bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investing in Neighborhoods: The Mitigating Role of Home Mortgage Loans on Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Boggess Lyndsay N. , Chamberlain Alyssa W.
Published: February 2020

Prior research examining how macro-level factors contribute to aggregate rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) across neighborhoods has focused almost exclusively on economic disadvantage or residential instability. Fewer studies have assessed what structural factors might ameliorate rates of domestic violence, such as economic investment. Housing investment improves communities by increasing the number of homeowners, who tend to be more committed to the neighborhood and more likely to develop strong social ties with other residents. The benefits of strong socially connected communities should extend to IPV victims, as studies have shown that female IPV victims tend to be less connected with their social environment and live in less supportive communities. This study examines the influence of external economic investment through home mortgage loans on the number of IPV incidents in a neighborhood and whether an influx of investment mitigates the negative effects of structural conditions on IPV. We examine these issues using panel data on home loan investment among neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio, between 1995 and 2010 to predict female and male domestic assault victimization rates. We find that the number of home purchase loans in a neighborhood has no appreciable impact on the level of IPV incidents, but as the average dollar amount of investment increases, the number of IPV incidents significantly decreases. This relationship is moderated by the neighborhood level of disadvantage: in highly disadvantaged neighborhoods, even low average dollar amounts contribute to a reduction in the number of female victims of domestic assault, but the same relationship is not apparent for male victims or in low disadvantaged neighborhoods. Our findings suggest that investment is important for disrupting the relationship between neighborhood structure and IPV, and implementing place-based strategies to encourage homeownership, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods, will be especially impactful.
The Association of Stalking Victimization With Adolescents’ Depressed Mood and School Mattering
Authors: Waterman Emily A. , Siller Laura , Dworkin Emily R. , Edwards Katie M.
Published: February 2020

Stalking victimization may have a significant impact on adolescents’ well-being, above and beyond the effects of other types of interpersonal violence victimization. This article explored the association of stalking victimization (unwanted harassing or threats) with adolescents’ depressed mood and perception of mattering to other people. Adolescents (age M = 15.8 at baseline, 50.3% girls, 88.9% non-Hispanic White, 85.9% heterosexual) took surveys at two time points and reported on stalking victimization, depressed mood, and perception of mattering. Results indicate that, even when controlling for previous depressed mood and mattering, the odds of depressed mood and mattering among stalking victims was, respectively, 3.31 times higher and 0.49 times lower than the odds of depressed mood and mattering in non-victims. When controlling for other victimization experiences (i.e., dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment), the odds of depressed mood among stalking victims was 2.31 times higher than the odds of depressed mood among non-victims, but stalking victims were not less likely to report mattering. Although more research is needed, these results suggest that assessment and intervention efforts should target depressed mood in stalking victims in addition to underscoring the need for primary prevention of stalking in adolescence.
A Qualitative Account of Children’s Perspectives and Responses to Intimate Partner Violence in Chile
Authors: Miranda Jenniffer K. , León Catalina , Crockett Marcelo A.
Published: February 2020

The literature has shown that including children’s perspectives in intimate partner violence (IPV) field research will improve our understanding of this violence and its impact on the well-being of victims. Furthermore, the literature suggests that children are not passive witnesses. Rather, they use a variety of strategies to cope with IPV. The aim of this research is to understand the experiences and coping strategies of children who have lived through IPV between their parents/caregivers. The participants of this study were nine children between the ages of 8 and 12 years (five girls and four boys). These participants were recruited from a specialized program in Chile focused on the maltreatment of children. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a thematic narrative analysis was used to identify recurring themes from the interviews. The results showed that children used a variety of coping strategies when an episode of violence was occurring. The aim of these coping strategies included the following: (a) emotional and behavioral self-regulation, (b) seeking social support, (c) avoiding emotional reactions related to IPV episodes, (d) escaping violent episodes, and (e) intervening to stop the IPV and protect their mothers. Along with these coping mechanisms, the results reveal that children often not only have to confront IPV when it is present in their families but are also potentially subjected to other types of victimization. The findings of this study highlight that children are active subjects with agency in response to episodes of IPV and respond through a range of actions and coping mechanisms. The researchers emphasize the relevance of integrating and validating the voices of children in research, given that children are direct victims of IPV and a high-risk group for other types of child victimization.
The Impact of Neoliberal Policies During the Great Recession on Youth Transition Regimes in Spain and the UK
Authors: López-Andreu Martí , Verd Joan Miquel
Published: February 2020

