bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Going “Beyond the Surface” in an App-Based Group: A Heuristic Inquiry
Authors: Williams Natalie F.
Published: November 2020

Six co-researchers conducted a heuristic inquiry of a group experience composed of hundreds of video messages, posted consistently over 4 months, via the Marco Polo smartphone application, to explore the universal implications associated with this uniquely intimate experience. This diverse, artist-led group was composed of five individuals who identify as female and one individual who identifies as non-binary, of African and African American descent, from three states in the United States, with varying levels of income and education. According to the founder, the purpose of the group was to cultivate a space for “wellness through creativity, connection, and collaboration,” primarily for herself, but also for her closest friends. A formal study was necessary to illuminate the salient themes and generate findings from this serendipitous group process. Three themes emerged: (a) the group changed over time, in alignment with long-established theories of group work (i.e., forming, storming, norming, performing, and mourning/adjourning); (b) group members navigated conflict within the group and in dyads outside of the larger group; (c) and members experienced meaningful benefits and impacts as a result of participation, which supports the growing research on online mental health support groups. Implications for future research, training, and practice are provided.
Comparison of the Effects of Coaching for General and Special Education Teachers in High-Poverty Urban Elementary Schools
Authors: Reddy Linda A. , Lekwa Adam , Shernoff Elisa
Published: November 2020

Research that examines coaching approaches for special education teachers is very limited. This study, a secondary analysis of a wait-list controlled, randomized trial (106 teachers, 2,195 students, 18 schools), investigated the effects of a data-driven coaching that integrated observational assessment and performance feedback on general education (GE) versus special education (SE) teacher practices and student outcomes in high-poverty urban elementary schools. Coaches used observational data via the Classroom Strategies Assessment System to identify practice needs, set goals, create plans, and monitor progress toward goals. Prior to coaching, GE and SE teachers were observed using evidence-based instructional and behavior management practices; however, some practices were at rates lower than recommended by the research literature. Results suggest that goal selection and frequency and quality of practices were generally comparable between GE and SE teachers. However, SE teachers used 30% fewer behavior corrective feedback statements, on average, than GE teachers ( p = .04). Overall, the effect of the coaching intervention did not differ across GE and SE teachers; both had significantly improved instructional and behavior management practices and student outcomes when compared with teachers in the control condition. Limitations and future directions for research and practice are discussed.
Impact of Communicating With Doctors Via Social Media on Consumers’ E-Health Literacy and Healthy Behaviors in China
Authors: Wu Tailai , He Zhifei , Zhang Donglan
Published: November 2020

This study investigated the relationship between consumers’ communication with doctors and their e-Health literacy and healthy behaviors based on the theory of reasoned action. Five communication activities were identified: following doctors’ social media accounts, reading doctors’ posts, responding to doctors’ posts, favoring (clicking “like” of) doctors’ posts, and recommending doctors to other patients. E-Health literacy and healthy behaviors were measured based on instruments used in previous literature. Survey method was used to collect data and a hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between communication activities and consumers’ e-Health literacy and healthy behaviors. We found that following doctors’ accounts ( r = 0.127, P < .001), responding to doctors’ posts ( r = 0.141, P < .001) and recommending doctors to others ( r = 0.133, P < .001) were significantly associated with e-Health literacy, while following doctors’ accounts ( r = 0.091, P < .001), responding to doctors’ post ( r = 0.072, P < .01), favoring doctors’ posts ( r = 0.129, P < .001), and recommending doctors to others ( r = 0.220, P < .001) were significantly associated with healthy behaviors. Our study demonstrated that the social network communication between doctors and consumers could be cost-effective in improving intermediary consumers’ health outcomes. To be specific, following doctors’ posts, responding to doctors’ posts, favoring doctors’ posts, and recommending doctors to others were positively associated with consumers’ e-Health literacy and healthy behaviors. The results suggested that leveraging information technology could be an important tool to health policymakers and health providers in order to improve outcomes.
Dynamic Linkages Among Energy Consumption, Environment and Health Sustainability: Evidence from the Different Income Level Countries
Authors: Feng Yongqi , Liu Ren , Chiu Yung-ho , Chang Tzu-Han
Published: November 2020

