bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blast load simulation using conical shock tube systems
Authors: Ismail Ahmed , Ezzeldin Mohamed , El-Dakhakhni Wael , Tait Michael
Published: June 2019

With the increased frequency of accidental and deliberate explosions, evaluating the response of civil infrastructure systems to blast loading has been attracting the interests of the research and regulatory communities. However, with the high cost and complex safety and logistical issues associated with field explosives testing, North American blast-resistant construction standards (e.g. ASCE 59-11 and CSA S850-12) recommend the use of shock tubes to simulate blast loads and evaluate relevant structural response. This study first aims at developing a simplified two-dimensional axisymmetric shock tube model, implemented in ANSYS Fluent, a computational fluid dynamics software, and then validating the model using the classical Sod’s shock tube problem solution, as well as available shock tube experimental test results. Subsequently, the developed model is compared to a more complex three-dimensional model and the results show that there is negligible difference between the two models for axisymmetric shock tube performance simulation; however, the three-dimensional model is necessary to simulate non-axisymmetric shock tubes. Following the model validation, extensive analyses are performed to evaluate the influences of shock tube design parameters (e.g. the driver section pressure and length and the expansion section length) on blast wave characteristics to facilitate a shock tube design that would generate shock waves similar to those experienced by civil infrastructure components under blast loads. The results show that the peak reflected pressure increases as the driver pressure increases, while a decrease in the expansion length increases the peak reflected pressure. In addition, the positive phase duration increases as both the driver length and expansion length are increased. Finally, the developed two-dimensional axisymmetric model is used to optimize the dimensions of a physical large-scale conical shock tube system constructed for civil infrastructure component blast response evaluation applications. The capabilities of such shock tube system are further investigated by correlating its design parameters to a range of explosion threats identified by different hemispherical TNT charge weight and distance scenarios.
Efficacy and safety of lanreotide in postoperative dumping syndrome: A Phase II randomised and placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Wauters Lucas , Arts Joris , Caenepeel Philip , Holvoet Lieselot , Tack Jan , Bisschops Raf , Vanuytsel Tim
Published: June 2019

Background

Data on the efficacy and safety of the long‐acting somatostatin analogue lanreotide (LAN) for postoperative dumping syndrome are lacking.

Objective

We performed a double‐blind, randomised and placebo‐controlled crossover study of LAN Autogel® 90 mg in postoperative dumping.

Methods

Adults with a positive prolonged oral glucose tolerance test or spontaneous hypoglycaemia and total dumping score (DS) ≥ 10 despite dietary measures were treated with three monthly injections of LAN or placebo in a randomised crossover fashion with an eight‐week wash‐out period. Primary outcome was the effect of LAN on total DS versus placebo. Secondary outcomes were the effect on early and late DS, treatment assessment, quality of life and safety.

Results

Of 24 included patients (66.7% female; age 49.1 ± 2.1 years), 12 were randomised to LAN first. Pooled DS after three injections were lower compared to baseline after LAN (median=14 (interquartile range (IQR) 11.5–23) vs. median = 22 (IQR 16–27); p = 0.03) but not placebo (median = 20 (IQR 15–27) vs. median = 23 (IQR 13–29); p = 0.15). Improvement of early (median = 7.5 (IQR 4.5–13) vs. median = 12 (IQR 9–16); p = 0.03) but not late (median = 7 (IQR 6–10.3) vs. median = 9 (IQR 6–13); p = 0.26) DS was seen. Overall treatment assessment correlated with change in DS (r = –0.69, p = 0.004). Symptom improvement was not associated with changes in quality of life. Of the 81 reported adverse events, 44 occurred on LAN compared to 37 on placebo (p > 0.05), with seven serious adverse events on LAN.

Conclusions

LAN is effective for treating early postoperative dumping symptoms, although side effects are common and quality of life is not significantly affected.
Costs of illness progression for different multiple sclerosis phenotypes: a population-based study in Sweden
Authors: Gyllensten Hanna , Kavaliunas Andrius , Murley Chantelle , Alexanderson Kristina , Hillert Jan , Tinghög Petter , Friberg Emilie
Published: June 2019

Background

Little is known of how the cost of illness and health-related quality of life changes over time after a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Objectives

The aim was thus to explore the progression of annual direct and indirect costs and health-related quality of life among people with multiple sclerosis of working ages, following diagnosis with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) or conversion to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) after RRMS.

Methods

Swedish nationwide registers were linked to estimate the annual cost of illness in 2006–2013 among people with a registered new multiple sclerosis phenotype, including: direct costs, indirect costs, and health-related quality of life.

Results

Drugs and indirect costs for sick leave were the main cost drivers after diagnosis with RRMS. After conversion to SPMS, the RRMS cost drivers were replaced by indirect costs for disability pension. The main cost driver in newly diagnosed PPMS was indirect costs for sick leave, later replaced by disability pension. Health-related quality of life scores were similar after RRMS and SPMS.

Conclusions

After initial high indirect costs for sick leave, people with RRMS had higher drug costs compared to people with PPMS. Cost drivers during SPMS initially followed the pattern in the RRMS population, but were replaced by indirect costs for disability pension.
A Qualitative Investigation of the Experiences of Students and Preceptors Taking Part in Remote and Rural Community Experiential Placements During Early Medical Training
Authors: Ross Brian M , Cameron Erin , Greenwood David
Published: June 2019

Background:

Medical education can help alleviate the chronic undersupply of physicians to rural communities. Providing students with early rural clinical experiences may allow the gaining of necessary knowledge and skills to practice and live rurally, as well as the desire to do so.

