bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Iranian healthcare transformation plan on discharge against medical advice rate and related factors in 2012 and 2016
Authors: Taghizadieh Ali , Azami-Aghdash Saber , Piri Reza , Naghavi-Behzad Mohammad , Jabbari Beyrami Hossein
Published: September 2019

Objective

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) is a critical problem in hospitals and has several consequences for healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the rate of DAMA and its related factors before and after executing the healthcare transformation plan (HTP) in Iran.

Methods

In a two-phase, cross-sectional study, the DAMA information of 200 patients in 2016 (after HTP) and the patients of a previous study in 2012 (before HTP) was compared. Samples were randomly selected from the main referral centre in the north-west of Iran. Data were collected using a validated and reliable questionnaire and analysed using the SPSS V.16 software.

Results

In the post-HTP plan period, the rate of DAMA was 3.9%, while this rate was 5.49% in 2012 (p=0.029). A total of 15% (108 out of 721) of patients in the postreform group and 13.5% (101 out of 747) in the prereform group were rehospitalised (p=0.411). The three main categories of reasons for DAMA in 2012 and 2016 were as follows: patient-related factors, 27% vs 45%; staff-related factors, 33% vs 30%; and hospital-related factors (basic amenities), 40% vs 25%. In both periods, the average scores of patient satisfaction were almost the same; however, satisfaction regarding environmental and human factors in hospitals had changed significantly after HTP (p<0.05).

Conclusions

There was a decrease in the rate of DAMA after HTP in Iran. Considering DAMA as a multifactorial phenomenon, this might be due to the higher relative satisfaction after HTP, indicating an increase in public confidence in general hospitals.
Impact of caesarean section on breastfeeding indicators: within-country and meta-analyses of nationally representative data from 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Yisma Engida , Mol Ben W , Lynch John W , Smithers Lisa G
Published: September 2019

Objective

To examine the impact of caesarean section on breastfeeding indicators—early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months and children ever breastfed (at least once)—in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design

Secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).

Setting

Thirty-three low-income and middle-income countries with a survey conducted between 2010 and 2017/2018.

Participants

Women aged 15–49 years with a singleton live last birth during the 2 years preceding the survey.

Main outcome measures

We analysed the DHS data to examine the impact of caesarean section on breastfeeding indicators using the modified Poisson regression models for each country adjusted for potential confounders. For each breastfeeding indicator, the within-country adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were pooled in random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

The within-country analyses showed, compared with vaginal birth, caesarean section was associated with aPR for early initiation of breastfeeding that ranged from 0.24 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.33) in Tanzania to 0.89 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.00) in South Africa. The aPR for exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months ranged from 0.58 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.98) in Angola to 1.93 (95% CI 0.46 to 8.10) in Cote d'Ivoire, while the aPR for children ever breastfed ranged from 0.91 (95% CI 0.82 to 1.02) in Gabon to 1.02 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.04) in Gambia. The meta-analysis showed caesarean section was associated with a 46% lower prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding (pooled aPR, 0.54 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.60)). However, meta-analysis indicated little association with exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months (pooled aPR, 0.94 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.01)) and children ever breastfed (pooled aPR, 0.98 (95% CI 0.98 to 0.99)) among caesarean versus vaginally born children.

Conclusions

Caesarean section had a negative influence on early initiation of breastfeeding but showed little difference in exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months and children ever breastfed in sub-Saharan Africa.
Musculoskeletal care pathways for adults with hip and knee pain referred for specialist opinion: a systematic review
Authors: Button Kate , Morgan Fiona , Weightman Alison Lesley , Jones Stephen
Published: September 2019

Objective

Musculoskeletal care pathways are variable and inconsistent. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence for the clinical and/or cost effectiveness of current care pathways for adults with hip and/or knee pain referred for specialist opinion.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Electronic database searches were carried out in MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, PEDro, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central and Health Management Information Consortium without language restriction from 1990 onwards. Websites were reviewed for grey literature.

Eligibility criteria

All study designs and documents that considered care pathways for adults with musculoskeletal hip and/or knee pain referred for specialist opinion were screened by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for randomised controlled trials and the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by one reviewer and checked by a second. Findings are reported narratively.

Results

The titles and abstracts of 1248 articles were screened and 140 full-text articles retrieved. 19 papers reporting 17 studies met the study inclusion criteria. Quality was low due to study design and methodological flaws. Most of the outcomes relate to organisational process at the ‘meso’ level of a whole systems approach.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the pathway is not linear, containing variations and activity loops. The available evidence suggests that, from the point of referral for specialist opinion, a model is required that integrates the skills of all the different healthcare professionals and streamlining is required to ensure that individuals are seen by the healthcare professional that best meets their needs. There is very limited evidence of patient experience informing knee and hip care pathways.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016035510.
Association between nut intake and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk: a retrospective case-control study in a sample of Chinese Han adults
Authors: Chen Bing bing , Han Ying , Pan Xinting , Yan Jianhui , Liu Wenjuan , Li Yangfan , Lin Xu , Xu Shanghua , Peng Xian-E
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Nut consumption has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. However, its effect on the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between nut consumption and NAFLD risk.

