bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Visual Communication of Weather Forecasts with Rhetoric
Authors: Lambrecht K. M. , Hatchett B. J. , Walsh L. C. , Collins M. , Tolby Z.
Published: January 2019

Communicating weather-related hazards to the public can be a challenge for meteorologists, particularly given the nature of confidence levels in forecasting science. Despite these challenges, communicating high-impact weather remains extremely important because it has implications for the safety, health, and resilience of impacted communities. Because the dynamics of this issue are complex, solutions to weather hazard communication benefit from interdisciplinary solutions and multiple types of expertise. Our work demonstrates how rhetoric, a foundational communication discipline, can be applied to improving weather forecast communication. Applying a rhetorical framework allows the identification of communication strategies that not only invite public involvement but encourage users to act as conduits for weather information distribution. As a result, trust can be developed between the National Weather Service (NWS) and public audiences. The initial results support the hypothesis that effective public communication from NWS messaging can be improved by incorporating the concept of “commonplaces,” which are the expressions of beliefs, values, and norms that construct community attitudes toward weather or natural hazard forecasts, into visual communication techniques such as NWS Weather Stories.
Experimental investigation on compressive behaviour of different patch–parent layup configurations for repaired carbon/epoxy composites
Authors: Bhatia Gursahib Singh , Andrew J Jefferson , Arockiarajan A
Published: January 2019

This work presents a comparison of various combinations of patch and parent laminates with different orientations and stacking sequence, on the performance of adhesively bonded external patch-repaired carbon/epoxy laminates under quasi-static compressive loading. The compressive behaviour and failure modes of pristine, damaged and repaired specimens of four different parent laminates ([0]6, [45]6, [0/45/45]s, [45/45/0]s) are discussed. The repair of each parent laminate is carried out by bonding patches of four configurations ([0]2, [45]2, [45/0], [0/45]) having two plies on each side of the parent laminates. Real-time digital image correlation technique was employed to capture the development of the strain field with the increasing load. The results reveal the development of distinctive strain contours associated with different patch–parent configurations. The inspection of damaged specimens revealed the fiber micro-buckling as the dominant mode of failure. The orientation of plies influences the overall failure mode of the laminates. The clustering of 0° plies results in laminate possessing higher strength. The less stiff [45]2 patch shows higher compliance with the increasing load.
Natural fiber-reinforced high-density polyethylene composite hybridized with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
Authors: Ning Haibin , Pillay Selvum , Lu Na , Zainuddin Shaik , Yan Yongzhe
Published: January 2019

A great deal of research and development work has been recently conducted on natural fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite for its abundancy, low density, excellent damping characteristic, and good mechanical properties. However, the low strength of natural fiber composite has limited its use to only low stress applications. The purpose of this work is to develop a natural fiber hybrid material with both enhanced strength and failure strain using a novel approach and study the effect of the processing temperature on its microstructure and performance. High-strength ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fabrics are co-molded onto the surfaces of a kenaf fiber high-density polyethylene-based composite material by single-step compression molding. The status of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fabrics at different processing temperatures is investigated using microscopic analysis. The tensile strength and impact strength of the hybrid material are evaluated. It is found that its tensile strength is increased by more than 90% with only 8% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber reinforcement added and its low density is maintained.
Diagnostic utility of bone marrow examination in evaluation of fever: a descriptive study on 98 immunocompetent adults from a tertiary care institute in south India
Authors: Sai Sri Krishna , Padhi Somanath , Varghese Renu G Boy , Kanungo Reba , Basheer Aneesh , Iqbal Nayyar
Published: January 2019

Five-year clinico-laboratory data from 99 (one HIV seropositive) adults (mean age = 41.3 ± 20.4 years) who underwent bone marrow examination for fever persisting for ≥ 1 week were analysed and correlated with microbiological characteristics. Infections, reactive marrow changes and haematolymphoid malignancies were most commonly associated with fever. A high concordance rate of 71% was noted between aspiration and trephine biopsies. Bone marrow granulomas (BMG) were seen exclusively on sections and were most commonly of tubercular and typhoidal in origin (two Salmonella Typhi, one Salmonella Paratyphi A). The common aetiologies associated with fever and cytopenia(s) were BMG, acute leukaemia and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH; n = 3). The yield from bone marrow culture was inferior compared to other body fluids. In conclusion, bone marrow histology is superior to smears in the evaluation of prolonged fever. Marrow culture may not be useful in immunocompetent individuals other than if Salmonellosis is suspected.
Differences in Coping Strategies Between Young and Older Adults: The Role of Executive Functions
Authors: Nieto Marta , Romero Dulce , Ros Laura , Zabala Carmen , Martínez Manuela , Ricarte Jorge J. , Serrano Juan P. , Latorre Jose M.
Published: January 2019

