bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian Parametric Approach to Handle Missing Longitudinal Outcome Data in Trial-based Health Economic Evaluations
Authors: Gabrio Andrea , Daniels Michael J. , Baio Gianluca
Published: September 2019

Trial-based economic evaluations are typically performed on cross-sectional variables, derived from the responses for only the completers in the study, using methods that ignore the complexities of utility and cost data (e.g. skewness and spikes). We present an alternative and more efficient Bayesian parametric approach to handle missing longitudinal outcomes in economic evaluations, while accounting for the complexities of the data. We specify a flexible parametric model for the observed data and partially identify the distribution of the missing data with partial identifying restrictions and sensitivity parameters. We explore alternative non-ignorable missingness scenarios through different priors for the sensitivity parameters, calibrated on the observed data. Our approach is motivated by, and applied to, data from a trial assessing the cost-effectiveness of a new treatment for intellectual disability and challenging behaviour.
Improving oral health‐related quality of life for a traumatic brain injury patient: A case report
Authors: Takeuchi Sawako , Planerova Adela , Malmstrom Hans , Saunders Ralph
Published: September 2019

Aims

A preliminary aim was to determine if a patient who had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) could tolerate removal of his remaining teeth and replacement with partially implant‐supported prosthetic replacements. The primary aim was to determine if the patient and also his main caregiver could assess a potential change in his oral health‐related quality of life.

Methods and results

Procedures for the patient were conservative dental restorations, removal of nonrestorable teeth, placement of implants, and fabrication of new dentures. The patient and his primary caregiver, independently, completed the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14) before and after placement of the implants and Locators. The scores were then compared. The results were that both successfully completed the OHIP‐14 and scores showed improvement at 3 and 6 months.

Conclusion

This is the first report of both, a TBI patient and his primary caregiver independently self‐assessing improvement in his quality of life using the OHIP‐14 after fabrication of an implant‐supported overdenture.
Testing Propeller Tip Modifications to Reduce Acoustic Noise Generation on a Quadcopter Propeller
Authors: Treuren Kenneth W. Van , Wisniewski Charles F.
Published: September 2019

If vertical lift vehicles are to operate near population centers, they must be both quiet and efficient. The goal of this research is to develop a propeller that is more efficient and generates less noise than a stock DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter propeller. Reducing the generated tip vortex was the main objective. After studying the literature, seven promising tip treatments were selected and applied to a stock DJI Phantom 2 propeller to reduce the tip vortex. Several different configurations were tested for each tip treatment to determine the rpm and required power to hold 0.7 lbf thrust, the static hover condition. For each test, operating at the hover condition, a radial traverse 1 in. behind the propeller permitted the measurement of the near field sound pressure level (SPL) to find the maximum SPL and its radial location. Several configurations tested resulted in 8–10 dBA reductions in SPL when compared to the stock propeller; however, these configurations also resulted in an unacceptable increase in the power required to achieve the desired thrust. The most promising tip treatment tested was the trailing edge (TE) notch at a radial location of 0.95 r/R with a double slot width and a double depth (DSDD). The DSDD configuration as tested reduced the SPL 7.2 dBA with an increase in power required of only 3.96% over the stock propeller. This tradeoff, while not the largest reduction in noise generation measured, had an acceptable power increase for the decrease in SPL achieved.
Obtaining the scattering rate of different Tc0 FeSe thin films via spectroscopic ellipsometry
Authors: Shi Yujun , Lian Jie , Feng Zhongpei , Zhao Minglin , Jin Kui , Song Haonan , Wei Mingyang , Dai Kai , Jiang Qingfen , Fang Jiaxiong
Published: September 2019

Due to the simplest crystalline structure among Fe-based superconductors, the FeSe system has attracted a lot of attention. In this work, FeSe thin films grown on the CaF2 substrate with Tc0 = 6 and 11 K (named FeSe_1 and FeSe_2, respectively) are fabricated by a pulsed laser deposition technique. X-ray diffraction exhibits a high-quality single crystal of the two FeSe samples, and the lattice constants are about 5.574 Å. Atomic force microscopy characterizes their surface topography and roughness, which shows stripes in their surfaces that is helpful to construct a roughness layer using the optical measurement spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) technique. SE is a powerful tool to determine FeSe thin films’ complex refractive index N=n+ik and plasma oscillation frequency ωp. These important parameters are related to scattering rate τ−1 for FeSe thin films. The results show that scattering rate τ−1 of FeSe_2 is significantly lower than that of FeSe_1 in the whole frequency testing range at room temperature, which may be the reason that FeSe_2 owns higher Tc0 in low temperature than FeSe_1.
What It Really Means To ‘Think Outside The Box’: Why Foucault Matters For Coach Development
Authors: Denison Jim
Published: September 2019