Setting and participants

We conducted a retrospective case-control study including 534 patients diagnosed with NAFLD and 534 controls matched by sex and age (±5 years) from the Affiliated Nanping First Hospital of Fujian Medical University in China.

Main outcome measures

Information on dietary intake was collected using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and nut consumption was calculated. Nut consumption was categorised using quartiles based on the distribution of daily nut intake of the controls. Binary logistic regression models were used to estimate ORs and the 95% CIs for the association between nut consumption and NAFLD risk.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounding variables, nut consumption was not associated with NAFLD risk in the overall sample. When the fully adjusted model was stratified by sex, a significant inverse association was found between high nut consumption and NAFLD only among the men in the highest quartile (OR=0.43; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.71;Ptrend =0.01). The inverse association of nut consumption with NAFLD risk in men remained significant after controlling for other known or suspected risk factors for NAFLD.

Conclusions

Diets with a higher intake of nuts may be associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD, particularly in men.
Overall and work-related well-being of teachers in socially disadvantaged schools: a population-based study of French teachers
Authors: Temam Sofia , Billaudeau Nathalie , Vercambre Marie-Noel
Published: September 2019

Objectives

As a human service profession, teaching presents specific risk factors that could be intensified in socially disadvantaged schools and, ultimately, impact the service quality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between school socioeconomic status and teachers’ well-being.

Design

Population-based postal survey ‘Teachers’ Quality of Life’ (MGEN Foundation for Public Health/French Ministry of Education; 2013). To categorise the school socioeconomic status, we used the ‘Education Priority Area (EPA)’ administrative classification, which is chiefly based on the proportion of underprivileged students and is available for primary and lower secondary state schools.

Participants

In-service French teachers randomly selected from among the teaching staff administrative list of the French Ministry of Education after stratification by sex, age and type of school.

Outcome measures

Indicators of well-being at work included a question on job satisfaction, job difficulty evolution and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The short version of the WHO Quality of Life questionnaire was used to evaluate overall well-being. Among primary and lower secondary school teachers, we evaluated cross-sectional associations between school EPA status and indicators of well-being, using logistic or linear regressions stratified by school level and adjusted for sociodemographic and work-related characteristics.

Results

In the adjusted models, there was no significant difference in work-related well-being between teachers in EPA and non-EPA schools, both in primary school (n=154 vs n=788) and in lower secondary school (n=113 vs n=452). Regarding overall well-being, the only significant differences were seen among primary school teachers, with teachers in EPA schools reporting a worse perception of physical health and living environment than teachers in non-EPA schools.

Conclusion

Using a representative sample of French teachers, we did not observe substantial differences in work-related well-being between teachers in EPA and non-EPA schools.
Open carpal tunnel release and diabetes: a retrospective study using PROMs and national quality registries
Authors: Zimmerman Malin , Eeg-Olofsson Katarina , Svensson Ann-Marie , Åström Mikael , Arner Marianne , Dahlin Lars
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To study patient-reported outcome after open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with or without diabetes using national healthcare quality registries.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Hand Surgery (HAKIR;www.hakir.se) were linked to data from the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR;www.ndr.nu).

Participants

We identified 9049 patients (10 770 hands) operated for CTS during the inclusion period (2010–2016).

Primary outcome measures

Patient-reported outcome measures were analysed before surgery and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively using the QuickDASH as well as the HAKIR questionnaire with eight questions on hand symptoms and disability.

Results

Patients with diabetes (n=1508; 14%) scored higher in the QuickDASH both preoperatively and postoperatively than patients without diabetes, but the total score change between preoperative and postoperative QuickDASH was equal between patients with and without diabetes. The results did not differ between patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Patients with diabetic retinopathy scored higher in QuickDASH at 3 months postoperatively than patients with diabetes without retinopathy. In the regression analysis, diabetes was associated with more residual symptoms at 3 and 12 months postoperatively.

