bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Eulerian Bin and Lagrangian Particle-Based Microphysics in Simulations of Nonprecipitating Cumulus
Authors: Grabowski Wojciech W.
Published: September 2020

A single nonprecipitating cumulus congestus setup is applied to compare droplet spectra grown by the diffusion of water vapor in Eulerian bin and particle-based Lagrangian microphysics schemes. Bin microphysics represent droplet spectral evolution applying the spectral density function. In the Lagrangian microphysics, computational particles referred to as superdroplets are followed in time and space with each superdroplet representing a multiplicity of natural cloud droplets. The same cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activation and identical representation of the droplet diffusional growth allow the comparison. The piggybacking method is used with the two schemes operating in a single simulation, one scheme driving the dynamics and the other one piggybacking the simulated flow. Piggybacking allows point-by-point comparison of droplet spectra predicted by the two schemes. The results show the impact of inherent limitations of the two microphysics simulation methods, numerical diffusion in the Eulerian scheme and a limited number of superdroplets in the Lagrangian scheme. Numerical diffusion in the Eulerian scheme results in a more dilution of the cloud upper half and thus smaller cloud droplet mean radius. The Lagrangian scheme typically has larger spatial fluctuations of droplet spectral properties. A significantly larger mean spectral width in the bin microphysics across the entire cloud depth is the largest difference between the two schemes. A fourfold increase of the number of superdroplets per grid volume and a twofold increase of the spectral resolution and thus the number of bins have small impact on the results and provide only minor changes to the comparison between simulated cloud properties.
Prophylactic Inferior Vena Cava Filters
Authors: Elkbuli Adel , Ehrhardt John D. , Kinslow Kyle , McKenney Mark
Published: September 2020

Background

Patients with major trauma and contraindications to anticoagulation are often considered candidates for a prophylactic inferior vena cava filter (IVCF). Prophylactic IVCFs are controversial in trauma and backed by varying levels of evidence. This study aims to analyze outcomes in severely injured patients who receive IVCFs.

Methods

A retrospective review of trauma patients aged ≥ 16 years with ISS ≥ 15 admitted to our level 1 trauma center from years 2013 through 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups: prophylactic IVCF versus VTE chemoprophylaxis. The analysis evaluated demographics, stratified by ISS (15-24, 25-34, ≥35), and subgrouped those with AIS-Head ≥3. Adjusted outcome measures included DVT, PE, mortality, and ICU length-of-stay (ICU-LOS).

Results

The study sample included 413 patients with prophylactic IVCFs and 2487 on VTE chemoprophylaxis. IVCF placement was associated with higher severity injuries: ISS 28 versus 25 and lower GCS 10.0 versus 11.8, TBI prevalence 83% versus 68% ( P < .001). Patients with IVCFs had increased ICU-LOS (23.2 days vs 12.2 days), DVT (14.8% vs 4.3%), and PE (5.8% vs 1.6%) for patients with ISS <35 ( P < .001). ISS ≥35 was not associated with intergroup DVT or PE rate differences ( P = .81 and .43). No intergroup mortality differences were observed, including after ISS stratification. Among patients with AIS-Head ≥3, prophylactic IVCF was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (8.4% vs 15.7%, P = .001).

Conclusions

Prophylactic IVCF placement was associated with higher rates of DVT and nonfatal PE, and prolonged ICU-LOS. Prophylactic IVCF placement was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality for severely injured trauma patients. Among patients with concomitant critical head injuries (AIS-Head ≥3), prophylactic IVCF placement was associated with lower in-hospital mortality than VTE chemoprophylaxis.
Contextual Effects of Immigrant Presence on Populist Radical Right Support: Testing the “Halo Effect” on Front National Voting in France
Authors: Evans Jocelyn , Ivaldi Gilles
Published: September 2020

This paper examines the relationship between immigration and populist radical right (PRR) support, based on an analysis of the contextual effects of immigrant presence on Front National vote in France in 2017. Using a unique set of survey data geolocalising respondents at the subcommunal level, it finds evidence for the existence of a curvilinear “halo effect,” with substantial increases in the probability of PRR vote in areas surrounding communities with significantly higher-than-average immigrant populations, and independent of other socio-economic context, as well as individual socio-demographic characteristics. Most importantly, a path analysis confirms the presence of individual attitudinal mediators of this halo effect on PRR vote, thus testing the foundation of the halo, namely that the contextual effects of immigrant presence act on attitudes which drive PRR support. These findings provide a significant step forward in understanding the mechanisms linking subjective experience of immigration with voting for the populist radical right.
Sliding mode fault-tolerant control for Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems with local nonlinear models: Application to inverted pendulum and cart system
Authors: Hmidi Riadh , Ben Brahim Ali , Dhahri Slim , Ben Hmida Fayçal , Sellami Anis
Published: September 2020

