bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protocol for Clozapine Rechallenge in a Case of Clozapine-Induced Myocarditis
Authors: Shivakumar G. , Thomas N. , Sollychin M. , Takács A. , Kolamunna S. , Melgar P. , Connally F. , Neil C. , Bousman C. , Jayaram M. , Pantelis C.
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Protocol for clozapine rechallenge in patients with a history of clozapine-induced myocarditis.

Method:

Clozapine-related cardiovascular adverse effects including myocarditis and cardiomyopathy have limited its widespread use in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Here, we present a case of clozapine-induced myocarditis and successful cautious rechallenge. Ms. AA, a young female patient with severe psychosis developed myocarditis during her initial clozapine titration phase, which was thus discontinued. Subsequent response to other medications was poor, and she remained significantly disabled. We reviewed blood-based biomarkers identified during the emergence of her index episode of myocarditis and developed a successful clozapine rechallenge protocol, based on careful monitoring of changes in these indices and a very slow clozapine re-titration.

Results and Conclusions:

This protocol may have utility in the management of patients with a history of clozapine-induced myocarditis.
Community Treatment Order Outcomes in Quebec: A Unique Jurisdiction
Authors: Frank Daniel , Fan E , Georghiou Angelos , Verter Vedat
Published: December 2019

Objective:

We study compulsory community treatment orders (CTOs) for patients with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). Focusing on a unique jurisdiction in Canada that allows for long duration CTOs with strict enforcement procedures, our objectives are to determine whether extended duration CTOs are effective and to determine whether associated hospitalization costs are reduced.

Method:

A mirror image, naturalistic design was employed using patients as their own controls to enhance external validity. No inclusive or exclusive criteria were employed for the 367 SPMI clinic patients who were studied over a 5-year period. Detailed documentation of the dates of all CTOs, long-acting antipsychotic injections (LAIs), emergency visits, hospitalizations, duration of hospitalizations, crimes and/or police involvement were collected. To study the relation between CTO and injection adherence, we use a mixed-effect linear regression model. To study the effect of injection adherence and hospitalization, we use survival analysis via Kaplan–Meier and Cox survival models.

Results:

CTO and non-CTO patients did not differ with respect to demographics, but CTO patients were significantly more severely ill. Following a CTO, adherence to LAIs increased over time ( P < 0.001). The average time the patients spent in the community, that is, outside the hospital, was significantly longer under a CTO, and the duration of hospitalizations was decreased.

Conclusions:

LAI adherence and outpatient office visits were enhanced by extended duration CTOs, as was time out of the hospital. The shorter duration of hospital stays implies cost savings. These must be weighed against their undesirable coercive nature.
Active Choice Format and Minimum Payment Warnings in Credit Card Repayment Decisions
Authors: Salisbury Linda Court , Zhao Min
Published: December 2019

The increasingly common online credit card repayment formats typically involve consumers’ active choice from among various payment amounts. Consumers rarely view minimum payment warning (MPW) disclosures while repaying online; therefore, the common shift toward online repayment means that the MPW is not salient for most credit cardholders. This article aims to shed light on credit cardholders’ payment decisions under this “active choice format” and explore effective online interfaces for payment decisions. Drawing on research in active choice, the authors demonstrate in three experiments that, compared with the “open format” used in traditional monthly statements, active choice format increases consumers’ full balance payment propensity and overall repayment amount, and this effect is even stronger when current account balance is included in the choice context. Furthermore, presence of the MPW disclosure significantly decreases payment of the minimum required amount and increases payment of the “three-year payoff amount.” Finally, presence of MPW increased consumer feelings about making the right decision, primarily for financially vulnerable people. These findings, based on hypothetical scenario choices, offer interesting theoretical and important policy implications.
Inventory and evaluation of publicly available sources of information on hazards and risks of industrial chemicals
Authors: Bond Gregory G , Garny Véronique
Published: December 2019

Regulatory authorities from developing countries have expressed a need for guidance in locating environmental, health and safety (EHS) information on industrial chemicals. In response, possible sources were identified via a search of the Internet using relevant terms and by soliciting suggestions from more than 200 knowledgeable stakeholders. This initially identified greater than 100 databases, 41 of which were chosen for further profiling and analysis based on their size and comprehensiveness. They were divided for analysis into three distinct groups: (1) data portals that provide information seekers with an efficient simultaneous search of multiple, third-party owned and maintained databases; (2) primary EHS information sources; and (3) databases that provide only EHS-type regulatory decisions but not raw data. Descriptive evaluations of each database were performed, including: (1) scope; (2) ease of access and use; (3) breadth and depth of EHS information available; (4) quality of the underlying information; and (5) procedures to keep the information current. We conclude that, although there exists EHS information to support screening level hazard and risk assessment for the majority of the highest production volume chemicals, information gaps for lower production volume chemicals persist, and Confidential Business Information claims for some chemicals can limit the information available to the general public. A lack of information on uses and exposures to chemicals, particularly in developing countries is especially challenging. Nevertheless, there are reasons (e.g. advances in regulations, marketplace pressures, and computational toxicology science) to be optimistic that going forward information gaps can be closed at an accelerated rate.
Mobilizing cadre incentives in policy implementation: Poverty alleviation in a Chinese county
Authors: Tsai Wen-Hsuan , Liao Xingmiu
Published: December 2019

