bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Gastrostomy Tube Placement on Short‐Term Weight Gain in Hospitalized Premature Infants
Authors: Puia‐Dumitrescu Mihai , Benjamin Daniel K. , Smith P. Brian , Greenberg Rachel G. , Abuzaid Nada , Andrews Winsome , Chellani Kris , Gupta Anjali , Price Douglas , Williams Ciara , Malcolm William F. , Clark Reese H. , Zimmerman Kanecia O.
Published: March 2019

Background

Gastrostomy tube (G‐tube) placement is a long‐term alternative to oral or nasogastric feeding for premature infants who cannot safely feed orally or need supplemental nutrition for adequate growth.

Methods

We compared daily weight changes for G‐tube infants 14 and 30 days preplacement and postplacement, excluding the first 7 days post–G‐tube insertion. Infants <37 weeks of gestation without major congenital anomalies and discharged from 327 United States neonatal intensive care units (2004–2013) were included. Incidence of in‐hospital outcomes including hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or 4, necrotizing enterocolitis, and patent ductus arteriosus ligation was examined. Additionally, we estimated a treatment effect model in which infants with a G‐tube were matched 1:1 to untreated controls based on propensity scores; main outcome was the average treatment effect (weight gain) for treated infants during the 7, 14, or 30 days immediately prior to discharge.

Results

Of 329,254 infants, 1393 (0.4%) received a G‐tube, increasing from 0.2% in 2004 to 0.6% in 2013. Daily weight gain was significantly less during days 8–14 postplacement compared with 14 days preplacement but was similar between 30 days preplacement and 8–30 days postplacement. After matching, G‐tube infant weight gain during the 7 days predischarge was less than among controls, but there was no difference in weight gain between treated and control patients for 14 days and 30 days predischarge.

Conclusions

The prevalence of G‐tube placement has increased. G‐tube use in infants was not associated with improved short‐term daily weight gain.
Reduction of phytic acid, aflatoxins and other mycotoxins in wheat during germination
Authors: Pakfetrat Sara , Amiri Sedigheh , Radi Mohsen , Abedi Elahe , Torri Luisa
Published: March 2019

Background

Wheat grains are susceptible to infection by various toxigenic fungal species that produce toxic metabolites called mycotoxins. This makes wheat one of the most important daily dietary sources of mycotoxins for consumers. As germination is popularly used to improve the nutritional quality of grains, the present study was carried out to understand its effect on the toxin content of wheat seeds. For this purpose, wheat grains were spiked with ochratoxin A (OTA; 5 μg kg−1), aflatoxins B2 and G2 (5 μg kg−1), zearalenone (ZEA; 20 μg kg−1), aflatoxins B1 and G1 (20 μg kg−1) and deoxynivalenol (DON; 50 μg kg−1) in separate experiments. Thereafter, the grains were germinated and analyzed for toxin content during 14 days of germination using a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.

Results

ZEA content did not change significantly until 14 days. The maximum reductions of DON, OTA and aflatoxins at days 10–14 of germination were 39, 38, 41 (B1), 60 (B2), 33 (G1) and 62% (G2) respectively. A 63% reduction of phytic acid at 14 days was observed, according to Fe2+ bioavailability. For all toxins (except ZEA), there were no significant differences in reduction after day 10.

Conclusion

Germination for 10 days might be sufficient to achieve an appropriate decrease in toxin content. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound in the Assessment of Parotid Duct Stenosis
Authors: Goncalves Miguel , Mantsopoulos Konstantinos , Schapher Mirco , Iro Heinrich , Koch Michael
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Parotid duct stenosis may occur with or without accompanying ductal anomalies, with associated differences in their pathogenesis and management. By identifying the characteristics of a stenosis, ultrasound (US) can assist in tailored management of parotid duct stenosis. The objective of this study was therefore to describe the US characteristics of parotid duct stenoses and to evaluate criteria for whether and in what ways these can be distinguished from each other by using US.

Methods

A total of 108 patients who presented with parotid duct stenoses (130 parotid glands) were examined with high‐resolution US between 2014 and 2017. The stenoses were assessed for duct dilatation, location, signs of ductal anomalies (circular encroachments/webs, duct bending/kinking, and presence of a megaduct) and the echogenicity of the gland parenchyma.

Results

Ultrasound was able to distinguish between stenoses associated with ductal anomalies and those without anomalies. Webs (82.5% versus 7.8%; P < .001), kinking (75.0% versus 3.3%; P < .001), and a megaduct (87.50% versus 15.63%; P < .001) and a tendency toward normal echogenicity in the gland parenchyma (77.5% versus 25.6%; P < .001) were significantly associated with ductal anomalies. Stenoses associated with ductal anomalies also had significantly larger duct diameters in comparison with those without anomalies (mean ± SD, 9.19 ± 3.65 versus 3.27 ± 2.17 mm; P < .001).