This article analyses the impact of the 2008 recession and subsequent austerity policies on the youth transition regimes of Spain and the UK. These two countries have different employment and social support models. However, both applied similar economic and policy responses to the 2008 recession, which had a marked neoliberal character. The article identifies whether or not the impact of these policies blurred the defining characteristics of their transition regimes. To do so, an analysis of employment and welfare policies is undertaken, and two key dimensions of youth transition regimes are critically analysed: the characteristics of employment and the forms of independent living. Our findings show that market dependence and the importance of class-related factors have been reinforced. Nevertheless, these similar patterns of change go together with the persistence of differences among regimes, which suggests that the effect of neoliberal policies is far from being uniform and systematic.
Analytical equations for the connectivity matrices and node positions of minimal and extended tensegrity plates
Authors: Jiang Shuhui , Skelton Robert E , Peraza Hernandez Edwin A
Published: February 2020

Tensegrity structures are three-dimensional networks of truss members loaded in tension or compression. The location of the end points of the truss members, denoted as the nodes, and the associated node-member connectivity matrices are the fundamental descriptors in the modeling and design of tensegrity structures. This paper presents systematic analytical formulas for such node locations and connectivity matrices for tensegrity plates of two different topologies. The formulas apply to plates of any thickness, diameter, and complexity. As application examples, dynamic simulations demonstrating a strategy for morphing the planar plates toward domes are studied. The presented formulas allow for efficient computations and can be employed in the numerical analysis and design of shape-controllable antennas and mirrors, architectural constructions, and other applications based on tensegrity plate and dome-like structures.
Fundamental natural frequencies investigation for a typical 5-MW wind turbine blade
Authors: Alsabagh Abdel Salam Y , Fayyad Sayel M , Darweesh Nihad , Alfaqs Fadi
Published: February 2020

Continuous structures such as beams, rods and plates can be modelled by discrete mass and stiffness parameters and analysed as multi-degree-of-freedom systems. The analysis of structural vibration is necessary to obtain the natural frequencies of a structure and the response to the external excitation. In this way, it can be determined whether a particular structure will fulfil its intended function and, in addition, the results of the dynamic loadings acting on a structure can be predicted. The lack of a sober analytical research about the vibrational behaviour of the 5-MW wind turbine blade pushed us to investigate about this crucial issue, however, most of the discreet researches are concerned with the aerodynamic effects rather than structural analysis. In this article, Rayleigh–Ritz method was implemented for a typical 5-MW wind turbine blade. MATLAB codes were developed and natural frequencies were obtained for both flapwise and edgewise vibrational behaviour. A good agreement was observed between the analytical results and the manufacturer results.
Correlation, collocation and cohesion: A corpus-based critical analysis of violent jihadist discourse
Authors: Brookes Gavin , McEnery Tony
Published: February 2020

This article explores the language of violent jihad, focussing upon lexis encoding concepts from Islam. Through the use of correlation statistics, this article demonstrates that the words encoding such concepts distribute in dependent relationships across different types of texts. The correlation between the words cannot be simply explained in terms of collocation; rather, the correlation is evidence of other forms of cohesion at work in the texts. The variation in patterns of cohesion across a spectrum of texts from those advocating violence to those which do not promote violence demonstrates how these concepts are contested and redefined by violent jihadists and the role that collocation and other forms of cohesion can play in the process. This article concludes that the terms, and their redefinition, are a key part of the symbolic capital used by groups to create identities which licence violence.
Impact of high flows of an Arctic river on ring widths of floodplain trees
Authors: Meko David M , Panyushkina Irina P , Agafonov Leonid I , Edwards Julie A
Published: February 2020

The tree-ring signal for flooding along the Ob River, a large Arctic River in western Siberia, is investigated using a combination of floodplain tree-ring sites from riparian and non-riparian settings. A conceptual model is presented contrasting tree-growth responses of riparian and non-riparian trees to unusually severe flooding. A set of five riparian ( Salix and Populus) tree-ring chronologies is developed and used in combination with existing floodplain non-riparian Larix and Pinus chronologies in a binary classification tree (CT) model to classify high-flood years, defined as a Salekhard water-level gage reading in the seasonal window from May 1 to August 31 of above 470 cm for 82 or more consecutive days. Correlation and regression identifies a nonlinear relationship of riparian ring widths to discharge and flooding: higher annual discharge generally leads to higher growth, but the relationship reverses in extreme-flood years. Micrographs highlight the suppression of width and occasional distortion of cell anatomy in selected trees. CT modeling guided by cross-validation yields a CT model with a primary split on the riparian ring width and secondary split on the non-riparian ring width. The model successfully identifies four of the eight most severe high-flow years, 1934–2014. The model further identifies two years (1885 and 1914) before the start of the gaged record in 1934 as high-flow years. No appreciable difference is found in frequency of high-flow years before and after 1956, when the first major reservoirs began filling upstream of the Lower Ob. The CT modeling approach is proposed as a novel approach to dealing with nonlinearity in reconstructing flood history of Arctic rivers from tree rings.
Reconstructing the palaeoenvironment at the early Mesolithic site of Lake Duvensee: Ground-penetrating radar and geoarchaeology for 3D facies mapping
Authors: Corradini Erica , Wilken Dennis , Zanon Marco , Groß Daniel , Lübke Harald , Panning Diana , Dörfler Walter , Rusch Katharina , Mecking Rebekka , Erkul Ercan , Pickartz Natalie , Feeser Ingo , Rabbel Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

