bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterising Arm Recovery in People with Severe Stroke (CARPSS): protocol for a 12-month observational study of clinical, neuroimaging and neurophysiological biomarkers
Authors: Hayward Kathryn S , Lohse Keith R , Bernhardt Julie , Lang Catherine E , Boyd Lara A
Published: November 2018

Introduction

In individuals with early (indexed ≤7 days poststroke) and severe upper limb paresis (shoulder abduction and finger extension score of <5 out of 10), our objectives are to: (1) determine if biomarkers of brain structure and function collected at <1 month poststroke explain who will experience clinically important recovery over the first 12 months poststroke; (2) compare stroke survivors’ perceptions of personally meaningful recovery to clinically important recovery; and (3) characterise the trajectory of change in measures of motor function, brain structure and function.

Methods and analysis

Prospective observational study with an inception cohort of 78 first-time stroke survivors. Participants will be recruited from a single, large tertiary stroke referral centre. Clinical and biomarker assessments will be completed at four follow-up time points: 2 to 4 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months poststroke. Our primary outcome is achievement of clinically important improvement on two out of three measures that span impairment (Fugl-Meyer Upper Limb, change ≥10 points), activity (Motor Assessment Scale item 6, change ≥1 point) and participation (Rating of Everyday Arm-use in the Community and Home, change ≥1 point). Brain biomarkers of structure and function will be indexed using transcranial magnetic stimulation and MRI. Multilevel modelling will be performed to examine the relationship between clinically important recovery achieved (yes/no) and a priori defined brain biomarkers related to the corticospinal tract and corpus callosum. Secondary analyses will compare stroke survivor’s perception of recovery, as well as real-world arm use via accelerometry, to the proposed metric of clinically meaningful recovery; and model trajectory of recovery across clinical, a priori defined biomarkers and exploratory variables related to functional connectivity.

Ethics and dissemination

Approved by the hospital and university ethics review boards. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT02464085.
Namaste Care in nursing care homes for people with advanced dementia: protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Froggatt Katherine , Patel Shakil , Perez Algorta Guillermo , Bunn Frances , Burnside Girvan , Coast Joanna , Dunleavy Lesley , Goodman Claire , Hardwick Ben , Kinley Julie , Preston Nancy J , Walshe Catherine
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Many people living with advanced dementia live and die in nursing care homes. The quality of life, care and dying experienced by these people is variable. Namaste Care is a multisensory programme of care developed for people with advanced dementia. While there is emerging evidence that Namaste Care may be beneficial for people with dementia, there is a need to conduct a feasibility study to establish the optimum way of delivering this complex intervention and whether benefits can be demonstrated in end-of-life care, for individuals and service delivery. The aim of the study is to ascertain the feasibility of conducting a full trial of the Namaste Care intervention.

Methods and analysis

A feasibility study, comprising a parallel, two-arm, multicentre cluster controlled randomised trial with embedded process and economic evaluation. Nursing care homes (total of eight) who deliver care to those with advanced dementia will be randomly allocated to intervention (delivered at nursing care home level) or control. Three participant groups will be recruited: residents with advanced dementia, informal carers of a participating resident and nursing care home staff. Data will be collected for 6 months. Feasibility objectives concern the recruitment and sampling of nursing homes, residents, informal carers and staff; the selection and timing of primary (quality of dying and quality of life) and secondary clinical outcome measures (person centredness, symptom presence, agitation, quality of life, resource use and costs and residents’ activity monitored using actigraphy). Acceptability, fidelity and sustainability of the intervention will be assessed using semistructured interviews with staff and informal carers.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by NHS Wales Research Ethics Committee 5 (ref: 17/WA0378). Dissemination plans include working with a public involvement panel, through a website (http://www.namastetrial.org.uk), social media, academic and practice conferences and via peer reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN14948133; Pre-results.
Fatal drowning in the Western Cape, South Africa: a 7-year retrospective, epidemiological study
Authors: Saunders Colleen Jayne , Adriaanse Robyn , Simons Abigail , van Niekerk Ashley
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Drowning is a neglected public health threat in low-income and middle-income countries where the greatest drowning burden is observed. There is a paucity of drowning surveillance data from low-resource settings, particularly in Africa. Understanding local epidemiological factors will enable the development of context-specific drowning prevention initiatives and the appropriate allocation of resources.

Aim

The primary aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of fatal drowning in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Method

This retrospective study describes fatal drowning incidents captured in the Western Cape vital registration system between 2010 and 2016. Data were obtained from the Forensic Pathology Services of the Western Cape Government. One-way analysis of variance was performed to detect a trend in mean drowning mortality rates between 2010 and 2016. χ2tests for independence were performed to detect differences in the distribution of variables between groups.

