bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Impact of Aortic Stiffness in Patients With Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Cardoso Claudia R. L. , Salles Guilherme C. , Salles Gil F.
Published: January 2019

The prognostic importance of aortic stiffness in patients with resistant hypertension has never been investigated. We aimed to evaluate it for the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in a prospective cohort of resistant hypertensive patients. Aortic stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) at baseline in 891 resistant hypertensive patients who were followed-up for a median of 7.8 years. Multivariate Cox analysis examined the associations between cf-PWV and the occurrence of total cardiovascular events (CVE), major adverse CVEs, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortalities. The improvement in risk stratification was assessed by C statistics and the integrated discrimination improvement index. During follow-up, 138 patients had a CVE (123 major adverse CVE) and 142 patients died (91 from cardiovascular causes). The cf-PWV, analyzed either as a continuous or as a categorical variable, predicted all cardiovascular and mortality outcomes. Patients with increased aortic stiffness (cf-PWV ≥10 m/s after correction for the white-coat effect, or uncorrected directly measured ≥11 m/s) had a significant 2.2- to 2.6-fold increased risk of CVEs and mortality, after adjustments for other risk factors, including 24-hour ambulatory blood pressures and dipping patterns. Aortic stiffness significantly improved cardiovascular risk stratification, with integrated discrimination improvement indices ranging from 13% (for total CVEs) to 18% (for major adverse CVE). In conclusion, increased aortic stiffness predicts adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality and improves cardiovascular risk stratification in resistant hypertensive patients. cf-PWV measurement should be included into the routine clinical management of resistant hypertension.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Computed Tomography Angiography Based Selection for Endovascular Therapy in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Joon-Tae , Cho Bang-Hoon , Choi Kang-Ho , Park Man-Seok , Kim Beom Joon , Park Jong-Moo , Kang Kyusik , Lee Soo Joo , Kim Jae Guk , Cha Jae-Kwan , Kim Dae-Hyun , Nah Hyun-Wook , Park Tai Hwan , Park Sang-Soon , Lee Kyung Bok , Lee Jun , Hong Keun-Sik , Cho Yong-Jin , Park Hong-Kyun , Lee Byung-Chul , Yu Kyung-Ho , Oh Mi Sun , Kim Dong-Eog , Ryu Wi-Sun , Choi Jay Chol , Kwon Jee-Hyun , Kim Wook-Joo , Shin Dong-Ick , Yeo Min-Ju , Sohn Sung Il , Hong Jeong-Ho , Lee Ji Sung , Lee Juneyoung , Bae Hee-Joon , Cho Ki-Hyun
Published: January 2019

Background and Purpose—

Randomized trials comparing the use of multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to multimodal computed tomography (CT)/ CT angiography (CTA) for selecting candidates for endovascular therapy (EVT) have not been reported. This study aimed to elucidate whether MRI-based selection for EVT is safe and effective within and after a 6-hour time window compared with conventional CTA-based selection.

Methods—

Data from a prospective, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry were analyzed. Workflow timelines were compared between patients selected for EVT based on MRI (the MRI group) and CTA (the CTA group). Multivariable ordinal and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationships between decision imaging for EVT and clinical outcomes, including good and excellent outcomes (modified Rankin Scale scores of 0–2 and 0–1, respectively) at 3-month, modified Rankin Scale score distributions and safety outcomes (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [SICH] and mortality).

Results—

Ultimately, 1265 patients (age, 69±12 yrs; men, 55%) were enrolled in this study. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 15 (11–19). All workflow time metrics were significantly delayed in the MRI group compared with the CTA group. There was no difference in good 3-month outcomes in patients arriving within 6 hours of onset between the MRI and CTA groups (38.1% versus 38.5%), but SICH and mortality rates were lower in the MRI group than the CTA group (3.8% versus 7.7%,
P
=0.01 for SICH; 15.4% versus 20.9%,
P
=0.04 for mortality). In the multivariable analysis, decision imaging was not significantly associated with 3-month functional outcomes (all
P
>0.1) or mortality (
P
=0.051); however, the MRI group was less likely to develop SICH than the CTA group (
P
=0.01; odds ratio, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.17–0.77]).

Conclusions—

Our study found MRI-based selection for EVT was not associated with improving functional outcome compared with CT-based selection, but may be better at reducing the risk of SICH, despite the delays in all workflow time metrics.
Impact of Visceral Adipose Tissue on Clinical Outcomes After Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Ja-Hae , Choi Kang-Ho , Kang Kyung-Wook , Kim Joon-Tae , Choi Seong-Min , Lee Seung-Han , Park Man-Seok , Kim Byeong C. , Kim Myeong-Kyu , Cho Ki-Hyun
Published: January 2019

Background and Purpose—

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between adiposity using adipose tissue imaging and stroke outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

Methods—

A total of 127 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis who underwent abdominal computed tomography on admission were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Patients were grouped according to their visceral adipose tissue (VAT) proportion tertile. The primary outcome was measured using the modified Rankin Scale 3 months after symptom onset. Favorable and excellent outcomes were defined as modified Rankin Scale scores of 0 to 2 and 0 to 1, respectively.

