bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Emerging Adult Sexual Minority Men: Implications for Assessment and Treatment of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Authors: Boroughs Michael S. , Ehlinger Peter P. , Batchelder Abigail W. , Safren Steven A. , O'Cleirigh Conall
Published: October 2018

Emerging adulthood (EA) is a developmental period marked by unique challenges that affect health including burgeoning occupational, relational, and financial stability; and increased risk taking in terms of sexual behavior(s) and substance use. Data were collected from 296 HIV‐uninfected sexual minority men with childhood sexual abuse (CSA) histories. We analyzed baseline assessment data from a multisite randomized controlled trial that tested the efficaciousness of an experimental psychosocial treatment and examined vulnerabilities known to be linked with CSA. Our analyses compared EA sexual minority men, aged 18–29, with older sexual minority men (OSMM) on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health and substance use outcomes. We found higher odds of PTSD, odds ratio (OR) = 0.57, 95% CI [0.33, 0.96]; panic disorder or panic disorder with agoraphobia, OR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.16, 0.85]; and cocaine use, OR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.25, 0.97], among OSMM and higher odds of alcohol intoxication, OR = 5.60, 95% CI [3.20, 9.82]; cannabis use, OR = 3.09, 95% CI [1.83, 5.21]; and non‐HIV sexually transmitted infections, OR = 3.03, 95% CI [1.29, 7.13], among the EA men. These results present a complex picture of health risks among sexual minority men in general and EA sexual minority men in particular. HIV seroconversion linked health risk behaviors, among sexual minority men, may be better addressed via increased attention to treating trauma and comorbid mental health and substance use problems using evidence‐based psychosocial assessments and integrated treatment platforms that are tailored to this population.
Sonodynamic Therapy: Advances and Challenges in Clinical Translation
Authors: Lafond Maxime , Yoshizawa Shin , Umemura Shin‐ichiro
Published: October 2018

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) consists of the synergetic interaction between ultrasound and a chemical agent. In SDT, the cytotoxicity is triggered by ultrasonic stimuli, notably through cavitation. The unique features of SDT are relevant in the clinical context more than ever: the need for efficacy, accuracy, and safety while being noninvasive and preserving the patient's quality of life. However, despite the promising results of this technique, only a few clinical reports describe the use of SDT. The objective of this article is to provide an extensive overview of the clinical and preclinical research conducted in vivo on SDT, to identify the limitations, and to detail the developed strategies to overcome them.
Impacts of mining and smelting activities on environment and landscape degradation—Slovenian case studies
Authors: Žibret Gorazd , Gosar Mateja , Miler Miloš , Alijagić Jasminka
Published: October 2018

This paper provides an overview of the physical and chemical landscape changes that have occurred at four reference sites due to historical mining and smelting activities within Slovenia, and their comparison with similar sites around the World. Literature review has been made with the intention to identify major pollutant sources, its dispersion control factors, and effects. The four reference sites are Idrija, with more than 500‐year Hg mining and ore smelting history, the Meža Valley, also with a 500‐year PbZn mining and smelting history, the Celje area where Zn was smelted for 100 years and the Drava River alluvial plain, which is contaminated because of historical PbZn mining upstream. Based on the comparison between the four abovementioned reference sites and similar sites around the world that are situated in different landscapes and climates, we identified major sources of contamination, which are the erosion of mine and ore processing wastes, and atmospheric emissions of metal‐containing particles from smelters. In the first case, major control factors are rainfall pattern and river gradient, controlling erosion and sediment deposition patterns. In the second case, the prevailing control factors are topography and the dominant wind directions.
Proton pump inhibitors: Review of reported risks and controversies
Authors: Brisebois Simon , Merati Albert , Giliberto John Paul
Published: October 2018

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed classes of drugs in this day and age. These may be beneficial to treat many gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux or Barrett's esophagus as well as laryngopharyngeal reflux. However, many reports have emerged in the literature exposing the potential association of PPIs with various risks and complications such as bone fracture, infection, myocardial infarction, renal disease, and dementia. This review highlights many of these potential adverse side effects by exploring relevant publications and addressing the controversies associated with those findings. The diligent otolaryngologist should be aware of the current state of the literature and the risks associated with prescribing PPIs to insure proper counseling of their patients.

