bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Laser-Induced Oxidation of Ti6Al4V Alloy Under Two Different Reactive Atmospheres
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhao Guolong , He Ning , Li Liang , Iqbal Asif
Published: January 2020

The oxidation behavior of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy under laser irradiation in atmospheric and oxygen-assisted conditions was studied. A nanosecond-pulsed Yb: glass fiber laser was used. The thickness of oxide layer, microstructure, and phase composition of the material after laser irradiation were investigated. The characterization of the surface and subsurface microstructure, as well as the cross-sectional morphology were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phase identification was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The combined effects of accumulated laser fluence and reactive atmosphere on the oxidation behavior of Ti6Al4V were also studied in detail. With an increase in accumulated laser fluence, a porous and easily removable oxide layer gradually formed on the surface, whereas a compact oxide layer was also formed. At high accumulated laser fluence, the thickness of the porous oxide layer increased dramatically, while the change of thickness of compact oxide layer was not obvious. The reactive atmosphere also had a significant influence on the microstructure of the surface and subsurface layers. SEM and XRD results revealed existence of strong oxidation reactions that underwent in the condition of assisted oxygen delivery at a fixed accumulated laser fluence. The oxide layer was composed mainly of anatase and rutile titanium oxides.
Improvements in Accuracy of Fused Deposition Modeling Via Integration of Low-Cost On-Board Vision Systems
Authors: Basile Vito , Modica Francesco , Fontana Gianmauro , Ruggeri Serena , Fassi Irene
Published: January 2020

In fused deposition modeling (FDM) process, several uncertainty sources contribute to low accuracy and bad surface finishing. Besides intrinsic uncertainties, other factors, related to the machine structure and actuation, participate to increase complexity and reduce the controllability of the process. On-board vision systems can be successfully exploited to monitor the deposition process and to acquire quantitative information on geometry and transients. This information can be used to calibrate the process parameters where a compensation strategy is implemented. In this paper, a low-cost vision system capable of microscopic acquisitions is integrated into an FDM machine and image-processing techniques are exploited to define calibration procedures to improve the process accuracy, thus extending the use of this equipment to micromanufacturing applications. The effectiveness of the integration is evaluated through the fabrication of a microfluidic device.
Electrical Discharge/Electrochemical Hybrid Machining Based on the Same Machine and Tool Electrode
Authors: Kishi Ryoichiro , Yan Jiwang
Published: January 2020

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) causes surface defects such as resolidified layer and microcracks, and a finishing process is usually needed to remove these defects. In this paper, a hybrid process was proposed where electrochemical machining (ECM) was performed as a finishing process after EDM using the same tool electrode on the same machine. By using two kinds of disk-type rotary electrodes, rectangular grooves and grooves with convex inner structures were fabricated. Surface topography were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and laser-probe surface profilometer. The material removal mechanism of resolidified layers was clarified. The surface roughness of the rectangular groove was improved from 3.82 μm Ra to 0.86 μm Ra after ECM. Electrode rotation was effective for flushing electrolytic products when fabricating inner structures. As there is no need for exchanging tools and machines, tool alignment error can be prevented and productivity can be improved. Therefore, the proposed EDM/ECM hybrid process contributes to rapid fabrication of microscale products with high surface integrity.
Multiscale Surface Patterning of Zirconia by Picosecond Pulsed Laser Irradiation
Authors: Yamamuro Yuka , Shimoyama Tomotaka , Yamashita Isao , Yan Jiwang
Published: January 2020

Irradiation of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was performed by a picosecond pulsed laser to investigate the possibility for multiscale surface patterning. Nanoscale laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) were successfully generated inside microscale grooves over a large surface area under specific conditions. A thermally induced phase transformation of YSZ was identified after laser irradiation, and this phase transformation was restrained by reducing the laser power or the number of irradiations. Moreover, it was found that the generation of LIPSS greatly changed the surface wettability of YSZ. These results demonstrated the possibility of creating zirconia hybrid patterns with high functionality, which may expand the applications of YSZ in industry.
Assessing the Measurement Properties of the Fitbit Zip® Among Adults Living With HIV
Authors: Dagenais Matthieu , Salbach Nancy M. , Brooks Dina , O’Brien Kelly K.
Published: January 2020

