bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parent and family perspectives on home-based newborn care practices in lower-income countries: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Authors: Bazzano Alessandra N , Felker-Kantor Erica , Eragoda Shalini , Kaji Aiko , Horlick Raquel
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To understand family and parent perspectives on newborn care provided at home to infants in the first 28 days of life, in order to inform behavioural interventions for improving care in low-income countries, where the majority of newborn deaths occur.

Design

A comprehensive, qualitative systematic review was conducted. MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health databases were systematically searched for studies examining the views of parents and family members on newborn care at home. The search period included all studies published from 2006 to 2017. Studies using qualitative approaches or mixed-methods studies with substantial use of qualitative techniques in both the methods and analysis sections were included. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were extracted and evaluated using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme guidelines. Following the initial selection and appraisal, barriers and facilitators to recommended care practices across several domains were synthesised.

Results

Of 411 results retrieved, 37 met both inclusion and quality appraisal criteria for methodology and reporting. Geographical representation largely reflected that of newborn health outcomes globally, with the majority of studies conducted in the region of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Specific barriers and facilitators were identified among a range of domains including: cord care, drying and wrapping, thermal control, skin to skin contact, hygiene, breast feeding, care-seeking for illness, and low birthweight recognition. Cross cutting facilitators, common to all domains were evident and included

delivery at a health facility, inclusion of female relatives in care counselling, lower healthcare costs, and exposure to newborn care behaviour change messaging in the community.

Conclusions

When designing behavioural interventions to address newborn mortality at scale, policy-makers and practitioners must include barriers and facilitators important to families in low-income settings.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016035674.
Uniformity in measuring adherence to reporting guidelines: the example of TRIPOD for assessing completeness of reporting of prediction model studies
Authors: Heus Pauline , Damen Johanna A A G , Pajouheshnia Romin , Scholten Rob J P M , Reitsma Johannes B , Collins Gary S , Altman Douglas G , Moons Karel G M , Hooft Lotty
Published: April 2019

To promote uniformity in measuring adherence to the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement, a reporting guideline for diagnostic and prognostic prediction model studies, and thereby facilitate comparability of future studies assessing its impact, we transformed the original 22 TRIPOD items into an adherence assessment form and defined adherence scoring rules. TRIPOD specific challenges encountered were the existence of different types of prediction model studies and possible combinations of these within publications. More general issues included dealing with multiple reporting elements, reference to information in another publication, and non-applicability of items. We recommend our adherence assessment form to be used by anyone (eg, researchers, reviewers, editors) evaluating adherence to TRIPOD, to make these assessments comparable. In general, when developing a form to assess adherence to a reporting guideline, we recommend formulating specific adherence elements (if needed multiple per reporting guideline item) using unambiguous wording and the consideration of issues of applicability in advance.
A double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of metformin to treat preterm pre-eclampsia (PI2 Trial): study protocol
Authors: Cluver Catherine , Walker Susan P , Mol Ben W , Hall David , Hiscock Richard , Brownfoot Fiona C , Kaitu’u-Lino Tu’uhevaha J , Tong Stephen
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Pre-eclampsia is a major complication of pregnancy, globally responsible for 60 000 maternal deaths per year, and far more fetal losses. There is no definitive treatment other than delivery. A therapeutic that could quench the disease process would be useful to treat preterm pre-eclampsia, as it could allow these pregnancies to safely continue to a gestation where fetal outcomes are significantly improved. We have published preclinical data to show that metformin, a drug known to be safe in pregnancy and commonly used to treat gestational diabetes, has potent biological effects making it another promising candidate to treat pre-eclampsia. Here, we describe a phase II clinical trial to examine whether administering extended-release metformin may be effective in treating women with preterm pre-eclampsia (PI2 Trial).

Methods

The PI2 Trial is a phase II, double blind, randomised controlled trial that aims to recruit 150 women with preterm pre-eclampsia (gestational age 26+0 to 31+6 weeks) who are being managed expectantly. Participants will be randomised to receive either 3 g of metformin or placebo daily. The primary outcome is time from randomisation until delivery. A delay in delivery of 5 days is assumed to be clinically relevant. The secondary outcomes will be a maternal composite and neonatal composite outcome. All other outcomes will be exploratory. We will record adverse events.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has ethical approval (Protocol number M16/09/037 Federal Wide Assurance Number 00001372, Institutional Review Board Number IRB0005239), is registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201608001752102) and the South African Medicine Control Council (20170322). Data will be presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

PACTR201608001752102; Pre-results.
Measuring diabetes guideline adherence with claims data: systematic construction of indicators and related challenges
Authors: Ulyte Agne , Bähler Caroline , Schwenkglenks Matthias , von Wyl Viktor , Gruebner Oliver , Wei Wenjia , Blozik Eva , Brüngger Beat , Dressel Holger
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Indicators of guideline adherence are frequently used to examine the appropriateness of healthcare services. Only some potential indicators are actually usable for research with routine administrative claims data, potentially leading to a biased selection of research questions. This study aimed at developing a systematic approach to extract potential indicators from clinical practice guidelines (CPG), evaluate their feasibility for research with claims data and assess how the extracted set reflected different types of healthcare services. Diabetes mellitus (DM), Swiss national guidelines and health insurance claims data were analysed as a model case.