This article discusses the ways in which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mobilizes local governments to implement policies set by higher-level governments. Using the concept of ‘institutionalized mobilization’, we discuss poverty alleviation in H county. We identify three key mechanisms: the cross-system leading group, cross-level personnel/financial management, and pairing-up. These mechanisms involve both the adjustment of tiao tiao (条条) and kuai kuai (块块) relationships within the bureaucracy and the strengthening of state–society relations. We also point out the many problems resulting from this mode of institutionalized mobilization. Finally, we compare the political and geographical conditions in H county with those in two other counties – E and K – to ascertain whether the results of poverty alleviation are sustainable.
Effects of single- and multi-shape laser-textured surfaces on tribological properties under dry friction
Authors: Zhan Xianghua , Yi Peng , Liu Yancong , Xiao Peifa , Zhu Xiaoye , Ma Jian
Published: December 2019

Textural morphology is an important factor influencing dry friction, and few studies have been conducted regarding the effects of single- and multi-shape textures on dry tribological properties. In this work, six types of textures including single- and multi-shape textures were produced on 40Cr steel samples by using a nanosecond laser. Reciprocating sliding tests under dry friction were conducted using a pin-on-disc friction tester. The influences of textured surfaces with different textures on tribological properties were investigated. Results showed that tribological properties were affected by different textural morphologies. The dimple-textured surface had the highest friction coefficient, followed by the groove-textured surface. The sinusoidal-textured surface had the lowest friction coefficient. The friction coefficients of multi-shape textured surfaces were lower than those of non-textured surfaces but higher than those of sinusoidal-textured surfaces. The wear properties of the tested surfaces were consistent with the friction-coefficient results. The sinusoidal- and sinusoidal–groove-textured surfaces can be considered as the optimum choices for dry reciprocating friction.
Validation of a dynamic wheel load factor and the influence of various track irregularities on the dynamic response of prestressed concrete sleepers
Authors: Watanabe Tsutomu , Goto Keiichi , Matsuoka Kodai , Minoura Shintaro
Published: December 2019

Prestressed concrete sleepers are generally designed taking into account the influence of the dynamic wheel load. In Japan, the dynamic wheel load factor of 2.0 has been typically used for the serviceability limit state since the 1950s. However, there are few examples that have proved its validity. In this study, field measurement tests and three-dimensional numerical analysis were conducted for prestressed concrete sleepers laid on a straight section of a railway track with continuously welded rails. According to the results of the field tests, the measured dynamic wheel load factor was less than the conventionally used dynamic wheel load factor of 2.0, and the bending moments exceeding the full prestress condition, i.e. the compressive stress on all sections, were generated in some cases. Furthermore, even with the prestressed concrete sleepers of the same type laid continuously, the bending moment was increased more than three times due to the support conditions of the prestressed concrete sleepers and the rail roughness. Results of the numerical analyses also revealed that the bending moment was increased more than two times because of the hanging (unsupported) sleepers, and the tensile stress of the prestressed concrete sleeper exceeded 3 N/mm2 when the rail roughness was approximately 2 mm or more. Based on this investigation, the validity of the dynamic wheel load factor of 2.0 was proved.
Experimental investigation of the expansion characteristics of vaporized kerosene jets in a quiescent atmospheric environment
Authors: Yang Kai , Wang Zhen-Guo , Pan Yu , Wang Ning
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the time-averaged and instantaneous information of the vaporized kerosene jet injection into a quiescent atmospheric environment, including the expansion angle, deflection angle and shock wave structure, were acquired by natural light and a schlieren system. The results show that the jet expansion angle increases first and then decreases during the kerosene vaporization, which is mainly governed by the pressure change inside the shear layer and the variation in the jet axial speed. Compared with straight injection, the oblique scheme inhibits the jet expansion process and enhances the expansion property in the vertical and parallel directions of the bevel face. Because of the asymmetric configuration of the injector exit and the adsorptive effect of the bevel face, the jet plume in the oblique injection scheme obviously deflects along the axial direction. In addition, the expansion angle fluctuates when the vaporized kerosene is injected into some specific conditions. The frequency of the jet pulse is approximately 2.1 Hz, and the pulsation mode gradually converts during the vaporization process. The two-phase flow instability occurring in upstream heated kerosene might be responsible for this unique phenomenon.
Comparison of residual stress on different three-dimensional multi-layer welding methods of welded hollow sphere joint in large-span structure by considering latent heat
Authors: Ri Nam-Hyok , Chen Zhihua , Ri Yong-Sop , Ma Zhiyao
Published: December 2019

