bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of 2-Hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test and Hemoglobin A1C in the Identification of Pre-Diabetes in Women with Infertility and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Shapiro Alice J , Holden Emily C , McGovern Peter G , Alderson Donald , Morelli Sara S
Published: March 2019

Research question:

Does hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) predict pre-diabetes (pre-DM) in a population of women with infertility and/or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), when considering the 75 g, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (2h GTT) as the gold standard?

Design:

Retrospective study of 242 patients with infertility or RPL presenting to a university-affiliated reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic between January 2012 and December 2016 who underwent screening for disorders of glucose metabolism with a 2h GTT. The prevalence of pre-DM as defined by HbA1C 5.7% to 6.4% and 2h GTT values of 140-199 mg/dL, and predictive values of HbA1C for the identification of pre-DM when compared with 2h GTT, were calculated and compared.

Results:

Of 242 patients, 188 (77.7%) women had both HbA1C and 2h GTT performed. Of these, 89 (47.3%) tested positive for pre-DM by one or both methods. Of 89 patients, 14 (15.7%) had both an abnormal 2h GTT and an abnormal HbA1C. Only 6 out of 89 (6.7%) patients tested positive for pre-DM by an abnormal 2h GTT in the setting of a normal HbA1C result. Conversely, 69 of these 89 patients (77.5%) tested positive for pre-DM by an abnormal HbA1C in the setting of a normal 2h GTT. The prevalence of pre-DM, as defined by 2h GTT, was 10.6% (20/188) (95% CI, 6.6-16.0), compared with a prevalence of 44.1% (83/188) (95% CI, 36.9-51.6) when pre-DM was defined by HbA1C alone. When the 2h GTT was considered the gold standard for the identification of pre-DM, the negative predictive value (NPV) of HbA1C compared with 2h GTT was 94.3% (95% CI, 88.0-97.9), whereas the positive predictive value (PPV) of HbA1C compared with 2h GTT was only 16.9% (95% CI, 9.5-26.7).

Conclusions:

Although a normal HbA1C was highly predictive of a normal 2h GTT, the two tests demonstrate poor agreement in the identification of pre-DM in women with infertility and/or RPL. Hemoglobin A1C is superior to the 2h GTT as an initial screening test for pre-DM in this population, since it identified a substantial number of women who would otherwise remain undiagnosed in the setting for a normal 2h GTT alone. However, the long-term clinical relevance of an elevated HbA1C in this population needs to be better defined.
Experimental investigation of the dynamic properties of natural cartilage under reciprocating sliding at two typical rubbing pairs
Authors: Qian Shanhua , Liu Liguo , Ni Zifeng , Luo Yong
Published: March 2019

Natural cartilage is a multiporous viscoelastic biological material with extremely high water content and a macroscopically curved surface. Due to the sampling frequency limitations of typical data systems, the dynamic properties of the contact of cartilage against other surfaces, including rubbing surface characteristics and coefficient of friction, is still not completely understood. In this study, cartilage samples were retrieved from 18- to 24-month-old bovine femora. Contact displacement and coefficient of friction of two typical rubbing pairs of for cartilage-on-glass and cartilage-on-cartilage were recorded using a UMT-2 testing rig using a high sampling frequency data system. A five-point sliding average method was adopted to analyze the experimental data. The results showed that contact displacement comprised cartilage deformation and nominal rubbing profile. Cartilage deformation increased nonlinearly with time while nominal rubbing profile was associated with the rubbing configuration and appeared to be a factor in the low surface sample configuration. Higher cartilage deformation resulted in more load being carried by the solid phase and coefficient of friction with the time as a whole, but the surface characteristics played a role in determining the coefficient of friction in the cartilage-on-cartilage configuration but a lesser role for cartilage-on-glass. Therefore, surface characteristics have a clear role in defining the dynamic properties of natural viscoelastic soft biological materials and these research results will help to evaluate in future the frictional properties of artificial cartilage biomaterials.
Personal Income Tax and Social Security Coordination in Cross-Border Employment – a Case Study of the Czech Republic and Denmark
Authors: Tepperová Jana
Published: March 2019

Neither personal income tax nor social security is harmonised within the EU. Social security systems are coordinated at EU level whereas personal income tax in cross-border situations is governed by respective double tax treaties. In most EU countries, personal income tax and social security contributions are relatively distinct payments. This article examines problems surrounding the interaction between personal income tax and social security contributions on a national and international level based on a case study of cross-border employment between the Czech Republic and Denmark. As the Czech and the Danish systems are designed very differently, the case study allows for clear illustration of the issue at-hand. The aim is to identify the elements influencing the impact of different coordination rules in personal income tax and social security contributions, illustrate and discuss the potential problems of such mismatches between the two payments. The impact on final payments differs, not only due to the different levels of coordination of the payments, but also due to the different designs of the two national systems. Thus, it would be very difficult to address all the scenarios with a one size fits all measure for all the EU Member States that would overcome the differences in this coordination.
Employment effects of investments in public employment services for disadvantaged social assistance recipients
Authors: Ravn Rasmus , Nielsen Kristian
Published: March 2019

