bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Fibrosis Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Bisbal Felipe , Benito Eva , Teis Albert , Alarcón Francisco , Sarrias Axel , Caixal Gala , Villuendas Roger , Garre Paz , Soto Nina , Cozzari Jennifer , Guasch Eduard , Juncà Gladys , Prat-Gonzalez Susanna , Perea Rosario J. , Bazán Victor , Tolosana José María , Arbelo Elena , Bayés-Genís Antoni , Mont Lluis
Published: October 2020

Background:

Myocardial fibrosis is key for atrial fibrillation maintenance. We aimed to test the efficacy of ablating cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-detected atrial fibrosis plus pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods:

This was an open-label, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial. Patients with symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal and persistent) undergoing first or repeat ablation were randomized in a 1:1 basis to receive PVI plus CMR-guided fibrosis ablation (CMR group) or PVI alone (PVI-alone group). The primary end point was the rate of recurrence (>30 seconds) at 12 months of follow-up using a 12-lead ECG and Holter monitoring at 3, 6, and 12 months. The analysis was conducted by intention-to-treat.

Results:

In total, 155 patients (71% male, age 59±10, CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc 1.3±1.1, 54% paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) were allocated to the PVI-alone group (N=76) or CMR group (N=79). First ablation was performed in 80% and 71% of patients in the PVI-alone and CMR groups, respectively. The mean atrial fibrosis burden was 12% (only ≈50% of patients had fibrosis outside the pulmonary vein area). One hundred percent and 99% of patients received the assigned intervention in the PVI-alone and CMR group, respectively. The primary outcome was achieved in 21 patients (27.6%) in the PVI-alone group and 22 patients (27.8%) in the CMR group (odds ratio: 1.01 [95% CI, 0.50–2.04];
P
=0.976). There were no differences in the rate of adverse events (3 in the CMR group and 2 in the PVI-alone group;
P
=0.68).

Conclusions:

A pragmatic ablation approach targeting CMR-detected atrial fibrosis plus PVI was not more effective than PVI alone in an unselected population undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation with low fibrosis burden.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02698631.
Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation After Extracranial Hemorrhage
Authors: Zhou Eric , Lord Aaron , Boehme Amelia , Henninger Nils , de Havenon Adam , Vahidy Farhaan , Ishida Koto , Torres Jose , Mistry Eva A. , Mac Grory Brian , Sheth Kevin N. , Gurol M. Edip , Furie Karen , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Yaghi Shadi
Published: October 2020

Background and Purpose:

Anticoagulation therapy not only reduces the risk of ischemic stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) but also predisposes patients to hemorrhagic complications. There is limited knowledge on the risk of first-ever ischemic stroke in patients with AF after extracranial hemorrhage (ECH).

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study using the California State Inpatient Database including all nonfederal hospital admissions in California from 2005 to 2011. The exposure variable was hospitalization with a diagnosis of ECH with a previous diagnosis of AF. The outcome variable was a subsequent hospitalization with acute ischemic stroke. We excluded patients with stroke before or at the time of ECH diagnosis. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios for ischemic stroke during follow-up and at 6-month intervals using Cox regression models adjusted for pertinent demographics and comorbidities. In subgroup analyses, subjects were stratified by primary ECH diagnosis, severity/type of ECH, age, CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score, or the presence/absence of a gastrointestinal or genitourinary cancer.

Results:

We identified 764 257 patients with AF (mean age 75 years, 49% women) without a documented history of stroke. Of these, 98 647 (13%) had an ECH-associated hospitalization, and 22 748 patients (3%) developed an ischemic stroke during the study period. Compared to patients without ECH, subjects with ECH had ≈15% higher rate of ischemic stroke (overall adjusted hazard ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.11–1.19]). The risk appeared to remain elevated for at least 18 months after the index ECH. In subgroup analyses, the risk was highest in subjects with a primary admission diagnosis of ECH, severe ECH, gastrointestinal-type ECH, with gastrointestinal or genitourinary cancer, and age ≥60 years.

Conclusions:

Patients with AF hospitalized with ECH may have a slightly elevated risk for future ischemic stroke. Particular consideration should be given to the optimal balance between the benefits and risks of anticoagulation therapy and the use of nonanticoagulant alternatives, such as left atrial appendage closure in this vulnerable population.
Feather mites of the genus Trouessartia (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) from passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) in Georgia, USA
Authors: MIRONOV SERGEY V. , CHANDLER C. RAY
Published: October 2020

