bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homocysteine remethylation pathway in neonates with congenital heart disease and neural tube defects
Authors: Surmiak Piotr , Baumert Małgorzata , Walencka Zofia , Paprotny Magdalena , Witek Andrzej
Published: July 2018

Wstęp

Etiologia wrodzonych wad serca (WWS) oraz wad cewy nerwowej (WCN) jest niewyjaśniona, wykazano jednak związek między stężeniem homocysteiny oraz kwasu foliowego a występowaniem wrodzonych anomalii.
Celem pracy była ocena stężenia biochemicznych markerów szlaku metabolizmu homocysteiny u noworodków z WWS oraz WCN i ich matek.

Materiał i metody

Badaniem objęto 47 par – matka i jej noworodek urodzony z WWS (n = 29) i WCN (n = 18). Grupę kontrolną (GK) stanowiły 54 pary matek i ich zdrowe dzieci. Próbki krwi matki i krwi pępowinowej pobierano w celu oznaczenia stężenia tHcy, kwasu foliowego i witaminy B12.

Wyniki

Stężenie tHcy u noworodków z WWS było znamiennie wyższe niż u ich matek oraz u dzieci z WCN. Stężenie tHcy u noworodków z WCN było znamiennie wyższe niż w grupie kontrolnej. Stężenia witaminy B12 były podobne u wszystkich badanych noworodków w porównaniu z wartościami stwierdzonymi u ich matek. U noworodków z WCN i WWS stężenie kwasu foliowego w krwi pępowinowej było znamiennie niższe niż u dzieci z grupy kontrolnej.

Wnioski

Zaobserwowane różnice w stężeniu homocysteiny i kwasu foliowego między noworodkami z wrodzonymi wadami serca i wadami cewy nerwowej sugerują obecność dodatkowych czynników zaburzających szlaki metaboliczne homocysteiny u tych dzieci.
Impacto da verticalização no microclima urbano
Authors: Nogueira Aline Maria Pereira , Araújo Iuri Ávila Lins de , Bittencourt Leonardo Salazar , Restaino Gabriella
Published: July 2018

Este trabalho investiga os efeitos do adensamento por verticalização, no microclima urbano, para avaliar possíveis impactos de decisões de planejamento urbano na qualidade ambiental das cidades. A pesquisa baseou-se no estudo de caso de uma fração do bairro Guaxuma, o loteamento Gurgury, que está situado no litoral norte da cidade de Maceió – AL e vem apresentando sinais de um processo acelerado de verticalização devido ao processo de valorização imobiliária da região. O método da pesquisa consistiu de análise comparativa, utilizando a ferramenta computacional ENVI-met 4.2 para simular temperatura e velocidade do ar, em três diferentes cenários. O primeiro representando o padrão atual de ocupação e outros dois cenários futuros, baseados no novo padrão de uso permitido pela legislação vigente. Um dos cenários futuros apresenta a implantação de edifícios com 10 pavimentos e o outro com edifícios de 20 pavimentos. Os resultados das simulações computacionais demonstraram que a verticalização na área estudada afetou o microclima local, principalmente o desempenho da ventilação natural. A diferença entre os modelos de 10 e o de 20 pavimentos foi relevante, chegando à 1,21 m/s na velocidade do ar entre esses dois cenários. Os resultados sugerem que na escala da faixa litorânea do Bairro Guaxuma, os efeitos da verticalização, tal como promovida pelo novo código de edificações, provoca mudanças na dinâmica do vento, sendo o cenário de 20 pavimentos o que apresentou melhor desempenho para promoção do conforto térmico na área.
Classification of Raw Stingless Bee Honeys by Bee Species Origins using NMR-LCMS-based Metabolomics Approach
Authors: Razali Muhammad Taufiq Atsifa , Zainal Zaim Akmal , Maulidiani Maulidiani , Shaari Khozirah , Zambri Zulkifli , Mohd Idrus Mohd Zainuri , Khatib Alfi , Abas Faridah , Ling Yee Soon , Lim Leong Rui , Ismail Intan Safinar
Published: July 2018

Background: The official standard for quality control of honey is currently based on physicochemical properties. However, this method is time-consuming, cost intensive, and do not lead to information on the originality of honey. This study aims to classify raw stingless bee honeys by bee species origins as a potential classifier using NMR-LCMS-based metabolomics approach. Methods: Raw stingless bee honeys were analysed and classified by bee species origins using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MS) in combination with chemometrics tools. Results: The honey samples were able to be classified into three different groups based on the bee species origins of Heterotrigona itama, Geniotrigona thoracica, and Tetrigona apicalis. D-Fructofuranose (H. itama honey), β-D-Glucose, D-Xylose, α-D-Glucose (G. thoracica honey), and L-Lactic acid, Acetic acid, L-Alanine (T. apicalis honey) identified via 1H NMR data and the diagnostic ions of UHPLC-QTOF MS were characterized as the discriminant metabolites or putative chemical markers. Conclusion: It could be suggested that the quality of honey in terms of originality and purity can be rapidly determined using classification technique by bee species origins via 1H NMR- and UHPLC-QTOF MS-based metabolomics approach.
Commuting Stress-Turnover Intention Relationship and the Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction: An Empirical Analysis of Turkish Employees
Authors: Demiral Özge
Published: July 2018