This article quantitatively evaluated the influence of three-dimensional multi-layer welding on the welding residual stress of super-big diameter welded hollow sphere joint in the large-span spatial steel structure considering the influence of material state change using finite element method. First, this article proposed a conception of equivalent state change time—the virtual time of state change in the analysis of welding and cooling—which represents the heat absorbed or released during the change of solid and fluid states in welding material. The equivalent state change time increases the accuracy of the thermal analysis considering the latent heat of fusion in welding and cooling process. Second, this article simulated the numerical experiments of three welding methods including multi-layer symmetric welding, multi-layer sequential welding, and single-layer symmetric welding, which show that multi-layer symmetric welding not only increases the balance of supporting ability of structure but also decreases the value of maximum tensile residual stress, and it is better than the other two welding methods.
Local Actors, Institutions and Land Governance in the Chotiari Water Reservoir, Pakistan
Authors: Magsi Habibullah , Hussain Anwar , Rashid Muhammad Khalid , Sabir Muazzam
Published: December 2019

Previous studies show that blemished infrastructural development projects dispossessed local population and degraded natural resources to a greater extent in the developing countries. Therefore, this research is aimed at determining how land use decisions affect local habitats and resources. Thus, the data were collected from the recently constructed water reservoir in the southern part of Pakistan, named Chotiari. Our findings show that the project is hampered by the local actors’ nonparticipation in decision-making, deceptive information dissemination by the authorities, misuse of funds, power relations, improper rehabilitation plans and unequal access to natural resources. We paid attention to the actors’ network, land as well as the property rights violations, which have created the conflicts, where the causes of the conflicts of land use super positioned in the light of international rules and laws have also been explained. Thus, it is recommended that, for natural resource governance and land use conflict management, it is imperative to take all stakeholders on board during feasibility of any infrastructural setting. Furthermore, the awareness campaigns regarding the environmental importance and valuation of natural resources must be on the topmost agenda of the government.
Effects of different catheter replacement methods on catheter service time and complications in hemodialysis patients: A cohort study
Authors: Yu Haibo , Xin Qi , Wang Xuewen , Jia Lan , Wang Junming , Meng Xianhai , Li Bo , Wei Fang , Jiang Aili
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

Central venous catheter insertion for long-term vascular access is not recommended in clinical practice. However, since arteriovenous fistula creation is difficult to perform in some patients, central venous catheter insertion for long-term vascular access is performed. This study aimed to assess the complications and service time of central venous catheters replaced using different methods and to determine the influencing factors of service time.

Methods:

Study design: A retrospective observational cohort study. Setting and participants: Patients who underwent tunneled dialysis catheter malfunction (2009–2019) and had to undergo another dialysis catheter insertion were enrolled. Exposures: Ectopic replacement and in situ replacement. Outcomes: Factors such as age, sex, primary patency rate, secondary patency rate, early complications, and late complications were considered. Analytical approach: This study used a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results:

The first and the newly replaced catheter service time were 37.779 ± 24.563 months and 32.468 ± 26.638 (25) months in the ectopic group and 37.075 ± 20.550 months and 26.349 ± 22.672 months in the in situ group, respectively. In the early service time, the newly replaced catheter resulted in significant bleeding from the tunnel. The first catheter had the least complications, most adequate blood flow, and longest service time. Ectopic catheter replacement and the tip shape of the catheter were the independent factors for catheter service time. Catheter service time increased with age.

Conclusion:

Ectopic catheter replacement can improve the primary patency rate and auxiliary primary patency rate of catheters. Ectopic catheter replacement may require sufficient surgical skills with digital subtraction angiography, resulting in a better prognosis.
Mortality in persons with disability pension due to common mental disorders: A cohort study of Swedish construction workers
Authors: Söderberg Mia , Schiöler Linus , Stattin Mikael , Burdorf Alex , Järvholm Bengt
Published: December 2019