We investigate the landscape development of the early Mesolithic hunter-gatherer sites of Duvensee (10000–6500 cal. BCE). Based on ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and geoarchaeological drillings, we present for the first time a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment of 63 ha covering subarea of the former lake during the Mesolithic. The archaeological aims were (1) to detect the location of former islands possibly hosting hunter-gatherer settlements and (2) to reconstruct the ancient landscape development for understanding prehistoric land use. The research in Duvensee lasts almost 100 years, providing vivid illustrations of early Mesolithic life. Clusters of Mesolithic camps have been found located on small sand hills that formed islands in the prehistoric lake. For this environment, we present depth maps of the three most important sedimentary facies interfaces of the ancient Lake Duvensee. Interface1 represents the transition between coarse organic sediments (peat and coarse detritus gyttja) and fine-grained organic sediments (fine detritus gyttja, calcareous gyttja), Interface2 represents the transition to the underlying clayish-loamy sediments, and Interface3 marks the top of the basal sand deposits at the lake bottom. From Interface3, we identified the location and extent of five former islands with Mesolithic camps. Stratigraphic information from the corings enabled us to create a 3D model of the spatio-temporal development of the Duvensee bog. The locations of the islands and their estimated dive-up times agree with the spatio-temporal pattern of the previous archaeological finds. The model shows where hunter-gatherers could settle and move from one island to another following the shorelines of the overgrowing lake. The 3D stratigraphic model provides growth and shrinking rates of the island and lake areas in the Mesolithic, and volumes of organic and non-organic deposited lake sediments. Besides, it provides a basis for a sustainable groundwater management needed for heritage preservation.
Electroacupuncture versus manual acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Wang Tian-Qi , Li Yong-Ting , Wang Li-Qiong , Shi Guang-Xia , Tu Jian-Feng , Yang Jing-Wen , Hou Ya-Quan , Lin Lu-Lu , Sun Ning , Zhao Jing-Jie , Hou Hai-Kun , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: February 2020

Objective:

We aimed to explore the feasibility of evaluating the comparative effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) relative to manual acupuncture (MA) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods:

A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in Beijing from September 2017 to January 2018. A total of 60 participants with KOA were randomly allocated to either EA ( n = 30) or MA ( n = 30) groups. Participants in the EA group were treated with EA at six to seven local traditional acupuncture points or ah shi points, and two to three distal points. Participants in the MA group had the same schedule as the EA group except that the electrical apparatus featured a working power indicator without actual current output, constituting a sham EA procedure, in order to blind participants. Both groups received 24 sessions over 8 weeks. The primary outcome was response rate, defined as a change of ⩾50% from baseline in the total scores of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) after 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes included pain, stiffness, function, quality of life, and acupuncture-related adverse events (AEs) at 4 and 8 weeks.

Results:

Of 60 participants randomized, 53 (88%) completed the study. Response rates were 43% for the EA group and 30% for the MA group by the intention-to-treat analysis. Although significant differences were observed in WOMAC pain, stiffness, and function scores within both groups, between-group differences at 8 weeks did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio = 1.75 (95% confidence interval = 0.593–5.162)). Rates of AEs were low and similarly distributed between groups.

Conclusion:

Both EA and MA interventions in KOA were feasible and appeared safe. Whether or not EA may have a stronger impact on pain and function requires further evaluation through larger, adequately powered, randomized controlled trials.

Trial registration number:

NCT03274713.
‘Quantizing international relations’: The case for quantum approaches to international theory and security practice
Authors: Der Derian James , Wendt Alexander
Published: February 2020

This special issue is conceived out of the proposition that recent developments in quantum theory as well as innovations in quantum technology have profound implications for international relations, especially in the field of international security. Interaction with quantum theory outside the circle of physics has been limited; our goal is to catalyse an informed debate on the virtues of quantum theory for international relations. As new scientific discoveries and technological applications suggest large-scale quantum phenomena, near-simultaneous interconnectivity creates global entanglements, and ubiquitous media produce profound observer-effects, we wish to make of quantum theory a human science. With the arrival of quantum computing, communications and artificial intelligence, we can also expect to see significant transformations in the nature, production and distribution of power and knowledge. This special issue introduces quantum approaches that can help us better understand, anticipate and perhaps even ameliorate the most pressing global issues facing us today and in the near future.
Characteristics, diagnoses and risk profiles of inpatients readmitted within 28 days of discharge to an Australian private psychiatric hospital
Authors: Keks Nicholas A , Hope Judith , Adamopoulos Voula , Pring William , Tofler David , Macfarlane Stephen , Van Sebille Debbie
Published: February 2020

Objective:

The objective of this study was to perform a clinical and risk audit of private hospital inpatients who had been readmitted within 28 days of a preceding admission.

