bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phonological memory training and its effect on second language vocabulary development
Authors: Karousou Alexandra , Nerantzaki Theodora
Published: January 2020

Recent studies highlight the important contribution of phonological working memory (PM) in the early stages of both native and foreign language development. However, research on the effects of PM training on language development is very limited. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a PM training educational intervention as a means of fostering vocabulary development in beginner-level young learners of English as a second/foreign language (L2). A double-blind pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was adopted, with an experimental group ( n = 50) and a matched active control group ( n = 47). All participants were initially assessed with an English-sounding nonword repetition test and an English language vocabulary test (receptive and productive). In addition, the experimental group students participated in the PM training (33 sessions of 15-minutes length within 12 weeks), while the control students participated in non-phonological-memory related English language activities. After the conclusion of the intervention, PM and L2 vocabulary were reassessed in both groups. Results confirm previous findings on the significant relationship between PM and L2 vocabulary size and provide evidence for PM trainability, as well as on resultant L2 productive vocabulary gains. No effect of PM training was detected on receptive vocabulary development. Results are discussed with regard to their theoretical implications, and to possible applications of PM training as a method for supporting vocabulary development in the L2 classroom.
Duration of one-lung ventilation as a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications after McKeown esophagectomy
Authors: Lai Guozhong , Guo Na , Jiang Yu , Lai Jielan , Li Yi , Lai Renchun
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To assess whether the duration of one-lung ventilation (OLV) affects postoperative pulmonary complications after McKeown esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of data stored in a database for esophageal cancer was carried out to identify predictors of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing McKeown esophagectomy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 2010 and 2012.

Results:

Patients in the OLV ⩾150 minutes group had a higher incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications than those in the OLV <150 minutes group (18.0% vs 7.3%, p < 0.001). Among them, the number of patients who developed pneumonia and atelectasis was also significantly higher (9.0% vs 4.1% [ p = 0.031] and 8.7% vs 3.7% [ p = 0.018] for the OLV ⩾150 minutes group vs OLV <150 minutes group, respectively). OLV ⩾150 minutes was associated with a prolonged hospital stay (24.2 ± 9.7 vs 21.5 ± 9.2 days, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that history of diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 3.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–7.68; p = 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 10.65; 95% CI, 5.65–20.08; p < 0.001), and OLV ⩾150 minutes (OR, 3.80; 95% CI, 1.97–7.31; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Conclusion:

Long duration of OLV appears to be an important risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications after McKeown esophagectomy. OLV <150 minutes appears to be the better approach for thoracic surgery. Lung protective measures should be taken when prolonged OLV is anticipated.
Perception and Past Experience 50 Years After Kanizsa’s (Im)possible Experiment
Authors: Gerbino Walter
Published: January 2020

In the revolutionary year 1968, the Institute of Psychology of the University of Trieste directed by Gaetano Kanizsa published a collective volume to celebrate the 70th birthday of Cesare L. Musatti. Kanizsa devoted the opening article to the empirical refutation of an argument developed by Musatti in Structure and experience in perceptual phenomenology. Musatti held that the debate between rationalist and empiricist theories of perception was not scientific, since a crucial experiment on the role of past experience is—in principle—impossible. Besides rejecting his mentor’s argument on logical grounds, Kanizsa produced a parade of visual effects to demonstrate that in several conditions (involving object formation and camouflage, Petter’s rule, phenomenal transparency, shape recognition, motion organization) actual perception violates expectations based on familiarity with specific objects. The empirical refutation of expectations based on past experience was recurrent in Kanizsa’s subsequent production and represents a lively topic of current perceptual science, though Musatti’s smile is still here.
Psychiatric wards of Soochow Elizabeth Blake Hospital (1898–1937): a missing piece in the history of modern Chinese psychiatry
Authors: Fan Tingwei , Hu Qing , Liu Ming
Published: January 2020

The history of modern psychiatry in China began at the end of the nineteenth century, as a result of the work of missionaries. Soochow was one of the first cities to establish a hospital for the treatment of mental patients, but historians knew little about it. It provided a valuable service from 1898 to 1937. In the 1930s, there were 200 beds in the psychiatry and neurology section, making it the most influential psychiatric hospital in East China. After Soochow was occupied by the Japanese army in 1937, the hospital was destroyed and shut down.
Investigation on the aerodynamic performance of high camber turning angle cascade with tubercle leading edge
Authors: Tu Baofeng , Wang Hao , Hu Jun
Published: January 2020

