bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance, Reliability, or Time‐to‐Market? Innovative Product Development and the Impact of Government Regulation
Authors: Gao Fei , Cui Shiliang , Cohen Morris
Published: September 2020

Consider a firm that is developing an innovative product. We study the trade‐offs associated with its product design decisions in regards to product performance (the function of the product), product reliability (whether the product will perform its function), and product time‐to‐market (the development time for the product). Specifically, while a more innovative product may deliver better product performance, without sufficient development time, the product may not be as reliable given that innovations require a time buffer to conduct many iterations of product testing and improvement. We further examine the impact of a government‐imposed minimum product reliability standard on the firm, the product, and on social welfare. We find that contrary to common belief, a minimum product reliability standard set by the government may induce more unreliable products or hurt consumer surplus and social welfare. We also find that regulation, besides being a cost burden to the firm, can serve as a credible commitment for product reliability typically not observable to the customers when they are making purchasing decisions. Correspondingly, the regulation may have the surprising effect of increasing firm profit or prompting product innovation. Our work is useful in informing regulators in different industries of how decisions concerning government regulation could impact product reliability.
Operations‐Finance Interface in Risk Management: Research Evolution and Opportunities
Authors: Wang Jiao , Zhao Lima , Huchzermeier Arnd
Published: September 2020

The operations‐finance interface (OFI) jointly optimizes material, monetary, and information flows under intricate sources of uncertainty. To sketch the broad landscape in this emerging and interdisciplinary field, this study synthesizes literature across diverse themes and dispersed methodologies, screens systematically the research progression from original foundations to recent contributions in each major research stream, and thereby advocates future research innovations on prospective topics in light of the interconnections and potential reciprocity between operations and finance from risk management aspects.
Production of monoclonal antibody against recombinant bovine sex‐determining region Y (SRY) and their preferential binding to Y chromosome‐bearing sperm
Authors: Soleymani Bijan , Mansouri Kamran , Rastegari‐Pouyani Mohsen , Parvaneh Shahram , Khademi Fatemeh , Sharifi Tabar Mehdi , Mostafaie Ali
Published: September 2020

Separation of X and Y chromosome‐bearing sperm is an appropriate method for the selection of desired sex of offspring to increase the profit in livestock industries. The purpose of this study was the production of a monoclonal antibody against recombinant bovine sex‐determining region Y protein for separation Y sperm. The hybridoma cells from splenocytes of immunized female's balb/C mice and Sp2/0 cells were made. The binding affinity of our monoclonal antibody (mAbSRY2) was compared with mouse monoclonal SRY‐15. The Western blot method indicated that mAbSRY2 successfully detected the rbSRY protein. The specificity and sensitivity of mAbSRY2 is comparable to SRY‐15 commercially ones. The SRY gene in 100% of bull semen contains the Y chromosome that had the strongest binding affinity to mAbSRY2 was synthesized. In other words, the binding affinity of semen contains the X sperms near the negative control. In general, this immunological method can help to separate X from Y sperms. However, the mAbSRY2 is bind to Y‐bearing sexed sperm, but in the future; the sexed sperms need to apply in farms.
Premarital Pregnancy in China: Cohort Trends and Educational Gradients
Authors: Qian Yue , Jin Yongai
Published: September 2020

In China, premarital sexual and reproductive behavior is seldom considered and poorly understood. Increases in premarital pregnancy are thought to not only illuminate a decoupling of marriage and sexual/reproductive behavior but also serve as a key feature of family change in East Asia. This study assesses change across cohorts in the likelihood of premarital pregnancy and the extent to which change differs by educational attainment. Drawing on the 2017 China Fertility Survey, we apply a discrete‐time, competing‐risk survival analysis to a nationally representative sample of 221,990 women born between 1960 and 1999. Women born in the 1980s and 1990s are more likely than those born in the 1960s and 1970s to experience a pregnancy prior to first marriage. This cohort trend is driven by increases in premarital pregnancy among women with a high school education or less. The less educated women and their college counterparts increasingly diverge in the likelihood of experiencing a premarital pregnancy. The diverging patterns of premarital pregnancy underscore the urgency to shift the focus of China's family planning programs from fertility control to reproductive health, with an emphasis on providing information and services to disadvantaged unmarried individuals.
Wave propagation properties of rotationally symmetric lattices with curved beams
Authors: Zhang Kai , Zhao Cheng , Zhao Pengcheng , Luo Jie , Deng Zichen
Published: September 2020

