bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of the unsteady vibration signature for a Sirocco fan unit
Authors: González José , Delgado Laura , Velarde-Suárez Sandra , Fernández-Oro Jesús M , Díaz Katia Mª Argüelles , Rodríguez David , Méndez David
Published: April 2019

The small forward-curved blades known as Sirocco fan units are very common and widespread solution for air conditioning used in public transportation applications, as buses or trains. The users quietness and comfort have become a main concerns in the automotive industry. For such kind of turbomachinery flow , the patterns becomes always highly 3D and unsteady, compromising the referred comfort, and setting the focus on the working flow variables. A mathematically exact solution for that flow, which would provide any required information on pressure or forces, is out of scope at the current engineering design processes. Nevertheless, some flow features and mechanical data are needed to progress in the frame of a modern industrial environment, involving maintenance protocols with important temporal and economic constraints for different design procedures.

The correctness of a given maintenance protocol relies on its feasibility to handle a set of machine working parameters or variables, including a number of them as wide as possible. Doing so, a set of not-dangerous ranges for them can be established. Such ranges are often defined promoting a series of failures similar to real ones, when the machine is in its operative lifetime.

In this paper and in order to establish proper working ranges for maintenance purposes, a series of failures have been experimentally tested for a Sirocco fan unit. Initially, real data from industry have been required and a list of main failures was made, including (1) impeller or rotor unbalance, (2) impeller channel obstruction and (3) blocked inlet. The failures are studied using a purified orbit diagram (POD) technique and a symmetrized dot pattern (SDP) technique. All four working conditions are studied for at least three different flow rates and, therefore, a deeper insight into the fan working parameters and options are made feasible. In the frame of the maintenance protocol, a full set of ranges for the considered failures has been obtained.

Therefore, the present paper shows a novel possibility to enhance existing maintenance protocol using two advanced frequency-based techniques.
Geometric morphometrics aided by machine learning in craniofacial surgery
Authors: van de Lande Lara S , Papaioannou Athanasios , Dunaway David J
Published: April 2019

Geometric morphometrics aided by machine learning provide detailed and accurate statistical models of facial form. They promise to be extremely effective tools in surgical planning and assessment; however, a clinical tool to use this information is still to be created.
Multi-point micro-flame ignited hybrid lean-burn combustion of gasoline with direct injection dimethyl ether
Authors: Fu Xue-Qing , He Bang-Quan , Xu Si-Peng , Chen Tao , Zhao Hua , Zhang Yan , Li Yufeng , Bai Honglin
Published: April 2019

Lean-burn combustion is effective in reducing fuel consumption of gasoline engines because of the higher specific heat ratio of the fuel lean mixture and reduced heat loss from lower combustion temperature. However, its application to real engines is hampered by the unstable ignition, high cyclic variability, and partial-burn due to slower combustion, as well as the restricted maximum lean-burn air/fuel ratio limit and the insufficiently low nitrogen oxides emission. Multi-point micro-flame-ignited hybrid combustion has been proposed and applied to extend the lean burn limit of premixed gasoline and air mixture. To achieve micro-flame-ignited combustion in premixed lean gasoline mixture formed by port fuel injection, a small amount of dimethyl ether is injected directly into the cylinder of a four-stroke gasoline engine to control and accelerate the ignition and combustion process so that the engine could be operated with the overall excess air coefficient (Lambda) of 1.9. The results show that heat release processes can be grouped into three forms, that is, ramp type, double-peak type, and trapezoid type. Regardless of single or split injections, direct injection timing of dimethyl ether dominates the features of heat release. The ramp type occurs at early injection timing while the double-peak type takes place at late injection timing. Trapezoid type appears between the above two types. Dimethyl ether injection timing controls the ignition timing and has less effect on combustion duration. Single injection of dimethyl ether leads to much earlier ignition timing and slightly longer combustion duration, forming higher nitrogen oxides emissions than the split injections. Ultra-low nitrogen oxides emissions and higher thermal efficiency are achieved in the ramp type combustion compared to the other two types of combustion in both injection approaches.
Designing affect into security: shared situational awareness protocols and the habit of emergency response
Authors: O’Grady Nathaniel
Published: April 2019

