bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic-Based Approach to Utilize Traffic Speed Deflectometer Measurements in Backcalculation Analysis
Authors: Zihan Zia U. A. , Elseifi Mostafa A. , Icenogle Patrick , Gaspard Kevin , Zhang Zhongjie
Published: April 2020

Backcalculation analysis of pavement layer moduli is typically conducted based on falling weight deflectometer (FWD) deflection measurements; however, the stationary nature of the FWD requires lane closure and traffic control. In recent years, traffic speed deflection devices such as the traffic speed deflectometer (TSD), which can continuously measure pavement surface deflections at traffic speed, have been introduced. In this study, a mechanistic-based approach was developed to convert TSD deflection measurements into the equivalent FWD deflections. The proposed approach uses 3D-Move software to calculate the theoretical deflection bowls corresponding to FWD and TSD loading configurations. Since 3D-Move requires the definition of the constitutive behaviors of the pavement layers, cores were extracted from 13 sections in Louisiana and were tested in the laboratory to estimate the dynamic complex modulus of asphalt concrete. The 3D-Move generated deflection bowls were validated with field TSD and FWD data with acceptable accuracy. A parametric study was then conducted using the validated 3D-Move model; the parametric study consisted of simulating pavement designs with varying thicknesses and material properties and their corresponding FWD and TSD surface deflections were calculated. The results obtained from the parametric study were then incorporated into a Windows-based software application, which uses artificial neural network as the regression algorithm to convert TSD deflections to their corresponding FWD deflections. This conversion would allow backcalculation of layer moduli using TSD-measured deflections, as equivalent FWD deflections can be used with readily available tools to backcalculate the layer moduli.
Measuring Compliance of Driver Yielding at Enhanced Pedestrian Crossings in Utah
Authors: Schultz Grant G. , Galvez de Leon Pablo , Shahandashti S. Kiavash Fayyaz , Chamberlin Robert
Published: April 2020

In the 2000s, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) began implementing technological enhancements to reduce the fatality rate of pedestrians involved in crashes. Although these enhancements appeared to be successful at improving safety, there was a need to evaluate their effectiveness. This research evaluates the safety impacts of several pedestrian crossing enhancements using Utah-specific compliance rates of drivers as a surrogate safety measure. This study analyzes enhanced pedestrian crossings to determine the factors that affect the compliance of driver yielding in Utah and provides a statistical analysis to prove the significance of each factor on compliance. The results show that the “High-intensity Activated crossWalK” (HAWK) is more effective at reducing the probability of a non-compliant event compared with an overhead flashing beacon (OFB), and that an OFB is more effective at reducing the probability of a non-compliant event compared with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) or an overhead rectangular rapid flashing beacon (ORRFB). The results show that adding a pedestrian enhancement to a marked crosswalk at a location with five lanes and speed limit between 35 mph and 45 mph can increase compliance rate by 97% for the HAWK, 77% for the OFB, and 57% for the RRFB and ORRFB.
Bridge-Enhanced Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair Is Not Inferior to Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at 2 Years: Results of a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Murray Martha M. , Fleming Braden C. , Badger Gary J. ,   The BEAR Trial Team, Freiberger Christina , Henderson Rachael , Barnett Samuel , Kiapour Ata , Ecklund Kirsten , Proffen Benedikt , Sant Nicholas , Kramer Dennis E. , Micheli Lyle J. , Yen Yi-Meng
Published: April 2020

Background:

Preclinical studies suggest that for complete midsubstance anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, a suture repair of the ACL augmented with a protein implant placed in the gap between the torn ends (bridge-enhanced ACL repair [BEAR]) may be a viable alternative to ACL reconstruction (ACLR).

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that patients treated with BEAR would have a noninferior patient-reported outcomes (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] Subjective Score; prespecified noninferiority margin, –11.5 points) and instrumented anteroposterior (AP) knee laxity (prespecified noninferiority margin, +2-mm side-to-side difference) and superior muscle strength at 2 years after surgery when compared with patients who underwent ACLR with autograft.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

One hundred patients (median age, 17 years; median preoperative Marx activity score, 16) with complete midsubstance ACL injuries were enrolled and underwent surgery within 45 days of injury. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either BEAR (n = 65) or autograft ACLR (n = 35 [33 with quadrupled semitendinosus-gracilis and 2 with bone–patellar tendon–bone]). Outcomes—including the IKDC Subjective Score, the side-to-side difference in instrumented AP knee laxity, and muscle strength—were assessed at 2 years by an independent examiner blinded to the procedure. Patients were unblinded after their 2-year visit.