Results—

As VAT proportion tertile increased, the number of patients exhibiting a favorable or excellent outcome decreased. In the final multivariable analysis after adjustments for confounders, patients in the highest VAT proportion tertile showed a decreased probability of a favorable and excellent outcome compared with those in the lowest tertile (odds ratio=0.18; 95% CI, 0.05−0.60;
P
=0.005 and odds ratio=0.13; 95% CI, 0.02−0.64;
P
=0.012, respectively). Obese patients (body mass index ≥25) also showed an excellent outcome compared with nonobese patients (odds ratio=4.88; 95% CI, 1.47−7.85;
P
=0.011). Among obese patients, those with an excellent outcome presented a significantly lower VAT proportion than those without (38.2% versus 46.1%,
P
=0.006).

Conclusions—

Results of this study indicate that low visceral abdominal fat proportion is associated with a favorable and excellent outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Better clinical outcomes in obese patients were also associated with a lower proportion of VAT.
Development of triple streaming (HD-SDI, EX-SDI, analog signals) hybrid CCTV camera
Authors: Lee Jae Hee , Seo Chang Jin
Published: January 2019

This study proposes the developing and implementing of the high-definition level triple streaming hybrid security camera that can output three types of video-signals, which are high-definition serial digital interface, extended serial digital interface, and analog signals. In this study, to develop the high-definition level triple streaming hybrid security camera the hardware and firmware software was designed and implemented. The hardware was implemented using image sensors MN34229PL from Panasonic, main processors EN778/EN331 from Eyenix, Auto Iris functions KA909A from Fairchild, and Zoom/Focus controls A3901SEJTR-T from Microsystems Inc. In addition, to evaluate the performance test of the developed camera in this study, we requested for the performance evaluation at the broadcasting and communication convergence testing by the department of Telecommunication Technology Association, Korea. The results of the performance tests indicated that the performances of the product developed in this study were found to be excellent than the other commercial products with regard to the signal-to-noise ratio, the minimum intensity of illumination, and power consumption. The product designed in this study is expected to be widely utilized in the high-resolution security camera market.
Mechanical behaviour of jute fibre-reinforced polyester composite: Characterization of damage mechanisms using acoustic emission and microstructural observations
Authors: Alia Adem , Fantozzi Gilbert , Godin Nathalie , Osmani Hocine , Reynaud Pascal
Published: January 2019

The present work deals with the mechanical characterization of a woven jute fabrics reinforced polyester resin composite. Two stacking sequences were considered: [0]8 and [+45/−45]2S. In-situ acoustic emission technique, X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) and post-mortem microscopic observations were used to characterise the damage mechanisms and to follow their evolutions during uniaxial tension. The microstructural analysis and X-ray CT revealed the following damage modes for the two lay-ups: fibre-matrix debondings which constitute the dominant mechanism, matrix crackings and fibre breakages and pull-outs. The acoustic emission data were processed using an unsupervised pattern recognition technique which combines principal components analysis and k-means optimized by a genetic algorithm. Both temporal and frequential features of acoustic emission signals were considered. The Laplacian score and dendrogram were used to determine the relevant and uncorrelated descriptors for clustering. Three clusters of events were obtained and the waveforms of each one were examined. Furthermore, the frequency contents of signals of each cluster were accurately investigated using power density spectrum and smoothed pseudo Wigner-Ville time-frequency distribution and the discrepancies between clusters are highlighted. Cluster 1 (Cl 1) characterized by signals of low frequency and intermediate amplitude, cluster 2 (Cl 2) characterized by signals of higher frequency and an amplitude similar to that of Cl 1 and cluster 3 (Cl 3) characterized by signals of higher amplitude. A correlation between the clusters and the damage mechanisms was established by means of interrupted tensile tests: Cl 1 is assigned to the matrix cracking, Cl 2 to the fibre-matrix debonding and Cl 3 to the fibre breakage and pull-out. The kinetic of evolution of each damage mode was monitored for the two stacking sequences.
Fabrication and experimental evaluation of vibration and damping in multiscale graphene/fiberglass/epoxy composites
Authors: Rafiee M , Nitzsche F , Labrosse MR
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the vibration and damping properties of multiscale laminated fiberglass/epoxy composites modified with a wide range of carbon nanofillers, including multiwalled carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, reduced-graphene oxide and graphene nanoplatelets were examined for use in structural vibration applications. Simultaneous reinforcement of matrix and fibers was carried out via a novel method that combines a nanoparticle spraying process with nanoparticle/epoxy mixture to incorporate nanoparticles for the enhancement of vibration and damping properties of multiscale laminated fiberglass/epoxy composites. The vibration and damping properties as well as morphological, mechanical properties of the glass fiber-reinforced multiscale composites were investigated. Using a forced vibration technique, the frequency-response functions, natural frequencies and damping ratios of the nanocomposites were measured. The experimental results revealed that the damped natural frequencies of the nanocomposites increased with an increase in nanoparticle concentration. However, at higher contents of nanoparticles, the damped natural frequencies decreased and the damping ratio increased.
Two-body abrasive wear behaviour of AA6061-2SiC-2Gr hybrid nanocomposite fabricated through ultrasonically assisted stir casting
Authors: Prasad Reddy A , Vamsi Krishna P , Rao RN
Published: January 2019