In order to improve the performance of high-loaded compressor stator with large camber turning angle, a stator cascade blade with tubercle leading edge was designed based on the wavy leading edge of humpback’s flipper, and computational fluid dynamics simulation was carried out. The results show that the tubercle leading edge can effectively improve the aerodynamic performance of the stator cascade at high attack angles, and the total pressure loss coefficient can be reduced by 26.46%. The main reason why the tubercle structure improves the performance is that it makes the radial displacement of airflow appear as a butterfly-like structure at the leading edge of the blade, which restrains the occurrence and development of airflow separation. By comparing the performance of the blades with full-span and part-span tubercle leading edges, it is considered that the tubercle leading edge of 80% blade height in the mainstream region can improve the aerodynamic performance of cascade better, while the one of 50% blade height has the worst effect.
Promoting sign consistency in the cure model estimation and selection
Authors: Shi Xingjie , Ma Shuangge , Huang Yuan
Published: January 2020

In survival analysis, when a subset of subjects has extremely long survival, the two-part cure rate model has been commonly adopted. In the two-part model, the first part is for a binary response and describes the probability of cure. The second part is for a survival response and describes the probability of survival. Despite their intuitive interconnections, most of the existing works estimate the two parts without any constraint. The existing works on proportionality promote similarity in magnitudes (i.e. quantitative similarity) and can be too restrictive. In this study, for the two-part cure rate model, we propose imposing a sign-based penalty to promote similarity in signs (i.e. qualitative similarity). The proposed strategy can be more informative than those that neglect the two-part interconnections and be less restrictive than the existing proportionality works. Penalty is also imposed to select relevant variables and accommodate high-dimensional data. Numerical studies, including simulation and two data analyses, demonstrate the advantageous performance of the proposed approach.
Captivating Brand Hate Using Contemporary Metrics: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
Authors: Joshi Richa , Yadav Rajan
Published: January 2020

Brand polarity has gained considerable attention among researchers all over the world. Brands are trapped in a dilemma of love and hate experienced by their users. They are trying hard to place themselves in a favourable position which could fetch them more revenue and positive electronic word of mouth (e-WOM). Most of the literature in branding revolves around brand satisfaction, brand loyalty, brand equity and brand image, but there are relatively lesser studies which discuss brand hate (BH). However, it is a crucial emotion related to the brand. Therefore, this study has tried to fill this void in the literature by focusing on the antecedents of BH. The present research has tried to validate the effect of negative past experience (NPE) and subjective norm on BH along with the mediating effect of BH between the relationship of NPE and negative e-WOM. It has also tried to examine the moderating role of internet usage in the relationship of NPE and BH with negative e-WOM.
Perceived Parenting Styles and Emotional Intelligence Among Adolescents in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Quynh-Anh N. , Tran Thach D. , Tran Tu-Anh , Nguyen T. A. , Fisher Jane
Published: January 2020

Emotional intelligence (EI) has a significant role in psychological well-being and is affected by parenting styles. There is no evidence about this relationship in countries with the impact of Confucianism and feudalism, in which parents use authoritarian caregiving to foster their children. The aim of the current study was to examine the association between parenting styles and EI among Vietnamese adolescents. This is a cross-sectional school survey using multilevel regression analyses controlling for potential confounders and school cluster effects. The principal data sources were the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire—Adolescent Short Form, which has been translated into Vietnamese, and the locally validated Parental Bonding Instrument, which assesses three main parenting styles: warmth, overprotectiveness, and authoritarianism. Results from 1,593 students revealed that boys had significantly higher overall EI, Well-Being, and Self-Control subscale scores than girls. The warmth of parents during childhood was associated with higher EI, while overprotectiveness and authoritarianism from mothers were associated with lower EI among adolescents. This study supports the impact of parenting styles on EI. The warmth and care from both mother and father will benefit the emotional development of their children in Vietnam.
Administration sequence for multi-agent oncolytic regimens
Authors: Morales Alga S Ramos , Joy Jamie K , Zbona Daniela M
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The existence of a multitude of oncolytics regimens containing two or more agents (combination) outlines the need to define their most adequate sequence of administration. However, limited resources are currently available to specify a particular sequence, presenting challenges potentially impacting on patient safety, and Pharmacy & Infusion Nursing workflows.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed leading to the compilation of a document containing drug administration sequencing instructions for our Nursing, Pharmacy, and Oncology providers to follow. Regimens prioritized in our literature review represented regimens selected as part of our approved Clinical Pathways, regimens inquiries from Pharmacy or Nursing, as well as less frequently used regimens. We stratified the regimens by tumor type and arranged them alphabetically by indication.

Results

A table was compiled containing all the supporting literature for the recommended drug administration sequences. If, in certain instances, no literature support was identified outlining rationale such as enhanced management of adverse effects, a specific institutional decision was made by our enterprise Medical Oncology Committee with recommendations from Pharmacy experts. The primary guiding principles for outlining our recommendations were the following: administration of vesicant agents first; administration of biologic agents first; administration of taxanes prior to platinum agents; and duration of infusion (shorter infusions prioritized).