Methods

CPG for diabetes patients were retrieved from the Swiss Endocrinology and Diabetes Society website. Recommendation statements involving a specific healthcare intervention for a defined patient population were translated into indicators of guideline adherence. Indicators were classified according to disease stage and healthcare service type. We assessed for all indicators whether they could be analysed with Swiss mandatory health insurance administrative claims data.

Results

A total of 93 indicators were derived from 15 CPG, representing all sectors of diabetes care. For 63 indicators, the target population could not be identified using claims data only. For 67 indicators, the intervention could not be identified. Nine (10%) of all indicators were feasible for research with claims data (three addressed gestational diabetes and screening, five screening for complications and one glucose measurement). Some types of healthcare services, eg, management of risk factors, treatment of the disease and secondary prevention, lacked corresponding indicators feasible for research.

Conclusions

Our systematic approach could identify a number of indicators of healthcare service utilisation, feasible for DM research with Swiss claims data. Some areas of healthcare were covered less well. The approach could be applied to other diseases and countries, helping to identify the potential bias in the selection of indicators and optimise research.
Discontinuation and switching patterns of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) in TNFi-naive and TNFi-experienced patients with psoriatic arthritis: an observational study from the US-based Corrona registry
Authors: Mease Philip J , Karki Chitra , Liu Mei , Li YouFu , Gershenson Bernice , Feng Hua , Hur Peter , Greenberg Jeffrey D
Published: April 2019

Objective

To examine patterns of tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) use in TNFi-naive and TNFi-experienced patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the USA.

Methods

All patients aged ≥18 years with PsA enrolled in the Corrona Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondyloarthritis Registry who initiated a TNFi (index therapy) between March 2013 and January 2017 and had ≥1 follow-up visit were included. Times to and rates of discontinuation/switch of the index TNFi were compared between TNFi-naive and TNFi-experienced cohorts. Patient demographics and disease characteristics at the time of TNFi initiation (baseline) were compared between cohorts and between patients who continued versus discontinued their index TNFi by the first follow-up visit within each cohort.

Results

This study included 171 TNFi-naive and 147 TNFi-experienced patients (total follow-up, 579.2 person-years). Overall, 75 of 171 TNFi-naive (43.9%) and 80 of 147 TNFi-experienced (54.4%) patients discontinued their index TNFi; 33 of 171 (19.3%) and 48 of 147 (32.7%), respectively, switched to a new biologic. TNFi-experienced patients had a shorter time to discontinuation (median, 20 vs 27 months) and were more likely to discontinue (p=0.03) or switch (p<0.01) compared with TNFi-naive patients. Among those who discontinued, 49 of 75 TNFi-naive (65.3%) and 59 of 80 TNFi-experienced (73.8%) patients discontinued by the first follow-up visit; such patients showed a trend towards higher baseline disease activity compared with those who continued.

Conclusions

The results of this real-world study can help inform treatment decisions when selecting later lines of therapy for patients with PsA.
Validating 10-joint juvenile arthritis disease activity score cut-offs for disease activity levels in non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Backström Maria , Tynjälä Pirjo , Aalto Kristiina , Grönlund Minna-Maija , Ylijoki Heikki , Putto-Laurila Anne , Kärki Johanna , Keskitalo Paula , Sard Sirja , Pohjankoski Heini , Hietanen Maiju , Witter Silke , Lehto Helena , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Vähäsalo Paula
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To validate cut-offs of the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 10 (JADAS10) and clinical JADAS10 (cJADAS10) and to compare them with other patient cohorts.

Methods

In a national multicentre study, cross-sectional data on recent visits of 337 non-systemic patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) were collected from nine paediatric outpatient units. The cut-offs were tested with receiver operating characteristic curve-based methods, and too high, too low and correct classification rates (CCRs) were calculated.

Results

Our earlier presented JADAS10 cut-offs seemed feasible based on the CCRs, but the cut-off values between low disease activity (LDA) and moderate disease activity (MDA) were adjusted. When JADAS10 cut-offs for clinically inactive disease (CID) were increased to 1.5 for patients with oligoarticular disease and 2.7 for patients with polyarticular disease, as recently suggested in a large multinational register study, altogether 11 patients classified as CID by the cut-off had one active joint. We suggest JADAS10 cut-off values for oligoarticular/polyarticular disease to be in CID: 0.0–0.5/0.0–0.7, LDA: 0.6–3.8/0.8–5.1 and MDA: >3.8/5.1. Suitable cJADAS10 cut-offs are the same as JADAS10 cut-offs in oligoarticular disease. In polyarticular disease, cJADAS10 cut-offs are 0–0.7 for CID, 0.8–5.0 for LDA and >5.0 for MDA.