Purpose:

This study aims to provide a detailed understanding of Remote and Rural Community Placements (RRCPs) which occur in the second year of a Doctor of Medicine programme.

Methodology/Approach:

Using a thematic analysis approach, we examined the experiences of students and preceptors in the RRCP. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and focus groups.

Findings/Conclusions:

Students valued RRCPs as a formative clinical experience and preceptors gained professionally from participating. The RRCPs enhanced students regard for, and knowledge of, rural medicine. Yet, contrary to the stated aims of the placement, students spent very little time in activities outside of the clinic, neither learning about the community nor about the life of a physician as a community member.

Implications:

Medical educators should recognise that students and preceptors will inevitably place different value on the different sociocultural and perceptual aspects of placements, namely clinical and non-clinical. As such, the curriculum should draw clearly articulated links between each.
Microparticles in systemic sclerosis, targets or tools to control fibrosis: This is the question!
Authors: Čolić Jelena , Matucci Cerinic Marco , Guiducci Serena , Damjanov Nemanja
Published: June 2019

Systemic sclerosis is the main systemic fibrotic disease with unknown etiology characterized by peripheral microvascular injury, activation of immune system, and wide-spread progressive fibrosis. Microparticles can be derived from any cell type during normal cellular differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis, and also upon cellular activation. Carrying along a broad range of surface cytoplasmic and nuclear molecules of originating cells, microparticles are closely implicated in inflammation, thrombosis, angiogenesis, and immunopathogenesis. Recently, microparticles have been proposed as biomarkers of endothelial injury, which is the primary event in the genesis of tissue fibrosis. Microparticles may have a role in fostering endothelial to mesenchymal transition, thus giving a significant contribution to the development of myofibroblasts, the most important final effectors responsible for tissue fibrosis and fibroproliferative vasculopathy. Thanks to potent profibrotic mediators, such as transforming growth factor beta, platelet-derived growth factor, high mobility group box 1 protein, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4, and antifibrotic agents, such as matrix metalloproteinases, microparticles may play an opposite role in fibrosis.
Interoperable chemical structure search service
Authors: Kratochvíl Miroslav , Vondrášek Jiří , Galgonek Jakub
Published: June 2019

Motivation

The existing connections between large databases of chemicals, proteins, metabolites and assays offer valuable resources for research in fields ranging from drug design to metabolomics. Transparent search across multiple databases provides a way to efficiently utilize these resources. To simplify such searches, many databases have adopted semantic technologies that allow interoperable querying of the datasets using SPARQL query language. However, the interoperable interfaces of the chemical databases still lack the functionality of structure-driven chemical search, which is a fundamental method of data discovery in the chemical search space.

Results

We present a SPARQL service that augments existing semantic services by making interoperable substructure and similarity searches in small-molecule databases possible. The service thus offers new possibilities for querying interoperable databases, and simplifies writing of heterogeneous queries that include chemical-structure search terms.

Availability

The service is freely available and accessible using a standard SPARQL endpoint interface. The service documentation and user-oriented demonstration interfaces that allow quick explorative querying of datasets are available at https://idsm.elixir-czech.cz.
Centralization of High-Risk Cancer Surgery Within Existing Hospital Systems
Authors: Sheetz Kyle H. , Dimick Justin B. , Nathan Hari
Published: June 2019

PURPOSE

Centralization is often proposed as a strategy to improve the quality of certain high-risk health care services. We evaluated the extent to which existing hospital systems centralize high-risk cancer surgery and whether centralization is associated with short-term clinical outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We merged data from the American Hospital Association’s annual survey on hospital system affiliation with Medicare claims to identify patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic, esophageal, colon, lung, or rectal cancer between 2005 and 2014. We calculated the degree to which systems centralized each procedure by calculating the annual proportion of surgeries performed at the highest-volume hospital within each system. We then estimated the independent effect of centralization on the incidence of postoperative complications, death, and readmissions after accounting for patient, hospital, and system characteristics.

RESULTS

The average degree of centralization varied from 25.2% (range, 6.6% to 100%) for colectomy to 71.2% (range, 8.3% to 100%) for pancreatectomy. Greater centralization was associated with lower rates of postoperative complications and death for lung resection, esophagectomy, and pancreatectomy. For example, there was a 1.1% (95% CI, 0.8% to 1.4%) absolute reduction in 30-day mortality after pancreatectomy for each 20% increase in the degree of centralization within systems. Independent of volume and hospital quality, postoperative mortality for pancreatectomy was two times higher in the least centralized systems than in the most centralized systems (8.9% v 3.7%, P < .01). Centralization was not associated with better outcomes for colectomy or proctectomy.