Conclusions

Patients with diabetes experience more symptoms both before and after OCTR, but can expect the same relative improvement from surgery as patients without diabetes . Patients with retinopathy, as a proxy for neuropathy, may need longer time for symptoms to resolve after OCTR. Smoking, older age, higher HbA1c levels and receiving a diabetes diagnosis after surgery were associated with more residual symptoms following OCTR.
Effectiveness of strategies for nutritional therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension in primary care: protocol of a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Simões Corrêa Galendi Julia , Leite Renata Giacomini Occhiuto Ferreira , Mendes Adriana Lúcia , Nunes-Nogueira Vania dos Santos
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Despite the increasing number of drugs available and various guidelines on the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension, an expressive number of patients continue with these diseases uncontrolled. Nutrition therapy (NT) plays a fundamental role in the prevention and management of these comorbidities, as well as in the prevention of complications related to them. The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of NT strategies in the management of patients with T2DM and/or hypertension in primary care. The selected strategies did not substitute pharmaceutical treatment but instead focused on preventing a sedentary lifestyle and stimulating healthy nutrition.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a systematic review according to Cochrane methodology of randomised controlled trials, wherein patients with T2DM and/or hypertension were allocated into one of the two groups: NT strategy, which may be of dietary quality or energy restriction, and conventional treatment. The primary outcomes will be glycaemic and blood pressure (BP) control, measured by final glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (%) and BP (mm Hg), respectively. Four general and adaptive search strategies have been created for the Embase, Medline, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) electronic databases. Two reviewers will independently select eligible studies, assess the risk of bias and extract data from the included studies. Similar outcomes measured in at least two trials will be plotted in the meta-analysis using Review Manager V.5.3. The quality of evidence of the effect estimate of the intervention will be generated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Working Group.

Ethics and dissemination

As no primary data collection will be undertaken, formal ethical assessment is not required. We plan to present the results of this systematic review in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, conferences and the popular press.

PROSPERO registration number

Our systematic review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 20 December 2018 (Registration number CRD42018118117).
Rapid cycle testing drives improved communication and satisfaction using in-person survey
Authors: Kuehnel Nicholas Anders , Morrison Andrea K , Ferguson Catherine C
Published: September 2019

Background

Good communication with families improves safety and drives patient/family satisfaction. Rapid cycle improvement for the communication is difficult in our emergency department as current mailed surveys provide little and delayed data. We had two aims in this quality improvement study: (1) to increase proportion of families responding ‘always’ when asked if they received consistent communication from nurses and providers from 52% to 80% and (2) increase families reporting their visit as excellent, reflecting higher family satisfaction.

Methods

Key drivers of the consistent communication were determined using the model for improvement. Interventions focused on interprovider communication and parental knowledge of communication processes. Eight Plan-Do-Study-Act ramps were conducted focusing on each of the key drivers, with 1–10 cycles per ramp. A five-question in-person survey was conducted at the time of disposition by the research assistants. Process and outcome measures were tracked on the statistical process control charts.

Results

Mean percentage of families who reported always receiving consistent communication increased from 52% to 70% over 12 months. Additionally, families reporting their visit as ‘excellent’ increased from 62.5% to 75%. Using in-person surveys,weekly responses increased from 3 to 22.

Conclusions

Iterative processes to improve interprovider communication and inform families about their care led to improvement in families’ perceived communication consistency. Improved communication can lead to higher family satisfaction, most affecting those previously feeling neutral about their visit. In-person surveys can inform the real-time improvement efforts.
Guide to ophthalmology in rabbits
Authors: Maini Serena , Hartley Claudia
Published: September 2019

Background:Ophthalmic disease is a common reason for rabbits to be presented to the general veterinary practitioner.

Aim of the article:This article provides a guide of normal eye anatomy, routine ophthalmic examination and common ocular conditions in this species.
Managing difficult behaviour in horses
Authors: Pearson Gemma
Published: September 2019

Background: It is common for veterinary practitioners to experience difficult behaviour from horses when treating them.

Aim of the article: This article provides a guide to equine handling skills, which can be used within clinical practice to ensure the horse, client and vet are all managed safely.
Does pellet size affect the ability of beef heifers to consume a pelleted supplement in a simulated grazing model?
Authors: Kelln L. , Newkirk R.W. , Smillie J. , Lardner H.A. , Penner G.B.
Published: September 2019

The objective was to evaluate pellet consumption and refusals as affected by pellet size. Six ruminally cannulated heifers were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square. Heifers were individually housed and fed a diet of grass hay (57.5%), mineral and vitamin supplement (8.0%), and canola meal (11.9%) in a feed bunk, and their respective wheat- and wheat-middling-based treatment pellet (22.7%) on artificial turf. The artificial turf had a mean staple length of 5 cm and a blade density of 45 blades cm−2. The pellets were small (SM; 4 mm diameter), medium (MED; 11 mm diameter), or large (LG; 50 mm diameter) in size. Heifers fed LG had greater pellet intake than SM (2.24 vs. 2.06 kg; P = 0.035), with MED being intermediate (2.12 kg). Heifers fed LG tended to have less pellet waste than SM (P = 0.074). Heifers fed MED pellets had greater concentration of ruminal short-chain fatty acids than SM and LG (91.3 vs. 84.7 and 89.0 mmol L−1; P = 0.009). The results indicate that feeding a LG pellet may increase intake and reduce waste compared with SM, and that pellet size may also affect ruminal fermentation.
Variable Lande splitting factor and Composite Fermion
Authors: Pal S. , Bhattacharya A. , Ghosh R. , Chakrabarti B.
Published: September 2019

