bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction to John Kinsella's PINK LAKE
Authors: Birns Nicholas
Published: December 2019

John Kinsella’s fiction emphasizes similar themes of environmental activism, political protest, and critique of Australian society, as does his widely acclaimed poetry. As in his verse, his orientation as a fiction writer is both local and global, regional and cosmopolitan. But in his fiction Kinsella engages in a double interrogation of both mainstream society and his own posture in opposition to it. In the novella Pink Lake a film director is interviewed by an uncomprehending journalist and driven to desperation by the philistinism of Australian society. But his own arrogance, unexamined white and male privilege, and illusion that just because he practices what he calls cinema vérité he has in fact attained the truth mean that he is part of the problem as well. Kinsella examines the problematics of social critique in a neoliberal world, noting their ironies while still believing in their possibility and necessity.
Study on hole machining for the constant feed rate of Al2O3 engineering ceramics through low-frequency axial vibration
Authors: Zheng Lei , Zhang Chen , Dong Xianglong , Feng Yong , Wei Wendong , Huan Haixiang , Zeng Yong
Published: December 2019

Engineering ceramics are increasingly extensively applied in the aerospace, vehicle, armor protection and other fields due to their excellent performances such as high compression strength, high hardness, low density and high protection performance. However, engineering ceramics are typical difficult-to-machine materials, especially in the hole machining under constant feed rate, which limits the promotion and application. In this study, by combining a specially developed novel thin-wall diamond trepanning bit with a low-frequency axial vibration machining, the hole machining process for the constant feed rate of Al2O3 engineering ceramics was experimentally studied and the influence of the low-frequency axial vibration process on the axial drilling force, hole-wall surface roughness and edge chipping size of holes machined was analyzed. The results showed that the low-frequency axial vibration machining obtained a lower axial drilling force and a smaller edge chipping size compared to the traditional drilling process. Moreover, both the axial drilling force and the edge chipping size declined markedly with the rise in amplitude. However, the hole-wall surface roughness presented a rising trend due to the hammering effect of vibration. The process technology proposed in this article realizes the hole machining for a constant feed rate of Al2O3 engineering ceramics and provides a reference for the engineering lot-size hole machining of engineering ceramics.
Investigation on micro-milling of micro-grooves with high aspect ratio and laser deburring
Authors: Yang Yinfei , Han Jinjin , Hao Xiuqing , Li Liang , He Ning
Published: December 2019

High aspect ratio micro-grooves are critical structures in the micro-electromechanical system. However, problems like rapid tool wear, low processing efficiency, and inferior machined quality in micro-milling of high aspect ratio micro-grooves by length–diameter ratio tools are particularly significant. In this work, a combined micro-milling method based on water-free alcohol as the cutting fluid and laser deburring is proposed to investigate the high aspect ratio micro-groove generation of oxygen-free high-conductivity copper TU1. Parametric experiments and high aspect ratio micro-groove experiments were conducted to investigate the surface quality, cutting forces, and tool wear. The water-free alcohol was employed to improve the tool life and machined surface quality. In the case of the oxygen-free high-conductivity copper TU1 material, a satisfactory high aspect ratio micro-groove (groove-width = 0.2 μm and aspect ratio = 2.5) with a nanoscale surface roughness ( Ra = 68 nm) was obtained under the preferred machining conditions. Furthermore, the deburring process of the high aspect ratio micro-groove by the laser technology was conducted to achieve ideal machined quality of the top surfaces.
Dissimilar vacuum brazing of WC-Co and cold work steel utilizing a new near-eutectic silver-copper filler alloy
Authors: Sarhan Ahmed AD
Published: December 2019

Tungsten carbides are extremely high in hardness and they are wear-resistant materials. However, they are extremely brittle materials that render them ideal for many applications. Brazing technology has been proved to be a promising approach for joining tungsten carbide to tough metals to create high strength, tough and impact-resistant joint in the final assembly. In this research work, a dissimilar brazing of tungsten carbide (WC-Co) and cold work steel will be achieved using a new type of filler, a silver-copper near-eutectic alloy (BAg-8T) (Ag70Cu28Ti2). (BAg-8T) as a mixed alloy (eutectic and titanium) can melt/solidify completely in a very narrow temperature range (778 °C/800 °C), lower than any other existing brazing filler alloy; this will reduce the possibility of partial fastening while solidification. In addition, (BAg-8T) filler will act as the soft-iron gauze. Being soft and ductile metals, they will creep and absorb the movement due to differential contraction of the carbide and tool shank. Besides, they will improve the wetting on the carbide. In this research work, the effect of the joining parameters (brazing temperature and cobalt percentage in the tungsten carbide) on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the brazed joint will be investigated to determine the best joint performance.
Effect of ultrasonic longitudinal–torsional composite milling of the residual stress on the surface of titanium alloy
Authors: Tong Jinglin , Zhao Junshuai , Chen Peng , Zhang Zhiming , Zhao Bo
Published: December 2019