Method:

Of 118 readmissions within 28 days in 2017 (7% of all admissions), 50 were randomly selected for audit. Characteristics, illness severity and clinical risk profiles were ascertained at discharge from the index admission and at readmission.

Results:

Cases were 64% female, age 49.9 ± 18.2 years (range 19–89), 40% in relationships and 24% on disability support. At readmission, 88% posed danger to self due to effects of illness, 46% had high suicide risk and 40% had high physical risk. Illness was rated as severe in 58%, while 40% were rated markedly ill. Relapse or exacerbation of major depression was a cause of readmission in 78%, relapse of alcohol/substance use requiring readmission in 22% and relapse of psychosis in 20%. Index admission length of stay of cases did not differ from that of all hospital admissions.

Conclusion:

Most readmitted patients were suffering severe exacerbation of depression, were acutely suicidal and were otherwise at high risk of harm. If these patients had been denied readmission on the basis of insurer funding disincentives, catastrophic outcomes may well have occurred.
Path Dependence in New Ventures’ Capital Structures
Authors: Samuelsson Mikael , Söderblom Anna , McKelvie Alexander
Published: February 2020

We explore new ventures’ capital structures, providing novel theoretical reasoning concerning path dependence. We examine a longitudinal sample of 1,756 Swedish startups and their use of external financing. We find support for path dependence in new ventures’ financial structures in that their early funding choices of subsidies, debt or equity, persist over time, with the strongest path effect for equity. In line with theory, those ventures who replace their CEO are more likely to change capital structures. Our study adds to the stream of research providing alternative explanations to prevailing theories of the evolution of new ventures’ financing structures.
A Review of Deflazacort for Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Bylo Mary , Farewell Raechel , Coppenrath Valerie A. , Yogaratnam Dinesh
Published: February 2020

Objective: The objective of this article is to review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, dosage and administration, and formulary considerations of deflazacort. Data Sources: A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE (1946 to December 31, 2019) was conducted using the terms deflazacort and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Results were limited to clinical trials, humans, and English. Additional sources and data were obtained from the references of included articles and prescribing information. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All articles published after July 2014 related to pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, or safety of the therapy in human subjects were included. Data Synthesis: Deflazacort 0.9 mg/kg/d is a once-daily oral corticosteroid and is the first drug of its class to be Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for DMD. Studies with deflazacort show improved functional outcomes, delayed onset of cardiomyopathy, reduction in scoliosis surgery, and improved survival, but these improvements are supported by relatively weak evidence. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This review presents data from studies published after the most recent DMD 2016 treatment guidelines and offers prescribing considerations, including pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, formulary considerations, and areas of uncertainty. Conclusions: Deflazacort presents an additional, FDA-approved corticosteroid option for patients that offers improved quality of life for DMD patients. However, there is weak evidence to support these benefits; a full risk-benefit analysis considering adverse events, efficacy, cost, and previous trials of steroid therapy is necessary when selecting therapy. Further research will help clarify deflazacort’s optimal dose, duration of treatment, and impact on quality of life.
The Tasmanian Atrial Fibrillation Study (TAFS): Differences in Stroke Prevention According to Sex
Authors: Pilcher Sophie M. , Alamneh Endalkachew Admassie , Chalmers Leanne , Bereznicki Luke R.
Published: February 2020

Background: There are limited Australian data on sex differences in oral anticoagulant (OAC) prescribing in atrial fibrillation (AF) and ongoing debate regarding the optimal approach to stroke risk assessment and OAC prescribing in female patients with AF. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate sex differences in the prescribing of OACs in patients with AF stratified by stroke risk and in the rate of adverse outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital (Tasmania, Australia) with nonvalvular AF between January 2011 and July 2015 was conducted. Rates of antithrombotic prescribing according to sex and stroke risk were assessed along with a multivariate analysis for predictors of OAC prescribing. Rates of thromboembolism, bleeding, and all-cause mortality were assessed according to sex. Results: A total of 2090 patients were included (44.7% female). Women with a CHA2DS2-VA score ≥2 were less likely to receive an OAC compared with men (56.7% vs 62.2%, P = 0.023). Female sex was an independent negative predictor of OAC prescribing (adjusted odds ratio = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.69-0.99; P = 0.041). There were no sex differences in the incidence rates of thromboembolism, bleeding, or all-cause mortality in patients newly commenced on antithrombotic therapy. Conclusion and Relevance: Female patients with a high stroke risk were less likely to receive guideline-recommended treatment. This study provides new information on prescribing trends within the Australian setting and highlights the opportunity to improve the management of female patients with AF and 1 or more additional stroke risk factors.
Cytoplasmic p16 Is Expressed in Normal Brown Fat and Hibernomas
Authors: Karpathiou Georgia , Dumollard Jean Marc , Evangelou Zoe , Batistatou Anna , Peoc’h Michel , Papoudou-Bai Alexandra
Published: February 2020

