bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a Comprehensive Road Safety Index: A Revisit of the SUNflowerNext Study
Authors: Shen Yongjun
Published: June 2018

Given that more and more indicators are used to describe the complex character of the road safety phenomenon, the development of a road safety index is increasingly recognized as a useful tool to reduce the size of the topic without dropping underlying information and to perform meaningful comparison and monitoring of overall road safety performance. In this respect, a scientifically sound methodology for index construction is crucial. In the SUNflowerNext study, a comprehensive road safety index that aggregated 21 sub-indicators belonging to four different types of road safety indicators was created for a set of European countries. As a revisit of this study, this paper focuses on two methodological challenges when developing such an index. One is to reflect the hierarchical structure of the indicators, and the other is to distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data. To this end, a mathematical programming model based on the data envelopment analysis approach is proposed. By solving a constrained optimization problem, the concept of layered hierarchy is embodied in the model and the presence of both quantitative and qualitative data is properly integrated. Based on the country-specific models, the optimal road safety index score is computed for each country, and a more acceptable country ranking is obtained compared with the one from the SUNflowerNext study. In addition, by deducing the weights allocated in each layer of the hierarchy for each country separately, valuable information on prioritizing policy action per country is derived.
Analyzing the Injury Severity Sustained by Non-Motorists at Mid-Blocks considering Non-Motorists’ Pre-Crash Behavior
Authors: Dong Bowen , Ma Xiaoxiang , Chen Feng
Published: June 2018

Non-motorized travel is considered as one of the most beneficial transportation modes. Compared with other road users, non-motorists as a whole account for about 13% of all fatal transportation-related accidents, and from 2002 to 2009 nearly 30% of those fatalities occur at mid-blocks. In addition, there are few reported studies that investigated the impact of non-motorists’ pre-crash behavior on injury severities. To examine the risk factors of non-motorist injury severity at mid-blocks, 8-year crash-related data from the General Estimates System were explored, based on the mixed logit model. The data contain various information including time characteristics, crash features, environmental conditions, roadway attributes, non-motorists’ characteristics, and their pre-crash behaviors. The results show that five factors tend to have mixed effects on injury severities, including the speed limit between 30 and 55 mph, night time indicator, right-side collision, and hit-and-run action on the incapacitating injury, as well as no action of motorists on the non-incapacitating injury. Moreover, heavy and light truck, dark not lighted indicator, and age over 65 are found to increase the likelihood of fatal injury, while age below 25 decreases the likelihood of fatality. Other indicators including roadway alignment, number of lanes, and so forth also affected injury severity. After controlling for these factors, non-motorists’ pre-crash behaviors such as darting or running into the road, activities in the roadway, and improper passing are found to have a significant impact on severity outcomes.
How Does Exposure to Violence Affect School Delay and Academic Motivation for Adolescents Living in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Communities in South Africa?
Authors: Herrero Romero Rocio , Hall James , Cluver Lucie , Meinck Franziska , Hinde Eleanor
Published: June 2018

To date, little is known about the effects of violence on the educational outcomes of adolescents in disadvantaged communities in South Africa. In response, self-report data were collected from a socioeconomically disadvantaged sample of 503 adolescents aged 10 to 18 participating in a child abuse prevention trial in the Eastern Cape. Adolescents were purposively selected in the trial. This study applies Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to examine relationships between past-month exposure to violence, school delay, and academic motivation. About 93.8% of adolescents in the sample experienced poly-violence—exposure to at least two forms of violence in the past month. Results identified two distinct profiles in the socioeconomically disadvantaged sample: Profile 1, adolescents exposed to more frequent poly-violence, and Profile 2, adolescents exposed to less frequent poly-violence. Being exposed to more frequent poly-violence was associated with greater risk of school delay—based on age-appropriate grade in South Africa. However, being exposed to more frequent poly-violence was not associated with lower academic motivation—adolescents showed high rates of wanting to achieve. Our findings suggest that exposure to more frequent poly-violence increases risk of school delay among adolescents from disadvantaged communities, while not affecting their academic motivation. Thus, although adolescents maintained aspirations and goals to do well at school, exposure to high frequency of violence affected their capacity to fulfill these aims.
A Case of Linezolid Induced Toxicity
Authors: Tobias Philip E. , Varughese Christy A. , Hanson Amy P. , Gurnani Payal K.
Published: June 2018

