bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Badjatiya Anish , Merrill Peter , Buse John B. , Goodman Shaun G. , Katona Brian , Iqbal Nayyar , Pagidipati Neha J. , Sattar Naveed , Holman Rury R. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Mentz Robert J. , Patel Manesh R. , Jones W. Schuyler
Published: November 2019

Background:

Recent trials have identified anti–diabetes mellitus agents that lower major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) rates, although some increase rates of lower-extremity amputation (LEA). Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have greater incidence of diabetes mellitus and risk for LEA, prompting this investigation of clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus and PAD in the EXSCEL trial (Exenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering).

Methods:

EXSCEL evaluated the effects of once-weekly exenatide (a GLP-1 [glucagon-like peptide-1] receptor agonist) versus placebo on the rates of the primary composite MACE end point (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this post hoc analysis, we assessed the association of baseline PAD with rates of MACE, LEA, and the effects of exenatide versus placebo in patients with and without PAD.

Results:

EXSCEL included 2800 patients with PAD (19% of the trial population). These individuals had higher unadjusted and adjusted rates of MACE compared with patients without PAD (13.6% versus 11.4%, respectively) as well as a higher adjusted hazard ratio (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.00–1.27];
P
=0.047). Patients with PAD had higher all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.38 [95% CI, 1.20–1.60];
P
<0.001) and more frequent LEA (adjusted hazard ratio 5.48 [95% CI, 4.16–7.22];
P
<0.001). Patients treated with exenatide or placebo had similar rates of MACE and LEA, regardless of PAD status.

Conclusions:

EXSCEL participants with PAD had higher rates of all-cause mortality and LEA compared with those without PAD. There were no differences in MACE or LEA rates with exenatide versus placebo.

Clinical Trial Registration URL:

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01144338.
Carotid Plaque With High-Risk Features in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source
Authors: Kamtchum-Tatuene Joseph , Wilman Alan , Saqqur Maher , Shuaib Ashfaq , Jickling Glen C.
Published: November 2019

Background and Purpose—

An ipsilateral mild carotid stenosis, defined as plaque with <50% luminal narrowing, is identified in nearly 40% of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source and could represent an unrecognized source of atheroembolism. We aimed to summarize data about the frequency of mild carotid stenosis with high-risk features in embolic stroke of undetermined source.

Methods—

We searched Pubmed and Ovid-Embase for studies reporting carotid plaque imaging features in embolic stroke of undetermined source. The prevalence of ipsilateral and contralateral mild carotid stenosis with high-risk features was pooled using random-effect meta-analysis.

Results—

Eight studies enrolling 323 participants were included. The prevalence of mild carotid stenosis with high-risk features in the ipsilateral carotid was 32.5% (95% CI, 25.3–40.2) compared with 4.6% (95% CI, 0.1–13.1) in the contralateral carotid. The odds ratio of finding a plaque with high-risk features in the ipsilateral versus the contralateral carotid was 5.5 (95% CI, 2.5–12.0).

Conclusions—

Plaques with high-risk features are 5 times more prevalent in the ipsilateral compared with the contralateral carotid in embolic stroke of undetermined source, suggesting a relationship to stroke risk.
From Documents to Data Points: Marriage Registration and the Politics of Record-Keeping in British India (1880-1950)
Authors: Lhost Elizabeth
Published: November 2019

In 1880, the British Government of India passed an act for appointing individuals to the office of qazi to perform and record Muslim marriages. The act, a product of legislative collaboration, framed marriage registration as a solution to countless problems related to marriage. As a result, qazis and their assistants (nāʾibs) in places like Meerut recorded thousands of marriages using enumerative categories mirroring those found in colonial records. Yet rather than solving the problems surrounding Muslim marriages, as the act intended, these registers turned marital events into administrative facts and invited further management of Muslim marriages in the twentieth century.
Being Asylum Seekers in Hong Kong
Authors: Kennedy Kerry J. , Wong Kin Loon , Ng Hoi-Yu
Published: November 2019

Most discourse related to refugees has been and continues to be related to humanitarian issues. Yet, humanitarianism as a theoretical framing is no longer sufficient for understanding refugee-fuelled migration. The politics of such migration currently dominate policy discourse and Hong Kong is no exception. Asylum seekers continue to seek refuge in a city that neither wants them, nor is sympathetic towards them. The study reported here seeks to understand this context from the point of view of asylum seekers and their supporters in the community and offers an alternative theoretical framework that reflects Hong Kong asylum seekers’ experiences. A qualitative methodology was employed to understand the contexts and asylum seeker experiences. Results indicated that extraordinary institutional pressure is exerted on asylum seekers who cannot settle in Hong Kong but who, in the meantime, are forced to rely on inadequate social protection to survive.
Bursaphelenchus acaloleptae n. sp. sharing tree and beetle carrier hosts with B. luxuriosae Kanzaki & Futai, 2003 in Japan
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Ekino Taisuke , Maehara Noritoshi , Aikawa Takuya , Giblin-Davis Robin M.
Published: November 2019