Environment pollution was closely related to human health. The energy consumption is one of the important sources of environmental pollution in the development of economy. This paper used undesirable two-stage meta-frontier DDF (distance difference function) data envelopment analysis model to explore the impact of environment pollutants from energy consumption on the mortality of children and the aged, survival rate of 65 years old and health expenditure efficiency in 27 high income countries, 21 upper middle income countries, and 16 lower middle income countries from 2010 to 2014. High income countries had higher efficiency of energy and health than middle income countries in general. But whether in high income or middle income countries, the efficiency of non-renewable energy is higher than renewable energy. There was much room for both high income countries and middle income countries to improve renewable energy efficiency. Besides, middle income countries need to improve the efficiency of non-renewable energy and reduce pollutant emissions per unit of GDP. In terms of health efficiency, upper middle income countries performed worse than lower income countries. This phenomenon might indicate there was a U-shaped relationship between health efficiency and income level. Upper income countries should pay more attention to the environmental and health problems and cross the U-shaped turning point. The contribution of this article was to consider the heterogeneous performance of energy efficiency, environmental efficiency, and health efficiency under the influence of income level differences, and found that there might be a U-shaped relationship between health efficiency and income level.
Splenectomy in Jamaican children with sickle cell disease: Outcome of selective blood transfusion
Authors: Steele Odayne , Duncan Alfred L , Simms Larnelle N , Duncan Shani A , Byles Simone E. Dundas , Duncan Newton D
Published: November 2020

We reviewed the post-operative morbidity and mortality of open splenectomy undertaken in conjunction with selective blood transfusion in Jamaican children with sickle cell disease. Data were collected on 150 splenectomies performed between November 1994 and October 2017. Selective blood transfusion involved raising haemoglobin levels to approximately 100 g/L in patients with admission haemoglobin ≥10 g/L below steady state. There was no mortality. Mean post-operative stay was 3.2 days with a median of three days. Total morbidity was 19/150 cases (12.7%), with acute chest syndrome accounting for 11/19 (57.9%). Among the non-transfused, acute chest syndrome occurred in 10/117 cases (8.5%), while among transfused, acute chest syndrome occurred in 1/33 cases (2.9%). We recommend this selective blood transfusion protocol for patients with sickle cell disease to surgeons who undertake splenectomies in settings where blood bank reserves are perennially low.
Parenting styles, parenting stress, and behavioral outcomes in children with autism
Authors: Clauser Patricia , Ding Yi , Chen Eric C. , Cho Su-Je , Wang Cixin , Hwang Jacqueline
Published: November 2020

Being in a caregiver role for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) brings a unique set of stressors and challenges to the entire family unit. This study examined a model hypothesizing that (a) parenting stress and the parenting style used by the parents of a child with ASD are correlated; (b) ASD severity, parenting stress, and parenting style uniquely explain the variance in the presentation of internalizing and externalizing symptoms among children with ASD; and (c) parenting style moderates the association between ASD severity and the presentation of internalizing and externalizing behaviors after controlling for specific demographic variables. A group of online participants were recruited through personal contacts, social media, and Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. The group of subjects, made up of 70 primary caregivers of children ages 3 to 18 years diagnosed with ASD, completed a self-report measure. Statistical analyses revealed that ASD severity and parenting style contributed to externalizing behaviors but did not have a significant impact on internalizing behaviors. Parenting stress was the primary predictor of both internalizing and externalizing child behaviors. Parenting style was not related to the stress level of parents of children with ASD and was not found to moderate the relationship between ASD severity and internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed, highlighting the importance of reducing parenting stress and providing parent training to promote positive parenting styles for children with ASD.
Soil water content estimation using ground penetrating radar data via group intelligence optimization algorithms: An application in the Northern Shaanxi Coal Mining Area
Authors: Cui Fan , Ni Jianyu , Du Yunfei , Zhao Yuxuan , Zhou Yingqing
Published: November 2020

The determination of quantitative relationship between soil dielectric constant and water content is an important basis for measuring soil water content based on ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology. The calculation of soil volumetric water content using GPR technology is usually based on the classic Topp formula. However, there are large errors between measured values and calculated values when using the formula, and it cannot be flexibly applied to different media. To solve these problems, first, a combination of GPR and shallow drilling is used to calibrate the wave velocity to obtain an accurate dielectric constant. Then, combined with experimental moisture content, the intelligent group algorithm is applied to accurately build mathematical models of the relative dielectric constant and volumetric water content, and the Topp formula is revised for sand and clay media. Compared with the classic Topp formula, the average error rate of sand is decreased by nearly 15.8%, the average error rate of clay is decreased by 31.75%. The calculation accuracy of the formula has been greatly improved. It proves that the revised model is accurate, and at the same time, it proves the rationality of the method of using GPR wave velocity calibration method to accurately calculate the volumetric water content.
The evolution characteristics of organic sulfur structure in various Chinese high organic sulfur coals
Authors: Tang Yuegang , Chen Cong , Li Xiaolong , Wei Qiang , Guo Xin , Finkelman Robert B , Li Weiwei , Huan Xuan
Published: November 2020

