bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A taxonomy of impacts on clinical and translational research from community stakeholder engagement
Authors: Stallings Sarah C. , Boyer Alaina P. , Joosten Yvonne A. , Novak Laurie L. , Richmond Al , Vaughn Yolanda C. , Wilkins Consuelo H.
Published: July 2019

Background

Community engagement is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool in clinical and translational research; however, the impact of engagement is not fully understood. No standard nomenclature yet exists to clearly define how research changes when community stakeholders are engaged across the research spectrum. This severely limits our ability to assess the value of community engagement in research. To address this gap, we developed a taxonomy for characterizing and classifying changes in research due to community engagement.

Methods

Using an iterative process, we (a) identified areas of potential impact associated with community engagement from author experience, (b) categorized these in taxonomic bins based on research stages, (c) conducted semi‐structured interviews with researchers and community stakeholders, (d) validated the codebook in a sample dataset and (e) refined the taxonomy based on the validation. Community stakeholders were involved in every step of the process including as members of the primary study team.

Results

The final taxonomy catalogues changes into eleven domains corresponding to research phases. Each domain includes 2‐4 dimensions depicting concepts within the domain's scope and, within each dimension, 2‐10 elements labelling activities through which community engagement could change research.

Conclusions

Community engagement has great potential to enhance clinical and translational research. This taxonomy provides a common vocabulary and framework for understanding the impact of community engagement and suggests metrics for assessing the value of community engagement in research.
Okra mucilage powder: a novel functional ingredient with antioxidant activity and antibacterial mode of action revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Nampuak Chatmanee , Tongkhao Kullanart
Published: July 2019

Okra mucilage powder (OMP) was firstly reported its antibacterial mode of action observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The reconstituted OMP or okra mucilage solution (OMS) with the concentration at 120 mg/mL was analysed for its total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity reported as 11.33 ± 0.265 mg gallic acid/100 mL, 5.06 ± 0.197 mg catechin/100 mL and 176.18 ± 12.180 µmol Trolox equivalent/100 mL, respectively. The OMS exhibited strong antibacterial activities on Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes with more than 3 log reduction from bacterial inoculum. Nonetheless, mode of action of OMS studied via TEM revealed that cells treated with OMS showed broken cell walls, cell membrane separation and intracellular content leakage. SEM photography revealed furrowed bacterial cell wall surface for this OMS‐treated cells when compared with untreated cells. Overall, our data suggested that the reconstituted OMP offered the greatest functional properties as antioxidant properties and antibacterial activities, aiding to its future application as a potential novel functional ingredient with health‐promoting application.
On comparison of luminescence properties of La2Zr2O7 and La2Hf2O7 nanoparticles
Authors: Gupta Santosh K. , Abdou Maya , Ghosh Partha S. , Zuniga Jose P. , Manoharan Ezhilarasan , Kim HyeongJun , Mao Yuanbing
Published: July 2019

Unveiling the underlying mechanisms of properties of functional materials, including the luminescence differences among similar pyrochlores A2B2O7, opens new gateways to select proper hosts for various optoelectronic applications by scientists and engineers. For example, although La2Zr2O7 (LZO) and La2Hf2O7 (LHO) pyrochlores have similar chemical compositional and crystallographic structural features, they demonstrate different luminescence properties both before and after doped with Eu3+ ions. Based on our earlier work, LHO‐based nanophosphors display higher photo‐ and radioluminescence intensity, higher quantum efficiency, and longer excited state lifetime compared to LZO‐based nanophosphors. Moreover, under electronic O2−→Zr4+/Hf4+ transition excitation at 306 nm, undoped LHO nanoparticles (NPs) have only violet blue emission, whereas LZO NPs show violet blue and red emissions. In this study, we have combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) based theoretical calculation to explain the observed results. First, we calculated the density of state (DOS) based on DFT and studied the energetics of ionized oxygen vacancies in the band gaps of LZO and LHO theoretically, which explain their underlying luminescence difference. For Eu3+‐doped NPs, we performed emission intensity and lifetime calculations and found that the LHOE NPs have higher host to dopant energy transfer efficiency than the LZOE NPs (59.3% vs 24.6%), which accounts for the optical performance superiority of the former over the latter. Moreover, by corroborating our experimental data with the DFT calculations, we suggest that the Eu3+ doping states in LHO present at exact energy position (both in majority and minority spin components) where oxygen defect states are located unlike those in LZO. Lastly, both the NPs show negligible photobleaching highlighting their potential for bioimaging applications. This current report provides a deeper understanding of the advantages of LHO over LZO as an advanced host for phosphors, scintillators, and fluoroimmunoassays.
Board directors with foreign experience and stock price crash risk: Evidence from China
Authors: Cao Feng , Sun Jian , Yuan Rongli
Published: July 2019