The effective Lande splitting factor [Formula: see text] for heavy pentaquarks has been investigated, where the pentaquarks are described as Composite Fermions (CFs). The effective Lande splitting factor for heavy pentaquarks [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] has been extracted. It has been suggested that due to color magnetic field, diquarks behave like CFs and effective masses of the pentaquarks [Formula: see text] have been estimated in diquark–diquark–antiquark scheme with the input of effective diquark masses calculated in the framework of Composite Fermion model (CFM). With [Formula: see text] as the additional contribution to the energy expression, the variation of [Formula: see text] with angular momentum [Formula: see text] has been studied. The vacuum value of [Formula: see text] has been extracted, which can be attributed to the splitting due to spin contribution of CFs and choromo-electromagnetic character of the QCD vacuum.
Measuring outcome correlation for Bell cat state and geometric phase induced spin parity effect
Authors: Gu Yan , Zhang Haifeng , Song Zhigang , Liang J.-Q. , Wei L.-F.
Published: September 2019

In terms of quantum probability statistics, the Bell inequality (BI) and its violation are extended to spin-[Formula: see text] entangled Schrödinger cat state (called the Bell cat state) with both parallel and antiparallel spin-polarizations. Except the spin-1/2, the BI is never ever violated by the Bell cat states with the measuring outcomes including entire Hilbert space. If, on the other hand, measuring outcomes are restricted in the subspace of spin coherent state (SCS), a universal Bell-type inequality (UBI), [Formula: see text], is formulated in terms of the local realistic model. We observe a spin parity effect that the UBI can be violated only by the Bell cat states of half-integer but not the integer spins. The violation of UBI is seen to be a direct result of nontrivial Berry phase between the SCSs of south- and north-pole gauges for half-integer spin, while the geometric phase is trivial for the integer spins. A maximum violation bound of UBI is found as [Formula: see text], which is valid for arbitrary half-integer spin-[Formula: see text] states.
A Sustainable and User-Behavior-Aware Cyber-Physical System for Home Energy Management
Authors: Li Wei , Chang Xiaomin , Cao Junwei , Yang Ting , Sun Yaojie , Zomaya Albert Y.
Published: September 2019

There is a growing trend for employing cyber-physical systems to help smart homes improve the comfort of residents. However, a residential cyber-physical system is different from a common cyber-physical system since it directly involves human interaction, which is full of uncertainty. The existing solutions could be effective for performance enhancement in some cases when no inherent and dominant human factors are involved. Besides, the rapidly rising interest in the deployments of cyber-physical systems at home does not normally integrate with energy management schemes, which is a central issue that smart homes have to face. In this article, we propose a cyber-physical-system-based energy management framework to enable a sustainable-edge computing paradigm while meeting the needs of home energy management and residents. This framework aims to enable the full use of renewable energy while reducing electricity bills for households. A prototype system was implemented using real-world hardware. The experiment results demonstrated that renewable energy is fully capable of supporting the reliable running of home appliances most of the time and electricity bills could be cut by up to 60% when our proposed framework was employed.
Listing All Maximal
k
-Plexes in Temporal Graphs
Authors: Bentert Matthias , Himmel Anne-Sophie , Molter Hendrik , Morik Marco , Niedermeier Rolf , Saitenmacher René
Published: September 2019

Many real-world networks evolve over time, that is, new contacts appear and old contacts may disappear. They can be modeled as temporal graphs where interactions between vertices (which represent people in the case of social networks) are represented by timestamped edges. One of the most fundamental problems in (social) network analysis is community detection, and one of the most basic primitives to model a community is a clique. Addressing the problem of finding communities in temporal networks, Viard et al. [TCS 2016] introduced Δ-cliques as a natural temporal version of cliques. Himmel et al. [SNAM 2017] showed how to adapt the well-known B
ron
K
erbosch
algorithm to enumerate Δ-cliques. We continue this work and improve and extend the algorithm of Himmel et al. to enumerate temporal
k
-plexes (notably, cliques are the special case
k
=1).

