bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A compact pitch and time representation for melodic contours in Indian art music
Authors: Ranjani H. G. , Srinivasamurthy Ajay , Paramashivan Deepak , Sreenivas Thippur V.
Published: January 2019

Predominant melody offers a complete representation of melodic contours of heterophonic Indian Art Music (IAM). A compact representation of melodic contours while preserving raga characteristics is proposed. Such representations have applications in music transcription, analysis, and synthesis. Contours are quantized on a pitch-time grid after normalizing critical points with tonic and rhythmic pulse period estimates. Non-uniform quantization intervals are selected from pitch and time scales prevalent in IAM, while accommodating pitch and inter-note-interval variations on pitch-time grid. An evaluation of quantized-reconstructed contours through listening tests by trained musicians shows raga preserving capabilities of the proposed approach in spite of alterations in contour shapes.
How canaries listen to their song: Species-specific shape of auditory perception
Authors: Fishbein Adam R. , Lawson Shelby L. , Dooling Robert J. , Ball Gregory F.
Published: January 2019

The melodic, rolling songs of canaries have entertained humans for centuries and have been studied for decades by researchers interested in vocal learning, but relatively little is known about how the birds listen to their songs. Here, it is investigated how discriminable the general acoustic features of conspecific songs are to canaries, and their discrimination abilities are compared with a small parrot species, the budgerigar. Past experiments have shown that female canaries are more sexually responsive to a particular song element—the “special” syllables—and consistent with those observations, it was found that special syllables are perceptually distinctive for canaries. It is also shown that canaries discriminate the subtle differences among syllables and phrases using spectral, envelope, and temporal fine structure cues. Yet, while canaries can hear these fine details of the acoustic structure of their song, the evidence overall suggests that they listen at a more global, phrase by phrase level, rather than an analytic, syllable by syllable level, except when attending to some features of special syllables. These results depict the species-specific shape of auditory perception in canaries and lay the groundwork for future studies examining how song perception changes seasonally and according to hormonal state.
Conditional sampling analysis of high-speed schlieren movies of Mach wave radiation in a supersonic jet
Authors: Akamine Masahito , Okamoto Koji , Teramoto Susumu , Tsutsumi Seiji
Published: January 2019

Acoustic-triggered conditional sampling analysis can extract the broadband-noise-related intermittent fluctuations from complicated schlieren visualization movies around the source region, which is difficult when using conventional methods. In this study, an analysis of the Mach wave radiation from a supersonic jet was performed. The extracted results properly captured the known features of the Mach waves and their sources (i.e., wavepacket at the jet boundary) and clearly showed the correlation between these near-field fluctuations and the far-field intermittent acoustic events. This analysis can potentially be applied to other broadband, intermittent turbulent noise and will provide a better understanding of their generation mechanisms.
Association Between Deoxygenated Hemoglobin Breaking Point, Anaerobic Threshold, and Rowing Performance
Authors: Turnes Tiago , Penteado dos Santos Rafael , de Aguiar Rafael Alves , Loch Thiago , Possamai Leonardo Trevisol , Caputo Fabrizio
Published: January 2019

Purpose: To compare the intensity and physiological responses of deoxygenated hemoglobin breaking point ([HHb]BP) and anaerobic threshold (AnT) during an incremental test and to verify their association with 2000-m rowing-ergometer performance in well-trained rowers. Methods: A total of 13 male rowers (mean [SD] age = 24 [11] y and  = 63.7 [6.1] mL·kg−1·min−1) performed a step incremental test. Gas exchange, vastus lateralis [HHb], and blood lactate concentration were measured. Power output, , and heart rate of [HHb]BP and AnT were determined and compared with each other. A 2000-m test was performed in another visit. Results: No differences were found between [HHb]BP and AnT in the power output (236 [31] vs 234 [31] W; Δ = 0.7%), 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.7%), (4.2 [0.5] vs 4.3 [0.4] L·min−1; Δ = −0.8%, 95% CI 4.0%), or heart rate (180 [16] vs 182 [12] beats·min−1; Δ = −1.6%, 95% CI 2.1%); however, there was high typical error of estimate (TEE) and wide 95% limits of agreement (LoA) for power output (TEE 10.7%, LoA 54.1–50.6 W), (TEE 5.9%, LoA −0.57 to 0.63 L·min−1), and heart rate (TEE 2.4%, LoA −9.6 to 14.7 beats·min−1). Significant correlations were observed between [HHb]BP (r = .70) and AnT (r = .89) with 2000-m mean power. Conclusions: These results demonstrate a breaking point in [HHb] of the vastus lateralis muscle during the incremental test that is capable of distinguishing rowers with different performance levels. However, the high random error would compromise the use of [HHb]BP for training and testing in rowing.
See, feel, act: Hierarchical learning for complex manipulation skills with multisensory fusion
Authors: Fazeli N. , Oller M. , Wu J. , Wu Z. , Tenenbaum J. B. , Rodriguez A.
Published: January 2019