The article engages with and extends emergent debates regarding the envelopment of affective life in practices of security through research into the design of shared situational awareness protocols used in emergency response. Crafted to address what are commonly called ‘multi-agency’ incidents, shared situational awareness protocols aim to generate real time, dynamic understandings of emergency situations that can be held consensually among different authorities in order to facilitate coordinated modes of intervention. I draw on recent conceptualisations in cultural geography of the notion of habit in two ways to explore how such protocols enrol, regulate and mobilise the affective capacities of responder bodies to orchestrate emergency response. Habit first opens up to consideration the complex temporality that protocols may inscribe into the embodied performance of emergency response. Read in relation to habit, protocols appear as security techniques that simultaneously formulate response into a sequence of actions in anticipation of emergencies whilst enabling responders to adapt to emergencies as volatile situations unfolding in an indeterminate, real-time present. Second, habit orients exploration towards the modes of affect-based sense-making practices that protocols seek to integrate into this performance. On one hand, protocols have been designed with the goal of affording responder bodies the capacity to enact what Brian Massumi refers to as affective attunement as a means to render emergencies intelligible. On the other, protocol design seeks to inculcate responder bodies with the capacity to execute what I call ‘empathic sense-making’ whereby authorities are able to coordinate with one another by operating with a perception of the emergency that traverses the confines of their immediate spatial and temporal embodied encounter with it. Synthesising protocol design with habit ultimately reveals much about how emergency planners consider bodily capacity an active agent that both guides the structure of intervention and enrols particular modes of cognition into emergency response and security.
Cracklin’ Fish Brains
Authors: Beenhakker Mark P
Published: April 2019

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A Straw Can Break a Neural Network’s Back and Lead to Seizures—But Only When Delivered at the Right Time
Authors: Ahmed Omar J. , John Tibin T.
Published: April 2019

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Current Controversy: Spikes, Bursts, and Synchrony in Generalized Absence Epilepsy: Unresolved Questions Regarding Thalamocortical Synchrony in Absence Epilepsy
Authors: Huguenard John
Published: April 2019

Absence epilepsy is a disorder of thalamocortical networks. Animal models have provided detailed information regarding the core cellular, synaptic, and network features that contribute to the electroencephalogram spike and wave discharge characteristic of typical absence epilepsy. Understanding of seizure networks and dynamics is a critical step toward improving treatments, yet competing conceptual models have evolved to explain seizure initiation and propagation. Recent studies have questioned 2 key model concepts: (1) T-type Ca2+ channel-dependent burst firing in thalamic relay neurons may not be essential for seizure generation, bringing into question the proposed mechanism for the antiepileptic drug ethosuximide in reducing thalamic bursting and (2) widespread synchronized neural activity may not be a core feature of the seizures, indicating that reductions in synchrony would not be a productive therapeutic goal. In this review, I will discuss these current findings, highlight the innovative approaches that have enabled these insights, and provide a unified framework that incorporates these sometimes-conflicting ideas. Finally, I lay out future work that will be necessary to finally resolve the remaining issues.
A New Hose to Extinguish the FIRES?
Authors: Gaspard Nicolas
Published: April 2019

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Valproic Acid Leads New Neurons Down the Wrong Path
Authors: Danzer Steve C.
Published: April 2019

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The Cost of the Second Seizure: Rethinking the Treatment Decision
Authors: Faught Edward
Published: April 2019

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The Theta Stone: 3 to 10 Hz Oscillations to Decipher the Human Brain Code
Authors: de la Prida Liset Menendez
Published: April 2019

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Don’t Fear the Reefer—Evidence Mounts for Plant-Based Cannabidiol as Treatment for Epilepsy
Authors: Perry M. Scott
Published: April 2019

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Making Rash Decisions in Epilepsy: Evaluating Hypersensitivity Reactions to Anti-seizure Medications
Authors: Bermeo-Ovalle Adriana
Published: April 2019

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Treatment of Medial Medullary Infarction Using a Novel iNems Training: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Kodama Takayuki , Katayama Osamu , Nakano Hideki , Ueda Tomohiro , Murata Shin
Published: April 2019

Objective. We describe the case of a 66-year-old Japanese male patient who developed medial medullary infarction along with severe motor paralysis and intense numbness of the left arm, pain catastrophizing, and abnormal physical sensation. We further describe his recovery using a new imagery neurofeedback-based multisensory systems (iNems) training method. Clinical Course and Intervention. The patient underwent physical therapy for the rehabilitation of motor paralysis and numbness of the paralyzed upper limbs; in addition, we implemented iNems training using EEG activity, which aims to synchronize movement intent (motor imagery) with sensory information (feedback visual information). Results. Considerable improvement in motor function, pain catastrophizing, representation of the body in the brain, and abnormal physical sensations was accomplished with iNems training. Furthermore, iNems training improved the neural activity of the default mode network at rest and the sensorimotor region when the movement was intended. Conclusions. The newly developed iNems could prove a novel, useful tool for neurorehabilitation considering that both behavioral and neurophysiological changes were observed in our case.
Commentary on “Measuring the Quality and Performance of Institutional Review Boards”
Authors: Cleaton-Jones Peter
Published: April 2019

This commentary uses personal research ethics experience in South Africa to consider the position of Tsan who recommends a consortium to develop common metrics / performance indicators for determining quality of RECs / IRBs. Terms such as performance, quality and throughput need clarification in research metrics before effective metrics may be useful.
Median Neuropathy After Blood Draw Mimics Painful Clenched Fist Syndrome in a Child
Authors: Hill Elspeth J.R. , Kahn Lorna C. , Sterni Lynne M. , Mackinnon Susan E. , Felder John M.
Published: April 2019