Conclusions

This study describes US parameters that allow more detailed characterization of parotid stenoses with or without accompanying ductal anomalies. Differentiating between these at an early stage may be helpful for decision making on the further management in these patients.
The importance of advertising skepticism for brand extension appeals
Authors: Hernandez José Mauro da Costa , Wright Scott A. , Affonso Felipe M.
Published: March 2019

According to existing research, ad persuasiveness decreases as advertising skepticism (i.e., the tendency to disbelieve advertising claims) increases. What remains unclear, however, is whether or not this effect extends to brand extension appeals. We suggest that the effect may vary according to brand extension similarity. Three studies test this assertion while providing process evidence and boundary conditions for the proposed effect. According to the findings, consumers automatically transfer associations from parent brands to highly similar extensions or automatically block these associations in the case of highly dissimilar extensions—reducing the impact of advertising skepticism on ad persuasiveness. At moderate levels, however, extension similarity is less predictive of the transfer process, increasing the negative effect of advertising skepticism on persuasion. Consistent with this account, the results identify brand transfer (i.e., the ability of the parent brand to make the extension) as the underlying mechanism explaining the advertising skepticism effect for moderately similar brand extension appeals. Furthermore, the results show how marketers can reduce these effects, and increase extension success, by emphasizing extension attributes that are shared with the parent brand. Collectively, these results provide a unique theoretical view, improving our understanding of advertising skepticism and the drivers of brand extension success.
Functional analysis of haplotypes and promoter activity at the 5′ region of the human GABRB3 gene and associations with schizophrenia
Authors: Liu Yi , Ding Mei , Liu Yong‐ping , Zhang Xi‐cen , Xing Jia‐xin , Xuan Jin‐feng , Xia Xi , Yao Jun , Wang Bao‐jie
Published: March 2019

Background

This study investigated the effects of haplotypes T‐G and C‐A derived from NG_012836.1:g.4160T>C and NG_012836.1:g.4326G>A on protein expression levels in vitro and identified the functional sequence in the regulatory region of the GABRB3 gene linked to possible associations with schizophrenia.

Methods

Recombinant plasmids with haplotypes T‐G and C‐A and 10 recombinant vectors containing deletion fragments from the GABRB3 gene 5′ regulatory region were transfected into HEK‐293, SK‐N‐SH, and SH‐SY5Y cells. The relative fluorescence intensity of the two haplotypes and different sequences was compared using a dual luciferase reporter assay system.

Results

The relative fluorescence intensity of haplotype C‐A was significantly lower than that of T‐G. We shortened the core promoter sequence of the GABRB3 gene 5′ regulation region from −177 bp to −18 bp (ATG+1). We also found an expression suppression region from −1,735 bp to −1,638 bp and an enhanced regulatory region from −1,638 bp to −1,335 bp. Multiple inhibitory functional elements were identified in the region from −680 bp to −177 bp.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that haplotype C‐A might increase the risk of schizophrenia and found multiple regulatory regions that had an effect on GABRB3 receptor expression.
Literature review finds autism diagnosis reduction under DSM‐5
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2019

Researchers observing a need to address the gaps on the impact of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM‐5) on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis conducted a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis to determine the change in frequency of autism diagnosis in the first five years following publication of the revised DSM‐5 ASD criteria.
Experimental and numerical study of the damage process inRCbeam‐column sub‐assemblages during a progressive collapse scenario
Authors: Chen Wen , Forquin Pascal
Published: March 2019

In the present paper, the collapse resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) beam‐column sub‐assemblages subjected to a middle column removal scenario is investigated on the basis of experimental tests and numerical calculations. For the experimental programme, three one‐third scale substructures are designed with two types of longitudinal steel rebar to observe the influence of rebar detailing on the global structural behaviour. The structure under consideration is composed of a two‐bay beam, and a middle column lies on two sliding‐pin connections to prevent a catenary action mechanism. A digital image correlation (DIC) technique was employed with the experiments to observe the growth of cracks. In addition, numerical simulations using the finite element method (FEM) were also done. The Denoual‐Forquin‐Hild (DFH) anisotropic damage model is used to simulate the behaviour of the concrete, whereas a plasticity model is used for the steel rebars. The numerical simulations are compared with experimental data in terms of structural yield strength, change in stiffness and crack propagation, and better agreement is observed when a weakening of the concrete due to beam stirrups is taken into account.
Simulation of discrete cracks driven by nearly incompressible fluid via 2D combined finite‐discrete element method
Authors: Lei Zhou , Rougier Esteban , Munjiza Antonio , Viswanathan Hari , Knight Earl E.
Published: March 2019