Conclusion

International consensus on JADAS cut-off values is needed, and such a cut-off for CID should preferably exclude patients with active joints in the CID group.
The Newton product of polynomial projectors Part 1: Construction and algebraic properties
Authors: Bertrand François , Calvi Jean-Paul
Published: April 2019

We propose a new way of combining two polynomial projectors on spaces of functions of few variables to obtain a polynomial projector on a space of functions of many variables. We present various algebraic properties of our construction and study the main approximation properties of the new projectors.
Oriented bivariant theory, II: Algebraic cobordism of S-schemes
Authors: Yokura Shoji
Published: April 2019

This is a sequel to our previous paper “Oriented bivariant theory, I”. In 2001, Levine and Morel constructed algebraic cobordism for (reduced) schemes [Formula: see text] of finite type over a base field [Formula: see text] in an abstract way and later Levine and Pandharipande reconstructed it more geometrically, using “double point degeneration”. In this paper in a similar manner to the construction of Levine–Morel, we construct an algebraic cobordism for a scheme [Formula: see text] over a fixed scheme [Formula: see text] in such a way that if the target scheme [Formula: see text] is the point [Formula: see text], then our algebraic cobordism is isomorphic to Levine–Morel’s algebraic cobordism. Our algebraic cobordism can be interpreted as “a family of algebraic cobordism” parametrized by the base scheme [Formula: see text].
A cosmological basis for E = mc2
Authors: Melia Fulvio
Published: April 2019

The Universe has a gravitational horizon with a radius [Formula: see text] coincident with that of the Hubble sphere. This surface separates null geodesics approaching us from those receding, and as free-falling observers within the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker space–time, we see it retreating at proper speed [Formula: see text], giving rise to the eponymously named cosmological model [Formula: see text]. As of today, this cosmology has passed over 20 observational tests, often better than [Formula: see text]CDM. The gravitational radius [Formula: see text] therefore appears to be highly relevant to cosmological theory, and in this paper we begin to explore its impact on fundamental physics. We calculate the binding energy of a mass [Formula: see text] within the horizon and demonstrate that it is equal to [Formula: see text]. This energy is stored when the particle is at rest near the observer, transitioning to a purely kinetic form equal to the particle’s escape energy when it approaches [Formula: see text]. In other words, a particle’s gravitational coupling to that portion of the Universe with which it is causally connected appears to be the origin of rest-mass energy.
Matrix Method for Buckling Analysis of Frames Based on Hencky Bar-Chain Model
Authors: Pan W. H. , Wang C. M. , Zhang H.
Published: April 2019

Presented herein is a matrix method for buckling analysis of general frames based on the Hencky bar-chain model comprising of rigid segments connected by hinges with elastic rotational springs. Unlike the conventional matrix method of structural analysis based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, the Hencky bar-chain model (HBM) matrix method allows one to readily handle the localized changes in end restraint conditions or localized structural changes (such as local damage or local stiffening) by simply tweaking the spring stiffnesses. The developed HBM matrix method was applied to solve some illustrative example problems to demonstrate its versatility in solving the buckling problem of beams and frames with various boundary conditions and local changes. It is hoped that this easy-to-code HBM matrix method will be useful to engineers in solving frame buckling problems.
Short-Term Travel Time Prediction: A Spatiotemporal Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Ran Xiangdong , Shan Zhiguang , Shi Yong , Lin Chuang
Published: April 2019

Traffic prediction is a complex, nonlinear spatiotemporal relationship modeling task with the randomness of traffic demand, the spatial and temporal dependency between traffic flows, and other recurrent and nonrecurrent factors. Based on the ability to learn generic features from history information, deep learning approaches have been recently applied to traffic prediction. Convolutional neural network (CNN) methods that learn traffic as images can improve the predictive accuracy by leveraging the implicit correlations among nearby links. Traffic prediction based on CNN is still in its initial stage without making full use of spatiotemporal traffic information. In this paper, we improve the predictive accuracy by directly capturing the relationship between the input sequence and the predicted value. We propose the new local receptive fields for spatiotemporal traffic information to provide the constraints in the task domain for CNN which is different from traditionally learning traffic as images. We explore a max-pooled CNN followed by a fully connected layer with a nonlinear activation function to convolute the new local receptive fields. The higher global-level features are fed into a predictor to generate the predicted output. Based on the dataset provided by Highways England, we validate the assumption that there exists direct relationship between the input sequence and the predicted value. We train the proposed method by using the backpropagation approach, and we employ the AdaGrad method to update the parameters of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the predictive accuracy.
Evaluation of Some Physical and Health Parameters in a Local Physical Activity Program for Seniors
Authors: Infante Paulo , Jacinto Gonçalo , Afonso Anabela , Conde José , Engana Teresa , Vicente Jorge , Silva Pedro , Coelho Ana Carla , Costa Paula
Published: April 2019