Background: Clenched fist syndrome is a rare disorder, often attributed to a conversion disorder without anatomic basis. Here, we review the literature surrounding clenched fist syndrome and challenge the assumption it is always psychiatric in origin, via description of a case of clenched fist syndrome responsive to surgical nerve decompression. Methods: An unusual case of clenched fist syndrome is reviewed and discussed. Results: A child presenting with clenched fist syndrome failed conservative measures consisting of formal hand therapy, multidisciplinary pain management, and psychiatric treatment. On clinical examination, she had findings consistent with median nerve entrapment. After undergoing surgical decompression of the median nerve in the forearm and carpal tunnel, the clenched fist resolved immediately. Conclusions: Nerve compression may be an unrecognized factor underlying some cases of clenched fist syndrome. Evaluation by a hand surgeon or a hand therapist skilled in the detection of peripheral nerve entrapment or injury should be considered as part of the workup for this rare disorder.
Language: A Powerful Tool in Promoting Healthy Behaviors
Authors: Srivastava Sneha Baxi
Published: April 2019

Words have the capacity to empower or devastate someone. Although a “rose by any other name” may “still be a rose,” if language is not precise and thoughtful in taking into consideration perceptions, values, biases, and culture of people, it may influence the patient, thereby potentially leading to negative patient outcomes. Health promotion interventions include teaching and empowering people to embrace the components of lifestyle medicine utilizing a variety of approaches. An essential part of the intervention is how the message is delivered, specifically the language used to deliver the message. In this article, the implications of language on patient outcomes and suggestions on how to rephrase language with potential negative connotations are described.
Fleet route selection prediction problem based on support vector machine
Authors: Guan Feng , Shen Xiaopeng , Wu Lan , Yu Yanling , Sun Dongshi , Yang Yanhai
Published: April 2019

Bulk shipping transport is an important part of ocean transportation. One of the most important aspects for bulk ship owners is to make choices about the ship’s operational area for the next planning period. In this article, based on the Baltic Supermax Index and historical decision data of different companies, the support vector machine model is used to predict the dry bulk carrier route selection, which provides a solution to this problem. The numerical results show that the model and the algorithm proposed in the paper can well work and can achieve good precision. Via comparative analysis, we prove that the model we proposed in this article has better performance than some other common methods in the research area. The proposed model would support dry bulk shipping company in route choice so as to balance the profit and potential opportunity when making choice for ships’ route selection.
Fiducial marker placement with electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy: a subgroup analysis of the prospective, multicenter NAVIGATE study
Authors: Bowling Mark R. , Folch Erik E. , Khandhar Sandeep J. , Kazakov Jordan , Krimsky William S. , LeMense Gregory P. , Linden Philip A. , Murillo Boris A. , Nead Michael A. , Pritchett Michael A. , Teba Catalina V. , Towe Christopher W. , Williams Terence , Anciano Carlos J.
Published: April 2019

Background:

Fiducial markers (FMs) help direct stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and localization for surgical resection in lung cancer management. We report the safety, accuracy, and practice patterns of FM placement utilizing electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB).

Methods:

NAVIGATE is a global, prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study of ENB using the superDimension™ navigation system. This prospectively collected subgroup analysis presents the patient demographics, procedural characteristics, and 1-month outcomes in patients undergoing ENB-guided FM placement. Follow up through 24 months is ongoing.

Results:

Two-hundred fifty-eight patients from 21 centers in the United States were included. General anesthesia was used in 68.2%. Lesion location was confirmed by radial endobronchial ultrasound in 34.5% of procedures. The median ENB procedure time was 31.0 min. Concurrent lung lesion biopsy was conducted in 82.6% (213/258) of patients. A mean of 2.2 ± 1.7 FMs (median 1.0 FMs) were placed per patient and 99.2% were accurately positioned based on subjective operator assessment. Follow-up imaging showed that 94.1% (239/254) of markers remained in place. The procedure-related pneumothorax rate was 5.4% (14/258) overall and 3.1% (8/258) grade ⩾ 2 based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events scale. The procedure-related grade ⩾ 4 respiratory failure rate was 1.6% (4/258). There were no bronchopulmonary hemorrhages.

Conclusion:

ENB is an accurate and versatile tool to place FMs for SBRT and localization for surgical resection with low complication rates. The ability to perform a biopsy safely in the same procedure can also increase efficiency. The impact of practice pattern variations on therapeutic effectiveness requires further study.

Trial registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02410837.
Try to see it my way: exploring the co-design of visual presentations of wellbeing through a workshop process
Authors: Craven MP , Goodwin R , Rawsthorne M , Butler D , Waddingham P , Brown S , Jamieson M
Published: April 2019

Aims:

A 10-month project funded by the NewMind network sought to develop the specification of a visualisation toolbox that could be applied on digital platforms (web- or app-based) to support adults with lived experience of mental health difficulties to present and track their personal wellbeing in a multi-media format.

