bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Plastering Effect in Casing-while-Drilling – A CFD Study
Authors: Ofei T N , Jalaludin A N , Habte A D , Lemma T A , Ben-Awuah J
Published: June 2019

In conventional oil and gas well drilling, filter cake builds up on the wellbore wall due to overbalance pressure which forces the drilling fluid into the rock formation and leaves solid particles on the wellbore wall. The presence of a filter cake is beneficial since it reduces fluid loss and damage to the formation. Plastering or “smearing” effect is a mechanical conditioning of a wellbore which is believed to enhance wellbore stability by packing any fractured zone with drilled-cuttings and fluid. This phenomenon is usually believed to occur in a narrow annular wellbore such as casing-while-drilling (CwD), where actual casing is used to drill and transmit both mechanical and hydraulic energy to the bit, rather than the usual conventional drillstring. In this study, a three-dimensional modelling and numerical simulation is carried out to examine the influence of particle size (drilled cuttings size) of 100 microns to 2000 microns and fluid type (water, oil-based mud, and water-based mud) on filter cake formation in a vertical wellbore. The simulation adopts the inhomogeneous Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model to solve the two-phase flow equations. The numerical model was set up to depict the subsurface conditions at moderate pressure and temperature of 13.8 MPa and 30°C respectively. The results showed that with the increase in particle size, the filter cake height increased marginally for all fluid types, where the percentage increment ranges from 1.3% to 2.6%. Furthermore, filter cake thickness was high when water was used as the drilling fluid, whereas, the least filter cake height was recorded when oil-based mud was used. The filter cake formation on the vertical wellbore was therefore non-uniform for all scenarios. This study shows how useful numerical simulation can capture the physical mechanisms affecting plastering effect and optimise drilling parameters during casing-while drilling.
Explaining Difference in the Quantity of Cases Heard by Courts of Last Resort
Authors: Pablo Bravo-Hurtado , Bustos Álvaro
Published: June 2019

While civil law courts of last resort—e.g., cassation courts in France, Italy, and Chile—review up to 90% of appealed cases, common law courts of last resort—e.g., supreme courts of the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada—hear as few as 1% of the same petitions. In this study, we postulate that these different policies can be explained by a comparatively larger commitment from common law courts of last resort to judicial law-making rather than judicial uniformity. While courts require few hearings to update the law (in theory one decision is sufficient), they need a large number of hearings to maximize consistency in the lower courts’ interpretation of the law. We show that the optimal number of hearings increases with an increment in the courts’ concern for uniformity. We also show that if hearing costs are linear then the hearing policies of all courts can be classified in only two types. In addition, we predict important changes in hearing policies when the number of petitions increases. Finally, we find that hearing rates and reversal disutility operate as two ways in which a legal system can achieve a given level of judicial uniformity.
Cell wall hydrolases act in concert during aerenchyma development in sugarcane roots
Authors: Grandis Adriana , Leite Débora C C , Tavares Eveline Q P , Arenque-Musa Bruna C , Gaiarsa Jonas W , Martins Marina C M , De Souza Amanda P , Gomez Leonardo D , Fabbri Claudia , Mattei Benedetta , Buckeridge Marcos S
Published: June 2019

Background and Aims

Cell wall disassembly occurs naturally in plants by the action of several glycosyl-hydrolases during different developmental processes such as lysigenous and constitutive aerenchyma formation in sugarcane roots. Wall degradation has been reported in aerenchyma development in different species, but little is known about the action of glycosyl-hydrolases in this process.

Methods

In this work, gene expression, protein levels and enzymatic activity of cell wall hydrolases were assessed. Since aerenchyma formation is constitutive in sugarcane roots, they were assessed in segments corresponding to the first 5 cm from the root tip where aerenchyma develops.

Key Results

Our results indicate that the wall degradation starts with a partial attack on pectins (by acetyl esterases, endopolygalacturonases, β-galactosidases and α-arabinofuranosidases) followed by the action of β-glucan-/callose-hydrolysing enzymes. At the same time, there are modifications in arabinoxylan (by α-arabinofuranosidases), xyloglucan (by XTH), xyloglucan–cellulose interactions (by expansins) and partial hydrolysis of cellulose. Saccharification revealed that access to the cell wall varies among segments, consistent with an increase in recalcitrance and composite formation during aerenchyma development.

Conclusion

Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that hydrolases are synchronically synthesized, leading to cell wall modifications that are modulated by the fine structure of cell wall polymers during aerenchyma formation in the cortex of sugarcane roots.
Hospital-based Surveillance for Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis in the Era of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Ghana
Authors: Renner Lorna Awo , Usuf Effua , Mohammed Nuredin Ibrahim , Ansong Daniel , Dankwah Thomas , Kusah Jonas Tettey , Owusu Sandra Kwarteng , Awunyo Marah , Arhin Bernard , Addo Yvonne , Asamoah John , Biey Joseph Nsiari-Muzeyi , Ndow Peter Slyvanus , Worwui Archibald , Senghore Madikay , Ntsama Bernard , Mwenda Jason M , Diamenu Stanley K , Adams Brenda Kwanbana , Antonio Martin
Published: June 2019

Background

Global surveillance for vaccine preventable invasive bacterial diseases has been set up by the World Health Organization to provide disease burden data to support decisions on introducing pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). We present data from 2010 to 2016 collected at the 2 sentinel sites in Ghana.

