bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of surface chemistry of selected hard coals
Authors: Baran Paweł , Krzyżanowski Andrzej , Wójcik Marta , Zarębska Katarzyna
Published: July 2018

This paper presents the experimental and theoretical investigations of the sorption of water vapour in hard coal samples from Polish collieries (Sośnica, Jaworzno and Pniówek). Analysis of the sorption isotherm of water molecules gives information on specific interactions with surface groups, especially oxygen radicals. Detailed considerations of experimental results and theoretical simulation estimates let us to indicate changes in the surface composition for the different samples of coals and its dependency on the petrography or metamorphism.
Experimental study of the moisture content influence on CH4 adsorption and deformation characteristics of cylindrical bituminous coal core
Authors: Hao Dingyi , Zhang Lei , Li Mingxue , Tu Shihao , Zhang Cun , Bai Qingsheng , Wang Chen
Published: July 2018

Moisture content in coal is an important factor affecting the coal seam gas extraction. It directly affects the storage and flow of gas in bituminous coal. In this paper, the cylindrical bituminous coal cores of Xutuan coal mine in Huaibei coal mine group were studied as experimental objects, using the laboratory self-designed experimental device Gas Adsorption and Strain Testing Apparatus system. The influence of the bituminous coal moisture content on gas adsorption characteristics was studied. Drying experiments of coal samples showed that they lose the original moisture content following the exponential decay function of time. At wetting, the saturated moisture content in coal samples increased following the Exponential Association function of time. The experimental results show that the average original moisture content and average saturated moisture content of raw coal samples are 1.3 and 2.4%, respectively. On this basis, the gas adsorption experiments on samples with different moisture contents under different gas pressures were carried out. With the moisture content increase, the gas adsorption capacity and saturation value decreased and the decrease rate gradually reduced. The single exponential decay function describes the gas adsorption capacity dependence on moisture content. Moisture content also affects the adsorption deformation of bituminous coal. At high moisture content, the adsorption deformation of bituminous coal is less.
Smart city as anti-planning in the UK
Authors: Cowley Robert , Caprotti Federico
Published: July 2018

Critical commentaries have often treated the smart city as a potentially problematic ‘top down’ tendency within policy-making and urban planning, which appears to serve the interests of already powerful corporate and political actors. This article, however, positions the smart city as significant in its implicit rejection of the strong normativity of traditional technologies of planning, in favour of an ontology of efficiency and emergence. It explores a series of prominent UK smart city initiatives (in Bristol, Manchester and Milton Keynes) as bundles of experimental local practices, drawing on the literature pointing to a growing valorisation of the ‘experimental’ over strong policy commitments in urban governance. It departs from this literature, however, by reading contemporary ‘smart experiments’ through Shapin and Schafer’s work on the emergence of 17th-century science, to advance a transhistorical understanding of experimentation as oriented towards societal reordering. From this perspective, the UK smart city merits attention primarily as an indicator of a wider set of shifts in approaches to governance. Its pragmatic orientation sits uneasily alongside ambitions to ‘standardise’ smart and sustainable urban development; and raises questions about the conscious overlap between the stated practical ambitions of smart city initiatives and pre-existing environmental and social policies.
Attachment predicts transgression frequency and reactions in romantic couples’ daily life
Authors: Martin Annika A. , Hill Patrick L. , Allemand Mathias
Published: July 2018

This study examined the associations between individual differences in romantic attachment and transgression frequency and reactions in daily life. Data from both members of the heterosexual relationship were collected to examine how a persons’ attachment orientation influenced their own and their partner’s perceived transgressions and reactions to these transgressions. Across 10 days, 139 heterosexual couples reported on perceived transgressions by their partner. If transgressions occurred, they also reported on subsequent reactions such as forgiveness and rumination. Actor–partner interdependence models were used to investigate actor and partner effects of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on the number of experienced transgressions and reactions to transgressions. Attachment anxiety was not predictive with respect to any of the outcomes of interest. Higher attachment avoidance predicted fewer transgressions and more revenge in reaction to transgressions in men but not in women. Higher levels of attachment avoidance predicted more avoidance and rumination following a transgression. Additionally, a partner effect from attachment avoidance to avoidant reaction was observed. Findings are discussed regarding how attachment may account for differences in appraisal processes and emotion regulation strategies when confronted with relational transgressions.
Repetitive head injury in adolescent mice: A role for vascular inflammation
Authors: Wu Limin , Chung Joon Y , Saith Shivani , Tozzi Lorenzo , Buckley Erin M , Sanders Bharat , Franceschini Maria A , Lule Sevda , Izzy Saef , Lok Josephine , Edmiston William J , McAllister Lauren M , Mebane Sloane , Jin Gina , Lu Jiaxi , Sherwood John S , Willwerth Sarah , Hickman Suzanne , Khoury Joseph El , Lo Eng H , Kaplan David , Whalen Michael J
Published: July 2018

