bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modification of Polar Low Development by Orography and Sea Ice
Authors: Sergeev Denis , Renfrew Ian A. , Spengler Thomas
Published: July 2018

The life cycles of intense high-latitude mesoscale cyclones and polar lows are strongly shaped by their ambient environments. This study focuses on the influence of the orography of Svalbard and the sea ice cover in the Norwegian and Barents Seas on polar low development. We investigate two typical polar lows that formed near Svalbard during northerly cold-air outbreaks. Each case is simulated using the Met Office Unified Model with convection-permitting grid spacing. A series of sensitivity experiments is conducted with an artificially changed land mask, orography, and sea ice distribution. We find that Svalbard acts to block stably stratified air from the ice-covered Arctic Ocean, and as an additional source of low-level cyclonic vorticity aiding polar low genesis and intensification. A decrease in sea ice cover west of Svalbard results in a moderate intensification of the polar lows, particularly for the more convectively driven case, while an increase in the sea ice cover significantly hinders their development. These experiments exemplify that polar mesoscale cyclones in the northeast Atlantic can withstand large perturbations in the surface conditions (such as the removal of Svalbard) and still develop to sufficient intensity to be labeled as polar lows. However, there is a sensitivity to Svalbard’s orography and surrounding sea ice cover, illustrated by a clear modulation of polar low genesis and development.
The Widening Circle: Honour, Shame, and Collectivism in the Parable of the Prodigal Son
Authors: Eng Daniel K.
Published: July 2018

This study presents a reading of Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son through the context of collectivism. After a brief survey of how honour and shame function in a collectivistic society, the essay examines the parable using Luke’s expressed occasion of the story as a starting point. The three characters are examined, as each display behaviour that is outside the accepted norms of Jewish and Greco-Roman society. The study reveals that a major element of the message of Jesus lies in the re-definition of boundaries. The Lukan Jesus remarkably does not abolish the community-first value of the Pharisees and scribes, but upholds the priority of the collective through expanding the boundaries of those who are honoured. The parable is then situated into the grand Lukan narrative, showing how the Jesus movement as described in Luke-Acts widens the circle of the collective.
Banking Sector Regulation in India: Overview, Challenges and Way Forward
Authors: Nataraj Geethanjali , Ashwani
Published: July 2018

The Indian banking industry is undergoing the rollout of innovative banking models in the form of more promotion to private banks for attaining the productivity and efficiency. However, increase in the quantity of non-performing assets, poor credit growth and low profitability of Indian banks cast doubt about the industry’s resilience towards maintaining the country’s economic growth trajectory. While taking lessons from global regulatory bodies and keeping in view the domestic problem of the Indian banking industry, the dire need of the hour is to maintain proper checks and balances on banking transactions. The article goes on to sum up the various measures initiated by government to deal with banking-sector challenges and how an attempt is made to adapt regulatory measures from global best practices which could help the banking sector in India become more robust, efficient and effective in preventing all fraudulent transactions and enhancing the quality of its assets.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
Authors: Kumar Niraj , Singh Mahendra Prasad
Published: July 2018

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was created in the onrush of such agencies following the paradigm shift from Indian Socialism to business liberalism and globalisation in 1991. The study of its functioning shows it to be less than adequately autonomous and less than sufficiently overseen by the parliament and its committee system. As a regulatory mechanism for the information and communication technology sector, TRAI’s importance cannot ever be overstressed in the context of the gradual transformation of India’s industrial society into information and knowledge society. In a way, in the long trajectory of the transformation of the public sphere in the course of the transition from feudal oligarchy to bourgeois democracy, the telecom space can be seen as the new frontier to be explored and harnessed in expanding and deepening democracy. The existing structure of TRAI falls short on the parameters of transparency, efficiency, autonomy and accountability, calling for reforms.
Enhancing the Cross-Cultural Comparability of Self-Reports Using the Overclaiming Technique: An Analysis of Accuracy and Exaggeration in 64 Cultures
Authors: Vonkova Hana , Papajoanu Ondrej , Stipek Jiri
Published: July 2018

The overclaiming technique (OCT) is a novel way of measuring how socially desirable responding influences survey responses. It has the potential to enhance the cross-cultural comparability of survey data. It allows the identification of respondents’ knowledge accuracy and exaggeration by comparing their assessments of familiarity with existing and nonexisting concepts in a particular field of knowledge. We aim to compare the response patterns of countries and world regions based on their OCT accuracy and exaggeration-index values and validate these OCT scores using external variables. We also introduce a general model for the categorization of respondents based on their OCT indices values. We use the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2012 data from 64 countries ( N = 275,904). We found considerable differences in response patterns across world regions: high accuracy values in East Asia, low accuracy values in Southern and Central America, high exaggeration values in Southern Europe, and low exaggeration values in Western Europe. Furthermore, we show that familiarity with math concepts changes substantially after adjustment using the OCT. The correlation between unadjusted math familiarity and math test scores is weak and nonsignificant (.13) whereas after adjustment the correlation becomes strong and significant (.66). Concerning other indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP), public expenditure in education, and Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), before adjustment the correlation is negative and even significant for CPI (–.11, –.22, and –.45) whereas after adjustment the correlation becomes, though nonsignificant, positive (.05, .19, and .07). We also discuss the OCT in the context of other methods indicative of culturally preferred scale usage.
Healthy Eating among Mexican Immigrants: Migration in Childhood and Time in the United States
Authors: Van Hook Jennifer , Quirós Susana , Dondero Molly , Altman Claire E.
Published: July 2018

