bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal insufficiency mimicking glutaric acidemia type 1 on newborn screening
Authors: Matsumoto Masaaki , Awano Hiroyuki , Bo Ryosuke , Nagai Masashi , Tomioka Kazumi , Nishiyama Masahiro , Ninchouji Takeshi , Nagase Hiroaki , Yagi Mariko , Morioka Ichiro , Hasegawa Yuki , Takeshima Yasuhiro , Iijima Kazumoto
Published: October 2017

Background

Glutaryl carnitine (C5DC) in dried blood spots is used as a biomarker for glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA‐1) screening. C5DC, however, is the only screening marker for this condition, and various pathological conditions may interfere with C5DC metabolism. Recently, C5DC elevation has been reported in cases of renal insufficiency.

Method

Five patients who were positive for GA‐1 on newborn screening with tandem mass spectrometry between September 2012 and March 2015 at Kobe University Hospital were enrolled in this study.

Results

GA‐1 was not confirmed on urinary organic acids analysis in any of the patients. C5DC decreased immediately in four patients, but one patient, who had high C5DC for at least 4 months, was diagnosed with bilateral renal hypoplasia.

Conclusion

In the case of persistently elevated C5DC, renal insufficiency should be considered as a differential diagnosis.
Wakayama Medical University Hospital perinatal helicopter ambulance service: 14 year review
Authors: Kumagai Takeshi , Riko Mitsuhiko , Satoh Masashi , Kakimoto Nobuyuki , Sugimoto Takuya , Ueda Mina , Okutani Takahiro , Higuchi Ryuzo , Yagi Shigetaka , Minami Sawako , Higa Asumi , Miyawaki Masakazu , Suzuki Hiroyuki
Published: October 2017

Background

In 2003, a perinatal helicopter air ambulance service was introduced for remote areas of Wakayama and Mie prefectures, Japan, but its long‐term impact on perinatal medicine has not yet been analyzed.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted on helicopter air ambulance cases recorded between January 2003 and December 2016 at Wakayama Medical University Hospital (WMUH).

Results

During that period, 61 pregnant mothers were transferred by helicopter air ambulance to WMUH. Between 2003 and 2009, the mean period from transfer to birth was 0.6 weeks, whereas between 2008 and 2016, this increased to 1.6 weeks, and the survival rate of infants born after transfer did not differ significantly (84.2%, 32/38 versus 82.1%, 23/28). Seventy‐three neonates were transferred. The number transferred between 2003 and 2009 was 46, whereas this decreased to 27 between 2010 and 2016. The neonatal mortality rate in south Wakayama plus south Mie gradually decreased. The reasons for the longer period from transfer to birth, and the decrease in the rate of very low‐birthweight infants after transfer may be due to development in the management of threatened premature labor, and the earlier transfer of such cases by regional obstetricians. The reasons for the decline in neonatal transfer may have included the development of fetal diagnostic techniques and improved efficiency of neonatal ground‐transport in the South Wakayama region.

Conclusion

The helicopter air ambulance is an important form of medical transportation in the south Kii peninsula.
Short‐term vegetation recovery after alien plant clearing along the Rondegat River, South Africa
Authors: Fill Jennifer M. , Kritzinger‐Klopper Suzaan , van Wilgen Brian W.
Published: October 2017

The outcomes of ecosystem restoration projects should be periodically monitored to inform subsequent adaptive management decisions. In 2012, a project was begun to remove both invasive alien plants and fish from the Rondegat River in South Africa. Although the initial post‐intervention dynamics of aquatic fauna have been documented, the results of the simultaneous clearing of dense riparian stands of alien trees and shrubs have not been reported. We examined native riparian vegetation recovery over 3 years after alien plant clearing. We documented increased cover of native riparian shrubs, but a simultaneous increase of alien and native weedy grass cover. Secondary invasions, especially by grasses, can have strong effects on ecosystem dynamics and achieving the goals of restoration may therefore require additional active management. Our findings provide an initial baseline reference for future monitoring and adaptive management decisions.
Testing for Marginal Linear Effects in Quantile Regression
Authors: Wang Huixia Judy , McKeague Ian W. , Qian Min
Published: October 2017

The paper develops a new marginal testing procedure to detect significant predictors that are associated with the conditional quantiles of a scalar response. The idea is to fit the marginal quantile regression on each predictor one at a time, and then to base the test on the t-statistics that are associated with the most predictive predictors. A resampling method is devised to calibrate this test statistic, which has non-regular limiting behaviour due to the selection of the most predictive variables. Asymptotic validity of the procedure is established in a general quantile regression setting in which the marginal quantile regression models can be misspecified. Even though a fixed dimension is assumed to derive the asymptotic results, the test proposed is applicable and computationally feasible for large dimensional predictors. The method is more flexible than existing marginal screening test methods based on mean regression and has the added advantage of being robust against outliers in the response. The approach is illustrated by using an application to a human immunodeficiency virus drug resistance data set.
Anaerobic microbial activity affects earliest diagenetic pathways of bivalve shells
Authors: Lange Skadi M. , Krause Stefan , Ritter Ann‐Christine , Fichtner Vanessa , Immenhauser Adrian , Strauss Harald , Treude Tina
Published: October 2017