Results:

In total, 96% of the patients returned for 2-year follow-up. Noninferiority criteria were met for both the IKDC Subjective Score (BEAR, 88.9 points; ACLR, 84.8 points; mean difference, 4.1 points [95% CI, –1.5 to 9.7]) and the side-to-side difference in AP knee laxity (BEAR, 1.61 mm; ACLR, 1.77 mm; mean difference, –0.15 mm [95% CI, –1.48 to 1.17]). The BEAR group had a significantly higher mean hamstring muscle strength index than the ACLR group at 2 years (98.2% vs 63.2%; P < .001). In addition, 14% of the BEAR group and 6% of the ACLR group had a reinjury that required a second ipsilateral ACL surgical procedure ( P = .32). Furthermore, the 8 patients who converted from BEAR to ACLR in the study period and returned for the 2-year postoperative visit had similar primary outcomes to patients who had a single ipsilateral ACL procedure.

Conclusion:

BEAR resulted in noninferior patient-reported outcomes and AP knee laxity and superior hamstring muscle strength when compared with autograft ACLR at 2-year follow-up in a young and active cohort. These promising results suggest that longer-term studies of this technique are justified.

Registration:

NCT02664545 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)
Fréquence et Type de Délits Commis Par des Hommes Atteints de Troubles Mentaux Graves Selon l’âge D’apparition Des Comportements Antisociaux
Authors: Lapalme Mélanie , Forget Karine , Le Corff Yann , Côté Gilles
Published: April 2020

Objectif:

Il y a des différences importantes quant à la fréquence et au type de délit commis par les personnes atteintes de troubles mentaux graves (TMG), selon que leurs comportements antisociaux ont débuté en bas âge ou à l’âge adulte. Cependant, les personnes ayant manifesté des comportements antisociaux précoces ne forment pas un groupe homogène. La présente étude a pour objectif de vérifier si la précocité des comportements antisociaux peut expliquer cette hétérogénéité.

Méthode:

137 hommes atteints d’un TMG sous trois statuts légaux distincts ont été recrutés. Ils ont été séparés en 3 groupes selon la précocité des comportements antisociaux.

Résultats:

Les participants du groupe enfance commettent plus de délits violents et sont plus nombreux à présenter un trouble de l’usage de drogues que ceux du groupe adulte. Le groupe adolescence se distingue du groupe adulte par une fréquence plus élevée de trouble de l’usage d’alcool. Aucune différence ne s’avère significative entre les groupes enfance et adolescence, mais la plupart des délits rapportés sont plus nombreux dans le groupe enfance.

Conclusions:

Les résultats suggèrent que l’âge d’apparition des comportements antisociaux devrait être pris en compte dans l’évaluation du risque et la prise en charge des personnes atteintes d’un TMG.
Electrospinning of polyurethane/graphene oxide for skin wound dressing and its in vitro characterization
Authors: Sadeghianmaryan Ali , Sardroud Hamed Alizadeh , Allafasghari Sanaz , Yazdanpanah Zahra , Naghieh Saman , Gorji Mohsen , Chen Xiongbiao
Published: April 2020

Electrospinning polyurethane has been utilized as skin wound dressing for protecting skin wounds from infection and thus facilitating their healings, but also limited by its imperfect biocompatibility, mechanical and antibacterial properties. This paper presents our study on the addition of graphene oxide to electrospinning polyurethane for improved properties, as well as its in vitro characterization. Polyurethane/graphene oxide wound dressing was electrospun with varying amount of graphene oxide (from 0.0% to 2.0%); and in vitro tests was carried out to characterize the wound dressing properties and performance from the structural, mechanical, and biological perspectives. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to confirm the interaction between graphene oxide particles and polyurethane fibers, while the scanning electron microscopy images further illustrated that the wound dressing was of a porous structure with fibre diameters depending on the amount of graphene oxide added; specifically, 20 to 180 nm were for composite polyurethane/graphene oxide fibers and 600 to 900 nm for pure polyurethane. Our results also revealed that the hydrophilicity and swelling properties of the wound dressing could be regulated by the amount of graphene oxide added to the polyurethane/graphene oxide composites. Mechanical, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity properties of the composite polyurethane/graphene oxide wound dressing were examined with the results illustrating that the addition of graphene oxide could improve the properties of the electrospun wound dressing. Combined together, our study illustrates that electrospinning polyurethane/graphene oxide composite is promising as skin wound dressing.
What’s the Benefit of a Video? The Effect of Nonmaterial Incentives on Response Rate and Bias in Web Surveys
Authors: Kalleitner Fabian , Mühlböck Monika , Kittel Bernhard
Published: April 2020

Traditional survey research faces declining response rates due to changing cultural habits and technological developments. Researchers have developed novel approaches to increase respondents’ likelihood of participating in web surveys. However, we lack information about whether these methods indeed increase response rates and, if so, whether they bias the resulting data. This article focuses on the use of nonmaterial incentives in the form of a video that provides the invitees with information tailored to their life situation. Analysis of our experimental data shows that instead of increasing respondents’ probability of starting the survey, the video treatments actually decrease it. We provide evidence that the lower salience of the intrinsic benefits of survey participation in the invitation email significantly contributes to this reduction. Additionally, the effect of the nonmaterial incentive differs across subgroups, affecting nonresponse biases in line with employment status, gender, and migration background. We therefore conclude that using additional information in the form of a video as a nonmaterial survey incentive is only suitable under specific conditions.
Testing for pharyngeal gonorrhoea in heterosexual men: should we revisit national guidelines?
Authors: Dresser Melissa , Hussey Jane
Published: April 2020