Level of Evidence

5
Greece's institutional trap
Authors: Hatzis Aristides N.
Published: October 2018

The root cause of the Greek Crisis was the institutional deficit, that is, the lack of an efficient institutional framework that is necessary for economic growth. The crisis of 2008 was the triggering effect of the perfect storm that hit Greece. Unfortunately, the austerity enforced by the three bailout programs treated only the symptoms by emphasizing fiscal consolidation. By ignoring the root causes, the bailout agreements underemphasized, in practice, structural reforms. The intuitional deficit in Greece has many aspects: a closed economy, overregulation, low‐quality regulation, selective enforcement, high transaction and administrative costs, judicial inefficiencies, and low levels of social capital.
The superficial and deep inferior epigastric artery composite perforator flap for breast reconstruction: A case report
Authors: Gassman Andrew A. , Pan Judy , Acevedo Edwin , Haddock Nicholas , Teotia Sumeet
Published: October 2018

The superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap and the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap have been increasingly adopted for breast reconstruction; however, each have its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In the select subset of patients that cannot tolerate minimal abdominal fasciotomy that occurs with DIEP harvest and do not have adequate pedicle length that often occurs after SIEA harvest, we suggest another option for abdominally‐based free flap breast reconstruction. Here, we describe the formation of a composite perforator based on the pedicle of the retro‐rectus deep inferior epigastric vessels and the superficial inferior epigastric vessels, known as a superficial and deep inferior epigastric artery (SADIE) flap, which allows for a more compatible anastomotic size match than the SIEA and elongation of the vascular pedicle with minimal dissection of the anterior rectus fascia. Our patient is a 36 year‐old female (BMI = 24) with a history of breast cancer who subsequently underwent skin‐sparing mastectomy with tissue expander, chemotherapy, and eventual superior and deep inferior epigastric artery (SADIE) composite flap. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course at 6‐month follow‐up with excellent cosmesis. This modification in surgical technique has not been previously described in the literature and represents a suitable option for those desiring breast reconstruction, but have short pedicle length at harvest and cannot tolerate abdominal fasciotomy.
Analysis of electromagnetic interference emission in domestic induction cooker
Authors: Shi Yan , Wang Peng , Xu Rui , Li Long , Wang Zhi Gang , Ho Pofeng , Chen Fei Fan
Published: October 2018

In this paper, a systematic procedure has been developed to analyze electromagnetic interference (EMI) emission of actual domestic induction cookers under normal operation condition. The induction cooker is divided into two subsystems: one is a printed circuit board (PCB) with some discrete components, and the other is induction heating (IH) system consisting of flux concentrators, concentric coils and a vessel made of ferromagnetic material. By using an equivalent impedance of the IH system, two subsystems are separately modeled and analyzed. In the PCB subsystem, parasitic effects of the lumped components are modelled, and a multi‐port network is developed to solve excitations at the IH system and each discrete component. In the IH subsystem, an electromagnetic‐thermal analysis is conducted. Based on the temperature distribution on the vessel, an approximate model of the vessel with the linear material and the piecewise constant temperature is built up. Simulation and measurement results are given to validate the proposed analysis approach.
Enhanced broadband common‐mode filter based on periodic electromagnetic bandgap structures
Authors: Lim Jaehyuk , Oh Sangyeol , Lee Seungjin , Yoon Wonsang , Lee Jaehoon
Published: October 2018

In this article, we present an enhanced broadband common‐mode (CM) noise filter based on periodic electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures with transmission lines. The unit‐cell of the proposed filter is composed of a mushroom‐like resonator and transmission lines. We developed a lumped circuit model with transmission lines to enable analysis of the unit‐cell using the Bloch‐Floquet theorem. The dispersion relations derived from the Bloch‐Floquet theorem have CM suppression characteristics with respect to various circuit parameters. Although optimizing the period of the EBGs by the transmission line length widens the CM noise stop band, the impedance mismatching between the EBGs and the transmission lines causes differential‐mode (DM) insertion loss. We solved this problem by adjusting the characteristic impedance of the DM signals on the EBG. We then built a prototype of the proposed CM noise filter and measured its performance. The frequency range of the 20‐dB CM noise stop band was measured to be 5.3‐9.74 GHz. The DM insertion loss was measured to be < 3 dB from DC to 10 GHz.
Extraction of device S‐parameters within board by using a TRL de‐embedding technique
Authors: Hamze Kassem , Pasquet Daniel , Descamps Philippe , De Ledinghen Edouard
Published: October 2018

Semiconductor devices are tested within a complex environment including a loadboard and a socket. In this paper, we propose a calibration methodology and a RF de‐embedding technique that allows the extraction of the device parameters. This method is based on the utilization of several calibration elements inspired by the TRL method. This study has been applied on an active device and the results have been validated using a real test solution.
Decoupling and MIMO performance of two planar monopole antennas with protruded strips
Authors: Abbosh Ayman , Al‐Rizzo Hussain , Yahya Samer , Al‐Wahhamy Abbas
Published: October 2018

This paper proposes a simple yet elegant approach to reduce mutual coupling between two closely spaced planar monopole antennas with an inter‐element spacing of 2 mm operating in the 2.45 GHz ISM band by employing two thin metallic strips attached to the adjacent corners of the antenna elements and extending above the partial ground plane. Experimental results revealed a 19.6% measured bandwidth over which the transmission coefficient, S21 ≤ −20 dB, and the reflection coefficient, S11 ≤ −10 dB, extending from 2.25 GHz to 2.74 GHz with a realized gain of 2.86 dB at 2.45 GHz. The proposed array offers excellent MIMO performance in terms of envelope correlation coefficient and link efficiency in realistic MIMO propagation environments.
Automated quantification and evaluation of motion artifact on coronary CT angiography images
Authors: Ma Hongfeng , Gros Eric , Baginski Scott G. , Laste Zachary R. , Kulkarni Naveen M. , Okerlund Darin , Schmidt Taly G.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study developed and validated a Motion Artifact Quantification algorithm to automatically quantify the severity of motion artifacts on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images. The algorithm was then used to develop a Motion IQ Decision method to automatically identify whether a CCTA dataset is of sufficient diagnostic image quality or requires further correction.

