bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast multiline spectral reshaping algorithm for active vibration control
Authors: Liu Jinxin , Xu Maojun , Zhang Xingwu , Yan Ruqiang , Chen Xuefeng
Published: November 2019

Multiline spectral vibration (or noise) is very common in rotating machinery like motor, gearbox, compressor, propeller, etc. Active reshaping of these vibrations is one of the most important branches for active vibration control, which may find application in fields of sound quality control, psychoacoustics, military camouflage, etc. The traditional filtered-reference LMS is the most popular structure for multiline spectral reshaping control. However, with the increase of spectral lines, vibration sources and observation points (feedback channels), the traditional structure will have extremely heavy computational complexity, especially for the system whose dynamic of secondary path is complex, since it requires two long filters for every single spectral line and secondary path to adjust the reference signals. In this study, we propose a fast-multiline spectrum reshaping algorithm for active vibration control. We first construct an equivalent system of the traditional multiline spectrum reshaping algorithm by introducing two extra control branches, which is able to improve the convergence property of the system. Then, we generate a group of pre-phase-scheduled reference signals using the phase information at certain frequencies of the secondary paths instead of using filters. Afterwards, we conduct a theoretical analysis of computational complexity of multiline spectrum reshaping and fast multiline spectrum reshaping algorithms. Finally, we carried out two case studies based on the FEMilS test-bed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm performs an accurate residual vibration control with uniformed convergence speed and reduced computational complexity.
Sluts and soyboys: MGTOW and the production of misogynistic online harassment
Authors: Jones Callum , Trott Verity , Wright Scott
Published: November 2019

Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW) are a separatist Manosphere group (digital manifestation of the Men’s Liberation Movement) who focus on individualistic, self-empowering actions as opposed to traditional collective actions typical of Men’s Rights Activists and Incels. This study investigates how the ideology and rhetoric of MGTOW propagates and normalises misogynistic beliefs through online harassment, using a multi-phased content and thematic analysis of 10,280 tweets from three of the most active MGTOW users on Twitter. The findings document a link between the MGTOW ideology and toxic masculinity, showing that the online harassment generated is deeply misogynistic and polices the boundaries of a heterosexual, hegemonic masculinity. The analysis demonstrates that while the misogyny and violence produced by MGTOW is not extreme in nature, their appeals to rational thinking make it seem like common sense. The article develops new knowledge about the heterogeneous nature of the Manosphere and its constructions of masculinity.
Neoliberal politics and state modernization in Chilean penal evolution
Authors: Wilenmann Javier
Published: November 2019

Following the general rise of incarceration rates in Latin America, two general frameworks have been influential in attempting to explain the phenomenon: the neoliberal and the state transformation theses. The article takes the case of Chile, the Latin American model of neoliberal governance, to test the broad explanatory power of both frameworks. By doing so, it shows that the connection with a narrative of substitution has distortive potential. Although the Chilean case does show that investment in state capacity augmentation and output maximization mechanisms did have direct effects on incarceration rates, no change in the project of control through criminal justice can be appreciated. Rather than changing its orientation towards the type of social control it provides for, the system still stands for the traditional Latin American project of control of a large, marginalized population through confinement.
A new automated motion planning system of heavy accelerating articulated vehicle in a real road traffic scenario
Authors: Shojaei Saeed , Hanzaki Ali R , Azadi Shahram , Saeedi Mohammad A
Published: November 2019

The main purpose of this study is to develop a novel motion planning for an articulated vehicle (AV) in real traffic situations. This motion planning generates collision-free and feasible trajectories based on kinematic and dynamic analyses of the AV concerning its surrounding vehicles. For this purpose, the collision-free trajectories are simulated in the presence of other vehicles, when the AV is conducting a lane change manoeuvre. A new method is utilised to derive the feasible trajectories by taking into account 3-D surface of the slip angle, roll angle, and lateral acceleration of the AV. This paper presents a new approach to generate the trajectory of an accelerating AV considering the surrounding vehicles in manoeuvre, which are either accelerating or decelerating. The optimal trajectory is then obtained based on the longitudinal acceleration of the AV and the time duration of the lane change manoeuvre, aimed at trajectory tracking control. Therefore, a 3-DOF dynamic model of the AV, including the yaw-rate, lateral velocity of the tractor and articulation angle, is developed. The tyres dynamic is simulated using non-linear Dug-off model. Furthermore, an innovative trajectory tracking control system is proposed concerning a sliding mode control. The developed dynamic model of the AV is verified by the Truck-Sim model. Results show that the collision-free and feasible trajectories can be generated based on the newly presented method of trajectory planning. The outcomes of the trajectory tracking control as the final part of the motion planning system indicate that the heavy articulated vehicle can be guided according to the new automated motion planning.
Chris and Sally’s House: Adapting a home for people living with dementia (innovative practice)
Authors: Jais Charlotte , Hignett Sue , Halsall William , Kelly David , Cook Malcolm , Hogervorst Eef
Published: November 2019

