bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of balloon guide catheter on clinical outcomes and reperfusion in Trevo thrombectomy
Authors: Nguyen Thanh N , Castonguay Alicia C , Nogueira Raul G , Haussen Diogo C , English Joey D , Satti Sudhakar R , Chen Jennifer , Farid Hamed , Borders Candace , Veznedaroglu Erol , Binning Mandy J , Puri Ajit S , Vora Nirav A , Budzik Ron F , Dabus Guilherme , Linfante Italo , Janardhan Vallabh , Alshekhlee Amer , Abraham Michael G , Edgell Randall C , Taqi M Asif , El Khoury Ramy , Mokin Maxim , Majjhoo Aniel Q , Kabbani Mouhammed R , Froehler Michael T , Finch Ira , Ansari Sameer A , Novakovic Roberta , Abdalkader Mohamad , Zaidat Osama O
Published: February 2019

Introduction

The Solitaire stent retriever registry showed improved reperfusion, faster procedure times, and better outcome in acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion treated with a balloon guide catheter (BGC) and Solitaire stent retriever compared with a conventional guide catheter. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether use of a BGC with the Trevo stent retriever improves outcomes compared with a conventional guide catheter.

Methods

The TRACK registry recruited 23 sites to submit demographic, clinical, and site adjudicated angiographic and outcome data on consecutive patients treated with the Trevo stent retriever. BGC use was at the discretion of the physician.

Results

536 anterior circulation patients (of whom 279 (52.1%) had BGC placement) were included in this analysis. Baseline characteristics were notable for younger patients in the BGC group (65.4±15.3 vs 68.1±13.6, P=0.03) and lower rate of hypertension (72% vs 79%, P=0.06). Mean time from symptom onset to groin puncture was longer in the BGC group (357 vs 319 min, P=0.06).Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b/3 scores were higher in the BGC cohort (84% vs 75.5%, P=0.01). There was no difference in reperfusion time, first pass effect, number of passes, or rescue therapy. Good clinical outcome at 3 months was superior in patients with BGC (57% vs 40%; P=0.0004) with a lower mortality rate (13% vs 23%, P=0.008). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that BGC use was an independent predictor of good clinical outcome (OR 2; 95% CI 1.3 to 3.1, P=0.001).

Conclusions

In acute stroke patients presenting with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion, use of a BGC with the Trevo stent retriever resulted in improved reperfusion, improved clinical outcome, and lower mortality.
Visual assessment of diffusion weighted imaging infarct volume lacks accuracy and reliability
Authors: Khoury Naim , Dargazanli Cyril , Guenego Adrien , Zuber Kevin , Ekmen Asya , Charbonnier Guillaume , Hebert Solène , Capron Jean , Sabben Candice , Morvan Erwan , Boisseau William , Maier Benjamin , Premat Kévin , Clarençon Frédéric , Smajda Stanislas , Redjem Hocine , Chalumeau Vanessa , Boulouis Gregoire , Chetrit Annaëlle , Lecler Augustin , Koskas Patricia , Duron Loic , Ciccio Gabriele , Ducroux Célina , Escalard Simon , Desilles Jean Philippe , Hamdani Mylène , Lapergue Bertrand , Mazighi Mikael , Ben Maacha Malek , Brikci-Nigassa Nahida , Blanc Raphael , Piotin Michel , Fahed Robert
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The DAWN trial (Diffusion weighted imaging or CT perfusion Assessment with clinical mismatch in the triage of Wake-up and late presenting strokes undergoing Neurointervention with Trevo) has demonstrated the benefits of thrombectomy in patients with unknown or late onset strokes, using automated software (RAPID) for measurement of infarct volume. Because RAPID is not available in all centers, we aimed to assess the accuracy and repeatability of visual infarct volume estimation by clinicians and the consequences for thrombectomy decisions based on the DAWN criteria.

Materials and methods

18 physicians, who routinely depend on MRI for acute stroke imaging, assessed 32 MR scans selected from a prospective databaseover two independent sessions. Raters were asked to visually estimate the diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) infarct volume for each case. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the estimated volumes were compared with the available RAPID measurements for various volume cut-off points. Thrombectomy decisions based on DAWN criteria with RAPID measurements and raters’ visual estimates were compared. Inter-rater and intra-rater agreement was measured using kappa statistics.

Results

The mean accuracy of raters was <90% for all volume cut-points. Inter-rater agreement was below substantial for each DWI infarct volume cut-off points. Intra-rater agreement was substantial for 55–83% of raters, depending on the selected cut-off points. Applying DAWN criteria with visual estimates instead of RAPID measurements led to 19% erroneous thrombectomy decisions, and showed a lack of reproducibility.