Executive functions (EFs) have been identified as processes in the ability to select and apply adaptive strategies for coping with stress. This study compares executive functioning, short-term memory, and coping in a sample of young and older adults with no prior diagnosis of depression and with normal cognitive function ( N = 216). The study collected measures of depression, EFs, short-term memory, and coping. Young participants scored higher than older adults on EFs and short-term memory. Moreover, in young adults, there was a prevalence of avoidance coping strategies. Scores on depressive symptomatology were found to be related to avoidant coping strategies. Older adults with higher score on inhibition used less avoidant coping. Thus, it seems that executive deficits might contribute to depression, as they affect processes for coping with stress. This finding may have implications for the role of EFs and coping in psychological well-being and successful adaptation of individuals to stressful situations.
Alice in Wonderland: Voluntary sector organisations’ experiences of Transforming Rehabilitation
Authors: Corcoran Mary S. , Maguire Mike , Williams Kate
Published: January 2019

This article explores the experience of voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) in the Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) experiment. It identifies the motivations, expectations, rationalities and experiences of voluntary sector participants, drawing on interviews conducted with charity directors and community rehabilitation company executives between 2015 and 2017. It concludes by reflecting on the losses and gains that accrued to different parts of the voluntary sector, as well as critically examining the conditions by which ‘winning’ and ‘losing’ were structured within the TR framework.
Texture in the monitoring of regorafenib therapy in patients with colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Andersen Iben R , Thorup Kennet , Andersen Michael B , Olesen Rene , Mortensen Frank V , Nielsen Dennis T , Rasmussen Finn
Published: January 2019

Background

The morphological changes seen during treatment with regorafenib represent challenges when evaluating treatment response using RECIST. Computed tomography texture analysis (CTTA) has potential as a non-invasive functional imaging biomarker during treatment with anti-angiogenetic therapies.

Purpose

To explore changes in three-dimensional tumor CTTA in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in a cohort of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer during treatment with regorafenib.

Material and Methods

Twenty-seven patients with CRLM were treated with regorafenib and evaluated using CTTA. Texture analysis was applied in the standard contrast-enhanced CT performed in the portal-venous phase (PVP-CT) and in two selected scan series derived from a dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT). A total of 269 scan series were analyzed.

Results

In the unfiltered dataset of the PVP-CT, all texture parameters, except for kurtosis, changed significantly during treatment. In the filtered PVP-CT dataset, the CTTA parameters entropy, uniformity, and standard deviation were markedly associated with overall survival (OS) at spatial scaling factors (SSF) of 1.0– 2.0, but did not change significantly during treatment. Skewness increased significantly during treatment and was evaluated at SSF ≥1.0. In general, the same trends in texture parameter changes were seen when analyzing DCE-CT datasets. However, these changes did not reach the same level of significance.

Conclusions

In this exploratory study, we demonstrated substantial changes in the texture parameters during treatment with regorafenib, most evident in the unfiltered dataset of the PVP-CT. Some texture parameters showed prognostic association with OS. Texture may potentially help evaluate the treatment response in patients treated with regorafenib.
Paroxysmal pressing headache: A new short-lasting headache
Authors: Pareja Juan A , Álvarez Mónica , Cárcamo Alba , Liaño Talía , Rodríguez-Caravaca Gil , Cuadrado María-Luz
Published: January 2019

Introduction

In this report we describe a series of patients with a previously undescribed headache.

Methods

Over a 4-year period, we recruited 14 patients with a distinctive type of head pain of unknown cause that did not meet diagnostic criteria for other primary headaches.

Results

Nine women and five men with a mean age of 49.6 years (standard deviation, 17.8) presented with spontaneous headache attacks lasting 2–15 minutes. In each attack, the pain was localized to a region of one side of the head. Pain location varied between episodes in 12 patients. Pain quality was pressing, and pain intensity was mild to severe. There were no accompanying symptoms. Physical examination and all ancillary tests were unremarkable. Among seven patients who tried pharmacological treatments, one responded to antidepressants, another to indomethacin and three to other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or simple analgesics.

Conclusions

Paroxysmal pressing headache may be a new headache syndrome marked by short duration of the pain and shifting location.
Epoxy-based composites reinforced with African teff straw (Eragrostis tef) for lightweight applications
Authors: Devnani GL , Sinha Shishir
Published: January 2019

The objective of this work is to access the possibility of reinforcement of a new and almost inexpensive natural fiber in epoxy composites. In this study, epoxy-based composites reinforced with African teff straw ( Eragrostis tef) have been fabricated using simple hand layup technique with different fiber loadings varying from 5% to 25%. The fiber surface is treated with 5% alkali, 10% alkali, silane, and acetic anhydride to improve the interaction between fiber and matrix. The mechanical, morphological, water absorption, and thermal characteristics of both the untreated and the treated composites have been studied to analyze the properties and effect of surface treatment on prepared composites. Water diffusion mechanism has also been studied. The effect of various treatment methodologies has been compared to obtain superior quality composites; 15% fiber loading and silane treatment have improved the tensile strength and flexural strength by 40% and 25%, respectively, while 5% alkali-treated composites increased tensile strength by 12% as compared to neat epoxy resin.
Trauma Surgeon and Palliative Care Physician Attitudes Regarding Goals-of-Care Delineation for Injured Geriatric Patients
Authors: Cunningham Holly B. , Scielzo Shannon A. , Nakonezny Paul A. , Bruns Brandon R. , Brasel Karen J. , Inaba Kenji , Brakenridge Scott C. , Kerby Jeffrey D. , Joseph Bellal A. , Mohler M. J. , Cuschieri Joseph , Paulk Mary E. , Ekeh Akpofure P. , Madni Tarik D. , Taveras Luis R. , Imran Jonathan B. , Wolf Steven E. , Phelan Herb A.
Published: January 2019

