bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential impact of diabetes prevention on mortality and future burden of dementia and disability: a modelling study
Authors: Bandosz Piotr , Ahmadi-Abhari Sara , Guzman-Castillo Maria , Pearson-Stuttard Jonathan , Collins Brendan , Whittaker Hannah , Shipley Martin J. , Capewell Simon , Brunner Eric J. , O’Flaherty Martin
Published: November 2019

Aims/hypothesis

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of dementia. We estimated the potential impact of trends in diabetes prevalence upon mortality and the future burden of dementia and disability in England and Wales.

Methods

We used a probabilistic multi-state, open cohort Markov model to integrate observed trends in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dementia to forecast the occurrence of disability and dementia up to the year 2060. Model input data were taken from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, Office for National Statistics vital data and published effect estimates for health-state transition probabilities. The baseline scenario corresponded to recent trends in obesity: a 26% increase in the number of people with diabetes by 2060. This scenario was evaluated against three alternative projected trends in diabetes: increases of 49%, 20% and 7%.

Results

Our results suggest that changes in the trend in diabetes prevalence will lead to changes in mortality and incidence of dementia and disability, which will become visible after 10–15 years. If the relative prevalence of diabetes increases 49% by 2060, expected additional deaths would be approximately 255,000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 236,000–272,200), with 85,900 (71,500–101,600) cumulative additional cases of dementia and 104,900 (85,900–125,400) additional cases of disability. With a smaller relative increase in diabetes prevalence (7% increase by 2060), we estimated 222,200 (205,700–237,300) fewer deaths, and 77,000 (64,300–90,800) and 93,300 (76,700–111,400) fewer additional cases of dementia and disability, respectively, than the baseline case of a 26% increase in diabetes.

Conclusions/interpretation

Reducing the burden of diabetes could result in substantial reductions in the incidence of dementia and disability over the medium to long term.
Constraints in thermodynamic extremal principles for non-local dissipative processes
Authors: Hackl Klaus , Fischer Franz Dieter , Svoboda Jiri
Published: November 2019

Phenomena treated by non-equilibrium thermodynamics can be very effectively described by thermodynamic variational principles. The remarkable advantage of such an approach consists in possibility to account for an arbitrary number of constraints among state or kinetic variables stemming, e.g., from conservation laws or balance equations. As shown in the current paper, the variational principles can provide original evolution equations for the state variables implicitly respecting the constraints. Moreover, the variational approach allows formulating the problem directly in discrete state variables and deriving their evolution equations without the necessity to solve partial differential equations. The variational approach makes it also possible to use different kinetic variables in formulation of dissipation and dissipation function.
Strength properties and structure of CuCrZr alloy subjected to low-temperature KOBO extrusion and heat treatment
Authors: Ostachowski Paweł , Bochniak Włodzimierz , Łagoda Marek , Ziółkiewicz Stanisław
Published: November 2019

KOBO extrusion of metals and alloys strongly activates the point defect generation processes, as a result of which they reach a concentration exceeding the equilibrium level by many orders of magnitude. This leads to significant acceleration of diffusion phenomena which in heat-treatable alloys may cause disturbance of the thermodynamic equilibrium between the solid solution decomposition and dissolution of precipitates. In this work, measurements of mechanical and electrical properties and structural observations Cu1Cr0.1Zr alloy subjected to low-temperature KOBO extrusion at different stages of multi-variant heat treatment were conducted. In addition, the geometry of the extruded alloy’s flow zone was analyzed and the obtained results made it possible to assess the effectiveness of experimental procedures, including product formation with high extrusion ratio λ, aimed at achieving of high and thermally stable functional properties of the material.
Long‐Term Quality of Life After Total Gastrectomy Versus Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy
Authors: Jezerskyte E. , Saadeh L. M. , Hagens E. R. C. , Sprangers M. A. G. , Noteboom L. , van Laarhoven H. W. M. , Eshuis W. J. , van Berge Henegouwen M. I. , Gisbertz S. S.
Published: November 2019

Background

There is scarce evidence on whether a total gastrectomy or an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is preferred for gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers regarding effects on morbidity, pathology, survival and health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in long‐term HR‐QoL in patients undergoing total gastrectomy versus Ivor Lewis esophagectomy in a tertiary referral center.

Methods

Patients with a follow‐up of >1 year after a total gastrectomy or an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for GEJ/cardia carcinoma completed the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and EORTC QLQ‐OG25 questionnaires. ‘Problems with eating,’ ‘reflux,’ and ‘nausea and vomiting’ were the primary HR‐QoL endpoints. The secondary endpoints were the remaining HR‐QoL domains, postoperative complications and pathology results.

Results

Thirty patients after gastrectomy and 71 after esophagectomy were included. Mean age was 63 years. Median follow‐up was 2 years (range 12–84 months). Patients after gastrectomy reported less ‘choking when swallowing’ and ‘coughing’ (β = − 5.952, 95% CI − 9.437 to − 2.466; β = − 13.084, 95% CI − 18.525 to − 7.643). More lymph nodes were resected in esophagectomy group (p = 0.008). No difference was found in number of positive lymph nodes, R0 resection or postoperative complications.