Using hierarchical regression analysis within a mediation model framework, the present study explores direct and indirect (through life satisfaction) causal impacts of commuting stress on turnover intention of employees from 29 business organizations in six populous cities of Turkey. A semi-random heterogeneous sample of 214 employees with different demographics was surveyed in winter and summer times for also capturing seasonal variations of variables. The results supporting the partial mediating role of life satisfaction in the positive relationship between commuting stress and turnover intention infer that commuting stress induces turnover intention directly and indirectly (by reducing life satisfaction). The analysis of variance reveals that demographic characteristics of employees such as gender, marital status, age, and family size together with commuting type and commuting duration matter for their perceived commuting stress, life satisfaction, and turnover intention levels. Commuting stress perception is relatively higher in summer time whereas the other magnitudes are consistently and significantly invariant between two survey implementations. The study concludes with a call for the consideration of commuting stress and life satisfaction together with environmental and demographic factors when analyzing the antecedents and consequences of employee turnover intention.
Frequency Conversion in KTP Crystal and Its Isomorphs (Invited)
Authors: Gagarsky Sergey , Grechin Sergey , Druzhinin Pioter J. , Kato Kiyoshi , Kochiev David , Nikolaev Pavel , Umemura Nobihuro
Published: July 2018

We report the results of an analysis of the functional capabilities of the KTP crystal and its isomorphs for nonlinear-optical frequency conversion of all types of interaction in the transparency range of the crystal. The possibility of implementing angle-, wavelength- (frequency-) and temperature-noncritical phase matching is shown.
Utilizing a Social Ecological Health Promotion and Community Based Participatory Research Frameworks to Engage Highly Diverse Populations for Recruitment in the All of Us Precision Medicine Program
Authors: Mancera Bibiana M. , Sy Angela U. , Williams Cynthia D. , Hargreaves Margaret K.
Published: July 2018

In response to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us Medicine Research Initiative, the Precision Medicine Research (PreMeR) Diversity Consortium was formed by four institutions from the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Translational Research Network (RTRN). This synergistic approach proposed evidence-based, best practices used by experienced researchers to engage, recruit and retain diverse populations in the All of Us initiative. Conceptualization of the proposed approach was aided by social influence theories to better understand how people’s beliefs and opinions should  be modified to affect change leading to action [1]. The Social-Ecological Model (SEM), for Health Promotion [2], from Stokols [1] and Community-Based Participatory (CBPR) Models[3],[4] guided proposed engagement, recruitment, and retention strategies contextualized with the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy spheres of influence. The PreMeR produced a partnership to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of current engagement, recruitment, and retention strategies for minority participation in scientific studies. This approach illustrates the need to incorporate multiple methods of engagement to reach a diverse audience to participate in scientific research. Engagement, recruitment, and retention strategies in community and biomedical research must be viewed as community engaged public health interventions, utilizing the same theoretical principles and approaches.
Multijetfusion Manufacturing Parameters for Watertightness, Strength and Tolerances
Authors: Morales-Planas Sergio , Minguella-Canela Joaquim , Lluma-Fuentes Jordi , Travieso-Rodriguez Jose Antonio , García-Granada Andrés-Amador
Published: July 2018

The aim of this paper is to explore the watertightness behaviour for high pressure applications using Multijetfusion technology and polyamide 12 as a material. It reports an efficient solution for manufacturing functional prototypes and final parts for water pressure applications. It provides manufacturing rules to engineers in the pressurized product development process up to 10 MPa of nominal pressure. The research findings show manufacturers the possibility of using additive manufacturing as an alternative to traditional manufacturing. Water leakage was studied using different printing orientations and wall thickness for a range of pressure values. An industrial ball valve was printed and validated with the ISO 9393 standard also meeting tolerance requirements. This paper is a pioneering approach to the additive manufacturing of high performance fluid handling components. This approach solves the problem of leakage caused by porosity in additive manufacturing technologies
Motion Control of 6-DOF Manipulator Based on EtherCAT
Authors: Li Nannan , Ma Hongbin , Fei Qing , Zhou Hao , Li Shaoke , Chen Sunjie ,   Beijing Institute of Technology 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China,   Beijing University of Technology No. 100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100022, China
Published: July 2018

