leg heel‐rise test for the left leg, and 6‐minute walking test.

Conclusion

Virtual reality was a feasible intervention. Both interventions improved physical function. Adherence was not significantly different between groups.
A study of coach‐team perceptual distance concerning the coach‐created motivational climate in youth sport
Authors: Gjesdal Siv , Stenling Andreas , Solstad Bård E. , Ommundsen Yngvar
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine whether coach‐team perceptual distance regarding the coach‐created motivational climate related to achievement goal orientations and affective responses. To this end, we used polynomial regression analysis with response surface methodology. The sample consisted of 1359 youth soccer players (57.8% male; Mage = 11.81 years, SD = 1.18), belonging to 87 different teams (Msize = 16.47), and 87 coaches (94.6% male, Mage = 42 years, SD = 5.67). Results showed that team perceptions of a coach‐created mastery climate were positively related to team‐rated task goal orientation and enjoyment, whereas team perceptions of a coach‐created performance climate were positively related to team‐rated ego goal orientation and anxiety, and negatively related to team‐rated enjoyment. When the coach and the team were in perceptual agreement, the outcomes increased as both coach and team perceptions of the climate increased. In situations of perceptual disagreement, the most negative effects were seen when the coach held a more favorable perception of the motivational climate compared to the team. The findings highlight the importance of perceptual agreement between the coach and his/her team, contributing to the literature focusing on the effects of the coach‐created motivational climate.
Sonic spaces, spiritual bodies: The affective experience of the roots reggae soundsystem
Authors: Woods Orlando
Published: September 2018

This paper advances a new understanding of spirituality within the geographies of religion. It builds on the premise that spirituality is latent within every body and argues that it becomes manifest in response to an affective experience. Such experiences are often sensory in nature, rendering spiritual affect an embodied phenomenon that can be understood through the concept of an “embodied hierophany.” By exploring the affective experience of the roots reggae soundsystem, this paper shows how sonic spaces can enable processes of spiritual engagement. It draws on an analysis of four documentary films about soundsystem culture to show how situations of sonic dominance can bring about an embodied hierophany. In such situations, spirituality is experienced outside of the ascriptive framework of formal religious belief and is therefore a more self‐directed form of spiritual awakening.
Understanding the international mobility of Chinese temporary workers
Authors: Zhang Hongyong
Published: September 2018

Using unique panel data on the temporary movement of Chinese workers to 191 economies during 1992–2015, I investigate the patterns and determinants of labour mobility in the services trade. I estimate a gravity model of labour mobility in two categories, namely overseas labour services and overseas contracted projects. I find that distance (proxy for migration costs) and income are not the most important determinants of the latter. For overseas contracted projects, the dispatch of workers is not driven by their pure economic aims but by the Chinese government's policies and strategies such as its overseas project promotion policy. Furthermore, I employ the difference‐in‐differences estimation method to investigate the impact of this policy upon labour mobility. The results show that the policy of promoting overseas contracted projects has causal and positive effects on labour mobility in construction‐related sectors.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON CONSTRUCTION ADJUDICATION SYSTEMS TOWARDS EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF STATUTORY ADJUDICATION IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Mohamed Nasir Nur Ilylia Iryani , Ismail Zulhabri , Muhd Fadhlullah Ng Nur Khodijah
Published: September 2018

The dynamic nature of the construction industry makes it almost impossible to maintain a project without any disputes. Of all the addressed disputes in the construction industry, payment disputes are seen to be the most critical issue to be apprehended; as there is no doubt that consistent cashflow is important to distinguish the project’s development and achievements. Adjudication is one of the remedies to assist in arresting these problems, and the way to make an impact to the implementation of adjudication is by having it an enforceable statute. Along the years, fourteen adjudication Acts have been introduced within the Commonwealth countries. As the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012 is a hybrid of few adjudication systems in the world, a comparative study on three adjudication Acts: the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 of the UK – the first statutory adjudication implemented, Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 of Australia – consists of a unique set of judicial systems that needs to be considered separately and Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2004 of Singapore – one of the latest implemented statutory adjudication before CIPAA; were looked into, and possible matters affecting their effective implementation were emphasized. This review aims to assist in identifying the possible issues that might be faced by the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012 (CIPAA) as a newly legislated Act in Malaysia and possible corrective measures that could be undertaken to enhance its effectiveness.
APPROPRIATE BASE STIFFNESS OF SMART BASE ISOLATION SYSTEM
Authors: Dadkhah Hamed , Noruzvand Mahsa
Published: September 2018

In this paper, the effect of base stiffness on the performance of hybrid control system of base isolation system and magnetorheological (MR) damper has been studied and its appropriate base stiffness has been determined. Many researches have been proposed that in the structure controlled by the single base isolation system without MR damper, the base stiffness should be designed such that the fundamental period of isolated structure is almost triple the fundamental period of fixed-base structure. To determine the appropriate base stiffness of hybrid control system, different values have been considered as base stiffness and MR damper has been also employed in two cases of passive form that voltage and dynamical behaviour of MR damper is constant (hybrid base isolation) and semi-active form that MR damper voltage is applied by H2/linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) and clipped-optimal control algorithms (smart base isolation). For numerical simulation, a three-story shear frame has been subjected to El Centro, Northridge and Tabas earthquakes. Results show that in the structure controlled by the single base isolation system, the peak responses of structure strongly depend on the base stiffness while the sensitivity of peak responses to the base stiffness is lower when the structure is controlled by hybrid base isolation system. According to results, it can be concluded that the peak base drift of hybrid base isolation system reduces with the increase of the base stiffness while this reduction trend is less considerable in the stiffness that are more than the proposed stiffness for the single base isolation system. Hence the proposed stiffness for single base isolation system is the appropriate stiffness for hybrid base isolation system, too. Results also show that under earthquakes considered in this paper, the smart base isolation system is mostly more effective than hybrid base isolation system in mitigating and controlling both root mean square and maximum of structure responses such as base drift, inter-story drift and acceleration.