Conclusion

This guideline is not exhaustive. The compilation provided here is intended to be utilized as guidance for oncolytics administration sequence. We will continue to review and incorporate treatment sequencing recommendations for additional regimens.
One-Year Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease
Authors: Lu Daniel Y , Saybolt Matthew D , Kiss Daniel H , Matthai William H , Forde Kimberly A , Giri Jay , Wilensky Robert L
Published: January 2020

Background:

Patients with cirrhosis and coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk for morbidity during surgical revascularization so they are often referred for complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Percutaneous coronary intervention in the cirrhotic population also has inherent risks; however, quantifiable data on long-term outcomes are lacking.

Methods:

Patients with angiographically significant CAD and cirrhosis were identified from the catheterization lab databases of the University of Pennsylvania Health System between 2007 and 2015. Outcomes were obtained from the medical record and telephonic contact with patients/families.

Results:

Percutaneous coronary intervention was successfully performed in 42 patients (51 PCIs). Twenty-nine patients with significant CAD were managed medically (36 angiograms). The primary outcome (a composite of mortality, subsequent revascularization, and myocardial infarction) was not significantly different between the 2 groups during a follow-up period at 1 year (PCI: 50%, Control: 40%, P = .383). In the PCI group, a composite adverse outcome rate that included acute kidney injury (AKI), severe bleed, and peri-procedural stroke was elevated (40%), with severe bleeding occurring after 23% of PCI events and post-procedural AKI occurring after 26% of events. The medical management group had significantly fewer total matched adverse outcomes (17% vs 40% in the PCI group, P = .03), with severe bleeding occurring after 11% of events and AKI occurring after 6% of events. Increased risk of adverse events following PCI was associated with severity of liver disease by Child-Pugh class.

Conclusions:

Percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with cirrhosis is associated with an elevated risk of adverse events, including severe bleeding and AKI.
PYY, a Therapeutic Option for Type 2 Diabetes?
Authors: Guida Claudia , Ramracheya Reshma
Published: January 2020

Metabolic surgery leads to rapid and effective diabetes reversal in humans, by weight-independent mechanisms. The crucial improvement in pancreatic islet function observed after surgery is induced by alteration in several factors, including gut hormones. In addition to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), increasing lines of evidence show that peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) plays a key role in the metabolic benefits associated with the surgery, ranging from appetite regulation to amelioration of islet secretory properties and survival. Here, we summarize the current knowledge and the latest advancements in the field, which pitch a strong case for the development of novel PYY-based therapy for the treatment of diabetes.
Identifying the Most Common CrossFit Injuries in a Variety of Athletes
Authors: Alekseyev Kirill , John Alex , Malek Andrew , Lakdawala Malcolm , Verma Nikhil , Southall Colton , Nikolaidis Argyrios , Akella Sudheer , Erosa Samantha , Islam Rayeed , Perez-Bravo Efrain , Ross Marc
Published: January 2020

Background:

CrossFit is an increasingly popular, rapidly growing exercise regimen. Few studies have evaluated CrossFit-associated musculoskeletal injuries on a large scale. This study explores such injuries and associated risk factors in detail.

Objective:

To identify the most common musculoskeletal injuries endured during CrossFit training among athletes at different levels of expertise.

Design:

Survey-based retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Distribution at CrossFit gyms in the United States and internationally. Also published on active online forums.

Participants:

A total of 885 former and current CrossFit athletes.

Methods:

Institutional review board-approved 33-question Web-based survey focused on CrossFit injuries and associated risk factors. Survey submissions were accepted for a period of 6 months.

Main outcome measurements:

Specific injuries with associated workouts, risk factors that affected injury including (1) basic demographics, (2) regional differences in reported injuries, (3) training intensity, and (4) expertise level at time of injury.

Results:

Of the 885 respondents, 295 (33.3%) were injured. The most common injuries involved the back (95/295, 32.2%) and shoulder (61/295, 20.7%). The most common exercises that caused injury were squats (65/295, 22.0%) and deadlifts (53/295, 18.0%). Advanced-level (64/295, 21.7%) athletes were more significantly injured than beginner-level (40/295, 13.6%) athletes. International participants were 2.2 times more likely than domestic US participants to suffer injury. Individuals with 3+ years of CrossFit experience were 3.3 times more likely to be injured than those with 2 or less years of experience. Participants who trained for 11+ h/week were significantly more likely to be injured than those who trained less than or equal to 10 h/week.