This study examines the impact of board directors with foreign experience (BDFEs) on stock price crash risk. We find that BDFEs help reduce crash risk. This association is robust to a series of robustness checks, including a firm fixed effects model, controlling for possibly omitted variables, and instrumental variable estimations. Moreover, we find that the negative association between BDFEs and crash risk is more pronounced for firms with more agency problems, weaker corporate governance, and less overall transparency. Our findings suggest that the characteristics of board directors matter in determining stock price crash risk.
Long‐Term Effects of Breast Cancer Surgery, Treatment, and Survivor Care
Authors: Lovelace Dawn L. , McDaniel Linda R. , Golden Dwynn
Published: July 2019

Women are increasingly surviving breast cancer, but up to 90% experience unexpected long‐term sequelae as a result of treatment. Symptoms may include physical, functional, emotional, and psychosocial changes that can dramatically alter the quality of life for breast cancer survivors. Primary care clinicians, including midwives, are likely to care for these women and should be familiar with common symptoms, treatment, and best practices to avoid permanent dysfunction. A holistic approach to assessment, treatment, and referral as needed is the most effective strategy. Although women experience significant changes after breast cancer treatment, many fail to receive thorough assessment of their symptoms, education about interventions, and treatment options to optimize health promoting strategies. Disparities exist in treatment availability, options, and survivorship. Long‐term physical changes include anatomic changes, chronic pain, phantom breast pain, axillary web syndrome, and lymphedema. In addition, women may have decreased strength, aerobic capacity, mobility, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Emotional and psychosocial changes include depression, anxiety, fatigue, concerns about body image, and issues with sexuality. Treatment should be multifactorial based on thorough assessment of symptoms and can include medication, exercise, counseling, physical and occupational therapy, and alternative and complementary therapies. Primary care and gynecologic clinicians are well positioned to provide thorough evaluation, education, treatment, and referral for the most common sequelae of mastectomy and breast cancer treatments.
Exploring the challenges of medical/nursing tasks in home care experienced by caregivers of older adults with dementia: An integrative review
Authors: Lee Mijung , Ryoo Ji Hoon , Campbell Cathy , Hollen Patricia J. , Williams Ishan C.
Published: July 2019

Aims

To examine prevalence, types, challenges and the impact of medical/nursing tasks (MNT) on caregivers of older adults with dementia.

Background

Medical/nursing tasks have been perceived as a professional healthcare role; however, research shows that many caregivers of older adults with dementia perform those tasks in the home, such as giving injections, tube feedings or operation of medical equipment. Little is known about the caregivers’ challenges in engaging in these MNT.

Design

Integrative review.

Methods

Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases were searched to explore MNT among caregivers of older adults with dementia who lived in a community setting. Four quantitative and nine qualitative studies published between 1980–2018 were included. Overall, process of the review was guided by PRISMA.

Results

About 67% of U.S. caregivers of older adults with dementia performed MNT, including managing multiple medications, wound care and nutritional management. Care recipients' cognitive impairment complicated the provision of those tasks due to their limited cognitive functioning, behavioural changes, comorbidities and complex medication regimen. Insufficient information and training from healthcare professionals as well as caregivers’ age and their own health problems made performance of those tasks even more challenging. As a result, caregivers frequently suffered from emotional distress such as worrying, anxiety and sleep disturbance.

Conclusions

Medical/nursing tasks have become one of the daily tasks of caregivers of older adults with dementia within the home. However, the tasks are difficult and complicated, and inadequate support from healthcare professionals may compromise the caregivers’ well‐being.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare professionals should provide education and should be aware of caregivers’ needs related to MNT. Structured‐medical information, skill‐based instructions and hands‐on training may be beneficial to decrease the caregivers’ distress from MNT.
Root resorption in orthodontic treatment with clear aligners: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fang Xuanwei , Qi Rui , Liu Chufeng
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the external root resorption in participants receiving clear aligners and compare it with those treated with fixed appliances. Systematic review with meta‐analysis. Electronic and manual search were performed, and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were used. Data extraction and analysis were conducted by two investigators independently. The original outcome underwent statistical pooling by Review Manager 5. The quality of studies was assessed by ROBINS‐I tool. A total of 11 studies were included for qualitative analysis (six in moderate risk of bias while another five in serious risk of bias), and three of them were statistically pooled in meta‐analysis. The external root resorption in treatment with clear aligners was significantly lower than that with fixed appliances (SMD = −0.65, 95% CI [−0.74, −0.55], P < .01). Subgroup analysis on each quadrant of incisors was consistent with the former result. Current evidences suggest that clear aligners might not avoid root resorption, but the incidence and severity of resorption could both be lower compared with results reported by treatment with fixed appliances.
The asymmetric impact of oil prices on remittances: evidence from India
Authors: Akçay Selçuk , Karasoy Alper
Published: July 2019

Remittances make up a sizeable part of the Indian economy. Using recently advanced non‐linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model (Shin et al, 2014), this study aims to address the asymmetric impact of oil prices on international remittances over the period 1975–2017, in the context of India. The results reveal that: (i) changes in oil prices and remittances are asymmetrically associated in both short and long run; (ii) remittances react differently to changes in oil prices: while positive movements in oil prices lead to an increase in remittances, negative movements lower remittances; (iii) compared to positive oil price shocks, negative shocks have more profound impact on remittances in the long run; (iv) exchange rate has an asymmetric effect on remittances only in the short run; (v) financial development has negative influence on remittance inflows in the long run; and (vi) GDP per capita does not have any significant impact on remittance inflows in the long run, whereas it negatively affects remittances to India in the short run.
Setting definitions of childhood asthma in epidemiologic studies
Authors: Silva Diana , Severo Milton , Paciência Inês , Rufo João , Martins Carla , Moreira Pedro , Padrão Patrícia , Delgado Luís , Moreira André
Published: July 2019

Background

The definitions of childhood asthma differ among epidemiological studies. We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy and agreement of previous asthma definitions and to evaluate questionnaire‐driven asthma definition patterns.

