bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PrEP and the syndemic of substance use, violence, and HIV among female and male sex workers: a qualitative study in Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Bazzi Angela R , Yotebieng Kelly , Otticha Sophie , Rota Grace , Agot Kawango , Ohaga Spala , Syvertsen Jennifer L
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Female and male sex workers experience heightened vulnerability to HIV and other health harms that are compounded by substance use, physical and sexual violence, and limited access to health services. In Kisumu, Kenya, where sex work is widespread and substance use is a growing public health concern, offering pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention could help curtail the HIV epidemic. Our study examines “syndemics,” or mutually reinforcing epidemics of substance use, violence and HIV, in relation to PrEP acceptability and feasibility among female and male sex workers in Kenya, one of the first African countries to approve PrEP for HIV prevention.

Methods

From 2016 to 2017, sex workers in Kisumu reporting recent alcohol or drug use and experiences of violence participated in qualitative interviews on HIV risk and perspectives on health service needs, including PrEP programming. Content analysis identified themes relating to PrEP knowledge, acceptability, access challenges and delivery preferences.

Results

Among 45 female and 28 male sex workers, median age was 28 and 25 respectively. All participants reported past‐month alcohol use and 91% of women and 82% of men reported past‐month drug use. Violence was pervasive, with most women and men reporting past‐year physical (96% women, 86% men) and sexual (93% women, 79% men) violence. Concerning PrEP, interviews revealed: (1) low PrEP knowledge, especially among women; (2) high PrEP acceptability and perceived need, particularly within syndemic contexts of substance use and violence; and (3) preferences for accessible, non‐stigmatizing PrEP delivery initiatives designed with input from sex workers.

Conclusions

Through a syndemic lens, substance use and violence interact to increase HIV vulnerability and perceived need for PrEP among female and male sex workers in Kisumu. Although interest in PrEP was high, most sex workers in our sample, particularly women, were not benefiting from it. Syndemic substance use and violence experienced by sex workers posed important barriers to PrEP access for sex workers. Increasing PrEP access for sex workers will require addressing substance use and violence through integrated programming.
Does Shorter Postnatal Hospital Stay Lead to Postdischarge Complications? An Instrumental Variables Approach
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Mahbubur , Pallikadavath Saseendran , Khatoon Rabeya
Published: April 2019

We exploit the difference in means of postnatal hospital stays between beneficiary mothers of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and control mothers to estimate causal effects of postnatal hospital stay on postdischarge complications of a mother and her newborn. We argue that JSY increases the demand for institutional deliveries in those hospitals, which are assigned by the government to provide such services to the JSY recipients. Given the limited supply of beds, health professionals and other facilities, an excess demand for institutional deliveries in those hospitals forces JSY recipients to stay for a shorter time after birth compared with nonrecipients of JSY who are free to deliver in any hospital. Thus, the dummy for JSY becomes a suitable instrument for postnatal hospital stay. Using instrumental variables (IV) regressions, we find that postnatal hospital stay has statistically significant negative causal effects on half of the available postdischarge complications in the data, including abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, convulsion and severe headache of a mother and fever or cold of the newborn. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring near‐saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils by quasi unit‐gradient percolation—1. Theory and numerical analysis
Authors: Sarkar Subharthi , Germer Kai , Maity Rajib , Durner Wolfgang
Published: April 2019

The saturated and near‐saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils, ku, is a sensitive indicator of soil structure and a key parameter for solute transport and soil aeration. In this contribution, we present and numerically investigate a double‐disk method to determine ku in the laboratory by steady‐state percolation at different suction steps. Tension infiltration of water takes place at the top of a soil column through a porous disk with a smaller diameter than the soil sample. This leaves part of the soil surface open and ensures a proper soil ventilation. Drainage takes place at the base through a porous disk with the full diameter of the soil column at exactly the same tension as applied to the top boundary. Since the infiltration area is less than the percolation area, the water flow diverges and the equality of steady flow rate and hydraulic conductivity, which characterizes the standard unit‐gradient experiment, is no longer valid. To develop a general relationship between observed steady flow rate and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, the experiment was simulated with the Richards‐equation solver HYDRUS 2D/3D, for twelve different soil classes. We found for tensions in the range 1 cm < 10 cm, an infiltration disk diameter of 4.5 cm diameter and a sample diameter of 8 cm diameter that the flux rate at any given tension was about 0.7 times the respective hydraulic conductivity, with an error of less than 10%.
Reactivity of oil‐soluble IL with silicon surface at elevated temperature
Authors: Al‐Sallami Waleed , Parsaeian Pourya , Dorgham Abdel , Neville Anne
Published: April 2019

The reactivity of an oil‐miscible ionic liquid, phosphonium phosphate (PP), and the common anti‐wear additive zinc dialkyl dithio phosphate (ZDDP) with a solid surface at elevated temperature in the absence of any tribological motion is investigated. Understanding the thermal film build up, composition, and relative thickness will help in the understanding of lubrication mechanisms once tribological effects are introduced. Attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are employed to characterise silicon surfaces before and after the experiments in terms of surface chemistry and surface morphology. The results show that both additives react with the silicon surface to produce thermal films. However, ZDDP forms a thicker film. PP reacts with the silicon and forms a thermal film, but the reaction rate is self‐limited such that an increase of time to 24 hours does not significantly increase the film thickness.
Uniparental Disomy Causing Myoclonus Dystonia Associated with Russell Silver Syndrome
Authors: Shpiner Danielle S. , Bardos Jonah , Barbouth Deborah S. , Moore Henry P.
Published: April 2019

