bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pontine and cerebellar injury in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: MRI features and clinical outcomes
Authors: Hayakawa Katsumi , Tanda Koichi , Koshino Sachiko , Nishimura Akira , Kizaki Zenro , Ohno Koji
Published: January 2020

Background

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of death and disability in infants. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is valuable for predicting the outcome in high-risk neonates. The relationship of pontine and cerebellar injury to outcome has not been explored sufficiently.

Purpose

To characterize MRI features of pontine and cerebellar injury and to assess the clinical outcomes of these neonates.

Material and Methods

The retrospective study included 59 term neonates (25 girls) examined by MRI using 1.5-T scanner in the first two weeks of life between 2008 and 2017. Involvement of the pons and cerebellum was judged as a high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted image (DWI) and a restricted diffusion on an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map.

Results

Pontine involvement was observed in the dorsal portion of pons in eight neonates and cerebellar involvement was observed in dentate nucleus (n = 8), cerebellar vermis (n = 3), and hemisphere (n = 1) in 11 neonates. Combined pontine and cerebellar involvement was observed in eight neonates and only cerebellar involvement in three. The pontine and cerebellar injuries were always associated with very severe brain injury including a basal ganglia/thalamus injury pattern and a total brain injury pattern. In terms of clinical outcome, all but four lost to follow-up, had severe cerebral palsy.

Conclusion

Pontine and cerebellar involvement occurred in the dorsal portion of pons and mostly dentate nucleus and was always associated with a more severe brain injury pattern as well as being predictive of major disability.
Application of T1-weighted BLADE sequence to abdominal magnetic resonance imaging of young children: a comparison with turbo spin echo sequence
Authors: Choi Kyu Sung , Choi Young Hun , Cheon Jung-Eun , Kim Woo Sun , Kim In One
Published: January 2020

Background

The image quality of abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children who cannot hold their breath has been severely impaired by motion artifacts.

Purpose

To evaluate the usefulness of T1-weighted (T1W) BLADE MRI for axial abdominal imaging in children who cannot hold their breath.

Material and Methods

Two different BLADE sequences, with and without an inversion recovery (IR-BLADE), were compared to conventional turbo-spin echo (TSE) with a high number of excitations in 18 consecutive patients who cannot hold their breath. Overall image quality, motion artifact, radial artifact, hepatic vessel sharpness, renal corticomedullary differentiation, and lesion conspicuity were retrospectively assessed by two radiologists, using 4- or 5-point scoring systems. Signal variations of each sequence were measured for a quantitative comparison. The acquisition times of the three sequences were compared.

Results

IR-BLADE and BLADE showed significantly improved overall image quality and reduced motion artifact compared with TSE. IR-BLADE showed significantly better hepatic vessel sharpness and corticomedullary differentiation compared to both BLADE and TSE. Radial artifacts were only observed on IR-BLADE and BLADE. In nine patients with lesions, there were no significant differences in lesion conspicuity among three sequences. Compared to TSE, both IR-BLADE and BLADE showed decreased signal variations in the liver and muscle, and an increased signal variation through air. The mean acquisition times for IR-BLADE, BLADE, and TSE were comparable.

Conclusion

Compared to the TSE sequence, T1W IR-BLADE for pediatric abdominal MRI resulted in improved image quality, tissue contrast with a diminished respiratory motion artifact, and a comparable acquisition time.
The Relationship Between Treatment Alliance, Social Climate, and Treatment Readiness in Long-Term Forensic Psychiatric Care: An Explorative Study
Authors: Gaab S. , Brazil I. A. , de Vries M. G. , Bulten B. H.
Published: January 2020

For patients in long-term forensic psychiatric care (LFPC), a continuous search for treatment possibilities remains important. An alternative viewpoint to these patients as being untreatable is considering them having low treatment readiness. Treatment readiness incorporates internal client-specific factors as well as factors in the therapeutic situation. In the therapeutic situation both social climate and therapeutic alliance are of positive influence on treatment outcome. In this explorative study of 38 male patients in Dutch LFPC, we found correlations with strong (Bayesian) evidence between internal factors of treatment readiness, treatment alliance, and “Therapeutic Hold,” which is a subscale of social climate. In a Bayesian linear regression analysis, however, therapeutic hold seemed to be the only strong predictor of internal treatment readiness. These results give way to further research into the factors specifically contributing to the found correlations, in order to create opportunities to enlarge treatment readiness for patients in forensic care.
Using the R&D capitalisation choice to explain the scale benefits of R&D investment
Authors: Wu Hai , Thomas Anne-Maree , Wright Sue
Published: January 2020

This paper helps explain a ‘puzzle’ about the scale benefits of R&D investment: although larger firms are less efficient innovators, they spend more on R&D investment and earn more from R&D investment. We find evidence suggesting that large firms enjoy a comparative advantage investing in R&D projects with less chance of success, although they do not experience such scale benefits from R&D investments with more chance of success. We capture managers’ evaluation of the chance of success of an R&D investment using an accounting choice to capitalise or expense the R&D investment. Our results have policy implications for the design of efficient and equitable allocations of R&D tax incentives between large and small firms, and for the usefulness to investors of allowing discretion in the accounting treatment of R&D expenditures.