Past research on immigrant health frequently finds that the duration of time lived in the United States is associated with the erosion of immigrants’ health advantages. However, the timing of U.S. migration during the life course is rarely explored. We draw from developmental and sociological perspectives to theorize how migration during childhood may be related to healthy eating among adult immigrants from Mexico. We test these ideas with a mechanism-based age-period-cohort model to disentangle age, age at arrival, and duration of residence. Results show that immigrants who arrived during preschool ages (2–5 years) and school ages (6–11 years) have less healthy diets than adult arrivals (25+ years). After accounting for age at arrival, duration of residence is positively related to healthy eating. Overall, the findings highlight the need to focus more research and policy interventions on child immigrants, who may be particularly susceptible to adopting unhealthy American behaviors during sensitive periods of childhood.
The Palliative Effects of System Justification on the Health and Happiness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals
Authors: Suppes Alexandra , Napier Jaime L. , van der Toorn Jojanneke
Published: July 2018

Across three studies, we examine the correlates of subjective well-being and mental and physical health among members of a historically disadvantaged group, namely, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Results show those who minimize (vs. acknowledge) the extent to which their group is the target of discrimination report better well-being across myriad indicators (Studies 1-3). We also demonstrate that this effect is mediated by perceived system fairness (Study 1); holds above and beyond internalized homonegativity (Studies 1 and 3) and ingroup identification (Studies 2-3); and is true regardless of whether individuals reside in hostile or accepting environments (Study 2), and regardless of whether individuals had personally experienced discrimination (Study 3). For some indicators (namely, body mass index [BMI], social well-being, self-esteem, depression, and mental illness diagnosis), the relationship between minimization of discrimination and well-being was stronger among those who had frequent (vs. rare) discriminatory experiences.
Approximate analytical treatment of annular fins of rectangular profile for teaching fin heat transfer: Utilization of the mean value theorem for integrals
Authors: Campo Antonio , Acosta−Iborra Antonio , Masip−Macía Yunesky
Published: July 2018

In the teaching of annular fins of rectangular profile, the main obstacle lies in solving the quasi one-dimensional heat conduction equation, the modified Bessel equation of first kind. In the modified Bessel equation, the variable coefficient [Formula: see text] multiplying the first order derivative of temperature [Formula: see text] is problematic. The principal objective of the present paper on engineering education is to solve the modified Bessel equation of first kind in approximate analytical form. Specifically, we seek to apply the mean value theorem for integrals to the variable coefficient [Formula: see text], viewed as an auxiliary function in the domain of the annular fin extending from the inner radius [Formula: see text] to the outer radius [Formula: see text]. It is demonstrated in a convincing manner that approximate analytical temperature distributions having exponential functions are easy to obtain without resorting to the exact analytical temperature distribution embodying four modified Bessel functions of first kind. Furthermore, the easiness in calculating heat transfer rates in annular fins of rectangular profile for realistic combinations of the two controlling parameters: the normalized radius ratio and the dimensionless thermo-geometrical parameter is verifiable.
Residual stress, tensile strength, and macrostructure investigations on ultrasonic assisted friction stir welding of AA 6061-T6
Authors: Alinaghian Iman , Amini Saeid , Honarpisheh Mohammad
Published: July 2018

In recent decades, ultrasonic vibrations are used in manufacturing processes because they can improve tool life, material performance, and quality. One of them which can be integrated with ultrasonic vibrations is friction stir welding called ultrasonic assisted friction stir welding. In previous studies, the effect of ultrasonic vibrations on the mechanical, metallurgical, and thermal properties was investigated and there is not any residual stress investigations on ultrasonic assisted friction stir welding. Since residual stress plays an important role in performance and stability of components, the influence of ultrasonic power on the longitudinal residual stress in friction stir welding is investigated in this work. In spite of residual stress, tensile strength and quality of weldment were investigated as complementary terms to ensure successful performance of ultrasonic assisted friction stir welding. The findings indicated that high-frequency vibrations with power of 200 W can reduce the maximum tensile residual stress about 45% and significantly increase tensile strength. Also, ultrasonic vibrations prevent defect such has voids and tunnel in weld zone due to peening effect in ultrasonic assisted friction stir welding.
A Bi-Level Passenger Preference-Oriented Line Planning Model for High-Speed Railway Operations
Authors: Yang Yuxiang , Li Jie , Wen Chao , Huang Ping , Peng Qiyuan , Lessan Javad
Published: July 2018