Aims: This study investigated mortality in disability pensions due to common mental disorder, and variation over time after first receiving disability pension. Methods: Objectives were explored in 301,863 construction workers (97.2% men) recruited through healthcare examinations from 1971–1993. By linking with the Swedish National Insurance Agency registers, disability pensions until 2014 were identified. Common mental disorder was defined as disability pension diagnosis due to anxiety, stress-related disorders or moderate depression. Mortality was calculated in all-psychiatric diagnosis and diagnostic sub-groups, and compared to persons without disability pensions, using Poisson regression. Additional analyses were stratified by age at follow-up. Results: In total 6030 subjects received disability pensions based on psychiatric diagnoses, and 2624 constituted common mental disorder. Analyses in an all-psychiatric diagnosis displayed increased mortality risks in men (relative risk 3.6; 95% confidence interval 3.3–3.9) and women (relative risk 2.1; 95% confidence interval 1.6–2.6). Common mental disorder was associated with mortality, especially in men (relative risk 2.5; 95% confidence interval 2.2–2.8). Increased relative risks in alcohol and substance abuse were also observed. Results in analyses stratified by age at follow-up displayed persistent high relative risks for mortality in older ages (75–89 years) in men in all-psychiatric disability pensions diagnosis (relative risk 2.8; 95% confidence interval 2.1–3.7) and common mental disorder diagnosis (relative risk 2.6; 95% confidence interval 1.8–3.6), compared to men without disability pensions. Similar results were found in women, but few cases lowered the precision of estimates. Conclusions: This study shows that disability pension based on common mental disorders, often regarded as a ‘lighter’ psychiatric diagnosis, is a risk for early mortality in construction workers, even several years after first receiving disability pension.
Institutional hybridity and cultural isomorphism in contemporary policing
Authors: Cockcroft Tom
Published: December 2019

Recent work on policing has increasingly acknowledged the influence of a broad array of changes upon both the structure and culture of police organizations. Generally, however, literature and research have tended to focus attention onto those elements of the broader police environment that effect such developments, whereas little commentary, to date, has been directed towards those features which impact across the broader public sector. Through drawing on the concepts of ‘hybrid professionalism’ [Noordegraaf M (2015) Hybrid professionalism and beyond: (new) forms of public professionalism in changing organizational and societal contexts. Journal of Professions and Organization 2: 187–206] and ‘institutional isomorphism’ [DiMaggio PJ and Powell WW (1983) The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields. American Sociological Review 48: 147–160], this conceptual paper will argue that the impact of neoliberal ideology on the contemporary public sector has created a police organization for which professionalism increasingly denotes generic management skills that are common across different occupations and different police roles. In particular, it will be suggested that such institutional isomorphism may drive ideational responses commensurate with cultural change within police organizations. In short, therefore, the paper will make the case that, in parallel with changes already identified by other academics, broader structural changes may lead to a narrower and more generic set of cultural responses within contemporary police organizations.
Children’s media as a conduit for “unbiased” news: Critical reflections on the coverage of Trump’s presidential campaign
Authors: Pérez Michelle Salazar
Published: December 2019

On 8 November 2016, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. During his campaign, Trump put on display long held sexist, racist, and bigoted views on women; people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, intersex peoples, and Others. Media coverage in the U.S. and around the world was not limited to news cycles intended for adult audiences only. Scholastic News Kids Press Corps, a free online publication for and ‘by kids’ ages 10 to 14, joined the conversation in 2015. This article shares analysis of Scholastic News Kids Press Corps’ coverage of Trump’s campaign, theorized through a critical, women of color feminist lens. Major themes that emerged include teaching children how to be unbiased reporters; the importance of being part of the political process and voting; social and policy issues; and Trump’s disposition/sexism. While news content broached issues from varying perspectives, it often stopped short of providing critical reflections and historical context of the issues being reported. Possibilities are discussed for expanding how news media for and by children can be conceptualized, in addition to how educators can engage in critical media literacy with children across multiple age groups, including the early years.
Acute Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Alone or in Combination With Maximal Voluntary Contractions on Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Neuromotor Fitness in Obese Male Adolescents
Authors: Sousa-Gonçalves Cintia Renata , Tringali Gabriella , Tamini Sofia , De Micheli Roberta , Soranna Davide , Taiar Redha , Sá-Caputo Danúbia , Moreira-Marconi Eloá , Paineiras-Domingos Laisa , Bernardo-Filho Mario , Sartorio Alessandro
Published: December 2019

Musculoskeletal and neuromotor fitness (MSMF) is reduced in obesity. Physical exercise (including whole-body vibration exercise [WBVE]) is reported to improve components related to MSMF. The aim of the study is to evaluate the acute effects of WBVE and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), alone and in combination, on the cardiorespiratory and MSMF in obese adolescents. Eight obese adolescents performed 3 tests (WBVE, MVC, and MVC + WBVE) in different days and randomly. The outcome measures were diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), handgrip strength (HS), one-leg standing balance (OLSB) test, sit-and-reach (SR) test, stair climbing test (time: T SCT and power: P SCT), and sit-to-stand test (time: T STSand power: P STS). No significant changes were observed in SBP, DBP, MAP, and SpO2 after the 3 tests, only an HR increase being observed after MVC + WBVE ( P < .01) and MVC alone ( P < .05). No significant differences were found in HS, OLSB, T STS, and P STS after the 3 different sessions. An increase in SR was found after MVC + WBVE, MVC, and WBVE ( P < .01, P < .05, and P < .01, respectively), while a decrease in T SCT ( P < .01) and an increase in P SCT were observed only after WBVE ( P < .01). Taking into account the positive WBVE effects on cardiorespiratory and MSMF, WBVE might represent a nonimpact, viable, and safe exercise suitable for obese patients, which need MSMF improvement without overloading joints.
Synthesis and antimalarial activity of (S)-methyl-(7-chloroquinolin-4-ylthio)acetamidoalquilate derivatives
Authors: Colmenarez Custodiana , Acosta María , Rodríguez Miguel , Charris Jaime
Published: December 2019