A robot leverages hierarchical Bayesian representation with multisensory observations to play the game of Jenga.
Durable anticancer immunity from intratumoral administration of IL-23, IL-36γ, and OX40L mRNAs
Authors: Hewitt Susannah L. , Bai Ailin , Bailey Dyane , Ichikawa Kana , Zielinski John , Karp Russell , Apte Ameya , Arnold Kristen , Zacharek Sima J. , Iliou Maria S. , Bhatt Khushbu , Garnaas Maija , Musenge Faith , Davis Ashley , Khatwani Nikhil , Su Stephen V. , MacLean Graham , Farlow Samuel J. , Burke Kristine , Frederick Joshua P.
Published: January 2019

Local mRNA therapy encoding inflammatory cytokines and T cell costimulator OX40L mediates persistent anticancer immunity across tumor models.
Acute ischaemic stroke-related choreoathetosis treated with arterial thrombectomy
Authors: Muhammad Ali , Bielskute Egidija , Guyler Paul C , Grunwald Iris Q
Published: January 2019

A rare case of acute choreoathetosis after acute stroke is presented. This 66-years-old, right-handed Caucasian woman presented with weakness of her right arm and right leg with dysarthria, which resolved by the time she arrived in the emergency department. No obvious focal sign apart from the abnormal choreoathetoid movement of the right arm and leg and of the neck was present. Her medical history included atrial fibrillation without anticoagulation. CT head was nil acute (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score of 10). CT angiography of the carotids showed a hyperdense M2 segment of the left middle cerebral artery. Intravenous thrombolysis immediately followed by thrombectomy was decided. Using the Penumbra aspiration device (ACE 68) two clots were removed with two aspirations. A small distal clot remained but partial recanalisation (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction/Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b) was achieved. 30 seconds after restoring blood flow, the choreoathetoid movements ceased. The patient was brought to intensive care for further monitoring, which was uneventful.
Invasive aspergillosis complicating treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Nasir Tajwar , Lee Claudia , Lawrence Alexandra SC , Brown Jeremy S
Published: January 2019

We describe three cases of pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) in three patients without traditional risk factors for invasive aspergillosis infection, such as prolonged neutropenia or high dose systemic corticosteroid therapy. All three patients developed PA while taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and sustained greater clinical improvement once TKI were withdrawn. Our case series supports the theory TKI treatment can increase susceptibility to PA without causing neutropenia. Recognition that TKI treatment may predispose to invasive aspergillosis will allow for rapid recognition of affected patients and more effective management of future cases.
Rare case of small intestine bleeding
Authors: Cumberledge Jeremy D , Anaka Ikenna , Kupec Justin T
Published: January 2019

We present a case of a healthy 59-year-old woman who presented for a capsule endoscopy to evaluate melaena and iron deficiency anaemia. She had previously underwent an oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy at an outside institution which were unremarkable. Capsule endoscopy showed an ulcerated, bleeding lesion likely in the duodenum. Differential diagnosis included adenocarcinoma, carcinoid tumour, lymphoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumour and metastatic disease. A push enteroscopy was performed after which showed an ulcerated mass in the third portion of the duodenum. Biopsies confirmed adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed no signs of distant metastasis and the patient was referred to surgery for evaluation. The patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, with resection of the mass and negative lymph nodes in all nine that were removed (T3N0). The patient was classified as stage II duodenal adenocarcinoma. Duodenal adenocarcinoma is a rare but clinically significant cause of small bowel bleeding.
Rivaroxaban-related acute kidney injury in a patient with IgA vasculitis
Authors: Fujino Yoshihiko , Takahashi Chisato , Mitsumoto Kensuke , Uzu Takashi
Published: January 2019

Anticoagulants have recently been recognised as a cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). We describe the case of a 75-year-old man with IgA vasculitis and atrial fibrillation treated with rivaroxaban, who presented with macroscopic haematuria and an acute decline in renal function. Two months before referral, he noted palpable purpuric lesions and was diagnosed with IgA vasculitis based on skin biopsy findings; the skin lesion disappeared following treatment with a steroid external preparation. Renal biopsy revealed glomerular haemorrhage and red blood cell casts. Although rivaroxaban was withdrawn, his kidney function worsened and he was started on haemodialysis. His renal function did not recover. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC)-related AKI in systemic vasculitis. During DOAC therapy, close monitoring of a patient’s urinalysis results and their renal function may be required for patients with systemic vasculitis to avoid AKI.
Current ophthalmology practice patterns for syphilitic uveitis
Authors: Oliver Genevieve F , Stathis Roy M , Furtado João M , Arantes Tiago E , McCluskey Peter J , Matthews Janet M ,   International Ocular Syphilis Study Group, Smith Justine R
Published: January 2019

Background

Syphilitic uveitis is re-emerging alongside the systemic infection. In July 2017, an international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists formed the International Ocular Syphilis Study Group to define current practice patterns.

Methods

103 Study Group members based in 35 countries completed a 25-item questionnaire focused on case load, clinical presentations, use and interpretation of investigations, treatment and clinical indicators of poor prognosis.