To solve bottlenecks and capacity shortages in railway corridors, it is necessary to consider passengers’ temporal-spatial preferences in conjunction with train dispatching decisions at the line planning stage. A design of the departure and stop plans which is based on the passengers’ preferences would guarantee a high quality of service. This paper presents a line planning optimization model for high-speed railway (HSR) operations that addresses both the operating costs of lines and passengers’ preferences through a bi-level integer programming (IP) problem. Using actual travel data from the Shenzhen–Changsha HSR in China, we investigate passengers’ travel behavior during different time periods and between several origin and destination (OD) pairs to characterize their spatial-temporal preferences. An IP model is then developed that maximizes the degree of passenger departure time satisfaction (DTS) at the higher level and the operating costs of lines at the lower level. Due to the complexity of the problem, a methodology is proposed to find a conflict-free solution for the proposed model to find train frequencies in each block and their stop plans at each station between the upper- and lower-level models. It is shown that a given passenger trip demand between an origin and a destination could become more flexible by analyzing its time characteristics and the DTS. Finally, a case study is presented to show the effectiveness of the model and the solution approach.
Evaluating Recurring Traffic Congestion using Change Point Regression and Random Variation Markov Structured Model
Authors: Kidando Emmanuel , Moses Ren , Sando Thobias , Ozguven Eren E.
Published: July 2018

This study develops a probabilistic framework that evaluates the dynamic evolution of recurring traffic congestion (RTC) using the random variation Markov structured regression (MSR). This approach integrates the Markov chains assumption and probit regression. The analysis was performed using traffic data from a section of Interstate 295 located in Jacksonville, Florida. These data were aggregated on a 5-minute basis for 1 year (2015). Estimating discrete traffic states to apply the MSR model, this study established a definition of traffic congestion using Bayesian change point regression (BCR), in which the speed–occupancy relationship was explored. The MSR model with flow rate as a covariate was then used to estimate the probability of RTC occurrence. Findings from the BCR model suggest that the morning peak congested state occurs once speed is below 58 miles per hour (mph), whereas the evening peak period occurs at a speed below 55 mph. Evaluating the dynamics of traffic states over time, the Bayesian information criterion confirmed the hypothesis that a first-order Markov chain assumption is sufficient to characterize RTC. Moreover, the flow rate in the MSR model was found to be statistically significant in influencing the transition probability between the traffic regimes at 95% posterior credible interval. The knowledge of RTC transition explained by the approaches presented here will facilitate developing effective intervention strategies for mitigating RTC.
Incorporating the Effect of Special Events into Continuous Count Site Selection for Pedestrian Traffic
Authors: Olfert Caleb , Poapst Rob , Montufar Jeannette
Published: July 2018

This paper presents results from pedestrian monitoring research conducted in a dense urban environment in Winnipeg, Canada. Pedestrian counts were conducted in downtown Winnipeg using infrared pedestrian counters. Count sites were assigned to traffic pattern groups (TPGs) based on their response to special events occurring in the study area. Once these groups were established, eight continuous count sites were installed to initiate an ongoing pedestrian traffic monitoring program for the city. Traffic monitoring efforts have primarily focused on motorized travel. As more jurisdictions prioritize active transportation, addressing the need for network-level pedestrian data is essential to optimize engineering decisions. The first step to developing any system-wide traffic monitoring program is to define TPGs. These groups enable the spatial variation of short-duration counts to be adjusted to annual statistics by the temporal variation of similarly behaving continuous counts. Short-duration count sites were characterized by daily and hourly trends consistent with existing pedestrian traffic monitoring practices. Recognizing the influence of large evening events on pedestrian traffic, a metric was developed called the evening proportion ratio (EPR) to quantify the effect of special events. Based on the spatial distribution of EPR values, two TPGs were developed for downtown Winnipeg. These are the “urban utilitarian” and “urban utilitarian – event” groups. These groups were used to select continuous count locations for ongoing pedestrian traffic data collection. The importance of this research lies in its future applicability to other jurisdictions in developing a standard approach for urban transportation authorities to strategically implement pedestrian traffic monitoring programs.
Crash Modification Factors for the Flashing Yellow Arrow Treatment at Signalized Intersections
Authors: Srinivasan Raghavan , Lan Bo , Carter Daniel , Smith Sarah , Signor Kari
Published: July 2018