White adipose tissue browning has emerged as a putative therapy of obesity, and studies in mice have shown that Cdkn2a is implicated in white-to-brown transition. However, the role of Cdkn2a product p16 has been never studied in human brown fat tissue. The aim of the study is to investigate the expression of p16 in normal brown fat and in hibernoma, a lipoma containing brown fat-like adipocytes. Ten normal brown fat tissues and 5 hibernomas were immunohistochemically studied for p16 expression. Nearby white adipose tissue was used for comparison. All brown fat and hibernomas specimens express p16 in a cytoplasmic manner. Neighboring white adipose tissue is negative for p16 expression. Thus, cytoplasmic p16 may be associated with fat tissue browning.
Derivation of a refined six-parameter shell model: descent from the three-dimensional Cosserat elasticity using a method of classical shell theory
Authors: Bîrsan Mircea
Published: February 2020

Starting from the three-dimensional Cosserat elasticity, we derive a two-dimensional model for isotropic elastic shells. For the dimensional reduction, we employ a derivation method similar to that used in classical shell theory, as presented systematically by Steigmann (Koiter’s shell theory from the perspective of three-dimensional nonlinear elasticity. J Elast 2013; 111: 91–107). As a result, we obtain a geometrically nonlinear Cosserat shell model with a specific form of the strain energy density, which has a simple expression, with coefficients depending on the initial curvature tensor and on three-dimensional material constants. The explicit forms of the stress–strain relations and the local equilibrium equations are also recorded. Finally, we compare our results with other six-parameter shell models and discuss the relation to the classical Koiter shell model.
Adherence to glaucoma medication, illness perceptions, and beliefs about glaucoma: Attitudinal perspectives among Turkish population
Authors: Guven Soner , Koylu Mehmet Talay , Mumcuoglu Tarkan
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the topical glaucoma eye drops adherence prevalence and its association with beliefs and illness perceptions about glaucoma in Turkey. We also aimed to explore the factors linked to patients’ total, voluntary, and involuntary non-adherence to medication in different patient attitudes.

Material and Methods:

A prospective study with cross-sectional design which included a total of 317 glaucoma patients who completed questionnaires. We assessed the adherence to medication, illness perceptions, and the beliefs about the glaucoma treatment by the “Reported Adherence to Medication scale,” “the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire,” and “the Beliefs about Medicine-Specific Questionnaire,” respectively. According to the RAM scale, voluntary and involuntary non-adherence scores were also distinguished. Different adherence categories in RAM scale were compared with perception and belief measures. Patient attitudes were assessed from the BMQ. We also performed attitudinal type comparisons with different adherence groups.

Results:

The full adherence prevelance to glaucoma medication was 40%. The proportion of voluntary and involuntary non-adherence was 26% and 57%, respectively. The adherence groups were similar in terms of belief measures but statistically different according to illness perceptions (consequences (p = 0.002), timeline (p = 0.008), personal control (p = 0.001), identity (p = 0.019), concerns (p = 0.003)), and attitude types (ambivalent (p = 0.030) and accepting (p = 0.029)).

Conclusion:

New strategies are required to improve patient adherence to glaucoma medication in Turkey. The beliefs about the glaucoma treatment and illness perceptions are also needed to be enhanced.
Incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection with and without topical antibiotic prophylaxis
Authors: Torres-Costa Sónia , Ramos Diogo , Brandão Elisete , Carneiro Ângela , Rosas Vítor , Rocha-Sousa Amândio , Falcão-Reis Fernando , Falcão Manuel
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

The purpose was to compare the incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection with and without topical antibiotic prophylaxis.

Methods:

This is a single-center, retrospective case–control study. All patients treated with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept, or corticosteroids for a variety of retinal vascular diseases between 1 October 2014 and 30 November 2018 were included. The total number of patients and injections were determined from a review of billing code and practice management records. Endophthalmitis cases were determined from billing records and then confirmed with chart review. A 24-month period when topical antibiotics were prescribed after intravitreal injection was compared with a 24-month period when topical antibiotics were not prescribed.