Pharyngeal testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) in heterosexual men is not currently recommended in UK guidelines; however, it was being undertaken in a service in the North East of England for those presenting with urethral infection or as contacts of gonorrhoea. This service evaluation was performed to see if this practice should continue, or cease in line with national recommendations. The results revealed that 10% of contacts were positive in the pharynx only. Had this test not been performed, it would have left these patients without any treatment, as the current guidelines now discourage epidemiological treatment of contacts. Twenty-seven per cent of all heterosexual men diagnosed with urethral infection also had oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, with implications for persistent infection, had testing not been performed followed by a test of cure.
Intersectional discourses of reproductive agency in the Philippines: A mixed methods analysis of classed constructions of pregnancy resolution
Authors: Uyheng Joshua , Nicdao Juleini Vivien , Carmona Caroline Leanne , Canoy Nico A
Published: April 2020

Women negotiate gendered discourses of reproductive agency in resolving unplanned pregnancies. Invoking an intersectional lens, this paper examines how these discursive dynamics differentiate across social class in the Global South context of the Philippines. Utilizing a novel mixed methods strategy, we triangulate quantitative findings from a Q sort task and qualitative accounts of pregnancy resolution to identify classed discourses of reproductive agency as (a) reclaiming maternal virtue and (b) asserting autonomous choice. Statistical analysis reveals significant discursive divergence across class, wherein working-class women primarily adopt maternal virtue discourses while middle-class women disproportionately subscribe to autonomous choice. Interpretative analysis of women’s accounts complicates this bifurcated characterization by surfacing the diverse ways by which women negotiate both discourses in narratives of abortion and carrying to term. We discuss our contributions to the literature in terms of multilevel theoretical engagement with classed complexity in gendered issues like reproductive agency as well as innovating mixed methods in intersectional research. We conclude with reflections on advancing reproductive justice, especially in Global South societies like the Philippines.
Clustering clinical and health care processes using a novel measure of dissimilarity for variable-length sequences of ordinal states
Authors: Johns Hannah , Hearne John , Bernhardt Julie , Churilov Leonid
Published: April 2020

Clinical and health care processes are often summarised through sequences of ordinal data describing patient’s state over time. Identifying patterns in these sequences can provide valuable insights into patient progression trajectories for the purposes of clinical monitoring and quality assurance. However, both the variation in the length of each sequence and the ordinal nature of observable states present challenges to pattern identification. In this paper, we address these challenges by presenting a novel measure of dissimilarity for comparing two or more variable-length ordinal sequences that can be used in conjunction with conventional clustering methods to identify patterns in patient progression trajectories. We provide practical guidance on how this can be achieved, and demonstrate it in the context of identifying patterns in post-stoke recovery trajectories.
Breastfeeding Practices Among Mothers of Children With Orofacial Clefts in an African Cohort
Authors: Adekunle Adegbayi Adeola , Adamson Olawale , James Olutayo , Ogunlewe Omobolanle M. , Butali Azeez , Adeyemo Wasiu Lanre
Published: April 2020

Objective:

To carry out a survey of breastfeeding practices and related challenges among mothers with orofacial cleft babies attending the cleft clinic of a tertiary health institution.

Methodology:

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Sample population was all mothers of babies aged between 1 and 18 months with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts attending the cleft clinic of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.

Result:

A total of 65 mothers participated in the study. Initiation of breastfeeding was reported by the majority (83%, n = 54) of the mothers, and only 18.5% (n = 10) of this proportion continued exclusive breastfeeding. Inability of the babies to suck was reported by 46% (n = 30) of the mothers as being the most important challenge in breastfeeding. There was a significant correlation between the type of cleft and challenge in breastfeeding (Fisher exact P = .001). Sixty-three percent (n = 41) of the mothers reported they received no counseling on overcoming challenges associated with feeding their babies with a cleft at the facility where they delivered. Sixty-nine percent (n = 45) reported they first received nutritional information from the cleft clinic at presentation. The most adopted substitute for breastfeeding was the use of regular feeding bottles (n = 24, 43.6%).

Conclusion:

Rate of initiation of breastfeeding for children with orofacial clefts in this African cohort is higher than reported in other populations despite the low level of nutritional counseling of the mothers after delivery.
From Suspicion to Wonder in Journalism and Communication Research
Authors: Witschge Tamara , Deuze Mark
Published: April 2020

In this article, we call for a critical reflection on the lens that we adopt when researching journalism and communication. Adopting a lens of wonder can enhance our ability to consider the rich diversity that can be found in the field. Through a variety of research projects, we show how through wonder we cannot only understand how journalism is becoming but also make space for “becoming with”: we show how we are complicit in journalism’s future. Focusing on the paradoxical nature of journalistic practices as something we learned from our work with journalists, we illuminate and open up the much-at-onceness of journalistic life.
Association of body mass index with longitudinal rates of retinal atrophy in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Filippatou Angeliki G , Lambe Jeffrey , Sotirchos Elias S , Fitzgerald Kathryn C , Aston Andrew , Murphy Olwen C , Pellegrini Nicole , Fioravante Nicholas , Risher Hunter , Ogbuokiri Esther , Kwakyi Ohemaa , Toliver Brandon , Davis Simidele , Luciano Nicholas , Crainiceanu Ciprian , Prince Jerry L , Mowry Ellen M , Calabresi Peter A , Saidha Shiv
Published: April 2020

Background:

Studies evaluating associations between body mass index (BMI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) are lacking.