The present study envisages the study of the residual stress characteristics of titanium alloy surface, based on the ultrasonic longitudinal–torsional composite milling process. Initially, the tool path analysis of common milling and ultrasonic longitudinal–torsional composite milling was performed. When compared with the common milling, it was found that the tool–chip cycle separation phenomenon occurred in the torsional vibration direction in the ultrasonic milling tool path. Subsequently, an ultrasonic longitudinal–torsional composite milling experimental platform was built and the effects of the ultrasonic amplitude (A), cutting speed ( vf), axial depth of cut ( ap), and feed per tooth ( fz) on the residual stress of titanium alloy were studied using an orthogonal experiment. The results indicated that the residual stress in ultrasonic longitudinal–torsional composite milling comprised a combination of the “plastic bulge effect” caused by cutting force–cutting heat and the “extrusion effect” of the tool flank on the workpiece. The “extrusion effect” was dominant and presented a compressive stress on the machined surface. The ultrasonic amplitude (A) showed the most significant influence on the residual stress. With an increase of the amplitude, the extrusion and collision effect of the tool on the workpiece surface became more obvious, along with a stronger “extrusion effect” between the tool and the workpiece surface. Experimental results provide a good processing method for the difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium alloy, and offers an effective method for obtaining large surface residual compressive stress.
New hybrid NSGA-III&SPEA/R to multi-object optimization in a half-car dynamic model
Authors: Dao Dinh-Nam , Guo Li-Xin
Published: December 2019

In this article, we conducted a new hybrid method between Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-III) and SPEA/R (HNSGA-III&SPEA/R). This method is implemented to find the optimal values of the powertrain mount system stiffness parameters. This is the task of finding multi-objective optimization involving six simultaneous optimization goals: mean square acceleration and mean square displacement of the powertrain mount system. A hybrid HNSGA-III&SPEA/R has proposed with the integration of Strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm-based reference direction for Multi-objective (SPEA/R) and Many-objective optimization genetic algorithm (NSGA-III). Several benchmark functions are tested, and results reveal that the HNSGA-III&SPEA/R is more efficient than the typical SPEA/R and NSGA-III. Powertrain mount system stiffness parameters optimization with HNSGA-III&SPEA/R is simulated. It proved the potential of the HNSGA-III&SPEA/R for powertrain mount system stiffness parameter optimization problem.
A new injection rate estimation technique for on-site screening test of medication infusion pump by nurses
Authors: Kim Gun Ho , Yun Sung Uk , Ro Jung Hoon , Nam Kyoung Won
Published: December 2019

Medication infusion pumps are the most popular device in almost all areas of a hospital; therefore, it is important to frequently inspect the accuracy of the infusion pump operation to prevent underdose/overdose accidents. However, the conventional infusion pump inspection devices are not suitable for quick and convenient on-site inspection by nurses. In this study, a new IR estimation technique for peristaltic infusion pumps that facilitates on-site pre-screening test with shorter inspection time was proposed. A thin membrane potentiometer was attached to a catheter and the actual IR was estimated based on a time interval between two successive line pushes of an identical cam follower using power function estimation. To evaluate the performance of the proposed IR estimation technique, in vitro experiments were performed using 11 infusion pumps (three for Infusion Pump SET 1 ( IPSET-1) and eight for Infusion Pump SET 2 ( IPSET-2)) with the same model. In experiments, error rate between the actual and the measured values (using conventional inspection device) were 0.04–1.17% range for IPSET-1 and 2.09–4.32% for IPSET-2, and those between the actual and the estimated values (using proposed method) were 0.02–0.62% range for IPSET-1 and 1.31–4.23% for IPSET-2. The proposed technique had almost equivalent performance with a commercial inspection device, but the time for inspection was reduced to almost one third. We expect that the proposed technique can provide a tool for simple and convenient on-site pre-screening of infusion pumps by nurses to improve patient safety.
Antimicrobial resistance patterns in Neisseria gonorrhoeae among male clients of a sexually transmitted infections clinic in Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Nacht Carrie , Agingu Walter , Otieno Fredrick , Odhiambo Finch , Mehta Supriya D
Published: December 2019

Approximately 11.4 million cases of gonorrhea occur in the WHO African Region annually and global incidence has been increasing. We sought to determine the distribution and types of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) in Kisumu, Kenya. Urethral swab specimens were obtained from men attending Universities of Nairobi, Illinois, and Manitoba sexually transmitted infection clinic with urethral discharge detected on clinical exam between 29 January and 2 July 2018. Gonorrhea was confirmed by culturing on Thayer–Martin GC Culture selective media. Disk diffusion was used to measure resistance to antimicrobials. Of the 138 males with history of urethral discharge or dysuria or urethral discharge on exam identified during the surveillance period, urethral swab samples were obtained from 60 men, and 35 (58%) were culture positive. Interpretation of the disk diffusion results showed high resistance (% of isolates) to: penicillin (97%), tetracycline (100%), ciprofloxacin (100%), and doxycycline (91%). All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone (100%) and azithromycin (100%). We observed high rates of resistance to several drug classes, likely driven by background selective pressure, as resistance was not observed among currently recommended Kenyan therapies for urethritis. Expanded surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in NG is warranted. Agar dilution or Etest reference testing is needed for accurate assessment of resistance.
Oxygen therapy versus conservative therapy in suspected uncomplicated myocardial infarction without hypoxemia: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled studies
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhu Youfeng , Zhang Min , Yin Haiyan , Wei Jianrui
Published: December 2019

Background:

The effect of oxygen therapy in patients with suspected uncomplicated myocardial infarction and without hypoxemia at baseline was uncertain.