We introduce a real-time motion control system that uses the EtherCAT protocol and apply it to a manipulator with six degrees of freedom. The complexity of a multi-joint manipulator leads to higher requirements for synchronous and real-time performance. EtherCAT technology can greatly improve the performance in terms of accuracy, speed, capability, and band width in industrial control, which is crucial in our robot projects. In this paper, we discuss a servo motion control system based on EtherCAT using IgH as the open-source master station. A Linux operating system is adopted because of the advantages of open-source, high-efficiency, and high-stability operation as well as multi-platform support, which provide more flexibility, freedom, and extendability to developers. Considerable research has been conducted to explore EtherCAT technologies, completely implementing home-made codes with the aid of open-source libraries, debugging the master-slave communication process, and testing the resulting motion controller running on Linux or POSIX-compatible operating systems. To improve the real-time response of servo control, a real-time Xenomai kernel has been compiled, adopted, and tested, and it showed significant enhancement of the real time of a servo motion control system. Furthermore, we explore trajectory planning and inverse kinematic solutions. A trajectory planning method based on B-spline interpolation of three degrees, which makes each part of the trajectory planning curve have relative independence and continuity, is proposed for the kinematic trajectory planning problem in Cartesian space. A coordinate system is established using the modified D-H parameters method to obtain the inverse kinematics of the manipulator. The simulation and experimental results show that the calculation speed of inverse solutions is excellent and the motion of the manipulator is continuous and smooth.
Research on Innovation Knowledge Spillover Effect of China’s High-Tech Industry R&D-Base on Multidimensional Spatial Weight Matrices
Authors: Zhang Xiuwu , Liu Chengkun ,   School of Statistics, Huaqiao University No.668 Jimei Avenue, Jimei District, Xiamen 361021, China,   School of Economics and Finance, Huaqiao University No.269, Chenghua North Road, Fengze District, Quanzhou 362021, China
Published: July 2018

Based on the panel data of R&D activities of the provincial high-tech industry in China from 1998 to 2014, this paper adopts the spatial weight matrix of different dimensions including geographical distance, technical distance, economic distance, proximity distance, and human capital distance, to construct a spatial econometric model to analyze the knowledge spillover effects of R&D activities through both local and transnational routes. The results show that in the case of spatial auto-correlation of the dependent variables, the results of the spatial panel model are more accurate and reliable than those obtained by the conventional panel model. The spatial coefficients of the spatial econometric model based on five different spatial weight matrices are all very significant, and there is a clear spatial correlation between the R&D activities of high-tech industries in different regions. Labor input and exports have a positive impact on innovation output, but the introduction of technology will hinder independent innovation in China’s high-tech industry, and the impact of capital investment to innovation output is uncertain, as it closely relates to the set of models. In addition, the space knowledge spillover effect through the local approach is larger than that produced by the transnational route.
Conditional Distribution Prediction of Stock Returns and its Application on Risk Aversion Analysis
Authors: Yao Yanyun , Xu Bing ,   Research Institute of Economic Statistics and Quantitative Economics, Zhejiang Gongshang University 18 Xuezheng Road, Xiasha University Town, Hangzhou 310018, China,   Department of Mathematics, Shaoxing University 900 Chengnan Avenue, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing 312000, China
Published: July 2018

Distribution prediction provides a complete description of forecasting uncertainty, which is of great significance to risk management. In this paper, the parametric method based on GARCH and the nonparametric method based on EWMA are both employed to model the conditional distributions of the SHCI and SZCI returns in Chinese stock market. As a result, the nonparametric method is better from the perspective of quantile evaluation. Furthermore, a simulated trading strategy based on time-varying quantiles is designed to analyze the trading yields of different levels of risk aversion. For the whole sample, compared with the buy-and-hold, SHCI has a higher profit in lower risk aversion and SZCI has higher profit only in a very narrow range when compared with the buy-and-hold strategy. In addition, the impact of IF:CSI 300 is considered. For the sub sample, before the emergence of IF:CSI 300, only a few investors with high risk aversion are able to achieve higher earnings from SHCI and there is hardly any opportunity for higher profit from SZCI. However, for the sub sample after the emergence of IF:CSI 300, many risk lovers and risk neutral investors have the opportunity to gain more profit than under the buy-and-hold strategy, both for SHCI and SZCI. The aforementioned conclusions imply that IF:CSI 300 may enhance Chinese stock market activity and liquidity and create more opportunities for investors who are not risk averse.
Time Series Prediction of Tropical Storm Trajectory Using Self-Organizing Incremental Neural Networks and Error Evaluation
Authors: Kim Wonjik , Hasegawa Osamu ,   Department of Systems and Control Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology 2-12-1-S5-22 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan,   Department of Systems and Control Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology 4259-J3-13 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan,   SOINN Inc. Cureindo-building 405, 8-4-30 Tsuruma, Machida, Tokyo 194-0004, Japan
Published: July 2018

This study proposes a route prediction method using a self-organizing incremental neural network. The route trajectory is predicted from two location parameters (the latitude and longitude of the middle of a tropical storm) and the meteorological information (the atmospheric pressure). The method accurately predicted the normalized atmospheric pressure data of East Asia in the topological space of latitude and longitude, with low calculation cost. This paper explains the algorithms for training the self-organizing incremental neural network, the procedure for refining the datasets and the method for predicting the storm trajectory. The effectiveness of the proposed method was confirmed in experiments. With the results of experiments, possibility of prediction model improvement is discussed. Additionally, this paper explains the limitations of proposed method and brief solution to resolve. Although the proposed method was applied only to typhoon phenomena in the present study, it is potentially applicable to a wide range of global problems.
Research on Pattern Representation Based on Keyword and Word Embedding in Chinese Entity Relation Extraction
Authors: Ye Feiyue ,   School of Computer Engineering and Science, Shanghai University 99 Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai 200444, China, Qin Zhentao
Published: July 2018