The earliest diagenetic post‐mortem exposure of biogenic carbonates at the sea floor and in the uppermost sediment column results in the colonization of hard‐part surfaces by bacterial communities. Some of the metabolic redox processes related to these communities have the potential to alter carbonate shell properties, and hence affect earliest diagenetic pathways with significant consequences for archive data. During a three‐month in vitro study, shell subsamples of the ocean quahog Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767) were incubated in natural anoxic sediment slurries and bacterial culture medium of the heterotrophic Shewanella sediminisHAW‐EB3. Bulk analyses of the liquid media from the Shewanella sediminis incubation revealed an over ten‐fold increase in total alkalinity, dissolved inorganic carbon and ΩAragonite, and the alteration of the Mg/Ca, Mg/Sr and Sr/Ca ratios relative to control incubations without cultures. Ion ratios were most affected in the incubation with anoxic sediment, depicting a 25% decrease in Mg/Ca relative to the control. Shell sample surfaces that were exposed to both incubations displayed visible surface dissolution features, and an 8 wt% loss in calcium content. No such alteration features were detected in control shells. Apparently, alteration of shell carbonate properties was induced by microbially driven decomposition of shell intercrystalline organic constituents and subsequent opening of pathways for pore fluid–crystal exchange. This study illustrates the potential influence of benthic bacterial metabolism on biogenic carbonate archives during the initial stages of diagenetic alteration within a relatively short experimental duration of only three months. These results suggest that foremost the biological effect of bacterial cation adsorption on divalent cation ratios has the potential to complicate proxy interpretation. Results shown here highlight the necessity to consider bacterial metabolic activities in marine sediments for the interpretation of palaeo‐environmental proxies from shell carbonate archives.
Welfare reform in the United Kingdom 2010–16: Expectations, outcomes, and local impacts
Authors: Beatty Christina , Fothergill Steve
Published: October 2017

Welfare reform has been central to UK government policy since 2010. This article compares initial expectations with key outcomes by 2016. The article shows that although the financial savings to the Treasury have been large, they have been rather less than the government first anticipated, mainly because the reduction in spending on incapacity‐related benefits has proved far smaller than expected. The financial losses have also been spread highly unevenly across the country, and the evidence from a pilot study in Scotland suggests that the reforms have had little impact on levels of worklessness. The article concludes that whilst forecasting the financial savings from welfare reform is an inherently uncertain activity, the United Kingdom's reforms should be understood first and foremost as about reducing public spending in the poorest places.
Optical coherence tomography: An efficient imaging method for the visualization of human epidermis orientation
Authors: Mias C. , Filiol J. , Josse G.
Published: October 2017

Recently, it has been shown that epidermal sheets taken from suction blisters are very appropriate skin samples for Multi‐Photon (MP) microscopy. However, we observed that image quality was much better when the sample was visualized through the basale side. Thus, the epidermis orientation needs to be controlled before MP imaging. We observed that the use of standard laboratory binoculars led to a high rate of false results. In this context, we showed that optical coherence tomography provided clear images of the epidermis orientation without loss of sample integrity and thus represents an effective technique before slide sealing and MP analysis.
Spread of fluid: Role of tip configurations in needles
Authors: Gomes S. , Drakidis A. , Silva P. , Lenau T. A.
Published: October 2017

Background/purpose

During the injection of a fluid in a tissue model, the fluid might be affected by the needle tip configuration and the number of channels. Thus, the objective of the present work is to observe the influence of different needle tips and number of channels on the spread of a fluid.

Methods

Fluid distribution data were obtained after injecting 0.3 mL of fluid into a foamed polymer model with a velocity of 2 mm/s. The spread area and the depth were determined for 3 different types of hypodermic needles: Single channel needles with bevel tip and blunt tip and a needle with conical tip and 3 internal channels.

Results

The bevel tip provides a higher spread in the direction where the bevel points and reaches larger depths than the other two needles. The spread for the blunt tip and the polymer needle is equally distributed on both sides of the needle. The largest horizontal area around the tip is achieved by the 3‐channel needle.