Background:

The value of defining goals of care (GoC) for geriatric patients is well known to the palliative care community but is a newer concept for many trauma surgeons. Palliative care specialists and trauma surgeons were surveyed to elicit the specialties’ attitudes regarding (1) importance of GoC conversations for injured seniors; (2) confidence in their own specialty’s ability to conduct these conversations; and (3) confidence in the ability of the other specialty to do so.

Methods:

A 13-item survey was developed by the steering committee of a multicenter, palliative care-focused consortium and beta-tested by trauma surgeons and palliative care specialists unaffiliated with the consortium. The finalized instrument was electronically circulated to active physician members of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma and American Academy for Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Results:

Respondents included 118 trauma surgeons (8.8%) and 244 palliative care specialists (5.7%). Palliative physicians rated being more familiar with GoC, were more likely to report high-quality training in performing conversations, believed more palliative specialists were needed in intensive care units, and had more interest in conducting conversations relative to trauma surgeons. Both groups believed themselves to perform GoC discussions better than the other specialty perceived them to do so and favored their own specialty leading team discussions.

Conclusions:

Both groups believe themselves to conduct GoC discussions for injured seniors better than the other specialty perceived them to do so, which led to disparate views on the optimal leadership of these discussions.
Trends in Breast Cancer Incidence and Stage Distribution Before and During the Introduction of the Mammography Screening Program in Lithuania
Authors: Steponaviciene Laura , Briediene Ruta , Vanseviciute Rasa , Smailyte Giedre
Published: January 2019

Background:

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence trends of localized and advanced breast cancer (BC) before and during the implementation of the mammography screening program (MSP) in Lithuania.

Methods:

The study period was divided into 2 intervals: the prescreening period (1998-2005) and implementation period (2006-2012). Analysis was performed for 3 age-groups: 0 to 49 years, 50 to 69 (target population), and older than 70.

Results:

In all age-groups, the incidence of localized BC has shown a steady increase, while the incidence of advanced stage BC has decreased. In the target population, during the study period, the stage I BC incidence increased statistically significantly by 10.3% per year (from 3.3 per 100 000 in 1998 to 12.2 per 100 000 in 2012). The increase in localized BC was faster in the period before the implementation of the MSP than during the implementation in 2006 to 2012 (10.3% and 5.7%). A slightly statistically significant decrease was observed for advanced BC during the study period (−1.1% per year), while during the implementation of the MSP, significant changes were not seen.

Conclusions:

The results of our study indicate that the implementation of the MSP in Lithuania did not significantly influence trends of localized and advanced BC. Changes observed during the study period, including the prescreening and screening introduction periods, may reflect the general trends in the awareness of BC and improvements in diagnostics.
Beyond “Traditional” and “New”: An Attempt of Redefinition of Contemporary Fatherhoods through Discursive Practices and Practices of Care
Authors: Cannito Maddalena
Published: January 2019

In this article, I use thirty-five interviews with heterosexual Italian fathers to problematize the distinction between “traditional” and “new” fatherhood. Adopting a performative approach to gender, masculinity, and fatherhood, I pursue my objective showing the existence of several contemporary fatherhoods, combining two dimensions: men’s discursive practices of self-positioning with respect to fatherhood and the actual practices of care performed with their children. By creating a taxonomy, I identify a third hybrid model of fatherhood and clarify the features that characterize new and traditional fatherhood, respectively, while exploring the interactions between practices.
Experimental and numerical investigation of sandwich structures with balsa core and hybrid corrugated composite/balsa core under three-point bending using digital image correlation
Authors: Sayahlatifi Saman , Rahimi Gholamhossein , Bokaei Alireza
Published: January 2019