With the rapid development of the Internet, it is becoming more and more important to extract the relationship between the entity from the massive network text and then to build the knowledge graph or the knowledge base. In this paper, we focus on the research of the pattern representation in relation extraction, and extract the high accuracy Chinese entity pairs from large scale web texts. Past relation patterns only consider shallow lexical and syntax, not accurately and deeply express pattern context information, and do not consider keywords information. According to the new entity relation extraction technology and the characteristics of Chinese corpora, we define pattern representation based on keywords and word embedding information, extract deep semantic feature of context information, and strengthen keywords information effect for relation extraction. In addition, we propose a method for obtaining sentence keyword based on word embedding. In the experiment, we use ChineseHudongEncyclopedia corpus to implement the character relation extraction system, and test the character relation extraction effect. The experimental results show that this method effectively improves the quality of the pattern, and obtains a favorable relation extraction performance.
Fault Tolerant Predictive Control Based on Discrete-Time Sliding Mode Observer for Quadrotor UAV
Authors: Shu Qibao ,   College of Automation Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics No.29 Jiangjun Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing 211106, China, Yang Pu , Wang Yuxia , Ma Ben
Published: July 2018

An active fault-tolerant control scheme for a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with actuators faults is presented in this paper. The proposed scheme is based on model predictive control (MPC) and the discrete-time sliding mode observer. Considering the impact of disturbances on fault diagnosis, a discrete-time sliding mode observer with simple structure and strong robustness against the disturbances is designed to isolate the actuator faults and estimate the control effectiveness factors accurately. Using the fault diagnosis information, a model predictive active fault tolerant controller with embedded integrator is proposed to compensate parameter uncertainty and bounded disturbances in the realistic control system of the quadrotor. The advantages of the proposed control scheme are the ability of dealing with the control constraints, improving the fault-tolerant control precision and getting better real-time and anti-interference performance. The algorithm comparison experimental results on the quadrotor semi-physical simulation platform validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Analyzing Potential of Personal Values-Based User Modeling for Long Tail Item Recommendation
Authors: Takama Yasufumi ,   Graduate School of System Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University 6-6 Asahigaoka, Hino, Tokyo 191-0065, Japan, Chen Yu-Sheng , Misawa Ryori , Ishikawa Hiroshi
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the potential of personal values-based user modeling for long tail item recommendation. Long tail items are defined as those which are not popular but are preferred by small numbers of specific users. Although recommending long tail items to relevant users is beneficial for both the providers and consumers of such items, it is known to be a challenge for most recommendation algorithms. In particular, a long tail item is one that would be purchased and/or rated by a small number of users, so it is difficult to predict its rating accurately. This paper assumes that the influence of personal values becomes more obvious when users evaluate long tail items, and examines it through offline experiment. The Rating Matching Rate (RMRate) has been proposed in order to incorporate users’ personal values into recommender systems. As the RMRate models personal values as the weight of an item’s attribute, it is easy to incorporate into existing recommendation algorithms. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of long tail item recommendation; Experimental result shows that personal values-based user modeling can recommend less popular items while maintaining precision.
LITERASI INFORMASI SEJAK DINI: PENGETAHUAN BARU BAGI ANAK USIA DINI
Authors: Riady Yasir
Published: July 2018

The golden age of children aged 0 to 8 years is a phase in which children begin to know the world and will determine how it will grow, develop, live and move on through life. This step of life will take place only once in human life, as well as the growth rate of rapid growth to reach about 50 % the capacity of the human intellect has occurred when the age of 4 years, 80 % occurred when the age of 8, and 100 % when the child reaches the age of 8-18 years, means such a vulnerable age in the elementary age child development. One of the things that must be understood for the development of early childhood literacy is the ability of information that must be developed early on, it can help children to have the skills and ability to identify, locate, evaluate, organize and effectively create new knowledge, use it and communicate it in a series of problem solving at hand. This paper describes the importance of information literacy as an initial stage for the child to progress in his new knowledge, the organization of early childhood education by looking at the quality and the added ability to make information literacy prior knowledge of the child so that the child develops to become intelligent, wise and noble.
Analysis on the Effect of Deposits and Financing on The Net Income (SHU) at KPN Al Ikhlas IAIN Batusangkar
Authors: Rizal R. , David D. , Fitri Sri Adella , Ramadanis R.
Published: July 2018