Results

A total of 1391 fatal drownings occurred in the Western Cape between 2010 and 2016, with an age-adjusted drowning mortality rate of 3.2 per 100 000 population. Rates were fourfold higher in men compared with women. Children, particularly young children aged 0–4 years, and young adult men between 20 and 34 years of age were identified to be at high risk of fatal drowning. Drowning occurred predominantly in large, open bodies of water with concentrations in summer and public holidays.

Conclusions

The Western Cape drowning prevention strategy should prioritise interventions to reduce drowning in children and young adult men, with a targeted focus on festive periods such as public holidays.
Associations of hormonal contraceptives and infertility medications on the risk of venous thromboembolism, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular disease in women
Authors: Ge Shu-qi , Tao Xin , Cai Li-si , Deng Xuan-ying , Hwang Muh-fa , Wang Chiung-lang
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the relations of hormonal contraceptives and infertility drugs with the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular disease. The Taiwan National Health Institute Research Database was searched for women who had taken hormonal contraceptives or infertility medications from 2000 to 2010. The two groups were age and index date matched with controls (1:4 ratios). Cox regression analysis was used to examine the risks of VTE, DTE, PE, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular disease. A total of 32,067 women were included in the hormonal contraceptives group and 4710 in the infertility medications group (matched controls: 127,872 and 18,840, respectively). After adjustment for age, comorbidities, and other confounders, the contraceptives group had a higher risk of VTE (adjusted HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.004 to 1.30) and cardiovascular disease (adjusted HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.34), and lower risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.95). The infertility medications group had a higher risk of VTE (adjusted HR 1.996, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.72) and DVT (adjusted HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.63), and lower risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.99) and cardiovascular disease (adjusted HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.94). Hormonal contraceptives and infertility medications appear to lower the risk of ischemic stroke and increase the risk of VTE; however, their effect on the risk of other types of cardiovascular events varies.
Biallelic disruption ofPKDCCis associated with a skeletal disorder characterised by rhizomelic shortening of extremities and dysmorphic features
Authors: Sajan Samin A , Ganesh Jaya , Shinde Deepali N , Powis Zöe , Scarano Maria I , Stone Jennifer , Winter Susan , Tang Sha
Published: November 2018

Background

During mouse embryonic development the protein kinase domain containing, cytoplasmic (Pkdcc) gene, also known asVlk,is expressed in several tissues including the ventral midbrain, with particularly strong expression in branchial arches and limb buds. HomozygousPkdccknockout mice have dysmorphic features and shortened long bones as the most obvious morphological abnormalities. The humanPKDCCgene has currently not been associated with any disorders.

Objective

To use clinical diagnostic exome sequencing (DES) for providing genetic diagnoses to two apparently unrelated patients with similar skeletal abnormalities comprising rhizomelic shortening of limbs and dysmorphic features.

Methods

Patient–parents trio DES was carried out and the identified candidate variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

Results

Each patient had a homozygous gene disrupting variant inPKDCCconsidered to explain the skeletal phenotypes shared by both. The first patient was homozygous for the nonsense variant p.(Tyr217*) (NM_1 38 370 c.651C>A) expected to result in nonsense-mediated decay of the mutant transcripts, whereas the second patient was homozygous for the splice donor variant c.639+1G>T predicted to abolish the donor splice site by three in silico splice prediction algorithms.

Conclusions

Biallelic gene disrupting variants inPKDCCin humans, just like in mice, cause dysmorphic features and rhizomelic shortening of limbs.
Analysis of modified Fourier law in flow of ferromagnetic Powell–Eyring fluid considering two equal magnetic dipoles
Authors: Zubair M. , Ijaz M. , Abbas T. , Riaz A.
Published: November 2018

The target of the current study is to inspect theoretically 2D boundary layer flow of an Eyring–Powell ferromagnetic liquid over a flat plate. An external magnetic field due to two magnetic dipoles is applied. Modified Fourier law of heat flux model is employed. Constitutive relations for Eyring–Powell fluid are considered in the boundary layer flow analysis. Series results to the nonlinear formulation are derived and scrutinized by homotopic scheme. Characteristics of various parameters like magneto-thermomechanical (ferrohydrodynamic) interaction parameter, Prandtl number, and dimensionless thermal relaxation on temperature profile are displayed via graphs. It is noted that temperature field decays via thermal relaxation factor.
Effects of different wheat straw returning modes on soil organic carbon sequestration in a rice–wheat rotation
Authors: Hu Naijuan , Shi Hang , Wang Baojun , Gu Zehai , Zhu Liqun
Published: November 2018