Background: About 1/5 of the population of Évora Municipality in Portugal is aged 65 and over, and there has been a continued deterioration in the ageing index (159 in 2016). Évora City Hall offers the Active Seniors program which aims to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles among older adults (at least 55 years). This study aims to evaluate the effect on some physical and medical parameters of the participants in this program within a period of 6–12 months, showing why it is worthwhile for the municipalities to elect this type of programs. Methods: A 1-year follow-up of three groups of seniors was conducted that covered participants enrolled for the first time in the Active Seniors program and individuals who had participated in the Active Seniors program in previous years and who would maintain or increase the number of sessions per week. Participants self-reported sociodemographic and past health information and were submitted to medical tests, and anthropometric and physical evaluations. Differences in medical and physical parameters were evaluated using analysis of covariance and mixed models. Results: In just 6 months, seniors who participated in the Active Seniors program for the first time improved several medical tests results and improved their performance in physical fitness tests (all p < 0.05). The increase in the number of sessions per week decreased the systolic blood pressure values after only 6 months (p < 0.001) and improved the physical fitness tests over 12 months (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The Active Seniors program is an effective way to improve the health and physical fitness of older adults. The continuation of the program, with or without the increase in the number of weekly sessions, allows controlling the medical parameters and increasing the functional fitness of the participants.
Socioeconomic status moderates the association between perceived environment and active commuting to school
Authors: Silva Alexandre Augusto de Paula da , Fermino Rogério César , Souza Carla Adriane , Lima Alex Vieira , Rodriguez-Añez Ciro Romelio , Reis Rodrigo Siqueira
Published: April 2019

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the moderator effect of socioeconomic status in the association between the perceived environment and active commuting to school. METHODS: A total of 495 adolescents and their parents were interviewed. Perceived environment was operationalized in traffic and crime safety and assessed with the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. Active commuting was self-reported by the adolescents, categorized in walking, bicycling or skating at least one time/week. Socioeconomic status was used as moderator effect, reported from adolescents’ parents or guardians using Brazilian standardized socioeconomic status classification. Analyses were performed with Poisson regression on Stata 12.0. RESULTS: Prevalence of active commuting was 63%. Adolescents with low socioeconomic status who reported “it is easy to observe pedestrians and cyclists” were more likely to actively commute to school (PR = 1.18, 95%CI 1.03–1.13). Adolescents with low socioeconomic status whose parents or legal guardians reported positively to “being safe crossing the streets” had increased probability of active commuting to school (PR = 1.10, 95%CI 1.01–1.20), as well as those with high socioeconomic status with “perception of crime” were positively associated to the outcome (PR = 1.33, 95%CI 1.03–1.72). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status showed moderating effects in the association between the perceived environment and active commuting to school.
Cognitive screening test in primary care
Authors: Yokomizo Juliana Emy , Seeher Katrin , Oliveira Glaucia Martins de , Silva Laís dos Santos Vinholi e Silva , Saran Laura , Brodaty Henry , Aprahamian Ivan , Yassuda Monica Sanches , Bottino Cássio Machado de Campos
Published: April 2019

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic accuracy of the Brazilian version of the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG-Br) compared to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in individuals with low educational level. METHODS: Ninety-three patients (≥ 60 years old) from Brazilian primary care units provided sociodemographic, cognitive, and functional data. Receiver operating characteristics, areas under the curve (AUC) and logistic regressions were conducted. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients with 0–4 years of education. Cases (n = 44) were older (p = 0.006) and performed worse than controls (n = 49) on all cognitive or functional measures (p < 0.001). The GPCOG-Br demonstrated similar diagnostic accuracy to the MMSE (AUC = 0.90 and 0.91, respectively) and similar positive and negative predictive values (PPV/NPV, respectively: 0.79/0.86 for GPCOG-Br and 0.79/0.81 for MMSE). Adjusted cut-points displayed high sensitivity (all 86%) and satisfactory specificity (65%–80%). Lower educational level predicted lower cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: The GPCOG-Br is clinically well-suited for use in primary care.
Four Buddhist Intellectuals in Late 19th Century in Japan
Authors: Hayashi Makoto
Published: April 2019

In recent years, research on modern Buddhism, i.e., Buddhism from the Meiji Restoration (1868) onwards, has been flourishing in Japan. Drawing on existing scholarship, this paper attempts to elucidate the characteristics of the first stage of modern Japanese Buddhism. In the premodern period, Buddhist priests had been the only people able to articulate Buddhism. In the modern period, Buddhist intellectuals with Western academic knowledge re-articulated Buddhism, linking and negotiating between those inside and those outside the Japanese Buddhist world. I will focus on four Buddhist intellectuals and try to understand their involvement in politics, education, and public discourse, their resistance to the expansion of Christianity into the country, and their call for the institutional reform of Buddhism. These activities contributed significantly to the first stage of the development of modern Buddhism.
The Curious Case of the Blasphemer: Ambiguity as Literary Device in Leviticus 24:10-23
Authors: Fuad Chelcent
Published: April 2019