Cooperative is an institution founded by and for the members with the purpose to prosper the members with maximum achievement of outcome. The phenomenon that happened in Sharia civil servant cooperative Al-Ikhlas in IAIN Batusangkar from year of 2015 until the closing book in 2016, shows that member deposits and financing toward members has increased. Meanwhile, the net income is decreased. This phenomenon is interesting to investigate because it seems like the increasing of deposits and financing do not influence the net income. Consequently, This research aims to analysis the effect of deposit, such as special obligatory deposit, financing deposit and financing simultaneously and partially towards net income (SHU) at sharia civil servant cooperative (KPN) Al Ikhlas IAIN Batusangkar. This is a field research with quantitative approach during the year of 2015 and 2016 as the secondary data. The Result of this research shows that partially, merely financing that has effect towards net income (SHU) with significance level accost 6% that is 0.059 on wald value in the amount of 3,561.While basic contribution, obligatory deposit, special obligatory deposit, financing deposit have no significant effect on net income (SHU). Furhtermore, the amount of basic contribution effect, obligatory deposit effect, special obligatory deposit effect, financing deposit and financing simultaneously on net income (SHU) is 57.2%, while the remaining 42.8% is influenced by other factors that not examined in this research. It is suggested to the management of this sharia cooperative to find out another halal finance to increase financing so it can increase net income such as increasing member participation by gaining the amount of deposits. 
Brief Standing Desk Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior at a Physical Activity Conference in 2016
Authors: Wilson Jason J. , Adlakha Deepti , Cunningham Conor , Best Paul , Cardwell Chris R. , Stephenson Aoife , Murphy Marie H. , Tully Mark A.
Published: July 2018

Objectives. To examine the impact of environmental restructuring on attendees at a physical activity conference when provided with standing tables and given point-of-decision prompts (PODPs; e.g., health messages).

Methods. This randomized controlled trial took place at the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Europe 2016 conference in Belfast, United Kingdom, September 2016. We randomly allocated 14 oral sessions to either the intervention group (standing tables + PODPs; n = 7) or the control group (PODPs only; n = 7). Conference volunteers discreetly recorded the number of attendees standing and sitting and estimated the number of women and attendees aged 40 years or older.

Results. There was a significant difference (P = .04) in the proportion of attendees standing during the intervention (mean = 16.8%; SD = 9.5%) than during control sessions (mean = 6.0%; SD = 5.8%). There was no differential response between gender and age groups in the proportion standing during intervention sessions (P > .05).

Conclusions. Providing standing tables may be a feasible and effective strategy to reduce sitting at physical activity conferences.
Open Defecation Sites, Unmet Sanitation Needs, and Potential Sanitary Risks in Atlanta, Georgia, 2017–2018
Authors: Capone Drew , Ferguson Anna , Gribble Matthew O. , Brown Joe
Published: July 2018

Objectives. To survey the spatial distribution and enteric pathogen profile of discarded human feces in the city of Atlanta, Georgia.

Methods. After defining priority search areas in central Atlanta, we conducted 5 searches of open defecation sites totaling 15 hours during the period from October 2017 to January 2018. We collected fresh stools for analysis via multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to identify presence of 15 common parasitic, bacterial, and viral enteric pathogens.

Results. We identified and mapped 39 open defecation sites containing 118 presumptive human stools; 23% of the 26 collected fresh stools tested positive for 1 or more pathogens. An estimated 12% of stools were positive for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, 7.7% for Giardia spp., 3.8% for norovirus, and 3.8% for Salmonella spp. The majority (92%) of identified open defecation sites were within 400 meters of a shelter or soup kitchen.

Conclusions. Though this study was constrained by a small sample size, results suggest that open defecation in Atlanta is common and may pose risks to public health.

Public Health Implications. Open defecation may pose health risks to people experiencing homelessness and the general public.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Initiation for Adolescents Following Rhode Island’s School-Entry Requirement, 2010–2016
Authors: Thompson Erika L. , Livingston Melvin D. , Daley Ellen M. , Zimet Gregory D.
Published: July 2018

Objectives. To assess changes in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine initiation for adolescent girls and boys in Rhode Island compared with all other states.

Methods. We estimated the gender-specific effects of Rhode Island’s school-entry HPV vaccination policy on self-reported HPV vaccination initiation by using a difference-in-differences design with the National Immunization Survey–Teen from 2010 through 2016.

Results. Compared with boys in other states, boys in Rhode Island increased their HPV vaccine initiation rate by 11% (b = 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.05, 0.18) after enactment of the requirement. No difference was seen in the probability of HPV vaccine initiation among girls in Rhode Island compared with girls in the multistate control (b = −0.01; 95% CI = −0.08, 0.05).

Conclusions. Our analysis identified an 11% increase in HPV vaccine initiation rate among boys in Rhode Island after the school-entry requirement was enacted, whereas no significant change was observed for girls.

Public Health Implications. Given suboptimal vaccine uptake rates in the United States, continued pursuit of state-level public policy to improve HPV vaccination is needed. School-entry requirements for HPV vaccination may be a strategy for closing the gap in HPV vaccine uptake for boys and girls.
Clinical Evaluation of Synovial Alpha Defensin and Synovial C-Reactive Protein in the Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Stone William Z. , Gray Chancellor F. , Parvataneni Hari K. , Al-Rashid Mamun , Vlasak Richard G. , Horodyski MaryBeth , Prieto Hernan A.
Published: July 2018

Background:

Diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection after total joint arthroplasty is often challenging. The alpha defensin test has been recently reported as a promising diagnostic test for periprosthetic joint infection. The goal of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of alpha defensin testing.