Straw ditch-buried returning is a new straw returning mode; however, the different effect of straw ditch-buried returning and frequently used straw returning modes on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is still unclear. A 2 yr field experiment was conducted and four treatments (CK: no straw returning; WR: wheat straw returning with rotary tillage; WP: wheat straw returning with plowing; WD: wheat straw ditch-buried returning) were set to assess the effects on SOC fractions and sequestration in rice–wheat rotation. Results indicated that WD had significantly higher total organic carbon than did WP and CK in wheat season. Soil dissolved organic carbon and easily oxidizable carbon contents were significantly increased by 21.3%, 24.3%, 38.6%, and 43.5% under WR than that under CK in rice and wheat seasons, respectively. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content was highest under WP in rice season, but in wheat season, WR had significantly higher MBC than WP and WD. Soil carbon pool management index was significantly higher in WR than CK, with the increase of 41.0% and 108.6%. After 2 yr rotation, WD had a significant higher SOC stock and sequestration than WP. Therefore, WD could be an available mode to increase SOC sequestration in rice–wheat rotation system.
Is Marine Spatial Planning Enough to Overcome Biological Data Deficiencies?
Authors: Ryan Kendra , Danylchuk Andy , Jordaan Adrian
Published: November 2018

The United States only accounts for 0.2% of the global offshore wind installed capacity despite a potential technical resource four orders of magnitude greater. A cumbersome permitting process is one of the challenges in implementing new projects. Part of this process requires biological data in order to inform assessments of environmental impacts; yet these data may be lacking for particular taxa at the required scale. Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a process that often includes data identification, collection, collation and analyses components. In this paper, we conduct a collective case study of three areas with offshore wind projects located in waters managed by marine spatial plans, focusing on how data efforts inform MSP and offshore wind development. Our study finds that MSP can facilitate data efforts during the permitting phase of offshore wind projects, but that other initiatives, particularly renewable energy policies and zoning, appear critical towards establishing offshore wind.
A Novel Radio Wave Propagation Modeling Method Using System Identification Technique over Wireless Links in East Africa
Authors: Girma Solomon T. , Konditi Dominic B. O. , Maina Ciira
Published: November 2018

Transmission of a radio signal through a wireless radio channel is affected by refraction, diffraction and reflection, free space loss, object penetration, and absorption that corrupt the originally transmitted signal before radio wave arrives at a receiver antenna. Even though there are many factors affecting wireless radio channels, there are still a number of radio wave propagation models such as Okumura, Hata, free space model, and COST-231 to predict the received signal level at the receiver antenna. However, researchers in the field of radio wave propagation argue that there is no universally accepted propagation model to guarantee a universal recommendation. Thus, this research is aimed at determining the difference between the measured received signal levels and the received signal level calculated from the free space propagation model. System identification method has been proposed to determine this unknown difference. Measured received signal levels were collected from three randomly selected urban areas in Ethiopia using a computer, Nemo test tool, Actix software, Nokia phone, and GPS. The result from the simulations was validated against the received experimental signal level measurement taken in a different environment. From the simulation results, the mean square error (MSE) was 4.169 dB, which is much smaller than the minimum acceptable MSE value of 6 dB for good signal propagation, and 74.76% fit to the estimation data. The results clearly showed that the proposed radio wave propagation model predicts the received signal levels at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz in the study region.
Prognostic Value of Long Noncoding RNAs in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kang Weibiao , Zheng Qiang , Lei Jun , Chen Changyu , Yu Changjun
Published: November 2018

Gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) are a huge threat to human health, which mainly include esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. The purpose of this study was to clarify the prognostic value of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in GICs. A total of 111 articles were included, and 13103 patients (3123 with esophageal cancer, 4972 with gastric cancer, and 5008 with colorectal cancer) were enrolled in this study. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) values and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of overall survival (OS) related to different lncRNA expressions in esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and gastrointestinal cancer patients were 1.92 (1.70–2.16), 1.96 (1.77–2.16), 2.10 (1.87–2.36), and 2.00 (1.87–2.13), respectively. We have identified 74 lncRNAs which were associated closely with poor prognosis of GIC patients, including 58 significantly upregulated lncRNA expression and 16 significantly downregulated lncRNA expression. In addition, 47 of the included studies revealed relative mechanisms and 12 of them investigated the correlation between lncRNAs and microRNAs. Taken together, this meta-analysis supports that specific lncRNAs are significantly related to the prognosis of GIC patients and may serve as novel markers for predicting the prognosis of GIC patients. Furthermore, lncRNAs may have a promising contribution to lncRNA-based targeted therapy and clinical decision-making in the future.
Sex Differences in the Association between Night Shift Work and the Risk of Cancers: A Meta-Analysis of 57 Articles
Authors: Liu Wen , Zhou Zhonghan , Dong Dahai , Sun Lijiang , Zhang Guiming
Published: November 2018