This paper presents the results of an evaluation of the flashing yellow arrow (FYA) treatment using data from signalized intersections in Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Oregon. The evaluation method was an empirical Bayes before–after analysis. The treatments were divided into seven categories depending on the phasing system in the before period (permissive, protected–permissive, or protected), phasing system in the after period (FYA permissive or FYA protected–permissive), the number of roads where the FYA was implemented (one road or both roads), and the number of legs at the intersections (three or four). The first five treatment categories involved permissive or protected–permissive phasing in the before period. Intersections in these five treatment categories experienced a reduction in the primary target crashes under consideration: left turn crashes and left turn with opposing through crashes. The reduction ranged from 15% to 50%, depending on the treatment category. Intersections that had at least one protected left turn phase in the before period and had FYA protected–permissive left turn phase in the after period experienced an increase in left turn crashes and left turn with opposing through crashes, indicating that replacing a fully protected left turn with FYA will likely cause an increase in left turn crashes.
Mancozeb induces testicular dysfunction through oxidative stress and apoptosis: Protective role of N-acetylcysteine antioxidant
Authors: Mohammadi-Sardoo Mohaddeseh , Mandegary Ali , Nabiuni Mohammad , Nematollahi-Mahani Seyed-Noureddin , Amirheidari Bagher
Published: July 2018

Mancozeb (MZB) is one of the fungicides used in pest control programs that might affect human health including reproductive system. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the mechanisms through which MZB induces testicular tissue damage and the probable protective effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a modified amino acid, with antioxidant property, against MZB toxicity in an animal model. Male albino mice ( n = 8) were exposed to different doses of MZB (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage without or with NAC (200 mg/kg, twice/week) for 40 days. Sub-chronic MZB dose-dependently decreased sperm motility and count. Exposure to MZB increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl, while it reduced antioxidant enzymes activities, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione content. The histopathological examination clearly showed deleterious changes in the testicular structure. At the molecular levels, the results of quantitative real time-poly chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed that MZB upregulated oxidative stress markers inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and downregulated expression of the glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) gene as one of the most important antioxidant enzymes. MZB also induced apoptosis dose-dependently in the testes as determined by the terminal dUTP nick-end labeling assay and immunoblotting. NAC administration decreased the mRNA levels of both iNOS and NOX4 with a concomitant increase in Gpx1 expression. It also significantly decreased MZB-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Collectively, the present study showed MZB-induced oxidative damage in testes leading to apoptosis. It revealed that antioxidants such as NAC can mitigate oxidant injury induced by the dithiocarbamate pesticides in the reproductive system.
Effects of Botulinum Toxin Treatment in Nonambulatory Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: Understanding Parents’ Perspectives
Authors: Nguyen Linda , Di Rezze Briano , Mesterman Ronit , Rosenbaum Peter , Gorter Jan Willem
Published: July 2018

Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy often receive botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) to manage hypertonia. This qualitative study aimed to describe and categorize BoNT-A effects that parents observed using the WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. An interpretive description methodology was used; semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 parents of nonambulatory young people with cerebral palsy (mean age 10.2 years, SD 3.9, 7 males) who received BoNT-A. Parents reported BoNT-A effects on each ICF category. Through interpretive description, an overall theme emerged: “finding the right path to do what is best.” Five subthemes included (1) Parents’ hopes, (2) Parents’ goals for their child, (3) Parents’ learning what works, (4) Parents’ reflections, and (5) Parents’ destination. This study provides insights into parents’ journeys of how they learned about BoNT-A effects in their child, which helped them to identify goals for future treatment.
Does Reducing Case Processing Time Reduce Recidivism? A Study of the Early Case Resolution Court
Authors: Butters Rob , Prince Kort , Walker Allyson , Worwood Erin B. , Sarver Christian M.
Published: July 2018

Case processing times throughout the United States exceed national standards created by multiple agencies. To combat this, multiple expedited case processing courts have been developed across the nation; however, research regarding these courts has failed to consider recidivism outcomes among participants. We examined the outcomes of a specialized court in the Salt Lake City Third District Court called the Early Case Resolution (ECR) Court, a program aimed at reducing both case processing times and recidivism. Using a propensity score-matched sample, we utilized survival analysis to look at participants’ time to recidivism. While case processing times were lower for the ECR Court participants than non-ECR participants, recidivism among ECR Court participants was significantly higher. Results from this study show that using recidivism as an outcome measure for expedited case processing courts is necessary in evaluations of these programs.
Market, Non-Market and Anti-Market Processes in Neoliberalism
Authors: Mercille Julien , Murphy Enda
Published: July 2018

Research on neoliberalism tends to conceive of it as fundamentally about ‘free markets’. But this confuses theoretical with actually existing neoliberalism. This article presents a meta-narrative of neoliberalism since the 1970s that conceptualises it as a political economic project seeking to enhance corporate and elite power through market, non-market and anti-market policies ( vectors of power). These policies have been propelled globally by two forces and implemented via four mechanisms. The two forces are ideological and police/military power and have convinced or coerced policy-makers and ordinary people into accepting neoliberal change. The four mechanisms have emerged successively over time and all operate in parallel today: policy experiments arose in the 1970s, policy transfers in the 1980s, rule regimes in the 1990s and self-regulation in the 2000s. Our conceptualisation offers a methodological framework to empirically investigate concrete aspects of neoliberalism in various places and time periods.
Live to Fight Another Day? Organizational Maintenance and Mortality Anxiety of Civil Society Organizations
Authors: Heylen Frederik , Fraussen Bert , Beyers Jan
Published: July 2018