Objectives:

We aimed to perform a rigorous and comprehensive meta‐analysis to robustly quantify the efficacy of oxygen therapy in patients with suspected uncomplicated myocardial infarction and without hypoxemia at baseline.

Methods:

We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception to August 2018. Two researchers screened studies and collected the data independently. Randomized controlled trials were included. The main outcome was mortality at the longest duration of follow‐up.

Results:

Seven studies involving 7732 patients (median = 157 patients; range = 72–6629 patients; interquartile range = 136–441 patients; oxygen therapy group = 3856 patients; conservative group = 3876 patients) were included. Compared with conservative therapy, oxygen therapy did not significantly reduce mortality at the longest follow‐up (risk ratio = 0.97; 95% confidence interval = 0.68 to 1.40; z = 0.15; p = 0.88), at discharge (risk ratio = 1.04; 95% confidence interval = 0.48 to 2.26; z = 0.11; p = 0.91), 30 days (risk ratio = 1.08; 95% confidence interval = 0.78 to 1.49; z = 0.44; p = 0.66), and 6 months (risk ratio = 0.93; 95% confidence interval = 0.73 to 1.17; z = 0.66; p = 0.51) in patients with suspected uncomplicated myocardial infarction and without hypoxemia at baseline. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between two groups with regard to infarct size (standard mean difference = 0.15, confidence interval = –0.13 to 0.44; z = 1.07, p = 0.28), cardiac troponin levels (standard mean difference = 0.30, confidence interval = –0.09 to 0.69; z = 1.51, p = 0.13), in hospital reinfarction (risk ratio = 1.49, confidence interval = 0.80 to 2.78; z = 1.25, p = 0.21), and new‐onset atrial fibrillation (risk ratio = 0.91, confidence interval = 0.69 to 1.18; z = 0.72, p = 0.47). Multiple subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and trial sequential analysis were consistent with overall findings.

Conclusion:

Compared with conservative therapy, oxygen therapy did not decrease the mortality at the longest duration of follow‐up, discharge, 30 days, and 6 months in patients with suspected uncomplicated myocardial infarction and without hypoxemia at baseline. Furthermore, large‐scale, multicenter studies are needed to confirm our results.

Registration:

PROSPERO, number CRD42017078807.
Robust stabilizability of fractional order proportional integral controllers for fractional order plants with uncertain parameters: A new value set based approach
Authors: Ghorbani Majid , Tavakoli-Kakhki Mahsan
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a new value set based approach is presented to study the robust stability of a fractional order plant with parametric uncertainty of the interval type by using a fractional order proportional integral controller. The concept of interval uncertainty means that the parameters of the system transfer functions are uncertain parameters that each adopts a value in a real interval. Based on the zero exclusion principle, it is necessary to check whether the value set of the characteristic polynomial for the infinite frequency range [Formula: see text] includes the origin or not. To this end, in this paper, an auxiliary function is defined. The sign of this auxiliary function within a finite frequency range verifies whether the origin is included in the value set of the characteristic polynomial or not. The upper bound and the lower bound of this finite frequency range are obtained using the triangle inequality. Finally, the results of the numerical examples are provided, which confirm the effectiveness of the paper results.
Synthesis of single-hole signatures by group delay for ground vibration control in rock blasting
Authors: Li Lifeng , Silva-Castro Jhon
Published: December 2019

Prediction and control of ground vibrations become essential as with the development of neighborhoods in the proximity of active mining operations or the need for new infrastructure in urban centers, both requiring the use of blasting. Novel ground vibration prediction models attempt to reproduce a whole vibration waveform from a blast and are based, in most cases, on the collection of vibrational information from a single blasthole. A single blasthole should have the same characteristics (geometry and weights of explosives) as the blastholes used in production shots. In some cases, the collection of the fundamental information (the signature) is straightforward. In more complex cases, the fundamental information from ground vibration data is collected from previous production shots. This study presents a novel methodology to assess the fundamental ground vibration information (the signature) using known information such as one event waveform (a production shot waveform) and the timing sequence used (the comb function) for the shot. The methodology is based on the analysis of group delay, a concept widely used in signal processing, and is modified here for the analysis of ground vibration waveforms. The methodology is developed using real data collected in coal and quarry mining operations, and at the end of this document, one case study with step-by-step calculations is presented to show the benefits of the methodology.
Effects of long-term controlled atmosphere storage, minimal processing, and packaging on quality attributes of calçots (Allium cepa L.)
Authors: Zudaire Lorena , Viñas Inmaculada , Abadias Maribel , Lafarga Tomás , Bobo Gloria , Simó Joan , Aguiló-Aguayo Ingrid
Published: December 2019