Across the OECD countries, there is a growing consensus in favour of targeting active labour market policies (ALMP) on the disadvantaged unemployed and persons outside the labour force to increase their employment prospects. Despite increased efforts, little is known about what works for getting persons with physical, mental, and social problems into employment. Using difference-in-differences regressions and propensity score matching on longitudinal population register data from Denmark, we investigate the effects of investment in public employment services for disadvantaged social assistance recipients, where social worker caseloads have been severely reduced and active employment measures for the target group have intensified. We find significant and robust positive effects of intervention on subsequent employment outcomes for disadvantaged, hard-to-employ social assistance recipients, suggesting the need for an increased focus on this target group in future research and in the design and implementation of ALMPs.
Retail therapy: Making meaning out of menial labour
Authors: Johnston Genevieve , Sanscartier Matthew D. , Johnston Matthew S.
Published: March 2019

Retail work has a prominent place in the Canadian job market in an era of global capitalism and consumption. Despite spanning an astonishing array of industries, this work is most often low-paying, low-status and un-unionized, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination from their employers. This qualitative content analysis of 1454 anonymous reviews of 25 Canadian retail employers posted on RateMyEmployer.ca explores how intersections of class, race and gender shape how workers make sense of difficult work experiences and their relative social privilege. We draw on Hewitt and Hall’s concept of quasi-theorization to frame how everyday experiences of work justify foregone conclusions that allow reviewers to reassert status. Set against highly gendered, raced and classed expectations of the helpful, deferential, hardworking and cheerful retail worker, these quasi-theories demonstrate that ethnic and racial bias, reactive masculinities and battles between working-class supervisors and middle-class student employees lead to unresolved friction that erupts in anonymous, online spaces.
Out of the ordinary: Media reports on wet eldercare facilities
Authors: Jönson Håkan , Harnett Tove
Published: March 2019

The aim of this article was to investigate presentations of “wet” eldercare facilities in Sweden, a type of facility that provides care for older people with long-term alcohol problems and where the consumption of alcohol is allowed. Wet eldercare facilities challenge traditional Swedish policy on alcohol treatment, and their approach constitutes a breach of mainstream policies on alcohol and treatment, where abstinence is a goal. Data for the study consisted of articles that reported on two nursing homes in the City of Gothenburg during 1995–2017, a total of 65 articles. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify relevant themes. The study revealed that with the exception of a media scandal at one of the facilities in 2017, reports were mostly positive. Residents were portrayed as “chronic” alcoholics (kroniker) who were resistant to treatment, but in need of the type of permissive approach and care that was provided at the facilities. In the article we refer to this as a framework of matched arrangements. Readers of several media reports were invited to see the person behind the scruffy addict and the approach was in some cases developed into a critique of unrealistic ambitions of mainstream treatment. This critique was, however, not developed into a coherent framework. A conclusion was that the surprisingly positive portrayal of residents and descriptions of the facilities as “different” should be understood in relation to the way the media creates interest by reporting on events and arrangements that appear as out of the ordinary.
Declining alcohol consumption among adolescents and schools in Stockholm, 2010–2016
Authors: Carlson Per
Published: March 2019

Aims:

The principle aim of this study was to investigate changes in alcohol consumption among adolescents in Stockholm from 2010 to 2016. A further aim was to investigate whether there are divergent or similar trends in alcohol consumption among elementary schools in Stockholm from 2010 to 2016 and, if there are diverging trends, to examine how the differences might be explained.

Methods:

Data were analysed using multilevel mixed effects linear regression, in which individual students represented one level and schools the second level.

Data:

Student-level data were derived from the Stockholm School Survey for the years 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 ( n = 15481). School-level data ( n = 132) were derived from registries of the Swedish National Agency for Education.

Results:

The results showed that there was an almost 45% decline in total alcohol consumption among ninth-grade students in Stockholm between 2010 and 2016. The decline was similar among all analysed consumption groups. Two factors were found to statistically explain some of the general decline: more restrictive parental attitudes towards alcohol and, more importantly, decreasing alcohol consumption among the students’ peers. The downward trends among schools between 2010 and 2016 were universal but not identical, but when parental attitudes towards alcohol and peers’ alcohol behaviour were controlled for, the diverging school trends in alcohol consumption were considerably more equal.