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A Severe l‐Dopa Responsive Dystonia With Slow and Continuous Improvement in a Patient With a Novel Mutation in the Tyrosine Hydroxylase Gene
Authors: Couto Christian Marques , Vargas Antônio Pedro , dos Santos Coimbra Fernando , de Assis Cunha Olimar Leite , Braga Lucia Willadino
Published: April 2019

View Supplementary Video 1
Stereotypy in Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: Pandey Sanjay , Shukla Tanvi
Published: April 2019

View Supplementary Video 1
Zero Suicide declaration a ‘call to action’ to drive down suicide rates
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2019

In a show of commitment and leadership in efforts to improve health care suicide prevention as a complement to public health and community suicide prevention initiatives, health care leaders from the United States and 19 countries have contributed to a “call to action” declaration.
Long‐acting injectables good option for schizophrenia patients
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2019

A six‐month study evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of two‐long‐acting injectable medicines has provided a favorable overall retention rate, and both medications reveal significant improvements from baseline in schizophrenia symptoms, according to officials at Alkermes.
Cross‐relaxation parameters in cortical bone assessed with different MR sequences
Authors: Bouazizi Khaoula , Guillot Geneviève
Published: April 2019

This study aimed to show evidence of MR cross‐relaxation effects in cortical bone and to compare different MR sequences for the quantification of cross‐relaxation parameters.

Measurements were performed on bovine diaphysis samples with spectroscopic methods (inversion‐recovery, off‐resonance saturation) and with a variable flip angle (VFA) UTE imaging method on a 4.7 T laboratory‐assembled scanner. Cross‐relaxation parameter assessment was carried out via a two‐pool model simulation with a matrix algebra approach.

A proton signal amplitude of 28 Mol/L was observed (equivalent water fraction of 25%). It was attributed to collagen‐bound water, with
values of ~ 0.3 ms, a “long‐T2” proton pool, in exchange with protons from the collagen macromolecules (
of 10–20 μs). Magnetization transfer (MT) effects were detected with all sequences. The best precision of model parameters was obtained with off‐resonance saturation; the fraction of collagen methylene protons was found in the range of 22–28% and the transverse relaxation time for collagen methylene protons was 11 μs (1% precision).

The model parameters obtained were compatible with VFA‐UTE results but could not be assessed with acceptable accuracy and precision using this method. In vivo MT quantification using off‐resonance saturation with a single B1 amplitude and offset frequency may provide information about the relative amount of collagen per unit volume in cortical bone.
Synthesis and in situ functionalization of microfiltration membranes via high internal phase emulsion templating
Authors: Malakian Anna , Zhou Muchu , Zowada Ryan T , Foudazi Reza
Published: April 2019

The continuous phase of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) can be polymerized to produce highly porous materials, known as polyHIPEs. The aim of this work was to synthesize polyHIPE microfiltration membranes having a hydrophobic bulk and a hydrophilic surface to enhance their performance. Therefore, in situ functionalization was performed through interfacial copolymerization of a hydrophobic monomer (butyl acrylate) in the continuous phase with a hydrophilic monomer (sodium acrylate) in the disperse phase. The functionalization of polyHIPEs was studied by using conductometric titration and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. We show that the surface charge density of poly(butyl acrylate)‐based polyHIPEs can be controlled by varying the concentration of sodium acrylate in the disperse phase. PolyHIPE microfiltration membranes have higher intrinsic permeability (around 1.31 × 10−8 m2) in comparison to conventional microfiltration membranes. The interfacial copolymerization of sodium acrylate increases the permeability of microfiltration membranes. In addition, the rejection of polyHIPE microfiltration membranes was studied for the separation of microalgae. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Theoretical design on molecular tweezers of sodium cyanide by zinc porphyrin‐azo‐crown ether triads receptor
Authors: Li Hui , Zhang Ying , Jia Zishang , Wang Xueye
Published: April 2019

Theoretical study on a novel zinc porphyrin‐azobenzene‐crown ether triads receptor was explored. The(Z)‐5‐(4‐((4‐((4‐((4‐(1,4,7,10,13‐pentaoxacyclopentadecan‐2‐yl)benzyl)oxy)phenyl) diazenyl)phenoxy) methyl)phenyl)porphyrin (L1), the complex L2 (L1 with the metal ion Zn2+), and the corresponding complex L2 of ditopic receptor with sodium cyanide are investigated by density functional theory (DFT). The full optimized geometric structures are calculated at PBE0/6‐311G** level, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is used to study the interaction of L2 and L2·NaCN molecules. The absorption spectra of L1, L2, and L2·NaCN are studied by time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) and CAM‐B3LYP method. DFT calculations show that the geometric structure of compound L2 binding sodium cyanide change greatly. The absorption peak is significant red‐shifted because of the formation of a 1:1 complex with sodium cyanide. Furthermore, it demonstrates that novel zinc porphyrin‐azo‐crown ethimer triads L2 is suitable ditopic receptor to recognize sodium cyanide salt.
tau‐Fluvalinate and other pesticide residues in honey bees before overwintering
Authors: Erban Tomas , Vaclavikova Marta , Tomesova Daniela , Halesova Tatana , Hubert Jan
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Pesticides have often been linked to honey bee colony losses, which occur mainly over winter. In this study, we investigated residues in nine colonies at a model agricultural research site during the period before wintering. Moreover, we applied the acaricide tau‐fluvalinate to the colonies via a strip formulation. The pesticide content was determined by UHPLC‐QqQ‐MS/MS in bees from brood comb initially collected in mid‐September immediately prior to the start of tau‐fluvalinate treatment and 30 later at the time of tau‐fluvalinate strip removal.