Understanding the organic sulfur structure and its evolution characteristics is crucial to the desulfurization of coal, as they are the dominant factors determining the removal of organic sulfur from coal. To learn the organic sulfur structure characteristics, a series of high-organic-sulfur coals from China with different ranks were studied by coal petrology, structural chemistry, and organic geochemistry theory in this paper. Coal petrological analysis shows some of the high-organic-sulfur coals with high TPI values and low GI values indicating that they have experienced unusual conditions when the coal was forming. Through the FTIR analysis, the organic sulfur structural parameters shows the relative abundance of aliphatic sulfur (thiol, thioether and sulfone) in these coals decreased with the increasing coal rank and the relative abundance of aromatic sulfur in coal generally showed an increasing trend with increasing coalification, divided into three different evolutionary stages (0.37%–1.40%, 1.40%–1.99% and 1.99%–3.93% of Rm). Comprehensive analysis shows that EID and TPI had a significant correlation with the organic sulfur structural parameters, which means regardless of the coal rank the impact of the environment on the structure of organic sulfur is independent. These results give a new insight into organic sulfur characteristics in coal and its evolution characteristics with coal rank, which are potentially useful for the efficient remove the organic sulfur from coal.
Incidence of deep venous thrombosis in COVID-19 hospitalized patients during the first peak of the Italian outbreak
Authors: Baccellieri Domenico , Bertoglio Luca , Apruzzi Luca , Ardita Vincenzo , D’Angelo Armando , Bossi Matteo , Rinaldi Enrico , Bilman Victor , Calvisi Stefania , Castagna Antonella , Galli Laura , Landoni Giovanni , Melissano Germano , Querini Patrizia Rovere , Tresoldi Moreno , De Cobelli Francesco , Zangrillo Alberto , Ciceri Fabio , Chiesa Roberto
Published: November 2020

Objectives

A high rate of thrombotic events has been reported in COVID-19 population. The study aims to assess the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in COVID-19 patients admitted to a single tertiary hospital.

Methods

From April 2nd to April 18th, 2020, hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were screened by lower limb duplex ultrasound (DUS). Patients were on (low molecular weight heparin) LMWH prophylaxis in medical wards, and on therapeutic anticoagulation in intensive care unit (ICU). DVT risk factors, reported by the Padua prediction score and blood tests, were retrieved from institutional electronic charts. The study primary endpoint was the incidence of DVT in the in-hospital COVID-19 population and its association with clinical and laboratory risk factors. The secondary endpoint was the association of DVT with mortality.

Results

Two hundred patients (median age 62 years, 72% male, 40 in ICU) received DUS screening. DVT was observed in 29 patients (14.5%), with proximal extension in 16 patients, and in association with symptoms in four patients. The DVT rate was similar in ICU (12.5%) and non-ICU patients (15%). Eighty-seven patients underwent a computed tomography angiography (CTA) that showed pulmonary embolism in 35 patients (40.2%) not associated with DVT in 25/35 cases (71.4%). DVT in the ten patients with pulmonary embolism were symptomatic in four and with a proximal localization in eight cases. A D-dimer level ≥5 mg/l at admission was predictive of DVT (OR 1.02; IC95% 1.03-1.16; p  = .003). At the multivariate analysis in-hospital mortality was predicted by age (OR 1.06; 95% CI 0.02-1.15; p  = .004) and by being an ICU patient (OR 1.23; 95% CI 0.30-2.25; p  = .01).

Conclusions

Despite LMWH prophylaxis or full anticoagulant therapy, the incidence of DVT, mainly asymptomatic, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 14.5%. Further research should focus on the appropriate antithrombotic therapy for COVID-19 patients.
End of life care for long-term neurological conditions: A meta-ethnographic review of the experiences of informal carers
Authors: Toze Michael , Ray Mo , George Thomas , Sisson Kelly , Nelson David
Published: November 2020

Background:

Family and friends are key providers of care for people living with a long-term neurological condition. Neurological conditions are a significant global contributor to disability and premature death. However, previous research suggests carers often struggle to access appropriate support at end of life.

Aims:

This review sought to synthesise qualitative studies discussing end-of-life and palliative issues for informal carers supporting people living with neurological conditions.

Design:

This was a meta-ethnographic synthesis of 38 qualitative studies discussing end-of-life and palliative issues for informal carers supporting people living with long-term neurological conditions.

Data Sources:

Qualitative articles published after January 2010 in English, addressing carers of people with long-term neurological conditions with regard to palliative care, end of life and/or bereavement. Papers were excluded if it was not possible to separately assess the views of carers. Quality appraisal was not undertaken, but consideration was given to research context.

Results:

Across the papers, five key themes were identified: the future (un)certainties in the progression of life-limiting neurological conditions; an information paradox of not receiving the right information at the right time; access to support; carers’ roles in decision making around end of life; and maintaining continuity while facing change and disruption in day-to-day living.