JEL Classification: M41, M48
Streptococcus pyogenes purpura fulminans and septic shock: A case highlighting the ethical considerations of high-risk extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Wheaton Taylor , Menkiti Ogechukwu , Misra Amit
Published: January 2020

Separately, refractory septic shock and purpura fulminans have very poor outcomes. The ethics involved in offering extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to very high-risk patients is complex. We report a novel case of refractory shock requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous renal replacement therapy due to Streptococcus pyogenes bacteremia with purpura fulminans to highlight the ethical challenges in offering extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to a patient with such a poor likelihood of survival.
Construction and characterization of antibacterial PLGA/wool keratin/ornidazole composite membranes for periodontal guided tissue regeneration
Authors: Zhang Hualin , Ma Hairong , Zhang Rui , Wang Kairong , Liu Jinsong
Published: January 2020

Postoperative infections caused by bacteria are now thought to be the main cause of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) failure. In this study, six groups of PLGA/wool keratin composite GTR membranes loaded with the antibacterial agent ornidazole (0% ORN, 1% ORN, 5% ORN, 10% ORN, 20% ORN, and 30% ORN composite membranes) were prepared by an electrospinning method. The surface morphology and physicochemical properties of the composite membranes were determined, and the in vitro drug release behavior, bacteriostatic properties and in vitro cytotoxicity were assessed to optimize the amount of drug loaded into the composite membranes. The composite membrane with 1% ORN showed strong water absorption and mechanical properties as well as suitable in vitro degradation and drug release characteristics; the 5% ORN composite membrane showed good water absorption and degradation characteristics; and the 10% ORN composite membrane showed good mechanical and degradation properties. The five PLGA/wool keratin/ornidazole composite membranes could release ornidazole continuously for 7 d. When the content of ornidazole in the composite membranes was greater than or equal to 10%, the growth of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) was inhibited, while composite membranes with an ornidazole content of less than 10% facilitated the growth and proliferation of hPDLFs and could promote their osteogenic differentiation. The five PLGA/wool keratin/ornidazole composite membranes all inhibited the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (Pa), and higher drug contents resulted in stronger bacteriostatic effects. In summary, the 1% ORN composite membrane had good physicochemical properties, biocompatibility and bacteriostatic properties, making this membrane applicable for use as an antibacterial GTR membrane for periodontal tissue repair.
Mapping ocean-state Mauritius and its unlaid ghosts: Hydropolitics and literature in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Issur Kumari
Published: January 2020

In the wake of what has been termed “the scramble for the oceans,” the Republic of Mauritius lodged an application in 2012 with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to recognize its rights to an Exclusive Economic Zone that comprises a large expanse of the Indian Ocean, and subsequently redefined itself as an ocean-state. This new configuration raises as many issues as it answers. The Indian Ocean remains firmly central both to Mauritian history and to its imaginary. All at once, the endless fluidity of the ocean renders material traces and academic archeology harder, yet somehow it traps and sediments memory and meaning in some ways more profoundly than land. This article bores and drills into the historical, geopolitical, and ontological depths of ocean-state Mauritius with the figure of the ghost as motif, metaphor, and witness.
Stiffness analysis of cable-driven parallel mechanisms with cables having large sustainable strains
Authors: Xiong Hao , Diao Xiumin
Published: January 2020

A cable-driven parallel mechanism is driven by a group of cables. Cable-driven parallel mechanisms can use various cables (e.g. steel cables, nylon cables, isoprene rubber cables, and extension springs) with different sustainable strains. This paper studies the stiffness of cable-driven parallel mechanisms with cables having large sustainable strains, aiming to achieve significantly adjustable overall stiffness. The overall stiffness of a cable-driven parallel mechanism can be decomposed into the constant base stiffness and the adjustable strain stiffness. This paper proposes and mathematically proves a theorem that guarantees that the overall stiffness of a cable-driven parallel mechanism at an arbitrary stable pose can be dominated by the adjustable strain stiffness when cable strains are larger than 100%. The theorem employs the minimum eigenvalues of stiffness matrices to characterize the stiffness of cable-driven parallel mechanism. The theorem provides a sufficient condition that guarantees that the overall stiffness of a cable-driven parallel mechanism at an arbitrary stable pose can be significantly adjusted (i.e. the adjustable strain stiffness contributes more than the constant base stiffness in determining the overall stiffness). The theorem is verified through the simulation of a cable-driven parallel mechanism with six degrees of freedom and seven cables.
A deep convolutional neural network approach with information fusion for bearing fault diagnosis under different working conditions
Authors: Tang Tang , Hu Tianhao , Chen Ming , Lin Ronglai , Chen Guorui
Published: January 2020