Ten new species of the feather mite genus Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae) are described from various passerines of the superfamily Passeroidea in Georgia: Trouessartia americana sp. n. from Setophaga americana (Linnaeus), T. helmitheros sp. n. from Helmitheros vermivorum (Gmelin, JF), T. mniotilta sp. n. from Mniotilta varia (Linnaeus), T. pensylvanica sp. n. from Setophaga pensylvanica (Linnaeus) (type host) and S. palmarum (Gmelin, JF), T. ruticilla sp. n. from S. ruticilla (Linnaeus), T. seiurus sp. n. from Seiurus aurocapilla (Linnaeus), T. tigrina sp. n. from Setophaga tigrina (Gmelin, JF) (Parulidae), T. passerinae sp. n. from Passerina caerulea (Linnaeus) (type host) and P. cyanea (Linnaeus), T. ciris sp. n. from P. ciris (Linnaeus) (Cardinalidae), and T. spizellae sp. n. from Spizella passerina (Bechstein) (Passerellidae). Based on a specific combination of morphological characters, all new species and six previously known species are arranged into a new species group capensis in the genus Trouessartia. The most important diagnostic characters of this species group include: in both sexes, the dorsal hysterosomal apertures are absent; in males, the postgenital plaque is well developed and genital setae g have cylindrical articulation rings; in females, the external copulatory tube is straight, stylet- or finger-like, and situated on the margin of the interlobar membrane, and the head of spermatheca has a semi-ovate extension without indentations. A key to all species referred to the capensis group is provided and host associations of this group with passerines are summarized and briefly discussed. It is hypothesized that this species group originated on the ancestors of New World nine-primaried oscines (Emberizoidea) and diverged in close relation with this group of hosts.
The Correlation Analysis of Perceived Usefulness, Barriers, and Self Efficacy with the Selection of Tubectomy in Married Women of Childbearing Age
Authors: Hidayati Nur Alfi , Armini Ni Ketut Alit , Kusumaningrum Tiyas
Published: October 2020

Tubectomy is the most effective surgical contraception method to prevent pregnancy. Although tubectomy provides high effectiveness, the number of users of this contraceptive method tends to be still very few compared to the other contraceptives. Perceived usefulness, barriers, and self-efficacy are considered potential to affect one’s behavior, including married women of childbearing age when making decisions or finding reasons for the use of tubectomy. This study aims to identify the reasons why a married woman of childbearing age chooses tubectomy. This study employed a cross-sectional approach consisting of the dependent variable (selection of tubectomy in married women of childbearing age) and independent variables (perceived usefulness, barriers, and self-efficacy). The population was all married women of childbearing age who were new contraceptive acceptors in Dander Sub-district, Bojonegoro Regency, East Java, Indonesia in 2015. The sample s were taken using a purposive sampling type of non-probability sampling technique. The data were obtained using questionnaires and were analyzed using logistic regression with a significance level (p) of ≤ 0.05. The total respondents in this study were 92 people. The dominant age range was 36-49 years (53.3%). The major religious group was Islam (97.8%). The logistic regression indicated the level of significance in perceived usefulness (p= 0.018), but the scale was not significant between perceived barriers (p= 0.518) and self-efficacy (p= 0.707) with the selection of tubectomy. The factors related to the selection of tubectomy identified that the item in the independent variables (perceived usefulness, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy) that had a high probability was perceived usefulness. The greater the perceived usefulness was, the greater the behavior in choosing the contraceptive method. Perceived usefulness, barriers, and self-efficacy do not affect the decision making or reasons of why married women of childbearing age choose tubectomy.
The Implementation of ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) System Between Solar Power Plants and Grid Systems for the Household Electric Power Service to Maintain Sustainability and Save Electricity Costs
Authors: Suprianto
Published: October 2020

The continuity of electric power service is a major factor determining electrical customer satisfaction. Research on the implementation of the ATS system between solar cells and grid system as a supplier of electrical power to household electrical loads for continuity and savings in electricity consumption costs aims to design an ATS system for delivering electrical power to the load system that can maintain the continuity of the supply of electricity, reducing costs electricity consumption while reducing dependence on grid electricity supply. The specific target to be achieved in this research is to design an ATS system for the distribution of electric power between grid system and solar power system and find out the cost of savings while maintaining continuity of electricity services, so that electricity consumers can benefit from technical and economic aspects. The method used in this study is an experimental method that is designing an electrical power supply ATS system to get the results of a good design and as planned. The equipment used is solar panels, relays, timers, inverters, household electrical loads, contactors, electrical measuring devices, temperature gauges and light intensity, battery systems and control panels. The results showed that the automatic transfer switch must attention to the design of an accurate and meticulous to avoid damage to the inverter. So that continuity of service of electric power is maintained. Electric power service using a solar cell system with 2 units of 100 Ah batteries and 6 units of 100 Wp solar panels can serve household electrical loads for 1 day of battery charging and discharging, 1 day of battery charging and 1 day of battery discharging with average electric energy generated at 1485 W-hours. Costs can be saved in 1 month if the price of electricity is Rp. 1352/Kwh, is Rp. 20,104.-/month with an investment cost of Rp. 27,956,000.
Integer Programming Model for Solving Delay Problem in Air Traffic Management System
Authors: Panggabean Ellis Mardiana , Mawengkang Herman , Zarlis M. , Efendi Syahril
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, due to the rapid growth of air traffic and airspace congestion flight delays are becoming serious problems. This situation happens due to the demand capacity imbalances in air traffic management system. The deterioration of the expected service and operational costs would be the direct impact of this problem. Network-wide air traffic flow management can be regarded as an effective way to ease demand-capacity imbalances globally and would be able to reduce airspace congestion and flight delays. This paper proposes an integer programming model to solve the problem. The objective function consists of minimizing operational costs and risk costs.
Minimizing Air Pollutant Emissions from Industrial Stack Using Coconut Shell of Charcoal Absorber
Authors: Ruhiat Yayat , Fatah Abdul , Fahrizal Rian
Published: October 2020