Results:

Between 1 October 2014 and 30 November 2018, a total of 33,515 intravitreal injections were performed and 13 cases of post–intravitreal injection endophthalmitis were identified (incidence rate of 0.0388%; 95% confidence interval, 0.0217%–0.0644%) or approximately 1 case for every 2578 intravitreal injections. Between 1 October 2014 and 31 October 2016, while topical antibiotic prophylaxis was used postoperatively, 14,828 intravitreal injections were performed and 5 cases of endophthalmitis were reported (0.0337%; 95% confidence interval, 0.0129%–0.0739%). Between 1 November 2016 and 30 November 2018, while no prophylaxis was used, 18,687 intravitreal injections were performed and 8 cases of endophthalmitis were identified (0.0428%; 95% confidence interval, 0.0202%–0.0808%). There were no statistical differences in the incidence rates between the two groups ( p = 0.675).

Conclusion:

The incidence rate of endophthalmitis in the group with topical antibiotic prophylaxis after intravitreal injection was similar to the group with no prophylaxis. Changing the current clinical practice to no antibiotic prophylaxis had no effect on the incidence of endophthalmitis.
Optical coherence tomography angiography for the measurement of optic disc: Macular relationship
Authors: Serafino Massimiliano , Scaramuzzi Matteo , Bonsignore Francesco , Vitale Lucia , Magli Adriano , Nucci Paolo
Published: February 2020

Introduction:

Fundus photography is the gold standard for assessing ocular torsion over the last 30 years. However, it is not a precise and reproducible tool during clinical practice. Optical coherence tomography angiography is characterized by precise identification of the macula and the optic disc, and it could be an effective method to easily calculate the angle of ocular torsion, compared to fundus photography. The aim of this study was to show whether any difference in the measurement and the accuracy of the angle of torsion between the head of the optic nerve and the fovea was present.

Methods:

This is a prospective single-, referral-center study conducted at the San Giuseppe Hospital in Milan on 80 eyes of 40 adult patients, included in a random-sample way. Exclusion criteria were non-cooperation, higher refractive errors of ±3 diopters, retinal and optic disc pathologies, and ocular movement disorders.

Results:

Patients’ mean age was 54.3 ± 16.3 (range: 22–83) years. The angle measured by the fundus camera was 7.78° ± 3.04°, while the angle measured by the angiography was 7.09° ± 3.08° (p = .035). The mean interocular difference was 1.54° ± 3.42° for fundus photography and 0.5° ± 4.71° for angiography (p = .013).

Conclusion:

Optical coherence tomography angiography is a very useful, fast, precise, reproducible, and reliable technique in cooperative subjects, not inferior to the fundus camera and less prone to human error.
Resolution of optic disc pit–associated macular retinoschisis after topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor treatment: Report of a case
Authors: Al-Moujahed Ahmad , Callaway Natalia F , Vail Daniel , Ludwig Cassie A , Ji Marco H , Moshfeghi Darius M
Published: February 2020

Background:

Optic disc pits frequently lead to visual deterioration due to macular retinoschisis or serous retinal detachment. Here, we report a case of optic disc pit–associated macular retinoschisis due to intraretinal fluid accumulation that resolved with improvement in visual acuity after treatment with topical dorzolamide.

Case description:

A 56-year-old otherwise healthy female with no ocular history presented with 2 weeks of slowly worsening blurry vision in her right eye. Visual acuity was 20/30 in the right eye. Posterior segment examination revealed posterior vitreous detachment, an optic disc pit at 9 o’clock, macular edema and foveoschisis with fluid extending from the optic nerve, and a normal peripheral retina. Optical coherence tomography imaging of the macula showed central subfield thickness of 526 µm. The patient preferred no surgical intervention, so topical dorzolamide 2% three times daily was initiated. Over the next 2 years, the central subfield thickness steadily declined from 526 to 262 µm, and her vision improved to 20/20 with improvement in the macular retinoschisis.

Conclusion:

Our report presents a case of resolution of optic disc pit–associated macular retinoschisis due to intraretinal fluid accumulation with possible role for dorzolamide as a potential treatment option.
Friction coefficient and stress–strain on a soil-buried box culvert jacking in highway construction
Authors: Guo Rui , Nian Teng-fei , Wang Xi-qing , Guo Guang-ling
Published: February 2020

In this article, the factors affecting the friction coefficient between a box culvert’s sidewalls and surrounding soil and the box culvert’s mechanical behavior during the jacking process in construction were studied with an engineering example in Guangdong province, China. First, the principal factors that affected changes in the friction coefficient and its law were analyzed with self-development model testing. Second, in combination with 3D finite element simulation, both the stress and strain laws of a box culvert’s different parts were studied by considering changes in jacking distance, soil thickness, and drag reduction material. The results showed that with increasing jacking distance, both the curves of stress and strain on the roof and floor with jacking distance exhibited an “armchair” shape, while the web had a “trapezoid” shape as the box culvert was jacked into the subgrade. Both the thickness and characteristics of the cover soil on top of the box culvert had an essential influence on the stress and strain values of the box culvert’s structure. Water content’s effect on the friction coefficient decreased gradually when the water content exceeded its plastic limit. The optimal ratio of cement slurry to soil was approximately 1:4 in the project. It is also suggested that a paraffin and engine oil mixture can be used as a drag reduction material when jacking a box culvert.
Finite-element model updating of the traditional beam–column joint in Tibetan heritage buildings using uniform design
Authors: Dai Lu
Published: February 2020