In this work, we propose a novel hydraulic solver in order to simulate key mechanisms that control fluid‐driven cracks in the framework of the combined finite‐discrete element method (FDEM). The main innovative aspect of the present work is the independence of the fluid's critical time step size with the fracture opening. This advantage is extremely important because it means that very fine meshes can be used around areas of interest, such as boreholes, without penalizing the computational cost as fractures propagate (ie, open) and the fluid flows through them. This is a great advantage over other recently introduced approaches that exhibit a dependency of the time step in the form of Δtcrit ∝ (l/a)2 where l is the element size and a is the fracture aperture. This paper presents a series of benchmark cases for the proposed solver. The rationale adopted by the authors was to benchmark and validate the implementation of the hydraulic solver in an incremental fashion, starting from the simplest cases and building in complexity. The results shown in this work clearly demonstrate that the proposed approach is able to reproduce analytical results for fluid flow through a single crack. The results presented in this paper also demonstrate that the new approach is robust enough to deal with complex fracture patterns and complex geometries; the obtained fluid‐driven fracture patterns in the vicinity of a borehole certainly stand to the scrutiny of human visual perception.
The accuracy of date of death recording in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database in England compared with the Office for National Statistics death registrations
Authors: Gallagher Arlene M. , Dedman Daniel , Padmanabhan Shivani , Leufkens Hubert G. M. , de Vries Frank
Published: March 2019

Purpose

It is not clear whether all deaths are recorded in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) or how accurate a recorded date of death is. Individual‐level linkage with national data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) in England offers the opportunity to compare death information across different data sources.

Methods

Age‐standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) standardised to the European Standard Population (ESP) 2013 for CPRD were compared with figures published by the ONS, and crude mortality rates were calculated for a sample population with individual linkage between CPRD, ONS, and HES data. Agreement on the fact of death between CPRD and ONS was assessed and presented over time from 1998 to 2013.

Results

There were 33 997 patients with a record of death in the ONS data; 33 389 (98.2%) of these were also identified in CPRD. Exact agreement on the death date between CPRD and the ONS was 69.7% across the whole study period, increasing from 53.4% in 1998 to 78.0% in 2013. By 2013, 98.8% of deaths were in agreement within ±30 days.

Conclusions

For censoring follow‐up and calculating mortality rates, CPRD data are likely to be sufficient, as a delay in death recording of up to 1 month is unlikely to impact results significantly. Where the exact date of death or the cause is important, it may be advisable to include the individually linked death registration data from the ONS.
The diversion of nonscheduled psychoactive prescription medications in the United States, 2002 to 2017
Authors: Kurtz Steven P. , Buttram Mance E. , Margolin Zachary R. , Wogenstahl Kevin
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Systematic studies of the diversion of nonscheduled drugs, except for gabapentin, are not apparent. We searched diversion case reports of all other nonscheduled psychoactive prescription drugs in the Researched Abuse, Diversion, and Addiction‐Related Surveillance (RADARS) System.

Methods

Case report data are drawn from a quarterly survey of prescription drug diversion completed by a national sample of law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Rates of diversion per 100 000 population were calculated for each year from 2002 to 2017 for prescription medications with greater than 400 reported cases during the period.

Results

Cyclobenzaprine, quetiapine, and trazodone met criteria for analysis. We found a significant and steady increase in the diversion of each drug over the period. The 2017 annual rates of diversion per 100 000 population for the three medications range from 0.0428 to 0.0726. Although these rates of diversion are much lower than the rate for total opioid analgesics, they are all more than five times higher in 2017 compared with 2002. While diversion rates for opioids have decreased in recent years, rates for cyclobenzaprine, quetiapine, and trazodone have continued to increase.

Conclusions

A common attribute of the three nonscheduled drugs studied here is that all are used for the treatment and/or self‐treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms, and the increasing diversion of these drugs may be related to the ongoing opioid epidemic and to increasing levels of control over pharmaceutical opioid availability in the United States. Prescribers need to be aware of illicit markets for these medications and prescribe to their patients with appropriate caution.
Design of low‐concentration static III‐V/Si partial CPV module with 27.3% annual efficiency for car‐roof application
Authors: Sato Daisuke , Lee Kan‐Hua , Araki Kenji , Masuda Taizo , Yamaguchi Masafumi , Yamada Noboru
Published: March 2019

A low‐concentration static III‐V/Si partial concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module for area‐limited car roofs was designed and experimentally demonstrated. The concentrator lens geometry was optimized for an incidence‐angle dependency of annual global irradiance on a car‐roof (horizontal‐flat) surface by considering arbitrary car orientations. The designed lens with a geometrical concentration ratio of 3.5× for III‐V triple‐junction (3‐junction) cells can collect 46.6% and 36.4% of the annual irradiation onto a III‐V 3‐juction and Si cells, respectively, which are located under the III‐V cell. The module design was validated by indoor and outdoor tests using a prototype submodule. The results show that the present module can potentially achieve up to 27.3% annual module efficiency, as projected from the actual daily submodule efficiency of 20.8% assuming state‐of‐the‐art record cell efficiency. Furthermore, the outdoor test on a real curved car roof demonstrated that the effect of the curved surface on the power generation performance is comparable with that of a conventional PV module.
PROMIS Physical and Emotional Health Scores Are Worse in Musculoskeletal Patients Presenting to Physiatrists than to Other Orthopedic Specialists
Authors: Cheng Abby L. , Calfee Ryan , Colditz Graham , Prather Heidi
Published: March 2019

Background

Physiatrists’ unique training in person‐centered biopsychosocial management of complex problems may influence musculoskeletal patients’ expectations and self‐ and/or physician‐referral patterns to physiatrists. Consequently, average patient complexity and need for multi‐disciplinary services may be increased in physiatric patients.

