bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Study of the Support Needs in 24/7 Online Support for People With Mild Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Zaagsma Miriam , Volkers Karin M. , Schippers Alice P. , Wilschut Janneke A. , van Hove Geert
Published: January 2019

Service organizations for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) increasingly look for technological applications to improve their services. DigiContact is an online support service developed by Philadelphia Care Foundation in the Netherlands which enables independently living people with ID to contact specially trained support workers 24/7. The purpose of this study was to explore the support needs for which people with ID use online support. We first conducted interviews with 21 individuals with ID who use the online support service. Transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Second, online support workers registered items regarding the support needs when in contact with support users. These data were analyzed to assess which and how often the support needs were present. Online support is used for a broad variety of issues. Four themes emerged during analysis of the interviews: mental health, social contacts (conflicts with others as well as lack of contacts), practical issues, and physical health. Analysis of the support workers' data showed that making a connection with someone and talking about worries and stress are the two most frequent support needs. Most support needs did not differ across the time of day or across the week. The results suggest that 24/7 online support is a useful way of providing services to independently living people with ID. Unlimited access to support has multiple advantages. It appears to have a signaling and a preventive function with regard to emotional and behavioral problems.
The first successful pediatric heart transplant and results from the earliest era
Authors: Kirk Richard , Butts Ryan J. , Dipchand Anne I.
Published: January 2019

Background

The first pediatric heart transplant died 5 hours after transplant and the case was published by Kantrowitz. There is no report of the first successful case in the medical literature, nor indeed the outcome of children transplanted prior to 1982. However, we recently discovered that children from this period were entered retrospectively into the ISHLT Registry when it began and they form the basis of this report.

Methods

A retrospective review of the ISHLT Thoracic Registry was undertaken for pediatric heart transplants prior to 1982. Demographic and descriptive data, and patient and graft survival were analyzed.

Results

Thirty children (24 male) had a median age of 13 years (IQR 12‐16) at the time of primary transplant. The underlying cardiac diagnosis was cardiomyopathy (18), congenital heart disease (7), not reported (5). The median follow‐up was 2.63 years (IQR 0.1‐7.2). Twenty‐two patients are known to have died, and eight underwent retransplantation. Median patient survival was 3.5 years. The first patient to survive for more than one year was transplanted in 1968 and survived 6 years.

Conclusion

The definition of a successful transplant is debatable; however, the first child reported to the registry to survive beyond one year was transplanted in 1968. Survival for these early patients was considerably less than the subsequent eras and retransplantation more common; however, the experience in managing these children laid the foundation for the future.
Assessing of the audiovisual patient educational materials on diabetes care with PEMAT
Authors: Kang Soo Jin , Lee Mi Sook
Published: January 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the understandability and actionability of audiovisual educational materials on diabetes in Korea using the Patient Education Materials Evaluation Tool (PEMAT), as well as determine the usefulness of these materials.

Methods

A total of 85 audiovisual materials were collected from Korean websites of territory general hospitals, national health institutions, research associations, and major search engines relating to diabetes that were created between 2006 and 2015. Of these, 34 materials that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed. Five trained researchers evaluated the materials independently.

Results

More than half of the materials (58.8%) had been created by nongovernment organizations. Slightly more than half (n = 19) of the audiovisual materials were streaming‐style animation. The average PEMAT score (58.5%) for these materials was moderate. Compared to “understandability” ratings (49.5%), “actionability” ratings were low (31.4%); indeed, fourteen materials had an actionability of 0%. The average usefulness score of the materials was 4.3 points out of a possible 7. There were few suitable audiovisual materials for patient education on diabetes.

Conclusions

These findings will be useful for developing new audiovisual educational materials for diabetes patients with high understandability, actionability, and usefulness.
Advances and challenges in genetic engineering of microalgae
Authors: Fajardo Carlos , De Donato Marcos , Carrasco Rafael , Martínez‐Rodríguez Gonzalo , Mancera Juan Miguel , Fernández‐Acero Francisco Javier
Published: January 2019

Knowledge at the molecular level of microalgae has obtained great scientific interest in recent years, because of their potential for biofuel production, as well as other highly valued molecules. Recent advances in the area of the genetic manipulation of microalgae open an entirely new field of possible applications for these organisms as biorefineries. This review represents a compendium that gathers the main milestones that have marked the area of genetic engineering in microalgae during the last decade, from classical techniques for the transformation and expression of transgenes, to the most avant‐garde techniques currently used for gene silencing and DNA edition, as well as a discussion about the future perspectives in this field.
Quantitative cosmetic evaluation of long‐lasting foundation using multispectral imaging
Authors: Nagaoka Takashi , Kimura Yuichi
Published: January 2019

Background

We tried to search appropriate wavelength to quantitatively evaluate the ability of long‐lasting foundation using a hyperspectral imager (HSI) which can simultaneously measure position and wavelength information.