In this paper I discuss the relevance (and power) of teaching coaches how to question the ‘truth’ of their everyday coaching practices by beginning to ‘think with Foucault.’ My insights derive from my experiences teaching a graduate course called, “Coaching ‘Knowledges’: The Social Dimensions of Performance Sport”, that I designed in 2018 as part of the University of Alberta’s Masters of Coaching degree. More specifically, through my reflections on my past coaching, my present teaching, and the process of writing this paper, I consider how the act of problematizing, as informed by such Foucauldian concepts as docility, discipline, and power-knowledge, can serve to transform coach development and with that, of course, coaching and all that that entails.
A Coach Developers’ Narrative on Scaffolding a Learner-Centred Coaching Course in Brazil
Authors: Galatti Larissa R. , dos Santos Yura Yuka Sato , Korsakas Paula
Published: September 2019

Sport coaching in Brazil is a regulated profession that requires higher education qualifications. A degree in physical education (PE) is mandatory since 1998 for those who aspire to work as coaches in the country, which has led universities and professors to play a key role in developing coaches through formal education. Through a personal narrative approach, we—a professor and a PhD candidate—wrote this paper with the purpose of sharing our pathways and reflections in implementing a learner-centred teaching (LCT) approach in an undergraduate coaching course in Brazil, both acting as coach developers (CDs). From a personal and professional growth perspective, as CDs, we acknowledge the relevance of offering such practical experiences along with reflection and peer sharing as crucial steps for practitioners to improve CD expertise in the higher education setting. By reflecting on the potential of a LCT approach in higher education, we demonstrate how LCT strategies can enhance opportunities for student-coaches to gain exposure to meaningful practical coaching situations as a way to better develop their coaching skills within the university environment.
Participating in a Learner-Centered Coach Education Program: Composite Vignettes of Coaches’ and Coach Educators’ Experiences
Authors: Paquette Kyle , Trudel Pierre , Duarte Tiago , Cundari Glenn
Published: September 2019

Given the inextricable roles of the coach learner and coach educator in learner-centered (LC) coach education, research into their perceptions and experiences in these programs appears to be a priority. As such, building on Paquette and Trudel’s examination of Canada’s golf coach education program relative to its alignment with learner-centered approaches, the present study examined coaches’ and coach educators’ perspectives of their experiences participating in the abovementioned program that was found to have a LC design. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (6 coach educators and 10 coaches), and data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. The finalized themes were used as a narrative skeleton for the creation of the four composite vignettes. The vignettes represented the experiences of four composite characters relative to their learning orientations to learner-centered teaching (LCT) and instructor-centred teaching (ICT): LCT Coach Educator, LCT Coach, ICT Coach Educator, ICT Coach. As influenced by their cognitive structures, the vignettes depict the composite coaches’ varied engagement and perceptions of the program, as well as the coach educators’ varied delivery of the program and adherence to the program’s LC design. These diverse experiences are discussed in relation to the impact of LC coach education.
Are Women Coached by Women More Likely to Become Sport Coaches? Head Coach Gender and Female Collegiate Athletes’ Entry into the Coaching Profession
Authors: Wasend Matea , LaVoi Nicole M.
Published: September 2019

A plethora of research on barriers facing women in the coaching profession exists, but less attention has been devoted to female student-athletes’ transition into coaching. Some research suggests that female athletes who are coached by women are more likely to become coaches. In the present study, existing research is extended by examining the relationship between collegiate female basketball players’ post-playing career behavior and the gender of their collegiate head coach. Two research questions are addressed: (1) Are female collegiate Division-I basketball players who are coached by female head coaches more likely to enter the coaching profession than athletes who are coached by men? And; (2) If female basketball players do enter coaching, are those who were coached by women more likely to persist in coaching? Collegiate head coach gender did not emerge as a significant predictor of athletes’ likelihood to enter coaching, but logistic regression indicated that athletes who did enter coaching were 4.1-times more likely to stay in coaching if they had a female head coach. This study extends the scarce and outdated body of research on the potential salience of same-sex coaching role models for female athletes and provides baseline data on collegiate athletes’ entry rate into coaching, lending support to advocacy aimed at reversing the current stagnation of women in the sport coaching profession.
National child death review statutory and operational guidance: Key concepts for practising paediatricians
Authors: Fraser James , Sleap Vicky , Sidebotham Peter
Published: September 2019

In October 2018, National Health Service England published new operational guidance for reviewing child deaths, which covers all children who die less than 18 years of age regardless of the cause of death. The Guidance is for all healthcare professionals caring for children as well as senior leaders who commission, provide or regulate children’s services. It does not aim to be prescriptive but instead sets out a framework of expectations that intends to be flexible and proportionate. Its essential building blocks will be familiar to practising paediatricians: notification, investigation, review and reporting. It should be regarded as a key pillar in the hospital’s governance program.
Use of fenofibrate on cardiovascular outcomes in statin users with metabolic syndrome: propensity matched cohort study
Authors: Kim Nam Hoon , Han Ki Hoon , Choi Jimi , Lee Juneyoung , Kim Sin Gon
Published: September 2019

Objective

To investigate whether fenofibrate as add-on to statin treatment reduce persistent cardiovascular risk in adults with metabolic syndrome in a real world setting.