Methods:

A participant co-design methodology, Double Diamond from the Design Council (Great Britain), was used consisting of four phases: Discover – a set of literature and app searches of wellbeing and health visualisation material; Define – an initial workshop with participants with lived experience of mental health problems to discuss wellbeing and visualisation techniques and to share personal visualisations; Develop – a second workshop to add detail to personal visualisations, for example, forms of media to be employed, degree of control over sharing; and Deliver – to disseminate the learning from the exercise.

Results:

Two design workshops were held in December 2017 and April 2018 with 13 and 12 experts-by-experience involved, respectively, including two peer researchers (co-authors) and two individual-carer dyads in each workshop, with over 50% of those being present in both workshops. A total of 20 detailed visualisations were produced, the majority focusing on highly personal and detailed presentations of wellbeing.

Discussion:

While participants concurred on a range of typical dimensions of wellbeing, the individual visualisations generated were in contrast to the techniques currently employed by existing digital wellbeing apps and there was a great diversity in preference for different visualisation types. Participants considered personal visualisations to be useful as self-administered interventions or as a step towards seeking help, as well as being tools for self-appraisal.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that an authoring approach using existing apps may provide the high degree of flexibility required. Training on such tools, delivered via a module on a recovery college course, could be offered.
Culture Vitamins – an Arts on Prescription project in Denmark
Authors: Jensen A
Published: April 2019

Aims:

Four Arts on Prescription (AoP) projects are piloting in Denmark between 2016 and 2019. One of the local authorities delivering the project is Aalborg. The AoP project ‘Culture Vitamins’ runs for 10 weeks and offers a variety of cultural activities averaging 2.5 workshops per week for participants with mild to moderate depression, stress or anxiety. The study aims to evaluate and explore the potential mental health wellbeing benefits for the participants.

Method:

A qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was used and included seven participants who were referred to the project by the local job centre. A thematic approach was applied to analyse the data and a theoretical lens of Salutogenesis was employed to explore the findings.

Findings:

The findings associated with mental health and the themes that emerged from the data described the participants’ subjective experiences and were (1) positive changes, (2) overcoming challenges and being in the ‘space’ and (3) moving from self-critical to self-caring. The reported mental health benefits were increased energy level, increased self-esteem, more joy in life, less panic attacks, increased motivation, a better understanding of own needs, an increased level of self-care and, in addition, some of the participants said that they felt more aligned to the labour market.

Conclusions:

The AoP project offered value and meaning for the participants and can be seen as a motivating tool that created access to new experiences and understandings by means of arts engagement. The ‘Culture Vitamins’ project can be regarded as a catalyst for connecting with inner resources and unlocking some of the barriers that mental ill health has created. The experience has shifted the participants’ experience of themselves in the world and initiated their motivation for the future. The ‘Culture Vitamins’ project offered a positive contribution to public health challenges associated with stress, anxiety and depression of individuals.
Does Hallux Valgus Correction Reduce the Width of the Forefoot?
Authors: Panchbhavi Vinod , Cordova Justin , Chen Jie , Janney Cory
Published: April 2019

Background: Hallux valgus has been associated with a widened forefoot. Most surgical procedures for the correction of hallux valgus have the potential to reduce forefoot width. Success after hallux valgus surgery is correlated with relief of toe pain in conventional shoes and improvement in the appearance of the foot. Therefore, reduction in forefoot width, referred to as metatarsal span (MS), likely correlates with both criteria and may be a reliable radiographic indicator of success after hallux valgus surgery. Methods: Preoperative and postoperative radiographs of 52 patients who underwent correction of hallux valgus with a distal Chevron osteotomy and Akin osteotomy were evaluated by 4 observers. The observers measured the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the intermetatarsal first and second angle (IMA), and the MS. Results: Preoperative HVA ranged from 14° to 48°, IMA ranged from 6° to 25°, and MS ranged from 74.2 to 110.6 mm. The average HVA improvement was 19.4°, IMA improvement was 6.7°, and MS reduction was 8.7 mm. No correlation was identified with regard to correction of the HVA or IMA to MS. Conclusion: Digital radiographic linear measurements were easily and reliably made. Therefore, linear measurements as described in this article can be used as a tool to evaluate if clinical outcomes correlate with reduction of MS. A distal Chevron with an Akin osteotomy has the potential to reduce forefoot width.

Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Case series
Consumption Changes, Not Income Changes, Predict Changes in Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Brown Gordon D. A. , Gathergood John
Published: April 2019

Does happiness depend on what one earns or what one spends? Income is typically found to have small beneficial effects on well-being. However, economic theory suggests that well-being is conferred not by income but by consumption (i.e., spending on goods and services), and a person’s level of consumption may differ greatly from their level of income due to saving behavior and taxation. Moreover, research within consumer psychology has established relationships between people’s spending in specific categories and their well-being. Here we show for the first time using panel data that changes in life satisfaction are associated with changes in consumption, not changes in income. We also find some evidence that increased conspicuous consumption is more strongly associated with improved well-being than is increased nonconspicuous consumption.
From order-to-cash to wall-to-wall: Four SAP implementations at Smithfield Foods
Authors: Shaltayev Dmitriy S , Hasbrouck Robert B
Published: April 2019

This case examines a transformation journey at Smithfield Foods, a global pork processing company. In 2005, Mansour Zadeh, a company’s CIO, initiated a replacement of the old order management legacy system with an SAP SD (sales and distribution) module in one of company’s independently operating divisions. The case ends in 2017 when the entire corporation switches business operations to a company-wide SAP HANA system. The case allows for a discussion of strategic alignment of business and IT, issues involved in selection and customization of an Enterprise Resource Planning package, and structure of IT governance.
The role of observer’s fear of pain and health anxiety in empathy for pain: an experimental study
Authors: Serbic Danijela , Ferguson Lucy , Nichols Georgina , Smith Michaela , Thomas Georgina , Pincus Tamar
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

Empathy for pain is influenced by several factors, including observer beliefs. This study aimed to test the associations between empathy for pain, fear of pain and health anxiety.

Methods:

A total of 182 participants rated their levels of empathy towards 16 images (8 female and 8 male) of individuals in pain and provided measures of fear of pain, health anxiety as well as age, sex and the presence of current pain.

Findings:

Both fear of pain and health anxiety were positively associated with empathy for pain, but in the regression model, only fear of pain was a significant positive predictor of overall empathy for pain and its three subscales: affective distress, vicarious pain and empathic concern. The presence of pain also predicted overall empathy for pain, affective distress and vicarious pain. Observer’s sex and age were not significant. The pattern of results remained the same when we repeated the analysis separately for images with males and females.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that more fearful observers, and those in current pain themselves, have higher levels of empathy for pain. Future research should examine the mechanisms underlying this relationship and how fear of pain may influence empathic behaviours towards people in pain.
Clonazepam-induced liver dysfunction, severe hyperlipidaemia, and hyperglycaemic crisis: A case report
Authors: Kishimoto Miyako , Adachi Masayuki , Takahashi Koichi , Washizaki Kazushige
Published: April 2019

In this study, we report a case of a 50-year-old Japanese man who had chronic whiplash-associated disorder, hyperlipidaemia, hyperuricacidaemia, and mild liver dysfunction due to excessive alcohol intake. Recently, he developed mild tremor in his left hand. Initiation of clonazepam (0.5 mg once daily before bedtime) helped to gradually ameliorate the tremor. However, 13 days after clonazepam initiation, his liver function and lipid profiles aggravated, and his postprandial glucose level increased to 400 mg/dL. Clonazepam was stopped promptly, and at 7 days after discontinuation, the abnormal triglyceride levels, liver dysfunction, and glycometabolism improved without any other medical intervention. This case may provide information on cautious use of clonazepam. When clonazepam is used for patients with existing hyperlipidaemia and liver dysfunction, it may cause abnormal lipid profile, aggravate liver dysfunction, and lead to remarkable glucose elevation.
Spiral Jetty, geoaesthetics, and art: Writing the Anthropocene
Authors: Ballard Susan , Linden Liz
Published: April 2019

Despite the call for artists and writers to respond to the global situation of the Anthropocene, the ‘people disciplines’ have been little published and heard in the major journals of global environmental change. This essay approaches the Anthropocene from a new perspective: that of art. We take as our case study the work of American land artist Robert Smithson who, as a writer and sculptor, declared himself a ‘geological agent’ in 1972. We suggest that Smithson’s land art sculpture Spiral Jetty could be the first marker of the Anthropocene in art, and that, in addition, his creative writing models narrative modes necessary for articulating human relationships with environmental transformation. Presented in the form of a braided essay that employs the critical devices of metaphor and geoaesthetics, we demonstrate how Spiral Jetty represents the Anthropocenic ‘golden spike’ for art history, and also explore the role of first-person narrative in writing about art. We suggest that art and its accompanying creative modes of writing should be taken seriously as major commentators, indicators, and active participants in the crafting of future understandings of the Anthropocene.
Effect of Chinese herbal compound GAPT on the early brain glucose metabolism of APP/PS1 transgenic mice
Authors: Mana Lulu , Feng Huili , Dong Yunfang , Wang Yahan , Shi Jing , Tian Jinzhou , Wang Pengwen
Published: April 2019