Methods

Data were collected from children <5 years of age presenting at the 2 major teaching hospitals with clinical signs of meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected and tested first at the sentinel site laboratory with conventional microbiology methods and subsequently with molecular analysis, at the World Health Organization Regional Reference Laboratory housed at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, for identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis, the 3 most common bacteria causing meningitis.

Results

There were 4008 suspected cases of meningitis during the surveillance period, of which 31 (0.8%) were laboratory confirmed. Suspected meningitis cases decreased from 923 in 2010 to 219 in 2016. Of 3817 patients with available outcome data, 226 (5.9%) died. S. pneumoniae was the most common bacterial pathogen, accounting for 68.5% of confirmed cases (50 of 73). H. influenzae and N. meningitidis accounted for 6.8% (5 of 73) and 21.9% (16 of 73), respectively. The proportion of pneumococcal vaccine serotypes causing meningitis decreased from 81.3% (13 of 16) before the introduction of 13-valent PCV (2010–2012) to 40.0% (8 of 20) after its introduction (2013–2016).

Conclusions

Cases of suspected meningitis decreased among children <5 years of age between 2010 and 2016, with declines in the proportion of vaccine-type pneumococcal meningitis after the introduction of 13-valent PCV in Ghana.
Changes in Bone Mass After Discontinuation of Preexposure Prophylaxis With Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine in Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Extension Phase Results of Adolescent Trials Network Protocols 110 and 113
Authors: Havens Peter L , Perumean-Chaney Suzanne E , Patki Amit , Cofield Stacey S , Wilson Craig M , Liu Nancy , Anderson Peter L , Landovitz Raphael J , Kapogiannis Bill G , Hosek Sybil G , Mulligan Kathleen
Published: June 2019

Human immunodeficiency virus–seronegative men aged 15–22 years who lost bone mineral density (BMD) during tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) showed BMD recovery 48 weeks following PrEP discontinuation. Lumbar spine and whole body BMD z-scores remained below baseline 48 weeks off PrEP in participants aged 15–19 years.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01772823 (ATN 110) and NCT01769456 (ATN 113).
Impact of long-term ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy in patients who underwent complex percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Global Leaders trial
Authors: Serruys Patrick W , Takahashi Kuniaki , Chichareon Ply , Kogame Norihiro , Tomaniak Mariusz , Modolo Rodrigo , Chang Chun Chin , Komiyama Hidenori , Soliman Osama , Wykrzykowska Joanna J , de Winter Robbert J , Ferrario Maurizio , Dominici Marcello , Buszman Paweł , Bolognese Leonardo , Tumscitz Carlo , Benit Edouard , Stoll Hans-Peter , Hamm Christian , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Onuma Yoshinobu , Jüni Peter , Windecker Stephan , Vranckx Pascal , Colombo Antonio , Valgimigli Marco
Published: June 2019

Aims 

To evaluate the impact of an experimental strategy [23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)] vs. a reference regimen (12-month aspirin monotherapy following 12-month DAPT) after complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and results

In the present post hoc analysis of the Global Leaders trial, the primary endpoint [composite of all-cause death or new Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI)] at 2 years was assessed in patients with complex PCI, which includes at least one of the following characteristics: multivessel PCI, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation PCI with ≥2 stents, or total stent length >60 mm. In addition, patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) (composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, or any revascularization) and net adverse clinical events (NACE) [composite of POCE or Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) Type 3 or 5 bleeding] were explored. Among 15 450 patients included in this analysis, 4570 who underwent complex PCI had a higher risk of ischaemic and bleeding events. In patients with complex PCI, the experimental strategy significantly reduced risks of the primary endpoint [hazard ratio (HR): 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48–0.85] and POCE (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69–0.93), but not in those with non-complex PCI (P  interaction = 0.015 and 0.017, respectively). The risk of BARC Type 3 or 5 bleeding was comparable (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.67–1.40), resulting in a significant risk reduction in NACE (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69–0.92; P  interaction = 0.011).

Conclusion 

Ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month DAPT could provide a net clinical benefit for patients with complex PCI. However, in view of the overall neutral results of the trial, these findings of a post hoc analysis should be considered as hypothesis generating.
What Levels the Association Between Income and Mortality in Later Life: Age or Health Decline?
Authors: Rehnberg Johan
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Researchers frequently use the “age-as-leveler” hypothesis to explain decreasing inequality and a weakened relationship between socioeconomic position and health in old age. This study examined whether health status can explain the age pattern in the association between income and mortality as predicted by the age-as-leveler hypothesis.