Conclusion

The tip configuration and number of channels have an influence on the distribution of fluid. The bevelled needle directs the fluid and reaches larger depths compared with the 3‐channel needle that gets more horizontal spread.
Sitting outside: Conviviality, self‐care and the design of benches in urban public space
Authors: Rishbeth Clare , Rogaly Ben
Published: October 2017

The urban bench has been romanticised as a location of intimacy and benign social serendipity, and problematised with regard to perceptions of unwelcome loitering. In this paper we explore embodied practices of sitting on benches within an urban context characterised by corporate‐led regeneration and impacted by austerity urbanism, imperial history and ongoing racisms. Our schizocartographic methodology enables us to attend to the differentiated and shifting subjectivities and temporalities of bench users, and to emerging counter histories of space. The research is based on the case study of a central square in Woolwich, south‐east London. This involved an eclectic combination of methods, including film‐making, ethnography and interviews, and a cross‐sectoral team of activists, academics and an artist. The paper starts by conceptualising public space with respect to lived experiences of marginalisation, arguing that architectural design is intrinsic to understanding micro‐geographies of conviviality and care. The case study material is used first to provide a visual sketch of sitting and watching others in the square and then to address conviviality and the value of visibility and relative proximity in framing a mostly un‐panicked multiculture. Third, we discuss agentic, yet critically aware, acts of self‐care. Finally, our focus shifts to the design of the benches and the “touching experiences” of bodies sat in various ways, impacted by structural inequalities, yet differentiated by the particularities of individual or collective priorities. In conclusion we argue that attending to the precision of sitting on a bench can illuminate multiple temporalities of urban change in relation to both individual subjectivities and hegemonic structures. Further, the counter histories that emerge can inform policy and practice for inclusive urban design.
Has the development gap between the ethnic minority and majority groups narrowed in Vietnam?: Evidence from household surveys
Authors: Fujii Tomoki
Published: October 2017

Using household data for rural northern Vietnam between 1993 and 2014, we find that the ethnic minority group continued to lag behind the majority group in various development indicators despite the overall improvement in living standards. Our regression and decomposition analyses show that the structural differences between the two groups are an important cause of persistent development gap. However, the nature of structural differences changed over time and no single source of structural difference explains the persistent gap. We argue that more minority‐appropriate policies are needed to lift poor minority households out of poverty further and reduce the development gap.
APPLICATION OF RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY FOR OPTIMIZATION OF PALM KERNEL SHELL ACTIVATED CARBON PREPARATION FACTORS FOR REMOVAL OF H2S FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
Authors: Abed Habeeb Omar , Kanthasamy Ramesh , Ali Gomaa A. M. , Mohd. Yunus Rosli
Published: October 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) present in the industrial wastewater can be removed using activated carbon produced from palm kernel shell. In this study, three factors namely activation temperature, impregnation ratio of potassium hydroxide to precursor and activation contact time were investigated for the preparation of activated carbon from palm kernel shell (ACPKS) as an adsorbent toward removal of H2S from synthetic wastewater using central composite design (CCD). Chemical activation method was used to activate the adsorbent with different conditions using KOH as an activating agent. The batch mode was utilized for studying adsorption process. Two responses (removal efficiency (RE, %) and yield of adsorbent (Y, %) are tested by means of two quadratic models. The results shown that the optimum conditions for ACPKS preparation are activation temperature of 829.4 ̊C, KOH to precursor ratio of 3.01 w% and activation time of 85 min with responses of 94.41% RE and 39.4% of ACPKS yield. The study recommended that, ACPKS is the promising adsorbent for removing H2S from wastewater and other aqueous solutions.
A STATISTICAL APPROACH FOR OPTIMIZING THE HIGH YIELD GREEN PRODUCTION OF THE FLAVOR ESTER BUTYL BUTYRATE
Authors: Abd Rahman Ida Nurhazwani , Abd Manan Fatin Myra , Che Marzuki Nur Haziqah , Mahat Naji A. , Attan Nursyafreena , Abdul Keyon Aemi Syazwani , Jamalis Joazaizulfazli , Aboul-Enein Hassan Y. , Abdul Wahab Roswanira
Published: October 2017

Being the prevailing approach for producing esters such as butyl butyrate, the use of chemical route has been linked to numerous disadvantages. Hence, a green alternative method for higher yield production of butyl butyrate by esterification reaction utilizing Novozyme 435 as biocatalysts in a solvent-less system may prove useful. Such approach can be further improved by optimizing the relevant reaction parameters using the Response Surface Methodology by the Box-Benkhen Design attempted in this present study. The reaction parameters evaluated were: substrate molar ratio, time and temperature, and the response of each parameter was measured as percentage conversion yield. Using the Design Expert 7.1.6 optimization functions, the two sets of optimum conditions selected viz. [i] molar ratio butyric acid:butanol 1:3.93, 9.93 h at 56.09°C and [ii] molar ratio butyric acid:butanol 1:3.35, 9.79 h at 53.90°C had afforded the highest yield of butyl butyrate i.e. 99.62% and 99.55%, respectively. The ester product obtained from the reaction were confirmed as butyl butyrate by FTIR and GC. Therefore, the results substantiated the applicability of the RSM prediction technique as well as efficacy of Novozyme 435 as biocatalysts in the high yield solvent-less synthesis of butyl butyrate, adhering to the philosophy of Green Chemistry.
ELECTRONIC ONLINE HANDWRITING CHARACTER RECOGNITION SYSTEM USING ARDUINO PLATFORM
Authors: Syafeeza A. R. , Ban Chew Albert Ngan , Sadari Muhammad Muhaimin Hilmi , Kamaruddin Mohamad Nasriq , Jia Li Wong , Md Zauber Zarini
Published: October 2017