Design

Propensity matched cohort study.

Setting

Population based cohort in Korea.

Participants

29 771 adults with metabolic syndrome (≥40 years) receiving statin treatment. 2156 participants receiving combined treatment (statin plus fenofibrate) were weighted based on propensity score in a 1:5 ratio with 8549 participants using statin only treatment.

Main outcome measure

Primary outcome was composite cardiovascular events including incident coronary heart disease, ischaemic stroke, and death from cardiovascular causes.

Results

The incidence rate per 1000 person years of composite cardiovascular events was 17.7 (95% confidence interval 14.4 to 21.8) in the combined treatment group and 22.0 (20.1 to 24.1) in the statin group. The risk of composite cardiovascular events was significantly reduced in the combined treatment group compared with statin group (adjusted hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.58 to 0.93; P=0.01). The significance was maintained in the on-treatment analysis (hazard ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.44 to 0.92; P=0.02). The risk of incident coronary heart disease, ischaemic stroke, and cardiovascular death was lower in the combined treatment group than statin group but was not significant. Participant characteristics did not appear to be associated with the low risk of composite cardiovascular events with combined treatment.

Conclusion

In this propensity weighted cohort study of adults with metabolic syndrome, the risk of major cardiovascular events was significantly lower with fenofibrate as add-on to statin treatment than with statin treatment alone.
Protocolled practice nurse-led care for children with asthma in primary care: protocol for a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Bousema Sara , Verwoerd Annemieke J , Goossens Lucas M , Bohnen Arthur M , Bindels Patrick J E , Elshout Gijs
Published: September 2019

Introduction

In children with asthma, daily symptoms and exacerbations have a significant impact on the quality of life of both children and parents. More effective use of asthma medication and, consequently, better asthma control is advocated, since both overtreatment and undertreatment are reported in primary care. Trials in adults suggest that asthma control is better when patients receive a regular medical review. Therefore, protocolled care by the general practitioner may also lead to better asthma control in children. However, such protocolled care by the general practitioner may be time consuming and less feasible. Therefore, this study aims to determine whether protocolled practice nurse-led asthma care for children in primary care provides more effective asthma control than usual care.

Methods and analysis

The study will be a cluster-randomised open-label trial with an 18-month follow-up. Practice nurses will be the units of randomisation and children with asthma the units of analysis. It is planned to include 180 children aged 6–12 years. Primary outcome will be average asthma control during the 18-month follow-up measured by the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT). Secondary outcomes include C-ACT scores at t=3, t=6, t=12 and t=18 months; the frequency and severity of exacerbations; cost-effectiveness; quality of life; satisfaction with delivered care; forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced expiratory flow at 75% and the association of high symptoms scores at baseline and baseline characteristics. Besides, we will conduct identical measurements in a non-randomised sample of children.

Ethics and dissemination

This will be the first trial to evaluate the effectiveness of protocolled practice nurse-led care for children with asthma in primary care. The results may lead to improvements in asthma care for children and can be directly implemented in revisions of asthma guidelines.

The study protocol was approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam.

Trial registration

NTR6847.
Risk models and scores for metabolic syndrome: systematic review protocol
Authors: Ibrahim Musa Saulawa , Pang Dong , Randhawa Gurch , Pappas Yannis
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome ‘a clustering of risk factors which includes hypertension central obesity, impaired glucose metabolism with insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia’ affects approximately 20%–25% of the global adult population. Individuals with metabolic syndrome have two to threefold risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a fivefold risk of developing developing diabetes and death from all causes. Although there is rapid proliferation of risk scores for predicting the risk of developing metabolic syndrome later in life, yet, these are seldom used in the practice. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to determine the performance of risk models and scores for predicting the metabolic syndrome.

Methods and analysis

Articles will be sought for from electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed and Web of Science) as well as the Cochrane Library. Further manual search of reference lists and grey literatures will be conducted. The search will cover from the start of indexing to 3 October 2018. Identified studies will be included if they fulfil the study selection criteria. Quality of studies will be appraised using suitable criteria for the risk models. The risk scores in the final sample of the review will be ranked/prioritised based on previous quality criteria for prognostic risk models. Lastly, the impact of the models will be ascertained by tracking citations on Google Scholar.