Sandwich structures are commonly used in automotive, aerospace, and civil infrastructure applications due to their high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios. In the present work, the performance of sandwich structures with aluminum facings and two different types of core, including balsa wood core and hybrid corrugated composite/balsa core subjected to three-point bending, is investigated, both experimentally and numerically. The face sheets are 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and the hybrid core has been made of balsa wood with average density of 125 kg m−3 and E-glass woven fabric, bonded together using epoxy resin. For data acquisition during the tests, a linear variable differential transformer has been placed under the mid-span of the specimens and a digital image correlation technique has been used for monitoring the full-field strain distributions and deflection pattern as well. Continuum damage mechanics has been employed for the finite element model analysis of the three-point bending tests. In order to predict the maximum load-bearing capacity and failure modes, a wood material behavior model for balsa and a combination of Hashin and Puck failure criterion for corrugated composite were imported into ABAQUS/Explicit via VUMAT subroutines. It was found that combining balsa core with corrugated composite results in prevention of catastrophic failure and consequently gradual decrease of load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the hybrid core increases the strength-to-mass density and stiffness-to-mass density ratios by 34.7% and 28.2%, respectively. Numerical findings have been successfully compared to experimental data, which reveals its suitability for parametric analysis of the proposed hybrid core sandwich structure.
Rational breather waves in a nonlinear vibration system
Authors: Li Zitian
Published: January 2019

A nonlinear vibration system behaviors always periodically; however, sometimes a vibrating structure, e.g. an empty oil tank, will be collapsed suddenly. This can be explained as a kind of rogue waves. This paper gives a general approach to search for rational breather waves to nonlinear equations including nonlinear vibration systems and dispersive wave systems. A breather type of rogue wave solution which contains two peaks whose amplitudes are two to three times higher than its surrounding waves and generally forms in a short time is constructed. Moreover, by using three-wave method, new breather-type multisolitary coherent structures are presented, the fusion interactions of localized structures are discussed and graphically investigated, showing some novel features and interesting behaviors.
Deep learning–based autonomous concrete crack evaluation through hybrid image scanning
Authors: Jang Keunyoung , Kim Namgyu , An Yun-Kyu
Published: January 2019

This article proposes a deep learning–based autonomous concrete crack detection technique using hybrid images. The hybrid images combining vision and infrared thermography images are able to improve crack detectability while minimizing false alarms. In particular, large-scale concrete-made infrastructures such as bridge and dam can be effectively inspected by spatially scanning the unmanned vehicle–mounted hybrid imaging system including a vision camera, an infrared camera, and a continuous-wave line laser. However, the expert-dependent decision-making for crack identification which has been widely used in industrial fields is often cumbersome, time-consuming, and unreliable. As a target concrete structure gets larger, automated decision-making becomes more desirable from the practical point of view. The proposed technique is able to achieve automated crack identification and visualization by transfer learning of a well-trained deep convolutional neural network, that is, GoogLeNet, while retaining the advantages of the hybrid images. The proposed technique is experimentally validated using a lab-scale concrete specimen with cracks of various sizes. The test results reveal that macro- and microcracks are automatically visualized while minimizing false alarms.
Running With a Mask? The Effect of Air Pollution on Marathon Runners’ Performance
Authors: Guo Mengmeng , Fu Shihe
Published: January 2019

Using a sample of more than 0.3 million marathon runners of 56 race events in China in 2014 and 2015, we estimate the air pollution elasticity of finish time to be 0.041. Our causal identification comes from the exogeneity of air pollution on the race day because runners are required to register for a race a few months in advance and we control for confounding factors. Including individual fixed effects also provides consistent evidence. Our study contributes to the emerging literature on the effect of air pollution on short-run productivity, particularly on the performance of athletes engaging in outdoor sports.
Prognostic Role of Tenascin-C for Cancer Outcome: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ming Xinliang , Qiu Shili , Liu Xuefang , Li Shuo , Wang Yingchao , Zhu Man , Li Nandi , Luo Ping , Liang Chunzi , Tu Jiancheng
Published: January 2019

Background:

The prognostic value of tenascin-C in different types of cancers remains controversial. To clarify its prognostic value on overall survival rates, we have conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively assess the prognostic roles of tenascin-C for patients with cancer.

Methods:

We systematically searched all published studies about the role of tenascin-C in cancers on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The pooled hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals was used to analyze the association between tenascin-C expression level and overall survival of patients with cancer. The pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was used to investigate the association between tenascin-C expression level and clinicopathologic features of patients with cancer. Trial sequential analysis was performed to obtain the required information size.

Results:

In this meta-analysis, 18 studies including 2732 patients were incorporated. The pooled hazard ratio of 18 trials was 1.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.29-2.32, P < .001) for overall survival, suggesting that elevated tenascin-C expression strongly predicted poor prognosis among patients with various cancers. Simultaneously, elevated tenascin-C expression was also significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (odds ratio = 2.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.79-3.26, P < .001). However, no significant correlation was observed between the tenascin-C expression and distant metastasis (odds ratio = 1.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.86-3.44, P = .127).