Conclusion

The visual assessment of DWI infarct volume lacks accuracy and repeatability, and could lead to a significant number of erroneous decisions when applying the DAWN criteria.
Coronary endothelial function testing may improve long-term quality of life in subjects with microvascular coronary endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Reriani Martin , Flammer Andreas J , Duhé Jessica , Li Jing , Gulati Rajiv , Rihal Charanjit S , Lennon Ryan , Tilford Jonella M , Prasad Abhiram , Lerman Lilach O , Lerman Amir
Published: February 2019

Aim

Angina pectoris in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is common and is associated with poor quality of life (QOL). Coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction is associated with myocardial ischaemia and is a common cause of angina. We hypothesise that evaluation of coronary endothelial function, its diagnosis and treatment will favourably impact QOL in patients with angina symptoms and non-obstructive CAD.

Methods and results

Follow-up was done on 457 patients with chest pain and non-obstructive coronary arteries who had undergone coronary vascular reactivity evaluation by administration of intracoronary acetylcholine at the time of diagnostic study. After a mean follow-up of 8.4±4.7 years, QOL was assessed by administration of the SF-36 QOL survey. Patients diagnosed and treated for microvascular endothelial dysfunction had a higher (better) overall mental composite score (44.8 vs 40.9, p=0.036) and mental health score (44.2 vs 40.7, p=0.047), and a trend towards higher vitality scores (39.1 vs 35.9, p=0.053) and role emotional scores (43.6 vs 40.4, p=0.073), compared with patients with normal endothelial function.

Conclusion

Among patients with chest pain and normal coronaries, diagnosis and treatment of coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction in those with angina pectoris and non-obstructive CAD are associated with better QOL compared with patients with normal endothelial function.
Potential use of PCSK9 inhibitors as a secondary preventative measure for cardiovascular disease following acute coronary syndrome: a UK real-world study
Authors: Elamin Ahmed Farouk Mohamed , Grafton-Clarke Ciaran , Wen Chen Kai , Obafemi Toba , Luvai Ahai , Katira Ravish , Davis Gershan
Published: February 2019

Background

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are a major development in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is one of the most significant discoveries since the development of statin therapy. Administration of two human monoclonal antibodies to PCSK9 (alirocumab and evolocumab) can significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) concentrations, thus improving lipid management. Accordingly, guidelines on the specific indications for alirocumab and evolocumab usage have been released. This multicentre study aimed to estimate the proportion of patients treated for an acute myocardial infarction (MI) who could be considered for PCSK9 inhibitors under the current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) lipid targets criteria.

Methods

The records of 596 patients in two large hospitals in Liverpool, UK were analysed. Information was collected on lipid profiles during and after admission, lipid-lowering therapy and previous CVD.

Results

At least 2.2% of patients were eligible for PCSK9 inhibitors post-MI under the current NICE guidance. Additionally, 29% of patients failed to achieve LDL-c concentrations <2.0 mmol/L despite maximum statin therapy and failed to meet eligibility for PCSK9 inhibitors as per the NICE criteria. This cohort represents a group of patients ‘in limbo’, in which statin therapy alone is not sufficient to reduce LDL-c.

Conclusions

PCSK9 inhibitors are expensive and so their use must be highly selective. At present, in a real-world setting with ezetimibe underprescribing, ~2% of patients are eligible and a further 30% are deprived of benefit and improved outcomes by lack of optimisation and/or potential use of PCSK9 inhibitors.
Limb sparing achieved by ray amputation for osteosarcoma of the left third metacarpal bone in a labrador
Authors: Hall Jon L , Mason Sarah L
Published: February 2019

A seven‐year‐old male neutered labrador weighing 35 kg with a two‐week history of left forelimb lameness was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the third metacarpal bone. No pulmonary metastases were detected and ray amputation (removal of the left third metacarpal bone and third phalanx en bloc) was performed. Circumferential sutures were placed around metacarpals II and IV to realign the adjacent bones and digits during the healing period. The dog received six cycles of single‐agent carboplatin (300 mg/m2) postoperatively. Restaging nine months postoperatively revealed no evidence of metastasis or recurrence. Two years postoperatively, the dog has no evidence of complications or lameness. Thoracic limb amputation and postoperative adjunctive therapy are considered the gold standard treatment for appendicular osteosarcoma; however, an oncological compartment excision of this bone tumour was performed with similar outcome for the patient while preserving the limb.
Src kinase controls signaling pathways in sensory neuron triggered by low-power infrared radiation
Authors: Plakhova Vera B. , Penniyaynen Valentina A. , Yachnev Igor L. , Rogachevskii Ilya V. , Podzorova Svetlana A. , Krylov Boris V.
Published: February 2019

Low-power (non-thermal) infrared (IR) radiation with the wavelength of 10.6 μm activates the Na,K-ATPase transducer function in sensory neurons, which is manifested in decrease of NaV1.8 channel voltage sensitivity at the cellular membrane level and in inhibition of growth of chick embryo dorsal root ganglia neurites at the tissue level. It is shown that the effect of low-power IR radiation is totally blocked by a specific Src kinase inhibitor, PP2. Upon irradiation on the background of PP2, the effective charge of NaV1.8 channel activation gating system does not differ from its control value in patch-clamp experiments, and the area index of sensory ganglia neurites growth remains unchanged as compared with the control in organotypic tissue culture. The data obtained demonstrate that Src kinase is involved in intracellular signaling pathways triggered by CO2 laser low-power IR radiation by the transducer-activated mechanism. This is the first indication that in primary sensory neuron the signals of low-power IR radiation are sensed, amplified, and transduced by the Na,K-ATPase/Src complex and not by G proteins.
Establishment of an efficient alfalfa regeneration system via organogenesis and the co-expression of Arabidopsis SOS genes improves salt tolerance in transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: Wang Jing , Xu Xing , Ma Dongmei
Published: February 2019

The Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) signal transduction pathway is pivotal in Na+ efflux and facilitates ion transport and homeostasis for improved salt tolerance in plants. Ten alfalfa varieties were used as experimental materials and two alfalfa regeneration systems were established and optimized. Cotyledons and hypocotyls were initially used as explants to induce embryogenic callus via the indirect production of somatic embryos to establish a callus acceptor system. Cotyledonary nodes were used as explants to induce adventitious bud formation via direct organogenesis, thereby establishing an in vitro regeneration system that could be used for the genetic transformation. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the cotyledonary nodes of the alfalfa ‘Golden Empress b’ was used to generate 25 independent sources of transformed plants exhibiting herbicide tolerance. Four of the positive transgenic plants were randomly selected for southern blot analysis, and three hybridization signals with one or two copies were detected. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that the Bialaphos resistance (Bar) and SOS1 genes were expressed in transgenic plants and that multiple exogenous salt-tolerant genes were integrated into the transgenic plant genome and expressed at the transcriptional level. The overexpression of Arabidopsis SOS genes in alfalfa conferred a high degree of salinity tolerance, enhanced plant growth, lowered the accumulation of Na+, increased the accumulation of K+ in the leaves, and altered physiological and biochemical parameters in response to salt stress.
Multiple season-long sprays of ethephon or NAA combined with calcium chloride on ‘Honeycrisp’ apples: I. Effect on bloom and fruit quality attributes
Authors: Cline John A.
Published: February 2019

‘Honeycrisp’ apple trees are highly prone to biennial bearing and predisposed to bitter pit. The hypothesis that tank mix sprays of ethephon (ETH), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) combined with calcium chloride (CaCl2) can mitigate these production problems was tested in a 3-yr study. Mature ‘Honeycrisp’ trees were treated with either three or six summer applications of 150 mg L−1ETH or 5 mg L−1NAA, all tank-mixed with and without CaCl2, or two or five applications of 150 mg L−1ACC (without CaCl2). Treatments were applied at 10-d intervals and initiated between 21 and 26 June. All treatments had little effect on enhancing return bloom of ‘Honeycrisp’. NAA, ETH, and CaCl2all influenced fruit maturity and quality at harvest to varying degrees and across years. Fruit treated with NAA were firmer compared with untreated fruit in 2 out of 3 yr, whereas overall, fruit treated with six sprays of ETH had lower fruit firmness and were more mature. NAA had less influence on fruit quality attributes at harvest than did ETH, and decreased pre-harvest fruit drop (PFD). PFD increased with ETH in 1 out of 2 yr, whereas ACC and NAA both decreased PFD in 1 out of 2 yr. Overall, ETH and NAA, with or without CaCl2, had significant but inconsistent effects on fruit quality and maturity, all dependent on the year and number of applications. Adding CaCl2decreased fruit firmness in 2 out of 3 yr.
The effects of childhood trauma on adolescent hippocampal subfields
Authors: Malhi Gin S , Das Pritha , Outhred Tim , Irwin Lauren , Gessler Danielle , Bwabi Zina , Bryant Richard , Mannie Zola
Published: February 2019

Objective:

Mood disorders are more common among girls and typically emerge during adolescence. The precise reasons for this are unknown, but among the many mechanisms implicated are stress-induced hippocampal structural changes during this developmental stage. The hippocampus is a complex structure comprised of subfields that develop differentially and respond variably to stress and childhood adversity, both of which are risk factors for mood disorders. To better understand vulnerability to mood disorders, we investigated a cohort of adolescent girls and determined volumetric changes in their hippocampal subfields to elucidate the potential effects of childhood trauma.

Methods:

Of the 229 participants, 201 girls (aged 12–17 years) fulfilled our analysis inclusion criteria. Of these, 76 had been exposed to higher emotional trauma (emotional abuse or neglect). The girls underwent high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging scans, and hippocampal subfield volumes were measured using FreeSurfer. We compared hippocampal subfield volumes in those exposed to higher emotional trauma and those exposed to minimal emotional trauma, at three time-points of adolescent development: early (12–13 years), mid (14–15 years) and late (16–17 years).

Results:

Mid-adolescent girls exposed to higher emotional trauma had significantly smaller left CA3 volumes than minimal emotional trauma girls ( p = 0.028). Within the minimal emotional trauma group, mid-adolescents had significantly larger left CA3 volumes than early ( p = 0.034) and late ( p = 0.036) adolescents. Within the higher emotional trauma group, early adolescents had significantly larger left CA3 volumes than late adolescents ( p = 0.036).

