bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems and Their Compliance among Petrol Stations in Kenya: A Case Study in Nakuru County
Authors: Mutungi J. K. , Moturi W. , Makindi S.
Published: August 2019

Companies have a legal and social responsibility to ensure the safety of its workers, all persons lawfully present at the workplace and the surrounding community. This requires laid down procedures and routing process which aims at identifying, eliminating, minimizing and control the work-related hazards and decrease the risks. To be effective, the Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems (OSHMS) need to be integrated within the organization’s safety policy and objectives. Therefore, this explains why OSHMS has continued to play a pivotal role in the decision making process in most companies. This study aimed at assessing occupational health and safety management systems in place and their compliance. The sampling unit was petrol stations and the study employed use descriptive study design. The purposive sampling was employed to select thirty two (32) petrol stations in Njoro Molo and Nakuru Municipalities of Nakuru County with a special focus on petrol stations which have dispenser pumps, car servicing bay and Front Office section. Data was collected using purposive sampling, stratified and simple random where interviews, observations and questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics which involved frequency tables and percentages was used to analyze the data. The findings of this study shows that more than half of the petrol stations lacked defined Occupational Safety and Management systems. There is need of Occupational Safety and Health Management System to be integrated within petrol stations policy in order to reduce the operations mistakes, costs of reducing problems and level of risks while ensuring that they comply with laws and regulations.
Occupational Hazards from BIR in Selected Crude Oil Production Pipes Storage Locations in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Authors: C. Kingsley Azionu , O. Gregory Avwiri , P. Chinyere Ononugbo,
Published: August 2019

The study of occupational hazards from BIR in selected crude oil production pipes storage locations in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria has been carried out using two well calibrated radiation monitoring meters (Digilert Tm 100 and Radalert Tm 200). A global positioning system (GPS 76 CSX) was also used to geographically co-ordinate the sampling locations. Measurements were carried out in forty two (42) selected locations in oil producing area of Niger Delta. The following parameters were estimated to determine the level of occupational exposures by crude oil production pipes dealers and customers. The result of the highest exposure rate was observed in Warri Steel Village, Delta State and the lowest value was in Ogunu, Warri, Delta State with respective values of 61.4 and 12.2 µRh-1. The mean exposure rate value for all the test study locations was 19.18 ± 10.25 µRh-1. The absorbed dose values ranged from 106.1 to 533.7nGyhr-1 with mean value of 166.73 ± 89.08 nGyh-1 while the calculated annual effective dose range from 162.71 to 818.23 µSvy-1 with an average value of 255.60 ± 136.57 µSvy-1 and the excess lifetime cancer risk ranges from 0.45 to 2.25 × 10-3 with mean value of 0.70 ± 0.38 × 10-3. All the radiation hazard parameters determined exceeded their respective world safe values. This research work indicated that the crude oil production pipes radioactive scales may have impacted the storage locations radiologically. The elevated radiation hazard parameters observed in this study may pose ill health effects to those working and leaving in the studied locations especially long term ionizing radiation exposure.
Efficacy of Recombinant S1 Protein Expressed in Pichia pastoris in Chicken & Using for Detection Titer Antibodies against Avian Infectious Bronchitis by ELISA
Authors: Ahmadi Mahdi , Aghayipour Khosrow , Langroudi Arash Ghalyanchi , Godarzi Hossein , Hashemzadeh Masood
Published: August 2019

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is an acute, extremely contagious upper respiratory disease in chickens. The objective of this study was expressed and using of recombinant S1 Protein serotype 793/B expressed in pichia pastoris in order to serodiagnosis against avian infectious bronchitis antibody. The complete S1 gene (1623bp) was cloned in PTZ57 plasmid and transferred to E. coli (Escherichia coli)-XL1blue bacterium. Next cloned to pPICZB vectors and transferred to p. pastoris(Km71H). Produced protein were visualized by SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) PAGE gel that was about with 62KDa. Finally, the S1 recombinant protein was used to coat 96 well plate to recognize antibodies in sera against live Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV 4/91). As a result, this recombinant S1 protein Antigen can be used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for recognizing antibody titer against IBV. This recombinant protein was evaluated by Elisa, using a panel of field sera for known IBV titer That in the commercial kits, the optical gain of positive control is 0/741 ± 0/007 and the negative control is 0/167 ± 0/002, next the average Optical Density (OD) in the three farms were 2.585, 2.001, 1.657, resulting to the S/P ratio of was 4.212, 2.886, 2.484, respectively. The results of our effort for positive control and the negative control are 0/9 ± 0/010, 0/067 ± 0/008 respectively. The mean Optical Density of sera in 3 Flocks were showed 3.390, 2.737, 2.921, and the ratio of S/P 4. 01, 3.242 and 3.46. These results showed that our outcomes are neared to Biochek kit. The results also showed that recombinant protein S1 was able to identify different kinds of infectious bronchitis virus serotypes in poultry. It can be used for commercial ELISA kit.
PERBEDAAN GAYA HIDUP SEHAT DAN SIKAP TERHADAP MAKANAN ORGANIK DARI GENERASI BABY BOOMERS, X, DAN Y DI SURABAYA
Authors: Suharjo Surya Nika , Harianto Agung
Published: August 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat perbedaan gaya hidup sehat dan sikap terhadap makanan organik diantara generasi Baby Boomers, X, dan Y. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner dan dinilai menggunakan 5 point skala likert. Teknik analisa yang digunakan adalah uji ANOVA dan uji Post Hoc dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 224 responden. Hasil penelitian ini adalah terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan antara generasi Baby Boomers, X, dan Y pada variabel gaya hidup sehat, sedangkan pada variabel sikap terhadap makanan organik hanya generasi Baby Boomers dan generasi Y yang memiliki perbedaan
Some accuracy related aspects in two‐fluid hydrodynamic sub‐grid modeling of gas–solid riser flows
Authors: Mouallem Joseph , Niaki Seyed R. A. , Chavez‐Cussy Norman , Milioli Christian C. , Milioli Fernando E.
Published: August 2019