CONCLUSION

Greater centralization of complex cancer surgery within existing hospital systems was associated with better outcomes. As hospitals affiliate in response to broader financial and organization pressures, these systems may also present unique opportunities to improve the quality of high-risk cancer care.
Single cell dynamics of embryonic muscle progenitor cells in zebrafish
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Ruel Tyler D. , Kocha Katrinka M. , Liao Shan , Huang Peng
Published: June 2019

Muscle stem cells hold a great therapeutic potential in regenerating damaged muscles. However, the in vivo behavior of muscle stem cells during muscle growth and regeneration is still poorly understood. Using zebrafish as a model, we describe the in vivo dynamics and function of embryonic muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) in the dermomyotome. These cells are located in a superficial layer external to muscle fibers and express many extracellular matrix (ECM) genes, including collagen type 1 α2 (col1a2). Utilizing a new col1a2 transgenic line, we show that col1a2+ MPCs display a ramified morphology with dynamic cellular processes. Cell lineage tracing demonstrates that col1a2+ MPCs contribute to new myofibers in normal muscle growth and also during muscle regeneration. A combination of live imaging and single cell clonal analysis reveals a highly choreographed process of muscle regeneration. Activated col1a2+ MPCs change from the quiescent ramified morphology to a polarized and elongated morphology, generating daughter cells that fuse with existing myofibers. Partial depletion of col1a2+ MPCs severely compromises muscle regeneration. Our work provides a dynamic view of embryonic muscle progenitor cells during zebrafish muscle growth and regeneration.
MRP4-mediated cAMP efflux is essential for mouse spermatozoa capacitation
Authors: Alonso C. A. I. , Lottero-Leconte R. , Luque G. M. , Vernaz Z. J. , Di Siervi N. , Gervasi M. G. , Buffone M. G. , Davio C. , Perez-Martinez S.
Published: June 2019

Mammalian spermatozoa must undergo biochemical and structural changes to acquire the capacity for fertilization, in a process known as capacitation. Activation of PKA enzymes is essential for capacitation, and thus cAMP levels are tightly regulated during this process. Previously, we demonstrated that during capacitation, bovine spermatozoa extrude cAMP through multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4, also known as ABCC4), which regulates intracellular levels of the nucleotide and provides cAMP to the extracellular space. Here, we report the presence of functional MRP4 in murine spermatozoa, since its pharmacological inhibition with MK571 decreased levels of extracellular cAMP. This also produced a sudden increase in PKA activity, with decreased tyrosine phosphorylation at the end of capacitation. Blockade of MRP4 inhibited induction of acrosome reaction, hyperactivation and in vitro fertilization. Moreover, MRP4 inhibition generated an increase in Ca2+ levels mediated by PKA, and depletion of Ca2+ salts from the medium prevented the loss of motility and phosphotyrosine inhibition produced by MK571. These results were supported using spermatozoa from CatSper Ca2+ channel knockout mice. Taken together, these results suggest that cAMP efflux via MRP4 plays an essential role in mouse sperm capacitation.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) activity during the transition to endothermy in an altricial bird
Authors: Price Edwin R. , Sirsat Tushar S. , Sirsat Sarah K. G. , Dzialowski Edward M.
Published: June 2019

Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) is a transmembrane pump critical to muscle calcium cycling during contraction, and SERCA has also been proposed as the basis for a non-shivering thermogenesis mechanism in birds. Despite its potential importance to both shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis, the activity of this transporter has rarely been studied in altricial birds, and never during the developmental transition from ectothermy to endothermy. Here, we describe SERCA activity in the pectoralis muscle and heart ventricle of red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) nestlings, fledglings and adults. Additionally, using a diet manipulation, we tested the hypothesis that muscle SERCA activity is affected by dietary fatty acid composition, as has been shown in some previous studies. In blackbird hearts, SERCA activity increased throughout development and into adulthood, conspicuously jumping higher just prior to fledging. In pectoralis muscle, SERCA activity increased throughout the nestling period, but then declined after fledging, an effect we attribute to remodeling of the muscle from a primarily heat-generating organ to a primarily force-generating organ. SERCA activity of the pectoralis muscle was correlated with the proportion of linoleic acid in muscle phospholipids when including all ages in the control group. However, in diet-manipulated birds, there was no consistent relationship between SERCA activity and muscle membrane fatty acid composition at any tested age (5–9 days old). It is unclear whether SERCA might be affected by developmental changes in fatty acid composition at younger ages.
Corporate Cash and Employment
Authors: Bacchetta Philippe , Benhima Kenza , Poilly Céline
Published: June 2019

In the aftermath of the US financial crisis, both a sharp drop in employment and a surge in corporate cash have been observed. In this paper, based on US data, we argue that the negative relationship between the corporate cash ratio and employment is systematic, both over time and across firms. We develop a dynamic general equilibrium model where heterogenous firms need cash and external liquid funds in their production process. We analyze the dynamic impact of aggregate shocks and the cross-firm impact of idiosyncratic shocks. We show that external liquidity shocks generate a negative comovement between the cash ratio and employment, as documented in the data. (JEL E24, E32, G32, J23)
The Intensity of Job Search and Search Duration
Authors: Faberman R. Jason , Kudlyak Marianna
Published: June 2019