Ethics and dissemination

This study does not require formal ethical approval as primary data will not be collected. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and relevant conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019139326
Current status and progression of lower urinary tract symptoms in Chinese male patients: the protocol and rationale for a nationwide, hospital-based, prospective, multicentre study
Authors: Song Qi-Xiang , Zhang Yi , Ye Xiaofei , Xue Wei , Xu Chuanliang , Xu Jing , Abrams Paul , Sun Yinghao
Published: September 2019

Introduction

It has become increasingly evident that the male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may not only be caused by abnormalities in one or more components of the lower urinary tract, but also be secondary to a range of systemic disorders. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the features of urological and systemic disorders among middle-aged and elderly male LUTS patients in China. The second aim is to investigate the changes of both conditions after interventions through a 2-year prospective follow-up.

Methods and analysis

This nationwide, hospital-based, multicentre cohort study was designed and initiated by the Prostatic Obstruction Investigation Team which is an international multidisciplinary academic group focusing on the management of male LUTS. An expectation of 11 500 eligible subjects from 23 authorised urological centres across the mainland of China will be recruited with a baseline assessment and data collection. Subsequently, subjects will undergo a follow-up for 24 months having been prescribed with oral medications or after being selected for prostate surgery based on the standard practice of each institution as well as the clinician’s own experience. All statistical analysis will be performed using SAS V.9.4 and R package.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee Boards of Shanghai Changhai Hospital (CHEC2017-244). The results will be reported at scientific conferences and be published on peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration

NCT03394651.
Non-pharmacological interventions for treating sexual dysfunction in postpartum women: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Monteiro Michelly Nóbrega , Medeiros Kleyton Santos , Vidal Iaponira , Matias Ivete , Cobucci Ricardo Ney , Gonçalves Ana Katherine
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction in the postpartum period is a very common and relevant clinical problem, which has a significant adverse impact on the health of women. We aim to analyse the efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological interventions for treating sexual dysfunction in postpartum women. Our review aims to provide accurate data for effective policy-making and improve our understanding of the treatment of postpartum sexual dysfunction with non-pharmacological therapies.

Methods and analysis

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in The Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, Medline/PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), LILACS (Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) and Embase will be used to search for articles dated from database inception to July 2019. Randomised controlled clinical trials and large prospective cohorts with control groups using non-pharmacological treatments for sexual dysfunction in postpartum women will be included. Sexual problems are directly linked to sexual dysfunction; thus, the primary outcome will be the absolute number or percentage of sexual issues in each treatment group. The secondary outcomes will be assessed by decreased sexual problems, such as lack of lubrication, decreased libido and difficulty reaching orgasm. Three reviewers will independently select trials and extract data from the original publications. The citations will be screened independently by reviewers in duplicate. The risk of bias of the included studies will be assessed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager (RevMan) software V.5.2.3. In the event that a meta-analysis is possible, we will assess the heterogeneity across the studies by computing the I2statistic.

Ethics and dissemination

As the design of this study includes a review of published data, the need to obtain ethical approval was waived by our institutional review committee. We intend to publish the findings of this systematic review in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018103077.
Importance of potentially inappropriate medications, number of chronic conditions and medications for the risk of hospitalisation in elderly in Sweden: a case–control study
Authors: Thorell Kristine , Midlöv Patrik , Fastbom Johan , Halling Anders
Published: September 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the importance of potentially inappropriate medications, number of medications and chronic conditions for the risk of hospitalisation among an elderly population.

Design

This is a case–control study.

Setting

Population-based study in 2013 of all individuals aged 75 years and older (17 203) in the county of Blekinge in the southeast of Sweden.

Participants

A total of 2941 individuals were included who had at least one hospitalisation to a medical, geriatric and palliative, or orthopaedic ward during 2013. From this total, 81 were excluded because of incomplete data or absence of controls. In total, 5720 patients were included and formed 2860 risk sets matched on age and gender.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Conditional logistic regression was used to analyse the odds for hospitalisation according to use of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), number of chronic conditions and medicines using univariate and multivariate models. PIM was defined as long-acting benzodiazepines, tramadol, propiomazine and medicines with anticholinergic effect.

Results

The univariate analysis for use of PIM showed a significant association with hospitalisation (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.83). For the number of chronic conditions, the OR was increased and was significant from two or more chronic conditions, and for the number of medicines from the use of five or more medicines, in the univariate analysis. Use of PIM has no association with hospitalisation in the full model. The number of chronic conditions and medicines in the full models continued to have strong associations for hospitalisation, from five to seven chronic conditions (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.33) and use of five to nine medicines (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.77) at the same time.

Conclusion

The number of chronic conditions and medications are important for the odds of hospitalisation, while the use of PIM, according to the definition used in this study, was no significant in the full model.
Differences between cases admitted to hospital and discharged from the emergency department after emergency medical services transport
Authors: Hegenberg Kathrin , Trentzsch Heiko , Prückner Stephan
Published: September 2019

Objective

Rising emergency medical services (EMS) utilisation increases transport to hospital emergency departments (ED). However, some patients receive outpatient treatment (discharged) while others are hospitalised (admitted). The aims of this analysis were to compare admitted and discharged cases, to assess whether cases that were discharged from the ED could be identified using dispatch data and to compare dispatch keyword categories and hospital diagnoses.