In this study, we design a type of rotationally symmetric lattice with curved beams and investigate the wave propagation properties of the structure. The analytical model of the structure is established to obtain the mass and stiffness matrices first. Because the dimensions of the mass and stiffness matrices will become very large if the structure is meshed with a number of small elements, we introduce the symplectic solution method to overcome the above difficulties of solving the eigenvalue problem. The effects of geometrical parameters and slenderness ratios on the distributions of bandgaps and variations of group velocities are investigated. We also numerically investigate the dynamic wave dispersion behavior and the transient responses of displacement and transmission coefficients in lattices subjected to excitations. Excellent agreement is obtained between the results obtained by the symplectic solution method and numerical simulations. The special wave-attenuation property of this type of structure is demonstrated and validated through experimental testing. The measured transmission coefficients in lattices with different geometrical parameters and slenderness ratios are in good agreement with the numerical simulations. The work provides a method for calculating wave behaviors in lattices and obtains lower bandgaps and directional wave propagation.
A cochlea with three parts? Evidence from otoacoustic emission phase in humans
Authors: Christensen Anders T. , Abdala Carolina , Shera Christopher A.
Published: September 2020

The apical and basal regions of the cochlea appear functionally distinct. In humans, compelling evidence for an apical-basal transition derives from the phase of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), whose frequency dependence differs at low and high frequencies. Although OAEs arising from the two major source mechanisms (distortion and reflection) both support the existence of an apical-basal transition—as identified via a prominent bend (or “break”) in OAE phase slope—the two OAE types disagree about its precise location along the cochlea. Whereas distortion OAEs at frequency 2f1−f2 suggest that the apical-basal transition occurs near the 2.5 kHz place, reflection OAEs locate the transition closer to 1 kHz. To address this discrepancy, distortion and reflection OAEs were measured and analyzed in 20 young human adults from 0.25–8 kHz and at eight primary-frequency ratios f2/f1 in the range 1–1.5. Break frequencies and OAE phase-gradient delays were estimated by fitting segmented linear models to the unwrapped phase. When distortion- and reflection-OAE phase are considered as functions of ln f2—that is, as linear functions of the location of their putative site of generation within the cochlea—the analysis identifies not just two but three main cochlear segments, meeting at transition frequencies of approximately 0.9 and 2.6 kHz, whose locations are largely independent both of primary-frequency ratio and emission type. A simple model incorporating an abrupt transition from wave- to place-fixed behavior near the middle of the cochlea accounts for key features of distortion-OAE phase.
Relationship Between Isometric Force–Time Characteristics and Sprint Kayaking Performance
Authors: Lum Danny , Aziz Abdul Rashid
Published: September 2020

Force–time characteristics obtained during isometric strength tests are significantly correlated to various sporting movements. However, data on the relationship between isometric force–time characteristics and sprint kayaking performance are lacking in the literature. Purpose: The purpose of the study was, therefore, to investigate the relationship between sprint kayaking performance with ergometer performance and measures from 3 isometric strength tests: isometric squat, isometric bench press, and isometric prone bench pull. Methods: A total of 23 sprint kayaking athletes performed all 3 tests, at 90° and 120° knee angles for isometric squat and at elbow angles for isometric bench press and isometric prone bench pull, and a 200-m sprint on-water to attain the fastest time-to-completion (OWTT) possible and on a kayak ergometer to attain the highest mean power (LABTT) possible. Results: There was a significant inverse correlation between OWTT and LABTT (r = −.90, P < .001). The peak forces achieved from all isometric strength tests were significantly correlated with time-to-completion for OWTT and mean power for LABTT (r = −.44 to −.88, P < .05 and .47 to .80, P < .05, respectively). OWTT was significantly correlated with the peak rate of force development during all isometric tests except for the isometric squat at a 120° knee angle (r = −.47 to −.62, P < .05). LABTT was significantly correlated with peak rate of force development from the isometric bench press and isometric prone bench pull (r = .64–.86, P < .01). Conclusion: Based on the observed strong correlations, the mean power attained during LABTT is a good predictor of OWTT time-to-completion. Furthermore, upper- and lower-body maximum strength and peak rate of force development are equally important for on-water and ergometer sprint kayaking performance.
Does the Grip Width Affect the Bench Press Performance of Paralympic Powerlifters?
Authors: dos Santos Marcelo Danillo Matos , Aidar Felipe J. , de Souza Raphael Fabrício , dos Santos Jymmys Lopes , da Silva de Mello Andressa , Neiva Henrique P. , Marinho Daniel A. , Marques Mário C.
Published: September 2020

