bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous curved vertebroplasty in the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Authors: Cheng Yonghong , Liu Yiming
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous curved vertebroplasty (PCVP) in treating thoracic and lumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).

Methods

Patients with thoracolumbar OVCFs were recruited and randomly divided into three treatment groups: PCVP, unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or bilateral PVP. Bone cement dispersion in the fractured vertebrae was observed. Surgery duration, X-ray frequency, bone cement injection volume, bone cement leakage rate and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded.

Results

Among 78 patients included, surgery duration and X-ray frequency were significantly lower in the PCVP and unilateral PVP groups versus bilateral PVP group. Bone cement injection volume was significantly higher in the bilateral PVP group (6.3 ± 1.4 ml) versus unilateral PVP (3.5 ± 1.1 ml) and PCVP groups (4.6 ± 1.2 ml). VAS scores at 24 h and 3 months post-surgery were significantly decreased versus baseline in all groups. The bone cement leakage rate was lowest in the PCVP group (8.8% [3/34 patients]).

Conclusion

PCVP is associated with reduced trauma, less complicated surgery with shorter duration, fewer X-rays, lower complication rate, and quicker postoperative recovery versus unilateral and bilateral PVP.
Serum substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide levels in infants with acute intussusception
Authors: Zhu Zhen-chuang , Wang Hai-bin , Yan Xue-qiang , Yang Jun , Duan Xu-fei , Bian Hong-qiang , Kuang Hou-fang
Published: April 2019

Objective

We aimed to investigate the role of the intestinal neurotransmitters vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) at different time points in infants with acute intussusception.

Methods

Thirty patients who were diagnosed with acute intussusception were enrolled in the study and classified as the experimental group. Another 30 patients with an indirect inguinal hernia who had no intestinal injury were included as the control group. Serum SP and VIP levels at different time points, including pre- and postoperation, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared between the two groups.

Results

Serum SP levels in patients with acute intussusception were significantly higher than those in controls. However, with recovery of acute intussusception, SP levels gradually decreased after treatment. Serum VIP levels in patients with acute intussusception were significantly lower than those in controls. However, with recovery of acute intussusception, VIP levels gradually increased after treatment.

Conclusions

SP and VIP levels may have a potential relationship with the pathogenetic process of intussusception.
Analysis of Flood Vulnerability and Transit Availability with a Changing Climate in Harris County, Texas
Authors: Pulcinella Joshua A. , Winguth Arne M. E. , Allen Diane Jones , Dasa Gangadhar Niveditha
Published: April 2019

Hurricanes and other extreme precipitation events can have devastating effects on population and infrastructure that can create problems for emergency responses and evacuation. Projected climate change and associated global warming may lead to an increase in extreme weather events that results in greater inundation from storm surges or massive precipitation. For example, record flooding during Hurricane Katrina or, more recently, during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, led to many people being cut off from aid and unable to evacuate. This study focuses on the impact of severe weather under climate change for areas of Harris County, TX that are susceptible to flooding either by storm surge or extreme rainfall and evaluates the transit demand and availability in those areas. Future risk of flooding in Harris County was assessed by GIS mapping of the 100-year and 500-year FEMA floodplains and most extreme category 5 storm tide and global sea level rise. The flood maps have been overlaid with population demographics and transit accessibility to determine vulnerable populations in need of transit during a disaster. It was calculated that 70% of densely populated census block groups are located within the floodplains, including a disproportional amount of low-income block groups. The results also show a lack of transit availability in many areas susceptible to extreme storm surge exaggerated with sea level rise. Further study of these areas to improve transit infrastructure and evacuation strategies will improve the outcomes of extreme weather events in the future.
Dietary Transition in India: Temporal and Regional Trends, 1993 to 2012
Authors: Tak Mehroosh , Shankar Bhavani , Kadiyala Suneetha
Published: April 2019

Background:

Rapid economic growth, urbanization, and globalization have resulted in dietary transformation in India. Triple burden of malnutrition remains a significant concern, with high prevalence of undernutrition, widespread micronutrient deficiencies, and rising obesity.

Objective:

This article reviews the dietary transition in India by analyzing trends in food consumption across time and space.

Methods:

Household consumption survey data from 1993 to 2012 are analyzed to examine both national- and state-level trends to investigate how diets have changed and vary across the country. Typical Indian diets are characterized using k-mean cluster analysis and associated with socioeconomic and geographical aspects.

Results:

The article finds that on average Indian household diets have diversified slowly but steadily since the 90s. Indians diets have shifted away from cereals to higher consumption of milk. However, progress on micronutrient-rich food groups such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and egg has been worryingly slow. Even by 2012, about a fifth of rural Indian households did not consume fruits or milk, while more than half of both urban and rural households did not consume any meat, fish, or eggs. Five predominant dietary types are identified. Sections of the Indian households do consume reasonably balanced diets, but large percentages consume cereal-focused, dairy-focused, or processed food heavy diets with high processed food content.