Objective

To compare musculoskeletal patients’ self‐reported physical and emotional health according to provider specialty. Researchers tested the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores between patients who present to physiatrists in comparison to other musculoskeletal specialists.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Orthopedic department of a tertiary academic medical center.

Patients

Participants included 31 791 new adult patients (mean age 52.6 ± 16.2 years) who presented for initial elective evaluation of a musculoskeletal problem by an orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine trained emergency medicine, family medicine, pediatric, or physiatric physician.

Methods

Patients completed the PROMIS computer adaptive test (CAT) Physical Function, Pain Interference, Anxiety, and Depression domains at department check‐in prior to the physician encounter. Score differences by provider type were assessed using Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests.

Main Outcome Measurements

Mean PROMIS score in each domain subdivided by physiatric, surgical, and other nonsurgical provider type.

Results

In total, 2081 patients presented to physiatrists, 28 267 presented to surgeons, and 1443 presented to other nonsurgical providers. For each respective provider type, average PROMIS scores were Physical Function 38.9 ± 8.2, 41.5 ± 9.5, and 43.5 ± 8.2; Pain Interference 62.6 ± 7.2, 60.9 ± 7.7, and 59.2 ± 6.8; Anxiety 54.5 ± 10.4, 51.9 ± 10.6, and 49.8 ± 9.8; and Depression 49.3 ± 10.4, 47.0 ± 10.0, and 44.2 ± 8.7. Physiatric patients had significantly worse average scores for all domains compared to surgical (P < .001) and other nonsurgical patients (P < .001).

Conclusions

Average PROMIS Physical Function, Pain Interference, Anxiety, and Depression scores were worse in musculoskeletal patients who presented to physiatrists in comparison to surgical or other nonsurgical providers. This suggests that some patients who choose to see or are referred to see physiatrists may have more or be more willing to endorse having biopsychosocial impairments.

Level of Evidence

III
Recognition and management of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Santos Liliana R , Fasano Serena , Isenberg David A
Published: March 2019

Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is important in order to expedite diagnosis, referral and treatment. This article discusses the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations of SLE, the treatment options available and the GP's role in management.
Opuntia ficus‐indica (L.) Mill. fruit as source of betalains with antioxidant, cytoprotective, and anti‐angiogenic properties
Authors: Smeriglio Antonella , Bonasera Serena , Germanò Maria Paola , D'Angelo Valeria , Barreca Davide , Denaro Marcella , Monforte Maria Teresa , Galati Enza Maria , Trombetta Domenico
Published: March 2019

The aim of this work was to investigate the phytochemical profile and biological properties of different colours of betalain cactus pear extracts, evaluating their antioxidant, cytoprotective, and anti‐angiogenic properties by cell‐free, cell‐based, and in vivo assays. A QuEChERS extraction method followed by RP‐LC‐DAD‐MS/MS analysis showed that indicaxanthin and betanin were the main compounds (≥94.32% and ≥96.95%, respectively). Orange cactus pear extracts exert the best antioxidant activity in all assays carried out, in particular into ORAC (17,352.55 ± 987.407 mg trolox equivalents/100 g dry weight) and β‐carotene bleaching (60.35%) assays. The red ones, instead, showed the best cytoprotective activity decreasing the cell mortality, LDH, and Caspase‐3 release ranging from 4.0 to 55%.

According to antioxidant results, the orange cactus pear extracts showing also the highest anti‐angiogenic activity (IC50 19.31 μg/ml), followed by the red (IC50 23.55 μg/ml) and the yellow ones (IC50 33.97 μg/ml). In light of the results and correlation analysis, the behaviour of these molecules varies a lot according to their structure and physicochemical features and synergistic activity between betalain classes may be postulated; so the plant complex could be of greater interest compared with the isolated molecules for potential nutraceutical and pharmaceutical uses.
Different mutual positions of double bonds in open carbon chains and corresponding information from magnetically induced current densities
Authors: Mammino Liliana , Alvarez‐Thon Luis
Published: March 2019

Magnetically induced current densities have been extensively utilized to investigate aromaticity. However, an applied external magnetic field induces a current in all chemical bonds. The present work investigates the values and patterns of magnetically induced current densities in open hydrocarbon chains containing two or more CC double bonds, considering the three possibilities for the mutual positions of the double bonds (conjugated, isolated, and consecutive) and comparing the corresponding current patterns. The patterns for chains containing three conjugated double bonds are also compared with the patterns in the aromatic benzene ring. The study highlights different current patterns for the three categories of double‐bonds arrangements. The differences can be interpreted in terms of presence or absence of electron delocalization (present only in the case of conjugated double bonds) and, for consecutive double bonds, also in terms of the mutual perpendicularity of the π orbitals of adjacent double bonds.
Ionisation bias undermines the use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation for estimating peptide deamidation: Synthetic peptide studies demonstrate electrospray ionisation gives more reliable response ratios
Authors: Simpson Joanna P. , Fascione Martin , Bergström Ed , Wilson Julie , Collins Matthew J. , Penkman Kirsty E.H. , Thomas‐Oates Jane
Published: March 2019

Rationale

Although mass spectrometry (MS) is routinely used to determine deamination in peptide mixtures, the effects of the choice of ionisation source have not yet been investigated. In particular, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) has become a popular tool with which to measure levels of glutamine deamidation in ancient proteins. Here we use model synthetic peptides to rigorously compare MALDI and electrospray ionisation (ESI).