The effort to minimize the concentration of pollutants emitted from the industry continues through a modification of the stack. Stack modifications to reduce the pollution emitted including ECO-SO2and electrical coagulation. However, both modifications have weaknesses, namely: ECO-SO2is only able to absorption SO2pollutants, while electrical coagulation requires a large enough electrical potential. Based on the weaknesses above, the researchers develop modifying stack with coconut shell charcoal as an absorber. At the bottom of the stack is installed sand that function to absorb pollutants that fall, while at the top of the stack is put up coconut shell charcoal to absorb pollutants that will come out of the stack. The research shows that with the same fuel capacity and stack height result the decreased emission concentration. The first absorption (sand absorber) is reduced 20% while the second absorption (coconut shell) reduced to 60%. The small percentage decreases in the first absorption, because at that stage the temperature is still high. To maintain the quality of coconut shell charcoal as pollutants absorber, it is too carried out by a condensation system.
Developing Reduced Gradient Approach for Solving Multi-Stage Stochastic Nonlinear Programs
Authors: Suparni  , Mawengkang Herman , Sitompul Opim Salim , Suwilo Saib
Published: October 2020

An increasing number of practical scenarios continue to experience problems associated with multistage stochastic programming. This study proposes a decomposition method through which they can be a successful solution to multi-stage stochastic nonlinear programs. The proposed method entails the scenario analysis method. The proposed method also performs its role via search direction generation in such a way that sets of quadratic programming sub-issues are solved in a parallel way, especially when the size is significant lower, compared to the case involving original problems at the respective iterations. Relative to the dual multiplier derivation, which focuses on non-anticipativity constraints, the proposed system advocates for the introduction of generalized reduced gradient approaches.
A Research on Strength Characteristics of Compact Tension Specimens with Heterogeneous Composite Materials Bonded by Adhesives
Authors: Lee Jung-Ho , Lee Jeong-Ick , Cho Jae-Ung
Published: October 2020

With CT specimen models of CFRP with cracks and adhesive interfaces, this study aims at investigating the strength characteristics of heterogeneous composite materials bonded by adhesives through the analyses. Even minor cracks or defects that may occur inside a composite material in the manufacturing process can result in the stress concentration, and this will lead to the material breakage. So, we designed CT specimen models with CFRP alone and CFRP with stainless steel or aluminum by using their material properties of CFRP, stainless steel, and aluminum. The simulation analyses were carried out and their strength characteristics were investigated. It is necessary to prepare a way to relieve stress concentration at the stage of design under the assumption those cracks actually occur at manufacturing process. By combining CFRP with stainless steel or aluminum, both of which have good ductility, we found that the deformation and deformation energy increased and the maximum equivalent stress decreased. It is thought that this material can lower the risk of material breakage by changing some of the impact energy which may damage CFRP, into the deformation energy. This deformation energy brings about the good ductility by utilizing stainless steel and aluminum under the situations where the sudden tension and impact loads are expected or applied. The results revealed that when CFRP was combined with the heterogeneous metal, it was possible for CFRP to be used where otherwise it could not be used alone and provided CFRP with better material property and more diverse process-ability So, this composite material can be prevented from breakage in the process of manufacturing and increase the safe use. As CFRP with the rigidity better than metals can be applied to composites, the composites with CFRP can be improved to have better material property and more diverse process-ability
Ensuring of Fire Safety in the Buildings of Pig Breeding Farm for 6330 Breeding Sows
Authors: Saveliev A. P. , Shkrabak V. S. , Glotov S. V. , Chugunov M. N. , Enaleeva S. A.
Published: October 2020