How can domestic housing be adapted to support people living with dementia staying in their own homes for as long as they choose? This paper describes the innovative practice of using evidence-based design personas in a building refurbishment project (Chris and Sally’s House) with a multidisciplinary team of architects, ergonomists, psychologists and experts. A 100 sqm Victorian two bedroom house was adapted to help educate house builders, carers and relatives on how to better support those living with dementia to live in their own home for longer. The design principles include clear sight lines, mobility support and provision for overnight carers.
Ensemble practices in the arts: A reflective matrix to enhance team work and collaborative learning in higher education
Authors: Gaunt Helena , Treacy Danielle Shannon
Published: November 2019

Ensemble practices have been essential to the performing and visual fine arts over centuries. The skills of working in ensembles, including team work and collaborative learning, are increasingly understood to be critical and transferable professional attributes. However, much teaching of ensembles is practical and embodied, relying on tacit knowledge within a focused specialism. This kind of approach champions depth of expertise in a particular field, but may have limitations, particularly where more explicit awareness is needed to support transferring practical skills to new contexts. There is therefore a need to strengthen reflective practice in ways that connect explicit procedural understanding with tacit practical experience. To serve this purpose, this paper develops a reflective matrix as a framework to support dynamic reflection for students and teachers in higher arts education. The matrix emerges from analysis of the literature across music, theatre, dance and visual fine art.
Re-defining moral distress: A systematic review and critical re-appraisal of the argument-based bioethics literature
Authors: Sanderson Christine , Sheahan Linda , Kochovska Slavica , Luckett Tim , Parker Deborah , Butow Phyllis , Agar Meera
Published: November 2019

The concept of moral distress comes from nursing ethics, and was initially defined as ‘…when one knows the right thing to do, but institutional constraints make it nearly impossible to pursue the right course of action’. There is a large body of literature associated with moral distress, yet multiple definitions now exist, significantly limiting its usefulness. We undertook a systematic review of the argument-based bioethics literature on this topic as the basis for a critical appraisal, identifying 55 papers for analysis. We found that moral distress is most frequently framed around individual experiences of distress in relation to local practices and constraints, and understood in terms of power relations and workplace hierarchies. This understanding is directly derived from, and often still seen as specific to, nursing. Frequently the perspective of the morally distressed individual is privileged. Understandings of moral distress have evolved towards an ‘occupational health approach’, with the assumption that moral distress should be measured and prevented. Counter-perspectives were identified, highlighting conceptual problems. Based on our review, we propose a redefinition of moral distress: ‘Ethical unease or disquiet resulting from a situation where a clinician believes they have contributed to avoidable patient or community harm through their involvement in an action, inaction or decision that conflicts with their own values’. This definition is specific enough for research use, anchored in clinicians’ professional responsibilities and concerns about harms to patients, framed relationally rather than hierarchically, and amenable to multiple perspectives on any given morally distressing situation.
The Impact of Musical Training on Understanding Dysarthric Speech: A Preliminary Study of Transcription Errors
Authors: Connaghan K. P. , Fisk D. , Patel R.
Published: November 2019

A growing literature highlights the need to develop communication partner–based interventions for individuals with dysarthria. Identifying listener characteristics that facilitate speech understanding is a necessary step in designing communication partner interventions. Musicianship enhances speech understanding in adverse listening conditions such as speech-in-noise. This preliminary investigation explored whether this advantage translated to understanding dysarthric speech. Adult listeners with and without musical training experience transcribed dysarthric speech productions. Phoneme intelligibility, word intelligibility, and the type of transcription errors (insertion, substitution, deletion) were compared between the listener groups. Although no differences were observed for overall phoneme and word transcription scores, a significant interaction between listener group and transcription error type was observed. This finding suggests the potential for distinct listening strategies and abilities between listeners with and without musical training experience. These preliminary results support larger scale efforts to investigate the elements of musical training that can be leveraged to develop listener-based interventions.
Canagliflozin and Amputation Risk: Evidence So Far
Authors: Papadokostaki Eleni , Rizos Evangelos , Tigas Stelios , Liberopoulos Evangelos N.
Published: November 2019

The CANVAS program detected a 2-fold increased risk of lower limb amputation in patients treated with canagliflozin compared with those with placebo. This adverse effect was not confirmed in the CREDENCE trial. Moreover, randomized controlled trials with other agents in this class, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, did not detect increased risk of amputation. Observational studies, cohort studies, and pharmacovigilance reports with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) have reported conflicting results. Whether this adverse event is a drug effect specific to canagliflozin, or a SGLT2i class effect, remains controversial. Until more evidence emerges, clinicians should avoid using SGLT2i, especially canagliflozin, in patients with previous amputations or existing foot ulceration.
An adaptive intrusion detection and prevention system for Internet of Things
Authors: Bakhsh Sheikh Tahir , Alghamdi Saleh , Alsemmeari Rayan A , Hassan Syed Raheel
Published: November 2019