Methods:

One hundred and eighty-three synovial alpha defensin and synovial fluid C-reactive protein (CRP) tests performed in 183 patients undergoing evaluation for periprosthetic joint infection were reviewed. Results were compared with the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria for periprosthetic joint infection.

Results:

Alpha defensin tests were performed prior to surgical treatment for infection, and 37 of these patients who had these tests were diagnosed by MSIS criteria as having infections. Among this group, the alpha defensin test had a sensitivity of 81.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.8% to 92.0%) and a specificity of 95.9% (95% CI, 91.3% to 98.5%). There were 6 false-positive results, 4 of which were associated with metallosis. There were 7 false negatives, all of which were associated with either draining sinuses (n = 3) or low-virulence organisms (n = 4). A combined analysis of alpha defensin and synovial fluid CRP tests was performed in which a positive result was represented by a positive alpha defensin test and a positive synovial fluid CRP test (n = 28). Among this group, the sensitivity was calculated to be 73.0% (95% CI, 55.9% to 86.2%) and the specificity was calculated to be 99.3% (95% CI, 96.2% to 99.9%). An additional combined analysis was performed where a positive result was represented by a positive alpha defensin test or positive synovial fluid CRP test (n = 64). Among this group, the sensitivity was calculated to be 91.9% (95% CI, 78.1% to 98.3%) and the specificity was calculated to be 79.5% (95% CI, 72.0% to 85.7%).

Conclusions:

Alpha defensin in combination with synovial fluid CRP demonstrates very high sensitivity for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection, but may yield false-positive results in the presence of metallosis or false-negative results in the presence of low-virulence organisms. When both alpha defensin and synovial fluid CRP tests are positive, there is a very high specificity for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection.

Level of Evidence:

Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes of Radial Osteotomy and Nonoperative Treatment for Kienböck Disease
Authors: Shin Young Ho , Kim Jae Kwang , Han Minkyu , Lee Tae Kyoon , Yoon Jun O
Published: July 2018

Background:

Radial osteotomy has shown favorable clinical results for early to advanced stages of Kienböck disease. However, it is not clear whether this technique could change the natural course of the disease, or whether its clinical results are actually superior to those of nonoperative treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare radial osteotomy with nonoperative treatment in terms of long-term radiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with Kienböck disease.

Methods:

We systematically reviewed retrospective studies of radial osteotomy and nonoperative treatment for Kienböck disease with long-term follow-up (mean of ≥10 years). A systematic search was conducted across 3 databases (CENTRAL, PubMed, and Embase) and relevant articles were selected. Data regarding patient demographics, treatment details, and radiographic and clinical outcomes were abstracted from the selected studies.

Results:

Seventeen studies (5 of nonoperative treatment and 12 of radial osteotomy) were included. Before treatment, the mean age of patients and mean proportion of wrists with Lichtman stage III or higher were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Neither the mean proportion of wrists that showed worsening of the Lichtman stage after treatment nor the proportion that showed no change in the stage were significantly different between the 2 groups. However, the mean proportion of wrists that had more than moderate pain at the time of final follow-up was significantly lower in the radial osteotomy group (5.7%; range, 0% to 18.2%) than in the nonoperative treatment group (23.2%; range, 17.4% to 35.3%). In addition, the total arc of wrist motion at the time of final follow-up was significantly greater in the radial osteotomy group (107.4° ± 10.0°; range, 93.0° to 126.0°) than in the nonoperative treatment group (88.8° ± 13.2°; range, 68.5° to 103.5°).

Conclusions:

Systematic review of long-term follow-up studies showed that radial osteotomy was not superior to nonoperative treatment in terms of disease progression according to the Lichtman stage. Nevertheless, radial osteotomy was reported to have better outcomes with respect to the extent of pain and range of wrist motion.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Prospective Evaluation of Patient-Reported Opioid Utilization After Nonoperative Treatment of Fractures and Dislocations
Authors: Zhu Hongyi , Gao Yanchun , Zhang Changqing , Zheng Xianyou
Published: July 2018

Background:

Prescription of opioid analgesics is currently a common practice to relieve pain for musculoskeletal injuries in many regions of the world, especially in the United States and Canada. However, overprescription may underlie opioid misuse. Details on the utilization of prescribed opioids after nonoperative treatment of fractures and dislocations and whether consumption is related to injury location are unknown.

Methods:

A total of 1,513 consecutive patients in China who underwent nonoperative treatment of a fracture and/or dislocation and who were prescribed opioids were studied over a 3-month period. Demographic information, alcohol consumption, smoking status, injury location, volume of prescription, and consumption patterns were recorded and were summarized.

