bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study of the Effect of B2O3 on Vanadium-Titanium Magnetite Concentrates Pellets
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhang Ke , Saxén Henrik , Liu Weiqiang , Qin Yuelin , Xiang Xiaoyan
Published: August 2020

This paper aims to improve the metallurgical properties of vanadium-titanium magnetite (VTM) concentrates pellets by applying solid waste containing B2O3. Thus, the effects of adding B2O3 on the drop strength, compressive strength, pores area ratio, high-temperature metallurgical properties, and microstructure of VTM pellets were studied through pelletizing and roasting experiments. Results show that the addition of B2O3 reagent is not conducive to the increase of the drop strength of the green pellets. Nevertheless, the compressive strength and fracture toughness of the roasted pellets can be improved by adding more B2O3 during the pelletizing. The reduction degree of VTM pellets is firstly decreased and then increased with the added B2O3 amount. It is possible to improve the compaction degree and restrain the reduction-pulverization degree of the pellet by a low amount of additive (B2O3). The reduction-expansion performance of VTM pellets, in turn, can be raised by adding B2O3.
Interspecific Difference in Seed Dispersal Characteristics between Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata) and Sympatric Japanese Martens (Martes melampus)
Authors: Tsuji Yamato , Yanti Risma , Takizawa Atsushi , Hagiwara Toshio
Published: August 2020

We compared the characteristics of seeds within faeces between semi-terrestrial Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) and sympatric arboreal Japanese martens (Martes melampus) in Shiga Heights, central Japan. We collected faecal samples of the two mammalian species for 1 year (n = 229 for macaques and n = 22 for martens). We then compared the proportion of seed occurrence, life-form composition, number of seeds and species richness within single faecal samples, and the seed intact ratio between the two mammalian species. We detected seeds from 20 and 7 species from macaque and marten faeces, respectively. Macaque faeces contained seeds of multiple strata, while marten faeces contained no herbaceous plant seeds. Seed sizes within faeces showed no interspecific difference. For macaques, seeds were found within faecal samples collected in late spring to late fall, while for martens, seeds were found between summer and winter. The proportion of seed occurrence was greater in summer (both species) and fall (macaques), which implied that the seed dispersal roles of macaques and martens was greater in these seasons. The mean seed number (across species), intact ratio of seeds (high for both species) and seed species richness within single faecal samples of macaques and martens showed no significant differences, but for several species, martens defecated more seeds than macaques and showed higher intact ratio. Our study indicates that sympatric mammals in the temperate regions of Japan contribute differently to seed dispersal in forest ecosystems.
Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Transcriptome Deconvolution Indicates Increased M2 Macrophages in Inactive Lesions
Authors: Batchu Sai
Published: August 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests M2 macrophages contribute to tissue reparation and limit inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, most studies have focused on murine models without substantial support through human MS observations. The present study aimed to quantify the relative abundances of M2 macrophages in different lesion types excised from human MS patients. CIBERSORTx, an established RNA deconvolution algorithm, was applied on bulk RNA-sequencing data developed from 98 lesions from 10 progressive MS patients and 5 neuropathological control donors. A validated gene signature matrix for 22 human hematopoietic cell subsets was used to infer the relative proportions of immune cells that were present in the original lesion. Deconvolution of the bulk gene expression data showed that inactive lesions contained significantly more M2 macrophages compared to normal white matter control samples. The findings suggest that M2 macrophages may play a role during lesion inactivity in MS.
Importance and Assessment of Quality of Life in Symptomatic Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: Patient Focus Groups from the RATE-AF Trial
Authors: Jones Jacqueline , Stanbury Mary , Haynes Sandra , Bunting Karina V. , Lobban Trudie , Camm A. John , Calvert Melanie J. , Kotecha Dipak ,   on behalf of the RAte control Therapy Evaluation in permanent Atrial Fibrillation (RATE-AF) trial group
Published: August 2020

Aims: To establish the extent and impact of symptoms in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the importance of different aspects of quality of life (QoL), and how we should assess wellbeing. Methods: Focus groups of patients with symptomatic permanent AF in a trial of heart rate control; the RATE-AF trial randomised 160 patients aged ≥60 years with permanent AF and at least NYHA class II dyspnoea to either digoxin or beta-blockers. Patient and public representatives led the focus groups and performed all data acquisition and analysis, using thematic approaches to interpret patient views about QoL and its measurement. Results: Substantial impairment of health-related QoL was noted in 160 trial patients, with impact on all domains apart from mental health. Eight women and 11 men aged 61–87 years participated in the focus groups. Common themes were a lack of information from healthcare professionals about AF, a lack of focus on QoL in consultations, and a sense of frustration, isolation, and reduced confidence. There was marked variability in symptoms in individual patients, with some describing severe impact on activities of daily living, and profound interaction with comorbidities such as arthritis. Day-to-day variation in QoL and difficulty in attributing symptom burden to AF or other comorbidities led to challenges in questionnaire completion. Consensus was reached that collecting both general and AF-specific QoL would be useful in routine practice, along with participation in peer support, which was empowering for the patients. Conclusions: The impact of comorbidities is poorly appreciated in the context of AF, with considerable variability in QoL that requires both generic and AF-specific assessment. Improvement in QoL should direct the appraisal, and reappraisal, of treatment decisions for patients with permanent AF.
Taxonomic identity of Molineria garoense and lectotypification of Hypoxis trichocarpa (Hypoxidaceae)