Calçots are the immature floral stems of the second-year onion ( Allium cepa L.) resprouts. Modified atmosphere packaging or vacuum packaging are suitable alternatives to preserve fresh-cut vegetables. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of postharvest storage time of raw vegetable stored under controlled atmosphere and used packaging system after minimal processing on the quality of fresh-cut calçots. Calçots used for minimal processing were stored under 1.0 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2 at 1 ℃ for 30 and 60 days. Fresh-cut calçots were packaged using passive modified atmosphere packaging or vacuum packaging and were stored at 4 ℃ for 15 days. Calçots stored under controlled atmosphere for 30 days presented better retention of quality and in turn, being more suitable for minimally processing. Vacuum packaging preserved the physicochemical quality of fresh-cut calçots better after 15 days. Mesophilic aerobic counts were also higher in fresh-cut calçots stored under modified atmosphere packaging, but all counts were below the recommended limits during and at the end of their shelf-life (15 days). The most suitable conservation strategy might be to store whole calçots under controlled atmosphere for 30 days and after minimally processing, packaged under vacuum in order to extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut calçots.
Cold-formed elliptical concrete-filled steel tubular columns subjected to monotonic and cyclic axial compression
Authors: Xu Youwu , Yao Jian , Sun Xin
Published: December 2019

Concrete-filled steel tubular columns are widely used in structural systems, and elliptical concrete-filled steel tubular columns are receiving more and more attention. An experimental study on cold-formed elliptical concrete-filled steel tubular stub columns was carried out under monotonic and cyclic axial compression. The failure modes, axial load–displacement curves, ultimate loads, hoop strain–axial strain behavior, strength deterioration, and residual deformation were obtained and discussed. Complementary finite element models considering the complex non-uniform confinement between steel tube and concrete were developed and validated by experimental results. Then, the validated FE model was used to study the influence of aspect ratio, yield strength of steel, and compressive strength of concrete on the axial capacity of elliptical concrete-filled steel tubular stub columns. Finally, a relatively simple superposition method was put forward to predict the axial bearing capacity of elliptical concrete-filled steel tubular stub columns. Compared with the test data, both the numerical method and superposition method can generate accurate predictions.
Application of innovative one-dimensional periodic isolation systems for seismic response reduction of bridges
Authors: Jain Saumitra , Shaik Althaf VS , Laskar Arghadeep , Alam Aftab
Published: December 2019

This article deals with structural vibration attenuation and control using periodic materials for isolation of structures. An innovative approach to achieve wider low-frequency attenuation zones using a combination of different one-dimensional periodic units has been explored to provide close to a vibration-free environment for civil engineering structures subjected to seismic and other excitations. The wave attenuation regions for the base isolation system made of periodic materials have been derived from the theory of phononic materials and investigated using parametric studies and finite element modelling. The concept of combined periodicity is implemented on bridges to achieve wider attenuation zone and higher response reduction. A novel concept of using a hollow-shell periodic isolation system on bridges has been presented to minimize the effect of seismic waves on these structures. A substantial reduction in the seismic response of a bridge model has been observed over the entire frequency domain with the introduction of the proposed isolation systems. The proposed hollow-shell periodic isolation system reduces the seismic response of structures with efficient material utilization as compared to the typical solid-periodic isolation systems. The proposed isolation systems thus open up new directions for research and potential implementation of periodic materials for seismic response reduction and earthquake-resistant design of structures.
Performance study of the hypocycloid gear mechanism for internal combustion engine applications
Authors: ElBahloul Mostafa A , Aziz ELsayed S , Chassapis Constantin
Published: December 2019

Fuel conversion efficiency is one of the main concerns in the field of internal combustion engine systems. Although the Otto cycle delivers the maximum efficiency possible in theory, the kinematics of the slider–crank mechanism of the conventional internal combustion engines makes it difficult to reach this level of efficiency in practice. This study proposes using the unique hypocycloid gear mechanism instead of the conventional slider–crank mechanism for the internal combustion engines to increase engine efficiency and minimize frictional power losses. The hypocycloid gear mechanism engine’s kinematics provides the means for the piston-rod assembly to reciprocate in a straight-line motion along the cylinder axis besides achieving a nonlinear rate of piston movement. As a result, this characteristic allows for a true constant-volume combustion, which in turn would lead to higher work output. An in-cylinder gas volume change model of the hypocycloid gear mechanism engine was developed and incorporated into the thermodynamic model for the internal combustion engine cycle. The thermodynamic model of the hypocycloid gear mechanism engine was developed and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink software. A comparison between the conventional engine and the hypocycloid gear mechanism engine in terms of engine performance characteristics showed the enhancements achieved using hypocycloid gear mechanism for internal combustion engine applications. The hypocycloid gear mechanism engine analysis results indicated higher engine efficiency approaching that of the Otto cycle.
Deviation warnings of ferries based on artificial potential field and historical data
Authors: Chen Chen , Chen Xian-Qiao , Ma Feng , Chen Yu-Wang , Wang Jin
Published: December 2019