Communities of civil society organizations are characterized by substantial volatility, as new organizations are continuously established and old ones are regularly disbanded. This article aims to improve our understanding of the dynamic nature of civil society by focusing on a particular aspect of organizational maintenance, namely, mortality anxiety. Building upon previous work that assesses actual and perceived survival chances of civil society organizations, we examine how inter-organizational competition, ties with public authorities, and the internal institutionalization of civil society organizations shape how these groups assess their survival chances. Our results demonstrate that high levels of inter-organizational competition and a strong reliance on government funding significantly increase mortality anxiety. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of a professionalized and internally differentiated structure. We rely on survey data and focus on the case of Belgium, in this way providing a first assessment of mortality anxiety in a neo-corporatist political system.
Design of top mounted supersonic inlets for a cylindrical fuselage
Authors: Saheby Eiman B , Gouping Huang , Hays Anthony
Published: July 2018

Designing an inlet based on the fuselage geometry and its constraints is an important part of flight vehicle design. Among the different possible configurations, design integration of a supersonic inlet with a cylindrical fuselage is a major challenge. On one hand, propulsive efficiency requirements force the designers to consider the simplest compression surfaces for the inlet entrance geometries and on the other hand, the considerable drag of inlet/diverter integrations needs to be minimized, which can affect the inlet. In this paper, two new concepts as a replacement for a top mounted pitot inlet are presented: a three-dimensional wave-derived inlet and a trigonometric bump inlet. They are designed based on computational fluid dynamics simulations and their performance has been measured and compared with the initial single normal shock inlet as a baseline.
Estimating mean local posterior predictive benefit for biomarker-guided treatment strategies
Authors: Huang Meilin , Hobbs Brian P
Published: July 2018

Precision medicine has emerged from the awareness that many human diseases are intrinsically heterogeneous with respect to their pathogenesis and composition among patients as well as dynamic over the course therapy. Its successful application relies on our understanding of distinct molecular profiles and their biomarkers which can be used as targets to devise treatment strategies that exploit current understanding of the biological mechanisms of the disease. Precision medicine present challenges to traditional paradigms of clinical translational, however, for which estimates of population-averaged effects from large randomized trials are used as the basis for demonstrating improvements comparative effectiveness. A general approach for estimating the relative effectiveness of biomarker-guided therapeutic strategies is presented herein. The statistical procedure attempts to define the local benefit of a given biomarker-guided therapeutic strategy in consideration of the treatment response surfaces, selection rule, and inter-cohort balance of prognostic determinants. Theoretical and simulation results are provided. Additionally, the methodology is demonstrated through a proteomic study of lower grade glioma.
Stress in Factory Workers in Italy
Authors: Capasso Roberto , Zurlo Maria Clelia , Smith Andrew P.
Published: July 2018

The ethnicity and work-related stress model (EWS; Capasso, Zurlo, & Smith, 2018, British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 15, 1–20) integrated EWS dimensions in a multidimensional perspective combining demographic (sex, education) and individual characteristics (coping styles, Type A and Type D), cultural dimensions (acculturation strategies, perceived racial discrimination), work characteristics (work demands, work resources, rewards) and appraisals (job stress/satisfaction), in the prediction of psychophysical health conditions in migrant workers. The current research aimed to test the application of the EWS in a sample of Moroccan factory workers and hypothesised significant and specific profiles of associations between individual, ethnic and work characteristics, with psychophysical health outcomes. A questionnaire consisting of five sections measuring sociodemographics and individual differences (coping styles/personality), cultural dimensions (acculturation strategies), work characteristics, appraisals (job satisfaction/stress) and subjectives reports of health was administered to 250 Moroccan factory workers in Italy. Data were analysed using logistic regression to evaluate the independent and combined effects of all dimensions reported on the risk of suffering health problems. Data revealed specific and significant associations of individual characteristics, cultural dimensions and job characteristics with health outcomes. Findings will be useful in defining psychological interventions to promote well-being in specific workplaces supporting the dimensions suggested by the model applied.
Congenital Hypothyroid Screening in Term Neonates Using Cord Blood TSH
Authors: Bhatia Ravi , Rajwaniya Dinesh
Published: July 2018

Congenital hypothyroidism remains one of the most common preventable causes of mental retardation among children. Screening for congenital hypothyroidism remains one of the most cost-effective tools to prevent mental retardation in the population. Umbilical cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels remain an attractive and a practical step for screening for congenital hypothyroidism.