Conclusions:

As CrossFit becomes more popular, it is important to monitor the safety of its practitioners. Further studies are needed to explore how to lower this injury prevalence of 33.3%. Areas to focus on include factors that have caused the regional (international vs US states) differences, level of expertise/experience differences (advanced level vs intermediate and beginner levels), and stretching routine modifications.
Social language opportunities for preschoolers with autism: Insights from audio recordings in urban classrooms
Authors: Ferguson Emily F , Nahmias Allison S , Crabbe Samantha , Liu Talia , Mandell David S , Parish-Morris Julia
Published: January 2020

Many children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who receive early intervention reap developmental benefits, but little is known about characteristics of early intervention placements in the community that optimize individual growth. The extent to which children hear and use language, in particular, may contribute significantly to developmental outcomes. We analyzed natural language production and exposure to language in preschoolers on the autism spectrum across three classroom compositions: autism only, mixed disability, and inclusion. Autistic children in inclusion classrooms produced more speech, received significantly more verbal input from their peers, and were exposed to a similar amount of teacher talk compared to children in autism only or mixed disability classrooms. These findings shed preliminary light on the linguistic environment of early intervention placements in the community, along with the characteristics of children placed in early intervention settings that may influence their language exposure from peers and teachers. Natural language sampling is a promising method for capturing language exposure in early intervention settings and providing context for understanding developmental outcomes resulting from early intervention.

Lay abstract

Early intervention is important for preschoolers on the autism spectrum, but little is known about early intervention classrooms in the community. This study found that children with better language skills and lower autism severity have more verbal interactions with their classmates, especially in classrooms with typically developing peers (inclusion settings). Findings suggest that natural language sampling is a useful method for characterizing autistic children and their early intervention settings. In addition, natural language sampling may have important implications for understanding individual opportunities for development in community early intervention settings.
Progressive collapse test of assembled monolithic concrete frame spatial substructures with different anchorage methods in the beam–column joint
Authors: Zhang Wang-Xi , Wu Hao , Zhang Jin-Yi , Hwang Hyeon-Jong , Yi Wei-Jian
Published: January 2020

In this study, three two-third-scale assembled monolithic concrete spatial frame substructures with three beams and four columns were tested to evaluate progressive collapse resistance. The test parameters are anchorage methods, such as 90° hooked bar, lap splice in U-shaped assembled monolithic concrete beam, and headed bar using welded anchor plate. Force–displacement-controlled pseudo-static loading was applied to the mid-column. On the basis of structural performance, including load-carrying capacity, deformation capacity, crack distribution, rebar strain, and failure mode, the progressive collapse resistance mechanism of the specimens was analyzed. Test results showed that three types of cracks were developed: initial flexural cracks in beam–column joints, diagonal cracks due to compressive arch action, and tension cracks due to catenary action. The specimen using the headed bar exhibited the best progressive collapse performance, whereas the specimen using the lap splice connection showed the worst structural performance. Regardless of anchorage methods, bond failure did not occur during progressive collapse. The progressive collapse performance of the specimen was assessed based on Chinese and American codes.
Performance of self-centering steel moment frame considering stress relaxation in prestressed cables
Authors: Asadolahi Seyyed Morteza , Fanaie Nader
Published: January 2020

Buildings can be designed to limit the earthquake-induced damage to members that can easily be repaired. Self-centering moment-resisting frames can be used as effective structural systems for this purpose. Self-centering moment-resisting frames with prestressed cables are able to return the structure to its original position after the earthquake. The internal forces in self-centering moment-resisting frames are transferred between the beam and the column by post-tensioned cables. As a main member of self-centering connections, prestressed cables play a significant role in such systems. Cable tension decreases over time due to the effect of stress relaxation on the performance of the system. Stress relaxation is a time-dependent phenomenon causing stress reduction over time in the members prestressed at a constant strain. Therefore, the effect of stress relaxation on the performance of self-centering moment-resisting frames can be significant. In this article, after simulating and validating a moment-resisting frame with self-centering connections, stiffness and moment–rotation hysteresis diagrams were analyzed after 0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 years of cable prestressing. According to the results, two equations were presented to estimate the reduction in the connection stiffness and dissipated energy by the system based on prestressing level and the time after prestressing. The proposed equations could be used to model semi-rigid connections.
Polluting our prisons? An examination of Oklahoma prison locations and toxic releases, 2011–2017
Authors: Leon-Corwin Maggie , McElroy Jericho R , Estes Michelle L , Lewis Jon , Long Michael A
Published: January 2020