This paper proposes fault-tolerant control design for uncertain nonlinear systems described under Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems with local nonlinear models that satisfy the Lipschitz condition. First, by transforming sensor faults as ‘pseudo-actuator’ faults, an adaptive sliding mode observer is designed in order to simultaneously estimate system states, actuator and sensor faults despite the presence of norm-bounded uncertainties. Second, an adaptive sliding mode controller is suggested to provide a solution to stabilize the closed-loop system, even in the event of simultaneous occurrence of faults in actuators and sensors. Next, the main objective of the fault-tolerant control strategy is to compensate for the effects of fault based on the feedback information. Therefore, using the LMI optimization method, sufficient conditions are developed with [Formula: see text] to calculate the gains of the observer and the controller. Then, particular attention is paid to the simultaneous maximization, by convex multi-objective optimization, of the Lipschitz nonlinear constant in Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy modelling and uncertainties attenuation level. The results of the simulation illustrate the effectiveness of our fault-tolerant control approach using a nonlinear inverted pendulum with a cart system.
Effect of elevated temperature on solid waste shear strength and landfill slope stability
Authors: Shi Jianyong , Shu Shi , Ai Yingbo , Jiang Zhaoqi , Li Yuping , Xu Gaojie
Published: September 2020

Slope instability occurs in landfills owing to increased internal temperatures. However, strength characteristic tests for solid waste (SW) and landfill slope stability (SS) calculations that consider temperature variations are scarce in the literature. In this study, we conducted triaxial tests on SW under a range of temperature conditions and proposed the circular slide method (CSM) for calculating SS in consideration of temperature effects. SW cohesion decreased linearly with increasing temperature, whereas the internal friction angle remained essentially unchanged. Our results showed that higher temperatures reduced the SW shear strength, changing the most dangerous sliding arc away from the slope toe. The landfill slope safety factor decreased by more than 20% with an increase of the maximum temperature from 20°C to 50°C. Reduction of the leachate level (LL) led to a decrease in the landfill high-temperature zone and the safety factor increased according to LL and temperature distribution. If cooling pipes are used to control the SW temperature, we recommend arranging the cooling pipes on the landfill liner. The proposed CSM can be used to analyse landfill SS.
Rapid development of a Clinical Decision-Making Committee in a UK paediatric hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Turnock Rick , Weston Will , Murdock Nicki , Alghrani Amel , Mallucci Conor , Selby Andrew , Darbyshire Andy , Hughes Adrian
Published: September 2020

To date, the Government has not issued any national ethical guidance to support clinical decision-making in England during periods of potentially reduced healthcare resources in the context of the evolving COVID-19 1 pandemic at the time of writing. In the ensuing vacuum left by a lack of national guidance, ethical frameworks and approaches have been drafted by professional bodies, individual hospitals and trusts. It is clear that in delivering healthcare during this pandemic, more specific guidance is needed to ensure fair and consistent allocation policies, to attain public trust and confidence and to support clinicians so that decisions do not fall on them to make alone and unsupported. This article sets out how we in our institution, a UK tertiary and secondary level stand-alone paediatric provider Trust, set up a Clinical Decision-Making Committee to inform proactive clinical and ethical decision-making, to ensure that all patients are treated appropriately and fairly during these unprecedented times.
Hospital Readmissions in Hospice Patients: Evaluation of Medication-Related Causes for Readmission
Authors: DeAngelis Joanna , Lowry Maria Felton
Published: September 2020

Context:

Hospital readmissions, frequent medication changes, and polypharmacy are common issues for hospice patients. It is important to consider if close monitoring of medications by pharmacists could help these patients avoid hospital readmissions.

Objective:

The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence and types of medication-related problems that contributed to hospital readmissions from hospice settings.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted from October 1, 2018 to January 31, 2020. Patients admitted from hospice settings (i.e. Home, ALF, LTCF) and who were seen by the palliative care teams at 9 Maryland and Washington DC MedStar hospitals were included. Demographic information was collected: age, gender, race, primary hospice diagnosis, prognosis determined by provider prior to hospice disposition, reason for readmission, and medication list at readmission. The primary outcomes were the incidence and types of medication-related problems. Secondary outcomes included patient characteristics associated with readmission, and classes/number of medications changed before readmission. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data.

Results:

Seventy-five hospice patients were readmitted and seen by palliative care during the study period. Forty-three patients (57%) were found to have medication-related problems at readmission. The most common problem identified was needing additional drug therapy. Dose too low, dose too high, incorrect drugs, adverse drug reactions, and non-adherence were also identified. Additional reasons for readmission were: unanticipated new medical issue (n = 46, 61%) and uncontrolled symptoms (n = 34, 34%).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that deprescribing practices possibly contributeto readmissions from hospice settings.
The Structure of Distress Tolerance and Neighboring Emotion Regulation Abilities
Authors: Conway Christopher C. , Naragon-Gainey Kristin , Harris Molly T.
Published: September 2020