Bursaphelenchus acaloleptae n. sp. is described and figured based upon its morphological characters and molecular profiles. The new species belongs to the xylophilus-group of the genus and is typologically characterised by its secretory-excretory pore being located slightly posterior to the median bulb, weakly tapering, relatively broad and straight female tail with variously shaped terminus, and rounded male bursal flap with squared terminus. The new species is phylogenetically and biologically closest to B. luxuriosae. These cryptic species share the host (habitat) tree species, Aralia elata (Araliaceae), the same carrier insect species, Acalolepta luxuriosa (Cerambycidae), and a characteristic phoretic adult form. However, the new species is typologically distinguished from all other xylophilus-group species by the combination of the above-mentioned characters and molecular profiles (SSU and LSU molecular barcodes). Further, B. acaloleptae n. sp. can be distinguished from its closest relative, B. luxuriosae, by mating experiments, i.e., these two species did not produce a viable F1 generation in reciprocal crossings, thereby confirming separate species status using the biological species concept.
Ḥadīṯ Scholar and Historiography: Some Reflections on the Sīra Corpora of Ibn Ḥibbān al-Bustī’s (d. 354/965) Kitāb al-Ṯiqāt
Authors: Bin Muhammad Yusoff Muhammad Fawwaz
Published: November 2019

In a recent volume of the Encyclopaedia of Arabic Literature, Ibn Ḥibbān is credited as the author of the Kitāb al-Ṯiqāt, and is described as “a widely travelled traditionist and prolific writer.” The Kitāb al-Ṯiqāt is one of the most valuable sources for the study of the biographies of the transmitters of the ḥadīṯs over the first three centuries and is a record of medieval Islamicate history, even including non-ḥadīṯ transmission. The subject of the Kitāb al-Ṯiqāt is the Prophet’s sīra, the history of caliphs and kings, biographies of Companions, ḥadīṯ transmitters, legal theorists, theologians, and many others. In this brief article, an attempt is made to describe Ibn Ḥibbān’s approach to the sīra of the Prophet, in order to arrive at some general considerations on the relationship between ḥadīṯ studies and historiography. The tarāǧim (chapter titles) and narrative arrangement of the Kitāb al-Ṯiqāt give insight into Ibn Ḥibbān’s expositions, and demonstrate that his interest goes beyond the science of ḥadīṯ transmission.
Urban Levantine Dialectal Features and the Levantine-Mesopotamian Dialect Continuum in the Light of the Dialect of Damascus
Authors: Berlinches Ramos Carmen
Published: November 2019

The Levantine-Mesopotamian dialect continuum is the result of important linguistic contacts through the centuries, and the existence of an Aramaic substrate in both areas.

The linguistic situation in the Levant today is extremely heterogeneous. Among the different vernaculars spoken there, Damascus Arabic has established itself as the model urban Levantine variety. Therefore, it is commonly heard in the media and easily understandable for speakers of other varieties of Arabic, inside and outside Syria.

This paper examines fourteen linguistic features of Damascus Arabic related to phonology, morphology, and syntax. Moreover, it compares them with urban varieties of the Levant and Mesopotamia (qǝltu), thus providing further evidence for the Levantine-Mesopotamian dialectal continuum. It also confirms the close relationship between different Levantine varieties—particularly the urban ones. Finally, it shows the difficulty in setting linguistic hallmarks for both the entire Levant and the Syro-Lebanese region, to which Damascus Arabic belongs.
Prophetic Resistance to Islam in Ninth-Century Córdoba: Paulus Alvarus and the Indiculus Luminosus
Authors: Sorber Andrew
Published: November 2019

The Indiculus Luminosus has been discussed for its polemical depiction of Muḥammad, its author’s lament over the loss of Latinity in Umayyad Córdoba, or its relation to the so-called Córdoban Martyrs of the 850s. None of these, however, comprehends the purpose of the work as a whole. A layman, Paulus Alvarus, wrote the Indiculus in 854 CE to galvanize the Córdoban Christian elites to oppose Islam through public preaching and affirmation of their Christian identity without compromise. Asserting prophetic authority and appropriating ecclesiastical modes of discourse to engage and influence the elites of an early medieval society, Alvarus’s Indiculus provides a crucial, if idiosyncratic, witness to a time of profound cultural and religious change.
Peering behind the ‘Institutional Veil’ to Assess State Behaviour in the Security Council: Does/Should icc Membership Make a Difference?
Authors: Mégret Frédéric
Published: November 2019