The revolution of computer network technologies and telecommunication technologies increases the number of Internet users enormously around the world. Thus, many companies nowadays produce various devices having network chips, each device becomes part of the Internet of Things and can run on the Internet to achieve various services for its users. This led to the increase in security threats and attacks on these devices. Due to the increased number of devices connected to the Internet, the attackers have more opportunities to perform their attacks in such an environment. Therefore, security has become a big challenge more than before. In addition, confidentiality, integrity, and availability are required components to assure the security of Internet of Things. In this article, an adaptive intrusion detection and prevention system is proposed for Internet of Things (IDPIoT) to enhance security along with the growth of the devices connected to the Internet. The proposed IDPIoT enhances the security including host-based and network-based functionality by examining the existing intrusion detection systems. Once the proposed IDPIoT receives the packet, it examines the behavior, the packet is suspected, and it blocks or drops the packet. The main goal is accomplished by implementing one essential part of security, which is intrusion detection and prevention system.
Utility of erythrocyte indices in identifying iron depletion in pregnancy
Authors: Vora Sona M , Messina Gianfranco , Pavord Sue
Published: November 2019

Background

Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy is common and is a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity worldwide. Serum ferritin is the current gold standard test for identifying iron depletion, with a cut-off value of 30 µg/L. Recent studies in low- and middle-income countries have identified mean cell haemoglobin concentration as a surrogate marker for the prediction of iron depletion.

Methods

We studied values from 786 antenatal blood results from 2018 in Oxford, UK, and correlated the red cell indices with serum ferritin measurements.

Results

Haemoglobin, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration have low specificity and sensitivity for the identification of iron depletion.

Conclusions

We found that haemoglobin, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration do not have sufficient predictive value in this population to be used as a screening test for non-anaemic iron depletion.
The impact of climate change on European agricultural policy
Authors: Schmidt Nicole M.
Published: November 2019

Agriculture in the context of climate change is often a provocative subject because agriculture is both heavily impacted by the warming world and also a principal contributor to climate change. As efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions increase, the EU is pushing all sectors to integrate measures to combat climate change. This article argues that the agricultural sector has instigated a process of integrating climate concerns. However, these efforts will not lead to a large number of disruptive changes in the agricultural sector. While the EU is putting climate change firmly on the agricultural agenda, ranking the issue even higher than the environment, the Union’s primary goal is still to support the income of farmers. Hence, the EU’s intentions will likely lead to raising awareness of the issue of climate change in the context of agriculture but will not lead to any transformative changes in European agricultural policymaking.
The role of internet resources in health decision-making: a qualitative study
Authors: Bussey Lauren Georgia , Sillence Elizabeth
Published: November 2019

Objective

Internet resources remain important for health information and advice but their specific role in decision-making is understudied, often assumed and remains unclear. In this article, we examine the different ways in which internet resources play a role in health decision-making within the context of distributed decision-making.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 37 people in the United Kingdom who reported using the internet in relation to decision-making, and representing a range of long- and short-term health conditions. The interviews focused on decision-making activities across different settings and in relation to different stakeholders to understand how internet resources play a role in these activities. We carried out a thematic analysis of the interviews.

Results

We identified three main ways in which internet resources played a role in health decision-making. A supportive role (as a decision crutch), a stimulating role (as a decision initiator), and an interactional role (impacting on the doctor–patient relationship). These three roles spanned different resources and illustrated how the decision-making process can be impacted by the encounters people have with technology – specifically internet based health resources – in different ways and at different time points.

Conclusions

Examining health decisions with respect to internet resources highlights the complex and distributed nature of decision-making alongside the complexity of online health information sourcing. We discuss the role of internet resources in relation to the increasing importance of online personal experiences and their relevance within shared decision-making.
Myocardial Rupture Secondary to Ventricular Septal Hematoma: A Case Report and Review of Contemporary Literature
Authors: Haranal Maruti , Hew Chee Chin , Dillon Jeffrey Jeswant
Published: November 2019

Interventricular septal hematoma following congenital cardiac surgery is an uncommon entity. Literature search reveals few cases of interventricular septal hematoma complicating pediatric cardiac surgery. We report a case of interventricular septal hematoma following patch closure of ventricular septal defect, with associated myocardial necrosis and myocardial rupture.
Modified Septostomy in d-Transposition of Great Arteries With Aneurysmal and Intact Atrial Septum
Authors: Mylonas Konstantinos S. , Tzifa Aphrodite
Published: November 2019