We define a Δ-
k
-plex as a set of vertices and a time interval, where during this time interval each vertex has in each consecutive Δ + 1 timesteps at least one edge to all but at most
k
−1 vertices in the chosen set of vertices. We develop a recursive algorithm for enumerating all maximal Δ-
k
-plexes and perform experiments on real-world social networks that demonstrate the practical feasibility of our approach. In particular, for the special case of Δ-1-plexes (i.e., Δ-cliques), we observe that our algorithm is on average significantly faster than the previous algorithms by Himmel et al. [SNAM 2017] and Viard et al. [IPL 2018] for enumerating Δ-cliques.
Fully Dynamic Graph Algorithms Inspired by Distributed Computing
Authors: Barenboim Leonid , Maimon Tzalik
Published: September 2019

We study dynamic graphs in the fully dynamic
centralized
setting. In this setting, the vertex set of size
n
of a graph
G
is fixed, and the edge set changes step-by-step, such that each step either adds or removes an edge. Dynamic graphs have various applications in fields such as Communication Networks, Computer Graphics, and VLSI Design. The goal in this setting is maintaining a solution to a certain problem (e.g., maximal matching, edge coloring) after each step, such that each step is executed efficiently. The running time of a step is called
update-time
. One can think of this setting as a dynamic network that is monitored by a central processor that is responsible for maintaining the solution. Prior to the current work, for several central problems, the best-known deterministic algorithms for general graphs were the naive ones with update-time
O
(
n
). This is the case for maximal matching and proper
O
(Δ)-edge-coloring. The question of existence of sublinear in
n
update-time deterministic algorithms for dense graphs and general graphs remained wide open. In this article, we address this question by devising sublinear update-time deterministic algorithms for maximal matching in
graphs with bounded neighborhood independence
o
(
n
/ log
2
n
), and for proper
O
(Δ)-edge-coloring in
general graphs
. The family of graphs with bounded neighborhood independence is a very wide family of dense graphs. In particular, graphs with constant neighborhood independence include line-graphs, claw-free graphs, unit disk graphs, and many other graphs. Thus, these graphs represent very well various types of networks. For graphs with constant neighborhood independence, our maximal-matching algorithm has Õ(√
n
) update-time. Our
O
(Δ)-edge-coloring algorithms has Õ(√ Δ ) update-time for general graphs.

To obtain our results, we employ a novel approach that adapts certain distributed algorithms of the LOCAL setting to the centralized fully dynamic setting. This is achieved by optimizing the work each processor performs and efficiently simulating a distributed algorithm in a centralized setting. The simulation is efficient, thanks to a careful selection of the network parts that the algorithm is invoked on, and by deducing the solution from the additional information that is present in the centralized setting, but not in the distributed one. Our experiments on various network topologies and scenarios demonstrate that our algorithms are highly efficient in practice. We believe that our approach is of independent interest and may be applicable to additional problems.
Activity-aware Ridesharing Group Trip Planning Queries for Flexible POIs
Authors: Mahin Mehnaz Tabassum , Hashem Tanzima
Published: September 2019

In recent years, ridesharing has become a popular model that enables users to share their rides with others. In this article, we introduce a novel ridesharing service, an
Activity-aware Ridesharing Group Trip Planning (ARGTP) query
, in road networks that exhibits three novel features: (i) ensures a complete trip for visiting more than two locations, (ii) allows visiting both fixed and flexible locations, and (iii) provides true ridesharing services instead of taxilike ridesourcing services by matching a group of riders’ flexible trips with a driver’s fixed trip. A trip visits a point-of-interest (POI) like a bank, restaurant, or supermarket for an activity in between source and destination locations. In a fixed trip, the POI is predetermined (e.g., a specific branch of a bank) and in a flexible trip, the POI is a flexible one (e.g., any branch of a bank). Considering the spatial proximity of the riders’ trips with a driver’s trip, an ARGTP query returns an optimal ridesharing group that minimizes the group cost. We develop the first solution to process ARGTP queries in real time and extend our solution for generalized ARGTP queries with multiple POIs. The efficiency of ARGTP query processing algorithms depends on the number of candidate riders and POIs to be explored. We introduce novel pruning techniques to refine the riders and POI search space. We perform extensive experiments using both real and synthetic datasets to validate the efficiency and effectiveness of our approach and show that it outperforms two baseline approaches with a large margin.
RecRules
Authors: Corno Fulvio , De Russis Luigi , Monge Roffarello Alberto
Published: September 2019

Nowadays, end users can personalize their smart devices and web applications by defining or reusing IF-THEN rules through dedicated End-User Development (EUD) tools. Despite apparent simplicity, such tools present their own set of issues. The emerging and increasing complexity of the Internet of Things, for example, is barely taken into account, and the number of possible combinations between triggers and actions of different smart devices and web applications is continuously growing. Such a large design space makes end-user personalization a complex task for non-programmers, and motivates the need of assisting users in easily discovering and managing rules and functionality, e.g., through recommendation techniques. In this article, we tackle the emerging problem of recommending IF-THEN rules to end users by presenting
RecRules
, a hybrid and semantic recommendation system. Through a mixed content and collaborative approach, the goal of
RecRules
is to
recommend by functionality
: it suggests rules based on their final purposes, thus overcoming details like manufacturers and brands. The algorithm uses a semantic reasoning process to enrich rules with semantic information, with the aim of uncovering hidden connections between rules in terms of shared functionality. Then, it builds a collaborative semantic graph, and it exploits different types of path-based features to train a learning to rank algorithm and compute
top-N
recommendations. We evaluate
RecRules
through different experiments on real user data extracted from IFTTT, one of the most popular EUD tools. Results are promising: they show the effectiveness of our approach with respect to other state-of-the-art algorithms and open the way for a new class of recommender systems for EUD that take into account the actual functionality needed by end users.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Criminal Justice Contact
Authors: Wildeman Christopher
Published: September 2019