Purpose: To assess the criterion and construct validity of the Fitbit Zip®to measure physical activity among adults living with HIV.Methods: Participants were video recorded completing 2 walk tests while wearing the Fitbit Zip®and completed 3 self-reported physical activity questionnaires 1 week later. The authors calculated intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) to determine agreement between the number of steps taken and distance walked (Fitbit Zip®) with the visual count of number of steps taken and actual distance walked (walk tests). The authors tested 15 a priori hypotheses about predicted associations between questionnaire scores and physical activity measured by the Fitbit Zip®.Results: Among the 34 participants, there was “excellent” agreement between the number of steps taken measured by the Fitbit Zip®and visually counted number of steps taken (ICC = .99) and number of steps taken at slow (ICC = .75), moderate (ICC = .85), and fast (ICC = .78) walking speeds. There was “poor” agreement between the Fitbit Zip®recorded distance and actual determined distance walked (ICC = .20). Three (20%) construct validity hypotheses were confirmed.Conclusions: The Fitbit Zip®demonstrated criterion validity for its ability to measure number of steps taken but not distance walked, and did not demonstrate construct validity for measuring physical activity among adults with HIV.
Kinetic and Kinematic Changes in Vertical Jump in Prepubescent Girls After 10 Weeks of Plyometric Training
Authors: Katsikari K. , Bassa Eleni , Skoufas Dimitrios , Lazaridis Savvas , Kotzamanidis Christos , Patikas Dimitrios A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose: To examine the effect of a 10-week plyometric training (PT) on the kinematic and kinetic properties of prepubescent girls during squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jumps. Methods: Twenty-four untrained girls (aged 9–11 y) were assigned to a training group (TG) and a control group. The TG followed twice a week PT for 10 weeks. Squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jumps performed from heights of 20, 35, and 50 cm were tested before and after PT. Jump height, kinematic, and kinetic parameters were evaluated using a motion analysis system and a force plate. Results: Jumping height in all jump types increased significantly after PT for the TG (P < .001). After training, the TG presented increased power (P < .001) and knee angular velocity (P < .001), higher knee flexion at the deepest point during the braking phase (P < .001), longer contact time (P < .001), and unchanged stiffness and reaction strength index (P > .05). No differences were observed in the control group (P > .05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that a 10-week PT positively affected jumping performance in prepubescent girls who improved their drop jump performance after training not by adopting a stiff/bouncing jumping style of short contact time and increased stiffness, but a compliant/absorbing style of prolonged contact time.
Managing Fear and Fantasy: Cultural Politics and Gameplay Governance in the National Basketball Association, 1990–2006
Authors: Marston Steve Booth
Published: January 2020

In the 1990s and 2000s, National Basketball Association (NBA) officials instituted a series of new penalties for players initiating bodily contact on the court. This article demonstrates, through a focus on the rhetoric by which the new rules were written and supported, that gameplay governance reflected cultural-political context. Officials navigated Blackophobia and Blackophilia, as theorized by Yousman, by promising to both contain the threat and unleash the exciting athleticism of the Black athlete/body. Amid turn-of-the-century “crime” discourse, this rhetoric reiterated, and continues to reiterate, the apparent necessity of White neoliberal paternalism in relation to Black subjects. Such reiteration of dominant ideology has been central to officials’ efforts to integrate the NBA spectacle into the global-capitalist system.
DNA Stable-Isotope Probing Delineates Carbon Flows from Rice Residues into Soil Microbial Communities Depending on Fertilization
Authors: Kong Yali , Kuzyakov Yakov , Ruan Yang , Zhang Junwei , Wang Tingting , Wang Min , Guo Shiwei , Shen Qirong , Ling Ning
Published: January 2020

Identifying and understanding the active microbial communities and interactions involved in plant residue utilization are key questions to elucidate the transformation of soil organic matter (SOM) in agricultural ecosystems. Microbial community composition responds strongly to management, but little is known about specific microbial groups involved in plant residue utilization and, consequently, microbial functions under different methods of fertilization. We combined DNA stable-isotope (
13
C) probing and high-throughput sequencing to identify active fungal and bacterial groups degrading residues in soils after 3 years of mineral fertilization with and without manure. Manuring changed the active microbial composition and complexified microbial interactions involved in residue C flow. Most fungal genera, especially
Chaetomium
,
Staphylotrichum, Penicillium
, and
Aspergillus
, responded to residue addition faster in soils that historically had received manure. We generated a valuable library of microorganisms involved in plant residue utilization for future targeted research to exploit specific functions of microbial groups in organic matter utilization and C sequestration.
Carbon Use Efficiency and Its Temperature Sensitivity Covary in Soil Bacteria
Authors: Pold Grace , Domeignoz-Horta Luiz A. , Morrison Eric W. , Frey Serita D. , Sistla Seeta A. , DeAngelis Kristen M.
Published: January 2020

Soil microbes respond to environmental change by altering how they allocate carbon to growth versus respiration—or carbon use efficiency (CUE). Ecosystem and Earth System models, used to project how global soil C stocks will continue to respond to the climate crisis, often assume that microbes respond homogeneously to changes in the environment. In this study, we quantified how CUE varies with changes in temperature and substrate quality in soil bacteria and evaluated why CUE characteristics may differ between bacterial isolates and in response to altered growth conditions. We found that bacterial taxa capable of rapid growth were more efficient than those limited to slow growth and that taxa with high CUE were more likely to become less efficient at higher temperatures than those that were less efficient to begin with. Together, our results support the idea that the CUE temperature response is constrained by both growth rate and CUE and that this partly explains how bacteria acclimate to a warming world.
Neurotrophic Factors Protect the Intestinal Barrier from Rotavirus Insult in Mice
Authors: Hagbom Marie , De Faria Felipe Meira , Winberg Martin E. , Westerberg Sonja , Nordgren Johan , Sharma Sumit , Keita Åsa V. , Loitto Vesa , Magnusson Karl-Eric , Svensson Lennart
Published: January 2020