Results

Members managed a mean of 6.1 patients with syphilitic uveitis in clinics that averaged 707 annual cases of uveitis (0.9%); 53.2% reported increasing numbers over the past decade. Patients presented to more members (40.2%) during secondary syphilis. Uveitis was usually posterior (60.8%) or pan (22.5%); complications included optic neuropathy, macular oedema and posterior synechiae. All members diagnosed syphilitic uveitis using serological tests (simultaneous or sequential testing algorithms), and 97.0% routinely checked for HIV co-infection. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was ordered by 90.2% of members, and 92.7% took uveitis plus Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL) or fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS) to indicate neurosyphilis. Patients were commonly co-managed with infectious disease physicians, and treated with penicillin for at least 10–14 days, plus corticosteroid. Features predicting poor outcome included optic neuropathy (86.3%) and initial misdiagnosis (63.7%). Reasons for delayed diagnosis were often practitioner-related. 82.5% of members tested every patient they managed with uveitis for syphilis.

Conclusion

This comprehensive report by an international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists provides a current approach for the management of syphilitic uveitis.
Impact of scribes on emergency medicine doctors’ productivity and patient throughput: multicentre randomised trial
Authors: Walker Katherine , Ben-Meir Michael , Dunlop William , Rosler Rachel , West Adam , O’Connor Gabrielle , Chan Thomas , Badcock Diana , Putland Mark , Hansen Kim , Crock Carmel , Liew Danny , Taylor David , Staples Margaret
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the changes in productivity when scribes were used by emergency physicians in emergency departments in Australia and assess the effect of scribes on throughput.

Design

Randomised, multicentre clinical trial.

Setting

Five emergency departments in Victoria used Australian trained scribes during their respective trial periods. Sites were broadly representative of Australian emergency departments: public (urban, tertiary, regional referral, paediatric) and private, not for profit.

Participants

88 physicians who were permanent, salaried employees working more than one shift a week and were either emergency consultants or senior registrars in their final year of training; 12 scribes trained at one site and rotated to each study site.

Interventions

Physicians worked their routine shifts and were randomly allocated a scribe for the duration of their shift. Each site required a minimum of 100 scribed and non-scribed shifts, from November 2015 to January 2018.

Main outcome measures

Physicians’ productivity (total patients, primary patients); patient throughput (door-to-doctor time, length of stay); physicians’ productivity in emergency department regions. Self reported harms of scribes were analysed, and a cost-benefit analysis was done.

Results

Data were collected from 589 scribed shifts (5098 patients) and 3296 non-scribed shifts (23 838 patients). Scribes increased physicians’ productivity from 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.11 to 1.17) to 1.31 (1.25 to 1.38) patients per hour per doctor, representing a 15.9% gain. Primary consultations increased from 0.83 (0.81 to 0.85) to 1.04 (0.98 to 1.11) patients per hour per doctor, representing a 25.6% gain. No change was seen in door-to-doctor time. Median length of stay reduced from 192 (interquartile range 108-311) minutes to 173 (96-208) minutes, representing a 19 minute reduction (P<0.001). The greatest gains were achieved by placing scribes with senior doctors at triage, the least by using them in sub-acute/fast track regions. No significant harm involving scribes was reported. The cost-benefit analysis based on productivity and throughput gains showed a favourable financial position with use of scribes.

Conclusions

Scribes improved emergency physicians’ productivity, particularly during primary consultations, and decreased patients’ length of stay. Further work should evaluate the role of the scribe in countries with health systems similar to Australia’s.

Trial registration

ACTRN12615000607572 (pilot site); ACTRN12616000618459.
Social return on investment of emergency obstetric care training in Kenya
Authors: Banke-Thomas Aduragbemi , Madaj Barbara , van den Broek Nynke
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Emergency obstetric care (EmOC) training is considered a key strategy for reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although generally considered effective, there is minimal evidence on the broader social impact and/or value-for-money (VfM). This study assessed the social impact and VfM of EmOC training in Kenya using social return on investment (SROI) methodology.

Methods

Mixed-methods approach was used, including interviews (n=21), focus group discussions (n=18) incorporating a value game, secondary data analysis and literature review, to obtain all relevant data for the SROI analysis. Findings were incorporated into the impact map and used to estimate the SROI ratio. Sensitivity analyses were done to test assumptions.

Results

Trained healthcare providers, women and their babies who received care from those providers were identified as primary beneficiaries. EmOC training led to improved knowledge and skills and improved attitudes towards patients. However, increased workload was reported as a negative outcome by some healthcare providers. Women who received care expected and experienced positive outcomes including reduced maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. After accounting for external influences, the total social impact for 93 5-day EmOC training workshops over a 1-year period was valued at I$9.5 million, with women benefitting the most from the intervention (73%). Total direct implementation cost was I$745 000 for 2965 healthcare providers trained. The cost per trained healthcare provider per day was I$50.23 and SROI ratio was 12.74:1. Based on multiple one-way sensitivity analyses, EmOC training guaranteed VfM in all scenarios except when trainers were paid consultancy fees and the least amount of training outcomes occurred.