Authors: TIWARI ARJUN PRASAD
Published: August 2020

Molineria garoense (Hypoxidaceae) described from Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India is treated here as a synonym of highly variable species Molineria trichocarpa. Besides, a lectotype is also designated for the name Hypoxis trichocarpa in the present paper.
Deutzia glomeruliflora, a new generic record for Vietnam, with its lectotypification and a revised key to Vietnamese Hydrangeaceae

Authors: NURALIEV MAXIM S. , QUANG BUI HONG , BACH TRAN THE , KUZNETSOV ANDREY N. , KUZNETSOVA SVETLANA P.
Published: August 2020

Deutzia glomeruliflora is reported from Lao Cai and Ha Giang provinces in Northern Vietnam, representing the first record of this species and the genus Deutzia in Vietnam and in the Indochinese region. Type material of this species is analyzed and lectotypification is provided; the specimen at P (P00709445) is designated as a lectotype. Patterns of distribution of Deutzia are discussed with emphasis on the floristic regions inhabited by this genus. Detailed photographic illustrations of studied specimens are provided. A key to the Vietnamese genera and species of Hydrangeaceae is presented.
×Bacurio, a new nothogenus for the hybrid ×B. delphinatifolius (Baculellum articulatum × Curio rowleyanus), with notes on the nomenclature of Kleinia ×peregrina, Senecio peregrinus, S. ×peregrinus, and Curio ×peregrinus (Asteraceae: Asteroideae: Senecioneae)

Authors: SMITH GIDEON F. , FIGUEIREDO ESTRELA
Published: August 2020

The genus Kleinia Miller (1754: page headed KI KL) (Asteraceae, subfam. Asteroideae, tr. Senecioneae) has been variously circumscribed over time, but in the past was often regarded as worthy of segregation from Senecio Linnaeus (1753: 866) based on, inter alia, the architecture of ovary wall crystals (Jeffrey 1986) and the prevalence of stem succulence (Halliday 1988: 1) and, to some degree, leaf succulence (see Cicuzza et al. 2017 for an overview). The recently described genus Curio Heath (1997: 136) accommodates mostly low-growing to medium-sized leaf succulents with rather dull-coloured capitula that generally lack ray florets.
Early Comfort Care Following Operative Intervention for Traumatic Injury
Authors: Hoffman Melissa R. , Morris Rachel , Smith Terrie , Denslow Sheri , Schurr Michael
Published: August 2020

Background

Several studies have described the population of adult trauma patients who undergo withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments (WLST); however, no study has looked specifically at trauma patients who undergo WLST following surgery.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of all trauma patients who underwent surgery at our trauma center between January 1 and December 31, 2017. Demographics were collected along with injury patterns and advance directives. Charts of all patients who died or who were discharged to hospice were analyzed to determine whether WLST occurred. Statistics included Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

Three thousand and twenty-five adult trauma patients received care and 1495 (49.4%) had operations. Thirty (2.0%) patients underwent WLST, 15 (50.0%) of whom died in the hospital and 15 (50.0%) of whom were discharged to hospice. Twenty-six (86.7%) patients had a palliative care consult and 12 (40.0%) had prior advance directives. The most common injuries were femur fractures and subdural hematomas. Adjusting for age, white race, and age-adjusted CCI, femur fracture patients had, on average, 8.8 more hours between presentation and surgery (95% CI 2.1-15.4, P = .01) and 39 fewer hours between surgery and WLST (95% CI −107–29, P = .26) than traumatic brain injury patients.

Discussion

The short time between surgery and WLST in this cohort of patients may demonstrate that surgery was not aligned with patients’ goals of care. A patient-centered approach that includes surgeon-driven palliative care discussions may help avoid nonbeneficial surgery in the last few days of life.
Synchronous Upper Intestinal Neurofibromas and Duodenal Periampullary Well-Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumor Associated With Neurofibromatosis 1
Authors: Balmer Jacob C. , Mikhaylov Yana , Lewin David N. , Mahvi David M. , Ramsay Camp E.
Published: August 2020