Conclusions:

School constitutes a social context for the student of which both parents and peers are important parts, and the diverging changes may be due to the norms and behaviours, influenced by parents and peers, characterising these schools.
An improved two-step method based on Kriging model for beam structures
Authors: Fengle Xie , Zhansi Jiang , Jiawei Xiang , Shuilong He
Published: March 2019

An improved two-step method for multiple cracks detection in beam structures is presented in this paper. First, the crack locations are identified by the mode shape curvatures. Second, samples of varying crack depths at the crack locations and corresponding natural frequencies are used to construct the initial Kriging model in place of the crack detection database. Finally, a particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed to detect the crack depths and update the Kriging model by an optimal point adding process. The numerical simulation and experimental verification of a cantilever beam with two cracks demonstrate that the proposed method is effective. The detection results indicate that the Kriging model can effectively reduce computation time with a similar accuracy. The detection results also indicate that the more natural frequencies used, the higher accuracy of crack depths detected.
Racism, whiteness, and burnout in antiracism movements: How white racial justice activists elevate burnout in racial justice activists of color in the United States
Authors: Gorski Paul C , Erakat Noura
Published: March 2019

Social movement scholars have described activist burnout—when the stressors of activism become so overwhelming they debilitate activists’ abilities to remain engaged—as a formidable threat to the sustainability of social movements. However, studies designed to map the causes of burnout have failed to account for ways burnout might operate differently for privileged-identity activists such as white antiracism activists and marginalized-identity activists such as antiracism activists of color. Building on previous studies of activist burnout in racial justice activists and examinations of the roles of white activists in antiracism movements, this study represents one attempt to fill this gap. We analyzed data from interviews with racial justice activists of color in the United States who have experienced burnout to identify the ways they attributed their burnout to the attitudes and behaviors—the racism—of white activists. These included (1) harboring unevolved or racist views, (2) undermining or invalidating the racial justice work of activists of color, (3) being unwilling to step up and take action when needed, (4) exhibiting white fragility, and (5) taking credit for participants’ racial justice work and ideas. Implications for racial justice movements and the participation of white activists are discussed.
Influence of electromagnetic bearings on lateral vibrations and sound radiation of a shaft-hull system
Authors: Qin Hui , Xie Xiling , Zhang Zhiyi
Published: March 2019

The fluctuating load of a propeller in the non-uniform wake field can excite the propulsion shafting system and further induce vibrations in the hull structure. In order to reduce transmission of lateral vibration from the shafting system to the hull, a new method using electromagnetic bearings is proposed. The feasibility of using active bearings in vibration and sound control is evaluated. A dynamic model of the shaft-hull system is established with the frequency response synthesis method at first and subsequently, the influence of the dynamic magnetic forces provided by the electromagnetic bearings on the suppression of vibration transmission is analyzed. Numerical results indicate that the equivalent stiffness and damping of the shafting support and the associated vibration transmission are changed by the electromagnetic bearings, which results in decreased vibration and sound radiation of the hull.
A Comparative Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty With Optional Stenting and Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery for Medium-Length TASC II B and C Femoropopliteal Lesions
Authors: Vossen Rianne J. , Philipszoon Pilar C. , Vahl Anco C. , Montauban van Swijndregt Alexander D. , Leijdekkers Vanessa J. , Balm Ron
Published: March 2019

Purpose: To evaluate the total midterm costs and cost-effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with optional stenting (PTA/S) as initial treatment compared with femoropopliteal bypass (FPB) surgery in patients with medium-length TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC) B and C femoropopliteal lesions. Materials and Methods: Over a period of 3 years, all hospital health care costs for 226 consecutive patients were calculated: 170 patients with a TASC B lesion and 56 patients with a TASC C lesion. In the 135-patient PTA/S group (mean age 69.9±10.9 years; 83 men), 108 (63.5%) patients had TASC B lesions and 27 (48.2%) patients had TASC C lesions. Ninety-one patients (mean age 68.4±10.9 years; 60 men) were treated with FPB for 62 TASC B and 29 TASC C femoropopliteal lesions. The main outcome measure was the primary patency rate at 3-year follow-up. Multiple imputation and bootstrapping techniques were used to analyze the data. The adjusted incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated by dividing the difference in total costs by the difference in 3-year primary patency rate. Costs were expressed in euros (€), and cost differences are presented with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Mean total costs per patient were €29,058 in the PTA/S treatment group vs €42,437 in the FPB group (mean adjusted difference –€14,820, 95% CI –€29,044 to −€5976). Differences in 3-year primary patency between PTA/S and FPB were small and nonsignificant (68.9% and 70.3%, respectively). An ICER of 563,716 was found, indicating that FPB costs €563,716 more per one extra patient reaching 3-year primary patency in comparison with PTA/S treatment. Conclusion: FPB in medium-length femoropopliteal lesions involved higher total costs when evaluated over a 3-year follow-up period. An endovascular-first approach is recommended, as this will result in cost minimization for patients with medium-length femoropopliteal disease.
Soy Isoflavones in Integrative Oncology: Increased Efficacy and Decreased Toxicity of Cancer Therapy
Authors: Sahin Ilyas , Bilir Birdal , Ali Shakir , Sahin Kazim , Kucuk Omer
Published: March 2019