Sub‐grid closures for filtered two‐fluid models (fTFM) useful in large scale simulations of riser flows can be derived from highly resolved simulations (HRS) with microscopic two‐fluid modeling (mTFM). Accurate sub‐grid closures require accurate mTFM formulations as well as accurate correlation of relevant filtered parameters to suitable independent variables. This article deals with both of those issues. The accuracy of mTFM is touched by assessing the impact of gas sub‐grid turbulence over HRS filtered predictions. A gas turbulence alike effect is artificially inserted by means of a stochastic forcing procedure implemented in the physical space over the momentum conservation equation of the gas phase. The correlation issue is touched by introducing a three‐filtered variable correlation analysis (three‐marker analysis) performed under a variety of different macro‐scale conditions typical or risers. While the more elaborated correlation procedure clearly improved accuracy, accounting for gas sub‐grid turbulence had no significant impact over predictions.
Multistage adaptive optimization using hybrid scenario and decision rule formulation
Authors: Motamed Nasab Farough , Li Zukui
Published: August 2019

Scenario‐based stochastic programming and linear decision rule (LDR)‐based robust optimization are prevalent methods for solving multistage adaptive optimization (MSAP) problems. In practical applications such as capacity expansion planning of chemical processes, often multiple sources of uncertainty affect the problem which introduces challenges to traditional stochastic optimization methods. While a large number of uncertain parameters exist in the problem, using scenario‐based method results in very large problem size and the solution becomes computationally expensive. In addition, when the constraints include multiplication of uncertain parameters and adaptive variables, the constraints are not linear with respect to uncertain parameters when the LDR method is used. In order to address these challenges, we propose two different hybrid methods where scenario and decision rule methods are combined to solve the MSAP problem. The article demonstrates the computational performance of the proposed hybrid methods using two chemical process planning examples.
Impact of margin status on survival after surgery for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jafari Aria , Shen Sarek A. , Qualliotine Jesse R. , Orosco Ryan K. , Califano Joseph A. , DeConde Adam S.
Published: August 2019

Background

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) is the most common malignancy of the paranasal sinuses. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, yet positive surgical margins (PSM) are common and the prognostic impact on overall survival (OS) is mixed. Given the heterogeneity of impact of PSM on OS within the literature, we hypothesized that extent of tumor extirpation (microscopic PSM vs macroscopic PSM) may play a role in OS.

Methods

Patients with SNSCC were identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB, n = 7808). Of these, 4543 patients underwent surgery, 3265 patients underwent nonsurgical therapy. Kaplan‐Meier curves were used to compare OS between negative surgical margin (NSM), micro‐PSM, and macro‐PSM cohorts vs patients undergoing primary nonsurgical therapy in a propensity‐score‒matched analysis. Multivariable analysis of factors associated with macro‐PSM was also performed.

Results

One thousand thirty‐three (22.0%) of the surgery patients had PSM, and approximately half (n = 521, 50.6%) of these had macro‐PSM. When compared with nonsurgical treatment, propensity‐score‒matched results demonstrated improved OS in patients with NSM and micro‐PSM (p < 0.001), but macro‐PSM patients did not demonstrate improvement (p = 0.20). Tumor within the paranasal sinuses and advanced nodal classification (N2/N3) (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; p = 0.02; and OR, 15.09; p = 005, respectively) was associated with increased odds of macro‐PSM on multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that the degree of tumor extirpation correlates with OS. Macro‐PSM did not confer a benefit to OS when compared with nonsurgical therapy, and factors including tumor location and advanced nodal status affect whether surgery will result in macro‐PSM. Given these findings, informed, shared decisionmaking between patient and surgeon regarding nonsurgical alternatives should occur before electing to proceed with surgery in SNSCC.
High Catalytic Performance of Mesoporous Dual Brønsted Acidic Ternary Poly (Ionic Liquids) for Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation
Authors: Sha Xiao , Sheng Xiaoli , Zhou Yuming , Wang Beibei , Liu Yonghui , Bao Jiehua
Published: August 2019

