bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
English in MENA: A contemporary research bibliography
Authors: Elyas Tariq , Mahboob Ahmar
Published: May 2020

The bibliography presented here aims to provide guide to research on the Englishes of the MENA region. It covers a range of studies published in original journal articles, books, and other research publications between 2010 and 2020 (10 years), with a focus on major works published internationally. This list complements the work of Mahboob (2013), and of Hillman, Selvi and Yazan (2020) in this special issue. Our hope is that this bibliography will provide an up‐to‐date and useful guide to current research on Englishes in the MENA region.
Development And Piloting Of Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale
Authors: Smetáčková Irena , Topková Petra , Vozková Anna
Published: May 2020

Teacher self-efficacy is one of the key concepts related to teacher professionalism. It represents the trust of the teacher in his/her pedagogical skills. Research shows that teachers with high teacher self-efficacy are able to better organise teaching, motivate the students, adequately react to special educational needs, cooperate with the teaching staff and communicate with the students' parents. For both research and diagnostic purposes, it is important to have an effective tool to measure teacher self-efficacy. However, translation of foreign questionnaires is not a suitable solution, because teacher self-efficacy structure is derived from the educational system, which is culturally and historically specific. The article, therefore, introduces a newly developed teacher self-efficacy scale for the Czech primary schools. The scale was developed in three stages - qualitative pilot study, quantitative pilot study (N = 108) and quantitative verification study (N = 518). The final version consists of 45 items divided into 7 subscales. All the subscales are practically, theoretically and psychometrically relevant. The whole scale reliability (α = 0,953) and of all the subscales (α = 0,907; 0,892; 0,848; 0,822; 0,824; 0,639; 0,624) is excellent.
A Decision Support System for Planning New Products Introductions in Fresh Produce Supply Chains
Authors: Ahumada Valenzuela Omar , Villalobos Jesus Rene , Leyva López Juan Carlos , Solano Noriega Jesús Jaime
Published: May 2020

This research develops an initial proposal of a Decision Support System –DSS– to plan the production and distribution of new fresh agricultural products. This system is based on a hierarchical approach, which can be applied to enterprises as a planning module or as a stand-alone system for crop production. In this paper is stressed the importance of the DSS for small and medium-sized companies, or for small group of growers that need to improve coordination between their growing and market decisions. The DSS covers the strategic, tactical and operational decisions for every season, focusing on new product introduction. The aim of DSS is increasing the competitiveness of growers in a highly variable and complex marketplace. The agri-food sector still needs evolving to meet increasing demands, understand particular tastes of new consumers and evaluating the requirements of new players.
Categorization of financial assets using non- parametric DEA methods
Authors: Guevel Hernán Pablo
Published: May 2020

This paper aims to propose an integrated methodological approach for the categorization of assets using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA, Basic Additive Model version). The need for stakeholders to assess the possibility of bankruptcy, credit risk and the creation of investment portfolios has given rise to tools capable of evaluating financial assets. Given the increasing volume of data associated with assets, categorization into groups sharing homogeneous characteristics has sometimes been chosen. This strategy implies a significant reduction in time and cost of analysis. The system selected for the analysis includes the companies that traded on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange over the period 2009-2010.
Activation Energy and Thermal Radiation Aspects in Bioconvection Flow of Rate-Type Nanoparticles Configured by a Stretching/Shrinking Disk
Authors: Zhang Tianping , Khan Sami Ullah , Imran Muhammad , Tlili Iskander , Waqas Hassan , Ali Nasir
Published: May 2020

Recent trends in advanced nanotechnology developed thermal consequences of nanoparticles due to increasing significance in various engineering and thermal extrusion systems. The current continuation analyzes the axisymmetric stagnation point flow of magnetized rate-type nanoparticles configured by a porous stretching/shrinking rotating disk in the presence of motile microorganisms. A famous rate-type polymeric liquid namely Maxwell fluid has been used to examine the rheological consequences. Constitutive expressions based on the Buongiorno nanofluid model are used to examine the thermophoresis and Brownian motion features. With imposing similarity variables proposed by von Karman, the formulated problem is composed into dimensionless form. With the implementation of famous numerical technique bvp4c, the solution of governing flow equations is simulated. Graphical significance for each physical parameter is interpolated with relevant physical aspects. The variation in local Nusselt number, local Sherwood number, and motile density number corresponding to engineering parameters is numerically iterated and expressed in a tabular form. The study revealed that radial direction velocity component decreases by increasing the Deborah number and buoyancy ratio parameter. An enhanced temperature distribution for both stretching and shrinking cases has been noted by increasing the Biot number and thermophoresis parameter. A lower motile microorganisms distributed is noted due to the involvement of motile diffusivity.
A Computational Fluid Dynamics Investigation on the Effect of the Angular Velocities of Hot and Cold Turbulator Cylinders on the Heat Transfer Characteristics of Nanofluid Flows Within a Porous Cavity
Authors: Cao Yan , Bai Yu , Du Jiang , Rashidi Saman
Published: May 2020