We use online job application data to study the relationship between search intensity and search duration. The data allow us to control for job seeker composition and the evolution of available job openings over the duration of search. We find that, within an individual search spell, search intensity declines continuously. We also find that longer-duration job seekers search more intensely throughout their search. They tend to be older, male, nonemployed, and live in areas with weaker labor markets. Our findings contradict standard assumptions of labor search models. We discuss how to reconcile the theory with our evidence. (JEL E24, J24, J63, J64)
Aggressive interactions between juvenile swordfishes and blue sharks in the Western Mediterranean: a widespread phenomenon?
Authors: PENADÉS-SUAY JAIME , GARCÍA-SALINAS PABLO , TOMÁS JESÚS , AZNAR FRANCISCO JAVIER
Published: June 2019

There are numerous reports of billfishes spearing objects, marine organisms, and even humans. Whether or not this behaviour is intentional and, if so, what is its functional meaning, are open questions. In 2016, an adult blue shark (Prionace glauca) was found to be killed by a juvenile swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the western Mediterranean. Here we report on three more recent cases involving both species in the same area. In February 2017, an adult male blue shark was found stranded in Garrucha (Spain) with a fragment of a juvenile swordfish’s rostrum (18cm long x 2cm wide at proximal end) inserted in its cranium. In March 2017, an adult pregnant female blue shark was stranded alive on the coast of Ostia (Italy) but died shortly afterwards; a fragment of a juvenile swordfish’s rostrum (25x3cm) was found allocated between the eye and the cranium. Finally, in February 2018, an adult female blue shark appeared stranded in the coast of Vera (Spain), with a putative impalement injury anterior to the right eye but without an associated bill fragment. Surprisingly, X-ray and computed tomography revealed an older injury in the right nostril, with a small piece of a juvenile swordfish’s rostrum (5.3x1.2cm). These cases suggest that juvenile swordfish would drive their rostrum into blue sharks as a defensive strategy that is likely to be far from anecdotal. We suggest that no regular cases of these interactions are reported because they occur at high sea and evidence of them, when available, can easily be overlooked.
Visual observations of floating macro litter around Italy (Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: CAMPANALE CLAUDIA , SUARIA GIUSEPPE , BAGNUOLO GIUSEPPE , BAINI MATTEO , GALLI MATTEO , De RYSKY ERICA , BALLINI MATILDE , ALIANI STEFANO , FOSSI MARIA CRISTINA , URICCHIO VITO FELICE
Published: June 2019

We report the results of a visual survey of floating natural (NML) and anthropogenic (AML) macro-litter (>2.5 cm) performed in the central part of the Mediterranean Sea during a dual-use campaign onboard the Italian Navy tall ship “Amerigo Vespucci” which circumnavigated the Italian peninsula during May-June 2016. The distribution, abundance and composition of floating marine litter were assessed using a 10 m fixed-width strip transect method. Over 88 h of transect counts were performed, for a total of 168 transects, covering an overall survey length of 1026.35 km. 4756 anthropogenic litter items were counted during the transects, 96.9 % of which were classified as plastic items. Floating litter was found throughout the entire study area with densities ranging from 0 to 9205 items/km2 and with a mean abundance of 492 AML items/km2 and 77 NML items/km2 across all surveyed locations. Maximum AML densities (>3500 items/km2) were recorded in the Adriatic Sea, while the lowest densities (<50 items/km2) were found along the coastline of Sardinia and in the Strait of Messina. Our results document the ubiquitous presence of floating plastic litter around the Italian peninsula and underline the need to expand our knowledge about the main sources, transport, accumulation and fate of marine litter in the entire Mediterranean region.
Individualistic patterns in the budding morphology of the Mediterranean demosponge Aplysina aerophoba
Authors: DÍAZ JULIO A. , MOVILLA JUANCHO , FERRIOL PERE
Published: June 2019

The external morphology of sponges is characterized by high plasticity, generally considered to be shaped by environmental factors and modulated through complex morphogenetic pathways. This work shows for the first time that explants of the Atlanto-Mediterranean demosponge Aplysina aerophoba reared in aquaria under different pH and temperature conditions produce reproductive buds with a phenotype determined by the donor individual. These results suggest, therefore, that genotype can be an important factor controlling different phenotypes in this species.
First direct evidence of reproductive behaviour of the white grouper, Epinephelus aeneus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817)
Authors: DESIDERÀ ELENA , MAGNANI LUANA , NAVONE AUGUSTO , GUIDETTI PAOLO , MAZZOLDI CARLOTTA
Published: June 2019

This study describes the first ever reported direct observation of a pair spawning event and the reproductive liveries of the white grouper, Epinephelus aeneus. Spawning took place on a rocky bank located in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo (NE Sardinia, Italy), in the Western Mediterranean Sea. In the evening of August 4th, 2018, the spawning of two large-sized individuals (~90 cm total length), displaying distinct colour patterns, was observed using SCUBA diving. This direct observation is the first record of E. aeneus male reproductive livery, characterized by a darker coloration on the head, the dorsal part of the body and the caudal fin. In addition, information on the environmental conditions in which reproduction occurred was collected. At the study site, relatively high seawater temperatures were recorded at the time of the E. aeneus spawning (24 °C at 24.7 m), as well as over the 2018 summer months (July-September), even in deep waters (>35 m), compared to previous summers. The spawning event occurred in a coralligenous-dominated seascape where fishing is prohibited, while diving activities are allowed. The site hosts abundant populations of ecologically and commercially valuable fish species (e.g., groupers, sparid fishes), with significant proportions of large-sized individuals (i.e. reproducers). Further studies are needed to advance our knowledge of the white grouper, with a particular emphasis on reproduction and the importance of implementing effective protection measures. Prioritizing management actions at key reproductive sites, such as rocky banks, is essential for ensuring the protection and/or recovery of over-exploited species.
Fine structure events in microwave emission during solar minimum
Authors: Чэнмин Тань , Chengming Tan , Биолинь Тань , Baolin Tan , Йихуа Йан , Yihua Yan , Вэй Ван , Wei Wang , Линьцзе Чэнь , Linjie Chen , Фэй Лю , Fei Liu , Ицзян Доу , Yujiang Dou
Published: June 2019