Soy consumption in human diet has been linked to decreased incidence of a variety of cancers, suggesting a potential role of soy products in cancer prevention and control. Furthermore, a substantial body of evidence in the literature suggests that soy supplementation may improve the efficacy and prevent the adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Isoflavones constitute the predominant anticancer bioactive compounds in soy. Genistein, which is the most abundant and active isoflavone in soy, has a multitude of effects on cancer cells, including inhibition of NF-κB activation and DNA methylation, enhancement of histone acetylation, inhibition of cell growth and metastasis, and antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects. Isoflavones are orally bioavailable, easily metabolized, and usually considered safe. In this article, we review in vitro and in vivo evidence as well as the results of clinical and epidemiological studies on the effects of soy isoflavones, with a focus on sensitization of cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation while at the same time protecting normal cells from the harmful effects of these treatments.
Local delivery polymer provides sustained antifungal activity of amphotericin B with reduced cytotoxicity
Authors: Haley Rebecca M , Zuckerman Sean T , Gormley Catherine A , Korley Julius N , von Recum Horst A
Published: March 2019

A diverse range of clinical infections are on the increase, resulting in part from disruption of the natural microbiome, or even mycobiome, as a result of many different medical interventions. Amphotericin B (AmB) is a leading drug for the treatment of clinical fungal infections. However, AmB is extremely cytotoxic to mammalian cells, making use of the drug problematic. In this work, a drug delivery system made of polymerized cyclodextrin (pCD) allows for the localized administration of AmB, reducing the toxicity to host cells while retaining antifungal activity. A slow, sustained delivery rate of AmB was achieved through exploiting molecular interactions between the CD pockets and the drug. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the interaction between AmB and cyclodextrins (CDs). Through these methods, it was found that amphotericin binds strongly ([Formula: see text]M−1) to β-cyclodextrin. Release studies showed slow, sustained release of AmB from pCD disks. Antifungal activity was tested against Saccharomyces cerevisiae in assays for zone of inhibition, contact killing, and solution killing. In all assays, AmB-loaded pCD disks were found to exhibit significant antifungal activity. These results indicate that AmB-loaded pCD disks are capable of both the prevention of fungal growth and the elimination of established colonies. Additionally, results suggest that AmB exhibits antifungal activity whether associated with or released from pCD. The usage of pCD as a delivery vehicle also significantly reduces the toxic side effects of AmB, as seen in mammalian cell culture studies. These results show that in addition to reducing side-effects from systemic dosing, local delivery of AmB from pCD disks has the potential to improve its usage both in antifungal efficacy and reduced mammalian cell toxicity.

Impact statement

Amphotericin B (AmB) is an effective and commonly used antifungal agent. However, nephrotoxicity and poor solubility limits its usage. The proposed polymerized cyclodextrin (pCD) system therefore is an attractive method for AmB delivery, as it retains the antifungal activity of AmB while decreasing toxicity, and confining drug release to the local environment. This system could potentially be used for both prevention and treatment of established fungal infections, as AmB is toxic to fungus whether associated or released from pCD.
Ultrasound Structural Changes in Triceps Surae After a 1-Year Daily Self-stretch Program: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial in Chronic Hemiparesis
Authors: Pradines Maud , Ghedira Mouna , Portero Raphaël , Masson Ingrid , Marciniak Christina , Hicklin Dawn , Hutin Emilie , Portero Pierre , Gracies Jean-Michel , Bayle Nicolas
Published: March 2019

Introduction. The effects of long-term stretching (>6 months) in hemiparesis are unknown. This prospective, randomized, single-blind controlled trial compared changes in architectural and clinical parameters in plantar flexors of individuals with chronic hemiparesis following a 1-year guided self-stretch program, compared with conventional rehabilitation alone. Methods. Adults with chronic stroke-induced hemiparesis (time since lesion >1 year) were randomized into 1 of 2, 1-year rehabilitation programs: conventional therapy (CONV) supplemented with the Guided Self-rehabilitation Contract (GSC) program, or CONV alone. In the GSC group, specific lower limb muscles, including plantar flexors, were identified for a diary-based treatment utilizing daily, high-load, home self-stretching. Blinded assessments included (1) ultrasonographic measurements of soleus and medial gastrocnemius (MG) fascicle length and thickness, with change in soleus fascicle length as primary outcome; (2) maximum passive muscle extensibility (XV1, Tardieu Scale); (3) 10-m maximal barefoot ambulation speed. Results. In all, 23 individuals (10 women; mean age [SD], 56 [±12] years; time since lesion, 9 [±8] years) were randomized into either the CONV (n = 11) or GSC (n = 12) group. After 1 year, all significant between-group differences favored the GSC group: soleus fascicle length, +18.1mm [9.3; 29.9]; MG fascicle length, +6.3mm [3.5; 9.1]; soleus thickness, +4.8mm [3.0; 7.7]; XV1 soleus, +4.1° [3.1; 7.2]; XV1 gastrocnemius, +7.0° [2.1; 11.9]; and ambulation speed, +0.07m/s [+0.02; +0.16]. Conclusions. In chronic hemiparesis, daily self-stretch of the soleus and gastrocnemius over 1 year using GSC combined with conventional rehabilitation increased muscle fascicle length, extensibility, and ambulation speed more than conventional rehabilitation alone.
Textile yarn thermocouples for use in fabrics
Authors: Hardianto Hardianto , Malengier Benny , De Mey Gilbert , Van Langenhove Lieva , Hertleer Carla
Published: March 2019