Objectives. To identify the association between night shift work and the risk of various cancers with a comprehensive perspective and to explore sex differences in this association. Methods. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies on the effect of night shift work on cancer, including case-control, cohort, and nested case-control studies. We computed risk estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in a random or fixed effects model and quantified heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. Subgroup, metaregression, and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Contour-enhanced funnel plots and the trim and fill method were used together to analyze bias. Linear dose–response analysis was used to quantitatively estimate the accumulative effect of night shift work on the risk of cancer. Results. Fifty-eight studies were eligible for our meta-analysis, including 5,143,838 participants. In the random effects model, the pooled odds ratio (OR) of cancers was 1.15 (95% CI = 1.08–1.22, P<0.001; I2=76.2%). Night shift work increased the cancer risk in both men (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.05–1.25, P=0.003) and women (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.04–1.20, P=0.002). Subgroup analyses showed that night shift work positively increased the risk of breast (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.08–1.38), prostate (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05–1.52), and digestive system (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01–1.32) cancers. For every 5 years of night shift work, the cancer risk increased by 3.2% (OR = 1.032, 95% CI = 1.013–1.051). Conclusion. This is the first meta-analysis identifying the positive association between night shift work and the risk of cancer and verifying that there is no sex difference in the effect of night shift work on cancer risk. Cancer risk increases with cumulative years of night shift work.
Cognitive Function and Impairment in Older, Rural South African Adults: Evidence from “Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in Rural South Africa”
Authors: Kobayashi Lindsay C. , Mateen Farrah J. , Montana Livia , Wagner Ryan G. , Kahn Kathleen , Tollman Stephen M. , Berkman Lisa F.
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment, and the sociodemographic and comorbid predictors of cognitive function among older, rural South African adults. Methods: Data were from a population-based study of 5,059 adults aged ≥40 years in rural South Africa in 2015. Cognitive impairment was defined as scoring ≤1.5 SDs below the mean composite time orientation and memory score, or requiring a proxy interview with “fair” or “poor” proxy-reported memory. Multiple linear regression estimated the sociodemographic and comorbid predictors of cognitive score, with multiplicative statistical interactions between each of age and sex with education. Results: Cognitive impairment increased with age, from 2% of those aged 40–44 (11/516) to 24% of those aged ≥75 years (214/899). The independent predictors of lower cognitive score were being older, female, unmarried, not working, having low education, low household wealth, and a history of cardiovascular conditions. Education modified the negative associations between female sex, older age, and cognitive function score. Conclusions: The prevalence of cognitive impairment increased with age and is comparable to rates of dementia reported in other sub-Saharan African countries. Age and sex differences in cognitive function scores were minimized as education increased, potentially reflecting the power of even poor-quality education to improve cognitive reserve.
Gastrointestinal Perforation after Rituximab Therapy in Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report
Authors: Adashek Michael , Chan Abigail , Medina Adriana
Published: November 2018

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), responsible for 2.8% of all NHL cases within the United States. The majority of patients with MCL present with advanced disease, 10-20% of which have extra-nodal involvement at diagnosis. The gastrointestinal presence of lymphoma can lead to gastrointestinal perforation, resulting in significant morbidity from peritonitis and sepsis while prolonging hospitalizations and delaying treatment. In this case we discuss a 55-year-old male with newly diagnosed MCL who developed peritonitis 9 days after initiation of dose reduced rituximab due to gastrointestinal perforation. Although prognostication factors for MCL such as the mantle cell lymphoma international prognostic index (MIPI) score exist, further research is needed to stratify risk factors for morbid treatment complications such as gastrointestinal perforation.
Calibration of Constraint Promotion Does Not Help with Learning Variation in Stochastic Optimality Theory
Authors: Magri Giorgio , Storme Benjamin
Published: November 2018

The Calibrated Error-Driven Ranking Algorithm (CEDRA; Magri 2012 ) is shown to fail on two test cases of phonologically conditioned variation from Boersma and Hayes 2001 . The failure of the CEDRA raises a serious unsolved challenge for learnability research in stochastic Optimality Theory, because the CEDRA itself was proposed to repair a learnability problem ( Pater 2008 ) encountered by the original Gradual Learning Algorithm. This result is supported by both simulation results and a detailed analysis whereby a few constraints and a few candidates at a time are recursively “peeled off” until we are left with a “core” small enough that the behavior of the learner is easy to interpret.
Checklist of vascular plants of Albania
Authors: BARINA ZOLTÁN , SOMOGYI GABRIELLA , PIFKÓ DÁNIEL , RAKAJ MARASH
Published: November 2018

This work includes all names of higher plants reported or collected in the present territory of Albania. The records are critically evaluated; the origin of them was tracked down and possible vouchers were searched for, revised and evaluated. Altogether, 6,419 basionyms were identified with 5,480 recently accepted taxa and their nativity status were examined.
Six new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northeast India
Authors: AGARWAL ISHAN , MAHONY STEPHEN , GIRI VARAD B. , CHAITANYA R. , BAUER AARON M.
Published: November 2018