This article argues that, instead of the nature of the crime or its punishment, the underlying problem that needs oracular law in the account of the blasphemer in Lev 24:10-23 is the ambiguity of the criminal’s identity. This ambiguity is employed in the narrative as a literary device by which the redactor of the narrative introduces the universal applicability of the blasphemy law that includes both natives and foreigners. By so doing, the redactor of Lev 24 serves the Holiness Code’s theological agenda, namely, the extension of holiness to all inhabitants of the land since pollution of the land by any of its inhabitants may eventually cause the expulsion of the whole people from the land. To this end, the redactor rewrites the Covenant Code and frames it with the narrative of the mixed-pedigree blasphemer.
Formulaic Language in the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle
Authors: Murray Alan V.
Published: April 2019

This paper investigates formulaic syntax in the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle (German: Livländische Reimchronik), a Middle High German (MHG) verse history composed around 1290. A common syntactical formula is a unit formed with the adjective vrô (‘glad’, ‘happy’, ‘joyful’) or its negative variant unvrô, together with the verbs sîn (‘be’) or werden (‘become’), with a genitive object: NP-Nom + SÎN/ WERDEN + NP-Gen + (un)vrô (e.g. der meister was der rede vrô). In almost every case the adjective (un)vrô occurs in end position, so that it can be rhymed with another common word, e.g. dô (‘then’) or sô (‘thus’). An important variation is introduced with the demonstrative pronoun des: Pro-Dem-Gen + SÎN/WERDEN + NP-Nom + (un)vrô. This construction has the metrical function of filling a complete line, but it also functions as a discourse marker: it comments positively or negatively on an episode it follows or introduces. The high frequency of this construction in this text compared to its occurrence in other genres written in rhyming couplets suggests that the author was more conservative and less inventive than his contemporaries. In addition he also drew more frequently on the vocabulary and conventions of heroic poetry in which formulaic language was very common. It is argued that the employment of formulaic phrasing and syntax are connected with the sociolinguistic circumstances of the recitation of the chronicle.
Phylogenetic species delimitation for the widespread spider wasp Ageniella accepta (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), with new synonyms
Authors: Waichert Cecilia , Wilson Joseph S. , Pitts James P. , von Dohlen Carol D.
Published: April 2019

Ageniella is the second-most diverse spider wasp genus in Ageniellini (Pepsinae). The Ageniella (Ageniella) accepta species-group is found from Canada to Panama and is composed of three Nearctic species: A. accepta (Cresson), A. blaisdelli (Fox), and A. conflicta Banks. Within this group, species-level identification is difficult, because diagnostic characters are questionable, and subjective for both males and females. Furthermore, sexes of each species are not reliably associated. Herein, we investigate sex associations and the validity of described species within the A. accepta species-group based on three molecular markers (cytochrome oxidase I, wingless, long-wavelength rhodopsin) by using maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses, and species-delimitation approaches. Additionally, we mapped 12 morphological traits onto the molecular phylogeny to discuss evolution of diagnostic characters. We concluded that the three species of the A. accepta species-group are actually a single, wide-ranging species with strong geographical signal. Moreover, our results suggest introgression at the mitochondrial level.
The Social History of Bulgaria
Authors: Daskalov Roumen
Published: April 2019

This article provides an overview of the development of one particular subfield of history writing in Bulgaria, social history. It concentrates on the modern period, and delineated several stages in the evolution of the Bulgarian historiography, namely the National Revival under Ottoman rule, followed by the “bourgeois” epoch from the 1878 liberation to 1944, the communist regime, and the post-communist transformation until today. In the first part, the article presents several pre-communist antecedents of social history, explores the rise of professional historiography initially under Marxist auspices, and then explores attempts at historiographical revisions before and after 1989. In the second part, the article briefly presents the author’s own attempt to write social history along the lines of the German Gesellschaftsgeschichte and alternative approaches on social history and modernization.
Oral History as a Method: Variants of Remembering World War II in Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Authors: Rutar Sabine
Published: April 2019

This article provides a general overview of research on, and the construction of, the memory of World War II in socialist Yugoslavia and its successor states, focusing on Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the intent of placing this topic in the general framework of oral history and memory research. At the center of attention is the question of how the memories of eyewitnesses have been possibly shaped, altered, and conditioned by their post-war socialization, and how this shaping, altering, and conditioning might be allowed for when interpreting memory source materials.
Time-delay feedback cooperative adaptive cruise control of connected vehicles by heterogeneous channel transmission
Authors: Song Xiulan , Lou Xiaoxin , Meng Limin
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we consider the cooperative adaptive cruise control problem of connected autonomous vehicles networked by heterogeneous wireless channel transmission. The cooperative adaptive cruise control model with variable input delays is established to describe the varying time-delays induced from vehicular actuators and heterogeneous channel transmission. Then a set of decentralized time-delay feedback cooperative adaptive cruise control controllers is computed in such way that each vehicle evaluates its own adaptive cruise control strategy using only neighborhood information. In order to establish string stability of the connected vehicle platoon with the decentralized controllers, the sufficient conditions are obtained in the form of linear matrix inequalities. The scenarios, consisting of four different cars with three heterogeneous wireless channels, are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented method.
Modification of polypropylene properties through additivation and formulation improvements
Authors: Tang Kien-Mun , Ooi Chui-Ping , Batlaw Raj
Published: April 2019