Adverse effects of linezolid are typically limited to diarrhea, nausea, and headache when shorter durations are used; however, as extended durations of linezolid therapy are increasingly more common, additional monitoring parameters should be considered in these patients. We describe a unique case of hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and pancreatitis related to an extended duration of linezolid therapy. A 52-year-old woman presented with altered mental status, abdominal pain, and hypotension following six weeks of linezolid and ertapenem therapy. Laboratory data revealed an initial blood glucose of 40 mg/dL and metabolic acidosis secondary to lactic acidosis. Finally, her abdominal pain on admission was likely related to an enlarged pancreas noted on computed tomography of her abdomen. Due to suspected linezolid toxicity, the patient received two intermittent hemodialysis sessions to remove linezolid and correct the metabolic acidosis. Given limited data on long-term monitoring of patients receiving extended durations of linezolid therapy, we suggest periodic monitoring of lactate, arterial blood gas, and blood glucose. If patients present with this triad of symptoms secondary to linezolid therapy, adverse effects should be treated with dextrose and intravenous thiamine while reserving hemodialysis for those with metabolic acidosis refractory to thiamine.
Numerical investigation of front-wall inclination effects on the hydrodynamic performance of a fixed oscillation water column wave energy converter
Authors: Anbarsooz M , Rashki H , Ghasemi A
Published: June 2018

One of the main geometrical parameters of the fixed oscillating water column wave energy converters is the inclination angle of front wall. In this study, the effects of this parameter on the hydrodynamic performance of an oscillating water column is investigated using a fully nonlinear two-dimensional numerical wave tank, which is developed using the Ansys Fluent 15.0 commercial software. The accuracy of the developed wave tank is first examined by simulating an oscillating water column, having a front wall normal to the water-free surface, subjected to linear, small amplitude incident waves. The resultant absorption efficiencies are compared with available analytical data in the literature, where a good agreement was observed. Next, the simulations are performed for strongly nonlinear waves, up to the wave steepness of 0.069 ( H/L = 0.069), where H is the wave height and L is the wave length. Results show that the absorption efficiency of the oscillating water column decreases considerably as the wave height increases. Moreover, the maximum wave energy absorption efficiency for the highly nonlinear waves occurs at a pneumatic damping coefficient lower than that of the linear theory. Then, the absorption efficiency of the oscillating water column is determined for eight various front wall configurations at various incident wave periods. Results show that, the front walls that are slightly bent towards the inner region of the oscillating water column chamber are more efficient at some wave periods in comparison with the cases studied in this paper.
Improved Healing after the Co-Transplantation of HO-1 and BDNF Overexpressed Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Subacute Spinal Cord Injury of Dogs
Authors: Khan Imdad Ullah , Yoon Yongseok , Kim Ahyoung , Jo Kwang Rae , Choi Kyeung Uk , Jung Taeseong , Kim Namyul , Son YeonSung , Kim Wan Hee , Kweon Oh-Kyeong
Published: June 2018

Abundant expression of proinflammatory cytokines after a spinal cord injury (SCI) creates an inhibitory microenvironment for neuroregeneration. The mesenchymal stem cells help to mitigate the inflammation and improve neural growth and survival. For this purpose, we potentiated the function of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) by transfecting them with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), through a lentivirus, to produce BDNF overexpressed Ad-MSCs (BDNF-MSCs), and HO-1 overexpressed Ad-MSCs (HO-1-MSCs). Sixteen SCI beagle dogs were randomly assigned into four treatment groups. We injected both HO-1 and BDNF-overexpressed MSCs as a combination group, to selectively control inflammation and induce neuroregeneration in SCI dogs, and compared this with BDNF-MSCs, HO-1-MSCs, and GFP-MSCs injected dogs. The groups were compared in terms of improvement in canine Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (cBBB) score during 8 weeks of experimentation. After 8 weeks, spinal cords were harvested and subjected to western blot analysis, immunofluorescent staining, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The combination group showed a significant improvement in hindlimb functions, with a higher BBB score, and a robust increase in neuroregeneration, depicted by a higher expression of Tuj-1, NF-M, and GAP-43 due to a decreased expression of the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and an increased expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) ( P ≤ 0.05). H&E staining showed more reduced intraparenchymal fibrosis in the combination group than in other groups ( P ≤ 0.05). It was thus suggested that the cotransplantation of HO-1 and BDNF-MSCs is more effective in promoting the healing of SCI. HO-1-MSCs reduce inflammation, which favors BDNF-induced neuroregeneration in SCI of dogs.
Does Ownership Structure Influence Bank Performance?: Evidence from an Emerging Economy
Authors: Mishra Brijesh K , Ramana L. V.
Published: June 2018

Banks’ ownership and their performance form two important dimensions of the entire gamut of banking function. This article strives to establish a link between the two by studying commercial banks in India. Conducting a panel data analysis of 89 commercial banks over the period from 2008–2009 to 2012–2013, one could observe that ownership indeed mattered when net interest margin (NIM) or per-employee profitability was considered, but when return on assets (ROA) was considered, there was not much of a difference among banks when differentiated on ownership basis.
Integral multiple models online identifier applied to ionic polymer–metal composite actuator
Authors: Bernat Jakub , Kolota Jakub
Published: June 2018