A male term patient was delivered electively due to prenatal diagnosis of d-transposition of great arteries. Postpartum arterial saturation measured 65%. Transthoracic echo revealed an extremely aneurysmal atrial septum with no obvious atrial septal defect. Emergency Rashkind procedure was deemed necessary. Multiple attempts to advance the septostomy catheter to the left atrium resulted in tenting of the septum with no obvious interatrial flow. The aneurysmal septum was therefore advanced with caution and perforated within the left lower pulmonary vein under echocardiographic guidance. The patient tolerated the procedure well and a successful arterial switch operation was performed eight days later. Stabilization and perforation of an aneurysmal, intact atrial septum within the pulmonary vein may be a helpful maneuver to complete the Rashkind procedure.
The Konno Operation Is a Durable Option for Relief of Aortic Stenosis in Patients With Complex Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction—A Single-Center 20-Year Experience
Authors: Matsushima Shunsuke , Burri Melchior , Strbad Martina , Ruf Bettina , Lange Rüdiger , Hörer Jürgen , Cleuziou Julie
Published: November 2019

Background:

A Konno operation with a mechanical prosthesis may be applied in patients with complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction to avoid further operations. We reviewed our 20-year experience with the Konno operation.

Methods:

All patients who underwent the Konno operation between 1996 and 2015 were evaluated. Study end points were survival and reoperations.

Results:

Twenty-one consecutive patients were included. The median age at operation was 12 years (5 months to 34 years). Twenty (95%) patients had prior interventions for left-sided heart lesions. Additional mitral valve disease was present in 17 (81%) patients. The preoperative mean pressure gradient over the left ventricular outflow tract was 50 ± 25 mm Hg. The median size of implanted valve prostheses was 21 mm (16-25 mm). Concomitant procedures for left-sided heart lesions were performed in six patients, including two mitral valve replacements. There were two hospital mortalities (9.5%) and four late mortalities (19%). Overall survival was 85% ± 7.8% and 72% ± 11% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. In two patients, mitral valve replacement was performed during the same hospital admission. During a mean follow-up time of 7.6 ± 4.8 years, two patients required late reoperations, one for mitral valve replacement and one for heart transplantation. Freedom from late reoperation at 10 years was 89% ± 7.4%.

Conclusions:

The Konno operation can be considered as a definitive option with a low probability of reoperation on the left ventricular outflow tract in patients with complex left ventricular heart disease. Subsequent operations focus on the treatment of additional mitral valve disease, which remains the cause of mortality and morbidity.
Surgical Correction of Adult Unrepaired Tetralogy of Fallot to Facilitate Stage IIIA Uterine Cancer Treatment
Authors: Watanabe Atsuyuki , Kato Hideyuki , Mathis Bryan J. , Matsubara Muneaki , Gomi Seigo , Sakamoto Hiroaki , Hiramatsu Yuji
Published: November 2019

Unrepaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in adults may compound cancer treatment difficulties, while strategies for adult unrepaired TOF combined with malignant neoplasms are scarce. Here, we report a case of adult unrepaired TOF with uterine cancer. A hybrid surgical strategy minimized invasiveness and the patient survived both cancer resection and adjuvant radiochemotherapy. The patient remains asymptomatic at 12 months of follow-up with no recurrence of malignancy or its markers.
Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Parental Perception of Risk: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Lotto Robyn , Jones Ian , Seaton Sarah E. , Dhannapuneni Ram , Guerrero Rafael , Lotto Attilio
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

Interpretation of risk by parents of children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery is poorly documented. The available evidence highlights a dichotomy where clinicians suggest parents may not grasp the complexity and risk associated with procedures, while some parents suggest risk is unnecessarily overemphasized.

Aim:

To quantify how risk is perceived by parents.

Methods:

One hundred six parents of children undergoing cardiac surgery were recruited and completed a Likert-type scale from 1 (perceived low risk) to 6 (perceived high risk), at 5 points: arrival at preadmission, post discussion with anethetist/surgeon, day of surgery, discharge from intensive care, and at outpatient follow-up. The surgical sample was stratified according to Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery level.

Analysis:

Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank tests for differences in distributions of scores and Krippendorff α to examine the level of agreement.

Results:

Median parental risk scores varied over time, with no consistent risk scores observed. Maternal scores were consistently higher than paternal scores at every time point ( P < .001). Postoperative complications resulted in a persistent rise in risk perception at follow-up ( P < .001). Analysis of parental risk scores and objective measures of surgical risk highlighted poor agreement that was particularly marked at the extremes of risk.