The solar minimum is a period with a relatively smaller number of sunspots and solar eruptions, and has been less studied before. Since the radio signal rapidly responds to the change of solar plasma and magnetic field, we perform a comprehensive analysis of high resolution spectrum data from SBRS and MUSER: 1) a search for solar radio bursts of different kinds in recent solar minima (2007–2009 and 2016–2018); 2) an analysis of several typical radio burst events, negative and positive drifting bursts, for example the November 22, 2015 and August 29, 2016 events; superfine spectral structure events with mini-flares and even without sunspots, for example the March 28, 2008 and July 04, 2017 events. These results show that there were many radio bursts with a fine structure during solar minima. These events occurred not only in powerful flares, but also in faint flares (class C and B by GOES) or even without flares, but in regions related to weak brightenings or ejecta. We assume that the weak solar radio bursts observed by telescopes with high sensitivity and low interference will help us to understand the basic physical characteristics of small-scale solar eruptions.
Studying the dynamics of electric currents and polar caps in ionospheres of two hemispheres during the August 17, 2001 geomagnetic storm
Authors: Лунюшкин Сергей , Lunyushkin Sergey , Мишин Владимир , Mishin Vladimir , Караваев Юрий , Karavaev Yuriy , Пенских Юрий , Penskikh Yury , Капустин Вячеслав , Kapustin Vyacheslav
Published: June 2019

The magnetogram inversion technique (MIT), developed at ISTP SB RAS more than forty years ago, has been used until recently only in the Northern Hemisphere. In recent years, MIT has been improved and extended to make instantaneous calculations of 2D distributions of electric fields, horizontal and field-aligned currents in two polar ionospheres. The calculations were carried out based on one-minute ground-based geomagnetic measurements from the worldwide network of stations in both hemispheres (SuperMAG). In this paper, this extended technique is used in the approximation of uniform ionospheric conductance and is applied for the first time to calculations of equivalent and field-aligned currents in two hemispheres through the example of the August 17, 2001 geomagnetic storm. We have obtained the main and essential result: the advanced MIT-ISTP can calculate large-scale distributions of ionospheric convection and FACs in the Northern (N) and Southern (S) polar ionospheres with a high degree of expected hemispheric similarity between these distributions. Using the said event as an example, we have established that the equivalent and field-aligned currents obtained with the advanced technique exhibit the expected dynamics of auroral electrojets and polar caps in two hemispheres. Hall current intensities in polar caps and auroral electrojets, calculated from the equivalent current function, change fairly synchronously in the N and S hemispheres throughout the magnetic storm. Both (westward and eastward) electrojets of the N hemisphere are markedly more intense than respective electrojets of the S hemisphere, and the Hall current in the north polar cap is almost twice as intense as that in the south one. This interhemispheric asymmetry is likely to be due to seasonal conductance variations, which is implicitly contained in the current function. From FAC distributions we determine auroral oval boundaries and calculate magnetic fluxes through the polar caps in the N and S hemispheres. These magnetic fluxes coincide with an accuracy of about 5 % and change almost synchronously during the magnetic storm. In the N hemisphere, the magnetic flux in the dawn polar cap is more intense that that in the dusk one, and vice versa in the S hemisphere. These asymmetries (dawn–dusk and interhemispheric) in the polar caps are consistent with the theory of reconnection for IMF By>0 and with satellite images of auroral ovals; both of these asymmetries decrease during the substorm expansion phase.
USE OF MULTI-PHASE TRIP STEEL FOR PRESS-HARDENING TECHNOLOGY
Authors: JIRKOVÁ Hana , OPATOVÁ Kateřina , JENÍČEK Štěpán , VRTÁČEK Jiří , KUČEROVÁ Ludmila , KURKA Petr
Published: June 2019

Development of high strength or even ultra-high strength steels is mainly driven by the automotive industry which strives to reduce the weight of individual parts, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions. Another important factor is to improve passenger safety. In order to achieve the required mechanical properties, it is necessary to use suitable heat treatment in addition to an appropriate alloying strategy. The main problem of these types of treatments is the isothermal holding step. For TRIP steels, the holding temperature lies in the field of bainitic transformation. These isothermal holds are economically demanding to perform in industrial conditions. Therefore new treatments without isothermal holds, which are possible to integrate directly into the production process, are searched. One way to produce high-strength sheet is the press-hardening technology. Physical simulation based on data from a real-world press-hardening process was tested on CMnSi TRIP steel. Mixed martensitic-bainitic structures with ferrite and retained austenite (RA) were obtained, having tensile strengths in excess of 1000 MPa.
Recommendations on the Use of Ultrasound Guidance for Adult Lumbar Puncture: A Position Statement of the Society of Hospital Medicine
Authors: Soni Nilam J , Franco‐Sadud Ricardo , Kobaidze Ketino , Schnobrich Daniel , Salame Gerard , Lenchus Joshua , Kalidindi Venkat , Mader Michael J , Haro Elizabeth K , Dancel Ria , Cho Joel , Grikis Loretta , Force the SHM Point‐of‐care Ultrasound Task
Published: June 2019

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) When ultrasound equipment is available, along with providers who are appropriately trained to use it, we recommend that ultrasound guidance should be used for site selection of lumbar puncture to reduce the number of needle insertion attempts and needle redirections and increase the overall procedure success rates, especially in patients who are obese or have difficult‐to‐palpate landmarks.