The synthesis of five new ( S)-methyl-(7-chloroquinolin-4-ylthio)acetamidoalquilate derivatives is carried out under a modified version of the Steglich esterification reaction between different l-amino acid methyl esters and 2-(7-chloroquinolin-4-ylthio)acetic acid. Two of the compounds showed significant inhibition (>50%) of β-hematin formation. The two active structures were tested in vivo as potential antimalarials in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA, a chloroquine susceptible strain. Compounds 6b and 6e exhibited antimalarial activity comparable to that of chloroquine.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: what are its links to COPD?
Authors: McGrath-Morrow Sharon A. , Collaco Joseph M.
Published: December 2019

Emerging evidence suggests that adverse early life events can affect long-term health trajectories throughout life. Preterm birth, in particular, is a significant early life event that affects approximately 10% of live births. Worldwide, prematurity is the number one cause of death in children less than 5 years of age and has been shown to disrupt normal lung development with lasting effects into adult life. Along with impaired lung development, interventions used to support gas exchange and other sequelae of prematurity can lead to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD is a chronic respiratory disease of infancy characterized by alveolar simplification, small airways disease, and pulmonary vascular changes. Although many survivors of BPD improve with age, survivors of BPD often have chronic lung disease characterized by airflow obstruction and intermittent pulmonary exacerbations. Long-term lung function trajectories as measured by FEV1 can be lower in children and adults with a history BPD. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology and manifestations of BPD and its long-term consequences throughout childhood and into adulthood. Available evidence suggests that disrupted lung development, genetic susceptibility and subsequent environment and infectious events that occur in prenatal and postnatal life likely increase the predisposition of children with BPD to develop early onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Inhibitory Activity of Asana, Heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium, Against Xanthine Oxidase
Authors: Deguchi Takahiro , Hata Yusuke , Tamai Atsushi , Yamamoto Moe , Fujita Takanori , Yoshioka Yuri , Iwaki Masahiro , Murata Kazuya
Published: December 2019

The heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium is called as “Asana” in Ayurveda. Its aquatic infusion was used for treating “prameha,” which indicates a polyuria disease in modern medicine. In our research program to investigate a novel agent to improve hyperuricemia, we focused on the extract of Asana as a xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitor. Asana extract (50% ethanolic extract, PM-ext) showed 11%, 35%, and 38% inhibition at 50, 200, and 500 µg/mL, respectively. Subsequently, PM-ext was partitioned with ethyl acetate (AcOEt), butanol, and water. Among them, AcOEt-soluble fraction indicated the most potent XOD inhibitory activity and was consecutively fractionated using various liquid chromatography to obtain liquiritigenin (1), isoliquiritigenin (2), and marsupsin (3) as active principles. Compound 1 showed 16% inhibition at 200 µM while 2 showed 20%, 32%, and 46% inhibition at 50, 100, and 200 µM, respectively. Compound 3 showed 15% inhibition at 500 µM. This is the first report on the XOD inhibitory activity of 3. From these results, PM-ext is a promising candidate material for improvement of hyperuricemia. Here, Asana was recognized as an effective material against noncommunicable disease and is expected to be developed as a functional ingredient.
Pectoralis Major Injuries in the National Football League
Authors: Sahota Shawn , Gibbs Daniel B. , Lawton Cort D. , Balderama Earvin S. , Chambers Caitlin C. , Mack Christina D. , Franke Kristina , Nuber Gordon W.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Pectoralis major (PM) injuries are rare, primarily occurring in males during athletic activity. In the current literature, these injuries have not been well described in National Football League (NFL) athletes.

Hypothesis:

The incidence of PM injuries will be low in NFL athletes, with athletes missing significantly more time after injuries requiring operative management.

Study Design:

Cohort study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Methods:

All documented PM injuries were retrospectively analyzed using the NFL Injury Surveillance System over a 15-season period. The data were analyzed by season, session, position, activity, and contact type at the time of injury. Additionally, the incidence, treatment, and days missed as a result of injury were assessed.

Results:

Over 15 consecutive seasons, there were a total of 211 PM injuries. Of these injuries, 132 were classified as strains and 79 as ruptures. The incidence of strains was 0.41 per 10,000 athlete-exposures, compared with 0.25 per 10,0000 athlete-exposures for ruptures ( P < 0.01). Players with PM ruptures treated operatively missed significantly more days than players treated nonoperatively (146.7 ± 55.0 vs 77.2 ± 72.9; P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

NFL athletes miss significantly more time after operative compared with nonoperative management of PM ruptures.

