bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histological and histomorphometric analysis of bone tissue after guided bone regeneration with non‐resorbable membranes vs resorbable membranes and titanium mesh
Authors: Cucchi Alessandro , Sartori Maria , Parrilli Annapaola , Aldini Nicolò N. , Vignudelli Elisabetta , Corinaldesi Giuseppe
Published: July 2019

Background

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) allows to achieve vertical ridge augmentation whether with nonresorbable membranes or resorbable membranes with Ti‐mesh, but till now no studies are published comparing histological and histomorphometrical outcomes of these two procedures.

Materials and Methods

Forty partially edentulous patients required vertical bone regeneration to place implants in the posterior mandible: 20 patients were randomly assigned to group A (Ti‐PTFE); while 20 patients to group B (Collagen plus Ti‐mesh). For both groups, graft material was a 50:50 mixture of autogenous bone and bone allograft. After 9 months, tissue biopsies were taken from augmented sites (regenerated bone ROI‐1; native bone ROI‐2) and undergone to histological and histomorphometric analysis. Percentages of bone tissue (B.Ar), biomaterial (Mat. Ar), and soft tissue (St.Ar) were measured; measurements of perimeters were calculated too. ROI‐1 values were also compared to ROI‐2 in both groups.

Results

Twenty‐five samples were collected and analyzed consecutively: 13 in group A and 12 in group B. The mean B.Ar, Mat.Ar, and St.Ar were 39.7%, 8.6%, and 52.1% in group A; similar results were obtained in group B, with mean values of 42.1%, 9.6%, and 48.3%, respectively. No significant statistically differences were observed. Differences were observed between ROI‐1 and ROI‐2 in both group. Finally, bone structure index of ROI‐1 and ROI‐2 showed statistical differences.

Conclusions

The preliminary results of this study suggest that GBR using nonresorbable membranes and Ti‐mesh with resorbable membranes in combination with autogenous bone and bone allograft provide similar histological and histomorphometric results.
Food Dependency in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Simply a Matter of ‘Vulnerability’, or Missed Development Opportunity?
Authors: Arment C. Jean
Published: July 2019

This article seeks to refocus some of the attention devoted in the past several decades to the issue of food security in sub‐Saharan Africa to the broader context of food dependency. Using panel data for 44 countries over a period of 51 years (1961–2011), the article tests several hypotheses drawn from Lewis's classical model of development characterized by ‘unlimited supplies of labour’. The model requires either rising agricultural productivity (the closed model) or imports of global market foodstuffs (the open model) to ensure the low food prices and wages required for capital accumulation. Empirical results reject a positive association between food dependency, as represented by five decades of increasing per capita grain imports, and any measurable level of economic modernization with sufficient forward momentum to spur or justify such dependency. Results suggest instead a significant correlation between increasing food dependency and separate panel time periods associated with differing trade and policy regimes. More importantly, empirical results call for a re‐evaluation of Lewis's original development model, focusing on the pivotal role of a supported food subsistence sector in creating economic possibilities for development.
Measurement of mitral valve area in patients with mitral stenosis by 3D echocardiography: A comparison between direct planimetry on 3D zoom and 3D quantification
Authors: Sadeghian Hakimeh , Rezvanfard Mehrnaz , Jalali Arash
Published: July 2019

Background

Measurement of the mitral valve area (MVA) in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) by 3D echocardiography (3DE) is usually done via 3D quantification (3DQ). The present study on patients with severe MS sought to evaluate the agreement regarding the MVA measurement between 3DQ and direct planimetry on 3D zoom and also between 3DE and 2DE.

Methods

Twenty‐six patients (22 female, mean age:34.5 ± 14.0 years) with severe MS diagnosed by 2D transthoracic echocardiography(2DTTE) underwent 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE). Direct planimetry, the pressure half‐time (PTH), and the continuity equation(CE) constituted 3 conventional 2DTTE methods, and 3DQ and direct planimetry on 3D zoom comprised two 3DTEE methods applied for the MVA measurement. Agreement between the 2D and 3D methods was assessed using the Bland–Altman plot and measuring the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The mean MVA measured by 3DQ was significantly larger than that derived by direct planimetry on 3D zoom (0.935 ± 0.23 cm2 vs 0.846 ± 0.22 cm2, respectively; P = 0.026). The agreement between 3DQ and 3D zoom for the MVA measurement was moderate to good by the Bland–Altman plot (ICC = 0.67). The mean MVA measured by 2DE (all 3 methods of direct planimetry, the PTH, and the CE) was significantly larger than that derived by 3DE (both methods of 3DQ and direct planimetry on 3D zoom) (all Ps < 0.05). A moderate agreement between 3DQ and 2D planimetry (ICC = 0.43) was found by the Bland–Altman plot.