Conclusions:

Parents perceived higher risk scores than those reported by the clinical team. Mothers reported statistically significantly higher scores than their partners, highlighting potential tensions. In addition, the changing perception of risk over time emphasizes the need for flexible levels of support and information as parents navigate uncertainty.
Critical Evaluation of the Methodologic Quality of the Top 50 Cited Articles Relating to Knee Dislocation and Multiligamentous Knee Injury
Authors: Hankins David A. , Fletcher Ian E. , Prieto Fermin , Ockuly Andrew C. , Myers Orrin B. , Treme Gehron P. , Veitch Andrew J. , Wascher Daniel C. , Schenck Robert C. , Richter Dustin L.
Published: November 2019

Background:

Many studies have evaluated the management of knee dislocations (KDs) and multiligamentous knee injuries (MLKIs). However, no study to date has analyzed the quality of the most cited articles in this literature.

Hypothesis:

There is a positive correlation between the number of article citations in the KD and MLKI literature and their methodologic quality.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

The Web of Science online database was searched to identify the top 50 cited articles in KD and MLKI care. Demographic data were recorded for each study. The Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS) and the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) were used to analyze the methodological quality of each article. Spearman correlation coefficients ( r s) were then calculated.

Results:

The articles identified were published between 1958 and 2015 in a wide variety of peer-reviewed journals (n = 16). The majority of study level of evidence (LOE) was of low quality (level 5, 16%; level 4, 54%; level 3, 16%; level 2, 14%). There were no studies of level 1 evidence. The mean MCMS and MINORS scores were 29.0 (SD, 19.1; range, 3-72) and 6.1 (SD, 3.7; range, 0-14), respectively. No significant correlation was identified between the number of citations and the publication year, LOE, MCMS, or MINORS ( r s = 0.123 [ P = .396]; r s = 0.125 [ P = .389]; r s = 0.182 [ P = .204]; and r s = 0.175 [ P = .224], respectively). Positive correlations were observed between improved MCMS and MINORS scores and more recent year of publication ( r s = 0.43 [ P = .002]; r s = 0.32 [ P = .022]) as well as improved study LOE ( r s = 0.65 [ P < .001]; r s = 0.67 [ P < .001]).

Conclusion:

The top 50 cited articles on KD and MLKI care consisted of low LOE and methodological quality, with no existing level 1 articles. There was no significant correlation between the number of citations and publication year, LOE, or study methodological quality. Positive correlations were observed between later publication date and improved methodological quality.
Medial Femoral Condyle Free Flap Reconstruction of Complex Foot and Ankle Pathology
Authors: Stranix John T. , Piper Merisa L. , Azoury Said C. , Kozak Geoffrey , Ben-Amotz Oded , Wapner Keith L. , Levin L. Scott
Published: November 2019

Background:

Complex hindfoot pathology may benefit from vascularized bone flap reconstruction rather than traditional bone grafting techniques. Medial femoral condyle (MFC) flaps provide vascularized periosteum, skin, and corticocancellous bone.

Methods:

A retrospective, single-institution cohort study of consecutive MFC flaps performed for complicated hindfoot reconstruction between 2013 and 2019 was reviewed. Radiologic follow-up assessed osseous union and clinical outcomes were evaluated with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. Thirty MFC flaps were performed in 28 patients for complex hindfoot pathology. Twenty-seven flaps had adequate clinical and radiographic follow-up (mean 15.8 months).

Results:

The majority presented with avascular necrosis (83%) and failed prior operations (67%, mean 3.1). Most hindfoot procedures involved arthrodesis (n = 24, 80%); tibiotalocalcaneal (n = 11) and talonavicular (n = 7) most frequently. Mean osseous flap volume was 10.3 cm3 (range 1.7-18.4 cm3); one flap required takeback for venous congestion but no total flap losses occurred. Primary osseous union was initially achieved in 20 patients (74%, mean 217 days). Six flaps developed interface nonunion; 5 underwent revision arthrodesis and ultimately achieved union in 24/27 flaps (89%, mean 271 days). Risk factors for nonunion were body mass index (BMI) >30 ( P = .017) and prior arthrodesis ( P = .042). Mean AOFAS hindfoot scores increased significantly from 52.3 preoperatively to 70.7 postoperatively ( P < .001). Subscore analysis demonstrated significant improvement in postoperative pain scores from 14.2 to 27.3 out of 40 ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

The MFC free flap provided vascularized bone for complicated foot and ankle reconstruction with relatively low donor site morbidity, promising osseous union results, and improved functional outcomes.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Anatomy of the Distal End of Flexor Digitorum Longus Tendon and Percutaneous Release Technique: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Wei Baofu , Yao Ruoyu , Amendola Annunziato
Published: November 2019

Background:

The transfer of flexor-to-extensor is widely used to correct lesser toe deformity and joint instability. The flexor digitorum longus tendon (FDLT) is percutaneously transected at the distal end and then routed dorsally to the proximal phalanx. The transected tendon must have enough mobility and length for the transfer. The purpose of this study was to dissect the distal end of FDLT and identify the optimal technique to percutaneously release FDLT.