Ionic polymer–metal composites are classified as a smart materials group, whose properties can be designed depending on the needs that arise. Ionic polymer–metal composites belong to the class of wet electroactive polymers. They are promising candidates actuator for various potential applications mainly due to their flexible, low voltage requirements, compact design, and lack of moving parts. However, being a widely used material in industry, ionic polymer–metal composite requires complex control methods due to its strongly nonlinear nature. An important prerequisite for an intelligent controller is the ability to adapt rapidly to any unknown operating environment. This article presents a novel approach to tuning multiple models of an online identifier by integral mapping. Through the extension of the estimation law of additional mapping between parameters and measurable signals, we significantly improve transient responses without increasing feedback gain. The authors measured the moisture content of ionic polymer–metal composite and consider in the experiment relationship between drying and varying of curvature output. The effectiveness of the proposed multiple models adaptive control strategy was verified in various experiments. The results of the study illustrated in the experiments show that adding new mapping improves not only the transients of controlled plant, but also increases the performance indexes of adaptive system.
Magnetorheological damper with external excitation for more efficient control of vehicles’ dynamics
Authors: Sassi Sadok , Sassi Abdelmonaam , Cherif Khaled , Tarlochan Faris
Published: June 2018

This article presents a new concept design for magnetorheological dampers, where the excitation circuit and magnetic field are applied from outside the magnetorheological chamber. This magnetorheological damper was designed and built to decrease the intrusive manufacturing operations and to maximize the working efficiency. The experimental tests made on the first prototype featuring this new technology was promising. The excitation of a set of 12 coils surrounding the body of the damper, by an electric current of 5 A, managed to increase the damping coefficient by up to 75%. A similar performance could be obtained by a current 9.4 times lower if the magnetic circuit is designed correctly. Compared to other devices, the actual design tolerates more the temperature elevation caused by the feeding of coils with high-intensity current, just because the heat is radiated outwards instead of being transferred directly to the magnetorheological fluid like in conventional designs. Finally, the numerical simulations made on Matlab show that the new magnetorheological damper, when mounted on a commercial vehicle, can considerably enhance its dynamic behavior and bring it back quickly to its stable position when the tires hit a bump on the road.
Stories They Tell
Authors: Martin Sarah E. , Rawlins Jacob D.
Published: June 2018

This study investigates the themes that drive persuasive recruiting appeals, or stories, designed to attract new, entrepreneurial workers in the direct selling industry. It offers a rhetorical perspective informed by fantasy theme analysis on the themes present in the recruiting content on the corporate Web sites of three direct selling companies (Mary Kay, Stella & Dot, and Scentsy). The analysis indicates that rhetorical agency is a core theme in the persuasive recruiting stories for these companies. Offering a means for business and technical communication scholars to explore agency or other persuasive story themes in context, this study addresses how a rhetorical perspective is useful to assess recruiting appeals in shifting, entrepreneurial work contexts.
Renal and Cardiac Implications of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors: The State of the Science
Authors: Cruz Joseph E. , Ahuja Tania , Bridgeman Mary Barna
Published: June 2018

Objective: To review the role of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), including the effects on renal and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE databases (1964 through May 2018) was conducted utilizing key words sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and diabetes; additional limits for drug names were added. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Available English-language data from reviews, abstracts, presentations, and clinical trials of use of SGLT2 therapy specifically detailing outcomes on CV and renal disease in humans were reviewed. Data Synthesis: This review will explore the role of the SGLT2 inhibitors on CV and renal outcomes in patients with T2DM. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: A paradigm shift regarding the regulation of medications for the treatment of T2DM has resulted in the need for CV outcomes data as part of the drug approval process. Reduction of major CV events and progression of nephropathy in patients with T2DM represent major outcomes of clinical significance. Few medications have been able to establish a reduction in these end points; data for the use of SGLT2 inhibitors are favorable in this regard. Conclusion: The SGLT2 inhibitors represents a class of medications that reduce glucose levels via a novel and complementary mechanism. Emerging evidence suggests a plausible explanation for the observed reduction in adverse renal and CV outcomes in recent clinical trials. Questions remain whether these agents reduce renal disease risk greater than achievement of the same glycemic goals as other antidiabetics and whether CV and renal benefits are reproducible in high-risk patients with chronic kidney disease.
Operative Outcomes of Grade 3 Turf Toe Injuries in Competitive Football Players
Authors: Smith Kenneth , Waldrop Norman
Published: June 2018

Background:

Turf toe is a term used to describe a hyperextension injury to the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Although the vast majority of turf toe injuries can be treated successfully without operative intervention, there are instances where surgery is required to allow the athlete to return to play. Although there is a plethora of literature on turf toe injuries and nonoperative management, there are currently few reports on operative outcomes in athletes.

Methods:

We obtained all cases of turf toe repair according to the ICD-10 procedural code. The inclusion criteria included: age greater than 16, turf toe injury requiring operative management and at least a varsity level high school football player. The charts were reviewed for age, BMI, level of competition, injury mechanism, football position, setting of injury and playing surface. In addition, we recorded the specifics of the operative procedure, a listing of all injured structures, the implants used and the great toe range of motion at final follow-up visit. The AOFAS Hallux score and VAS was used postoperatively as our outcome measures. Our patient population included 15 patients. The average follow-up time was 27.5 months.