A considerable amount of literature exists on whether the Security Council’s actions towards the International Criminal Court (icc) as such are broadly consonant with the Rome Statute and the UN Charter. That literature, however, tends to treat the Security Council, and the United Nations with it, as a single bloc, and to judge the legality of its behaviour entirely independently from that of individual Security Council members in the Council. In revisiting these debates, this article examines the record of states in the Security Council in relation to the icc from the point of view of international law as a productive angle to understand how states reconcile various obligations of ‘good citizenship’ vis-à-vis international institutions.
A Biomimetic Basement Membrane Substitute Based on Tri-Layered Nanofibrous Scaffold for Skin Reconstruction
Authors: Huang Rong , He Zhi , Bian Yongqian , Lei Zhanjun , Wang Hongjun , Long Yunze , Hu Min , Li Jing , Xu Lirong , Li Jinqing , Li Xueyong
Published: November 2019

Developing basement membranes (BMs) substitute remains major problem for constructing functional tissue engineered skin because of its complex structure and multifunction of regulating cellular behavior. Herein, a stable electrospinning method was employed to generate a biomimetic model
of natural BMs based on novel scaffold electrospun from Poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and cellulose acetate (CA) incorporated with chitosan (CS). The morphology, structure, surface hydrophilicity, roughness and mechanical tensile strength of prepared monolayer and tri-layered scaffold were
comprehensively compared. Besides, co-culture system via seeding keratinocytes (Kcs) and fibroblasts (Fbs) on opposite side of tri-layered scaffold revealed more effective segregation of both cell types within the central nanofibrous barrier together with enhanced cell attachment and proliferation
than that on the monolayer scaffold. Moreover, the deposition of type VII collagen and laminin-5 was examined in comparison with normal skin BMs. Furthermore, the histological studies revealed characteristics of reconstructing BM zone at the junction of dermis-epidermis after in vivo
implantation for 2 weeks, and wound healing while the seeded cells interacted with the endogenous cells. Additionally, the expression of active integrin β1 and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was promoted with treatment of tri-layered scaffold. This study stressed that
this tri-layer scaffold might provoke biomimetic responses of Kcs and Fbs and thus be applied for future development of BMs containing tissues.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Cobalt Doped Magnetite Nanoparticles for Corrosion Protection of Epoxy Coated Reinforced Steel
Authors: Truc Trinh Anh , Hoan Nguyen Xuan , Bach Dang The , Thuy Thai Thu , Ramadass Kavitha , Sathish C. I. , Chinh Nguyen Thuy , Trinh Nguyen Duy , Hoang Thai
Published: November 2019

Magnetite (Fe3O4) and Cobalt-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles were obtained by hydrothermal reaction. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Energy dispersive spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, and Zeta potential.
The results show that Co was substituted in the Fe3O4 crystal structure as CoFe2O4 phase. The synthesized materials are nanometer in size having uniform morphology, negatively charged and cobalt concentration varied from 2.5 to 7.5 wt.%. The magnetite
and Co-doped magnetite nanoparticles at a low concentration (3 wt.%) were dispersed in the epoxy resin. The effect of the magnetite and Co-doped magnetite nanoparticles on the anticorrosion performance of the protective epoxy coatings covered on carbon steel surface was characterized by Electrochemical
Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and salt fog exposure. Codoped magnetite nanoparticles at 2.5 wt.% provided high protection of the coatings. In addition, Pull-off tests confirmed an adhesion improvement of the epoxy coating filled by the Co-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
Electrochemical Sensor for Determination of Pb2+ Based on Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Yin Hao Yong , Zheng Yi Fan , Wang Ling
Published: November 2019

We report the formation of gold nanoparticles on indium tin oxide conducting glass (ITO) surface via electrodeposition method at room temperature. The prepared nano-Au electrodes has been fabricated for sensitive detection of Pb2+, and showed highly selective response toward
Pb2+. The electrochemical detection of Pb2+ were determined by differential pulse stripping voltammetric (DPSV). The nano-Au electrochemical sensor could detect Pb2+ from 0.5 to 10 μM with detection limits of 0.06 μM (S/N= 3) and sensitivity
of 0.27996 mA μM−1. The proposed sensor is simple, reliable, sensitive, selective, and low-cost, thus holds potential for practical application in Pb2+ detection.
Is CuO Suitable for Improving the Electrochemical Properties of g-C3N4?
Authors: Zhou Chen , Wu Yan-Ze , Yan Xue-Hua , Wang Jing-Jing , Wang Qiong , Wang Dong-Feng , Yuan Xiao-Xue , Pan Jian-Mei , Cheng Xiao-Nong
Published: November 2019

G-C3N4 has a bright application prospect as an electrode material of supercapacitors, which makes it a concern. In order to increase the specific capacitance of g-C3N4, we consider to combine it with a metal oxide with high theoretical specific
capacitance and utilize the synergistic effect. As a common metal oxide, CuO has the characteristics of high theoretical capacitance, high chemical stability, simple preparation and environmental friendliness. A composite containing CuO nanobelts and graphitic C3N4 (g-C3N4)
was successfully synthesized by a chemical precipitation method. Various testing methods were used to explore its composition, microstructure and electrochemical properties to discuss whether CuO is suitable for improving the electrochemical properties of g-C3N4.
Structural and Optical Properties of Self-Assembled Epitaxially Grown GaN Nanorods and Nanoporous Film on Sapphire (0001) Using Laser Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Ramesh Ch. , Tyagi P. , Senthil Kumar M. , Kushvaha Sunil S.
Published: November 2019