Conclusions

After a follow‐up of >1 year ‘choking when swallowing’ and ‘coughing’ were less common after a total gastrectomy. No differences were found in postoperative complications or radicality of surgery. Based on this study, no general preference can be given to either of the procedures for GEJ cancer. These results support shared decision making when a choice between the two treatment options is possible.
A Team‐Based Approach to Introduce and Sustain the Use of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist in Tanzania
Authors: Hellar Augustino , Tibyehabwa Leopold , Ernest Edwin , Varallo John , Betram Margaret Mary , Fitzgerald Laura , Giiti Geofrey , Kihundrwa Albert , Kapologwe Ntuli , Drake Mary , Zoungrana Jeremie , Troxel Alena , Lemwayi Ruth , Alidina Shehnaz , Maongezi Sarah , Makuwani Ahmad , Varallo John
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Millions of patients worldwide suffer disability and death due to complications related to surgery. Many of these complications can be reduced by the use of the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC), a simple tool that can enhance teamwork and communication and improve patient safety. Despite the evidence on benefits of its use, introducing and sustaining the use of the checklist are challenging. We present a team‐based approach employed in a low‐resource setting in Tanzania, which resulted in high checklist utilization and compliance rates.

Methods

We reviewed reported data from facility registers supplemented by direct observation data by mentors to evaluate the use of the WHO SSC across 40 health facilities in two regions of Tanzania between January and December 2018. We analyzed the self‐reported monthly data on total number of major surgeries performed and proportion of surgeries where the checklist was used. We also analyzed the use of the SSC during direct observation by external mentors and completion rates of the SSC in a random selection of patient files during two mentorship visits between June and December 2018.

Results

During the review period, the average self‐reported checklist utilization rate was 79.3% (11,564 out of 14,580 major surgeries). SSC utilization increased from 0% at baseline in January 2018 to 98% in December 2018. The proportion of checklists that were completely and correctly filled out increased between the two mentor visits from 82.1 to 92.8%, but the gain was significantly greater at health centers than at hospitals (p < 0.05). Health centers (which had one or two surgical teams) self‐reported a higher checklist utilization rate than hospitals (which had multiple surgical teams), i.e., 99.4% vs 68.8% (p < 0.05).

Conclusion and recommendations

Our findings suggest that Surgical Safety Checklist implementation is feasible even in lower‐resource settings. The self‐reported SSC utilization rate is higher than reported in other similar settings. We attribute this finding to the team‐based approach employed and the ongoing regular mentorship. We recommend use of this approach to scale‐up checklist use in other regions in the country as recommended in the Ministry of Health of Tanzania's National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP).
Systemic shock propagation in a complex system
Authors: Mitic Peter
Published: November 2019

We study the effects of delivering a shock to a complex system comprising components (‘agents’) that interact in a pairwise fashion, independent of other parts of the system and with no central control. There are three aspects to the contribution of this paper. First, shock propagation in a network is developed purely from fundamental principles of complex systems. Second, systemic risk is shown to arise naturally in such a complex system. If a shock is delivered either to one agent or to many agents simultaneously, that shock may be transmitted further, thereby resulting in systemic risk. Third, the monetary loss to the entire system as a result of systemic shock is quantified. Simulations are used to study two particular characteristics of the interactions. The first is the resistance or susceptibility of individual agents to a shock. The second is the time it takes for the shock to affect the entire system. The results show that if a shock is applied to all agents in a network, the systemic effect of that shock is transmitted very quickly. Applying a shock to very few agents results only in an idiosyncratic effect. If an agent can transmit the shock further, a systemic effect will result. The recovery period for agents affected by a systemic shock can be orders of magnitude greater than the time taken for the shock to take effect. The overall effect of the shock on the system is quantified by formulating a ‘contagion index’, which measures the ratio of the total capital lost due to the systemic effect to the total capital before the shock was delivered. The result (approximately 7%) is consistent with other studies, but is more widely applicable because it is not based on one empirical data set.
Optimierte Polymer-Rohrwerkstoffe für effiziente Drainagesysteme in Tunnelbauwerken – PolyDrain
Authors: Arbeiter Florian , Eichinger Stefanie , Rieß Gisbert , Schachinger Tobias , Boch Ronny , Wenighofer Robert , Galler Robert , Hausberger Andreas , Strobl Elmar , Stur Michael , Saliger Florian , Steiner Michael , Dietzel Martin , Pinter Gerald
Published: November 2019