In recent years, deep learning-based fault diagnosis methods have drawn lots of attention. However, for most cases, the success of machine learning-based models relies on the circumstance that training data and testing data are under the same working condition, which is too strict for real implementation cases. Combined with the features of robustness of deep convolutional neural network and vibration signal characteristics, information fusion technology is introduced in this study to enhance the feature representation capability as well as the transferability of diagnosis models. With the basis of multi-sensors and narrow-band decomposition techniques, a convolutional architecture named fusion unit is proposed to extract multi-scale features from different sensors. The proposed method is tested on two data sets and has achieved relatively higher generalization ability when compared with several existing works, which demonstrates the effectiveness of our proposed fusion unit for feature extraction on both source task and target task.
Managing International Communication: Ji Trading Company
Authors: Ajmal Muhammad Mobeen , Rafay Abdul , Ajmal Muhammad Moeen
Published: January 2020

On 16 January 2015, Zohaib Akhtar, the company secretary and PA to the CEO of Ji Trading Company was analysing what went wrong during the day. Ji Trading Company imported heavy machinery from China for its clients in Pakistan. This year the company tried to attract more investment from their existing Chinese partners and raise new capital from local investors. Zohaib and his associate, Sheng, had been working on this deal for more than a year. They worked on understanding the Chinese culture as well as understanding the inherent differences between the Chinese and Pakistanis. Yet, on the first day, the Chinese partners came to the firm and it was a fiasco. Now he had to think about ways to stop further problems during the next month the Chinese partners were in Pakistan.
A rate-dependent dynamic damage model in peridynamics for concrete under impact loading
Authors: Wu Liwei , Huang Dan , Xu Yepeng , Wang Lei
Published: January 2020

To study the dynamic behavior and impact damage and failure of concrete materials and structures, a dynamic damage model was reformulated under the framework of the non-local peridynamic theory in this paper. The stretch rate of material bonds, equivalent to the strain rate in classical continuum mechanics, was introduced, and a rate-dependent peridynamic model describing the dynamic damage and failure of concrete materials was then proposed, taking both the dynamic failure of bonds and the rate-sensitivity of damage evolution under different stretch rate into account. The connection between the stretch rate and strength and tensile and compressive failure of concrete materials was established in the peridynamic model. To verify the proposed dynamic damage model for concrete failure, several typical examples simulating the mixed-mode fracture of concrete specimen were investigated. The failure mode, crack propagation paths and the crack propagation speed in the specimen in different cases were captured, which agree well with the experimental results and available numerical results. After model validation, the effect of the number and length of pre-existing cracks on the dynamic failure of concrete components was investigated further.
Reinforcement Foundations of a Function-Based Behavioral Approach for Students With Challenging Behavior
Authors: Sugai George , Simonsen Brandi
Published: January 2020

This article provides an overview of how reinforcement serves as the foundation for a function-based approach to support students with challenging behavior. Understanding reinforcement is essential when providing function-based support for students with challenging behavior. Reinforcement “strengthens” behavior, increasing the probability that similar behaviors occur again. By understanding and using reinforcement accurately, educators conduct efficient functional behavioral assessments; develop and implement positive, aligned, and individualized behavior support plans; and avoid misrules and misconceptions about reinforcement.
Heavily loaded line EHL contacts with thin adsorbed soft layers
Authors: Kudish Ilya I , Pashkovski Eugene , Volkov Sergey S , Vasiliev Andrey S , Aizikovich Sergey M
Published: January 2020

Studies of thin soft polymeric or metal layers adsorbed on the surfaces of lubricated solids showed lower friction coefficients and energy losses. The degree to which this reduction happens depends on the coating material nature, its rheology, and coating thicknesses, as well as other factors. To an extent, the application of such soft coatings is in its infancy and it is still not clear which parameters affect the performance of lubricated joints, and how. This paper attempts to model such coated lubricated contacts and to understand how soft coatings affect the joint performance. The paper presents a model of heavily loaded elastohydrodynamically lubricated (EHL) contacts of solids made of elastic homogeneous materials, the surfaces of which are covered by thin coating layers made of soft elastic material. The model incorporates not only normal but also tangential contact stresses and displacements. First, the effect of tangential contact stresses and displacements on the problem parameters is determined, and then the EHL problem is formulated and analyzed. It is necessary to account for variations in the solid surface linear velocities caused by tangential contact stresses. The deformation and displacement processes in thin coating layers are asymptotically modeled by certain boundary conditions. This is done using the Fourier transform with respect to the coordinate along the contact and making the necessary simplifications of the equations. The formulated EHL problem incorporates the normal and tangential contact surface displacements caused by normal and tangential contact stresses. The difference between the classic EHL problems and the problem at hand is due to variations in the linear surface velocities compared with the nominal ones. This causes significant changes in the contact friction parameters. The solution of the EHL problem is obtained numerically. A parametric analysis of the EHL problem solution is performed.
Introducing Offlineness: Theorizing (Digital) Literacy Engagements
Authors: Nelson Elizabeth L. , Perry Mia , Rogers Theresa
Published: January 2020