Distress tolerance has fuzzy boundaries with neighboring emotion regulation abilities. In the present study, we probed the structure of this domain and examined its link to emotional disorder outcomes. We recruited mental health patient ( ns = 225 and 210) and university student ( n = 1,525) samples to report on diverse components of distress tolerance, emotion dysregulation, experiential avoidance, and anxiety sensitivity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a one-factor model of these individual differences; this broad dimension was closely related to depressive symptoms (standardized effect range = .63 to .74) and suicide risk (.42 to .50), and it was almost perfectly associated with a latent dimension representing borderline personality disorder features (.93-.97). We conclude that a reformulation of this domain—with special attention to discriminant validity—would help understand how distress tolerance is so intimately intertwined with emotional health. The data sets and analysis code for this study are published at https://osf.io/8ab2v/ .
Book review: Biswajit Das (ed). Gandhian Thought and Communication: Rethinking the Mahatma in the Media Age
Authors: Jena Aniruddha
Published: September 2020

Biswajit Das (ed). Gandhian Thought and Communication: Rethinking the Mahatma in the Media Age. New Delhi, India: SAGE Publications, 2020, 271 pp., ₹1,095 (hardback). ISBN 9789353286682.
Adaptive Psychological Distance: A Survival Perceived Temporal Distance Effect
Authors: VanHorn Daniel R.
Published: September 2020

Perceived temporal distance is explored using an evolutionary-functionalist perspective. Participants imagine themselves in one of three future scenarios: a survival scenario, a high-effort scenario, and a low-effort scenario. After imagining themselves in a future scenario, participants make a judgment of perceived temporal distance. Results suggest a survival perceived temporal distance effect (SPTD effect). Participants report the survival scenario feels closer to them in time than the high-effort and low-effort scenarios in experiments using a within-subjects design (Experiment 1) and a between-subjects design (Experiment 2). The perceived temporal closeness of a future survival scenario is highly adaptive as it motivates effective preparation for a future event of great importance. Furthermore, the perceived temporal distance findings reported here taken together with past research on perceived spatial distance illustrate the value of the functional perspective when conducting research on psychological distance. The SPTD effect is likely related to the well-documented survival-processing memory effect and is consistent with research demonstrating the cognitive overlap between remembering past events and imagining future events.
Foraging tempo: Human run patterns in multiple-target search are constrained by the rate of successive responses
Authors: Thornton Ian M , Nguyen Tram TN , Kristjánsson Árni
Published: September 2020

Human foraging tasks are beginning to provide new insights into the roles of vision, attention, and working memory during complex, multiple-target search. Here, we test the idea that “foraging tempo”—the rate of successive target selections—helps determine patterns of behaviour in these tasks. Previously, we established that the majority of target selections during unconstrained foraging happen at regular, rapid intervals, forming the “cruise phase” of a foraging trial. Furthermore, we noted that when the temporal interval between cruise phase responses was longer, the tendency to switch between target categories increased. To directly explore this relationship, we modified our standard iPad foraging task so that observers had to synchronise each response with an auditory metronome signal. Across trials, we increased the tempo and examined how this changed patterns of foraging when targets were defined either by a single feature or by a conjunction of features. The results were very clear. Increasing tempo systematically decreased the tendency for participants to switch between target categories. Although this was true for both feature and conjunction trials, there was also evidence that time constraints and target complexity interacted. As in our previous work, we also observed clear individual differences in how participants responded to changes in task difficulty. Overall, our results show that foraging tempo does influence the way participants respond, and we suggest this parameter may prove to be useful in further explorations of group and individual strategies during multiple-target search.
Relationship between serum prostate-specific antigen and age in cadavers
Authors: Tsuboi Hajime , Miyamori Daisuke , Ishikawa Noboru , Ichioka Hiroaki , Ikegaya Hiroshi
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

An increase in number of unidentified cadavers is a growing problem. To identify these cadavers, a simple objective method is required to estimate cadaveric age. We examined the correlations between postmortem serum prostate-specific antigen levels and cadaveric age to determine whether serum prostate-specific antigen levels can be used in age estimation of unidentified cadavers.

Methods:

Total serum prostate-specific antigen was measured in 140 male autopsy cases aged from 0 to 94 years.

Results:

The serum prostate-specific antigen levels of cadavers correlated with age at death to the same degree as with the age of living individuals (r = 0.393, P < 0.01). Prostate-specific antigen levels also correlated with prostate weight, but not with psoas muscle index and body mass index. Cause of death did not influence postmortem serum prostate-specific antigen levels.

Conclusion:

Age estimation based on prostate-specific antigen provides a simple, objective, and rapid method to determine age at death estimation of cadavers, and is expected to greatly contribute to the identification of cadavers.
Formation of a meningoencephalocele after removal of a frontal lobe meningioma by transfrontal craniotomy in a cat
Authors: Günther Christian , Beckmann Katrin M , Steffen Frank
Published: September 2020

Case summary

A 10-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was referred for surgical treatment of a left-sided frontal lobe meningioma diagnosed by CT. Clinically, the cat had generalised tonic–clonic seizures, which reduced in frequency after treatment was started with prednisolone. After definition of the anatomical landmarks of the feline skull, a bilateral transfrontal craniotomy allowed en bloc removal of the meningioma. While postoperative recovery was uneventful, right-sided proprioceptive deficits were still present 6 months after surgery. MRI detected a probable meningoencephalocele herniating through the surgical bone defect in the frontal sinus. Because of the mild neurological deficits and good quality of life, the meningoencephalocele was not treated. Thirty-one months after meningioma removal the cat was alive without further neurological progression.