The Que-Ti joint is the traditional beam–column connection in Tibetan heritage buildings and plays an important role in bearing and transferring load. The structure of the Que-Ti joint is very complicated, which makes it very difficult to build a refined solid model during the numerical simulation process. This means that a simplified model of the Que-Ti joint is required. In this article, we propose a finite-element model updating technique based on uniform design and apply this to the finite-element model updating of the Que-Ti joint. A simplified model of the joint was simulated using two uncertain parameters, and by constructing the uniform design matrix, the specific size of each component within the simplified model was then determined. The stress state of the simplified model was compared to the refined solid model, with results indicating that the stress and strain response of the simplified model had a small rate of error when compared with the refined solid model, which confirmed that the finite-element model updating based on the uniform design was effective and that the simplified model of the Que-Ti joint could be applied to the analysis of the structure as whole. A field measurement was also conducted to further verify the numerical simulation. This investigation provides essential information for the structural analysis of Tibetan heritage buildings.
The surface integrity of ultra-fine grain steel, Electrical discharge machined using Iso-pulse and resistance–capacitance-type generator
Authors: Mahdieh Mohammad S
Published: February 2020

Ultra-fine grained materials with high strength and low weight are eventually considered to be used in industries. To produce ultra-fine grained materials, equal channel angular pressing is a functional method, imposing severe plastic deformation on the workpiece. Electrical discharge machining is an indispensable process in manufacturing industrial parts with high accuracy and precision. However, electrical discharge machining has thermo-physical consequences, damaging the surface layers of the workpiece. On the other hand, the ultra-fine grained materials are thermodynamically unstable and tend to microstructural evolution. Thus, electrical discharge machining process affects the ultra-fine grained materials more than coarse grain materials. In this study, the effects of electrical discharge machining on the ultra-fine grained steel were investigated and the undesirable influences of the electrical discharge machining were diminished by adjusting the electrical discharge machining parameters. The ultra-fine grained steel samples were electrical discharge machined in two methods including Iso-pulse (roughing mode and finishing mode) and with resistance–capacitance-type generator. The surface integrity parameters, including thickness and microstructure of the recast layer and heat-affected zone, the cracks density and hardness, which for all three types of samples, were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction technique, and micro-hardness tester. The results show that electrical discharge machining with resistance–capacitance-type generator has the minimum effects on the surface integrity of the ultra-fine grained samples because of the different material removal mechanism of resistance–capacitance-type electrical discharge machining.
Surrogate decision making for unrepresented patients: Proposing a harm reduction interpretation of the best interest standard
Authors: Friesen Phoebe , Gligorov Nada
Published: February 2020

Unrepresented patients are individuals who lack decision makingcapacity and have no family or friends to make medical decisions for them. This population is growing in number in the United States, particularly within emergency and intensive care settings. While some bioethical discussion has taken place in response to the question of who ought to make decisions for these patients, the issue of how surrogate medical decisions ought to be made for this population remains unexplored. In this paper, we argue that standard applications of surrogate decision making principles in health care are not well suited to many unrepresented patients with long-term mental health diagnosis. We argue that when applied to this population, the substituted judgment standard, designed to preserve patient preferences and values, may lead to the exclusion of their preferences. We argue further that the application of the best interest standard runs the risk of leading to harmful cases of overtreatment or undertreatment. We offer an alternative interpretation of the best interest principle that is better able to promote the well-being of unrepresented patients, especially for those who lack capacity because of mental disorders. This alternative is based on the practices and principles of harm reduction and includes three components: emphasis on considering the expressed preferences of unrepresented patients, a focus on reducing harm as well as the delivery of clinical benefits, and a recognition of the importance of promoting trust.
‘If he dies with the papers of his brother, his brother will be considered dead’. Moral understandings of health professionals about the use of deception to overcome restrictions in access to healthcare
Authors: Lafaut Dirk
Published: February 2020

Although scholars in bioethics usually consider the exclusion of migrants from basic healthcare as unjust, it remains unclear how health professionals should ethically deal with policies restricting access to healthcare for undocumented migrants. Debates on offering less than the most beneficial healthcare have been limited to contributions on ethical bedside rationing. This article draws on semi-structured in-depth interviews that explore health professional’s acceptance, as well as their willingness to resort to the use of deception to secure third-party payer approval for undocumented migrants. The results show that health professionals (1) are sceptical about both the possibility and desirability of verifying whether a patient’s declarations are deceitful in the setting of a consultation, but (2) are reluctant to use deception themselves to circumvent government policies restricting access to healthcare for undocumented migrants. We discuss how this approach of ‘relative impartiality’ threatens professional autonomy and conclude that professional associations should play a much more important role in supporting health professionals in relation to healthcare institutions and governments when their members are confronted with specific rationing practices forcing them to provide suboptimal healthcare.
Tracking and climbing behavior recognition of heavy-duty trucks on roadways
Authors: Tang Lei , Jia Jingchi , Duan Zongtao , Ma Jingyu , Wang Xin , Kong Weiwei
Published: February 2020