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury during adolescence can induce neurological dysfunction through undefined mechanisms. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) contributes to experimental adult diffuse and contusion TBI models, and IL-1 antagonists have entered clinical trials for severe TBI in adults; however, no such data exist for adolescent TBI. We developed an adolescent mouse repetitive closed head injury (rCHI) model to test the role of IL-1 family members in post-injury neurological outcome. Compared to one CHI, three daily injuries (3HD) produced acute and chronic learning deficits and emergence of hyperactivity, without detectable gliosis, neurodegeneration, brain atrophy, and white matter loss at one year. Mature IL-1β and IL-18 were induced in brain endothelium in 3HD but not 1HD, three hit weekly, or sham animals. IL-1β processing was induced cell-autonomously in three-dimensional human endothelial cell cultures subjected to in vitro concussive trauma. Mice deficient in IL-1 receptor-1 or caspase-1 had improved post-injury Morris water maze performance. Repetitive mild CHI in adolescent mice may induce behavioral deficits in the absence of significant histopathology. The endothelium is a potential source of IL-1β and IL-18 in rCHI, and IL-1 family members may be therapeutic targets to reduce or prevent neurological dysfunction after repetitive mild TBI in adolescents.
Three flaws in defining a formal ‘Anthropocene’
Authors: Ruddiman William F
Published: July 2018

The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) of the Subcommission of Quaternary Stratigraphy of the International Commission on Stratigraphy is moving toward recommending that the start of a formally designated ‘Anthropocene’ epoch be placed in the middle-to-late 1900s. This article summarizes three objections to this possible action. First, major human alterations of Earth’s environment long preceded the 1900s: extinction of most Australian and American mammals; extensive deforestation of arable regions around the globe; creation of extensive anthropogenic wetlands for rice irrigation; and, in recent centuries, plowing of prairies and steppes for conversion to croplands. Second, the formal chronostratigraphic rules followed by the AWG reject any recognition of these early changes a priori: the very rapid pulse-like extinctions because they were ‘merely’ continent-wide, and forest clearance, rice irrigation, and prairie plowing because they developed time-transgressively. Third, the classical approach the AWG follows – adding subdivisions to the standard Geologic Column – is largely disregarded today among scientists working in the younger geologic record, as is apparent from the rare mention of the Pleistocene subdivisions in paleoclimate textbooks. For these reasons, the use of an informal, flexible ‘anthropocene’ is preferable to the constraints that would be imposed by defining a formal ‘Anthropocene’.
Coordinated reactive power and crow bar control for DFIG-based wind turbines for power oscillation damping
Authors: Simon Likin , Ravishankar Jayashri , Swarup K Shanti
Published: July 2018

The fault ride through capability and fast controller action makes doubly fed induction generator based wind energy conversion system to actively participate in power oscillation damping. This article describes a coordinated reactive power control from grid side converter along with active crowbar scheme for doubly fed induction generator which can actively participate in power oscillation damping, and thus improve the transient stability margin of entire power system. For a reactive power oscillation damping ( [Formula: see text] power oscillation damping), it is essential that the phase of the modulated output is tightly controlled to achieve a positive damping. Detailed 3 generator 9 bus Western System Coordinating Council system is modeled in PSCAD/EMTDC with the generator dynamics. The dynamics in power flows generator rotor speeds and voltages are analyzed followed by a three-phase fault in the power system. A set of comprehensive case studies are performed to verify the proposed control scheme.
Feedforward Tactical Optimization for Energy-Efficient Operation of Freight Trains: The Swiss Case
Authors: De Martinis Valerio , Toletti Ambra , Corman Francesco , Weidmann Ulrich A. , Nash Andrew
Published: July 2018

The optimization of rail operation for improving energy efficiency plays an important role for the current and future market of rail freight services and helps rail compete with other transport modes. This paper presents a feedforward simulation-based model that performs speed profile optimization together with minor rescheduling actions. The model’s purpose is to provide railway operators and infrastructure managers with energy-efficient solutions that are tailored especially for freight trains. This work starts from the assumption that freight train characteristics are completely defined only a few hours before actual departure; therefore, small specific feedforward adjustments that do not affect the surrounding operation can still be considered. The model was tested in a numerical example. The example clearly shows how the optimized solutions can be evaluated with reference to energy saved and robustness within the rail traffic. The evaluation is based on real data from the North–South corridor crossing Switzerland from Germany to Italy.
Performance of Concrete Overlays on Illinois Interstates, 1967 through 2016
Authors: Heckel Laura B. , Wienrank Charles J.
Published: July 2018