A number of studies have shown that early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with abnormal brain glucose metabolism before cognitive decline, which may be the key pathological change of asymptomatic AD. The pathogenesis of AD in traditional Chinese medicine is kidney deficiency and turbid phlegm. Based on this, GAPT (a mixture of herbal extracts) was made to invigorate kidney Yang and eliminate phlegm. Previous studies have shown that GAPT can improve and delay the memory decline, but the specific therapeutic target of AD in an early stage has not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of GAPT on glucose metabolism in the early stage of AD. Eighty-eight 3-month-old male APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group; donepezil group; and low, middle and high GAPT dosage groups. Twelve 3-month-old C57BL/6J mice were used as a control group. The Morris water maze test and the Step-Down Passive-Avoidance test were used to evaluate learning and memory ability. Cerebral extraction and the accumulation of glucose were scanned with a micro-positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging system. Immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to detect the expression of the PI3K/AKT-mTOR signalling pathway–related proteins and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice after 3 months of drug administration. GAPT can shorten the escape latency and error numbers compared to the model group. In micro-PET imaging analysis, GAPT can increase the glucose uptake average rate in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe and hippocampus. The immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and PCR results indicated that GAPT can increase the expression of PI3K, AKT, GLUT1 and GLUT3 in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. In summary, GAPT can improve brain glucose metabolism damage in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, mainly by increasing brain glucose uptake, increasing glucose transport and improving the insulin signalling pathway.
Physiological evidence of stress during woodwind sight-reading
Authors: Zhukov Katie
Published: April 2019

Music performance anxiety (MPA) research has investigated solo performance, using self-reports and questionnaires to measure the efficacy of interventions to reduce MPA. Studies examining physical symptoms of MPA have measured heart rate and muscle tension of players. This pilot study examined MPA’s effects during music sight-reading (SR) by measuring physiological responses and SR accuracy amongst undergraduate woodwind students. The results demonstrate increased arousal as testing materials became more challenging and SR accuracy decreased. Implications for future research and practice include the need to incorporate MPA interventions into SR training and gather physiological evidence to demonstrate the efficacy of therapeutic programmes for management of MPA.
An Approach to Develop Shaper Cum Slotter Mechanism: A Reconfigurable Machine Tool
Authors: Singh Ashutosh , Asjad Mohammad , Gupta Piyush , Quamar Jahangir
Published: April 2019

The traditional structure of machines (such as lathe, milling, shaper, slotter, drilling and planer) has become questionable because of the modular concepts (such as modularity, scalability, convertibility, mobility and flexibility) and reconfiguration becomes a promising approach towards modular manufacturing machines, in which manufacturing techniques are independent of changes. In this area, reconfigurable machine tool (RMT) forms a new class of modular machines in current manufacturing scenario where the manufacturing industry put a strong pressure on good quality and price reduction. The capabilities of the machines tool and manufacturing systems in reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) change with each reconfiguration (both software and hardware modules). In this case, an approach is presented for reconfiguration of horizontal shaper machine for developing the modular shaper cum slotter machine in a manufacturing system by adding some auxiliary (like Scott Russel mechanism) and some basic modules and the reconfiguration features of traditional shaper and slotter machine are also discussed. The proposed approach is illustrated with a figure, which has been designed on 3-D design tool (solid-works software platform). It is expected that, this work will help designers and practising engineers by making them aware of the reconfiguration mechanisms on traditional shaper machine, which have become a necessity for the very survival of manufacturing by lowering the operational costs.
C1–C2 fusion with absence of C1 posterior arch and presence of C2 high-riding vertebral artery: Is it possible?
Authors: Wong Tat Seng , Abdul Rashid Muhammad Lutfi , Hasan Mohd Shahnaz , Chiu Chee Kidd , Chan Chris Yin Wei , Kwan Mun Keong
Published: April 2019

The presence of anatomical anomalies such as absence of C1 posterior arch and presence of C2 high-riding vertebral artery may not allow a conventional C1–C2 fusion, and this patient will require occipitocervical fusion. A 62-year-old lady presented with cervical myelopathy. CT scan demonstrated an os odontoideum with C1–C2 dislocation. The posterior arch of atlas on right C1 vertebra was absent, and there was high-riding vertebral artery on left C2. MRI revealed severe cord compression with cord oedema. The chronic atlantoaxial dislocation was reduced successfully with skeletal traction. Hybrid C1–C2 fusion augmented with autogenous local bone graft with corticocancellous iliac crest bone graft was performed to avoid an unnecessary occipitocervical fusion. She was stable throughout surgery and discharged 6 days later. CT scan 6 months post-operation showed a solid posterior fusion mass. Hybrid C1–C2 fusion can be performed to avoid occipitocervical fusion despite presence of abnormal anatomy at C1 and C2 vertebrae.
Effect of Child Overweight/Obesity Didactic Session on Resident Confidence and Detection
Authors: Carter Rebecca , Silber Molly , Weiss Lindsay , Sharaf Salma , Wang Yan , Hager Erin
Published: April 2019