The tracking and behavior recognition of heavy-duty trucks on roadways are keys for the development of automated heavy-duty trucks and an advanced driver assistance system. The spatiotemporal information of trucks from trajectory tracking and motions learnt from behavior analysis can be employed to predict possible driving risks and generate safe motion to avoid roadway accidents. This article presents a unified tracking and behavior recognition algorithm that can model the mobility of heavy-duty trucks on long inclined roadways. Random noise within the sampled elevation data is addressed by time-based segmentation to extract time-continuous samples at geographical locations. A Kalman filter is first used to distinguish error offsets from random noise and to estimate the distribution of truck elevations for different time intervals. A Markov chain Monte Carlo model is then applied to classify truck behaviors based on the change in elevation between two geographical locations. A heavy-duty truck mobility (HVMove) model is constructed based on the map information to apply the roadway geometry to the tracking and behavior recognition algorithm. We develop an extended Metropolis–Hastings algorithm to tune the parameters of the HVMove model. The proposed model is verified and evaluated through extensive experiments based on a real-world trajectory dataset covering sections of an expressway and national and provincial highways. From the experimental results, we conclude that the HVMove model provides sufficient accuracy and efficiency for automated heavy-duty trucks and advanced driver assistance system applications. In addition, HVMove can generate maps with the elevation information marked automatically.
Dexmedetomidine May Reduce IL-6 Level and the Risk of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients After Surgery: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lei Daoyun , Sha Yeqin , Wen Shuang , Xie Songhui , Liu Li , Han Chao
Published: February 2020

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) was widely used in clinical work. However, the effectiveness of DEX on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) was still need to be confirmed. The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore whether DEX can reduce the incidence of POCD on the first day and seventh postoperative day. The results showed that lower incidence of POCD associated with DEX treatment on the first (odds ratio [OR]: 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31-0.54) or seventh postoperative day (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.36-0.77). Mini-Mental State Examination scores on the first (mean difference [MD]: 4.67; 95% CI: 1.72-7.63) and seventh postoperative days (MD: 3.71; 95% CI: 2.51-4.90) were higher in DEX use group than that in physiological saline group. Meanwhile, neuron-specific enolase (NSE; MD: −3.99; 95% CI: −6.20 to −1.78) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels (MD: −17.53; 95% CI: −21.51 to −13.54) on the first postoperative day in DEX group were lower than that in the physiological saline group. This meta-analysis suggested that DEX use could reduce the risk of POCD and the reduction in levels of NSE and IL-6 can improve long-term cognitive dysfunction and anti-inflammation.
Autonomous underwater vehicle depth control based on an improved active disturbance rejection controller
Authors: Zhang Zhengzheng , Liu Bingyou , Wang Lichao
Published: February 2020

Large fluctuation, large overshoot, and uncertain external disturbance that occur when an autonomous underwater vehicle is in deep motion are difficult to address using the traditional control method. An optimal control strategy based on an improved active disturbance rejection control technology is proposed to enhance the trajectory tracking accuracy of autonomous underwater vehicles in actual bathymetric operations and resist external and internal disturbances. First, the depth motion and mathematical models of an autonomous underwater vehicle and propeller are established, respectively. Second, the control rate of the extended state observer and the nonlinear error feedback of the traditional active disturbance rejection control are improved by using a new nonlinear function. The nonlinearity, model uncertainty, and external disturbance of the autonomous underwater vehicle depth control system are extended to a new state, which is realized by an improved extended state observer. Third, the improved nonlinear state error feedback is used to suppress residual errors and provide high-quality control for the system. Simulation and experimental results show that under the same parameters, the traditional active disturbance rejection control has a small overshoot, fast tracking ability, and strong anti-interference ability. The optimized active disturbance rejection control and traditional active disturbance rejection control are applied to the deep-variation motion of autonomous underwater vehicles. Results show that the proposed optimal control strategy is not only simple and feasible but also demonstrates good control performance.
Selectfluor-initiated cyanation of disulfides to thiocyanates
Authors: Zhou Pengpeng , Chen Chuan , Li Shubai
Published: February 2020

A Selectfluor-initiated cyanation of disulfides to thiocyanates has been developed. In this process, Selectfluor was employed as the oxidant and trimethylsilyl cyanide was used as the cyanation reagent. It provides an eco-friendly and simple way to synthesize the thiocyanates.