Human and mouse studies have shown that rotavirus infection is associated with low inflammation and unaffected intestinal barrier at the time of diarrhea, properties different from most bacterial and inflammatory diseases of the gut. We showed by
in vitro
,
ex vivo
, and
in vivo
experiments that neurotrophic factors and 5-HT have barrier protective properties during rotavirus insult. These observations advance our understanding of how the gut barrier is protected against rotavirus and suggest that rotavirus affects the gut barrier differently from bacteria. This is the first report to show that neurotrophic factors contribute to maintain the gut epithelial barrier during viral insult.
Inhibition of HIV Replication by Apolipoprotein A-I Binding Protein Targeting the Lipid Rafts
Authors: Dubrovsky Larisa , Ward Adam , Choi Soo-Ho , Pushkarsky Tatiana , Brichacek Beda , Vanpouille Christophe , Adzhubei Alexei A. , Mukhamedova Nigora , Sviridov Dmitri , Margolis Leonid , Jones Richard B. , Miller Yury I. , Bukrinsky Michael
Published: January 2020

Apolipoprotein A-I binding protein (AIBP) is a recently identified innate anti-inflammatory factor. Here, we show that AIBP inhibited HIV replication by targeting lipid rafts and reducing virus-cell fusion. Importantly, AIBP selectively reduced levels of rafts on cells stimulated by an inflammatory stimulus or treated with extracellular vesicles containing HIV-1 protein Nef without affecting rafts on nonactivated cells. Accordingly, fusion of monocyte-derived macrophages with HIV was sensitive to AIBP only in the presence of Nef. Silencing of endogenous AIBP significantly upregulated HIV-1 replication. Interestingly, HIV-1 replication in cells from donors with the HLA-B*35 genotype, associated with rapid progression of HIV disease, was not inhibited by AIBP. These results suggest that AIBP is an innate anti-HIV factor that targets virus-cell fusion.
Essential Role of mGBP7 for Survival of Toxoplasma gondii Infection
Authors: Steffens Nora , Beuter-Gunia Cornelia , Kravets Elisabeth , Reich Artur , Legewie Larissa , Pfeffer Klaus , Degrandi Daniel
Published: January 2020

Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) are induced by the inflammatory cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and have been shown to be important factors in the defense of the intracellular pathogen
Toxoplasma gondii
. In previous studies, we showed that members of the mouse GBP family, such as mGBP2 and mGBP7, accumulate at the parasitophorous vacuole of
T. gondii
, which is the replicatory niche of the parasite. In this study, we show that mice deficient in mGBP7 succumb early after infection with
T. gondii
, showing a complete failure of resistance to the pathogen. On a molecular level, mGBP7 is found directly at the parasite, likely mediating its destruction.
How Bacterial Chemoreceptors Evolve Novel Ligand Specificities
Authors: Gavira José Antonio , Gumerov Vadim M. , Rico-Jiménez Miriam , Petukh Marharyta , Upadhyay Amit A. , Ortega Alvaro , Matilla Miguel A. , Zhulin Igor B. , Krell Tino
Published: January 2020

Many bacteria possess a large number of chemoreceptors that recognize a variety of different compounds. More than 60% of the genomes analyzed in this study contain paralogous chemoreceptors, suggesting that they emerge with high frequency. We provide first insight on how paralogous receptors have evolved and show that two chemoreceptors with a narrow ligand range have evolved from an ancestral protein with a broad chemoeffector spectrum. Protein structures show that multiple changes in the ligand-binding site account for the differences in the ligand spectrum. This work lays the ground for further studies aimed at establishing whether the principles of ligand-binding evolution reported here can be generalized for a wider spectrum of sensory proteins in bacteria.
A Complex Interplay between Nitric Oxide, Quorum Sensing, and the Unique Secondary Metabolite Tundrenone Constitutes the Hypoxia Response in
Methylobacter
Authors: Yu Zheng , Pesesky Mitchell , Zhang Lei , Huang Jing , Winkler Mari , Chistoserdova Ludmila
Published: January 2020

Here, we describe a novel and complex hypoxia response system in a methanotrophic bacterium that involves modules of central carbon metabolism, denitrification, quorum sensing, and a secondary metabolite, tundrenone. This intricate stress response system, so far unique to
Methylobacter
species, may be responsible for the persistence and activity of these species across gradients of dioxygen tensions and for the cosmopolitan distribution of these organisms in freshwater and soil environments in the Northern Hemisphere, including the fast-melting permafrosts.
Extreme Antibiotic Persistence via Heterogeneity-Generating Mutations Targeting Translation
Authors: Khare Anupama , Tavazoie Saeed
Published: January 2020