We use mitochondrial sequence data to identify divergent lineages within the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus in northeast India and use morphological data to describe six new species from within the Indo-Burma clade of Cyrtodactylus. The new species share an irregular colour pattern but differ from described species from the region in morphology and mitochondrial sequence data (>11 % uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence). Three new species are from along the Brahmaputra River and three are from mountains south of the Brahmaputra, including the largest Cyrtodactylus from India and the fifth gecko to be described from a major Indian city, Guwahati.
Optimization of Wet Cylinder Liner Designs for High Thermal Loadings
Authors: Bertodo R. , Razdan D.
Published: November 2018

The paper outlines the optimization of wet cylinder liner designs for high thermal loads, with special reference to medium speed diesel engine applications in the bore range 180–500 mm (∼ 7–20 in). It is shown that a flake graphite nickel–copper–molybdenum alloyed cast iron with a well developed vanadium matrix combines the best properties for liner manufacture. For quality control reasons, centrifugal castings are often preferred, although the resultant graphite form is unfavourable for thermal stress resistance. Consequently, recourse to plain steels is sometimes required, leading naturally to the adoption of chromed finishes for wear and corrosion resistance.

For a given thermal rating, the thermal stresses can be reduced by a judicious choice of air–fuel ratio, but a limiting value exists beyond which the thermal stresses remain unaffected. Reductions in stress level are also possible by optimizing the wall thickness and coolant flow. This leads inevitably to thin sections susceptible to distortion under firing and impact loads, thus impairing both the strength of the component and its wear properties. A planned degree of restraint can be adopted to control both distortion and stress level; such measures are not always conducive to economic design and serviceability, and may actually degrade the reliability when applied to steel liners.

The surrounding structure can have a first order effect on the stress levels in the liner; these manifest themselves as applied loads to the liner supports or flange. The design details are thus important, and the influence of parameters such as bolting load, location of sealing spigot and block deflection are discussed in relation to the evolution of successful designs.

Any structurally sound design must be capable of operating for periods of 20 000 h or more without excessive wear. It is shown that the wear process is essentially exponential; the factors affecting its absolute value are discussed, and attempts made to quantify their contribution.
Transition Temperatures in Boundary Lubrication
Authors: Hirst W. , Stafford J. V.
Published: November 2018

This paper examines the factors influencing the failure of lubricant films. It is shown that in the state of elastohydrodynamic lubrication substantial damage does not occur and in this region surface active agents have no noticeable effect. Substantial damage only occurs when a large fraction of the load becomes unsupported by hydrodynamic action, i.e. failure is from the boundary state. It is shown that the magnitude of the surface deformation under the applied load is a major factor in breakdown. When the deformation is elastic, the solid surface films, e.g. of oxide, remain intact and even a poor liquid lubricant provides sufficient protection against the build-up of damage. The transition temperature, i.e. the temperature at which the friction rises, is then high. When the deformation is severe, the transition temperature is much lower. The effect of load and surface finish on the transition temperature is discussed.
A Fixed-Head Concept Diesel Engine
Authors: Smith J. M.
Published: November 2018

This high-speed automotive diesel engine was designed to achieve the greatest possible reliability in operation, low operating and maintenance costs and maximum versatility of component and auxiliary arrangements, based on long experience of large-scale manufacture of engines for commercial vehicles and the increases in power output and time between overhauls made possible by improvements in design, materials, manufacturing processes, fuels and lubricants.

Elimination of the cylinder high-pressure joint was a radical departure from current practice and promised considerable advantages in cooling, reducing thermal stress and freeing restrictions in cylinder-head porting layout. Thus the potential for operating at the highest rating now in use and for future development was improved.

This paper deals with the design aims, describes the engine and outlines the development work with single and multi-cylinder engines that has been undertaken to ensure that each commercial variant meets the requirements of its rating. Vertical and horizontal configurations are used in naturally aspirated and pressure-charged versions. For automotive work, using mechanical transmissions, the drooping characteristic of the normal turbocharged engines torque curve at low speed is a serious disadvantage. Measures taken to overcome this are described. These included variations in camshaft timing, automatic variable control of injection timing and boost pressure control of fuel injection quantity to avoid undesirable smoke in the exhaust emission in addition to the normal development work of ensuring the highest practicable standards of mechanical, volumetric and combustion efficiency. Other methods such as special turbocharger matchings, including the waste-gate system of turbine by-pass, the system of auxiliary hydraulic drive of the turbocharger at low engine speeds and, as alternative to turbocharging, pressure charging by an aerodynamic pulse-converter are discussed.