Nucleators (nucleating agents) have improved the properties of commodity plastics such as polypropylene (PP), where its properties are now comparable with those of engineering plastics such as polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. 1 This has enabled commodity plastics to be used in more demanding applications such as baby feeding bottles that need to be sterilized by boiling water and disposable food containers that need very high flow and fast cycle time during production. In order to achieve the targeted performance of the various applications, a higher dosage of nucleator can be used to further enhance the nucleation of PP. However, this would come at the expense of add-on costs since the nucleator is probably the most expensive ingredient (in dollars per kg) in PP stabilization. In this research a non-nucleating coadditive, sodium myristate (NaMy), added into a DHT4A-stabilized homopolypropylene with Milliken Chemical’s Hyperform® HPN68L nucleator (disodium salt of bicycle (2.2.1) heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid 2 ) via dry blending was found to be able to boost the nucleation efficiency of HPN68L in PP, thus improving the polymer’s physical properties without increasing the HPN68L concentration. Subsequent tests showed that the optimum blend ratio of 300 ppm HPN68L and 200 ppm NaMy had improved the 300 ppm HPN68L-nucleated PP peak crystallization temperature ( T c) by 2.3°C, clarity by 20.3%, cycle time by 8.9%, heat deflection temperature by 4°C and flexural modulus by 60 MPa. It was discovered that the improvements were due to improved dispersion of the nucleator in PP. Further investigation also demonstrated that coating of NaMy onto HPN68L via a novel coating technique was better than the dry blend method in improving dispersion of the nucleator, resulting in the best nucleation performance.
Investigating the impacts of a changing climate on the risk of overheating and energy performance for a UK retirement village adapted to the nZEB standards
Authors: Salem Radwa , Bahadori-Jahromi Ali , Mylona Anastasia
Published: April 2019

The death toll of the 2003 heat wave in Europe exceeded 35,000 heat-related deaths. The elderly population were the most affected. The current paradigm within the construction industry in cold-dominant countries is to design/retrofit buildings with high levels of insulation. Whilst thermal comfort may be reached during colder months with this approach, the risk of overheating can be increased during hotter months. This paper aims to examine the impacts of a changing climate on the risk of overheating and energy performance for a UK retirement village. For this study, the buildings within the retirement village will be designed to reach the nearly zero energy building standard. Consequently, the risk of overheating of the buildings within the retirement village as they currently stand and as zero energy buildings will be investigated under current and future climatic conditions. The analysis is carried out using thermal analysis simulation software (TAS, Edsl). Combined heat and power and combined cooling, heat and power will be investigated as mitigating strategies with regard to overheating. The results of this study do not undermine the importance of continuing to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings but rather highlight that the approach undertaken should be reconsidered.

Practical application: Currently, there is emphasis placed on retrofitting and designing buildings, with high energy efficiency standards. Whilst this is in line with our vision as a society towards reaching a decarbonised, sustainable future, this work highlights that doing so, carries risks with regard to overheating. Nonetheless, the results demonstrate that with the incorporation of suitable mitigation strategies and adequate ventilation strategies, it is possible to achieve an energy efficient building that meets the heating and cooling demand (and thereby thermal comfort of occupants) during the heating and non-heating season.
Sexual Dimorphism in Laryngeal Volumetric Measurements Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Hamdan Abdul-Latif , Khalifee Elie , Ziade Georges , Semaan Sahar
Published: April 2019

The objective of this study is to investigate the dimensional and volumetric measurements in the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle in men and women using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The hypothesis is that there is a gender-related difference in these measurements. A retrospective chart review of 76 patients who underwent MRI of the neck at the American University of Beirut Medical Center was conducted. The dimension and volume of the right and left TA muscle were measured on axial and coronal planes short tau inversion recovery images. Male and female groups were compared with respect to demographic data and MRI findings using parametric and nonparametric tests. The mean length of the thyro-arytenoid muscle in males was larger than that in females on the right (males 2.44 [0.29] cm vs females 1.70 [0.22] cm) and on the left (males 2.50 [0.28] cm vs females 1.72 [0.24] cm) reaching statistical significance ( P < .001). The mean width of the thyro-arytenoid muscle in males was larger than that in females on the right (males 0.68 [0.13] cm vs females 0.59 [0.11] cm) and on the left (males 0.68 [0.12] cm vs females 0.57 [0.12] cm) reaching statistical significance ( P < .001). The mean height of the thyro-arytenoid muscle in males was larger than that in females on the right (males 1.05 [0.21] cm vs females 0.95 [0.12] cm) and on the left (males 1.05 [0.21] cm vs females 0.95 [0.12] cm) reaching statistical significance ( P < .01 on the right and P < .05 on the left). The volume of the thyroarytenoid muscle in males was larger than that in females on the right (males 0.86 [0.25] mL vs females 0.48 [0.15] mL) and on the left (males 0.89 [0.27] mL vs females 0.48 [0.17] mL) reaching statistical significance ( P < .001). The results of this investigation clearly indicate a significant difference in these measurements between men and women.
Pectoralis Major Muscle Free Flap: Anatomical Studies on Pedicle Length and Vessel Diameter
Authors: Trainotti Susanne , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Rotter Nicole , Greve Jens , Veit Johannes A. , Schuler Patrick , Scheithauer Marc
Published: April 2019