Materials and methods

A good reputable long‐lasting foundation was applied to the skin of 10 healthy volunteers. Their skin was measured by our newly developed HSI every 2 hours from immediately after application to 6 hours. The application state of the foundation was quantified using the standard deviation of reflectance.

Results

A high correlation between standard deviation and the application state of the foundation was confirmed at many wavelengths. In particular, it was suggested that by using the standard deviation of 800 nm, the application state of the foundation can be evaluated quantitatively without depending on the subject's oxygen saturation level.

Conclusion

By quantitatively evaluating the cosmetic‐applied skin by our system, further efficiency improvement of the volunteer experiment is expected.
Application of the Hilbert–Huang transform for recognition of active gully erosion sites in the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Li Jilong , Na Jiaming , Yang Xue , Cao Jianjun , Dai Wen , Tang Guoan
Published: January 2019

The loess shoulder‐lines are known to be the most critical topographic structural lines in the loess landform area of the Loess Plateau, China. Previous studies have shown that gully erosion activity can be reflected in the dynamic changes of the shoulder‐lines. In this study, active gully erosion sites along the shoulder‐lines are investigated. Three typical test areas with different loess landforms are selected, and the loess shoulder‐lines are derived from 1 m resolution digital elevation models. First, height profiles of the loess shoulder‐lines are extracted. Then, from the perspective of frequency domains, active gully erosion sites are identified using the Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT). The experimental results show that the HHT method can effectively mine the intrinsic characteristics of the shoulder‐lines. The detailed information components (non‐components) and trend components of the height profiles can be obtained via ensemble empirical mode decomposition and a significance test. In addition, the HHT method was employed to identify the instantaneous frequency curve catastrophe points of the loess shoulder‐line height profiles, and the physical meaning is clear: a higher frequency denotes greater energy and more severe erosive processes, and the catastrophe point locations represent the active gully erosion sites. Evidence from a recent field survey and a comparison with another method supports the results, indicating that the method proposed in this study could potentially be effective for the exploration and analysis of geomorphologically sensitive locations in loess landform studies.
Clinical applications of CRISPR‐based genome editing and diagnostics
Authors: Foss Dana V. , Hochstrasser Megan L. , Wilson Ross C.
Published: January 2019

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐driven genome editing has rapidly transformed preclinical biomedical research by eliminating the underlying genetic basis of many diseases in model systems and facilitating the study of disease etiology. Translation to the clinic is under way, with announced or impending clinical trials utilizing ex vivo strategies for anticancer immunotherapy or correction of hemoglobinopathies. These exciting applications represent just a fraction of what is theoretically possible for this emerging technology, but many technical hurdles must be overcome before CRISPR‐based genome editing technology can reach its full potential. One exciting recent development is the use of CRISPR systems for diagnostic detection of genetic sequences associated with pathogens or cancer. We review the biologic origins and functional mechanism of CRISPR systems and highlight several current and future clinical applications of genome editing.
Profitability of Improved Seed Adoption on Small Holders Maize Farmers in Abuja Nigeria
Authors: Chijioke Ndem , Akaninyene Uteh
Published: January 2019

The study analysed the profitability of improved seed adoption on the profitability and technical efficiency of smallholder maize farmers in Abuja, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics, gross margin analysis was used to determine the costs and returns of maize production. The t-test was used to compare the yield of improved maize seed adopters and non-adopters. The logit regression was used to analyse the determinants of adoption. The stochastic production frontier model was used to determine the technical efficiency of IMV. The results revealed that the average age of respondents (adopters and non-adopters) was 48 years and 39 years, respectively. Furthermore, 56% and 66% were male, 75% and 93% were married with average household size of 6 and 7 persons, respectively, and majority had formal education. Adopters had a mean farm size of 1.95 ha, while non-adopters had a mean farm size of 1.76 ha. The gross margin analysis result showed the profitability index for IMV and local seed were 0.66 and 0.41, respectively. The t-test result showed that IMV had higher yield per hectare (2,713.66kg/ha) compared to local maize variety (1,281.33kg/ha). The result of maximum likelihood estimate showed that the mean technical efficiency was 0.56 and 0.49 for adopters and non-adopters, respectively. The study revealed that adopters of improved maize seed varieties earned higher profits and were more technically efficient than non-adopters. It recommended the strengthening of extension services to enhance adoption through awareness by government. Farmers should form cooperatives to enable resourceful negotiation for inputs. Also, an improvement in the research and development of high quality improved maize varieties should be encouraged.
Mechanistic study of the atomic layer deposition of scandium oxide films using Sc(MeCp)2(Me2pz) and ozone
Authors: Rahman Rezwanur , Klesko Joseph P. , Dangerfield Aaron , Fang Ming , Lehn Jean-Sébastien M. , Dezelah Charles L. , Kanjolia Ravindra K. , Chabal Yves J.
Published: January 2019