Conclusion

EmOC training workshops are a worthwhile investment. The implementation approach influences how much VfM is achieved. The use of volunteer facilitators, particularly those based locally, to deliver EmOC training is a critical driver in increasing social impact and achieving VfM for investments made.
Trends in HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among men who have sex with men from 2013 to 2017 in Nanjing, China: a consecutive cross-sectional survey
Authors: Zhu Zhengping , Yan Hongjing , Wu Sushu , Xu Yuanyuan , Xu Wenjiong , Liu Li , Li Xin , Xu Fei , Detels Roger
Published: January 2019

Objective

To examine the trends of HIV prevalence, risk behaviours and HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nanjing.

Design

Five consecutive cross-sectional surveys.

Setting

Nanjing, China.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

HIV and syphilis prevalence, HIV testing rate and factors associated with HIV infection; demographic characteristics and behaviours.

Results

649, 669, 577, 633, 503 MSM were recruited from 2013 to 2017. HIV prevalence was 9.9%, 12.3%, 12.5%, 9.8% and 10.1%, respectively. Syphilis prevalence decreased with a range from 10.6% to 5.6%. Risk behaviours like unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and unprotected virginal sex in the past 6 months decreased, but multiple sex partners and ever used rush popper rose significantly. MSM tested for HIV in the previous year remained stable from 57.0% to 64.1% (P=0.633). Multivariate analysis showed that tested for HIV in the past year was protective factor against HIV infection. MSM who had UAI in the past 6 months, sex role as receptive and dual, diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the past year and currently syphilis infected were risk factors for HIV infection.

Conclusions

We observed stable high HIV prevalence, a steady HIV testing rate, decreasing syphilis prevalence and UAI among MSM in Nanjing. However, rush popper use rose dramatically. The HIV preventive strategies for MSM including condom promotion, HIV testing expansion and reduction of rush popper use, STDs screening and standardised treatment should be strengthened.
All-cause mortality among young men 24–26 years after a lifestyle health dialogue in a Swedish primary care setting: a longitudinal follow-up register study
Authors: Lingfors Hans , Persson Lars-Göran
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To compare mortality and socioeconomic status among men invited to a health dialogue with men from all of Sweden approximately 24 years after the start of the study, and to analyse the associations between lifestyle and all-cause mortality, incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer.

Design

Longitudinal follow-up register study of men 33–42 years old at baseline.

Setting

Primary care in a community in Sweden.

Subjects

All 757 men aged 33–42 years old in a community in southern Sweden, and 652 of these men who participated in a health examination between 1985 and 1987.

Interventions

Health examination, lifestyle-directed health dialogue and group activities in primary care in cooperation with local associations.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

All-cause mortality, income and educational level, and associations between lifestyle at baseline and all-cause mortality, incidence of CVD and cancer.

Results

At follow-up, all-cause mortality was 29% lower (OR=0.71, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.95) among all men invited to the health dialogue compared with all men from the same age cohort in all of Sweden (intention-to-treat) and 43% lower (OR=0.57, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.81) among participating men (on-treatment). A healthy lifestyle was associated with lower mortality (OR=0.16, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.36), with the strongest association for no smoking (OR=0.38, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.68) and a healthy diet (OR=0.37, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.68). A healthy lifestyle was also associated with a decreased incidence of CVD and cancer. There was a significantly higher proportion with short education among invited men compared with men from the same age cohort in all of Sweden.

Conclusions

This study indicates that a combination of low-risk and high-risk strategies, combining a health examination with a lifestyle-directed health dialogue conducted in an ordinary primary care setting in cooperation with local associations, may have contributed to reduced premature mortality. However, we cannot exclude that there may be other factors explaining the lower mortality.
Endovenous ablation and surgery in great saphenous vein reflux: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials protocol
Authors: Siribumrungwong Boonying , Srikuea Kanoklada , Orrapin Saritphat , Benyakorn Thoetphum , Rerkasem Kittipan , Thakkinstian Ammarin
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Endovenous ablations are the new standard procedures for treatment of great saphenous vein reflux including endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radio frequency ablation (RFA), endovenous steam ablation (EVSA), mechanochemical ablation (MOCA), cyanoacrylate injection and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). EVLA and RFA have demonstrated similar anatomical success for short-term outcome, but results are controversial for longer term (≥5 years). Additional evidences from randomised controlled trials have been published. This study is, therefore, conducted to, directly and indirectly, compare outcomes among all procedures stratifying by short-term and long-term follow-up.