Clinical Relevance:

PM injuries are rare, with the current literature lacking description of these injuries in NFL athletes. The paucity of data limits physicians from providing adequate counseling and expectations for athletes with this injury. This research represents the largest study assessing PM injuries in NFL athletes.
Additional accepted languages for executing European Investigation Orders: Dismantling the Tower of Babel?
Authors: Ramos Jorge Angel Espina
Published: December 2019

The European Investigation Order Directive has changed the traditional approach towards the language regimen in Conventions and Mutual Recognition instruments, by creating an obligation for executing Member States to accept, in addition to their official ones, at least one additional language. However, this provision has been totally disregarded in practice by some Member States and incorrectly implemented by others. This raises concerns from both the perspective of the lack of compliance with the text of the Directive as well as from the decreased efficiency of the instrument.
Effects of pulmonary endarterectomy on pulmonary hemodynamics in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, evaluated by interventricular septum curvature
Authors: Saito Takahiko , Kasai Hajime , Sugiura Toshihiko , Takahashi Yukiko , Tajima Hiroshi , Shigeta Ayako , Sakao Seiichiro , Tanabe Nobuhiro , Tatsumi Koichiro
Published: December 2019

The interventricular septum curvature, measured in images of electrocardiogram‐gated 320‐slice multidetector computed tomography, is reportedly useful and less invasive than right heart catheterization, as it could provide clues regarding pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Although pulmonary endarterectomy is an efficient treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, the interventricular septum curvature in patients who have received pulmonary endarterectomy has not been evaluated. We evaluated whether the interventricular septum curvature on electrocardiogram‐gated 320‐slice multidetector computed tomography can predict pulmonary hemodynamics in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension even after pulmonary endarterectomy. We studied 40 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (60.5 ± 9.7 years; 30 females), who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy at Chiba University Hospital between December 2010 and July 2018. To measure the interventricular septum curvature, we prepared left ventricular short‐axis tomographic images from 4D images of electrocardiogram‐gated 320‐slice multidetector computed tomography. We calculated the radius of interventricular septum and determined the interventricular septum curvature in both the systolic and diastolic phases. We compared the interventricular septum curvature with pulmonary hemodynamics measured by right heart catheterization before and after pulmonary endarterectomy. After pulmonary endarterectomy, the correlations of the interventricular septum curvature with mean pulmonary arterial pressure, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance disappeared, although the interventricular septum curvature was correlated with these pulmonary hemodynamic parameters before pulmonary endarterectomy. Changes in systolic interventricular septum curvature revealed significant correlations with changes in mean pulmonary arterial pressure, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. Diastolic interventricular septum curvature also showed significant correlations with preoperative pulmonary hemodynamics, but not with postoperative pulmonary hemodynamics. Changes in the interventricular septum curvature after pulmonary endarterectomy could estimate the efficacy of pulmonary endarterectomy, although the interventricular septum curvature after pulmonary endarterectomy showed no significant correlations with pulmonary hemodynamics. Additionally, our findings confirmed that the interventricular septum curvature before pulmonary endarterectomy could be used to evaluate the severity of disease.
Importance of Technology Leadership for Technology Integration: Gender and Professional Development Perspective
Authors: Raman Arumugam , Thannimalai Raamani
Published: December 2019

Technology leadership is being redesigned to accelerate technology integration in schools to develop and sustain the skills needed to produce skilled manpower. Previous studies showed that the factors that prevented leaders and teachers from integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) in schools are lack of ICT training, teacher ICT competency, and access to ICT resources. This shows that there is a gap in technology integration in schools. This study aims to identify the importance of technology leadership for technology integration based on gender and professional development. This is a quantitative study using cross-sectional design. A total of 90 respondents were selected by systematic random sampling from 190 national secondary schools. The importance and performance matrix analysis revealed that professional development had high performance and was an important variable in the prediction of teachers’ technology integration, but gender was not. Thus, school management should give priority to digital age learning culture and digital citizenship constructs to accelerate teachers’ technology integration in schools.
Building a Knowledge Base on Research-Practice Partnerships: Introduction to the Special Topic Collection
Authors: Penuel William R. , Hill Heather C.
Published: December 2019