The atomic layer deposition (ALD) of scandium oxide (Sc2O3) thin films is investigated using Sc(MeCp)2(Me2pz) (1, MeCp = methylcyclopentadienyl, Me2pz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolate) and ozone on hydroxyl-terminated oxidized Si(111) substrates at 225 and 275 °C. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveals that 1 not only reacts with surface hydroxyl groups at 275 °C, as expected but also with the SiO2 layer, as evidenced by losses in the SiO2 longitudinal optical and transverse optical phonon modes, resulting in the partial transformation of near-surface SiO2 to an ScSixOy interface layer. Ozone then combusts the MeCp groups of the O–Sc(MeCp)2 chemisorbed species, yielding surface carbonates, and oxidizes some of the underlying silicon, evidenced by gains in the SiO2 phonon modes. The Me2pz group from the next pulse of 1 reacts with these surface carbonates, leading to Sc–O–Sc bond formation (Sc2O3 deposition) and the restoration of an O–Sc(MeCp)2 surface. The reaction of the SiO2 substrate with 1 and the oxidation of silicon by ozone are temperature-dependent processes that occur during the initial cycles of film growth and directly impact the changes in the intensities of the SiO2 phonon modes. For instance, the intensity of the net gains in the phonon modes following ozone exposure is greater at 275 °C than at 225 °C. As the ALD cycle is repeated, the formation of an ScSixOy interface layer and deposition of an Sc2O3 film result in the gradual attenuation of the reaction of the SiO2 substrate with 1 and the oxidation of the underlying silicon by ozone. In addition to the ALD process, characterized by ligand exchange and self-limiting reactions, there are gas-phase reactions between 1 and residual water vapor near the substrate surface that lead to deposition of additional Sc2O3 and surface carbonates, the extent of which are also dependent on the temperature of the substrate. After 20 cycles of 1/ozone, the film thicknesses derived from ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements are 2.18 nm (225 °C) and 3.88 nm (275 °C). This work constitutes the first mechanistic study of an Sc2O3 ALD process using ozone as the oxidant and emphasizes the significance of atypical reactions between the substrate and the reactants that influence the growth rate and near-surface stoichiometry during the initial cycles of film deposition.
Atomic layer deposition of cobalt(II) oxide thin films from Co(BTSA)2(THF) and H2O
Authors: Iivonen Tomi , Kaipio Mikko , Hatanpää Timo , Mizohata Kenichiro , Meinander Kristoffer , Räisänen Jyrki , Kim Jiyeon , Ritala Mikko , Leskelä Markku
Published: January 2019

In this work, we have studied the applicability of Co(BTSA)2(THF) [BTSA = bis(trimethylsilyl)amido] (THF = tetrahydrofuran) in atomic layer deposition (ALD) of cobalt oxide thin films. When adducted with THF, the resulting Co(BTSA)2(THF) showed good volatility and could be evaporated at 55 °C, which enabled film deposition in the temperature range of 75–250 °C. Water was used as the coreactant, which led to the formation of Co(II) oxide films. The saturative growth mode characteristic to ALD was confirmed with respect to both precursors at deposition temperatures of 100 and 200 °C. According to grazing incidence x-ray diffraction measurements, the films contain both cubic rock salt and hexagonal wurtzite phases of CoO. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed that the primary oxidation state of cobalt in the films is +2. The film composition was analyzed using time-of-flight elastic recoil detection analysis, which revealed the main impurities in the films to be H and Si. The Si impurities originate from the BTSA ligand and increased with increasing deposition temperature, which indicates that Co(BTSA)2(THF) is best suited for low-temperature deposition. To gain insight into the surface chemistry of the deposition process, an in situ reaction mechanism study was conducted using quadrupole mass spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance techniques. Based on the in situ experiments, it can be concluded that film growth occurs via a ligand exchange mechanism.
Effect of substrate on the growth and properties of MoS2 thin films grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition
Authors: Mughal Asad J. , Walter Timothy N. , Cooley Kayla A. , Bertuch Adam , Mohney Suzanne E.
Published: January 2019

Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition was used to grow molybdenum disulfide films using (tBuN)2(NMe2)2Mo and a remote H2S-Ar plasma as coreactants on three different substrates: thermal oxide on silicon, c-plane sapphire, and epitaxial c-plane GaN on sapphire. Depositions were carried out at 250 °C. The substrates’ effect on the growth of MoS2 was investigated through resonance Raman spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. In addition, transmission electron microscopy was performed on films deposited on electron-transparent silicon nitride membranes. Films of 2H-MoS2 were deposited with atomic-level control of thickness under the deposition conditions studied. By analyzing the resonance Raman spectrum, it was found that higher degrees of crystallinity could be achieved on GaN or Al2O3 substrates compared to thermally oxidized silicon.
Equibiaxial elongational rheology of entangled polystyrene melts
Authors: Venerus David C. , Mick Rebecca M. , Kashyap Teresita
Published: January 2019