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has been constructing concrete overlays of existing concrete pavements on the Interstate system for nearly 50 years. The construction of two bonded concrete overlays and eight unbonded concrete overlays have been documented to date. IDOT has also constructed one thin unbonded concrete overlay. An evaluation of performance history of the eleven pavement sections was undertaken. The following conclusions can be drawn from the evaluation of the concrete overlays in Illinois: 1) bonded concrete overlay performance on the Interstate system varied widely, and should only be used in the future judiciously, with engineering judgment; 2) unbonded concrete overlays performed consistently well, with all observed pavements exceeding or expected to exceed their design lives and design traffic factors; and 3) the thin unbonded overlay was too new to conduct a meaningful analysis of performance.
Sine versus Haversine Displacement Waveform Comparison for Hot Mix Asphalt Four-Point Bending Fatigue Testing
Authors: Mateos Angel , Wu Rongzong , Denneman Erik , Harvey John
Published: July 2018

An experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of haversine and sine displacement waveforms on four-point flexural beam fatigue test results for hot mix asphalt. Seven asphalt mixtures with different gradations, binder types, and binder contents were tested for this study. Four of the mixes were tested in California and three in Australia. The mixes were tested at different strain levels under both waveforms in displacement-controlled mode without rest periods. The comparison showed no differences between haversine and sine testing modes for six of the seven mixtures. Fatigue life, the shape of the stiffness reduction curves, initial dynamic moduli and phase angles, and Black diagrams were essentially the same for both testing modes. This similarity was attributed to the viscoelastic nature of the asphalt mix. Because of asphalt’s viscoelasticity, the beam at-rest position in haversine testing will rapidly move to halfway between zero and maximum displacement, and so the same stress is produced by haversine and sine displacement waveforms as soon as the peak-to-peak amplitudes are equal. For one of the seven mixes, sinusoidal testing produced considerably longer fatigue lives, although it is believed this mix is an outlier and can be ignored. Based on these results, it was concluded that there is no compelling reason to recommend sinusoidal over haversine testing mode, or vice versa. A practical reason to recommend the sine testing mode is that the stress in the haversine alternative becomes sinusoidal after a small number of load repetitions.
A Platooning Strategy for Automated Vehicles in the Presence of Speed Limit Fluctuations
Authors: Arefizadeh Sina , Talebpour Alireza
Published: July 2018

Platooning is expected to enhance the efficiency of operating automated vehicles. The positive impacts of platooning on travel time reliability, congestion, emissions, and energy consumption have been shown for homogenous roadway segments. However, the transportation system consists of inhomogeneous segments, and understanding the full impacts of platooning requires investigation in a realistic setup. One of the main reasons for inhomogeneity is speed limit fluctuations. Speed limit changes frequently throughout the transportation network, due to safety-related considerations (e.g., changes in geometry and workzone operations) or congestion management schemes (e.g., speed harmonization systems). In the current transportation systems with human-driven vehicles, these speed drops can potentially result in shockwave formation, which can cause travel time unreliability. Automated vehicles, however, have the potential to prevent shockwave formation and propagation and, therefore, enhance travel time reliability. Accordingly, this study presents a constant time headway strategy for automated vehicle platooning to ensure accurate tracking of any velocity profile in the presence of speed limit fluctuations. The performance of the presented platooning strategy is compared with Gipps’ car-following model and intelligent driver model, as representatives of regular non-automated vehicles. Simulation results show that implementing a fully autonomous system prevents shockwave formation and propagation, and enhances travel time reliability by accurately tracking the desired velocity profile. Moreover, the performance of platoons of regular and automated vehicles is investigated in the presence of a speed drop. The results show that as the market penetration rate of automated vehicles increases, the platoon can track the velocity profile more accurately.
Full-Scale Model Testing on Ballasted High-Speed Railway: Dynamic Responses and Accumulated Settlements
Authors: Li Wei , Bian Xuecheng , Duan Xiang , Tutumluer Erol
Published: July 2018

High-speed trains generate much higher vibrations in track structures than conventional trains and intensive train passages (e.g., on the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway line where the train passage interval is less than 5 minutes) cause accumulated permanent settlement in the railway track substructures, which will decrease track performance and jeopardize the safety of trains. Since very few field measurements on ballasted high-speed railways are available in literature, this paper presents experimental results of vibration velocity, dynamic soil stress, and the accumulated settlement of a ballasted high-speed railway from a full-scale model testing facility with simulated trains moving loads at various speeds. A portion of a realistic ballasted railway consisting of track structure, ballast layer, subballast, embankment, and piled foundation was constructed in a larger box. An eight-actuator sequential loading system was used to generate equivalent vertical loadings on the track structure for simulating the dynamic excitations due to train movements. Dynamic stresses measured in the track substructure layers (ballast, subballast, and embankment) were found to be strongly dependent on train speeds especially for speeds higher than 144 km/h. It was found that both the vibration velocity and the dynamic soil stress were greatly amplified as the train speed increased to 300 km/h, and the ballast layer effectively reduced the vibrations transmitted from the track structure to underlying soil. The accumulated settlement of the substructure did not reach a stable state even after 100,000 moving train loads at a speed of 300 km/h.
Choice of High Occupancy/Toll Lanes under Alternative Pricing Strategies
Authors: Janson Michael , Levinson David
Published: July 2018