In this Insights essay, we propose a new concept of offlineness that builds on current language around digital practices, yet addresses an element of young people’s experience that is not adequately represented in current research or educational discourse. This work is informed by a recent cross-national arts-based research project that highlighted the limitations of the discourse ascribed to the nature of young people’s engagement with digital literacies. We propose a (re)theorization, which builds on a critical review of current conceptual research and digital commentaries. Theorizing offlineness as a continuum between online and offline practices is tantamount to a paradigm shift toward more nuanced understandings of young people’s digital practices. It offers researchers and educators a more precise way to speak to young people’s digital experiences, providing a productive tool to (re)construct learning and inquiry spaces in literacy research and education.
Influence of multiplexing conditions on artefact signal and the signal-to-noise ratio in the decoded data in Hadamard transform ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Sarycheva Anastasia , Adamov Alexey , Poteshin Sergey S , Lagunov Sergey S , Sysoev Alexey A
Published: January 2020

In Hadamard transform ion mobility spectrometry (HT IMS), the signal-to-noise ratio is always lower for non-modified pseudorandom sequences than for modified sequences. Since the use of non-modified modulating pseudorandom sequences is strategically preferable from a duty cycle standpoint, we investigated the change in the interference signal when transitioning from non-modified modulating sequences to sequences modified by the addition of 1,3,5 and 7 zeros. The interfering signal in HT IMS with modified pseudorandom sequences was shown to be mainly random noise for all the cases except for modifying by incorporation of 1 zero. For standard samples of tetraalkylammonium halides, modulation by non-modified pseudorandom sequences is beneficial in the case of small numbers of averaged spectra (below ∼40 averaged spectra compared to any modified pseudorandom sequences except for 1 zero modified and below ∼200 averaged spectra compared to signal averaging ion mobility spectrometry) and worsens the signal-to-noise ratio in the case of large numbers of averaged spectra. Contrarily, modulation by modified pseudorandom sequences is beneficial for any number of averaged spectra, except for very small ones (below 15 averaged spectra compared to modulation by non-modified sequences). Pseudorandom sequence modified with 1 zero incorporation is beneficial in the case of below ∼400 averaged spectra compared to any modified and non-modified pseudorandom sequences. The signal-to-noise ratio in conventional signal averaging mode ion mobility spectrometry is affected by random noise, whereas the HT IMS with non-modified pseudorandom sequences was demonstrated to be primarily affected by a systematic noise-like artefact signal. Because noise-like artefact signals were found to be reproducible, predicting models for interference signals could be generated to improve signal-to-noise ratio. This is significant because non-modified modulating sequences are limited by their poor signal-to-noise ratio. This improvement would increase the viability of non-modified modulating sequences which are preferred because of their higher sample utilization efficiency.
Universal concern, contingency and the single practice assumption: Sangiovanni’s theory of human rights
Authors: Müller Luise K , Haaf Johannes
Published: January 2020

Contribution for book symposium on Andrea Sangiovanni's Humanity without Dignity.
An experimental study on vortex-induced motion responses of a moored semi-submersible with and without riser
Authors: Domala Vamshikrishna , Sharma Rajiv
Published: January 2020

This article presents an experimental study on the “vortex-induced motion” responses of a moored “semi-submersible without catenary riser” and “semi-submersible with catenary riser.” An eight-point catenary mooring system is adopted for the study in which eight rollers are installed on the pontoons for guiding the mooring lines and the semi-submersible design is of two rectangular pontoon and two circular columns on each of the pontoons. To replicate the real-world scene, the experiments are conducted in wave-cum-current flume with five directions of current (i.e. 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) to study the vortex-induced motion under the surge and sway degrees of freedom at high dimensionless reduced velocities (i.e. 6< Urs<50.86). Along with the surge and sway degrees of motion, the roll and pitch degrees of motion are investigated too with their paths for semi-submersible (i.e. amplitude traces). A “stainless steel flexible braided hose” with an aspect ratio of 157 till the touchdown point is used as a catenary riser. Results are presented with the definitions of degrees of freedom with respect to the axes defined at the center of gravity of semi-submersible and show that above the reduced velocity of 25 for the sway and surge degrees of freedom, the vortex-induced motion responses show a complex variation without any monotonicity. Furthermore, it is observed that (1) in traces there are no eight-shaped trajectories; (2) for both the semi-submersible without catenary riser and semi-submersible with catenary riser, the higher responses occur along the diagonals; (3) there are couplings of the pitch with surge, and roll with sway dofs; (4) the catenary riser reduces the vortex-induced motion responses for most of the current directions; and (5) galloping instabilities may be occurring and higher amplitudes may be related to them. Finally, it is shown that the vortex-induced motion response of semi-submersible reduces the vortex-induced vibration response of riser and that the motions in pitch and roll are likely to become critical and they demand a detailed analysis to be addressed in future to improve the operational range of semi-submersible and catenary riser in deep water depths under harsh marine environment of high current velocities.
Convolutional neural network–based data recovery method for structural health monitoring
Authors: Oh Byung Kwan , Glisic Branko , Kim Yousok , Park Hyo Seon
Published: January 2020