Equibiaxial elongational deformations are ubiquitous in the processing of polymeric materials. In spite of this, studies on the rheology of entangled polymer liquids in these flows are limited due to the challenges of generating well-controlled equibiaxial elongational deformations in the laboratory. In the present study, we examine the rheological behavior of several well-characterized polystyrene liquids in constant strain rate equibiaxial elongation flows using a novel technique known as continuous lubricated squeezing flow. The linear polymer systems considered here display strain softening behavior. A portion of this new data set is used to demonstrate, in contrast to uniaxial elongational flows, that the nonlinear behavior of entangled polymers in equibiaxial elongation is universal. We also make comparisons of predictions from two molecularly based models with experimental data for one of the polymer melts in shear flow, uniaxial elongational flow, and equibiaxial elongation flow. While both models are able to predict shear flow behavior, neither model is able to quantitatively predict both uniaxial and equibiaxial elongation flows.
A posttranslational modification code for CFTR maturation is altered in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Pankow Sandra , Bamberger Casimir , Yates John R.
Published: January 2019

Protein misfolding prevents critical phosphorylation of the cystic fibrosis–associated protein CFTR.
Activation of atypical protein kinase C by sphingosine 1-phosphate revealed by an aPKC-specific activity reporter
Authors: Kajimoto Taketoshi , Caliman Alisha D. , Tobias Irene S. , Okada Taro , Pilo Caila A. , Van An-Angela N. , Andrew McCammon J. , Nakamura Shun-ichi , Newton Alexandra C.
Published: January 2019

The sphingolipid S1P allosterically activates atypical protein kinase C to promote cell survival.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Halomonas
sp. Strain SL1, a Putative Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Producing Halophile
Authors: Rommel Tyler , Kurosawa Kazuhiko , McCully Lucy M. , Silby Mark W. , Bucci Vanni , Brigham Christopher J.
Published: January 2019

Halomonas
sp. strain SL1, a halophilic gammaproteobacterium, was isolated from samples from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. We report here the draft genome sequence of SL1, which has an estimated total sequence length of 3.6 Mb.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Halorubrum
sp. Strain 48-1-W from a Saline Lake in the Novosibirsk Region, Russia
Authors: Rozanov Aleksey S. , Shipova Aleksandra A. , Korzhuk Anton V. , Bryanskaya Alla V. , Peltek Sergey E.
Published: January 2019

Halorubrum
sp. strain 48-1-W was isolated from a water sample from a saline lake (Novosibirsk Region, Russia, 54°14′N 78°13′E).
The Genome Sequence of M228, a Chinese Isolate of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, Illustrates Insertion Sequence Element Mobility
Authors: Ho Joycelyn , Taiaroa George , Butler Margi I. , Poulter Russell T. M.
Published: January 2019

We present here the complete genome sequence of M228, a Chinese biovar 3 strain of
Pseudomonas syringae
pv. actinidiae, a bacterial pathogen of kiwifruit.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Acidobacteria
Group 1
Acidipila
sp. Strain EB88, Isolated from Forest Soil
Authors: Domeignoz-Horta Luiz A. , DeAngelis Kristen M. , Pold Grace
Published: January 2019

Here, we present the genome sequence of a member of the group I
Acidobacteria
,
Acidipila
sp. strain EB88, which was isolated from temperate forest soil.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pantoea agglomerans TH81, Isolated from a Permafrost Thaw Gradient
Authors: Humphrey Jennie , Seitz Taylor , Haan Tracie , Ducluzeau Anne-Lise , Drown Devin M.
Published: January 2019

In this report, we describe the complete genome assembly of a
Pantoea agglomerans
isolate, TH81, collected from a boreal forest soil associated with permafrost thaw. Using both Nanopore and Illumina sequences, we assembled four circular contigs totaling 4,983,504 bp (
N
50
, 4,127,869 bp), a complete chromosome with three plasmids.
Draft Genome Sequence of Sinorhizobium meliloti Strain AK170
Authors: Baturina Olga A. , Muntyan Victoria S. , Cherkasova Maria E. , Saksaganskaya Alla S. , Dzuybenko Nikolay I. , Kabilov Marsel R. , Roumiantseva Marina L.
Published: January 2019

Root nodule bacteria of
Sinorhizobium meliloti
species live in a symbiotic relationship with alfalfa plants. We report here the draft genome sequence of
S. meliloti
strain AK170, recovered from nodules of
Medicago orthoceras
(Kar.
Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in cystoid macular degeneration associated with central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Sahoo Niroj Kumar , Mishra Sai Bhakti , Iovino Claudio , Singh Sumit Randhir , Munk Marion R , Berger Lieselotte , Peiretti Enrico , Chhablani Jay
Published: January 2019

Aim

To describe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics and to identify and analyse the incidence of choroidal neovascular (CNV) network seen on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in eyes with cystoid macular degeneration (CMD) associated with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational study of 29 eyes of 25 patients who were previously diagnosed as CSCR with CMD. Baseline patient characteristics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), evidence of CNV network and its pattern on OCTA, distribution of CMD changes and OCT parameters, such as height of the neurosensory retinal detachment (NSD), presence of double layer sign, central macular thickness, were analysed. The eyes were classified into two groups depending on the presence or absence of CNV network on OCTA. BCVA, OCT parameters and CMD distribution were compared in the two groups at baseline using independent t-test.