RESULTS

In addition to commonly analyzed pesticides, we detected two plant growth regulators, chlormequat and metazachlor, in the bee colonies. Whereas thiacloprid, chlormequat and acetamiprid decreased after 30 days and contributed considerably to differences between sample time points, other pesticides appeared to be rather stable. Interestingly, we identified diazinon, which has been banned in the European Union since 2007. The residues of methiocarb sulfoxide and imidacloprid‐urea in the absence of their parent compounds indicate historical environmental contamination that can be identified by the detection of residues in a bee colony. tau‐Fluvalinate was detected only after the 30‐day treatment at an average (± SD) concentration of 1.29 ± 1.93 ng/bee, ranging from 0.06 to 7.13 ng/bee.

CONCLUSION

The multidimensional behavior of pesticides in a bee colony was indicated. Although the research area is used for agriculture, the measured pesticide level was relatively low. The recorded concentrations of tau‐fluvalinate should not be dangerous to bees, as the values were ∼ 200–5000‐fold lower than the reported median lethal dose (LD50) values. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Transport of Strongly Correlated Bosons in an Optical Lattice
Authors: Dhar Arya , Baals Christian , Santra Bodhaditya , Müllers Andreas , Labouvie Ralf , Mertz Thomas , Vasic Ivana , Cichy Agnieszka , Ott Herwig , Hofstetter Walter
Published: April 2019

The transport of strongly correlated bosons in a three‐dimensional optical lattice is studied within the Bose–Hubbard approximation. The transport is induced by a small displacement of the overall harmonic trapping potential. The subsequent relaxation dynamics is monitored by high precision density measurements with the help of scanning electron microscopy. Good agreement with a real space time‐dependent Gutzwiller mean‐field description is found.
Synthesis, Physicochemical Properties and Anti‐Fatigue Effect of Magnesium, Zinc and Chromium Polygalacturonate Based Composition
Authors: Milyukov Vasilii A. , Khabibullina Anna V. , Arkhipova Daria M. , Mironov Vladimir F. , Khamatgalimov Ayrat R. , Ryzhkina Irina S. , Murtazina Leysan I. , Mironova Lubov G. , Vyshtakalyuk Alexandra B. , Nemtarev Andrey V. , Nazarov Nail G. , Kholin Kirill V. , Nizameev Irek R. , Minzanova Salima T.
Published: April 2019

The present study is focused on the development of a composition based on three pectin metal complexes (NaMg‐PG, NaZn‐PG and NaCr‐PG) at a mass ratio 7:0.3:0.001. It was evaluated by the methods of infrared spectroscopy (IR spectroscopy), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and TEM‐EDS. The data, obtained by simultaneous thermal analysis and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, showed that water was the main component of the gas phase at the first stage of mass loss of the specified compounds, whereas further heating led to decarboxylation and degradation. The results of Forced Swim Test (FST) showed that the specified composition at the dose of 50–100 mg/kg contributed to the stimulation of an organism‘s adaptive capacity under intensive physical loads and could be considered as a potential adaptogen and stimulator of erythropoiesis that could normalize metabolism.
Fabrication and 3D Patterning of Bio‐Composite Consisting of Carboxymethylated Cellulose Nanofibers and Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles
Authors: Limaye Mukta V. , Sahoo Pradosh Kumar , Shirolkar Mandar , Singh Shashi B. , Khare Amit , Shao Yu‐Cheng , Chen Kuan‐Hung , Qiu Xian‐Sheng , Hsieh Shang‐Hsien , Rana Dhanvir Singh , Pong W. F.
Published: April 2019

In this work, flexible and free‐standing films of bio‐composite of carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers (CMCNF) and cobalt ferrite (CFO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been fabricated using in‐situ chemical route. Control over CFO fraction (1% ‐ 25%) in CMCNF matrix was achieved by adjusting volume of the iron and cobalt precursors. Free‐standing films of CMCNF‐CFO bio‐composite were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, spectroscopic, microscopic, thermal and Magnetic measurements. The Raman and X‐ray absorption near edge spectroscopy studies confirms the formation of CFO in CMCNF matrix. The microscopic studies revealed that CMCNF fibers are decorated with CFO NPs having size of the order of ∼ 25 nm. Comparison of the thermal properties of CMCNF and CMCNF ‐CFO composites shows that thermal stability improves as CFO content increases. Finally, preliminary results on a method to create 3D patterns of CMCNF ‐CFO nanocomposite having lateral dimensions ∼1.2 μm were presented that pave the way to new uses of bio‐composites.
Synthesize and Characterization of 2‐Aminothiazole Monomer and Polymer‐based Bifunctional Fe/N/C Catalysts for Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reactions
Authors: Zhang Qi , Jiang Hui , Niu Dongfang , Zhang Xinsheng , Sun Shigang , Hu Shuozhen
Published: April 2019