Relevance and novel information

To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe, in detail, the technique of transfrontal craniotomy in cats. Iatrogenic meningoencephalocele is a complication that has not previously been described after meningioma removal in cats, and should be considered as a potential complication after craniotomy.
Maximal Axial Vertebral Rotation in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Is the Apical Vertebra the Most Rotated?
Authors: József Kristóf , Schlégl Ádám Tibor , Burkus Máté , Márkus István , O’Sullivan Ian , Than Péter , Csapó Miklós Tunyogi
Published: September 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Objectives:

It is generally believed that the apical vertebra has the largest axial rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. We investigated the relationship between apical axial vertebral rotation (apicalAVR) and maximal axial vertebral rotation (maxAVR) in both major and minor curves using biplanar stereo-imaging.

Methods:

EOS 2D/3D biplanar radiograph images were collected from 332 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angle range 10°-122°, mean age 14.7 years). Based on the X-ray images, with the help of 3D full spine reconstructions Cobb angle, curvature level, apicalAVR and maxAVR were determined. These parameters were also determined for minor curves in Lenke 2, 3, 4, 6 type patients. Maximal thoracic rotation and maximal thoracolumbar/lumbar rotation were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed with descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results:

The apical vertebrae were the most rotated vertebra in only 40.4% of the major curves, and 31.7% in minor curves. MaxAVR significantly exceeded apicalAVR values in the major curves ( P < .001) as well as in minor curves ( P < .001). The 2 parameters differed significantly in each severity group and Lenke type.

Conclusions:

The apical vertebrae were not the most rotated vertebra in more than half of cases investigated indicating that apicalAVR and maxAVR should be considered as 2 distinct parameters, of which maxAVR fully describes the axial dimension of scoliosis. Furthermore, the substitution of maxAVR for the apicalAVR should be especially avoided in double and triple curves, as the apical vertebra was even less commonly the most rotated in minor curves.
Transverse Pedicle Angle Is Associated With Pelvic Incidence and Increased in Lumbar Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Coscia Atticus , Paige Katie , Hostetter Michael , O’Neill Kevin , Coscia Matthew , Coscia Erin , Coscia Michael
Published: September 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective radiographic review.

Objectives:

Investigate and quantify transverse pedicle angle (TPA), the medial-to-lateral pedicle angulation, and its potential association with pelvic incidence (PI) in patients with isthmic lumbar spondylolisthesis (ISLS) and compare to those with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DSLS) and controls.

Methods:

A total of 200 patients (64 ISLS, 70 DSLS, 66 control) were included. TPA was calculated at the L3-5 vertebral levels using axial computed tomography slices. PI was measured on lateral radiographs. Two independent observers completed the measurements. As a sensitivity analysis, TPA was also measured at the most cranial and caudal aspects of the L3-5 vertebral levels of a subset of participants (29 ISLS, 31 DSLS, 35 control) and the cranial to caudal change (ΔTPA) was calculated.

Results:

TPA values (mean ± SD) at L4 and L5 for ISLS (L4: 17.3° ± 3.7°, L5: 26.0° ± 5.2°) were significantly higher than those for the DSLS (L4: 14.3° ± 3.8°, L5: 22.2° ± 5.0°) and control (L4: 14.5° ± 3.9°, L5: 20.7° ± 3.8°) groups. TPA in the DSLS group was significantly higher than controls at L5, but not L4. High PI predicted wider TPA at L5 in both DSLS and ISLS. ΔTPA (mean ± SD) increased sequentially proceeding through the L3-5 spinal levels for the ISLS (L3: 6.8° ± 4.4°, L4: 8.7° ± 5.2°, L5: 15.6° ± 9.0°), DSLS (L3: 8.2° ± 6.0°, L4: 8.3° ± 5.9°, L5: 18.3° ± 7.2°), and control (L3: 6.8° ± 4.4°, L4: 8.2° ± 4.7°, L5: 17.7° ± 7.0°) groups.

Conclusions:

TPA was significantly increased in ISLS compared with DSLS and controls. High PI significantly predicted high TPA at the L5 vertebral level in ISLS and DSLS. ΔTPA increased sequentially proceeding through the lumbar spine across groups.
The integration of pore size and porosity distribution on Ti-6A1-4V scaffolds by 3D printing in the modulation of osteo-differentation
Authors: Wo Jin , Huang Shi-shu , Wu Dong-ying , Zhu Jun , Li Zhi-zhong , Yuan Feng
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

In this study, pore size and porosity distribution of porous Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds (pTi) were controlled by 3D printing. The effects of pore size distribution at a constant porosity, or porosity distribution at a constant pore size pertaining to functions of adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of the mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor (MC3T3-E1) cells were researched separately.