Conclusions:

Diets in India have not transformed sufficiently to overcome major gaps in intakes of micronutrient-rich foods. Large regional heterogeneities in diets call for regionally differentiated strategies to improve diets.
Extended harmonic disturbance observer-based attitude control for flexible spacecraft with control moment gyroscopes
Authors: Huang Liya , Wu Zhong
Published: April 2019

In the flexible spacecraft with control moment gyroscopes, there are multiple disturbances including not only internal disturbances from actuators and flexible appendages, but also external disturbances from space environment. These disturbances are characterized by a wide frequency range and may degrade attitude control performance to a great extent. In this paper, the lumped disturbance is modeled as a harmonic plus a polynomial model, and an extended harmonic disturbance observer (EHDO) is proposed to estimate the total disturbance. Since the rotor dynamic imbalance disturbance from control moment gyroscopes is described by an internal harmonic model, the lumped disturbance can be estimated precisely via EHDO even with a lower bandwidth. Afterwards, a backstepping-based composite controller is designed to compensate the disturbances by combining the output of EHDO and realize high-precision attitude control for flexible spacecraft with control moment gyroscopes. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Roles of vanes in diffuser on stability of centrifugal compressor
Authors: Zou Wangzhi , He Xiao , Zhang Wenchao , Niu Zitian , Zheng Xinqian
Published: April 2019

The stability considerations of centrifugal compressors become increasingly severe with the high pressure ratios, especially in aero-engines. Diffuser is the major subcomponent of centrifugal compressor, and its performance greatly influences the stability of compressor. This paper experimentally investigates the roles of vanes in diffuser on component instability and compression system instability. High pressure ratio centrifugal compressors with and without vanes in diffuser are tested and analyzed. Rig tests are carried out to obtain the compressor performance map. Dynamic pressure measurements and relevant Fourier analysis are performed to identify complex instability phenomena in the time domain and frequency domain, including rotating instability, stall, and surge. For component instability, vanes in diffuser are capable of suppressing the emergence of rotating stall in the diffuser at full speeds, but barely affect the characteristics of rotating instability in the impeller at low and middle speeds. For compression system instability, it is shown that the use of vanes in diffuser can effectively postpone the occurrence of compression system surge at full speeds. According to the experimental results and the one-dimensional flow theory, vanes in diffuser turn the diffuser pressure rise slope more negative and thus improve the stability of compressor stage, which means lower surge mass flow rate.
Health Beliefs of Wearing Facemasks for Influenza A/H1N1 Prevention: A Qualitative Investigation of Hong Kong Older Adults
Authors: Zhang Chun-Qing , Chung Pak-Kwong , Liu Jing-Dong , Chan Derwin K. C. , Hagger Martin S. , Hamilton Kyra
Published: April 2019

Although vaccination is the first-line strategy controlling and preventing influenza A/H1N1 for older adults, personal protective measures, such as wearing facemasks, are also important preventive behaviors to reduce the risk of becoming infected with influenza A/H1N1 during a pandemic. In the current study, we aimed to explore the belief-related psychological factors of wearing facemasks for influenza A/H1N1 prevention in a sample of Hong Kong older adults. Community-dwelling Chinese adults (N = 137) aged between 65 and 80 years (Mage = 75.10; SDage = 6.49) participated in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using theoretical thematic analysis and identified themes were matched deductively within the belief-based processes of the health belief model. Results revealed beliefs that underpinned 4 general dimensions of facemask wearing: (1) perceived susceptibility and seriousness of influenza A/H1N1 pandemic (e.g., influenza A/H1N1 as contagious and lethal), (2) modifying factors (e.g., social responsibility to prevent influenza), (3) cues to action (e.g., seeing others doing it), and (4) perceived benefits and barriers (e.g., protects oneself and others, difficult to breathe). Future interventions can target these beliefs to improve facemask wearing of older adults and, thus, curb preventable infection rates during an influenza A/H1N1 pandemic.
Variability of optic nerve sheath diameter in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Kozaci Nalan , Avci Mustafa , Caliskan Gulsum , Yuksel Serkan
Published: April 2019

Background:

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the first cause of disability in the world. It holds an important place in hospital admissions and health expenses in the industrialized world.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between optic nerve sheath diameter and the findings of brain computerized tomography scans and brain diffusion-weighted imaging and investigate the variability of optic nerve sheath diameter measured by ultrasonography in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods:

Patients who had acute ischemic stroke were included in Group A. Healthy adults were included in Group B as the control group. In addition, according to computerized tomography scans and diffusion-weighted imaging findings, Group A was divided into three subgroups. Patients with normal computerized tomography and diffusion-weighted imaging were included in Group 1, patients with normal computerized tomography and ischemic area on diffusion-weighted imaging were included in Group 2, and patients with ischemic area on computerized tomography and diffusion-weighted imaging were included in Group 3.