Conclusion:

In our exploratory study, we observed higher emotional trauma–induced volume changes in the left CA3 hippocampal subfield, which varied depending on age, and may ultimately produce deficits in behavioural, cognitive and emotional processes. We propose that these changes (1) may provide a mechanism through which vulnerability to mood disorders may be increased in adolescent girls, and (2) may signal the best times to implement targeted prevention interventions.
Personality Traits and Individual Attitude toward the Independence–Unification Issue in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Chia-hung , Wang Ching-Hsing , Weng Dennis Lu-Chung
Published: February 2019

This study examines the effects of the Big Five personality traits on individual attitude toward the independence–unification issue in Taiwan. Using an original dataset, this study finds that extraversion and openness to experience are significantly associated with individual attitude toward the independence–unification issue. Specifically, a higher level of extraversion is associated with an increased likelihood of support for unification with China, whereas a higher level of openness to experience is associated with an increased likelihood of support for Taiwan independence. Moreover, higher levels of extraversion and openness to experience increase the likelihood of support for change in cross-strait relations. Also, there are no gender-differentiated effects of personality traits on individual attitude toward the independence–unification issue. Overall, this study concludes that personality traits can provide some explanatory power for individual attitude toward the independence–unification issue. Therefore, personality traits merit more serious attention in the analysis of Taiwanese peoples’ positions on cross-strait relations.
Drug Users and HIV Risk in Guatemala City, Guatemala
Authors: Hembling John , Bertrand Jane , Melendez Giovanni , Ponchick Laura
Published: February 2019

Injection drug use is a known risk factor for HIV transmission, but research suggests non-injection drug use also heightens HIV risk. This study measures HIV prevalence and examines sexual behavior among drug users in Guatemala City. The multiplier method and respondent-driven sampling (RDS) were used to estimate the size of the population, generating a representative sample of 299 drug users 18+ years old living in Guatemala City. The study found that drug users tended to be males with low education and income; 6% were HIV positive. Most drug users reported sexual behaviors that heightened the risk of HIV transmission like multiple sexual partners, buying or selling sex, low rates of consistent condom use, and exchanging sex for drugs. HIV prevalence is low in Guatemala, but non-injection drug use likely increases behaviors that heighten risk of HIV transmission.
Can Meaning at Work Guard Against the Consequences of Objectification?
Authors: Auzoult Laurent
Published: February 2019

Objectification at work reflects instrumentality and denial of humanness in work relationships. These relationships have deleterious consequences for workplace health. One of the consequences of this type of relationship is self-objectification in which the self is perceived as a non-person or as an object. This phenomenon leads to perceiving oneself without mental states (i.e., dementalization) or as an instrument (i.e., instrumentalization) and as a nonperson (i.e., loss of humanness). However, few studies have considered how to reduce these consequences. In this study, we examine the protective role of meaning at work against the consequences of objectification. A total of 153 employees answered an online questionnaire which measured objectification, meaning of work, mentalization, and instrumentality/humanness. The results highlight an impact of objectification on instrumentality and humanness but not on mentalization as in previous studies. There is also a moderation effect of the meaning of work on the relationship between objectification and humanness. These results lead us to consider instrumentality, humanness, and dementalization as separate constructs accounting for self-objectification.
Pre-treatment of Calotropis gigantea fibers with functional plasticizing and toughening auxiliary agents
Authors: Zhao Zeyu , Zheng Zhaozhu , Chen Peng , Zhang Haifeng , Yang Chunyu , Wang Xiaoqin , Li Gang
Published: February 2019

Calotropis gigantea ( C. gigantea) has not yet been utilized in the textile industry due to its poor spinning capability. Here, we demonstrate the use of a functional auxiliary agent to improve the spinning possibility of C. gigantea fibers. Firstly, a functional plasticizing and toughening auxiliary agent (PTAA) with concentrations of 6%, 9%, and 12% (w/w) were sprayed on C. gigantea fibers, which were then dried at various drying temperatures for different drying periods. The physical properties, secondary structure, crystallization, and weight gain rate were examined before and after the processing treatment, and compared to another two commonly used commercial auxiliary agents, namely waterborne polyurethane and wook lubricating oil. The maximum breaking strength was achieved when the optimum concentration of the PTAA was 9 wt.%, the optimum drying temperature was 80℃, and the optimum time was 1 h. The C. gigantea fiber treated by the PTAA had better spinning possibility compared to the fibers treated by the other two commercial auxiliary agents in terms of weight gain rate ( p < 0.001), initial modulus ( p < 0.05), and reduced crystallinity (35.6%). The results showed that PTAA treatment is an effective way to improve the spinning possibility of C. gigantea fibers. The development of our new auxiliary agent and understanding of its effects on improving the spinning possibility of C. gigantea fibers could facilitate the development of C. gigantea fibers as a lignocellulosic raw material for applications in industrial textiles.
Development of non-fluorine superhydrophobic textiles using polypropylene resins
Authors: Kim Jung Yoon , Yun Changsang , Park Chung Hee
Published: February 2019