Recent research has highlighted numerous environmental concerns with US prisons, including that prisons are often located on undesirable land that is in close proximity to environmental hazards. We utilize an environmental justice and green criminology perspective to test this in Oklahoma using data on prison sites and toxic releases provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency for a period of seven years (2011–2017). We focus on Oklahoma because it recently became the state with the highest overall incarceration rate and has a history of elevated levels of pollution. Our results find that prison zip codes have greater TRI emissions compared to non-prison zip codes. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of the study and directions for future research.
Inductive quantification of energy absorption of high-density polyethylene foam for repeated blunt impact
Authors: Drane Patrick , De Jesus-Vega Marisel , Inalpolat Murat , Sherwood James , Orbey Nese
Published: January 2020

Foams are used in a variety of impact energy absorption applications because of their ability to engage in large deformations under steady load transfer during the cell collapse. Quantification of the energy absorption capabilities of foams, including those resulting from repeated loading and unloading, is critical to both modeling and prototype development of systems utilizing these important materials. This paper details a novel process of characterizing a cross-linked high-density polyethylene foam for its applicability within helmet liners designed for low-velocity blunt impact. The foams are characterized using various forms of compression testing and physical measurements. The analyses include examination of the tangent modulus, strain hardness, energy absorption ideality, and energy absorption efficiency. Together, these analyses identify the regions of changing behavior of the nonlinear impact absorption material system. A case study for the materials is presented, which reveals that the examined high-density polyethylene foam exhibits some of the most efficient impact properties during the first impact. However, this case study also identifies that those impact properties can reduce significantly, e.g. a 55% increase in stress in the case of a 0.50 strain-level deformation in the first impact, for a subsequent impact after only a 120 s rest period. The novel combination of testing and analysis presented within this paper enables the developer of a foam energy absorption system to advance their interrogation of foams for repeated large strain deformations and temperature variations.
Prediction of the surface quality of friction stir welds by the analysis of process data using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Hartl R , Praehofer B , Zaeh MF
Published: January 2020

Friction stir welding is an advanced joining technology that is particularly suitable for aluminum alloys. Various studies have shown that welding quality depends significantly on the welding speed and the rotational speed of the tool. It is frequently possible to detect an unsuitable setting of these parameters by examining the resulting surface defects, such as increased flash formation or surface galling. In this work, Artificial Neural Networks were used to analyze process data in friction stir welding and predict the resulting quality of the weld surface. For this purpose, nine different variables were recorded during friction stir welding of EN AW-6082 T6 sheets: the forces and accelerations in three spatial directions, the spindle torque, and temperatures at the tool shoulder and tool probe. In Case 1, the welds were assigned to the classes good and defective on the basis of a human visual inspection of the weld surface. In Case 2, the welds were categorized into the two classes on the basis of a surface topography analysis. Subsequently, three different major Artificial Neural Network architectures were tested for their ability to predict the surface quality: Feed Forward Fully Connected Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks and Convolutional Neural Networks. The highest classification accuracy was achieved when Convolutional Neural Networks were used. Thus, the evaluation of the force signal transverse to the welding direction yielded the highest accuracy of 99.1% for the prediction of the result of the human visual inspection. The result achieved for the prediction of the topography analysis was an accuracy of 87.4% when the spindle torque was evaluated. Using all nine different process variables to predict the topography analysis, the accuracy could be improved slightly to 88.0%. The sampling rate of the spindle torque was varied between 40 Hz and 9600 Hz and no significant influence was determined. The findings show that Convolutional Neural Networks are well suited for the interpretation of friction stir welding process data and can be used to predict the resulting surface quality. In future work, the results are to be used to develop a parameter optimization method for friction stir welding.
How perspective-based aggregation undermines the Pareto principle
Authors: Sher Itai
Published: January 2020

The Pareto principle is a normative principle about preferences that advocates concordance with unanimous preference. However, people have perspectives not just preferences. Evaluating preferences requires that we understand the reasons that people have for them and the overall perspectives from which they arise. Philippe Mongin has argued that the Pareto principle loses its normative force when different people hold their preferences for different reasons so that we must take reasons into account. This article advocates that we take people’s broader perspectives into account. I argue that when people form their preferences by aggregating a collection of criteria, then taking these criteria directly into account and considering the broader perspectives and principles held by people will naturally lead to violations of the Pareto principle.
Beyond literacy and language provision: Socio-political participation of migrants and large language minorities in five countries from PIAAC R1/R2
Authors: Grotlüschen Anke , Chachashvili-Bolotin Svetlana , Heilmann Lisanne , Dutz Gregor
Published: January 2020