Conclusions

The MVA measurement by direct planimetry on 3D zoom showed a moderate‐to‐good agreement with 3DQ; it may, thus, be used in clinical practice as a simple method for the measurement of the MVA in patients with MS.
Intraoral confocal microscopy of suspicious oral lesions: a prospective case series
Authors: Contaldo Maria , Lauritano Dorina , Carinci Francesco , Romano Antonio , Di Stasio Dario , Lajolo Carlo , Della Vella Fedora , Serpico Rosario , Lucchese Alberta
Published: July 2019

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 90% of oral epithelial malignancies and often arises from precursor lesions, whose diagnosis is based on biopsy and histopathology. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) images the vital tissues at microscopic resolution, well correlating with conventional histopathology, but it is poorly investigated in oral oncology. The present work aims to describe RCM cytoarchitectural findings in oral mucosae affected by OSCC and its precursors.

Materials and Methods

A series of clinically suspected oral lesions underwent RCM imaging before conventional biopsy and histopathological assessment in order to identify features suggestive of tumoral changes. Sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of RCM compared to histopathology were calculated.

Results

Totally, 30 sites in 20 patients were considered and clinically classified into 16 “leukoplakia”/“ traumatism”, nine erosive‐ulcerative lesions, three verrucous lesions, and two healthy mucosae, as control. The histopathological “positivity,” due to the presence of various degrees of dysplasia and/or neoplasia, was found in 11 lesions; the RCM “positivity” was referred to nine lesions reporting the RCM detection of polymorphism, multinucleated cells, irregular cellular maturation, altered nuclear/cytoplasm ratio, and abnormal blood vessels. After excluding three verrucous lesions from the RCM analysis, due to the low laser penetration through the hyperkeratotic layers, the results well correlated with histopathology, reporting 1.000 (SE), 0.933 (SP), 0.909 (PPV), and 1.000 (NPV).

Conclusion

RCM can reveal dysplastic/neoplastic signs occurring in oral lesions, thus supporting their diagnostic pathway.
Clinical performance evaluation of the new hematology analyzer Mindray BC‐6000
Authors: Shen Yimin , Cao Jun , Zhou Zhiying , Wang Yong , Shen Yili , He Jun
Published: July 2019

Introduction

With the progression of blood analysis technology, hematology analyzers become more complex and diverse. How to choose a superb instrument is a challenge for the laboratories. In the essay, we studied whether the newest BC‐6000 hematology analyzer meets the needs of a clinical hematology laboratory.

Methods

Methods comparison was performed using 350 blood samples from patients between different measurement procedures; the basic analytical performance was also tested, including the throughput, carryover, precision, and linearity in different modes. The flagging performances for blasts, immature granulocytes, and NRBC were compared with manual microscopy.

Results

There were minimal carryover (<0.30%) and excellent actual blood linearity for all routinely used parameters concerned by the clinicians (R2 ≥ 0.997). Repeatability and reproducibility were satisfactory at all testing levels. The functional sensitivity of leukocytes and platelets in the blood and leukocytes and erythrocytes in body fluid was excellent at the 20% CV level. BC‐6000 and XN displayed very high correlations for complete blood count (CBC) parameters and very high consistency for leukocyte differentials and NRBC compared with manual microscopy. BC‐6000 showed excellent sensitivity and specificity flagging ability on blasts (82.9% and 82.4%) and NRBC (80.0% and 96.9%). For immature granulocytes, BC‐6000 showed excellent sensitivity but common specificity flagging ability (91.7% and 65.6%).

Conclusion

The clinical performance of BC‐6000 is excellent, and the analyzer can provide timely and accurate reporting for most of the small‐ to large‐scale laboratories.
Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium focus group Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences of Bladder health
Authors: Kane Low Lisa , Williams Beverly Rosa , Camenga Deepa R. , Hebert‐Beirne Jeni , Brady Sonya S. , Newman Diane K. , James Aimee S. , T. Hardacker Cecilia , Nodora Jesse , Linke Sarah E. , Burgio Kathryn L.
Published: July 2019

Aim

The study purpose is to explore adolescent and adult women's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge and behaviours related to bladder health across the life course using a socioecological perspective. Lower urinary tract symptoms affect between 20–40% of young adult to middle‐aged women, with symptoms increasing in incidence and severity with aging. There is limited evidence to address bladder health promotion and prevention of dysfunction. This first study of the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is designed to address gaps in existing qualitative research in this area.

Design

This focus group study will be implemented across seven geographically diverse United States research centres using a semi‐structured focus group guide informed by a conceptual framework based on the socioecological model.

Methods

The study was approved in July 2017. A total of 44 focus groups composed of 6–8 participants representing six different age categories (ranging from 11 to over 65 years) will be completed. We aim to recruit participants with diverse demographic and personal characteristics including race, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, urban/rural residence, physical/health conditions, and urinary symptom experience. Six of the focus groups will be conducted in Spanish and translated into English. Focus group transcripts will undergo content analysis and data interpretation to identify and classify themes and articulate emerging themes.