This study aims to develop environment-friendly superhydrophobic textiles forming nanoparticles of polypropylene that have intrinsically low surface energy, and thus achieving the requirements for superhydrophobicity, such as hierarchical roughness and low surface energy at once. This work mainly studies the influences of tacticity (isotactic, atactic), concentration (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/ml), drying temperature (30℃ and 70℃) and the mixing ratio of the solvent/non-solvent (9:1, 8:2, 7:3 and 6:4) on the coating morphology and wettability. In the case of isotactic polypropylene, the optimal condition showing the water contact angle of 173° and the water shedding angle of 4° was at 70℃ drying temperature, 30 mg/ml concentration and 6:4 solvent/non-solvent mixing ratio. Amorphous polypropylene showed the water contact angle of 163° and the water shedding angle of 9° at the condition of 30℃ drying temperature, 40 mg/ml concentration and 8:2 solvent/non-solvent mixing ratio. It was revealed that superhydrophobicity by amorphous polypropylene was exhibited at lower drying temperature and lower mixing ratio for the non-solvent. This is attributed to the different evaporation temperature or speed of the solvent/non-solvent mixing according to the tacticity of polypropylene. This study demonstrated that environmental-friendliness was improved in that superhydrophobic textiles were developed without fluorine compounds, maintaining vapor permeability. This study also developed a finishing method using amorphous polypropylene under a mild condition in terms of drying temperature and solvent toxicity, which is expected to be applicable not only to polyester but also to various fabrics.
Beyond Command and Control: Tensions Arising From Empowerment Initiatives
Authors: van Baarle Steven , Dolmans Sharon AM , Bobelyn Annelies SA , Romme A Georges L
Published: February 2019

In this study, we explore how empowerment initiatives can be understood by drawing on key notions from the power literature. By conceptualizing empowerment as the transformation toward ‘power to’ by actively using ‘power over’, we uncover power-related dynamics and tensions arising from empowerment initiatives in ways that go beyond prior work. Our in-depth case study of an empowerment initiative in a military organization highlights the complex challenges that powerful actors face when attempting to enhance the power to act elsewhere in the organization. Our findings demonstrate how power-related tensions arise between and within actors, as actors combine and shift between different power practices. We find that power tensions are not merely relational in nature (i.e. between actors), but also arise when individual cognition differs from action. By showing how the interplay of different power practices may result in major tensions, our findings provide a new perspective on why organizational empowerment initiatives may produce unintended outcomes or even completely fail. Moreover, while power-over, power-to and transformative power practices are typically explored separately, this study is one of the first to shed light on the complex relation between these power practices, thereby examining them together. Finally, this study demonstrates how cross-fertilization between the empowerment and power discourses may advance both fields.
Never mind the bollards: The politics of policing car attacks through the securitisation of crowded urban places
Authors: Chambers Peter , Andrews Tom
Published: February 2019

This paper follows an example of security bollarding in response to car attacks, now widely offered as a solution to the ‘new normal’ use of motor vehicles as weapons for terrorist attacks in crowded urban places. We examine the relations between the specificities of an attack in Melbourne in 2017, where bollards were presented as regrettable but necessary. We explore how improvisations softened the political impact of this target hardening through an aesthetic harm reduction called bollart, and we give attention to how bollarding is aligned with global logistics, governing social complexity by securing circulation. Finally, we analyse how the bollard minded the concerns of its publics by establishing an agentic relay of responsibilisation. In policing car attacks by securitising, the dream of security and the nightmare of catastrophe were patiently translated back into ‘business as usual’ through a set of measures that deflected risks and costs: by hedging, through building resilience, by absorbing semiotic flak and preventing responsibility from resting with any ‘one’. The bollard provided a way to govern complexity by policing terror in public spaces – in the absence of the police, or a shared vision of justice.
Effects of Signalization at Rural Intersections Considering the Elderly Driving Population
Authors: Yue Lishengsa , Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Lee Jaeyoung , Farid Ahmed
Published: February 2019

The main objective of this study is to quantify the safety impacts of signalization at Florida’s rural three-leg and four-leg stop-controlled intersections by estimating crash modification factors. The intersections are those in which stop signs are provided for the minor approaches or all-way stop-controlled intersections. The crash modification factors (CMF) are estimated using the cross-sectional method. Generalized linear models (GLM) and multivariate adaptive regression spline models (MARS) are employed with four years of Florida crash data. The K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and K-means clustering algorithms are implemented to identify the comparison sites which are sites having similar characteristics as those of the converted intersections. Furthermore, the quasi-induced exposure method is used to evaluate separately the safety effects of signalization for elderly and non-elderly drivers. According to the results, signalization contributes to an increase in property damage only (PDO) and rear-end crashes. In addition, elderly drivers are more at risk of being involved in such crashes than non-elderly drivers. In particular, at rural four-leg two-way stop-controlled intersections, signalization decreases crash severity, and a greater percentage of the decrease is observed for the elderly drivers than non-elderly especially when the intersection has a high level of major-road average annual daily traffic (AADT) and elderly driver proportion. This study also demonstrates that the MARS model shows a better model fit than the GLM model due to its strength in capturing nonlinear relationships and interaction effects among variables. This study’s findings have implications for both practitioners and researchers.
Design of Various Shear Connectors for Repair of Corroded Steel Girders with Ultra-High Performance Concrete
Authors: Kruszewski Dominic , Zaghi Arash E.
Published: February 2019