Method

This study used longitudinal (1991–2002) data from the SWEOLD and LNU surveys. The analytical sample consisted of 2,619 people aged 54–92 in 2003. Mortality (2003–2014) and income (1991–2000) was collected from Swedish national registers. Poisson regression was used to estimate associations between mortality, income, age, and health status. Average marginal effects were used to visualize interaction effects between income and age.

Results

The association between income and mortality weakened in those aged 84 and older. However, health status explained a large part of the effect that age had on the association between income and mortality. Analyses done after stratifying the sample by health status showed that the association between income and mortality was strong in people who reported good health and weak or nonexistent in those who reported poor health.

Discussion

Age leveled the income–mortality association; however, health status, not age, explained most of the leveling.
Developing dementia-friendly pharmacies in Austria: a health promotion approach
Authors: Plunger Petra , Heimerl Katharina , Tatzer Verena C , Zepke Georg , Finsterwald Monika , Pichler Barbara , Reitinger Elisabeth
Published: June 2019

The need for integrated, accessible and person-centred care for people with dementia to foster quality of life and facilitate life in the community has been voiced by health policy. Pharmacies have the potential to provide easily accessible information and support for people with dementia, caregivers and the public. The ‘Dementia-friendly Pharmacy’ programme aimed at re-orienting community pharmacy in Austria, focusing on stronger inclusion of professional counselling into core services. It followed principles of health promotion and person-centred care, aiming at empowering all actors involved, and at fostering quality of life. Methodologically, the programme was based on participatory health research, thus involving all relevant actors and consolidating their perspectives on issues related to dementia care. In the course of the programme, a workshop series covering topics relevant for dementia care in community pharmacy, as well as prototypes for small-scale projects were developed, and measures were taken for securing sustainability. Findings related to programme development and implementation encompass pharmacy staff’s motivation to participate in the programme, counselling knowledge and skills development, experience with building community partnerships and cross-organizational development and sustainability. Furthermore, effectiveness of the programme has been established. These findings are discussed against the background of re-orienting pharmacies.
On the Generalized Brauer–Siegel Theorem for Asymptotically Exact Families of Number Fields with Solvable Galois Closure
Authors: Dixit Anup B
Published: June 2019

In 2002, M. A. Tsfasman and S. G. Vlăduţ formulated the generalized Brauer–Siegel conjecture for asymptotically exact families of number fields. In this article, we establish this conjecture for asymptotically good towers and asymptotically bad families of number fields with solvable Galois closure.
Trends and prediction of antimicrobial susceptibility in urinary bacteria isolated in European emergency departments: the EuroUTI 2010-2016 Study
Authors: Quaegebeur Alice , Brunard Loïc , Javaudin François , Vibet Marie-Anne , Bemer Pascale , Le Bastard Quentin , Batard Eric , Montassier Emmanuel ,   EuroUTI 2010-2016 Study Group, Roman F , Llorens P , Salvi F , Galeazzi R , Ortega M , Marco F , Martinez Ortiz de Zarate M , Figueroa Ceron R , Trovato F M , Carpinteri G , Moustafa F , Romaszko J P , Pedersen M , Westh H , Dejaune P , Fihman V , Joost I , Blumel B , Parrilla Ruiz F M , Alvarez Corral G , Bieler D , Bergmann H , Granzer H , Carron P N , Prod’hom G , Greub G , Gonzalez Del Castillo J M , Candel Gonzalez F J , Juvin M E , Occelli C , Ruimy R , Claret P G , Lavigne J P , Hausfater P , Robert J , Ramacciati N , Mencacci A , Tartaglia D , Rossi L , Ojetti V , Petruzziello C , Fiori B , Bonenfant J , Piau-Couape C , Dejoies L , Garcia-Garcia Á , Cores-Calvo O , Van Den Brand C L , van Veen S Q , Laribi S , Lartigue M F
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To assess recent trends in susceptibility to antibiotics among urinary isolates isolated in European emergency departments (EDs) and to identify isolates with a high (90% or more) predicted probability of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones or third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we included urine cultures obtained from adult patients between 2010 and 2016 in 24 European EDs. Temporal trends were assessed using time-series analysis and multivariate logistic models. Multivariate logistic models were also used to predict susceptibility to fluoroquinolones or 3GCs from patient age and sex, year, month and ED.

Results

We included 88242 isolates. Time-series analysis found a significant increase in susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and no significant trend for susceptibility to 3GCs. Adjusting for patient age and sex, ED and organism, multivariate models showed that susceptibility to 3GCs decreased from 2014 to 2016, while susceptibility to fluoroquinolones increased in 2015 and 2016. Among isolates from 2016, multivariate models predicted high probability of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones in 11% of isolates (positive predictive value 91%) and a high probability of susceptibility to 3GCs in 35% of isolates (positive predictive value 94%).