Methods

Data on 808 participants aged 7‐12 years from 20 schools were analyzed. Asthma definitions based on symptoms assessed by questionnaire, parent‐reported medical asthma diagnosis, current use of asthma medication, airway reversibility after bronchodilatation, and increased (≥35 ppb) levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) were compared with a gold standard (medical diagnosis of asthma with asthma symptoms in the past 12 months and/or airway reversibility). Concordance was assessed by Cohen's kappa. Data‐driven analysis was applied to the questionnaire, and six scores were determined “asthma,” “rhinitis,” “cough,” “non‐specific respiratory symptoms,” “treated asthma,” and “uncontrolled asthma.” Tree decisions were built using these scores.

Results

Definitions of asthma based on respiratory symptoms, airway reversibility, and parent‐reported medical diagnosis had a low sensitivity but high specificity. Agreement between reported and objective measures was poor. Parent‐reported medical asthma diagnosis, but not reversibility or eNO, was able to predict questionnaire‐driven symptom patterns. Decision trees indicated that those with recent non‐specific respiratory symptoms had a higher probability of positive bronchodilation.

Conclusion

A standardized operational definition of asthma should include a composite score based on reported asthma medical diagnosis, symptoms, and lung function.
Are We Essentially Animals?
Authors: Lim Joungbin
Published: July 2019

Animalism is the view that we human individuals are animals. And standard animalists claim that if we are animals, we are animals essentially. This is because they believe that if we are animals, we are essentially members of the human kind (e.g., human animal, Homo sapiens), and as a result, we have the criterion of identity by virtue of that kind. The goal of this paper is to reject the claim that our being animals implies our essentially being animals. I begin by reformulating the standard animalist's argument for the claim that we are essentially biological entities of some sort. I then argue that the very same argumentative strategy can be applied against standard animalism. Specifically, the standard animalist's reasoning for the claim that we are contingently psychological beings faces a dilemma that undermines the claim that we are animals essentially. In the remainder of the paper, I reply to various objections to my argument and consider a strategy that animalists can pursue in attempting to block the dilemma.
Methodological reporting behavior, sample sizes, and statistical power in studies of event‐related potentials: Barriers to reproducibility and replicability
Authors: Clayson Peter E. , Carbine Kaylie A. , Baldwin Scott A. , Larson Michael J.
Published: July 2019

Methodological reporting guidelines for studies of ERPs were updated in Psychophysiology in 2014. These guidelines facilitate the communication of key methodological parameters (e.g., preprocessing steps). Failing to report key parameters represents a barrier to replication efforts, and difficulty with replicability increases in the presence of small sample sizes and low statistical power. We assessed whether guidelines are followed and estimated the average sample size and power in recent research. Reporting behavior, sample sizes, and statistical designs were coded for 150 randomly sampled articles from five high‐impact journals that frequently published ERP research from 2011 to 2017. An average of 63% of guidelines were reported, and reporting behavior was similar across journals, suggesting that gaps in reporting is a shortcoming of the field rather than any specific journal. Publication of the guidelines article had no impact on reporting behavior, suggesting that editors and peer reviewers are not enforcing these recommendations. The average sample size per group was 21. Statistical power was conservatively estimated as .72‒.98 for a large effect size, .35‒.73 for a medium effect, and .10‒.18 for a small effect. These findings indicate that failing to report key guidelines is ubiquitous and that ERP studies are primarily powered to detect large effects. Such low power and insufficient following of reporting guidelines represent substantial barriers to replication efforts. The methodological transparency and replicability of studies can be improved by the open sharing of processing code and experimental tasks and by a priori sample size calculations to ensure adequately powered studies.
Barbuda’s community title to land: A furtherance of the Convention on Biological Diversity?
Authors: Phillips Zachary Allen Roy
Published: July 2019

This article discusses Antigua and Barbuda’s international obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), specifically in relation to the community title land tenure system that was in operation on the island of Barbuda until early 2018. It is important to ascertain whether the community title system can be considered protected under Article 8(j) of the CBD, since the community is heavily dependent on the sustainable use and management of natural resources. The community cannot be classified as indigenous and there is a dearth of case law reflecting the protection of ‘local communities’ in international environmental law. Against this background, the article examines whether Barbuda can be considered a ‘local community’; whether the community title can be considered a traditional practice; and whether the practice is relevant for the conservation and use of biodiversity.
Evaluation of stress concentration of U‐shaped notch based on residual magnetic field measurements
Authors: Bao Sheng , Jin Pengfei , Zhao Zhengye , Luo Qiang
Published: July 2019