Objective:

To assess whether elevated BMI is associated with accelerated retinal atrophy.

Methods:

In this observational study, 513 MS patients were followed with serial spectral-domain OCT for a median of 4.4 years. Participants were categorized as normal weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI: ⩾30 kg/m2). Participants with diabetes mellitus or uncontrolled hypertension and eyes with optic neuritis (ON) ⩽6 months prior to baseline OCT or during follow-up were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed with mixed-effects linear regression.

Results:

Obese patients ( n = 146) exhibited accelerated rates of ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) atrophy relative to normal weight patients ( n = 214; –0.57%/year (95% confidence interval (CI): –0.65% to –0.48%) versus –0.42%/year (95% CI: –0.49% to –0.35%); p = 0.012). GCIPL atrophy rate did not differ between overweight ( n = 153) and normal weight patients (–0.47%/year vs –0.42%/year; p = 0.41). Each 1 kg/m2 higher BMI was associated with accelerated GCIPL (–0.011%/year; 95% CI: –0.019% to –0.004%; p = 0.003) atrophy. Multivariable analyses accounting for age, sex, race, MS subtype, and ON history did not alter the above findings.

Conclusions:

Elevated BMI, in the absence of overt metabolic comorbidities, may be associated with accelerated GCIPL atrophy. Obesity, a modifiable risk factor, may be associated with accelerated neurodegeneration in MS.
Many losers – One winner? An examination of vote switching to the AfD in the 2017 German federal election using VAA data
Authors: Wurthmann L. Constantin , Marschall Stefan , Triga Vasiliki , Manavopoulos Vasilis
Published: April 2020

The German federal election of 2017 saw significant losses for the two German mainstream parties (Volksparteien) and governing coalition partners, the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD). The major beneficiary was the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a right-populist party, which almost tripled its amount of votes received from the 2013 federal election. Making use of data from a Voting Advice Application, this article seeks to explore the AfD’s extraordinary electoral success with particular attention to the party’s capacity to attract voters from the two mainstream and traditionally powerful parties. Drawing on the literature on radical right-wing parties in Europe and tracking the route of AfD from a single-issue Eurosceptic party to a radical party with broader programmatic appeal, this work tests hypotheses regarding demographic, political and attitudinal determinants of voting for AfD, in general, and switching one’s vote to AfD from CDU/CSU or SPD more specifically. In line with previous literature, individual-level analyses show that voting for the AfD seems to be more tangentially related to demographic variables, such as sex, age and education and more strongly connected to political concerns, e.g. “conservative” self-placement and attitudes toward specific policies, immigration and Euroscepticism in particular.
Tourism development and residents’ well-being: Comparing two seaside destinations in Italy
Authors: Bimonte Salvatore , D’Agostino Antonella
Published: April 2020

There is now growing empirical evidence that tourism development affects residents’ attitudes to tourism and individuals’ perceived well-being. Building on previous studies, this article wishes to ascertain whether this phenomenon is common to different destinations or is site-specific. To this aim, a propensity score method is implemented. The empirical analysis is based on a two-step survey (pre-, and peak-tourism season) carried out in two seaside destinations in Italy where tourism is a major economic sector. While results demonstrate that residents’ happiness is endangered by tourism development, this article evidences that this stylized fact shows some peculiarities that are site-specific. It follows that socioeconomic and cultural characteristics, history and type of tourist development matter and have to be considered in developing any tourism policy.
Investigating individual trajectories in experiencing boredom in the language classroom: The case of 11 Polish students of English
Authors: Pawlak Mirosław , Kruk Mariusz , Zawodniak Joanna
Published: April 2020

Although boredom can be regarded as a ubiquitous emotion in most educational settings, including foreign and second language classrooms, and this condition can have a detrimental effect on the process of learning, it has to a large extent escaped the attention of second language acquisition researchers dealing with individual learner differences. The study reported in this article sought to fill this gap by investigating the trajectories of boredom exhibited in a practical English class by 11 Polish university students majoring in English. The data were collected by means of a background questionnaire, the Boredom in Practical English Language Classes Questionnaire (BPELC), and an in-class boredom questionnaire, including a self-report boredom grid, an open-ended query and an evaluation of the class based on a semantic differential scale. It was found that general proneness to experience boredom in practical English classes translated into distinct patterns of boredom in the class in question. At the same time, it turned out that the individual trajectories in experiencing boredom often deviated from the general patterns, being shaped by unpredictable constellations of individual and contextual factors.
Experimental investigation of the flexural mechanism and performance of channel steel tube slab structure under concentrated loads
Authors: Zhang Chaozhe , Zhao Wen , Liu Songyu , Jia Pengjiao , Li Hongjiang , Han Jianyong
Published: April 2020