Purpose: To verify the effects of using different grip widths in bench press performance in Paralympic powerlifting athletes. Methods: Twelve experienced Paralympic powerlifting male athletes (25.40 [3.30] y, 70.30 [12.15] kg) participated in the study. Maximal dynamic strength and maximal isometric strength (MIS) were determined. Then, mean propulsive velocity (MPV) using 25%, 50%, and 100% of maximal dynamic strength load and time to achieve 30%, 50%, and 100% of MIS were assessed with 4 different grip widths, specifically the biacromial distance (BAD: 42.83 [12.84] cm), 1.3 BAD (55.68 [16.70] cm), 1.5 BAD (63.20 [18.96] cm), and 81 cm. Electromyographic analysis was performed during MIS assessment in the pectoralis major sternal portion, anterior deltoid, triceps brachii long head, and pectoralis major clavicular portion. Results: Large differences were found between MPV performed with different grip widths using 25% of maximal dynamic strength load (P = .02, ). The 1.5 BAD grip tended to show greater force generation and MPV. Moreover, the time needed to achieve 30%, 50%, and 100% of MIS differed between grip widths (P = .03, ), with the lowest values obtained in the 1.5 BAD. Despite the nonstatistical differences that were found, grip widths caused moderate effects on muscle myoelectric activation, showing greater values for pectoralis major clavicular portion and pectoralis major sternal portion, for the 1.3 BAD and 1.5 BAD, respectively. The 1.5 BAD the grip width tended to show greater MPV values and faster contractile responses. Conclusions: These results highlighted the importance of choosing the specific grip width for improvement of performance in Paralympic powerlifting athletes, by increasing velocity of movement and force production in a shorter time, with greater activation of primary muscles.
An Institutional Framework for Governance Convergence in Sport: The Case of India
Authors: McLeod Joshua , Shilbury David , Zeimers Géraldine
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this research was to examine the drivers and barriers of governance convergence in Indian sport. Governance convergence is defined as the adoption of four principles of good governance that are common in Western sport contexts—transparency, accountability, democracy, and social responsibility. To achieve the aim, a theoretical framework consisting of three interconnected levels—(a) the historically grown national institutional framework, (b) organizational field, and (c) organizational actors—was proposed, drawing primarily on institutional theory. A qualitative approach was used to empirically test the framework in the Indian sport context, where governance has been of key concern. The findings show that the framework is an effective tool for understanding the drivers and barriers of convergence with the defined principles of good governance. The development of this framework is important, given the link between the principles and positive organizational outcomes.
Heterogeneous mantle-derived helium isotopes in the Canary Islands and other ocean islands
Authors: Day James M.D. , Hilton David R.
Published: September 2020

Consistent 3He/4He ratios have been measured for >25 years in geothermal fluids and gases from Cumbre Vieja, La Palma (9.4 ± 0.1RA, where RA is the 3He/4He of air), and Teide, Tenerife (6.8 ± 0.3RA), Canary Islands. Both locations are characterized by similar CO2/3He (∼2 to 4 × 109), mantle-like δ13C (−3.3‰ to −4.4‰) and CO2 output (0.1–0.2 × 1010 mol yr–1). Helium isotopic differences between the islands cannot be explained by differential aging and 4He ingrowth in their mantle sources. Instead, distinct He reservoirs exist, with a high-μ (HIMU)–type mantle source for La Palma and a more enriched mantle, with possible lithospheric mantle influence, for Tenerife. Geothermal samples from the Canary Islands record a present-day He distribution distinct from higher 3He/4He in olivine from older eastern Canary Island lavas, indicating temporal variability in sources. Comparison of geothermal sample data versus olivine, pyroxene, and glass He isotope data for the Canary Islands, Azores, Cape Verde, Hawaiian islands, and Iceland reveals generally good correspondence, even across >1 m.y. of stratigraphy. However, in addition to the Canary Islands, there are examples of inter-island heterogeneity for He isotopes at Hawaii, the Azores, and within Iceland, preserved in hydrothermal samples, minerals, and glasses. In particular, in northwest Iceland, olivine separates from older lavas preserve higher 3He/4He than present-day geothermal samples from the same region. This difference likely reflects a reduced mantle-derived 3He input to Icelandic magmatism since the Miocene. Temporal variability in 3He/4He, assessed using geothermal and geological materials in conjunction, offers a powerful tool for examining heterogeneity and temporal evolution of mantle sources at intraplate volcanoes.
Similar Holocene glaciation histories in tropical South America and Africa
Authors: Vickers Anthony C. , Shakun Jeremy D. , Goehring Brent M. , Gorin Andrew , Kelly Meredith A. , Jackson Margaret S. , Doughty Alice , Russell James
Published: September 2020