At the other end of the scale, considerable attention has been paid to increasing the maximum engine output by turbocharging with intercooling which promises to increase naturally aspirated power by over 100 per cent, if in road vehicles the problem of the intercooler, air/air or air/water, can be dealt with satisfactorily.
Jaguar V12 Engine: Its Design and Development History
Authors: Mundy H.
Published: November 2018

A new Jaguar engine having twelve cylinders in 60° formation and using aluminium for most of its construction; interesting design features and development background are analysed in detail.
Evaluation of the Method of Characteristics Applied to a Pressure Transient Analysis of the B.A.C./S.N.I.A.S. Concorde Refuelling System
Authors: Doyle T. J. , Swaffield J. A.
Published: November 2018

The pressure transient analysis of the Concorde refuelling system is designed to predict pressure variation within the aircraft system during tank inlet valve closure on completion of refuelling and during an emergency isolation of the aircraft system from the refuelling supply.

The comparison between the predicted and observed pressure variations, recorded on a full scale fuel system test rig, was found to be at worst, within 10 per cent, during tank inlet valve closures, although the programme underestimated some peak pressures. Closer agreement was achieved during emergency system isolation.
Second Paper: Post-Processors for General Purpose N.C. Processors
Authors: Ashmall S.
Published: November 2018

This paper sets out to explain to non-specialist computer programmers what a post-processor is and where it fits into a complete N.C. system.

The input to an APT-like post-processor and the control tape output are described, and it is shown how these determine the general structure of the post-processor. The operation of the main sections of the post-processor is discussed.

Also considered is the way in which standardization, both within the total N.C. task and in the post-processor, can reduce the cost and effort needed to produce a new post-processor.
A New Class of Rotary Piston Machine Suitable for Compressors, Pumps and Internal Combustion Engines
Authors: Clarke J. M. , Walker D. F. , Hamilton P. H.
Published: November 2018

The mechanisms and porting requirements of a new class of rotary piston machine are described. The machines can be regarded as a generalization to three dimensions of that class of planetary motion machine which includes the Wankel. Important features of the Wankel engine are retained, namely a compact arrangement, a sliding contact seal grid and multiple chambers on each rotor, but these new machines have twice as many chambers on each rotor, and they apply results of three-dimensional rigid body dynamics to select piston motions which involve very low inertial forces. An experimental engine is described with some results.
The happy (and not so happy) accidents of Bush-Obama school reform
Authors: Hess Frederick M. , McShane Michael Q.
Published: November 2018

Drawing upon their new edited volume of essays looking back on the school reforms of the Bush and Obama years, the authors explain just how few of those reforms went according to plan. Some of the unexpected outcomes were positive, they note, pointing to the improvement of school data systems and the bipartisan compromise that put an end to No Child Left Behind. Some of them were negative, such as a public backlash against achievement testing in general and the implementation of the Common Core in particular. And all of them should lead reformers to question their own certainty about how their policy ideas will play out.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Exclusionary School Discipline: Implications for Administrators Leading Discipline Reform Efforts
Authors: Fenning Pamela , Jenkins Kisha
Published: November 2018

School discipline and school safety are primary areas of concern for school administrators. This article summarizes the research literature regarding suspension in response to nonviolent and subjective offenses for racial/ethnic minorities. Steps that administrators can follow in applying a root cause analysis with a focus on school practices are provided. The following three areas of professional development and teacher support are offered to facilitate changes in school practices: (1) implicit bias, (2) empathy training, and (3) classroom consultation/teacher supports.
LimoRhyde: A Flexible Approach for Differential Analysis of Rhythmic Transcriptome Data
Authors: Singer Jordan M. , Hughey Jacob J.
Published: November 2018

Unraveling the effects of genetic or environmental perturbations on biological rhythms requires detecting changes in rhythmicity across multiple conditions. Although methods to detect rhythmicity in genome-scale data are well established, methods to detect changes in rhythmicity or changes in average expression between experimental conditions are often ad hoc and statistically unreliable. Here we present LimoRhyde (linear models for rhythmicity, design), a flexible approach for analyzing transcriptome data from circadian systems. Borrowing from cosinor regression, LimoRhyde decomposes circadian or zeitgeber time into multiple components to fit a linear model to the expression of each gene. The linear model can accommodate any number of additional experimental variables, whether discrete or continuous, making it straightforward to detect differential rhythmicity and differential expression using state-of-the-art methods for analyzing microarray and RNA-seq data. In this approach, differential rhythmicity corresponds to a statistical interaction between an experimental variable and circadian time, whereas differential expression corresponds to the main effect of an experimental variable while accounting for circadian time. To validate LimoRhyde’s performance, we applied it to simulated data. To demonstrate LimoRhyde’s versatility, we applied it to murine and human circadian transcriptome datasets acquired under various experimental designs. Our results show how LimoRhyde systematizes the analysis of such data, and suggest that LimoRhyde could prove valuable for assessing how circadian systems respond to perturbations.
Platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis: a propensity-score analysis
Authors: Annaniemi J. A. , Pere J. , Giordano S.
Published: November 2018

Background and Aims:

Intra-articular injections of viscosupplements have been an option in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Platelet-rich plasma is an experimental treatment in osteoarthritis. Previous studies have shown that platelet-rich plasma reduces osteoarthritis symptoms in similar proportions as viscosupplements. The aim of this study was to compare platelet-rich plasma versus viscosupplements in terms of symptoms’ relief and time to arthroplasty.