Aims: To find normative values of cord blood TSH for the study group. To use cord blood TSH levels as a marker for the screening of congenital hypothyroidism.

Methodology: Cord blood of 1824 neonates who were of term gestation, weighed greater than 2.5 kg at birth, and whose mothers were off thyroid medication were a part of the study group. Umbilical cord blood was collected at the time of delivery and TSH was estimated. All babies who had a cord blood TSH value >20 mIU/L were called bay on day 7 of life for a full thyroid profile.

Results: Cord blood samples of 1824 neonates were tested for TSH. The male to female ratio was 979:845 = 1.15:1. The birth weights ranged between 2.5 and 4.5 kg with an average birth weight of 2.811 kg. The mean (SD) TSH value was 7.725 (8.99). TSH values ranged between 1.2 and 100 mIU/ml. TSH values corresponding to the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 90th, 95th, and 97th percentile were 2.32, 3.03, 4.05, 5.67, 7.5, 12, 20.63, and 30.88 respectively. Out of the 88 babies recalled for repeat testing, 80 babies turned up; eventually, 1 turned out to be hypothyroid on repeat testing. The incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in our study was 1 in 1824.

Conclusion: To conclude, we can safely use the cord blood TSH value >20 mIU/L as a cutoff value for the purpose of screening for congenital hypothyroidism. For logistic angles, a higher cutoff of >30mIU/L can be used. Large population-based studies are required to establish normative values for cord blood TSH in our country.
Evaluation of the Effect of Warm and Humidified Oxygen as Compared to the Humidified Oxygen Alone in Neonates and Children with Respiratory Distress
Authors: Yadav Ashok K , Gupta Girish
Published: July 2018

Introduction: Respiratory distress is common for which oxygen forms the mainstay of treatment and is given as humidified oxygen to newborn and children. The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare the effect of warm and humidified oxygen with humidified oxygen alone in neonates and children with respiratory distress.

Materials and Methods: For this study, 60 neonates and 60 children (2-12 years) with respiratory distress were enrolled. Oxygen supplementation was given as humidified oxygen for initial stabilization for 2 hours as per the extant practice and subsequently, neonates and children were divided into two subgroups for schema of evaluation and comparison as warm and humidified followed by humidified oxygen for 2 hours and again warm (36°C-38°C) and humidified oxygen and reversed for other schema. Results were analyzed using two-tailed t-test.

Results: A majority of neonates were preterms ( n = 32; 53.33%) and respiratory distress syndrome ( n = 20; 33.33%) was the commonest cause followed by transient tachypnea of newborn ( n = 18; 30%), perinatal asphyxia ( n = 6; 10%), and meconium aspiration syndrome ( n = 5; 8.33%). A majority of neonates had moderate respiratory distress with Downe’s score of 4.13 ± 2.01 and responded well to supplemental oxygen alone. The difference of the Downe’s score was not statistically significant when compared at 2 hours, 4 hours, and 6 hours ( P > .05). Among the children with respiratory distress (asthma), the largest subgroup ( n = 13; 36.1%) had moderate to severe exacerbation at presentation. The difference of the respiratory distress score was not statistically significant when compared at 2 hours, 4 hours, and 6 hours ( P > .05).

Conclusion: The current method of humidified oxygen delivery can be continued for oxygen therapy of neonates. Stand-alone humidifier with warmidification is useful when used as high flow nasal cannula for its additional effect of positive airway pressure. Multicentric and larger randomized control trials may provide further evidence on the subject issue.
The Perceived Caregiver Burden Among Turkish Family Caregivers Providing Care for Frail Older Adults
Authors: Gok Metin Zehra , Karadas Canan , Balci Cafer , Cankurtaran Mustafa
Published: July 2018

Purpose: The older population has reached to 8.5%, and the prevalence of frailty is reported as 39.2% in Turkey. The purpose of the study was to assess caregiver burden in families who care for frail older adults in Turkish culture. Method: This descriptive study was conducted in Turkey between June and October 2017. Frail older adults who had no severe cognitive impairment were included. Data were measured using the Older Adult Information Form, Edmonton Frailty Scale, Caregiver Information Form, and Zarit Burden Interview. Results: In total, 131 older person/caregiver dyads were analyzed; the Zarit Burden Interview mean score was 37.59 ± 18.20. Caregivers with less education and providing care more than 8 hours experienced a higher burden ( p < .05). The severity of frailty significantly correlated with the caregiver scores ( R = .36, p < .01). Conclusion: The caregiver burden in Turkish family caregivers was found mild to moderate and correlated with the degree of frailty. Policymakers should focus on culture-specific formal caregiver services.
From modeling to implementation of a method for restraining back relaxation in ionic polymer–metal composite soft actuators
Authors: Annabestani Mohsen , Naghavi Nadia , Maymandi-Nejad Mohammad
Published: July 2018