Tropical glaciers have retreated alongside warming temperatures over the past century, yet the way in which these trends fit into a long-term geological context is largely unclear. Here, we present reconstructions of Holocene glacier extents relative to today from the Quelccaya ice cap (Peru) and the Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda) based on measurements of in situ14C and 10Be from recently exposed bedrock. Ice-extent histories are similar at both sites and suggest that ice was generally smaller than today during the first half of the Holocene and larger than today for most, if not all, of the past several millennia. The similar glaciation history in South America and Africa suggests that large-scale warming followed by cooling of the tropics during the late Holocene primarily drove ice extent, rather than regional changes in precipitation. Our results also imply that recent tropical ice retreat is anomalous in a multimillennial context.
Protocol and statistical analysis plan for the PREventing cardiovascular collaPse with Administration of fluid REsuscitation during Induction and Intubation (PREPARE II) randomised clinical trial
Authors: Russell Derek W , Casey Jonathan D , Gibbs Kevin W , Dargin James M , Vonderhaar Derek J , Joffe A M , Ghamande Shekhar , Khan Akram , Dutta Simanta , Landsperger Janna S , Robison Sarah W , Bentov Itay , Wozniak Joanne M , Stempek Susan , White Heath D , Krol Olivia F , Prekker Matthew E , Driver Brian E , Brewer Joseph M , Wang Li , Lindsell Christopher John , Self Wesley H , Rice Todd W , Semler Matthew W , Janz David
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Cardiovascular collapse is a common complication during tracheal intubation of critically ill adults. Whether administration of an intravenous fluid bolus prevents cardiovascular collapse during tracheal intubation remains uncertain. A prior randomised trial found fluid bolus administration to be ineffective overall but suggested potential benefit for patients receiving positive pressure ventilation during tracheal intubation.

Methods and analysis

The PREventing cardiovascular collaPse with Administration of fluid REsuscitation during Induction and Intubation (PREPARE II) trial is a prospective, multi-centre, non-blinded randomised trial being conducted in 13 academic intensive care units in the USA. The trial will randomise 1065 critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation with planned use of positive pressure ventilation (non-invasive ventilation or bag-mask ventilation) between induction and laryngoscopy to receive 500 mL of intravenous crystalloid or no intravenous fluid bolus. The primary outcome is cardiovascular collapse, defined as any of: systolic blood pressure <65 mm Hg, new or increased vasopressor administration between induction and 2 min after intubation, or cardiac arrest or death between induction and 1 hour after intubation. The primary analysis will be an unadjusted, intention-to-treat comparison of the primary outcome between patients randomised to fluid bolus administration and patients randomised to no fluid bolus administration using a χ2 test. The sole secondary outcome is 28-day in-hospital mortality. Enrolment began on 1 February 2019 and is expected to conclude in June 2020.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial was approved by either the central institutional review board at Vanderbilt University Medical Center or the local institutional review board at each trial site. Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03787732.
Factors affecting attitudes towards caring for terminally ill patients among nursing students in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Laporte Pauline , Juvet Typhaine , Desbiens Jean-François , Tapp Diane , Pasquier Jérôme , Bornet Marc-Antoine
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Positive attitudes towards end-of-life care are essential among nursing students to adequately support terminally ill patients and enable students to feel confident about providing end-of-life care. This study aimed to determine nursing students’ attitudes towards caring for terminally ill patients, as well as the associations between these attitudes and year of study, exposure to terminally ill people, self-perceived nursing skills and subjective impact of instruction.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

A health sciences school in Switzerland.

Participants

All preparatory students, first-year nursing students and third-year nursing students were invited to participate; 178 agreed to participate.

Primary outcome measure

Attitudes towards terminally ill patients were assessed using the Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Scale, Form B (FATCOD, Form B), as the primary outcome. Secondary measures were gender, age, year of study, number of terminally ill persons encountered, self-perceived palliative care nursing skills and subjective impact of instruction.

Results

Mean FATCOD, Form B score was 117.7 (SD: 9.8, median: 118.0). Better attitudes towards terminally ill patients were significantly associated with being aged 24–26 years (β=6.97, 95% CI 2.00 to 11.95, p=0.006), year of study (β=3.47, 95% CI 1.69 to 5.25, p<0.001), professional encounters with terminally ill patients (β=3.59, 95% CI 2.23 to 4.95, p<0.001) and self-perceived palliative care nursing competence (β=1.23, 95% CI 0.41 to 2.04; p=0.003). In the multivariate analysis, professionally encountering terminally ill patients remained significant (β=3.00; 95% CI 1.43 to 4.57; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Nursing students’ attitudes towards caring for terminally ill patients were positive and improved as their year of study progressed. Professional exposure to terminally ill patients was the strongest factor, followed by private encounters, self-perceived palliative care nursing skills, year of study and age.
Use and impact of point-of-care ultrasonography in general practice: a prospective observational study
Authors: Aakjær Andersen Camilla , Brodersen John , Davidsen Annette Sofie , Graumann Ole , Jensen Martin Bach B
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To describe how general practitioners (GPs) use point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) and how it influences the diagnostic process and treatment of patients.

Design

Prospective observational study using an online questionnaire before and after POCUS.

Setting

Office-based general practice.

Participants

Twenty GPs consecutively recruited all patients examined with POCUS in 1 month.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We estimated the use of POCUS through the indication for use, the frequency of use, the time consumption, the extent of modification of the examination and the findings.