Method

The developed Motion Artifact Quantification algorithm includes steps to identify the right coronary artery (RCA) regions of interest (ROIs), segment vessel and shading artifacts, and to calculate the motion artifact score (MAS) metric. The segmentation algorithms were verified against ground‐truth manual segmentations. The segmentation algorithms were also verified by comparing and analyzing the MAS calculated from ground‐truth segmentations and the algorithm‐generated segmentations. The Motion IQ Decision algorithm first identifies slices with unsatisfactory image quality using a MAS threshold. The algorithm then uses an artifact‐length threshold to determine whether the degraded vessel segment is large enough to cause the dataset to be nondiagnostic. An observer study on 30 clinical CCTA datasets was performed to obtain the ground‐truth decisions of whether the datasets were of sufficient image quality. A five‐fold cross‐validation was used to identify the thresholds and to evaluate the Motion IQ Decision algorithm.

Results

The automated segmentation algorithms in the Motion Artifact Quantification algorithm resulted in Dice coefficients of 0.84 for the segmented vessel regions and 0.75 for the segmented shading artifact regions. The MAS calculated using the automated algorithm was within 10% of the values obtained using ground‐truth segmentations. The MAS threshold and artifact‐length thresholds were determined by the ROC analysis to be 0.6 and 6.25 mm by all folds. The Motion IQ Decision algorithm demonstrated 100% sensitivity, 66.7% ± 27.9% specificity, and a total accuracy of 86.7% ± 12.5% for identifying datasets in which the RCA required correction. The Motion IQ Decision algorithm demonstrated 91.3% sensitivity, 71.4% specificity, and a total accuracy of 86.7% for identifying CCTA datasets that need correction for any of the three main vessels.

Conclusion

The Motion Artifact Quantification algorithm calculated accurate (<10% error) motion artifact scores using the automated segmentation methods. The developed algorithms demonstrated high sensitivity (91.3%) and specificity (71.4%) in identifying datasets of insufficient image quality. The developed algorithms for automatically quantifying motion artifact severity may be useful for comparing acquisition techniques, improving best‐phase selection algorithms, and evaluating motion compensation techniques.
Automation of routine elements for spot‐scanning proton patient‐specific quality assurance
Authors: Hernandez Morales Danairis , Shan Jie , Liu Wei , Augustine Kurt E. , Bues Martin , Davis Michael J. , Fatyga Mirek , Johnson Jedediah E. , Mundy Daniel W. , Shen Jiajian , Younkin James E. , Stoker Joshua B.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

At our institution, all proton patient plans undergo patient‐specific quality assurance (PSQA) prior to treatment delivery. For intensity‐modulated proton beam therapy, quality assurance is complex and time consuming, and it may involve multiple measurements per field. We reviewed our PSQA workflow and identified the steps that could be automated and developed solutions to improve efficiency.

Methods

We used the treatment planning system's (TPS) capability to support C# scripts to develop an Eclipse scripting application programming interface (ESAPI) script and automate the preparation of the verification phantom plan for measurements. A local area network (LAN) connection between our measurement equipment and shared database was established to facilitate equipment control, measurement data transfer, and storage. To improve the analysis of the measurement data, a Python script was developed to automatically perform a 2D–3D γ‐index analysis comparing measurements in the plane of a two‐dimensional detector array with TPS predictions in a water phantom for each acquired measurement.

Results

Device connection via LAN granted immediate access to the plan and measurement information for downstream analysis using an online software suite. Automated scripts applied to verification plans reduced time from preparation steps by at least 50%; time reduction from automating γ‐index analysis was even more pronounced, dropping by a factor of 10. On average, we observed an overall time savings of 55% in completion of the PSQA per patient plan.

Conclusions

The automation of the routine tasks in the PSQA workflow significantly reduced the time required per patient, reduced user fatigue, and frees up system users from routine and repetitive workflow steps allowing increased focus on evaluating key quality metrics.
The effect of low resolution and coverage on the accuracy of susceptibility mapping
Authors: Karsa Anita , Punwani Shonit , Shmueli Karin
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has found increasing clinical applications. However, to reduce scan time, clinical acquisitions often use reduced resolution and coverage, particularly in the through‐slice dimension. The effect of these factors on QSM has begun to be assessed using only balloon phantoms and downsampled brain images. Here, we investigate the effects (and their sources) of low resolution or coverage on QSM using both simulated and acquired images.