Research-practice partnerships are collaborative research arrangements that seek to transform the relations among researchers, educators, and communities. There is a wide diversity in partnership forms and research methods used in them. In addition, there remain questions about the value of partnerships, given the time and resources they require to build and maintain. In this introduction to the special topic collection on research-practice partnerships, we provide an overview of how the collection adds to our knowledge of the dynamics and outcomes of such partnerships and identify areas for future study.
A Reevaluation of the Simplified Psoriasis Index (SPI) Using the Thai Language Version: A Study Examining the Validity, Reliability, and Interpretability of SPI When Used in Translation
Authors: Chularojanamontri Leena , Wongpraparut Chanisada , Winayanuwattikun Waranaree , Griffiths Chris E. M. , Chalmers Robert J. G.
Published: December 2019

Background:

The Simplified Psoriasis Index (SPI) is a summary measure of psoriasis for current severity (SPI-s), psychosocial impact (SPI-p), and past history and interventions (SPI-i). Two complementary versions are available, differing only in that current severity is either professionally (proSPI-s) or patient self-assessed (saSPI-s). They have been shown to be valid, reliable, and interpretable.

Objective:

The current study investigated whether the validity, reliability, and interpretability of SPI could be replicated in an independent study in a different population and setting.

Methods:

A validated translation of SPI into Thai was used to assess the validity and reliability of SPI for assessing psoriasis in 100 Thai patients. The interpretability of proSPI-s and saSPI-s was assessed in 289 Thai patients.

Results:

There were close correlations between Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and proSPI-s ( r = 0.84) and between PASI and saSPI-s ( r = 0.78). The SPI-p was closely correlated with the validated Thai version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index ( r = 0.78). Excellent intrarater (proSPI-s, saSPI-s, SPI-p, and SPI-i) reliability was demonstrated (all ICC ≥0.88). The PASI-equivalent cutoff scores for mild (PASI < 10) and severe psoriasis (PASI ≥ 20) were <9 and ≥18 for proSPI-s and <11 and ≥20 for saSPI-s.

Conclusion:

Our study confirms that SPI retains good validity and reliability in translation. The cutoff points we obtained were very close to those of the original study and confirmed that the originally proposed PASI-equivalent cutoff scores for mild and severe psoriasis of <9 and ≥18 for psoSPI-s and <10 and ≥20 for saSPI-s, respectively, were valid for use in a very different language and setting.
Preliminary Studies on Biodegradable Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Doped with Fe as a Potential Form of Iron Delivery to the Living Organism
Authors: Kielbik Paula , Kaszewski Jarosław , Dominiak Bartłomiej , Damentko Magdalena , Serafińska Izabela , Rosowska Julita , Gralak Mikołaj A. , Krajewski Marcin , Witkowski Bartłomiej S. , Gajewski Zdzislaw , Godlewski Marek , Godlewski Michal M.
Published: December 2019

Iron is the crucial element for living organisms and its deficiency is described as the most common nutritional disorder all over the world. Nowadays, more effective and safe iron supplementation strategies for both humans and animals become one of the most important challenges in the therapy of nutritional deficiencies. Our previous in vivo studies confirmed safety and biodegradability of in-house manufactured zinc oxide-based nanoparticles and their rapid distribution to majority of organs and tissues in the body. In vitro examinations performed on Caco-2 cell line, a model of epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract, revealed a low toxicity of studied nanomaterials. In the current study, we investigated biodegradable zinc oxide nanoparticles doped with Fe(III) as a perspective supplementation strategy for iron deficiency. Biodegradable ZnO:Fe nanoparticles were intra-gastrically administered to adult mice and following 24 h, animals were sacrificed with collection of internal organs for further analyses. The iron concentration measured with atomic absorption spectrometry and histological staining (Perl’s method) showed a rapid distribution of iron-doped nanoparticles to tissues specifically related with iron homeostasis. Accumulation of iron was also visible within hepatocytes and around blood vessels within the spleen, which might indicate the transfer of Fe-doped nanoparticles from the bloodstream into the tissue. Reassuming, preliminary results obtained in the current study suggest that biodegradable ZnO nanoparticles doped with Fe might be a good carriers of exogenous iron in the living body. Therefore, subsequent investigations focus on determination an exact mechanisms related with an iron deposition in the tissue and influence of nanoparticle carriers on iron metabolism are required.
Performance of Hamiltonian Monte Carlo and No-U-Turn Sampler for estimating genetic parameters and breeding values
Authors: Nishio Motohide , Arakawa Aisaku
Published: December 2019

Background

Hamiltonian Monte Carlo is one of the algorithms of the Markov chain Monte Carlo method that uses Hamiltonian dynamics to propose samples that follow a target distribution. The method can avoid the random walk behavior to achieve a more effective and consistent exploration of the probability space and sensitivity to correlated parameters, which are shortcomings that plague many Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. However, the performance of Hamiltonian Monte Carlo is highly sensitive to two hyperparameters. The No-U-Turn Sampler, an extension of Hamiltonian Monte Carlo, was recently introduced to automate the tuning of these hyperparameters. Thus, this study compared the performances of Gibbs sampling, Hamiltonian Monte Carlo, and the No-U-Turn Sampler for estimating genetic parameters and breeding values as well as sampling qualities in both simulated and real pig data. For all datasets, we used a pedigree-based univariate linear mixed model.