Methods

We used two synthetic peptides, with glutamine (Q) in one substituted for glutamic acid (E) in the other, to investigate the suitability of MALDI and ESI sources for the assessment of deamidation in peptides using MS. We also compared measurements of the same Q‐ and E‐containing peptide mixtures using two different mass analysers (time‐of‐flight (TOF) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR)).

Results

When standard mixtures of the Q‐ and E‐containing peptides were analysed using MALDI, under‐representation of the E‐containing peptide was observed. This observation was consistent between analyses carried out using either TOF or FT‐ICR‐MS. When the same mixtures were analysed using ESI FT‐ICR‐MS, no ionisation bias was observed.

Conclusions

MALDI may not be a suitable ionisation method for the determination of deamidation in peptide mixtures. However, ESI was successfully used to determine the ratio in known mixtures of Q‐ and E‐containing peptides. These preliminary observations warrant further investigation into ionisation bias when measuring deamidation in other peptide sequences.
A 27‐year‐old female presented with diffuse alveolar haemorrhage due to breast angiosarcoma with lung metastasis
Authors: Lee Po‐Hsin , Chen Yun‐An , Fu Pin‐Kuei
Published: March 2019

Angiosarcomas are rare soft‐tissue sarcomas of endothelial cell origin and have a poor prognosis. Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is a syndrome characterized by the accumulation of intra‐alveolar red blood cells. However, neoplastic diseases are not commonly considered in the differential diagnosis of DAH. We report a case of a 27‐year‐old female with the diagnosis of primary breast angiosarcoma developing DAH. This raised our concern that angiosarcoma with lung metastasis may present with DAH and should be considered as an important fatal differential diagnosis of DAH.
Towards sustainability‐oriented decision making: Model development and its validation via a comparative case study on building construction methods
Authors: Liu Siyu , Qian Shunzhi
Published: March 2019

In order to facilitate the shift towards sustainability in the building industry, development of building‐specific sustainability assessment tools that evaluate and integrate related environmental and socioeconomic impacts is needed. Existing assessment tools mainly focus on environmental and economic issues and give limited consideration on social sustainability. This study fills this gap through proposing an integrated building‐specific sustainability assessment model. This model was developed based on a conceptual model of life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA), which is theoretically a combination of environmental life cycle assessment, life cycle cost analysis, and social life cycle assessment. An integrated AHP‐ELECTRE approach was adopted to provide a logical backbone for the model. This LCSA model is demonstrated through a case study to choose the best alternative regarding sustainability from three structural designs, that is, modular construction‐based, semiprefabricated, and conventional designs. Results show that semiprefabricated design is the best option in the context of this study.
The effects of India and China on the sustainability of palm oil production in Indonesia: Towards a better understanding of the dynamics of regional sustainability governance
Authors: Kadarusman Yohanes Berenika , Pramudya Eusebius Pantja
Published: March 2019

There is a growing awareness and interest among scholars of the important role China and India can play in governing globalisation of economy. Recent literature has tended to emphasise the divergent development outcomes of producer and supplier countries engaged in value chains led by China and India. The different market preferences and legitimacy of private‐driven governance of China and India from developed economies such as the European Union and the United States bring about unsustainable development of countries supplying for China and India. Taking empirical evidence from Indonesian palm oil industry, this paper argues, on the contrary, that Indonesian palm oil producers keep commitments to progress towards sustainable production despite the rising importance of India, China, and other Global South economies as buyers and consumers along with the European Union. The Government of Indonesia also takes initiatives to facilitate the palm oil producers to reach a socially optimum sustainability over time. Buyers of China and India tend to require less restrictive sustainability standards of palm oil production than the European Union, but this is a matter of a temporal dimension of their domestic public interest and government policy priority on sustainability governance. The implication for research on sustainability governance in the Global South‐driven regional value chain is that attention should be paid to the lead of producers and their nation‐state in driving the value chains towards sustainable production and supply.
Rivers and roads: A political ecology of displacement, development, and chronic liminality in Zambia's Gwembe Valley
Authors: Harnish Allison , Cliggett Lisa , Scudder Thayer
Published: March 2019