Material and Methods:

A total of 190 patients included in this retrospective study received either intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma (94 patients) or hyaluronic acid (86 patients) between January 2014 and October 2017. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Visual Analogue Scale, and range of motion were measured before injection, at 15 days, 6 months, 12 months, and at last follow-up. We compared outcomes between these two groups using propensity score analysis for risk adjustment in multivariate analysis and for one-to-one matching.

Results:

Hyaluronic acid–treated patients experienced a higher arthroplasty rate (36.0% vs 5.3%, p < 0.001), lower range of motion, worse Visual Analogue Scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores, and increased risk of any arthroplasty occurrence (log-rank < 0.001) than platelet-rich plasma patients. Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed a tendency to decrease the risk of knee arthroplasty for the patients treated by platelet-rich plasma (hazard ratio = 0.23, 95% confidence interval, 0.05–1.05, p = 0.058). When the treatment method was adjusted for propensity score in the propensity score–matched pairs (n = 78), we found that platelet-rich plasma group still showed significant improvement over the hyaluronic acid group in arthroplasty rate (12.8% vs 41.0%, p = 0.010), Visual Analogue Scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores, but not in the range of motion, during the mean follow-up of 16.7 months.

Conclusion:

Intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma associated with better outcomes than hyaluronic acid in knee osteoarthritis. Platelet-rich plasma might prolong the time to arthroplasty and provide a valid therapeutic option in selected patients with knee osteoarthritis not responding to conventional treatments. Further larger studies are needed to validate this promising treatment modality.
Development of a novel lateral resistance measurement penetrometer for pipe–soil interaction centrifuge model test
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Zhongtao , Pei Huafu
Published: November 2018

Offshore pipelines are exposed to potential submarine landslides. It is difficult to measure the impact forces exerted on a pipeline induced by submarine landslides because the upper seabed is very soft and an impact angle exists in practice. Current laboratory experiments are limited on measuring the normal force exerted on pipeline by the slides. This article describes the feasibility and performance of a novel penetrometer, which is designed to measure impact forces of submarine landslides on offshore pipeline including both the normal and frictional forces from variable impact angle in centrifuge test, termed as the lateral resistance measurement penetrometer. The calibration procedure for this particular version is illustrated in detail and the reliability and feasibility of the lateral resistance measurement penetrometer are preliminarily confirmed by an experimental study. Pipe–soil interaction centrifuge tests were subsequently performed on a normally consolidated kaolin sample with 40 g level conducted in Dalian University of Technology drum centrifuge to investigate the effect of incident angles on the impact forces exerted by submarine landslides on a pipeline. The impact forces deduced from the lateral resistance measurement penetrometer are analysed in comparison with published results. The lateral resistance measurement penetrometer is a potentially valuable device to measure the interaction force between submarine landslides and offshore pipeline, cables and other subsea facilities in small-scale centrifuge models.
Epidemiology of Achilles Tendon Ruptures in the United States: Athletic and Nonathletic Injuries From 2012 to 2016
Authors: Lemme Nicholas J. , Li Neill Y. , DeFroda Steven F. , Kleiner Justin , Owens Brett D.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures are one of the most common tendon ruptures, but there have been no studies investigating these injuries in the United States (US) using data representative of the entire US population.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for AT ruptures in the US. We hypothesized that male sex, older age, and sport participation would increase the risk for AT ruptures.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

All patients presenting to an emergency department with ruptured AT in the US from 2012 through 2016 were selected from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database. Incidence was calculated for sex, race, and age. AT ruptures were characterized based on the mechanism of injury, with subanalyses performed on sport-related AT ruptures to examine sex-, race-, and age-related differences.

Results:

From 2012 to 2016, a significant increase in the incidence of AT ruptures was observed, from 1.8 per 100,000 person-years in 2012 to 2.5 per 100,000 person-years in 2016 ( P < .01), for an overall incidence of 2.1 per 100,000 person-years. The majority of AT ruptures occurred in male compared with female patients, with an incidence rate ratio of 3.5 ( P < .01). The largest overall incidence of AT ruptures occurred in those aged 20-39 years for male patients (5.6/100,000 person-years) and in those aged 40-59 years for female patients (1.2/100,000 person-years). The largest rise in the incidence of AT ruptures during the study period was observed in patients aged 40-59 years (78% increase). The most common injury mechanism was participation in a sport or recreational activity (81.9% of all injuries), with basketball being the most common overall cause of AT ruptures.