The influence on the diagnostic process was estimated through change in the tentative diagnoses, change in confidence, the ability to produce ultrasound images and the relationship between confidence and organs scanned or tentative diagnoses.

The influence of POCUS on patient treatment was estimated through change in plan for the patient, change in patient’s treatment and the relationship between such changes and certain findings.

Results

The GPs included 574 patients in the study. POCUS was used in patient consultations with a median frequency of 8.6% (IQR: 4.9–12.6). Many different organs were scanned covering more than 100 different tentative diagnoses. The median time taken to perform POCUS was 5 min (IQR: 3–8). Across applications and GPs, POCUS entailed a change in diagnoses in 49.4% of patients; increased confidence in a diagnosis in 89.2% of patients; a change in the management plan for 50.9% of patients including an absolute reduction in intended referrals to secondary care from 49.2% to 25.6%; and a change in treatment for 26.5% of patients.

Conclusions

The clinical utilisation of POCUS was highly variable among the GPs included in this study in terms of the indication for performing POCUS, examined scanning modalities and frequency of use. Overall, using POCUS altered the GPs’ diagnostic process and clinical decision-making in nearly three out of four consultations.

Trial registration number

NCT03375333.
Epidemiological evidence for a hereditary contribution to myasthenia gravis: a retrospective cohort study of patients from North America
Authors: Green Joshua D , Barohn Richard J , Bartoccion Emanuela , Benatar Michael , Blackmore Derrick , Chaudhry Vinay , Chopra Manisha , Corse Andrea , Dimachkie Mazen M , Evoli Amelia , Florence Julaine , Freimer Miriam , Howard James F , Jiwa Theresa , Kaminski Henry J , Kissel John T , Koopman Wilma J , Lipscomb Bernadette , Maestri Michelanglo , Marino Mariapaola , Massey Janice M , McVey April , Mezei Michelle M , Muppidi Srikanth , Nicolle Michael W , Oger Joel , Pascuzzi Robert M , Pasnoor Mamatha , Pestronk Alan , Provenzano Carlo , Ricciardi Roberta , Richman David P , Rowin Julie , Sanders Donald B , Siddiqi Zaeem , Soloway Aimee , Wolfe Gil I , Wulf Charlie , Drachman Daniel B , Traynor Bryan J
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To approximate the rate of familial myasthenia gravis and the coexistence of other autoimmune disorders in the patients and their families.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Clinics across North America.

Participants

The study included 1032 patients diagnosed with acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR)-positive myasthenia gravis.

Methods

Phenotype information of 1032 patients diagnosed with AChR-positive myasthenia gravis was obtained from clinics at 14 centres across North America between January 2010 and January 2011. A critical review of the epidemiological literature on the familial rate of myasthenia gravis was also performed.

Results

Among 1032 patients, 58 (5.6%) reported a family history of myasthenia gravis. A history of autoimmune diseases was present in 26.6% of patients and in 28.4% of their family members.

Discussion

The familial rate of myasthenia gravis was higher than would be expected for a sporadic disease. Furthermore, a high proportion of patients had a personal or family history of autoimmune disease. Taken together, these findings suggest a genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.
Inclusion of diabetic retinopathy screening strategies in national-level diabetes care planning in low-income and middle-income settings: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Curran Katie , Piyasena Prabhath , Congdon Nathan , Duke Lisa , Malanda Belma , Peto Tunde
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The diabetes mellitus (DM) epidemic is a major public health concern globally, with the highest-burden in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes, and if left untreated can lead to visual impairment and blindness. Epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of sight-threatening DR is decreasing in high-income countries due to improved treatments and management of DM; however, these trends are not replicated in LMICs. In this paper, we outline a scoping review protocol that aims to identify which LMICs have included DR in their national DM, non-communicable disease or prevention of blindness plans. The scoping review also aims to assess gaps when implementing national DR screening programmes in LMICs.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will follow the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Review guidelines. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature will be conducted from October 1989 (St. Vincent Declaration) to February 2020. Studies will be identified from electronic databases; Medline, Embase and CENTRAL (Cochrane Library). To identify further relevant articles, a hand search will be conducted using the reference lists of included studies. Two reviewers will independently screen records for relevant data and disagreements about eligibility will be resolved through consensus or arbitration by a third reviewer. A quantitative analysis will be performed to highlight key findings and thematic analysis will be used to identify emerging themes and subthemes from included studies. The key themes will highlight countries progress in terms of national-level DR service planning and screening implementation.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval is required because the scoping review methodology aims to synthesise information from publicly available resources. The results will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publication.
History of coronary heart disease increased the mortality rate of patients with COVID-19: a nested case–control study
Authors: Gu Tian , Chu Qiao , Yu Zhangsheng , Fa Botao , Li Anqi , Xu Lei , Wu Ruijun , He Yaping
Published: September 2020

Objective

Evaluate the risk of pre-existing comorbidities on COVID-19 mortality, and provide clinical suggestions accordingly.