Methods:

3D printing was used to design five groups of pTi, designated as PS300/HP, PS300/LP, PS500/HP, PS500/LP, and PS800/HP based on pore size and porosity distribution. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on pTi, and non-porous Ti-6Al-4V samples (npTi) were prepared as control. The pTi was characterized with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MC3T3-E1 cells were stained via AlamarBlue assay and viability and proliferation analyzed. The mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), collagentype-1 (Col-1), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in MC3T3-E1 cells were analyzed by real-time PCR analysis.

Results:

The average pore size and porosity of pTi were recorded as (301 ± 9 μm, 58.8 ± 1.8%), (300 ± 9 μm, 43.4 ± 1.3%), (501 ± 11 μm, 58.3 ± 1.2%), (499 ± 12 μm, 42.7 ± 1.1%), and (804 ± 10 μm, 58.9 ± 1.3%), respectively. SEM images confirmed active attachment of cells and oriented with the direction of metal rod after pTi/MC3T3-E1 co-culture for 3 and 7 days. In addition, MC3T3-E1 cells grown on the PS800/HP displayed significantly higher proliferation compared with each group after 3 days incubation ( p < 0.05). Moreover, cells showed some degree of proliferation in all groups, with the highest value recorded for PS800/HP after culture for 7 days ( p < 0.05). The gene expression pattern of ALP, OCN, Col-1, and Runx2 confirmed that these were down-regulated when pore size increased or porosity decreased of pTi ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The pTi facilitated the adhesion and differentiation of osteoblast when pore size decreased or porosity increased. The scaffold model resembles physical modification with porous structures, which has potential application in the surface modifications of Ti implant.
Outcome Measures After Shoulder Stabilization in the Athletic Population: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Patient-Reported Metrics
Authors: Fanning Edel , Maher Natasha , Cools Ann , Falvey Eanna C.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Athletic endeavor can require the “athletic shoulder” to tolerate significant load through supraphysiological range and often under considerable repetition. Outcome measures are valuable when determining an athlete’s safe return to sport. Few data are available to guide a clinician’s choice from the variety of measures available.

Purpose:

To describe the use of quantifiable objective outcome measures and patient-reported outcome tools after glenohumeral joint stabilization, specifically in an athletic population. The secondary aim of our study was to assess whether the method of measurement used was clearly described and standardized to aid clinical interpretation.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases was performed in December 2018 based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. After the application of selection criteria, a full review of identified papers, and screening of reference lists, a total of 62 studies were included in the review. All studies were independently appraised for quality, predefined data fields were populated and cross-checked for accuracy, and results were then summarized from these data fields.

Results:

Of the 62 included studies, 94% used a quantifiable objective clinical outcome. A majority (85%) of the studies measured range of motion, 21% recorded muscle strength, 5% measured electromyographic activity, 5% examined shoulder kinematics, and 3% assessed joint proprioception after surgery. However, only 18% of the studies clearly described a standardized method of measuring the outcome. Nearly all (95%) of the studies used at least 1 patient-reported outcome measure. The Rowe score was most commonly used (35%).

Conclusion:

We must standardize and clearly describe the use of quantifiable objective outcome measures to aid clinical interpretation. A concerted effort should also be made to standardize the use of patient-reported outcome tools after shoulder stabilization in the athletic population.
Surgical Simulation: Simulating Realistic Use in Human Factors Validation Testing Using Study Models
Authors: Decker Ali , Perez Ariana , Clark Shannon
Published: September 2020

When conducting simulated use human factors validation testing, the U.S. FDA requires that test conditions are sufficiently realistic to represent actual conditions of use. As part of this realistic simulation, a simulated patient, also called a “study model,” may be developed or acquired specifically for human factors validation testing of the device. The authors present a recommended process for choosing or developing a study model, using examples from past surgical device studies, and they provide a sample of study model design requirements as well as a summary of study model development considerations. This paper is meant to encourage discussion amongst medical device developers, human factors practitioners, and regulatory agencies regarding the development of study models that are sufficiently realistic for human factors validation testing.
Medication Safety and the Independent Double Check: A Work System Analysis and Reliability Engineering Theory Review
Authors: Konwinski Leah
Published: September 2020

Double checking is a standard practice in many areas of healthcare, despite the growing body of evidence suggesting that it is hard to do, and ineffective as a safety measure. We ask here: ‘What are the work system barriers that make IDC so ineffective?’ and, ‘What does the literature say about double-checking as a safety measure in sociotechnical systems?’
Assessing the Usability of Medication Information Layouts in a Home Healthcare Electronic Health Record
Authors: McLaurin Elease , Bass Ellen J. , Bowles Kathryn H. , Sockolow Paulina
Published: September 2020

A study was conducted to investigate how well the design of an electronic health record (EHR) supported the shared understanding of medication-related information between home healthcare team members. EHR data from a home healthcare admission visit was obtained and reviewed for medication-related entries. Entries were characterized based on their location within the EHR interface. The analysis identified 50 different medication-related entries which were distributed across 18 EHR sections. The results highlight opportunities to improve the EHR design to better support a shared understanding between healthcare team members of medication-related information, and patient information more generally.
Do we really know our users? A scientific approach to defining user groups for human factors studies
Authors: Privitera Mary Beth
Published: September 2020