Integration is more than work and school: It consists of socio-political participation as well. Even without citizen’s rights, migrants have an opinion on whether they ‘have a say’ in the host or dominant society. This expression – having a say – is emblematic, because it is a well-known survey question, also used in the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). For this article, the authors choose Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel and the USA to analyse variables on political efficacy and volunteering as indicators for socio-political participation. Using post-colonial and multiple literacy approaches, the authors examine whether migrants and language minorities feel heard. Findings show that first-generation migrants in four countries feel low political efficacy and are excluded from volunteering. However, when taking literacy proficiency into consideration, many effects for political efficacy disappear. For large language minorities, however, controlling for literacy has no effect on their socio-political exclusion.
Design and preparation of mixed special wettability fabrics based on backed weave for separation of light oil/water/heavy oil mixtures
Authors: Luo Meiyin , Yao Chengjian , Zhai Shixiong , Jin Kaili , Huang XiQin , Zhou Man , Liu AiRong , Xu Bi , Cai Zaisheng
Published: January 2020

In recent years, the frequent emission of oily wastewater and marine oil spills has resulted in water bodies containing large amounts of light oil/water/heavy oil mixtures. The increasing pollution of the water prompts us to develop new materials that can separate oil and water effectively. In this work, a mixed special wettability fabric based on the backed weave organization is prepared by using different yarns with special infiltration properties. The mixed special wettability fabric can separate the light oil/water/heavy oil three-phase mixtures successfully in one step, due to the effect of gravity-driven and capillary force-driven. Under the optimal process with the reed number of the fabric 84#, the separation efficiency of water can reach 98.36%, and the average separation flux is 0.447 L/m2 s. In addition, the mixed special wettability fabric shows a good recycling, as well as structural stability, which is good for the application in practical oil–water separation.
Epilepsy Benchmarks Area III: Improved Treatment Options for Controlling Seizures and Epilepsy-Related Conditions Without Side Effects
Authors: Traynelis Stephen F. , Dlugos Dennis , Henshall David , Mefford Heather C. , Rogawski Michael A. , Staley Kevin J. , Dacks Penny A. , Whittemore Vicky , Poduri Annapurna ,   for the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)/American Epilepsy Society (AES) Epilepsy Research Benchmark Stewards
Published: January 2020

The goals of Epilepsy Benchmark Area III involve identifying areas that are ripe for progress in terms of controlling seizures and patient symptoms in light of the most recent advances in both basic and clinical research. These goals were developed with an emphasis on potential new therapeutic strategies that will reduce seizure burden and improve quality of life for patients with epilepsy. In particular, we continue to support the proposition that a better understanding of how seizures are initiated, propagated, and terminated in different forms of epilepsy is central to enabling new approaches to treatment, including pharmacological as well as surgical and device-oriented approaches. The stubbornly high rate of treatment-resistant epilepsy—one-third of patients—emphasizes the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies, including pharmacological, procedural, device linked, and genetic. The development of new approaches can be advanced by better animal models of seizure initiation that represent salient features of human epilepsy, as well as humanized models such as induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids. The rapid advances in genetic understanding of a subset of epilepsies provide a path to new and direct patient-relevant cellular and animal models, which could catalyze conceptualization of new treatments that may be broadly applicable across multiple forms of epilepsies beyond those arising from variation in a single gene. Remarkable advances in machine learning algorithms and miniaturization of devices and increases in computational power together provide an enhanced opportunity to detect and mitigate seizures in real time via devices that interrupt electrical activity directly or administer effective pharmaceuticals. Each of these potential areas for advance will be discussed in turn.
Autologous Osteoligamentous Reconstruction of Scaphoid Proximal Pole With Metatarsal Head and Collateral Ligament: Cadaver Anatomic Description of Novel Surgical Technique
Authors: Larkins Christopher G. , Tannan Shruti C. , Burkett Alison E. , Mithani Suhail K. , Srinivasan Ramesh C. , Pederson William C.
Published: January 2020

Background: Historically, scaphoid nonunion has been surgically treated with vascularized bone graft taken from multiple different anatomic sites. However, none of these grafts fully recapitulate the unique osteoligamentous anatomy of the proximal pole of the scaphoid and the attachment of the scapholunate ligament (SLIL). We studied the anatomy of the vascularized second metatarsal head with its lateral collateral ligament as a potential novel treatment of proximal pole scaphoid nonunion with collapse. Methods: Scaphoids and second metatarsal heads were harvested from bilateral upper and lower extremities of 18 fresh frozen cadavers (10 male, 8 female) for a total of 36 scaphoids and 36 second metatarsal heads. The ipsilateral second metatarsal head was harvested with its lateral collateral ligament and its blood supply from the second dorsal metatarsal artery (SDMA). Measurements of the scaphoid, the SLIL, the second metatarsal head, and lateral collateral ligaments were compared to matched limbs from the same cadaver. Results: The anatomic dimensions of the second metatarsal head with its lateral collateral ligament are similar to the scaphoid proximal pole and the SLIL in matched cadaveric specimen. Conclusions: This anatomic cadaver study reveals that the second metatarsal head with its associated lateral collateral ligament is a well-matched donor to reconstruct the proximal pole of the scaphoid and SLIL. This anatomic similarity may be well suited to treat nonunion of the scaphoid proximal pole with or without avascular necrosis with simultaneous reconstruction of the SLIL. The authors describe a technique of vascularized reconstruction of the osteoligamentous proximal pole of the scaphoid with its attached SLIL utilizing autologous second metatarsal head with its attached lateral collateral ligament. Based on this cadaver study, this technique merits consideration.
Instrumental expertise and musical timbre modulate the spatial representation of pitch
Authors: Lega Carlotta , Cattaneo Zaira , Ancona Noemi , Vecchi Tomaso , Rinaldi Luca
Published: January 2020