Results:

A total of 100 patients were included in Group A and 100 healthy adults included in Group B. The optic nerve sheath diameter values of Groups A and B were 5.4 ± 0.6 and 4.2 ± 0.4 mm (p < 0.001), respectively. The optic nerve sheath diameter cutoff value for detection of acute ischemic stroke was determined as 4.7 mm. The sensitivity and specificity at this cutoff value were determined as 89% and 90%, respectively. According to computerized tomography scans and diffusion-weighted imaging findings, there were 18 patients in Group 1, 56 patients in Group 2, and 26 patients in Group 3. Time from onset of symptoms to presentation to emergency department was shortest in Group 1 (3.0 ± 1.8 h). The widest optic nerve sheath diameter was calculated in Group 3 (optic nerve sheath diameter: 5.7 ± 0.6 mm).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that the optic nerve sheath diameter increases in acute ischemic stroke and it increases earlier than computerized tomography and diffusion-weighted imaging alteration occur. Therefore, optic nerve sheath diameter can be applied to assist the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke with other imaging techniques with equivocal/negative results and determination of appropriate treatment, especially in cases with normal computerized tomography scan and diffusion-weighted imaging.
Compressive strengths of concrete-filled double-skin (circular hollow section outer and square hollow section inner) aluminium tubular sections
Authors: Zhou Feng , Young Ben
Published: April 2019

Experimental and numerical investigations of concrete-filled double-skin aluminium stub column with a circular hollow section as the outer skin and a square hollow section as the inner skin are presented in this article. A test program was carried out to study the influences of aluminium tube geometric dimensions and concrete strength on structural performance and strength of composite columns. A series of composite columns was tested on outer circular hollow section tubes and inner square hollow section tubes; the spaces between them had been filled with concrete of different nominal cylinder strengths of 40, 70 and 100 MPa. The tubes were fabricated by extrusion using 6061T6 heat-treated aluminium alloy having a nominal 0.2% proof stress of 240 MPa. A non-linear finite element model was developed and verified against experimental results. The test and numerical results were compared with the design strengths to evaluate the applicability of the design rules in the American specifications for aluminium and concrete structures. In addition, the proposed design equations, developed by the authors for concrete-filled double-skin aluminium tubular stub columns with circular hollow section as both outer and inner skins, were used to calculate the design strengths and compared with the experimental and numerical results obtained in this study. The proposed design equations also predicted the ultimate strengths of the concrete-filled double-skin aluminium tubular stub columns accurately with circular hollow section as the outer skin and square hollow section as the inner skin.
Vibration characteristics of flexible spur ring gears using different connection types
Authors: Xu Huachao , Qin Datong
Published: April 2019

In this paper, a two-dimensional Timoshenko beam theory is adopted to establish a vibration analysis model for flexible spur ring gears. Based on this model, the vibration characteristics of a ring gear subjected to various connection types are investigated, and the corresponding vibration modes are classified and defined. It is demonstrated that the vibration characteristics of a ring gear vary for different connection types. When vibration analysis and design are performed for a planetary gear set or ring gear, the boundary condition of the ring gear model must closely match that of the actual connection type. When a ring gear is applied as the output component, the vibration modes are classified as rigid body, flexural deflection, and extensible deflection modes. Correspondingly, for bond connections, the vibration modes of a ring gear are classified as flexural deflection and extensible deflection modes. Furthermore, for a bolt connection, only flexural deflection modes arise as vibration modes of the ring gear, while for fixed connections, the vibration modes are local flexural deflection modes.
Study on the reactions between dichlorido[2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine] zinc(II) and biologically relevant nucleophiles in aqueous solution
Authors: Selimović Enisa , Soldatović Tanja
Published: April 2019

Substitution reactions of square-pyramidal [ZnCl2(terpy)] complex (terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) with biologically relevant nucleophiles such as imidazole, glutathione, 1,2,4-triazole, and pyrazine were investigated at pH 7.0 as a function of nucleophile concentration. The reactions were followed under pseudo first-order conditions by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The substitution reactions comprised two steps of consecutive displacement of chlorido ligands. Different reaction pathways for the first reaction step of nucleophilic substitution were defined. The order of reactivity of the investigated nucleophiles for the first reaction was imidazole > glutathione > pyrazine > 1,2,4-triazole, while for the second reaction step it was pyrazine > 1,2,4-triazole > imidazole > glutathione.
Intelligent Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm robot with object recognition in a multi-agent manufacturing system
Authors: Zakhama Afef , Charrabi Lotfi , Jelassi Khaled
Published: April 2019