The construction of Kariba Dam in 1958 ignited a legacy of livelihood insecurity and chronic liminality that reverberated through subsequent generations. A community under one chief was split into two marginal resettlement sites more than 200 km apart. Sixty years after the dam's construction, and following a series of cyclical shifts between access to and alienation from international development programming, the World Bank has returned to initiate the new Bottom Road, which at last reconnects these two communities. It has also released funds for a new irrigation development and support program. Research presented here suggests that, while the Bottom Road is spurring economic growth, it is also delivering capitalized outsiders, eager to claim land and water resources from long‐resident Gwembe Tonga farmers. Analysis of two commercial agriculture/irrigation schemes, at the road's southern and northern terminuses, reveals that new infrastructure often leads to rapid natural resource alienation and livelihood upheaval. Integrating the lens of chronic liminality with the hydrosocial cycle, we situate these projects within a broader regional history of land and water privatization and reveal how water‐linked development interventions produce vulnerabilities for particular segments of the local population.
Stabilization of Highly Conductive Lithium Argyrodites by Means of Lithium Substitution: The Case of Li6Fe0.5PS6
Authors: Schneider Holger , Sedlmaier Stefan J. , Du Hui , Kelley Tracy , Leitner Klaus , ter Maat Johan , Scordilis‐Kelley Chariclea , Mudalige Anoma , Kulisch Jörn , Schneider Ling
Published: March 2019

All‐solid‐state‐batteries (ASSB) are promising candidates for next generation lithium batteries providing high energy density and safety levels. Their success crucially depends on the properties of the available solid electrolyte materials, ideally offering sufficient conductivities in combination with stability against decomposition over a large electrochemical window. Therefore, the search for solid electrolytes with novel compositions remains of high interest. In this work we present a strategy to stabilize highly conductive lithium argyrodites by means of lithium substitution. This is different from the previously described possibilities to obtain stable structures by either substituting phosphorous or sulfide anions in the parent compound Li7PS6. This approach offers access to a new array of solid electrolyte candidates with an argyrodite‐type crystal structure. Conductivities of up to 1.4⋅10−4 S/cm can be obtained for Fe‐substituted materials of general composition Li7‐2xFexPS6.
Adsorption of DNA Bases on Two‐Dimensional Boron Sheets
Authors: Sihag Amita , Mallajosyula Sairam S.
Published: March 2019

Utilizing two‐dimensional (2D) sheets for DNA fingerprinting applications is an active field of research, with extensive research being carried out on graphene, h‐BN and transition metal dichalcogenides. In this theoretical study we propose the newly discovered 2D boron sheets (α, α1 and β1 sheets) as a promising adsorbate material for DNA fingerprinting applications. The relatively high binding energies of the DNA bases Adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C) and the DNA base pairs A:T and G:C on the sheets suggest stabilization of the DNA constructs on these sheets. The stabilization energies were found to be higher in comparison with graphene sheets. The stabilization of the adsorbed nucleobases were found to be mediated by Van‐der Waals interaction, with no direct chemical bond being formed between the DNA bases and the sheets, similar to the scenario in graphene and h‐BN sheets. Physisorption of the DNA bases was also reflected in the relatively small changes in the work function after adsorption.
Halogen⋅⋅⋅π Interactions in Supramolecular Architecture of 1D Coordination Polymers and Their Electrical Conductance
Authors: Islam Sakhiul , Datta Joydeep , Maity Suvendu , Dutta Basudeb , Ahmed Faruk , Ghosh Prasanta , Ray Partha Pratim , Mir Mohammad Hedayetullah
Published: March 2019

Two isotypical Cd(II) based one‐dimensional coordination polymers (1D CPs) [Cd2(p‐clba)4(bpy)2]⋅(C2H5OH) (1) and [Cd2(p‐brba)4(bpy)2]⋅(C2H5OH), (2) (H2p‐clba=para‐chlorobenzoic acid, H2p‐brba=para‐bromobenzoic acid and bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray structure analysis. In the solid‐state strcuture, both the compounds undergo X⋅⋅⋅п (X=Cl or Br) interactions to generate two‐dimensional (2D) supramolecular architectures. Here, due to the larger size and more polarisability of Br atom, Br⋅⋅⋅п interaction is stronger than Cl⋅⋅⋅п, which is accounted for the stronger interchain interactions in 2 as compared to 1. This is depicted in the observed electrical conductivity of the compounds. The compound 2 with stronger interchain interactions shows better charge transport and hence, increasing conductivity. Moreover, band gap of the CPs has been obtained by DFT computation, which also supports the progression of conductivity.
Study on Micro Segregation of High Alloy Fe–Mn–C–Al Steel
Authors: Shen Yaozu , Yang Shufeng , Liu Jianhua , Liu Hongbo , Zhang Ruijie , Xu Hao , He Yang
Published: March 2019