Discussion

This foundational qualitative study seeks to develop an evidence base to inform future research on bladder health promotion in adolescent and adult women.

Impact

This study has the potential to provide new insights and understanding into adolescent and adult women's lived experience of bladder health, the experience of lower urinary symptoms and knowledge and beliefs across the life course.
Modifiable patient‐related factors associated with pressure ulcers on the sacrum and heels: Secondary data analyses
Authors: Manderlier Bénédicte , Van Damme Nele , Verhaeghe Sofie , Van Hecke Ann , Everink Irma , Halfens Ruud , Beeckman Dimitri
Published: July 2019

Aim

To explore factors associated with the presence of category I–IV pressure ulcers on the sacrum and heels.

Design

Cross‐sectional, secondary data analysis using data collected from the Landelijke Prevalentiemeting Zorgproblemen (LPZ) project, a multicentre prevalence study including nursing home residents and community care clients (N = 4,842) in the Netherlands in 2017.

Methods

A single binary logistic regression model was designed to identify factors associated with the presence of pressure ulcers. Additionally, a multiple binary logistic regression model including modifiable explanatory factors associated with the presence of pressure ulcers was designed.

Results

Impaired mobility, friction and shear (evaluated using the Braden Scale) are significantly associated with the presence of both sacral and heel category I–IV pressure ulcers. Incontinence‐associated dermatitis is significantly associated with category I–IV sacral pressure ulcers.

Conclusion

In pressure ulcer prevention, nursing interventions should focus on frequent repositioning and mobilization while avoiding exposure of the skin to friction and shear. The need to consider incontinence‐associated dermatitis, incontinence and moisture as important factors in pressure ulcer risk assessment is confirmed.

Impact

Pressure ulcers occur when skin and tissues are deformed between bony prominences and the support surface in a sitting or lying position. They are the result of a complex interaction between direct causal factors and a wide range of indirect factors. Recognition of these factors influences risk assessment guidance and practice. Knowledge of skin‐specific factors at the patient level, modifiable by nursing interventions, enables a better targeted and tailored preventive approach.
Support groups for carers of a person with dementia who lives at home: A focused ethnographic study
Authors: Lauritzen Jette , Bjerrum Merete B. , Pedersen Preben U. , Sørensen Erik E.
Published: July 2019

Aims

To explore and understand carer participation in support groups when caring for a person with dementia who lives at home.

Design

Focused ethnographic design.

Methods

Participant observations and semi‐structured interviews were conducted from January–December 2015. The data were collected from four support groups in the Danish primary healthcare system. Interviews were conducted with 25 carers. An inductive content analysis of the data was performed.

Results

Three themes were identified: emotional well‐being due to peer and family support, emotional sense of togetherness despite hardships and emotional and ethical considerations in caregiving.

Conclusion

Support group participation with positive peer interaction increases carer self‐esteem and feelings of togetherness, and an awareness of maintaining the care receiver`s dignity and prevention of conflicts with families, resulting in an improvement in carer well‐being, leading to increased motivation to continue caring. Carers who hid their group participation face a potential conflict with the care receiver.

Impact

By sharing positive experiences, carers have increased self‐esteem and feelings of togetherness, which can have a positive impact on their motivation to continue caring. Positive peer interaction encouraged a shift in focus from negative to positive experiences, resulting in an improvement in carer well‐being. Joint group participation prevented conflicts in families. To protect the care receivers, carers kept support group participation a secret. Healthcare professionals could improve carer well‐being by focusing on positive caring experiences in support groups.
A systematic review and quality appraisal of bereavement care practice guidelines
Authors: Kent Katherine , Jessup Belinda , Marsh Pauline , Barnett Tony , Ball Madeleine
Published: July 2019

Bereavement care practice guidelines assist in delivering high‐quality bereavement care. However, the quality of published guidelines is unknown. A systematic review was conducted to identify and evaluate the quality of the process used to develop bereavement care practice guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument. A keyword search was conducted in MEDLINE‐Complete, CINAHL‐Complete, Health‐Source (Nursing/Academic Edition), Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and an internet search engine in October 2017. Sixteen guidelines with differing scope and purpose but similar core values were identified from the grey literature and then appraised at high quality (n = 1), moderate quality (n = 4), or low quality (n = 11). The domains “clarity of presentation” and “scope and purpose” achieved the highest scores (mean ± SD 71.0 ± 27.6% and 64.4 ± 37.5%, respectively), while “editorial independence” showed the lowest mean score (9.2 ± 13.3%). While few of the bereavement care practice guidelines met the AGREE II quality standards related to their development process, neither the quality of the content of each guideline nor the in‐context application was assessed by the AGREE II instrument. Ongoing development of practice guidelines may benefit from consideration and application of the framework outlined in the AGREE II or similar appraisal instrument.
Daily Food Insufficiency and Worry among Economically Disadvantaged Families with Young Children
Authors: Gassman‐Pines Anna , Schenck‐Fontaine Anika
Published: July 2019

Objective: To examine how reports of food insecurity vary daily among low‐income parents of young children.