Conclusions

Susceptibility of ED urinary isolates to fluoroquinolones increased from 2014, while susceptibility to 3GCs decreased from 2015. Predictive models identified isolates with a high probability of susceptibility to fluoroquinolones or 3GCs. The ability of such models to guide the empirical treatment of pyelonephritis in the ED remains to be determined.
Phosphorylation of repressive histone code readers by casein kinase 2 plays diverse roles in heterochromatin regulation
Authors: Murakami Yota
Published: June 2019

Heterochromatin is a condensed and transcriptionally silent chromatin structure and that plays important roles in epigenetic regulation of the genome. Two types of heterochromatin exist: constitutive heterochromatin is primarily associated with trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3), and facultative heterochromatin with trimethylation of H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). The methylated histones are bound by the chromodomain of histone code ‘reader’ proteins: HP1 family proteins for H3K9me3 and Polycomb family proteins for H3K27me3. Each repressive reader associates with various ‘effector’ proteins that provide the functional basis of heterochromatin. Heterochromatin regulation is primarily achieved by controlling histone modifications. However, recent studies have revealed that the repressive readers are phosphorylated, like other regulatory proteins, suggesting that phosphorylation also participates in heterochromatin regulation. Detailed studies have shown that phosphorylation of readers affects the binding specificities of chromodomains for methylated histone H3, as well as the binding of effector proteins. Thus, phosphorylation adds another layer to heterochromatin regulation. Interestingly, casein kinase 2, a strong and predominant kinase within the cell, is responsible for phosphorylation of repressive readers. In this commentary, I summarize the regulation of repressive readers by casein kinase 2-dependent phosphorylation and discuss the functional meaning of this modification.
Dutch Criminal Justice for Ethiopian War Crimes
Authors: Yanev Lachezar
Published: June 2019

The past few years have witnessed a proliferation of universal jurisdiction proceedings in Europe, many of which concern asylum seekers suspected of committing international crimes in Syria and the wider region. Alongside the known practical challenges of such trials, these trials also raise a range of normative questions regarding inter alia the scope of universal jurisdiction and the applicable legal standards in such proceedings. This article unpacks several such questions through the lens of a recent Dutch case in which a former refugee, who was granted asylum in The Netherlands and later obtained Dutch citizenship, was tried and convicted by a local court in The Hague of war crimes committed in Ethiopia four decades ago. The judges used an amalgam of Dutch and (customary) international criminal law to convict the accused. They defined the charged war crimes in strict conformity with the standards established in international legislation and jurisprudence, relied exclusively on Dutch law to define one of the applied modes of criminal liability (co-perpetration), and synthesized Dutch and international law to define the other (command responsibility). To what extent does the notion of universal jurisdiction accommodate such choices of law, and how is the use of domestic criminal law on modes of liability in such proceedings compatible with the principle of legality?
Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: another tool for FAA pilot screening?
Authors: Lawrence Matthew W , Arias Jalayne J
Published: June 2019

Research advancements to improve the accuracy of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) have altered clinicians and researchers’ understanding of the disease process. The discovery of amyloid and tau biomarkers as measures of disease pathology supports early identification of disease risk that precedes symptom onset. As a result, AD is now understood to be an underlying pathology that causes a spectrum of clinical syndromes, beginning with preclinical AD. Future clinical implementation of biomarkers will raise novel employment and professional licensure discrimination risks based on AD biomarker status. This article evaluates the potential consequences of biomarker status for commercial pilots within Federal Aviation Administration pilot licensing procedures. The article argues for a careful implementation of AD biomarker status in licensing procedures to emphasize public safety, integrate accurate scientific knowledge, and limit unjustified and adverse consequences for individual pilots.
Three-Dimensional Printed Models for Lateral Skull Base Surgical Training: Anatomy and Simulation of the Transtemporal Approaches
Authors: Mooney Michael A , Cavallo Claudio , Zhou James J , Bohl Michael A , Belykh Evgenii , Gandhi Sirin , McBryan Sarah , Stevens Shawn M , Lawton Michael T , Almefty Kaith K , Nakaji Peter
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Three-dimensional (3D) printing holds great potential for lateral skull base surgical training; however, studies evaluating the use of 3D-printed models for simulating transtemporal approaches are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate a 3D-printed model that accurately represents the anatomic relationships, surgical corridor, and surgical working angles achieved with increasingly aggressive temporal bone resection in lateral skull base approaches.

METHODS

Cadaveric temporal bones underwent thin-slice computerized tomography, and key anatomic landmarks were segmented using 3D imaging software. Corresponding 3D-printed temporal bone models were created, and 4 stages of increasingly aggressive transtemporal approaches were performed (40 total approaches). The surgical exposure and working corridor were analyzed quantitatively, and measures of face validity, content validity, and construct validity in a cohort of 14 participants were assessed.

RESULTS

Stereotactic measurements of the surgical angle of approach to the mid-clivus, residual bone angle, and 3D-scanned infill volume demonstrated comparable changes in both the 3D temporal bone models and cadaveric specimens based on the increasing stages of transtemporal approaches (P
ANOVA <.003, <.007, and <.007, respectively), indicating accurate representation of the surgical corridor and working angles in the 3D-printed models. Participant assessment revealed high face validity, content validity, and construct validity.