Conclusions:

Given the broad agreement on the challenges faced by carers of people living with long-term neurological conditions, future research should consider opportunities to improve information and support for this group, and the development and evaluation of practical models of service delivery.
The Effect of Patient Safety Education on Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Patient Safety Competencies
Authors: Torkaman Mahya , Sabzi Amirreza , Farokhzadian Jamileh
Published: November 2020

Patient safety is influenced by a set of factors in various levels of the healthcare system. One of the factors affecting patient safety is safety competencies of the nursing students. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of patient safety education on patient safety competencies of the nursing students. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest deign. The levels of patient safety competencies of 50 nursing students were investigated in a nursing school affiliated to large university of medical sciences in the south of Iran in 2019. Data were collected using Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS). The data were analyzed in SPSS 21 using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA. The three investigated intervals were significantly different in terms of the total H-PEPSS dimensions, while the lowest was attributed to the dimension “managing safety”. Mean scores of “how broader patient safety issues are addressed in health professional education” and “comfort speaking up about patient safety” significantly increased during the follow-up periods. The educational intervention was partially effective in improving patient safety competencies of the nursing students over long term.
Youth Risky Sexual Behavior: Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Factors in North-West Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Geremew Alehegn Bishaw , Gelagay Abebaw Addis , Yeshita Hedija Yenus , Azale Bisetegn Telake , Habitu Yohannes Ayanaw , Abebe Solomon Mekonnen , Birru Eshetie Melese
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Despite, risky sexual behavior behaviors adversely affect the health of youth people, youth has been start sexual lives during teenager is increasing, thus youth has been engaged in risky sexual behaviors. However, almost all the previous studies are institutional based and did not considered out school youth. Therefore, this community based study among youth was implemented to identify sociodemographic determinants of risky sexual behaviors among youth.

Methods

The community based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 15 to April 15, 2019, among youths. Data were extracted from data collected for project on assessments of common health problem and risky behaviors in central, north and west Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to determine the presence of an association between independent variables and risky sexual behavior.

Results

The overall prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 27.5%, 95%CI: (25–29). Age 20–24 years (AOR = 1.8,95% CI:1.3–2.5), female (AOR = 1.6,95%CI: 1.2–2.1), had no formal education (AOR = 1.9,95% CI:1.1–3.4), not schooling during data collection year (AOR = 1.8,95%CI:1.3–2.6), family wealth index status; lowest (AOR = 2.3,95%CI:1.3–3.9), low (AOR = 2.1,95%CI:1.2–3.5), medium (AOR = 1.9,95%CI:1.2–3.0) and high (AOR = 1.8, 95%CI:1.1–3.0), having common mental disorder (AOR = 2.0,95% CI: 1.4–2.7), and watching pornography materials (AOR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.2–2.1) were factors associated with risky sexual behaviors.

Conclusions

Findings of this study revealed that one every four youths aged 15–24 years old had risky sexual behaviors. Hence, working on economic development of the family and prevention of violence can contribute to reducing risky sexual behavior among youths.
Inhibitory effects of salidroside on MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vivo
Authors: Sun An-Qi , Ju Xiu-Lian
Published: November 2020

Objective

We investigated the antitumor effects of salidroside and preliminarily examined its underlying mechanisms by establishing a nude mouse model bearing MCF-7 breast cancer cell xenografts.

Methods

The mice were grouped and intraperitoneally injected with salidroside, paclitaxel, or physiological saline. Tumor samples were weighed, and immunohistochemical staining with hematoxylin and eosin and anti-CD34 antibody was performed. Tumor cell apoptosis was observed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine dUTP nick end labeling assay. Bcl-1, p53, Bax, and caspase 3 expression in tumor tissues was determined via western blotting.

Results

The tumor inhibition rate of high-dose salidroside was 75.16%, which was significantly higher than the rates for paclitaxel and saline. A tumor tissue pathology analysis revealed that high-dose salidroside inhibited tumor cell proliferation and promoted tumor cell apoptosis. Western blotting revealed that Bcl-2 and p53 expression were significantly lower in the salidroside group than in the other groups, whereas Bax and caspase 3 (17 kDa) expression were increased.

Conclusions

Salidroside was more effective than paclitaxel in inhibiting tumor growth in MCF-7 breast cancer cell-bearing nude mice. The mechanism of action may involve Bcl-2 and p53 downregulation and Bax and caspase 3 upregulation, thereby increasing proapoptotic factor expression and inducing tumor cell apoptosis.
The effect of music in anxiety reduction: A psychological and physiological assessment
Authors: Parada-Cabaleiro Emilia , Batliner Anton , Schuller Björn W
Published: November 2020

Extensive research has been published on the effects of music in reducing anxiety. Yet, for most of the existing works, a common methodology regarding musical genres and measurement techniques is missing, which limits considerably the comparison between them. In this study, we assess, for the first time, markedly different musical genres with both psychological and physiological measurements. Three previously studied musical samples from different genres—classical (Pachelbel’s Canon in D), Turkish (Hüseyin Makam), and electroacoustic (pure electronic)—were employed to influence “everyday anxiety” in 50 German participants (25 females, 25 males). Psychological (self-perception assessment) and physiological (heart rate measurement) indicators of anxiety, as most typical of prior work, were considered. Our study shows that listening to Pachelbel’s Canon increases the self-perception of calm, whereas listening to the electroacoustic sample decreases it; the Turkish sample is in between. No differences in heart rate are found for any of the musical genres. Our study also suggests that listeners’ self-perception might be biased by the statements used in the psychological evaluation (positive or negative), which are interpreted differently by the subjects depending on their current state.
Communities of care: Public donations, development assistance, and independent philanthropy in the Wa State of Myanmar
Authors: Ong Andrew , Steinmüller Hans
Published: November 2020