Ausgehend von der Problematik aufwändiger Instandhaltungsarbeiten für die Funktionstüchtigkeit von Drainagerohren in Tunnelbauwerken wurde das interdisziplinäre Forschungsprojekt „PolyDrain“ initiiert. Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojekts werden diesbezüglich kritische Bauwerke in Österreich erhoben und vielversprechende Methoden zur Verringerung von zumeist karbonatischen Versinterungen in Drainagerohren untersucht. Durch gezielte Materialmodifikationen der Drainagerohre soll der Instandhaltungsaufwand zukünftiger oder zu sanierender Tunnelbauwerke reduziert werden, indem Reinigungsintervalle gestreckt und/oder Reinigungen rascher durchgeführt werden können. Der gewählte Ansatz umfasst die maßgeschneiderte Modifizierung von Kunststoff-Drainagerohrmaterialien. Dadurch ist es möglich, mechanisch widerstandsfähigere Rohre zu erzeugen und/oder das Versinterungsverhalten im Drainagerohr, inklusive der Drainageschlitze, zu reduzieren. Bevor eine Umsetzung im großtechnischen Maßstab möglich ist, ist es allerdings wichtig, nicht nur die kurzzeitige Wirksamkeit – im Projekt auch im Labor – zu untersuchen.
Bromierte Flammschutzmittel in Elektroaltgeräten: Untersuchung der Brom-Konzentration nach Kunststofftypen und Gerätekategorien mittels Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse
Authors: Jandric Aleksander , Part Florian , Fink Niklas , Huber-Humer Marion , Salhofer Stefan , Zafiu Christian
Published: November 2019

Kunststoffe in Elektroaltgeräten (EAG) enthalten häufig bromierte Flammschutzmittel (BFR), die unbeabsichtigt freigesetzt und somit zu negativen Umwelt- und Gesundheitsauswirkungen führen können. Zusätzlich vermindern BFR die Qualität von Rezyklaten, wobei Grenzwerte gemäß RoHS-Richtlinie (1000 ppm je BRF-Typ) und Abfallbehandlungspflichtenverordnung (AbfBPV) (2000 ppm Gesamtbromgehalt) eingehalten werden müssen. Für diese Studie wurden aus 11 unterschiedlichen EAG-Kategorien 467 Geräte untersucht, aus welchen wiederum insgesamt 1008 Kunststoffproben entnommen wurden. Die Kunststofftypen wurden mittels visuellem Screening des Recycling Codes sowie mittels FTIR-Spektroskopie bestimmt. Die portable Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse (RFA) diente zur Bestimmung des Gesamtbromgehalts. In den untersuchten EAGs wurden insgesamt 27 verschiedene Kunststofftypen identifiziert, wobei Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styrol-Copolymer (ABS) der häufigste Typ ist. Die Messungen mittels RFA haben ergeben, dass in 33 % aller Proben Brom nachgewiesen werden konnte. Der durchschnittliche Bromgehalt betrug ca. 240 ppm. Der RoHS-Grenzwert wurde in 18 % aller Proben aus Netzteilen von Druckern, 10 % aus PC-Gehäusen und 9 % aus Flatscreen-Monitoren überschritten. Elektrische Zahnbürsten, Mobiltelefone (ohne Touchscreens), Smartphones und diverse Kleingeräten überschritten weder den RoHS-, noch den AbfBPV-Grenzwert. Kunststoffbauteile aus diesen brom-freien EAG würden sich somit besser für ihre Rezyklierung eignen. Da die RFA eine kostengünstige und sehr schnelle Analysemethode ist, würde sie sich dazu eignen, Kunststoffe mit hohem Bromgehalt direkt am Anfallort auszuschließen.
Alleviation of dry mouth by saliva substitutes improved swallowing ability and clinical nutritional status of post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nuchit Sumalee , Lam-ubol Aroonwan , Paemuang Wannaporn , Talungchit Sineepat , Chokchaitam Orapin , Mungkung On-ong , Pongcharoen Tippawan , Trachootham Dunyaporn
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an edible saliva substitute, oral moisturizing jelly (OMJ), and a topical saliva gel (GC) on dry mouth, swallowing ability, and nutritional status in post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients.

Methods

Sixty-two post-radiation head and neck cancer patients with xerostomia completed a blinded randomized controlled trial. They were advised to swallow OMJ (n = 31) or apply GC orally (n = 31) for 2 months. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 1, and 2 months, including subjective and objective dry mouth (Challcombe) scores, subjective swallowing problem scores (EAT-10), water swallowing time, clinical nutritional status (PG-SGA), body weight, and dietary intake.

Results

After 1 and 2 months of interventions, subjective and objective dry mouth scores, subjective swallowing problem scores, swallowing times, and clinical nutritional status in both groups were significantly improved (p < 0.0001). Compared to GC, OMJ group had higher percent improvement in all outcome measures (p < 0.001) except swallowing time and clinical nutritional status. Interestingly, subjective dry mouth scores were significantly correlated with subjective swallowing problem scores (r = 0.5321, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Continuous uses of saliva substitutes (OMJ or GC) for at least a month improved signs and symptoms of dry mouth and enhanced swallowing ability. An edible saliva substitute was superior to a topical saliva gel for alleviating dry mouth and swallow problems. These lead to improved clinical nutritional status. Thus, palliation of dry mouth may be critical to support nutrition of post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients.