CONCLUSION

The 3D-printed temporal bone models highlighting key anatomic structures accurately simulated 4 sequential stages of transtemporal approaches with high face validity, content validity, and construct validity. This strategy may provide a useful educational resource for temporal bone anatomy and training in lateral skull base approaches.
Medical Use of Long-term Extended-release Opioid Analgesics in Commercially Insured Adults in the United States
Authors: Young Jessica C , Jonsson Funk Michele , Dasgupta Nabarun
Published: June 2019

Objectives

We examined the proportion of patients initiating extended-release (ER) opioids who become long-term users and describe how pain-related diagnoses before initiation of opioid therapy vary between drugs and over time.

Methods

Using MarketScan (2006–2015), a US national commercial insurance database, we examined pain-related diagnoses in the 182-day baseline period before initiation of ER opioid therapy to characterize indications for opioid initiation. We report the proportion who became long-term users, the median length of opioid therapy, and the proportion with cancer and other noncancer chronic pain, by active ingredient.

Results

Among 1,077,566 adults initiating ER opioids, 31% became long-term users, with a median length of use of 209 days. The most common ER opioids prescribed were oxycodone (26%) and fentanyl (23%), and the most common noncancer pain diagnoses were back pain (65%) and arthritis (48%). Among all long-term users, 16% had a diagnosis of cancer. We found notable variation by drug. Eighteen percent of patients initiating drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration >10 years ago had evidence of cancer during baseline compared with only 8% of patients who received newer drugs.

Conclusions

In a national sample of adults with private insurance, back pain was the most common diagnosis preceding initiation of opioid therapy. Opioids that have been approved within the last 10 years were more frequently associated with musculoskeletal pains and less frequently associated with cancer. Amid increasing concerns regarding long-term opioid therapy, our findings provide context regarding the conditions for which long-term opioid therapy is prescribed.
Ultrasound-Guided Proximal and Distal Suprascapular Nerve Blocks: A Comparative Cadaveric Study
Authors: Blasco Laurent , Laumonerie Pierre , Tibbo Meagan , Fernandes Olivier , Minville Vincent , Lopez Raphael , Mansat Pierre , Ferre Fabrice
Published: June 2019

Objectives

The primary aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the accuracy of ultrasound (US)-guided distal suprascapular nerve (dSSN) and proximal SSN (pSSN) blocks. Secondary aims were to compare the phrenic nerve involvement between groups and to describe the anatomical features of the sensory branches of the dSSN.

Methods

pSSN and dSSN blocks were performed in 14 cadavers (28 shoulders). Ten mL of 0.2% ropivacaine colored with methylene blue was injected under US guidance. Accuracy was determined using SSN staining and the distance between predefined anatomical landmarks and the targeted SSN. The phrenic nerve (PN) was judged to be colored or not. The distribution of the sensory branches that originate from the 14 dSSNs is described. Quantitative data are expressed as median (range).

Results

The pSSN was dyed more frequently than the dSSN (13 vs 11, P = 0.59). The targeted SSN was close to the suprascapular notch (1.3 [0–5.2] cm) and the origin of the SSN (1.4 [0.2–4.5] cm) for dSSN and pSSN blocks, respectively (P = 0.62). For dSSN blocks, the most frequent injection site was the supraspinous fossa. Three PNs were marked in pSSN blocks, compared with none in dSSN blocks (P = 0.22). Three sensory branches were identified for all 14 dSSNs: the medial subacromial branch, the lateral subacromial branch, and the posterior glenohumeral branch.

Conclusions

US-guided pSSN and dSSN blocks can be realized with accuracy. A distal approach to the SSN could be an alternative to interscalene brachial plexus block for the management of postoperative pain after shoulder surgery in high–respiratory risk patients.
EVALUATION OF DOSE IN SLEEP BY MATTRESS CONTAINING MONAZITE
Authors: Kim Bong-Gi , Jeong Kyu-Hwan , Shin Hyeong-Ki
Published: June 2019

Some companies in Korea have sold beds which contain a processed product containing monazite powder. Consumers may receive external exposure by radiation emitted by progeny radionuclides in uranium and thorium, and internal exposure through the breathing of radon progeny radionuclides produced in the decay chain. Thus, in this study, age specific dose conversion factors (mSv y−1 Bq−1) by external exposure and dose conversion factors by internal exposure (mSv y−1 per Bq m−3) were derived. Besides, a dose assessment program were developed to calculate dose by taking into account real conditions. And the age specific dose was evaluated using the radioactive concentration measured by the NSSC. As a results, external exposure was assessed to get effective doses in the range of 0.00086 to 0.0015 mSv y−1 by external exposure and a committed effective doses in the range of 1.3 to 12.26 mSv y−1 by internal exposure for all age groups.
9Film Theory
Authors: Bettinson Gary
Published: June 2019