Experimental studies about the flexural performance of channel steel tube slab (CSTS) structure subjected to concentrated loads were carried out, with considering various spacing of adjacent tubes, longitudinal spacing between the channel steel and missing tensile channel steel. A self-designed flexural device equipped with particle image velocimetry (PIV) technology was used to monitor continuous structure deformation and concrete cracking characteristics. In this study, the mechanism and performance of CSTS structure serving in underground engineering were analyzed, and a theoretical model for the bearing capacity of the CSTS structure was proposed. The results show that the failure mode of the test specimens exhibits ductile failure with an average ductility coefficient 2.52. The large shear strain of the concrete was obtained from PIV speckle contour, and it shows the same propagation trend compared with the main cracks appearing in the tests. In addition, the tensile channel steel along with decreasing the spacing of adjacent tubes can increase the bearing capacity of the specimens. The proposed theoretical model shows a reasonable prediction of the ultimate bearing capacity of specimens compared with the experimental results.
Natural sisal fiber-based woven glass hybrid polymer composites for mono leaf spring: Experimental and numerical analysis
Authors: Palani Kumar K , Shadrach Jeya Sekaran A , Dinesh L , Hari Prasad D , Deepak kumar K
Published: April 2020

Reducing weight and stabilizing or upgrading the strength is more important. Automotive and related industries are making a progress to replace the conventional steel leaf spring to composites material made from glass fibre, natural fibres, and so on. In this study, woven E-glass fibre, woven sisal and hybridization of woven glass and sisal fibre have been selected as materials. The resin used in this study is epoxy (B-11(3101)) VHV and the hardener is (K-6(5205)). The mono leaf spring is fabricated using hand lay-up process, which tends to be simple and cost effective. The existing dimensions of a conventional Tata Ace leaf spring are selected for modelling and analysis. Stress and deflection is tested experimentally by flexural testing. The hardness of the composites is determined with the help of Rockwell and Brinell hardness testing machine and the values are correlated with each other. Leaf spring is modeled in CREO Parametric 2.0 and introduced in ANSYS 14.5 for the numerical analysis. The results suggest that the composites have reduced weight up to 75% in comparison with the conventional one. With reduced component weight and better performance achieved by composite material, the replacement of conventional material with that of the composite is efficient. The efficiency of a vehicle will improve with a reduced component cost when composite leaf spring is used.
Physiological Appearance of Hybrid FDG–Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Imaging Following Uncomplicated Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing Using the Nellix Endoprosthesis
Authors: Groot Jebbink Erik , van Den Ham Leo H. , van Woudenberg Beau B. J. , Slart Riemer H. J. A. , Zeebregts Clark J. , Rijnders Ton J. M. , Lardenoije Jan-Willem H. P. , Reijnen Michel M. P. J.
Published: April 2020

Purpose: To investigate the physiological uptake of hybrid fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)–positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) before and after an uncomplicated endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) procedure as a possible tool to diagnose EVAS graft infection and differentiate from postimplantation syndrome. Materials and Methods: Eight consecutive male patients (median age 78 years) scheduled for elective EVAS were included in the prospective study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02349100). FDG-PET/CT scans were performed in all patients before the procedure and 6 weeks after EVAS. The abdominal aorta was analyzed in 4 regions: suprarenal, infrarenal neck, aneurysm sac, and iliac. The following parameters were obtained for each region: standard uptake value (SUV), tissue to background ratio (TBR), and visual examination of FDG uptake to ascertain its distribution. Demographic data were obtained from medical files and scored based on reporting standards. Results: Visual examination showed no difference between pre- and postprocedure FDG uptake, which was homogenous. In the suprarenal region no significant pre- and postprocedure differences were observed for the SUV and TBR parameters. The infrarenal neck region showed a significant decrease in the SUV and no significant decrease in the TBR. The aneurysm sac and iliac regions both showed a significant decrease in SUV and TBR between the pre- and postprocedure scans. Conclusion: Physiological FDG uptake after EVAS was stable or decreased with regard to the preprocedure measurements. Future research is needed to assess the applicability and cutoff values of FDG-PET/CT scanning to detect endograft infection after EVAS.
Network attack detection and visual payload labeling technology based on Seq2Seq architecture with attention mechanism
Authors: Shi Fan , Zhu Pengcheng , Zhou Xiangyu , Yuan Bintao , Fang Yong
Published: April 2020