Background: The material and emotional components of food insecurity have negative consequences for children and can have negative implications for family life. Though the overall influence of food insecurity on parents and children is well‐established, little is understood about possible instability in food insecurity. This paper examines to what degree instability related to the SNAP benefit cycle influences variability in families' daily food insecurity.

Method: SNAP‐recipient parents of a birth cohort in Durham, NC were recruited when children were 5–6 years old. One hundred and five participants completed a daily survey via SMS text message for 4 weeks (N = 2,661 person‐days for analysis). Regression models with family fixed effects examined the relation between time since SNAP transfer and parents' daily food insecurity.

Results: Parents' food insecurity was higher at the end of the SNAP month than at the beginning, with food insecurity accelerating and becoming more severe in the second half of the month. The increase was in both the food insufficiency and stress components of food insecurity.

Conclusion: Food insecurity among SNAP recipients with young children is not static but varies day to day within the SNAP month.

Implications: These results provide evidence that families experience substantial instability in food insecurity and that SNAP benefits may not be sufficient.
Feasibility and effectiveness of two built environmental interventions on physical activity among 3–5‐year‐old preschoolers
Authors: Robinson Jennifer C. , Temple Melissa L. , Duck Angela , Klamm Melissa
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose was to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of two built environmental interventions with Head Start preschool children to increase minutes and intensity and total physical activity (PA).

Design and Methods

A prospective, quasi‐experimental, repeated measures design was conducted in two Head Start centers. Centers were randomly assigned to one of two intervention arms. Intervention Arm I added portable play equipment to the school environment; Arm II introduced portable play equipment plus PA education for staff and children. PA was measured during school using accelerometers and by observation using SOPLAY. The data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Ninety‐seven children and eight staff were enrolled; valid PA data were available for 56 children (58%). Minutes of PA were highest at baseline in both groups and declined over the intervention. PA in Arm I decreased 22 min from weeks one to three and 12 min (p < .001) from weeks 3 to 6. In Arm II, PA declined 33 min from weeks one to three and 20 min (p < .001) from weeks 3 to 6.

Practice Implications

Nurses work to maintain and improve health at multiple levels of influence and are in strategic positions to educate and support PA to maintain and improve the health of all ages. School‐based PA interventions have been reported with varying success. The feasibility of this study provides insight into the challenges in planning and conducting school‐based interventions including enrollment, attrition, and accelerometer wear‐time compliance. Despite our interventions, there was no positive response to either intervention, with PA declining at each time period in both groups. However, baseline PA was significantly higher than in previous studies. Schools can provide children with opportunities to accumulate PA.
Improving porous crumb structure of rice‐related leavened food products by fermentation and gelatinization at slightly higher air pressure conditions
Authors: Rathnayake Heshani A. , Navaratne Senevirathne , Navaratne Champa
Published: July 2019

Porous crumb structure of rice‐related leavened food products developed under air pressure conditions during fermentation and gelatinization in a fabricated fermentation chamber were characterized. Therein, four samples were prepared under three pressurized conditions (sample pressurized by the leavened gas itself, 1 kg/cm2 initial pressure, 1.5 kg/cm2 initial pressure) along with a control (unpressurized). Crumb volume, specific volume, bulk density, pH as well as crumb texture profile and cellular structure were analyzed. Results revealed that fermentation and gelatinization under air pressure (slightly higher than the atmospheric air pressure) conditions in the fabricated fermentation chamber help to arrest leavening gas within the dough mass to improve the properties of porous crumb structure. Sample fermented and gelatinized at 1 kg/cm2 initial pressure presented better crumb mechanical and cellular structural properties compared to the other two pressurized samples and the control.
Pulmonary cryptococcosis characteristics in immunocompetent patients—A 20‐year clinical retrospective analysis in China
Authors: Hou Xiaomeng , Kou Lei , Han Xiaozhen , Zhu Rui , Song Lan , Liu Tao
Published: July 2019

Background

Pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is not considered an rare, opportunistic infection anymore. The immunocompetent population accounts for an increasing proportion of the morbidity.

Objective

This study investigated the clinical characteristics of PC patients spanning 20 years, in a referral centre of China.

Patients/Methods

We retrospectively investigated the clinical data of 99 patients with PC who were diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from January 1998 to December 2017.