Ferries are usually used for transporting passengers and vehicles among docks, and any deviation of the course can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, transportation ferries must be watched closely by local maritime administrators, which involves much manpower. With the use of historical data, this article proposes an intelligent method of integrating artificial potential field with Bayesian Network to trigger deviation warnings for a ferry based on its trajectory, speed and course. More specifically, a repulsive potential field-based model is first established to capture a customary waterway of ferries. Subsequently, a method based on non-linear optimisation is introduced to train the coefficients of the proposed repulsive potential field. The deviation of a ferry from the customary route can then be quantified by the potential field. Bayesian Network is further introduced to trigger deviation warnings in accordance with the distribution of deviation values, speeds and courses. Finally, the proposed approach is validated by the historical data of a chosen ferry on a specific route. The testing results show that the approach is capable of providing deviation warnings for ferries accurately and can offer a practical solution for maritime supervision.
High-school student councils: A typological approach
Authors: Halfon Ester , Romi Shlomo
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was to identify the various types of student councils based on their areas of interest. The study population included 100 school principals or deputy principals, in junior high schools or high schools, who filled in questionnaires to map student councils. The analysis yielded 89 student-council profiles, with two variables—community volunteering and student rights—forming the basis for the other variables, and thus for the four types derived: integrative, voluntary, rights, and dim. The ‘Discussion’ section describes an attempt to understand the uniqueness of these two variables and their interrelations.
Stroke in young cannabis users (18–49 years): National trends in hospitalizations and outcomes
Authors: Desai Rupak , Singh Sandeep , Patel Krupa , Goyal Hemant , Shah Manan , Mansuri Zeeshan , Patel Smit , Mahuwala Zabeen K , Goldstein Larry B , Qureshi Adnan I
Published: December 2019

Background

Recent legalization of therapeutic and recreational cannabis use makes it imperative to have an insight into odds and trends in young-onset stroke-related hospitalizations among cannabis users (18–49 years).

Methods

The National Inpatient Sample dataset (2007–2014) was utilized to assess national trends, odds of young-onset stroke-related hospitalizations, and outcomes among cannabis users vs. nonusers using provided discharge weights, strata, and cluster design. The rates are described per 100,000 hospitalizations among cannabis users and non-users.

Results

A total of 3,307,310 hospitalizations were identified among young adults with current or previous cannabis use. Of these, 34,857 (1.1%) were related to young-onset stroke. A relative increase of 13.92% (553 in 2007 to 630 in 2014; ptrend < 0.001) in young-onset stroke admissions was reported among cannabis users. The odds of any stroke (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.14–1.19, p < 0.001) and acute ischemic stroke (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.31–1.51, p < 0.001) hospitalizations were considerably higher among cannabis users as compared to nonusers. In-hospital mortality rates were increasing (3.7% to 4.3%) among cannabis users whereas decreasing (7.7% to 5.9%) in nonusers from 2007 to 2014 ( ptrend < 0.001). The mean length of stay and the hospitalization charges showed increasing trends in cannabis-related young-onset stroke admissions. There was an increasing trend in young-onset stroke admissions among male cannabis users (578 to 701; ptrend < 0.001) but not among females (516 to 457; ptrend = 0.14). The maximum rise in the young-onset stroke-related admissions was seen in African Americans (743 to 996; ptrend < 0.001).

Conclusions

We identified rising trends and higher risk (16% higher of overall young-onset stroke, 41% higher of acute ischemic stroke) of stroke-related hospitalizations and worse outcomes among cannabis users aged 18–49 years from 2007 to 2014.
Age-dependent clinical outcomes in primary versus oral anticoagulation-related intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Sprügel Maximilian I , Kuramatsu Joji B , Gerner Stefan T , Sembill Jochen A , Madžar Dominik , Reindl Caroline , Bobinger Tobias , Müller Tamara , Hoelter Philip , Lücking Hannes , Engelhorn Tobias , Huttner Hagen B
Published: December 2019

Aims

This study determined the influence of age on bleeding characteristics and clinical outcomes in primary spontaneous (non-OAC), vitamin K antagonist-related (VKA-) and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant-related (NOAC-) ICH.

Methods

Pooled individual patient data of multicenter cohort studies were analyzed by logistic regression modelling and propensity-score-matching (PSM) to explore the influence of advanced age on clinical outcomes among non-OAC-, VKA-, and NOAC-ICH. Primary outcome measure was functional outcome at three months assessed by the modified Rankin Scale, dichotomized into favorable (mRS = 0–3) and unfavorable (mRS = 4–6) functional outcome. Secondary outcome measures included mortality, hematoma characteristics, and frequency of invasive interventions.

Results

In VKA-ICH 33.5% (670/2001), in NOAC-ICH 44.2% (69/156) and in non-OAC-ICH 25.2% (254/1009) of the patients were ≥80 years. After adjustment for treatment interventions and relevant parameters, elderly ICH patients comprised worse functional outcome at three months (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) in VKA-ICH: 1.49 (1.21–1.84); p < 0.001; NOAC-ICH: 2.01 (0.95–4.26); p = 0.069; non-OAC-ICH: 3.54 (2.50–5.03); p < 0.001). Anticoagulation was significantly associated with worse functional outcome below the age of 70 years, (aOR: 2.38 (1.78–3.16); p < 0.001), but not in patients of ≥70 years (aOR: 1.21 (0.89–1.65); p = 0.217). The differences in initial ICH volume and extent of ICH enlargement between OAC-ICH and non-OAC-ICH gradually decreased with increasing patient age.