Methods

Brain images were acquired at 1 mm isotropic resolution and full brain coverage, and low resolution (up to 6 mm slice thickness) or coverage (down to 20 mm) in 5 healthy volunteers. Images at reduced resolution or coverage were also simulated in these volunteers and in a new, anthropomorphic, numerical phantom. Mean susceptibilities in 5 brain regions, including white matter, were investigated over varying resolution and coverage.

Results

The susceptibility map contrast decreased with increasing slice thickness and spacing, and with decreasing coverage below ~40 mm for 2 different QSM pipelines. Our simulations showed that calculated susceptibility values were erroneous at low resolution or very low coverage, because of insufficient sampling and overattenuation of the susceptibility‐induced field perturbations. Susceptibility maps calculated from simulated and acquired images showed similar behavior.

Conclusions

Both low resolution and low coverage lead to loss of contrast and errors in susceptibility maps. The widespread clinical practice of using low resolution and coverage does not provide accurate susceptibility maps. Simulations in images of healthy volunteers and in a new, anthropomorphic numerical phantom were able to accurately model low‐resolution and low‐coverage acquisitions.
Apoptotic changes in a full‐lengthened immobilization model of rat soleus muscle
Authors: Suh Hye Rim , Park Eui Ho , Moon Sun Wook , Kim Ji Won , Cho Hwi Young , Han Hee Chul
Published: October 2018

Introduction: Lengthened immobilization may prevent muscle shortening, and help maintain normal muscle length. However, its apoptotic effects remain unclear. We evaluated the effects of long‐term immobilization on apoptotic proteins. Methods: Rat soleus muscles were immobilized by casting in a neutral (NEUT) or lengthened (LENG) position for 21 days. We evaluated dynamic weight load and muscle atrophy following the 21‐day period using hematoxylin and eosin staining. We measured Bax (pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family member), MyoD (myogenic differentiation factor D), MYH (myosin heavy chain), and cleaved poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase levels and examined apoptotic nucleus expression. Results: Decreased dynamic weight load and muscle atrophy changes were observed in LENG. Both NEUT and LENG showed significantly reduced levels of MYH. LENG showed a significant increase in Bax and MyoD expression as well as in the number of apoptotic nuclei. Conclusions: Long‐term lengthened immobilization may increase apoptotic changes and decrease muscle formation proteins in muscle. Muscle Nerve 59:263–269, 2019
A pilot study of neuromuscular ultrasound as a biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Pathak Sapna , Caress James B. , Wosiski‐Kuhn Marlena , Milligan Carol , Williams Delaney , Cartwright Michael S.
Published: October 2018

Introduction: This study explores the reliability and responsiveness of neuromuscular ultrasound in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: Investigations were conducted with 10 healthy controls, 10 patients with ALS (single point in time), and 10 different patients with ALS (followed over 6 months; 4 completed follow‐up). Ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the geniohyoid, bilateral biceps/brachialis, bilateral tibialis anterior, and bilateral hemidiaphragms (at inspiration and expiration). Interrater and intrarater reliability and change in muscle thickness over 6 months were measured. Results: Interrater correlation coefficients ranged between 0.80 and 0.99 in healthy controls and between 0.78 and 0.97 in patients with ALS. Intrarater correlation coefficients ranged between 0.83 and 0.98 in healthy controls. The mean percentage decline in muscle thickness over 6 months was 20.25%. Discussion: Muscle ultrasound appears to be a reliable technique for measuring important muscles in patients with ALS. Larger studies with age‐matched controls should be conducted to assess further the responsiveness of this biomarker in ALS. Muscle Nerve 59:181–186, 2019
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Impact of contemporary management strategies on perinatal outcomes
Authors: Lee Han‐Shin , Dickinson Jan E. , Tan Jason KG , Nembhard Wendy , Bower Carol
Published: October 2018

Objective

This study aims to review temporal changes in perinatal management and 1‐year survival outcomes of cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) from 1996 to 2015 in Western Australia (WA).

Method

This research is a retrospective study of all cases of CDH in WA from 1996 to 2015 identified from five independent databases within the WA health network. Detailed information pertaining to pregnancy and survival outcomes were obtained from review of maternal and infant medical records.

Results

There were 215 cases of CDH with 164 diagnosed prenatally. Between 1996 and 2010, a decline in live birth rates for CDH‐affected pregnancies was observed, reaching a nadir of 5.3 per 10 000 births before increasing to a peak of 9.73 per 10 000 births in 2011‐2015. A corresponding decline was seen in the number of pregnancies terminated in the same period from 8.3 to 4.6 per 10 000 births (P = 0.14) and an increase in survival of live births from 38.9% to 81.3% (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

The improved overall survival rate in infants with CDH over the last 20 years may have resulted in an increased tendency for women to continue their pregnancy with a concomitant decline in termination rates. Information from this study will help in the counselling of women following prenatal detection of CDH.
Abnormal serum alanine transaminase levels in adult patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Das Gautam , Geen John , Johnson Rebekah , Abusahmin Hussam
Published: October 2018

Obesity in type 1 diabetes increases the risk of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and greater susceptibility to fatty liver disease. We evaluated the prevalence of elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) and its likely predictors in patients with type 1 diabetes and also investigated its relationship with MetS.