Results:

The average patient was 19.3 years old with a body mass index of 32.3. The average playing time missed was 16.5 weeks. The average dorsiflexion range of motion at the final follow-up was 42.3 degrees. At final follow-up, the average AOFAS Hallux score was 91.3. The average VAS pain score was 0.7 at rest and 0.8 with physical activity.

Conclusion:

Complete turf toe injuries are often debilitating and may require operative management to restore a pain-free, stable, and functional forefoot. This study represents the largest cohort of operatively treated grade 3 turf toe injuries in the literature and demonstrates that good clinical outcomes were achieved with operative repair.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series
Is Small Still Beautiful for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire? Novel Findings Using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Garrido Luis Eduardo , Barrada Juan Ramón , Aguasvivas José Armando , Martínez-Molina Agustín , Arias Víctor B. , Golino Hudson F. , Legaz Eva , Ferrís Gloria , Rojo-Moreno Luis
Published: June 2018

During the present decade a large body of research has employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the factor structure of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) across multiple languages and cultures. However, because CFA can produce strongly biased estimations when the population cross-loadings differ meaningfully from zero, it may not be the most appropriate framework to model the SDQ responses. With this in mind, the current study sought to assess the factorial structure of the SDQ using the more flexible exploratory structural equation modeling approach. Using a large-scale Spanish sample composed of 67,253 youths aged between 10 and 18 years ( M = 14.16, SD = 1.07), the results showed that CFA provided a severely biased and overly optimistic assessment of the underlying structure of the SDQ. In contrast, exploratory structural equation modeling revealed a generally weak factorial structure, including questionable indicators with large cross-loadings, multiple error correlations, and significant wording variance. A subsequent Monte Carlo study showed that sample sizes greater than 4,000 would be needed to adequately recover the SDQ loading structure. The findings from this study prevent recommending the SDQ as a screening tool and suggest caution when interpreting previous results in the literature based on CFA modeling.
Love waves in compressible elastic materials with a homogeneous initial stress
Authors: Ejaz K , Shams M
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the motion of Love waves is considered in hyperelastic materials with an initially stressed reference configuration. Here, the Love wave is directed by a compressible layer on a compressible half-space and both are considered to be initially stressed. For the basic formulation of the problem, we make use of the nonlinear theory of elasticity and invariants of the stress tensor and deformation tensor. The equations governing a finite deformation superimposed by infinitesimal motions are used to the study the composite effect of finite deformation and initial stress on wave speed. Graphical illustrations are presented for theoretical results for a prototype model of material and also compared with the results already obtained for incompressible materials.
Protein structural development of threadfin bream (Nemipterus spp.) surimi gels induced by glucose oxidase
Authors: Wang Lei , Fan Daming , Fu Lulu , Jiao Xidong , Huang Jianlian , Zhao Jianxin , Yan Bowen , Zhou Wenguo , Zhang Wenhai , Ye Weijian , Zhang Hao
Published: June 2018

This study investigated the effect of glucose oxidase on the gel properties of threadfin bream surimi. The gel strength of surimi increased with the addition of 0.5‰ glucose oxidase after two-step heating. Based on the results of the chemical interactions, the hydrophobic interaction and disulfide bond of glucose oxidase-treated surimi samples increased compared with the control samples at the gelation temperature and gel modori temperature. The surface hydrophobicity of samples with glucose oxidase and glucose increased significantly ( p < 0.05) and total sulfhydryl groups decreased significantly ( p < 0.05). The analysis of Raman spectroscopy shows that the addition of glucose oxidase induced more α-helixes to turn into a more elongated random and flocculent structure. Glucose oxidase changes the secondary structure of the surimi protein, making more proteins depolarize and stretch and causing actomyosin to accumulate to each other, resulting in the formation of surimi gel.
Social Hierarchy Representation in the Primate Amygdala Reflects the Emotional Ambiguity of Our Social Interactions
Authors: Munuera Jérôme
Published: June 2018

Group living can help individuals defend against predators and acquire nutrition. However, conflicts between group members can arise (food sharing, mating, etc), requiring individuals to know the social status of each member to promote survival. In our recent paper, we sought to understand how the brain represents the social status of monkeys living in the same colony. Primates learn the social status of their peers through experience, including observation and direct interactions, just like they learn the rewarding or aversive nature of stimuli that predict different types of reinforcement. Group members may thereby be viewed as differing in value. We found in the amygdala, a brain area specialized for emotion, a neural representation of social hierarchy embedded in the same neuronal ensemble engaged in the assignment of motivational significance to previously neutral stimuli. Interestingly, we found 2 subpopulations of amygdala neurons encoding the social status of individuals in an opposite manner. In response to a stimulus, one population encodes similarly appetitive nonsocial images and dominant monkeys as well as aversive nonsocial stimuli and submissive monkeys. The other population encodes the opposite pattern later in time. This mechanism could reflect the emotional ambiguity we face in social situations as each interaction is potentially positive (eg, food access, protection, promotion) or negative (eg, aggression, bullying).
Focal and diffuse cervical spinal cord damage in patients with early relapsing–remitting MS: A multicentre magnetisation transfer ratio study
Authors: Combès Benoît , Kerbrat Anne , Ferré Jean Christophe , Callot Virginie , Maranzano Josefina , Badji Atef , Le Page Emmanuelle , Labauge Pierre , Ayrignac Xavier , Carra Dallière Clarisse , de Champfleur Nicolas Menjot , Pelletier Jean , Maarouf Adil , de Seze Jérôme , Collongues Nicolas , Brassat David , Durand-Dubief Françoise , Barillot Christian , Bannier Elise , Edan Gilles
Published: June 2018