If there are any charitable, philanthropic, or welfare-state activities in the de facto states of insurgent armies, they are generally interpreted in terms of utilitarian motives and the self-legitimation of military elites and their business associates. However, development and philanthropy in the Wa State of Myanmar have more extensive purposes. We argue that a framing of care rather than of governance allows for ethnographic attention to emerging social relations and subject positions – ‘our people’, ‘the vulnerable’, and ‘the poor’. In this article we describe ‘communities of care’ by analysing public donations, development assistance and independent philanthropy in the Wa State as categories of care that each follow a different moral logic, respond to different needs, and connect different actors and recipients. Zooming in on the ways in which communities of care reproduce moral subjectivities and political authority allows a re-imagining of everyday politics in the de facto states of armed groups, no longer wedded to notions of control, legitimacy, and ‘rebel governance’.
David John Thomas and the first operation under etherisation in Melbourne
Authors: Haridas Rajesh P
Published: November 2020

The first patient etherised by David John Thomas was James Egan, an Irish bounty immigrant who lived on a pastoral lease about 120 km from Melbourne. Egan had injured his left hand and forearm in a shooting accident. It would take Egan five or six days to reach Melbourne where he had his forearm amputated on 2 August 1847. Egan had fainted frequently in the cart on the way to Melbourne and was fortunate to survive the etherisation and surgery. In September 1847, Thomas presented a paper on etherisation at a monthly meeting of the Port Phillip Medical Association—this is the earliest known presentation of a paper on etherisation in the Australian colonies. The original manuscript of Dr Thomas is now held by the Medical History Museum at the University of Melbourne.
Nocebo response in human models of migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover trials in migraine without aura and healthy volunteers
Authors: Ghanizada Hashmat , Iljazi Afrim , Ashina Håkan , Do Thien Phu , Al-Karagholi Mohammad Al-Mahdi , Amin Faisal Mohammad , Ashina Messoud
Published: November 2020

Background

Human models of migraine have been used for the past 30 years to test putative ‘trigger’ molecules and ascertain whether they induce migraine attacks in humans. However, nocebo effects using this model have never been systematically explored.

Objective

To assess the nocebo response rate in randomised clinical trials conducted at the Danish Headache Center, and in which human models of migraine were used.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed for studies of human models of migraine with a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover design that included data on the incidence of migraine attacks or headache after infusion of placebo. A total of 943 articles were screened by title and abstract. Of these, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria (published between 1994 and 2020) and were included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis. We performed a random effects meta-analysis for the incidence of migraine attacks or delayed headache after placebo infusion.

Results

Twenty-seven studies were eligible for inclusion: 12 studies reported data for adults with migraine (n = 182), whereas 16 studies reported data on healthy volunteers (n = 210). For adults with migraine, the incidence of migraine attacks after placebo was 8.1% (95% CI = 2.5–15.5%, I2 = 50.8%). The incidence of delayed headache was 25.9% (95% CI = 18.5–34.1%, I2 = 18.9%). For healthy volunteers, the incidence of migraine attacks after placebo was 0.5% (95% CI = 0.0–3.6%, I2 = 0.0%) while the incidence of delayed headache was 10.5% (95% CI = 4.8–17.6%, I2 = 45.2%).

Conclusion

The nocebo response in randomised, placebo-controlled two-way crossover trials with intravenous infusions of placebo in migraine is negligible. Future studies using human models of migraine can be conducted by assuming a nocebo response rate of 15.5%.
Anisotropy of expandable graphite to explain its behavior as a flame-retardant
Authors: Bensabath Tsilla , Sarazin Johan , Bourbigot Serge
Published: November 2020

Expandable graphite is used as a flame-retardant in polymers. Its expansion on heating leads to a network of graphite worms which acts as a thermal barrier. However, mechanisms of action of worms are not yet well known. An original experimental approach is performed to study the heat dissipation in the network of worms. The network is made by the burning of polypropylene with 10 wt% expandable graphite during cone calorimeter experiment. After the burning, a hot spot is applied on the char. Temperature is monitored at different locations of sample during the combustion and after the application of the hot spot. During cone calorimetry, the char develops homogeneously over the whole sample. The hot spot test evidences the anisotropy of the entangled network of graphite worms. This anisotropy of heat conductivity allows the dissipation of heat in-plane and poorly out of plane, which explains the thermal barrier effect made by entangled worms.
Setting occupational exposure limits for antimicrobial agents: A case study based on a quaternary ammonium compound-based disinfectant
Authors: Dotson G Scott , Lotter Jason T , Zisook Rachel E , Gaffney Shannon H , Maier Andrew , Colvin Jonathan
Published: November 2020