In this research, the correlation between the stress concentration and the residual magnetic field (RMF) of 30Cr steel was investigated. Tensile tests were carried out to measure the RMF signals on the surface of U‐shaped defect specimens. It was found that the tangential RMF signal at the defect area is correlated to the applied load and the stress concentration factor. A new method based on magnetic field to evaluate the stress concentration degree is proposed. This research provides a potential possibility for quantitative inspection of the stress concentration in ferromagnetic steels using the RMF measurements.
Human Factors Refinement of a Multimodal Laparoscopic Hand Tool
Authors: Garfield M. Robert , Privitera Mary Beth
Published: July 2019

Laparoscopic surgery offers multiple clinical advantages over open surgical procedures. The rise in adoption of laparoscopic surgery brings with it unique human factors challenges for surgeons and device developers. The design of laparoscopic surgical tools requires specialized human factors analysis and ergonomic considerations to overcome these challenges. Often, this necessary ergonomic design refinement is a secondary effort after proof-of-concept engineering prototypes demonstrate technological feasibility.

In this paper, the evaluation and redesign of an engineering proof-of-concept multimodal hand tool, is presented. The baseline design, a three-in-one laparoscopic hand tool for liver resection, merged three distinct devices into one integrated solution for dissection, vessel sealing, and tissue cautery. The work described herein evolves the initial prototype using a multifaceted human factors analysis and design process. This included the use of operating room and laboratory contextual inquiry, simulated use studies, anthropometric underlays, an iterative design process, and expert reviews. The revised design reduced ulnar deviation based on directed hand position via design, provided dual grip options, added over-molded interaction points, incorporated end-effector rotation, and implemented a new handle and controls layout based on anthropometric underlays. The outcome reinforces the notion that human factors and industrial design principles are required elements of a successful user centered design process.
Low Profile Airway Stent
Authors: Piazza Cara , Vang Chi , Lindgren Elizabeth , Wing Miles
Published: July 2019

Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is a condition where the trachealis muscle is too weak to withstand the pressure difference between the outer and inner walls of the trachea. This causes the airway to narrow or collapse. Patients with TBM may have symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and/or difficulty in breathing. There are current treatments available but each one has their own limitations and complications. Such complications of current commercially available airway stents are migration, breakage, and mucus build-up. The team has developed a unique airway stent that potentially has fewer complications called the Low Profile Airway Stent. It is a thin, metal zig-zag shaped wire that will be anchored parallel to the trachealis muscle to prevent trachea narrowing and collapsing. The Low Profile Airway Stent will not fully cover the cilia in the trachea which reduces mucus build-up. The stent will also be anchored to the walls of the trachea which will prevent migration. The team is still in the process of developing an anchoring method and delivery device for the stent.
Direct Illumination of Micro Stent Implants for the Treatment of Glaucoma
Authors: Ueda Jun , Martinez Terese , Katoch Rohan , Takemura Kentaro , Brown Reay H.
Published: July 2019

Treatment of glaucoma involves lowering intraocular pressure, which can be achieved through several methods (e.g. topical medication, oral medication, surgery). This paper studies the use of stent implantations for pressure regulation, and proposes a direct illumination method to facilitate the insertion procedure. A proof-of-concept is demonstrated on a cadaver eye.
Virtual Model for Legg-Clavé-Perthes: Preliminary Work to Develop a Minimally Invasive Preclinical Model
Authors: Juhnke Bethany , Novotny Susan A. , Laine Jennifer C. , Toth Ferenc , Erdman Arthur
Published: July 2019

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a painful pediatric hip condition caused by an idiopathic disruption of blood flow to the femoral head. The bone subsequently becomes necrotic and fragile. This can result in significant femoral head deformity, leading to pain and early degeneration of the hip. Severity of avascular involvement of the femoral head correlates with long-term outcomes, including hip arthritis and replacement. Preclinical models present extreme cases of the disease and do not represent the spectrum of LCPD seen clinically. A virtual model was developed to explore advancing the preclinical model through new methods of visualizing the data. Overall, three opportunities to advance the preclinical model and our understanding of LCPD are presented.
Tuneable Resonance Actuators for Magnetic Resonance Elastography
Authors: Meinhold Waiman , Ozkaya Efe , Ueda Jun , Kurt Mehmet
Published: July 2019

Palpation, or physical manipulation of tissue to assess mechanical properties is one of the most prevalent and valuable clinical evaluations. Because physical interaction is needed, historically palpation has been limited to easily accessible surface level tissues. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) combines non-invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with mechanically induced shear waves, producing the ability to map elasticity of soft tissues in vivo. Actuator design has been a limiting factor in MRE advancements. In this study, a mechanical resonator with adjustable resonant frequency was designed to be used in MRE applications. The designed piezoelectric actuator was fully MRI compatible, and capable of dynamically adjusting its resonant frequency. The purpose was to keep the displacement amplitude sufficiently large over a wide actuation frequency range. The outer stage of the amplifier contained movable side masses for tuning resonance frequency.
The Use of 3D Printing in the Surgical Planning of Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement in Pediatric Patients With Non-Compaction
Authors: Bateman Michael G. , Iles Tinen L. , Jang Subin , Iaizzo Paul A. , Griselli Massimo
Published: July 2019