In this chapter I review six contributions to the field of film theory published in 2018: Carl Plantinga’s Screen Stories: Emotion and the Ethics of Engagement (Oxford University Press); Miklós Kiss and Steven Willemsen’s Impossible Puzzle Films: A Cognitive Approach to Contemporary Complex Cinema (Edinburgh University Press); Nicholas Godfrey’s The Limits of Auteurism: Case Studies in the Critically Constructed New Hollywood (Rutgers University Press); Peter Krämer and Yannis Tzioumakis’s The Hollywood Renaissance: Revisiting American Cinema’s Most Celebrated Era (Bloomsbury Academic); Dorothy Wai Sim Lau’s Chinese Stardom in Participatory Cyberculture (Edinburgh University Press); and Gina Marchetti’s Citing China: Politics, Postmodernism, and World Cinema (University of Hawaii Press). The chapter has three sections: 1. Cognition, Emotion, and Ethics; 2. The New Hollywood; 3. Contemporary Chinese Cinema.
A global analysis of cladoceran body size and its variation linking to habitat, distribution and taxonomy
Authors: Rizo Eric Zeus , Xu Shaolin , Tang Quehui , Papa Rey Donne S , Dumont Henri J , Qian Song S , Han Bo-Ping
Published: June 2019

Body size is a functional trait that influences the overall biology and ecology of an organism. Studying the shape of size–frequency distributions and size variability within different scales, approximates the influence of large-scale ecological and evolutionary processes on a species. In this study we examine the patterns of distribution and variability of body size among freshwater Cladocera across different taxonomic levels, geographic distribution and habitat association. Using extensive literature data, we show the global distribution of body size in freshwater Cladocera. Hierarchical models were used to assess the effect of different categorical variables on size variability. Our results show that almost all size–frequency distributions were skewed right in all categories. The hierarchical model showed that taxonomic affiliation contributes the most to size variability in our dataset, suggesting that size might be a conserved trait. Large genera (≥1mm) have larger estimated variability compared to smaller genera. In general, our observations on size–frequency distributions and size variability show a brief insight in the varying advantages of adaptive body size in this group of organisms in both biology (physiology) and ecology (competition and co-existence). Thus, body size is a trait important to the survival and continuing evolution of Cladocera.
Optimizing Preanesthesia Care for the Gynecologic Patient
Authors: Dowdy Sean C. , Kalogera Eleftheria , Scott Michael
Published: June 2019

In the past, best practices for perioperative management have been based as much on dogma as science. The creation of optimized perioperative pathways, known as enhanced recovery after surgery, has been shown to simultaneously improve patient outcomes and reduce cost. In this article, we critically review interventions (and omission of interventions) that should be considered by every surgical team to optimize preanesthesia care. This includes patient education, properly managing existing medical comorbidities, optimizing nutrition, and the use of medications before incision that have been shown to reduce surgical stress, opioid requirements, and postoperative complications. Anesthetic techniques, the use of adjunct medications administered after incision, and postoperative management are beyond the scope of this review. When possible, we have relied on randomized trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews to support our recommendations. In some instances, we have drawn from the general and colorectal surgery literature if evidence in gynecologic surgery is limited or of poor quality. In particular, hospital systems should aim to adhere to antibiotic and thromboembolic prophylaxis for 100% of patients, the mantra, “nil by mouth after midnight” should be abandoned in favor of adopting a preoperative diet that maintains euvolemia and energy stores to optimize healing, and bowel preparation should be abandoned for patients undergoing gynecologic surgery for benign indications and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
Adverse Events Related to Transcranial Electric Stimulation for Motor-evoked Potential Monitoring in High-risk Spinal Surgery
Authors: Yoshida Go , Imagama Shiro , Kawabata Shigenori , Yamada Kei , Kanchiku Tsukasa , Fujiwara Yasushi , Tadokoro Nobuaki , Takahashi Masahito , Wada Kanichiro , Yamamoto Naoya , Ushirozako Hiroki , Kobayashi Kazuyoshi , Yasuda Akimasa , Ando Muneharu , Tani Toshikazu , Matsuyama Yukihiro
Published: June 2019

Study Design.

Prospective multicenter study.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to study the incidence of nonneurologic adverse events related to transcranial electric stimulation (TES) for intraoperative spinal cord monitoring (IOM) with motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) (Tc(E)- MEPs) and determine the need for safety precautions.

Summary of Background Data.

Tc(E)-MEPs monitoring requires high-voltage multipulse TES that causes widespread muscle contraction and movement. Improved awareness of TES-induced movement-related adverse events is needed.

Methods.

We analyzed data from 2643 patients who underwent high-risk spinal surgery with intraoperative Tc(E)-MEPs at 11 spinal centers from 2010 to 2016. Information about neurologic and non-neurologic postoperative complications was collected, including type of surgical procedure, operative time, estimated blood loss, and treatment for postoperative adverse events.

Results.

A 70% drop in Tc(E)-MEPs amplitude, which was the alarm criterion to interrupt surgery, predicted postoperative motor deficits with 93.5% sensitivity, 91.0% specificity, a false-positive rate of 8.2%, and a false-negative rate of 0.3%. Non-neurologic adverse events developed in 17 (0.64%) patients and were most commonly because of bite injuries (0.57%), including 11 cases of tongue laceration, two cases of lip laceration, and two cases of tooth breakage. Four (0.15%) tongue lacerations required surgical repair with sutures and two tooth breakages required dental treatment. One patient had hair loss corresponding to the TES site. One patient, who underwent additional IOM with transpharyngeal stimulation, had severe nasal hemorrhage following electrode placement by nasal route, which resolved spontaneously. Non-neurologic adverse events did not significantly affect the accuracy of IOM assessment. Neither operative times nor blood loss significantly influenced the occurrence of adverse events.