Clinical trial registry

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03035825
A probabilistic model for assigning queries at the edge
Authors: Kolomvatsos Kostas , Anagnostopoulos Christos
Published: November 2019

Data management at the edge of the network can increase the performance of applications as the processing is realized close to end users limiting the observed latency in the provision of responses. A typical data processing involves the execution of queries/tasks defined by users or applications asking for responses in the form of analytics. Query/task execution can be realized at the edge nodes that can undertake the responsibility of delivering the desired analytics to the interested users or applications. In this paper, we deal with the problem of allocating queries to a number of edge nodes. The aim is to support the goal of eliminating further the latency by allocating queries to nodes that exhibit a low load and high processing speed, thus, they can respond in the minimum time. Before any allocation, we propose a method for estimating the computational burden that a query/task will add to a node and, afterwards, we proceed with the final assignment. The allocation is concluded by the assistance of an ensemble similarity scheme responsible to deliver the complexity class for each query/task and a probabilistic decision making model. The proposed scheme matches the characteristics of the incoming queries and edge nodes trying to conclude the optimal allocation. We discuss our mechanism and through a large set of simulations and the adoption of benchmarking queries, we reveal the potentials of the proposed model supported by numerical results.
Coagulopathy after hemorrhagic traumatic brain injury, an observational study of the incidence and prognosis
Authors: van Gent Jort A. N. , van Essen Thomas A. , Bos Mettine H. A. , Cannegieter Suzanne C. , van Dijck Jeroen T. J. M. , Peul Wilco C.
Published: November 2019

Background

Traumatic brain injury is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Trauma patients with a coagulopathy have a 10-fold increased mortality risk compared to patients without a coagulopathy. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of coagulopathy and relate early coagulopathy to clinical outcome in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhages.

Methods

Between September 2015 and December 2016, 108 consecutive cranial trauma patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhages were included in this study. To assess the relationship between patients with a coagulopathy and outcome, a chi-squared test was performed.

Results

A total of 29 out of the 108 patients (27%) with a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage developed a coagulopathy within 72 h after admission. Overall, a total of 22 patients (20%) died after admission of which ten were coagulopathic at emergency department presentation. Early coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury is associated with progression of hemorrhagic injury (odds ratio 2.4 (95% confidence interval 0.8–8.0)), surgical intervention (odds ratio 2.8 (95% confidence interval 0.87–9.35)), and increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 23.06 (95% confidence interval 5.5–95.9)).

Conclusion

Patients who sustained a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage remained at risk for developing a coagulopathy until 72 h after trauma. Patients who developed a coagulopathy had a worse clinical outcome than patients who did not develop a coagulopathy.
Commentary on Kate E. Lynch, Emily C. Parke, and Maureen A. O’Malley: ‘How Causal are Microbiomes? A Comparison with the Helicobacter pylori Explanation of Ulcers’
Authors: Gillies Donald
Published: November 2019

This commentary focuses on the authors’ treatment of Koch’s postulates. It argues in favour of a modification of Koch’s postulates and their analysis in terms of necessary and sufficient conditions. This leads to a criticism of the authors’ treatment of the C. difficile case, and to query the need for the criteria of specificity and proportionality.
Network structure and thermal properties of bioactive (SiO2–CaO–Na2O–P2O5) glasses
Authors: Fábián M. , Kovács Zs. , Lábár J. L. , Sulyok A. , Horváth Z. E. , Székács I. , Kovács Kis V.
Published: November 2019

Ca- and P-based bioactive glasses are excellent candidates for design and manufacture of biomaterials. Understanding the structure and physico-chemical–thermal behaviour of bioactive glasses is a fundamental step towards the design of a new generation of biocompatible materials. In this study, the structure of SiO2–CaO–Na2O glasses and its derivatives, obtained by substituting Na2O with P2O5 and prepared by melt–quench technique, was studied with neutron and electron diffraction techniques combined with thermal analysis, high-resolution electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Neutron and electron diffraction data were analysed with reverse Monte Carlo simulation and pair distribution function analysis, respectively. Bioactivity of P2O5 substituted glasses was also investigated and proven in vitro using simulated body fluid. Based on the structural analysis, it was found that Si and P atoms are in well-defined tetrahedral units with a bond distance of 1.60 Å for both Si–O and P–O bonds, although P exhibits a higher average coordination number than Si. With increasing phosphate content, tendentious changes in the glass behaviour were observed. Linear increase in Tg, supported by the changes in the average coordination numbers of Si and P, indicates strengthening of network structure with increasing P content and formation of P–O–Ca atomic linkages, which lead to Ca–P-rich atomic environments in the silicate network. These Ca–P-rich environments trap volatile elements and thus decrease the total weight loss during heating at higher P concentrations. In the case of the highest investigated P2O5 content (5 mol%), nanoscale structural inhomogeneity and the formation of Ca–P-rich clusters were also revealed by electron diffraction and atomic resolution imaging. This type of Ca–(Na)–P clustering has a key role in the behaviour of phosphate-substituted silicate glasses under physiological conditions.
Novel transcutaneous sensor combining optical tcPO2 and electrochemical tcPCO2 monitoring with reflectance pulse oximetry
Authors: van Weteringen Willem , Goos Tom G. , van Essen Tanja , Ellenberger Christoph , Hayoz Josef , de Jonge Rogier C. J. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Schumacher Peter M.
Published: November 2019