Results

For all datasets, the No-U-Turn Sampler and Gibbs sampling performed comparably regarding the estimation of heritabilities and accuracies of breeding values. Compared with Gibbs sampling, the estimates of effective sample sizes for simulated and pig data with the No-U-Turn Sampler were 3.2 to 22.6 and 3.5 to 5.9 times larger, respectively. Autocorrelations decreased more quickly with the No-U-Turn Sampler than with Gibbs sampling. When true heritability was low in the simulated data, the skewness of the marginal posterior distributions with the No-U-Turn Sampler was smaller than that with Gibbs sampling. The performance of Hamiltonian Monte Carlo for sampling quality was inferior to that of No-U-Turn Sampler in the simulated data. Moreover, Hamiltonian Monte Carlo could not estimate genetic parameters because of difficulties with the hyperparameter settings with pig data.

Conclusions

The No-U-Turn Sampler is a promising sampling method for animal breeding because of its good sampling qualities: large effective sample sizes, low autocorrelations, and low skewness of marginal posterior distributions, particularly when heritability is low. Meanwhile, Hamiltonian Monte Carlo failed to converge with a simple univariate model for pig data. Thus, it might be difficult to use Hamiltonian Monte Carlo for usual complex models in animal breeding.
Game of neutrophils: modeling the balance between apoptosis and necrosis
Authors: Presbitero Alva , Mancini Emiliano , Castiglione Filippo , Krzhizhanovskaya Valeria V. , Quax Rick
Published: December 2019

Background

Neutrophils are one of the key players in the human innate immune system (HIIS). In the event of an insult where the body is exposed to inflammation triggering moieties (ITMs), neutrophils are mobilized towards the site of insult and antagonize the inflammation. If the inflammation is cleared, neutrophils go into a programmed death called apoptosis. However, if the insult is intense or persistent, neutrophils take on a violent death pathway called necrosis, which involves the rupture of their cytoplasmic content into the surrounding tissue that causes local tissue damage, thus further aggravating inflammation. This seemingly paradoxical phenomenon fuels the inflammatory process by triggering the recruitment of additional neutrophils to the site of inflammation, aimed to contribute to the complete neutralization of severe inflammation. This delicate balance between the cost and benefit of the neutrophils’ choice of death pathway has been optimized during the evolution of the innate immune system. The goal of our work is to understand how the tradeoff between the cost and benefit of the different death pathways of neutrophils, in response to various levels of insults, has been optimized over evolutionary time by using the concepts of evolutionary game theory.

Results

We show that by using evolutionary game theory, we are able to formulate a game that predicts the percentage of necrosis and apoptosis when exposed to various levels of insults.

Conclusion

By adopting an evolutionary perspective, we identify the driving mechanisms leading to the delicate balance between apoptosis and necrosis in neutrophils’ cell death in response to different insults. Using our simple model, we verify that indeed, the global cost of remaining ITMs is the driving mechanism that reproduces the percentage of necrosis and apoptosis observed in data and neutrophils need sufficient information of the overall inflammation to be able to pick a death pathway that presumably increases the survival of the organism.
A personalized computational model of edema formation in myocarditis based on long-axis biventricular MRI images
Authors: Reis Ruy Freitas , Fernandes Juliano Lara , Schmal Thaiz Ruberti , Rocha Bernardo Martins , dos Santos Rodrigo Weber , Lobosco Marcelo
Published: December 2019

Background

Myocarditis is defined as the inflammation of the myocardium, i.e. the cardiac muscle. Among the reasons that lead to this disease, we may include infections caused by a virus, bacteria, protozoa, fungus, and others. One of the signs of the inflammation is the formation of edema, which may be a consequence of the interaction between interstitial fluid dynamics and immune response. This complex physiological process was mathematically modeled using a nonlinear system of partial differential equations (PDE) based on porous media approach. By combing a model based on Biot’s poroelasticity theory with a model for the immune response we developed a new hydro-mechanical model for inflammatory edema. To verify this new computational model, T2 parametric mapping obtained by Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging was used to identify the region of edema in a patient diagnosed with unspecific myocarditis.

Results

A patient-specific geometrical model was created using MRI images from the patient with myocarditis. With this model, edema formation was simulated using the proposed hydro-mechanical mathematical model in a two-dimensional domain. The computer simulations allowed us to correlate spatiotemporal dynamics of representative cells of the immune systems, such as leucocytes and the pathogen, with fluid accumulation and cardiac tissue deformation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the proposed mathematical model is a very promising tool to better understand edema formation in myocarditis. Simulations obtained from a patient-specific model reproduced important aspects related to the formation of cardiac edema, its area, position, and shape, and how these features are related to immune response.