Nowadays, industry tends to adopt the smart factory concept in their production. Technology intelligence is applied to use all the resources efficiently. Robots and vision system are masters in this kind of industry. However, information transfer between the robot controller and the vision system poses a great challenge. Data exchange between these two systems shall be secure, and the transfer must be with a very high level of accuracy. In this article, a multi-platform software application using a vision system is performed to control a Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm robot. The software solution includes the detection of defaults in a product by calculating a compliance rate using an efficient algorithm. An analysis of four different algorithms related to histogram-based similarity functions is set. Then, the most efficient algorithm is integrated into the application that provides a secure communication between three different operating systems. Experiments in a multi-agent manufacturing center validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Tests demonstrate the efficiency of the data transfer between the vision system and the multi-platform software application and the Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm robot. This data transfer can be controlled in a high accuracy manner without any additional manual parameters tuning.
A portable three-dimensional LIDAR-based system for long-term and wide-area people behavior measurement
Authors: Koide Kenji , Miura Jun , Menegatti Emanuele
Published: April 2019

It is important to measure and analyze people behavior to design systems which interact with people. This article describes a portable people behavior measurement system using a three-dimensional LIDAR. In this system, an observer carries the system equipped with a three-dimensional Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and follows persons to be measured while keeping them in the sensor view. The system estimates the sensor pose in a three-dimensional environmental map and tracks the target persons. It enables long-term and wide-area people behavior measurements which are hard for existing people tracking systems. As a field test, we recorded the behavior of professional caregivers attending elderly persons with dementia in a hospital. The preliminary analysis of the behavior reveals how the caregivers decide the attending position while checking the surrounding people and environment. Based on the analysis result, empirical rules to design the behavior of attendant robots are proposed.
Are morphologic features of recent small subcortical infarcts related to specific etiologic aspects?
Authors: Eppinger Sebastian , Gattringer Thomas , Nachbaur Lena , Fandler Simon , Pirpamer Lukas , Ropele Stefan , Wardlaw Joanna , Enzinger Christian , Fazekas Franz
Published: April 2019

Background:

Recent small subcortical infarcts (RSSIs) mostly result from the occlusion of a single, small, brain artery due to intrinsic cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD). Some RSSIs may be attributable to other causes such as cardiac embolism or large-artery disease, and their association with coexisting CSVD and vascular risk factors may vary with morphological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.

Methods:

We retrospectively identified all inpatients with a single symptomatic MRI-confirmed RSSI between 2008 and 2013. RSSIs were rated for size, shape, location (i.e. anterior: basal ganglia and centrum semiovale posterior cerebral circulation: thalamus and pons) and MRI signs of concomitant CSVD. In a further step, clinical data, including detailed diagnostic workup and vascular risk factors, were analyzed with regard to RSSI features.

Results:

Among 335 RSSI patients (mean age 71.1 ± 12.1 years), 131 (39%) RSSIs were >15 mm in axial diameter and 66 (20%) were tubular shaped. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was present in 44 (13.1%) and an ipsilateral vessel stenosis > 50% in 30 (9%) patients. Arterial hypertension and CSVD MRI markers were more frequent in patients with anterior-circulation RSSIs, whereas diabetes was more prevalent in posterior-circulation RSSIs. Larger RSSIs occurred more frequently in the basal ganglia and pons, and the latter were associated with signs of large-artery atherosclerosis. Patients with concomitant AF had no specific MRI profile.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest the contribution of different pathophysiological mechanisms to the occurrence of RSSIs in the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation. While there appears to be some general association of larger infarcts in the pons with large-artery disease, we found no pattern suggestive of AF in RSSIs.
LKB1 and YAP phosphorylation play important roles in Celastrol-induced β-catenin degradation in colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Shuren , Ma Kai , Zhou Cuiqi , Wang Yu , Hu Guanghui , Chen Lechuang , Li Zhuo , Hu Chenfei , Xu Qing , Zhu Hongxia , Liu Mei , Xu Ningzhi
Published: April 2019

Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo pathways play essential roles in the tumorigenesis and development of colorectal cancer. We found that Celastrol, isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii plant, exerted a significant inhibitory effect on colorectal cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, and further unraveled the molecular mechanisms. Celastrol induced β-catenin degradation through phosphorylation of Yes-associated protein (YAP), a major downstream effector of Hippo pathway, and also Celastrol-induced β-catenin degradation was dependent on liver kinase B1 (LKB1). Celastrol increased the transcriptional activation of LKB1, partially through the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). Moreover, LKB1 activated AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) and further phosphorylated YAP, which eventually promoted the degradation of β-catenin. In addition, LKB1 deficiency promoted colorectal cancer cell growth and attenuated the inhibitory effect of Celastrol on colorectal cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, Celastrol inhibited colorectal cancer cell growth by promoting β-catenin degradation via the HSF1–LKB1–AMPKα–YAP pathway. These results suggested that Celastrol may potentially serve as a future drug for colorectal cancer treatment.
Workforce survey of Australian graduate health information managers: Employability, employment, and knowledge and skills used in the workplace
Authors: Riley Merilyn , Robinson Kerin , Prasad Natasha , Gleeson Barbara , Barker Emma , Wollersheim Dennis , Price Julie
Published: April 2019

Background:

Employability, employment destinations and utilisation of knowledge–skill domains of new graduate health information managers (HIMs) have not been explored.