Corrosion accounts for approximately 20% of the structurally deficient bridges in the United States, causing a massive backlog of rehabilitation projects. The current repair procedure for corroded bridge girders is expensive, slow to implement, and necessitates complete closure of the bridge. Through an extensive study supported by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, a novel repair method has been developed to rapidly restore the strength of corroded bridge girder ends with minimal traffic interruption. First, shear connectors in the form of headed studs are welded on the uncorroded web plate above the bearing. Next, formwork is placed and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is cast down to the bottom flange. This creates an alternate load path around the section loss. Based on the experimental results, it may be concluded that the implementation of the repair reduces the strains on the web plate and strengthens the bridge girder, allowing it to surpass its original capacity. However, the success of the repair centers around the performance of the shear connectors. In addition to headed studs, threaded bars and UHPC dowels in perforated web were evaluated experimentally as alternative shear-transfer mechanisms. This paper presents the repair design objectives and considerations for a realistic girder end utilizing different shear connectors to demonstrate the flexibility and versatility of the repair. The details of the designs are illustrated to facilitate the transition of the research findings to practice.
Healthy Through Presence or Absence, Nature or Science?: A Framework for Understanding Front-of-Package Food Claims
Authors: André Quentin , Chandon Pierre , Haws Kelly
Published: February 2019

Food products claim to be healthy in many ways, but prior research has investigated these claims at either the macro level (using broad descriptions such as “healthy” or “tasty”) or the micro level (using single claims such as “low fat”). The authors use a meso-level framework to examine whether these claims invoke natural or scientific arguments and whether they communicate about positive attributes present in the food or negative attributes absent from the food. They find that common front-of-packaging claims can be appropriately classified into (1) science- and absence-focused claims about “removing negatives,” (2) science- and presence-focused claims about “adding positives,” (3) nature- and absence-focused claims about “not adding negatives,” and (4) nature- and presence-focused claims about “not removing positives.” The authors conduct validation studies using breakfast cereals, a category for which nutrition quality varies but food claims are constant. They find that claim type is completely uncorrelated to actual nutrition quality yet influences inferences consumers make about taste, healthiness, and dieting. Claim type also helps predict the effects of hedonic eating, healthy eating, or weight loss goals on food choice.
Prussian blue-modified ferritin nanoparticles for effective tumor chemo-photothermal combination therapy via enhancing reactive oxygen species production
Authors: Li Hao , Zhang Wei , Ding Li , Li Xing-Wang , Wu Yang , Tang Jin-Hai
Published: February 2019

To realize the photothermal therapy ability of Prussian blue-modified ferritin nanoparticles (PB-Ft NPs) and its synergistic effect with chemotherapy, PB-Ft NPs were synthesized by a simple surface double decomposition reaction. Mean sizes of ferritin and PB-Ft NPs were 10.4 nm and 12.6 nm, respectively. The obtained PB-Ft NPs were verified to have both the photothermal conversion ability of Prussian blue and the morphology of ferritin. The in vitro and in vivo photothermal therapy results confirm PB-Ft NPs can successfully inhibit the growth of murine breast cancer cell line (4T1) without any obvious side effect. Moreover, taking use of the peroxidase-like activity of PB-Ft NPs, the photothermal therapy effect of PB-Ft NPs effectively improved the curative effect of gemcitabine (GEM) via enhancing reactive oxygen species production. The obtained PB-Ft NPs can be served as a useful and safe photothermal therapy agent in breast cancer. Moreover, PB-Ft NPs-assisted photothermal therapy can be applied as an adjunctive therapy with various established cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.
Kinematic analysis of deployable parallel mechanisms
Authors: Yang Shuofei , Li Yangmin
Published: February 2019

Inspired by the existing closed-loop deployable mechanisms and parallel mechanisms, a new kind of mechanisms, named deployable parallel mechanisms, is introduced in this paper, and the kinematic analysis is presented. As the combination of deployable mechanisms and parallel mechanisms, deployable parallel mechanisms have advantages of both the two kinds of mechanisms. They can be easily constructed by origami and folded from spatial structures into paper slices. Due to the parallel structures, they can be designed to have higher stiffness and larger volume compressibility than the existing deployable mechanisms. Thus, deployable parallel mechanisms have tremendous potential to be applied in the design of spatial solar panels, elastic reconfigurable robotic modules, etc. With reference to the kinematic analysis of parallel mechanisms, a finite and instantaneous screw method for kinematics of deployable parallel mechanisms is proposed, which is a generic method that is suitable for displacement and velocity modeling and analysis of any deployable parallel mechanism. A typical mechanism with symmetrical structure is taken as an example to show the validity of the proposed method, and simulation and experiment are carried out to verify the obtained results of kinematics. This paper puts forth the basic concepts of deployable parallel mechanisms and lays a theoretical foundation for their kinematic modeling and analysis.
Blind source extraction of rolling bearings' multi-type faults based on self-learned sparse atomics
Authors: Wang Hong Chao
Published: February 2019