Conclusion.

During TES-IOM, both the surgeon and monitoring team must consider the possibility—although rare—of non-neurologic adverse events, particularly bite injuries. Such complications can be minimized by using a soft bite-block and frequently evaluating the intraoral integrity of the anesthetized patient.

Level of Evidence: 4
Associations Between Ambient Air Pollutant Concentrations and Birth Weight
Authors: Strickland Matthew J. , Lin Ying , Darrow Lyndsey A. , Warren Joshua L. , Mulholland James A. , Chang Howard H.
Published: June 2019

Introduction:

We investigated the extent to which associations of ambient air pollutant concentrations and birth weight varied across birth weight quantiles.

Methods:

We analyzed singleton births ≥27 weeks of gestation from 20-county metropolitan Atlanta with conception dates between January 1, 2002 and February 28, 2006 (N = 273,711). Trimester-specific and total pregnancy average concentrations for 10 pollutants, obtained from ground observations that were interpolated using 12-km Community Multiscale Air Quality model outputs, were assigned using maternal residence at delivery. We estimated associations between interquartile range width (IQRw) increases in pollutant concentrations and changes in birth weight using quantile regression.

Results:

Gestational age-adjusted associations were of greater magnitude at higher percentiles of the birth weight distribution. Pollutants with large vehicle source contributions (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 elemental carbon, and total PM2.5 mass), as well as PM2.5 sulfate and PM2.5 ammonium, were associated with birth weight decreases for the higher birth weight percentiles. For example, whereas the decrease in mean birthweight per IQRw increase in PM2.5 averaged over pregnancy was -7.8 g (95% confidence interval = −13.6, −2.0 g), the quantile-specific associations were: 10th percentile −2.4 g (−11.5, 6.7 g); 50th percentile −8.9 g (−15.7, −2.0g); and 90th percentile −19.3 g (−30.6, −7.9 g). Associations for the intermediate and high birth weight quantiles were not sensitive to gestational age adjustment. For some pollutants, we saw associations at the lowest quantile (10th percentile) when not adjusting for gestational age.

Conclusions:

Associations between air pollution and reduced birth weight were of greater magnitude for newborns at relatively heavy birth weights.
Optimization of a Neutron Long Counter Design by Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Park R.J. , Byun S.H.
Published: June 2019

In a search to optimize neutron long counter design for overall efficiency and flat energy response, Monte Carlo simulations were carried out for a variety of detector design parameters using the Monte Carlo N-Particle Extended code. Based on the standard long counter design by McTaggart, moderator diameter, moderator back length, and longitudinal hole diameter were sequentially varied, and the sensitivity of each parameter to the long counter response was systematically analyzed. For each design, simulations were done in the neutron energy range of 1 keV to 10 MeV. From the simulation results, it turned out that out of the three moderator parameters, the moderator diameter is most sensitive for optimizing the long counter response. As the last design parameter, the effect of the central slow-neutron counter was investigated, which showed a significant difference in the response. The investigation of each design parameter gave clear insight on its effect on the long counter response and enabled one to determine the optimum condition.
MORE EFFECTIVE SCREENING FOR EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES WITH MULTICOLOR SCANNING LASER OPHTHALMOSCOPE THAN WITH COLOR FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHS
Authors: Terasaki Hiroto , Sonoda Shozo , Shiihara Hideki , Kakiuchi Naoko , Funatsu Ryoh , Shirasawa Makoto , Sakamoto Taiji
Published: June 2019

Purpose:

To assess the ability of the multicolor scanning laser ophthalmoscope (MC-SLO) to screen for epiretinal membranes (ERMs).

Methods:

A retrospective cross-sectional study of 35 eyes of 32 patients with an ERM detected by optical coherence tomography and 46 eyes of 23 healthy volunteers. The detection of the ERM was graded into three visibility scores—1, not visible, 2, barely visible, and 3, clearly visible—by retina specialists or by ophthalmology residents. The sensitivity and specificity of the detection with the merged image of the MC-SLO or color fundus photographs (CFPs) were calculated.

Results:

The sensitivity for ERM detection in the MC-SLO and CFP were 91.4% and 65.7% by specialists and 97.1% and 60.0% by residents. The specificity for both devices was 100% by specialists and residents. The visibility score for the MC-SLO images were significantly higher than that for the CFP by both specialists and residents. In addition, the visibility score for the MC-SLO determined by residents was significantly higher than that for the CFP by specialists.

Conclusion:

The detection of an ERM is better with the MC-SLO images than with CFP. Furthermore, the ERM detection in the MC-SLO images by residents was comparable to that by specialists.
Chlamydia Infection Among Digital Daters and Nondigital Daters
Authors: Andersson Nirina , Preuss Isabella , Boman Jens , Nylander Elisabet
Published: June 2019

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the use of dating apps is a risk factor for acquiring Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections.