Design

Retrospective observational study using linked secondary data.

Setting and participants

78 303 cases brought to 1 of 14 ED in the city of Munich, Germany, by EMS between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014.

Main outcome measures

Characteristics of admitted and discharged cases were assessed. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between discharge and age, sex, time of day, ambulance type and dispatch keyword category. Keyword categories were compared to hospital diagnoses.

Results

39.4% of cases were discharged. They were especially likely to be young (OR 10.53 (CI 9.31 to 11.92), comparing <15-year-olds to >70-year-olds) and to fall under the categories ‘accidents/trauma’ (OR 2.87 (CI 2.74 to 3.01)) or ‘other emergencies (unspecified)’ (OR 1.23 (CI 1.12 to 1.34) (compared with ‘cardiovascular’). Most frequent diagnoses came from chapter ‘injury and poisoning’ (30.1%) of the 10th revision of the international statistical classification of disease and related health problems (ICD-10), yet these diagnoses were more frequent at discharge (42.7 vs 22.0%) whereas circulatory system disease was less frequent (2.6 vs 21.8%). Except for accidents/trauma and intoxication/poisoning many underlying diagnoses were observed for the same dispatch keyword.

Conclusion

Young age and dispatch for accidents or trauma were the strongest predictors of discharge. Even within the same dispatch keyword category the distribution of diagnoses differed between admitted and discharged cases. Discharge from the ED does not indicate that urgent response was unnecessary. However, these cases could be suitable for allocation to hospitals with low inpatient bed capacities and are of particular interest for future studies regarding the urgency of their condition.
Overweight in Indonesia: an observational study of trends and risk factors among adults and children
Authors: Oddo Vanessa M , Maehara Masumi , Rah Jee Hyun
Published: September 2019

Objective

To conduct a secondary data analysis detailing overweight prevalence and associations between key hypothesised determinants and overweight.

Design

This observational study used publicly available data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) (1993–2014). The IFLS is a home-based survey of adults and children that collected data on household characteristics (size, physical infrastructure, assets, food expenditures), as well as on individual-level educational attainment, occupation type, smoking status and marital status. These analyses used data on the self-reported consumption of ultra-processed foods and physical activity. Anthropometrics were measured.

Setting

Indonesia.

Primary outcome measures

We described the distribution of overweight by gender among adults (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2) and by age among children, over time. Overweight was defined as weight-for-height z-score >2 among children aged 0–5 years and as BMI-for-age z-score >1 among children aged 6–18 years. We also described individuals who were overweight by selected characteristics over time. Finally, we employed multivariable logistic regression models to investigate risk factors in relation to overweight in 2014.

Results

One-third of adults were overweight in 2014. Between 1993 and 2014, the prevalence of overweight among adults doubled from 17.1% to 33.0%. The prevalence of overweight among children under 5 years increased from 4.2% to 9.4% between 1993 and 2007, but then remained relatively stagnant between 2007 and 2014. Among children aged 6–12 years and 13–18 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.1% to 15.6% and from 7.1% to 14.1% between 1993 and 2014, respectively. Although overweight prevalence remains higher in urban areas, the increase in overweight prevalence was larger among rural (vs urban) residents, and by 2014, the proportions of overweight adults were evenly distributed in each wealth quintile. Data suggest that the consumption of ultra-processed foods was common and levels of physical activity have decreased over the last decade. In multivariable models, urban area residence, higher wealth, higher education and consumption of ultra-processed foods were associated with higher odds of overweight among most adults and children.

Conclusion

Urgent programme and policy action is needed to reduce and prevent overweight among all ages.
Factors associated with disabling low back pain among nursing personnel at a medical centre in Japan: a comparative cross-sectional survey
Authors: Yoshimoto Takahiko , Oka Hiroyuki , Ishikawa Shuhei , Kokaze Akatsuki , Muranaga Shingo , Matsudaira Ko
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Low back pain (LBP) is a common cause of disability among nursing personnel. Although many studies regarding the risk factors for LBP among nursing staff have focused on the physical load at work, multidimensional assessments of risk factors are essential to identify appropriate preventive strategies. We aimed to investigate the association of multidimensional factors (individual, physical, psychological and occupational) with disabling LBP among nursing personnel in Japan.

Design

Observational study with comparative cross-sectional design.

Setting

Data were collected using the self-administered questionnaire at a tertiary medical centre.

Participants

After excluding participants with missing variables, 718 nursing personnel were included in the analysis.

Outcome measures

A self-administered questionnaire assessed individual characteristics, rotating night shift data, severity of LBP, previous episode of LBP, sleep problem, kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia), depressive condition (K6), physical flexibility and frequency of lifting at work. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the factors associated with disabling LBP (LBP interfering with work) among nursing personnel.