Two-body abrasion wear rate of AA6061 aluminium alloy, AA6061-2SiC nanocomposite, and AA6061-2SiC-2Gr hybrid nanocomposites were studied using a pin on disc machine at various applied normal loads 5-20 N and 50-150 µm abrasive grit size by maintaining a constant sliding distance of 120 m. Morphology of fabricated materials, worn surfaces of tested specimens, and abrasive grit papers were analysed under a scanning electron microscope. The wear rate of the AA6061-2SiC-2Gr hybrid nanocomposite was found to be less than that of AA6061 alloy and AA6061-2SiC nanocomposite. The wear rate decreased by 19% for 50 µm, 28.2% for 100 µm, and 22.5% for 150 µm at an applied normal load of 20 N and 120 m sliding distance for Al 6061-2SiC-2Gr hybrid nanocomposite compared to base alloy.
Varig, “a Real Brazilian Embassy Outside”: Anthropological reflections on aviation and national imaginaries
Authors: Castellitti Carolina
Published: January 2019

This paper proposes some anthropological notes on aviation and national imaginaries, taking Varig, an important Brazilian airline with international projection and recognition, as a starting point. The analysis is based on an explorative perspective, which included fieldwork among Varig’s former employees, especially female flight attendants who joined the carrier in the 1970s and 1980s and remained until the closure of its activities. Alongside the testimonies of these employees, it analyses magazine and television advertisements from Varig and other Brazilian airlines, in order to throw some light on the pertinence of gender, class and race as social markers that structured the aviation field in the second half of the twentieth century. Through a critical perspective, this work launches heterodox interpretative challenges on the nation-building process, hoping thus to contribute to a better understanding of the political and ideological games that characterised the formation of the nation.
Identifying sustainable options for rice husk valorization using the analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Yaghoubi Hadi , Allahyari Mohammad Sadegh , Firouzi Saeed , Damalas Christos A , Marzban Soroush
Published: January 2019

Rice husk is a major waste of paddy rice cultivation, produced in very high quantities, with no specific applications in the past. However, considering physical and chemical properties of this material, the use of rice husk could be of major economic and environmental significance depending on possible utilization options. Therefore, finding sustainable ways of using rice husk is essential for a large rice producing country like Iran. The main aim of the present study was to identify the most suitable options for using rice husk to accomplish the goals of sustainable rice production and valorization in Guilan Province, Iran. To this end, we employed the analytic hierarchy process and the opinions of experts for exploring the most important potential applications of rice husk for industrial purposes, for energy generation, use as animal feed, for soil improvement, for mulching, and disposal by burning from economic, environmental, and social perspective. Among the studied indices, the economic criteria had the highest importance score (0.498) in determining the best applications of rice husk, followed by environmental and social indices (0.276 and 0.225, respectively). From the economic perspective, the use of rice husk waste for industrial purposes (0.349) was assessed to be more economical than use in other sectors. From the environmental perspective, rice husk was preferred to be used for soil improvement. Finally, from the social perspective, the use of rice husk for industrial use (0.315) was also assessed to be more socially compatible than its other uses. Overall, the application of rice husk in industry was prioritized by respondents with weight 0.299, with next priority its use for energy generation or processing with weight 0.188, showing a slight superiority over its application for soil amendment. The findings not only aid in selecting the best alternative for husk exploitation but also help decision makers to understand why an alternative is preferred over the other options.
The Moderating Role of State Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance Between Social Anxiety and Social Networking Sites Addiction
Authors: Chen Yunxiang , Li Ruoxuan , Zhang Peng , Liu Xiangping
Published: January 2019

This study aims to explore the relationships among social anxiety, social networking sites (SNS) addiction, and SNS addiction tendency and further to examine the moderating role of state attachment anxiety and state attachment avoidance. A sample of Chinese young adults ( N = 437, Mage = 24.21 ± 3.25, 129 males) participated in this study, the data were collected through self-reports. Results revealed that participants’ social anxiety was positively associated with SNS addiction and SNS addiction tendency. State attachment anxiety moderated these two relationships after controlling gender, age, and state attachment avoidance, while state attachment avoidance showed no significant moderating effect. Specifically, the positive relationships between social anxiety and SNS addiction (tendency) were restricted to individuals with low state attachment anxiety. While for individuals with high state attachment anxiety, social anxiety was no longer associated with SNS addiction or SNS addiction tendency. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of state attachment’s moderating role in terms of the relationships between social anxiety and SNS addiction (tendency).
Middle-Aged Children’s Coping Strategies With Tensions in the Aging Parent–Child Tie
Authors: Wang Haowei , Kim Kyungmin , Birditt Kira S. , Zarit Steven H. , Fingerman Karen L.
Published: January 2019