Methods:

Eight fresh adult forefoot specimens were dissected to describe the relationship between the tendon and the neurovascular bundle and measure the width and length of the distal end of FDLT. Another 7 specimens were used to create the percutaneous release model and test the strength required to pull out FDLT proximally. The tendons were randomly released at the base of the distal phalanx (BDP), the space of the distal interphalangeal joint (SDIP), and the neck of the middle phalanx (NMP).

Results:

At the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, the neurovascular bundle begins to migrate toward the center of the toe and branches off toward the center of the toe belly. The distal end of FDLT can be divided into 3 parts: the distal phalanx part (DPP), the capsule part (CP), and the middle phalanx part (MPP). There was a significant difference in width and length among the 3 parts. The strength required to pull out FDLT proximally was about 168, 96, and 20 N, respectively, for BDP, SDIP, and NMP.

Conclusion:

The distal end of FDLT can be anatomically described at 3 locations: DPP, CP, and MPP. The tight vinculum brevis and the distal capsule are strong enough to resist proximal retraction. Percutaneous release at NMP can be performed safely and effectively.

Clinical Relevance:

Percutaneous release at NMP can be performed safely and effectively during flexor-to-extensor transfer.
Comparison of Time and Cost Savings Using Different Cost Methodologies for Patient-Specific Instrumentation vs Standard Referencing in Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Savage-Elliott Ian , Wu Victor J. , Wu Isabella , Heffernan John Timothy , Rodriguez Ramon
Published: November 2019

Background:

Patient-specific 3-D printing cutting blocks (PSI) have been used instead of traditional intramedullary cutting guides. We hypothesized that PSI would lead to significantly decreased operating room (OR) time and significant cost savings to our institution with noninferior radiographic outcomes and no difference in expected vs actual implant size when compared with standard referencing (SR).

Methods:

Patients who had undergone total ankle replacements at our institution from 2013 through 2016 were included in the study. Associations between demographic variables and postoperative alignment in the SR vs PSI group were calculated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the intraclass correlation coefficient. The cost of the operation was calculated using both an institutionally based fixed cost of OR time and using Time Driven Activity Based Cost (TDABC) accounting. A total of 43 patients were included in the study, 13 in the SR group and 30 in the PSI group.

Results:

Operative time (168 vs 137 minutes) and tourniquet time (123 vs 113 minutes) were significantly lower in the PSI vs the SR group. PSI predictions were accurate 100% of the time for tibial components and 83% of the time for talar components. Average costs of TAA using PSI were significantly reduced by $7597.00 when using traditional OR accounting, whereas PSI was $836.00 more expensive on average using TDABC accounting.

Conclusion:

Further research is needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of PSI vs SR in TAA; however, it does appear to save time intraoperatively. The long-term effect on clinical outcomes requires further study.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, case-control study.
iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis provides insight for molecular mechanism of neuroticism
Authors: Tian Lei , You Hong-Zhao , Wu Hao , Wei Yu , Zheng Min , He Lei , Liu Jin-Ying , Guo Shu-Zhen , Zhao Yan , Zhou Ren-Lai , Hu Xingang
Published: November 2019

Background

Neuroticism is a core personality trait and a major risk factor for several mental and physical diseases, particularly in females, who score higher on neuroticism than men, on average. However, a better understanding of the expression profiles of proteins in the circulating blood of different neurotic female populations may help elucidate the intrinsic mechanism of neurotic personality and aid prevention strategies on mental and physical diseases associated with neuroticism.

Methods

In our study, female subjects were screened for inclusion by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scales and routine physical examination. Subjects who passed the examination and volunteered to participate were grouped by neuroticism using EPQ scores (0 and 1 = low neuroticism group; > 5 = high neuroticism group). Proteins in serum samples of the two neuroticism groups were identified using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology.

Results

A total of 410 proteins exhibited significant differences between high and low neuroticism, 236 proteins were significantly upregulated and 174 proteins were significantly downregulated. Combine the results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of differences proteins between high and low neuroticism with the PPI network, it could be observed that the Alpha-synuclein (SNCA), ATP7A protein (ATP7A), Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(O) subunit gamma-2 (GNG2), cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), myeloperoxidase (MPO), azurocidin (AZU1), Histone H2B type 1-H (HIST1H2BH), Integrin alpha-M (ITGAM) and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) might participate in the intrinsic mechanism of neuroticism by regulating response to catecholamine stimulus, catecholamine metabolic process, limbic system development and transcriptional misregulation in cancer pathway.