Result

A total of 13 (44.8 %) eyes had a CNV network, while only 9 out of the 13 eyes had pattern-I CNV. Among the eyes with CNV network (13 eyes), mean height of NSD was of 65.2±22.7 µ, whereas, among the eyes without CNV (16 eyes), it was 134.6±77.4 µ. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.013). There was no statistically significant difference between eye having a CNV and eyes without CNV in terms of other parameters.

Conclusion

A CNV network is seen in a large subset of patients with CMD in CSCR. A shallower subretinal fluid may point towards the presence of an underlying CNV network.
Circumscribed choroidal haemangioma: clinical and topographical features
Authors: Krohn Jørgen , Rishi Pukhraj , Frøystein Torbjørn , Singh Arun D
Published: January 2019

Aims

To characterise the clinical and topographical features of circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH) and to visualise the patterns of tumour extent in the ocular fundus.

Methods

Data on the size, shape and location of 113 CCH were converted into a database of two-dimensional retinal charts by means of computer drawing software. The extent of the tumours was visualised by merging the charts and displaying the number of overlapping tumours on colour-coded maps.

Results

The mean largest tumour diameter was 7.2 mm (range, 2.5–11.0 mm), mean tumour height was 2.4 mm (range, 0.7–4.6 mm) and mean diameter/height ratio was 3.2 (range, 2.1–6.0). The mean distance from the posterior tumour margin to the foveola and optic disc margin was 1.7 mm (range, 0–15 mm) and 2.4 mm (range, 0–11 mm), respectively. The hemispheric location of the tumour centroid was temporal in 75 eyes (66%) and nasal in 38 (34%) (p=0.0005) and the distribution between the superior and inferior hemispheres was 68 (60%) and 45 (40%), respectively (p=0.03). The presence of subretinal fluid (SRF) was significantly associated with young age at diagnosis (p=0.0002), low tumour diameter/height ratio (p=0.0004), nasal hemisphere location (p=0.006) and close proximity to the optic disc (p=0.004).

Conclusions

The superotemporal quadrant close to the macula is the most frequent location of CCH. The tumours are generally characterised by a diameter/height ratio of >2. Tumours in young patients, with marked elevation, in nasal hemisphere and in proximity to the optic disc are associated with SRF exudation.
Choroidal thickness and vascular density in macular telangiectasia type 2 using enface swept-source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Wang Jay C , Laíns Inês , Oellers Patrick , Kim Ivana K , Miller Joan W , Miller John B
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To investigate the choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascular densities (CVD) of patients with macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel2) and their association with other multimodal imaging features, using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Methods

Prospective, cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients with MacTel2 along with controls without any macular disease were included. Fundus photography, confocal blue reflectance, near-infrared reflectance, autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, spectral domain OCT and SS-OCT were performed. Images were independently analysed by two graders, and CVD was calculated from binarised en face SS-OCT images. CT was obtained from the SS-OCT platform via built-in automated segmentation. Multilevel mixed-effects models were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Thirty-nine eyes of 20 patients with MacTel2 and 29 eyes of 15 control patients were included. Average CT and perifoveal temporal CT did not differ significantly between eyes with MacTel2 and control eyes (p≥0.350), when accounting for confounding factors. Overall and temporal CVD also did not significantly differ between the two groups (p≥0.490).

Conclusion

CT and CVD did not significantly differ between MacTel2 and control eyes in this study using SS-OCT. Even though MacTel2 may include abnormalities involving the choroid, these are likely minor in comparison to the predominant retinal changes.
Association between suicide attempts and homelessness in a population-based sample of US veterans and non-veterans
Authors: Tsai Jack , Cao Xing
Published: January 2019

Background

Suicide and homelessness share many of the same risk factors, but there is little understanding of how they are related to each other.

Methods

Data on 36 155 US adults (3101 veterans and 33 024 non-veterans) in the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions-III were analysed to examine the association between lifetime homelessness and suicide, net of other factors, in a nationally representative US sample.

Results

US veterans with homeless histories were 7.8 times more likely to have attempted suicide than veterans with no homeless histories (24.5% vs 2.8%). Non-veterans with homeless histories were 4.1 times more likely to have attempted suicide than those with no homeless histories (23.1% vs 4.5%). Lifetime homelessness was independently associated with lifetime suicide attempts in veterans (AOR=3.75, 95% CI 3.72 to 3.77) and non-veterans (AOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.83 to 1.84).