Middle-aged children may cope in different ways with interpersonal tensions with their aging parents. This study examined coping strategies as a function of parent’s age and disability and children’s emotions (i.e., guilty feelings and worry). Middle-aged children ( N = 378) reported coping strategies when encountering interpersonal tensions with each of parents ( N = 482): engagement, acceptance, avoidance, and confrontation. Middle-aged children also indicated how guilty and worried they felt about each parent. Multilevel models indicated that middle-aged children were most likely to use engagement and acceptance strategies, followed by avoidance, and least likely to use confrontation. Results also revealed that middle-aged offspring were more likely to use engagement toward their parents who were older and acceptance toward parents with more disabilities. Furthermore, when middle-aged children had stronger feelings of guilt toward parents, they were more likely to be avoidant and less likely to engage with parents. Worries about parents were positively associated with the use of engagement strategies.
The urban heat island of London, an empirical model
Authors: Levermore Geoff , Parkinson John
Published: January 2019

On top of climate change and its consequent temperature rises, urban areas have the added burden of the urban heat island (the urban area being warmer than the rural area especially at night under calm, cloud-free conditions). The urban heat island intensity (the difference between the rural air temperature and that in the city centre) can be as large as 10K for the major cities such as London. The urban heat island intensity, consequently, can have a significant effect on the sizing of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning plant and its energy consumption. At present, designers have access to empirical factors for design days only in June, July and August from the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Guide. Or they can use the latest Design Summer Year which implicitly includes the urban heat island intensity. However, the empirical model discussed in this paper allows the designer to add on the hourly urban heat island intensity for central London to any recent year’s hourly weather data set from London Heathrow or Bracknell, a more rural site. The model is similar to one for Manchester, suggesting that the model may well be of application to other UK cities.

Practical applications: Most buildings that building services engineers and other building designers are involved with are in urban or city centres. However, the weather data for their designs are based on near-rural weather data, which does not include the urban heat island effect. This paper describes the urban heat island effects that a designer needs to consider and the adjustments that can be made, related to London.
A Rasch Analysis of the Personal Well-Being Index in School Children
Authors: Tomyn Adrian J. , Stokes Mark A. , Cummins Robert A. , Dias Paulo C.
Published: January 2019

The personal well-being index—school children (PWI-SC) is designed as a cross-cultural instrument to measure subjective well-being among high school–aged children. Several published cross-cultural studies have confirmed adequate psychometric performance in terms of reliability, validity, and measurement invariance. This study adds to this literature by applying the Rasch approach to estimate invariant comparison in a cross-cultural context, applied to both Australian and Portuguese high school students. Participants were an age- and gender-matched convenience sample of 1,040 adolescents (520 cases in each group, 51.54% male) who ranged in age from 12 to 18 years ( M = 14.25 years, SD = 1.71 years). It is found that both Portuguese and Australian data fit the Rasch measurement model, with excellent levels of reliability at a country level. However, when all of the data were combined, a slight misfit was found. This was resolved by removing some issues with item thresholds in standard of living among the Australian data and splitting the data by country on health. This allowed both Australian and Portuguese cases to differ on the health item. We conclude that the PWI-SC is unidimensional, with some evidence of mild, but acceptable local dependency. This study further supports the cross-cultural validity of the PWI-SC and the use of this measure in the Australian and Portuguese context but also indicates a potential direction that development of the PWI-SC might proceed.
Assessment of HER2 Expression in Canine Urothelial Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder
Authors: Tsuboi Masaya , Sakai Kosei , Maeda Shingo , Chambers James K. , Yonezawa Tomohiro , Matsuki Naoaki , Uchida Kazuyuki , Nakayama Hiroyuki
Published: January 2019

Canine urothelial carcinoma (UC) has a poor prognosis and high metastatic rate. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell proliferation and differentiation regulation, has been attracting interest as a therapeutic target molecule for human breast cancer. This study investigated expression of the canine homolog of HER2 (ERBB2) in canine UC, and its association with clinical factors. Since it has been controversial whether commercial anti-human HER2 antibody (Dako A0485) correctly recognizes the canine homolog of HER2, an application of the antibody using a canine UC cell line was validated first. By Western blot, a single band at the appropriate size for canine HER2 (185 kDa) was recognized. Immunohistochemistry for HER2 was performed on 23 samples of UC, 8 samples of polypoid cystitis, and 8 samples of normal urinary bladder, and the results were scored as either 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+ with reference to the evaluation method for human UC. Intense membranous HER2 immunoreactivity was frequently observed in neoplastic cells, especially in grade 2 UC. Minor HER2 expression was found in the epithelial cells of polypoid cystitis and normal bladder. The incidence of HER2 positivity (scores of 2+ or 3+) was 14 of 23 (60.9%) in UC, 3 of 8 (37.5%) in polypoid cystitis, and 0 of 8 (0%) in normal bladder. There was no significant correlation between HER2 positivity and clinical factors. While increased HER2 expression was observed in a subset of urothelial carcinomas, further mechanistic studies are needed to determine its role in the pathogenesis and targeted therapy of this cancer.
The effects of concurrent Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine supplementation in migraine prophylaxis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial
Authors: Hajihashemi Parisa , Askari Gholamreza , Khorvash Fariborz , Reza Maracy Mohammad , Nourian Mojgan
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The present study aimed to determine the effects of combined supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 with L-carnitine on mitochondrial metabolic disorders marker and migraine symptoms among migraine patients.