Results

Pulmonary cryptococcosis incidence in PUMCH has seen sharp increase in two decades. There were 40.4% (40/99), 17.2% (17/99) and 42.4% (42/99) immunocompetent, mildly immunocompromised and severe immunocompromised patients, respectively. Significantly higher (P = .035) male predominance in immunocompetent and mildly immunocompromised groups (68.4%, 39/57) compared with severe immunocompromised group (45.2%, 19/42) was found. Overall, 27.5% (11/40) immunocompetent patients reported a significant difference (P = .02) in history of more than weekly drinking, higher than mildly or severe immunocompromised. No significant difference occurred in symptoms and radiographic characteristics among the groups. In pulmonary computerised tomography findings, the non‐air pathway feature was the dominant distribution characteristics in all patients with PC (P = .002). The gap in body dissemination frequency between immunocompetent combined with mildly immunocompromised (5.26%, 3/57) and severe immunocompromised (19.0%, 8/42) was marginally significant (P = .05).

Conclusions

Gender and alcohol drinking could be PC risk factors of concern in patients without severe immunodeficiency. No significant difference occurred in symptoms or radiographic characteristics between patients with different levels of immune status. The unique radiographic non‐air pathway distribution in the lung may be the feature of Cryptococcus invasion that may enhance accurate diagnosis.
Sterol isomerase HYDRA1 interacts with RNA silencing suppressor P1b and restricts potyviral infection
Authors: Ochoa Jon , Valli Adrián , Martín‐Trillo Mar , Simón‐Mateo Carmen , García Juan Antonio , Rodamilans Bernardo
Published: July 2019

Plants use RNA silencing as a strong defensive barrier against virus challenges, and viruses counteract this defence by using RNA silencing suppressors (RSSs). With the objective of identifying host factors helping either the plant or the virus in this interaction, we have performed a yeast two‐hybrid screen using P1b, the RSS protein of the ipomovirus Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV, family Potyviridae), as a bait. The C‐8 sterol isomerase HYDRA1 (HYD1), an enzyme involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis and cell membrane biology, and required for RNA silencing, was isolated in this screen. The interaction between CVYV P1b and HYD1 was confirmed in planta by Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation assays. We demonstrated that HYD1 negatively impacts the accumulation of CVYV P1b in an agroinfiltration assay. Moreover, expression of HYD1 inhibited the infection of the potyvirus Plum pox virus, especially when antiviral RNA silencing was boosted by high temperature or by coexpression of homologous sequences. Our results reinforce previous evidence highlighting the relevance of particular composition and structure of cellular membranes for RNA silencing and viral infection. We report a new interaction of an RSS protein from the Potyviridae family with a member of the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway.
Metaphysics and social justice
Authors: Griffith Aaron M.
Published: July 2019

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that aims to give a theoretical account of what there is and what it is like. Social justice movements seek to bring about justice in a society by changing policy, law, practice, and culture. Evidently, these activities are very different from one another. The goal of this article is to identify some positive connections between recent work in metaphysics and social justice movements. I outline three ways in which metaphysical work on social reality can make a contribution to movements seeking social justice, viz., (1) by providing basic categories and concepts useful for clarifying and defending claims made by social justice movements; (2) by offering accounts of the natures of social categories, structures, and institutions that these movements seek to change; and (3) by contributing to “unmasking” or “debunking” projects that reveal putatively natural arrangements to be social in nature and hence subject to moral critique, alteration, and possibly eradication.
Thromboelastography as a tool to evaluate blood of healthy volunteers and blood component quality: a review
Authors: Bontekoe Ido J. , van der Meer Pieter F. , de Korte Dirk
Published: July 2019

Thromboelastography is a technique to evaluate the overall coagulation behaviour of blood and blood components. First, we evaluated the literature concerning the use of thromboelastography for characterizing coagulation behaviour of healthy volunteers, such as blood donors. Overall coagulation is sensitive to gender, most likely caused by the difference in haematocrit and plasma content of male versus female blood. Smaller and less pronounced effects in thromboelastographic response are caused by differences in fibrinogen level or by use of oral contraceptives. Short‐term hypercoagulable effects are observed after smoking or blood donation, while small effects of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on platelets are also present. Second, in whole blood donations, the thromboelastographic variables are also sensitive to storage time and temperature, but are less sensitive to levels of clotting factors. Platelet count and quality have little influence on thromboelastographic variables, and differences are mainly observed at counts <100x109/l, after extended storage time of platelet concentrates or storage under specific conditions, including freezing. Thromboelastographic profiles of plasma samples are mainly affected by residual cell counts, microparticles and fibrinogen levels, and less by levels of clotting factors. Taken together, publications have shown that as an overall clotting test, thromboelastography may support optimization of blood component preparation and storage with regard to temperature, time and secondary and tertiary treatments. Minimal deviations of in vitro quality are most reliable demonstrated when an appropriate assay is chosen.
World Englishes in English language teaching: Kachru's six fallacies and the TEIL paradigm
Authors: Matsuda Aya
Published: July 2019