The feature of rolling element bearings' multi-type faults is very hard to extract using common feature extraction method such as envelope demodulation, and the main reason is that there exists mutual coupling effect when multi-type faults arise in rolling element bearing synchronously. Blind source extraction originating from blind source separation is an effective method for feature extraction of rolling bearings' multi-type faults. However, the extraction result would not be ideal if blind source extraction is used directly due to the above stated mutual coupling effect. Sparse representation is a relative new signal processing method, which could capture the latent fault feature components buried in the vibration signal. So, blind source extraction of rolling element bearings' multi-type faults based on sparse representation is proposed in the paper. Firstly, the self-learned sparse atomics originating from sparse representation is applied to the multi-type faults vibration signals directly and several learned atomics are obtained. Then, the multi-type faults vibration signals are reconstructed based on the obtained learned atomics and sparse multi-type faults vibration signals are obtained. Thirdly, the blind source extraction method is applied to the reconstructed sparse vibration signals. Lastly, envelope demodulation is applied to the blind source extraction results respectively and satisfactory fault feature extraction results are obtained. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified through simulation and experiment.
When citizens talk: Stance and representation in online discourse on Biafra agitations
Authors: Ajiboye Esther , Abioye Taiwo
Published: February 2019

Biafra secessionist agitations in Nigeria continue to generate varied conversations online and offline. This study applies critical discourse analysis and the appraisal framework in examining social actor representations in the ongoing Biafra agitations in Nigeria. It analyses posts produced by interlocutors, as they express variegated stances towards the agitations and its actors, within two vibrant Nigerian digital communities, Nairaland and Nigeria Village Square. This study identifies binary social actor positioning, revealing both negative valence and positive self-representation strategies towards the agitations and principal social actors in the agitations. Expressed within the appraisal resources of attitude, engagement and graduation, these valuations result in the distribution of socially and emotionally constructed identities for the principal social actors in the agitations. Such distribution is socio-cognitive, as there is the likelihood that the representations might evolve into the creation of new ideological orientations or the reinforcement of existing ideological leanings, whose consequences are potentially double-edged for tranquillity in the Nigerian polity.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a risk factor for cancer: a nationwide population-based study in Korea
Authors: Bae E.H. , Lim S.Y. , Han K.-D. , Jung J.-Hy. , Choi H.S. , Kim C.S. , Ma S.K. , Kim SW
Published: February 2019

Objective

Specific differences in cancer risk have been observed between systemic lupus erythematosus patients and the general population. Although meta-analyses have estimated cancer incidence in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, results have been inconclusive. Hence, we aimed to assess malignancy risk in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, compared to the risk in the general population.

Methods

Systemic lupus erythematosus patients ( n = 21,016; mean age 41.67 ± 13.14 years; female 90.22%) were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2008 and 2014. Age- and sex-matched controls were randomly sampled in a 5:1 ratio ( n = 105,080).

Results

During the 7 years of follow up, malignancy was detected in 763 (3.63%) systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 2667 (2.54%) controls. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients had a higher risk of malignancy than controls (odds ratio 1.44; 95% confidence interval 1.327–1.559), after multivariate adjustment. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients had a higher odds ratio for developing cervical, thyroid, ovarian, and oral cancer, as well as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma than controls. Based on subgroup analysis, male systemic lupus erythematosus patients and patients younger than 40 years showed the highest lymphoma risk.

Conclusions

Systemic lupus erythematosus might be an independent risk factor for cancer. Therefore, the importance of cancer screening programs should be emphasized in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Our study is the first large nationwide cohort study for evaluating the risk of cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
When less time is preferred: An analysis of the conceptualization and measurement of overemployment
Authors: Hiemer Julia , Andresen Maike
Published: February 2019

Socioeconomic panel data indicate that numerous employees would prefer to work less, i.e. that they are overemployed. However, due to inconsistent definitions and divergent operationalizations of overemployment, integrating existing research results is challenging and implications for research and practice are difficult to draw. To advance research in this field, we present an analysis of the concept and measurement of overemployment. To analyze the concept, we proceed in two steps. In step 1, we present the range of overemployment definitions in the literature and systematize the similarities and differences in these previous conceptualizations with the aim of arriving at an adequate definition of “overemployment.” In step 2, in view of the partial overlap between existing definitions of overemployment and other concepts used in past research, we demarcate overemployment from related concepts, identify conceptual distinctions between overemployment and other concepts and explore connections between concepts. To analyze the measurement of overemployment, we look at the bandwidth of content, measurement levels and question wording in overemployment measures and discuss the consequences of the different measures used for the overemployment rates found. We then present a consistent approach towards conceptualizing and measuring overemployment which aids future research on overemployment and similar concepts.
William Wadd’s clinical studies and portraiture
Authors: Neher Allister J
Published: February 2019