High occupancy/toll (HOT) lanes typically vary tolls charged to single occupant vehicles, with the toll increasing during congested periods. The toll is usually tied to time of day or to the density of vehicles in the HOT lane. The purpose of raising the toll with congestion is to discourage demand sufficiently to maintain travel speeds in the HOT lane. However, it has been demonstrated that the HOT toll may act as a signal of downstream congestion (in both general purpose (GP) and HOT lanes), causing an increase in demand for the HOT lane, at least at lower prices. This paper develops a model of lane choice to evaluate alternative HOT lane pricing strategies, including the use of GP density, to more accurately reflect the value of the HOT lane. In addition, the paper explores the potential effect these strategies would have on the HOT lane vehicle share through a partial equilibrium analysis. This analysis demonstrates the change in demand elasticity with price, showing the point at which drivers switch from a positive to negative elasticity.
Uniformity of Terminology for Circular Intersection Designs
Authors: Gustafson Joe
Published: July 2018

Most transportation engineers around the world, and now in the United States, are relatively familiar with roundabouts and their operational and safety benefits. Although roundabouts are becoming increasingly common, drivers and even engineering professionals often contend with mixed messages about roundabout design and operation. In a world speckled with all manner of spiral roundabouts, signalized roundabouts, traffic circles, gyratories, and rotaries, is it any wonder that confusion, and public resistance, often persists? These mixed messages may represent the greatest hurdle to implementation, public acceptance, and safe operation of multi-lane roundabouts in particular. Within North America and across the globe, circular intersection designs that appear relatively similar to users can in fact require significantly different driver behaviors, depending on whether they are configured with a continuous circle road or a network of crossing roadways. This distinction can be of critical importance for roadway designers and agencies, elected officials and other policymakers, road user education and licensing, traffic enforcement, mapping and GPS navigation, and safe operation of autonomous vehicles. This paper aims to provide an overview of existing definitions, explore the nature of conflict points for each design, provide a framework modeling method for analysis, and provide globally applicable definitions for roundabout features for use in design, education, policy, enforcement, and research. This paper is focused primarily on roundabout design guidance and operations within the United States, but places these practices within the global context, such that the definitions and analyses provided can be applied to all forms of roundabout intersections around the world.
A Latent Class Pattern Recognition and Data Quality Assessment of Non-Commute Long-Distance Travel in California
Authors: Davis Adam W. , McBride Elizabeth C. , Goulias Konstadinos G.
Published: July 2018

This study analyzes 8-week long-distance travel records from the California Household Travel Survey for completeness and identifies general types of non-commute long-distance tours using Latent Class Analysis. Likely due to the difficulty of gathering data of this kind, there has been relatively limited study of non-commute long-distance travel, despite the substantial contribution to many households’ greenhouse gas emissions and travel expenses. The California Household Travel Survey includes a valuable long-distance 8-week travel dataset, but this study identifies several possible shortcomings in the dataset. Of particular importance is a severe underreporting of shorter trips, which may result from a mix of respondent forgetfulness and survey fatigue. Despite the issues with the data, latent class cluster analysis was able to identify five distinct, informative patterns of long-distance travel. This analysis shows that long-distance tours for vacation, business travel, medical, and shopping are substantially distinct in terms of their travel characteristics and correspond to different combinations of other activities in the tour, and they are done by different types of households. The method used here to identify the typology of long-distance travel can be easily expanded to include a variety of other explanatory variables of this type of behavior in more focused data collection settings.
Walkability in the Connected and Automated Vehicle Era: A U.S. Perspective on Research Needs
Authors: Shay Elizabeth , Khattak Asad J. , Wali Behram
Published: July 2018

Walkability and walking activity are of interest to planners, engineers, and health practitioners for their potential to improve safety, promote environmental and public health, and increase social equity. Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) will reshape the built environment, mobility, and safety in ways we cannot know with certainty—but which we may anticipate will change the meaning of “walkability.” The CAV era may provide economic, environmental, and social benefits, while potentially disrupting the status quo. This paper considers the concept of walkability in light of the approaching transition to CAVs, considering literature in engineering, information technology, built environment, land use, and public health, to support a discussion on research needs. To add depth, we subject a collection of research papers and technical reports to text analytics.
Effect of Synthetic Fiber State on Mechanical Performance of Fiber Reinforced Asphalt Concrete
Authors: Noorvand Hossein , Salim Ramadan , Medina Jose , Stempihar Jeffrey , Underwood B. Shane
Published: July 2018