Methods and analysis

Medline and Scopus will be searched from 2000 to September 2018 with predefined search strategy. Interventions of interest are open surgery (ie, saphenofemoral or high ligation (HL) with stripping) and endovenous ablations (ie, EVLA, RFA, EVSA, MOCA, cyanoacrylate injection and UGFS). The primary outcome is anatomical success. Two independent reviewers will select studies, extract data and assess risk of bias. Disagreement will be adjudicated by the third party. Outcomes will be directly pooled if there are at least three studies in that comparison. A fixed-effect model will be used unless heterogeneity is present, in which case a random-effect model will be applied. Sources of heterogeneity will be explored using meta-regression analysis, and sub-group analysis will be done accordingly. Publication bias will be assessed using Egger’s test and funnel plot. A network meta-analysis will be applied to indirect compare all interventions including RFA, EVLA, EVLA with HL, UGFS, UGFS with HL and HL with stripping. Probability of being best intervention will be estimated and ranked. Inconsistency assumption will be checked using a design-by-treatment interaction model.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for systematic review and network meta-analysis. The study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018096794.
Traumatic hyphaema in children: a retrospective and prospective study of outcomes at an Australian paediatric centre
Authors: Richards Michael D , Barnes Kate , Yardley Anne-Marie E , Hanman Kate , Lam Geoffrey C , Mackey David A
Published: January 2019

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the presenting characteristics, management, outcomes and complications for paediatric traumatic hyphaema in Western Australia.

Methods and Analysis

A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for consecutive patients ≤16 years of age admitted for traumatic hyphaema to Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (Perth, Australia) between January 2002 and December 2013 (n=82). From this sample, a cohort whose injury occurred ≥5 years prior attended a prospective ocular examination (n=16). Hospital records were reviewed for patient demographics, injury details, management, visual outcomes and complications. The prospective cohort underwent examination for visual and structural outcomes.

Results

Most injuries (72%) resulted from projectile objects. Angle recession was present in 53% and was associated with projectiles (p=0.002). Most eyes (81%) achieved a final visual acuity of 0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (20/40) or better. Age ≤5 years and posterior segment injury were significant predictors of final visual acuity poorer than 0.3 logMAR. At ≥5 years post-trauma, injured eyes had greater intraocular pressure (IOP) (p=0.024) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) (p=0.022) compared with sound eyes. IOP asymmetry was associated with angle recession (p=0.008) and ACD asymmetry (p=0.012).

Conclusion

Poorer visual outcomes are associated with younger age at injury and posterior segment injury. Angle recession and ACD asymmetry are associated with IOP asymmetry 5–12 years after injury.
All change: a stroke inpatient service’s experience of a new clinical neuropsychology delivery model
Authors: Boakye Ndidi T , Scott Richard , Parsons Aisling , Betteridge Shai , Smith Melody A , Cluckie Gill
Published: January 2019

Adults presenting to stroke services are frequently faced with the challenge of adjusting to a different life following a stroke. Difficulties often include cognitive impairments, such as memory deficits, attention and language difficulties, and mood disturbances such as anxiety and depression. It has been highlighted that psychological care for this group is just as important as physical rehabilitation. Psychological expertise may therefore be required for the multitude of problems that occur after a stroke. UK National guidelines recommend routine assessment and management of mood and cognition after stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new stroke clinical neuropsychology service developed by the Department of Neuropsychology and Clinical Health Psychology, in order to meet the needs of stroke survivors and their families referred into a large acute hospital. This involved using a different skill mix of staff across one post delivering a service in an acute inpatient stroke unit. This model was evaluated and results revealed that the model delivered increased patient access to neuropsychological support, an expansion in provision of clinical work, along with positive multidisciplinary team feedback. This finding is key as where resources are limited, clinical services may benefit from adopting a ‘skill mix’ model to meet the varying needs of their patients in a timely manner. This model serves to raise the value of psychology to medical services.
Fast-tracking acute stroke care in China: Shenzhen Stroke Emergency Map
Authors: Ren Lijie , Li Chao , Li Weiping , Zeng Yixuan , Ye Shisheng , Li Zhichao , Feng Hongye , Lei Zhihao , Cai Jingjing , Hu Shiyu , Sui Yi , Liu Qiang , Cheung Bernard M Y
Published: January 2019

China has the largest stroke population and at-risk population in the world. However, it has a lower thrombolytic therapy rate and longer onset-to-needle time/door-to-needle time for patients who had an acute stroke compared with developed countries, which might be due to redundant procedures or inefficient systems. Things are changing due to some new initiatives. Two years ago, a new emergency system in China, Stroke Emergency Map, was first launched as a regional emergency system in Shenzhen, the bustling metropolis just north of Hong Kong. As a result of the Stroke Emergency Map in Shenzhen, the number of thrombolytic cases increased in the last 2 years, from 568 to 809 annually. The Stroke Emergency Map, first pioneered in Shenzhen and now spreading to the rest of China, is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary system. The benefits are not just the immediate improvements in the acute stroke care because the continuous data collection and audit allows for improvements in logistics and future strategies.
Regulating language, not inference: an examination of the potential effectiveness of Natural American Spirit advertising restrictions
Authors: Gratale Stefanie K , Maloney Erin K , Cappella Joseph N
Published: January 2019

Objective

In 2017, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reached an agreement with Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company (SFNTC) stipulating that SFNTC will remove ‘natural’ and ‘additive-free’ from Natural American Spirit (NAS) marketing to combat misperceptions that NAS is a healthier cigarette. The purpose of this study was to assess experimentally the potential effectiveness of the agreement in addressing NAS misperceptions.