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder associated with characteristic skin findings, as well as a fourfold increase in risk of malignancy. NF1 patient malignancies commonly include the central and peripheral nervous system, but these patients are also at high risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) tumors. While most often these GI tumors are benign upper GI neurofibromas; clinicians should have a high suspicion for malignant tumors, degeneration into a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor or less common associated malignancies such as well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (formerly carcinoid tumor), when patients present with multiple GI tumors. Our patient underwent a Whipple for symptomatic neurofibromas associated with NF1 and was unexpectedly discovered to have a metastatic duodenal well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. The patient is a 66-year-old man with NF1 who presented with hematemesis and was found to have large gastric neurofibromas and an ampullary neurofibroma based on endoscopy and radiological imaging. Another ostensive neurofibroma was noted distally. A pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Pathological examination identified the neurofibromas but the tumor measuring 1.4cm and arising from the minor duodenal papilla was, in fact, a synchronous well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor metastatic to regional lymph nodes, consistent with pT2 pN1, Stage IIIB cancer. NF1 patients with multiple GI tumors are at an increased risk for malignancy. Therefore, a high index of suspicion for malignancy in any patient with NF1 presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms has implications for a surgeon, warranting not only a further diagnostic investigation, but also an appropriate surgical intervention and sampling for nodal spread. Because of the possibility of a simultaneous cancer, it is crucial to assess all suspicious tumors even if the masses appear endoscopically benign.
“My Words Matter”: The Role of Adolescents in Changing Pro-environmental Habits in the Family
Authors: Žukauskienė Rita , Truskauskaitė-Kunevičienė Inga , Gabė Vaida , Kaniušonytė Goda
Published: August 2020

A substantial body of research provides evidence for the role of parents in transferring pro-environmental attitudes, values, and behaviors to their children. However, little research has focused on children’s active attempts to influence parents’ pro-environmental behavior. In a survey involving 508 Lithuanian families, we examined the bidirectional influences of parents’ and adolescents’ information-induced proenvironmental intentions and behavior. Three plastic waste-related consumption behaviors were studied: purchasing bottled water, using reusable shopping bags, and recycling non-refundable plastic. Results show that both adolescents and their parents influence each other’s proenvironmental intentions and behaviors, suggesting that not only parents but also adolescents, may be important agents of positive changes in families and society.
Actor–doctor partnership for theatre-based public health education
Authors: Sharma Kartik , Gaiha Shivani Mathur , Pati Sanghamitra , Sarabhai Mallika
Published: August 2020

Background:

Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of using an entertainment-education methodology to address multiple public health issues and of using participatory street theatre to improve public understanding related to public health.

Objective:

To assess the feasibility, acceptability and impact of the Actor–Doctor project, an intervention involving theatre professionals and medical specialists to jointly deliver street-theatre-based public health education.

Design:

A real-world, mixed-methods post-intervention study evaluated the Actor–Doctor project among 486 participants in Ahmedabad, India, in 2017.

Setting and method:

Focus group discussions with actors and semi-structured interviews with doctors and implementers assessed project feasibility, acceptability and perceived impact. Post-intervention surveys among actors, audience and a control group assessed impact on knowledge and attitudes related to select public health issues. Quantitative data were analysed using multivariable regression, and qualitative data were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis.

Results:

The Actor–Doctor project was feasible to implement, as 20 street theatre performances on five public health themes were developed and staged. Members of the audience showed higher knowledge of environmental health, anaemia and openness to discussing sexual health issues, compared to a control group (omega squared 0.03–0.24; p < .001). Actors and doctors collaborating to create theatre-based public health education derived satisfaction from the project. Balancing scientific accuracy and entertainment, especially humour was challenging.

Conclusion:

The Actor–Doctor project was instrumental in improving public-health-related engagement between actors, doctors and the public.
Vulnerability of children in Botswana during COVID-19
Authors: Samboma Thabile A
Published: August 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Botswana is at a time of economic uncertainty which is linked to increased child sexual abuse. Although Botswana is among the least hit by COVID-19 in Africa, evidence from Botswana police suggests that the government’s move to apply strict measures such as lockdown, extreme social distancing and movement restriction has led to an increase in the number of child sexual abuse cases in Botswana. Evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on children needs urgent attention. This calls for a clear road map on the prevention and response of the child protection system in Botswana.
Queering social reproduction: Sex, care and activism in San Francisco
Authors: Andrucki Max J
Published: August 2020

In this paper I ask what is at stake when we move past static ontologies of the ‘gayborhood’ as a form of commercial and residential concentration in decline to theorise gay urban activism as a mode of queer social reproduction, through which queer caring labour ‘redeems’ the dislocations of the neoliberal city structured by oedipalised and capitalist social relations. Through well-documented formal and informal collective action, queers in the urban West have organised in response to health crises, exclusion and systemic threats of violence. Returning to socialist feminist imaginaries of care beyond the ‘social’, and to Guy Hocquenghem’s often-overlooked theory of the sociality of the anus, this paper draws on excerpts from the film Milk, the poetry of Thom Gunn and a discussion of gay men’s volunteering to examine San Francisco as a queer urban space constituted through a network of encounters, crossings, intimacies and labours enacted through the mundane caring practices of everyday life. I ask in what ways we can think of gay urban space as continuously made and remade through non-monogamous sex practices that perform the messy marrying of public and private, and erotic and platonic.
The Utility of SAPROF-YV Ratings for Predicting Recidivism in Male Youth Under Community Supervision in Singapore
Authors: Chu Chi Meng , Xu Xuexin , Li Dongdong , Ruby Kala , Chng Grace S.
Published: August 2020