The article is devoted to the study of the fire-fighting condition of the pig breeding farm for 6330 breeding sows, with a rational choice of measures to ensure fire safety. The conducted research has established that the object of research meets the requirements of fire safety. Calculations for fire risk assessment have been carried out by comparing the calculated values of fire risk with the normative value. Individual fire risk for employees of the considered object of protection is 5,69-10-7year1(0,569 · 10-6per year), i.e., it does not exceed the normative value established by the Federal Law from the 22nd of July 2008 No. 123-FL “Technical regulations on fire safety requirements” [2]. With the introduction of the fire risk assessment system at the legislative level, property owners have the opportunity not to increase the cost of fire safety while ensuring the required level of safety of people.
Doping Dependent Electro-Thermal Analysis of 4H-SiC Power MOSFET
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Thi , Min Seong-Ji , Koo Sang-Mo
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a comparison of device behaviors of 4H-SiC DMOSFET (DMOS), trench MOS-FETs without (T-MOS) and with a p-shield (TP-MOS). The influence of doping density on device temperature distribution is investigated using the electro-thermal analysis method. It is established that the formation of a hot-spot (the highest temperature) is formed at the junction between the p-base and the n-drift region next to the corner of the trench gate. This hot spot temperature increases with rising doping density of the n-drift region. Additionally on-resistance (Ron) of the three examined structures increase when temperatures rise from 300 K to 523 K. At 300 K, the on-resistance of the TP-MOS was 2.7 mil cm232.5% lower than that of T-MOS while 67.47% lower than that of DMOS. When the temperature rises to 523 K, TP-MOS structure, with an on-resistance of 5.26 mil cm2is obtained, which is lower by 34.25% and 73.7% with comparison to those of T-MOS and DMOS, respectively.
An Efficient Bi-Gaussian Ensemble Kalman Filter for Satellite Infrared Radiance Data Assimilation
Authors: Chan Man-Yau , Anderson Jeffrey L. , Chen Xingchao
Published: October 2020

The introduction of infrared water vapor channel radiance ensemble data assimilation (DA) has improved numerical weather forecasting at operational centers. Further improvements might be possible through extending ensemble data assimilation methods to better assimilate infrared satellite radiances. Here, we will illustrate that ensemble statistics under clear-sky conditions are different from cloudy conditions. This difference suggests that extending the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) to handle bi-Gaussian prior distributions may yield better results than the standard EnKF. In this study, we propose a computationally efficient bi-Gaussian ensemble Kalman filter (BGEnKF) to handle bi-Gaussian prior distributions. As a proof-of-concept, we used the 40-variable Lorenz 1996 model as a proxy to examine the impacts of assimilating infrared radiances with the BGEnKF and EnKF. A nonlinear observation operator that constructs radiance-like bimodal ensemble statistics was used to generate and assimilate pseudoradiances. Inflation was required for both methods to effectively assimilate pseudoradiances. In both 800- and 20-member experiments, the BGEnKF generally outperformed the EnKF. The relative performance of the BGEnKF with respect to the EnKF improved when the observation spacing and time between DA cycles (cycling interval) are increased from small values. The relative performance then degraded when observation spacing and cycling interval become sufficiently large. The BGEnKF generated less noise than the EnKF, suggesting that the BGEnKF produces more balanced analysis states than the EnKF. This proof-of-concept study motivates future investigation into using the BGEnKF to assimilate infrared observations into high-order numerical weather models.
Adapting Personal Therapies Using a Mobile Application for Tinnitus Rehabilitation: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Abouzari Mehdi , Goshtasbi Khodayar , Sarna Brooke , Ghavami Yaser , Parker Erica M. , Khosravi Pooya , Mostaghni Navid , Jamshidi Shahrnaz , Saber Tina , Djalilian Hamid R.
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

To develop a smartphone application providing sound therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating tinnitus and performing a proof-of-concept pilot study evaluating its potential efficacy.

Methods:

An interactive smartphone application available on iOS and Android platforms was developed, which provided an 8-week tinnitus-specific CBT and personalized and frequency-matched sound therapy. Included patients presented to our tertiary clinic between 2017 and 2018, while those waitlisted were regarded as controls. Three surveys were administrated: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

Results:

A total of 30 patients enrolled in this study consisting of 20 treatment and 10 control patients and mean age was 55.4 ± 11.6 years. Treatment and control patients had similar age, sex, and pre-enrolment GAD and PSS (all P > .05). Baseline THI scores were also similar between treatment and control cohorts (50.1 ± 21.9 vs 62.0 ± 20.7; P = .15). After 8 weeks, though changes in GAD and PSS scores were similar ( P > .05), the treatment group reported a significantly greater improvement in THI scores (17.7 ± 15.8 vs 5.3 ± 10.5, P = .04).

Conclusions:

This pilot study demonstrated potentially promising efficacy of a smartphone-based CBT and sound therapy platform for treating tinnitus and encourages future randomized controlled trials on this treatment modality.
A Non-inferiority Trial: Safety and Efficacy of Topical 1:1000 versus 1:10 000 Epinephrine in Sino-nasal Surgeries
Authors: Dow Cassie L. , Sideris Anders W. , Singh Ravjit , Giles Mitchell H. , Banks Catherine , Meller Catherine , Choroomi Sim , Havas Thomas E.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

This study aimed to test the non-inferiority of topical 1:1000 epinephrine compared to topical 1:10 000 with regard to intraoperative hemodynamic stability, and to determine whether it produced superior visibility conditions.