Methods

A total of 56 men and women, between 20–40 years of age with migraine headache, participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 30 mg/day Coenzyme Q10 and 500 mg/day L-carnitine at the same time and/or placebo tablets for 8 weeks. The measurements were completed at the beginning and end of the study. The primary outcome was severity of headache attacks. The secondary outcomes included duration, frequency of headache attacks, the headache diary results (HDR), and serum levels of lactate.

Results

A significant reduction was obtained in serum levels of lactate (−2.28 mg/dl, 95% CI: −3.65, −0.90; p = 0.002), severity (−3.03, 95% CI: −3.65, −2.40; p ≤ 0.001), duration (−7.67, 95% CI: −11.47, −3.90; p ≤ 0.001), frequency (−5.42, 95% CI: −7.31, −3.53; p ≤ 0.001) and HDR (−103.03, 95% CI: −145.76, −60.29; p ≤ 0.001) after 8 weeks.

Conclusion

This double-blind parallel study provides evidences supporting the beneficial effects of Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine supplements on serum levels of lactate and migraine symptoms.

Trial registration

IRCT20121216011763N21.
Greater occipital nerve block in migraine prophylaxis: Narrative review
Authors: Inan Levent Ertugrul , Inan Nurten , Unal-Artık Hanzade Aybuke , Atac Ceyla , Babaoglu Gulcin
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The importance and popularity of peripheral nerve block procedures have increased in the treatment of migraine. Greater occipital nerve (GON) block is a commonly used peripheral nerve block method, and there are numerous researches on its use in migraine treatment.

Materials and methods

A search of PubMed for English-language randomized controlled trials (RCT) and open studies on greater occipital nerve block between 1995 and 2018 was performed using greater occipital nerve, headache, and migraine as keywords.

Results

In total, 242 potentially relevant PubMed studies were found. A sum of 228 of them which were non-English articles and reviews, case reports, letters and meta-analyses were excluded. The remaining articles were reviewed, and 14 clinical trials, seven of which were randomized-controlled on greater occipital nerve block in migraine patients, were identified and reviewed.

Conclusions

Although clinicians commonly use greater occipital nerve block in migraine patients, the procedure has yet to be standardized. The present study reviewed the techniques, drugs and dosages, the frequency of administration, side effects, and efficacy of greater occipital nerve block in migraine patients.
Eyes and Apps on the Streets: From Surveillance to Sousveillance Using Smartphones
Authors: Ceccato Vania
Published: January 2019

This article explores the concept of surveillance by assessing the nature of data gathered by users of a smartphone-based tool (app) developed in Sweden to assist citizens in reporting incidents in public spaces. This article first illustrates spatial and temporal patterns of records gathered over 9 months in Stockholm County using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to exemplify the process of sousveillance via app. Then, the experiences of user group members, collected using an app-based survey, are analyzed. Findings show that the incident reporting app is more often used to report an incident and less often to prevent it. Preexistent social networks in neighborhoods are fundamental for widespread adoption of the app, often used as a tool in Neighborhood Watch schemes in high-crime areas. Although the potentialities of using app data are open, these results call for more in-depth evaluations of smartphone data for safety interventions.
A Systematic and Evidence-Based Review of Published and Pending Reports of Andexanet Alfa
Authors: Ellington Thomas M.
Published: January 2019

Andexanet alfa is the newly approved factor Xa inhibitor reversal agent for the treatment of life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding from apixaban or rivaroxaban. This decoy protein directly binds factor Xa inhibitors reversing their action. A systematic and evidence-based evaluation of the available clinical trials is lacking in the literature. This research will provide a systematic and evidence-based evaluation of published clinical trials for andexanet alfa. It will also present an evaluation of active research. Reports of research were identified through multiple databases using search terms andexanet alfa, andexanet, or PRT064445. The level of evidence and strength of recommendation were accomplished using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy. There are 2 published articles presenting 3 clinical trials. Two trials had a low level of evidence and the third trial, a preliminary report of results, showed a moderate level of evidence. The review of active research found 3 unique studies and a preliminary results study. The level of evidence is low for 2 of these studies, moderate for a third, and potentially high for the fourth. The strength of recommendation for all 6 studies is a C. Four of the studies present disease-oriented evidence resulting in a low level of evidence. Another study is unblinded and uncontrolled but presents patient-oriented evidence resulting in a moderate level of evidence. Only one study could score high because the outcome is patient-oriented evidence, and it could achieve follow-up of 80%. There is a need for well-controlled and blinded evaluation to improve the recommendation strength.
Is Silicon Valley a global model or unique anomaly?
Authors: Etzkowitz Henry
Published: January 2019