This paper proposes an online prototype approach of handwriting character recognition system using a microcontroller. The main contribution of this work is the simple method of translating a handwriting input from analog to a digital font using XOR bit-wise operation. This system recognizes characters and numbers in natural handwriting with a stylus. This electronic system is used to improve the technology from the use of a bulky keyboard system to a portable and convenient way which is more suitable for smaller electronic devices nowadays such as smart phone, tablet and etc. In order to construct the system, a Arduino Mega is used as the microcontroller along with the Arduino TFT Touch Shield and an LCD screen as the input and output respectively as the hardware components. For the software part, this system uses C language and Arduino software (IDE). The recognition result achieved is 80.0%.
REMOVAL OF ORANGE G FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY POLYSTYRENE-MODIFIED CHITIN
Authors: Umar Abdulganiyu , Sanagi Mohd Marsin , Abu Naim Ahmedy , Wan Ibrahim Wan Nazihah , Abdul Keyon Aemi Syazwani , Wan Ibrahim Wan Aini
Published: October 2017

In this work, polystyrene modified-chitin was evaluated for the first time as adsorbent for the removal of Orange G from aqueous solutions. Its absorption capacity was compared to that of chitin. BET and FESEM results showed that the polystyrene-modified chitin has higher surface area (12.47 m2/g) compared to chitin (4.92 m²/g). Batch adsorption experiments on the removal of Orange G from aqueous solutions were conducted. The results showed that the polystyrene-modified chitin has improved adsorption capacity compared to chitin. The maximum adsorption of orange G by chitin occurred at pH 2, while that of the polystyrene-modified chitin occurred at pH 6. At an initial concentration of 20 mg/L, the percentages of dye removal were 65.16% and 81.20% for raw chitin (RCH) and polystyrene-modified chitin (MCH), respectively. Kinetics studies for the adsorbents were conducted using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The pseudo-first-order model gives poor fittings for both adsorbents, with low coefficients of determination (R2). The pseudo-second-order model fits the experimental data well, with R2 close to unity. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to interpret the adsorption isotherms. It was found that Langmuir isotherm conformed better than Freundlich model in the adsorption of selected dye on chitin and the polystyrene-modified chitin, with R2 nearly unity.
DECOLOURISATION OF REACTIVE BLACK 5 BY KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE ISOLATED FROM ANTARCTICA SEAWATER
Authors: Tharek Ameerah , Hui Han Bay , Mohamad Shaza Eva , Ibrahim Zaharah
Published: October 2017

The discharge of highly coloured azo dyes effluent has caused serious environmental damages. In this study, bacteria isolated from Antarctica seawater were screened for their ability to decolourise azo dye Reactive Black 5 (RB5). The selected bacterium was further investigated to study its ability to decolourise RB5. The best bacteria from Antarctica seawater that had the ability to decolourise RB5 was identified using 16S rDNA sequence analysis and revealed that the bacteria 15C shared 99% homology to Klebsiella pneumoniae. Selection of the most effective bacteria was followed by its acclimatisation to decolourise higher concentrations of RB5 by growing it in successively higher concentrations of RB5. Following that, optimization of RB5 decolourisation by the selected bacteria was performed using one factor at time (OFAT) including concentration of dye, pH and temperature. The results obtained indicated the optimal condition for decolourisation of RB5 using this bacterium was at pH 10 and 37°C in 70 mg/L RB5 with 98% decolourisation within 24 h under facultative anaerobic treatment. Besides that, 70% of COD removal was achieved after 96 h of sequential anaerobic and aerobic treatment of RB5. In addition, FTIR and HPLC were used to analyze the metabolite of RB5 decolourisation. Products of RB5 decolourisation was confirmed by the presence of sulphanilic acid in HPLC analyses and the changes observed in the functional groups of the FTIR spectrum suggesting the possibility of RB5 degradation. Ammonia test and carbon dioxide test showed higher concentration of ammonia and carbon dioxide that indicates the mineralisation of product after treatment.
Quantification of Thermal Injury to the Healthy Tissue Due to Imperfect Electrode Placements During Radiofrequency Ablation of Breast Tumor
Authors: Singh Sundeep , Repaka Ramjee
Published: October 2017