Methods:

A single-blinded, prospective, cross-over non-inferiority trial was performed. Topical 1:1000 or topical 1:10 000 was placed in 1 nasal passage. Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and mean arterial pressure) were measured prior to insertion then every minute for 10 minutes. This was repeated in the contralateral nasal passage of the same patient with the alternate concentration. The surgeon graded the visualization of each passage using the Boezaart Scale. The medians of the greatest absolute change in parameters were compared using a Wilcoxon Rank-Signed test and confidence intervals were calculated using a Hodges-Lehman test. The non-inferiority margin was pre-determined at 10 bpm for heart rate and 10 mmHg for blood pressures. A Wilcoxon Rank-Signed test was used to assess superiority in visualization.

Results:

Thirty-two patients were enrolled and after exclusions, nineteen were assessed (mean age = 35.63 ± 12.49). Differences in means of greatest absolute change between the 2 concentrations were calculated (heart rate = 2.49 ± 1.20; systolic = −1.51 ± 2.16; diastolic = 2.47 ± 1.47; mean arterial pressure = 0.07 ± 1.83). In analyses of medians, 1:1000 was non-inferior to the 1:10 000. There was a significant difference (–0.58 ± 0.84; P = .012) in visualization in favor of topical 1:1000.

Conclusion:

Topical 1:1000 epinephrine provides no worse intraoperative hemodynamic stability compared to topical 1:10 000 but affords superior visualization and should be used to optimize surgical conditions.
Trace Elemental Analysis of Bulk Thorium Using an Automated Separation–Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy Methodology
Authors: Manard Benjamin T. , Metzger Shalina C. , Wysor Sarah K. , Bradley Veronica C. , Roach Benjamin D. , Zirakparvar N.Alex , Rogers Kayron T. , Bostick Debra A. , Ticknor Brian W. , Hexel Cole R.
Published: October 2020

Presented here is a novel automated method for determining the trace element composition of bulk thorium by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). ICP-OES is a universal approach for measuring the trace elemental impurities present in actinide-rich materials; however, due to the emission rich spectrum of the actinide, a separation from the trace elements is warranted for spectrochemical analysis. Here, AG MP-1 ion exchange resin was utilized for retention of the Th matrix, while allowing the trace element impurities to be separated prior to subsequent analysis using ICP-OES. After demonstrating the separation on traditional gravity-driven columns, the methodology was transitioned to an automated platform for comparison. This automated platform utilizes syringe-driven sample and solvent flow and can collect the trace element and thorium fractions in separate locations. While reducing the sample size (500 µL, 1.5 mg of Th), maintaining the overall separation efficiency (recoveries >95%), and illustrating the sample throughput ability (n = 10+), this automated methodology could be readily adopted to nuclear facilities in which the determination of trace elemental impurities in Th samples is warranted.
A Novel Calibration Method for the Quantification of Respirable Particles in Mining Scenarios Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Stach Robert , Barone Teresa , Cauda Emanuele , Mizaikoff Boris
Published: October 2020

The exposure of mining workers to crystalline particles, e.g., alpha quartz in respirable dust, is a ubiquitous global problem in occupational safety and health at surface and underground operations. The challenge of rapid in-field monitoring for direct assessment and adoption of intervention has not been solved satisfactorily to date, as conventional analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy require laboratory environments, complex system handling, tedious sample preparation, and are limited by, e.g., addressable particle size. A novel monitoring approach was developed for potential in-field application enabling the quantification of crystalline particles in the respirable regime based on transmission infrared spectroscopy. This on-site approach analyzes samples of dust in ambient air collected onto PVC filters using respirable dust sampling devices. In the present study, we demonstrate that portable Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis provides a versatile tool for the identification and quantification of minerals in complex real-world matrices. Without further sample preparation, the loaded filters are immediately analyzed via transmission infrared spectroscopy, and the mineral amount is quantified in real-time using a partial least squares regression algorithm. Due to the inherent molecular selectivity for crystalline as well as organic matrix components, infrared spectroscopy uniquely allows to precisely determine the particle composition even in complex samples such as dust from coal mines or clay-rich environments. For establishing a robust partial least squares regression model, a method was developed for generating calibration samples representative in size and composition for respirable mine dust via aerodynamic size separation. Combined with experimental design strategies, this allows tailoring the calibration set to the demands of air quality management in underground mining scenarios, i.e., the respirable particle size regime and the matrix of the target analyte.
Derivation and Demonstration of a New Metric for Multitasking Performance
Authors: Fox Elizabeth L. , Houpt Joseph W. , Tsang Pamela S.
Published: October 2020

Objective

We proposed and demonstrate a theory-driven, quantitative, individual-level estimate of the degree to which cognitive processes are degraded or enhanced when multiple tasks are simultaneously completed.