We undertook a retrospective analysis of 215 patients above 18 years of age with type 1 diabetes who attended our diabetes clinics from October 2014 to December 2017. Patients’ anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and radiological data were obtained from the hospital portal. Patients were stratified according to the presence of normal or elevated ALT and as per presence or absence of MetS.

In all, 20.5% of patients had raised ALT levels. They had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP; p‐value for both: <0.0001), higher insulin requirement (p<0.007), lower HDL levels (p=0.01) and higher urine albumin excretion (UACR; p=0.004) in comparison to patients with normal ALT. In the raised ALT group, 56.8% had MetS in comparison to 16.4% in the normal ALT group as per WHO criteria. Overall, 57 patients had an ultrasound scan and only 10 patients had fatty liver (seven in the raised ALT group) radiologically. Linear regression showed correlation of ALT with female gender, SBP, DBP, insulin dose, HDL and UACR. In the raised ALT group, the predictors of ALT were gender, BMI and UACR.

In conclusion, raised ALT is not uncommon in type 1 diabetes. These patients may often have underlying insulin resistance and higher risk of MetS and therefore should be assessed promptly to establish abnormalities which may be amenable to interventions. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
Continuous ultrasound‐assisted fabrication of lightweight polypropylene foam with low thermal conductivity and excellent sound insulation properties
Authors: Yang Mingtao , Li Jiang
Published: October 2018

Ultrasonic oscillation as a new polymer processing technology, was introduced into the polymer melt to improve the high melt strength Polypropylene (HMSPP) foaming ability, the effect of the ultrasonic oscillation power, Azodicarbonamide (AC) and talc content on the cell morphology, cell size, apparent density, cell density and nucleation density of the HMSPP foam was systematically studied. When the ultrasound and talc were introduced into the HMSPP melt, the HMSPP foam had a larger cell density and smaller the size as well as more uniform distribution. Interestingly, when the talc was introduced into the HMSPP, the cell morphologies changed from sphere to oval. Compared to the HMSPP foam without ultrasonic oscillation, the minimum thermal conductivity of the HMSPP foam with ultrasonic power 100 W reached 0.055 W/mK. When the talc was introduced into HMSPP melt, the average sound transmission loss value of the HMSPP foam were enhanced, and reached 30.37 dB, which was 13.7% higher than that of the HMSPP foam without talc and ultrasonic oscillation. The ultrasonic‐assisted extrusion foaming had a promising to construct a new method to continuously and rapidly fabricate polymer foam with low thermal conductivity and excellent sound insulation properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1678–1684, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Ultrafast Myoglobin Adsorption into Double‐Shelled Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres
Authors: Luo Leilei , Liang Yucang , Chassé Thomas , Anwander Reiner
Published: October 2018

The fabrication of hollow mesoporous materials with hierarchical pore structures, regular shape, and uniform particle size via a simple and efficient approach is a major challenge. In this study, a facile preparation approach of hierarchically structured double‐shelled hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres (HS‐DS‐HMSN) is developed. Treatment of monodisperse nonporous silica spheres with CTAB and F127 as well as N,N‐dimethylhexadecylamine as a cosurfactant under basic conditions gives access to HS‐DS‐HMSNs of uniform particle size. Such HS‐DS‐HMSN‐type materials show a high monodispersibility in aqueous solution, a double‐shelled structure with hierarchically adjustable pore sizes, perpendicularly aligned mesochannels, and high surface areas as well as large pore volumes. On the basis of structure and morphology evolutions as well as unambiguous and reproducible experimental data, a micelle‐assisted self‐assembly process is proposed as a mechanism of formation, further involving cosurfactant‐expanded micelles and a heterogeneous nucleation deposition. The syntheses of a series of HS‐DS‐HMSNs with distinct particle sizes (162–364 nm) as well as distinct inner (range of thickness/pore size: 18–41 nm/3.1–3.7 nm) and outer shells (18–41 nm/3.7–8.0 nm) verify the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach. Such HS‐DS‐HMSNs show an ultrahigh adsorption rate (≈1.7 mg mg−1 min−1) and loading (≈300 mg g−1) for myoglobin.
Diagnosis and management of ADHD in children and adults
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: October 2018

In March, NICE updated its guidance on the diagnosis and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for the first time in 10 years. This article provides a summary of the new guideline's main recommendations.
Antibacterial activity of flavonoids and their structure–activity relationship: An update review
Authors: Farhadi Faegheh , Khameneh Bahman , Iranshahi Mehrdad , Iranshahy Milad
Published: October 2018