This article provides a critical overview in five stages of roughly 50 years of research on the intergenerational transmission of criminal justice contact. In the first stage, I document that research on the intergenerational transmission of crime and criminal justice contact focused primarily on crime until the mid-1990s, at which point research rapidly shifted in the direction of criminal justice contact (specifically, incarceration). In the second stage, I document that research on the intergenerational transmission of crime and the intergenerational transmission of criminal justice contact tended to use the same measures—i.e., self-reported and administrative indicators of criminal justice contact with minimal information on criminal activity—but discussed them in different ways. In the third stage, I review research on the broader effects of incarceration to highlight mechanisms through which parental criminal justice contact may independently influence children's criminal activity. In the fourth stage, I review research on the intergenerational transmission of criminal justice contact. In the final stage, I conclude by calling for new data collection efforts that provide high-quality measures of both crime and criminal justice contact of both parents and children.
Preparation of Manganese Dioxide Nanoparticles on Laterite for Methylene Blue Degradation
Authors: Le Thu-Huong , Ngo Thu Hong Anh , Doan Van Thuan , Nguyen Le Minh Tri , Le Manh Cuong
Published: September 2019

The laterite-coating manganese dioxide nanoparticle material (M2) prepared by the immersion method was used for the efficient removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The adsorption and heterogeneous Fenton catalytic oxidation experiments of M2 were investigated by changing the effective factors such as time, pH, amount of M2, and concentration of MB. The adsorption data of M2 showed good fitting with the Langmuir isotherm, suggesting that the adsorption of MB on the surface of M2 is a heterogeneous and physical adsorption process. Degradation of MB was also carried out to evaluate the heterogeneous Fenton catalytic oxidation characterization of a new catalytic oxidation material (M2). The results show that the M2 material has both adsorption and heterogeneous Fenton catalytic oxidation. However, the heterogeneous Fenton catalytic oxidation of the M2 material is the main performance. Hence, our groups have investigated the ability of the catalytic column treatment with high efficiency of 98–100% and the degradation efficiency after the sample running through the column almost does not change much. This proves that heterogeneous Fenton catalytic activity of the catalytic column is completely unaffected and reused many times after oxidizing MB. Specifically, even if the M2 material is reused for five times, the degradation efficiency still reaches 98.86%.
Flood Prediction in Ungauged Basins by Physical-Based TOPKAPI Model
Authors: Kong Xiangyi , Li Zhijia , Liu Zhiyu
Published: September 2019

Scarce historical flood data in ungauged basins make it difficult to establish empirical and conceptual model forecast in these areas. The physical-based distributed model TOPKAPI is introduced for flood prediction in an ungauged basin by parameter transplant. Five main parameters are selected, and the sensitivity is analyzed by the GLUE method. The Xixian basin and Huangchuan basin in the upper Huaihe basin in China are chosen as study areas. The Xixian basin is regarded as a gauged basin for parameter calibration, and the Huangchuan basin is regarded as an ungauged basin by ignoring the historical discharge data. The model is calibrated in gauged Xixian basin, and then parameters are directly transplanted to adjacent “ungauged” Huangchuan basin to simulate flood forecast in an ungauged basin. The sensitivity analysis shows that soil thickness and soil saturated water content are the most sensitive parameters, and the Manning coefficient of main channel with high Strahler also significantly affects forecast results. According to the simulation results, the TOPKAPI model exhibits good performance in building and the prediction of the ungauged basin, in which the qualified rate of volume and peaks reaches 69.23%, and the average NSE criterion is over 0.67, which is acceptable forecast accuracy and has positive implication for the hydrological forecasting research.
Structural Health Monitoring of the Scaffolding Dismantling Process of a Long‐Span Steel Box Girder Viaduct Based on BOTDA Technology
Authors: Ding Yong , Xiao Feng , Zhu Weiwei , Xia Tao
Published: September 2019

In this study, a distributed optical fiber sensing technique based on Brillouin optical time‐domain analysis (BOTDA) is used to construct a complete bridge health monitoring system by continuously laying distributed sensing fiber lines in a steel box girder. The bridge scaffolding dismantling process is monitored to study the variation of the strain distribution. Additionally, a bridge finite element model is built to simulate the bridge scaffolding removed condition, and the strain distribution of the long‐span steel box girder viaduct after scaffolding dismantling is compared with the measured values. This study provides a reference for monitoring the scaffolding dismantling process based on BOTDA technology.
An Estimation of the Thermal Properties of Pu-Rich Metallic Fuel
Authors: Odaira Naoya , Arita Yuji
Published: September 2019