Methods

Patients attending the drop-in facility at the STI clinic at Umeå University Hospital between April 2016 and November 2017 were asked to fill in a survey about their sexual preferences and behaviors, including dating app use.

Results

Of 943 participants, 80 (8.5%) received a CT diagnosis (34 women and 46 men). Dating app users did not seem to have an increased risk of CT infection. Having 3 or more sex partners within the last year was a risk factor for CT only among those not using a dating app. Alcohol use before sex and unprotected sex with a new partner were risk factors for CT infection in the univariate but not in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Dating app users did not seem to have an increased risk of acquiring CT and for dating app users the seemingly well-established risk factor of having many partners was not valid.
Screening for Military Sexual Trauma Is Associated With Improved HIV Screening in Women Veterans
Authors: Reddy Shivani M. , Portnoy Galina A. , Bathulapalli Harini , Womack Julie , Haskell Sally G. , Mattocks Kristin , Brandt Cynthia A. , Goulet Joseph L.
Published: June 2019

Objective:

To examine factors associated with HIV screening among women veterans receiving health care in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Materials and Methods:

Cross-sectional study of women veterans receiving Veterans Affairs care between 2001 and 2014 derived from the Women Veteran’s Cohort Study. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were calculated comparing patients with and without an HIV screen. Generalized estimating equations were conducted to estimate the odds of HIV screening among women screened for military sexual trauma (MST) and the subset with a positive MST screen. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics, mental health diagnoses, pregnancy, HIV risk factors, and facility level clustering.

Results:

Among the 113,796 women veterans in the sample, 84.3% were screened for MST and 13.2% were screened for HIV. Women screened for MST were over twice as likely to be tested for HIV (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–3.5). A history of MST was inversely associated with HIV screening (odds ratio, 0.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.8–0.9).

Conclusions:

Women veterans screened for sexual trauma received more comprehensive preventive health care in the form of increased HIV screening.
Frequency of Appropriate Use of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy and Symptomatic Response in Pancreatic Cancer Patients
Authors: Barkin Jodie A. , Westermann Amy , Hoos William , Moravek Cassadie , Matrisian Lynn , Wang Hongwei , Shemanski Lynn , Barkin Jamie S. , Rahib Lola
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Pancreatic cancer (PC) and its treatments can result in pancreatic exocrine insufficiency that requires pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). Appropriate PERT usage is during meals and snacks. The aim was to determine the frequency of appropriate use of PERT and its impact on symptom alleviation in PC through a patient-reported outcomes online platform.

Methods

Users in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Patient Registry were prompted to answer a standalone questionnaire about their experience with PERT.

Results

Two hundred sixty-two users completed the PERT questionnaire (January 2016–January 2018). Patients who reported taking PERT with meals had higher alleviation of symptoms compared with those taking PERT prior to or after meals. Specifically, “feeling of indigestion,” “light-colored or orange stools,” and “visible food particles in stool” were significantly decreased. Patients taking PERT with meals reported weight gain and less weight loss.

Conclusions

Of the 89% of PC patients prescribed PERT, 65% were prescribed PERT appropriately with all meals and snacks. Overall compliance with PERT administration guidelines was low (50% [105/208]). Improvement in symptoms significantly correlated with appropriate use of PERT. Increase in PC patient and provider education about appropriate PERT usage and administration is warranted.
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Invasive Carcinoma in Patients With Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas
Authors: McIntyre Caitlin A. , Pulvirenti Alessandra , Lawrence Sharon A. , Seier Kenneth , Gonen Mithat , Balachandran Vinod P. , Kingham T. Peter , D'Angelica Michael I. , Drebin Jeffrey A. , Jarnagin William R. , Allen Peter J.
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Preoperative determination of the grade of dysplasia in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) is necessary for optimal management. Previous data have suggested that serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can predict invasive disease in patients with IPMN.

Methods

A prospectively maintained database was queried for consecutive patients who underwent resection of IPMN. Exclusion criteria included recent diagnosis of cancer, immunosuppression, and infection or jaundice within 1 month of operation. A complete blood count with differential within 30 days of operation was used to calculate NLR.

Results

Within the study period, 446 patients underwent resection for IPMN, and 348 patients (78%) met the inclusion criteria. Low-grade dysplasia was present in 60 patients (17%), 137 patients (39%) had intermediate-grade dysplasia, 76 (22%) had high-grade dysplasia, and 75 (22%) had invasive carcinoma. A higher NLR was associated with invasive carcinoma as compared with noninvasive disease (3.00 vs 2.68, P = 0.039). There was no difference in NLR between patients with high-risk (invasive and high-grade) and low-risk (low-grade and intermediate-grade) lesions (2.80 vs 2.71, P > 0.95).

Conclusions

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in patients with IPMN-associated invasive carcinoma as compared with patients with noninvasive disease; however, NLR was not helpful in differentiating between high- and low-grade lesions.