In recent years, there has been increased interest among English language teaching (ELT) professionals in world Englishes (WE) studies. This article examines the influence of Braj Kachru's work and WE studies in general on ELT. After a brief historical overview of the disciplinary relationship between WE and ELT, it discusses the current place of WE in ELT and presents the framework of Teaching English as an International Language (TEIL), an innovative paradigm in ELT that heavily draws from WE. The article ends with insights into future, speculating how WE will continue to be resourceful to ELT.
Design Repository Effectiveness for 3D Convolutional Neural Networks: Application to Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Williams Glen , Meisel Nicholas A. , Simpson Timothy W. , McComb Christopher
Published: July 2019

Machine learning can be used to automate common or time-consuming engineering tasks for which sufficient data already exist. For instance, design repositories can be used to train deep learning algorithms to assess component manufacturability; however, methods to determine the suitability of a design repository for use with machine learning do not exist. We provide an initial investigation toward identifying such a method using “artificial” design repositories to experimentally test the extent to which altering properties of the dataset impacts the assessment precision and generalizability of neural networks trained on the data. For this experiment, we use a 3D convolutional neural network to estimate quantitative manufacturing metrics directly from voxel-based component geometries. Additive manufacturing (AM) is used as a case study because of the recent growth of AM-focused design repositories such as GrabCAD and Thingiverse that are readily accessible online. In this study, we focus only on material extrusion, the dominant consumer AM process, and investigate three AM build metrics: (1) part mass, (2) support material mass, and (3) build time. Additionally, we compare the convolutional neural network accuracy to that of a baseline multiple linear regression model. Our results suggest that training on design repositories with less standardized orientation and position resulted in more accurate trained neural networks and that orientation-dependent metrics were harder to estimate than orientation-independent metrics. Furthermore, the convolutional neural network was more accurate than the baseline linear regression model for all build metrics.
Development of Opsonic Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies against Multidrug-Resistant Enterococci
Authors: Kalfopoulou Ermioni , Laverde Diana , Miklic Karmela , Romero-Saavedra Felipe , Malic Suzana , Carboni Filippo , Adamo Roberto , Lenac Rovis Tihana , Jonjic Stipan , Huebner Johannes
Published: July 2019

Multidrug-resistant enterococci are major causes of hospital-acquired infections. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) targeting bacterial antigens would be a valuable treatment option in this setting. Here, we describe the development of two MAbs through hybridoma technology that target antigens from the most clinically relevant enterococcal species.
Fitness Restoration of a Genetically Tractable Enterococcus faecalis V583 Derivative To Study Decoration-Related Phenotypes of the Enterococcal Polysaccharide Antigen
Authors: Furlan Sylviane , Matos Renata C. , Kennedy Sean P. , Doublet Benoît , Serror Pascale , Rigottier-Gois Lionel
Published: July 2019

E. faecalis
strain VE14089 was derived from V583 cured of its plasmids. Although VE14089 had no major DNA rearrangements, it presented significant growth and host adaptation differences from the reference strain V583 of our collection. To construct a strain with better fitness, we sequenced the genome of VE14089, identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and repaired the genes that could account for these changes. Using this reference-derivative strain, we provide a novel genetic system to understand the role of the variable region of
epa
in the enterococcal lifestyle.
mSphere of Influence: Adenosine in Host Defense against Bacterial Pneumonia—Friend or Foe?
Authors: Bou Ghanem Elsa N.
Published: July 2019

Elsa N. Bou Ghanem works in the field of innate immune senescence, inflammation, and host defense. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how “Adenosine A
2B
receptor deficiency promotes host defenses against Gram-negative bacterial pneumonia” by Barletta et al. (K. E. Barletta, R. E. Cagnina, M. D. Burdick, J. Linden, and B. Mehrad, Am J Respir Crit Care Med 186:1044–1050, 2012,
https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201204-0622OC
) impacted her own work examining the role of the extracellular adenosine pathway in neutrophil responses and host defense against pneumococcal pneumonia.
Метод учета заполненности ячеек для решения задач гидродинамики со сложной геометрией расчетной области
Authors: Сухинов Александр Иванович , Sukhinov Alexander Ivanovich , Чистяков Александр Евгеньевич , Chistyakov Alexander Evgenjevich , Проценко Елена Анатольевна , Protsenko Elena Anatol'evna , Сидорякина В В , Sidoryakina V V , Проценко С В , Protsenko S V
Published: July 2019