Conclusion

The findings suggest a unique link between homelessness and suicide, especially among US veterans. Strategies to synergise homeless and suicide prevention services, particularly in the Veterans Health Administration, may benefit high-risk individuals.
Insomnia is associated with increased mortality in patients with first-ever stroke: a 6-year follow-up in a Chinese cohort study
Authors: Li Li-Jun , Yang Yang , Guan Bo-Yuan , Chen Qi , Wang An-Xin , Wang Yong-Jun , Zhang Ning , Wang Chun-Xue
Published: January 2019

Objective

Insomnia is a highly prevalent disorder among patients suffering from stroke. The association between insomnia and stroke mortality is less studied, particularly using the latest diagnostic criteria. The current study examined the relationship between insomnia and mortality among patients with first-evonal hazard models were used to calculate HRs for stroke er stroke in China.

Methods

Patients with acute cerebrovascular diseases (stroke) were recruited from 56 hospitals in mainland China. Insomnia was defined as difficulty falling asleep, or difficulty staying asleep or waking up early, for at least two consecutive visits. Demographic data, medical history and clinical data were collected. Four follow-up visits occurred within the first year after stroke, and the last follow-up call was conducted 6 years later. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate HRs for stroke mortality.

Results

Insomnia was reported by 38.4% (489/1273) of patients at baseline. During the 6 years of follow-up, after adjusting for all confounders, insomnia was found to be associated with increased mortality (HR=1.66, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.48). Old age (HR=1.08, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.10), stroke recurrence in the first year of follow-up (HR=2.53, 95% CI 1.48 to 4.31) and stroke survivors with hypertension (HR=1.62, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.53) had substantially higher risk of mortality.

Conclusions

Besides old age, stroke recurrence in the first year of follow-up and hypertension, insomnia is associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with first-ever stroke in China. More studies about prompt and efficient interventions for insomnia are expected in the future.

Trial registration number

rctn62169508.
An interview with Pamela Wisniewski
Authors: Anjum Bushra
Published: January 2019

Dr. Pamela Wisniewski is an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida's Department of Computer Science and an inaugural member of the ACM Future Computing Academy. As a human-computer interaction researcher, she studies privacy as a means to protect people, but more importantly, as a social mechanism to enrich online interactions that people share with others. She is particularly interested in the interplay between social media, privacy, and online safety for adolescents. Being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she is committed to protecting at-risk youth from online sexual predation risks, as well as empowering vulnerable youth online, so that they can garner the resources and support they need to overcome adversity and succeed in life.
Instructional Technology: Avoiding the Golden Hammer
Authors: Mandernach B. Jean
Published: January 2019

In this Special Issue of eLearn Magazine, we examine the value and impact of instructional technology for addressing specific challenges faced by educators in the online classroom. With an emphasis on practical utility, authors share technology tools that have aligned effectively with their pedagogical needs to produce positive teaching and learning outcomes.
The MMPI-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF): Assessment of Personality and Psychopathology in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Sellbom Martin
Published: January 2019

This article describes the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) and situates the instrument in contemporary psychopathology and personality literature. The historical evolution of the MMPI instruments is highlighted, including how failure to update the test for several decades resulted in increasing disinterest by basic researchers and how the restructuring efforts beginning in the 2000s promised to realign the instrument with basic research. In this regard, the construct validity associated with MMPI-2-RF scores in the context of contemporary dimensional models of psychopathology is considered. Research supporting the applied utility of the MMPI-2-RF scales in a variety of contexts—including mental health screenings, presurgical evaluations, forensic assessment, and public safety screening—is also reviewed. Critiques of the MMPI-2-RF are described and addressed. Finally, a series of recommendations for future updates of the MMPI-2-RF are described along with a path toward the MMPI-3.
Permeability of Clays and Shales
Authors: Neuzil C.E.
Published: January 2019

The low permeability of clays, shales, and other argillaceous lithologies makes them key controls of transport and deformation processes in the crust but is known for being challenging to characterize. As muds are modified by compaction and diagenesis to low-porosity shales, permeability can decrease by six or more orders of magnitude, but at large scales it is often dramatically and unpredictably increased by fractures, faults, and other features. Testing and inverse modeling show that petrophysical properties and the geological environment are dominant controls of clay and shale matrix permeability and its scale dependence. Active sedimentation and tectonism on continental margins cause large-scale permeability to vary with time, but in stable continent interiors it is unclear how regional permeability of argillaceous formations changes over time or, in most cases, what controls it. Although rarely considered, it is also unknown whether Darcian permeability adequately describes flow in clay-rich materials. ▪ Critical for problems in energy, water supply, waste isolation, and geologic hazards, clay and shale permeability remains problematic. ▪ Test data and inverse model analyses are beginning to reveal where and how permeability of clay and shale changes with scale. ▪ In clays and shales, causes of permeability scale effects, their time dependence, and even flow behavior continue to raise questions.
The Next Generation of Diabetes Translation: A Path to Health Equity
Authors: Haire-Joshu Debra , Hill-Briggs Felicia
Published: January 2019