Pu-rich metallic fuel is promising for transuranic element burners. In this study, we calculated the thermal properties of Pu-rich metallic fuel. The thermal conductivity was calculated by using both Nordheim’s rule and Wiedemann–Franz law. The thermal conductivity of Pu-40Zr (14.3 Wm−1·K−1 at 600 K) was much lower than that of U-10Zr (23.5 Wm−1·K−1 at 600 K), another candidate metallic fuel. This addresses the metallic fuel has much lower durability in accidental situations than U-Zr metallic fuel. Thus, we also calculated thermal conductivity of the Pu-20U-20Zr alloy. The result shows uranium addition to the Pu-Zr alloy increased the thermal conductivity. In addition, we calculated the melting point of the Pu-(0–80U)-20Zr alloy and the result shows uranium addition increased melting point. This result suggests the accident tolerance of the Pu-rich metallic fuel increases by adding uranium.
Designing Microfluidic Devices to Sort Haematopoietic Stem Cells Based on Their Mechanical Properties
Authors: Du Mingming , Kavanagh Dean , Zhang Zhibing , Kalia Neena
Published: September 2019

Aim. Few haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) injected systemically for therapeutic purposes actually reach sites of injury as the vast majority become entrapped within pulmonary capillaries. One promising approach to maintain circulating HSC numbers would be to separate subpopulations with smaller size and/or greater deformability from a heterogeneous population. This study tested whether this could be achieved using label-free microfluidic devices.Methods. 2 straight (A-B) and 3 spiral (C-E) devices were fabricated with different dimensions. Cell sorting was performed at different flow rates after which cell diameter and stiffness were determined using micromanipulation. Cells isolated using the most efficient device were tested intravitally for their ability to home to the mouse injured gut.Results. Only straight Device B at a high flow rate separated HSCs with different mechanical properties. Side outlets collected mostly deformable cells (nominal rupture stress/σR=6.81 kPa; coefficient of variation/CV=0.31) at a throughput of2.3×105cells/min. All spiral devices at high flow rates separated HSCs with different stiffness and size. Inner outlets collected mostly deformable cells in Devices C (σR=25.06 kPa;CV=0.26), D (σR=22.21 kPa;CV=0.41), and E (σR=29.26 kPa;CV=0.27) at throughputs of2.3×105cells/min,1.5×105cells/min, and1.6×105cells/min, respectively. Since Device C separated cells with higher efficiency and throughput, it was utilized to test the homing ability of separated cellsin vivo. Significantly more deformable cells were observed trafficking through the injured gut—interestingly, increased retention was not observed.Conclusion. This study applied microfluidics to separate subpopulations from one stem cell type based on their intrinsic mechanical heterogeneity. Fluid dynamics within curved devices most effectively separated HSCs. Such devices may benefit cellular therapy.
New Implant Design with Midcrestal and Apical Wing Thread for Increased Implant Stability in Single Postextraction Maxillary Implant
Authors: Scarano Antonio , Assenza Bartolomeo , Inchingolo Francesco , Mastrangelo Filiberto , Lorusso Felice
Published: September 2019

Background. The immediate placement of a dental implant could represent an option treatment for the rehabilitation of a postextractive missing tooth socket to replace compromised or untreatable teeth, with the advantage of single-session surgery. In this way, the anatomy of the alveolar bone defect, the preservation of the buccal cortical bone, and the primary stability of the fixture represent the critical factors that consent a precise implant placement. Objective. This case report describes a novel fixture design for postextractive alveolar socket immediate implant. Methods. Two patients (25 and 31 years old) were treated for postextractive dental implant placement to replace both central upper incisor teeth with four implants. The residual bone implant gap was not filled with graft or bone substitute. The restoration was provided following a standard loading protocol by a cement-sealed prosthetic abutment. Results. Clinically, all implants positioned showed an excellent insertion torque. No postoperative complications were reported. At 6 months of healing, the buccal cortical bone and the implant stability were present and well maintained. Conclusion. The evidence of this study allows us to underline the possible advantages of this new fixture design for postextractive implant technique.
Endodontic Tendencies in a Very-Low-Income Population Area of Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Albuquerque Maria Tereza Pedrosa , Silva Joice Velames , Poppe David Junio Oliveira , Santos Crislaine Santana , Santos Tainá Pires , Münchow Eliseu Aldrigh , Nagata Juliana Yuri
Published: September 2019