In the present study, turbulent flow of a Cu-water nanofluid through a porous cavity is investigated using a numerical method. Two rotating cylinders with different temperatures are placed inside the porous enclosure to generate turbulent structures. Forced and natural convective heat transfer mechanisms are compared for different Cu nanoparticle concentrations. The natural convection within the enclosure is resulted from buoyancy forces as an effect of temperature differences among hot and cold cylindrical turbulators. To investigate the effect of the cavity geometry on the natural convection heat, the simulations are done for various Rayleigh number values. Accordingly, Rayleigh number increment provides higher Nusselt number values. However, in turbulent flow regimes, forced convection may weaken the natural convection. It is proven that for lower Reynolds numbers, the Nusselt number reaches higher values because of buoyant-driven convective heat transfer deterioration. Moreover, the angular velocity directions of both cylinders slightly affect the Nusselt number. Besides, the impact of porosity on the heat transfer rate is studied for different Darcy numbers. It is concluded that, for lower Ra numbers, as Darcy number rises, the average Nusselt number through the cavity is slightly boosted. In addition, it is shown that for cases with high Ra and Re values, Cu nanoparticle addition adversely affects the heat transfer process. At Ra = 1011, as Cu nanoparticle increases from 0 to 0.02 and 0.04, the average Nu decreases up to 17.65% and 27.48%, respectively.
Evaporation Momentum Force and Its Relevance to Boiling Heat Transfer
Authors: Kandlikar Satish G.
Published: May 2020

As a liquid evaporates into its vapor, the vapor phase leaves at a higher velocity than the approaching liquid and exerts a net momentum force on the evaporating interface. This force is especially relevant in the contact line region where liquid temperature is higher than the bulk liquid, and local saturation temperature is reduced due to curvature effects. These factors result in an increased evaporative flux resulting in higher evaporation momentum force that can influence the interface motion and bubble trajectory. This force provides a new mechanism for enhancing boiling heat transfer by altering the individual bubble trajectory. In microchannels, it can lead to flow instability. These effects are critically evaluated in this paper and their relevance to bubble growth and heat transfer phenomena during pool and flow boiling is presented. Two nondimensional groups K1 and K2, respectively, representing the ratio of evaporation momentum force to inertia and surface tension forces, have been used in modeling heat transfer and interface motion. Evaporation momentum force has been successfully applied in modeling critical heat flux (CHF) in pool and flow boiling, analyzing instability during flow boiling in microchannels, controlling individual bubble motion, and enhancing CHF and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) during boiling on flat surfaces as well as tubular geometries.
Nonlinear Oscillator-Based Gait Generation for a Novel Aero-Terrestrial Bioinspired Robotic System
Authors: Sánchez-Delgado C. Alberto , Ávila Vilchis Juan Carlos , Vilchis-González Adriana H. , Saldivar Belem
Published: May 2020

This paper focuses on the design of a novel aero-terrestrial robotic system based on the morphology of the Hymenoptera order insects and, particularly, on a strategy based on nonlinear oscillators for the coordination of its 12 terrestrial degrees-of-freedom (DoF). The ability of this new aero-terrestrial robot to, successfully, perform the walking process is validated through numerical simulations and tests performed on an experimental platform in which the gait speed was varied from 0.04 to 0.2 m/s. Some of the most important qualities of this robotic system are a relatively simple design with only 2 DoF per leg and a versatile terrestrial locomotion with the ability to vary its speed and direction in real-time with smooth transitions. Furthermore, unlike existent similar systems, the robot is designed to initiate a flight phase in any position without adopting particular postures avoiding undesirable interferences with the walking configuration.
Incefa-Plus Project: Lessons Learned From the Project Data and Impact on Existing Fatigue Assessment Procedures
Authors: Cuvilliez Sam , McLennan Alec , Mottershead Kevin , Mann Jonathan , Bruchhausen Matthias
Published: May 2020

This work focuses on the analysis of the data generated during the INCEFA+ project (INcreasing safety in nuclear power plants (NPPs) by Covering gaps in Environmental Fatigue Assessment, a five-year project supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020 program). More specifically, this paper discusses how the outcome of this analysis can be used to evaluate existing fatigue assessment procedures that incorporate environmental effects in a similar way to NUREG/CR-6909. A key difference between these approaches and the NUREG/CR-6909 is the reduction of conservatisms resulting from the joint implementation of the adjustment subfactor related to surface finish effect (as quantified in the design air curve derivation) and a Fen penalization factor for fatigue assessment of a location subjected to a pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary environment. The analysis presented in this paper indicates that the adjustment (sub-) factor on life associated with the effect of surface finish in air (as described in the derivation of the design air curve in NUREG/CR-6909) leads to substantial conservatisms when it is used to predict fatigue lifetimes in PWR environments for rough specimens. The corresponding margins can be explicitly quantified against the design air curve used for environmentally assisted fatigue (EAF) assessment, but may also depend on the environmental correction Fen factor expression that is used to take environmental effects into account.
Feasibility of Injury Reporting Via Text Messaging in Club Sport Settings: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chimera Nicole J. , Lininger Monica R. , Hudson Bethany , Kendall Christopher , Plucknette Lindsay , Szalkowski Timothy , Warren Meghan
Published: May 2020