Thermocouples are mainly used for accurate temperature measurements, but they can also be used for the generation of electric energy at low voltage and low power. If inserted into wearable garments, these thermocouples can be used to supply the electric energy required by portable electronic devices. The heat from the human body gives rise to a temperature gradient which can be converted into electric power. In this article, we study the possibility to create a thermocouple and thermopile from pure conductive textile yarns. Among the materials tested, nickel-coated carbon fiber in combination with stainless steel yarn, polypyrrole-coated carbon fiber, or carbon fiber has good potential to be a textile-based thermocouple. We also successfully made a 10-pair carbon fiber–nickel-coated carbon fiber junction thermopile from a single nickel-coated carbon fiber yarn by removing the nickel selectively through etching process.
Increasing Multidrug Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA Infections of the Hand: A 10-Year Analysis of Risk Factors
Authors: Kistler Justin M. , Vroome Colin M. , Ramsey Frederick V. , Ilyas Asif M.
Published: March 2019

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common pathogen isolated from hand abscesses. The purpose of this study was to understand trends and changes in longitudinal antibiotic resistance profiles and risk factors for these infections to better guide empiric treatment of hand infections. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of culture-positive hand infections over a 10-year period at an urban academic institution from 2005 to 2014. A subset of MRSA hand infections from 2013 to 2014 was then subanalyzed for risk factors for antibiotic resistance for antibiotics with increasing antibiotic resistance during this period. Results: MRSA grew in 46% of hand infections, with a decreasing incidence over the 10-year study period. However, in the same time period clindamycin and levofloxacin resistance increased from 7% to 31% and 12% to 56%, respectively. Risk factors for clindamycin resistance included nosocomial infections and a history of intravenous drug use and hepatitis C. Risk factors for levofloxacin resistance included a history of diabetes and a fever upon initial presentation. Conclusions: The incidence of multidrug resistance remains high, with growing resistance to clindamycin and levofloxacin. There remains a trend for increased clindamycin resistance for patients with history of intravenous drug use and nosocomial infections. Our findings indicate that clindamycin and levofloxacin should be avoided for empiric treatment for hand infections in patients with these risk factors.
A chaotic particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving optimal power system problem of electric vehicle
Authors: Zhu Tianjun , Zheng Hongyan , Ma Zonghao
Published: March 2019

Transportation of electrification has become a hot issue in recent decades and the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles has yet to be actualized. This article proposes a powertrain parameter optimization design approach based on chaotic particle swarm optimization algorithm. To improve the driving and economy performance of pure electric vehicles, chaotic particle swarm optimization algorithm is adopted in this study to optimize principal parameters of vehicle power system. Vehicle dynamic performance simulations were carried out in the Cruise software, and the simulation results before and after optimization were compared. Simulation results show that optimized vehicles by chaotic particle swarm optimization can meet the expected dynamic performance and the driving range has been greatly improved. Meanwhile, it is also viable that the parameters of the optimal objective function can achieve the purpose of balancing the driving performance and economic performance, which provides a reference for the development of vehicle dynamic performance.
Compliance analysis and lightweight design of a two-degree-of-freedom rotating head
Authors: Wang Manxin , Liu Haitao , Feng Hutian
Published: March 2019

This article presents an approach for the compliance analysis and lightweight design of a two-degree-of-freedom rotating head by considering both gravity and joint/link compliances, which provides a comprehensive understanding on the posture adjustment mechanism of five-degree-of-freedom hybrid manipulator. A kinetostatic analysis is carried out to consider both externally applied wrench imposed upon the end-effector and gravity of all movable components. Then, a deflection analysis integrating both joint and link compliances and formulation of component compliance matrices are completed by using a semi-analytical approach. Finally, the lightweight design of two-degree-of-freedom rotating head is realized by considering the deflection constraints. This approach enables to effectively evaluate the deflections of end-effector caused by both payload and gravity under given operation conditions. Moreover, the established method provides reliable guidelines for the design of two-degree-of-freedom rotating head with superior static rigidities and dynamic behaviors.
A simplified estimation approach for service life of steel bar within concrete
Authors: Tu Xi , Di Jin , Zhang Peng , Qin Fengjiang
Published: March 2019