Methods

In an online experiment, 820 current and former smokers were assigned randomly to advertising conditions with existing claims from NAS advertisements, modified claims or a no-exposure control. Advertising conditions included (1) ‘original’ NAS advertising text before the agreement; (2) ‘2017 agreement’ language permissible under the FDA–SFNTC agreement (removing ‘natural’, ‘additive-free’); (3) more restrictive (‘stricter’) language representing additional regulation (removing ‘natural’ from the brand name and the phrases ‘tobacco+water’, ‘no chemicals’). Participants completed outcome measures assessing misinformed beliefs and intentions towards NAS.

Results

One-way ANOVA showed that relative to the ‘original’ language, the ‘2017 agreement’ language reduced misconceptions about NAS addictiveness, but not about health or constituent composition. Yet ‘stricter’ language significantly reduced all categories of misinformed beliefs, which in turn mediated effects on (lower) intentions to use NAS.

Conclusion

The 2017 agreement helps dispel some misconceptions about NAS addictiveness, but does not sufficiently rectify misinformation about health or composition. Since ‘stricter’ language more effectively corrects misinformed beliefs, our results suggest the need for further regulations in addressing misinformation that drives intentions towards NAS.
A comparison of methods to measure daily cigarillo consumption among adolescents and young adults
Authors: Antognoli Elizabeth , Ishler Karen J , Trapl Erika , Flocke Susan A
Published: January 2019

Objective

Cigarillo use is widespread among young people. Accurate assessment of cigarillo consumption is necessary to inform and evaluate tobacco research, but is complicated by product sharing and irregular use. This study compares a conventional approach with a detailed approach for measuring cigarillo consumption.

Methods

Data are drawn from a cross-sectional, web-based survey of 1089 young (aged 15–28 years) cigarillo smokers. The conventional measure of cigarillo consumption employs two common tobacco use items—the number of days a product was smoked in the past month and the average number of products smoked per day. The detailed measure uses a time line follow-back procedure to assess product use on each of the past 7 days, both in a group and alone. Paired t-tests compare daily cigarillo use estimates from the two methods overall, and are stratified by sample characteristics and behaviours; associations with multiple factors are examined simultaneously using linear regression.

Results

Compared with the conventional measure, the detailed measure yields significantly higher daily consumption estimates for moderate and high-level users and for non-daily tobacco users, and significantly lower estimates for those who always share products and daily tobacco users. Differences remain after controlling for demographics and product use behaviours. There are no differences by gender, age, race or multiple product use.

Conclusions

The two measurement methods yield significantly different consumption estimates based on sharing behaviour, regularity of use and use level. Improving accuracy in the measurement of tobacco product consumption is important and timely for tobacco control research and policy.
Use of the novel ectoparasiticide fluralaner in the treatment of feline sarcoptic mange
Authors: Curtis Cathy F , Bourdeau Patrick J , Barr Philip Adam , Mukherjee Rajat
Published: January 2019

Feline sarcoptic mange is a rare, contagious, variably pruritic and zoonotic skin condition of cats, infrequently reported in either the UK or the worldwide veterinary literature. The last report in the UK dates from 2012 and since 1973, only 40 cases have been described worldwide. Currently, there are no veterinary‐licensed products for the treatment of feline sarcoptic mange; previously described cases were all treated with a range of unlicensed, systemic and topical acaricidal products, with varying success. The novel isoxazoline compound, fluralaner, was licensed in the UK in 2016, for the treatment of feline flea and tick infestations (Bravecto Spot‐On Solution for Cats; MSD Animal Health). The purpose of this article is to describe the use of the feline topical fluralaner formulation for the successful treatment of feline sarcoptic mange.
Sex-based differences in spawning behavior account for male-biased harvest in Lake Erie walleye (Sander vitreus)
Authors: Bade Andrew P. , Binder Thomas R. , Faust Matthew D. , Vandergoot Christopher S. , Hartman Travis J. , Kraus Richard T. , Krueger Charles C. , Ludsin Stuart A.
Published: January 2019

Sex- and size-specific reproductive behaviors can increase the vulnerability of certain demographic components of fish populations to exploitation, potentially leading to unsustainable harvest. Lake Erie’s largest walleye (Sander vitreus) spawning population, which aggregates on the Ohio reef complex during spring, is subject to angling. Information on the sex composition of harvest or how reproductive behavior might influence harvest is lacking. To address these uncertainties, we implanted 337 reef-spawning individuals with acoustic transmitters, and their spawning behavior on the reef complex was monitored for 4 years using acoustic telemetry. Males arrived on spawning grounds earlier and remained on them longer than females. These behavioral differences led us to predict that recreational angler harvest during the spawning season would be male-biased. Creel surveys confirmed this prediction, although sex composition of the harvest was influenced by angling technique. Collectively, these findings suggest that sex-based differences in reproductive behaviors bias the recreational harvest toward males on the reef complex during the spawning season. This male-biased harvest seems unlikely to pose an undue risk to Lake Erie’s walleye fishery.
Low-frequency perfect sandwich meta-absorber based on magnetic metal
Authors: He Longhui , Shan Dongyong , He Jun , Liu Sheng , Chen Zhiquan , Xu Hui
Published: January 2019

A metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) sandwich metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) with magnetic nickel metal has been designed. An optimal absorption of 99.28% at 404 MHz is achieved for MPA with thickness of 5.54 mm. Resonant absorption is demonstrated to be main mechanism according to analyses on surface current distributions and electromagnetic field distributions. Furthermore, the electromagnetic energy is mainly dissipated in magnetic metal with magnetic loss proportion of 55.43% by comparatively analyzing the wave-absorbing performance of using magnetic metal, non-magnetic metal and perfect electric conductor (PEC) as metallic layers. These results would provide a guidance for the design of quasi-microwave absorbing/shielding materials.
On traveling wave solutions: The Wu–Zhang system describing dispersive long waves
Authors: Awan A. U. , Tahir M. , Rehman H. U.
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we construct exact families of traveling wave (periodic wave, solitary wave, shock wave, singular-wave, singular-periodic wave, and singular-solitary wave) solutions of a well-known system of nonlinear PDEs, the Wu–Zhang system, which describes (1[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional dispersive long waves. This system is solved by using the generalized [Formula: see text] expansion method, where G satisfies the Jacobi elliptic equation of fourth order. Meanwhile, the mechanical features of some families are explained through three-dimensional figures.
Modeling the kinetic energy dissipation of road system considering actual weather conditions
Authors: Huang Lei , Guan De-Yong , Qiang Xin-Hong
Published: January 2019

Traffic flow dynamics and energy consumption differs under dissimilar weather conditions, while seldom investigations have been conducted with a cellular automata model. In this paper, the friction coefficient between ground and tire is considered as the quantitative label of weather, a dynamic safe gap based on friction coefficient to avoid rear-end crash is introduced. We developed a safer one-dimensional model to examine the kinetic energy consumption under different weathers. Numerical results show that previous models overestimated the kinetic energy consumption in medium density flow (density [Formula: see text]0.5). In medium flow, speed limit will not reduce energy consumption on rainy and snowy days in most cases, but is necessary for prevention of accidents. Inversely, the effect of speed control on energy consumption is obvious under extreme weather. Our work can promote a better understanding of traffic dynamics, reduce energy dissipation and be applied to real traffic management.
Consensus Function Based on Clusters Clustering and Iterative Fusion of Base Clusters
Authors: Mojarad Musa , Parvin Hamid , Nejatian Samad , Rezaie Vahideh
Published: January 2019

In clustering ensemble, it is desired to combine several clustering outputs in order to create better results than the output results of the basic individual clustering methods in terms of consistency, robustness and performance. In this research, we want to present a clustering ensemble method with a new aggregation function. The proposed method is named Robust Clustering Ensemble based on Iterative Fusion of Base Clusters (RCEIFBC). This method takes into account the two similarity criteria: (a) one of them is the cluster-cluster similarity and (b) the other one is the object-cluster similarity. The proposed method has two steps and has been done on the binary cluster representation of the given ensemble. Indeed, before doing any step, the primary partitions are converted into a binary cluster representation where the primary ensemble has been broken into a number of primary binary clusters. The first step is to combine the primary binary clusters with the highest cluster-cluster similarity. This phase will be replicated as long as our desired candidate clusters are ready. The second step is to improve the merged clusters by assigning the data points to the merged clusters. The performance and robustness of the proposed method have been evaluated over different machine learning datasets. The experimentation indicates the effectiveness of the proposed method comparing to the state-of-the-art clustering methods in terms of performance and robustness.
Benchmarking Efficiency of Bank Branches: A Case Study of Bintan Bank in Malaysia
Authors: Saha Asish , Ibrahim Yusnidah , Yeok Siew Goh
Published: January 2019

Bintan Bank, a mid-sized banking group in the country was trying to evolve a more robust approach to benchmarking the performance of its retail branches. The ratio analysis framework adopted by the Bank in the said exercise was not able to provide a holistic view of branch performance and assist the Bank in setting business targets for its individual branches while finalizing its Business Plan. The Bank invited academic experts to guide the Bank in the benchmarking exercise. Experts worked with the Bank in evolving a comprehensive approach to benchmark branch performance using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Framework. The case narrates the process adopted by the experts and provides solutions to the problem at hand of the Bank.
The New Silk Road of BLACKYAK
Authors: Kang Tae-Sun , Ko Young-Hee , Cho Dong-Sung
Published: January 2019

BLACKYAK, a native brand founded over 40 years ago, is considered to have driven the growth of Korean outdoors market, the secondlargest single-country outdoors market in the world. It has seen remarkable achievements in Korea, and is now aggressively expanding to overseas markets in an attempt to develop the BLACKYAK version of ‘Silk Road’.

BLACKYAK is taking aggressive measures to establish development processes and core capabilities that meet the global standard by entering Europe, the home of the outdoors market. It is implementing collaborative strategies to promptly make up for its weak points compared to local demands, such as adopting a product development strategy of applying high functionality to BLACKYAK’s differentiated designs and recruiting local marketers.