The GaN nanoporous-film (NPF) and nanorods (NRs) were grown on sapphire (0001) using laserassisted molecular beam epitaxy (LMBE) technique by laser ablating solid GaN target at different laser energy density. The interconnected GaN NPF was grown at low laser energy density of ˜4
J/cm2 whereas vertically aligned GaN NRs was obtained at high laser energy density of ˜7 J/cm2. The pore size of the GaN NPF structure is in range of 40–120 nm. The GaN NRs possess hexagonal shape with six sidewall facets and truncated top facet. The length,
width and density of GaN NRs are 600–900 nm, 150–250 nm and ˜2.5×107 cm−2, respectively. The X-ray rocking curve full width at half maximum values along GaN (0002) and (1012) planes for GaN NRs obtained to be 0.41 and 0.53°, respectively.
The biaxial stress in hetero-epitaxially grown GaN was investigated with Raman spectroscopy and it was found that GaN NRs possesses a very low in-plane compressive biaxial stress of 0.09 GPa. The photoluminescence study exhibits a sharp band-to-band emission at 3.4 eV with a peak line width
of 140 meV, signifying the good optical quality of the LMBE grown GaN NRs on sapphire (0001).
Metal Insulator Metal Diode: A Potential Candidate for Energy Harvesting Applications
Authors: Bhatt Kapil , Kumar Sandeep , Tripathi C. C.
Published: November 2019

Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) diodes used for infrared detection and frequency mixing since many decades and their development for energy harvesting applications in rectenna solar cell has accelerated a decade ago. In the horizon of these applications less complex fabrication methodology,
accurate simulation methods and optimum material combination are required. Ultra-fast response of MIM diodes makes them a potential candidate for solar energy harvesting applications. Here in this work, the design and fabrication issues of MIM diode from simulation methodology based on insulating
thickness properties to the fabrication methodology are discussed. MIM diode for Al–Al2O3–Ag combination is fabricated and characteristics such as I(V), asymmetry and non-linearity are reported.
Prediction of elastic anisotropic thermo-dependent properties of discontinuous fiber-reinforced composites
Authors: Lopez D , Thuillier S , Grohens Y
Published: November 2019

This study focuses on the micromechanical prediction of temperature-dependent elastic properties of a composite made of a polypropylene matrix reinforced with discontinuous glass fibers. Firstly, an experimental investigation of the mechanical behavior is presented. Specimen are cut from injection-molded rectangular plates using a pattern based on fiber orientation. The microstructure is investigated by X-ray tomography at the specimen center and an average orientation tensor is calculated. Tensile tests are performed over a temperature range from ambient temperature to 85℃ and dispersion of mechanical properties is rather low; moreover, they are representative of the ones measured out of an industrial injected part. Then, the evolution of elastic properties with orientation and temperature is analyzed and compared with numerical predictions calculated with Mori–Tanaka homogenization scheme.
Longitudinal imaging and evaluation of SAH-associated cerebral large artery vasospasm in mice using micro-CT and angiography
Authors: Weyer Vanessa , Maros Máté E , Kronfeld Andrea , Kirschner Stefanie , Groden Christoph , Sommer Clemens , Tanyildizi Yasemin , Kramer Martin , Brockmann Marc A
Published: November 2019

Longitudinal in vivo imaging studies characterizing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced large artery vasospasm (LAV) in mice are lacking. We developed a SAH-scoring system to assess SAH severity in mice using micro CT and longitudinally analysed LAV by intravenous digital subtraction angiography (i.v. DSA). Thirty female C57Bl/6J-mice (7 sham, 23 SAH) were implanted with central venous ports for repetitive contrast agent administration. SAH was induced by filament perforation. LAV was assessed up to 14 days after induction of SAH by i.v. DSA. SAH-score and neuroscore showed a highly significant positive correlation (rsp = 0.803, p < 0.001). SAH-score and survival showed a negative significant correlation (rsp = −0.71, p < 0.001). LAV peaked between days 3–5 and normalized on days 7–15. Most severe LAV was observed in the internal carotid (Δmax = 30.5%, p < 0.001), anterior cerebral (Δmax = 21.2%, p = 0.014), middle cerebral (Δmax = 28.16%, p < 0.001) and basilar artery (Δmax = 23.49%, p < 0.001). Cerebral perfusion on day 5 correlated negatively with survival time (rPe = −0.54, p = 0.04). Arterial diameter of the left MCA correlated negatively with cerebral perfusion on day 3 (rPe = −0.72, p = 0.005). In addition, pseudoaneurysms arising from the filament perforation site were visualized in three mice using i.v. DSA. Thus, micro-CT and DSA are valuable tools to assess SAH severity and to longitudinally monitor LAV in living mice.
Managing a Data-link Failure of a Single-piloted Airliner during Flight: A System-Theoretic Process Analysis
Authors: Schmid Daniela , Korn Bernd , Wies Matthias , Stanton Neville A.
Published: November 2019