Based on World Health Organization reports, resistance of bacteria to well‐known antibiotics is a major global health challenge now and in the future. Different strategies have been proposed to tackle this problem including inhibition of multidrug resistance pumps and biofilm formation in bacteria and development of new antibiotics with novel mechanism of action. Flavonoids are a large class of natural compounds, have been extensively studied for their antibacterial activity, and more than 150 articles have been published on this topic since 2005. Over the past decade, some promising results were obtained with the antibacterial activity of flavonoids. In some cases, flavonoids (especially chalcones) showed up to sixfold stronger antibacterial activities than standard drugs in the market. Some synthetic derivatives of flavonoids also exhibited remarkable antibacterial activities with 20‐ to 80‐fold more potent activity than the standard drug against multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria (including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus). This review summarizes the ever changing information on antibacterial activity of flavonoids since 2005, with a special focus on the structure–activity relationship and mechanisms of actions of this broad class of natural compounds.
Methodological diversity as an asset for transition‐focused higher education research with students from refugee backgrounds
Authors: Baker Sally , Irwin Evonne , Taiwo Mary , Singh Sonal , Gower Shelley , Dantas Jaya
Published: October 2018

This paper discusses the methodological and logistical complexities that underpin multi‐method, multi‐sited, multi‐phased research with vulnerable communities. The project on which we draw was a 3‐year Australian government‐funded, longitudinal and cross‐sectional exploration of students from refugee backgrounds (SfRBs) as they moved into, through and out of higher education from three different contexts, educational pathways and localities in Australia. While all students entering and participating in higher education may experience challenges, for SfRBs these are compounded by their linguistic and cultural diversity, instability, possible trauma and disrupted schooling. In the project presented in this article, these complexities and their relationships with transitions to higher education were captured through diverse methods and methodologies at three research sites, including longitudinal research with repeat interviews and cross‐sectional, explorative methods. The opportunities provided by this methodological approach far outweighed the ethical and practical difficulties navigated by each of the research teams. The ‘thick’ data produced through prolonged and repeat engagements with a small cohort of participants at one site were made richer through explorations of differing social and geographical contexts across all three sites. Further, our collective interpretations of the data were made more robust through the reciprocity and reflexivity inherent in ethically researching with (not on) SfRBs and through multiple cross‐site research team interactions.
Context and Implications Document for: How child‐centred education favours some learners more than others
Authors: Power Sally , Rhys Mirain , Taylor Chris , Waldron Sam
Published: October 2018

This guide accompanies the following article: Power, S., Rhys, M., Taylor, C. & Waldron, S. How child‐centred education favours some learners more than others, Review of Education https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3137.
Fertility preservation and pregnancy outcomes in adolescent and young adult male patients with cancer
Authors: Ukita Yuji , Wakimoto Yu , Sugiyama Yukiko , Fujii Yuta , Fukui Atsushi , Hasegawa Akiko , Kondoh Nobuyuki , Yamamoto Shingo , Shibahara Hiroaki
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Sperm cryopreservation is the gold standard for maintaining fertility in male survivors of cancer. In order to help increase the future success of fertility preservation in these patients, the present state of sperm cryopreservation was examined at the current institution and its challenges were discussed.

Methods

Between January, 2004 and February, 2017, 31 male patients with cancer were introduced to the center for fertility preservation. The ages and semen characteristics of these patients were examined and compared between those whose sperm were cryopreserved before (the pretreatment group) and after (the post‐treatment group) cancer treatment.

Results

The mean sperm concentration of the pretreatment group was significantly higher than that of the post‐treatment group. Normozoospermia was found in eight and three patients in the pretreatment and the post‐treatment groups, respectively, albeit this difference was not significant. In contrast, the prevalence of azoospermia was higher in the post‐treatment group (five patients) than in the pretreatment group (one patient).

Conclusion

As many patients possibly suffer from infertility following chemotherapy, it is necessary to provide fertility preservation opportunities to young male patients with cancer prior to the commencement of cancer treatment.
Periodic event‐triggered control for distributed networked multiagents with asynchronous communication: A predictive control approach
Authors: Zhou Yuanqiang , Li Dewei , Xi Yugeng , Gan Zhongxue
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates the periodic event‐triggered control problem for distributed networked multiagent systems with interconnected nonlinear dynamics subject to asynchronous communication. A method of state trajectory estimation for the interconnected neighboring agents over each prediction horizon with guaranteed error bounds is addressed to handle the asynchronous communication. Based on it, a distributed robust model predictive control (MPC) is proposed with a distributed periodic event‐triggered scheme for each agent. According to this algorithm, each subsystem generates presumed state trajectories for all its upstream neighbors and computes its own control locally. By checking the designed triggering condition periodically, the optimization problem of MPC will be implemented and solved when the local error of the subsystem exceeds a specified threshold. Then, the optimized control input will be determined and applied until the next time instant when the triggering condition is invoked. Moreover, sufficient condition for ensuring feasibility of the designed algorithm is conducted, along with the analysis of asymptotic stabilization of the closed‐loop system. The illustrative example for a set of coupled Van der Pol oscillators is reported to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Finite‐time stability of linear fractional‐order time‐delay systems
Authors: Naifar Omar , Nagy A. M. , Makhlouf Abdellatif Ben , Kharrat Mohamed , Hammami Mohamed Ali
Published: October 2018