Aim. To gather information regarding endodontic treatment protocols and continuing education attendance of dentists in some cities located in Northeastern Brazil (Sergipe and Bahia States), a region that comprises a very-low-income population.Methods. A questionnaire containing different questions (e.g., routine treatment protocols, the use of new technologies, time required to conclude the treatment, and attendance in an endodontic continuing education) was distributed to 250 dentists. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and Poisson regression (p<0.05).Results. A total of 199 dentists practicing endodontic treatment in the cities of Aracaju (n = 58), Salvador (n = 83), and towns of Estância (n = 8), Itabaiana (n = 16), Itabaianinha (n = 5), Lagarto (n = 10), Ribeirópolis (n = 3), Simão Dias (n = 6), and Tobias Barreto (n = 10) participated in this research. Most of the respondents have concluded their graduation in Dentistry in less than 10 years (62.3%), with nearly 75.4% of the sample having attended postgraduation education in the field. Regarding treatment protocols, the frequency for using rotary/reciprocating systems and for always using rubber dam isolation during root canal treatment (RCT) was 78% and 62%, respectively, which was also more prevalent among dentists who attended a continuous education program (p<0.05). Lastly, the professionals who attended (p<0.05) to a continuous education program in Endodontics were more frequently associated to performing incisors and molars RCT in one clinical appointment (p<0.05).Conclusions. The results of this survey indicated that even in an area where most of the population has low-income conditions, the professionals are seeking for knowledge by attending to postgraduation programs, following the new tendencies in Endodontics with most of the professionals having employed technological resources.
Is the Fate of Clinical Candidate Arry-520 Already Sealed? Predicting Resistance in Eg5–Inhibitor Complexes
Authors: Indorato Rose-Laure , Talapatra Sandeep K. , Lin Fangzhu , Haider Shozeb , Mackay Simon P. , Kozielski Frank , Skoufias Dimitrios A.
Published: September 2019

Arry-520 is an advanced drug candidate from the Eg5 inhibitor class undergoing clinical evaluation in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Here, we show by structural analysis that Arry-520 binds stoichiometrically to the motor domain of Eg5 in the conventional allosteric loop L5 pocket in a complex that suggests the same structural mechanism as other Eg5 inhibitors. We have previously shown that acquired resistance through mutations in the allosteric-binding site located at loop L5 in the Eg5 structure appears to be independent of the inhibitors' scaffold, which suggests that Arry-520 will ultimately have the same fate. When Arry-520 was assessed in two cell lines selected for the expression of either Eg5(D130A) or Eg5(L214A) STLC-resistant alleles, mutations previously shown to convey resistance to this class of inhibitors, it was inactive in both. Surprisingly, when the cells were challenged with ispinesib, another Eg5 inhibitor, the Eg5(D130A) cells were resistant, but those expressing Eg5(L214A) were strikingly sensitive. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that subtle differences in ligand binding and flexibility in both compound and protein may alter allosteric transmission from the loop L5 site that do not necessarily result in reduced inhibitory activity in mutated Eg5 structures. Although we predict that cells challenged with Arry-520 in the clinical setting are likely to acquire resistance through point mutations in the Eg5-binding site, the data for ispinesib suggest that this resistance mechanism is not scaffold independent as previously thought, and new inhibitors can be designed that retain inhibitory activity in these resistant cells.
Lower Diastolic Blood Pressure was Associated with Higher Incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease in the General Population Only in those Using Antihypertensive Medications
Authors: Uchida Daisuke , Kido Ryo , Kawarazaki Hiroo , Murasawa Masaru , Ando Ayami , Fujimoto Shouichi , Iseki Kunitoshi , Moriyama Toshiki , Yamagata Kunihiro , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Konta Tsuneo , Narita Ichiei , Kondo Masahide , Kasahara Masato , Asahi Koichi , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Shibagaki Yugo
Published: September 2019

Background/Aims: The association of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population is not well examined. Methods: Using national health check-up database from 2008 to 2011 in the general Japanese population aged 39–74 years, we evaluated the association between DBP and incidence of CKD 2 years later in 127,954 participants without CKD. DBP was categorized by every 5 mm Hg from the lowest (<60 mm Hg) to the highest category (>100 mm Hg) and was further stratified into those with and without antihypertensive medications (BP meds). We calculated the OR for estimating adjusted risk of incident CKD using logistic regression model. Results: Participants were 62% female and 25.9% with BP meds, mean age of 76 years with estimated glomerular filtration rate of 78.2 ± 13.4 and DBP of 76 ± 11 mm Hg. Two years later, 12,379 (9.7%) developed CKD. Compared to DBP 60–64 mm Hg without BP meds as reference, multivariate analysis showed no difference in CKD risk at any DBP category among those without BP meds. However, in those with BP meds, risk increased according to lower DBP from 95 to 60 mm Hg (p for trend 0.05) with OR 1.51 (95% CI 1.14–1.99) in DBP <60 mm Hg. In subgroup analysis within those with or without BP meds, CKD risk was lower at higher DBP (p for trend 0.02) only in those without BP meds. Conclusion: Lower DBP was associated with higher risk of incident CKD only in the general population taking antihypertensive medication.