Bacterial persistence is a fascinating phenomenon in which a small subpopulation of bacteria becomes phenotypically tolerant to lethal antibiotic exposure. There is growing evidence that populations of bacteria in chronic clinical infections develop a hyperpersistent phenotype, enabling a substantially larger subpopulation to survive repeated antibiotic treatment. The mechanisms of persistence and modes of increasing persistence rates remain largely unknown. Here, we utilized experimental evolution to select for
Escherichia coli
mutants that have more than a thousandfold increase in persistence rates. We discovered that a variety of individual mutations to translation-related processes are causally involved. Furthermore, we found that these mutations lead to population heterogeneity in the expression of specific genes. We show that this can be used to isolate populations in which the majority of bacteria are persisters, thereby enabling systems-level characterization of this fascinating and clinically significant microbial phenomenon.
Cross-cultural validation of the Retinopathy Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire status version (RetTSQs) in Serbian community: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Karadzic Jelena , Stojkovic Milenko , Risimic Dijana , Bozic Marija , Slijepcevic Nikola , Polovina Snezana , Grgurevic Anita
Published: January 2020

Objective

Cross-cultural translation and validation of the Serbian version of the Retinopathy Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire status version (RetTSQs).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Settings

The study was conducted between June 2017 and June 2018 at tertiary care centre in Serbia, Belgrade.

Participants

A total of 101 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) were included. All subjects were evaluated in two consecutive visits, the first during the initial contact to the clinic, while the second 4–6 weeks later.

Main outcome measures

Validation of Serbian version of the RetTSQs was the major outcome.

Results

Cronbach alpha coefficient of the subscales ranged from 0.783 (positive scale) to 0.811 (negative scale) and for all domains it was excellent at α=0.829. The intraclass correlation coefficient was greater than 0.8 for all of the subscales. Univariable analyses revealed that age, gender, education, marital status and working status did not affect the RetTSQ scores, whereas participants with non-proliferative DR reported signiﬁcantly higher treatment satisfaction (TS) than those with proliferative retinopathy (p=0.001). The group who received laser treatment scored signiﬁcantly lower than the group without it (p=0.004) regardless of type of performed laser. Positive and statistically significant correlations were found between the RetTSQ score and most of the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 subscales.

Conclusion

Translated Serbian adaptation of the RetTSQs showed adequate psychometric characteristics as an acceptable, reliable and valid questionnaire. It was well understood by Serbian diabetic patients and it promises to be used in daily clinical work as an instrument for the assessment of TS for patients with DR.
HEV study protocol : design of a cluster-randomised, blinded trial to assess the safety, immunogenicity and effectiveness of the hepatitis E vaccine HEV 239 (Hecolin) in women of childbearing age in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Zaman K , Dudman Susanne , Stene-Johansen Kathrine , Qadri Firdausi , Yunus Md , Sandbu Synne , Gurley Emily S , Overbo Joakim , Julin Cathinka Halle , Dembinski Jennifer Lynn , Nahar Quamrun , Rahman Anisur , Bhuiyan Taufiqur R , Rahman Mustafizur , Haque Warda , Khan Jahangir , Aziz Asma , Khanam Mahbuba , Streatfield Peter Kim , Clemens John D
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis in the developing world and is a public health problem, in particular among pregnant women, where it may lead to severe or fatal complications. A recombinant HEV vaccine, 239 (Hecolin; Xiamen Innovax Biotech, Xiamen, China), is licensed in China, but WHO calls for further studies to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of this vaccine in vulnerable populations, and to evaluate protection in pregnancy. We are therefore conducting a phase IV trial to assess the effectiveness, safety and immunogenicity of the HEV 239 vaccine when given in women of childbearing age in rural Bangladesh, where HEV infection is endemic.

Methods and analysis

Enrolment of a target of approximately 20 000 non-pregnant women, aged 16–39 years, started on 2 October 2017 in Matlab, Bangladesh. Sixty-seven villages were randomised by village at a 1:1 ratio to receive either the HEV vaccine or the control vaccine (hepatitis B vaccine). A 3-dose vaccination series at 0, 1 and 6 months is ongoing, and women are followed up for 24 months. The primary outcome is confirmed HEV disease among pregnant women. After vaccination, participants are requested to report information about clinical hepatitis symptoms. Participants who become pregnant are visited at their homes every 2 weeks to collect information about pregnancy outcome and to screen for clinical hepatitis. All suspected hepatitis cases undergo laboratory testing for diagnostic evaluation. The incidence of confirmed HEV disease among pregnant and non-pregnant women will be compared between the HEV vaccinated and control groups, safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine will also be evaluated.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was reviewed and approved by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh Research Review Committee and Ethical Review Committee, and the Directorate General of Drug Administration in Bangladesh, and by the Regional Ethics Committee in Norway. This article is based on the protocol version 2.2 dated 29 June 2017. We will present the results through peer-reviewed publications and at international conferences.