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as an alternative treatment modality for treating various tumors with minimum intervention. The application of RFA in treating breast tumor is still in its infancy stage. Nevertheless, promising results have been obtained while treating early stage localized breast cancer with RFA procedure. The outcome of RFA is tremendously dependent on the precise insertion of the electrode into the geometric center of the tumor. However, there remains plausible chances of inaccuracies in the electrode placement that can result in slight displacement of the electrode tip from the actual desired location during temperature-controlled RFA application. The present numerical study aims at capturing the influence of inaccuracies in electrode placement on the input energy, treatment time and damage to the surrounding healthy tissue during RFA of breast tumor. A thermo-electric analysis has been performed on three-dimensional heterogeneous model of multilayer breast with an embedded early stage spherical tumor of 1.5 cm. The temperature distribution during the RFA has been obtained by solving the coupled electric field equation and Pennes bioheat transfer equation, while the ablation volume has been computed using the Arrhenius cell death model. It has been found that significant variation in the energy consumption, time required for complete tumor necrosis, and the shape of ablation volume among different positions of the electrode considered in this study are prevalent.
NOx-Formation and CO-Burnout in Water-Injected, Premixed Natural Gas Flames at Typical Gas Turbine Combustor Residence Times
Authors: Lellek Stephan , Sattelmayer Thomas
Published: October 2017

With the transition of the power production markets toward renewable energy sources, an increased demand for flexible, fossil-based power production systems arises. Steep load gradients and a high range of flexibility make gas turbines a core technology in this ongoing change. In order to further increase this flexibility research on power augmentation of premixed gas turbine combustors is conducted at the Lehrstuhl für Thermodynamik, TU München. Water injection in gas turbine combustors allows for the simultaneous control of NOx emissions as well as the increase of the power output of the engine and has therefore been transferred to a premixed combustor at lab scale. So far stable operation of the system has been obtained for water-to-fuel ratios up to 2.25 at constant adiabatic flame temperatures. This paper focuses on the effects of water injection on pollutant formation in premixed gas turbine flames. In order to guarantee for high practical relevance, experimental measurements are conducted at typical preheating temperatures and common gas turbine combustor residence times of about 20 ms. Spatially resolved and global species measurements are performed in an atmospheric single burner test rig for typical adiabatic flame temperatures between 1740 and 2086 K. Global measurements of NOx and CO emissions are shown for a wide range of equivalence ratios and variable water-to-fuel ratios. Cantera calculations are used to identify nonequilibrium processes in the measured data. To get a close insight into the emission formation processes in water-injected flames, local concentration measurements are used to calculate distributions of the reaction progress variable. Finally, to clarify the influence of spray quality on the composition of the exhaust gas, a variation of the water droplet diameters is done. For rising water content at constant adiabatic flame temperature, the NOx emissions can be held constant, whereas CO concentrations increase. On the contrary, both values decrease for measurements at constant equivalence ratio and reduced flame temperatures. Further analysis of the data shows the close dependency of CO concentration on the equivalence ratio; however, due to the water addition, a shift of the CO curves can be detected. In the local measurements, changes in the distribution of the reaction progress variable and an increase of the flame length were detected for water-injected flames along with changes of the maximum as well as the averaged CO values. Finally, a strong influence of water droplet size on NOx and CO formation is shown for constant operating conditions.
Experiments on the Effects of Reynolds Number and Advance Ratio on the Unfolding of Disorganization in Low-Speed Underwater Propulsors With Vibrating Blades
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Promode R.
Published: October 2017

Ships and submarines are acoustic hazards to marine life. The rational control of acoustic radiation would be possible at least at low Reynolds numbers if the underlying organization buried in seeming randomness is revealed. We build a novel low-speed propulsor where all blades undergo small-amplitude pitch oscillation while spinning at large pitch angles at transitional chord Reynolds numbers (3.75 × 103 ≤ Rec ≤ 3.75 × 104) and advance ratios (0.51 ≤ J ≤ 4.89). We measure and model time-averaged and temporal thrust. The relationship between the time-averaged and the temporal thrust is observed when the latter is mapped as limit cycle oscillation (LCO), or departure from it. High-thrust coefficients occurring at large (30 deg and 45 deg) angles of amplitude of blade vibration are modeled assuming poststall lift enhancement due to flapping blades when a leading edge vortex (LEV) forms, while the lower thrust coefficients occurring at 20 deg are modeled by its absence. The disorganization in temporal thrust increases with J and Rec. An external orthogonal oscillator, perhaps a vibration, is modeled to couple with the thrust oscillator for temporal control of disorganization. The unfolding disorganization is seen as a departure from LCO, and it is attenuated by smooth-wall boundary-layer fencing, compared to unfenced smooth and rough surfaces. When the fencing properties of the leading edge tubercles of whale fins are recognized, the ratio of the spacing of the fences and chord is found to be similar (0.5–1.0) in both whale flippers and aircraft wings.
Numerical and Experimental Investigations on the Hydrodynamic Performance of a Tidal Current Turbine
Authors: Su Xiaohui , Zhang Huiying , Zhao Guang , Cao Yao , Zhao Yong
Published: October 2017