Results

Of all participants, 110 (15.3%) reported having disabling LBP. The multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjustment for several confounding factors showed that kinesiophobia (highest tertile, adjusted OR (aOR): 6.13, 95% CI : 3.34 to 11.27), previous episode of LBP (aOR: 4.31, 95% CI: 1.50 to 12.41) and insomnia (aOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.62) were significantly associated with disabling LBP.

Conclusions

The present study indicated that kinesiophobia, a previous episode of LBP, and sleep problems were associated with disabling LBP among nursing personnel. In the future, workplace interventions considering assessments of these factors may reduce the incidence of disabling LBP in nursing staff, although further prospective studies are needed.
Female sex as a risk factor for ischaemic stroke varies with age in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wu Victor Chien-Chia , Wu Michael , Aboyans Victor , Chang Shang-Hung , Chen Shao-Wei , Chen Mien-Cheng , Wang Chun-Li , Hsieh I-Chang , Chu Pao-Hsien , Lin Yu-Shen
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Female sex is an inconsistent ischaemic stroke risk factor in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesised that the ischaemic stroke risk varies with age among women compared with men.

Methods

We retrieved the patients with newly diagnosed AF during 2001–2013 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients with missing information, age <20 years, history of valvular heart disease and surgery, rheumatic heart disease, hyperthyroidism or anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet use were excluded. Propensity score matching (PSM) included patient comorbidities, medications and index date stratified by age and sex groups. Primary outcome was defined as ischaemic stroke at follow-up.

Results

After exclusion criteria, 87 369 men and 71 853 women remained for analysis (aged 73.1±14.4 years). After 1:1 PSM, we included 59 583 men (aged 73.5±13.7 years) and 59 583 women (aged 73.4±13.8 years) for analysis. We also stratified patients by age. The ischaemic stroke risk varied with age in women compared with men: lower in the ≤55 years (subdistribution HR (SHR)=0.75, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.90) and 56–65 years (SHR=0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.98) groups, neutral in the 66–75 years group (SHR=1.01, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.08) and adverse in the >75 years group (SHR=1.14, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.19).

Conclusions

The female/male ischaemic stroke risk ratio varied with age. Only women aged >75 years had a higher risk, whereas women aged <65 years had a lower risk compared with men. These findings challenge the ‘sex category’ component of the CHA2DS2-VASc score, used to make decision regarding anticoagulation treatment in AF patients.
A 10% blood pressure drop from baseline during mechanical thrombectomy for stroke is strongly associated with worse neurological outcomes
Authors: Valent Arnaud , Sajadhoussen Amard , Maier Benjamin , Lapergue Bertrand , Labeyrie Marc-Antoine , Reiner Peggy , Consoli Arturo , Fischler Marc , Gayat Etienne , Leguen Morgan
Published: September 2019

Background

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke can be performed under local anesthesia, with or without conscious sedation (CS), or under general anesthesia (GA). The hemodynamic consequence of anesthetic drugs may explain why GA may be associated with worse outcomes. We evaluated the association between hypotension duration during MT and the 90 day functional outcome under both anesthetic regimens.

Methods

Patients were included in this retrospective study if they had an ischemic stroke treated by MT under GA or CS. The main exposure variable was the time below 90% of the reference value of arterial pressure measured before MT. The primary outcome was poor functional outcome defined as a 90 day modified Rankin Score ≥3.

Results

371 patients were included in the study. GA was performed in 42%. A linear association between the duration of arterial hypotension and outcome was observed. The odds ratio for poor functional outcome of 10 min under 90% of the baseline mean arterial pressure was 1.13 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.21) without adjustment and 1.11 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.21) after adjustment for confounding factors. The functional outcome was poorer for patients treated under GA compared with CS, but the association with the depth of hypotension remained similar under both conditions.

Conclusion

In this study, we observed a linear association between the duration of hypotension during MT and the functional outcome at 90 days. An aggressive and personalized strategy for the treatment of hypotension should be considered. Further trials should be conducted to address this question.
Listening with intent
Authors: Lees A J
Published: September 2019

Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly.