The segregation patterns of solute elements in the Fe–17.1Mn–0.24C–1.38Al steel are systemically investigated by experiments and simulations. The electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) is conducted to assess possible micro segregation. The result indicates that with the increase of solid fraction in dendrite arms, Mn shows a positive segregation tendency, C uniformly distributes, and Al content slightly fluctuates. Compared with micro segregation models, experimental results of C match well with the Brody‐Fleming model. The segregation ratios of Mn are in good agreement with the lever‐rule. There is no certain regularity displayed between the experimental and calculation results about the segregation ratios of Al. The matrix of the steel is inhomogeneous with severe Mn and C micro segregation in the inter dendritic zone, whereas Al shows the opposite trend. A multicomponent phase field method coupled to thermodynamic calculations is used to simulate the concentration profiles of solute elements in the dendrite arms, and the numerical results are in favorable agreement with the experimental ones. Finally, the roles of undercooling and cooling rate on dendrite morphology and micro segregation of Mn are investigated. It reveals that large undercoolings could improve Mn segregation, while cooling rates have little effect on the maximum Mn segregation concentration but contribute to reduce the total inter dendritic Mn amount. They both have refinement effects on the dendritic structure. Those are helpful to understand and improve the segregations in Fe–Mn–C–Al steels.
Phase Formation during Heat Treatment of Zn‐ and ZnAlMg‐Coated Steels at 400 and 750 °C
Authors: Windmann Matthias , Barthen Mario , Opitz Tobias , Hahn Isabel , Röttger Arne , Theisen Werner
Published: March 2019

In contrast to a cold‐forming process, a tempered forming process is able to deform high‐strength steel used for manufacturing automotive bodyworks in a more economic manner. Cold‐formed steel sheets are commonly coated with a Zn or ZnAlMg layer for cathodic corrosion protection. The tempering process would lead to diffusion processes at the steel/coating interface, which is accompanied by the formation of new phases in the coatings. This publication focuses on phase formation in Zn and ZnAlMg coatings on steel sheets, which are heat‐treated at 400 and 750 °C. the authors find that the pure Zn coating remains in the solid state and transforms into the intermetallic δ phase (FeZn10) during heat treatment at 400 °C. The coating melts during heating to 750 °C, but remains in the solid state after transformation into the Γ phase (Fe4Zn9) and α‐Fe. In the ZnAlMg coating, minor iron diffusion occurs at a temperature of 400 °C. Within a dwell time of 600 s, intermetallic Fe–Zn phases are not formed. During heat treatment at 750 °C, phase formation in the ZnAlMg coating is very similar to that in the pure Zn coating, during which Γ (Fe4Zn9) and α‐Fe are formed.
Coincidental correctness in the Defects4J benchmark
Authors: Abou Assi Rawad , Trad Chadi , Maalouf Marwan , Masri Wes
Published: March 2019

Coincidental correctness (CC) arises when a defective program produces the correct output despite the fact that the defect within was exercised. Researchers have recognized the negative impact of CC, and the authors have previously conducted a study demonstrating its prevalence in test suites. However, that study was limited to system tests, and small subjects seeded with artificial defects. In this paper, we conduct a wider scope study of CC that addresses the following research questions in the context of theDefects4Jbenchmark. RQ1: Is CC prevalent in Defects4J? RQ2: Is CC affected by the testing levels in Defects4J? RQ3: Do CC tests induce peculiar infection paths in Defects4J? Furthermore, we useJTidyandNanoXMLto address the following question. RQ4: Are the infections likely to be nullified within or outside the buggy method? To answer RQ1, we manually injected two code checkers for each of the 395Defects4Jdefects: (i) a weak checker that detects weak CC tests by monitoring whether the defect was reached; and (ii) a strong checker that detects strong CC tests by monitoring whether the defect was reached and the program has transitioned into an infectious state. Our results showed that CC is prevalent inDefects4J, as we observed 38.1× more strong CC tests than failing tests and 60.5× more weak CC tests than failing tests. Testing has traditionally been classified into several levels that include unit, module, integration, system, and acceptance. Meanwhile, the test cases inDefects4Jare not classified into any of the aforementioned testing levels. In addition, the boundaries between such levels are not clear because of the lack of a clear universal definition. Therefore, in order to answer RQ2, we derive the testing level of a test case from its method coverage information; specifically, we base it on the number and frequency of execution of the methods it covers. Our results showed that CC is present at all testing levels, but is more prevalent in high testing levels than in low testing levels. To answer RQ3, we contrasted the characteristics of the infection propagation paths induced by theDefects4Jfailing tests to those induced by the strong CC tests. We observed that the paths induced by the CC tests (i) were considerably longer on average and (ii) comprised a higher number of conditional, modulo, multiplication, division, and invocation statements. Finally, to answer RQ4, which relates to RQ2, we performed an experiment involvingJTidy,NanoXML, and their associated high‐level test suites. We used code checkers to determine whether, in the case of strong CC, the infections were nullified before exiting the buggy function or afterward. All of our observations showed that the infections were nullified after exiting the buggy function. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The diagnosis and management of Fournier's gangrene
Authors: Brown Andrew , Coull Nadine
Published: March 2019

Fournier's gangrene is a life‐threatening condition and, although rare, should be considered in anyone with painful swelling of the scrotum or perineum with features of sepsis. In this article the author discusses risk factors, diagnosis and management of Fournier's gangrene and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Transvaginal ultrasound probes are human papillomavirus‐free following low‐level disinfection: cross‐sectional multicenter survey
Authors: Lucet J.‐C. , Heard I. , Roueli A. , Lafourcade A. , Mandelbrot L. , Estellat C. , Dommergues M. ,   the PREEV Study Group
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To assess the frequency of detection of high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) on transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) probes and keyboards and evaluate operator compliance with national recommendations for prevention of cross‐infection during TVS.