A novel technique of short message service (SMS), or text message, has examined injuries in elite handball and female football and community Australian football with a response rate of over 75%. The purpose of this study was to determine if text message is a feasible method of prospectively collecting injury density data in club sports teams in the United States. Participants received a weekly text message with four questions asking about pain and participation in the past week. If the participant indicated pain in the past week, a follow-up phone interview was conducted to determine the nature of the pain/injury. The overall text message response rate was 89.8%; there were 281 responses out of 313 participant contacts over the 12-week study period. Semi-structured follow-up phone interviews were completed for 37 of the 55 reports of pain that were indicated through text message response, resulting in further injury information for 65.5% of injuries. Incidence density of reporting pain over the 12-week study was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.68–1.15) per 1,000 min of activity. In this sample, text message response rates were similar to previous studies; however, we did lose nine (25.7%) participants to follow-up.
Dry Needling Versus Sham Needling for Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Jack Melissa , Tierney Ryan , Mansell Jamie , Russ Anne
Published: May 2020

Focused Clinical Question: In patients with myofascial trigger point pain, does dry needling result in greater decreases in pain compared to sham needling? Clinical Bottom Line: The evidence supporting dry needling as more effective than sham needling in reducing patients’ pain is mixed.
“You Had One Job!” A Case Study of Maladaptive Parasocial Interaction and Athlete Maltreatment in Virtual Spaces
Authors: Sanderson Jimmy , Zimmerman Matthew , Stokowski Sarah , Fridley Alison
Published: May 2020

This research explored maladaptive parasocial interaction (PSI) expressed toward Chicago Bears kicker Cody Parkey after he missed a potential game-winning field goal in the 2019 NFL (National Football League) playoffs. Using a sample of 512 tweets posted during the week after the game, qualitative analysis revealed that maladaptive PSI manifested in the following ways: criticism, threats, anger, and support. The results help better illuminate the nature of virtual abuse and maltreatment of athletes that is increasing in online spaces. Results also suggest that maladaptive PSI expressed online creates friction among fans who have to reconcile defeat with problematic behavior from other group members. Implications for sport organizations are discussed, including the need to support and protect athletes against virtual abuse and maltreatment.
A fault-tolerant non-Clifford gate for the surface code in two dimensions
Authors: Brown Benjamin J.
Published: May 2020

We complete a universal set of fault-tolerant quantum logic gates for a two-dimensional surface code architecture.
Avalanches and power law behavior in aortic dissection propagation
Authors: Yu Xunjie , Suki Béla , Zhang Yanhang
Published: May 2020

Our study reports the discovery of avalanche-like failure of the aorta during dissection propagation.
Possibility of realizing superionic ice VII in external electric fields of planetary bodies
Authors: Futera Zdenek , Tse John S. , English Niall J.
Published: May 2020

Superionic behavior has been realized in ice VII by means of external electric fields.
Volcanic-induced global monsoon drying modulated by diverse El Niño responses
Authors: Paik Seungmok , Min Seung-Ki , Iles Carley E. , Fischer Erich M. , Schurer Andrew P.
Published: May 2020

Volcanic-induced global monsoon precipitation decrease is strongly affected by diverse El Niño responses.
Phenotypic plasticity as a long-term memory easing readaptations to ancestral environments
Authors: Ho Wei-Chin , Li Diyan , Zhu Qing , Zhang Jianzhi
Published: May 2020

From bacteria to vertebrates, organisms “remember” their ancestral environments in the form of phenotypic plasticity.
Roadmap for advanced aqueous batteries: From design of materials to applications
Authors: Chao Dongliang , Zhou Wanhai , Xie Fangxi , Ye Chao , Li Huan , Jaroniec Mietek , Qiao Shi-Zhang
Published: May 2020

Aqueous batteries are a reliable alternative for next-generation safe, low-cost, and scalable energy storage.
In situ repair abilities of human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells and autocrosslinked hyaluronic acid gel complex in rhesus monkeys with intrauterine adhesion
Authors: Wang Lingjuan , Yu Chuanhu , Chang Tianli , Zhang Mengdi , Song Su , Xiong Chengliang , Su Pin , Xiang Wenpei
Published: May 2020

A novel complex transplantation had notable dual repair effects on moderate to severe intrauterine adhesion.
Chromatin-based reprogramming of a courtship regulator by concurrent pheromone perception and hormone signaling
Authors: Zhao Songhui , Deanhardt Bryson , Barlow George Thomas , Schleske Paulina Guerra , Rossi Anthony M. , Volkan Pelin C.
Published: May 2020

Fruitless promoter bridges hormonal and social cues to reprogram chromatin and drive changes in neurophysiology and behavior.
Observation of generalized Kibble-Zurek mechanism across a first-order quantum phase transition in a spinor condensate
Authors: Qiu L.-Y. , Liang H.-Y. , Yang Y.-B. , Yang H.-X. , Tian T. , Xu Y. , Duan L.-M.
Published: May 2020

A power-law scaling in dynamics across a first-order quantum phase transition is observed and explained.
Prolonged cholestasis after acute viral hepatitis: successfully treated with oral steroid
Authors: Jayappa Manjesh , Kumar Prawin , Goyal Jagdish Prasad
Published: May 2020