Results:

The mean number of opioid pills prescribed was 14.7, and the mean patient-reported number of pills consumed was 7.2. Overall, 152 patients (10.0%) reported taking no prescribed opioid analgesics, and 924 patients (61.1%) ceased their prescribed opioids prior to completing the regimen. Injury location, alcohol consumption, and type of fracture or dislocation were all significantly associated with the patient-reported number of opioid pills consumed (p < 0.05). Patients with fracture and/or dislocation of the wrist or forearm (9.4 pills for 3.8 days); ankle, tibia, or fibula (9.3 pills for 3.7 days); or elbow or humerus (9.1 pills for 3.7 days) used more opioid pills compared with patients with injuries at other locations (not exceeding 6.4 pills and 3 days). When compared with patients who had no, low, or moderate daily alcohol consumption, there was more opioid use in patients with high daily alcohol consumption (8.5 pills for 3.4 days) and those with very high daily alcohol consumption (11.3 pills for 4.7 days). Patients with a dislocation and/or displaced fracture reported consuming 8.2 pills for 3.3 days, which was more than the consumption in patients with a nondisplaced fracture (6.2 pills for 2.5 days) and patients with an avulsion fracture (6.2 pills for 2.5 days).

Conclusions:

Surgeons and patients should try to avoid opioids if possible after nonoperatively treated fractures and dislocations. If opioids are used, surgeons should prescribe the smallest dose for the shortest time after considering the injury location and type of fracture or dislocation.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Updating the Coupling Algorithm between HYDRUS and MODFLOW in the HYDRUS Package for MODFLOW
Authors: Beegum Sahila , Šimůnek Jiří , Szymkiewicz Adam , Sudheer K.P. , Nambi Indumathi M.
Published: July 2018

Core Ideas

The coupling algorithm between HYDRUS‐1D and MODFLOW is updated.

Pressure head profiles are updated based on the groundwater table and bottom flux after each time step.

This eliminates sudden variations in inflow and outflow fluxes with groundwater table changes.

The HYDRUS‐based flow package for MODFLOW (the HPM or the HYDRUS package) is an existing unsaturated zone flow package for MODFLOW. In MODFLOW with the HPM, the groundwater modeling domain is discretized into regular grids that can be combined into multiple zones based on similarities in soil hydrology, topographical characteristics, and the depth to the groundwater. Each of these zones is assigned one unsaturated soil profile (the HPM profile). In this model, after every MODFLOW time step, the flux at the bottom of the HPM profile is given as an input recharge flux to MODFLOW. MODFLOW simulates groundwater flow, and the water table depth at the end of the MODFLOW time step is assigned as the bottom boundary condition in the HPM profile. The current coupling algorithm assumes that the groundwater table in the HPM profile remains constant throughout the entire MODFLOW time step. This results in unrealistic sudden inflow and/or outflow fluxes at the bottom of the HPM profile after every time step. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology to eliminate the error in the determination of the recharge flux at the bottom of the HPM profile. This was achieved by updating or modifying the pressure head profile in the HPM profile after every MODFLOW time step. The effectiveness and the applicability of the new coupling algorithm were evaluated using different case studies. The new coupling algorithm is effective in eliminating unrealistic sudden variations in the bottom flux in the HPM profiles.
Fintech platforms in SME’s financing: EU experience and ways of their application in Ukraine
Authors: Ivashchenko Alla , Britchenko Igor , Dyba Mykhailo , Polishchuk Yevheniia , Sybirianska Yuliia , Vasylyshen Yurii
Published: July 2018

The main aim of the given research is to develop an appropriate approach for creation of information FinTech platform with the EU standards compliance mainly for SMEs in order to support innovativeness of SMEs, improve their access to finance and simplify different financial processes. The authors defined the main features of FinTech platforms underlining types of FinTech, its participants and the most influential factors. The main trends of FinTech platforms development in the EU countries, such as the level of investment, impact of EU FinTech platforms on the global scale, features of investments into B2B FinTech, were determined. It was considered that in Ukraine, some positive changes in legislation were adopted, but the challenges like lack of finance, slow adoption of innovations in the financial market, not sufficient clarity of legislation remain among the main constraints for further development of FinTech platforms in Ukraine. The conducted analysis on the level of FinTech types performance by Ukrainian platforms showed only the great share of digital payments and money transfers, while other modern innovative FinTech instruments should not be underestimated for proper FinTech application in Ukraine. For this purpose, the authors have developed the Information Platform on Support for SMEs’ Innovations that consolidates interests of both SMEs and scientists. To determine both the SMEs’ opinion about the necessity of a particular Internet platform for them and the types of services that could be provided by the sme-sci.com platform, the authors conducted a survey in which 374 medium-sized and 380 small businesses took part. The results of the survey that are presented in the article confirm the necessity of the Information Platform on Support for SMEs’ Innovations and demand for it from the SMEs. Finally, the result of the research proves that such a unique informational platform as sme-sci. com that will serve as an interactive field for exchanging ideas and information of both representatives of scientific and business world is of great importance.
A Dupla Função das Ideologias a Partir das Contribuições de Lukács e Lefebvre
Authors: Oviedo Carlos Fernando Torres
Published: July 2018