This study investigated the accuracy, drift, and clinical usefulness of a new optical transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPO2) measuring technique, combined with a conventional electrochemical transcutaneous carbon dioxide (tcPCO2) measurement and reflectance pulse oximetry in the novel transcutaneous OxiVenT™ Sensor. In vitro gas studies were performed to measure accuracy and drift of tcPO2and tcPCO2. Clinical usefulness for tcPO2and tcPCO2monitoring was assessed in neonates. In healthy adult volunteers, measured oxygen saturation values (SpO2) were compared with arterially sampled oxygen saturation values (SaO2) during controlled hypoxemia. In vitro correlation and agreement with gas mixtures of tcPO2(r= 0.999, bias 3.0 mm Hg, limits of agreement − 6.6 to 4.9 mm Hg) and tcPCO2(r= 0.999, bias 0.8 mm Hg, limits of agreement − 0.7 to 2.2 mm Hg) were excellent. In vitro drift was negligible for tcPO2(0.30 (0.63 SD) mm Hg/24 h) and highly acceptable for tcPCO2(− 2.53 (1.04 SD) mm Hg/12 h). Clinical use in neonates showed good usability and feasibility. SpO2-SaO2correlation (r= 0.979) and agreement (bias 0.13%, limits of agreement − 3.95 to 4.21%) in healthy adult volunteers were excellent. The investigated combined tcPO2, tcPCO2, and SpO2sensor with a new oxygen fluorescence quenching technique is clinically usable and provides good overall accuracy and negligible tcPO2drift. Accurate and low-drift tcPO2monitoring offers improved measurement validity for long-term monitoring of blood and tissue oxygenation.
A preliminary study of heavy metals pollution risk in water
Authors: Abdeldayem Raafat
Published: November 2019

This study seeks to find out the risk of heavy metal pollution in domestic water on human health. The size of samples was 50 domestic water, 50 urine, and 50 blood samples taken from subjects chosen of the different four districts during 2017. Trace metal analysis was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed alarming levels of heavy metal contamination that exceed national and international thresholds in several observed sites. Therefore, stricter standards may be needed in order to reduce overall population exposure.
Simultaneous removal of selenite and selenate from drinking water using mesoporous activated alumina
Authors: Meher Alok Kumar , Jadhav Asmita , Labhsetwar Nitin , Bansiwal Amit
Published: November 2019

The present study reports detailed evaluation of mesoporous activated alumina (MAA) for simultaneous removal of two hazardous inorganic species of selenium, namely selenite and selanate, from drinking water. MAA was used after washing with deionized water followed by drying at 110 °C for 8 h. The material was characterized using pXRD, FTIR, zeta potential, SEM and BET surface area measurements. Batch adsorption studies were performed, and various adsorption isotherms and kinetic parameters were computed to delineate the mechanism of adsorption. It was observed that Freundlich adsorption isotherm was the best-fit model for both the species of selenium. The adsorption capacity obtained from Freundlich isotherm for selenite and selenate was found to be 9.02 µg g−1 and 5.38 µg g−1, respectively. Kinetics studies revealed that adsorption of selenite follows pseudo-second-order model, whereas selenate adsorption follows pseudo-first-order model. The efficiency of the material was also evaluated at different pH and in the presence of different competitive co-ions, which confirms efficacy of MAA at near-neutral pH and lower concentrations of competitive co-ions. Negligible changes in the pH were observed during the course of adsorption. Further, the saturated adsorbent was subjected to regeneration and reuse studies up to ten cycles, showing insignificant reduction in adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent during few initial cycles. The study infers the effectiveness of MAA as a potential adsorbent for drinking water treatment contaminated with selenium.
Coffee processing wastewater treatment: a critical review on current treatment technologies with a proposed alternative
Authors: Ijanu E. M. , Kamaruddin M. A. , Norashiddin F. A.
Published: November 2019

Coffee is globally the second largest most traded commodity after petroleum, and this has facilitated many countries to grow and produce coffee in commercial quantity. The production processes uses large volume of water which comes out as contaminated water. The presence of toxic chemicals like tannins, phenolic and alkaloids inhibits biological degradation. Microbial processes break down the organic substances released into water bodies slowly, using up the oxygen from the water (COD). As demand for oxygen needed to break down organic waste in a wastewater begins to exceed supply, a decrease in oxygen needed to combine with chemicals (COD) slowly creates anaerobic condition. The review looks at few of the current methods (physicochemical and biological) used in coffee wastewater management, their advantages and disadvantages including, high cost implication, complex operation and more time consumption among others; furthermore, the review suggests ion exchange technique as a better alternative based on its capacity to act as both an ion exchanger and absorber.
Drinking water desalination using low-cost Tubular Solar Still
Authors: Karima Azrina , Shafiul Islam Kh. Md.
Published: November 2019