Setting

A nested case–control design using confirmed case reports released from the news or the national/provincial/municipal health commissions of China between 18 December 2019 and 8 March 2020.

Participants

Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, excluding asymptomatic patients, in mainland China outside of Hubei Province.

Outcome measures

Patient demographics, survival time and status, and history of comorbidities.

Method

A total of 94 publicly reported deaths in locations outside of Hubei Province, mainland China, were included as cases. Each case was matched with up to three controls, based on gender and age ±1 year old (94 cases and 181 controls). The inverse probability-weighted Cox proportional hazard model was performed, controlling for age, gender and the early period of the outbreak.

Results

Of the 94 cases, the median age was 72.5 years old (IQR=16), and 59.6% were men, while in the control group the median age was 67 years old (IQR=22), and 64.6% were men. Adjusting for age, gender and the early period of the outbreak, poor health conditions were associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 mortality (HR of comorbidity score, 1.31 [95% CI 1.11 to 1.54]; p=0.001). The estimated mortality risk in patients with pre-existing coronary heart disease (CHD) was three times that of those without CHD (p<0.001). The estimated 30-day survival probability for a profile patient with pre-existing CHD (65-year-old woman with no other comorbidities) was 0.53 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.82), while it was 0.85 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.91) for those without CHD. Older age was also associated with increased mortality risk: every 1-year increase in age was associated with a 4% increased risk of mortality (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Extra care and early medical interventions are needed for patients with pre-existing comorbidities, especially CHD.
What do double-check routines actually detect? An observational assessment and qualitative analysis of identified inconsistencies
Authors: Pfeiffer Yvonne , Zimmermann Chantal , Schwappach David L. B.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Double checking is used in oncology to detect medication errors before administering chemotherapy. The objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of detected potential medication errors, i.e., mismatching information, and to better understand the nature of these inconsistencies.

Design

In observing checking procedures, field noteswere taken of all inconsistencies that nurses identified during double checking the order against the prepared chemotherapy.

Setting

Oncological wards and ambulatory infusion centres of three Swiss hospitals.

Participants

Nurses’ double checking was observed.

Outcome measures

In a qualitative analysis, (1) a category system for the inconsistencies was developed and (2) independently applied by two researchers.

Results

In 22 (3.2%) of 690 observed double checks, 28 chemotherapy-related inconsistencies were detected. Half of them related to non-matching information between order and drug label, while the other half was identified because the nurses used their own knowledge. 75% of the inconsistencies could be traced back to inappropriate orders, and the inconsistencies led to 33 subsequent or corrective actions.

Conclusions

In double check situations, the plausibility of the medication is often reviewed. Additionally, they serve as a correction for errors and that are made much earlier in the medication process, during order. Both results open up new opportunities for improving the medication process.
Community knowledge, perceptions and practices around COVID-19 in Sierra Leone: a nationwide, cross-sectional survey
Authors: Sengeh Paul , Jalloh Mohammad B , Webber Nance , Ngobeh Ibrahim , Samba Thomas , Thomas Harold , Nordenstedt Helena , Winters Maike
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To assess the public’s knowledge, attitudes and practices about the novel coronavirus in Sierra Leone to inform an evidence-based communication strategy around COVID-19.

Design

Nationwide, cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey.

Setting

56 randomly selected communities in all 14 districts in Sierra Leone.

Participants

1253 adults aged 18 years and older of which 52% were men.

Main outcome measures

We calculated proportions of core indicators (awareness, knowledge, risk perception, practices). A composite variable for knowledge (based on seven variables) was created, and categorised into low (0–2 correct), medium (3–4) and high (5–7). Predictors of knowledge were analysed with multilevel ordinal regression models. Associations between information sources, knowledge and two practices (washing hands with soap and avoiding crowds) were analysed using multilevel logistic regression models.

Results

We found that 75% of the respondents felt at moderate or great risk of contracting coronavirus. A majority (70%) of women did not know you can survive COVID-19, compared with 61% of men. 60% of men and 54% of women had already taken action to avoid infection with the coronavirus, mostly washing hands with soap and water (87%). Radio (73%) was the most used source for COVID-19 information, followed by social media (39%). Having a medium or high level of knowledge was associated with higher odds of washing hands with soap (medium knowledge: adjusted OR (AOR) 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.4; high knowledge: AOR 4.6, 95% CI 2.1 to 10.2) and avoiding crowds (medium knowledge: AOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.6; high knowledge: AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.3).