Objectives:

To capture the timing from course completion to employment and employment locations of a 5-year cohort of health information management graduates of La Trobe University, Australia, in 2017–2018; identify professional knowledge and skills used by the graduates in executing their roles; and map these to four domains of the health information management curriculum.

Method:

A mixed-methods descriptive study utilising a survey investigated early career pathways of new graduates of health information management courses from 2012 to 2016. Demographic data included age, year of graduation, lead time from course completion to employment, position title, number of positions held post-graduation and knowledge–skills used in the workplace.

Results:

Eighty percent ( n = 167) of graduates working in Australia with known contact details responded to the survey. Of these, 96.4% ( n = 161) worked in at least one “health information management-related” position since graduation. Forty-five percent ( n = 72) of graduates obtained a position before course completion, and over 94% ( n = 150) were employed in the profession within 6 months of completion. Sixty percent ( n = 97) of graduates had worked in two or more positions from 2012 to 2016. The large majority of new graduate HIMs (82.4%) were employed in the public healthcare sector in “health information management” (44%), or “health classification” (28.1%) roles. Most graduates (61%) had utilised at least three or four domains of professional knowledge–skills in the workplace. Whereas 16% ( n = 26) of graduates used, solely, their health classification knowledge–skill set, almost 74% ( n = 117) undertook some health classification-related activities. Only 16% ( n = 26) of graduates were over 40 years of age, and there were no statistically significant differences between Bachelor and Master (Combined Degree Programs) graduates and Graduate-entry Master degree graduates in terms of lead time to employment, number of positions held, type of employing agency and professional knowledge–skills utilised in the workplace.

Conclusion:

Graduate HIMs have very high employability, demonstrate job mobility consistent with the national trends, are largely represented in the public sector but have presence throughout the healthcare system and utilise most or all of the specialised domains of professional knowledge and skills studied at university.
A Holistic Approach to Risk for Early Kidney Injury in Indigenous Youth With Type 2 Diabetes: A Proof of Concept Paper From the iCARE Cohort
Authors: Dart Allison B. , Wicklow Brandy , Blydt-Hansen Tom D. , Sellers Elizabeth A. C. , Malik Sayma , Chateau Dan , Sharma Atul , McGavock Jonathan M.
Published: April 2019

Background:

Indigenous youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are disproportionately affected by early onset albuminuria and are at high risk of kidney failure in early adulthood. Traditional biological approaches have failed to fully explain the renal morbidity seen in this population. The improving renal Complications in Adolescents with type 2 diabetes through REsearch cohort (iCARE) study was therefore designed in collaboration with patients, to more holistically evaluate risk factors for renal morbidity. We hypothesize that both biological factors and mental health influence renal outcomes, mediated via inflammatory pathways.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the iCARE analytic framework which evaluates relationships between biological factors, mental health, inflammation, and albuminuria utilizing a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach.

Methods:

The first 187 youth with T2D (10-25 years) from the Manitoba iCARE cohort are presented here to evaluate our theoretical and analytic framework. An SEM was chosen to evaluate the statistical significance of proposed associations. The primary outcome was a nonorthostatic urine albumin:creatinine ratio ≥2 mg/mmol. Main exposures (ie, latent factors) included psychological health (distress, perceived stress, positive mental health and resilience), hypertension (24 hour monitored), and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], fibrinogen). Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and duration of diabetes were covariates.

Results:

Within the initial cohort (median age = 15 years, duration of diabetes = 2.3 years, 66.8% female), 30.5% (n = 57) had nonorthostatic albuminuria (ALB), and the majority of ALB was persistent (confirmed in 2/3 samples over a 6-month period; n = 47). Youth with ALB had higher HbA1c (10.9% vs 8.9%; P < .001), more hypertension (94.2% vs 78·2%; P = .02), longer duration of diabetes (3.4 vs 2.4 years; P = .01), higher distress (9.2 vs 7.3; P = .02), and stress scores (28.7 vs 26.4; P = .03), and elevated inflammatory markers (CRP: 4.9 vs 3.1 mg/L; P = .01, fibrinogen: 3.7 vs 3.3 µmol/L; P = .02). Factors directly associated with ALB in the SEM were hypertension (0.28; P = .001), inflammation (0.41; P < .001), and HbA1c (0.50; P < .001). Psychological health was independently associated with inflammation (−0.20; P < .001) but not directly associated with ALB.