The use of computational modeling and 3D printing to assist in the procedural planning process for the correction of complex congenital heart malformations is becoming the standard of care. However, the use of this technology in planning the placement of ventricular support devices in pediatric patients with non-compaction has been significantly less common. We present the use of a series of models to help guide the sizing and positioning of both the inflow and outflow cannulae in a patient with left ventricular failure as an example of how these technologies can help improve patient outcomes and reduce procedural times.
New species and records of oribatid mites of the genus Protoribates (Acari, Oribatida, Haplozetidae) from Indonesia
Authors: Ermilov Sergey G. , Sandmann Dorothee , Scheu Stefan
Published: July 2019

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Protoribates (Oribatida, Haplozetidae) are described from litter and soil in Indonesia. Protoribates prolamellatus sp. nov. differs from Protoribates lemensis Ermilov & Tolstikov, 2015 by smaller body size, and the presence of monodactylous legs and short notogastral setae. Protoribates heinrichi sp. nov. differs from all species of Protoribates by the presence of thick rostral and lamellar setae directed anteromedial and porose areas A3 located close to each other in the posterior part of the notogaster. Three other known species of Protoribates, P. bisculpturatus (Mahunka, 1988), P. cattienensis Ermilov & Anichkin, 2011 and P. paracapucinus (Mahunka, 1988), are recorded in Indonesia for the first time.
High-breakdown-voltage AlGaN-channel metal-insulator-semiconductor heterostructure field-effect transistors employing a quaternary AlGaInN barrier layer and an Al2O3 gate insulator
Authors: Hosomi Daiki , Furuoka Keita , Chen Heng , Saito Saki , Kubo Toshiharu , Egawa Takashi , Miyoshi Makoto
Published: July 2019

In this study, Al2O3-gate-insulated metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs) were fabricated using an Al0.61Ga0.37In0.02N/Al0.18Ga0.82N two-dimensional-electron-gas heterostructure, and their electrical properties were characterized. It was confirmed that the thermally stable quaternary AlGaInN barrier layer contributed to a good ohmic contact resistance of 10.5 Ω mm. This value seemed to be considerably small as an AlGaN-channel heterostructure. The fabricated MIS-HFETs showed good pinch-off characteristics and exhibited a maximum drain current (IDSmax) of approximately 180 mA/mm at the gate bias of +2 V. A high off-state breakdown voltage of 2.5 kV was obtained for the device with a gate-to-drain length of 20 μm.
Quantum interference enables constant-time quantum information processing
Authors: Stobińska M. , Buraczewski A. , Moore M. , Clements W. R. , Renema J. J. , Nam S. W. , Gerrits T. , Lita A. , Kolthammer W. S. , Eckstein A. , Walmsley I. A.
Published: July 2019

We found that quantum interference allows processing large sets of data faster and more accurately than computer algorithms.
Giant gate-tunable bandgap renormalization and excitonic effects in a 2D semiconductor
Authors: Qiu Zhizhan , Trushin Maxim , Fang Hanyan , Verzhbitskiy Ivan , Gao Shiyuan , Laksono Evan , Yang Ming , Lyu Pin , Li Jing , Su Jie , Telychko Mykola , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Wu Jishan , Neto A. H. Castro , Yang Li , Eda Goki , Adam Shaffique , Lu Jiong
Published: July 2019

Remote control of excitons in a two-dimensional semiconductor is achieved by tuning electron density in adjacent graphene.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as a photocatalyst
Authors: Kim Jinhyun , Lee Sahng Ha , Tieves Florian , Paul Caroline E. , Hollmann Frank , Park Chan Beum
Published: July 2019

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide functions as a molecular photocatalyst, distinct from its pivotal roles in biological processes.
Decreased
In Vitro
Artemisinin Sensitivity of
Plasmodium falciparum
across India
Authors: Chakrabarti Rimi , White John , Babar Prasad H. , Kumar Shiva , Mudeppa Devaraja Gouda , Mascarenhas Anjali , Pereira Ligia , Dash Rashmi , Maki Jennifer N. , Sharma Ambika , Gogoi Kabita , Sarma Devojit K. , Pal Bhowmick Ipsita , Manoharan Suresh Kumar , Gomes Edwin , Mahanta Jagadish , Mohapatra Pradyumna Kishore , Chery Laura , Rathod Pradipsinh K.
Published: July 2019