There is bourgeoning empirical support for the usage of the Structured Assessment of Protective Factors (SAPROF) across many jurisdictions, but there is a dearth of research on the Structured Assessment of Protective Factors for Violence Risk—Youth Version (SAPROF-YV). This study examined (a) the predictive validity of the SAPROF-YV ratings for general recidivism and (b) the incremental predictive validity of the SAPROF-YV ratings when used in conjunction with the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) 2.0 ratings. Using a sample of 822 male youths who were involved with the justice system and under community supervision in Singapore, the results showed that the SAPROF-YV total score and final protection judgment rating were significantly predictive of general recidivism. Moreover, the SAPROF-YV total score and final judgment rating showed incremental predictive validity over the YLS/CMI 2.0 total score and risk rating. Overall, the results suggest that SAPROF-YV ratings are suited for assessing justice-involved youth within the Singaporean context and can be used in conjunction with YLS/CMI 2.0 ratings for predicting recidivism.
Sandbody architecture analysis of braided river reservoirs and their significance for remaining oil distribution: A case study based on a new outcrop in the Songliao Basin, Northeast China
Authors: Zang Dongsheng , Bao Zhidong , Li Mingyi , Fu Ping , Li Min , Niu Bo , Li Zhuolun , Zhang Li , Wei Mingyang , Dou Luxing , Xu Xiting
Published: August 2020

The reservoir architecture analysis of braided rivers, especially falling-silt seam forms, has played a key role in predicting remaining oil distributions. However, no studies have used architecture analyses that document braided river outcrops and researched the tapping of the few remaining oil distributions based on outcrops in the Songliao basin, northeast China. In this paper, the architecture characteristics and remaining oil distribution of braided river reservoirs are studied using a combination of an outcrop, modern deposition and subsurface well data. The new 8–13 m thick Lower Cretaceous Quantou Formation outcrop of the Songliao basin is a braided fluvial succession arranged in one large fining-upward cycle. Eight facies (Gt, St, Sm, Sh, Sp, Sw, Fl and Fm), four architecture elements (CH, DA, LV, and FF), and three orders of bounding surfaces (third-, fourth-, and fifth-order) are recognized. A new distribution pattern of falling-silt seams and a braided river architecture model are presented according to the analysis of the outcrop. In the mid-channel bar, the falling-silt seams thin from the mid-bar to the bar tail following the flow direction. Each falling-silt seam is oriented tangentially to the basal surface of the mid-channel bar, and the upper falling-silt seam extends farther than the lower one. In a Daqing Oilfield exploitation block in the Songliao basin, while channels and bars are the main reservoir units, they have different remaining oil distribution patterns. For bars, water injection wells located at the mid-bar, zonal injection technology, the drilling of horizontal wells, and proper well patterns are proposed. Fourth-order bounding surfaces, single braided channels, stacking patterns, and the lateral blocking of levees and floodplains are the key factors affecting the remaining oil distribution in channels.
The Mei mini-maze procedure
Authors: Jiang Zhaolei , Ma Nan , Tang Min , Liu Hao , Ding Shiao , Ding Fangbao , Mei Ju
Published: August 2020

Atrial fibrillation is a common clinical arrhythmia with high morbidity and a risk of stroke. The Cox-maze IV procedure that uses radiofrequency energy for ablation is established as an effective way to eliminate atrial fibrillation. Compared to the Cox-maze IV procedure, the video-assisted Wolf mini-maze procedure is associated with reduced surgical trauma, but still requires bilateral thoracotomies, and the ablation line connecting the right and left pulmonary vein isolations cannot be created with a bipolar ablation clamp. We have developed a novel video-assisted mini-maze technique that uses a unilateral (left chest) thoracoscopic approach (the Mei mini-maze procedure).
Hospital patients’ perspectives on what is essential to enable optimal palliative care: A qualitative study
Authors: Virdun Claudia , Luckett Tim , Lorenz Karl , Davidson Patricia M , Phillips Jane
Published: August 2020

Background:

The majority of expected deaths in high income countries occur in hospital where optimal palliative care cannot be assured. In addition, a large number of patients with palliative care needs receive inpatient care in their last year of life. International research has identified domains of inpatient care that patients and carers perceive to be important, but concrete examples of how these might be operationalised are scarce, and few studies conducted in the southern hemisphere.

Aim:

To seek the perspectives of Australian patients living with palliative care needs about their recent hospitalisation experiences to determine the relevance of domains noted internationally to be important for optimal inpatient palliative care and how these can be operationalised.

Design:

An exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.

Setting/participants:

Participants were recruited through five hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.

Results:

Twenty-one participants took part. Results confirmed and added depth of understanding to domains previously identified as important for optimal hospital palliative care, including: Effective communication and shared decision making; Expert care; Adequate environment for care; Family involvement in care provision; Financial affairs; Maintenance of sense of self/identity; Minimising burden; Respectful and compassionate care; Trust and confidence in clinicians and Maintenance of patient safety. Two additional domains were noted to be important: Nutritional needs; and Access to medical and nursing specialists.