Objective. To evaluate the impact of an obesity didactic session for pediatric physicians on confidence in counseling and identified overweight/obesity and follow-up recommendations. Methods. Pediatric residents underwent training and completed pre/post online surveys evaluating confidence in obesity prevention and identification. A booster training occurred 1 year later. Pre-/post-training scores were compared using χ2 or Fisher’s exact tests. Electronic medical records data for patients ≥3 years with BMI-for-age percentile ≥85 during 3 months prior/following the training/booster compared frequency of overweight/obesity identification and follow-up recommendations (≤3 months recommended vs longer) using logistic regression adjusting for age and overweight/obese status. Results. Post trainings, improvements in confidence to define/screen for obesity were observed, with a decline between trainings. Overweight/obese identification and follow-up time recommendations improved post-training (identification: 14.2% to 27.4%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.54-6.51; follow-up: 48.9% to 58.9%, aOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.01-2.64), aOR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.10-2.85, and identification remained stable/above pre-training rates both pre-/post-booster (25.8%, aOR = 3.14, 95% CI = 1.53-6.45; and 22.1%, aOR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.25-5.30, respectively). Recommended follow-up time rates continued to rise when measured pre-booster (60.6%, aOR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.10-2.85), then declined (46.0%, aOR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.60-1.52). Conclusion. This didactic session improved resident confidence in defining/screening, identification of overweight/obesity and follow-up recommendations; however, rates of identification remained low. The successes of this intervention support similar didactic sessions in residency programs and identifies opportunities for improved resident/attending education.
Advanced Practice Provider Critical Care Boot Camp: A Simulation-Based Curriculum
Authors: Ahmed Rami A , Botsch Alex , Ballas Derek , Benner Alma , Hammond Jared , Schnick Tim , Khobrani Ahmad , George Richard , Polansky Maura
Published: April 2019

The demand for advanced practice providers (APPs) is increasing across the United States to meet necessary provider staffing requirements including in intensive care settings. Currently, participation in formal postgraduate training programs, or residencies, for APPs is not required for clinical practice, such that most of the APPs immediately enter into the workforce following completion of their initial graduate-level training. Consequently, this results in a supervised training period until APPs develop the necessary competencies to practice more autonomously. Educational programs that support specialty competency development may facilitate the transition of APPs into clinical practice, allowing them to be credentialed to perform essential procedures as quickly as possible. The goal of this boot camp was to provide training for APPs in common critical care, high-risk procedures, and to provide leadership development for high-risk cases to expedite their orientation process. The following manuscript describes our experience with the development, implementation, and short-term evaluation of this training program.
Impact of Digitalization on Indian Rural Banking Customer: With Reference to Payment Systems
Authors: Singh Renu , Malik Garima
Published: April 2019

Moving on from the physical clearance of the cheques to the CTS technology, from brick and mortar model of the banks to the internet banking and mobile banking, launch of BHIM and UPI application, digitalization has become a buzz word in today’s era. Information Technology today has a crucial role to play in an efficient banking system, and Indian banks have placed a strong infrastructure to leverage its benefits by moving on to contextual banking and open Application Programming Interface. Though riddled with lot of risk, banking services have steadily moved forward with digitalization to offer customer services at their fingertips and laptop screens. With Indian Banking Industry competing the world class technology, the rural banking customers still face challenges in embracing digital payments. The article attempts to present the opportunities and challenges recently emerging in the rural banking sector with special emphasis on digitalization and to analyze the importance of digital literacy in today’s banking scenario. This study provides the insights of the digital technology and ways adopted by banks in rural India and to understand the perception and behavior of rural customers toward these services.
Segment Reporting Practices in India: A Case Study of TCS
Authors: Roy Gayatri Guha , Das Bhagaban
Published: April 2019

Segment reporting requires companies especially those which are multi-product and multi-location to disclose their segment-wise operations in their annual reports as well as in their quarterly reports. The users of financial statements have different utilities for the financial information. The users of accounting information are the stakeholders and they are mainly concerned with financial information of various segments of business. The concept of segment reporting in a formalized form is almost 32 years old. It was proposed in 1974 when the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) of USA issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 14. After, this International Accounting Standards Committee issued IAS 14 reporting financial information by segment in 1981. Both SFAS 14 and IAS 14 were revised to make segment reporting more informative. SFAS 14 was revised by the FASB with the issue of SFAS 131 in 1997, whereas IAS 14 was revised in 1998. Now, several countries through the standards issued by their respective national institutions have made the segment reporting mandatory. AS 17 in India mandates listed and other companies to report their financial information by segments. The present case study highlights the segment reporting of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). How the critical analysis of segment reporting is carried out and how it is useful for the external users? This study develops an empirical proxy for the quality of segment reporting from the data in company’s annual reports. Information about an entity’s geographical and business segments is relevant in assessing the risks and returns of a diversified or multinational entity for which such information is often difficult or impossible to determine from aggregated data.
Reviving the lost art of scleral buckling surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: evaluation of risk factors of detachments, poor physiological outcomes, and perspective from a developing country
Authors: Singh Sweta , Khatri Anadi , Byanju Raghunandan , Kharel Muna , Joshi Kriti , Khadka Thapa Saru
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the primary anatomic and physiological success of scleral buckling surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and factors influencing its outcomes.