Trial registration number

The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov with the registry name “Effectiveness Trial to Evaluate Protection of Pregnant Women by Hepatitis E Vaccine in Bangladesh” and the identifierNCT02759991.
Postnatal care following hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a qualitative study of views and experiences of primary and secondary care clinicians
Authors: Bick Debra , Silverio Sergio A , Bye Amanda , Chang Yan-Shing
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To explore clinicians’ views and experiences of caring for postnatal women who had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), awareness of relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance to inform their postnatal management, the extent to which NICE guidance was implemented, barriers and facilitators to implementation and how care could be enhanced to support women’s future health.

Design

A qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was used for coding and theme generation.

Setting

Four National Health Service maternity units and three general practice clinics in South-East and South-West London.

Participants

A maximum variation, purposive sample of 20 clinicians with experience of providing postnatal care to women following HDP.

Results

Four main themes were generated: variation in knowledge and clinical practice; communication and education; provision of care; locus of responsibility for care. Perceived barriers to implementation of NICE guidance included lack of postnatal care plans and pathways, poor continuity of care, poor antihypertensive medication management, uncertainty around responsibility for postnatal care and women’s lack of awareness of the importance of postnatal follow-up for their future health. Some clinicians considered that women were discharged from inpatient care too soon, as primary care clinicians did not have specialist knowledge of HDP management. Most clinicians acknowledged the need for better planning, communication and coordination of care across health settings.

Conclusions

Evidence of longer term consequences for women’s health following HDP is accumulating, with potential for NICE guidance to support better outcomes for women if implemented. Clinicians responsible for postnatal care following HDP should ensure that they are familiar with relevant NICE guidance, able to implement recommendations and involve women in decisions about ongoing care and why this is important. The continued low priority and resources allocated to postnatal services will continue to promote missed opportunities to improve outcomes for women, their infants and families.
Psychosocial treatments for relapse prevention in schizophrenia: study protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised evidence
Authors: Bighelli Irene , Rodolico Alessandro , Pitschel-Walz Gabi , Hansen Wulf-Peter , Barbui Corrado , Furukawa Toshi A , Salanti Georgia , Leucht Stefan
Published: January 2020

Introduction

There is evidence that different psychosocial interventions could reduce the risk of relapse in schizophrenia, but a comprehensive evidence based on their relative efficacy is lacking. We will conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA), integrating direct and indirect comparisons from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to rank psychosocial treatments for relapse prevention in schizophrenia according to their efficacy, acceptability and tolerability.

Methods and analysis

We will include all RCTs comparing a psychosocial treatment aimed at preventing relapse in patients with schizophrenia with another psychosocial intervention or with a no treatment condition (waiting list, treatment as usual). We will include studies on adult patients with schizophrenia, excluding specific subpopulations (eg, acutely ill patients). Primary outcome will be the number of patients experiencing a relapse. Secondary outcomes will be acceptability (dropout), change in overall, positive, negative and depressive symptoms, quality of life, adherence, functioning and adverse events. Published and unpublished studies will be sought through database searches, trial registries and websites. Study selection and data extraction will be conducted by at least two independent reviewers. We will conduct random-effects NMA to synthesise all evidence for each outcome and obtain a comprehensive ranking of all treatments. NMA will be conducted in R within a frequentist framework. The risk of bias in studies will be evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the credibility of the evidence will be evaluated using Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be conducted to assess the robustness of the findings.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical issues are foreseen. Results from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019147884.
Association of open communication and the emotional and behavioural impact of medical error on patients and families: state-wide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Prentice Julia C , Bell Sigall K , Thomas Eric J , Schneider Eric C , Weingart Saul N , Weissman Joel S , Schlesinger Mark J
Published: January 2020

Background

How openly healthcare providers communicate after a medical error may influence long-term impacts. We sought to understand whether greater open communication is associated with fewer persisting emotional impacts, healthcare avoidance and loss of trust.

Methods

Cross-sectional 2018 recontact survey assessing experience with medical error in a 2017 random digit dial survey of Massachusetts residents. Two hundred and fifty-three respondents self-reported medical error. Respondents were similar to non-respondents in sociodemographics confirming minimal response bias. Time since error was categorised as <1, 1–2 or 3–6 years before interview. Open communication was measured with six questions assessing different communication elements. Persistent impacts included emotional (eg, sadness, anger), healthcare avoidance (specific providers or all medical care) and loss of trust in healthcare. Logistic regressions examined the association between open communication and long-term impacts.

Results

Of respondents self-reporting a medical error 3–6 years ago, 51% reported at least one current emotional impact; 57% reported avoiding doctor/facilities involved in error; 67% reported loss of trust. Open communication varied: 34% reported no communication and 24% reported ≥5 elements. Controlling for error severity, respondents reporting the most open communication had significantly lower odds of persisting sadness (OR=0.17, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.60, p=0.006), depression (OR=0.16, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.77, p=0.022) or feeling abandoned/betrayed (OR=0.10, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.48, p=0.004) compared with respondents reporting no communication. Open communication significantly predicted less doctor/facility avoidance, but was not associated with medical care avoidance or healthcare trust.