Evaluating corrosion of steel bars within concrete cross section was the major task for durability of reinforced concrete structures. Although plenty of steel bars with various boundary condition caused huge computation load in numerical simulation, most of them were in different geometric locations while their other configuration was similar, such as temperature, moisture, and concrete composition. In this article, shape-based estimation approach was introduced for simplifying assessment of durability of concrete structures regarding numerical simulation. Based on the same penetration condition and diffusing media, the similarity of geometric configuration was the primary consideration of shape-based estimation and a mathematic model regarding the length of involving outline within a circular region with given radius was proposed. The crossbeam of an aged reinforced concrete arch bridge in coastal area was assessed, based on which shape-based estimation was proved to be applicable by comparing with finite element analysis. An evaluating tools called Weighed Corrosion Index in terms of corrosion degree of rebar in the whole concrete section was proposed and discussed in the application on degradation of concrete members. Moreover, for the purpose of modeling and post-processing, designed rebar within concrete section might not be exactly occupied by the nodes of meshed section and thus, content of aggressive agent cannot be directly obtained. An approach for identifying of rebar position and interpolating the content at rebar position was introduced.
The relationship between plaque cap morphology and access technique in lower extremity chronic total occlusion
Authors: Turkyilmaz Saygin , Kavala Ali Aycan
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To evaluate access success according to plaque cap morphology in subjects with lower limb chronic total occlusion.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed for a three-year period. Subjects with lower extremity chronic total occlusion (Rutherford category 3–6, ischaemia) were included in the study. Cap morphology was classified according to The chronic total occlusion crossing approach based on plaque cap morphology (CTOP) classification system. When describing the classification by a traditional antegrade approach, Types I, II, III and IV were defined as follows: Type I: concave proximal and distal caps; Type II: concave proximal and convex distal caps; Type III: convex proximal and concave distal caps; Type IV: convex proximal and distal caps. For the study, the data on demographics, access type, and direction crossed, access conversion, crossing success, crossing location, extravascular ultrasound guidance, catheter used, subjects, and localization of were recorded. The effect of cap morphology on crossing strategy and success was evaluated.

Results

A total of 110 subjects were enrolled in this study. The type of chronic total occlusion was determined by angiography in 100% of the subjects. The number of the subjects according to CTOP morphology for Types I, II, III and IV were 22 (20%), 39 (35.5%), 23 (20.9%) and 26 (23.6%), respectively. Superficial femoral artery, popliteal, anterior tibial, posterior tibial localizations did not differ among the CTOP types ( p = 0.649, p = 0.831, p = 0.923 and p = 0.903, respectively). Among the pre-operation parameters, lesion length was the only one that is significantly shorter in Type I (14.23 ± 1.93 cm) subjects when compared with Types II (21.77 ± 3.78 cm), III (21.17 ± 2.31 cm) and IV (19.85 ± 3.29 cm) subjects ( p < 0.001, for all comparisons). Antegrade access was significantly higher in group I than in group III. Planned dual access was also significantly lower in CTOP Type I than in CTOP Types II, III and IV. Antegrade crossed direction was significantly higher in CTOP Type I than in CTOP Types II, III and IV ( p = 0.001, for all comparisons). True lumen crossing was significantly higher in CTOP Type I than in CTOP Type II ( p = 0.002). In univariate analysis, chronic total occlusion Type IV was the only significant factor for antegrade crossing ( p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that chronic total occlusion Type IV (OR = 0.09, p = 0.001) was an independent risk factor for antegrade crossing. The odds of antegrade crossing for chronic total occlusion Type IV was 0.190 times that of chronic total occlusion Types I–II–III combined (OR (95% CI): 0.190 (0.070, 0.519), p = 0.001).

Conclusions

CTOP Type I accesses with an antegrade access, and Type IV accesses with a retrograde strategy. Type II and Type III CTOP will need planned dual access in order to prevent device bending and subintimal access.
Problematizing ‘pro-feminist’ depictions of female on male rape: American Horror Story’s ‘Rape of the Monsignor’
Authors: Cohen Claire
Published: March 2019

Dramatized depictions of female on male rape, in inverting the conventional gendered rape binary of male assailant/female victim, are commonly regarded as subverting gender norms, and are thus celebrated as pro-feminist. I present a Foucauldian problematization of this rationale – arguing that, through a process of over-writing gender, inversion of the norm masks a ‘reversion to the norm’. To interpret this as pro-feminist, one must be distracted by corporeal gender in the superficial role reversal, and blind to the anti-feminist effects in operation. Critical discourse analysis of an example drawn from the popular US television show American Horror Story illustrates that such depictions operate in discursive space as the locus for a process of ‘governmentalized recursion’. A close reading of the media text and its audience reception is performed, methodological considerations in the intersection of feminist analyses and cultural criminology vis a vis gendered lacunae and popular misinterpretation are discussed and the primacy of scenographic analysis is challenged via a focus on ‘the arc’. This article thus contributes an intervention in the discourse predicated on a Foucauldian triangulation of media texts, audience responses and institutional frameworks and practices, to comprise a history of the present in a controversial and neglected area.
Effects of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and contribute to long-term potentiation in the anterior cingulate cortex of adult mice
Authors: Matsuura Takanori , Li Xu-Hui , Tao Chen , Zhuo Min
Published: March 2019