Growing freshwater scarcity in arid and remote areas usually is caused by the growth of population, urbanization and industrialization and the rather limited natural resources of potable water. In coastal belt of southwest region of Bangladesh, groundwater contains high salinity as well as excessive arsenic contamination. Though pond sand filter and rainwater harvesting system are usually used to meet the freshwater demand throughout the year in this area, along with these, household-based solar desalination could be a good source of drinking water in this region. In this study, a low-cost Tubular Solar Still (TSS) was designed using locally available materials to meet such demand. It was consisted of a tubular frame (0.00275 m thick helical GI wire, 1.0 m long and 0.2 m in diameter) and a rectangular tray (1.0 m × 0.16 m × 0.05 m ) covered with black polythene paper. The collection bottle was kept in an insulation box. The field experiment on the constructed TSS was carried out on the rooftop of Civil Engineering Department building from June 25, 2011, to June 20, 2012. Daily distilled output from the TSS was collected approximately 2 h after sunset. The maximum daily production rate was found as 3.83 l/m2 in May 2012. The production cost of distilled water is estimated as 0.39 BDT/L or 0.0046 USD/L. The application of this process can fulfill the demand of freshwater for drinking purpose for single household in coastal areas.
The use of localised CBCT to image inflammatory collateral cysts: a retrospective case series demonstrating clinical and radiographic features
Authors: Dave M. , Thomson F. , Barry S. , Horner K. , Thakker N. , Petersen H. J.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Inflammatory collateral cysts are uncommon cysts primarily affecting first permanent molars during their eruption. There are diagnostic challenges that can be overcome with CBCT imaging. However, given the paediatric age group for this condition, there are patient cooperation and radiation dose factors to consider when justifying the scan. The aim of this case series study is to illustrate the value of CBCT in imaging and diagnosing inflammatory collateral cysts in paediatric patients, to highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach for this uncommon pathological condition and to review the relevant literature.

Case series description and results

We present three patients aged between 6 and 11 years of age with inflammatory collateral cysts affecting their first or second permanent molars for which CBCT imaging was utilised. All patients underwent cyst enucleation with preservation or extraction of affected teeth under general anaesthesia.

Discussion

Inflammatory collateral cysts are likely to be under reported given their indistinct clinical features and radiological signs. Conventional planar radiographs may not reveal this lesions size and full extent. CBCT overcomes these limitations; however, careful assessment of patient cooperation is needed and a low-dose protocol should be used.

Conclusions

CBCT can provide useful imaging information which is difficult to obtain using conventional radiography, especially in cases where an inflammatory collateral cyst is suspected.
Correction to: Consumer protection and risk assessment: sensitising substances in consumer products
Authors: Thierse Hermann-Josef , Luch Andreas
Published: November 2019

Correction to:

Allergo J Int 2019 28:167–182

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40629-019-0093-3

The article “Consumer protection and risk assessment: sensitising substances in consumer products”, written by Hermann-Josef Thierse and Andreas Luch, was originally published Online First without Open Access. …
Scoring and Interpretation of the FSFI: What can be Learned From 20 Years of use?
Authors: Meston Cindy M. , Freihart Bridget K. , Handy Ariel B. , Kilimnik Chelsea D. , Rosen Raymond C.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Over the past 20 years, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) has been considered the gold standard for the measurement of sexual function in women, with over 1,000 published manuscripts citing the article. Despite the measure’s widespread usage and excellent psychometric properties, there has been some confusion over how to best implement and score the measure and interpret corresponding findings.

Aim

The aim of the current article is to provide guidance, drawing from 20 years of use, on how to best implement the FSFI in research settings and interpret results based on the validation studies that have been conducted to date.

Methods

The overview of scoring and interpretation procedures found in this article is drawn from a review of the published literature on the psychometric properties of the FSFI.

Main Outcome Measure

The measure of interest for the present review is the FSFI.

Results

This review article provides information about implementing, scoring, and interpreting the full-scale FSFI. Domain-level scoring and interpretation procedures are also discussed across the 5 domains of the FSFI: arousal, satisfaction, desire, pain, and lubrication. Additionally, guidance is provided for evaluating translated versions of the FSFI and using the measure to examine sexual function in culturally diverse populations.

Clinical Implications

Guidance on appropriately scoring and interpretating the FSFI has the potential to strengthen our empirical understanding of sexual function, and consequently, to guide theory-driven treatment development and clinical practice.

Strength & Limitations

The present review provides applied guidance for the appropriate use of the FSFI specifically, but does not cover other common measures of sexual function or adaptations of the original measure.

Conclusion

It is our hope that the guidance found in this review will ultimately lead to more rigorous and appropriate usage of the FSFI in research settings.
Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetes Management
Authors: VanBaak Karin D. , Nally Laura M. , Finigan Ryan T. , Jurkiewicz Carrie L. , Burnier Andre M. , Conrad Barry P. , Khodaee Morteza , Lipman Grant S.
Published: November 2019

The Wilderness Medical Society convened an expert panel in 2018 to develop a set of evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of type 1 and 2 diabetes, as well as the recognition, prevention, and treatment of complications of diabetes in wilderness athletes. We present a review of the classifications, pathophysiology, and evidence-based guidelines for planning and preventive measures, as well as best practice recommendations for both routine and urgent therapeutic management of diabetes and glycemic complications. These recommendations are graded based on the quality of supporting evidence and balance between the benefits and risks or burdens for each recommendation.
Pancake sea ice kinematics and dynamics using shipboard stereo video
Authors: Smith Madison , Thomson Jim
Published: November 2019