2‐aminothiazole monomer (AT‐monomer) and polymer (AT‐polymer) are utilized as the nitrogen source to synthesize the Fe/N/C catalysts. The polymerization effect of nitrogen source for Fe/N/C catalysts on their bifunctional activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is investigated. Both AT‐monomer‐Fe/N/C and AT‐polymer‐Fe/N/C contain pyridine N (including Fe−N) and graphitic N in the structure, resulting in displaying bifunctional activity toward ORR and CO2RR. The 2‐aminothiazole polymer structure is important to produce graphene structured nanosheets with higher amount of defect sites and more pyridinic N (including Fe−N) and graphitic N in AT‐polymer‐Fe/N/C than those in AT‐monomer‐Fe/N/C synthesized from 2‐aminothiazole monomers. With the structure advantages, AT‐polymer‐Fe/N/C displays superior bifunctional catalytic performance. It has higher catalytic efficiency than commercial Pt/C for ORR and high CO selectivity (92%) with 4.2 mA cm–2 at overpotential of 0.47 V for CO2RR than that of AT‐monomer‐Fe/N/C.
CoFe2O4@SiO2@Co(III) Salen Complex: A Magnetically Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Quinoline Derivatives in Water
Authors: Hemmat Kaveh , Nasseri Mohammad Ali , Allahresani Ali
Published: April 2019

In this study, a description is made upon the preparation, characterization and catalytic application of CoFe2O4@SiO2@Co(III) salen complex, i. e., Co(III) salen complex loaded on cobalt ferrite‐silica nanoparticle. TEM, SEM‐EDX, VSM, FT‐IR analyses were used to characterize the complex. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was also used to determine the thermal stability of the material. Using Scherrer's approximation, an average crystallite size is determined from the full width at half maximum of strongest reflection by powder X‐ray diffractometry (XRD). The efficiency is studied for CoFe2O4@SiO2@Co(III) salen complex in quinolines of various 1,3‐dicarbonyls synthesizing with 2‐aminobenzophenone. Good to excellent yields (85–96%) are given to corresponding products by excellent catalytic activity that is demonstrated by the nanocatalyst. Moreover, the investigation of CoFe2O4@SiO2@Co(III) salen complex revealed that nanocatalyst could be recovered and reused at least five times without any appreciable decrease in activity and selectivity. This confirms its high efficiency and high stability under the reaction conditions and during recycling stages.
Catalytic Enhancement of Aldol Condensation by Oxygen Vacancy on CeO2 Catalysts
Authors: Liang Zhe , Jiang Dahao , Fang Geqian , Leng Wenhua , Tu Pengxiang , Tong Yuqin , Liu Liu , Ni Jun , Li Xiaonian
Published: April 2019

Aldol condensation is a very useful reaction for biomass upgrading by coupling small molecule platform compounds into high value‐added products. Here we choose acetaldehyde (AcH) condensation, the rate‐determining step in bioethanol transformations, as a targeted reaction, and prepared four CeO2 catalysts with different concentrations of surface oxygen vacancies to investigate the role of oxygen vacancies in this reaction. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to demonstrate that there is a linear correlation between the activity of aldol condensation and the concentration of oxygen vacancies. Based on in‐situ FTIR studies, we conclude that oxygen vacancies are the Lewis acid sites for activation and stabilization of AcH, while lattice oxygen act as base sites for the formation of enolate species which are the key intermediates for AcH coupling reactions. Moreover, the proposed reaction mechanism indicates that Ce cations which are weak Lewis acid sites are not involved in the AcH condensation.
Studies on CuCe0.75Zr0.25Ox preparation using bacterial cellulose and its application in toluene complete oxidation
Authors: Yan Ningna , Hao Qinglan , Zhao Chenchen , Yang Deyu , Dou Baojuan , Hui K.S. , Hui Kwun Nam
Published: April 2019

A series of CuCe0.75Zr0.25Ox catalysts (CCZ) were synthesized based on the environmental‐friendly bacterial cellulose (BC) by using the sol‐gel method. The corresponding synthesis mechanism, physicochemical properties of the catalysts and catalytic performances for toluene oxidation were comprehensively studied. In the presence of BC without sugar, the CCZ−A synthesized by ethanol‐gel exhibits better catalytic activity than the CCZ−W synthesized by water‐gel, which may be due to the different roles of BC in different solvents. However, it is worth noting that the graft copolymerization between BC and active metal (Ce4+, Cu2+) is the same process in both water‐gel and ethanol‐gel. The activity of CCZ‐SW synthesized by water‐gel using BC with sugar is obviously higher than that of CCZ−W and CCZ−A. The temperature of complete degradation of toluene over CCZ‐SW is 205 °C, which is 35 °C lower than that of CCZ−W. The results from BET, Raman and H2‐TPR indicate that the larger the specific surface area, the more oxygen vacancies and better low‐temperature reducibility, that are mainly responsible for the excellent activity of CCZ‐SW. The existence of sugar in BC could hinder the agglomeration of active metal particles during the calcination process. Combined with the results of in situ DRIFT, the adsorbed toluene on the catalyst surface is oxidized into alkoxide, aldehydic and carboxylic acid species as intermediates before the complete oxidation into CO2 and H2O.
Low Electron Carrier Concentration Near the p‐n Junction Interface: A Fundamental Factor Limiting Short‐Circuit Current of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Xian , Yuan Zhen‐Kun , Chen Shiyou
Published: April 2019