Conclusions:

Taking a person-centred focus has provided a deeper understanding of how to strengthen inpatient palliative care practices. Future work is needed to translate the body of evidence on patient priorities into policy reforms and practice points.
The Relationship Between Media Multitasking Behavior and Executive Function in Adolescence: A Replication Study
Authors: Rogobete Doris Antonia , Ionescu Thea , Miclea Mircea
Published: August 2020

The proliferation of digital gadgets and increased media consumption among adolescents has raised interest and concern regarding possible effects on cognitive functioning. Research investigating this relationship has yielded mixed results. This study aims to replicate the research conducted by Baumgartner et al. concerning the relationship between adolescent media multitasking and executive functioning on a sample of 296 Romanian early adolescents. The same methodology as the original study was followed and its findings were partially replicated. Mainly, results of regression analyses indicated that more media multitasking with media activities was related to more self-reported executive difficulties, but not with performance on three computerized executive functioning tasks. Media multitasking with non-media activities was unrelated to executive functioning. When comparing extreme groups, however, heavier media multitasking was associated with faster performance on the task-shifting and inhibition computerized tasks. Implications for cognitive development and research methodology are discussed.
Suicidal Ideation and Insomnia in Bipolar Disorders: Idéation suicidaire et insomnie dans les troubles bipolaires
Authors: Bertrand Lia , Bourguignon Clément , Beaulieu Serge , Storch Kai-Florian , Linnaranta Outi
Published: August 2020

Objective:

Bipolar disorder (BD) confers elevated suicide risk and associates with misaligned circadian rhythm. Real-time monitoring of objectively measured sleep is a novel approach to detect and prevent suicidal behavior. We aimed at understanding associations between subjective insomnia and actigraphy data with severity of suicidal ideation in BDs.

Methods:

This prospective cohort study comprised 76 outpatients with a BD aged 18 to 65 inclusively. Main measures included 10 consecutive days of wrist actigraphy; the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS); the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS); the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-16, self-rating (QIDS-SR-16); and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Diagnoses, medications, and suicide attempts were obtained from chart review.

Results:

Suicidal ideation correlated moderately with subjective insomnia (AIS with QIDS-SR-16 item 12 ρ =0.26, P = 0.03; MADRS item 10 ρ = 0.33, P = 0.003). Graphical sleep patterns showed that suicidal patients were enriched among the most fragmented sleep patterns, and this was confirmed by correlations of suicidal ideation with actigraphy data at 2 visits. Patients with lifetime suicide attempts ( n = 8) had more varied objective sleep (a higher standard deviation of center of daily inactivity [0.64 vs. 0.26, P = 0.01], consolidation of daily inactivity [0.18 vs. 0.10, P = <0.001], sleep offset [3.02 hours vs. 1.90 hours, P = <0.001], and total sleep [105 vs. 69 minutes, P = 0.02], and a lower consolidation of daily inactivity [0.65 vs. 0.79, P = 0.03]).

Conclusions:

Subjective insomnia, a nonstigmatized symptom, can complement suicidality screens. Longer follow-ups and larger samples are warranted to understand whether real-time sleep monitoring predicts suicidal ideation in patient subgroups or individually.
Clinical utility of a traditional score system for the evaluation of the peritoneal dialysis exit-site infection in a national multicentric cohort study
Authors: Rigo Mariane , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Lambie Mark , Tuon Felipe Francisco , Barretti Pasqual , de Moraes Thyago Proença
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Exit-site infection (ESI) is an important risk factor for peritonitis in patients under chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD). The International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) recommend its diagnosis as the presence of purulent drainage in the exit site (ES) but time-consuming scores using others skin signs are routinely used.

Objective:

To investigate the correlation between the diagnosis of ESI with a score based on five clinical signs obtained from ES inspection, and also if there are interaction with patient’s race.

Methods:

Multicenter and prospective cohort. We included adult patients from 122 clinics, incident on PD and with a 12-month stay in therapy. The event of interest was ESI, defined as purulent drainage. The clinical score used was composed of hyperemia, edema, pain, scab, and granuloma. Statistical analysis was performed using multilevel logistic regression model, likelihood test, and Cohen concordance analysis.

Results:

A total of 35,354 ES assessments were performed during the first year of dialysis in 3297 patients. There was a rate of 10.1 (9.1–11.2) episodes of ESI per 1000 patients/month. In patients with ESI, the prevalence of hyperemia was 55.9%, edema 67.3%, pain 31.8%, and scab 23.2%. The agreement with the score was 60.6% and showed differences according to the patient’s race, being 53.2% for African Americans descendants and 65.4% for others. The use of scales for the diagnosis of ESI does not add much information in addition to the presence of purulent secretion as currently recommended by the ISPD.
Why Queer Workers Make Good Organisers
Authors: O’Brien Michelle Esther
Published: August 2020