In this study, a structural response recovery method using a convolutional neural network is proposed. The aim of this study is to restore missing strain structural responses when they cannot be collected due to a sensor fault, data loss, or communication errors. To this end, a convolutional neural network model for data recovery is constructed using the strain monitoring data stably measured before the occurrence of data loss. Under the assumption that specific sensors fail among the multiple sensors installed on a structure, the structural responses of these specific sensors are intentionally excluded and the remaining structural responses are set as the input data of the convolutional neural network. In addition, the intentionally excluded structural responses are set as the output data of the convolutional neural network. In case of a sensor fault, the trained convolutional neural network is used to recover the missing strain responses using functional sensors alone. The applicability of the proposed method is verified by a numerical study on a beam structure and an experimental study on a frame structure. The data recovery performance of the proposed convolutional neural network is discussed according to the number of failed sensors and the types of structural members with the failed sensors. Finally, the field applicability of the proposed method is examined using strain monitoring data measured from an overpass bridge in use over a long period of time.
Determination of structural and damage detection system influencing parameters on the value of information
Authors: Long Lijia , Döhler Michael , Thöns Sebastian
Published: January 2020

A method to determine the influencing parameters of a structural and damage detection system is proposed based on the value of information analysis. The value of information analysis utilizes the Bayesian pre-posterior decision theory to quantify the value of damage detection system for the structural integrity management during service life. First, the influencing parameters of the structural system, such as deterioration type and rate are introduced for the performance of the prior probabilistic system model. Then the influencing parameters on the damage detection system performance, including number of sensors, sensor locations, measurement noise, and the Type-I error are investigated. The pre-posterior probabilistic model is computed utilizing the Bayes’ theorem to update the prior system model with the damage indication information. Finally, the value of damage detection system is quantified as the difference between the maximum utility obtained in pre-posterior and prior analysis based on the decision tree analysis, comprising structural probabilistic models, consequences, as well as benefit and costs analysis associated with and without monitoring. With the developed approach, a case study on a statically determinate Pratt truss bridge girder is carried out to validate the method. The analysis shows that the deterioration rate is the most sensitive parameter on the effect of relative value of information over the whole service life. Furthermore, it shows that more sensors do not necessarily lead to a higher relative value of information; only specific sensor locations near the highest utilized components lead to a high relative value of information; measurement noise and the Type-I error should be controlled and be as small as possible. An optimal sensor employment with highest relative value of information is found. Moreover, it is found that the proposed method can be a powerful tool to develop optimal service life maintenance strategies—before implementation—for similar bridges and to optimize the damage detection system settings and sensor configuration for minimum expected costs and risks.
Parallax errors in cubic illuminance measurement
Authors: Mangkuto RA , Revantino
Published: January 2020

The cubic illuminance concept has long been proposed to indicate light modelling in three-dimensional space. An issue relatively less discussed with regard to its measurement is the potential error due to the finite size of the cube centred at the reference point, yielding a parallax effect. In short, the measured cubic illuminance around a finite-sized object will differ from the designed values that are based on the assumption that the object is a point in space. This paper therefore aims to determine the frequency distribution of errors in estimating scalar ( Esr) and cylindrical ( Ecl) illuminances, vector to scalar illuminance ratio, and cylindrical to horizontal illuminance ratio, due to finite cube size. General uncertainty principle in measurement is employed by introducing random values of cube length and its spatial position. A linear trend is observed between cubic illuminance on the finite cube and the corresponding true values. The Esr and Ecl are approximated more accurately in the case of a point source with a small beam angle. The cube length also influences the accuracy of the results; larger cube length tends to yield less accurate estimations. To achieve maximum error of 20% in estimating Esr and Ecl for a given source–reference point distance, the cube length should not exceed 15% of such a distance.
Adult education and migration in Scotland: Policies and practices for inclusion
Authors: Slade Bonnie L , Dickson Nicola
Published: January 2020