2) We recommend that ultrasound should be used to more accurately identify the lumbar spine level than physical examination in both obese and nonobese patients.

3) We suggest using ultrasound for selecting and marking a needle insertion site just before performing lumbar puncture in either a lateral decubitus or sitting position. The patient should remain in the same position after marking the needle insertion site.

4) We recommend that a low‐frequency transducer, preferably a curvilinear array transducer, should be used to evaluate the lumbar spine and mark a needle insertion site. A high‐frequency linear array transducer may be used in nonobese patients.

5) We recommend that ultrasound should be used to map the lumbar spine, starting at the level of the sacrum and sliding the transducer cephalad, sequentially identifying the lumbar spine interspaces.

6) We recommend that ultrasound should be used in a transverse plane to mark the midline of the lumbar spine and in a longitudinal plane to mark the interspinous spaces. The intersection of these two lines marks the needle insertion site.

7) We recommend that ultrasound should be used during a preprocedural evaluation to measure the distance from the skin surface to the ligamentum flavum from a longitudinal paramedian view to estimate the needle insertion depth and ensure that a spinal needle of adequate length is used.

8) We recommend that novices should undergo simulation‐based training, where available, before attempting ultrasound‐guided lumbar puncture on actual patients.

9) We recommend that training in ultrasound‐guided lumbar puncture should be adapted based on prior ultrasound experience, as learning curves will vary.

10) We recommend that novice providers should be supervised when performing ultrasound‐guided lumbar puncture before performing the procedure independently on patients.
Progress (?) Toward Reducing Pediatric Readmissions
Authors: Auger Katherine A , Harris J Mitchell , Gay James C , Teufel Ronald , McClead Richard E , Neuman Mark I , Agrawal Rishi , Simon Harold K , Peltz Alon , Tejedor‐Sojo Javier , Morse Rustin B , Del Beccaro Mark A , Fieldston Evan , Shah Samir S
Published: June 2019

Many children's hospitals are actively working to reduce readmissions to improve care and avoid financial penalties. We sought to determine if pediatric readmission rates have changed over time. We used data from 66 hospitals in the Inpatient Essentials Database including index hospitalizations from January, 2010 through June, 2016. Seven‐day all cause (AC) and potentially preventable readmission (PPR) rates were calculated using 3M PPR software. Total and condition‐specific quarterly AC and PPR rates were generated for each hospital and in aggregate. We included 4.52 million hospitalizations across all study years. Readmission rates did not vary over the study period. The median seven‐day PPR rate across all quarters was 2.5% (range 2.1%‐2.5%); the median seven‐day AC rate across all quarters was 5.1% (range 4.3%‐5.3%). Readmission rates for individual conditions fluctuated. Despite significant national efforts to reduce pediatric readmissions, both AC and PPR readmission rates have remained unchanged over six years.
Improving Respiratory Rate Accuracy in the Hospital: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Keshvani Neil , Berger Kimberly , Gupta Arjun , DePaola Sheila , Nguyen Oanh Kieu , Makam Anil N
Published: June 2019

Respiratory rate (RR) is a predictor of adverse outcomes. However, RRs are inaccurately measured in the hospital. We conducted a quality improvement (QI) initiative using plan‐do‐study‐act methodology on one inpatient unit of a safety‐net hospital to improve RR accuracy. We added time‐keeping devices to vital sign carts and retrained patient‐care assistants on a newly modified workflow that included concomitant RR measurement during automated blood pressure measurement. The median RR was 18 (interquartile range [IQR] 18‐20) preintervention versus 14 (IQR 15‐20) postintervention. RR accuracy, defined as ±2 breaths of gold‐standard measurements, increased from 36% preintervention to 58% postintervention (P < .01). The median time for vital signs decreased from 2:36 minutes (IQR, 2:04‐3:20) to 1:55 minutes (IQR, 1:40‐2:22; P < .01). The intervention was associated with a 7.8% reduced incidence of tachypnea‐specific systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS = 2 points with RR > 20; 95% CI, –13.5% to –2.2%). Our interdisciplinary, low‐cost, low‐tech QI initiative improved the accuracy and efficiency of RR measurement.
Autism and toe-walking: Are they related? Trends and treatment patterns between 2005 and 2016
Authors: Leyden J. , Fung L. , Frick S.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study quantified toe-walking trends and treatment decisions in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States between 2005 and 2016 using a large national private-payer database.