Background

To evaluate multitasking, we used a performance-based cognitive model to predict efficient performance. The model controls for single-task performance at the individual level and does not depend on parametric assumptions, such as normality, which do not apply to many performance evaluations.

Methods

Twenty participants attempted to maintain their isolated task performance in combination for three dual-task and one triple-task scenarios. We utilized a computational model of multiple resource theory to form hypotheses for how performance in each environment would compare, relative to the other multitask contexts. We assessed if and to what extent multitask performance diverged from the model of efficient multitasking in each combination of tasks across multiple sessions.

Results

Across the two sessions, we found variable individual task performances but consistent patterns of multitask efficiency such that deficits were evident in all task combinations. All participants exhibited decrements in performing the triple-task condition.

Conclusions

We demonstrate a modeling framework that characterizes multitasking efficiency with a single score. Because it controls for single-task differences and makes no parametric assumptions, the measure enables researchers and system designers to directly compare efficiency across various individuals and complex situations.

Application

Multitask efficiency scores offer practical implications for the design of adaptive automation and training regimes. Furthermore, a system may be tailored for individuals or suggest task combinations that support productivity and minimize performance costs.
The Histopathology of Oral Cancer Pain in a Mouse Model and a Human Cohort
Authors: Naik K. , Janal M.N. , Chen J. , Bandary D. , Brar B. , Zhang S. , Dolan J.C. , Schmidt B.L. , Albertson D.G. , Bhattacharya A.
Published: October 2020

Oral cancer patients often have severe, chronic, and mechanically induced pain at the site of the primary cancer. Oral cancer pain is initiated and maintained in the cancer microenvironment and attributed to release of mediators that sensitize primary sensory nerves. This study was designed to investigate the histopathology associated with painful oral cancers in a preclinical model. The relationship of pain scores with pathologic variables was also investigated in a cohort of 72 oral cancer patients. Wild-type mice were exposed to the carcinogen, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO). Nociceptive (pain) behavior was measured with the dolognawmeter, an operant device and assay for measuring functional and mechanical allodynia. Lesions developed on the tongues and esophagi of the 4NQO-treated animals and included hyperkeratoses, papillomas, dysplasias, and cancers. Papillomas included lesions with benign and dysplastic pathological features. Two histologic subtypes of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) were identified—SCCs with exophytic and invasive components associated with papillary lesions (pSCCs) and invasive SCCs without exophytic histology (iSCCs). Only the pSCC subtype of tongue cancer was associated with nociceptive behavior. Increased tumor size was associated with greater nociceptive behavior in the mouse model and more pain experienced by oral cancer patients. In addition, depth of invasion was associated with patient-reported pain. The pSCC histology identifies 4NQO-induced tongue cancers that are expected to be enriched for expression and release of nociceptive mediators.
In Vivo Ca2+ Imaging of the Insular Cortex during Experimental Tooth Movement
Authors: Horinuki E. , O’Hashi K. , Kobayashi M.
Published: October 2020

Pain and discomfort are common problems for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. We have demonstrated that cortical excitation propagation in the somatosensory and insular cortices (IC) induced by electrical stimulation of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is facilitated 1 d after experimental tooth movement (ETM). However, it is necessary to examine ETM-induced changes in neural responses at a single-cell level to understand the mechanisms of cortical plastic changes, in which excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic neurons are intermingled to form cortical local circuits. We performed in vivo 2-photon Ca2+ imaging by loading the Ca2+ indicator Oregon Green BAPTA with the astrocyte marker sulforhodamine. We focused on the IC region that exhibited the largest neural response to maxillary PDL (mxPDL) stimulation using a VGAT-Venus transgenic rat that expresses venus fluorescent protein in GABAergic neurons and discerned changes in the neural activities of each cortical neuronal subtype before and during ETM treatment of the maxillary incisor and first molar. Notably, 1 d after ETM treatment (1d-ETM), the number of neurons responding to mxPDL stimulation increased from 47.6% to 64.2% in excitatory neurons and from 44.5% to 66.2% in inhibitory neurons. On the other hand, only 3% to 4% of excitatory and inhibitory neurons responded to mandibular molar PDL (mbPDL) stimulation in control rats, and the 1d-ETM group showed significant increases in excitatory (14.0%) and inhibitory neurons (22.5%) responding to mbPDL stimulation. Interestingly, most mbPDL-responding neurons also responded to mxPDL stimulation. The population of excitatory and inhibitory neurons that responded only to mxPDL stimulation was comparable between the control and 1d-ETM groups. The facilitative responses in the 1d-ETM group had almost recovered 7 d after ETM treatment. These results suggest that ETM induces parallel increases in PDL-responding neurons and changes some insensitive neurons to respond to both mxPDL and mbPDL stimulation.
A Reconceptualization of Suicide and Social Workers’ Duty to Report
Authors: Kumbhare Shaila
Published: October 2020