LGBTQ retail workers act as leaders in workplace organising efforts, and union organisers identify their contributions as strengthening campaigns. What explains this propensity of queer and trans workers to labour organising and the resulting successful outcomes? Prior literature has identified that other demographics of oppressed workers similarly show strong support for labour organising, and the campaigns they lead are more likely to be successful, but without detailing what mechanisms may explain this link. Through in-depth interviews with labour organisers and worker-leaders in NYC retail worker rights and unionisation campaigns, this article finds queer workers bring to organising efforts their (1) prior experiences of workplace harassment and marginalisation, (2) prior social movement activity, (3) indigenous social networks, (4) affective skills developed in queer countercultures and (5) their use of creative expression. These factors could similarly explain the workplace organising efficacy of other oppressed social groups.
Comparison of different welding methods on mechanical properties and formability behaviors of tailor welded blanks (TWB) made from AA6061 alloys
Authors: Bagheri Behrouz , Abbasi Mahmoud , Hamzeloo Reza
Published: August 2020

A tailor welded blank (TWB) includes two or more blanks joined together in order to make a single blank. Different welding methods are used to join blanks with different characteristics and form TWBs. In this study, a comparison is made among the effects of three different welding methods namely CO2 laser welding, friction stir welding (FSW), and friction stir vibration welding (FSVW) on mechanical and formability properties of developed TWBs. AA6061 alloy sheets with different thicknesses (1.2 and 0.8 mm) are joined to get TWBs. The forming limit diagram (FLD) and limiting dome height (LDH) are applied to assess the formability. The Taguchi method is applied to find the optimum values of welding parameters. It is concluded that TWBs made by FSVW have higher mechanical properties and formability compared to TWBs made by FSW and CO2 laser welding. The results also indicate that FLD for TWBs made by FSW is higher than FLD for TWBs made by CO2 laser welding and FLD0, for TWBs made by FSVW, increases as vibration frequency increases.
Coordinated control strategy for vehicle electro-hydraulic compound steering system
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Wu Haixiao , Zhao Wanzhong , Wang Chunyan
Published: August 2020

In order to reduce steering energy consumption and improve steering feeling of heavy commercial vehicle, a novel electro-hydraulic compound steering system is proposed, which combines the function of electro-hydraulic power steering and electric power steering. The electro-hydraulic compound steering system dynamic model is established and the coordinated control strategy of dual actuators is proposed by analyzing the structure and dynamic characteristics of electro-hydraulic compound steering system. The genetic algorithm is used to optimize the steering assist torque distribution, and an Elman neural network predictive controller with fuzzy compensation is designed to solve the nonlinear problem of the electro-hydraulic compound system. Finally, the simulation is carried out by using Amesim/Simulink. The simulation results show that the coordinated control strategy designed in this paper enables the electro-hydraulic compound steering system significantly better than the traditional electro-hydraulic power steering system in steering feeling and energy consumption.
Fuzzy PD hybrid control of low frequency vibration of annular antenna
Authors: Zhai Xinghui , Luo Yajun , Zhang Yahong , Xie Shilin
Published: August 2020

The annular antenna is a typical large flexible space truss structure featured by small damping and low modal frequencies. The external disturbances, e.g. impulse load resulting from satellite attitude adjusting, may induce the low frequency large amplitude vibrations of annular antenna for a long time and thus reduce working precision and cause even its damage. The active control of vibration of annular antenna under impulse excitation is investigated in the paper. The voice coil actuator instead of piezoelectric stack actuator is used in order to meet the demand of large output displacement. The governing equation of active vibration control system is established by use of finite element method. The proportional differential (PD) control and fuzzy control algorithms are firstly studied in the active control. The results show that the fuzzy control exhibits worse control performance than PD control due to weak control function near structural equilibrium position. To circumvent the drawback of fuzzy control, a fuzzy PD hybrid control strategy is proposed which can combine the merits of both control methods. The simulated and experimental results show that the fuzzy PD hybrid control can yield the best control effect under impulse excitation comparing with the PD control and ordinary fuzzy control. The work provides a promising control way for active control of low frequency and large displacement vibration of annular antenna in satellite engineering.
Pathways to Agricultural Skill Development in the Indian Himalayas
Authors: Brown Trent
Published: August 2020

Policymakers and practitioners in the field of skill development often carry individualist and narrowly instrumental understandings of the reasons people enrol in their programmes. This article argues that people in the Global South seek to develop skills for a range of reasons, many of which are strongly influenced by their social environment and factors outside of their control. It presents the findings of a study involving surveys and semi-structured interviews with 53 trainees enrolled in agricultural skill development programmes in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the Indian Himalayas. Trainees’ responses were analysed to determine common ‘pathways’ to agricultural skill development programmes. Seven major pathways were identified: supporting one’s family; adopting commercial approaches to agriculture; managing a transition to agriculture after working in other sectors; gaining new knowledge; contributing to society; working from home; and developing a fallback option while seeking other work. These pathways were highly inflected by gender, age and caste. It is suggested that agricultural skill development practitioners will benefit from working with these pathways rather than assuming trainees carry more economistic motivations, but also from being critically aware of how the social factors that impinge on trainees’ pathways are influenced by local power structures.
Duty to renegotiate in international commercial law and uncontemplated behavioural effects
Authors: Kovač Mitja
Published: August 2020