Methods

A retrospective database review was performed on paediatric patients with ASD, and for International Classification of Diseases-9/10 diagnosis codes for toe-walking. Patients were filtered based on treatment type by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code. Continued toe-walking rates were assessed for each patient population and treatment group. A Pearson's chi-squared test was used to evaluate differences in group characteristics.

Results

Of 2 221 009 paediatric patients in the database, 5739 patients had a diagnosis of ASD, and 8.4% of patients with ASD also had a diagnosis of toe-walking (n = 484). For typically developing children in the database, 0.47% of patients had a diagnosis of persistent toe-walking. In all, 59.3% of ASD patients underwent physical therapy, 7.4% serial casting and 3.3% surgical correction, compared with 38.1%, 3.6% and 1.2% of normally developing children, respectively (chi-square 6.4031; p < 0.040699). Without intervention, 63.6% of patients with ASD continued to toe-walk within ten years of their diagnosis, with 19.3% of patients without ASD (chi-square 82.9762; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

This study supports the association between a greater prevalence of toe-walking in children with ASD. We showed that patients with ASD and toe-walking receive surgical correction at nearly triple the rate of children without ASD who toe-walk. The continued rate of toe-walking is comparable between treatment groups as well as between ASD and typically developing children. Typically developing children have higher rates of toe-walking resolution without intervention than children with ASD.

Level of evidence

Level II
Mitigating Particulate Matter Generation in a Commercial Cage-Free Hen House
Authors: Chai Lilong , Xin Hongwei , Wang Yu , Oliveira Jofran , Wang Kailao , Zhao Yang
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Compared to conventional cage production systems, cage-free (CF) hen housing offers hens more space and opportunities to exercise their natural behaviors (e.g., perching, dust bathing, and foraging). However, CF housing poses a number of inherent environmental challenges, among which are high levels of particulate matter (PM) and ammonia (NH3). Spraying water on CF hen house litter (e.g., 125 mL m-2 per cm of litter depth) has been shown to mitigate generation of PM by 60% to 70% in our previous lab-scale tests. The objectives of this study were to verify the lab-scale findings of PM reduction in a commercial CF hen house in central Iowa and to evaluate the indoor air quality (e.g., PM and NH3 concentrations) and litter moisture content as affected by water spray. The commercial CF house had a nominal capacity of 50,000 laying hens and measured 154 m × 21.3 m × 3.0 m (L × W × H). A water sprinkling system was installed in half of the hen house in the length direction (treatment section), while the other half of the hen house served as the control. For each of the three trials conducted during the winter of 2017-2018, spray dosage (125 mL H2O m-2 per cm of litter depth) was set according to the initial litter depth before spraying. Results show that PM concentration was reduced by 37% to 51% in the treatment section of the CF hen house. The lower reduction efficiency in the field experiment than in the lab-scale tests was partially attributed to the fact that water spray in the commercial hen house was applied only to the open litter area, and not the litter area under the aviary system, due to limited space. Adjusting the spray dosage according to litter depth is necessary for maintaining an appreciable reduction efficiency. Litter moisture content in the treatment section was 9% to 14% higher than in the control section (15.6% vs. 14% in trial 1, 14.6% vs. 12.2% in trial 2, and 17.7% vs. 14.9% in trial 3), but NH3 concentrations in the treatment and control sections were similar during the field experiment. Keywords: Air quality, Alternative hen housing, Dust, Litter moisture content.
Experimental Investigation on the Erosion Threshold and Rate of Gravel and Silty Clay Mixtures
Authors: Gao Xiaojing , Wang Qiusheng , Ma Guowei
Published: June 2019

Abstract.

The field of cohesive and noncohesive mixture erosion is not fully understood because of the numerous factors that influence soil erodibility. In this study, erosion experiments were conducted on mixtures of gravel and silty clay in proportions varying from 0% to 100% by weight. The critical shear stress of erosion and the erosion rate were quantified using an erosion function apparatus (EFA). Experimental data revealed that the mixture critical shear stress first decreased and then increased with an increasing cohesive fraction for mixtures with silty clay contents up to 50%. The critical shear stress of the mixture showed an increasing trend as the silty clay content varied from 60% to 100%. A transition from noncohesive to cohesive erosion behavior occurred at silty clay contents between 30% and 35%. The appropriateness of a dimensionless nonlinear excess shear stress model and the Wilson model was tested based on the EFA experimental data. The dimensionless excess shear stress model was shown to be appropriate for noncohesive mixtures, while the Wilson model performed better than the dimensionless excess shear stress model for cohesive mixtures. Keywords: Critical shear stress, Erosion rate, Dimensionless nonlinear excess shear stress, Soil mixture, Wilson model.
O MST COMO FRUTO DA LUTA PELA TERRA NO BRASIL E SEU PAPEL POLÍTICO-SOCIAL NA GARANTIA DOS DIREITOS FUNDAMENTAIS E SOCIAIS
Authors: Dantas Saulo Lucio
Published: June 2019