Conclusions:

Albuminuria is highly prevalent in Indigenous youth with T2D. This preliminary analysis supports a theoretical framework linking glycemic control, hypertension, and inflammation, potentially mediated by psychological factors with albuminuria. These data support the need for more holistic models of evaluation and care for youth with T2D and multifactorial interventions to prevent complications.
Predicting Mobile Banking Acceptance and Loyalty in Chinese Bank Customers
Authors: Siyal Abdul Waheed , Donghong Ding , Umrani Waheed Ali , Siyal Saeed , Bhand Shaharbano
Published: April 2019

Mobile banking (m banking) is the breakthrough technology in banking sector which has significantly improved efficiency of banks and people’s quality of life. Banks seem particularly interested in such systems that provide their customers with better services. However, acceptance of and loyalty to m banking depends on how effectively banks motivate their customers to adopt the technology and retain their continued use. The adoption rate in China is very low and quite a few studies have focused on issues related to m banking. The purpose of this study is to examine factors that affect m banking adoption and usage intentions of Chinese bank customers. The proposed model has extended the technology acceptance model (TAM). Data were collected through a field survey questionnaire and analyzed through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that acceptance of and loyalty to m banking among Chinese bank customers was significantly and positively affected by resistance to change, perceived risk and low awareness of services, and perceived benefits. The results will be useful to retain existing users and attract new ones. This study is unlike past studies that merely studied short messaging service (SMS) banking and initial adoption or technological aspects of m banking. This study also provides Chinese banks with applicable strategies to effectively design and implement m banking; thus, it is expected to potentially contribute to prevailing literature, especially in the context of China, where few studies that address m banking acceptance and loyalty exist currently.
Using Implicit Followership Theories to Illustrate Cognitive Schemas: An Experiential Exercise
Authors: Robinson Melanie A. , Fiset John
Published: April 2019

In this article, we outline an experiential exercise designed to teach students about cognitive schemas (what they are, how they are developed, and how they may influence us). Drawing on the literature related to implicit followership theories, the exercise encourages students to explore their perceptions related to the role of followers, thus providing a concrete example via which they can explore the concept of schemas. The exercise was designed in the context of an undergraduate organizational behavior course and has been used on four occasions with success. We describe the learning objectives of the exercise and the steps to run it, provide detailed instructor notes, and offer some supplementary materials (i.e., sample content for class slides). We conclude the article by proposing potential variations of the exercise.
Does Investment in R&D Affect Firm Reputation: Indian Experience
Authors: Kaur Amanpreet , Singh Balwinder
Published: April 2019

Reputation has been widely accepted as a surreptitious resource which is imperative for organisations to imbibe. Despite its recognition as a clandestine to success, its formation is arduous. It takes lot of effort on the part of corporate managers to identify and indulge into reputation-building activities. Several researchers have found that good corporate governance, socially responsible acts and financial performance lead to good reputation, but the role of research and development (R&D) activities in enhancing firm reputation has garnered less attention till date. The current study is novel as it examines the relevance of expenditure made on R&D activities in an emerging economy like India, where hardly any study has directly deciphered the relation between R&D activities and corporate reputation. The study analyses the impact of R&D activities undertaken by top 500 Indian companies on their reputation which is measured by market capitalisation. The results of multivariate regression analysis of cross-sectional data reveal that the amount spent on R&D activities can be viewed as an investment as it generates a significant positive impact on firm reputation. The findings suggest that stakeholders view R&D-intensive firms favourably.
Rationale for the evaluation of nintedanib as a treatment for systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Wollin Lutz , Distler Jörg HW , Denton Christopher P , Gahlemann Martina
Published: April 2019

Interstitial lung disease is a common manifestation of systemic sclerosis. Systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease is characterized by progressive pulmonary fibrosis and a reduction in pulmonary function. Effective treatments for systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease are lacking. In addition to clinical similarities, systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease shows similarities to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the pathophysiology of the underlying fibrotic processes. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease culminate in a self-sustaining pathway of pulmonary fibrosis in which fibroblasts are activated, myofibroblasts accumulate, and the excessive extracellular matrix is deposited. Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, nintedanib slows disease progression by decreasing the rate of lung function decline. In this review, we summarize the antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and attenuated vascular remodeling effects of nintedanib demonstrated in in vitro studies and in animal models of aspects of systemic sclerosis. Nintedanib interferes at multiple critical steps in the pathobiology of systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease, providing a convincing rationale for its investigation as a potential therapy. Finally, we summarize the design of the randomized placebo-controlled SENSCIS® trial that is evaluating the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in patients with systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease.
An approximated one-quarter of IARC Group 3 (unclassifiable) chemicals fit more appropriately into IARC Group 4 (probably not carcinogenic)
Authors: Smith Carr J , Perfetti Thomas A
Published: April 2019