It has been recognized that there exists a potential benefit from using synthetic fibers to reinforce asphalt mixtures. In these mixtures, the state of the fibers may play an essential role in their reinforcement function. This study aims to quantify the state of synthetic fiber distribution for two different aramid fiber–based asphalt mixtures and then show the impacts of fiber dispersion on modulus, rutting, and fatigue performance of each asphalt mixture in comparison with one another and with respect to an equivalent non-reinforced asphalt mixture. Both a quantitative and qualitative assessment of aramid fibers distribution as well as state of fiber are investigated using a fiber extraction procedure and microscopy imaging, respectively. The results suggested that a higher level of micro-fibrillation as well as high distribution of aramid fibers improved the rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures, while the distribution level of aramid fibers and fibers state did not affect the modulus and fatigue. These results are specific to the mixture studied but provide the first objective and detailed study describing fiber state, fiber dispersion, and performance.
Chronic co-exposure to low levels of brominated flame retardants and heavy metals induces reproductive toxicity in zebrafish
Authors: Chen Jiangfei , Ma Xue , Tian Linjie , Kong Aijun , Wang Nengzhuang , Huang Changjiang , Yang Dongren
Published: July 2018

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and heavy metals (HMs) are two main types of pollutants in electronic waste recycling sites, which are also ubiquitously detectable in environmental media and human tissues. However, the adverse health effects of exposure to the mixture of these types of pollutants are unknown. In this study, we investigated the reproductive toxicity of a mixture of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), tetrabromobisphenol A, cadmium chloride, and lead acetate (PbAc) at the environmental relevant levels. Zebrafish were waterborne and exposed to chemical mixtures for one generation. The reproductive effects were evaluated for F0 adults and F1 offspring. Chemical residues were also analyzed in the exposed adults and their eggs at the end of exposure. Our findings demonstrated that exposure to the chemical mixture for 150 days had no effect on the survival rate of zebrafish, but it decreased body length and weight in females and increased body weight and condition factor in males. The mixture exposure resulted in a female-biased sex ratio in adults and decreased sperm density and motility in males and egg production in females. For the F1 offspring, decreased fertilization, delayed hatching, and increased malformation were found in all exposure groups. In conclusion, chronic co-exposure to BFRs and HMs at the environmental relevant levels not only affected growth, sex ratio, and sperm quantity/quality and egg production in adults but also reduced the reproductive success in the offspring, implying that multi-pollutants in the environmental media may pose a public health risk to other exposed organisms or human beings.
Inflammatory cytokine release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to polyetheretherketone and titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium in vitro
Authors: Barkarmo Sargon , Östberg Anna-Karin , Johansson Carina Birgitta , Franco-Tabares Sebastian , Johansson Petra Hammarström , Dahlgren Ulf , Stenport Victoria
Published: July 2018

Objective

To investigate the cytokine expression profiles of blood cells exposed to polyetheretherketone and titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium materials in vitro.

Materials and methods

Coin-shaped samples composed of titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium, polyetheretherketone, and blasted polyetheretherketone were manufactured. The surfaces of the coins were characterized using optical interferometry, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle measurements. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from 10 blood donors were cultured for one, three, and six days in the presence or absence of the coins, and then assayed for cytokine production. Quantification of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells attached to the coins was performed using confocal microscopy after immunofluorescence staining.

Results

The machined titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium coins had a smoother surface topography compared to the machined polyetheretherketone and blasted polyetheretherketone. The highest mean contact angle was noted for the blasted polyetheretherketone, followed by the machined polyetheretherketone and titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells produced significantly more proinflammatory cytokines when exposed to the polyetheretherketone surface compared to the titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium surface, while the blasted polyetheretherketone induced the highest level of proinflammatory cytokine release from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Significantly more cells attached to both polyetheretherketone surfaces, as compared to the titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium surface.

Conclusion

Polyetheretherketone induces a stronger inflammatory response from peripheral blood mononuclear cells than does titanium-6 aluminum-4 vanadium. Surface topography has an impact on cytokine release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Comparison of different three dimensional-printed resorbable materials: In vitro biocompatibility, In vitro degradation rate, and cell differentiation support
Authors: Raddatz Lukas , Kirsch Marline , Geier Dominik , Schaeske Jörn , Acreman Kevin , Gentsch Rafael , Jones Scott , Karau Andreas , Washington Tommy , Stiesch Meike , Becker Thomas , Beutel Sascha , Scheper Thomas , Lavrentieva Antonina
Published: July 2018