Globally, there is an ‘inadequate’ amount of data on the participation of migrants and refugees in adult learning and education. This paper makes a contribution to filling this knowledge gap by presenting new empirical research and analysis on the broad adult learning and education policy framework for refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland. Scotland has responded to the migration ‘crisis’ in Europe through various coordinated policies that explicitly promote inclusion for refugees and asylum seekers. Drawing on Schweisfurth’s Learner-Centred Education framework, this paper presents qualitative data on four aspects of community-based ‘English for Speakers of Other Languages’: motivation, fluid nature of knowledge in the classroom, flexible delivery of provision and friendly classroom relations. Findings revealed evidence of good practice, skilled provision of community-based English for Speakers of Other Languages and underfunding. Scotland is a leader in Europe with respect to inclusive policy, but underfunding and jurisdictional authority could undermine its promise.
Experimental investigation of process parameters for the filtration property of nanofiber membrane fabricated by needleless electrospinning apparatus
Authors: Wei Liang , Yu Haonan , Sun Runjun , Liu Chengkun , Chen Meiyu , Liu Huijing , Xiong Jian , Qin Xiaohong
Published: January 2020

In recent years, mass production of nanofiber has attracted attention of many researchers. Needleless electrospinning technology has been studied and developed to fabricate high-yield nanofibers, which could overcome the shortages of traditional single electrospinning apparatus, such as low efficiency, uneven nanofiber membrane, and difficulty in cleaning single needle. In this study, a novel needleless electrospinning apparatus was used to produce high-quality nanofiber membrane in terms of the features of small nanofiber diameter and narrow diameter distribution. Multiple jets were formed on the edge of the needleless electrospinning spinneret. The number of jets had a significant increase trend with the increase of the applied voltage. Wide-width nanofiber membrane could be fabricated by using this needleless electrospinning setup. This study also investigates the effects of process parameters on surface morphology, stress–strain, pore diameter, and filtration property of nanofiber membrane. This needleless electrospinning apparatus is suitable for industrialization production of nanofiber membrane.
Oxymatrine suppresses IL-1β-induced degradation of the nucleus pulposus cell and extracellular matrix through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Wei Kang , Dai Jun , Wang Zhenggang , Pei Yaping , Chen Yan , Ding Yifan , Ding Qing , Ahati Paerxiati , Zhou Xiaozhong , Wang Huan , Fang Huang
Published: January 2020

Intervertebral disc degeneration is the main cause of low back pain. However, its pathomechanism has not been fully clarified yet. Previous studies have indicated that inflammation may lead to apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells and break the balance between anabolism and catabolism of the nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study is to explore the mitigative effect of oxymatrine on extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells after interleukin-1 beta-induced inflammation, and its possible signaling pathway. We examined the gene and protein levels of collagen II, aggrecan, and MMPs (MMP2/3/9/13) and interleukin 6 in nucleus pulposus cells. The results demonstrated that oxymatrine could reduce extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells; interleukin-1 beta prompted the expression of MMPs and interleukin 6 through TLR4/NF-κB axis, while oxymatrine reduced the expression of MMPs and TNF-α induced by interleukin-1 beta. Moreover, TAK 242, as a small molecule inhibitor of TLR4 signaling, was used to detect the effect of oxymatrine on the TLR4/NF-κB signaling. The final experimental results show that oxymatrine could reduce the inflammatory response of nucleus pulposus cells and degradation of nucleus pulposus tissue. Oxymatrine may be a potential medicine to reduce disc inflammation and relieve intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway.

Impact statement

Currently, drug therapy is a potential treatment for patients with intervertebral disc degeneration. In the present research, oxymatrine intervenes in intervertebral disc degeneration effectively via regulating inflammation in intervertebral disc degeneration rats. Our research highlights the therapeutic potential of oxymatrine in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.
Why Indeed?
Authors: Gee Kathleen
Published: January 2020

Agran and colleagues have not only summarized the research on inclusive education, but they have also summed up the frustrations of many of us who have been working with families, teachers, and administrators to facilitate the inclusion of children and young adults with severe disabilities over many years. My response takes some of their most salient points even a step further, with some additional critical perspectives. The persistent segregation of individuals with the most extensive support needs is a social justice issue. This article focuses on the reasons for ongoing discrimination, including implicit biases and perceptions of competence, lack of preparation and experiences among key stakeholders, the people who benefit from segregation, and the misguided approach of “gradual inclusion.” It concludes with a plea for new laws and legislative mandates.
Bilateral anomalous origin of ophthalmic artery from middle meningeal artery and coincidence of bilateral carotid artery aneurysm: Case report and literature review
Authors: Mishra Ajit , Konar Subhas K , Bhat Dhananjaya I , Nishant S , Indira Devi B
Published: January 2020