A boundary-spanning regional innovation model of permeability among university, industry and government is abstracted from Boston, Silicon Valley and Research Triangle and used to assess Newcastle Science City. Early history may provide a better guide for aspiring regions than abstracting elements from the contemporary Silicon Valley ecosystem with its multiple interactive technology and business paradigms. Inducing permeability in academic boundaries is a first step to creating an entrepreneurial university, the motive force of the most successful regional innovation clusters. After a high-tech cluster is achieved, the generative source of its firms is often forgotten, their origins obscured by highly visible artefacts and symbols, like science parks or branding. The increasing dependence of Silicon Valley on external sources of human capital and innovation is a potential Achilles heel, if competitive regions achieve ‘stickiness’ and retain their assets. Paradoxically, Silicon Valley is both unique and replicable.
Ultrasonic vibration-assisted microgrinding of glassy carbon
Authors: Beiring Patrick , Yan Jiwang
Published: January 2019

Glassy carbon is an amorphous material which, due to its unique material properties, has recently been introduced to micro/nanoimprinting as mold substrates. However, since glassy carbon is a hard, brittle, and highly elastic material, the precision machining of micro/nanostructures on it remains a challenging task. In this research, ultrasonic vibration-assisted microgrinding was proposed for ductile machining of glassy carbon. To find suitable conditions, the effects of ultrasonic vibration assistance and tool inclination were investigated. The results showed that by utilizing ultrasonic vibration assistance and tool inclination, a ductile response was achieved with improved surface roughness. In addition, the periodical waviness of the groove edge due to material elastic recovery was successfully prevented. This study provided an insight into the kinematics in ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding of a highly elastic, hard, and brittle material.
Effect of variation of cylindrical pin fins height on the overall performance of microchannel heat sink
Authors: Qidwai Mohammad Owais , Hasan Mohammad Muzaffarul
Published: January 2019

Numerous researches are performed to take account of the heat transfer in the microchannel heat sink, due to its high efficiency and application in various fields of microelectronics. An attempt has been made to numerically investigate the effects of variation of cylindrical pin fin height, entrenched on bottom wall of microchannel. Three cases of microchannel heat sink are prepared: case 1: plain rectangular channel; case 2 and case 3 with decreasing pin fin height and with increasing pin fin height in the direction of flow, respectively. Also, diameter of pin fin is varied to obtain effects of any underlying flow feature on heat transfer augmentation. The analysis is performed for single-phase fluid deionized ultra-filtered water with temperature-dependent properties, for low Reynolds number range of 150–300. Higher Nusselt number is obtained for case 2, whereas lower pressure drop is obtained in case 3. The overall thermal performance of case 3 with increasing pin fin height outperforms the corresponding case 2 with decreasing pin fin height for the same pin fin diameter, due to the velocity distribution and reduced pressure drop in the downstream region in microchannel, which shows that the downstream region of microchannel heat sink has a significant impact in terms of the overall efficiency while establishing pressure drop as essential characteristics.
Examining Male Wartime Rape Survivors’ Perspectives on Justice in Northern Uganda
Authors: Schulz Philipp
Published: January 2019

This article examines how male survivors of wartime sexual violence in Northern Uganda conceptualize justice. Whereas recent years have witnessed increasing consideration for redressing conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence against women, specific attention to justice for male-directed sexual violence remains absent. Drawing on the empirically-grounded perspectives of 46 male survivors, this article incorporates the seldom-heard voices and perspectives of male wartime rape survivors into debates about justice in the context of sexual violence, thereby contributing towards a gender-inclusive and holistic understanding of gender justice debates. The findings underpinning this article demonstrate that male survivors’ justice priorities primarily centre around three interrelated themes: (a) justice as recognition, (b) government acknowledgement and (c) reparative justice. According to male survivors, these three aspects of justice imply the potential to respond to the misrecognition of male survivors’ experiences and to remedy their sexual and gendered harms in a reparative and gender-sensitive capacity.
He’s ours, not yours! Reinterpreting national identity in a post-socialist context
Authors: Bartoluci Sunčica , Doupona Mojca
Published: January 2019