Background:

Studies including patients with well-established multiple sclerosis (MS) have shown a significant and disability-related reduction in the cervical spinal cord (SC) magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR).

Objectives:

The objectives are to (1) assess whether MTR reduction is already measurable in the SC of patients with early relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and (2) describe its spatial distribution.

Methods:

We included 60 patients with RRMS <12  months and 34 age-matched controls at five centres. Axial T2*w, sagittal T2w, sagittal phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR), 3DT1w, and axial magnetisation transfer (MT) images were acquired from C1 to C7. Lesions were manually labelled and mean MTR values computed both for the whole SC and for normal-appearing SC in different regions of interest.

Results:

Mean whole SC MTR was significantly lower in patients than controls (33.7 vs 34.9  pu, p  =  0.00005), even after excluding lesions (33.9  pu, p  =  0.0003). We observed a greater mean reduction in MTR for vertebral levels displaying the highest lesion loads (C2–C4). In the axial plane, we observed a greater mean MTR reduction at the SC periphery and barycentre.

Conclusion:

Cervical SC tissue damage measured using MTR is not restricted to macroscopic lesions in patients with early RRMS and is not homogeneously distributed.
Predicting risk of secondary progression in multiple sclerosis: A nomogram
Authors: Manouchehrinia Ali , Zhu Feng , Piani-Meier Daniela , Lange Markus , Silva Diego G , Carruthers Robert , Glaser Anna , Kingwell Elaine , Tremlett Helen , Hillert Jan
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

We aimed at designing a nomogram, a prediction tool, to predict the individual’s risk of conversion to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) at the time of multiple sclerosis (MS) onset.

Methods:

One derivation and three validation cohorts were established. The derivation cohort included 8825 relapsing-onset MS patients in Sweden. A nomogram was built based on a survival model with the best statistical fit and prediction accuracy. The nomogram was validated using data from 3967 patients in the British Columbia cohort, 176 patients in the ACROSS and 2355 patients in FREEDOMS/FREEDOMS II extension studies.

Results:

Sex, calendar year of birth, first-recorded Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, age at the first EDSS and age at disease onset showed significant predictive ability to estimate the risk of SPMS conversion at 10, 15 and 20 years. The nomogram reached 84% (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 83–85) internal and 77% (95% CI: 76–78), 77% (95% CI: 70–85) and 87% (95% CI: 84–89) external accuracy.

Conclusions:

The SPMS nomogram represents a much-needed complementary tool designed to assist in decision-making and patient counselling in the early phase of MS. The SPMS nomogram may improve outcomes by prompting timely and more efficacious treatment for those with a worse prognosis.
Evaluation amidst complexity: Eight evaluation questions to explain how complex adaptive systems affect program impact
Authors: Larson Ann
Published: June 2018

International development assistance is increasingly being seen as operating within complex adaptive systems. Evaluators have been developing new methods and approaches that are compatible with the dynamic and unpredictable realities of complex adaptive systems, which are composed of many separate but interacting agents and groups. However, these new methods are not easily implemented in a conventional commissioned end-of-program evaluation. This article builds on what is known about how complex adaptive systems’ properties affect program performance to propose eight evaluation questions. The findings from the questions will reveal if implementers were aware of and responded effectively to complex adaptive systems’ properties. The eight questions can be incorporated within a conventional evaluation to create a plausible narrative for program impact and inform the design and implementation of other programs.
Building Information Model–based finite element analysis of high-rise building community subjected to extreme earthquakes
Authors: Ren Xiaodan , Fan Weida , Li Jie , Chen Jun
Published: June 2018

Starting from the Building Information Model, a pre-processing procedure is proposed in this work to develop the refined finite element model of buildings and building community. The structural members which are represented by three-dimensional solid entities in Building Information Model are converted to lines and planes according to their geometric characteristics. To meet the requirements of finite element analysis of building structures, the lines are discretized by the beam elements and the surfaces are discretized by the shell elements. The damage plasticity model is implemented to simulate the damage and failure of concrete, and the classic plasticity model is chosen for steel. The simulations of high-rise building and building community are performed with the help of large computing server. The damage patterns of different building structures are obtained and discussed. This study lays a solid foundation for the further fusion between Building Information Model and finite element analysis.
Risk factors for the development of micro-vascular complications of type 2 diabetes in a single-centre cohort of patients
Authors: Teliti Marsida , Cogni Giulia , Sacchi Lucia , Dagliati Arianna , Marini Simone , Tibollo Valentina , De Cata Pasquale , Bellazzi Riccardo , Chiovato Luca
Published: June 2018

Aims:

In type 2 diabetes, we aimed at clarifying the role of glycated haemoglobin variability and other risk factors in the development of the main micro-vascular complications: peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy.