Disparities in diabetes burden exist in large part because of the social determinants of health (SDOH). Translation research and practice addressing health equity in diabetes have generally focused on changing individual behavior or providing supportive approaches to compensate for, rather than directly target, SDOH. The purpose of this article is to propose a pathway for addressing SDOH as root causes of diabetes disparities and as an essential target for the next generation of interventions needed to achieve health equity in diabetes prevention and treatment. This review describes ( a) the current burden of diabetes disparities, ( b) the influence of SDOH on diabetes disparities, ( c) gaps in and implications of current translation research, and ( d) approaches to achieving health equity in the next generation of diabetes translation.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an organ-based analysis
Authors: Pinti Mark V. , Fink Garrett K. , Hathaway Quincy A. , Durr Andrya J. , Kunovac Amina , Hollander John M.
Published: January 2019

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a systemic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and organismic insulin resistance. This pathological shift in both circulating fuel levels and energy substrate utilization by central and peripheral tissues contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction across organ systems. The mitochondrion lies at the intersection of critical cellular pathways such as energy substrate metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptosis. It is the disequilibrium of these processes in T2DM that results in downstream deficits in vital functions, including hepatocyte metabolism, cardiac output, skeletal muscle contraction, β-cell insulin production, and neuronal health. Although mitochondria are known to be susceptible to a variety of genetic and environmental insults, the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and mtDNA copy number depletion is helping to explain the prevalence of mitochondrial-related diseases such as T2DM. Recent work has uncovered novel mitochondrial biology implicated in disease progressions such as mtDNA heteroplasmy, noncoding RNA (ncRNA), epigenetic modification of the mitochondrial genome, and epitranscriptomic regulation of the mtDNA-encoded mitochondrial transcriptome. The goal of this review is to highlight mitochondrial dysfunction observed throughout major organ systems in the context of T2DM and to present new ideas for future research directions based on novel experimental and technological innovations in mitochondrial biology. Finally, the field of mitochondria-targeted therapeutics is discussed, with an emphasis on novel therapeutic strategies to restore mitochondrial homeostasis in the setting of T2DM.
Chronic stroke survivors show task-dependent modulation of motor variability during bimanual coordination
Authors: Ranganathan Rajiv , Gebara Rani , Andary Michael , Sylvain Jim
Published: January 2019

Stroke often results in hemiparesis, leaving one side of the body “affected” relative to the other side. Prior research has shown that the affected arm has higher variability; however, the extent to which this variability can be modulated is unclear. Here we used a shared bimanual task to examine the degree to which participants could modulate the variability in the affected arm after stroke. Participants with chronic stroke ( n = 11) and age-matched controls ( n = 11) performed unimanual and bimanual reaching movements to move a cursor on a screen to different targets. In the unimanual condition, the cursor was controlled only by the movement of a single arm, whereas, in the bimanual condition, the cursor position was “shared” between the two arms by using a weighted average of the two hand positions. Unknown to the participants, we altered the weightings of the affected and unaffected arms to cursor motion and examined how the movement variability on each arm changed depending on its contribution to the task. Results showed that stroke survivors had higher movement variability on the affected arm; however, like age-matched controls, they were able to modulate the variability in both the affected and unaffected arms according to the weighting condition. Specifically, as the weighting on a particular arm increased (i.e., it became more important to the task), the movement variability decreased. These results show that stroke survivors are capable of modulating variability depending on the task context, and this feature may potentially be exploited for rehabilitation paradigms.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that chronic stroke survivors, similar to age-matched controls, are able to modulate variability in their affected and unaffected limbs in redundant bimanual tasks as a function of how these limbs contribute to the task. Specifically, in both affected and unaffected limbs, the variability of the limb increases as its contribution to the task decreases. This feature may potentially be exploited in rehabilitation paradigms using bimanual tasks.
Mathematical Modeling of Multiple Quality Characteristics of a Laser Microdrilling Process Used in Al7075/SiCp Metal Matrix Composite Using Genetic Programming
Authors: Yunus Mohammed , Alsoufi Mohammad S.
Published: January 2019

The conventional method for machining metal matrix composites (MMCs) is difficult on account of their excellent characteristics compared with those of their source materials. Modern laser machining technology is a suitable noncontact method for machining operations of advanced engineering materials due to its novel advantages such as higher productivity, ease of adaptation to automation, minimum heat affected zone (HAZ), green manufacturing, decreased processing costs, improved quality, reduced wastage, removal of finishing operations, and so on. Their application includes hole drilling in an aircraft engine components such as combustion chambers, nozzle guide vanes, and turbine blades made up of MMCs which meet quality standards that determine their suitability for service use. This paper presents a derived mathematical model based on evolutionary computation methods using multivariate regression fitting for the prediction of multiple characteristics (circularity, taper, spatter, and HAZ) of neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet laser drilling of aluminum matrix/silicon carbide particulate (Al/SiCp) MMCs using genetic programming. Laser drilling input factors such as laser power, pulse frequency, gas pressure, and pulse width are utilized. From a training dataset, different genetic models for multiple quality characteristics were obtained with great accuracy during simulated evolution to provide a more accurate prediction compared to empirical correlations.
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Guided Only by Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: Zhao Jinlong , Li Feng , Zhang Yueli , Zhuang Zhongyun , Wang Man , Fu Liang , Ni Yinkai , Lu Zhexin , Chen Zonghui , Zhang Cheng
Published: January 2019