Conclusions

This study shows that in the context of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, there is a strong association between knowledge and practices. Because the knowledge gap differs between genders, regions, educational levels and age, it is important that messages are specifically targeted to these core audiences.
INDIAN INVESTMENT IN CHINESE PROVINCES: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, LOCATIONAL DETERMINANTS, CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS
Authors: DAS KHANINDRA CH.
Published: September 2020

The paper empirically examines Indian investment in China and its spatial distribution across 17 Chinese provinces during 2005–2015. Indian investments in China have spread across heterogeneous provinces. The location of ventures has been shaped by several provincial characteristics and locational advantages that include infrastructural facilities, lower wages, markets and openness; economic geography forces that include agglomeration of foreign and private firms and policies and engagements of the local governments. As such multiple determinants of location choice can be observed, which provide insights into the locational determinants of firms from one emerging country in another. Chinese inland provinces trying to attract Indian investment need to focus on developing locational advantages at par with the coastal regions and on economic geography. However, the scale of operation of Indian companies in China remains smaller due to several China-specific challenges. Industrial bodies and investment promotion agencies may aid in building firm-capacity to deal with China-specific challenges, with adequate emphasis on the spatial characteristics of provinces, to overcome business challenges. The increase in Indian investment in China shall be beneficial provided the firms and their activities generate complementarity in the bilateral economic relationship between the two countries and in the product and factor markets.
Global solution of nonlinear stochastic heat equation with solutions in a Hilbert manifold
Authors: Brzeźniak Zdzisław , Hussain Javed
Published: September 2020

The objective of this paper is to prove the existence of a global solution to a certain stochastic partial differential equation subject to the [Formula: see text]-norm being constrained. The corresponding evolution equation can be seen as the projection of the unconstrained problem onto the tangent space of the unit sphere [Formula: see text] in a Hilbert space [Formula: see text].
BIOMECHANICAL COMPARISON OF MUSCLE USE PATTERNS OF YOUNG ADULTS AND OLDER ADULTS IN FLOOR AND BED TRANSFER MOVEMENTS
Authors: KIM MINJOO , OH SEUNGYONG , KIM KYONG , KWON TAEKYU , HONG CHULUN
Published: September 2020

In this study, lift chair was developed to reduce safety accidents in the daily lives of elderly people with reduced muscle strength as the importance of health and well-being of the elderly was emphasized by the increase in the elderly population. In addition, muscle strength characteristics of the elderly and those in their 20s were compared and analyzed when using lift chair. The lift chair used are chairs that can be raised and lowered and designed to reach the floor in full descent. The EMG was measured to compare the near-term use of lift chair to those in their 20s. As a result, the elderly had higher use of lower limb muscles compared to young participants. It was judged that the upper and lower extremities were difficult to move due to the characteristics of the elderly with reduced muscle strength, and that the upper and lower limbs were used simultaneously to complete the movement. The results showed the characteristics of everyday motion of the elderly for the development of lift chair and can help improve design, function, etc. in later development of lift chair.
COMPLEMENTS OR CONFLICTS: R&D AND LEAN INNOVATION APPROACHES
Authors: CANNON ALAN , ST. JOHN CARON
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this research is to explore the relationship between research and development (R&D)-funded innovation efforts and operational-level lean improvement efforts through the lens of the Resource-Based View (RBV), with a focus on the relationship between them. Does the “leaning” of a firm’s operations create barriers to change and inhibit the success of R&D-led innovation investment? Or, does the “leaning” of operations help organisations focus on priorities and simplify routines so that new R&D efforts are more effective? Our analysis of more than 850 firm-years’ worth of data showed that the relationship between lean and R&D productivity is nonlinear, specifically an inverted U-shape (concave). Leanness provides some early R&D productivity improvement benefits, but R&D productivity levelled then declined over time. In a follow-up industry-level analysis, we found that the effects of leanness on firm-level R&D productivity differed by industry, with some industries seeing evidence of positive effects from lean practices and others experiencing negative effects on R&D productivity from lean.
Resumptive Pronouns in Language Comprehension and Production
Authors: Meltzer-Asscher Aya
Published: September 2020

Although the grammatical status of resumptive pronouns varies from one language to the other, these elements occur in spontaneous speech cross-linguistically, giving rise to a long-held intuition that resumption has a processing function, facilitating production and/or comprehension. In this review, I examine the central threads of thought related to resumption and processing and consider the prominent theories and findings that have shaped the discussion on this issue. I review grammatical and grammaticalization-based approaches to resumption and present the evidence suggesting that resumptive pronouns are a production artifact as well as the evidence that speaks in favor of or against the idea that resumptive pronouns aid comprehension. While the theory that resumption aids the producer receives straightforward support, the findings backing the claim that resumption helps the comprehender are much more equivocal, suggesting that in some cases resumption is not helpful and may even be detrimental to comprehension.
Quantifying Alloy 625 Crevice Corrosion using an Image Differencing Technique: Part II. A Diffusive Transport Model of Crevice Cation Concentration using Surface Current Density
Authors: Lillard R. S. , Miller D. M. , Clemons C. B. , Kreider K. L. , Young G. W.
Published: September 2020