Antimicrobial agents have become an essential tool in controlling the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and guidelines on their use have been issued by various public health agencies. Through its Emerging Viral Pathogen Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides, the US Environmental Protection Agency has approved numerous surface disinfectant products for use against SARS-CoV-2. Despite their widespread use and range of associated health hazards, the majority of active ingredients in antimicrobial products, such as surface disinfectants, lack established occupational exposure limits (OELs) to assist occupational health professionals in characterizing risks from exposures to these chemicals. Based on established approaches from various organizations, a framework for deriving OELs specific to antimicrobial agents was developed that relies on a weight-of-evidence evaluation of the available data. This framework involves (1) a screening-level toxicological assessment based on a review of the existing literature and recommendations, (2) identification of the critical adverse effect(s) and dose–response relationship(s), (3) identification of alternative health-based exposure limits (HBELs), (4) derivation of potential OELs based on identified points of departure and uncertainty factors and/or modification of existing alternative HBELs, and (5) selection of an appropriate OEL. To demonstrate the use of this framework, a case study is described for selection of an OEL for a disinfectant product containing quaternary ammonium compounds (quats). Three potential OELs were derived for this product based on irritation toxicity data, developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) data, and modification of an existing HBEL. The final selected OEL for the quats-containing product was 0.1 mg/m3, derived from modification of an existing HBEL. This value represented the lowest resulting value of the three approaches, and thus, was considered protective of irritation and potential DART.
Lessons learned in managing risk: Tools and strategies for confident operations from the CLEAN 2020 Summit
Authors: Martinez Kenneth F , Morrow Jayne B
Published: November 2020

Risk mitigation of COVID-19 in the indoor environment requires an articulated strategy for creating a bridge between science and the business community that focuses on knitting together four core capabilities—environmental microbiology, transmission science, building science, and social science—advancing scientific knowledge. The purpose of this article is to share insights from the CLEAN 2020 Summit, which assembled leaders from business, policy, standards development, science, and engineering working to mitigate risk of transmission in the built environment. The Summit worked to assess current challenges and pain points felt by industries from around the globe as well as innovative solutions applied to meet these challenges. Although SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 diseases are unique, the foundation of knowledge to assess and mitigate the risk of viral transmission in the built environment is robust. There are opportunities to improve science and engineering technology solutions, processes, and procedures to better meet the dynamic needs of the evolving pandemic.
Investigation on hardness testing of cemented carbide tool based on finite element method
Authors: Gao Siyuan , Zheng Minli , Chen Jinguo , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2020

Hardness is a critical mechanical property of cutting tools, which significantly affects the cutting performance and wear resistance. Therefore, it is of great significance to obtain the hardness of the tool surface accurately. This paper presents a method based on finite element method (FEM) for studying the hardness of carbide tools. The microstructure of the carbide tool is obtained by scanning electron microscope(SEM). Combined with stereo principle, and secondary treatment, a three-dimensional multi-crystal model of carbide tool and indentation is established, and the model and hardness value obtained by different calculation methods are verified by microhardness test. The results show that the real hardness of the cemented carbide tool can be obtained by the indentation FEM model. The hardness values of cemented carbide tools are then calculated by the traditional method, Oliver-Pharr (OP) method and indentation method, respectively. It is found that the hardness value of the traditional method is the largest and fluctuates greatly, while the hardness values calculated by the OP method and indentation method are similar, and the fluctuation range of the hardness value calculated by the OP method is larger. In conclusion, the hardness calculated by the indentation work method is the best.
Optimization of tool design parameters for thread tapping process of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Dogrusadik Ahmet , Aycicek Candas , Kentli Aykut
Published: November 2020

Thread tapping is one of the most important machining processes. Although thread tapping is a usual process and has been used for decades, the process still needs improvement for promising materials such as titanium alloys to increase the performance of the process. Titanium alloys are known as difficult-to-cut materials due to their low heat conductivity and elastic modulus. The aim of the work presented in this paper is to optimize the tapping tool primary design parameters for Ti-6Al-4V. The most influential tool design parameters on the process were selected as the rake angle, helical flute angle, chamfer angle, and tool coating. Optimization of the tool design parameters was made by considering the results of the experimental work. Two levels of each parameter were chosen. Taguchi L8 orthogonal array was used as the design of experiment. Tapping tool temperature and tapping torque were determined as the process outputs. According to the results, the optimized tool design parameters were found as 6° rake angle, 12° helical flute angle, 14° chamfer angle, and TiCN coating.
Economic analysis of a small combined cycle gas turbine power plant in the Italian electricity market
Authors: Adolfo Dominique , Carcasci Carlo
Published: November 2020