Methods:

This is a prospective analytical study of 92 eyes that underwent scleral buckling at the Lumbini Eye Institute and Research Center, in Lumbini, Nepal. Parameters evaluated which could influence the outcome of the surgery included the lens status, duration of symptoms, locations of breaks, the extent of retinal detachment, and preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Results:

A total of 92 eyes from 88 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were evaluated; 68 (74%) eyes were of male and 24 (26%) were of female. The mean time of presentation was 4.71 ± 8.45 months. The overall primary anatomical and physiological success was achieved in 79 (84.9%) and 68 (73.9%) of the cases at 6 months. Sixteen cases developed re-detachment (mean duration of 2.8 ± 1.8 months). Eleven of the cases had a successful anatomical outcome and five of the patients had persistent detachment despite second surgery. In phakic patients, the primary success rate was 92.7% whereas in pseudophakic it was 71.4%. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy 10 (63%) was the most common cause of surgical failure. Bilateral buckling at the same setting was done to two patients—both achieving primary success.

Conclusion:

Scleral buckling is a very good surgical option for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and represents a surgical technique worth being trained, performed, practiced, and continued despite advancements in modern vitreoretinal surgical devices and preference for vitrectomy and tamponade agents. It may also be successfully tried in cases of bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment if a doubt regarding compliance for follow-up and surgery for the fellow eye exists.
Chronic CD30 signaling in B cells results in lymphomagenesis by driving the expansion of plasmablasts and B1 cells
Authors: Sperling Stefanie , Fiedler Petra , Lechner Markus , Pollithy Anna , Ehrenberg Stefanie , Schiefer Ana-Iris , Kenner Lukas , Feuchtinger Annette , Kühn Ralf , Swinerd Gene , Schmidt-Supprian Marc , Strobl Lothar J. , Zimber-Strobl Ursula
Published: April 2019

CD30 is expressed on a variety of B-cell lymphomas, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subgroup. In normal tissues, CD30 is expressed on some activated B and T lymphocytes. However, the physiological function of CD30 signaling and its contribution to the generation of CD30+ lymphomas are still poorly understood. To gain a better understanding of CD30 signaling in B cells, we studied the expression of CD30 in different murine B-cell populations. We show that B1 cells expressed higher levels of CD30 than B2 cells and that CD30 was upregulated in IRF4+ plasmablasts (PBs). Furthermore, we generated and analyzed mice expressing a constitutively active CD30 receptor in B lymphocytes. These mice displayed an increase in B1 cells in the peritoneal cavity (PerC) and secondary lymphoid organs as well as increased numbers of plasma cells (PCs). TI-2 immunization resulted in a further expansion of B1 cells and PCs. We provide evidence that the expanded B1 population in the spleen included a fraction of PBs. CD30 signals seemed to enhance PC differentiation by increasing activation of NF-κB and promoting higher levels of phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT6 and nuclear IRF4. In addition, chronic CD30 signaling led to B-cell lymphomagenesis in aged mice. These lymphomas were localized in the spleen and PerC and had a B1-like/plasmablastic phenotype. We conclude that our mouse model mirrors chronic B-cell activation with increased numbers of CD30+ lymphocytes and provides experimental proof that chronic CD30 signaling increases the risk of B-cell lymphomagenesis.
Laboratory animal allergy is preventable in modern research facilities
Authors: Feary Johanna R. , Schofield Susan J. , Canizales Jennifer , Fitzgerald Bernadette , Potts James , Jones Meinir , Cullinan Paul
Published: April 2019

Background

Historical data suggest 15% of laboratory animal workers develop IgE sensitisation and 10% symptoms of laboratory animal allergy (LAA), including occupational asthma. Individually ventilated cages (IVCs) are replacing conventional open cages; we sought to evaluate their impact on the development of LAA.

Methods

We surveyed 750 laboratory animal workers and measured airborne Mus m 1 (mouse allergen) levels in seven UK institutions. We compared the prevalence of sensitisation to mouse proteins (by specific IgE assay or skin prick test) and of work-related allergic symptoms in IVC-only and open cage units.

Results

Full-shift Mus m 1 levels were lower in IVC than open cage units (geometric mean 1.00 (95% CI 0.73–1.36)versus8.35 (95% CI 6.97–9.95) ng·m−3; p<0.001), but varied eight-fold across the IVC units (geometric mean range 0.33–4.12 ng·m−3). Primary analyses on data from 216 participants with ≤3 years exposure to mice revealed a lower prevalence of sensitisation in those working in IVC units compared with conventional cage units (2.4% (n=2)versus9.8% (n=13); p=0.052). Sensitisation in IVC units varied from 0% to 12.5%; the use of fitted respiratory protection was less common in IVC units where prevalence of sensitisation was higher. Work-related allergy symptoms were more frequently reported by mouse-sensitised individuals (46.7%versus10.9%; p<0.001) and only by those working in open cage units.

Conclusion

In contemporary practice, LAA is now largely preventable with the use of IVC systems and the judicious use of appropriate respiratory protection.