Cholestasis is a rare distinct complication of hepatitis A infection. Usually it runs a long indolent course with significant pruritus and malabsorption lasting for few months. A 9-year-old boy presented with yellowish discolouration of eye for 1 month. Liver function test showed conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. Serology was positive for hepatitis A IgM antibody. Liver biopsy showed features of hepatitis with cholestasis. Child successfully treated with oral steroids.
Fetal congenital midaortic syndrome with unilateral renal artery stenosis prenatally presenting with polyhydramnios and postpartum as hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome
Authors: Ardabili Sara , Uerlings Vincent , Kaelin Agten Andrea , Hodel Markus
Published: May 2020

The midaortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare anomaly, characterised by narrowing of the distal aorta and its major branches. The most common symptom is severe arterial hypertension. The combination of hyponatremia, polyuria and renovascular hypertension caused by a unilateral renal artery stenosis is described as hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome. We report a case of MAS with unilateral renal artery stenosis in a preterm female neonate. A pregnant woman at 34 weeks of gestation was referred with fast growing abdominal circumference and pain. The ultrasound revealed severe polyhydramnios and fetal myocardial hypertrophy. Within the first 48 hours of the neonatal period, the diagnosis of MAS was made. We conclude that symptomatic MAS, caused by unilateral renal artery stenosis, resulting in increased renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system activity and subsequent polyuria of the non-stenotic kidney, lead to clinically significant polyhydramnios.
Distortion of dual energy X-ray images by faecal masses in a child with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Shah Nikhil , Ekbote Veena , Khadilkar Vaman , Khadilkar Anuradha
Published: May 2020

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning is the most common investigating modality used to assess bone mineral density (BMD). Conditions causing tissue calcification and artefacts such as metallic objects may mislead the results of the DXA scan. We present here a case of a child with diabetes where the DXA images were distorted by faecal lumps, leading to falsely elevated BMD and an error in interpretation of the DXA scans. Our case suggests that DXA software may not, at times, differentiate between bone and other high-attenuating material within the regions of interest. Thus, DXA images should also be visually examined and verified with the numeric data before report preparation in these patients.
Incidence, clinical outcomes, and transmission dynamics of severe coronavirus disease 2019 in California and Washington: prospective cohort study
Authors: Lewnard Joseph A , Liu Vincent X , Jackson Michael L , Schmidt Mark A , Jewell Britta L , Flores Jean P , Jentz Chris , Northrup Graham R , Mahmud Ayesha , Reingold Arthur L , Petersen Maya , Jewell Nicholas P , Young Scott , Bellows Jim
Published: May 2020

Objective

To understand the epidemiology and burden of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) during the first epidemic wave on the west coast of the United States.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Kaiser Permanente integrated healthcare delivery systems serving populations in northern California, southern California, and Washington state.

Participants

1840 people with a first acute hospital admission for confirmed covid-19 by 22 April 2020, among 9 596 321 healthcare plan enrollees. Analyses of hospital length of stay and clinical outcomes included 1328 people admitted by 9 April 2020 (534 in northern California, 711 in southern California, and 83 in Washington).

Main outcome measures

Cumulative incidence of first acute hospital admission for confirmed covid-19, and subsequent probabilities of admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality, as well as duration of hospital stay and ICU stay. The effective reproduction number (RE) describing transmission dynamics was estimated for each region.

Results

As of 22 April 2020, cumulative incidences of a first acute hospital admission for covid-19 were 15.6 per 100 000 cohort members in northern California, 23.3 per 100 000 in southern California, and 14.7 per 100 000 in Washington. Accounting for censoring of incomplete hospital stays among those admitted by 9 April 2020, the estimated median duration of stay among survivors was 9.3 days (with 95% staying 0.8 to 32.9 days) and among non-survivors was 12.7 days (1.6 to 37.7 days). The censoring adjusted probability of ICU admission for male patients was 48.5% (95% confidence interval 41.8% to 56.3%) and for female patients was 32.0% (26.6% to 38.4%). For patients requiring critical care, the median duration of ICU stay was 10.6 days (with 95% staying 1.3 to 30.8 days). The censoring adjusted case fatality ratio was 23.5% (95% confidence interval 19.6% to 28.2%) among male inpatients and 14.9% (11.8% to 18.6%) among female inpatients; mortality risk increased with age for both male and female patients. Reductions in RE were identified over the study period within each region.

Conclusions

Among residents of California and Washington state enrolled in Kaiser Permanente healthcare plans who were admitted to hospital with covid-19, the probabilities of ICU admission, of long hospital stay, and of mortality were identified to be high. Incidence rates of new hospital admissions have stabilized or declined in conjunction with implementation of social distancing interventions.
Refinement and validation of the IDIOM score for predicting the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in iron deficiency anaemia
Authors: Almilaji Orouba , Smith Carla , Surgenor Sue , Clegg Andrew , Williams Elizabeth , Thomas Peter , Snook Jonathon
Published: May 2020

Objective

To refine and validate a model for predicting the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer in iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and to develop an app to facilitate use in clinical practice.

Design

Three elements: (1) analysis of a dataset of 2390 cases of IDA to validate the predictive value of age, sex, blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV) and iron studies on the probability of underlying GI cancer; (2) a pilot study of the benefit of adding faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) into the model; and (3) development of an app based on the model.