Apresenta-se uma reflexão teórica que propõe um ponto de convergência analítica sobre as ideologias como artefatos abstratos que têm - de modo simultâneo - duas funções práticas: 1) afastar a consciência humana do ser social (no plano das idéias) e, 2) organizar a vida cotidiana (no plano real concreto). Assim, propõe-se superar tanto a concepção neutra e subjetivista das ideologias como visão de mundo, quanto o critério gnosiológico para defini-las. Desse modo, destacam-se ao mesmo tempo a crítica ontológica e a critica à vida cotidiana, como duas dimensões de análise que permitem entender as ideologias de modo inseparável da ação do ser humano na sociedade de classes.
Attitude towards Safe Driving Scale (ASDS-46) as a Predictor of Young Adult Quality Of Life
Authors: Masuri Mohamad Ghazali , Dahlan Akehsan , Danis Ajau , Md Isa Khairil Anuar
Published: July 2018

Driving is an essential component in our daily life and it relationships with quality of life (QoL) shows very limited evidence. The aim of this study is to develop an assessment scale related with the driving attitude among Malay young adult from all over Malaysia, which had multiple socio-demographic backgrounds. The validity and reliability test for item and person value using Rasch model shows .80, followed by .84 Cronbach’s Alpha value. This study would strongly recommend that the use of Attitude towards Safe Driving Scale (ASDS) has a great potential as a predictor to understand human respond and their QoL.
Melaka Streetscape Evolution: The six years journey
Authors: Said Shahrul Yani , Samadi Zalina
Published: July 2018

The study looks at the six years changes made to the streetscape of Melaka to adapt to the requirement of a better quality of life for the occupants. The different approach to regeneration scheme of Melaka could provide insight into modern demands for the city. The idea of integrating all the streets within the historic core area to form a synchronised pedestrian route system is plausible as it will help the users to experience the historic area as a whole may portray the trend of local economic growth and provide opportunities for improvement of the area.
The Perak Malays Sub-Ethnic Hard and Soft Landscape Elements: An overview
Authors: Zakaria Ahmad Zamil , Ahmad Syazwani , Abd Rashid Mohd Sabrizaa
Published: July 2018

The Malay community in the Malay Archipelago has various sub-ethnics. The aim of this study was to identify the traditional elements of each sub-ethnic of the Malay community in Perak. The objective is to determine softscape and hardscape that is still used by sub-ethnic of the Malay community in Perak. This study has focused on the results of previous research findings that are relevant to the "user preference" of soft and hard landscape elements used by the Perak Malay community. This research can be promoted and help in the process of designing a model of Perak Malay garden design concept.
End of Life, Withdrawal, and Palliative Care Utilization among Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis Therapy
Authors: Chen Joy Chieh-Yu , Thorsteinsdottir Bjorg , Vaughan Lisa E. , Feely Molly A. , Albright Robert C. , Onuigbo Macaulay , Norby Suzanne M. , Gossett Christy L. , D’Uscio Margaret M. , Williams Amy W. , Dillon John J. , Hickson LaTonya J.
Published: July 2018

Background and objectives

Withdrawal from maintenance hemodialysis before death has become more common because of high disease and treatment burden. The study objective was to identify patient factors and examine the terminal course associated with hemodialysis withdrawal, and assess patterns of palliative care involvement before death among patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We designed an observational cohort study of adult patients on incident hemodialysis in a midwestern United States tertiary center, from January 2001 to November 2013, with death events through to November 2015. Logistic regression models evaluated associations between patient characteristics and withdrawal status and palliative care service utilization.

Results

Among 1226 patients, 536 died and 262 (49% of 536) withdrew. A random sample (10%; 52 out of 536) review of Death Notification Forms revealed 73% sensitivity for withdrawal. Risk factors for withdrawal before death included older age, white race, palliative care consultation within 6 months, hospitalization within 30 days, cerebrovascular disease, and no coronary artery disease. Most withdrawal decisions were made by patients (60%) or a family member (33%; surrogates). The majority withdrew either because of acute medical complications (51%) or failure to thrive/frailty (22%). After withdrawal, median time to death was 7 days (interquartile range, 4–11). In-hospital deaths were less common in the withdrawal group (34% versus 46% nonwithdrawal, P=0.003). A third (34%; 90 out of 262) of those that withdrew received palliative care services. Palliative care consultation in the withdrawal group was associated with longer hemodialysis duration (odds ratio, 1.19 per year; 95% confidence interval, 1.10 to 1.3; P<0.001), hospitalization within 30 days of death (odds ratio, 5.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.62 to 12.73; P<0.001), and death in hospital (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 3.27; P=0.02).

Conclusions

In this single-center study, the rate of hemodialysis withdrawals were twice the frequency previously described. Acute medical complications and frailty appeared to be driving factors. However, palliative care services were used in only a minority of patients.