Plutarch

Listening in medicine is only of value when it is combined with an ability to decipher the patient"s utterances and gestures and act upon them
A brief review of dark matter
Authors: Kisslinger Leonard S. , Das Debasish
Published: September 2019

In this paper we review dark matter as sterile neutrinos, fermions, with their present and possibly future detection via neutrino oscillations. The creation of dark matter (DM) via interactions with the dark energy (quintessence) is discussed. We also review bosons as dark matter by discussing a proposed search for dark photons. Since photons are vector bosons, if dark photons exist, at least part of dark matter are vector bosons. Some of the ongoing experimental detections of dark matter are reviewed.
Bose–Einstein condensation of dressed photons in a nonlinear optical microcavity
Authors: Cheng Ze
Published: September 2019

Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) of dressed photons in a Kerr nonlinear optical microcavity is investigated. Our experimental scheme is based on an optical microcavity filled with a Kerr nonlinear nonpolar crystal. The pump photons interact with the Raman phonons in the crystal and hence are converted into new quasiparticles, which we refer to as dressed photons. A dressed photon is a photon dressed with a cloud of virtual transverse-optical phonons. The first main finding is that two-dimensional (2D) dressed photons have an increased inert mass. The second main finding is that the lower cutoff frequency of a nonlinear optical microcavity becomes larger. The third main finding is that the incident laser intensity is a moderate laser intensity ([Formula: see text]10[Formula: see text] W/cm2). The fourth main finding is that the critical optical power of a nonlinear optical microcavity is increased. The fifth main finding is that the radiation emitted by 2D dressed photons has an ultrahigh intensity.
Effects of surface roughness on self-excited cavitating water jet intensity in the organ-pipe nozzle: Numerical simulations and experimental results
Authors: Han Xiangdong , Kang Yong , Li Deng , Zhao Weiguo
Published: September 2019

This study was conducted to investigate effects of surface roughness on self-excited cavitating water jet intensity in an organ-pipe nozzle. Roughness average (Ra) values are 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.3, 12.5, and 25 [Formula: see text]m, respectively. Numerical simulation results indicate that at inlet pressure of 10 MPa, the maximum, minimum, and real-time pressures in the self-excited oscillation chamber reach their respective peak values. The turbulent kinetic energy intensity in the external flow region is also most intense at this point, the vapor volume fraction in orifice is the highest, the vortex distribution scope in the orifice is the largest under [Formula: see text], and the self-excited cavitating water jet intensity is the strongest. The opposite variations emerge at [Formula: see text] compared to those of [Formula: see text], where the intensity is weakest. Pressure varies only slightly as Ra varies from 0.8 [Formula: see text]m to 6.3 [Formula: see text]m. Turbulent kinetic energy intensity behaves similarly as Ra increases from 0.8 [Formula: see text]m to 3.2 [Formula: see text]m. At [Formula: see text], it was weaker than at Ra = 0.8–3.2 [Formula: see text]m. Similarly, there are only slight differences in vapor volume fraction and vortex distribution scope with Ra from 0.8 [Formula: see text]m to 6.3 [Formula: see text]m. The intensities at Ra = 0.8–3.2 [Formula: see text]m are similar, and weaker at Ra = 6.3 [Formula: see text]m. Pressure values are maximal at inlet pressure of 20 MPa, turbulent kinetic energy intensity is most intense, vapor volume fraction is highest, vortex distribution scope is largest under [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]m, and intensity is strongest. Distinctions among pressure, turbulent kinetic energy intensity, vapor volume fraction, and vortex distribution scope values with Ra from 0.8 [Formula: see text]m to 3.2 [Formula: see text]m are slight. Differences in the corresponding intensities are also slight; all decrease with Ra from 12.5 [Formula: see text]m to 25 [Formula: see text]m as the intensity gradually weakens. Numerical simulation results were validated by comparison against corresponding experimental phenomena.
Effect of Erbium doping on GaN electronic and optical properties: First-principles study
Authors: Lantri M. , Boukortt A. , Meskine S. , Abbassa H. , Cherif Y. Benaissa , Zaoui A.
Published: September 2019

In this work, we studied the electronic and optical properties of [Formula: see text] with a concentration [Formula: see text]. Based on a first-principle calculation and using the FP-LAPW full-linearized augmented plane wave method, to see the doping phenomenon with Erbium (Er) [Formula: see text], we used the three approximations: local spin density approximation (LSDA), the LSDA[Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is the Hubbard potential and the Becke–Johnson modification (mBJ). Our results show that the values of the structural parameters increase with the substitution of Ga by the Erbium atom. The analysis of the electronic structures in this study shows that the Er-doped GaN has a semi-metallic ferromagnetic character with the LSDA and mBJ approximations and a semiconductor behavior when we apply the Hubbard potential [Formula: see text]. The real and imaginary part of the dielectric function, refractive index, and extinction coefficient are also calculated and presented in the photon energy range up to 14 eV. In the optical spectrum, the intensity of the absorption coefficient is observed in the imaginary part of both doped and undoped GaN in the ultraviolet regions.
Hierarchical controlled quantum teleportation
Authors: Zha Xin-Wei , Miao Ning
Published: September 2019

This paper describes a hierarchical controlled quantum teleportation scheme of arbitrary two-qubit based on an eight-particle maximum entanglement state among four parties, one sender and three receivers. In order to prevent the infidelity of the receivers, secret state will be purposefully split and sent to the three receivers. According to the noncloning theorem, only one of the three receivers can recover secret state and the high authorized receiver that recovers the information only requires the cooperation of one of the remaining two receivers. On the contrary, the low authorized party that recovers the secret state requires the cooperation of all remaining receivers.
Micro-structured optical fiber magnetic field sensor based on magnetic fluid filling
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhang Zhen , Li Shuguang , Wang Shun
Published: September 2019