This paper focuses on the relationship between sport, national identity and the media in the post-socialist nation-states of Croatia and Slovenia. It describes what has changed during the eight years since Jakov Fak, a Croatian-born Slovenian biathlete, changed his citizenship and began competing for the Slovenian national team. It also examines how the perception of Jakov Fak as an athlete and of his success has changed through time in different socio-political circumstances – in 2009 and 2010 when he competed for Croatia, and after 2010 when he began competing for Slovenia. To analyse this case we have used different media interpretations of Jakov Fak case, analysing four sports events: the Biathlon World Championships in South Korea (13–22 Feb 2009) and Germany (1–11 Mar 2012), and the Olympic Games in Canada (11–18 Feb 2010) and South Korea (9–25 Feb 2018). The results of discourse analysis show that in the case of Jakov Fak in the years 2009 and 2010, the public was provoked by and exposed to national symbolism, especially in political discourse. The media discourse did change between 2012 and 2018, and discourse typical of civic nationalism began to dominate. Two types of nationalism are mixed in a post-socialist context.
A multi-modal adaptive tuned mass damper based on shape memory alloys
Authors: Berardengo Marta , Della Porta Giovanni EP , Manzoni Stefano , Vanali Marcello
Published: January 2019

This article deals with the design of an innovative adaptive multi-modal tuned mass damper able to change its eigenfrequencies to recover shifts of the natural frequencies of the primary system which needs to be damped. This is accomplished using systems of shape memory alloy wires connected to a number of masses equal to the number of modes to be damped. This article presents the analytical model used to describe the behaviour of the adaptive tuned mass damper, showing which parameters can affect the performances of the device. The layout proposed for the tuned mass damper proves to be able to act on a wide frequency range and to work adaptively on at least two eigenfrequencies at the same time with a given level of independence. The last goal is accomplished, thanks to the special features of the shape memory alloys, by heating (or cooling) each wire of the device independently and allowing the exploitation of two different effects: the change of the axial load in the wires and the change of the geometry of the device. The reliability of both the design approach and the model of the new device is proved by means of an experimental campaign performed considering a random disturbance.
Transfer Is Not Enough: A Case Study From a Western-Style MSW Program in Beijing
Authors: Wang Yean , Liu Ziyu , Qiao Dongping , Zhang Huan
Published: January 2019

Objective:

The main purpose is to empirically investigate the outcomes of a Western-style Master of Social Work program that was designed by School of Social Work, University of Southern California and contextually implemented in School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University.

Method:

A three-wave panel study was used and a focus group discussion was conducted to evaluate the program.

Results:

Students reported a significant improvement in professional competence and satisfaction and a moderate decline in professional commitment after classroom training. However, after field training, there was almost no significant difference in professional competence and satisfaction, but there was a decline in professional commitment.

Conclusions:

The results come down to gaps between organizational development and students’ personal development, between education and practice, and between students’ expectation and reality. This study highlights the importance to fill in the gaps and sheds light on the way to indigenize social work education in China.
Perfectionism and the Five-Factor Model of Personality: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Smith Martin M. , Sherry Simon B. , Vidovic Vanja , Saklofske Donald H. , Stoeber Joachim , Benoit Aryn
Published: January 2019

Over 25 years of research suggests an important link between perfectionism and personality traits included in the five-factor model (FFM). However, inconsistent findings, underpowered studies, and a plethora of perfectionism scales have obscured understanding of how perfectionism fits within the FFM. We addressed these limitations by conducting the first meta-analytic review of the relationships between perfectionism dimensions and FFM traits ( k = 77, N = 24,789). Meta-analysis with random effects revealed perfectionistic concerns (socially prescribed perfectionism, concern over mistakes, doubts about actions, and discrepancy) were characterized by neuroticism ([Formula: see text] = .50), low agreeableness ([Formula: see text] = −.26), and low extraversion ([Formula: see text] = −.24); perfectionistic strivings (self-oriented perfectionism, personal standards, and high standards) were characterized by conscientiousness ([Formula: see text] = .44). Additionally, several perfectionism–FFM relationships were moderated by gender, age, and the perfectionism subscale used. Findings complement theory suggesting that perfectionism has neurotic and non-neurotic dimensions. Results also underscore that the (mal)adaptiveness of perfectionistic strivings hinges on instrumentation.
TweTriS: Twenty trillion-atom simulation
Authors: Tchipev Nikola , Seckler Steffen , Heinen Matthias , Vrabec Jadran , Gratl Fabio , Horsch Martin , Bernreuther Martin , Glass Colin W , Niethammer Christoph , Hammer Nicolay , Krischok Bernd , Resch Michael , Kranzlmüller Dieter , Hasse Hans , Bungartz Hans-Joachim , Neumann Philipp
Published: January 2019

Significant improvements are presented for the molecular dynamics code ls1 mardyn — a linked cell-based code for simulating a large number of small, rigid molecules with application areas in chemical engineering. The changes consist of a redesign of the SIMD vectorization via wrappers, MPI improvements and a software redesign to allow memory-efficient execution with the production trunk to increase portability and extensibility. Two novel, memory-efficient OpenMP schemes for the linked cell-based force calculation are presented, which are able to retain Newton’s third law optimization. Comparisons to well-optimized Verlet list-based codes, such as LAMMPS and GROMACS, demonstrate the viability of the linked cell-based approach. The present version of ls1 mardyn is used to run simulations on entire supercomputers, maximizing the number of sampled atoms. Compared to the preceding version of ls1 mardyn on the entire set of 9216 nodes of SuperMUC, Phase 1, 27% more atoms are simulated. Weak scaling performance is increased by up to 40% and strong scaling performance by up to more than 220%. On Hazel Hen, strong scaling efficiency of up to 81% and 189 billion molecule updates per second is attained, when scaling from 8 to 7168 nodes. Moreover, a total of 20 trillion atoms is simulated at up to 88% weak scaling efficiency running at up to 1.33 PFLOPS. This represents a fivefold increase in terms of the number of atoms simulated to date.
Confessions of an organizational space writer
Authors: Petani Fabio James
Published: January 2019