A newfangled cross‐linked dual Brønsted acidic ternary mesoporous poly (ionic liquids)(MPILs) with mesoporous structure was successfully synthesized with divinylbenzene as cross linker, 1‐vinyl‐3‐butyl imidazole bromide and sodium p‐styrene sulfonate as functional group through an ordinary post‐modification method and anion exchange process. A sponge‐like mesoporous tunnel structure was observed and the obtained P (BVS‐SO3H)‐SO3CF3 sample appeared a relatively high thermal stability, a large surface area (up to 286.8 m2/g) and great pore volume (0.73 cm3/g). The abundant dual acidic group of sulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid of the composite in the polymer framework impart Brønsted acidity. For the sake of demonstrating our claims, the sample has been used as a novel solid acid catalyst for the reaction of alkylation of o‐xylene with styrene to 1‐diphenylethane (PXE). Under optimal reaction conditions (reaction under 120 °C for 3 hr, catalyst amount was 0.5 wt% of the reaction system, and the mass ratio of o‐xylene/styrene was 7.5:1, a 100% conversion of styrene and 93.7% PXE yield was acquired. After four times recycle, the yield remains 53.3%. Comparing with the commercial liquid acid catalyst, it processing a higher catalytic property and recyclability. Moreover, this fresh dual acidic heterogeneous catalyst owning a promising future applied in other acidic catalytic reactions and provide a new method to modify catalyst.
Organometallic assembling of chitosan‐Iron oxide nanoparticles with their antifungal evaluation againstRhizopus oryzae
Authors: Saqib Saddam , Zaman Wajid , Ullah Fazal , Majeed Imran , Ayaz Asma , Hussain Munis Muhammad Farooq
Published: August 2019

The ever‐increasing resistance of plant microbes towards fungicides and bactericides has been causing serious threat to plant production in recent years. For the development of an effective antifungal agent, we introduce a novel hydrothermal protocol for synthesis of chitosan iron oxide nanoparticles (CH‐Fe2O3NPs) using acetate buffer of low pH 5.0 for intermolecular interaction of Fe2O3NPs and CH. The composite structure and elemental elucidation were carried out by using X‐ray power diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X‐ray (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet Visible Absorption Spectroscopy (UV–vis spectroscopy). Additionally, antifungal activity was evaluated bothIn vitroandIn vivoagainstRhizopus oryzaewhich is causing fruit rot disease of strawberry. We compared different concentrations (0.25%, 0.50%, 075% and 1%) of CH‐Fe2O3NPs and 50% synthetic fungicide (Matalyxal Mancozab) to figure out suitable concentration for application in the field. XRD analysis showed a high crystalline nature of the NPs with average size of 52 nanometer (nm). SEM images revealed spherical shape with size range of 50–70 nm, whereas, TEM also revealed spherical shape, size ranging from 0 nm to 80 nm. EDX and FTIR results revealed presence of CH on surface of Fe2O3NPs. The band gap measurement showed peak 317–318 nm for bare Fe2O3NPs and CH‐Fe2O3NPs respectively. Antifungal activity in bothIn vitroandIn vivosignificantly increased with increase in concentration. The overall results revealed high synergetic antifungal potential of organometallic CH‐Fe2O3NPs againstRhizopus oryzaeand suggest the use of CH‐Fe2O3NPs against other Phyto‐pathological diseases due to biodegradable nature.
UV‐curing behavior of unsaturated cyclohexanone formaldehyde resins with thiols
Authors: Xu Peng , Li Chaofeng , Chang Xinwei , Zhang Yanwu
Published: August 2019

Numerous researches about the modification and application of cyclohexanone formaldehyde resins (CFR) have been conducted, few of them involve in the UV‐curing of unsaturated CFR with thiols. Thus, CFR are synthesized using the rehydrated magnesium‐aluminum hydrotalcite as the catalyst and double bonds are introduced by capping the chain ends with 5‐norbornene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic anhydride. Through monitoring the conversion of double bonds with FTIR, the UV‐curing behavior of unsaturated CFR in the presence of pentaerythritol tetra (3‐mercaptopropionate) is studied. The results show that the conversion of double bonds can reach to 64.1% at 0.66 mW cm−2 of UV light intensity when the molar ratio of double bonds to sulfhydryl groups is 1:1 in the presence of benzoin dimethyl ether (1% of molar amount of double bonds). Considering the similarity between UV‐curing of thiols‐double bonds and thermo‐curing of amine‐epoxy, one diffusion controlled kinetics model is derived and it shows good fitness. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48420.
Early MRI predictors of disease-free survival in locally advanced rectal cancer from the GRECCAR 4 trial
Authors: Nougaret S , Castan F , Forges H , Vargas H A , Gallix B , Gourgou S , Rouanet P , Rullier E , Lelong B , Maingon P , Tuech J-J , Pezet D , Rivoire M , Meunier B , Loriau J , Valverde A , Fabre J-M , Prudhomme M , Cotte E , Portier G , Quero L , Gallix B , Lemanski C , Ychou M , Bibeau F
Published: August 2019

Background

Tailored neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) may improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine early MRI prognostic parameters with which to stratify neoadjuvant treatment in patients with LARC.