Results

Age, sex and Hb were all strong, independent predictors of the risk of GI cancer, with ORs (95% CI) of 1.05 per year (1.03 to 1.07, p<0.00001), 2.86 for men (2.03 to 4.06, p<0.00001) and 1.03 for each g/L reduction in Hb (1.01 to 1.04, p<0.0001) respectively. An association with MCV was also revealed, with an OR of 1.03 for each fl reduction (1.01 to 1.05, p<0.02). The model was confirmed to be robust by an internal validation exercise. In the pilot study of high-risk cases, FIT was also predictive of GI cancer (OR 6.6, 95% CI 1.6 to 51.8), but the sensitivity was low at 23.5% (95% CI 6.8% to 49.9%). An app based on the model was developed.

Conclusion

This predictive model may help rationalise the use of investigational resources in IDA, by fast-tracking high-risk cases and, with appropriate safeguards, avoiding invasive investigation altogether in those at ultra-low predicted risk.
Arts-based approaches to promoting health in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Bunn Christopher , Kalinga Chisomo , Mtema Otiyela , Abdulla Sharifa , Dillip Angel , Lwanda John , Mtenga Sally M , Sharp Jo , Strachan Zoë , Gray Cindy M
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Arts-based approaches to health promotion have been used widely across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly in public health responses to HIV/AIDS. Such approaches draw on deep-rooted historical traditions of indigenous groups in combination with imported traditions which emerged from colonial engagement. To date, no review has sought to map the locations, health issues, art forms and methods documented by researchers using arts-based approaches in SSA.

Methods

Using scoping review methodology, 11 databases spanning biomedicine, arts and humanities and social sciences were searched. Researchers screened search results for papers using predefined criteria. Papers included in the review were read and summarised using a standardised proforma. Descriptive statistics were produced to characterise the location of the studies, art forms used or discussed, and the health issues addressed, and to determine how best to summarise the literature identified.

Results

Searches identified a total of 59 794 records, which reduced to 119 after screening. We identified literature representing 30 (62.5%) of the 48 countries in the SSA region. The papers covered 16 health issues. The majority (84.9%) focused on HIV/AIDS-related work, with Ebola (5.0%) and malaria (3.3%) also receiving attention. Most studies used a single art form (79.0%), but a significant number deployed multiple forms (21.0%). Theatre-based approaches were most common (43.7%), followed by music and song (22.6%), visual arts (other) (9.2%), storytelling (7.6%) and film (5.0%).

Conclusions

Arts-based approaches have been widely deployed in health promotion in SSA, particularly in response to HIV/AIDS. Historically and as evidenced by this review, arts-based approaches have provided a platform to facilitate enquiry, achieved significant reach and in some instances supported demonstrable health-related change. Challenges relating to content, power relations and evaluation have been reported. Future research should focus on broadening application to other conditions, such as non-communicable diseases, and on addressing challenges raised in research to date.
Enhanced long-term dietary change and adherence in a nutrigenomics-guided lifestyle intervention compared to a population-based (GLB/DPP) lifestyle intervention for weight management: results from the NOW randomised controlled trial
Authors: Horne Justine , Gilliland Jason , O'Connor Colleen , Seabrook Jamie , Madill Janet
Published: May 2020

Background

Adherence to nutritional guidelines for chronic disease prevention and management remains a challenge in clinical practice. Innovative strategies are needed to help optimise dietary behaviour change.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine if a nutrigenomics-guided lifestyle intervention programme could be used to motivate greater dietary adherence and change in dietary intake short-term, moderate-term and long-term compared to the gold-standard population-based weight management intervention (Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB)/Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP)).

Design

The Nutrigenomics, Overweight/Obesity, and Weight Management (NOW) randomised controlled trial is a pragmatic, parallel-group, superiority clinical trial (n=140), which was conducted at the East Elgin Family Health Team (EEFHT). GLB weight management groups were prerandomised 1:1 to receive either the standard GLB programme or a modified GLB+nutrigenomics (GLB+NGx) programme. Three 24-hour recalls were collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months using the validated multiple pass method. Research assistants collecting the three 24-hour recalls were blinded to the participants’ group assignments. Statistical analyses included split plot analyses of variance (ANOVAs), two-way ANOVAs, binary logistic regression, χ2and Fisher’s exact tests. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour as guidance, key confounding factors of behaviour change were considered in the analyses. This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03015012).

Results

Only the GLB+NGx group significantly reduced their total fat intake from baseline to 12-month follow-up (from 36.0%±4.8% kcal to 30.2%±8.7% kcal, p=0.02). Long-term dietary adherence to total fat and saturated fat guidelines was also significantly (p<0.05) greater in the GLB+NGx group compared to the standard GLB group.