Conclusions

As compared to elderly ICH-patients, in patients <70 years OAC-ICH showed worse clinical outcomes compared to non-OAC-ICH because of larger baseline ICH-volumes and extent of hematoma enlargement. Treatment strategies aiming at neutralizing altered coagulation should be aware of these findings.
Incorporating the Protests: The NFL, Social Justice, and the Constrained Activism of the “Inspire Change” Campaign
Authors: Rugg Adam
Published: December 2019

On January 11, 2019, the National Football League (NFL) launched “Inspire Change,” a campaign for the league’s social justice efforts. The campaign, which would serve as the umbrella under which the NFL’s US$89 million social justice partnership with the players would be housed, launched with its own website, hashtag, commercial, and documentary series. This article textually examines the “Inspire Change” campaign and its associated media materials, contextualizing it against the kneeling protests carried out by Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players as well as the NFL’s reactions to those protests. In doing so, I argue that NFL’s response to its players’ call for social justice is at once a strategic expansion by the league that seeks to capitalize on the emergent activist power of professional players to build the league’s brand as an authoritative and inclusive American institution contributing to social good. At the same time, however, under withering criticism from President Trump and conservative media, it reestablishes league control over the voice of rebellious Black players by subsuming their social justice efforts under the auspices of a campaign that evades the ideological confrontation of the kneeling protests in favor of a more positive, market-friendly version of “justice” based in calls of unity.
Influence of photobio-modulation with an Er,Cr: YSGG laser on dentin adhesion bonded with bioactive and resin-modified glass ionomer cement
Authors: Alkhudhairy Fahad , Naseem Mustafa , Ahmad Zeeshan H , Alnooh Abrar N , Vohra Fahim
Published: December 2019

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of bioactive cement (BAC) in comparison to conventional dual cure resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (ECL) dentin photo biomodulation.

Methods:

One hundred and twenty extracted human molars were allocated in eight groups ( n = 15) based on surface conditioning and cement type. Specimens of groups 2 and 6 were conditioned with ECL whereas, groups 3 and 7 were treated with ECL + ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA). Specimens in groups 4 and 8 were surface conditioned by ECL + EDTA + Tetric-N-Bond, and groups 1 and 5 were considered as control (non-surface treated). Cement build-ups were performed on the surface-treated dentin with BAC (groups 1–4) and RMGIC (groups 5–8). A universal testing machine was used to measure the SBS and the mode of failure was evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test, at a significance level of p < 0.001.

Results:

The highest SBS values were observed in group 8, ECL + EDTA + Tetric-N-Bond + RMGIC (21.54 ± 3.524 MPa) and the lowest SBS values were displayed by group 1, with no surface treatment and BAC application (11.99 ± 0.821 MPa). The majority of failures were found to be mixed in lased dentin-treated dentin surfaces. BAC when bonded to dentin surfaces conditioned with ECL showed lower SBS in comparison to RMGIC.

Conclusion:

Conditioning of dentin with ECL and a bonding agent (Tetric-N-bond) improved bond strength scores for BAC and RMGIC. Use of EDTA improved bond strength values when bonded to BAC and RMGIC; however, this improvement was not statistically significant.
Isolated Lateral Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome of the Leg: A New Entity?
Authors: van Zantvoort Antonia P.M. , Hundscheid Henricus P.H. , de Bruijn Johan A. , Hoogeveen Adwin R. , Teijink Joep A.W. , Scheltinga Marc R.M.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) mostly occurs in the anterior or deep posterior compartments (ant-CECS and dp-CECS, respectively) of the leg. It is generally accepted that CECS of the third or lateral compartment (lat-CECS) always occurs together with ant-CECS. However, whether exertional leg pain (ELP) can be caused by an isolated form of lat-CECS is unknown.

Purpose:

To determine the existence of isolated lat-CECS and study whether history taking and a physical examination aid in discriminating between different subtypes of CECS.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Patients were eligible for this single-center study, conducted between January 2013 and February 2018, if they reported anterolateral ELP and completed a questionnaire scoring the frequency and intensity of pain, tightness, cramps, muscle weakness, and paresthesia during rest and exercise. They were asked to mark areas of altered foot skin sensation, if present, on a drawing. All patients underwent a dynamic intracompartmental pressure (ICP) measurement of the anterior and lateral compartments simultaneously. The diagnosis of CECS was confirmed by elevated ICP (Pedowitz criteria). There were 3 patient groups: (1) isolated ant-CECS with elevated ICP in the anterior compartment and normal ICP in the lateral compartment, (2) isolated lat-CECS with elevated ICP in the lateral compartment but normal ICP in the anterior compartment, and (3) ant-/lat-CECS with elevated ICP in both the anterior and lateral compartments.