In this paper, numerical and experimental investigations are presented on the hydrodynamic performance of a horizontal tidal current turbine (TCT) designed and made by our Dalian University of Technology (DUT) research group. Thus, it is given the acronym: DUTTCT. An open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver, called pimpledymfoam, is employed to perform numerical simulations for design analysis, while experimental tests are conducted in a DUT towing tank. The important factors, including self-starting velocity, tip speed ratio (TSR), and yaw angle, which play important roles in the turbine output power, are studied in the investigations. Results obtained show that the maximum power efficiency of the newly developed turbine (DUTTCT) could reach up to 47.6%, and all its power efficiency is over 40% in the TSR range from 3.5 to 6; the self-starting velocity of DUTTCT is about 0.745 m/s; and the yaw angle has negligible influence on its efficiency as it is less than 10 deg.
Effects of test method and participant musical training on preference ratings of stimuli with different reverberation times
Authors: Lawless Martin S. , Vigeant Michelle C.
Published: October 2017

Selecting an appropriate listening test design for concert hall research depends on several factors, including listening test method and participant critical-listening experience. Although expert listeners afford more reliable data, their perceptions may not be broadly representative. The present paper contains two studies that examined the validity and reliability of the data obtained from two listening test methods, a successive and a comparative method, and two types of participants, musicians and non-musicians. Participants rated their overall preference of auralizations generated from eight concert hall conditions with a range of reverberation times (0.0–7.2 s). Study 1, with 34 participants, assessed the two methods. The comparative method yielded similar results and reliability as the successive method. Additionally, the comparative method was rated as less difficult and more preferable. For study 2, an additional 37 participants rated the stimuli using the comparative method only. An analysis of variance of the responses from both studies revealed that musicians are better than non-musicians at discerning their preferences across stimuli. This result was confirmed with a k-means clustering analysis on the entire dataset that revealed five preference groups. Four groups exhibited clear preferences to the stimuli, while the fifth group, predominantly comprising non-musicians, demonstrated no clear preference.
Is there a correlation between coaches’ leadership styles and injuries in elite football teams? A study of 36 elite teams in 17 countries
Authors: Ekstrand Jan , Lundqvist Daniel , Lagerbäck Lars , Vouillamoz Marc , Papadimitiou Niki , Karlsson Jon
Published: October 2017

Background

Do coaches’ leadership styles affect injury rates and the availability of players in professional football? Certain types of leadership behaviour may cause stress and have a negative impact on players’ health and well-being.

Aim

To investigate the transformational leadership styles of head coaches in elite men’s football and to evaluate the correlation between leadership styles, injury rates and players’ availability.

Methods

Medical staff from 36 elite football clubs in 17 European countries produced 77 reports at four postseason meetings with a view to assessing their perception of the type of leadership exhibited by the head coaches of their respective teams using the Global Transformational Leadership scale. At the same time, they also recorded details of individual players’ exposure to football and time-loss injuries.

Results

There was a negative correlation between the overall level of transformational leadership and the incidence of severe injuries (rho=−0.248; n=77; p=0.030); high levels of transformational leadership were associated with smaller numbers of severe injuries. Global Transformational Leadership only explained 6% of variation in the incidence of severe injuries (r2=0.062). The incidence of severe injuries was lower at clubs where coaches communicated a clear and positive vision, supported staff members and gave players encouragement and recognition. Players’ attendance rates at training were higher in teams where coaches gave encouragement and recognition to staff members, encouraged innovative thinking, fostered trust and cooperation and acted as role models.

Conclusions

There is an association between injury rates and players’ availability and the leadership style of the head coach.
High-dose versus low-dose haemofiltration for the treatment of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Peng , Qu Li-ping , Qi Dong , Shen Bo , Wang Yi-mei , Xu Jia-rui , Jiang Wu-hua , Zhang Hao , Ding Xiao-qiang , Teng Jie
Published: October 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of high-dose versus low-dose haemofiltration on the survival of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesised that high-dose treatments are not associated with a higher risk of mortality.

Design

Meta-analysis.

Setting

Randomised controlled trials and two-arm prospective and retrospective studies were included.

Participants

Critically ill patients with AKI.

Interventions

Continuous renal replacement therapy.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes: 90-day mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, hospital mortality; secondary outcomes: length of ICU and hospital stay.

Result

Eight studies including 2970 patients were included in the analysis. Pooled results showed no significant difference in the 90-mortality rate between patients treated with high-dose or low-dose haemofiltration (pooled OR=0.90, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.11, p=0.32). Findings were similar for ICU (pooled OR=1.12, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.34, p=0.21) and hospital mortality (pooled OR=1.03, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.30, p=0.84). Length of ICU and hospital stay were similar between high-dose and low-dose groups. Pooled results are not overly influenced by any one study, different cut-off points of prescribed dose or different cut-off points of delivered dose. Meta-regression analysis indicated that the results were not affected by the percentage of patients with sepsis or septic shock.

Conclusion

High-dose and low-dose haemofiltration produce similar outcomes with respect to mortality and length of ICU and hospital stay in critically ill patients with AKI.