Conclusions

Our study revealed the characteristics of the neurotic personality proteome, which might be intrinsic mechanism of the neurotic population.
Genome-wide association analysis reveals QTL and candidate mutations involved in white spotting in cattle
Authors: Jivanji Swati , Worth Gemma , Lopdell Thomas J. , Yeates Anna , Couldrey Christine , Reynolds Edwardo , Tiplady Kathryn , McNaughton Lorna , Johnson Thomas J. J. , Davis Stephen R. , Harris Bevin , Spelman Richard , Snell Russell G. , Garrick Dorian , Littlejohn Mathew D.
Published: November 2019

Background

White spotting of the coat is a characteristic trait of various domestic species including cattle and other mammals. It is a hallmark of Holstein–Friesian cattle, and several previous studies have detected genetic loci with major effects for white spotting in animals with Holstein–Friesian ancestry. Here, our aim was to better understand the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms of white spotting, by conducting the largest mapping study for this trait in cattle, to date.

Results

Using imputed whole-genome sequence data, we conducted a genome-wide association analysis in 2973 mixed-breed cows and bulls. Highly significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) were found on chromosomes 6 and 22, highlighting the well-established coat color genesKITandMITFas likely responsible for these effects. These results are in broad agreement with previous studies, although we also report a third significant QTL on chromosome 2 that appears to be novel. This signal maps immediately adjacent to thePAX3gene, which encodes a known transcription factor that controlsMITFexpression and is the causal locus for white spotting in horses. More detailed examination of these loci revealed a candidate causal mutation inPAX3(p.Thr424Met), and another candidate mutation (rs209784468) within a conserved element in intron 2 ofMITFtranscripts expressed in the skin. These analyses also revealed a mechanistic ambiguity at the chromosome 6 locus, where highly dispersed association signals suggested multiple or multiallelic QTL involvingKITand/or other genes in this region.

Conclusions

Our findings extend those of previous studies that reportedKITas a likely causal gene for white spotting, and report novel associations between candidate causal mutations in both theMITFandPAX3genes. The sizes of the effects of these QTL are substantial, and could be used to select animals with darker, or conversely whiter, coats depending on the desired characteristics.
MiPepid: MicroPeptide identification tool using machine learning
Authors: Zhu Mengmeng , Gribskov Michael
Published: November 2019

Background

Micropeptides are small proteins with length < = 100 amino acids. Short open reading frames that could produces micropeptides were traditionally ignored due to technical difficulties, as few small peptides had been experimentally confirmed. In the past decade, a growing number of micropeptides have been shown to play significant roles in vital biological activities. Despite the increased amount of data, we still lack bioinformatics tools for specifically identifying micropeptides from DNA sequences. Indeed, most existing tools for classifying coding and noncoding ORFs were built on datasets in which “normal-sized” proteins were considered to be positives and short ORFs were generally considered to be noncoding. Since the functional and biophysical constraints on small peptides are likely to be different from those on “normal” proteins, methods for predicting short translated ORFs must be trained independently from those for longer proteins.

Results

In this study, we have developed MiPepid, a machine-learning tool specifically for the identification of micropeptides. We trained MiPepid using carefully cleaned data from existing databases and used logistic regression with 4-mer features. With only the sequence information of an ORF, MiPepid is able to predict whether it encodes a micropeptide with 96% accuracy on a blind dataset of high-confidence micropeptides, and to correctly classify newly discovered micropeptides not included in either the training or the blind test data. Compared with state-of-the-art coding potential prediction methods, MiPepid performs exceptionally well, as other methods incorrectly classify most bona fide micropeptides as noncoding. MiPepid is alignment-free and runs sufficiently fast for genome-scale analyses. It is easy to use and is available at https://github.com/MindAI/MiPepid.

Conclusions

MiPepid was developed to specifically predict micropeptides, a category of proteins with increasing significance, from DNA sequences. It shows evident advantages over existing coding potential prediction methods on micropeptide identification. It is ready to use and runs fast.
Functional categorization of de novo transcriptome assembly of Vanilla planifolia Jacks. potentially points to a translational regulation during early stages of infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vanillae
Authors: Solano-De la Cruz Marco Tulio , Adame-García Jacel , Gregorio-Jorge Josefat , Jiménez-Jacinto Verónica , Vega-Alvarado Leticia , Iglesias-Andreu Lourdes Georgina , Escobar-Hernández Esteban Elías , Luna-Rodríguez Mauricio
Published: November 2019

Background

Upon exposure to unfavorable environmental conditions, plants need to respond quickly to maintain their homeostasis. For instance, physiological, biochemical and transcriptional changes occur during plant-pathogen interaction. In the case ofVanilla planifoliaJacks., a worldwide economically important crop, it is susceptible toFusarium oxysporumf. sp.vanillae(Fov). This pathogen causes root and stem rot (RSR) in vanilla plants that lead to plant death. To investigate how vanilla plants, respond at the transcriptional level upon infection withFov, here we employed the RNA-Seq approach to analyze the dynamics of whole-transcriptome changes during two-time frames of the infection.