In the marginal ice zone, surface waves drive motion of sea ice floes. The motion of floes relative to each other can cause periodic collisions, and drives the formation of pancake sea ice. Additionally, the motion of floes relative to the water results in turbulence generation at the interface between the ice and ocean below. These are important processes for the formation and growth of pancakes, and likely contribute to wave energy loss. Models and laboratory studies have been used to describe these motions, but there have been no in situ observations of relative ice velocities in a natural wave field. Here, we use shipboard stereo video to measure wave motion and relative motion of pancake floes simultaneously. The relative velocities of pancake floes are typically small compared to wave orbital motion (i.e. floes mostly follow the wave orbits). We find that relative velocities are well-captured by existing phase-resolved models, and are only somewhat over-estimated by using bulk wave parameters. Under the conditions observed, estimates of wave energy loss from ice–ocean turbulence are much larger than from pancake collisions. Increased relative pancake floe velocities in steeper wave fields may then result in more wave attenuation by increasing ice–ocean shear.
Looters vs. Traitors: TheMuqawama(“Resistance”) Narrative, and its Detractors, in Contemporary Mauritania
Authors: Ould Mohamed Baba Elemine , Freire Francisco
Published: November 2019

Since 2012, when broadcasting licenses were granted to various private television and radio stations in Mauritania, the controversy around the Battle of Um Tounsi (and Mauritania’s colonial past more generally) has grown substantially. One of the results of this unprecedented level of media freedom has been the propagation of views defending the Mauritanian resistance (muqawamain Arabic) to French colonization. On the one hand, verbal and written accounts have emerged which paint certain groups and actors as French colonial power sympathizers. At the same time, various online publications have responded by seriously questioning the very existence of a structured resistance to colonization. This article, drawing predominantly on local sources, highlights the importance of this controversy in studying the western Saharan region social model and its contemporary uses.
Interdependent Factors of Demand-Side Rationale for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures
Authors: Johnson Mark Lawrence , Belin Jean , Dorandeu Frederic , Guille Marianne
Published: November 2019

The deliberate use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials in war or terrorist attacks is perceived as a great threat globally. In the event of a release of CBRN agents, protection by means of medical countermeasures (MedCMs) could reduce health vulnerability. Nonetheless, for some diseases caused by these agents, innovative MedCMs do not exist and many of those that do might not be readily available. Inappropriate research and development funding and government procurement efforts can result in adverse economic consequences (eg, lost income, cost per loss of life, medical expenses) far exceeding the costs of strong and comprehensive preparedness initiatives. By illustrating factors of demand-side rationale for CBRN MedCMs, this article aims to strengthen integrity of policy-making associated with current demand requirements. Namely, an approach to inspire broader assessment is outlined by compiling and adapting existing economic models and concepts to characterize both soft and hard factors that influence demand-side rationale. First, the soft factor context is set by describing the impact of behavioral and political economics. Then, lessons learned from past public health funding models and associated collaborative access infrastructure are depicted to represent hard factors that can enhance the viability of MedCM preparedness evaluations.
New Radiocarbon-based assessment Supports the Prominence of Tel Lachish during late Bronze age IB-IIA
Authors: Webster Lyndelle , Streit Katharina , Dee Michael , Hajdas Irka , Höflmayer Felix
Published: November 2019

This article presents a new suite of radiocarbon (14C) dates for the lower portion of the Late Bronze Age (LBA) sequence of Area S, Tel Lachish. The results show that the lowest levels reached by Ussishkin in the 1980s (S-2 and S-3) date significantly earlier than was previously thought. Level S-3, with its monumental architecture, belongs in the 2nd half of the 15th century BCE, as does the commencement of Level S-2. The laminated deposit of S-2 continues through the first half of the 14th century BCE, coinciding at least in part with the Amarna period. This redating leads to improved agreement between archaeological and textual evidence regarding the presence of a substantial, prominent settlement at Lachish during LB IB-IIA, from the reign of Thutmoses III through the Amarna period.
Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Iranian HIV positive patients using multilocus nested-PCR-RFLP method
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Abdollah , Sharif Mehdi , Sarvi Shahabeddin , Abediankenari Saeid , Hashemi-Soteh Mohammad Bagher , Amouei Afsaneh , Montazeri Mahboobeh , Aghayan Sargis A. , Gholami Sara , Shaker Davoud , Mizani Azadeh , Shabanzadeh Shafigheh , Daryani Ahmad
Published: November 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in Iranian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients using multilocus-nested polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (Mn-PCR-RFLP). A total of 102 serum samples obtained from infected patients were collected from the laboratory centres in northern Iran. Anti-T. gondii antibodies and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) detection were accomplished by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and PCR. The Mn-PCR-RFLP method was used for the genotyping of T. gondii. Overall, 68.6% (70/102) and 11.7% (12/102) of the individuals were tested positive for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G and T. gondii DNA, respectively. Complete genotyping was performed on 10/12 (83.3%) PCR-positive samples. Accordingly, the samples were classified as genotype #1 (type II clonal; n = 3, 30%), genotype #2 (type III clonal; n = 2, 20%), genotype #10 (type I clonal; n = 2, 20%), genotype #27 (type I variant; n = 1, 10%), genotype #35 (type I variant; n = 1, 10%) and genotype #48 (type III variant; n = 1, 10%). The results were indicative of the high frequency of the type I and type I variant of T. gondii strains in HIV-positive patients in northern Iran. Given the high prevalence of T. gondii and frequency of pathogenic types (pathogen in laboratory mice) in the patients, special measures should be taken to prevent the possible increased incidence of encephalitis by T. gondii.
Detection of haplosporidian protistan parasites supports an increase to their known diversity, geographic range and bivalve host specificity
Authors: Lynch S. A. , Lepée-Rivero S. , Kelly R. , Quinn E. , Coghlan A. , Bookelaar B. , Morgan E. , Finarelli J. A. , Carlsson J. , Culloty S. C.
Published: November 2019