A spike‐like conduction‐band offset (CBO) in heterojunction solar cells is shown to limit the short‐circuit current density (JSC) dramatically when the spike height is large. It is widely believed that the spike‐like CBO produces a potential barrier, which resists the photogenerated carriers flowing through the junction interface and thus decreases JSC. However, our device simulation studies on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells reveal that a large spike‐like CBO causes an extremely low electron carrier concentration in the near‐interface region of the buffer layer, which is the major factor that limits the carrier transport and thus JSC. If the near‐interface electron concentration is increased, JSC can be increased despite the fact that the large spike‐like CBO and potential barrier are still present. These results indicate that the near‐interface electron concentration is the fundamental factor limiting the JSC, more fundamental than the potential barrier. Therefore, not only the commonly adopted band‐alignment engineering, but also various other methods, for example, choosing buffer materials with suitable effective density of states, introducing favorable interface defects, or increasing the doping level, can be adopted for improving the current collection in heterojunction solar cells. Therefore, JSC can always be increased even when the large spike‐like CBO is inevitable.
Enantioseparation of basic drugs by capillary electrochromatography using a stationary phase of transfersomes
Authors: Huang Zhifeng , Du Yingxiang , Li Xiaoqi , Sun Xiaodong , Feng Zijie , Ma Xiaofei
Published: April 2019

Transfersomes, a special kind of phospholipid vesicles with higher deformability and flexibility, were applied as coating material to prepare a transfersomes‐coated capillary column. A capillary electrochromatography enantioseparation system based on the new transfersomes‐coated column with carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin added to the running buffer as a chiral selector was established for the first time. Compared with a bare column, three basic drugs achieved baseline separation with better resolution (3.17 for Propranolol, 2.38 for Metoprolol, 2.34 for Esmolol) in this transfersomes‐electrochromatography system. Several important parameters including concentration of chiral selector, buffer pH and applied voltage were systematically investigated to provide the optimal separation condition. This study constructed a flexible and efficient enantioseparation electrochromatography system with a small amount of transfersomes, and showed that transfersomes as the stationary phase could efficiently improve chiral separation effect.
Estimation of compressive strength of stirrup‐confined circular columns using artificial neural networks
Authors: Chang Wei , Zheng Wenzhong
Published: April 2019

In concrete structures design, the compressive strength of circular concrete columns confined by spiral stirrups is an important mechanical property in evaluating the performance of concrete structures. However, evaluating the compressive strength of confined concrete columns is rich in challenge due to the complex mechanics between the concrete and the transverse reinforcements. The objective of this paper is to establish an artificial neural network (ANN) model to evaluate the compressive strength of concrete columns confined by transverse reinforcements. The model proposed in this study is suitable for both normal‐strength and high‐strength concrete columns, covering concrete strengths were in the range of 19.1–151 MPa. Three main influential parameters, including the tensile yield strength and the volumetric ratio of the transverse reinforcements, as well as the concrete strength, were applied as input variables to the model. The ANN model was trained and tested by a reliable database consisting of 240 data sets obtained from authors and published literature. The proposed ANN model used to predict the compressive strength of circular concrete columns confined by spiral stirrup had high applicability and reliability compared with existing analytical models.
Licochalcone A induces apoptotic cell death via JNK/p38 activation in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
Authors: Chuang Chun‐Yi , Tang Cheng‐Ming , Ho Hsin‐Yu , Hsin Chung‐Han , Weng Chia‐Jui , Yang Shun‐Fa , Chen Pei‐Ni , Lin Chiao‐Wen
Published: April 2019