Conclusions:

Tenascin-C is considered as a promising unfavorable prognostic factor in human cancers. Likewise, tenascin-C can be used as a monitoring indicator for poor prognosis in a wide range of cancers.
Mesenchymal stem cells–microvesicle-miR-451a ameliorate early diabetic kidney injury by negative regulation of P15 and P19
Authors: Zhong Ling , Liao Guangneng , Wang Xiaojiao , Li Lan , Zhang Jie , Chen Younan , Liu Jingping , Liu Shuyun , Wei Lingling , Zhang Wengeng , Lu Yanrong
Published: January 2019

Microvesicles (MVs) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported as a new communicated way between cells. This study evaluated the influence and underlying mechanism of MVs-shuttled miR-451a on renal fibrosis and epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in diabetic nephropathy (DN) with hyperuricemia. MVs were isolated from MSCs-cultured medium by gradient ultracentrifugation. The level of miR-451a in MSCs and MVs was analyzed by qPCR. The changes of miR-451a, E-cadherin, α-SMA, P15INK4b (P15), and P19INK4d (P19) were measured in hyperglycosis and hyperuricemia-induced cell (HK-2) and mouse models. The changes of cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. The ability of proliferation and viability was measured by BrdU and CCK8, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to determine the target binding sites. The renal function and histological changes of mice were analyzed. MVs showed the same surface markers as MSCs but much higher miR-451a expression (4.87 ± 2.03 fold higher than MSCs). miR-451a was decreased to 26% ± 11% and 6.7% ± 0.82% in injured HK-2 cells and kidney, respectively. MV-miR-451a enhanced the HK2 cells proliferation and viability in vitro, and decreased the morphologic and functional injury of kidney in vivo. Moreover, infusion of MV-miR-451a reduced the level of α-SMA and raised E-cadherin expression. These effects were responsible for the improved arrested cell cycle and down-regulation of P15 and P19 via miR-451a targeting their 3′-UTR sites. This study demonstrated that MSC–MV-miR-451a could inhibit cell cycle inhibitors P15 and P19 to restart the blocked cell cycle and reverse EMT in vivo and in vitro, and thus miR-451a is potentially a new target for DN therapy.

Impact statement

The mechanism of MSCs repairing the injured kidney in diabetic nephropathy is not yet clear. In the research, MVs showed the same surface markers as MSCs but much higher MiR-451a expression. miR-451a was decreased in both injured HK-2 cells and kidneys. MV-miR-451a stimulated the cell proliferation and viability in vitro and promoted structural and functional improvements of injured kidney in vivo. Infusion of MV-miR-451a ameliorated EMT by reducing α-SMA and increasing E-cadherin. These effects relied on the improved cell cycle arrest and the down-regulation of P15 and P19 via miR-451a binding to their 3′-UTR region. This study demonstrated that MSC–MV-miR-451a could specifically inhibit cell cycle inhibitors to restart the blocked cell cycle and reverse EMT in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, miR-451a may be a new target for DN therapy.
The great escape: How metastases of melanoma, and other carcinomas, avoid elimination
Authors: Wells Alan , Clark Amanda , Bradshaw Andrew , Ma Bo , Edington Howard
Published: January 2019

Cancer mortality ensues from metastatic growths. Cancers use two strategies to allow for this unrelenting expansion. The first way is that early metastases are often cryptic or dormant, being invisible to both innate suppressive actions and undetected clinically. Second, both the micrometastases and later clinically lethal growths are resistant to therapies, whether standard chemotherapies, targeted biologics, or even immunotherapies. These two modes of resistance necessitate new approaches to treatments if we are to eliminate mortality from solid tumors. However, to develop such therapeutic strategies, we first need to better understand the cellular behaviors and molecular events that enable the resistances. Herein, we present a comprehensive model of changing methods of avoidance and resistance that occur during tumor progression, and doubly confound treatment by mixing survival strategies throughout the continuum creating moving targets. Melanoma is presented as the model cancer, as it is being targeted by all three types of agents for disseminated disease, with breast and prostate cancer as two other key carcinomas.

Impact statement

Cancers kill mainly because metastatic disease is resistant to systemic therapies. It was hoped that newer targeted and immunomodulatory interventions could overcome these issues. However, recent findings point to a generalized resistance to elimination imparted by both cancer-intrinsic and -extrinsic changes to provide survival advantages to the disseminated tumor cells. Here, we present a novel conceptual framework for the microenvironmental inputs and changes that contribute to this generalized therapeutic resistance. In addition we address the issues of experimental systems in terms of studying this phenomenon with their advantages and limitations. This is meant to spur studies into this critical aspect of tumor progression that directly leads to cancer mortality.
Experimental procedures for decontamination and microbiological testing in cardiovascular tissue banks
Authors: Suss Paula Hansen , Ribeiro Victoria Stadler Tasca , Cieslinski Juliette , Kraft Letícia , Tuon Felipe Francisco
Published: January 2019

Several methods for sampling, culturing, and decontaminating donor grafts are available for cardiovascular tissue banks. Most of these protocols are not standardized, leaving tissue banks to adapt their microbiological procedures to their tissue processing routines. Effective microbiological testing and decontamination procedures are essential to ensure tissue quality and safety for human application. This review presents the different procedures currently available for microbiological testing in cardiovascular tissue banks.