Each modern concept of Single Pilot Operations (SPO) for a commercial airliner in research employs a remote pilot and/or remote super-dispatcher as ground-based support to handle any off-nominal and emergency situation on-board. Hence, a data-link break-up poses a hazard for flight safety. Existing technology from unmanned aviation for mission management is considered in how it could be applied to SPO-specific procedures to handle data-link failures. A predictive System-Theoretic Process Analysis of different types of data-link failures during flight exemplifies how an automated contingency management system could assess the data-link’s quality and alert the single-pilot to continue safe operations. A complete loss of link requires an emergency landing via autoland that is administered by the mission management. Nonetheless, the systems and procedures design(s) to manage data-link contingencies must consider the reliability of other components of the single-piloted airliner.
Staying Alert: Incorporating Human Fatigue in Risk Management
Authors: Coelho Chason J. , Lakhiani Sunil D. , “Trey” Morrison Delmar R.
Published: November 2019

This paper addresses the role of human fatigue in workplace safety and risk management. It is well known that fatigue can increase the likelihood of workplace injuries, but the systematic application of this knowledge in safety and risk management is less well known. This paper presents a risk-based method for addressing fatigue in safety and risk management processes. The method incorporates elements of a data-driven fatigue risk management system (FRMS). Specific issues include potential data sources for the FRMS and practical applications within existing safety management systems. Special attention is paid to the fatigue risk assessment, which mirrors a common safety risk assessment and affords systematic control of fatigue-related human error.
Designing for Situation Awareness in the Main Control Room of a Small Modular Reactor
Authors: Kirkwood Maggie
Published: November 2019

The nuclear industry is entering into a generation in which Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could provide solutions to the worlds future energy needs. New technology and operations will be associated with new Human Factors (HF) design challenges. Operators may be faced with a higher cognitive workloads while monitoring several reactor units at once from a central main control room (MCR), or when monitoring units remotely. Automated processes may be implemented to mitigate human error, however may also result in a reduced sense of operator awareness in situations where operators fail to develop an accurate mental model of plant status. The present article highlights design recommendations that should be considered during the early stages of SMR MCR design to optimize human performance. Also discussed is the potential applications of eye tracking, and virtual reality (VR) to inform designers on best practices in display design and control room environments, respectively.
Understanding Reliance and Trust in Decision Aids for UAV Target Identification
Authors: Rogers Hunter , Khasawneh Amro , Bertrand Jeffrey , Chalil Kapil
Published: November 2019

The use of automation is prevalent in almost every aspect of modern life, and since its inception researchers have been investigating trust in automation. There are many methods of measuring trust. Given that trust means different things to different people and by nature is subjective, most methods are subjective survey assessments (Freedy, DeVisser, Weltman, & Coeyman, 2007; Jian, Bisantz, & Drury, 2000). Many studies have investigated how the reliability of an automated agent or the level of automation changes subjective trust in the automation (Dixon & Wickens, 2006; Du, Zhang, & Yang, 2018; Khasawneh, Rogers, Bertrand, Madathil, & Gramopadhye, 2019; Rogers, Khasawneh, Bertrand, & Madathil, 2017).
Additional Evidence for Pupil Size as a Measure of Within-Task Learning
Authors: Sibley Ciara , Foroughi Cyrus K. , Moclaire Cory M. , King Kenneth M. , Brown Noelle L. , Coyne Joseph T.
Published: November 2019