This paper examines how history and psychiatry have shaped social work approaches to suicide prevention. Current social work intervention strategies rely on the following four positivist assumptions: (1) suicide is the result of mental illness, (2) suicidal individuals are irrational, (3) social workers have more knowledge about suicide than their clients, and (4) that preserving life is the least harmful outcome. Analysis reveals that these assumptions hold little validity and cannot be generalised to all cases. Discussion encourages intervention strategies that are informed by the experiences of attempt survivors and a broader sociopolitical context. Social workers are encouraged to use methods that are not only life-preserving, but life affirming. Finally, community specific initiatives to increase resources and decrease isolation and marginalization are posited as potential ways to reduce suicide ideation.
Modeling and analysis of business process reengineering strategies for improving emergency department efficiency
Authors: Srinivas Sharan , Nazareth Roland Paul , Shoriat Ullah Md
Published: October 2020

Emergency departments (ED) in the USA treat 136.9 million cases annually and account for nearly half of all medical care delivered. Due to high demand and limited resource (such as doctors and beds) availability, the median waiting time for ED patients is around 90 minutes. This research is motivated by a real-life case study of an ED located in central Missouri, USA, which faces the problem of congestion and improper workload distribution (e.g., overburdened ED doctors). The objective of this paper is to minimize patient waiting time and efficiently allocate workload among resources in an economical manner. The systematic framework of Business Process Reengineering (BPR), along with discrete-event simulation modeling approach, is employed to analyze current operations and potential improvement strategies. Alternative scenarios pertaining to process change, workforce planning, and capacity expansion are proposed. Besides process performance measures (waiting time and resource utilization), other criteria, such as responsiveness, cost of adoption, and associated risk, are also considered for evaluating an alternative. The experimental analysis indicates that a change in the triage process (evenly distributing medium-acuity patients among doctors and mid-level providers) is economical, easy to implement, reduces physician workload, and improves average waiting time by 20%, thereby making it attractive for short-term adoption. On the other hand, optimizing the workforce level based on historical demand patterns while adopting a triage process change delivers the best performance (84% reduction in waiting time and balanced resource utilization), and is recommended as a long-term solution.
Subjective practices of war: The Prussian army and the Zorndorf campaign, 1758
Authors: Storring Adam L.
Published: October 2020

This article integrates the history of military theory – and the practical history of military campaigns and battles – within the broader history of knowledge. Challenging ideas that the new natural philosophy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (the so-called Scientific Revolution) fostered attempts to make warfare mathematically calculated, it builds on work showing that seventeenth- and eighteenth-century natural philosophy was itself much more subjective than previously thought. It uses the figure of King Frederick II of Prussia (reigned 1740–1786) to link theoretical with practical military knowledge, placing the military treatises read and written by the king alongside the practical example of the Prussian army’s campaign against the Russians in summer 1758 at the height of the Seven Years War (1756–1763), which culminated in the battle of Zorndorf. This article shows that both the theory and practice of war – like other branches of knowledge in the long eighteenth century – were fundamentally shaped by the contemporary search for intellectual order. The inability to achieve this in practice led to a reliance on subjective judgment and individual, local knowledge. Whereas historians have noted attempts in the eighteenth century to calculate probabilities mathematically, this article shows that war continued to be conceived as the domain of fortune, subject to incalculable chance. Answering Steven Shapin’s call to define concretely “the subjective element in knowledge-making,” the examples of Frederick and his subordinate, Lieutenant General Count Christoph zu Dohna, reveal sharply different contemporary ideas about how to respond to uncertainty in war. Whereas Dohna sought to be ready for chance events and react to them, Frederick actively embraced uncertainty and risk-taking, making chance both a rhetorical argument and a positive choice guiding strategy and tactics.
The White Racial Frame in Sport Media: Framing of Donald Trump and LaVar Ball’s Public Feud Following the UCLA Basketball Player Arrests in China
Authors: Turcott Ryan , Boykoff Jules
Published: October 2020

This article utilizes the “white racial frame” to analyze the sport media coverage of the public feud between U.S. President Donald Trump and basketball celebrity entrepreneur, LaVar Ball. The feud originated in November 2017, when LaVar’s son—University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) player LiAngelo Ball—was detained in Hangzhou, China, for shoplifting along with two of his UCLA teammates. After some tense moments, the three players were released and flown back to the United States. The U.S. President Donald Trump took credit, leading to a prolonged, prickly exchange with LaVar Ball. This article analyzes six major U.S. newspapers and six sports-specific outlets that covered the Trump–Ball feud. First, we identify the predominant frames that appeared in coverage. Second, we track whose views were included in the news and how sourcing inflected the appearance of particular frames. The incident highlights how racialized language—if coded and dog whistled—enters public discussion through the lens of sport. It also highlights the role of social media, especially Twitter, in influencing news production.
How Does News Affect Stock Return Volatility in a Frontier Market?
Authors: Emenike Kalu O. , Enock Omweno N.
Published: October 2020