Aims. To investigate a new method of left atrial appendage occlusion without fluoroscopy. Methods and Results. We performed left atrial appendage occlusion for 14 patients with atrial fibrillation in our hospital. All of the surgeries were completed in a general surgery setting, avoiding fluoroscopy, and in each case, the entire procedure was guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). All of the surgeries were performed through the femoral vein pathway. All operations went smoothly with no serious complications. Postoperative TEE indicated that each device was in a good position, and there was no residual shunt around any of the devices. Conclusions. TEE-guided left atrial appendage occlusion is safe and reliable, simplifies the procedure, protects doctors and patients from radiation, and is gradually becoming the mainstream operation for left atrial appendage occlusion. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1800018387.
Tomato Powder Modulates NF-κB, mTOR, and Nrf2 Pathways during Aging in Healthy Rats
Authors: Sahin Kazim , Orhan Cemal , Tuzcu Mehmet , Tastan Hakki , Bilir Birdal , Sahin Nurhan , Oner Deniz Aslar , Kucuk Omer
Published: January 2019

Purpose. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of tomato powder (TP) on glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as oxidative stress and the NF-κB, mTOR, and Nrf2 pathways during the aging process in healthy rats. Methods and Results. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups as follows: (i) Control group 1 (n=15, 3-week old): rats were fed standard diet for 7 weeks; (ii) TP group 1 (n=15, 3-week old): rats were fed standard diet supplemented with TP for 7 weeks; (iii) Control group 2 (n=15, 8-week old): rats were fed standard diet for 69 weeks; and (iv) TP group 2 (8-week old): rats were fed standard diet supplemented with TP for 69 weeks. TP supplementation significantly reduced the hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia and improved liver function and kidney function in 77-week old rats compared with the control animals (P<0.05). In addition, TP significantly decreased the serum and liver MDA levels (P<0.003 and P<0.001, respectively) while increasing the activities of liver SOD (P<0.001), CAT (P<0.008), and GPx (P<0.01) compared with the control groups in both 10-week-old and 77-week-old rats (P<0.05). Age-related increases in phosphorylation of NF-κBp65, mTOR, 4E-BP1, and P70S6K were observed in livers of 77-week-old rats compared to those of 10-week-old rats (P<0.001). TP supplementation decreased the expression of NF-κBp65 and activation of mTOR, 4E-BP1, and P70S6K in livers of 77-week-old rats compared to the control animals. Moreover, TP supplementation significantly elevated Nrf2 expression in livers of both 10-week-old and 77-week-old rats (P<0.05). Conclusion. TP ameliorates age-associated inflammation and oxidative stress through the inhibition of NF-κBp65, mTOR pathways, and Nrf2 activation may explain the observed improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as the improved liver and kidney functions.
Investigation of Nonmotor Symptoms in First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Different Clinical Types of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Liu Jiang-bing , Leng Jun-ling , Wang Ying-ge , Zhang Yu , Tang Tie-yu , Tao Li-hong , Zhang Xin-jiang , Liu Chun-feng
Published: January 2019

Background. Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) are prodromal characteristics of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The first-degree relatives (FDR) of PD patients had a higher risk of PD and also had more NMS. Objective. To delineate NMS in FDR of patients with different clinical types of PD. Methods. A total of 98 PD probands were recruited; 256 siblings of them were enrolled in the FDR group. Various scales were used to assess NMS, including depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, insomnia, constipation, excessive daytime sleepiness, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), and restless legs syndrome (RLS). The incidences of NMS were further compared between the FDR groups of PD with different types. Results. The FDR of early-onset PD (EOP) showed a higher incidence of moderate to severe depression (OR = 4.08; 95% CI: 1.12–14.92; P=0.033), anxiety (OR = 4.22; 95% CI: 1.87–9.52; P=0.001), and excessive daytime sleepiness (OR = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.00–11.48; P=0.049) than the FDR of late-onset PD (LOP). It was also found that RBD (OR = 11.65; 95% CI: 3.82–35.54; P<0.001), constipation (OR = 4.94; 95% CI: 1.85–13.21; P=0.001), sleep disorders (OR = 4.51; 95% CI: 1.73–11.78; P=0.002), cognitive impairment (OR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.62–7.77; P=0.002), and anxiety (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.32–4.71; P=0.005) were more frequent in FDR of tremor-dominant PD (TDP) than in FDR of non-tremor-dominant PD (NTDP). Conclusions. The siblings of patients with EOP and TDP have more NMS, presuming that they have a higher risk in the PD prodromal stage. Whether they have a greater possibility to progress into PD requires further investigation.