Licochalcone A is widely studied in different fields and possesses antiasthmatic, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer properties. Its antimalignancy activity on renal, liver, lung, and oral cancer has been explored. However, limited studies have been conducted on the inhibitory effects of licochalcone A in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. We determined cell viability using MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic cell death were measured via flow cytometry. Caspase activation and mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐related proteins in nasopharyngeal cancer cells in response to licochalcone A were identified by Western blot analysis. Results indicated that licochalcone A reduces cell viability and induces apoptosis, as evidenced by the upregulation of caspase‐8 and caspase‐9, caspase‐3 activation, and cleaved‐poly ADP‐ribose polymerase expression. Treatment with licochalcone A significantly increases ERK1/2, p38, and JNK1/2 activation. Co‐administration of a JNK inhibitor (JNK‐IN‐8) or p38 inhibitor (SB203580) abolishes the activation of caspase‐9, caspase‐8, and caspase‐3 protein expression during licochalcone A treatment. These findings indicate that licochalcone A exerts a cytostatic effect through apoptosis by targeting the JNK/p38 pathway in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Therefore, licochalcone A is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of human nasopharyngeal cancer cells.
The effective practices of mobile phone producers' green supply chain management in reducing GHG emissions
Authors: Migdadi Yazan Khalid Abed‐Allah
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study is to identify management practices that effectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with regard to the green supply chain adopted by mobile phone producers. Six cases were surveyed (Apple, Samsung, LG, Huawei, Nokia, and ZTE). The main source of data was sustainability reports, which were retrieved from the Global Reporting Initiative database. A special data analysis technique called rank analysis was adopted. The results revealed that the effective practices to reduce GHG 1 emissions were related to production process and business travel; those that were effective for reducing GHG 2 emissions were related to facilities accreditation and energy saving; and those effective in reducing GHG 3 emissions were related to logistics and customer practices. No effective actions related to the management of relationships with suppliers were identified by this study. Indicative models for the relationship between actions and GHG emissions were developed, as was a value‐stream map. The previous studies reporting the effective practices in other industries reported results for reducing GHG 1 or GHG 3, or overall GHG emissions, without discriminating among the actions taken to reduce such emissions, although some limited actions were reported. This study describes the effective practices along the whole supply chain—both upstream and downstream—and it also lists the actions related to addressing all the emissions, whether GHG 1, 2, or 3.
Spatially modulated and supersymmetric deformations of ABJM theory
Authors: Arav Igal , Gauntlett Jerome P. , Roberts Matthew M. , Rosen Christopher
Published: April 2019

Abstract

We construct supersymmetric solutions of D = 11 supergravity, preserving 1/4 of the supersymmetry, that are holographically dual to ABJM theory which has been deformed by spatially varying mass terms depending on one of the two spatial directions. We show that the BPS equations reduce to the Helmholtz equation on the complex plane leading to rich classes of new solutions. In particular, the construction gives rise to infinite classes of supersymmetric boomerang RG flows, as well as generalising a known Janus solution.
Correction to: Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy: Importance of the Intraoperative Management of the Parathyroid Glands
Authors: Ponce de León‐Ballesteros Guillermo , Velázquez‐Fernández David , Hernández‐Calderón F. Javier , Bonilla‐Ramírez Carlos , Pérez‐Soto Rafael H. , Pantoja Juan Pablo , Sierra Mauricio , Herrera Miguel F.
Published: April 2019

In the original version of the article, the last three column headings in Table 3 were mislabeled. The original article has been corrected. Following is the corrected table:
Integrated data reduction model in wireless sensor networks
Authors: El-Sayed Walaa M. , El-Bakry Hazem M. , El-Sayed Salah M.
Published: April 2019

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are periodically collecting data through randomly dispersed sensors (motes), which typically consume high energy in radio communication that mainly leans on data transmission within the network. Furthermore, dissemination mode in WSN usually produces noisy values, incorrect measurements or missing information that affect the behaviour of WSN. In this article, a Distributed Data Predictive Model (DDPM) was proposed to extend the network lifetime by decreasing the consumption in the energy of sensor nodes. It was built upon a distributive clustering model for predicting dissemination-faults in WSN. The proposed model was developed using Recursive least squares (RLS) adaptive filter integrated with a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter, for removing unwanted reflections and noise accompanying of the transferred signals among the sensors, aiming to minimize the size of transferred data for providing energy efficient. The experimental results demonstrated that DDPM reduced the rate of data transmission to ∼20%. Also, it decreased the energy consumption to 95% throughout the dataset sample and upgraded the performance of the sensory network by about 19.5%. Thus, it prolonged the lifetime of the network.
Art as the practice of freedom: Critical alliances and professional identities within art librarianship
Authors: Meeks Amanda
Published: April 2019

This article explores issues of developing individual and collective professional identities within art librarianship, with an emphasis on art librarians’ relationship to art and art-making. By having more honest conversations around what art does, what artists do and how they function in society, we can challenge deeply held assumptions about art librarianship; in particular, that our work is somehow removed from the political and social contexts in which we perform it. Through critical interventions within our profession we can develop a better understanding and definition of our relationship to art and artists in order to situate ourselves within current art practices. We can then build impactful relationships and social justice-oriented solidarity with creative practitioners and artists who are actively challenging structural oppression and promoting social justice through their work.
Eros in the library: Considering the aesthetics of knowledge organization
Authors: Adler Melissa
Published: April 2019

Privileging the aesthetic aspects of knowledge organization through a feminist historical lens may open possibilities for reimagining a library's space. This paper reveals the history of a relatively unknown figure in the history of knowledge organization. I will suggest that we might regard Pamphila, a miscellanist who lived in Greece during the 1stcentury, as a ‘radical cataloguer’ who introduced a method associated with weaving and embroidery. Her organizational method privileged beauty and pleasure, along with historical accuracy and usefulness.