Ionic polymer–metal composites are an emerging kind of electroactive polymer actuators, which can bend in response to a relatively low driving voltage. However, to enhance the actuation performance of ionic polymer–metal composites, some of their drawbacks should be considered. One of the most important drawbacks is “back relaxation.” The so-called back relaxation effect means, when a step input voltage is applied to the ionic polymer–metal composite, the conventional bending displacement toward the anode is followed by an unwanted and slow back relaxation toward the cathode. Control-based methods for restraining the ionic polymer–metal composite back relaxation effect are feedback-based schemes which apply significant constraints to dominant applications of ionic polymer–metal composite actuators especially in biomedical applications. In this article, we present an entirely scientific-based mathematical modeling to achieve a practical method for restraining the back relaxation effect in Nafion-based ionic polymer–metal composites, relying on creating a specific pattern on Pt layers of the ionic polymer–metal composites and applying a local Gaussian disturbance to this patterned ionic polymer–metal composites.
Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale: Validation of the Arabic Version Among Jordanians With Chronic Diseases
Authors: Darawad Muhammad W. , Hamdan-Mansour Ayman M. , Khalil Amani A. , Arabiat Diana , Samarkandi Osama A. , Alhussami Mahmoud
Published: July 2018

This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of Exercise Self-Efficacy scale (ESE-A) among Jordanian outpatients with a variety of chronic diseases using descriptive cross-sectional design. Participants’ scores of ESE-A significantly correlated with their reported weekly exercise frequency ( r = .23, p< .001), duration ( r = .31, p< .001), and evaluation of their physical exercise ( r = .39, p< .001). The construct validity was tested using exploratory factor analysis, which retained all items, and the scree plot showed one meaningful factor with an eigenvalue of 10.38 and an explained variance of 57.7%. Furthermore, Cronbach’s alpha was .89 and split-half coefficient was .83 indicating that the ESE-A is a reliable scale. The ESE-A was found to be a robust measure to evaluate exercise self-efficacy among Arabic patients with chronic diseases. Arabic researchers interested in exercise self-efficacy are invited to utilize the ESE-A in their studies to confirm its psychometric properties.
Human Plasma Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Matrix Metalloproteinase 9, and Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 and Their Applicability as Tumor Markers in Diagnoses of Cervical Cancer Based on ROC Analysis
Authors: Zajkowska Monika , Zbucka-Krętowska Monika , Sidorkiewicz Iwona , Lubowicka Emilia , Będkowska Grażyna Ewa , Gacuta Ewa , Szmitkowski Maciej , Ławicki Sławomir
Published: July 2018

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a major diagnostic problem. The introduction of human papillomavirus vaccination significantly reduced the number of new cases; however, the search for new methods that would earlier indicate the development of cancerous changes is vital. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic power of those parameters in comparison to Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCC-Ag) in patients with CC and in relation to the control group. The study included 100 patients with CC and 50 healthy women. Plasma levels of tested parameters were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, CA 125, and SCC-Ag by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Plasma levels of all parameters in the total cancer group showed statistical significance (in all cases P < .05). In stage I cancer, only vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1; in stage II, all the tested parameters and CA 125; and in stage III + IV, VEGF, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and CA 125 showed statistical significance when compared to the healthy volunteers group. Vascular endothelial growth factor showed the highest value of sensitivity from all tested parameters (I: 75%, II: 76%, III + IV: 94%, and 82% in total CC group). The highest specificity was obtained by MMP-9 (94%). In the total CC, stage I, and stage II groups, all tested parameters showed statistically significant area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), but maximum range was obtained for the combination VEGF + SCC-Ag (I: 0.9146, II: 0.8941, III + IV: 0.9139, total CC group: 0.9347). The combined analysis of tested parameters and tumor markers resulted in an increase in sensitivity and AUC values, which provides hope for developing new panel of biomarkers that may be used in the diagnosis of CC in the future.
Trait Jealousy Moderates the Relationship Between Alcohol Problems and Intimate Partner Violence Among Men in Batterer Intervention Programs
Authors: Brem Meagan J. , Shorey Ryan C. , Rothman Emily F. , Temple Jeff R. , Stuart Gregory L.
Published: July 2018

Informed by alcohol myopia theory and Leonard’s heuristic model of intimate partner violence (IPV), we hypothesized that alcohol problems would positively relate to IPV among men with high, but not low, trait jealousy. We collected cross-sectional, self-report data from 74 men arrested for domestic violence and court-ordered to batterer intervention programs (BIP). Alcohol problems positively related to physical and sexual IPV among men with high, but not low, trait jealousy. Results provide preliminary support for the need for BIP to target both jealousy-related cognitions and alcohol problems. Future research should investigate jealousy in relation to alcohol-related IPV.
OBTAIN E: outcome benefits of tranexamic acid in hip arthroplasty with enoxaparin: a randomised double-blinded controlled trial
Authors: Fraval Andrew , Duncan Sam , Murray Theresa , Duggan Jeremy , Tirosh Oren , Tran Phong
Published: July 2018

Background:

We examined the blood conserving effect of tranexamic acid in total hip arthroplasty using the direct anterior approach with enoxaparin as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) chemoprophylaxis, and whether this translates to an effect on functional outcomes in the perioperative period. We also compare the effect of aspirin and enoxaparin as DVT chemoprophylactic agents.