Despite the availability of new alternative energy sources, growing worldwide energy demand and emissions targets lead power plants to work optimizing performances. In this new scenario in which renewable energies are increasingly taking the field, it is also important to produce energy at a low price. Moreover, the variability of the energy market price complicates the analysis. Comparison between the produced energy cost and the market price is necessary to get a return on investment. In this context, the paper investigates the implications of using a gas turbine in an energy system estimating the plant layout and the number of working hours that guarantees a better profit. The analysis focuses on the study of the start-up and shutdown operation mode to find the optimal solution strategy in the Italian electricity market.
The impact of episodic screening interruption: COVID-19 and population-based cancer screening in Canada
Authors: Yong Jean HE , Mainprize James G , Yaffe Martin J , Ruan Yibing , Poirier Abbey E , Coldman Andrew , Nadeau Claude , Iragorri Nicolas , Hilsden Robert J , Brenner Darren R
Published: November 2020

Background

Population-based cancer screening can reduce cancer burden but was interrupted temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated the long-term clinical impact of breast and colorectal cancer screening interruptions in Canada using a validated mathematical model.

Methods

We used the OncoSim breast and colorectal cancers microsimulation models to explore scenarios of primary screening stops for 3, 6, and 12 months followed by 6–24-month transition periods of reduced screening volumes. For breast cancer, we estimated changes in cancer incidence over time, additional advanced-stage cases diagnosed, and excess cancer deaths in 2020–2029. For colorectal cancer, we estimated changes in cancer incidence over time, undiagnosed advanced adenomas and colorectal cancers in 2020, and lifetime excess cancer incidence and deaths.

Results

Our simulations projected a surge of cancer cases when screening resumes. For breast cancer screening, a three-month interruption could increase cases diagnosed at advanced stages (310 more) and cancer deaths (110 more) in 2020–2029. A six-month interruption could lead to 670 extra advanced cancers and 250 additional cancer deaths. For colorectal cancers, a six-month suspension of primary screening could increase cancer incidence by 2200 cases with 960 more cancer deaths over the lifetime. Longer interruptions, and reduced volumes when screening resumes, would further increase excess cancer deaths.

Conclusions

Interruptions in cancer screening will lead to additional cancer deaths, additional advanced cancers diagnosed, and a surge in demand for downstream resources when screening resumes. An effective strategy is needed to minimize potential harm to people who missed their screening.
A Description of Staff-resident Interactions in Assisted Living
Authors: Paudel Anju , Galik Elizabeth , Resnick Barbara , Doran Kelly , Boltz Marie , Zhu Shijun
Published: November 2020

Positive social and care interactions are vital to understand and successfully accomplish the daily care needs of the residents in assisted living (AL) and optimize their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the staff-resident interactions in AL. This descriptive analysis utilized baseline data in a randomized trial that included 379 residents from 59 AL facilities. The majority of the interactions observed were positive; almost 25% were neutral or negative. Most interactions were care-related (31.9%) or one-on-one (27.4%), occurred with nursing (40.2%) or support staff (e.g., dining aide; 24.6%), and involved close interpersonal distance (64.6%). Future research should focus on the transition of neutral or negative interactions to positive and explore the factors that might influence neutral and negative interactions. Additionally, innovative approaches are needed to optimize interactions amid physical distancing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-Care for Caregivers of Individuals Living With Multiple Sclerosis: Testing Mediation Models of Caregiver Stress, Health, and Self-Care
Authors: Fye MacKenzie , Yoder Wren , Manser Kelly , Du Bois Steve N.
Published: November 2020

Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often receive home health care, yet little research investigates the health of informal caregivers of individuals with MS. We tested a mediation model in which associations between caregiver stress and caregiver self-care were explained by each of four a priori caregiver health factors—caregiver negative affect, pain, tiredness, and functional limitations. Participants ( n = 60 informal caregivers) were recruited online or in-person from March—July 2018, and completed an online survey assessing demographics and their caregiving experience. After controlling for demographics, only caregiver tiredness mediated the association between caregiver stress and caregiver self-care. Therefore, caregiver tiredness may be an important construct for assessment, intervention, and future research, among caregivers of individuals with MS, and among anyone providing home health care. These findings have research, clinical, and policy implications.
Debt-Related Financial Hardship and Health
Authors: Sweet Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

Recent research shows personal financial debt is an important socioeconomic determinant of health, but the mechanisms through which it operates are not well understood. This article uses data from a mixed-methods study to explore how changes in spending and behavior that result from debt have salient health consequences in a cross-sectional sample of Boston area adults ( n = 286). Findings show that a large majority of respondents had skipped medical care, housing payments, or consumer purchases at least once because of their debt. Controlling for multiple sociodemographic characteristics, each of these measures of debt-related behavior change was associated with worse self-rated health, and higher depressive symptoms, anxiety, and perceived stress. In models including all three measures, skipped medical care was associated with worse health across all outcomes, while skipped consumer purchases were associated with higher perceived stress and depression. These findings suggest that altered spending and care-seeking behaviors are potential pathways through which financial debt can negatively affect health and suggest areas in need of additional research.
Histopathological findings in the uteri and ovaries of clinically healthy cats presented for routine spaying
Authors: Binder Claudia , Reifinger Martin , Aurich Jörg , Aurich Christine
Published: November 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the histopathological findings in the uteri and ovaries from clinically healthy queens presented for elective spaying.