Ophthalmic artery (OA) is known for anomalous origin and aberrant course probably attributable to its complex embryology. Anomalous origin of OA can be associated with intracranial aneurysm. Anomalous origins have been reported from middle meningeal artery (MMA), cavernous carotid, posterior communicating, anterior cerebral and basilar artery. Even though bilateral anomalous origin of OA from MMA is a rare finding, to the author’s best knowledge, association of above condition with bilateral internal carotid artery aneurysms has not been described in the literature. We present a case of such anomalous bilateral OA originating from MMA and associated with bilateral internal carotid artery aneurysms. We have also reviewed the pertinent literature regarding anomalous OA origin.
A method for assessing wheel fatigue reliability considering multiaxial stress state
Authors: Yang Liuqing , Hu Ming , Zhao Deming , Yang Jing , Zhou Xun
Published: January 2020

Electric multiple unit is a modern transportation tool with high efficiency and large carrying capacity. Regarding its high speed, reliability requirement of the train is very important. As the main load bearing component of a train, the wheel is subjected to harsh working condition. Rolling contact between wheel and rail leads to wheel fatigue failure so that the fatigue reliability of wheel becomes one of the most attractive fields in electric multiple unit reliability study. This article proposed a fatigue reliability assessment method. It could obtain critical parts’ stress distribution efficiently through the force–stress relationship received by numerical simulation, so that it could assess wheel fatigue reliability under measured force–time spectrum. Also, multiaxial fatigue is considered in the method and the equivalent stress can be obtained by multiaxial model and fatigue experiment. Result of the case study shows that fatigue reliability of China Railway High-speed 5 wheel at 60,000 km mileage is 68%.
Improved new modified Weibull distribution: A Bayes study using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Thach Tien Thanh , Bris Radim
Published: January 2020

The newly modified Weibull distribution defined in the literature is a model based on combining the Weibull and modified Weibull distributions. It has been demonstrated as the best model for fitting to the bathtub-shaped failure rate data sets. However, another new model based on combining the modified Weibull and Gompertz distributions has been demonstrated later to be even better than the first model. In this article, we have shown how to improve the former model into a better model, and more importantly, we have provided a full Bayesian analysis of the improved model. The Hamiltonian Monte Carlo and cross-entropy methods have been exploited to empower the traditional methods of statistical estimation. Bayes estimators have been obtained using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo for posterior simulations. Bayesian model checking has also been provided in order to check the validation of the model when fitting to real data sets. We have also provided the maximum likelihood estimators of the model parameters using the cross-entropy method to optimize the log-likelihood function. The results derived from the analysis of two well-known data sets show that the improved model is much better than its original form.
Comparison of Accuracy Guidelines for Hospital Glucose Meters
Authors: Bowman Cynthia Foss , Nichols James H.
Published: January 2020

When used in hospital settings, glucose meter performance issues involve analytic comparability to lab-based testing, patient and sample variables, and clinical affects such as insulin treatment protocol outcomes and morbidity or outcome risk factors. Different tools are available to assess these issues, including accuracy and precision statistics along with clinical risk measures such as error grids or simulation testing. Regulatory, guidance, and professional bodies have advocated a number of varying recommendations for glucose meter performance in different situations and under different patient conditions. These are summarized and compared, but reconciling these guidelines can be confusing or difficult for providers. Blood glucose meters are useful in the management of patients in acute or assisted care facilities, but users must appreciate the variables that affect measurements and provide for oversight that can manage risk factors and maintain meter performance expectations.
New Classification System for the U.S. Restaurant Industry: Application of Utilitarian and Hedonic Continuum Model
Authors: Parsa H. G. , Shuster Barry K. , Bujisic Milos
Published: January 2020

In epistemological domains, classification systems play an integral part as tools of discovery and systematic exploration. Classifications are essential for the integrity and validity of any academic research and application of the research findings to that particular research context. Absence of classification systems limits the ability of a discipline to advance as a legitimate subject worthy of academic pursuit. Currently, in the United States, as noted by the National Restaurant Association, there is no standardized and official classification for the restaurant industry. Thus, the current study proposes a theoretically supported restaurant classification system based on the concept of hedonic and utilitarian consumption. The proposed classification system has been empirically tested in four different studies, including a panel of currently operating restaurateurs, food journalists specializing in restaurant industry, panel of hospitality educators, and restaurant customers. The proposed framework has received strong empirical support from all four selected groups. The obtained results suggest that this parsimonious system could be effectively used to classify the U.S. restaurant industry with the proposed four major classes: Luxury Restaurants, Fine-Dining Restaurants, Casual Restaurants, and Quick-Service Restaurants.
Safety and effectiveness of ustekinumab for induction of remission in patients with Crohn’s disease: A multicenter Israeli study
Authors: Bar‐Gil Shitrit Ariella , Ben‐Ya’acov Ami , Siterman Matan , Waterman Matti , Hirsh Ayal , Schwartz Doron , Zittan Eran , Adler Yehonatan , Koslowsky Benjamin , Avni‐Biron Irit , Chowers Yehuda , Ron Yulia , Israeli Eran , Ungar Bella , Yanai Henit , Maharshak Nitsan , Ben‐Horin Shomron , Eliakim Rami , Dotan Iris , Goldin Eran , Kopylov Uri
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Ustekinumab is an effective treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD). Real‐world data addressing the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab are scarce.