Conclusions

Negative emotional impacts from medical error can persist for years. Open communication is associated with reduced emotional impacts and decreased avoidance of doctors/facilities involved in the error. Communication and resolution programmes could facilitate transparent conversations and reduce some of the negative impacts of medical error.
Time series evaluation of improvement interventions to reduce alarm notifications in a paediatric hospital
Authors: Pater Colleen M , Sosa Tina K , Boyer Jacquelyn , Cable Rhonda , Egan Melinda , Knilans Timothy K , Schondelmeyer Amanda C , Schuler Christine L , Madsen Nicolas L
Published: January 2020

Background10

The Joint Commission identified inpatient alarm reduction as an opportunity to improve patient safety; enhance patient, family and nursing satisfaction; and optimise workflow. We used quality improvement (QI) methods to safely decrease non-actionable alarm notifications to bedside providers.

Methods

In a paediatric tertiary care centre, we convened a multidisciplinary team to address alarm notifications in our acute care cardiology unit. Alarm notification was defined as any alert to bedside providers for each patient-triggered monitor alarm. Our aim was to decrease alarm notifications per monitored bed per day by 60%. Plan-Do-Study-Act testing cycles included updating notification technology, establishing alarm logic and modifying bedside workflow processes, including silencing the volume on all bedside monitors. Our secondary outcome measure was nursing satisfaction. Balancing safety measures included floor to intensive care unit transfers and patient acuity level.

Results

At baseline, there was an average of 71 initial alarm notifications per monitored bed per day. Over a 3.5-year improvement period (2014–2017), the rate decreased by 68% to 22 initial alarm notifications per monitored bed per day. The proportion of initial to total alarm notifications remained stable, decreasing slightly from 51% to 40%. There was a significant improvement in subjective nursing satisfaction. At baseline, 32% of nurses agreed they were able to respond to alarms appropriately and quickly. Following interventions, agreement increased to 76% (p<0.001). We sustained these improvements over a year without a change in monitored balancing measures.

Conclusion

We successfully reduced alarm notifications while preserving patient safety over a 4-year period in a complex paediatric patient population using technological advances and QI methodology. Continued efforts are needed to further optimise monitor use across paediatric hospital units.
Knowledge and attitudes are important factors in farmers’ choice of lamb tail docking length
Authors: Woodruff Madeleine Eloise , Doyle Rebecca , Coleman Grahame , Hemsworth Lauren , Munoz Carolina
Published: January 2020

Background

Tail docking is common practice in the sheep industry to prevent soiling of the breech and flystrike. To ensure optimal healing after tail docking and reduce the risk of arthritis, perineal cancers and prolapses, it is recommended to dock tails equivalent to the length of the vulva. However, recent studies have found that some tails are docked too short (24–86 per cent).

Methods

To address this issue, this study aimed to identify key drivers behind tail docking length decisions. Two focus groups, phone (n=30) and online surveys (n=21) were conducted in regional Victoria, Australia to examine farmer knowledge of and attitudes towards appropriate lamb tail length and barriers to best practice. The focus group data were analysed qualitatively, and the surveys were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively.

Results

In total, 57 per cent of farmers were classed as docking tails short. Short tail docking appeared to be influenced by unawareness of the recommended length and docking at a length that shearers approve of. Other potential factors included lack of knowledge of negative health consequences associated with short tails, importance placed on dag and flystrike prevention, and impracticality of measuring where to dock.

Conclusion

Addressing these factors in future education and intervention programmes may improve tail docking practice and sheep welfare.
First-principles study on the optical spectra of ZrO2 crystal with oxygen vacancy
Authors: Guo Rui , Liu Tingyu , Lu Yazhou , Li Qiuyue , Jiao Xuping , Xu Xun
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present the optical spectra of the ZrO2 crystal containing oxygen vacancy based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT). The finite-size correction scheme (FNV) is employed to eliminate the artificial interactions and correct the defect formation energy of oxygen vacancies with three different charges (0, +1, +2). Besides, we use hybrid density functionals to relieve the band edge problem. Finally, we obtain the optical spectra for the F center and F[Formula: see text] center containing the electron–phonon coupling. The absorption peak of F center of threefold coordinate oxygen vacancy (V[Formula: see text]) near 446 nm (2.78 eV) agrees well with the experimental value (2.83 eV), which can enhance the visible light photocatalytic ability of ZrO2. The luminescence peak of the F[Formula: see text] center of fourfold coordinate oxygen vacancy (V[Formula: see text]) is 561 nm (2.21 eV), which is close to the experimental value (2.5 eV).
INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP STYLES OF BANKERS IN DECISION MAKING ON LOANS TO START-UP ENTREPRENEURS
Authors: KUMAR MUKESH , PANDEY SURUCHI , SINHA VINITA , SRIVASTAVA ANUGAMINI PRIYA
Published: January 2020