Large and deep defects resulting from lateral skull base surgery represent a challenge to the head and neck surgeon. Different microvascular free flaps have specific advantages and disadvantages. While the pedicled pectoralis major flap is considered a “work horse,” it comes with a rather short pedicle. The aim of this study was to analyze the vascular anatomy of the pectoralis major flap and assess its suitability for microvascular transfer. Anatomical studies have been performed on 6 Thiel-fixed cadavers allowing a harvest of 12 flaps by the same surgeon. Measurements of the pedicle’s length and vessel diameters have been taken with a ruler and caliper. The mean pedicle length and mean diameters (Ø) of the thoracoacromial artery and concomitant vein were found to be 9.8 cm, Ø 4.2 mm, and Ø 4.9 mm, respectively. These results suggest the potential utility of a free pectoralis major flap with microvascular anastomosis.
Testing the Effectiveness of Objective and Subjective Predictors of Driving Behavior under Fatigue
Authors: Adamos Giannis , Nathanail Eftihia
Published: April 2019

There is growing evidence that driver fatigue is a major road safety problem, causing crashes that frequently involve fatalities and severe injuries. Professional drivers are among the road users indicated by literature to be at high risk of involvement in a fatigue-related crash. The goal of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of objective and subjective data collection and analysis in predicting driving behavior under fatigue. Toward this goal, the impact of a fatigue-training program addressing professional drivers was assessed through a naturalistic study on data collected by trip recorders (Geographical Positioning System devices). Analysis of these data was supplemented with the collection of self-reported data obtained through a questionnaire survey to investigate potential threats, deficiencies, and bias of the approaches. Findings revealed that there is some correlation between the two approaches measuring driving behavior under fatigue. Focusing on self-reported data, it was indicated that the training program affected positively the direction of change in the behavior of the professional drivers, addressed by an increase in the proportion of drivers who stop and rest when tired. The naturalistic approach and the testing of potential differences before and after the training program with reference to speed and average stop time showed that the training program encouraged drivers to reduce their speed and increase the time that they stop and rest.
Simultaneous optimization of fiber orientations and topology shape for composites compliant leading edge
Authors: Tong Xinxing , Ge Wenjie , Gao Xinqin , Li Yan
Published: April 2019

A morphing leading edge, based on the compliant mechanism, is a novel concept which can improve the aerodynamic performance of aircraft for different missions. This can obviously reduce the weight and enhance the aircraft’s fuel efficiency. A simultaneous optimization of topology and fiber orientations for a composite leading edge has been achieved in the paper. It mainly included two steps. Initially, the lamination parameters and density were taken as design variables to determinate the fiber angles and topology, respectively. The least squares between the actual and desired displacements at key points were set as the objective function. Under the volume constraints, the combined optimization model of the leading edge was built to simultaneously obtain the optimal lamination parameters and topology shape. Then the optimal fiber angles were matched with the optimal lamination parameters by transforming the nonlinear equations to the least squares optimization. The physical model of the composite leading edge and experiments for it were manufactured and designed. The morphing capability of the composite’s compliant leading edge was investigated through simulation and experiments.
Analysis of Surface Levels of IL-1 Receptors and Macrophage Scavenger Receptor I in Peripheral Immune Cells of Patients With Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Spitzer Philipp , Weinbeer Johannes , Herrmann Martin , Oberstein Timo Jan , Condic Mateja , Lewczuk Piotr , Kornhuber Johannes , Maler Juan Manuel
Published: April 2019

Increased concentrations of interleukin 1 (IL-1) in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) reduced phagocytic capacity point to an inflammatory activation of mononuclear phagocytes in AD. Interleukin 1 receptors (IL-1R) and the macrophage scavenger receptor I (MSRI) are important players in IL-1 signaling and phagocytosis. In 20 patients with AD and 17 controls, IL-1RI, IL-1RII, and MSRI were assessed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry. IL-1β, soluble IL-1 receptors, and IL-1R antagonist (IL-1Ra) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The fraction of IL-1RI+ monocytes was increased by 10% and the expression of MSRI was reduced by 12% in AD. A 3.6% increased fraction of IL-1RI+ lymphocytes was accompanied by a 6.1% reduced expression of IL-1RII. The IL-1RI on monocytes and lymphocytes discriminated patients with AD with an accuracy of 0.79 and 0.75, respectively. The IL-1Ra was elevated in AD. Changes in the expression of IL-1 receptors and MSRI on peripheral blood cells fit to the concept of a proinflammatory state of the peripheral immune system. However, the observed differences are not strong enough to suggest their application as biomarkers for AD.
The Pros and Cons of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapies
Authors: Musiał-Wysocka Aleksandra , Kot Marta , Majka Marcin
Published: April 2019