This study was not registered at the time the data were collected and analysed. It has since been registered on 17 February 2017 athttp://www.researchregistry.com/, registration number: reviewregistry211.
Global research trends in spinal ultrasound: a systematic bibliometric analysis
Authors: Zhai Xiao , Cui Jin , Shao Jie , Wang Qijin , Chen Xiao , Wei Xianzhao , Zhou Xiaoyi , Chen Ziqiang , Bai Yushu , Li Ming
Published: October 2017

Background

In recent years, there has been increased interest in the use of ultrasound technology in the evaluation of spinal and paraspinal regions.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate trends in spinal ultrasound research from 1994 to 2015 and compare the contributions of such research from different countries and authors.

Study design

Bibliometric analysis.

Setting

Publications related to spinal ultrasound from 1994 to 2015 were retrieved from the Web of Science database.

Methods

Excel 2013, GraphPad Prism 5, and VOSviewer were used to summarise bibliometric features, including the number of publications, citation frequency, H-index, and country contributions and hotspots (keywords of popular scientific fields).

Results

A total of 3859 papers were included. The global inflection point (the point in time when the publication growth rate moved from positive to negative) came in 2010. The United States contributed the largest percentage of articles (1041; 26.9%), with the most citations (19 848) and the highest H-index (61). The journalsOsteoporosis InternationalandSpinehad the highest publication number. The University of Toronto and the University of California, San Francisco were the most contributive institutions. Studies could be divided into three clusters: surgery, osteoporosis, and others. The keywords ‘adolescent idiopathic scoliosis’ and ‘anaesthesia’ were the latest hotspots, appearing around 2012.

Conclusion

Spinal ultrasound literature has grown continuously over the last 22 years, with the rate slowing down after 2010. The United States was the largest contributor in this field. Recent studies on topics related to ‘adolescent idiopathic scoliosis’ and ‘anaesthesia’ were relatively new and should be closely followed in spinal ultrasound research.
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases in northwest Ethiopia: survey of Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System
Authors: Abebe Solomon Mekonnen , Andargie Gashaw , Shimeka Alemayehu , Alemu Kassahun , Kebede Yigzaw , Wubeshet Mamo , Tariku Amare , Gebeyehu Abebaw , Bayisa Mulugeta , Yitayal Mezgebu , Awoke Tadesse , Azmeraw Temesgen , Birku Melkamu
Published: October 2017

Objective

The main objective of this study was to investigate the magnitude and associated factors of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) at the Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System (DHDSS) site in the northwestern part of Ethiopia.

Design

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2014.

Setting

HDSS site, Ethiopia.

Participants

A total population of 67 397 living in 16 053 households was included in the study.

Measures

Structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Self-reported morbidity was used to ascertain NCD. A binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the determinants of NCDs.

Result

One thousand one hundred sixty (1.7%) (95% CI 1.62 to 1.82) participants were found with at least one type of NCD. Heart disease and hypertension which accounted for 404 (32.2%) and 401 (31.9%), of the burden, respectively, were the most commonly reported NCDs, followed by 347 (27.7%) asthma, 62 (4.9%) diabetes mellitus and 40 (3.2%) cancer cases. Advanced age (≥65 year) (adjusted OR (AOR)=19.6; 95% CI 5.83 65.70), urban residence (AOR=2.20; 95% CI 1.83 to 2.65), household food insecurity (AOR=1.71; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.12) and high income (AOR=1.28; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.59) were significantly associated with the reported history of NCDs, whereas low (AOR=0.36; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.42) and moderate (AOR=0.33; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.48) alcohol consumption, farming occupation (AOR=0.72; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.91), and work-related physical activities (AOR=0.66; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.88) were inversely associated with NCDs.

Conclusion

There is a high burden of NCDs at the Dabat HDSS site. Promotion of regular physical exercise and reducing alcohol consumption are essential to mitigate the burden of NCDs. In addition, preventive interventions of NCDs should be strengthened among urban dwellers, older age people and people of higher economic status.
Impact of regional socioeconomic variation on coordination and cost of ambulatory care: investigation of claims data from Bavaria, Germany
Authors: Mehring Michael , Donnachie Ewan , Schneider Antonius , Tauscher Martin , Gerlach Roman , Storr Constanze , Linde Klaus , Mielck Andreas , Maier Werner
Published: October 2017

Objectives

A considerable proportion of regional variation in healthcare use and health expenditures is to date still unexplained. The aim was to investigate regional differences in the gatekeeping role of general practitioners and to identify relevant explanatory variables at patient and district level in Bavaria, Germany.

Design

Retrospective routine data analysis using claims data held by the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

Participants

All patients who consulted a specialist in ambulatory practice within the first quarter of 2011 (n=3 616 510).

Outcomes measures

Of primary interest is the effect of district-level measures of rurality, physician density and multiple deprivation on (1) the proportion of patients with general practitioner (GP) coordination of specialist care and (2) the mean amount in Euros claimed by specialist physicians.