Methods:

In a single-centre cohort of 900 patients, glycated haemoglobin variability was evaluated as intra-individual standard deviation, adjusted standard deviation and coefficient of variation of serially measured glycated haemoglobin in the 2-year period before a randomly selected index visit. We devised four models considering different aspects of glycated haemoglobin evolution. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed including the following covariates at the index visit: age, disease duration, body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, sex, smoking habit, hypertension, dyslipidemia, treatment with anti-diabetic drugs, occurrence of macro-vascular events and the presence of another micro-vascular complication.

Results:

Males with high mean glycated haemoglobin, long duration of diabetes, presence of macro-vascular events and retinopathy emerged at higher risk for peripheral neuropathy. Development of nephropathy was independently associated with higher glycated haemoglobin variability, older age, male sex, current smoking status, presence of retinopathy, of peripheral neuropathy and of hypertension. Higher mean glycated haemoglobin, younger age, longer duration of diabetes, reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate and the presence of peripheral neuropathy were significantly associated with increased incidence of retinopathy.

Conclusion:

Glycated haemoglobin variability was associated with increased incidence of nephropathy, while mean glycated haemoglobin emerged as independent risk factor for the development of retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. The presence of macro-vascular events was positively correlated with peripheral neuropathy. Finally, the occurrence of another micro-vascular complication was found to be a stronger risk factor for developing another micro-vascular complication than the mean or variability of glycated haemoglobin.
Anatomic Feasibility of Percutaneous Cholecystoenteric Fistula Creation and Stent Insertion in Acute Cholecystitis
Authors: Zener Rebecca , Swanström Lee L. , Shlomovitz Eran
Published: June 2018

Objective. To assess the prevalence of patients whose anatomy would be potentially amenable to percutaneous cholecystoenteric lumen-apposing metallic stents (LAMS) insertion from a population of acute cholecystitis patients. Methods. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography images in 100 consecutive adult patients with acute cholecystitis were reviewed retrospectively. Feasibility of LAMS placement percutaneously or with endoscopic ultrasound guidance was defined as the presence of a straight and unobstructed trajectory from the skin to the gallbladder, and between the gallbladder and the gastric antrum, or the proximal duodenum, measuring ≤2 cm, respectively. Results. The gallbladder was within 2 cm of the gastric antrum or proximal duodenum without intervening structures in 95 of 100 patients (95%). Percutaneous LAMS appeared anatomically feasible in 90 of 100 patients (90%). Mean ± SD shortest inner-inner wall distance between the gallbladder and the adjacent proximal gastrointestinal tract was 1.20 ± 0.43 cm. The closest location for percutaneous LAMS was between the gallbladder and duodenum in 87 of the feasible cases (97%). The percutaneous approach was transhepatic in 89.5%, and extrahepatic in 10.5%. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided LAMS appeared feasible in 95 of 100 patients, including 5 of the 10 percutaneously unfeasible cases. The other 5 patients appeared unfeasible due to colonic interposition or other intervening structures. Conclusions. LAMS appeared anatomically feasible percutaneously in 90% of acute cholecystitis patients. The shortest and most direct path for percutaneous LAMS was transhepatic and cholecystoduodenal. Percutaneously placed LAMS may be an attractive alternative to percutaneous cholecystostomy.
The role of ship inspections in maritime accidents: An analysis of risk using the bow-tie approach
Authors: Sotiralis Panagiotis , Louzis Konstantinos , Ventikos Nikolaos P
Published: June 2018

Ships are subject to inspections from different maritime stakeholders, such as port states, classification societies, shipowners, managers and operators. Each one implements their own inspection content depending on their role in the construction and operation phase of the vessel life cycle. Because few studies have investigated the influence of ship inspections on accidents, it is uncertain to which extent the current inspection regimes are contributing to reducing accidents. In addition, maritime risk analysis has, so far, not considered thoroughly the role of the inspection process in accident development. As a result, an improved understanding of the influence inspection methods would facilitate the implementation of effective measures for reducing accident probabilities or consequences. The approach used in this article involves identifying the underlying causes and the resulting consequences of accidents that may be associated with inspection issues and combining this knowledge in bow-tie representations. The developed bow-tie diagrams provide useful insights into the role of insufficient inspection practices in the development of maritime accidents and the severity of the resulting consequences. Furthermore, the developed diagrams may be used for investigating the risk from inspection issues by producing generic accident scenarios with every possible combination of the different parameters that describe all the possible pathways, from causes to consequences. Although this is a qualitative approach, it provides valuable insights into safety concerns that result from inspection practices and may also be used as a basis for further quantitative risk analysis.
MRI features as a helpful tool to predict the molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma: state of the art
Authors: Colafati Giovanna Stefania , Voicu Ioan Paul , Carducci Chiara , Miele Evelina , Carai Andrea , Di Loreto Simona , Marrazzo Antonio , Cacchione Antonella , Cecinati Valerio , Tornesello Assunta , Mastronuzzi Angela
Published: June 2018