Рассматривается развитие и применение метода учета заполненности прямоугольных ячеек материальной средой, в частности, жидкостью для повышения гладкости и точности конечноразностного решения задач гидродинамики со сложной формой граничной поверхности. Для исследования возможностей предлагаемого метода рассмотрены две задачи вычислительной гидродинамики - пространственно-двумерного течения вязкой жидкости между двумя соосными полуцилиндрами и пространственно-трехмерная задача волновой гидродинамики - распространения волны в прибрежной зоне и ее выхода на сушу. Для решения поставленных задач используются прямоугольные сетки, учитывающие заполненность ячеек. Аппроксимация задач по времени выполнена на основе схем расщепления по физическим процессам, а по пространственным переменным - на основе интегро-интерполяционного метода с учетом заполненности ячеек и без ее учета. Для оценки точности численного решения первой задачи в качестве эталона используется аналитическое решение, описывающее течение Куэтта-Тейлора. Моделирование производилось на последовательности сгущающихся расчетных сеток размерами: $11\times21$, $21\times41$, $41\times81$ и $81\times161$ узлов в случае применения метода и без его использования. В случае непосредственного использования прямоугольных сеток (ступенчатой аппроксимации границ) относительная погрешность расчетов достигает $70%$; при тех же условиях использование предлагаемого метода позволяет уменьшить погрешность до $6%$. Показано, что дробление прямоугольной сетки в $2$-$8$ раз по каждому из пространственных направлений не приводит к такому же повышению точности, которой обладают численные решения, полученные с учетом заполненности ячеек.
Paraplegia and acute aortic dissection: a diagnostic challenge for physicians in the emergency situation
Authors: Memon Waqas , Aijaz Zobia , Memon Rmaah
Published: July 2019

Acute aortic dissection presenting neurological symptoms is rare and entails significant diagnostic challenges. We present a case of 45-year-old woman with a medical history of essential hypertension and smoking, admitted with lobar pneumonia. During her inpatient treatment, she developed severe back pain and numbness below the level of the umbilicus. Due to her presenting symptoms considered differential diagnoses were paravertebral abscess and acute stroke. CT scan of the head did not reveal any ischaemic changes. Further investigation with MRI (with and without contrast) raised concerns for possible aortic dissection. CT angiography of thorax, abdomen and pelvis displayed extensive aortic dissection extending from aortic root to left iliac artery limiting flow to right carotid artery causing stenosis. The patient was diagnosed with Stanford type A aortic dissection. The patient was referred to the cardiothoracic surgery team for surgical repair. The patient made a good recovery after a prolonged course of hospitalisation, followed by cardiac rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Screening for burn-out in Australian medical students undertaking a rural clinical placement
Authors: Isaac Vivian , McLachlan Craig S , Walters Lucie , Greenhill Jennene
Published: July 2019

Objective

To investigate Australian medical student burn-out during rural clinical placement. Second, to examine the association between perceived burn-out and rural career intent at the time of finishing their rural placement.

Design, settings and participants

The 2016 Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators evaluation survey is a cross-sectional study of medical students from 17 Australian universities. Specifically, those medical students who completed a full academic year or more at a Rural Clinical School (RCS). Responses from 638 medical students from regional Australia were analysed in the study of all eligible 756 medical students (response rate 84.3%).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary objective was to determine self-reported burn-out (emotional exhaustion) in rural placements for medical students. Secondary outcome measures were designed to explore interactions with rural practice self-efficacy and rural intentions. Logistic regression models explored factors associated with burn-out.

Results

26.5% of students reported experiencing burn-out during a rural placement. Factors associated with burn-out were female gender, rural origin, low preference for RCS, stress in the year prior to a rural clinical placement, perceived social isolation during rural placement and lower rural practice self-efficacy. Burn-out was not associated with rural career intentions. Social isolation and low rural self-efficacy were independently associated with burn-out during rural placement and together explained 10% of variance in burn-out (Model Nagelkerke R2=0.23).

Conclusion

Burn-out during rural placement may be a consequence of stress prior to a medical school placement. Social isolation and rural self-efficacy are amendable factors to mitigate medical student burn-out during rural placements.
Pharmacological interventions for agitated behaviours in patients with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review
Authors: Williamson David , Frenette Anne Julie , Burry Lisa D , Perreault Marc , Charbonney Emmanuel , Lamontagne Francois , Potvin Marie-Julie , Giguère Jean-Francois , Mehta Sangeeta , Bernard Francis
Published: July 2019

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of pharmacological agents in the management of agitated behaviours following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

We performed a search strategy in PubMed, OvidMEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals, LILACS, Web of Science and Prospero (up to 10 December 2018) for published and unpublished evidence on the risks and benefits of 9 prespecified medications classes used to control agitated behaviours following TBI. We included all randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental and observational studies examining the effects of medications administered to control agitated behaviours in TBI patients. Included studies were classified into three mutually exclusive categories: (1) agitated behaviour was the presenting symptom; (2) agitated behaviour was not the presenting symptom, but was measured as an outcome variable; and (3) safety of pharmacological interventions administered to control agitated behaviours was measured.