Biodegradable materials play a crucial role in both material and medical sciences and are frequently used as a primary commodity for implants generation. Due to their material inherent properties, they are supposed to be entirely resorbed by the patients' body after fulfilling their task as a scaffold. This makes a second intervention (e.g. for implant removal) redundant and significantly enhances a patient’s post-operative life quality. At the moment, materials for resorbable and biodegradable implants (e.g. polylactic acid or poly-caprolactone polymers) are still intensively studied. They are able to provide mandatory demands such as mechanical strength and attributes needed for high-quality implants. Implants, however, not only need to be made of adequate material, but must also to be personalized in order to meet the customers’ needs. Combining three dimensional-printing and high-resolution imaging technologies a new age of implant production comes into sight. Three dimensional images (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography) of tissue defects can be utilized as digital blueprints for personalized implants. Modern additive manufacturing devices are able to use a variety of materials to fabricate custom parts within short periods of time. The combination of high-quality resorbable materials and personalized three dimensional-printing for the custom application will provide the patients with the best suitable and sustainable implants. In this study, we evaluated and compared four resorbable and three dimensional printable materials for their in vitro biocompatibility, in vitro rate of degradation, cell adherence and behavior on these materials as well as support of osteogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The tests were conducted with model constructs of 1 cm2 surface area fabricated with fused deposition modeling three dimensional-printing technology.
An Association Between Maternal Intimate Partner Physical Violence and a Loaded Firearm in the Home
Authors: Burrell Tierra D. , Voegtline Kristin M. , Mistry Kamila B.
Published: July 2018

A loaded firearm in the home increases the risk of firearm-related mortality. Furthermore, firearms are often used in fatal cases of intimate partner physical violence (IPPV) during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Young children are often caught in the crossfire. Although firearms are more prevalent in homes with IPPV compared with homes without IPPV, little is known about the relationship between a loaded firearm and maternal IPPV. The objective was to determine whether maternal IPPV in the context of additional psychosocial factors is associated with a loaded firearm in the home. We analyzed population-based survey data (2004-2011) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) in eight states for which questions on firearms were included. Chi-square analysis of independence was used to determine differences between mothers reporting both IPPV and a loaded firearm to mothers reporting IPPV only or a loaded firearm only. Multivariable weighted logistic regression examined the association between IPPV and presence of a loaded firearm in the home (adjusting for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors). Of the 43,845 mothers in our sample, 5.3% mothers reported storing a loaded firearm in the home and 6.7% reported maternal IPPV. Among mothers reporting IPPV, 5% also reported a loaded firearm. When adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics only, maternal IPPV was significantly associated with storing a loaded firearm in the home (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.01, 1.91]). However, after additionally considering psychosocial factors, there was no longer a statistically significant association between maternal IPPV and storing a loaded firearm in the home (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI = [0.93, 1.84]). Contextual factors play an important role in understanding the complex relationship between maternal IPPV and the presence of a loaded firearm in the home, and maternal IPPV should be considered in efforts to promote firearm safety.
Is Attitudinal Acceptance of Violence a Risk Factor? An Analysis of Domestic Violence Against Women in Pakistan
Authors: Amir-ud-Din Rafi , Fatima Shameem , Aziz Shazia
Published: July 2018

Violence against women (VAW) is a grave problem in Pakistan, and women from all socioeconomic groups are vulnerable to domestic violence in varying degrees. It is argued that patriarchal definition of gender roles may reinforce the internalized inferiority of women. So, it may not be a mere coincidence that a large number of women in Pakistan justify VAW for various reasons. The objectives of this article are threefold: (a) to identify the drivers of VAW, (b) to see if women’s attitudinal acceptance of violence is causally linked with observed violence against women, and (c) to see if attitudinal acceptance of violence mediates between the socioeconomic status of women and observed violence. We used data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2012-13. The sample consisted of 3,265 ever married women aged between 15 and 49 years who were interviewed for domestic violence. We used multivariate logit regression analysis to identify the drivers of VAW and used the Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method for mediation analysis. We found that women’s attitudinal acceptance of violence, their childhood experience of violence in their parental household, the education of both husband and wife, and some occupation types significantly predicted their experience of spousal violence. In addition, we found that women’s attitudinal acceptance of violence mediated the relationships between socioeconomic factors (education and wealth status) and VAW. The significance of the study lies in the fact that it highlights the need to modify the perceptions of violence through change in educational policy. Among multiple other factors, an increase in the economic status of women is an effective hedge against the risk of spousal violence.
The Impact of a Policy-Based Multicomponent Nutrition Pilot Intervention on Young Adult Employee’s Diet and Health Outcomes
Authors: Schliemann Désirée , McKinley Michelle , Woodside Jayne V.
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

Evaluate the effect of a policy-based, multicomponent workplace diet intervention on young adult employees’ diet and health.

Design:

A 6-month, single-armed pilot study with before and after assessments.

Setting:

Insurance company in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Participants:

Employees who worked at the company throughout the intervention period were included. Employees were excluded if pregnant, breast-feeding, or following a strict diet.