Methods:

We conducted a single-centre randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. 105 patients were randomised to receive either tranexamic acid or an equivalent volume of normal saline with enoxaparin used as DVT chemoprophylaxis. The primary outcome measure was thigh swelling. Blood loss and the incidence of blood transfusions was also recorded. Secondary outcome measures including postoperative functional scores and mobility, pain scores and length of stay. We also compared and pooled the results of a previous study with the same study intervention methodology which used aspirin as DVT chemoprophylaxis instead of enoxaparin.

Results:

There were no statistically significant differences between the primary outcome of thigh swelling. There was significantly less intraoperative blood loss observed in the tranexamic acid (TXA) group (0.510 L, SD 0.210) compared with the control group (0.698, SD 0.301) ( p < 0.001). The estimated blood loss was also significantly less in the TXA group (1.130 L, SD 0.311) compared with the control group (1.48 L, SD 0.510) ( p < 0.001). Pooled data of both consecutive trials showed there was a statistically significant reduction in length of stay for those that received TXA (3.72 days, SD 0.83 versus 4.24 days, SD 0.97, p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant increased risk of a transfusion in the control group as compared those that received TXA (OR 5.5, 1.188 to 25.449, p = 0.029). There was no difference in blood loss between DVT chemoprophylactic agents.

Interpretation:

TXA is an effective agent in reducing blood loss in THR using the anterior approach and was not affected by choice of DVT chemoprophylaxis. Patients who received TXA had fewer transfusions and a reduction in their length of stay. The blood conserving effect of TXA was not associated with improved postoperative recovery across the measures of pain and mobility.

Clinical trials registration:

ANZCTR number: ACTRN12616000606482.
Dynamic volumetric changes of hippocampal subfields in clinically isolated syndrome patients: A 2-year MRI study
Authors: Cacciaguerra Laura , Pagani Elisabetta , Mesaros Sharlota , Dackovic Jelena , Dujmovic-Basuroski Irena , Drulovic Jelena , Valsasina Paola , Filippi Massimo , Rocca Maria Assunta
Published: July 2018

Background:

Different subregional patterns of hippocampal involvement have been observed in diverse multiple sclerosis (MS) phenotypes.

Objective:

To evaluate the occurrence of regional hippocampal variations in clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients, their relationships with focal white matter (WM) lesions, and their prognostic implications.

Methods:

Brain dual-echo and three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted scans were acquired from 14 healthy controls and 36 CIS patients within 2 months from clinical onset and after 3, 12, and 24 months. Radial distance distribution was assessed using 3D parametric surface mesh models. A cognitive screening was also performed.

Results:

Patients showed clusters of reduced radial distance in the Cornu Ammonis 1 from month 3, progressively extending to the subiculum, negatively correlated with ipsilateral T2 and T1 lesion volume. Increased radial distance appeared in the right dentate gyrus after 3 ( p < 0.05), 12, and 24 ( p < 0.001) months, and in the left one after 3 and 24 months ( p < 0.001), positively correlated with lesional measures. Hippocampal volume variations were more pronounced in patients converting to MS after 24 months and did not correlate with cognitive performance.

Conclusion:

Regional hippocampal changes occur in CIS, are more pronounced in patients converting to MS, and are modulated by focal WM lesions.
Nanoparticles-coated glass fibre–based damage localisation and monitoring system for polymer composites
Authors: Sasikumar M , Balaji R , Vinothkumar M
Published: July 2018

The polymer composites are extensively used as advanced materials for various engineering applications such as aviation, marine, automobile and civil structures because of its unique superior properties. The anisotropic nature of the composite makes it as a complicated material to predict strain and damage induced in it under the real-time loading. In order to improve safety and reliability of these composite materials, the real-time strain induced in the composite needs to monitor continuously. With that focus, nanoparticles such as reduced graphene oxide and nano-nickel-coated glass fibre are fabricated and characterised for damage sensing application for the polymer composites reported in this work. The concept of embedding nanoparticles-coated glass fibres in an array of rows and columns as damage sensor is demonstrated by studying its real-time piezoresistive response under medium-velocity impact. When embedded composites are subjected to impact, the corresponding row and column sensor show variation in the piezoresistance. Thus, by monitoring the piezoresistance of the coated glass fibre, the damage and its location can be predicted. Thus, localisation and degree of damage induced in the polymer composites can be predicted by monitoring the piezoresistance of the embedded glass fibre under impact loading.