Haplosporidian protist parasites are a major concern for aquatic animal health, as they have been responsible for some of the most significant marine epizootics on record. Despite their impact on food security, aquaculture and ecosystem health, characterizing haplosporidian diversity, distributions and host range remains challenging. In this study, water filtering bivalve species, cockles Cerastoderma edule, mussels Mytilus spp. and Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas, were screened using molecular genetic assays using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) markers for the Haplosporidia small subunit ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid region. Two Haplosporidia species, both belonging to the Minchinia clade, were detected in C. edule and in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis in a new geographic range for the first time. No haplosporidians were detected in the C. gigas, Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis or Mytilus hybrids. These findings indicate that host selection and partitioning are occurring amongst cohabiting bivalve species. The detection of these Haplosporidia spp. raises questions as to whether they were always present, were introduced unintentionally via aquaculture and or shipping or were naturally introduced via water currents. These findings support an increase in the known diversity of a significant parasite group and highlight that parasite species may be present in marine environments but remain undetected, even in well-studied host species.
Maximal hyperbolic towers and weight in the theory of free groups
Authors: BRÜCK BENJAMIN
Published: November 2019

We show that in general for a given group the structure of a maximal hyperbolic tower over a free group is not canonical: we construct examples of groups having hyperbolic tower structures over free subgroups which have arbitrarily large ratios between their ranks. These groups have the same first order theory as non-abelian free groups and we use them to study the weight of types in this theory.
A tuberculosis school outbreak in China, 2018: reaching an often overlooked adolescent population
Authors: You N. N. , Zhu L. M. , Li G. L. , Martinez L. , Lu W. , Liu Q. , Yang H. T.
Published: November 2019

Adolescents have been largely neglected from tuberculosis control efforts. In low- to medium burden settings much of the tuberculosis burden in this age group occurs from school outbreaks. We report on a large tuberculosis outbreak in adolescents from a boarding high school in Jiangsu Province, China. From March to June 2018, a tuberculosis outbreak occurred in a boarding high school. We conducted an outbreak investigation involving clinical diagnostic tests and molecular analysis to determine the outbreak origin. Cases were detected through symptom screening, tuberculin skin testing (TST), chest radiography, sputum smear, solid sputum culture and GeneXpert MTB/RIF. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) genotyping and spoligotyping methods were performed onMycobacterium tuberculosis(M. tuberculosis) isolates to identify the outbreak origin. A total of 845 students and 131 teachers/staff attended a TST screening for tuberculosis infection. The prevalence of elevated tuberculin reactions at ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 mm was 12.19% (119/976), 6.35% (62/976) and 3.28% (32/976), respectively. Radiographic abnormalities were present in 5.73% (56 of 976) individuals, 40 students and 16 teachers/staff. Of these, 12 students were diagnosed with confirmed tuberculosis. In total, 14 students (two index cases and 12 confirmed cases) were diagnosed and reported in the tuberculosis outbreak, an attack rate of 1.7% (14/847) among students (two index cases and 845 screened students). Results from MIRU-VNTR typing and spoligotyping analyses demonstrated that threeM. tuberculosisstrains belong to the Beijing family with corresponding MIRU-VNTR alleles. This school-based tuberculosis outbreak among adolescents demonstrates that transmission among individuals in this age group is common and must be prioritised. It suggests that identifying and timely diagnosis of smear-positive cases, especially in the early phase of outbreaks, is the key to preventing further spread among close contacts.
Does puberty affect the development of behavior problems as a mediator, moderator, or unique predictor?
Authors: Beltz Adriene M. , Corley Robin P. , Wadsworth Sally J. , DiLalla Lisabeth F. , Berenbaum Sheri A.
Published: November 2019

Pubertal timing matters for psychological development. Early maturation in girls is linked to risk for depression and externalizing problems in adolescence and possibly adulthood, and early and late maturation in boys are linked to depression. It is unclear whether pubertal timing uniquely predicts problems; it might instead mediate the continuity of behavior problems from childhood to adolescence or create psychological risk specifically in youth with existing problems, thus moderating the link. We investigated these issues in 534 girls and 550 boys, measuring pubertal timing by a logistic model fit to annual self-report measures of development and, in girls, age at menarche. Prepuberty internalizing and externalizing behavior problems were reported by parents. Adolescent behavior problems were reported by parents and youth. As expected, behavior problems were moderately stable. Pubertal timing was not predicted by childhood problems, so it did not mediate the continuity of behavior problems from childhood to adolescence. Pubertal timing did not moderate links between early and later problems for girls. For boys, early maturation accentuated the link between childhood problems and adolescent substance use. Overall, the replicated links between puberty and behavior problems appear to reflect the unique effects of puberty and child behavior problems on the development of adolescent behavior problems.