Methods

All patients from a prospective, phase II, multicentre randomized study (GRECCAR4; NCT01333709) were included, and underwent rectal MRI before treatment, 4 weeks after induction chemotherapy and after completion of chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Tumour volumetry, MRI tumour regression grade (mrTRG), T and N categories, circumferential resection margin (CRM) status and extramural vascular invasion identified by MRI (mrEMVI) were evaluated.

Results

A total of 133 randomized patients were analysed. Median follow-up was 41·4 (95 per cent c.i. 36·6 to 45·2) months. Thirty-one patients (23·3 per cent) developed tumour recurrence. In univariable analysis, mrEMVI at baseline was the only prognostic factor associated with poorer outcome (P = 0·015). After induction chemotherapy, a larger tumour volume on MRI (P = 0·019), tumour volume regression of 60 per cent or less (P = 0·002), involvement of the CRM (P = 0·037), mrEMVI (P = 0·026) and a poor mrTRG (P = 0·023) were associated with poor outcome. After completion of CRT, the absence of complete response on MRI (P = 0·004), mrEMVI (P = 0·038) and a poor mrTRG (P = 0·005) were associated with shorter disease-free survival. A final multivariable model including all significant variables (baseline, after induction, after CRT) revealed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (P = 0·011), sphincter involvement (P = 0·009), mrEMVI at baseline (P = 0·002) and early tumour volume regression of 60 per cent or less after induction (P = 0·007) were associated with relapse.

Conclusion

Baseline and early post-treatment MRI parameters are associated with prognosis in LARC. Future preoperative treatment should stratify treatment according to baseline mrEMVI status and early tumour volume regression.
Improving emotion regulation and mood in teacher trainees: Effectiveness of two mindfulness trainings
Authors: Wimmer Lena , von Stockhausen Lisa , Bellingrath Silja
Published: August 2019

Background/Objective

The present research investigated potential effects of mindfulness training on emotion regulation and mood of future schoolteachers in a nonrandomized pre–post design, and whether these are influenced by the yoga component of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) and/or by homework practice.

Method

N = 169 university students received either mindfulness training (experimental groups), awareness activities (active control group), or no training (passive control group), in the context of university seminars. Allocation to groups was bound by the seminar chosen by participants, and in that sense was self‐selected. Mindfulness was trained in two adapted MBSR courses, one of which including yoga, and the other excluding yoga.

Results

Specific benefits of both mindfulness training groups were observed for emotion regulation in terms of an increase in cognitive reappraisal and a reduction in symptom‐focused rumination as well as depressive mood. No benefits of mindfulness training were observed for reductions in expressive suppression, self‐focused rumination, anxious, and negative mood or an increase in distraction and positive mood respectively. Mindfulness training with and without yoga was mostly equally effective. Outcomes were largely not moderated by practice quantity or quality, but reductions in depressive mood were mediated by gains in reappraisal and distraction.

Conclusions

Mindfulness training can be implemented in the context of university seminars to foster advantageous emotion regulation strategies and lower depressive mood in future schoolteachers. Discontinuing yoga within mindfulness interventions does not seem to reduce training benefits.
The impact of socioeconomic status on outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma: Inferences from primary insurance
Authors: Sellers Cortlandt M. , Uhlig Johannes , Ludwig Johannes M. , Taddei Tamar , Stein Stacey M. , Lim Joseph K. , Kim Hyun S.
Published: August 2019

Background

To investigate the impact of insurance status on outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with HCC in the cancer registry from 2005 to 2016 were retrospectively stratified by insurance group. Overall survival was assessed via Kaplan‐Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models including potential confounders in multivariable analyses.

Results

Seven hundred and sixty‐nine patients met inclusion criteria (median age 63 years, 78.8% male, 65.9% Caucasian). 44.5% had private insurance (n = 342), 29.1% had Medicare (n = 224), and 26.4% had Medicaid (n = 203). At diagnosis, Medicaid patients had higher rates of Child‐Pugh B (32.0%) and C disease (23.6%) vs Medicare (28.6% and 9.8%) and private insurance (26.9% and 6.7%, P < 0.0001) and higher MELD scores (median 11.0) vs Medicare (9.0) and private insurance (9.0, P = 0.0266). Across insurance groups, patients had similar distribution of American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, tumor size, and multifocal tumor burden. Patients with private insurance had the highest survival (median OS 21.9 months) vs Medicare (17.7 months) and Medicaid (13.0 months, overall P = 0.0061). On univariate analysis, Medicaid patients demonstrated decreased survival vs private insurance (HR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.146‐1.715, P = 0.0011). After adjustment for liver disease factors, this survival difference lost statistical significance (Medicaid vs private insurance, HR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.819‐1.266, P = 0.8596).