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been used to treat uncomplicated
Plasmodium falciparum
infections in India since 2004. Since 2008, a decrease in artemisinin effectiveness has been seen throughout the Greater Mekong Subregion. The geographic proximity and ecological similarities of northeastern India to Southeast Asia may differentially affect the long-term management and sustainability of ACT in India.
Effect of First-Line Antituberculosis Therapy on Nevirapine Pharmacokinetics in Children Younger than Three Years Old
Authors: Enimil Anthony , Antwi Sampson , Yang Hongmei , Dompreh Albert , Alghamdi Wael A. , Gillani Fizza S. , Orstin Antoinette , Bosomtwe Dennis , Opoku Theresa , Norman Jennifer , Wiesner Lubbe , Langaee Taimour , Peloquin Charles A. , Court Michael H. , Greenblatt David J. , Kwara Awewura
Published: July 2019

Nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the limited options in HIV-infected children younger than 3 years old (young children) with tuberculosis (TB) coinfection. To date, there are insufficient data to recommend nevirapine-based therapy during first-line antituberculosis (anti-TB) therapy in young children. We compared nevirapine pharmacokinetics (PK) in HIV-infected young children with and without TB coinfection.
Supportive supervision to improve the quality and outcome of outpatient care among malnourished children: a cluster randomised trial in Arua district, Uganda
Authors: Lazzerini Marzia , Wanzira Humphrey , Lochoro Peter , Muyinda Richard , Segafredo Giulia , Wamani Henry , Putoto Giovanni
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Suboptimal quality of paediatric care has been reported in resource-limited settings, but little evidence exists on interventions to improve it in such settings. This study aimed at testing supportive supervision (SS) for improving health status of malnourished children, quality of case management, overall quality of care, and the absolute number of children enrolled in the nutritional services.

Methods

This was a cluster randomised trial conducted in Arua district. Six health centres (HCs) with the highest volume of work were randomised to either SS or no intervention. SS was delivered by to HCs staff (phase 1), and later extended to community health workers (CHWs) (phase 2). The primary outcome was the cure rate, measured at children level. Quality of case management was assessed by six pre-defined indicators. Quality of care was assessed using the national Nutrition Service Delivery Assessment (NSDA) tool. Access to care was estimated with the number of children accessing HC nutritional services.

Results

Overall, 737 children were enrolled. In the intervention arm, the cure rate (83.8% vs 44.9%, risk ratio (RR)=1.91, 95% CI: 1.56–2.34, p=0.001), quality of care as scored by NSDA (RR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.01–2.44, p=0.035) and correctness in complementary treatment (RR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.40–1.67, p=0.001) were significantly higher compared with control. With the extension of SS to CHWs (phase 2), there was a significant 38.6% more children accessing care in the intervention HCs (RR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.11–1.44, p=0.001) compared with control.

Conclusion

SS significantly improved the cure rate of malnourished children, and the overall quality of care, SS to CHWs significantly increased the crude number of children enrolled in the nutritional services. More studies should confirm these results, and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of SS.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the routine otoacoustic emission infant hearing screening test: an epidemiological retrospective case–control study
Authors: Blair Peter S , Rubens Daniel , Pease Anna , Mellers Diane , Ingram Jenny , Ewer Andrew K , Cohen Marta C , Sidebotham Peter , Ward Platt Martin , Coombs Robert , Davis Adrian , Hall Amanda , Fleming Peter
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To investigate whether decreased otoacoustic emission (OAE) signal recordings in the right ear are associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and to monitor any temporal changes in risk factors.

Design

Retrospective case–control study.

Setting

Telephone interviews with families recruited in England between July 2016 and October 2017 who experienced the unexpected death of a child <4 years old since 2008 and control families recruited from maternity wards in Bristol and Birmingham.

Participants

We recruited 91 (89%) of the 102 bereaved families who made initial contact, 64 deaths were under 1 year (sudden unexpected death in infancy) of which 60 remained unexplained (SIDS). Of the 220 control families, 194 (88%) follow-up interviews were conducted. We had analysable hearing data for 24 SIDS infants (40%) and 98 controls (51%).

Results

OAE signals were marginally increased rather than decreased among SIDS infants for the right ear, especially at lower frequencies, but not significantly so. The strongest predictors of SIDS were bed-sharing in hazardous (infant sleeping next to a carer who smoked, drank alcohol or slept on a sofa) circumstances (35% vs 3% controls, p<0.0001), infants found prone (33% vs 3% controls, p<0.0001) and infants whose health in the final week was ‘not good’ (53% vs 9% controls, p<0.0001). The prevalence of maternal smoking during pregnancy among both SIDS mothers (20%) and controls (10%) was much lower than previous studies.