Results:

A total of 73 patients with anterolateral ELP fulfilled study criteria (isolated ant-CECS: n = 26; isolated lat-CECS: n = 5; ant-/lat-CECS: n = 42). Group differences were not observed regarding age (isolated ant-CECS: median, 26 years [range, 13-68 years]; isolated lat-CECS: median, 20 years [range, 17-63 years]; ant-/lat-CECS: median, 28 years [range, 17-57 years]; χ2 (2) = 0.466; P = .79), sex (isolated ant-CECS: 50% male; isolated lat-CECS: 40% male; ant-/lat-CECS: 62% male; P = .49), or bilateral symptoms (isolated ant-CECS: 54%; isolated lat-CECS: 80%; ant-/lat-CECS: 69%; P = .40). However, cramps at rest were present in a portion of the patients with isolated ant-CECS (38%) and ant-/lat-CECS (57%) but not in those with isolated lat-CECS ( P = .032). Patient drawings of altered foot skin sensation did not contribute to the diagnosis ( P = .92). ICP values after provocation were all lower in patients with isolated ant-CECS and isolated lat-CECS compared with those with ant-/lat-CECS ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Seven percent of patients with CECS and anterolateral ELP who had symptoms due to isolated lat-CECS in the presence of normal muscle pressure in the anterior compartment.
Recurrent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in the National Football League: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Stuhlman Casey R. , Owens Christopher J. , Samuelson Eric M. , Vermillion Ryan P. , Shermansky Mark D. , King Kevin B. , Connor Patrick M.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in American football players. The risk of subsequent ACL reinjury to either the ipsilateral or the contralateral knee in National Football League (NFL) draftees with a history of successful ACL reconstruction before entering the NFL remains unknown.

Hypothesis:

NFL athletes with a history of successful ACL reconstruction before being drafted will likely demonstrate increased risk of subsequent ACL injury when compared with a control cohort consisting of players of similar positions and draft class.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Detailed orthopaedic evaluations of NFL Combine participants from 2006 to 2012 were obtained to identify players entering the NFL draft with a history of successful ACL reconstruction. A control cohort was created in a 2:1 ratio, consisting of players matched by position and draft class.

Results:

Of the 2016 players invited to the NFL Combine during the study period, 100 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 26 subsequent ACL reinjuries (12 ipsilateral, 14 contralateral) occurred in 25 players (25%) while playing in the NFL, with injuries occurring at a mean of 22.1 months after the NFL draft. In comparison, 18 of the 200 (9%) carefully matched cohort players without history of prior ACL injury sustained a new ACL injury during this time period ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

NFL athletes with a history of successful ACL reconstruction before being drafted into the NFL have a significantly higher rate of subsequent ACL reinjury while playing in the NFL when compared with a carefully matched cohort of players without a history of prior ACL injury.
The Transition to “Patienthood,” the Contribution of the Nursing Assistant: A Grounded Theory Study
Authors: Morey Sarah , Steven Alison
Published: December 2019

The face of nursing is changing, as health-care organizations are looking to new assistant roles to support the registered nurse and potentially provide a source for apprenticeship toward registration. These developments are within a context of an existing assistant staff group, delivering much of the bedside care. Few studies have explored the dyadic relationship between nursing assistant and patient, despite the potential for their interactions to contribute to the patient experience. This study aimed to gain an understanding of patients’ perceptions of the nursing assistant role using constructivist grounded theory. Constant comparison guided data collection and analysis, and 4 core categories emerged: expectation, observation, meaningful connections, and adaptation. Within these core categories, we suggest the assistant plays a part in how participants adapt from the known self to a self of patienthood and the overall patient experience. We conclude that there is a necessity to understand more fully the dyadic relationship between patients and nursing assistants.
Investigating a Quantitative Measure of Student Self-authorship for Undergraduate Medical Education
Authors: Fallar Robert , Hanss Basil , Sefcik Roberta , Goodson Lucy , Kase Nathan , Katz Craig
Published: December 2019

Construct:

In this study, the authors investigated the validity of a quantitative measure of self-authorship among medical students. Self-authorship is a cognitive-structural theory incorporating the ability to define one’s beliefs, identity, and social relations to operate in a complex, ambiguous environment.

Background:

Competency-based medical education (CBME) provides learners with the opportunity to self-direct their education at an appropriate pace to develop and exhibit required behaviors while incorporating functioning relationships with supervisors and trainers. Students must develop skills to adjust and succeed in this educational climate. Self-authorship is a theoretical lens that is relevant to identifying the development of the skills necessary to succeed in a CBME curriculum. Understanding the level of attained self-authorship by medical students can provide important information about which professional characteristics are more prevalent among those who are more self-authored and about how students succeed in medical school. Although there are calls in the extant literature for the application of self-authorship in medical education, there is no quantitative measure to assess its development among medical students.

Approach:

The authors developed a survey to measure self-authorship, including a free text question regarding the thought process around a hypothetical ethical situation during training. Data were collected in 2014 and 2015 from undergraduate medical students and analyzed using factor analysis and qualitative analysis of the free text. Validity evidence was sought regarding content, internal structure, and relationships to other variables.