The aim of this paper is to share experiences in answering the most basic of questions, fundamental to human factors studies, who are our users? In social science and human factors literature, the bounding of user groups and the delineation of user characteristics are the key to successful research. Utilizing this information coupled with industry experience, a scientific approach to fully describing and justifying user groups is communicated. The process begins with determining individual capabilities such as demographics as well as perceptual, cognitive and physical capabilities of an individual user. Then considering the conditions that may impact the individual capabilities. Finally, considering the dynamic influencers such as beliefs, attitudes, opinions, emotions, unique situations and events, which can further impact use behavior. Taking this methodical approach throughout the design process, starting with the formative testing thus provides further justification for user group determination. This diligent approach towards determining user groups is paramount to a successful human factors validation study and fundamental to a robust HFE process.
A Proactive Risk Assessment Framework to Enhance Patient Safety: Analysis of Unintended Retained Foreign Objects in Operating Rooms
Authors: Tabibzadeh Maryam , Patel Zarna
Published: September 2020

According to a study by Johns Hopkins, in average 251,454 Americans die annually from preventable medical errors. Medical error is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease and cancer. Among different adverse events in healthcare settings, unintended retained foreign objects (URFOs) has been identified as the most common sentinel event by The Joint Commission. This paper proposes a proactive risk assessment framework to enhance patient safety in operating rooms by addressing the URFOs issue.

The risk assessment framework is developed by integrating the 10 traits of a positive safety culture, initially introduced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with an accident investigation framework called AcciMap, originally developed by Rasmussen. The AcciMap is a hierarchical framework, which comprises six layers: government and regulatory bodies, company, management, staff and work. In this study, it has been utilized to capture and analyze socio-technical contributing causes of URFOs across its layers in order to assess the activities of key players in each layer as well as the interactions between those layers. Moreover, we have been able to identify the most influential traits of a positive safety culture affecting the URFOs issue.
Czech backlash against the GDPR: A small state’s mismatch between domestic and international priorities
Authors: Kadlecová Lucie , Weiss Tomáš
Published: September 2020

This article is an exploratory study of the Czech response to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It employs the perspective of the small state literature to analyse the activities of a small European Union (EU) member state’s government that had to face a mismatch between its policy priorities and policy framing at the EU and domestic level. The article focuses on the arguably common situation of a small state’s government failing to shape a policy internationally and facing a backlash at home. On the basis of a qualitative study of primary and secondary sources as well as semi-structured interviews, the article explores how the Czech debate on GDPR prioritised the bureaucratic burden and costs resulting from the GDPR implementation over the need for privacy as an integral part of human dignity highlighted at the EU level. The article identifies two crucial factors as the basis of the popular backlash against GDPR in Czechia, the lack of prioritisation and the insufficient bureaucratic capacity. These two factors, widely identified in the literature as factors influencing small states’ performance, contributed to the Czech inability to shape GDPR at the European level, as well as the lacking information campaign and implementation domestically.
Patient Perspectives on Telepsychiatry on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Heyman-Kantor Reuben , Hardy Nathan , Corcoran Amy R
Published: September 2020

Hospitals have eliminated many in-person interactions and established new protocols to stem the spread of COVID-19. Inpatient psychiatric units face unique challenges, as patients cannot be isolated in their rooms and are at times unable to practice social distancing measures. Many institutions have experimented with providing some psychiatric services remotely to reduce the number of people physically present on the wards and decrease the risk of disease transmission. This case report presents 2 patient perspectives on receiving psychiatric care via videoconferencing while on the inpatient unit of a large academic tertiary care hospital. One patient identified some benefits to virtual treatment while the second found the experience impersonal; both were satisfied with the overall quality of care they received and were stable 2 weeks after discharge. These cases demonstrate that effective care can be provided remotely even to severely ill psychiatric patients who require hospitalization.
Educating Students With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned From Commerce Independent School District
Authors: Tremmel Patricia , Myers Rachel , Brunow David A. , Hott Brittany L.
Published: September 2020

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many school districts have moved from brick-and-mortar instruction to remote instruction with little planning time and limited resources. Rural localities, already facing barriers and hardships, attempted to provide special education and related services in accordance with rapidly changing state and federal guidelines. Despite funding difficulties and challenges with serving students eligible for special education during a pandemic, there are districts that leveraged the strengths of rural communities to meet student and family needs. Commerce Independent School District is one exemplar. The purpose of this article is to highlight successes and lessons learned to offer guidance to districts as we continue to navigate challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Periprocedural use of avatrombopag for neurosurgical interventions: a strategy to avoid platelet utilization
Authors: Lim Ming Y. , Gilreath Jeffrey A.
Published: September 2020

Key Points

This is the first report of successful use of avatrombopag for a patient with chronic liver disease undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.
CORENup: a combination of convolutional and recurrent deep neural networks for nucleosome positioning identification
Authors: Amato Domenico , Bosco Giosue’ Lo , Rizzo Riccardo
Published: September 2020

Background

Nucleosomes wrap the DNA into the nucleus of the Eukaryote cell and regulate its transcription phase. Several studies indicate that nucleosomes are determined by the combined effects of several factors, including DNA sequence organization. Interestingly, the identification of nucleosomes on a genomic scale has been successfully performed by computational methods using DNA sequence as input data.