Conclusions

Hearing data were difficult to obtain; larger numbers would be needed to determine if asymmetrical differences between the right and left ear were a marker for SIDS. A national prospective registry for monitoring and a renewed campaign to a new generation of parents needs to be considered underlining the initial message to place infants on their backs for sleep and the more recent message to avoid bed-sharing in hazardous circumstances.
Quantifying the impact of the Public Health Responsibility Deal on salt intake, cardiovascular disease and gastric cancer burdens: interrupted time series and microsimulation study
Authors: Laverty Anthony A , Kypridemos Chris , Seferidi Paraskevi , Vamos Eszter P , Pearson-Stuttard Jonathan , Collins Brendan , Capewell Simon , Mwatsama Modi , Cairney Paul , Fleming Kate , O'Flaherty Martin , Millett Christopher
Published: July 2019

Background

In 2011, England introduced the Public Health Responsibility Deal (RD), a public-private partnership (PPP) which gave greater freedom to the food industry to set and monitor targets for salt intakes. We estimated the impact of the RD on trends in salt intake and associated changes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and gastric cancer (GCa) incidence, mortality and economic costs in England from 2011–2025.

Methods

We used interrupted time series models with 24 hours' urine sample data and the IMPACTNCDmicrosimulation model to estimate impacts of changes in salt consumption on CVD and GCa incidence, mortality and economic impacts, as well as equity impacts.

Results

Between 2003 and 2010 mean salt intake was falling annually by 0.20 grams/day among men and 0.12 g/d among women (P-value for trend both < 0.001). After RD implementation in 2011, annual declines in salt intake slowed statistically significantly to 0.11 g/d among men and 0.07 g/d among women (P-values for differences in trend both P < 0.001). We estimated that the RD has been responsible for approximately 9900 (interquartile quartile range (IQR): 6700 to 13,000) additional cases of CVD and 1500 (IQR: 510 to 2300) additional cases of GCa between 2011 and 2018. If the RD continues unchanged between 2019 and 2025, approximately 26 000 (IQR: 20 000 to 31,000) additional cases of CVD and 3800 (IQR: 2200 to 5300) cases of GCa may occur.

Interpretation

Public-private partnerships such as the RD which lack robust and independent target setting, monitoring and enforcement are unlikely to produce optimal health gains.
The efficacy of 3D printing-assisted surgery for traumatic fracture: a meta-analysis
Authors: Xiong Liang , Li Xiaoyang , Li Hui , Chen Zhuoyuang , Xiao Tao
Published: July 2019

Background

Recent years have witnessed a rapid development of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology applied in orthopaedic surgery. To be assisted by 3D printing is a potent method to realise accurate and individualised operation. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of 3D printing technology in the management of trauma fractures.

Methods

PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched up until January 2019 to identify relevant studies. All clinical studies comparing conventional surgery and 3D printing-assisted surgery in the management of orthopaedic trauma were obtained. The meta-analysis was performed with RevMan V.5.3 software.

Results

Four randomised controlled trials, four retrospective comparative studies and two prospective comparative studies involving 521 patients were included. Compared with conventional surgery, 3D printing-assisted surgery leads to shorter operation duration (mean difference (MD) −16.59 (95% CI −18.60 to –14.58), p<0.001), less intraoperative blood loss (standardised mean difference (SMD) −1.02 (95% CI –1.25 to –0.79), p<0.001) and fewer intraoperative fluroscopies (SMD −2.20 (95% CI –2.50 to –1.90), p<0.001). However, 3D printing-assisted surgery leads to longer hospital stay (MD 2.51 (95% CI 0.31 to –4.72), p=0.03). No significant results were found regarding fracture healing time, the rate of excellent and good outcomes, anatomical reduction and complications.

Conclusions

These results suggest that 3D printing-assisted surgery outperforms conventional surgery in the management of orthopaedic trauma fractures with shorter operation duration, less intraoperative blood loss and fewer intraoperative fluoroscopies.
Population imbalance, macroscopic tunneling and intermodal entanglement of two-mode Bose–Einstein condensate under the influence of dissipation process
Authors: Ghasemian E. , Tavassoly M. K.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we study the dissipative dynamics of a system which is composed of two atomic Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) interacting through the Josephson-like coupling. To model a more realistic physical system, the inevitable dissipation effect is considered via the interaction between the system and its environment, in particular, a thermal reservoir. In this respect, after introducing a proper Hamiltonian for the model, we analytically solve the corresponding quantum Heisenberg–Langevin equations and then obtain explicit analytical expressions for population imbalance, macroscopic tunneling current and intermodal entanglement. Generally, the dynamics of the system is very sensitive to the chosen values of tunneling coupling strength, initial population as well as the characteristics of interaction between the system and its reservoirs. Also, the time evolution of the above-mentioned physical quantities shows oscillatory decaying behavior where the frequency of oscillations depends on the strength of tunneling interaction between the two subsystems. The oscillatory pattern of population imbalance and tunneling current is more regular in comparison with the intermodal entanglement. Although the system is always separable for low initial population, we show that it tends to an entangled state as its initial population is increased. In particular, the amount and the time interval of the entanglement can be effectively controlled via the dissipation parameter. Also, to get an insight into the effect of nonlinear interaction on the behavior of dynamical evolution of the considered system, we numerically investigate the population imbalance in the absence and presence of such interactions. A qualitative comparison shows that the previous theoretical works and numerical simulations confirm our obtained results.
Electronic and optical properties of CsPb2Br5: A first-principles study
Authors: Jin Mingge , Li Zhibing , Huang Feng , Wang Weiliang
Published: July 2019