Conclusion:

While AT ruptures in the US most commonly occur in young male patients (20-39 years old), the largest rise in the incidence was observed in middle-aged patients (40-59 years old), with participation in recreational sports being the most likely mechanism. Recognizing high-risk patients can help physicians counsel them and recommend strategies for injury prevention.
How does a short period of exercise effect toe pressures and toe‐brachial indices? A cross‐sectional exploratory study
Authors: Tehan Peta Ellen , Sadler Sean George , Lanting Sean Michael , Chuter Vivienne Helaine
Published: November 2018

Background

Whilst post exercise ankle‐brachial indices (ABI) are commonly used to help identify peripheral arterial disease (PAD), the role of post exercise toe pressures (TP) or toe‐brachial indices (TBI) is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine, in a population without clinical signs of PAD, the effect that 30 s of weight‐bearing heel raises has on TP and TBI values. Additionally, the ability of resting TP and TBI values to predict change in post‐exercise values using the heel raise method was investigated.

Methods

Participants over the age of 18 with a resting TBI of ≥0.60 and ABI between 0.90 and 1.40, without diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease and not currently smoking were included. Following ten minutes of supine rest, right TP and bilateral brachial pressures were performed in a randomized order using automated devices. Participants then performed 30 s of weight‐bearing heel raises, immediately after which supine vascular measures were repeated. Data were assessed for normality using the Shapiro‐Wilk test. For change in TP and TBI values the Wilcoxon Signed‐Rank Test was performed. For correlations between resting and change in post exercise values, the Spearman Rank Order Correlations were performed, and where significant correlation identified, a linear regression undertaken.

Results

Forty‐eight participants were included. A statistically significant decrease was seen in the median TP from resting 103.00 mmHg (IQR: 89.00 to 124.75) to post exercise 98.50 mmHg (IQR: 82.00 to 119.50), z = − 2.03, p = 0.04. This difference of 4.50 mmHg represents a 4.37% change and is considered a small effect size (r = 0.21). The median TBI also demonstrated a statistically significant decrease from resting 0.79 (IQR: 0.68 to 0.94) to post exercise 0.72 (IQR: 0.60 to 0.87), z = − 2.86, p = < 0.01. This difference of 0.07 represents an 8.86% change and is considered a small effect size (r = 0.29). Linear regression demonstrated that resting TBI predicted 22.4% of the variance in post exercise TBI, p = < 0.01, coefficients beta − 0.49.

Conclusions

Thirty seconds of weight‐bearing heel raises resulted in a similar decrease in TBI values seen in longer periods of exercise. TP values also showed a decrease post exercise; however this was contrary to previous studies.
Pooled extracellular receptor-ligand interaction screening using CRISPR activation
Authors: Chong Zheng-Shan , Ohnishi Shuhei , Yusa Kosuke , Wright Gavin J.
Published: November 2018

Extracellular interactions between cell surface receptors are necessary for signaling and adhesion but identifying them remains technically challenging. We describe a cell-based genome-wide approach employing CRISPR activation to identify receptors for a defined ligand. We show receptors for high-affinity antibodies and low-affinity ligands can be unambiguously identified when used in pools or as individual binding probes. We apply this technique to identify ligands for the adhesion G-protein-coupled receptors and show that the Nogo myelin-associated inhibitory proteins are ligands for ADGRB1. This method will enable extracellular receptor-ligand identification on a genome-wide scale.
The Risk Reference Panel: a thematic analysis of a multidisciplinary forum for complex cases
Authors: Thomas Alec , Evans Ian , Jones Gaynor
Published: November 2018

Aims and method

To describe the functions of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Risk Reference Panel and characterise the typical referrals presented and outcomes from the panel. A structured thematic analysis was performed on verbatim transcripts of 48 panel sessions.

Results

The 79 codes identified were grouped into 16 subthemes. Four principal themes were identified: two characterising cases brought to the panel (childhood risk factors and current presenting difficulties) and two describing advice given (risk management and wider organisational issues). Quotations are given to illustrate cases presented and advice given by the panel.

Clinical implications

The panel provides a valuable source of special expertise in the management of complex and exceptional cases where risk of harm is significant and clinical teams have ongoing concerns. This paper describes a model of peer-working to support staff and may further reduce the risk of harm associated with mental illness.

Declaration of interest

None.
Gender disparity as a threat to the mental well-being of young Sri Lankan women
Authors: Chandradasa Miyuru , Rathnayake Layani Champika
Published: November 2018

Sri Lanka ranks highest in the region for human development. Despite producing the first female head of state in the world, the country has failed to achieve substantial gains in the gender inequality indices in the past decade. In recent years, the proportion of females in secondary education has equalled that of males, and young women have become the majority among the university entrants. These educated young women are likely to face psychosocial distress in a patriarchal society where they would be expected to fulfil traditional gender roles. This article describes gender disparities that could affect the mental well-being of young Sri Lankan women and the need for awareness among mental health professionals in the country.