In recent years, Internet of things (IoT) devices are playing an important role in business, education, medical as well as in other fields. Devices connected to the Internet is much more than the number of world population. However, it may face all kinds of attacks from the Internet easily for its accessibility. As we all know, most attacks against IoT devices are based on Web applications. So protecting the security of Web services can effectively improve the situation of IoT ecosystem. Conventional Web attack detection methods highly rely on samples, and artificial intelligence detection results are uninterpretable. Hence, this article introduced a supervised detection algorithm based on benign samples. Seq2Seq algorithm is been chosen and applied to detect malicious web requests. Meanwhile, the attention mechanism is introduced to label the attack payload and highlight labeling abnormal characters. The results of experiments show that on the premise of training a benign sample, the precision of proposed model is 97.02%, and the recall is 97.60%. It explains that the model can detect Web attack requests effectively. Simultaneously, the model can label attack payload visually and make the model “interpretable.”
Vaccinations: Mandatory or Voluntary? Risk–Benefit Analysis
Authors: Socol Yehoshua , Shaki Yair Y.
Published: April 2020

The discussion regarding mandatory vaccination of children centers mainly around the question of whether producing public good has precedence over the freedom of individuals. In the core of this discussion lies the assumption that mass immunization has been proven as a public good, based on the experts’ opinion that there is no proof of significant damage caused by vaccinations. We suggest, however, that this argument is insufficient. Namely, beside acute effects, vaccination (as any intervention) can shorten long-term life expectancy. If, for example, vaccination is intended to prevent an illness that causes 0.05% mortality or permanent disability population-wide (like in the case of measles), the population-wide vaccination can be considered as a public good only if the vaccination itself does not cause life shortening by 0.05%, that is, by about 15 days. Absence of such a small long-term effect has not been proven and cannot be proven in principle for several decades to come. The lack of proof of damage is not proof of lack of damage; in any dispute, the burden of proof lies with those who lay charges. Therefore, we conclude that it is inappropriate today to enforce mandatory immunization.
Urban utilities and opportunities for the private sector in local energy services in Switzerland
Authors: Araquistain Portela Carmen
Published: April 2020

The delivery of local services is one of Swiss local governments’ main tasks and has a long tradition of public provision. In the last few decades, a shift from in-house production to the corporatization of utilities has emerged in Switzerland, but the public sector is still seen as predominant in the provision of local services. This research explores the current situation of urban utilities in Switzerland and which factors influence the opportunities for the private sector in the provision of energy services at the local level. Results show that opportunities for the private sector and disruptive actors in energy services might rely on partnerships with public institutions and on innovative services.
Introducing Mindful Pause Practice in Sonography Education: A Strategy to Improve Classroom Presence
Authors: Michael Kim , Anderson Sharlette , Bagley Jennifer , Ellingson Stephanie , Sayles Harlan , White Robin , Custer Tanya
Published: April 2020

Objective:

The practice of mindfulness has many reported benefits. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the effect of a three-minute, instructor-led Mindful Pause Practice (MPP) in the sonography classroom over a two-semester period.

Methods:

Participants were students enrolled in programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs from four universities. Instructors provided MPP, and then students completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale.

Results:

A statistically significant increase in mindfulness as was seen from pre- to poststudy (3.3 vs. 3.9, P < .001). The majority of students described the MPP as a positive experience (>70%) and reported improved classroom attention and awareness (>78%). Qualitative themes of stress reduction/relaxation, improved focus/attention, and self-care were noted each semester. Self-directed MPP outside the classroom was low but did improve over time.

Conclusion:

The addition of a short MPP to sonography classes has positive benefits and improves student mindfulness. These findings support current literature on classroom mindfulness and add information specific to sonography education.
American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for sickle cell disease: prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cerebrovascular disease in children and adults
Authors: DeBaun M. R. , Jordan L. C. , King A. A. , Schatz J. , Vichinsky E. , Fox C. K. , McKinstry R. C. , Telfer P. , Kraut M. A. , Daraz L. , Kirkham F. J. , Murad M. H.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Central nervous system (CNS) complications are among the most common, devastating sequelae of sickle cell disease (SCD) occurring throughout the lifespan.

Objective:

These evidence-based guidelines of the American Society of Hematology are intended to support the SCD community in decisions about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common neurological morbidities in SCD.

Methods:

The Mayo Evidence-Based Practice Research Program supported the guideline development process, including updating or performing systematic evidence reviews. The panel used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, including GRADE evidence-to-decision frameworks, to assess evidence and make recommendations.

Results:

The panel placed a higher value on maintaining cognitive function than on being alive with significantly less than baseline cognitive function. The panel developed 19 recommendations with evidence-based strategies to prevent, diagnose, and treat CNS complications of SCD in low-middle– and high-income settings.