There are conflicting understandings of the electronic and optical properties of CsPb2Br5. We investigated the electronic and optical properties of CsPb2Br5 with first-principles calculations. It is confirmed that CsPb2Br5 is a semiconductor with an indirect band gap of 3.08 eV at GGA/PBE level and 3.72 eV at the HSE06 hybrid functional level. The PBE results demonstrate that the inclusion of SOC slightly reduces the band gap. We calculate the optical absorbance/emission spectrum of CsPb2Br5. It is found the optical absorption edges locate at 360–380 nm, shorter than the wavelength of visible light. Our results support the experimental results of Li et al. [Chem. Commun. 52 (2016) 11296] and Zhang et al. [J. Mater. Chem. C 6 (2018) 446].
Vehicle License Plate Recognition Based on Wavelet Transform and Vertical Edge Matching
Authors: Wang Zhongli , Ma Xiping , Huang Wenlin
Published: July 2019

With the improvement of our country’s economic level and quality of life, the numbers and scales of highway networks and motor vehicles are constantly expanding, which makes the current road traffic burden more and more serious. As an important means of traffic automation management, license plate recognition (LPR) technology plays an important role in traffic surveillance and control. However, the recognition rate and accuracy of the traditional license plate recognition methods still need to be improved. In the case of poor surrounding environment, it is prone to localization failure, vehicle license plate recognition errors or unrecognizable phenomena. Wavelet transform, as another landmark signal processing method after Fourier transform, has been widely used in the field of image processing. In China, the number of horizontal lines is usually larger than that of vertical lines. If the two vertical boundaries of the license plate can be detected successfully, the four angles of the license plate can be determined efficiently to complete the license plate positioning. In view of the advantages of wavelet transform technology and the characteristics of vehicle license plate, in this paper, a vehicle license plate recognition algorithm based on wavelet transform and vertical edge matching is proposed. The edge of the license plate is detected by wavelet transform technology, and then the license plate is located by vertical edge matching technology. After the location is realized, the characters are segmented by vertical projection method and the characters are recognized by improved BP neural network algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed vehicle license plate recognition algorithm based on wavelet transform and vertical edge matching performs well in algorithm performance, which provides a good reference for the development of vehicle license plate recognition system.
An interacting new holographic dark energy model: Observational constraints
Authors: Sadri Ehsan , Khurshudyan Martiros
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we study an interacting new holographic dark energy model (NHDE) in DGP braneworld with a spatially flat FRW universe. Mainly, in this study we concentrate our attention on both interacting and noninteracting forms of the model. The study shows that the equation of state and the deceleration parameter depict an accelerated universe for all variety of interactions. On the other hand, the StateFinder analysis shows that the interacting and noninteracting behave similar to both quintessence and phantom dark energy and for the present value obey the behavior of quintessence. Moreover, the result of [Formula: see text]-diagnostic emphasizes on the result of the equation of state showing that the current model in high–[Formula: see text] stays in the quintessence era and in the late time has the Phantom-like behavior. By the use of the squared sound speed [Formula: see text] we find that the present mode has a good stability. In order to obtain the best fit values of the parameters in this work, we used the latest observational data (Pantheon, Boss DR12 and Planck 2015) implementing MCMC method by the use of EMCEE python package. We also employ AkaikeInformation Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) model selection tools and comparethe model with both [Formula: see text]CDM and holographic Ricci dark energy as the reference models. We observe that the evidence against the interacting and noninteracting NHDE with consideration of both references is strongly positive and BIC rules out the NHDE model. Generally, the results of AIC and BIC state that the observational data do not favor the NHDE model.
Dynamic Instability of Carbon Nanotubes/Fiber/Polymer Multiscale Composite Spherical Shells with Delamination Around a Cutout
Authors: Lee Sang-Youl
Published: July 2019

This study deals with the dynamic instability problem of spherical shells composed of carbon nanotubes/fiber/polymer composite (CNTFPC) with delamination around a central cutout. A multiscale analysis using the Hewitt and Malherbe equation was performed to determine the carbon nanotube (CNT) weight ratios, thickness–radius ratios, thickness–length ratios, and delamination area ratios around the cutout. A delamination around a central cutout was modeled in two dimensions by introducing the continuity conditions of displacements at the delamination boundaries. The proposed approach has been verified through a comparison of the results obtained with previous ones. The parametric study showed the significance of a proper CNT ratio and curvature for better structural performance on the dynamic stability of delaminated CNTFPC spherical shells.
Flagellate Dermatitis by Shiitake Mushroom
Authors: Ribeiro Camilla Santos , Sodré Celso Tavares , Ramos-e-Silva Marcia
Published: July 2019

The authors present a case of flagellate dermatitis in a previously healthy young male, triggered by the consumption of shiitake mushrooms. Complete remission without complications was obtained within 7 days, simply by the application of dexamethasone cream 0.1%. Considering the growing use of this originally Asian fungus in cookery worldwide, it is likely that we will see increased occurrence of this benign and self-limited condition also in the Western world.