Impact statement

Sterility testing is a critical issue in the recovery, processing, and release of tissue allografts. Contaminated allografts are often discarded, increasing costs, and reducing tissue stocks. Given these concerns, it is important to determine the most effective methodology for sterility testing. This work provides an overview of microbiological methods for sampling and culturing donor grafts for cardiovascular tissue banking.
Critical Whiteness Education and Cognitive Frame of Reference Elaboration: An In-Depth Descriptive Case of Transformation
Authors: Grayman-Simpson Nyasha , Doucet Fabienne , Burgos-López Luz
Published: January 2019

Critical race courses challenge today’s college students to cognitively grapple with issues of justice and the good society. In some instances, these challenges lead to positive, relational growth-fostering attitudes and behaviors. Transformative learning educator Jack Mezirow’s approach to facilitating cognitive shifts appears especially promising in its ability to promote such outcomes. In our own work, we apply this frame to guide our teaching, with an aim toward fostering and studying racially privileged (i.e., White) students’ cognitive shifts around the meaning of whiteness. The present case study is an in-depth description of one student’s whiteness frame of reference elaboration. Several tentative contributions to Mezirow’s theory emerge as a result. Namely, whiteness frame of reference elaboration may include (1) periods of cognitive homeostasis in addition to disruption, (2) positive affective experiencing in addition to negative affect, and (3) shifts in cognition that are subjectively encoded within the context of affective experiencing.
Drone challenge: A platform for promoting programming and robotics skills in K-12 education
Authors: Bermúdez Aurelio , Casado Rafael , Fernández Guillermo , Guijarro María , Olivas Pablo
Published: January 2019

The development of skills related to computer programming and robotics and the introduction of computational thinking principles in high schools are worldwide trends today. An effective way of initiating young students in this world consists in proposing them stimulating challenges. This work presents a robotic platform that has been successfully used to develop a competition (called Drone Challenge) in which students had to program the navigation system for a simulated unmanned aerial vehicle (or drone). Both the competition and the supporting platform are described in detail. In particular, the article provides a deep technical description of the main components of the platform, namely the drone simulator and the navigation development framework. The results of the survey conducted after the challenge point to the suitability of the working platform deployed.
Warranty cost analysis with an alternating geometric process
Authors: Arnold Richard , Chukova Stefanka , Hayakawa Yu , Marshall Sarah
Published: January 2019

In this study, we model the warranty claims process and evaluate the warranty servicing costs under non-renewing, renewing and restricted renewing free repair warranties. We assume that the repair time for rectifying the claims is non-zero and the repair cost is a function of the length of the repair time. To accommodate the ageing of the product and repair equipment, we use a decreasing geometric process to model the consecutive operational times and an increasing geometric process to model the consecutive repair times. We identify and study the alternating geometric process, which is an alternating process with cycles consisting of the item’s operational time followed by the corresponding repair time. We derive new results for the alternating geometric process in a finite horizon and use them to evaluate the warranty costs over the warranty period and over the life cycle of the product under a non-renewing free repair warranty, a renewing free repair warranty and a restricted renewing free repair warranty. Properties of the model are demonstrated using a simulation study and by fitting the models to real data from an automotive manufacturer.
Dose–response association of 24-hour urine sodium and sodium to potassium ratio with nighttime blood pressure at older ages
Authors: Kyung Kim Mi , Kwon Minji , Rhee Moo-Yong , Kim Kwang-Il , Nah Deuk-Young , Kim Sun-Woong , Gu Namyi , Sung Ki-Chul , Hong Kyung-Soon , Cho Eun-Joo , Jo Sang-Ho
Published: January 2019

Aims

We investigated the dose–response association of 24-hour urine sodium and potassium with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure.

Design

Cross-sectional community-based study.

Methods

Among the 1128 participants in the community-based cross-sectional survey, 740 participants (aged 20–70 years) with complete 24-hour urine collection and valid 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were included in the study. Participants were grouped into younger (<55 years, n = 523) and older (≥55 years, n = 217).

Results

In the older population, nighttime blood pressure linearly increased with 24-hour urine sodium and the sodium to potassium ratio. For 24-hour urine sodium, adjusted β was 0.171 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.036–0.305) for nighttime systolic blood pressure and 0.144 (95% CI 0.012–0.276) for nighttime diastolic blood pressure. For the 24-hour urine sodium to potassium ratio, adjusted β was 0.142 (95% CI 0.013–0.270) for nighttime systolic blood pressure and 0.144 (95% CI 0.018–0.270) for nighttime diastolic blood pressure. The 24-hour blood pressure linearly increased with the 24-hour urine sodium to potassium ratio and adjusted β was 0.133 (95% CI 0.003–0.262) for 24-hour systolic blood pressure and 0.123 (95% CI 0.003–0.244) for 24-hour diastolic blood pressure. Daytime blood pressure and 24-hour systolic blood pressure showed a significant but non-linear association with 24-hour urine sodium among the older population. In the younger population, 24-hour urine sodium, potassium and the sodium to potassium ratio were not associated with ambulatory blood pressure.