Results

Among the 181 articles assessed for eligibility, 21 studies were included. Of the studies suggesting possible benefits, propranolol reduced maximum intensities of agitation per week and physical restraint use, methylphenidate improved anger measures following 6 weeks of treatment, valproic acid reduced weekly agitated behaviour scale ratings and olanzapine reduced irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia between weeks 1 and 3 of treatment. Amantadine showed variable effects and may increase the risk of agitation in the critically ill. In three studies evaluating safety outcomes, antipsychotics were associated with an increased duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) in unadjusted analyses. Small sample sizes, heterogeneity and an unclear risk of bias were limits.

Conclusions

Propranolol, methylphenidate, valproic acid and olanzapine may offer some benefit; however, they need to be further studied. Antipsychotics may increase the length of PTA. More studies on tailored interventions and continuous evaluation of safety and efficacy throughout acute, rehabilitation and outpatient settings are needed.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016033140
Finding healing through animal companionship in Japanese animal cafés
Authors: Robinson Amanda S
Published: July 2019

Animal cafés—businesses in which customers pay by the hour to have a drink and relax in a space filled with cats, rabbits or other animals—began to appear in Japan in 2004, as a part of theiyashihealing boom. Theiyashiboom, in goods and experiences that offer emotional and physical healing, was a response to problems of economic and social precarity triggered by the end of the Japanese bubble and the changing economic situation, particularly among younger Japanese facing the loss of earlier forms of social support and community. Animal cafés offeriyashito their customers by providing them a refuge from the stress of their everyday lives, where they can relax through engagement with companion animals, rather than returning to tiny, empty apartments. The focus of these businesses is to offer the opportunity to develop positive affective relationships with the animals, who offer stress relief, physical affection, and a listening ear to the visitors who come to spend time with them.

This research explores the way that affective relationships with animals in these cafés are being used as a method to maintain emotional well-being and control stress levels. Based on 18 months of anthropological fieldwork in Tokyo, Japan, this paper draws on the narratives of café visitors to argue that the popularity of these businesses is indicative of a shift towards the commodification of care relationships, and that visitors are using animals to reduce their stress in order to further productivity, by investigating how affective connections with non-human animals helps them feel ‘healed”’, and to explore how this relates to larger social considerations about healing and wellness in modern Japan.
The influence of oblivion-recall mechanism and loss-interest mechanism on the spread of rumors in complex networks
Authors: Jing Wang , Min Li , Ya-Qi Wang , Zi-Chen Zhou , Li-Qiong Zhang
Published: July 2019

Studying more realistic propagation mechanisms of rumors is crucial to controlling their spreading. Considering the reality of people’s forgetting and losing interest in the process of rumor spreading, the oblivion-recall mechanism and the loss-interest mechanism are both introduced in this paper to construct a novel susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model. In our SIR model, the forgetting is regarded as an independent state type of the population, and we use the forgetting factor [Formula: see text] and the recall factor [Formula: see text] to characterize the oblivion-recall mechanism. The mean-field equations are established respectively to describe the transmission dynamics of rumors in homogeneous networks and inhomogeneous networks. By performing stable state analysis, the relationship between these two parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and the propagation critical thresholds [Formula: see text] is investigated. It shows that [Formula: see text] is directly proportional to [Formula: see text], which indicates that the loss-interest mechanism makes [Formula: see text] exist, and the oblivion-recall mechanism increases the value of [Formula: see text]. Thus, the oblivion-recall mechanism reduces the outbreak probability of rumor spreading. It also reveals that when considering the impact of oblivion-recall mechanism, both the final rumor size and the propagation velocity of rumors decrease. Moreover, in the case of considering the existence of oblivion-recall mechanism, it is still found that the network topology is an important factor affecting the spread of rumors. We wish that our study can offer a new angle of view on the issue of the spread of rumors.
Non violation of energy conditions in wormholes modeling
Authors: Godani Nisha , Samanta Gauranga C.
Published: July 2019

Morris and Thorne [M. S. Morris and K. S. Thorne, Am. J. Phys. 56, 395 (1988)] proposed geometrical objects called traversable wormholes that act as bridges in connecting two spacetimes or two different points of the same spacetime. The geometrical properties of these wormholes depend upon the choice of the shape function. In the literature, these are studied in modified gravities for different types of shape functions. In this paper, the traversable wormholes having shape function [Formula: see text] are explored in [Formula: see text] gravity with [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are real constants. For different values of constants in function [Formula: see text], the analysis is done in various cases. In each case, the energy conditions, equation of state parameter and anisotropic parameter are determined.
Generation of W states via Lyapunov control by combination of quantum Zeno dynamics
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Wang W.
Published: July 2019

We propose a scheme to create a 4-atom W state by Lyapunov control with the help of quantum Zeno effect. The effective Hamiltonian to describe quantum Zeno dynamics can be obtained in an invariant Zeno subspace and the 4-atom W state can be achieved through modulating the system parameters. Numerical simulation shows that the present scheme is robust against both cavity decay and the atom spontaneous emission. Furthermore, we present a proposal for W state conversion by the same principle, which provides theoretically a novel way for multi-qubits entanglement preparation.