Conclusions:

Three of 19 recommendations immediately impact clinical care. These recommendations include: use of transcranial Doppler ultrasound screening and hydroxyurea for primary stroke prevention in children with hemoglobin SS (HbSS) and hemoglobin Sβ0 (HbSβ0) thalassemia living in low-middle–income settings; surveillance for developmental delay, cognitive impairments, and neurodevelopmental disorders in children; and use of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain without sedation to detect silent cerebral infarcts at least once in early-school-age children and once in adults with HbSS or HbSβ0 thalassemia. Individuals with SCD, their family members, and clinicians should become aware of and implement these recommendations to reduce the burden of CNS complications in children and adults with SCD.
Impact of bone marrow biopsy on response assessment in immunochemotherapy-treated lymphoma patients in GALLIUM and GOYA
Authors: Rutherford Sarah C. , Herold Michael , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Kostakoglu Lale , Marcus Robert , Martelli Maurizio , Sehn Laurie H. , Trněný Marek , Trotman Judith , Vitolo Umberto , Nielsen Tina , Mattiello Federico , Sahin Deniz , Sellam Gila , Martin Peter
Published: April 2020

The utility of posttreatment bone marrow biopsy (BMB) histology to confirm complete response (CR) in lymphoma clinical trials is in question. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of BMB on response assessment in immunochemotherapy-treated patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the phase 3 Study of Obinutuzumab (RO5072759) Plus Chemotherapy in Comparison With Rituximab Plus Chemotherapy Followed by Obinutuzumab or Rituximab Maintenance in Patients With Untreated Advanced Indolent Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (GALLIUM; NCT01332968) and A Study of Obinutuzumab in Combination With CHOP Chemotherapy Versus Rituximab With CHOP in Participants With CD20-Positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (GOYA; NCT01287741) trials, respectively. Baseline BMB was performed in all patients, with repeat BMBs in patients with a CR by computed tomography (CT) at end of induction (EOI) and a positive BMB at baseline, to confirm response. Positron emission tomography imaging was also used in some patients to assess EOI response (Lugano 2014 criteria). Among patients with an EOI CR by CT in GALLIUM and GOYA, 2.8% and 4.1%, respectively, had a BMB-altered response. These results suggest that postinduction BMB histology has minimal impact on radiographically (CT)-defined responses in both FL and DLBCL patients. In GALLIUM and GOYA, respectively, 4.7% of FL patients and 7.1% of DLBCL patients had a repeat BMB result that altered response assessment when applying Lugano 2014 criteria, indicating that bone marrow evaluation appears to add little value to response assessment in FL; however, its evaluation may still have merit in DLBCL.
Patterns and determinants of exhaled nitric oxide trajectories in schoolchildren over a 7-year period
Authors: Garcia Erika , Zhang Yue , Rappaport Edward B. , Berhane Kiros , Muchmore Patrick , Silkoff Philip E. , Molshatzki Noa , Gilliland Frank D. , Eckel Sandrah P.
Published: April 2020

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO50), a marker of allergic airway inflammation, is used in respiratory research and asthma clinical care; however, its trajectory with increasing age during childhood has not been well characterised. We examinedFENO50longitudinally during a period of important somatic growth to describe trajectories across childhood and adolescence in healthy participants and evaluate clinical factors as potential determinants of trajectories.

FENO50was collected at six visits over 8 years in a population-based cohort of 1791 schoolchildren without asthma (median age at entry 8.4 years). Smooth sex-specificFENO50trajectories were estimated using generalised additive mixed models, with participant-level random effects. We evaluated whether sex-specific trajectories were influenced by race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI) percentile, allergic rhinitis or puberty.

DifferentFENO50patterns were observed by sex in later childhood and several factors were associated with eitherFENO50level or change inFENO50as participants aged.FENO50–age trajectories were similar by sex until age ∼11.5 years, after which males had greaterFENO50change than females. This divergence inFENO50–age trajectories coincides with puberty. Males with higher starting BMI percentile had attenuatedFENO50–age slopes. Among males,FENO50levels were lower in non-Hispanic white subjects. Among both sexes, participants with rhinitis had higherFENO50.FENO50levels within individuals tracked over time; however, there was considerable variation inFENO50patterns across participants.

FENO50trajectories from longitudinal data provide evidence of sex differences coinciding with puberty, suggesting potential hormone link. Improved understanding of determinants ofFENO50trajectories is needed to realise the potential for using individualised predictedFENO50trajectories.
Population-based case-finding to identify subjects with undiagnosed asthma or COPD
Authors: Preteroti Matthew , Whitmore G. Alex , Vandemheen Katherine L. , FitzGerald J. Mark , Lemière Catherine , Boulet Louis-Philippe , Penz Erika , Field Stephen K. , Gupta Samir , McIvor R. Andrew , Mayers Irvin , Hernandez Paul , Lougheed Diane , Ainslie Martha , Licskai Christopher , Azher Tanweer , Fraser Ian , Mahdavian Masoud , Aaron Shawn D.
Published: April 2020

Background

∼5–10% of adults may have undiagnosed airflow obstruction. The objective of this study was to develop a population-based case-finding strategy to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed airflow obstruction (asthma or COPD) amongst adults with respiratory symptoms in Canada.

Methods

Adults without a previous history of asthma, COPD or lung disease were recruited using random digit-dialling and asked if they had symptoms of dyspnoea, cough, sputum or wheeze within the past 6 months. Those who answered affirmatively completed the Asthma Screening Questionnaire (ASQ), COPD-Diagnostic Questionnaire (COPD-DQ) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Those with an ASQ score of ≥6 or a COPD-DQ score of ≥20 underwent pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry to diagnose asthma or COPD.