Methods

Ovaries and distal uterine horns or complete uteri from 106 female cats were evaluated for pathological alterations.

Results

Pathological alterations of the uterus and/or ovaries were evident in 29 cats; of these, corpora lutea were present on the ovaries of 15 cats. Ovarian cysts were found in 15 cats and were classified as cysts of the Wolffian or Muellerian ducts (n = 4), follicular cysts (n = 4), luteal cysts (n = 1), cystic rete ovarii (n = 2), combinations of different cysts (n = 2) and non-classifiable cysts (n = 2). In 21/106 cats, cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) was present. The incidence of CEH increased with the age of the cat. Six cats had purulent endometritis with or without distension of the uterine lumen. Hyperplastic lesions of the endometrium were detected in two cats. In one cat, a uterine horn malformation with duplication of one uterine horn lumen was diagnosed.

Conclusions and relevance

Whereas the majority of ovarian cysts and slight-to-moderate CEH are unlikely to interfere with an animal’s wellbeing, endometritis must be considered a serious health problem that requires veterinary attention.
Biomarkers: Our Path Towards a Cure for Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Tarawneh Rawan
Published: November 2020

Over the last decade, biomarkers have significantly improved our understanding of the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease (AD) and provided valuable tools to examine different disease mechanisms and their progression over time. While several markers of amyloid, tau, neuronal, synaptic, and axonal injury, inflammation, and immune dysregulation in AD have been identified, there is a relative paucity of biomarkers which reflect other disease mechanisms such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial injury, vascular or endothelial injury, and calcium-mediated excitotoxicity. Importantly, there is an urgent need to standardize methods for biomarker assessments across different centers, and to identify dynamic biomarkers which can monitor disease progression over time and/or response to potential disease-modifying treatments. The updated research framework for AD, proposed by the National Institute of Aging- Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) Work Group, emphasizes the importance of incorporating biomarkers in AD research and defines AD as a biological construct consisting of amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration which spans pre-symptomatic and symptomatic stages. As results of clinical trials of AD therapeutics have been disappointing, it has become increasingly clear that the success of future AD trials will require the incorporation of biomarkers in participant selection, prognostication, monitoring disease progression, and assessing response to treatments. We here review the current state of fluid AD biomarkers, and discuss the advantages and limitations of the updated NIA-AA research framework. Importantly, the integration of biomarker data with clinical, cognitive, and imaging domains through a systems biology approach will be essential to adequately capture the molecular, genetic, and pathological heterogeneity of AD and its spatiotemporal evolution over time.
Evaluation of a comprehensive non-toxic, biodegradable and sustainable cutting fluid developed from coconut oil
Authors: Suvin PS , Gupta Poorva , Horng Jeng-Haur , Kailas Satish V
Published: November 2020

The evolution in development of cutting fluid from petroleum based products have brought about remarkable changes to the present and growing machining industry. Most of the cutting fluids are made of mineral base oils which are toxic, non-biodegradable and unsustainable. A major issue lies in their inappropriate disposal which results in surface water and groundwater contamination and consequently, agricultural products and food contamination. Hence, the objective of this study is to develop an alternative, sustainable, non- toxic and completely bio-degradable cutting fluid to replace the mineral oil based cutting fluid. A Green cutting fluid [GCF] was prepared by combining nontoxic emulsifiers and natural additives. GCF meets many of the characteristic specifications of commercial formulations with the added advantage that it is eco-friendly. Toxicity test for cutting fluids has been carried out using fish toxicity test (OECD -203). The GCF with green additives has an LC50 value ≥1064 mg/L. Commercial cutting fluid (CCF) has an LC50 value less than 100 mg/L These tests show that commercial cutting fluids are highly toxic, while the GCF can be considered as non-toxic. Biodegradability test was done using BOD-COD technique and found GCF as biodegradable and CCF as non-biodegradable. The ASTM D4627 corrosion tests infer that the GCF with grade 3 has better anticorrosive characteristics when compared to grade 4 of most CCF samples tested this could be possibly by the effect of natural additives in GCF. Drilling experiments were carried out to evaluate the machining performance of cutting fluids. Results from the drilling tests comparing the axial force/cutting force and torque showed that the performance of the GCF was comparable to that of the CCFs. Nevertheless, GCF formulation with non- toxic emulsifiers and natural additives is a good basis for further development and use of non-toxic tribological products.