Conclusion

In the older population, 24-hour urine sodium and the sodium to potassium ratio showed a linear and positive association with nighttime blood pressure, and 24-hour urine sodium was associated with 24-hour systolic blood pressure and daytime blood pressure in a non-linear fashion.
Different exercise modalities exert opposite acute effects on short-term blood pressure variability in male patients with hypertension
Authors: Caminiti Giuseppe , Mancuso Annalisa , Raposo Ana Filipa , Fossati Chiara , Selli Serena , Volterrani Maurizio
Published: January 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects produced by a single bout of three different exercise modalities on short-term blood pressure variability.

Methods

The study enrolled 21 sedentary male patients with hypertension and a mean age of 63 ± 7.2 years. Blood pressure variability was evaluated through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring that was performed twice: during an ordinary daily activity and after an exercise session lasting 60 minutes. Patients were divided into three groups according to the different exercise modality performed during the session: aerobic continuous training, interval training or combined training including aerobic and resistance training.

Results

Twenty-four-hour systolic blood pressure variability increased in the interval training group, was unchanged in the aerobic continuous training group and decreased in the combined training group (intergroup P = 0.03). Daytime systolic blood pressure variability increased in the interval training and aerobic continuous training groups while it decreased in the combined training group (intergroup P = 0.0006). Twenty-four-hour diastolic blood pressure variability decreased in the aerobic continuous training and combined training groups while it increased in the interval training group (intergroup P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Different training modalities have similar hypotensive action but exert different acute effects on blood pressure variability. Combined training seems to be the most suitable training modality for sedentary men with hypertension.
Prevention: From the cradle to the grave and beyond
Authors: Dendale Paul , Scherrenberg Martijn , Sivakova Oksana , Frederix Ines
Published: January 2019

Present cardiac prevention mainly focuses on risk reduction later in life, and focuses also mainly on reducing risk factors for coronary heart disease. However, multiple studies have gathered evidence that the development risk of cardiovascular disease starts early in life and that even preconceptional influences play an important role in lifetime risk. Therefore, the importance of well-timed prevention strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease is well established. In this article, we discuss different risk factors for future cardiac disease, and how we can respond to lesser known cardiac risk factors in the different stages of life.
Social Policy Under Sociopolitical Changes in the Post-revolutionary Iran, 1979–2013
Authors: Rabiei Kamran
Published: January 2019

The dialectic relation between sociocultural changes and political developments in the post-revolutionary Iran is discussed in the article which shows how the social policy of the governments has changed under this relation. The 1979 Islamic Revolution brought about a wave of tendency toward a specific discourse that can be called “downtrodden discourse” wherein the poor and deprived are the center of attention, and the resources of society are mainly mobilized in the direction of improving their economic and social conditions. Furthermore, the eight-year Iran–Iraq War (1980—1988) strengthened this discourse, and the new political system relied on the lower class of the society to push the war forward, stabilize the foundations of its power, and solidify its ideology. After the war, Iran had three governments with three different approaches toward social policy. During the era of Hashemi Rafsanjani (1989–1997), no special attention was paid to social policy since economic growth and development was the focus of the government activity. Under Mohammed Khatami (1997–2005), special attention was paid to comprehensive social policy, but due to internal political and social tensions, his government failed to implement its codified social policy. Although Ahmadinejad (2005–2013) intended to pay special attention to social policy, the actions taken by his government not only failed to reduce poverty but they also pushed the significant part of the middle class below the poverty line.
Baha’is in Post-revolution Iran: Perspectives of the Ulema
Authors: Sanyal Ankita
Published: January 2019

Since the inception of the Baha’ism as an independent faith in Persia, its adherents came under attack from the religious clergy which perceived the growing popularity of this new faith as a threat to their monopolistic position in the society. Education and economy were the two dominant fields where the Baha’is prospered in pre-revolution Iran, thereby contributing to the modernization of Persia. However, being a post-Abrahamic faith in its origin, the Islamic clergy viewed the Baha’is as apostates and an enemy of Islam, which led to the persistent targeting and attacks on the Baha’is over the faith’s origin and as an essentially incompatible and contradictory disposition in the Baha’i– ulema relations. While the pre-revolution Iran show an ulema–monarchy convergence in their attack on the Baha’is, the post-revolution Iran witnessed the same through consolidation of state– ulema powers in the form of the new Islamic Republic. The discrimination and persecutions of the Baha’is in the post-1979 Iran increased considerably, and one can witness a deviation of the homogenous perception on the Baha’is by the religious clergy class. The conservative reformist faction of the ulema has given rise to newer and opposing perspectives on the Baha’is, the largest non-recognized religious minority in Iran.
The Kuwait Crisis of 1990–1991: The Turning Point in India’s Middle East Policy
Authors: Quamar Md Muddassir , Kumaraswamy P. R.
Published: January 2019