Methods

This was a multicenter observational survey involving 46 public and private centers, in the Paris region of France, in which at least five consecutive TVS examinations were performed per day. We audited 676 TVS procedures. We recorded preventive hygiene actions undertaken by the operator at three stages: (1) during TVS; (2) during probe disinfection; and (3) during preparation of the probe for the next TVS. After probe disinfection, we collected one sample from the bare probe and one from the ultrasound keyboard; following probe preparation for the next examination, an additional sample was obtained from the covered probe. The samples were tested for presence of hrHPV DNA using the Cobas® 4800 System.

Results

We did not detect hrHPV DNA in samples collected from uncovered or covered probes (0%; 95% CI, 0.00–0.55%). Keyboard samples were positive for hrHPV in two cases (0.3%; 95% CI, 0.04–1.07%). During TVS, the operator avoided touching the keyboard with a hand that had touched the patient's vulva in 86% of cases and held the probe with a gloved hand in 68%. Before probe disinfection, the operator wore new gloves, or performed hand disinfection in 8% of cases. The probe disinfection technique used was adequate in 87% of cases, not performed at all in 12% and insufficient in 1%. Before preparing the probe for the next scan, the operators disinfected their hands or used new gloves in 81% of cases. The probe cover and the coupling gel used complied with recommendations in 98% and 46% of cases, respectively. Of the seven preventive hygiene actions recommended in national guidelines, all were performed in 2%, three to six in 95% and two in 3% of observations. In four (9%) centers, disinfection was not performed in over half the observations.

Conclusions

No evidence of hrHPV DNA was found on TVS probes and probe covers following low‐level disinfection, despite suboptimal compliance with hygiene guidelines. Routine TVS practice could be made easier and safer with a global approach to probe disinfection and hand hygiene. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Fetal cardiac findings and hemodynamic changes associated with severe lower urinary tract obstruction in utero
Authors: Cohen J. , Levasseur S. , Simpson L. , Miller R. , Freud L.
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To describe fetal echocardiographic findings associated with lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) and to compare anatomic and hemodynamic measurements between fetuses with LUTO and gestational age (GA)‐matched controls, with an emphasis on quantitative indices of diastolic function and cardiac output.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of fetuses diagnosed with severe LUTO with giant bladder, which underwent at least one fetal echocardiogram at our center between January 2005 and June 2018. Fetuses with major congenital heart disease were excluded. Control fetuses did not have any structural or functional abnormalities and were GA‐matched to the LUTO fetuses based on the time of the first fetal echocardiogram. Cardiac anatomy and hemodynamic measurements were compared between fetuses with LUTO and controls. In infants with LUTO, serial fetal and postnatal echocardiographic data were assessed, when available, and clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Results

Twenty‐six fetuses with LUTO and at least one fetal echocardiogram available were identified, one of which was excluded due to hypoplastic left heart syndrome, leaving 25 LUTO fetuses in the final cohort. The mean GA at the first fetal echocardiogram was 25.4 ± 5.1 weeks in the LUTO group and 25.3 ± 5.0 weeks in the control group. Common findings in fetuses with LUTO included cardiomegaly (40%), pericardial effusion (44%), right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy (64%) and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (48%). Compared with GA‐matched controls, LUTO fetuses had lower ascending aorta Z‐score (−0.10 ± 0.94 vs −0.93 ± 1.03; P = 0.02) and aortic isthmus Z‐score (−0.14 ± 0.86 vs −1.62 ± 1.11; P < 0.001), shorter mitral valve inflow time indexed to cardiac cycle length (0.46 ± 0.04 vs 0.41 ± 0.06; P = 0.002), and worse (increased) LV myocardial performance index (0.39 ± 0.03 vs 0.44 ± 0.04; P < 0.001). In addition, the ratio of RV to LV cardiac index was higher in LUTO fetuses compared with controls (1.62 ± 0.13 vs 1.33 ± 0.11; P < 0.001). Of the 25 LUTO pregnancies, two were lost to follow‐up, three underwent elective termination of pregnancy and three ended in intrauterine fetal demise. Four (16%) patients had mildly hypoplastic left‐heart structures, comprising two with aortic arch hypoplasia and two with mitral and aortic stenosis.

Conclusion

In addition to presenting with cardiomegaly, pericardial effusion and ventricular hypertrophy, fetuses with LUTO demonstrate LV diastolic dysfunction and appear to redistribute cardiac output as compared to control fetuses, which may contribute to the development of left‐heart hypoplasia. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.