Aim

Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of ustekinumab in a large national patient cohort.

Methods

A prospective multicenter study, in which we followed patients with active CD treated with ustekinumab for 24 weeks. Induction dose was intravenous ranging from 260 to 520 mg, according to body weight, followed by 90 mg doses given subcutaneously every 8 weeks. Clinical response was defined as a reduction of at least 1 severity category, as defined by Harvey–Bradshaw index (HBI). Patients with HBI < 5 were considered to be in clinical remission. Patients who stopped needing steroids at week 24 were defined as being in steroid‐free clinical remission.

Results

A total of 106 CD patients from eight Israeli centers were included. All patients were previously exposed to at least one biological agent. Our cohort consisted of 65 (61.3%) females. Mean age was 41 ± 14 years with an average disease duration of 12.2 ± 8 years. A total of 96 (90.5%) patients continued treatment throughout week 24. Clinical response was observed in 52% of these patients with mean HBI reduction from 8.34 ± 3.8 to 6.8 ± 4.4 at week 24 (p  = 0.001). Clinical remission was achieved in 33 patients (31.1%). Moreover, the number of patients requiring steroid treatment was reduced by 66% at week 24. Out of 106 patients, 11 patients (10.4%) discontinued treatment: 3 due to adverse events (2.8%), 7 due to a lack of response, and 1 who was lost to follow‐up. Following 24 weeks of treatment, 15 patients reported minor adverse events.

Conclusions

In a large real‐world Israeli cohort of non‐naïve‐to‐biological‐treatment CD patients, ustekinumab was effective and safe in induction of clinical remission with a significant reduction in the number of patients requiring steroid treatment.
Probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy versus biopsies in the diagnostics of oesophageal and gastric lesions: A prospective, pathologist‐blinded study
Authors: Kollar Marek , Krajciova Jana , Prefertusova Lucia , Sticova Eva , Maluskova Jana , Vackova Zuzana , Martinek Jan
Published: January 2020

Background and aim

Probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) provides real‐time microscopic visualisation. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of pCLE with standard biopsies in patients with visible oesophageal or gastric lesions.

Methods

This was a single‐centre, prospective, pathologist‐blinded study. Patients underwent high‐resolution endoscopy, and lesions were examined by pCLE followed by standard biopsies. A definitive diagnosis was determined from resection specimen. Main outcomes were overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values.

Results

We examined 74 lesions in 67 patients. Definitive diagnoses revealed 34 malignant and 40 non‐malignant lesions. pCLE diagnosis was correct in 89.2% (66/74), while diagnosis based on biopsy was correct in 85% (57/67; p  = 0.6). The overall diagnostic accuracy of biopsies was 85% (76–94%) and that of pCLE was 89% (79–96%). pCLE correctly diagnosed malignant lesions, comprising oesophageal adenocarcinoma, oesophageal squamous‐cell cancer or gastric adenocarcinoma, in 88.2% (30/34) of cases, while biopsy was correctly diagnosed in 75.9% (22/29; p  = 0.3). Sensitivity and specificity to diagnose a malignant lesion were 75.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56–89%) and 100% (95% CI 90–100%) for biopsies and 88.2% (95% CI 72–97%) and 92% (95% CI 79–98%) for pCLE. No differences between biopsies and pCLE were found with regard to sensitivity, specificity to diagnose dysplastic and benign lesions (p  > 0.2).

Conclusion

pCLE provides satisfactory diagnostic accuracy comparable with standard biopsies in patients with oesophageal or gastric lesions. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT0292049)
The politics of stuckness: Waiting lives in mobile worlds
Authors: Straughan Elizabeth , Bissell David , Gorman-Murray Andrew
Published: January 2020

This paper develops our geographical understanding of the gendered politics of (im)mobility by exploring the hidden politics of waiting experienced by some mobile working households. Reflecting on qualitative fieldwork with female partners of mobile workers in Australia who remain at home, we explain how ‘stuckness’ is a specific form of waiting that highlights a power-geometry where their immobility is exacerbated by the mobility of their partner. Its key contribution is to spotlight an overlooked durational aspect to immobility which supplements a previous focus on spatial immobility. Taking the self-governing activity of emotion management as our point of departure, we draw on qualitative interviews to highlight the multiple ways that our female participants become focused on short-term processes of getting by, leaving them stuck in the present. A more extensive immersion into the lifeworld of one woman through a photo diary and subsequent interview draws attention to the more passive, insidiously listless dimensions of stuckness which can compromise wellbeing for mobile worker partners.