Availability of bank financing has been a matter of serious concern for start-up enterprises. Various reasons for non-availability of bank financing by these entities have been studied in the past; however, the role of bankers’ leadership styles has not been explored well. Although leadership in the banking sector is well researched, studies on influence of leadership styles in decisions made by bankers on providing loans to start-up entrepreneurs are non-existent. Therefore, the objective of this study is to find out if three leadership styles — i.e. transformational, transactional and laissez-faire — influence bankers while they make a decision on providing a loan to a start-up entrepreneur. The findings of this paper indicate that, out of three leadership styles, transformational leadership style has a significant influence on decisions made by bankers on loans to start-up entrepreneurs while transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles did not have a significant influence on bankers.
Electrooxidation of Glycerol on Self-Organized, Mixed Au–Pt Interfaces Formed on Ni Substrates
Authors: Schichtl Zebulon G. , Mehrabi Hamed , Coridan Robert H.
Published: January 2020

Glycerol is a biproduct of esterification reactions in biodiesel production. Identifying new uses for the significant oversupply of glycerol can reduce the costs associated with biodiesel production. Glycerol is of interest as the anodic half-reaction paired with cathodic electrolytic reactions such as hydrogen evolution or CO2 reduction. Replacing water oxidation with glycerol oxidation can significantly decrease the overall cell potential for generating the reduced product on the cathode, and thus, improve the power conversion efficiency of the cathodic process. Here, we describe a method for fabricating hierarchically-structured glycerol electrooxidation anodes by galvanic replacement reactions on Ni substrates. We show that galvanic replacement is an effective approach to synthesize mixed Au–Pt electrodes with improved electrochemical durability and lower onset potentials for glycerol oxidation compared to otherwise identical monometallic Pt or Au electrodes, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of the mixed-metal electrodes show that the electronic structure of surface Pt is modified by the presence of Au, which can possibly explain the enhanced electrochemical durability of the mixed-metal electrodes. We also show that the galvanic replacement process can be translated to high surface area Ni foam electrodes for improving the electrochemical durability at higher geometric current densities vs equivalent planar electrodes.
Review—Wearable Graphene Devices for Sensing
Authors: Xie Jian , Chen Qiong , Shen Hangjia , Li Gaoran
Published: January 2020

Graphene has become one of the most readily used materials in wearable sensing technology due to its unique properties of lightweight, ultrahigh carrier mobility, good environmental stability and robust mechanical flexibility. However, efforts based on graphene have still rarely been made for fabricating device-level wearable sensors. In addition, few review articles related to these aspects have been reported. In this work, recent research progress of wearable graphene sensors for healthcare, motion detections, and environment monitoring, is briefly reviewed. Also, the challenges and perspectives for the future generation of wearable graphene sensors are also highlighted. This work provides a comprehensive understanding on the present research situations and challenges for wearable graphene devices for sensing.
Standard of Crushing Value of Coarse Aggregates for Permeable Asphalt Mixture Based on Contact Stress between Aggregates
Authors: Xiaoge Tian , Xiaofei Wang , Huitong Yuan
Published: January 2020

Crushing resistance of coarse aggregate is the key to the stability and durability of the skeleton structure of permeable asphalt (PA) mixture. To determine the technical requirements of crushing value of coarse aggregate used in PA mixture, step-loading compression tests were conducted on the mixtures of PA-13 and a control asphalt mixture AC-13, respectively. Virtual compression tests under the same loading conditions were simulated on the corresponding digital specimens with PFC2D®. By comparing the load-deformation curves obtained from the actual tests and virtual simulation, the values of the microscopic parameters of the two graded mixtures were obtained through trial calculation and adjustment. Then, the states of contact stress between aggregates in PA-13 and AC-13 mixtures under the standard crushing pressure (400 kN) were analyzed with PFC2D®. It was found that the average normal contact stress and the maximum normal contact stress between aggregates in PA-13 were 1.71 times and 1.28 times larger than those in AC-13, respectively. The crushing values of two different lithologic coarse aggregates were measured under different pressures, 400 kN or 600 kN, respectively. The crushing value criterion of coarse aggregates used in the PA mixture was suggested to be no greater than 16% after comparative analysis.
The Risk of Drug-Drug Interactions with Paracetamol in a Population of Hospitalized Geriatric Patients
Authors: Kaas Oldenburg Lykke Ida , Dalhoff Kim Peder , Sandoval Luana Østerdal , Vermehren Charlotte
Published: January 2020