Conclusions

Weight management interventions guided by nutrigenomics can motivate long-term improvements in dietary fat intake above and beyond gold-standard population-based interventions.
Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of Subacromial spacer for Tears Affecting Rotator cuff Tendons: a Randomised, Efficient, Adaptive Clinical Trial in Surgery (START:REACTS)
Authors: Metcalfe Andrew , Gemperle Mannion Elke , Parsons Helen , Brown Jaclyn , Parsons Nicholas , Fox Josephine , Kearney Rebecca , Lawrence Tom , Bush Howard , McGowan Kerri , Khan Iftekhar , Mason James , Hutchinson Charles , Gates Simon , Stallard Nigel , Underwood Martin , Drew Stephen
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Shoulder pain due to irreparable rotator cuff tears can cause substantial disability, but treatment options are limited. A balloon spacer is a relatively simple addition to a standard arthroscopic debridement procedure, but it is costly and there is no current randomised trial evidence to support its use. This trial will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a subacromial balloon spacer for individuals undergoing arthroscopic debridement for irreparable rotator cuff tears.

New surgical procedures can provide substantial benefit to patients. Good quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are needed, but trials in surgery are typically long and expensive, exposing patients to risk and the healthcare system to substantial costs. One way to improve the efficiency of trials is with an adaptive sample size. Such methods are well established in drug trials but have rarely, if ever, been used in surgical trials.

Methods and analysis

Subacromial spacer for Tears Affecting Rotator cuff Tendons: a Randomised, Efficient, Adaptive Clinical Trial in Surgery (START:REACTS) is a participant and assessor blinded, adaptive, multicentre RCT comparing arthroscopic debridement with the InSpace balloon (Stryker, USA) to arthroscopic debridement alone for people with a symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tear. It uses a group sequential adaptive design where interim analyses are performed using all of the 3, 6 and 12-month data that are available at each time point. A maximum of 221 participants will be randomised (1:1 ratio), this will provide 90% power (at the 5% level) for a 6 point difference in the primary outcome; the Oxford Shoulder Score at 12 months. A substudy will use deltoid-active MRI scans in 56 participants to assess the function of the balloon. Analysis will be on an intention-to-treat basis and reported according to principles established in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement.

Ethics and dissemination

NRES number 18/WM/0025. The results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, presentations at conferences, lay summaries and social media.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN17825590
Investigating the potential for seizure prediction in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy: owner‐reported prodromal changes and seizure triggers
Authors: Finnegan Sarah Louise , Volk Holger Andreas , Asher Lucy , Daley Monica , Packer Rowena Mary Anne
Published: May 2020

Background

Canine idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is characterised by recurrent seizure activity, which can appear unpredictable and uncontrollable. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for seizure prediction in dogs by exploring owner‐perceived seizure prediction abilities and identifying owner‐reported prodromal changes (long‐term changes in disposition that indicate forthcoming seizures) and seizure triggers (stimuli that precipitate seizures) in dogs with IE.

Methods

This is an online, international, cross‐sectional survey of 229 owners of dogs diagnosed with IE, meeting the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force tier I diagnostic criteria.

Results

Over half (59.6 per cent) of owners believed they were able to predict an upcoming seizure in their dog, of whom nearly half (45.5 per cent) were able to do so at least 30 minutes before the seizure commenced. The most common ‘seizure predictors’ were preseizure behavioural changes including increased clinginess (25.4 per cent), restlessness (23.1 per cent) and fearful behaviour (19.4 per cent). Nearly two‐thirds of owners reported prodromal changes (64.9 per cent), most commonly restlessness (29.2 per cent), and nearly half (43.1 per cent) reported seizure triggers, most commonly stress (39.1 per cent).

Conclusions

The relatively high prevalence of owner‐reported prodromal changes and seizure triggers shows promise for utilising these methods to aid seizure prediction in dogs, which could open a window of time for pre‐emptive, individualised drug interventions to abort impending seizure activity.
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria associated with equine respiratory disease in the United Kingdom
Authors: Fonseca Joana D , Mavrides Daphne E , Morgan Alice L , Na Jea G , Graham Peter A , McHugh Timothy D
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Respiratory diseases account for the highest number of clinical problems in horses compared with other body systems. While microbiological culture and sensitivity testing is essential for certain cases, knowledge of the most likely bacterial agents and their susceptibilities is necessary to inform empirical antibiotic choices.

Methods

A retrospective study of microbiological and cytological results from upper and lower respiratory samples (n=615) processed in a commercial laboratory between 2002 and 2012 was carried out. A further study of lower respiratory samples from horses with clinical signs of lower respiratory disease from May to June 2012 was undertaken.

Results

Both studies revealedStreptococcus equisubspecieszooepidemicus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Pasteurellaspecies,Escherichia coliandBordetella bronchisepticaas the most frequently isolated species.S equisubspecieszooepidemicusand subspeciesequiwere susceptible to ceftiofur (100 per cent) and erythromycin (99 per cent). Resistance to penicillin (12.5 per cent ofS equisubspeciesequifrom upper respiratory tract samples) and tetracycline (62.7 per cent) was also detected. Gram‐negative isolates showed resistance to gentamicin, trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline but susceptibility to enrofloxacin (exceptPseudomonasspecies, where 46.2 per cent were resistant). Multiple drug resistance was detected in 1 per cent of isolates.