A version of this paper was presented as a keynote speech for the annual conference of ARLIS UK & Ireland in July 2018. The author would like to thank the coordinators for their hospitality and feedback.
The library examined: A workshop collaboration between OOMK, Thick/er Black Lines and Senate House Library
Authors: Byrne Laurence , Kassir Leila , Khaireh Hudda , Lamara Heiba
Published: April 2019

The Library Examined was a workshop held in January 2018 at Senate House Library, University of London. The workshop was designed and facilitated by Heiba Lamara and Rose Nordin from OOMK and Hudda Khaireh from Thick/er Black Lines in discussion with Laurence Byrne and Leila Kassir, Research Librarians at Senate House Library. The Library Examined was aimed at non-library-card-holders with the ambition to help demystify library processes and spaces and to provide a forum for the discussion and critiquing of the organisation of knowledge within the library. This article describes in the first three sections the librarians’ view of the workshop and why it was initiated, before Heiba and Hudda outline their invitation and research, and the workshop itself.

A version of this paper was presented at the annual conference of ARLIS UK & Ireland held at the Architectural Association, London, in July 2018.
Firms, Ex-offenders, and Communities: A Stakeholder Capability Enhancement Perspective
Authors: Goodstein Jerry
Published: April 2019

This article contributes to the business ethics literature by applying and extending an emerging theoretical perspective—stakeholder capability enhancement (Westermann-Behaylo, Van Buren, & Berman, 2016)—to previously unexplored areas of business ethics inquiry related to work, dignity, and relationships between firms, ex-offenders, and other stakeholders. In particular, I direct attention to ex-offenders as critical community-based stakeholders pursuing employment opportunities with employers in these communities. I discuss how prevailing hiring practices in firms restrict opportunities for ex-offenders to obtain meaningful work and undermine stakeholder capabilities and dignity. I consider three primary pathways for expanding employment opportunities for ex-offenders, enhancing the capabilities and dignity of ex-offenders and other community-based stakeholders, and maintaining critical employer rights. The article concludes with a discussion of potential directions for future research.
Frequent emergency department use and mortality in patients with substance and opioid use in Alberta: A population-based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Moe Jessica , Camargo Carlos A. , Davis Roger B. , Jelinski Susan , Rowe Brian H.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

In the current opioid epidemic, identifying high-risk patients among those with substance and opioid use may prevent deaths. The objective of this study was to determine whether frequent emergency department (ED) use and degree of frequent use are associated with mortality among ED patients with substance and opioid use.

Methods

This cohort study used linked population-based ED (National Ambulatory Care Reporting System) and mortality data from Alberta. All adults ≥ 18 years with substance or opioid use-related visits based on diagnostic codes from April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, were included (n = 16,389). Frequent use was defined by ≥ 5 visits in the previous year. Outcomes were unadjusted and adjusted (for age, sex, income) mortality within 90 days (primary), and 30 days, 365 days, and 2 years (secondary). To examine degree, frequent use was subcategorized into 5–10, 11–15, 16–20, and > 20 visits.

Results

Frequent users were older, lower income, and made lower acuity visits than non-frequent users. Frequent users with substance use had higher mortality at 365 days (hazard ratio [HR] 1.36 [1.04, 1.77]) and 2 years (HR 1.32 [1.04, 1.67]), but not at 90 or 30 days. Mortality did not differ for frequent users with opioid use overall. By degree, patients with substance use and > 20 visits/year and with opioid use and 16–20 visits/year demonstrated a higher 365-day and 2-year mortality.

Conclusions

Among patients with substance use, frequent ED use and extremely frequent use (> 20 visits/year) were associated with long-term but not short-term mortality. These findings suggest a role for targeted screening and preventive intervention.
Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control practices in long-term care facilities—Pennsylvania, 2017
Authors: M’ikanatha Nkuchia M. , Boktor Sameh W. , Seid Arlene , Kunselman Allen R , Han Jennifer H.
Published: April 2019

In 2017, we surveyed long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania regarding antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Among 244 responding facilities, 93% had IPC programs and 47% had antimicrobial stewardship programs. There was significant variation in practices across facilities, and a number of program implementation challenges were identified.
Direct AMS 14C Analysis of Carbonate
Authors: Hua Quan , Levchenko Vladimir A , Kosnik Matthew A
Published: April 2019

We have investigated the possibility of direct accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) measurement of carbonate samples at ANSTO using the STAR 2 MV tandem accelerator. Each carbonate sample was powdered, mixed with metal powder and pressed into an aluminum cathode for direct carbonate measurement by AMS 14C. Of the three high-purity metal powders (Fe, Nb, and Ag) used in our investigation, Nb was found to be the best metal, which delivered higher carbon beam currents and lower background. Beam currents for targets containing the optimal carbonate mass of 1.5–2.0 mg were ∼8% of those obtained from graphite targets of standard size (>0.5 mg C). Typical measured blank for Carrara marble (IAEA-C1) of ∼40 ka was obtained. Background-corrected 14C values of carbonate targets agreed well with their associated values obtained from high-precision analysis of graphite targets within 2σ uncertainties. Typical precision of this rapid AMS analysis was ∼1% for samples <8 ka. Despite lower precision for carbonate target ages (compared to standard graphite target ages), these ages are useful for palaeobiological applications where a large number of dates are required, such as time-averaging studies.
Ki-67 index as a predictor of vestibular schwannoma regrowth or recurrence
Authors: Prueter J , Norvell D , Backous D
Published: April 2019

Background

Ki-67 is a monoclonal antibody that provides a means of evaluating the growth fraction of normal and neoplastic human cell populations. A Ki-67 index of less than 3 per cent is expected for a typical schwannoma. Vestibular schwannomas with an index of greater than 3 per cent are presumed to be actively proliferating and pose a theoretically higher risk for regrowth or recurrence.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted. Ki-67 staining was performed and specimens were divided into two groups according to Ki-67 activity: less than 3 per cent (low index), and 3 per cent or greater (elevated index).