Many empirical studies have analysed the effect of good news and bad news on equity market return volatility using both developed and emerging markets data, with scant literature for frontier stock markets. This study evaluates how news affects stock market return volatility in a frontier market using Uganda data. It specifically analyses the reaction of stock return volatility to news filtering into a frontier market using the exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model on daily data ranging from 1 September 2011 to 31 December 2017. Estimates of the shape parameter from generalized error distribution indicate the existence of leptokurtic return distribution. Results from the exponential GARCH model show that the effect of bad news and good news on the frontier market return volatility differs, thus suggesting existence of leverage effect in the period studied. Overall results from the study suggest that positive news impacts stock market returns volatility more than negative news of the same magnitude. An important implication of our results is that investors, analysts, brokers and dealers should be conscious of the nature of news filtering into the stock market as such information might improve their expected volatility forecast.
Disagreement in perceptions of stepfamily communication and functioning: Implications for mental health
Authors: Schrodt Paul
Published: October 2020

This study tested the degree to which disagreement in perceptions of stepfamily communication and functioning is associated with the mental health of family members. Participants included 119 stepfamily triads from two different regions of the United States. Results indicate that stepfamily dissension and avoidance are inversely associated with the mental health of family members, whereas stepfamily involvement, flexibility, and expressiveness are positively associated with mental health. Disagreement in family members’ perceptions of stepfamily dissension is negatively associated with the mental health of both adults, whereas disagreement in perceptions of stepfamily involvement is inversely associated with the mental health of stepchildren. The results extend efforts to identify communication behaviors that differentiate strong stepfamilies from those struggling with the developmental process.
Identifying user-centered content, design, and features for mobile health apps to support long-term assessment, behavioral intervention, and transitions of care in neurological rehabilitation: An exploratory study
Authors: Osborne Candice L , Juengst Shannon B , Smith Emily E
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The use of mobile health technology has the potential to increase healthcare accessibility, promote self-management, provide education materials, and support self-monitoring of biometrics. This may be of particular benefit to those living in the community with chronic neurological conditions. The purpose of this research was to characterize perspectives of individuals with brain injury or stroke, their care partners, and neuro-rehabilitation clinicians to inform the design of mobile health app-based interventions that address the need for ongoing community-based health-related professional support.

Methods

Individuals with stroke or traumatic brain injury, their care partners, and clinicians were recruited from a large university hospital with a specialized neuro-rehabilitation program. Data were collected via semi-structured focus groups and were examined using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Results

Five consistent themes emerged: (a) all-in-one app with customized features; (b) communication with healthcare providers; (c) cognitive strategies; (d) app accessibility; and (e) user education. The clinician focus group reiterated these consumer focus group themes, with one additional theme: (f) logistics of clinician time and effort to provide effective app-based services to patients.

Conclusions

Results have directly informed the ongoing development of a community-based mobile health app intervention, and may also inform the content and design of future mHealth technological development in this population.
Evaluation of different Jaipur foot–ankle assemblies using infrared thermography
Authors: Olaya Mira Natali , Viloria Barragán Carolina , Plata Jesus Alberto
Published: October 2020

Background:

Mechanical behavior is difficult to monitor in experimental environments, usually because of geometric or technology implementation limitations. Nevertheless, thermography has been shown to overcome these issues.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate four types of assemblies between a Jaipur foot and a polyethylene tube using infrared thermography in order to find the best mechanical configuration in terms of thermal behavior.

Study Design:

Mechanical testing.

Technique:

An infrared camera captured short videos every 5 min over 10 h in six different positions (three in the back and three in front of the Jaipur foot) around a prosthesis subjected to repetitive stresses (axial force 980 N) simulating kinematic variables like joint angles. We established a region of interest around the foot–ankle assemblies and calculated maximum temperatures and thermographic indices.

Results:

In this study, the best foot–ankle assembly used epoxy adhesive because it presented the lowest temperature in the six positions and the lowest thermal index.

Conclusions:

Thermographic techniques can be used to study mechanical behaviors in complex experimental situations.
Teaching Geometry to Students With Learning Disabilities: Introduction to the Special Series
Authors: Zhang Dake
Published: October 2020

This article introduces and contextualizes the four articles that constitute the thematic special series on geometry instruction for students with learning disabilities or difficulties. The four articles, each emphasizing one important aspect of geometry learning and instruction for students with learning difficulties or disabilities, are aimed to answer critical questions raised by special education/math education researchers and practitioners on how to teach geometry to students with learning disabilities or difficulties.