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Medulloblastoma should not be viewed as a single disease, but as a heterogeneous mixture of various subgroups with distinct characteristics. Based on genomic profiles, four distinct molecular subgroups are identified: Wingless (WNT), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), Group 3 and Group 4. Each of these subgroups are associated with specific genetic aberrations, typical age of onset as well as survival prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed for all patients with brain tumors, and has a key role in the diagnosis, surgical guidance and follow up of patients with medulloblastoma. Several studies indicate MRI as a promising tool for early detection of medulloblastoma subgroups. The early identification of the subgroup can influence the extent of surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy targeted treatments. In this article, we review the state of the art in MRI-facilitated medulloblastoma subgrouping, with a summary of the main MRI features in medulloblastoma and a brief discussion on molecular characterization of medulloblastoma subgroups. The main focus of the article is MRI features that correlate with medulloblastoma subtypes, as well as features suggestive of molecular subgroups. Finally, we briefly discuss the latest trends in MRI studies and latest developments in molecular characterization.
Systemic analysis of medication administration omission errors in a tertiary-care hospital in Quebec
Authors: Poder Thomas G , Maltais Serge
Published: June 2018

Objective:

Medication administration omission errors (MAOEs) occur frequently in hospitals and can significantly affect patient health. An interdisciplinary committee was formed in summer 2012 to analyse incident/accident reports (AH-223-1 forms) of MAOEs for the 2011–2012 fiscal year in order to identify contributing factors and to propose preventive solutions. Special attention was paid to events with consequences for patients.

Method:

An aggregate data analysis involving four major steps was conducted: sampling, categorisation, identification of contributing factors, and seeking preventive solutions. One hundred omissions were randomly selected from the 889 reported for this period. All omissions categorised as having had consequences for patients were then added, making a final total of 145 omissions. The omissions were categorised using an Ishikawa diagram developed from an exploratory literature review and process mapping. Subsequent to failure modes, effects and criticality analysis, cause-and-effect diagrams were constructed with the main prioritised categories to differentiate the proximal causes from the root causes. Brainstorming was used to develop solutions, which were then prioritised with an impact/effort matrix.

Results:

This study identified 27 categories of MAOEs, of which the 7 most frequent and the most critical accounted for 79.3% of the reports. The event categories, in decreasing order of importance, were related to intravenous (IV) therapy (29.0%), failure in using the medication administration record (MAR; 23.4%), failure in creating/updating the MAR (10.3%), medications on the patient’s bedside (7.6%), and three types of MAOEs related to transcribing prescriptions (9.0%).

Conclusion:

The interdisciplinary committee formulated 10 main recommendations related to these 7 categories, including 3 for IV therapy and 4 for failure in using or creating/updating the MAR.
Responsiveness of Nasal Provocation Testing—But Not Skin Test and Specific Immunoglobulin E Blood Level—Correlates With Severity of Allergic Rhinitis in Dermatophagoides Species-Sensitized Patients
Authors: Wanjun Wang , Qiurong Hu , Yanqing Xie , Mo Xian , Nili Wei , Jing Li
Published: June 2018

Background

The results of skin and blood allergen testing are not consistently relevant to clinical manifestations in allergic patients.

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between severity of allergic rhinitis and different allergen diagnostic tests in Dermatophagoides species-sensitized patients.

Methods

Study subjects included 65 rhinitis patients—50 with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) sensitization (DP+) and 15 without DP sensitization (DP−), and 15 DP+ and 37 DP− healthy controls (HCs) confirmed by allergen skin prick (SPT) and blood specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) tests. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) was tested. All subjects underwent DP nasal provocation test (DP-NPT). Visual analogue scoring (VAS) of nasal symptoms and nasal airway resistance (NAR) were measured before and after NPT. Correlations between the 3 allergen tests and score of RQLQ were performed.

Results

All rhinitis subjects had significantly higher VAS and NAR after DP-NPT than HCs ( P < .01). All DP+ rhinitis, 40% of DP− rhinitis subjects, 13.3% of DP+ HCs and 0% of DP− HCs had positive DP-NPT. Dose of positive DP-NPT positively correlated with SPT diameter and sIgE level in all tested subjects ( P < .001). Score of RQLQ positively correlated with dose of DP-NPT ( P < .001), but not with SPT diameter and sIgE level in rhinitis patients.