This study sought to improve and extend previously conducted research that demonstrated the ability to capture within-task learning by measuring changes in an individual’s peak pupil size across a task. That research had two limitations that needed to be addressed: the use of pixels (an unstandardized pupil size measurement unit) as the primary metric and the lack of inclusion of a pre-stimulus baseline period. Ninety-two Navy and Marine Corps student pilots performed a spatial orientation aptitude test while their pupillary data were recorded. Notably, a new technique was used to convert pupil data from pixels to millimeters and a pre-stimulus baseline period was added between trials to capture tonic activation. Results revealed that peak pupil sizes significantly reduced across trials (r = -.80). The relationship was still very strong after accounting for a reduction in pupillary tonic activation across trials (r = -.59). These findings provide strong support for prior research that showed that reductions in maximum pupil size can demonstrate learning across trials while completing a task. Importantly, this work improved and extended that research by confirming the results using millimeters, a standardized unit of pupil size, instead of pixels, and accounting for tonic activation.
Efficacy of Dry Electroencephalography and Cognitive Assessment in Identifying Normobaric Hypoxia in Designated Aviators
Authors: Drollinger Sabrina , Linnville Steve , Phillips Jeff , Snider Dallas , Sciarini Lee W.
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of EEG and cognitive functioning assessments to identify hypoxia in naval aviators. Naval aviators were brought slowly to a 6,096 m exposure to induce normobaric hypoxia while completing a cognitive assessment and a simulated flight task. There were significant reductions in cognitive performance at 6,096 m when compared to sea level. There were no significant changes in EEG-recorded brainwave activity during the 6,096 m exposure compared to sea level. There were also no significant decrements in flight performance at 6,096 m. Additional research is needed to better understand the impact of hypoxia on brainwave activity and pilot performance.
Secondary Traumatic Stress in Maternal-Newborn Nurses: Secondary Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Beck Cheryl Tatano
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND: Secondary traumatic stress can be the cost for clinicians when caring for persons who have been traumatized. Secondary traumatic stress is a syndrome of symptoms similar to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). AIMS: To conduct a secondary qualitative data analysis of three primary data sets of secondary traumatic stress in nurses. METHODS: Cross validation was the type of qualitative secondary analysis used to compare qualitative findings across these multiple data sets. In the three primary studies, the data were analyzed for themes. In this secondary qualitative analysis, a different defining unit was chosen. This time, the four categories of PTSD symptoms (intrusions, avoidance, arousal, and negative alterations in cognitions and mood) were used to analyze the data sets using content analysis. RESULTS: For all three groups of maternal-newborn nurses, the intrusions category was ranked first and the negative cognitions and mood category was ranked second. The remaining two symptom categories were where their rankings differed. The labor and delivery and neonatal intensive care unit nurses ranked arousal symptoms third and avoidance symptoms fourth. For the nurse-midwives, the rankings for these two categories were reversed. The neonatal intensive care unit nurses comprised the one group that did not report any avoidance symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This secondary qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of PTSD symptoms that maternal-newborn nurses struggled with as a result of caring for either critically ill infants or women during traumatic births. Hospital preventive strategies and interventions for secondary traumatic stress in nurses are discussed.
Thermal comfort of motion and stationary states for recreational spaces of colleges and universities in the cold regions of China
Authors: Li Xiaodan , Wang Jing , Zhang Wenqing , Chen Ming
Published: November 2019

This study examined a representative college activity centre in China’s cold regions and conducted a field measurement study and questionnaire analysis on the indoor thermal environment in winter. Data fitting and comparative analysis were performed on the predicted mean vote (PMV) calculated from measured environmental parameters and the seven-point vote value actual mean vote (AMV) based on the questionnaire. According to the least square method, the corresponding human adaptive coefficient λm in the motion state and λs in the stationary state were obtained. Based on the research, the thermal comfort survey results were reported for the two states for recreational spaces of colleges and universities. These results suggest that the AMV and PMV do not coincide in the two states. The actual thermal sensation is less sensitive than predicted through the sensitivity analysis for the two states. The respondents’ actual thermal sensation is less sensitive when exercising than stationary state. Moreover, both PMV and AMV in motion state are higher than those in stationary state, illustrating that the state of motion has a greater influence on thermal sensation. This research provides a theoretical basis and data reference for the low energy design of recreational spaces of colleges and universities.
Solution blown nanofibrous air filters modified with glass microparticles
Authors: Polat Yusuf , Calisir Mehmet , Gungor Melike , Sagirli Merve N , Atakan Raziye , Akgul Yasin , Demir Ali , Kiliç Ali
Published: November 2019

High-pressure drop and lower dust holding capacity reduce the performance of nanofibrous air filters. For that reason, this study was carried out to form filters with high-quality factor and high dust holding capacity, thanks to the glass particle additives. In this study, as an approach to such modifications, fluffy nanofiber webs were produced via solution blowing. Polyamide 6 (PA6) was chosen as the base for the nanofibrous mats, where glass microparticles were embedded as an additive to reduce web solidity. The effects of glass microparticle embedding on the filtration performance and pressure drop of the mats were investigated. SEM analysis was performed to analyze nanofiber diameter and morphology. Also, the barrier properties of samples were examined by air filtration and air permeability tests. Findings showed that the addition of glass particles did not alter fiber morphology significantly. However, lowering the pressure drop resulted in higher air permeability and better filtration performance in terms of the quality factor. Glass particles embedded composite samples exhibited a higher quality factor compared to the neat PA6 sample, and the PA6 + 5%GP sample has the highest quality factor value around 0.43. The filtration efficiency of this sample was 99.97% at an expense of 187.3 Pa pressure drop. The obtained enhancement was conducted to the lower solidity of composite webs which was 36% lower for the PA6 + 5%GP sample.
Prioritised self-referential processing is modulated by emotional arousal
Authors: Qian Haoyue , Wang Zhiguo , Li Chao , Gao Xiangping
Published: November 2019