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents as to their potential carcinogenicity in humans. Monographs 1–123 categorize 120 agents as group 1 (carcinogenic to humans); 82 agents as group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans); 311 agents as group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); 499 agents as group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans); but only a single agent, caprolactam, a precursor for the manufacture of Nylon 6, fibers, and plastic as group 4 (probably not carcinogenic to humans). The evidence regarding carcinogenic potential to humans for a randomly selected sample of 100 group 3 agents was studied to determine whether the paucity of agents classified as group 4 represented the state of the scientific evidence or a reluctance on the part of IARC to classify a chemical into the lowest risk category. Of the 100 agents evaluated, a significant minority estimated at 24% did not possess structural elements of carcinogenicity, mutagenic activity in the Ames Salmonella assay or activity in a cell transformation assay. The results of this analysis suggest that the lack of agents classified as group 4 represents a reluctance on the part of IARC to place agents into the lowest category of risk. Failure to appropriately place agents into group 4 unnecessarily exhausts valuable staff resources as these low risk compounds require periodic updating of the evidentiary basis of their classification as a group 3 agent. It would be advantageous for both IARC and public health agencies if a clearer differentiation of group 3 and group 4 agents was employed.
Discreditation of the pyroxenoid mineral name ‘marshallsussmanite’ with a reinstatement of the name schizolite, NaCaMnSi3O8(OH)
Authors: Grice Joel D. , Lussier Aaron J. , Friis Henrik , Rowe Ralph , Poirier Glenn G. , Fihl Zina
Published: April 2019

Schizolite, originating from the type locality, Tutop Agtakôrfia, in the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, Julianehåb district, South Greenland, was described initially by Winther (1901) with additional data being supplied by Bøggild (1903). Recently, a proposal for the new mineral ‘marshallsussmanite’ was submitted to, and approved by, the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (IMA2013-067) by Origlieri et al. (2013). Results from the detailed examination of two schizolite cotype samples presented here, using single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and optical properties, confirms it to be equivalent to ‘marshallsussmanite’. Historical precedence sets a priority for discrediting the name ‘marshallsussmanite’ in favour of the original, more-than-a century-old name, schizolite. The two schizolite samples investigated vary slightly in physical and chemical properties but are consistent overall. The prismatic crystals are pale red or pink to brownish. Schizolite is brittle with a splintery aspect. It is biaxial (+), with average optical parameters: α = 1.626 ± 0.003, β = 1.630 ± 0.002, γ = 1.661 ± 0.002, 2Vmeas = 71(4)° and 2Vcalc = 40°; there is no pleochroism. Electron microprobe analysis shows both samples have nearly identical compositions (differences <0.4 wt.% oxide), with the mean values of: SiO2 52.6(4); Al2O3 0.005(1); FeO 2.54(2); MnO 13.86(9); CaO 17.9(4); Na2O 8.9(1); and H2O 2.59(2) wt.% oxide; this corresponds to a mean formula of: Na1.00(2)Ca1.11(7)Mn0.68(1)Fe0.12(0)Si3.041(1)O8(OH). Final least-squares structure refinements for both samples converged at R1 values ≤2.0%; H atoms were located in all refinements.
Characterisation of fibrous ferrierite in the rhyolitic tuffs at Lovelock, Nevada, USA
Authors: Zoboli Alessandro , Di Giuseppe Dario , Baraldi Cecilia , Gamberini Maria Cristina , Malferrari Daniele , Urso Giancarlo , Lassinantti Gualtieri Magdalena , Bailey Mark , Gualtieri Alessandro F.
Published: April 2019

Ferrierite is the name for a series of zeolite-group of minerals which includes three species with the same ferrierite framework (FER) crystal structure but different extra-framework cations. Recent studies have shown that ferrierite can exhibit a fibrous-asbestiform crystal habit and may possess the same properties as carcinogenic fibrous erionite. Characterisation of the ferrierite in and around a mine location will be helpful in assessing the potential for toxic outcomes of exposure in the mine and any local population.

The zeolite-rich tuff deposit of Lovelock, Nevada, USA is the largest occurrence of diagenetic ferrierite-Mg. A previous survey reported that ferrierite hosted in these rocks displays a fibrous morphology. However, these observations concerned a limited number of samples and until now there has been little evidence of widespread occurrence of fibrous ferrierite in the Lovelock deposit.

The main goal of this study was to perform a mineralogical and morphometric characterisation of the tuff deposit at Lovelock and evaluate the distribution of fibrous ferrierite in the outcrop. For this purpose, a multi-analytical approach including powder X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission microscopies, micro-Raman spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and surface-area determination was applied.

The results prove fibrous ferrierite is widespread and intermixed with mordenite and orthoclase, although there are variations in the spatial distribution in the bedrock. The crystal habit of the ferrierite ranges from prismatic to asbestiform (elongated, thin and slightly flexible) and fibres are aggregated in bundles. According to the WHO counting criteria, most of the ferrierite fibres can be classified as breathable. While waiting for confirmatory in vitro and in vivo tests to assess the actual toxicity/pathogenicity potential of this mineral fibre, it is recommended to adopt a precautionary approach for mining operations in this area to reduce the risk of exposure.
Cuatrocapaite-(NH4) and cuatrocapaite-(K), two new minerals from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, related to lucabindiite and gajardoite
Authors: Kampf Anthony R. , Chukanov Nikita V. , Möhn Gerhard , Dini Maurizio , Molina Donoso Arturo A. , Friis Henrik
Published: April 2019