Conclusion

Medicaid was associated with advanced liver disease at HCC diagnosis; however, insurance status is not an independent predictor of HCC survival.
Long noncoding RNA PART1 promotes progression of non‐small cell lung cancer cells via JAK‐STAT signaling pathway
Authors: Zhu Dengyan , Yu Yang , Wang Wei , Wu Kai , Liu Donglei , Yang Yang , Zhang Chunyang , Qi Yu , Zhao Song
Published: August 2019

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the major type of lung cancer, becomes the greatest threat to the life of people. Growing evidence shows prostate androgen‐regulated transcript 1 (PART1) is considered as effective markers for prostate cancer, and has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC. However, the tumorigenic mechanism of PART1 in NSCLC remains to be investigated. In this study, we found that the expression of PART1 was robustly induced in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Functional studies established that overexpression of PART1 could promote NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while interference of PART1 inhibited NSCLC progression. Our results also identified miR‐635 as a novel target of PART1, whose expression was inhibited by PART1 in NSCLC cell lines. Moreover, gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies revealed that PART1 could sponge miR‐635 and increase the expression of Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins (STATs). Finally, we deciphered the molecular mechanism by which PART1 contributed to promotion of NSCLC cell progression via phosphorylation and activation of JAK‐STAT signaling pathway. The animal experiment further confirmed that interference of NSCLC could suppress in vivo tumorigenic ability of NSCLC with favorable pharmacological activity via inactivation of JAK‐STAT signaling pathway. In conclusion, our findings clarified the biologic significance of PART1/miR‐635/JAK‐STAT axis in NSCLC progression and provided novel evidence that PART1 may be a new potential therapeutic target for the treatment of NSCLC.
TP53 mediated miR‐3647‐5p prevents progression of cervical carcinoma by targeting AGR2
Authors: Liu Ronghua , Qian Min , Zhou Ting , Cui Pengfei
Published: August 2019

Previous studies have shown that miRNAs involved in a number of biological processes, such as cell growth, development, differentiation, and apoptosis. The dysregulation of miRNA expression is associated with various diseases, including cervical cancer. However, the involvement of miR‐3647‐5p in the progression of tumors is unclear. In this study, we confirmed that miR‐3647‐5p was down‐regulated during cervical carcinogenesis and development, which was positively correlated with the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. In addition, our study showed that miR‐3647‐5p can inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and promote apoptosis, suggesting that miR‐3647‐5p is involved in the development of cervical cancer as a tumor suppressor gene. Furthermore, we found that transcription factor TP53 could promote the expression of miR‐3647‐5p, suggesting that the dysfunction of miR‐3647‐5p in cervical cancer may be related to TP53. In addition, we also found that miR‐3647‐5p can inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and promote apoptosis by targeting AGR2. In summary, our research reveals that transcription factor TP53 promotes the expression of miR‐3647‐5p, while up‐regulated miR‐3647‐5p targets AGR2, inhibiting cervical cancer cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Our study reveals the mechanism of TP53/miR‐3647‐5p/AGR2 axis in cervical cancer, which may be useful for targeted therapy of cervical cancer.
Technical consideration in acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock: A review of antithrombotic and PCI therapies
Authors: Marquis‐Gravel Guillaume , Zeitouni Michel , Kochar Ajar , Jones W. Schuyler , Sketch Michael H. , Rao Sunil V. , Patel Manesh R. , Ohman E. Magnus
Published: August 2019

In this review, we report a contemporary appraisal of the available evidence focusing on adjunctive antithrombotic therapy and technical aspects of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock (AMICS). Only few randomized trials have been conducted to evaluate the optimal arterial access choice, antithrombotic therapy, stent type, or the role of aspiration thrombectomy in this population. Observational data suggest that a transradial approach should be preferred for experienced operators, although knowledge and experience of transfemoral access is required to place any mechanical support device. In the absence of high‐quality evidence to guide choice of the adjunctive antithrombotic drugs to support PCI in patients with AMICS, knowledge of the altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in shock is required to inform decisions. Drug‐eluting stents should be favored over bare‐metal stents, and routine thrombectomy is not encouraged. Owing to the challenges inherent to the conduct of randomized trials in this acutely ill patient population, concerted multicenter, and international efforts are paramount to orchestrate the development of high‐quality evidence to guide clinical practice.
A modified algorithm with lipoprotein(a) added for diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Sun Di , Cao Ye‐Xuan , Li Sha , Guo Yuan‐Lin , Wu Na‐Qiong , Gao Ying , Dong Qiu‐Ting , Liu Geng , Dong Qian , Li Jian‐Jun
Published: August 2019

Background

Previous studies have observed that high level of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] was common in the phenotypic familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and may explain part of the clinical diagnosis of FH.

Hypothesis

We aim to develop a modified model including Lp(a) and compare its diagnostic performance with Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria.

Methods

Data of 10 449 individuals were utilized for the model establishment (7806 for derivation and 2643 for validation) from January 2011 to March 2018. The novel score model was modified on the basis of DLCN. Furthermore, 718 patients were screened for LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 gene mutations.

Results

The novel modified model consisted of untreated low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) level, Lp(a), personal premature coronary heart disease (CHD), tendon xanthomas and family history of CHD and/or hypercholesterolemia. It has shown high discrimination (area under curve [AUC] 0.991, 95% confidence interval [CI[ 0.988‐0.994, P < .001) for distinguishing clinical FH from non‐FH diagnosed using DLCN. Furthermore, a concordance analysis was performed to compare the modified model with DLCN and it showed a good agreement with DLCN (κ = 0.765). External validation of the novel model also showed good accordance (κ = 0.700). Further genetic analysis showed that the agreements between the new model and mutation improved a little compared to that between DLCN and mutation.