Intervention:

Multicomponent diet intervention: ban of unhealthy foods brought into the premises, free fruit, education, individual advice, and further support.

Measures:

Mixed-methods approach: Diet-, health-, and work-related measures were assessed quantitatively. The campaign was evaluated quantitatively (via questionnaire) and qualitatively (via semistructured interviews).

Analysis:

Changes in measures were analyzed using paired samples t tests. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Sixty (75.9%) staff completed all assessments. Males reduced their sugar intake on working days (−8.7% of total energy standard deviation [SD]: 20.1; P value <.01). Systolic blood pressure reduced in males and females (−3.3 SD: 9.9; P value <.05 and −8.0 SD: 7.7; P value <.001, respectively); 85.2% of staff strongly agreed/agreed that they appreciated the healthy eating ethos. This was supported by the qualitative analysis which furthermore suggested that the education, team support, individual advice, and free fruit were beneficial.

Conclusion:

Influencing workplace policies and offering additional dietary support could lead to meaningful changes in employees’ diet and health and may change workplace culture.
Challenges of Increasing Childcare Center Compliance With Nutrition Guidelines: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Intervention Providing Training, Written Menu Feedback, and Printed Resources
Authors: Finch Meghan , Seward Kirsty , Wedesweiler Taya , Stacey Fiona , Grady Alice , Jones Jannah , Wolfenden Luke , Yoong Sze Lin
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

To assess the effectiveness of an intervention including training, provision of written menu feedback, and printed resources on increasing childcare compliance with nutrition guidelines.

Design:

Parallel group randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Hunter New England region, New South Wales, Australia.

Participants:

Forty-four childcare centers that prepare and provide food on-site to children while in care.

Intervention:

The intervention was designed using the Theoretical Domains Framework, targeted managers, and cooks and included implementation strategies that addressed identified barriers.

Measures:

Outcomes included the proportion of menus providing food servings (per child) compliant with overall nutrition guideline recommendations and each individual food group assessed via menu assessments. Cook knowledge of recommendations, intervention acceptability, adverse events, and barriers were also assessed via questionnaires with cooks and managers.

Analysis:

Logistic regression models, adjusted for baseline values of the outcome.

Results:

At baseline and follow-up, zero centers in the intervention and control groups were compliant with the overall menu guidelines or for the vegetable and meat food groups. Follow-up between-group differences in compliance for discretionary (33.3 vs 5, P = .18), dairy (41.7 vs 15, P = .16), breads and cereals (8.3 vs 10 P = 1.00), and fruit (16.7 vs 10, P = .48) were all nonsignificant. Relative to the control group, intervention centers showed a significantly greater increase in percentage of cooks with correct knowledge for vegetable servings (93.3 vs 36.4, P = .008).

Conclusion:

Although the application of the theoretical framework produced a broader understanding of the determinants of menu compliance, due to the complexity of guidelines, limited follow-up support, lower training uptake, and low intervention dose, the intervention was not effective in supporting the practice change required.
The Healthfulness of Food-at-Home Expenditures, the Local Food Environment, and Childhood Obesity
Authors: Chen Danhong , Jaenicke Edward C. , Volpe Richard J.
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

Despite the growth of food-away-from-home expenditures, food-at-home (FAH) expenditures still constitute the majority of American families’ food dollars. The FAH expenditures may have important impacts on children’s diets and, consequently, their weight statuses. This study examined the association between the composition of FAH expenditures and childhood overweight or obesity.

Design:

We compiled a longitudinal data set from the 2010 to 2012 IRI Consumer Panel and its associated MedProfiler surveys.

Setting:

This study took place in the United States.

Participants:

One thousand seven hundred thirty-one households across the United States, with 2645 children aged 2 to 17, were surveyed over 3 years (2010-2012).

Measures:

The binary outcome variable indicated whether a child was overweight or obese. The key predictor variable—composition of FAH expenditures—was an index reflecting households’ adherence to expenditure shares for 24 food categories recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Thrifty Food Plans. The key control variables were FAH expenditure shares from different food stores.

Analysis:

Data were analyzed by multilevel logistic regressions that controlled for a number of individual-level and household-level characteristics.

Results:

Higher compliance with the USDA Thrifty Food Plans was associated with lower risk of childhood overweight or obesity. Channel expenditure shares were not significantly associated with the weight outcomes.

Conclusion:

To prevent childhood obesity, the USDA Thrifty Food Plans can provide potential guidelines for households to decide the composition of their FAH expenditures.
A Geospatial Analysis of the Impact of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative on Breastfeeding Initiation in North Carolina
Authors: Liberty Abigail L. , Wouk Kathryn , Chetwynd Ellen , Ringel-Kulka Tamar
Published: July 2018

Background:

Significant disparities in breastfeeding support and practice exist in North Carolina. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a worldwide intervention that encourages birth facilities to adopt specific practices in support of breastfeeding.