The new minerals cuatrocapaite-(NH4) (IMA2018-083) and cuatrocapaite-(K) (IMA2018-084) are the NH4- and K-dominant members of a series with the general formula (NH4,K)3(NaMg□)(As2O3)6Cl6·16H2O. Both minerals were found at the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, where they occur as secondary alteration phases. Both minerals occur as hexagonal tablets up to ~0.3 mm in diameter. They are transparent, with a vitreous lustre and white streak. For both, the Mohs hardness isca. 2½, the crystals are somewhat flexible, but not elastic, the fracture is irregular and the cleavage is perfect on {001}. The measured densities are 2.65(2) and 2.76(2) g/cm3for the NH4- and K-dominant species, respectively. Optically, cuatrocapaite-(NH4) is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.779(3) andε= 1.541(3) and cuatrocapaite-(K) is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.777(3) andε= 1.539(3) (white light). The minerals are insoluble in acids, but decompose in NaOH(aq). The empirical formulas, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, are (NH4)2.48Na1.66Mg0.87K0.09(As12O18.05)Cl5.88·16.02H2O and K2.68Na1.33Mg0.93(NH4)0.31(As12O18.01)Cl6.16·16.04H2O. The minerals are trigonal, space groupR${\bar 3}$m; the cuatrocapaite-(NH4) cell parameters area= 5.25321(19),c= 46.6882(19) Å,V= 1115.80(9) Å3andZ= 1; the cuatrocapaite-(K) cell parameters area= 5.2637(15),c= 46.228(8) Å,V= 1109.2(7) Å3andZ= 1. The structures, refined for cuatrocapaite-(NH4) toR1= 1.78% for 544Io> 2σIreflections, contain four types of layers: (1) a planar neutral As2O3(arsenite) sheet; (2) an (${\rm NH}_{\rm 4}^{\vskip -2pt\rm \scale65% +} $,K+) layer that links adjacent arsenite sheets; (3) a Cl–layer placed on the As side of each arsenite; and (4) a layer containing partially occupied Na, Mg and H2O sites that is flanked on either side by Cl layers. The layer sequence for the type 1, 2 and 3 layers is identical to the Cl–As2O3–K–As2O3–Cl layer sequence in the structures of lucabindiite and gajardoite.
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Authors: Mouhieddine Tarek H. , Weeks Lachelle D. , Ghobrial Irene M.
Published: April 2019

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant plasma cell dyscrasia that consistently precedes multiple myeloma (MM) with a 1% risk of progression per year. Recent advances have improved understanding of the complex genetic and immunologic factors that permit progression from the aberrant plasma cell clone to MGUS and overt MM. Additional evidence supports bidirectional interaction of MGUS cells with surrounding cells in the bone marrow niche that regulates malignant transformation. However, there are no robust prognostic biomarkers. Herein we review the current body of literature on the biology of MGUS and provide a rationale for the improved identification of high-risk MGUS patients who may be appropriate for novel clinical interventions to prevent progression or eradicate premalignant clones prior to the development of overt MM.
Pragmatic neuroscience for clinical psychiatry
Authors: Steele J. Douglas , Paulus Martin P.
Published: April 2019

Mental health and substance use disorders are the leading cause of long-term disability and a cause of significant mortality, worldwide. However, it is widely recognised that clinical practice in psychiatry has not fundamentally changed for over half a century. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is reviewing its trainee curriculum to identify neuroscience that relates to psychiatric practice. To date though, neuroscience has had very little impact on routine clinical practice. We discuss how a pragmatic approach to neuroscience can address this problem together with a route to implementation in National Health Service care. This has implications for altered funding priorities and training future psychiatrists. Five training recommendations for psychiatrists are identified.

Declaration of interest

J.D.S. receives direct funding from MRC Program Grant MR/S010351/1 aimed at developing machine learning-based methods for routinely acquired NHS data and indirect funding from the Wellcome Trust STRADL study. M.P.P. receives payments for an UpToDate chapter on methamphetamine and is principal investigator on the following grants: NIGMS P20GM121312 and NIDA U01 DA041089 and receives support from the William K. Warren Foundation.
Seismic Fragilities of High-Voltage Substation Disconnect Switches
Authors: Wen Bai , Moustafa Mohamed A. , Junwu Dai
Published: April 2019

Electrical substations and vital components, e.g., disconnect switches, experienced severe damage that caused blackouts during past earthquakes. To improve the seismic resiliency of power grids and use probabilistic decision-making frameworks, comprehensive fragility data for the different substation equipment are needed. The objective of this study is to investigate the seismic performance of and develop component and system fragility curves for a critical substation component: disconnect switches. The seismic vulnerability of two common switch types was evaluated and two operational configurations were considered. Detailed nonlinear finite element models for the full switches were calibrated using previous experimental data and used to conduct incremental dynamic analysis and carry out the fragility assessment. A total of 160 triaxial ground motions representing four sets of different ground motion characteristics were used. The switches’ fragility curves were developed and presented to be readily used for new substation design, prioritizing retrofit/maintenance activities and reliability assessment of power grids.