The Iraqi invasion, occupation, and annexation of Kuwait in August 1990 exposed the soft underbelly of India’s policy toward the Middle East in general and the Persian Gulf region in particular. While safe evacuation of the Indian workers was a prime concern, some of the steps in that direction proved counterproductive. However, in the long run, the Kuwait crisis resulted in India making two critical steps that shaped its post-Cold War policy toward the region: diminishing influence of the Palestinian cause in its engagements with the Arab world and economic substance replacing political rhetoric.
On the collapsibility of measures of effect in the counterfactual causal framework
Authors: Huitfeldt Anders , Stensrud Mats J. , Suzuki Etsuji
Published: January 2019

The relationship between collapsibility and confounding has been subject to an extensive and ongoing discussion in the methodological literature. We discuss two subtly different definitions of collapsibility, and show that by considering causal effect measures based on counterfactual variables (rather than measures of association based on observed variables) it is possible to separate out the component of non-collapsibility which is due to the mathematical properties of the effect measure, from the components that are due to structural bias such as confounding. We provide new weights such that the causal risk ratio is collapsible over arbitrary baseline covariates. In the absence of confounding, these weights may be used for standardization of the risk ratio.
Some studies on 100% banana parallel laid and 60:40% banana: polypropylene cross laid non-woven fabrics
Authors: Shivankar Vijay Sitaram , Mukhopadhyay Samrat
Published: January 2019

Global trend towards sustainable developments have brought natural, renewable biodegradable raw material into the focus, but due to lack of technical knowhow, only a small fraction of these non-conventional fibres are harvested and utilized. In this study we have developed parallel laid 100% banana nonwoven fabric and cross laid banana/polypropylene (60:40) nonwoven fabric. Three varieties of banana fibers namely Mahalaxmi, Shrimanti and Graint Naine were used for needle punched non-woven fabric preparations. Analysis of physical properties is carried out in machine direction and cross direction. This paper concludes that cross laid nonwoven fabric show superior tensile properties as compared to parallel laid nonwoven fabric. Shrimanti fibre nonwoven fabric is stronger than Graint Naine and Mahalaxmi fibre nonwoven fabric for both the parallel laid and cross laid structure. Parallel laid Mahalaxmi banana nonwoven fabric and cross laid Graint Naine banana nonwoven fabric gives higher elongation% for machine and cross direction. Increased air permeability of cross laid (60:40) banana/polypropylene non-woven fabric observed than parallel laid 100% banana non-woven fabric. Parallel laid Graint Naine non-woven fabric showed higher air permeability than Shrimanti and Mahalaxmi parallel laid non-woven fabric. Bursting strength of parallel laid nonwoven fabric is higher, both in the machine as well as in cross direction than cross laid nonwoven fabric for three varieties of banana fibres. Shrimanti banana non-woven fabric showed higher bursting strength for parallel laid and cross laid structure than Graint Naine and Mahalaxmi parallel laid and cross laid structure.
Missing log data interpolation and semiautomatic seismic well ties using data matching techniques
Authors: Bader Sean , Wu Xinming , Fomel Sergey
Published: January 2019

Relating well-log data, measured in depth, to seismic data, measured in time, typically requires estimating well-log impedance and a time-to-depth relationship using available sonic and density logs. When sonic and density logs are not available, it is challenging to incorporate wells into integrated reservoir studies because the wells cannot be tied to seismic. We have developed a workflow to estimate missing well-log information, automatically tie wells to seismic data, and generate a global well-log property volume using data matching techniques. We first used the local similarity scan to align all logs to constant geologic time and interpolate missing well-log information. Local similarity is then used to tie available wells with seismic data. Finally, log data from each well are interpolated along local seismic structures to generate global log property volumes. We use blind well tests to verify the accuracy of well-log interpolation and seismic well ties. Applying our workflow to a 3D seismic data set with 26 wells achieves consistent and verifiably accurate results.
Seismic Evaluation of Ultra-High Voltage Wall Bushing
Authors: Xie Qiang , He Chang , Zhou Yong
Published: January 2019

A series of shaking table tests were carried out on a full-size polymer ultrahigh voltage wall bushing. In addition, a corresponding finite element model of the wall bushing was established. Four different earthquake ground motions—the El Centro, modulated Landers, Taft, and an artificial earthquake acceleration time history—were adopted in the study. Test results indicate that the safety factor of the wall bushing is less than the stipulated value of 1.67 in the Chinese code under the peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 2 × 0.4 g, where the factor 2 is used to simulate the amplification effect of the valve hall on the seismic responses of the wall bushing. Necessary slackness should be allowed for the conductors connected to the wall bushing because of the large displacement of the bushing terminals. There are relative displacements between the central conductor and polymer insulators during an earthquake. Increasing the out-of-plane stiffness of sealing plates at the terminals of the wall bushing could decrease the relative displacements. Moreover, a theoretical vibration model of the wall bushing was developed to demonstrate that the rocking effects of the installation plate and flange bottom plate have an influence on the seismic responses of the wall bushing.