Research aim:

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative on breastfeeding initiation in North Carolina, with special attention to rural areas.

Methods:

To better understand disparities in breastfeeding initiation across North Carolina, we conducted a secondary analysis of birth certificate data from 2011 to 2014. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between breastfeeding initiation and (a) birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital and (b) maternal residence in a county with a Baby-Friendly hospital. Model residuals were aggregated by county and analyzed for spatial autocorrelation.

Results:

Birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital was associated with increased odds of breastfeeding initiation, adjusted odds ratio = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [1.65, 1.89]. Model residuals showed significant clustering by county, with some rural areas’ rates systematically overestimated. Whereas presence of a Baby-Friendly hospital in a mother’s community of residence was not associated with increased initiation, birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital was associated with smaller disparities in initiation between rural and urban births.

Conclusion:

Birth at a Baby-Friendly hospital is associated with improved breastfeeding initiation and reduced disparities in initiation between rural and urban counties in North Carolina.
The Safety of Mother’s Milk® Tea: Results of a Randomized Double-Blind, Controlled Study in Fully Breastfeeding Mothers and Their Infants
Authors: Wagner Carol L. , Boan Andrea D. , Marzolf Alicia , Finch Carolyn W. , Morella Kristen , Guille Connie , Gardner Zoe , Marriott Bernadette P.
Published: July 2018

Background:

Various natural products are reported to improve maternal milk supply yet are not necessarily safe for infants. Researchers have not systematically studied galactagogue teas for safety.

Research aim:

This study evaluates the safety of a galactagogue tea in breastfeeding women and their infants, assessing short- and long-term adverse effects.

Methods:

Healthy, exclusively/fully breastfeeding women ( N = 60) with no milk insufficiency were randomized into (1) an all-natural tea containing fruits of bitter fennel, anise, and coriander; fenugreek seed; and other herbs (Mother’s Milk® herbal tea; test) group or (2) a lemon verbena leaf (placebo) group. Maternal diaries captured self-reported maternal and infant adverse effects, tea consumed, and perceived infant satisfaction. Maternal quality of life and psychological state were assessed at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks. Poststudy calls assessed adverse effects through the infants’ age of 12 months.

Results:

No adverse effects attributable to the interventions were reported at any time point. No differences were found between test and placebo groups in sociodemographic characteristics, maternal or infant adverse symptoms, quality of life, breastfeeding self-efficacy, maternal psychological measures, infant growth, and infant satisfaction (all p >.05).

Conclusions:

This double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an herbal galactagogue versus placebo among healthy, exclusively/fully breastfeeding mothers and infants found no adverse events associated with the test tea across the 30-day study or the first year of their infant’s life. This composite tea appears to present no safety risk for mothers or their young babies.
The Emotional Labor of Surveillance: Digital Control in Fast Fashion Retail
Authors: Van Oort Madison
Published: July 2018

Rooted in critical labor studies and feminist surveillance studies, this article explores how big data and biometric surveillance impact fast fashion’s predominantly feminized and racialized workforce. Through ethnography and interviews, I find that automated flexible scheduling, a now widely documented phenomenon, not only disciplines just-in-time staff but also encourages additional forms of digital control—including biometric scanners and point-of-sale metrics. While the technologies described exhibit regular limitations, such as failure and vulnerability to sabotage, they nevertheless have the cumulative effect of exacerbating worker insecurity and reinforcing inequality. I argue that alongside the decline of interactive emotional service work in low-wage retail, emerges another kind of affective labor—that of working amid often invisible yet pervasive digital monitoring. I call this work “the emotional labor of surveillance.”
Evaluation of Potential Drug–Drug Interactions With Direct Oral Anticoagulants in a Large Urban Hospital
Authors: Mo Yoonsun , Karakas-Torgut Ayse , Pham Antony Q.
Published: July 2018

Objective:

The aim of this study is to assess patterns of potential drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in an inpatient hospital setting.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center (BUHMC) from January 2014 to November 2016. All adult patients admitted to the BUHMC who were treated with a DOAC for at least 3 days were screened. Among them, those who received selected interacting drugs at any time during the course of DOAC therapy were included in this study.

Results:

This study included 165 patients with an average of 73 years (standard deviation [SD] = 12.3) and 233 cases. The most commonly used concomitant drug with a DOAC was aspirin (58%), followed by amiodarone (16%) and P2Y12 inhibitors (11%). The combined use of dual antiplatelet therapy and a DOAC was identified in 18 (6%) cases. Approximately one-third of the cases encountered were classified as the “avoidance” category.

Conclusions:

Despite computerized DDI alerts, potentially significant DDIs with DOACs still occur. While the present study provides insight into the current patterns of DDIs, further studies are needed to evaluate clinical outcomes of the potential DDIs with DOACs in practice.