Results

The proportion of patients whose use of specialist services was coordinated by a GP was significantly higher in rural areas and in highly deprived regions, as compared with urban and less deprived regions. The hierarchical models revealed that increasing age and the presence of chronic diseases are the strongest predictive factors for coordination by a GP. In contrast, the presence of mental illness, an increasing number of medical condition categories and living in a city are predictors for specialist use without GP coordination. The amount claimed per patient was €10 to €20 higher in urban districts and in regions with lower deprivation. Hierarchical models indicate that this amount is on average higher for patients living in towns and lower for patients in regions with high deprivation.

Conclusion

The present study shows that regional deprivation is closely associated with the way in which patients access primary and specialist care. This has clear consequences, both with respect to the role of the general practitioner and the financial costs of care.
Protocol for establishing an infant feeding database linkable with population-based administrative data: a prospective cohort study in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Nickel Nathan Christopher , Warda Lynne , Kummer Leslie , Chateau Joanne , Heaman Maureen , Green Chris , Katz Alan , Paul Julia , Perchuk Carolyn , Girard Darlene , Larocque Lorraine , Enns Jennifer Emily , Shaw Souradet
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Breast feeding is associated with many health benefits for mothers and infants. But despite extensive public health efforts to promote breast feeding, many mothers do not achieve their own breastfeeding goals; and, inequities in breastfeeding rates persist between high and low-income mother–infant dyads. Developing targeted programme to support breastfeeding dyads and reduce inequities between mothers of different socioeconomic status are a priority for public health practitioners and health policy decision-makers; however, many jurisdictions lack the timely and comprehensive population-level data on infant-feeding practices required to monitor trends in breastfeeding initiation and duration. This protocol describes the establishment of a population-based infant-feeding database in the Canadian province of Manitoba, providing opportunities to develop and evaluate breastfeeding support programme.

Methods and analysis

Routinely collected administrative health data on mothers’ infant-feeding practices will be captured during regular vaccination visits using the Teleform fax tool, which converts handwritten information to an electronic format. The infant-feeding data will be linked to the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository, a comprehensive collection of population-based information spanning health, education and social services domains. The linkage will allow us to answer research questions about infant-feeding practices and to evaluate how effective current initiatives promoting breast feeding are.

Ethics and dissemination

Approvals have been granted by the Health Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba. Our integrative knowledge translation approach will involve disseminating findings through government and community briefings, presenting at academic conferences and publishing in scientific journals.
Association between statistical significance and time to publication among systematic reviews: a study protocol for a meta-epidemiological investigation
Authors: Tsujimoto Yasushi , Tsutsumi Yusuke , Kataoka Yuki , Tsujimoto Hiraku , Yamamoto Yosuke , Papola Davide , Guyatt Gordon H , Fukuhara Shunichi , Furukawa Toshi A
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Many studies have indicated the impact of bias in dissemination and publication in medical research. Existence of such bias among clinical trials has been repeatedly pointed out, but it has not been well studied in the field of systematic reviews (SRs). We therefore aim to investigate whether or not time lag bias and publication bias in SRs based on statistical significance in results exist. In addition, we will examine at what stage of paper publication process such bias, if any, creeps in.

Method and analysis

The present study is a meta-epidemiological study. We will include all SRs of interventions registered in the international prospective register of SRs (PROSPERO) before December 2014 if the SR has completed its analysis irrespective of its publication status. All contact authors of eligible SRs will be asked to participate in a survey administered through the Internet. Our primary outcome is time from protocol registration to full publication of SR as a journal article, defined as time from the registration date to the acceptance date among all the relevant SRs. We will examine the impact of statistically significant findings on the primary outcomes through time to event analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval will be obtained from the Ethical Committee of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine. This protocol has been registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal and also may present them at conferences. Trial registration number:UMIN000028325
A quality improvement project to improve the Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sepsis bundle compliance rate in a large healthcare system
Authors: Raschke Robert A , Groves Robert H , Khurana Hargobind S , Nikhanj Nidhi , Utter Ethel , Hartling Didi , Stoffer Brenda , Nunn Kristina , Tryon Shona , Bruner Michelle , Calleja Maria , Curry Steven C
Published: October 2017

Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in hospitalised patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandated that US hospitals report sepsis bundle compliance rate as a quality process measure in October 2015. The specific aim of our study was to improve the CMS sepsis bundle compliance rate from 30% to 40% across 20 acute care hospitals in our healthcare system within 1 year.

The study included all adult inpatients with sepsis sampled according to CMS specifications from October 2015 to September 2016. The CMS sepsis bundle compliance rate was tracked monthly using statistical process control charting. A baseline rate of 28.5% with 99% control limits was established. We implemented multiple interventions including computerised decision support systems (CDSSs) to increase compliance with the most commonly missing bundle elements.

Compliance reached 42% (99% statistical process control limits 18.4%–38.6%) as CDSS was implemented system-wide, but this improvement was not sustained after CMS changed specifications of the outcome measure. Difficulties encountered elucidate shortcomings of our study methodology and of the CMS sepsis bundle compliance rate as a quality process measure.