A novel micro-structured fiber magnetic field sensor based on magnetic fluid (MF) filling is proposed. The air hole radius in the cladding of fiber is reduced from inner layer to outer layer, and the numerical analysis is performed by the finite element method (FEM). For the [Formula: see text]-pol mode, the proposed sensor has an average sensitivity of 960.61 pm/Oe, and for the [Formula: see text]-pol mode, the average sensitivity can reach 884.85 pm/Oe. The sensor has the advantages of small size and high sensitivity and is competitive in magnetic field sensors.
Inner-Gate-Engineered GAA MOSFET to Enhance the Electrostatic Integrity
Authors: Jena Biswajit , Dash Sidhartha , Routray Soumya Ranjan , Mishra Guru Prasad
Published: September 2019

Gate-all-around (GAA) MOSFETs are the best multi-gate MOSFET structure due to their strong electrostatic control over the channel. The electrostatic controllability can be enhanced further by applying some gate engineering technique to the existing GAA structure. This paper investigates the effect of inner gate (core gate) on the electrostatic performance of conventional GAA MOSFET. The inner gate engineering increases both the electrostatic control and packing density of GAA MOSFET. In this paper, we have presented an inner-gate-engineered (IGE) GAA MOSFET and inspected its advantages over conventional counterparts. The proposed structure exhibits higher [Formula: see text] ratio, low threshold voltage and improved RF performances as compared to the conventional structure. Analytic simulation has been carried out for numerous figures of merit (FOMs) for different technology nodes.
Graham’s pebbling conjecture holds for the product of a graph and a sufficiently large complete bipartite graph
Authors: Pleanmani Nopparat
Published: September 2019

A graph pebbling is a network optimization model for the transmission of consumable resources. A pebbling move on a connected graph [Formula: see text] is the process of removing two pebbles from a vertex and placing one of them on an adjacent vertex after configuration of a fixed number of pebbles on the vertex set of [Formula: see text]. The pebbling number of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is defined to be the least number of pebbles to guarantee that for any configuration of pebbles on [Formula: see text] and arbitrary vertex [Formula: see text], there is a sequence of pebbling movement that places at least one pebble on [Formula: see text]. For connected graphs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], Graham’s conjecture asserted that [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we show that such conjecture holds when [Formula: see text] is a complete bipartite graph with sufficiently large order in terms of [Formula: see text] and the order of [Formula: see text].
Some spectral properties of Aα-matrix
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Zhu Yan
Published: September 2019

For a real number [Formula: see text], the [Formula: see text]-matrix of a graph [Formula: see text] is defined to be [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the adjacency matrix and degree diagonal matrix of [Formula: see text], respectively. The [Formula: see text]-spectral radius of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is the largest eigenvalue of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we consider the upper bound of the [Formula: see text]-spectral radius [Formula: see text], also we give some upper bounds for the second largest eigenvalue of [Formula: see text]-matrix.
Resolving domination number of graphs
Authors: Alfarisi Ridho , Dafik  , Kristiana Arika Indah
Published: September 2019

For a set [Formula: see text] of vertices of a graph [Formula: see text], the representation multiset of a vertex [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a distance between of the vertex [Formula: see text] and the vertices in [Formula: see text] together with their multiplicities. The set [Formula: see text] is a resolving set of [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] for every pair [Formula: see text] of distinct vertices of [Formula: see text]. The minimum resolving set [Formula: see text] is a multiset basis of [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] has a multiset basis, then its cardinality is called multiset dimension, denoted by [Formula: see text]. A set [Formula: see text] of vertices in [Formula: see text] is a dominating set for [Formula: see text] if every vertex of [Formula: see text] that is not in [Formula: see text] is adjacent to some vertex of [Formula: see text]. The minimum cardinality of the dominating set is a domination number, denoted by [Formula: see text]. A vertex set of some vertices in [Formula: see text] that is both resolving and dominating set is a resolving dominating set. The minimum cardinality of resolving dominating set is called resolving domination number, denoted by [Formula: see text]. In our paper, we investigate and establish sharp bounds of the resolving domination number of [Formula: see text] and determine the exact value of some family graphs.
The hull number of powers of cycle graphs under restricted conditions
Authors: Rwalah Jameel , Al-Ezeh Hasan , Ghanem Manal
Published: September 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be the cycle graph of order [Formula: see text] on the vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be the [Formula: see text]th power of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we find the hull number of [Formula: see text] under restricted conditions on the vertices of the graph [Formula: see text] namely the independent and connected hull numbers of [Formula: see text].