This case study will analyze the core capabilities that enabled BLACKYAK’s global expansion as well as the limitations it must overcome, and research effective global expansion strategies in-depth based on the above.
HOGHS and Zernike Moments Features-Based Motion-Blurred Object Tracking
Authors: Wang Guang-Long , Tian Jie , Zhu Wen-Jie , Fang Dan
Published: January 2019

Motion-blurred object tracking method integrating Histogram of Oriented Gradients and Hue Saturation (HOGHS) with Zernike moments features and based on ECO_HC tracker was proposed in this study to deal with object blur caused by the motion of the camera or the object itself. HOGHS was constructed by integrating fHOG with color features, and the properties of Zernike moments were introduced. The object was represented by combining HOGHS and Zernike moments. Furthermore, a novel quality evaluation method of response map considering both positioning accuracy and robustness was proposed and based on the method an adaptive fusion strategy utilizing the complementary properties of HOGHS and Zernike moments was implemented. Experiments were performed on the motion blur sequences from OTB-100 datasheet. Our method was compared with four other state-of-the-art methods. The precision as well as success rate were 0.849 and 0.827, respectively. Speed was 38.4 FPS. It is superior to VOT-2016’s excellent tracker ECO_HC, with relative gains of 2.3% for Pre-20 and 2.4% for AUC. The results show that the proposed method can effectively achieve the objective of motion-blurred object tracking.
Petrology, geochemistry and zircon U–Pb–Lu–Hf isotopes of Paleoproterozoic granite gneiss from Bomdila in the western Arunachal Himalaya, NE India
Authors: Pathak Manjari , Kumar Santosh
Published: January 2019

Felsic magmatic bodies are exposed widely in the Bomdila region of the western Arunachal Himalaya, NE India. The litho-units of this region are primarily composed of two-mica (muscovite–biotite (ms–bt)) granite gneiss, referred to herein as the Bomdila granite gneiss (BGGn), and the metasediments of the Bomdila Group forming an integral part of the NE Lesser Himalayan thrust sheet. Phase petrology, whole-rock elemental geochemistry and zircon U–Pb–Lu–Hf isotopes of the BGGn have been investigated in order to decipher the origin and timing of felsic magmatism and its implications for understanding the pre-Himalayan tectonic environment. Modally, the BGGn can be classified into monzogranite, syenogranite and quartz-rich granitoids. The composition of muscovite (Ti = 0.03–0.07, average Na = 0.07 and Al
IV
= 2.50–2.90 apfu), biotite (FeO
t
/MgO = 3.1–4.6, 2Al⇌3Fe and Mg⇌Fe substitutions, and the presence of siderophyllite) and tourmaline (Fe/Fe + Mg = 0.56–0.96, Ca < 0.17 apfu) implies their primary magmatic nature crystallized typically in a peraluminous (S-type) felsic parental melt. This is further supported by the presence of ms–bt, whole-rock molar Al
2
O
3
/CaO + Na
2
O + K
2
O (A/CNK = 1.03–1.64) and normative corundum. Whole-rock multi-cationic parameters indicate a syn-collisional tectonic environment. However, the content of Rb (average 300 ppm) and high-field strength elements (HFSEs) in the BGGn indicates syn- to post-collisional tectonic settings. The BGGn parental melt was most likely to have been generated by dehydration melting of metasedimentary sources at middle–upper crustal depths. Geochemical modelling constrains the evolution of the parental melt of the BGGn by a moderate degree of fractional differentiation (
F
= 0.45) involving a biotite–plagioclase–K-feldspar–muscovite–titanite–apatite (bt–pl–Kfs–ms–ttn–ap) assemblage. Laser ablation-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS)-analysed zircons from the BGGn yield a weighted mean
207
Pb/
206
Pb age of 1752 ± 23 Ma as the crystallization age for the zircons in the BGGn melt, which falls well within the period of magmatism formed during the Columbia supercontinent accretionary orogen. The observed negative
ε
Hf
(t) values (−1.67 to −7.99) and three-stage Hf-model ages (2818, 2586–2424 and 2393–2250 Ma) of zircons, strongly point to the involvement of ancient continental crust and source heterogeneity (Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic continental crust) in the generation of the BGGn melt. The reworked ancient crustal components would have once been part of the northern Indian lithosphere, as indicated by the observed
207
Pb/
206
Pb concordant ages (2436, 2136, 2013 Ma) of the inherited zircons.
It Is About What They Could Do with the Data
Authors: Jakobi Timo , Patil Sameer , Randall Dave , Stevens Gunnar , Wulf Volker
Published: January 2019

Smart Meters are a key component of increasing the power efficiency of the Smart Grid. To help manage the grid effectively, these meters are designed to collect information on power consumption and send it to third parties. With Smart Metering, for the first time, these cloud-connected sensing devices are legally mandated to be installed in the homes of millions of people worldwide. Via a multi-staged empirical study that utilized an open-ended questionnaire, focus groups, and a design probe, we examined how people characterize the tension between the utility of Smart Metering and its impact on privacy. Our findings show that people seek to make abstract Smart Metering data
accountable
by connecting it to their everyday practices. Our insight can inform the design of usable privacy configuration tools that help Smart Metering consumers relate abstract data with the real-world implications of its disclosure.