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been suggested to contribute to long-term potentiation, behavioral learning, and memory. In the dorsal horn of spinal cord, MMPs were reported to contribute to injury-related changes, and inhibitors of MMPs have been proposed as potential analgesics. However, it is unclear whether MMP inhibitors produce these effects by inhibiting the function of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a key receptor for the induction of long-term potentiation. In this study, we wanted to examine if MMP inhibitors affect NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in the anterior cingulate cortex of adult mice. Among different subtype inhibitors we used, we found that MMP-9 and MMP-2/9 inhibitors did not change NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. However, MMP-3 and broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors reduced the NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. Consistently, MMP-9 and MMP-2/9 inhibitors had no effect on NMDAR-dependent long-term potentiation, but MMP-3 and broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors inhibited the induction of long-term potentiation. Our results suggest that MMP inhibitors may produce their effects by inhibiting NMDAR functions in central synapses.
Calcium-stimulated adenylyl cyclase subtype 1 is required for presynaptic long-term potentiation in the insular cortex of adult mice
Authors: Miao Hui-Hui , Li Xu-Hui , Chen Qi-Yu , Zhuo Min
Published: March 2019

Recent studies indicate that presynaptic long-term potentiation in the anterior cingulate cortex may contribute to chronic pain-related anxiety. In addition to the anterior cingulate cortex, the insular cortex has also been indicated in chronic pain and its related emotional disorders. In the present study, we used a 64-channel multielectrode dish (MED64) system to record pre-long-term potentiation in the insular cortex. We showed that low-frequency stimulation paired with a GluK1-containing kainate receptor agonist induced N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor-independent pre-long-term potentiation in the insular cortex of wild-type mice. This form of pre-long-term potentiation was blocked in the insular cortex of adenylyl cyclase subtype 1 (AC1) knockout mice. Furthermore, a selective AC1 inhibitor NB001 blocked pre-long-term potentiation in the insular cortex with a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, our results suggest that AC1 contributes to pre-long-term potentiation in the insular cortex of adult mice and NB001 may produce anxiolytic effects by inhibiting pre-long-term potentiation in the anterior cingulate cortex and insular cortex.
Resilience factors may buffer cellular aging in individuals with and without chronic knee pain
Authors: Johnson Alisa J , Terry Ellen , Bartley Emily J , Garvan Cynthia , Cruz-Almeida Yenisel , Goodin Burel , Glover Toni L , Staud Roland , Bradley Laurence A , Fillingim Roger B , Sibille Kimberly T
Published: March 2019

Telomere length, a measure of cellular aging, is inversely associated with chronic pain severity. While psychological resilience factors (e.g., optimism, acceptance, positive affect, and active coping) are associated with lower levels of clinical pain and greater physical functioning, it is unknown whether resilience may buffer against telomere shortening in individuals with chronic pain. Additionally, a broader conceptualization of resilience that includes social and biobehavioral factors may improve our understanding of the relationship between resilience, chronic pain, and health outcomes. In individuals with and without chronic knee pain, we investigated whether (1) psychological resilience would be positively associated with telomere length and if (2) a broader conceptualization of resilience including social and biobehavioral factors would strengthen the association. Seventy-nine adults, 45 to 85 years of age, with and without knee pain completed demographic, health, clinical pain, psychological, social, and biobehavioral questionnaires. Resilience levels were determined by summing the total number of measures indicating resilience based on published clinical ranges and norms. Blood samples were collected, and telomere length was determined. In regression analyses controlling for sex, race, age, and characteristic pain intensity, greater psychological resilience and psychosocial/biobehavioral resilience were associated with longer telomeres ( p = .0295 and p = .0116, respectively). When compared, psychosocial/biobehavioral resilience was significantly more predictive of telomere length than psychological resilience ( p < .0001). Findings are promising and encourage further investigations to enhance understanding of the biological interface of psychosocial and biobehavioral resilience factors in individuals with musculoskeletal chronic pain conditions.
A review of literature on substance abuse among anaesthesia providers
Authors: DeFord Stephanie , Bonom Julie , Durbin Terri
Published: March 2019

Background

Research has demonstrated that anaesthesia providers are susceptible to substance abuse. Several preventive measures are being implemented in certified registered nurse anaesthetist programmes to educate future providers about substance abuse. Given the continued prevalence and impact of the problem, more research is needed about the prevalence of substance abuse among student registered nurse anaesthetists and the implementation of preventive strategies in the educational setting.

Aims

The purpose of this narrative literature review was to examine the state of the science related to substance abuse among US certified anaesthesia providers. This literature review covered abuse of alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs, opioids and anaesthetic agents.