Results

Eight patients (53.3 per cent) with elevated Ki-67 had recurrence or regrowth, versus five (8.5 per cent) in the low Ki-67 group. Among the 13 patients with recurrence or regrowth, the average Ki-67 value was 4.3 per cent. Among the 61 patients without recurrence or regrowth, the average Ki-67 value was 1.0 per cent.

Conclusion

The Ki-67 labelling index reliably identifies vestibular schwannomas with an elevated potential for recurrence or regrowth in subtotal or total resection cases. In patients with a Ki-67 index greater than 3 per cent, more frequent clinical examination and radiological follow up are recommended.
Prospective study of polygenic risk, protective factors, and incident depression following combat deployment in US Army soldiers
Authors: Choi Karmel W. , Chen Chia-Yen , Ursano Robert J. , Sun Xiaoying , Jain Sonia , Kessler Ronald C. , Koenen Karestan C. , Wang Min-Jung , Wynn Gary H. ,   Major Depressive Disorder Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, Campbell-Sills Laura , Stein Murray B. , Smoller Jordan W.
Published: April 2019

Background

Whereas genetic susceptibility increases the risk for major depressive disorder (MDD), non-genetic protective factors may mitigate this risk. In a large-scale prospective study of US Army soldiers, we examined whether trait resilience and/or unit cohesion could protect against the onset of MDD following combat deployment, even in soldiers at high polygenic risk.

Methods

Data were analyzed from 3079 soldiers of European ancestry assessed before and after their deployment to Afghanistan. Incident MDD was defined as no MDD episode at pre-deployment, followed by a MDD episode following deployment. Polygenic risk scores were constructed from a large-scale genome-wide association study of major depression. We first examined the main effects of the MDD PRS and each protective factor on incident MDD. We then tested the effects of each protective factor on incident MDD across strata of polygenic risk.

Results

Polygenic risk showed a dose–response relationship to depression, such that soldiers at high polygenic risk had greatest odds for incident MDD. Both unit cohesion and trait resilience were prospectively associated with reduced risk for incident MDD. Notably, the protective effect of unit cohesion persisted even in soldiers at highest polygenic risk.

Conclusions

Polygenic risk was associated with new-onset MDD in deployed soldiers. However, unit cohesion – an index of perceived support and morale – was protective against incident MDD even among those at highest genetic risk, and may represent a potent target for promoting resilience in vulnerable soldiers. Findings illustrate the value of combining genomic and environmental data in a prospective design to identify robust protective factors for mental health.
Some thoughts on curriculum in music education
Authors: FAUTLEY MARTIN , DAUBNEY ALISON
Published: April 2019

Curriculum is currently a big issue in England. What a school-based music curriculum should entail, what sorts of things should be taught and learned, and what makes for good learning experiences are all under consideration. One of the issues that crops up in England, and possibly in other jurisdictions too, when these sorts of discussions take place, involves considerations of what sorts of music children and young people should be involved with, what should they learn, and what is important for schools to be teaching. This immediately places discussions beyond what might be termed the strictly musical, and into the area of values. What music is valued by education systems, and what music should be foregrounded in educational settings become a significant arena of contention. This is especially the case when politicians become involved, as they will often have fixed or politically-motivated views about what they think should be taught and learned in school music classes. As ever, the pages of the BJME provide some interesting views on this matter, and so it is worth a brief trawl through the archives. The BJME home page search engine on the website produces 168 results for the term “curriculum”, so clearly this will be a highly selective sampling from these rich pickings in this editorial.
Looking at Lear: the Voice Work and Direction of Cicely Berry
Authors: Jones Nesta
Published: April 2019

Since her death on 15 October 2018 at the age of 92 many tributes have been paid to Cicely Berry, and no doubt more will follow. Her legacy is assured, however, through the many actors, directors, and young people she encouraged, inspired, and transformed during her long and illustrious career as Director of Voice (and subsequently Advis ory Director) of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and other organizations where she shared her practice internationally, often with the assistance of translators in order to work in the language of the host communities. Moreover, her words and a myriad of examples of exercises on voice and text processes remain in print and on digital media for the benefit of future generations.1 In this article, Nesta Jones focuses on one specific piece of work and moment in time. Cicely Berry had directed a touring production of Hamlet for the Education Department at the National Theatre in 1986, with Tim McInnerny in the title role; then, two years later, came the production appraised in detail here – King Lear for the RSC, first staged at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1988, and at the Almeida Theatre, London, in 1989. Nesta Jones recently retired as Professor and Director of Research at Rose Bruford College ot Theatre and Performance, and was previously Reader in Theatre Arts at Goldsmiths, University of London.