In this paper, a finite‐time stability results of linear delay fractional‐order systems is investigated based on the generalized Gronwall inequality and the Caputo fractional derivative. Sufficient conditions are proposed to the finite‐time stability of the system with the fractional order. Numerical results are given and compared with other published data in the literature to demonstrate the validity of the proposed theoretical results.
On the performance of UNB for machine‐to‐machine low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications
Authors: Anteur Mehdi , Thomas Nathalie , Deslandes Vincent , Beylot André‐Luc
Published: October 2018

Ultra narrow band (UNB) is a widely used technology for machine‐to‐machine and low‐power wide‐area communications. Its properties, long range with small RF power, make it naturally attractive for satellite communications but also draw new challenges compared with terrestrial systems where this technology is already deployed. Indeed, the main advantage of UNB signals, their small bandwidth, makes them more sensitive to frequency drifts that are particularly present in the case of LEO satellite systems. It also implies the use of a random access method in which the carrier frequency is a parameter unknown by the receiver. In this paper, we propose a general semianalytical model to evaluate the performance of a terrestrial or satellite system using UNB technology, taking into account the multiuser interference and the frequency drift. This model is then used to assess the performance (packet loss ratio and throughput) on the return link medium access control (MAC) of a representative LEO satellite system. With our model, we analyze the effect of frequency drift on the system performance. This paper also proposes to investigate more deeply the multiuser interference modeling in order to estimate accurately the performances of a UNB system in terms of bit error rate (BER). We propose a semianalytical approach to study the interference in presence of arbitrary power imbalance that includes the effect of frequency offset and frequency drift and applicable for any linear modulation and any pulse‐shaping filter. The expression of the multiuser interference is established in the general case. We then propose a methodology to compare this exact model to the Gaussian interference approximation (mainly used through the central limit theorem) in order to assess its accuracy.
Investigating hospital heterogeneity with a competing risks frailty model
Authors: Rueten‐Budde Anja J. , Putter Hein , Fiocco Marta
Published: October 2018

Survival analysis is used in the medical field to identify the effect of predictive variables on time to a specific event. Generally, not all variation of survival time can be explained by observed covariates. The effect of unobserved variables on the risk of a patient is called frailty. In multicenter studies, the unobserved center effect can induce frailty on its patients, which can lead to selection bias over time when ignored. For this reason, it is common practice in multicenter studies to include a random frailty term modeling center effect. In a more complex event structure, more than one type of event is possible. Independent frailty variables representing center effect can be incorporated in the model for each competing event. However, in the medical context, events representing disease progression are likely related and correlation is missed when assuming frailties to be independent. In this work, an additive gamma frailty model to account for correlation between frailties in a competing risks model is proposed, to model frailties at center level. Correlation indicates a common center effect on both events and measures how closely the risks are related. Estimation of the model using the expectation‐maximization algorithm is illustrated. The model is applied to a data set from a multicenter clinical trial on breast cancer from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC trial 10854). Hospitals are compared by employing empirical Bayes estimates methodology together with corresponding confidence intervals.
Inter‐unit reliability for nonlinear models
Authors: He Kevin , Kalbfleisch John D. , Yang Yuan , Fei Zhe
Published: October 2018

In monitoring dialysis facilities, various quality measures are used in order to assess the performance and quality of care. The inter‐unit reliability (IUR) describes the proportion of variation in the quality measure that is due to the between‐facility variation. If the measure under evaluation is a simple average across normally distributed patient outcomes for each facility, the IUR is based on a one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA). However, more complex quality measures are not simple averages of individual outcomes. Even the standard bootstrap methods are inadequate because the computational burden increases quickly as the sample size grows, prohibiting its application in large‐scale studies. To generalize the IUR to complex quality measures used in nonlinear models, we propose an approach combining the strengths of ANOVA and resampling. The proposed method is computationally efficient and can be applied to large‐scale biomedical data with complex data structures. The method is exemplified in various measures of dialysis facilities using national dialysis data.
Variable switching frequency modulation scheme for PWM converter integrating series‐resonant voltage multiplier‐based voltage equalizer for photovoltaic strings under partial shading
Authors: Uno Masatoshi , Shinohara Toshiki
Published: October 2018