Results:

Analysis supports the use of a 22-item instrument to assess 3 constructs of self-authorship: asserting independence and autonomy, knowledge processing, and sense of self in ethical situations. Content analysis of text responses supported the ability of the instrument to separate development, or a lack thereof, of self-authorship.

Conclusions:

The authors identified an instrument that measures multidimensional, higher-order characteristics that intersect with self-authorship. This instrument can be useful at a macro level for curricular and student assessment of self-authorship. Development of these characteristics can help foster success in a CBME environment and support curricular efforts in this regard. Understanding a student’s level of self-authorship can help identify areas for support as well as allow for comparisons of different student characteristics.
Dorsal Hippocampus ERK2 Signaling Mediates Anxiolytic-Related Behavior in Male Rats
Authors: Sierra-Fonseca Jorge A. , Parise Lyonna F. , Flores-Ramirez Francisco J. , Robles Eden H. , Garcia-Carachure Israel , Iñiguez Sergio D.
Published: December 2019

Background

Anxiety disorders are the most common neuropathologies worldwide, but the precise neuronal mechanisms that underlie these disorders remain unknown. The hippocampus plays a role in mediating anxiety-related responses, which can be modeled in rodents using behavioral assays, such as the elevated plus maze. Yet, the molecular markers that underlie affect-related behavior on the elevated plus maze are not well understood.

Methods

We used herpes simplex virus vector delivery to overexpress extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2, a signaling molecule known to be involved in depression and anxiety, within the dorsal hippocampus of adult Sprague-Dawley male rats. Three days post virus delivery, we assessed anxiety-like responses on the elevated plus maze or general locomotor activity on the open field test.

Results

When compared to controls, rats overexpressing extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 in the dorsal hippocampus displayed an anxiolytic-like phenotype, per increases in time spent in the open arms, and less time in the closed arms, of the elevated plus maze. Furthermore, no changes in locomotor activity as a function of virus infusion were observed on the open field test between the experimental groups.

Conclusion

This investigation demonstrates that virus-mediated increases of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 signaling, within the hippocampus, plays a critical role in decreasing anxiogenic responses on the rat elevated plus maze. As such, our data provide construct validity, at least in part, to the molecular mechanisms that mediate anxiolytic-like behavior in rodent models for the study of anxiety.
GPRED-GC: a Gene PREDiction model accounting for 5 ′- 3′ GC gradient
Authors: Techa-Angkoon Prapaporn , Childs Kevin L. , Sun Yanni
Published: December 2019

Background

Gene is a key step in genome annotation. Ab initio gene prediction enables gene annotation of new genomes regardless of availability of homologous sequences. There exist a number of ab initio gene prediction tools and they have been widely used for gene annotation for various species. However, existing tools are not optimized for identifying genes with highly variable GC content. In addition, some genes in grass genomes exhibit a sharp 5 ′- 3′ decreasing GC content gradient, which is not carefully modeled by available gene prediction tools. Thus, there is still room to improve the sensitivity and accuracy for predicting genes with GC gradients.

Results

In this work, we designed and implemented a new hidden Markov model (HMM)-based ab initio gene prediction tool, which is optimized for finding genes with highly variable GC contents, such as the genes with negative GC gradients in grass genomes. We tested the tool on three datasets from Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. The results showed that our tool can identify genes missed by existing tools due to the highly variable GC contents.

Conclusions

GPRED-GC can effectively predict genes with highly variable GC contents without manual intervention. It provides a useful complementary tool to existing ones such as Augustus for more sensitive gene discovery. The source code is freely available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/gpred-gc/.
Identifying protein-protein interface via a novel multi-scale local sequence and structural representation
Authors: Guo Fei , Zou Quan , Yang Guang , Wang Dan , Tang Jijun , Xu Junhai
Published: December 2019

Background

Protein-protein interaction plays a key role in a multitude of biological processes, such as signal transduction, de novo drug design, immune responses, and enzymatic activities. Gaining insights of various binding abilities can deepen our understanding of the interaction. It is of great interest to understand how proteins in a complex interact with each other. Many efficient methods have been developed for identifying protein-protein interface.

Results

In this paper, we obtain the local information on protein-protein interface, through multi-scale local average block and hexagon structure construction. Given a pair of proteins, we use a trained support vector regression (SVR) model to select best configurations. On Benchmark v4.0, our method achieves average Irmsd value of 3.28Å and overall Fnat value of 63%, which improves upon Irmsd of 3.89Å and Fnat of 49% for ZRANK, and Irmsd of 3.99Å and Fnat of 46% for ClusPro. On CAPRI targets, our method achieves average Irmsd value of 3.45Å and overall Fnat value of 46%, which improves upon Irmsd of 4.18Å and Fnat of 40% for ZRANK, and Irmsd of 5.12Å and Fnat of 32% for ClusPro. The success rates by our method, FRODOCK 2.0, InterEvDock and SnapDock on Benchmark v4.0 are 41.5%, 29.0%, 29.4% and 37.0%, respectively.

Conclusion

Experiments show that our method performs better than some state-of-the-art methods, based on the prediction quality improved in terms of CAPRI evaluation criteria. All these results demonstrate that our method is a valuable technological tool for identifying protein-protein interface.