Methods

This narrative review was conducted using the following search terms: anaesthesia, student, wellness, stress, substance abuse, satisfaction, personality, depression, nurse, nurse anaesthetist, propofol, isoflurane and fentanyl. References were identified using PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists and American Association of Nurse Anesthetists websites. A total of 36 articles were identified as relevant to this literature review based on content and country of publication. This literature review was limited to articles published in the past 15 years. With one exception, our search was limited to manuscripts from the US.

Results

The literature underscored that various risk factors contribute to substance abuse. Board-certified anaesthesia providers fall prey to substance abuse due to ease of access, the high stress associated with administering anaesthesia, and the propensity to become addicted to opioids and other anaesthetics. A gap in the science exists about the prevalence of substance abuse among student registered nurse anaesthetists and the effectiveness of preventive strategies in the educational setting.

Conclusions

Anaesthesia providers are at high risk of abusing substances. To create a safer environment, future research should explore the prevalence of substance abuse among student registered nurse anaesthetists and emphasise the integration of effective preventive strategies in the educational setting.
A ‘history of problematizations’ for dementia education: a Foucauldian approach to understanding the framing of dementia
Authors: Knifton Chris , Yates Scott
Published: March 2019

Background

Debates relevant to both undergraduate and postgraduate nurse education regarding the conceptualisation and disciplinary ownership of dementia, including its framing as a neuro-psychiatric condition, a terminal illness or a consequence of ageing, are important in supporting an understanding of the lived experience of dementia for individuals and their family carers and how, as a condition, it has come to be problematised in Western society. The work of Michel Foucault is useful in setting this debate within a critical historical context.

Aims

Using Foucault's ‘history of problematizations’ we present such debates around dementia's conceptualisation in Western society and consider how a Foucauldian critical historical project influences nursing education by re-examining the problematisation of dementia within society, what it is to be a person with dementia, and how alternative conceptualisations shape how we see the condition – as well as how we provide learning opportunities for dementia-care professionals.

Results

Six differing ways of conceptualising or problematising dementia were found (as a natural consequence of ageing, a mental disorder, a bio-medical disease, a neuro-cognitive disorder, a disability and a terminal illness), each offering alternative ways we might present it in an educational context.

Conclusions

We argue for both undergraduate and postgraduate student nurses to engage in learning that locates what it is to be a person with dementia within particular conceptual frameworks that would allow understanding of how these ideas or constructs are reliant on historically contingent assumptions. Here, taken-for-granted assumptions are unsettled, and a more critically reflective position is adopted. This will have an impact on the type of nurse to emerge from educational institutions, thus also affecting service delivery and the dementia care provided, as well as the knock-on effects for dementia education in other medical, health and social care courses and for institutions whose role it is to approve professional practice curricula content.
Nanofluid thin film flow of Sisko fluid and variable heat transfer over an unsteady stretching surface with external magnetic field
Authors: Jawad Muhammad , Shah Zahir , Islam Saeed , Khan Waris , Khan Aurang Zeb
Published: March 2019

This research paper investigates two dimensional liquid film flow of Sisko nanofluid with variable heat transmission over an unsteady stretching sheet in the existence of uniform magnetic field. The basic governing time-dependent equations of the nanofluid flow phenomena with Sisko fluid are modeled and reduced to a system of differential equations with use of similarity transformation. The significant influence of Brownian motion and thermophoresis has been taken in the nanofluids model. An optimal approach is used to obtain the solution of the modeled problems. The convergence of the Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM) method has been shown numerically. The variation of the skin friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number, their influence on liquid film flow with heat and mass transfer have been examined. The influence of the unsteadiness parameter [Formula: see text] over thin film is explored analytically for different values. Moreover for comprehension, the physical presentation of the embedded parameters, like [Formula: see text], magnetic parameter [Formula: see text], stretching parameter [Formula: see text] and Sisko fluid parameters [Formula: see text], Prandtl number Pr, thermophoretic parameter [Formula: see text], Brownian motion parameter [Formula: see text], Schmidt number [Formula: see text] have been represented by graph and discussed.
‘Ask what you can do to the Army’: A textual analysis of the underground GI press during the Vietnam War
Authors: Painter Chad , Ferrucci Patrick
Published: March 2019

This study examined the normative roles of alternative media, focusing on how the underground GI press did or did not serve these roles during the Vietnam War. The researchers conducted a textual analysis of 22 underground GI newspapers published between 1967 and 1973. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: underground GI press writers were decidedly antiwar in the stories they covered and how they wrote about them; GI writers attempted to differentiate grunts from military and civilian leaders; GI writers attempted to build communities with other military personnel as well as civilians; and instances of censorship and persecution were widely reported. The results were then analyzed through the theoretical lens of the monitorial–disseminator, facilitative–mobilizer, radical–adversarial, and collaborative–interpretive roles of media.