Aims. This study investigates the consumption of paracetamol and the risk of potential drug-drug interactions and assesses the clinical impact hereof in patients admitted to a department of geriatric medicine. Methods. A retrospective and longitudinal study was conducted in patients who had been receiving paracetamol upon or during hospitalization. The hospital files of the included patients were reviewed, including documentation of concomitant medications, diagnoses, biochemical values, and adverse incidents during admission. These parameters were used as a clinical follow-up when assessing a clinical probability impact of the identified drug-drug interactions. Results. In total, 104 patients were admitted during the study period. 91 (87.5%) of these (mean age 86 years) received a prescription or were treated with paracetamol. Of these, 10% were evaluated as being at risk of potential drug-drug interactions with paracetamol. Seven of the potential drug-drug interactions were related to treatments with warfarin, one with valsartan and one with phenytoin. Of the nine patients at risk, six did experience either abnormal biochemical values or potential related clinical incidents. Four patients experienced increased INR (range 3.2–4.6), of which one patient suffered from anaemia and one with hematemesis. Two patients experienced increased ALAT/ASAT (55/42 U/I and 87/51 U/I, both females). One experienced hypertension. Conclusion. A large majority of the patients in this study received treatment with paracetamol. Six patients were evaluated as having abnormal biochemical values or were experiencing clinical incidents during their hospitalization potentially related to the identified potential drug-drug interactions.
Sparse Representation for Different Animal Vertebra Classification along the Fixation Trajectory of Pedicle Screw
Authors: Liu YangYang , Wang ZhiQiang , Wang Kang , Qian ZhiYu , Gao Yang , Li WeiTao
Published: January 2020

Pedicle screw (PS) implantation is an ideal method for the treatment of severe multilevel vertebral instability. The key problem is the accuracy of PS fixation. In this paper, the spectrum of different tissues along the fixation trajectory of PS is studied to tackle the accuracy problem. Fresh porcine vertebrae, bovine vertebrae, and ovine vertebrae were measured by using the near-infrared spectrum (NIRs) device to obtain the reflected spectrum from these vertebrae. Along the fixation trajectory of PS, the classification method based on the sparse representation-based classifier (SRC) was applied to different vertebral tissues (cortical bones and cancellous bones). Considering the large amount of spectral data, sparse preserving projection (SPP) was applied to improve the performance of SRC. The proposed method based on the SPP method for dimensionality reduction and the SRC method for tissue recognition was first used in vertebrae classification and showed superior performance compared with other classification methods, such as SVM and 1NN. The results gained from this project are vital significant to the development of hi-tech medical instruments with independent intellectual property rights.
Incidence and Time Trends of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Adults in Zhejiang Province, China, 2007-2017
Authors: Wang Meng , Gong Wei-Wei , Pan Jin , Fei Fang-Rong , Wang Hao , Yu Min , Zhou Xiao-Yan , Hu Ru-Ying
Published: January 2020

Aims. Population-based incidence data are paramount to assess the effects of prevention strategies for diabetes, yet the relevant studies in mainland China are scarce. This study is aimed at estimating the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) incidence and time trends in Chinese adults. Material and Methods. Based on the Diabetes Surveillance System of Zhejiang Province, 879,769 newly diagnosed T2DM cases were identified from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017. Annual incidence, incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and average annual percentage change with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results. The age-standardized overall incidence rate of T2DM was reported to be 281.73 (95% CI: 281.26-282.20) per 100,000 person-years, 293.19 (95% CI: 292.51-293.87) in males and 270.42 (95% CI: 269.76-271.09) in females. Compared with the ≥80 years age group, younger adults were at lower risk for T2DM (IRRs ranged from 0.035 to 0.986 and the 95% CIs did not include the null), except for the 70-79 years age group (IRR: 1.087, 95% CI: 1.077-1.097). Compared with females and rural areas, the risk for T2DM was higher in males (IRR: 1.083, 95% CI: 1.079-1.088) and urban areas (IRR: 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001-1.009), respectively. The standardized annual incidence rate increased from 164.85 in 2007 to 268.65 per 100,000 person-years in 2017, with an average annual increase of 4.01% and grew more rapidly in male, younger, and rural area populations. Conclusions. Our study suggested a significant increase in the incidence rate of T2DM among Chinese over the past decade, especially in adults characterized by male sex, younger age, and rural areas.
Fast Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II with Lévy Distribution for Network Topology Optimization
Authors: Zhang Maoqing , Wang Lei , Cui Zhihua , Liu Jiangshan , Du Dong , Guo Weian
Published: January 2020

Fast nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is a classical method for multiobjective optimization problems and has exhibited outstanding performance in many practical engineering problems. However, the tournament selection strategy used for the reproduction in NSGA-II may generate a large amount of repetitive individuals, resulting in the decrease of population diversity. To alleviate this issue, Lévy distribution, which is famous for excellent search ability in the cuckoo search algorithm, is incorporated into NSGA-II. To verify the proposed algorithm, this paper employs three different test sets, including ZDT, DTLZ, and MaF test suits. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is more promising compared with the state-of-the-art algorithms. Parameter sensitivity analysis further confirms the robustness of the proposed algorithm. In addition, a two-objective network topology optimization model is then used to further verify the proposed algorithm. The practical comparison results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is more effective in dealing with practical engineering optimization problems.