Conclusions

The novel modified model, including Lp(a), could provide new insights into FH diagnosis in Chinese population with more concerns on the patients with high level of Lp(a).
Predictors of uptake of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in women with nonhereditary breast cancer
Authors: Metcalfe Kelly A. , Retrouvey Helene , Kerrebijn Isabel , Butler Kate , O’Neill Anne C. , Cil Tulin , Zhong Toni , Hofer Stefan O. P. , McCready David R.
Published: August 2019

Background

The rates of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) are increasing in women with breast cancer. Previous retrospective research has examined clinical and demographic predictors of the uptake of CPM. However, to the authors' knowledge, there has been very little prospective research to date that has examined psychosocial functioning prior to breast cancer surgery to determine whether psychosocial functioning predicts uptake of CPM. The current study was conducted to evaluate demographic, clinical, and psychosocial predictors of the uptake of CPM in women with unilateral breast cancer without a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

Methods

Women with unilateral non–BRCA‐associated breast cancer completed questionnaires prior to undergoing breast cancer surgery. Participants completed demographic and psychosocial questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, cancer‐related distress, optimism/pessimism, breast satisfaction, and quality of life. Pathological and surgical data were collected from medical charts.

Results

A total of 506 women consented to participate, 112 of whom (22.1%) elected to undergo CPM. Age was found to be a significant predictor of CPM, with younger women found to be significantly more likely to undergo CPM compared with older women (P < .0001). The rate of CPM was significantly higher in women with noninvasive breast cancer compared with those with invasive breast cancer (P < .0001). Women who elected to undergo CPM had lower levels of presurgical breast satisfaction (P = .01) and optimism (P = .05) compared with women who did not undergo CPM.

Conclusions

Psychosocial functioning at the time of breast cancer surgery decision making impacts decisions related to CPM. Women who have lower levels of breast satisfaction (body image) and optimism are more likely to elect to undergo CPM. It is important for health care providers to take psychosocial functioning into consideration when discussing surgical options.
Cost‐benefit analysis of implementing a pediatric early warning system at a pediatric oncology hospital in a low‐middle income country
Authors: Agulnik Asya , Antillon‐Klussmann Federico , Soberanis Vasquez Dora Judith , Arango Rosa , Moran Elmer , Lopez Victor , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Bhakta Nickhill
Published: August 2019

Background

Hospitalized pediatric oncology patients are at high risk of clinical decline and mortality, particularly in low‐income and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) assist with the early identification of deterioration. To the authors' knowledge, no studies to date have evaluated the cost‐benefit of PEWS in LMICs.

Methods

A PEWS was implemented at the National Pediatric Oncology Unit (Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Pediatrica [UNOP]), a pediatric oncology hospital in Guatemala, resulting in a reduction in unplanned pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) transfers. Variable costs of maintaining the PICU and hospital floor were calculated for the year prior to and after the implementation of PEWS using administrative data. PEWS implementation costs were tabulated. The number of PICU inpatient days averted due to reduced unplanned PICU transfers after implementation was calculated, adjusting for changes in hospital inpatient days. Savings per inpatient day from unplanned PICU transfers were calculated. All costs were adjusted for inflation.

Results

There were 457 fewer PICU inpatient days due to unplanned transfers noted the year after implementation of PEWS, adjusting for changes in hospital volume. The variable costs of an unplanned PICU transfer versus a bed on the hospital floor was $806 per day. The total cost of implementing PEWS at UNOP was $13,644 ($7 per admission). Through reductions in variable PICU costs, UNOP saved a net $173 per admission ($354,514 annual net savings) after implementation of PEWS. The cost savings were sustained in a series of more conservative 1‐way sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Implementation of PEWS at UNOP resulted in an incremental savings due to a reduction in the number of unplanned PICU transfers. The results of the current study demonstrate that hospital investment in PEWS can improve the quality of pediatric cancer care, optimize PICU use, and reduce costs.
Prevalence of chronic pain among cancer survivors in the United States, 2010‐2017
Authors: Sanford Nina N. , Sher David J. , Butler Santino S. , Xu Xiaohan , Ahn Chul , Aizer Ayal A. , Mahal Brandon A.
Published: August 2019

Background

There are a growing number of cancer survivors in the United States who are at risk for chronic pain due to cancer disease and treatments. The prevalence of chronic pain among cancer survivors has not been comprehensively reported.

Methods

This study used data from the National Health Interview Survey (2010‐2017) to compare the prevalence of chronic pain between participants with a cancer diagnosis and participants without one. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of having chronic pain were assessed by multivariable logistic regression, which included an age (less than the median age vs greater than or equal to the median age) × cancer diagnosis (yes vs no) interaction term. Among cancer survivors, multivariable logistic regression defined the odds of feeling depressed, feeling worried/nervous/anxious, being unable to work, and needing assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

Results

Among 115,091 participants, a cancer diagnosis was associated with an increased AOR of chronic pain in comparison with the general population (30.8% vs 15.7%; AOR, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.38‐1.59). Older age was associated with higher odds of chronic pain (P < .001 across all increasing age categories); however, the positive association between older age and chronic pain was seen only in participants without cancer and was not seen in those with a cancer diagnosis (Page×cancer < .001). Among patients reporting a cancer diagnosis, chronic pain was associated with greater odds of feeling depressed, feeling worried/nervous/anxious, being unable to work, and needing assistance with ADLs or IADLs (P < .001 for all).