The need to search for new, alternative treatments for various diseases has prompted scientists and physicians to focus their attention on regenerative medicine and broadly understood cell therapies. Currently, stem cells are being investigated for their potentially widespread use in therapies for many untreatable diseases. Nowadays modern treatment strategies willingly use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from different sources. Researchers are increasingly aware of the nature of MSCs and new possibilities for their use. Due to their properties, especially their ability to self-regenerate, differentiate into several cell lineages and participate in immunomodulation, MSCs have become a promising tool in developing modern and efficient future treatment strategies. The great potential and availability of MSCs allow for their various clinical applications in the treatment of many incurable diseases. In addition to their many advantages and benefits, there are still questions about the use of MSCs. What are the mechanisms of action of MSCs? How do they reach their destination? Is the clinical use of MSCs safe? These are the main questions that arise regarding MSCs when they are considered as therapeutic tools. The diversity of MSCs, their different clinical applications, and their many traits that have not yet been thoroughly investigated are sources of discussions and controversial opinions about these cells. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge about MSCs in terms of their therapeutic potential, clinical effects and safety in clinical applications.
Further Validation of the Inventory of Callous–Unemotional Traits in Chinese Children: Cross-Informants Invariance and Longitudinal Invariance
Authors: Wang Meng-Cheng , Shou Yiyun , Liang Jinghui , Lai Hongyu , Zeng Hong , Chen Lina , Gao Yu
Published: April 2019

The present study examined the factor structure and measurement invariance of the shortened versions of the Inventory of Callous–Unemotional Traits (ICU) with data from multiple informants. Five short versions of the ICU proposed in previous studies were tested and compared through confirmatory factor analysis. The measurement invariance across different informants (i.e., self-report, parent-report, and teacher-report) and longitudinal measurement invariance for the resulting best-fitting model were tested thoroughly. Results indicated that a shortened form that consists of 11 items (ICU-11) to assess callousness and uncaring factors had excellent overall fit. Moreover, the ICU-11 was invariant across informant and occasions. However, the ICU-11 was not without limitations; the internal consistency α for the uncaring factor with self-report scores was marginal. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the ICU-11 was an excellent fit for our data and displayed measurement invariance across informants and over time. The ICU-11 may be a promising assessment tool that could be used in research to assess callous–uncaring traits in Chinese children.
XEN implant in primary and secondary open-angle glaucoma: A 12-month retrospective study
Authors: Ibáñez-Muñoz Ana , Soto-Biforcos Víctor Santiago , Rodríguez-Vicente Leticia , Ortega-Renedo Irune , Chacón-González María , Rúa-Galisteo Oscar , Arrieta-Los Santos Alexandra , Lizuain-Abadía María Ester , Del Río Mayor José Luis
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the XEN45 gel stent implant in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or secondary open-angle glaucoma.

Patients and methods:

This is a retrospective, single-center, and comparative study conducted in consecutive primary open-angle glaucoma or secondary open-angle glaucoma patients, who underwent a XEN45 implant, alone or in combination with phacoemulsification. The primary end point was the intraocular pressure at the end of the follow-up period. Complete success was defined as an intraocular pressure reduction of ⩾20% from baseline to month 12 without antiglaucoma treatment.

Results:

Of the 69 patients (74 eyes) who were screened, 68 patients (73 eyes) were included in this study. In the overall study population, XEN gel stent significantly reduced intraocular pressure from 22.3 (21.0–23.5) mmHg at baseline to 15.3 (14.3–16.3) mmHg, p < 0.0001. As compared to baseline, mean intraocular pressure reduction was –7.3 (−9.7 to −5.0) and –6.6 (−8.4 to −4.8) mmHg in the primary open-angle glaucoma and secondary open-angle glaucoma groups, respectively, p = 0.6357. At month 12, 53 (72.6%) eyes were classified as success. The mean number of antiglaucoma medications was significantly reduced in both groups ( p < 0.0001, each). Complications included anterior chamber flattening (one eye), XEN implant extrusion (four eyes), one of whom had an endophthalmitis that required vitrectomy, and one eye underwent a trabeculectomy due to inadequate intraocular pressure control.

Conclusion:

XEN gel stent, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, provided a significant reduction in both intraocular pressure and medical antiglaucoma treatment, but with some safety concerns, in a cohort of patients with open-angle glaucoma (primary or secondary).