RESUMO  O presente artigo tem como escopo refletir sobre algumas características da história da luta pela terra no Brasil, sendo o Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra – MST fruto desta história, dialogando com a atual seara brasileira, perguntando qual seria o papel político desse movimento social na garantia e promoção dos direitos fundamentais e sociais esculpidos na Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil de 1988 – CRFB/88. Para tanto, abordamos as principais características desse movimento de luta pela terra, suas formas de luta, como por exemplo, a ocupação de latifúndios em pro de chamar a atenção do Poder Público para a implementação da Reforma Agrária – esta por sua vez uma política de Estado – e alguns dilemas trazidos pela própria CRFB/88 acerca dos conflitos normativos que à luz da realidade, entram em rota de colisão, exemplificando, o direito de propriedade – terra – em face de demais direitos e princípios constitucionais como direito à vida, igualdade, liberdade, moradia, trabalho e dignidade da pessoa humana. Palavras-chave: História daLuta pela Terra; Movimento Sem Terra; Constituição do Brasil de 1988.
O DEBATE SOBRE A COMPRA DE TERRAS POR ESTRANGEIROS NO ÂMBITO DO PODER EXECUTIVO: UM RETORNO AOS PARECERES DA AGU
Authors: Santos Claudinei Soares
Published: June 2019

Resumo A partir de 2008, por conta da crise financeira e da crise dos alimentos, houve uma extensa produção e publicação de artigos acadêmicos, basicamente em inglês, sobreo fenômeno que se convencionou a chamar corrida mundial por terras ou land grabbing (apropriação de terras). Por volta de cinco anos pós crises, essa produção ampliou, mas muito no campo de construções teóricas com elaborações mais aprofundadas com base nos desdobramentos das crises, inclusive com a reformulações de conceitos e agregação de outros como green grabbing (apropriação verde) e water grabbing (apropriação da água) especialmente porque as primeiras reflexões eram excessivamente centradas em dados quantitativos por conta dos grandes investimentos estrangeiros em terras agrícolas. O objetivo deste artigo é retomar os termos dos debates, que permearam os espaços no âmbito do executivo, no que diz respeito a produção de instrumentos que dado a natureza do governo e da correção de forças na sociedade, restringia ou liberava a compra de terras por estrangeiros. Para tal tarefa, nos apoiaremos nos comandos constitucionais tragos pela nossa Constituição de 1988, e em normas infraconstitucionais que regulamento os investimentos de capital estrangeiro sobre as terras brasileiras. O momento é oportuno, visto que o Brasil além ser um país com um histórico de concentração fundiária, e cobiçado pelo mercado externo, que ver a terra como uma mercadoria, (isto explica gana pela a apropriação privada de terras), vem resultando na expansão das fronteiras agrícolas gerando enormes conflitos e disputas territoriais.
O Arquivo Almada e Lencastre Bastos: um arquivo de família(s)
Authors: Gago Alice Borges
Published: June 2019

O artigo apresenta o arquivo Almada e Lencastre Bastos, hoje à guarda da Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal, o qual foi objeto de uma primeira apresentação e inventariação em artigo publicado em 2012. Após um exaustivo trabalho de inventariação, reescreve-se a sua história custodial e apresentam-se alguns documentos que mostram a riqueza do acervo e a sua importância para o estudo da história medieval e moderna portuguesa.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of infectious bronchitis virus isolated from chicken in Bangladesh
Authors: Bhuiyan Zafar Ahmed , Ali Md. Zulfekar , Moula Mohammad Moktader , Giasuddin Md. , Khan Zahed Uddin Mahmood
Published: June 2019

Aim: The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) as well as virus isolation, identification, and molecular characterization of various strains circulating in Bangladesh.

Materials and Methods: A total of 371 swabs and organ samples were collected from four types of chicken including layer, Sonali (local), broiler, and broiler breeder under eight districts (Rangpur, Bogura, Tangail, Dhaka, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, and Cumilla) during 2014-2016 in Bangladesh.

Results: Out of 371 samples, 65 samples were positive in reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for molecular identification of IBV. The overall prevalence was 17.52% recorded and among the selected types of chicken, the highest prevalence of IBV was found in layer that was 42.22% followed by 17.24% in Sonali, 14.93% in broiler breeder, and lowest prevalence was 11.94% in broiler chicken, respectively. Moreover, the prevalence of IBV was recorded highest in aged chicken at 41-60 weeks, which was 54.55% in layer, 27.27% in Sonali, and, afterward, 14.68% was found in broiler breeder, respectively. Frequency of IBV more frequently in winter (22.67%) followed by rainy (15.87%) and summer season (11.58%). The highest prevalence of IBV was found Tangail district (41.67%) followed by Mymensingh (24.42%), Gazipur (19.32%), Dhaka (15.38%), Jamalpur (16.67%), Bogura (13.68%), Cumilla (5.88%), and Rangpur (9.26%), respectively. Samples that were found high positive in IBV RT-PCR (Ct value below 30) were subjected to inoculation into chicken egg embryo to observe characteristic changes in chicken embryo. Swabs and organ samples were processed and passaged in 9-day-old embryonated chicken eggs through allantoic cavity route. IBV virus suspected samples inoculated into chicken egg embryos after 3-5 passages showed dwarfing and curling of the embryos which are characteristic lesions of IBV. Allantoic fluid was collected from all inoculated eggs and performed partial sequencing of S1 gene for three isolates. After sequencing, the phylogenetic tree was constructed from the nucleotide sequences of IBV isolates. Two of the isolates are 4/91 IBV and another one matched with QX-like IBV.

Conclusion: The results revealed that the three isolates from different places in Bangladesh were identified for the 1st time as which will help for IBV control strategy.