In his time, William Wadd (1776–1829) was a well-known and well-respected surgeon and writer. He was also a very good visual artist who made his own anatomical illustrations. The subject of this paper is a set of drawings by Wadd in the collection of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The drawings appear to be clinical studies, but what is most striking about them is the way in which they make use of the conventions of portraiture from that time. In an era before standardised, artistically neutral illustrations, they provide an excellent example of how medicine and the fine arts were interrelated in the production of knowledge.
Etiology and Treatment Outcomes for Sural Neuroma
Authors: Lans Jonathan , Gamo Linda , DiGiovanni Christopher W. , Chen Neal C. , Eberlin Kyle R.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Neuroma results from disorganized regeneration following nerve injury and may be symptomatic. The aim of this study was to investigate the causes, treatment, and outcomes of operatively treated sural neuromas, and to describe the factors associated with persistent or unchanged postoperative pain symptoms.

Methods:

Consecutive patients with surgically treated sural neuromas in a 14-year period were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes ( n = 49), followed by a chart review to collect patient and treatment characteristics. Postoperative pain symptoms were categorized as complete resolution of pain, improvement of pain, no change in pain, or worse pain. The median patient age was 46.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 39.1-51.3), and median follow-up was 4.0 years (IQR, 1.9-9.2).

Results:

Ninety percent of symptomatic sural neuromas developed as a result of previous lower extremity surgery. Initial surgery of sural neuroma led to improvement in pain in 63% of patients, and an additional 8.2% of the patients had improvement after secondary neuroma surgery. Pain relief after diagnostic injection showed a trend toward an association with postoperative pain improvement. Neuroma excision and implantation in muscle was the most common surgical technique used (67%). Four of the 7 patients that underwent a second neuroma operation reported symptom improvement.

Conclusion:

Sural neuromas may arise from prior surgery or trauma to the lower extremity. Surgical intervention resulted in either improvement or complete resolution of pain symptoms in 71% of patients, although occasionally more than one procedure was required to obtain symptomatic relief. Preoperative anesthetic injection may help identify patients that benefit from neuroma surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Paraphilia and Antisociality: Motivations for Sexual Offending May Differ for American Whites and Blacks
Authors: Lee Seung C. , Hanson R. Karl , Calkins Cynthia , Jeglic Elizabeth
Published: February 2019

There has been little research on the sexual offending behavior of different racial groups. This study compares the characteristics and risk factors for American, non-Hispanic Whites ( n =797) and Blacks ( n = 788) who had been convicted of a sexual crime in New Jersey. The results indicated that Whites appeared more paraphilic whereas Blacks displayed higher antisociality. Despite the differences, however, the Static-99R, sexual recidivism risk tool, predicted equally well for both racial groups: Whites (area under the curve [AUC] = .76) and Blacks (AUC = .78). The findings suggest that there may be opportunities to improve treatment for the individuals at risk for sexual offending by tailoring interventions to the distinctive risk-relevant characteristics of Whites and Blacks.
Optimization of hot-air drying conditions for cassava flour for its application in gluten-free pasta formulation
Authors: Ramírez M , Tenorio MJ , Ramírez C , Jaques A , Nuñez H , Simpson R , Vega O
Published: February 2019

The design and development of gluten-free foods requires a comprehensive understanding of the behavior of the raw materials to attain the same cooking and nutritional quality as gluten-based food. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal hot-air drying conditions for elaboration of cassava flour to be used in a gluten-free pasta formulation. The results showed that the operational conditions to minimize the hot-air drying time (57 min) to produce cassava flour with higher water holding capacity was 57 ℃ at 3 m/s. Then, the optimal formulation for the pasta was found to be cassava (26 g/100 g), amaranth flour (12 g/100 g), and carboxymethyl cellulose (0.23 g/100 g), which maximized the Aw (0.160), moisture content (3.10 g/100 g), hardness (5.02 N), and protein content (9.30 g/100 g), and it is used for the sensorial analysis, which showed that an earthy taste was the main problem with consumer satisfaction.
Tracheal Injury Prior to Sternotomy: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Henley Megan D. , Kumar Priya A.
Published: February 2019

Tracheal laceration during cardiac surgery is a rarely reported form of iatrogenic tracheal injury. During dissection prior to sternotomy, the interclavicular ligament must be divided. This structure overlies the proximal trachea, predisposing the trachea to injury at this location. Challenges related to tracheal laceration in cardiac surgery include patients with already tenuous cardiopulmonary status, surgical positioning that increases the risk of injury, obscured traditional clinical findings causing delayed recognition, increased risk of mediastinitis, and a heightened risk of airway fire. The incidence, mechanism, and ideal management of sternotomy-related tracheal injury, though a life-threatening complication, is rarely described in the literature. Consensus is lacking regarding the necessity and timing of tracheal repair versus conservative management, whether to proceed with the initially planned procedure, and the optimal timing of airway exchange in the event of endotracheal tube cuff rupture. In this article, we present the management of a full-thickness thermal tracheal injury due to electrocautery, resulting in a large air leak treated with delayed endotracheal tube exchange and tracheal repair after cardiopulmonary bypass.