Stimuli related to the self are processed more efficiently in a variety of cognitive tasks. Recent studies have shown that this self-referential processing bias is modulated by emotion. However, a clear understanding of how emotional valence and arousal affect self-referential processing is still lacking. With a label–shape matching task, Experiment 1 measured a self-prioritisation effect in four different mood states. The results revealed stronger self-prioritisation effects in moods with higher arousal levels and a reliable correlation between the self-prioritisation effect and the arousal level reported by the participants; however, the effect of emotional valence was not statistically reliable. Experiment 2 further showed that alerting cues, known to raise arousal level, effectively increased the self-prioritisation effect in the same label–shape matching task. Experiment 3 clarified that alerting cues do not affect reward processing in a similar label–shape matching task, suggesting that arousal may selectively modulate self-referential processing. These observations provide clear evidence that emotional arousal modulates self-referential processing.
Assessing different diagnostic tests for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Mengyu , Pandolfino John E. , Zhou Xuyu , Tan Niandi , Li Yuwen , Chen Minhu , Xiao Yinglian
Published: November 2019

Background:

The aim of the current systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was to assess the diagnostic characteristics of the gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERDQ), proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) test, baseline impedance, mucosal impedance, dilated intercellular spaces (DIS), salivary pepsin, esophageal pH/pH impedance monitoring and endoscopy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods:

We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register database (from inception to 10 April 2018) for studies assessing the diagnostic characteristics of the GERDQ, PPI test, baseline impedance, mucosal impedance, DIS, or salivary pepsin and esophageal pH/pH impedance monitoring/endoscopy in patients with GERD. Direct pairwise comparison and a NMA using Bayesian methods under random effects were performed. We also assessed the ranking probability.

Results:

A total of 40 studies were identified. The NMA found no significant difference among the baseline impedance, mucosal impedance, and esophageal pH/pH impedance monitoring and endoscopy in terms of both sensitivity and specificity. It was also demonstrated that the salivary pepsin detected by the Peptest device had comparable specificity to esophageal pH/pH impedance monitoring and endoscopy. Results of ranking probability indicated that esophageal pH/pH impedance monitoring and endoscopy had highest sensitivity and specificity, followed by mucosal impedance and baseline impedance, whereas GERDQ had the lowest sensitivity and PPI test had the lowest specificity.

Conclusions:

In a systematic review and NMA of studies of patients with GERD, we found that baseline impedance and mucosal impedance have relatively high diagnostic performance, similar to esophageal pH/pH impedance monitoring and endoscopy.
“First Week Is Editorial, Second Week Is Algorithmic”: Platform Gatekeepers and the Platformization of Music Curation
Authors: Bonini Tiziano , Gandini Alessandro
Published: November 2019

This article investigates the logics that underpin music curation, and particularly the work of music curators, working at digital music streaming platforms. Based on ethnographic research that combines participant observation and a set of interviews with key informants, the article questions the relationship between algorithmic and human curation and the specific workings of music curation as a form of platform gatekeeping. We argue that music streaming platforms in combining proprietary algorithms and human curators constitute the “new gatekeepers” in an industry previously dominated by human intermediaries such as radio programmers, journalists, and other experts. The article suggests understanding this gatekeeping activity as a form of “algo-torial power” that has the ability to set the “listening agendas” of global music consumers. While the power of traditional gatekeepers was mainly of an editorial nature, albeit data had some relevance in orienting their choices, the power of platform gatekepeers is an editorial power “augmented” and enhanced by algorithms and big data. Platform gatekeepers have more data, more tools to manage and to make sense of these data, and thus more power than their predecessors. Platformization of music curation then consists of a data-intense gatekeeping activity, based on different mixes of algo-torial logics, that produces new regimes of visibility. This makes the platform capitalistic model potentially more efficient than industrial capitalism in transforming audience attention into data and data into commodities.
Effects of Compliance With Procedure-Specific Postoperative Rehabilitation Protocols on Initial Outcomes After Osteochondral and Meniscal Allograft Transplantation in the Knee
Authors: Rucinski Kylee , Cook James L. , Crecelius Cory R. , Stucky Renée , Stannard James P.
Published: November 2019

Background:

Osteochondral and meniscal allograft transplantation have been performed in the knee for more than 40 years, with the number of patients treated each year growing as allograft quantity and quality increase. To date, the effects of postoperative management on outcomes after these procedures have received relatively little focus in the peer-reviewed literature.

Hypothesis:

Compliance with the recommended postoperative management protocol will be associated with significantly higher initial success and significantly lower revision and failure rates for patients undergoing osteochondral and/or meniscal allograft transplantation in the knee.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients were prospectively enrolled into a dedicated registry designed to follow outcomes after osteochondral and/or meniscal allograft transplantation. Patients were included when at least 1 year of follow-up data were available, including data on complications and reoperations, patient-reported outcome measures, compliance with rehabilitation, revisions, or failures, based on the electronic medical record and communication logs with patients’ outpatient physical therapists.

Results:

For patients meeting the inclusion criteria (N = 162), compliance with the prescribed procedure-specific postoperative management protocol was associated with significantly higher 1- to 3-year success and significantly lower revision and failure rates. Specifically, patients who were compliant were 6.3 times less likely to need allograft revision or total knee arthroplasty and 7.5 times more likely to have a successful outcome at 1 to 3 years after osteochondral and/or meniscal allograft transplantation. In addition to noncompliance, older patient age and higher body mass index were associated with inferior short-term outcomes in this cohort.