Results

In this work, we propose CORENup, a deep learning model for nucleosome identification. CORENup processes a DNA sequence as input using one-hot representation and combines in a parallel fashion a fully convolutional neural network and a recurrent layer. These two parallel levels are devoted to catching both non periodic and periodic DNA string features. A dense layer is devoted to their combination to give a final classification.

Conclusions

Results computed on public data sets of different organisms show that CORENup is a state of the art methodology for nucleosome positioning identification based on a Deep Neural Network architecture. The comparisons have been carried out using two groups of datasets, currently adopted by the best performing methods, and CORENup has shown top performance both in terms of classification metrics and elapsed computation time.
Convolutional architectures for virtual screening
Authors: Mendolia Isabella , Contino Salvatore , Perricone Ugo , Ardizzone Edoardo , Pirrone Roberto
Published: September 2020

Background

A Virtual Screening algorithm has to adapt to the different stages of this process. Early screening needs to ensure that all bioactive compounds are ranked in the first positions despite of the number of false positives, while a second screening round is aimed at increasing the prediction accuracy.

Results

A novel CNN architecture is presented to this aim, which predicts bioactivity of candidate compounds on CDK1 using a combination of molecular fingerprints as their vector representation, and has been trained suitably to achieve good results as regards both enrichment factor and accuracy in different screening modes (98.55% accuracy in active-only selection, and 98.88% in high precision discrimination).

Conclusion

The proposed architecture outperforms state-of-the-art ML approaches, and some interesting insights on molecular fingerprints are devised.
Correction to: FastMM: an efficient toolbox for personalized constraint-based metabolic modeling
Authors: Li Gong-Hua , Dai Shaoxing , Han Feifei , Li Wenxing , Huang Jingfei , Xiao Wenzhong
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Full-length genome sequence of segmented RNA virus from ticks was obtained using small RNA sequencing data
Authors: Xu Xiaofeng , Bei Jinlong , Xuan Yibo , Chen Jiayuan , Chen Defu , Barker Stephen C. , Kelava Samuel , Zhang Xiaoai , Gao Shan , Chen Ze
Published: September 2020

Background

In 2014, a novel tick-borne virus of the Flaviviridae family was first reported in the Mogiana region of Brazil and named the Mogiana tick virus (MGTV). Thereafter, the Jingmen tick virus (JMTV), Kindia tick virus (KITV), and Guangxi tick virus (GXTV)—evolutionarily related to MGTV—were reported.

Results

In the present study, we used small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) to detect viruses in ticks and discovered a new MGTV strain in Amblyomma testudinarium ticks collected in China’s Yunnan Province in 2016. We obtained the full-length genome sequence of this MGTV strain Yunnan2016 (GenBank: MT080097, MT080098, MT080099 and MT080100) and recommended it for its inclusion in the NCBI RefSeq database for future studies on MGTV, JMTV, KITV and GXTV. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MGTV, JMTV, KITV and GXTV are monophyletic and belong to a MGTV group. Furthermore, this MGTV group of viruses may be phylogenetically related to geographical regions that were formerly part of the supercontinents Gondwana and Laurasia.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which 5′ and 3′ sRNAs were used to generate full-length genome sequences of, but not limited to, RNA viruses. We also demonstrated the feasibility of using the sRNA-seq based method for the detection of viruses in pooled two and even possible one small ticks. MGTV may preserve the characteristic of ancient RNA viruses, which can be used to study the origin and evolution of RNA viruses. In addition, MGTV can be used as novel species for studies in phylogeography.
Rapid identification of capsulated Acinetobacter baumannii using a density-dependent gradient test
Authors: Kon Hadas , Schwartz David , Temkin Elizabeth , Carmeli Yehuda , Lellouche Jonathan
Published: September 2020

Background

Gram-negative bacterial capsules are associated with production of carbohydrates, frequently resulting in a mucoid phenotype. Infections caused by capsulated or mucoid A. baumannii are associated with increased clinical severity. Therefore, it is clinically and epidemiologically important to identify capsulated A. baumannii. Here, we describe a density-dependent gradient test to distinguish between capsulated and thin/non-capsulated A. baumannii.

Results

Thirty-one of 57 A. baumannii isolates displayed a mucoid phenotype. The density-dependent gradient test was comprised of two phases, with silica concentrations of 30% (top phase) and 50% (bottom phase). Twenty-three isolates migrated to the bottom phase, indicating thin or non-capsulated strains, and 34 migrated to the top phase, suggesting strains suspected to be capsulated. There was agreement between the mucoid and the non-mucoid phenotypes and the density-dependent gradient test for all but three isolates. Total carbohydrates extracted from strains suspected to be capsulated were significantly higher. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of a capsule in the six representative strains suspected to be capsulated.