This paper explores possible uncontemplated effects and behavioural implications created by duty-to-negotiate provisions in international instruments. More precisely, the paper considers how five different international instruments approach the subject, namely the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts (PICC), Principles of European Contract Law (PECL), Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR) and Common European Sales Law (CESL). The extent to which these international and European legal instruments correspond to recent economic and behavioural findings is examined. Moreover, an economically inspired analysis is conducted of the uncontemplated consequences of the duty to renegotiate that well-intended international lawmakers never anticipated. Further, it is suggested that game theoretical and behavioural reasons might exist for adopting a cautious approach to the duty to renegotiate in instances of unforeseen contingencies as found in the CISG as well as the English, German, US and Scottish law of contracts.

JEL classification: C23, C26, C51, K42, O43
Subtle mimicry in action
Authors: Lau James Siu Ki , Au Tak Shun Thomas
Published: August 2020

Acute abdomen may often prompt surgeons to send patients to the operating theatre directly, especially in unstable conditions. Nevertheless, if clinically allows, it would be ideal if surgeons can have a better grasp of the root cause before operating. This case illustrates the integration of meticulous history taking and analysis of simple imaging could have led to a different clinical approach.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus whole-genome sequencing efficacy with field clinical samples using a poly(A)-tail viral genome purification method
Authors: Gagnon Carl A. , Lalonde Christian , Provost Chantale
Published: August 2020

The genomic surveillance of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is based on sequencing of the ORF5 gene of the virus, which covers only 4% of the entire viral genome. It is expected that PRRSV whole-genome sequencing (WGS) will improve PRRSV genomic data and allow better understanding of clinical discrepancies observed in the field when using ORF5 sequencing. Our main objective was to implement an efficient method for WGS of PRRSV from clinical samples. The viral genome was purified using a poly(A)-tail viral genome purification method and sequenced using Illumina technology. We tested 149 PRRSV-positive samples: 80 sera, 33 lungs, 33 pools of tissues, 2 oral fluids, and 1 processing fluid (i.e., castration liquid). Overall, WGS of 67.1% of PRRSV-positive cases was successful. The viral load, in particular for tissues, had a major impact on the PRRSV WGS success rate. Serum was the most efficient type of sample to conduct PRRSV WGS poly(A)-tail assays, with a success rate of 76.3%, and this result can be explained by improved sequencing reads dispersion matching throughout the entire viral genome. WGS was unsuccessful for all pools of tissue and lung samples with Cq values > 26.5, whereas it could still be successful with sera at Cq ≤ 34.1. Evaluation of results of highly qualified personnel confirmed that laboratory skills could affect PRRSV WGS efficiency. Oral fluid samples seem very promising and merit further investigation because, with only 2 samples of low viral load (Cq = 28.8, 32.8), PRRSV WGS was successful.
Caries Experience Varies in Egyptian Children With Different Combinations of Cleft Lip and Palate and Is Related to Carbohydrate Intake Between Meals
Authors: Allam Gehan G. , Sobeh Islam A.
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Our aim was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in Egyptian children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (CLP), according to dietary habits, and to assess the level of dental care given to these patients.

Design:

Children aged 4 to 12 years (N = 120) with CLP were recruited: 54 with primary dentition and 66 with mixed dentition. Personal data were gathered and parents completed a 5-day diet diary for the children. The prevalence of dental caries was determined with the dmft and DMFT indices, and debris and calculus were assessed with the simplified oral hygiene index.

Results:

Of this, 16.7% of children were caries-free. Caries experience was directly correlated with the intake of carbohydrate-containing items between meals, but not with intake at meal times. Oral-hygiene (debris) status did not differ significantly between the CLP groups. Calculus was found in 6.6% of the children. Only 8.3% of the study population had received oral-hygiene instructions from a health care professional.

Conclusion:

A direct correlation was found between caries experience and the intake of sugar-containing items in-between meals, indicating the importance of dietary advice into the comprehensive dental management of patients with CLP. Our sample had not received effective dental services.
Evaluation of the efficacy of a self-cleaning automated compounding system for the decontamination of cytotoxic drugs
Authors: Telleria Naiara , García Nerea , Grisaleña Jaione , Algaba Naiara , Bergareche Eider , Tamés María José , Cajaraville Gerardo
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Low surface contamination levels of hazardous drugs in compounding areas can be used as indicators of exposure and efficacy of cleaning procedures. We report the efficacy results of the KIRO® Oncology self-cleaning automated compounding system for decontamination of cytotoxic drugs, assessed in an oncology health center using a sanitizing method and an alkaline method.

Methods

The study was conducted for six-days over a three-week period. A mixture with known levels of 5-fluorouracil, ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, etoposide, methotrexate, paclitaxel, docetaxel and carboplatin was added to the KIRO® Oncology’s compounding area surface before each self-cleaning method was used. Contamination levels were determined, with a surface wipe sampling kit, at the end of the self-cleaning process.