Humans show a tendency to represent pitch in a spatial format. A classical finding supporting this spatial representation is the Spatial–Musical Association of Response Codes (SMARC) effect, reflecting faster responses to low tones when pressing a left/bottom-side key and to high tones when pressing a right/top-side key. Despite available evidence suggesting that the horizontal and vertical SMARC effect may be differently modulated by instrumental expertise and musical timbre, no study has so far directly explored this hypothesis in a unified framework. Here, we investigated this possibility by comparing the performance of professional pianists, professional clarinettists and non-musicians in an implicit timbre judgement task, in both horizontal and vertical response settings. Results showed that instrumental expertise significantly modulates the SMARC effect: whereas in the vertical plane a comparable SMARC effect was observed in all groups, in the horizontal plane the SMARC effect was significantly modulated by the specific instrumental expertise, with pianists showing a stronger pitch–space association compared to clarinettists and non-musicians. Moreover, the influence of pitch along the horizontal dimension was stronger in those pianists who started the instrumental training at a younger age. Results also showed an influence of musical timbre in driving the horizontal, but not the vertical, SMARC effect, with only piano notes inducing a pitch–space association. Taken together, these findings suggest that sensorimotor experience due to instrumental training and musical timbre affect the mental representation of pitch on the horizontal space, whereas the one on the vertical space would be mainly independent from musical practice.
Study of plasma-assisted detonation initiation by quasi-direct current discharge
Authors: Zhou Siyin , Shi Tianyi , Nie Wansheng
Published: January 2020

To study the effects of quasi-direct current discharge plasma on the initiation of a pulse detonation engine at multiple locations, we proposed a double-zones quasi-direct current discharge plasma ignition scheme. Based on the establishment of the plasma-assisted detonation initiation model, the process of detonation wave formation in the mixture of hydrogen and air by single and double ignition zone were studied by numerical method. The wave structure, component evolution history, and Zeldovich–von Neumann–Döring curve after forming a stable detonation wave were all discussed. The simulation results indicate that due to its higher total ignition energy and the synchronous propagation of multiple compression waves, double-zone plasma ignition has a 17.9% shorter deflagration to detonation transition time and 14.2% lower detonation distance compared to the single-zone scheme. The double-zone scheme does not modify the peak flow field temperature and pressure when the stable detonation wave is formed, resulting in smoother pressure and temperature increases.
The Sagittal Tibial Tubercle–Trochlear Groove Distance as a Measurement of Sagittal Imbalance in Patients with Symptomatic Patellofemoral Chondral Lesions
Authors: Lansdown Drew A. , Christian David , Madden Brett , Redondo Michael , Farr Jack , Cole Brian J. , Yanke Adam B.
Published: January 2020

Objective. To measure the sagittal alignment of the tibial tubercle through the sagittal tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (sTTTG) distance in patients with and without patellar chondral lesions. Design. Patients treated with patellofemoral cartilage restoration or repair procedures were retrospectively reviewed (group 1; N = 17). A control group of patients (group 2; N = 20) undergoing partial meniscectomy with normal patellar cartilage was included. An asymptomatic patellar chondrosis group (group 3; N = 15) was identified as patients undergoing partial meniscectomy with patellar cartilage wear. The sTTTG was measured on the preoperative axial T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence. The first point was the nadir of the anterior trochlear cartilage, and the second point was the anterior tibial tubercle. A line was drawn between these points, perpendicular to the posterior condylar axis. Comparisons were made between the 3 groups using analysis of variance testing with Bonferroni corrections. Significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results. The mean sTTTG was significantly more posterior in group 1 (5.9 ± 5.5 mm posterior to the trochlear groove) relative to group 2 (0.8 ± 5.3 mm posterior; P = 0.018). The mean value for group 3 (2.7 ± 5.3 mm posterior) fell between group 1 and 3 but was not significantly different from group 1 ( P = 0.31) or group 2 ( P = 0.89). There were no significant differences with regards to sulcus angle, Caton-Deschamps Index, TTTG, or knee flexion angle on the MRI scan. Conclusions. A more posteriorly positioned tibial tubercle was observed in patients with patellar cartilage lesions relative to those with intact patellar cartilage. Intermediate positioning was observed in patients with asymptomatic patellar chondral wear. Level of Evidence. Level 3 diagnostic study.
A review on the use of operational research techniques in the medical records department
Authors: Bagherian Hossein , Jahanbakhsh Maryam , Tavakoli Nahid
Published: January 2020

Introduction:

Various operational research (OR) techniques have been used in different areas of healthcare. One of the areas in which OR techniques can be effective is the medical records department (MRD). The aim of this study is to review the applications of OR in the management of MRD and its related processes.