In this paper we present a diffusive transport model of alloy 625 crevice corrosion for simulated ocean water. The model uses the empirical electrochemical kinetics (local surface current density) and empirical damage profile to determine the source of cations from surface oxidation reactions and then calculates the total cation concentration in the crevice solution as a function of time. To gain insight into the solution speciation at the calculated cation concentrations, a thermodynamic software package was used. In those calculations, it was assumed that the anodic dissolution products of the individual alloy components form their corresponding metal salts in the crevice solution. The calculations, based on activity, predicted that precipitation occurred in the same time frame as the experimentally observed increase in active area, decrease in surface current density and transition to diffusion control. The salts that precipitated out of the model solution were NaCl, at 5.3 m, and NiCl2·6H2O, at 5.7 m. It is shown that the presence of the Cr3+, Fe2+, Mo3+ and Nb5+ in the model crevice solution increase the cation and chloride activities resulting in precipitation at the same Ksp values as in the pure salts, albeit at lower Na+ or Ni2+ concentrations. Implications of the speciation results as they relate to actual crevices are discussed.
Corrosion Behaviour of Electron Beam Melted Ti6Al4V: Effects of Microstructural Variation
Authors: Dehnavi V. , Henderson J. D. , Dharmendra C. , Amirkhiz B. S. , Shoesmith D. W. , Noël J. J. , Mohammadi M.
Published: September 2020

Microstructural analysis and electrochemical measurements were carried out on longitudinal and transverse planes of an additively manufactured (AM) Ti–6Al–4V rod printed in the horizontal direction by electron beam melting (EBM), and compared with those performed on a commercially available alloy. Microstructural differences in the planes parallel and perpendicular to the build direction were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The microstructures of three different locations along the transverse axis on the EBM samples were also studied. The starting point, the middle, and the end of the sample in the build direction consisted primarily of α-phase and a small amount of β-phase. On progressing from the starting point towards the end of the build, the size of both phases increased and the elemental distribution of alloying elements showed more segregation of vanadium and iron into the β-phase. The electrochemical behaviour was studied as a function of time using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization. The film resistance of the wrought sample was slightly better than those of the EBM samples. The film resistance of the EBM-transverse sample improved slightly more with exposure time than that of the longitudinal sample.
TIGAR reduces smooth muscle cell autophagy to prevent pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Yamanaka Ryoetsu , Hoshino Atsushi , Fukai Kuniyoshi , Urata Ryota , Minami Yoshito , Honda Sakiko , Fushimura Yohei , Hato Daichi , Iwai-Kanai Eri , Matoba Satoaki
Published: September 2020

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a refractory disease. TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) is a downstream target of p53 and exhibits functions inhibiting autophagy and reactive oxygen species (ROS). By using TIGAR-deficient knockout mice and human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, we found that TIGAR suppressed the proliferation and migration of PASMCs via inhibiting autophagy and ROS and, therefore, improved hypoxia-induced PH. TIGAR will be a promising therapeutic target for PAH.
Jiao‐Tai‐Wan Ameliorates Depressive‐Like Behavior through the A1R Pathway in Ovariectomized Mice after Unpredictable Chronic Stress
Authors: Xiang Lina , Feng Yuan , Hu Qianqian , Zhu Jiahui , Ye Ren , Yuan Zhengzhong
Published: September 2020

Objective. This study was aimed at observing the effect Jiao‐Tai‐Wan in menopausal depression. Methods. In this paper, we used ovariectomized mice subjected to chronic unpredictable stress as a menopausal depression model. After the chronic stress, mice were administrated with JTW (3.3 and 6.6mg/kg) and imipramine (10 mg/kg) for 14 days. On the 14th day, mice were subjected to the behavior test like the forced swim test, tail suspension test, and locomotor activity or were sacrificed to assess the protein changes in different brain regions. Results. The administration of JTW at doses of 3.3 and 6.6mg/kg (p.o.) significantly shortened the duration of immobility in forced swim and tail suspension tests. There was no obvious difference in locomotor activity among all the groups. The western blot analysis data indicated that treatment with JTW (3.3 and 6.6 mg/kg, p.o.) prominently increased the A1R protein and the downstream protein ERK1/2 levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. However, the administration of JTW did not influence c‐Fos protein in either the prefrontal cortex or hippocampus. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that JTW plays a vital role in ameliorating menopausal depression symptoms in the A1R‐ERK1/2 pathway in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.