Conclusions

Cancer survivors appear to have a high prevalence of chronic pain, which is associated with worse mental, functional, and employment outcomes. Screening and management of chronic pain should be addressed by policymakers to improve cancer survivorship care.
Insulinoma‐associated protein 1 is a novel diagnostic marker of small cell lung cancer in bronchial brushing and cell block cytology from pleural effusions: Validity and reliability with cutoff value
Authors: Abe Hideyuki , Takase Yorihiko , Sadashima Eiji , Fukumitsu Chihiro , Murata Kazuya , Ito Takaaki , Kawahara Akihiko , Naito Yoshiki , Akiba Jun
Published: August 2019

Background

In recent years, insulinoma‐associated protein 1 (INSM1) has been shown to be a key regulator of neuroendocrine development, and it has been evaluated for diagnostic use in some organs.

Methods

To evaluate the relationship between INSM1 and synaptophysin, and to confirm the cutoff value using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the authors performed INSM1 immunocytochemistry using cell block (CB) samples from 53 cases of bronchial brushings and 32 cases of pleural effusions (29 small cell lung cancer [SCLC] specimens and 56 non–small cell lung cancer specimens). The marker expression ratio was calculated by counting the positive tumor cells, and the tumor proportion score (TPS) was applied.

Results

INSM1 was expressed in all SCLC specimens, but generally was expressed in <10% of tumor cells in adenocarcinomas. In bronchial brushing samples of SCLC, the INSM1 TPS was 37.5% (staining of >50%), 25.0% (staining of 25%‐50%), 29.5% (staining of 10%‐25%), and 8.3% (staining of 1%‐10%). There were 3 cases (12.5%) with no detectable synaptophysin expression, although the correlation between nuclear INSM1 expression and cytoplasmic synaptophysin expression was statistically significant (P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that 8.68% was the best cutoff value for INSM1, and the sensitivity and specificity between SCLC and non–small cell lung cancer for expression of INSM1 were 95.8% and 100.0%, respectively, in bronchial brushing samples at that cutoff value.

Conclusions

INSM1 is a novel diagnostic marker for SCLC, and is useful in both bronchial brushing and pleural effusion cytology specimens. Because INSM1 generally is expressed in <10% of tumor cells in adenocarcinomas, determining an accurate cutoff value for INSM1 is important in the diagnosis of SCLC.
On forwarding indices of lexicographic product networks
Authors: Li Feng
Published: August 2019

One of the important functions of a communication network is the routing. The communication and performance of a network whose efficiency can be directly affected by edge‐forwarding index of the routing and the edge‐forwarding index can be used to deterministically measure its efficiency. This paper investigates edge‐forwarding index of routing in the lexicographic product network, which is used to measure the congestion of an edge. Congestion of any edge is limited by the capacity of the edge; the original study of edge‐forwarding index was motivated by the problem of maximizing network capacity, which is achieved by minimizing the forwarding index of a network. Thus, it is an important parameter to measure the quality of a routing. By applying the combination design and interconnection network, we characterize a closed upper bound on edge‐forwarding index of the lexicographic product network. Such a boundary depends only on the parameters of the factor network, such as the edge‐forwarding index of the factor network.
Gene data classification using Map Reduce based linear SVM
Authors: Abinash M.J. , Vasudevan V.
Published: August 2019

Nowadays, the microarray classification for various diseases is a challenging one. The real disadvantage of sequence of gene information is the “scourge of dimensionality issue”; this frustrates the meaningful data of dataset and, what is more, prompts computational unsteadiness. Accordingly, choosing pertinent qualities is a basic in microarray information investigation. The majority of the existing plans utilize a two‐stage form: selection of features/extraction pursued by order. In this paper, a factual test, ie, forward selection depending upon map reduce, is suggested to choose the significant highlights. Subsequently, the selection of relevant features, ie, linear‐based Support Vector Machine (SVM) using map reduce based classifier, is likewise suggested to order the microarray information. These calculations are effectively executed on Hadoop system, and relative investigation is finished utilizing different datasets.
Should you be friendly but not friends with employees?
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: August 2019

Not long ago, a friend and former colleague was hired as a dean of arts and sciences. Because there were three new deans, the human resources director met with them. She told them to be friendly with employees, but not friends.
Review legal analysis of President Trump's executive order on free speech
Authors: Rooksby Jacob
Published: August 2019

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March aimed at holding colleges and universities that receive federal research funding accountable for protecting free speech on their campuses. The controversial order delivers on a campaign talking point by Trump that higher education hasn't been hospitable to conservative viewpoints, and that institutions ought to face consequences for stifling freedom of expression.
Prepare students for change, disruption with a diverse skill set
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: August 2019