Methods:

This is a review article. In order to collect data, English-language studies published between 2000 and 2018, related to the use of OR techniques in MRD, in the Medline, Science Direct, ProQuest and Web of science databases were investigated. From 1165 retrieved studies, 19 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review.

Results:

The results showed that different OR techniques such as linear programming, integer programming, simulation, hierarchical analysis process, etc. have been used in various aspects of the MRD and its ongoing processes such as improving efficiency, workload management, resource allocation, optimal scheduling of staff work hours, patient scheduling, patient admission and discharge.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that if the managers and experts of MRD and health information management become familiar with the principles and techniques of OR and become aware of the importance of these techniques in improving efficiency of MRD, there is a hope that in the future these techniques will find their true place in MRD and ultimately enhance the quality of services provided to patients.
The ‘puzzle’ of workers’ mobility in Italy
Authors: Delfino Massimiliano
Published: January 2020

In Italy, workers’ mobility is a very complicated puzzle that is composed of different pieces. This paper deals with such different pieces under the perspective of workers' mobility within the European Union and highlights that the term mobility is not a synonym of posting (of workers), since the latter term indicates only one of the types (although the most relevant) of workers’ mobility. The author starts with workers’ mobility within the national border and beyond the European Union. Then, he concentrates his attention on the Italian way of transposing the EU Directives on the transnational posting of workers, which is very problematic, especially with reference to the role of collective bargaining agreements. Special attention is dedicated to the issue of public policy where an important role is played by Italian case law, which is very interesting and not uniform. The paper ends with some predictions about the forthcoming Italian legislation concerning both national and transnational mobility, which will be possibly influenced by the domestic political agenda.
Modern pharmacological treatment of obese patients
Authors: May Marcus , Schindler Christoph , Engeli Stefan
Published: January 2020

There are many angles to consider in drug treatment of obese patients. On the one hand, some specific weight loss drugs are available, on the other, several drugs are associated with unintentional weight changes. When treating an obese patient for any given disease, several physiological changes may influence the pharmacokinetic properties of the drugs required. Thus, increased body weight may influence the efficacy and safety of some drug treatments. Even more complicated is the situation after weight reduction surgery. Due to the various changes to the gastrointestinal tract induced by the different surgical techniques used, and the dynamic changes in body composition thereafter, drug dosing has to be constantly reconsidered. Whereas all of these issues are of clinical importance, none of them have been investigated in the necessary depth and broadness to ensure safe and efficacious drug treatment of the massively obese patient. Individual considerations have to be based on comorbidities, concomitant medication, and on specific drug properties, for example, lipophilicity, volume of distribution, and metabolism. In this article we summarize the data available on different aspects of drug treatment in the obese patient with the hope of improving patient care.
Estimation of the increased risk associated with recurrent events or polyvascular atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the United Kingdom
Authors: Danese Mark D , Pemberton-Ross Peter , Catterick David , Villa Guillermo
Published: January 2020

Aims

The aims of this study were to re-estimate the international REduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) risk equation using United Kingdom data and to distinguish different relative hazards for specific atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event histories.

Methods and results

Patients in the UK Clinical Research Practice Datalink (CPRD) were included as of 1 January 2005 if they were 40 years or older, had 2 or more years of prior data, received one or more moderate or high-intensity statin in the previous year, and had a history of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or other atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Patients were followed until a composite endpoint of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke or cardiovascular death, loss to follow-up, or end of observation. We re-estimated the REACH risk equation hazard ratios (HRs) using CPRD data (re-estimated REACH model). Our event history model replaced the REACH vascular bed variables with more specific event histories. There were 60,838 patients with 5.25 years of mean follow-up. In the validation model, HRs were in the same direction, and generally greater than REACH. In the event history model, HRs compared to other atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease alone included: recurrent myocardial infarction (HR 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.34), recurrent ischemic stroke (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03–1.80), myocardial infarction and other atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.23–1.38), ischemic stroke and other atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.23–1.60), myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.23–3.04), and myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and other atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.47–2.54).

Conclusion

A detailed cardiovascular event history may be useful for estimating the relative risk of future cardiovascular events.