Results

Analysis of global gene expression profiles upon infection byFovindicated that the major transcriptional change occurred at 2 days post-inoculation (dpi), in comparison to 10 dpi. Briefly, the RNA-Seq analysis carried out in roots found that 3420 and 839 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected at 2 and 10 dpi, respectively, as compared to the control. In the case of DEGs at 2 dpi, 1563 genes were found to be up-regulated, whereas 1857 genes were down-regulated. Moreover, functional categorization of DEGs at 2 dpi indicated that up-regulated genes are mainly associated to translation, whereas down-regulated genes are involved in cell wall remodeling. Among the translational-related transcripts, ribosomal proteins (RPs) were found increased their expression exclusively at 2 dpi.

Conclusions

The screening of transcriptional changes ofV. planifoliaJacks upon infection byFov provides insights into the plant molecular response, particularly at early stages of infection. The accumulation of translational-related transcripts at early stages of infection potentially points to a transcriptional reprogramming coupled with a translational regulation in vanilla plants upon infection byFov. Altogether, the results presented here highlight potential molecular players that might be further studied to improveFov-induced resistance in vanilla plants.
Bacteriological profile, risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of symptomatic urinary tract infection among students of Mekelle University, northern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremariam Guesh , Legese Haftom , Woldu Yemane , Araya Tadele , Hagos Kiflom , GebreyesusWasihun Araya
Published: November 2019

Background

Bacterial infection of the urinary tract is among the common reasons for seeking medical attention in the community. Rapidly increasing antibiotic resistance of uropathogens is resulting in limited treatment options. Therefore, knowledge of the current uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility is important for better treatment of urinary tract infection.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was conducted from February to September thirty, 2017 among students who came to Mekelle University student’s clinics with symptomatic urinary tract infection during the study period.. Mid-stream urine specimens were collected from 341individuals with suspected urinary tract infection for bacteriological identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data on socio-demographic, clinical and risk factors were also collected using a structured questionnaire.

Results

Among the 341 study participants, 72(21.1%) showed significant bacteriuria. Escherichia coli (48.6%), Coagulase-negative staphylococci (23%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.5%), and Klebsiella spp. (8.1%) were common bacterial isolates. Resistance to ampicillin (81–100%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (77–93.6%), co- trimoxazole (55 72.3%), nalidixic acid (57.4%) and tetracycline (46–55.5%) was seen by most isolates. Multidrug resistance was observed in 73% of the bacterial isolates, and 25.5% of the Gram-negative isolates were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers. Being female, a history of urinary tract infection, a history of catheterization and frequent sexual activity were found to be statistically associated with urinary tract infection.

Conclusion

Urinary tract infection is a problem among university students with a prevalence of 21.1%. All isolates have developed resistance to most of the commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, health education on the transmission and causes of urinary tract infection are recommended for the students.
Triple negative breast cancer and platinum-based systemic treatment: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Pandy Jessa Gilda P. , Balolong-Garcia Joanmarie C. , Cruz-Ordinario Mel Valerie B. , Que Frances Victoria F.
Published: November 2019

Background

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents 15–20% of breast cancers. Due to its heterogeneity and high rates of relapse, there is a need to optimize treatment efficacy. Platinum chemotherapy is still controversial and currently not recommended as first-line treatment for TNBC. Recent studies have shown promising activity of this regimen. This study was done to evaluate the effect of platinum chemotherapy on pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant treatment for early TNBC and progression-free survival (PFS) in metastatic TNBC.

Methods

A systematic search of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Clinical trials databases and hand search were done to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the use of platinum-based chemotherapy in adults with TNBC. Studies were appraised using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Using the random effects model, pooled Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for pCR, and Hazard Ratios (HRs) with 95%CI for PFS were analyzed.

Results

Eleven RCTs were included (N = 2946). Platinum-based chemotherapy showed pCR benefit of 40%vs27% (OR1.75,95% CI 1.46–2.62,p < 0.0001) in the neo-adjuvant setting. Subgroup analysis showed increased pCR rates (44.6%vs27.8%) with platinum plus taxane regimen (p < 0.0001). In metastatic TNBC, three RCTs were analyzed (N = 531), platinum treatment did not show PFS advantage (HR1.16,95%CI 0.90–1.49,p = 0.24).

Conclusion

Platinum chemotherapy is associated with increased pCR rates in TNBC, hence it is a viable option for patients in the neoadjuvant setting. Subgroup analysis showed that the combination of platinum and taxanes (Carboplatin/Paclitaxel) improved pCR. However, no PFS advantage was seen in metastatic TNBC. Given the current conflicting data in metastatic TNBC, further exploration with additional powered studies is needed.