Conclusion

Resistance to first‐choice antibiotics in common equine respiratory tract bacteria was noted and warrants continued monitoring of their susceptibility profiles. This can provide information to clinicians about the best empirical antimicrobial choices against certain pathogenic bacteria and help guide antibiotic stewardship efforts to converse their efficacy.
Starting strong: Dietary, behavioral, and environmental factors that promote “strength” from conception to age 2 years
Authors: Murray Robert
Published: May 2020

Beginning with conception and continuing through childhood and adolescence, the word “strength” connotes the totality of optimal early bone and tissue growth; neural wiring of the brain; and acquisition of fine motor, gross motor, language, and socioemotional skills. The robustness of each of these attributes depend on 3 critical epigenetic (external) factors: the quality of nutrition; positive adult nurturing; and experiences acquired within a stimulating, safe environment that affords free exploration. This review highlights the relationship between the epigenetic factors in the period of conception to age 2 years and a child’s future health, cognitive capacity, and social aptitude, which collectively comprise their “strength”. This paper was presented as part of the 2018 Strength Summit conference entitled, The Role of Strength in Optimal Health and Well-being.

Novelty Strength in infants signifies the totality of optimal early growth and neural wiring of the brain. Strength at this life stage also includes the acquisition of motor, language, and socioemotional skills. Three epigenetic factors are critical during birth to 24 months: nutrition, nurturing, and free exploration.
A dipole moment puzzle
Authors: Barón Máximo , Stewart James J.P.
Published: May 2020

The centrosymmetric compound trans-1,4-dibromo-1,4-dicyanocyclohexane is unusual in that, although it would be expected to have a zero dipole moment, and this has been verified in the crystal, it has also been observed to have a significantly nonzero dipole when in solution. In addition, using NMR, ring protons that were expected to be magnetically inequivalent were found to be equivalent. An answer to these two puzzles has been found by computationally modeling its behavior when unconstrained by crystal forces.
Optimal seismic isolation characteristics for bridges in moderate and high seismicity areas
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Dai , Guizani Lotfi
Published: May 2020

This paper aims to identify the optimal properties of seismic isolation systems (SISs) for bridges in moderate seismicity areas (MSAs) and high seismicity areas (HSAs). Amplitude and spectral parameters of ground motions are proposed to identify these areas. A parametric study, with varying SIS properties, is carried out, and the seismic isolation performance is evaluated for several locations within MSAs and HSAs in North America and Europe. The optimal characteristic strength, Qd, and post-elastic stiffness, Kd, of SISs are determined for each seismic area class to minimize seismic forces and displacement demands. Results indicate that ground motions for MSAs have a rich high frequency content, causing seismic acceleration spectrum to decrease more rapidly with the elongation of the structure period. SISs with low-to-moderate energy dissipation capacities show the best performance for MSAs, while HSAs require SISs with higher damping capacities. Ranges for optimal Qd and Kd of SISs for bridges in MSAs and HSAs are proposed.
Weed control and crop safety in sulfonylurea/glyphosate-resistant soybean
Authors: Ganie Zahoor A. , Jhala Amit J.
Published: May 2020

A soybean trait resistant to sulfonylurea herbicides along with glyphosate (Bolt™ soybean) has been developed. Information is needed to determine herbicide programs for weed control and crop safety in this new multiple herbicide–resistant soybean trait. The objectives of this study were to evaluate weed control and crop safety in sulfonylurea/glyphosate-resistant soybean with herbicide programs, including but not limited to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Field experiments were conducted near Clay Center, NE, USA, in 2016 and 2017. Herbicide programs with multiple sites-of-action including rimsulfuron/thifensulfuron in mixture with flumioxazin, flumioxazin/chlorimuron, pyroxasulfone, chlorimuron/metribuzin, or saflufenacil/imazethapyr plus dimethenamid-P provided 91%–97% control of common waterhemp, velvetleaf, and common lambsquarters. Rimsulfuron and (or) thifensulfuron resulted in 92%–97% control of velvetleaf and common lambsquarters and 81%–87% common waterhemp control at 21 d after pre-emergence (PRE) (DAPRE) herbicide application. Soybean injury was transient and varied from 3% to 11% at 21 DAPRE and 14 d after post-emergence (POST) (DAPOST) herbicide application without causing yield loss. At 30 and 60 DAPOST, 87%–97% velvetleaf control and 92%–98% common lambsquarters control was achieved with herbicide programs tested (PRE, POST, or PRE followed by POST). Common waterhemp control at 30 and 60 DAPOST was not consistent between years. Weed density and biomass reduction were mostly similar to weed control achieved. Untreated control resulted in the lowest soybean yield (1811 kg ha−1) in 2016 compared with 3406–4611 kg ha−1 in herbicide programs.
The initial ψ′ physics program at the BES experiment
Authors: Yuan C. Z.
Published: May 2020

In this article, I review the early years of the study of charmonium physics at the BES experiment and its consequences on the future research at the BESII and BESIII experiments, based on my own experience of working at BES since summer 1992 and material found from the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) archives.
Universal scale factors relating mesonic fields and quark operators
Authors: Fariborz Amir H. , Ho J. , Steele T. G.
Published: May 2020