Conclusion

Although DP nasal provocation, skin prick wheal size and blood sIgE level correlate with each other, only nasal provocation testing is associated with severity of nasal symptoms. It is suggested that NPT should be performed to verify a clinically relevant allergy.
Effects of an intensive long-term prevention programme after myocardial infarction – a randomized trial
Authors: Wienbergen Harm , Fach Andreas , Meyer Sven , Meyer Jochen , Stehmeier Janina , Backhaus Tina , Michel Stephan , Krämer Kirsten , Osteresch Rico , Schmucker Johannes , Haase Henning , Härle Tobias , Elsässer Albrecht , Hambrecht Rainer
Published: June 2018

Background

Long-term risk factor control after myocardial infarction (MI) is currently inadequate and there is an unmet need for effective secondary prevention programmes.

Design and methods

It was the aim of the study to compare a 12-month intensive prevention programme (IPP), coordinated by prevention assistants and including education sessions, telephone visits and telemetric risk factor control, with usual care after MI. Three hundred and ten patients were randomized to IPP vs. usual care one month after hospital discharge for MI in two German heart centres. Primary study endpoint was the IPP Prevention Score (0–15 points) quantifying global risk factor control.

Results

Global risk factor control was strongly improved directly after MI before the beginning of the randomized study (30% increase IPP Prevention Score). During the 12-month course of the randomized trial the IPP Prevention Score was improved by a further 14.3% in the IPP group ( p < 0.001), while it decreased by 11.8% in the usual care group ( p < 0.001). IPP significantly reduced smoking, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and physical inactivity compared with usual care ( p < 0.05). Step counters with online documentation were used by the majority of patients (80%). Quality of life was significantly improved by IPP ( p < 0.05). The composite endpoint of adverse clinical events was slightly lower in the IPP group during 12 months (13.8% vs. 18.9%, p = 0.25).

Conclusions

A novel intensive prevention programme after MI, coordinated by prevention assistants and using personal teachings and telemetric strategies for 12 months, was significantly superior to usual care in providing sustainable risk factor control and better quality of life.
Community Heritage Resources and Crisis Management in Rural Nigeria
Authors: Nwankwo Elochukwu A. , Agboeze Matthias U. , Nwobi Anthonia U.
Published: June 2018

This study investigates the role of community heritage resources in crisis management in rural Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design and ethnographic method were adopted for the study. Although Yaro Yemen formula was used in downsizing the sample size for the quantitative survey to 399, cluster and purposive sampling techniques were used in downsizing the sample size for interview sections to 50 informants. This size was sampled from five states (Enugu, Borno, Akwa-Ibom, Plateau, and Ondo states) in Nigeria. Data from questionnaires were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, and the hypotheses were tested using the t test. More so, qualitative data were analyzed descriptively. Results from the six indices that were investigated revealed that heritage resources contribute significantly to crisis management in rural Nigeria.
The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Attentional Control During Off-Season Among Football Players
Authors: Baltar Yago Carioca , Filgueiras Alberto
Published: June 2018

Mindfulness can be defined as the process of maintaining attention in the present, without judgment or expectations. Recent advances in sports sciences suggest that mindfulness meditation may have a positive effect on performance. The present article hypothesized that those improvements are associated with increasing levels of attentional control. Altogether, participants of the study are 40 elite football players who were followed longitudinally for 4 months during off-season control, and experimental groups were paired based on field position. Mindfulness skills and attentional control were measured. Results showed that participants from the experimental group kept the same levels of mindfulness skills and attentional control throughout the whole period of intervention, whereas the control group presented decrease after the third month in both psychological variables. The results lead to the conclusion that mindfulness meditation does not improve attentional control or mindfulness skills; however, it prevents those variables to show decrease among elite football players.
Benford’s Law and Stock Market—The Implications for Investors: The Evidence from India Nifty Fifty
Authors: Jayasree M. , Jyothi C. S. Pavana , Ramya P.
Published: June 2018

Benford’s law which is also known as first digit law states that data follow a certain frequency. This law was applied to accounting by Nigrini (2012, Benford’s Law: Applications for forensic accounting, auditing, and fraud detection [Vol. 586], John Wiley & Sons) and later on, an exhaustive study was carried out by Amiram, Bozanic, and Rouen (2015, Review of Accounting Studies, 20(4), 1540–1593) to explore the applicability of the law to detect accounting frauds which was proven to be working. The literature has substantial evidence on relationship between accounting numbers and stock returns. The application of Benford’s law to stock trade and returns was explored and it was found that stock trade that included volume, number of trades, and turnover confirmed the distribution but stock returns did not conform the distribution (Jayasree, 2017, Jindal Journal of Business Research, 6(2), 172–186). In this context, the present study attempts to understand its implications to investors by examining the three-day moving average of stock prices and volatility volume by using Chainkin money flow during announcement and post-announcement period of observation. The study also examines whether stocks conforming the distribution and stocks not conforming the distribution are significantly different in buying and selling.