Conventional photovoltaic (PV) systems require not only a converter for string control but also preferably a voltage equalizer to preclude partial shading issues, which increases the system complexity because two separate converters are necessary. A single‐switch, single‐magnetic pulse width modulation (PWM) converter integrating a series‐resonant voltage multiplier (SRVM) as a voltage equalizer has been proposed in previous work to simplify PV systems by reducing the converter count. The equalization performance of the integrated converter employing a traditional PWM control scheme, however, is unavoidably impaired because the effective operation period of the SRVM in a switching cycle is relatively short at a fixed switching frequency fS. This paper proposes a variable‐fS PWM control technique to improve the voltage equalization performance of the SRVM. The proposed modulation scheme adjusts fS according to the duty cycle variation so that the SRVM's effective operation period is extended. Detailed mathematical analysis revealed that the proposed modulation scheme could improve the equalization performance of the integrated converter. The experimental equalization tests for three PV modules connected in series were performed emulating a partial shading condition. With the proposed modulation scheme, the extractable maximum power from the partially shaded string increased by up to 7%, demonstrating the improved equalization performance of the SRVM. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Translating community development stories: When anEFLwriting course meets service learning
Authors: Chen Cheryl Wei‐yu
Published: October 2018

Service learning has been widely applied across academic disciplines and educational settings for various purposes. This study involved a group of 24 Taiwanese students of English as a foreign language who helped a nonprofit organization translate community development stories and annual reports from English to Chinese. These documents were collected from the organization's branches all over the world and covered a wide range of topics related to community development. To collect data for the current study, a questionnaire for the upcoming service learning experience was conducted before students began their service work and a second questionnaire was administered after students finished their translation task. Students perceived the experience of working as volunteer translators quite positively and reported having gained a sense of achievement and more experiences and knowledge about other cultures, the translation process, comprehending materials written in nonstandard English, and unfamiliar issues and contexts. This article ends with suggestions for future research and integration of service learning into writing courses.
Revelation, Consciousness+ and the Phenomenal Powers View
Authors: Goff Philip
Published: October 2018

Revelation is roughly the thesis that we have introspective access to the essential nature of our conscious states. This thesis is appealed to in arguments against physicalism. Little attention has been given to the problem that Revelation is a source of pressure in the direction of epiphenomenalism, as introspection does not seem to reveal our conscious states as being essentially causal. I critique Hedda Hassel Mørch’s ‘phenomenal powers view’ response to this difficulty, before defending a form of the ‘consciousness+’ response.
Optimal Scores: An Alternative to Parametric Item Response Theory and Sum Scores
Authors: Wiberg Marie , Ramsay James O. , Li Juan
Published: October 2018

The aim of this paper is to discuss nonparametric item response theory scores in terms of optimal scores as an alternative to parametric item response theory scores and sum scores. Optimal scores take advantage of the interaction between performance and item impact that is evident in most testing data. The theoretical arguments in favor of optimal scoring are supplemented with the results from simulation experiments, and the analysis of test data suggests that sum-scored tests would need to be longer than an optimally scored test in order to attain the same level of accuracy. Because optimal scoring is built on a nonparametric procedure, it also offers a flexible alternative for estimating item characteristic curves that can fit items that do not show good fit to item response theory models.
Facial recognition: time the regulators stepped in?
Authors: de Cormis Raphaël
Published: October 2018

Is live facial recognition about to turn us into ‘walking ID cards’? That's the view of at least one privacy pressure group in the UK, a country notable for its absence of any form of compulsory national identity scheme. And concerns over the use of this fast-emerging technology are not limited to civil liberties activists. Across the Atlantic, Microsoft president Brad Smith recently called for the creation of a congressional expert commission to look specifically at the need for better regulation of facial recognition systems (see BTT last issue).
Using cyber insurance to run virtuous circles around cyber risk
Authors: Lloyd Mike
Published: October 2018

In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote to his friend, the French physicist and Encylopédiste Jean-Baptiste Le Roy: “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency”. 1 Then he added: “But in this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.”

It seems a security breach is practically a certainty for most organisations. But that doesn't mean you should surrender – and insurance is a key way to manage risk.

By pegging coverage qualification and cost to an organisation's resilience, it's possible to create a virtuous circle in which insurance products de-risk financial loss even as they de-risk the potential causes of that loss by incentivising more resilient networks, explains Dr Mike Lloyd of RedSeal.
Religion and Constitutional Practices in Asia: Five ‘Cs’ for Reflection
Authors: JAMAL Arif A
Published: October 2018

In considering the articles in this Special Issue, I am struck by the importance of a set of factors that, in my view, both run through the articles like a leitmotif, as well as shape the major ‘take away’ lesson(s) from the articles. In this short commentary, I elaborate on these factors and the lesson(s) to take from them through five ‘Cs’: context; complexity; contestation; the framework of constitutions; and the role of comparative law. The first three ‘Cs’ are lessons from the case studies of the articles themselves, while the second two ‘Cs’ are offered as lessons to help take the dialogue forward. Fundamentally, these five ‘Cs’ highlight the importance of the articles in this Special Issue and the conference from which they emerged on the one hand, while on the other hand, also making us aware of what are the limits of what we should conclude from the individual articles. In other words, taken together, the five ‘Cs’ are, one might say, lessons about lessons.