Writing more affectively represents a form of activism particularly necessary in organizational literature on space. The omission of relevant spatial problems of society like immigration is discussed in a confession, inspired by a PhD student’s critique at an European Group of Organizational Studies event. By means of relating personal and third parties’ experiences in affective ways, the article situates itself in a rich tradition of autoethnographic and qualitative reflexive research. Different ways of writing constitute a methodological strategy for theory building which here is addressed to advance organizational literature on space. An agenda for future research is suggested and a new affective sensitivity is called for to incite writings emotionally supported by their authors’ heartfelt involvement, which shows an aesthetic care for the reader. An activist writing agenda for organizational space scholars calls for non-boring appreciations of humor and irony that help to cope with life’s societal relevant hardships.
Learner proficiency and EFL learning through task rehearsal and performance
Authors: Nguyen Bao Trang Thi , Newton Jonathan
Published: January 2019

This study examined the impact of learner proficiency on the occurrence and resolution of language-related episodes (LREs) in rehearsal of interactive speaking tasks and on the subsequent use of language items from LREs during performance of the same tasks in front of the class. Forty-eight learners from six intact English as a foreign language (EFL) classes at a Vietnamese high school were divided into three proficiency groups, each consisting of eight dyads. Group 1 was higher proficiency (HH) dyads; Group 2 consisted of mixed proficiency dyads (HL) and Group 3 was lower proficiency (LL) dyads. All the pairs rehearsed and then consecutively performed a problem-solving task and a debate task in two separate classroom lessons. The total data included 48 rehearsals and 48 corresponding performances collected during normal classroom hours. The results show that, overall, LL dyads encountered more language problems (more LREs) in rehearsal than HH dyads and they were less likely to resolve them successfully. However, they were able to use a majority of the correct resolutions in the performance as well as their higher proficiency counterparts. The lower proficiency learners were also found to employ memorizing and local rehearsing strategies to retain ideas and language items as they rehearsed for the upcoming performance. These findings have pedagogical implications for teaching and learning through tasks in EFL contexts and beyond.
Patient-centred outcomes for prehospital trauma trials: A systematic review and patient involvement exercise
Authors: Hancox James M , Toman Emma , Brace-McDonnell Samantha J , Naumann David N
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Outcome measures are used in clinical trials to determine efficacy of interventions. We aimed to determine which outcome measures in prehospital major trauma trials have been reported in the literature, and which of these are most patient-centred.

Methods

A systematic review identified outcomes reported in prehospital clinical trials of major trauma patients. A search was undertaken using Medline, Embase, clinicaltrials.gov, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Data were summarised by dividing outcomes into common themes which were presented to a Patient and Public Involvement group consisting of trauma survivors and their relatives. This group ranked the categories of outcomes in order of most importance, and agreed consensus statements regarding these outcome measures.

Results

There were 27 eligible studies, including 9,537 patients. Outcome measures were divided into nine categories: quality of life; length of stay; mortality/survival; physiological parameters; fluid/blood product requirements; complications; health economics; safety and feasibility; and intervention success. Of these, mortality/survival was the most commonly reported category, but over multiple timescales. The Patient and Public Involvement group agreed that the most important category was quality of life, and that mortality/survival should only be reported if concurrently reported with longer term quality of life. Length of stay and health economics were not considered important.

Conclusions

Outcome measures in prehospital clinical trials in major trauma have been heterogeneous, inconsistent, and not necessarily patient-centred. Trauma survivors considered quality of life and mortality most important when combined. Consensus is required for consistent, patient-centred, outcome measures in order to investigate interventions of meaningful impact to patients.
Multi-physics phenomena influencing the performance of the car horn
Authors: Medè Cristian , Doria Alberto , Munaretto Paolo , SG Valdecasas Jorge
Published: January 2019

Usually cars are equipped with disk horns. In these devices electromagnetic energy is converted into mechanical energy of two nuclei that vibrate and impact each other – the impacts excite the disk that radiates sound. This paper aims at understanding the results of acoustic tests carried out on horns with different excitation voltages and different mounting brackets. Since many non-linear phenomena are inherent in the vibrations of the nuclei, a detailed model of the electromechanical system is developed. Results show the dependence of operating frequency on the input voltage and the role played by the various mechanical and electrical parameters on the dynamics of the horn. Particular non-linear effects, like sub-harmonic excitation, are presented and discussed. A general agreement between experimental results and numerical simulations is found.