Results

Background surface contamination for quantified levels of cytotoxic drugs during routine use of KIRO® Oncology was below limit of quantification (<LOQ) for all drugs, except for carboplatin, which has a very low LOQ (0.2 ng/sample). The quantified drug levels detected on surface wipe samples after self-cleaning using both methods in the KIRO® Oncology’s compounding area surface sections were all <LOQ when spiking with 1 ng/cm2 (ten times the ‘safe’ reference value), except for carboplatin (alkaline method only), although its levels were still below the ‘safe’ reference value (0.1 ng/cm2). For surface contamination levels when spiking with 100 ng/cm2, both self-cleaning methods had decontamination efficacies >99.8% for all cytotoxic drugs analyzed.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence on the efficacy of the KIRO® Oncology automatic self-cleaning system for surface area decontamination during the preparation of cytotoxic drugs.
Redeployment of ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom during the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic
Authors: Lim Christina , De Silva Ian , Moussa George , Islam Tahir , Osman Lina , Malick Huzaifa , Deol Sundeep , Youssef Moheeb , Farrag Abdelsattar , Ashraf Rehana , Burgula Sreekala , Thompson Jonathan
Published: August 2020

Background:

During the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some ophthalmologists across the United Kingdom (UK) have been redeployed to areas of need across the National Health Service (NHS). This survey was performed to assess aspects of this process including training & education, tasks expected, availability of personal protection equipment (PPE) used and the overall anxiety of ophthalmologists around their redeployment.

Method:

Online anonymous survey around the existing guidance on safe redeployment of secondary care NHS staff and PPE use by NHS England and Public Health England respectively. The survey was open to all ophthalmologists across the UK irrespective of their redeployment status.

Findings:

145 surveys were completed and returned during a 2-week period between 17th April 2020 and 1st May 2020, when 52% of ophthalmologists were redeployed. The majority of this group consisted of ophthalmologists in training (79%). 81% of those redeployed were assigned to areas of the hospital where patients with confirmed Coronavirus disease were being treated as inpatients. There was a statistically significant improvement in anxiety level following redeployment which was mainly attributed to the support received by staff within the redeployed area. 71% of the redeployed group were found to have sufficient PPE was provided for the area they worked in.

Interpretation:

This is the first national survey performed on redeployment of ophthalmologists in the UK. The study showed that ophthalmologists across all grades were able to contribute in most aspects of patient care. Anxiety of redeployment was reduced by prior training and good support in the redeployment area.
Control of Recreational Cannabis in a New Zealand University Sample: Perceptions of Informal and Formal Controls
Authors: Robertson Kirsten J , Tustin Karen
Published: August 2020

An increasing number of countries have, or are moving towards, reforming cannabis policies. New Zealand is also moving in this direction and the government will hold a referendum on the legalization of recreational cannabis in September 2020. To inform imminent public and political discussions it is important to understand how current cannabis use is controlled. Research suggests that cannabis law has been ineffective in NZ. Internationally, informal controls, rather than the law, have been found to shape cannabis use by creating a threshold for normalization, but the attitudes shaping this threshold are unknown. This study aimed to examine drug acceptability attitudes, specifically students’ attitudes towards the illegal use of cannabis and their attitudes towards peers who abstain, sometimes use, or are heavy users of cannabis, to identify the factors that control cannabis use. Using a mixed methods approach, university students recruited their peers (N = 535) to complete a pen and paper survey investigating perceptions towards 3 cannabis user prototypes (abstainers, moderate users, heavy users), concern for legality of cannabis use, and the integration of cannabis into the student culture (perceptions of peers’ use, ease of acquisition, and availability). Perceptions of peers’ lifetime and regular use were 82% and 38.5%, respectively. Participants rated cannabis as easy to acquire and likely to be available at a typical student social occasion. The majority stated that the law does not deter use (92.7%); participants perceived the law to be soft and that they are unlikely to get caught. Participants’ descriptions of the 3 cannabis user prototypes revealed a threshold for normalization. For instance, abstaining was perceived to be associated with positive attributes (such as being studious), linked to being less sociable, and linked to being less likely to be judged. Moderate use of cannabis was perceived to be normal and sociable. Heavy use was perceived to be associated with having negative attributes, such as being addicted, unhealthy, and an underachiever, and negative drug labels. Our findings revealed that cannabis use is not controlled by the law, but by informal thresholds of control. Moderate cannabis use is accepted whereas heavy cannabis use is not. We extended research by identifying the attitudes shaping these thresholds, in particular that negative outcomes associated with heavy use deters the normalization of this behavior. We argue that policy must be informed by, and build on, these informal controls. The negative perceptions associated with heavy use also raise concerns regarding the well-being of heavy users, and coupled with the ineffectiveness of cannabis law, lend support towards a health model for regulating cannabis. Furthermore, insights into the negative perceptions associated with heavy use could inform health interventions on the types of concerns that will resonate with users.