Conclusion:

These data suggest that compliance with procedure-specific postoperative rehabilitation protocols is associated with higher success, lower revision, and lower failure rates for patients undergoing osteochondral and meniscal allograft transplantation. Given these results showing the importance of these modifiable risk factors, our center has devoted resources to preoperative patient assessment and communication to provide education, set appropriate expectations, identify and address modifiable risk factors, impediments, and noncompliance, and monitor and adjust postoperative care as indicated.
The Best of Both Worlds: Experiences of Co-developing Innovative Undergraduate Health Care Programmes in Egypt
Authors: Rashid Ahmed , Gill Deborah , Ragab Lamis
Published: November 2019

As medical education has become increasingly globalised, universities across the world have sought to raise standards by partnering with well-established institutions and a number of different partnership models have emerged. This article describes an academic collaboration between University College London (UCL), UK, and Newgiza University (NGU), Egypt, to establish modern and innovative undergraduate medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy programmes delivered in Egypt. Academics from UCL and NGU co-developed programmes using established materials, assessments, and processes from the equivalent programmes at UCL. Dedicated project managers, regular steering group meetings, strong working relationships between project teams, and iterative curriculum and assessment development processes were important features of the success of this work. A multidisciplinary first semester included students across all 3 health care programmes. This promoted collaboration between academics at both institutions. Although UCL resources were the basis of this project, the different sociocultural, ethical, professional, and regulatory frameworks in Egypt have meant that a number of adaptations have been necessary, in both curricula and teaching content. Perhaps the most important factor underpinning the success of this project has been the mutual respect and sensitivity of academics and clinicians from both institutions.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Wire + Arc Additively Manufactured 2050 Al–Li Alloy Wall Deposits
Authors: Zhong Hao , Qi Bojin , Cong Baoqiang , Qi Zewu , Sun Hongye
Published: November 2019

Aluminum–Lithium (Al–Li) alloy is a topic of great interest owing to its high strength and light weight, but there are only a few applications of Al–Li alloy in wire + arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process. To identify its feasibility in WAAM process, a special AA2050 Al–Li alloy wire was produced and employed in the production of straight-walled components, using a WAAM system based on variable polarity gas tungsten arc welding (VP-GTAW) process. The influence of post-deposited heat treatment on the microstructure and property of the deposit was investigated using optical micrographs (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), hardness and tensile properties tests. Results revealed that the microstructures of AA2050 aluminum deposits varied with their location layers. The upper layers consisted of fine equiaxed grains, while the bottom layer exhibited a coarse columnar structure. Mechanical properties witnessed a significant improvement after post-deposited heat treatment, with the average micro-hardness reaching 141HV and the ultimate tensile strength exceeding 400 MPa. Fracture morphology exhibited a typical ductile fracture.
Are there shared neural correlates between dyslexia and ADHD? A meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies
Authors: McGrath Lauren M. , Stoodley Catherine J.
Published: November 2019

Background

Dyslexia and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are highly comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders (estimates of 25–40% bidirectional comorbidity). Previous work has identified strong genetic and cognitive overlap between the disorders, but neural overlap is relatively unexplored. This study is a systematic meta-analysis of existing voxel-based morphometry studies to determine whether there is any overlap in the gray matter correlates of both disorders.

Methods

We conducted anatomic likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analyses of voxel-based morphometry studies in which individuals with dyslexia (15 studies; 417 cases, 416 controls) or ADHD (22 studies; 898 cases, 763 controls) were compared to typically developing controls. We generated ALE maps for dyslexia vs. controls and ADHD vs. controls using more conservative (p < .001, k = 50) and more lenient (p < .005, k = 50) thresholds. To determine the overlap of gray matter correlates of dyslexia and ADHD, we examined the statistical conjunction between the ALE maps for dyslexia vs. controls and ADHD vs. controls (false discovery rate [FDR] p < .05, k = 50, 5000 permutations).

Results

Results showed largely distinct gray matter differences associated with dyslexia and ADHD. There was no evidence of statistically significant gray matter overlap at our conservative threshold, and only one region of overlap in the right caudate at our more lenient threshold. Reduced gray matter in the right caudate may be relevant to shared cognitive correlates in executive functioning and/or procedural learning. The more general finding of largely distinct regional differences in gray matter between dyslexia and ADHD suggests that other neuroimaging modalities may be more sensitive to overlapping neural correlates, and that current neuroimaging recruitment approaches may be hindering progress toward uncovering neural systems associated with comorbidity.

Conclusions

The current study is the first to meta-analyze overlap between gray matter differences in dyslexia and ADHD, which is a critical step toward constructing a multi-level understanding of this comorbidity that spans the genetic, neural, and cognitive levels of analysis.