Scale factor matrices relating mesonic fields in chiral Lagrangians and quark-level operators of QCD sum-rules are shown to be constrained by chiral symmetry, resulting in universal scale factors for each chiral nonet. Built upon this interplay between chiral Lagrangians and QCD sum-rules, the scale factors relating the [Formula: see text] isotriplet scalar mesons to their underlying composite quark fields were recently determined. It is shown that the same technique when applied to [Formula: see text] isodoublet scalars reproduces the same scale factors, confirming the universality property and further validating this connection between chiral Lagrangians and QCD sum-rules, which can have nontrivial impacts on our understanding of the low-energy QCD, in general, and the physics of scalar mesons in particular.
Truncated boolean representable simplicial complexes
Authors: Margolis Stuart , Rhodes John , Silva Pedro V.
Published: May 2020

We extend, in significant ways, the theory of truncated boolean representable simplicial complexes introduced in 2015. This theory, which includes all matroids, represents the largest class of finite simplicial complexes for which combinatorial geometry can be meaningfully applied.
Formal language convexity in left-orderable groups
Authors: Su Hang Lu
Published: May 2020

We propose a criterion for preserving the regularity of a formal language representation when passing from groups to subgroups. We use this criterion to show that the regularity of a positive cone language in a left-orderable group passes to its finite index subgroups, and to show that there exists no left order on a finitely generated acylindrically hyperbolic group such that the corresponding positive cone is represented by a quasi-geodesic regular language. We also answer one of Navas’ questions by giving an example of an infinite family of groups which admit a positive cone that is generated by exactly [Formula: see text] generators, for every [Formula: see text]. As a special case of our construction, we obtain a finitely generated positive cone for [Formula: see text].
Gaussian kernel in quantum learning
Authors: Bishwas Arit Kumar , Mani Ashish , Palade Vasile
Published: May 2020

The Gaussian kernel is a very popular kernel function used in many machine learning algorithms, especially in support vector machines (SVMs). It is more often used than polynomial kernels when learning from nonlinear datasets and is usually employed in formulating the classical SVM for nonlinear problems. Rebentrost et al. discussed an elegant quantum version of a least square support vector machine using quantum polynomial kernels, which is exponentially faster than the classical counterpart. This paper demonstrates a quantum version of the Gaussian kernel and analyzes its runtime complexity using the quantum random access memory (QRAM) in the context of quantum SVM. Our analysis shows that the runtime computational complexity of the quantum Gaussian kernel is approximated to [Formula: see text] and even [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] and the error [Formula: see text] are small enough to be ignored, where [Formula: see text] is the dimension of the training instances, [Formula: see text] is the accuracy, [Formula: see text] is the dot product of the two quantum states, and [Formula: see text] is the Taylor remainder error term. Therefore, the run time complexity of the quantum version of the Gaussian kernel seems to be significantly faster when compared with its classical version.
Controllable Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using a Double-Layer Y-Shaped SAR Micromixer
Authors: Liu Guojun , Li Zhiqiang , Li Xinbo , Luo Yanru , Wang Xinfeng , Zhu Duanyi , Yang Zhigang , Wang Jibo
Published: May 2020

Based on the advantages of microfluidics in the field of nanoparticle synthesis, a controllable synthesis method for silver nanoparticles using a double-layer Y-shaped splitting and recombination (SAR) micromixer is proposed. First, the liquid phase synthesis mechanism of silver nanoparticles, the working principle of the double-layer Y-shaped SAR micromixer, and the mixing performance of micromixer at different Reynolds number (Re) are analyzed. Then, the micromixer is used to synthesize silver nanoparticles, and the effects of reductant concentration, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and inlet flow rate on the size, distribution and morphology of the synthesized silver nanoparticles are investigated comprehensively. The synthesized silver nanoparticles are characterized by UV-spectrometer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The experimental results show that the reductant concentration, PVP, and inlet flow rate have a direct impact on the size, distribution, monodispersity and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. The moderate reductant concentration makes the size of silver nanoparticles larger and the size uniformity is better. Adding PVP to the experimental reagent can prevent the aggregation of silver nanoparticles, consequently, the synthesized particles have a uniform distribution and a better morphology. The changes in inlet flow rate and Re directly affect the mixing efficiency, which in turn affect the formation of silver atoms and silver nanocrystal nuclei and have a greater impact on particle concentration. The proposed micromixer has excellent mixing performance and can be used in other fields such as controllable synthesis, biomedicine and microchemical systems.
Adversarial Evaluation of Robust Neural Sequential Tagging Methods for Thai Language
Authors: Udomcharoenchaikit Can , Boonkwan Prachya , Vateekul Peerapon
Published: May 2020

Sequential tagging tasks, such as Part-Of-Speech (POS) tagging and Named-Entity Recognition, are the building blocks of many natural language processing applications. Although prior works have reported promising results in standard settings, they often underperform on non-standard text, such as microblogs and social media. In this article, we introduce an adversarial evaluation scheme for the Thai language by creating adversarial examples based on known spelling errors. Furthermore, we propose novel methods including UNK masking, condition initialization with affixation embeddings, and untied-directional self-attention mechanism to enhance robustness and interpretability of the neural networks. We conducted experiments on two Thai corpora: BEST2010 and ORCHID. Our adversarial evaluation schemes reveal that bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM) do not perform well on adversarial examples. Our best methods match the performance of the BiLSTM baseline model and outperform it on adversarial examples.