Results

12 117 individuals were contacted at home and assessed for study eligibility. Of the 1260 eligible individuals, 910 (72%) enrolled and underwent spirometry. Ultimately, 184 subjects (20% of those enrolled) had obstructive lung disease (73 asthma and 111 COPD). Individuals found to have undiagnosed asthma or COPD had more severe respiratory symptoms and impaired quality of life compared with those without airflow obstruction. The ASQ, COPD-DQ, and CAT had ROC areas for predicting undiagnosed asthma or COPD of 0.49, 0.64 and 0.56, respectively. Four descriptive variables (age, BMI, sex and pack-years smoked) produced better receiver operating characteristic (ROC) values than the questionnaires (ROC area=0.68).

Conclusion

20% of randomly selected individuals who report respiratory symptoms in Canada have undiagnosed airflow obstruction due to asthma or COPD. Questionnaires could exclude subjects at low risk but lack the ability to accurately find subjects with undiagnosed disease.
Novel airway smooth muscle–mast cell interactions and a role for the TRPV4-ATP axis in non-atopic asthma
Authors: Bonvini Sara J. , Birrell Mark A. , Dubuis Eric , Adcock John J. , Wortley Michael A. , Flajolet Pauline , Bradding Peter , Belvisi Maria G.
Published: April 2020

Mast cell–airway smooth muscle (ASM) interactions play a major role in the immunoglobulin (Ig)E- dependent bronchoconstriction seen in asthma but less is known about IgE-independent mechanisms of mast cell activation. Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 (TRPV4) activation causes contraction of human ASMviathe release of cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) but the mechanism is unknown. The objective of the present study was to investigate a role for IgE-independent, mast cell–ASM interaction in TRPV4-induced bronchospasm.

Bronchoconstriction was measured in anaesthetised guinea pigs and contraction of human and guinea-pig airway tissue assessed using isometric tension measurements. Increases in intracellular [Ca2+] were imaged using the Ca2+-sensitive dye FURA2, and time-lapse ptychography was utilised as a surrogate for contraction of ASM cells.

The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A caused contractionin vivoin the guinea pig, and in human and guinea-pig tracheal tissue, which was inhibited by the TRPV4 antagonist GSK2193874. GSK1016790A increased [Ca2+]iand released ATP in human ASM cells without causing contraction. TRPV4 and ATP evoked contraction in isolated tracheal tissue but co-culture experiments indicated a requirement for human lung mast cells. Expression profiling and pharmacological studies demonstrated that mast cell activation was dependent upon ATP activating the P2X4 receptor. Trypsin was shown to evoke contraction of tracheal tissueviaactivation of PAR-2-TRPV4-ATP-cysLT axis indicating the potential disease relevance of this signalling pathway.

TRPV4 activation increases [Ca2+]iand releases ATP from ASM cells triggering P2X4-dependent release of cysLTs from mast cells resulting in ASM contraction. This study delineates a novel mast cell–ASM interaction and TRPV4 as a driver of IgE-independent mast cell-dependent bronchospasm.
Short-term and long-term effect of a high-intensity pulmonary rehabilitation programme in obese patients with asthma: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Türk Yasemin , Theel Willy , van Huisstede Astrid , van de Geijn Gert-Jan M. , Birnie Erwin , Hiemstra Pieter S. , Sont Jacob K. , Taube Christian , Braunstahl Gert-Jan
Published: April 2020

Objective

To determine the short-term and long-term effects of a high intensity pulmonary rehabilitation programme on asthma control, body composition, lung function and exercise capacity in obese asthma patients.

Methods

Patients with obesity (body mass index (BMI)≥30 kg·m−2) and suboptimal controlled asthma (Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ)≥0.75) were randomly assigned to a 3-month pulmonary rehabilitation programme (PR only), pulmonary rehabilitation programme with the use of an internet based self-management support programme (PR+SMS) or usual care. The pulmonary rehabilitation programme included high-intensity interval training, nutritional intervention and psychological group sessions. Patients in the usual care group were advised to lose weight and to exercise. The primary outcome was the difference of change of ACQ between PR only and PR+SMS after 3 months. Total follow-up was 12 months.

Results

34 patients were included in the study (14 PR only, nine PR+SMS, 11 control). Compared with patients in usual care, patients in the PR only group had a significant reduction in BMI and significant improvements in asthma control, exercise capacity and aerobic capacity after 3 months. These improvements persisted during 12 months of follow-up. No difference in ACQ between PR+SMS and PR only groups was observed. However, users of the SMS programme had a significantly lower BMI after 12 months compared with subjects in the PR only group.

Conclusion

A high-intensity pulmonary rehabilitation programme provides sustained improvements in asthma control, body composition and exercise capacity in obese asthmatics that are not optimally controlled and, therefore, should be considered in the treatment of these patients.