Conclusions

The density-dependent gradient test can be used to verify capsule presence in mucoid-appearing A. baumannii strains. Identifying capsulated strains can be useful for directing infection control measures to reduce the spread of hypervirulent strains.
Plant extinction excels plant speciation in the Anthropocene
Authors: Gao Jian-Guo , Liu Hui , Wang Ning , Yang Jing , Zhang Xiao-Ling
Published: September 2020

Background

In the past several millenniums, we have domesticated several crop species that are crucial for human civilization, which is a symbol of significant human influence on plant evolution. A pressing question to address is if plant diversity will increase or decrease in this warming world since contradictory pieces of evidence exit of accelerating plant speciation and plant extinction in the Anthropocene.

Results

Comparison may be made of the Anthropocene with the past geological times characterised by a warming climate, e.g., the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) 55.8 million years ago (Mya)—a period of “crocodiles in the Arctic”, during which plants saw accelerated speciation through autopolyploid speciation. Three accelerators of plant speciation were reasonably identified in the Anthropocene, including cities, polar regions and botanical gardens where new plant species might be accelerating formed through autopolyploid speciation and hybridization.

Conclusions

However, this kind of positive effect of climate warming on new plant species formation would be thoroughly offset by direct and indirect intensive human exploitation and human disturbances that cause habitat loss, deforestation, land use change, climate change, and pollution, thus leading to higher extinction risk than speciation in the Anthropocene. At last, four research directions are proposed to deepen our understanding of how plant traits affect speciation and extinction, why we need to make good use of polar regions to study the mechanisms of dispersion and invasion, how to maximize the conservation of plant genetics, species, and diverse landscapes and ecosystems and a holistic perspective on plant speciation and extinction is needed to integrate spatiotemporally.
A novel predictive model based on inflammatory markers to assess the prognosis of patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Qiang Li , Qin Jiao , Sun Changfeng , Sheng Yunjian , Chen Wen , Qiu Bangdong , Chen Xin , Chen Yuanfang , Liu Fei , Wu Gang
Published: September 2020

Background

Systemic inflammatory response is closely related to the development and prognosis of liver failure. This study aimed to establish a new model combing the inflammatory markers including neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with several hematological testing indicators to assess the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF).

Methods

A derivation cohort with 421 patients and a validation cohort with 156 patients were recruited from three hospitals. Retrospectively collecting their clinical data and laboratory testing indicators. Medcalc-15.10 software was employed for data analyses.

Results

Multivariate analysis indicated that RDW, NLR, INR, TBIL and Cr were risk factors for 90-day mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF. The risk assessment model is COXRNTIC = 0.053 × RDW + 0.027 × NLR + 0.003 × TBIL+ 0.317 × INR + 0.003 × Cr (RNTIC) with a cut-off value of 3.08 (sensitivity: 77.89%, specificity: 86.04%). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of the RNTIC was 0.873 [95% CI(0.837–0.903)], better than the predictive value of MELD score [0.732, 95% CI(0.687–0.774)], MELD-Na [0.714, 95% CI(0.668–0.757)], CTP[0.703, 95% CI(0.657–0.747)]. In the validation cohort, RNTIC also performed a better prediction value than MELD score, MELD-Na and CTP with the AUC of [0.845, 95% CI(0.778–0.898)], [0.768, 95% CI (0.694–0.832)], [0.759, 95% CI(0.684–0.824)] and [0.718, 95% CI(0.641–0.787)] respectively.

Conclusions

The inflammatory markers RDW and NLR could be used as independent predictors of 90-day mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF. Compared with MELD score, MELD-Na and CTP, RNTIC had a more powerful predictive value for prognosis of patients with HBV-ACLF.
A case report of wrist synovial infection due to Mycobacterium jacuzzii, Iran
Authors: Sakhaee Fatemeh , Masoumi Morteza , Vaziri Farzam , Siadat Seyed Davar , Fateh Abolfazl
Published: September 2020

Background

Mycobacterium jacuzzii (M. jacuzzii) was first isolated in 2003 by insertion of breast implants in Tel Aviv, Israel. In this case report, we describe our experience in detection of M. jacuzzii using phenotypic and genotypic test of wrist synovial sample.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old woman complained of pain and swelling in the right wrist for 4 months. Her body temperature was 37–38 °C, and symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and some movement limitation, were reported. Clinical laboratory parameters showed an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and white blood cells (WBC) count. The sequences of hsp65, rpoB, 16S rDNA, and sodA genes indicated very high homology to M. jacuzzii.

Conclusion

We report a case of synovial infection caused by M. jacuzzii in a patient with severe wrist pain in Iran, who was treated with amikacin, levofloxacin, and ethambutol. The outcomes of treatment after 8 months were positive, and no recurrence of infection was reported in the patient.