“Our greatest challenge is to make graduate students as career‐ready as possible,” said David Hinks, dean of North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles. To accomplish that goal, Hinks believes it is critical to listen to the companies that are leaders in the textile industry, and also to help them forge ahead wherever the industry needs to go.
Consider how the intention of a service influences equal access assessments: The case of health science learning resource programs
Authors: Axelrod Jamie
Published: August 2019

As highly competitive programs in health sciences add greater levels of academic support to boost student success, what does equitable access to support programs look like for students with disabilities? Considering the core principles informing our work, this question often creates a conundrum for many disability resource professionals.
Guide rather than discipline employees
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: August 2019

Only the worst employees need to be disciplined. Everyone else needs your guidance. My father taught me that principle, not in so many words but in the way he lived. It's the way he raised his children, and it's the way he treated those whom he supervised in the workplace. I know because I observed him at his job many, many times.
Autism caused mostly by genetics, according to study
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: August 2019

More than 80% of an individual's risk for developing autism comes from genetic makeup, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Psychiatry. Researchers looked at data from more than 2 million people born between 1998 and 2011 in five countries for the largest study of its kind on the development of autism. The five countries where subjects were studied were Israel, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Australia.
A structural equation model linking past and present plant diversity in Alaska: a framework for evaluating future change
Authors: Roland Carl A. , Sadoti Giancarlo , Nicklen E. Fleur , McAfee Stephanie A. , Stehn Sarah E.
Published: August 2019

Recent findings of peak plant species diversity occurring in alpine tundra in Alaska may reflect the filtering of the regional species pool during Pleistocene Epoch cold periods. Specifically, herbaceous plant groups and those with far northern geographic distributions centered in Beringia may have persisted coincident with repeated diminution of tall‐statured and southern continental plant groups during cold intervals, thus potentially structuring current diversity patterns in relation to elevation. Numerous biotic and abiotic drivers of plant species distributions vary with elevation, raising questions concerning which of these drivers are responsible for these surprising diversity patterns. We used structural equation modeling to investigate relationships among a suite of biotic and abiotic covariates and the richness of species groups based on growth form (GF) and biogeographic affinity across interior Alaska. Our results confirm the primary importance of microclimate in controlling the distribution, abundance, and richness of woody plants, which increased in warm, south‐exposed plots. In contrast, the suite of other site factors had considerably stronger combined direct influences on richness of forbs, graminoids, and dwarf shrubs as compared to microclimate. Thus, species groups with negative richness responses to increasing temperature and potential solar radiation may have a competitive disadvantage to woody species, suggesting competitive displacement as one mechanism for these patterns. Our findings reveal that conditions associated with the high plant diversity (including cooler air temperatures, ground disturbance, and weakly acidic soil pH) are spatially restricted as compared to widespread conditions associated with low species diversity (warm lowlands with acidic soil reaction). Our results confirm a strong correspondence between localized richness patterns and variation in the overall fractions of the GF and biogeographic groups within the regional species pool. Our work suggests important links between current and historical drivers of plant diversity that help explain the apparent contradictions suggested by the relatively limited spatial extent of species‐rich habitats in Alaska. By elucidating the relationships among biotic and abiotic site characteristics and between these characteristics and richness, our findings provide a useful framework within which to evaluate possible changes to vegetation structure and species richness patterns caused by rapid warming.
Comparison of the combustion characteristics and kinetic study of coal, municipal solid waste, and refuse‐derived fuel: Model‐fitting methods
Authors: Azam Mudassar , Jahromy Saman Setoodeh , Raza Waseem , Jordan Christian , Harasek Michael , Winter Franz
Published: August 2019

Energy crisis and solid waste management have remained challenging issues for authorities in Pakistan. These issues tend to rise with increasing population and economic growth of the society. Therefore, environmentally sustainable waste‐to‐energy program must be part of the waste management system since they may substitute fossil fuels with renewable energy sources by enabling energy recovery instead of landfill of solid wastes. In this work, the combustion characteristics of fossil fuel (coal) and solid wastes such as municipal solid waste (MSW) and refuse‐derived fuel (RDF) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to compare their thermal decomposition behavior. Furthermore, proximate and ultimate analyses of these samples were carried out along with their heating values. The TGA profiles of samples indicate low reactivity of coal, whereas solid wastes present greater reaction rate reflecting their low ash and high volatile contents. It was found that the heating value of RDF sample was close to that of coal. The obtained thermal data were used to calculate the kinetic parameters using Arrhenius and Coats‐Redfern models with different reaction mechanisms. According to these models, the fuels could be arranged in order of activation energy as coal > RDF > MSW. The percentage difference between activation energy values found from Arrhenius and Coats‐Redfern models was in the range of 4.1%‐26.5%. However, the Coats‐Redfern model exhibited consistency in activation energy values, followed by a high value of R2. These results of the TGA could be very helpful to predict the combustion dynamics and confirm that MSW and RDF may be used as sustainable fuels, to meet the prevailing challenges of the energy crisis and solid waste management.