bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Excessive gestational weight gain in the first and second trimester is a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus among women pregnant with singletons: A repeated measures analysis
Authors: Qi Yana , Sun Xin , Tan Jing , Zhang Guiting , Chen Meng , Xiong Yiquan , Chen Peng , Liu Chunrong , Zou Kang , Liu Xinghui
Published: April 2020

Aims/Introduction

To evaluate gestational weight gain (GWG) in the first and second trimester as a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among women pregnant with singletons.

Materials and Methods

This was a cohort study of women with singleton pregnancies who delivered between 1 January 2013 and 31 October 2014 in a Chinese hospital. We collected data from medical records from the first antenatal visit to delivery. All pregnant women were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test for diagnosis of GDM during the second trimester. GWG in the first and second trimester was calculated by subtracting the prepregnancy weight from weight within 4 weeks of the oral glucose tolerance test. We categorized GWG into insufficient, appropriate and excessive according to the Institute of Medicine guidelines and population quantiles. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to determine the association between GWG and GDM risk.

Results

Of 10,422 pregnant women, we identified 8,356 eligible women with 1,622 (19.4%) diagnosed with GDM. Univariable analysis showed that GWG that exceeded the Institute of Medicine recommendation might be associated with risk of GDM (P < 0.05), but this association was not observed by multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio 1.07, [95% confidence interval 0.94–1.21]). Univariable and multivariable analyses both showed that GWG exceeding the 90th and 95th quantiles of included women, respectively, were at increased risk for GDM (adjusted odds ratio >P90 vs P10–P90 adjusted odds ratio 1.31, [95% confidence interval 1.12–1.52]; >P95 vs P5‐P95 adjusted odds ratio 1.45 [95% confidence interval 1.16–1.81]).

Conclusions

Excessive GWG in the first and second trimester might be a risk factor for GDM, which highlights the importance of appropriate weight gain during pregnancy.
Making host specificity testing more efficient: Exploring the use of abridged test plant lists
Authors: Lesieur Vincent , Thomann Thierry , Ollivier Mélodie , Raghu Sathyamurthy
Published: April 2020

Testing the specificity of candidate agents is a key component of risk analysis in weed biological control. This step is often time‐consuming due to the numerous plant species that need to be tested under quarantine conditions in the invaded country of the weed species. Here, we examined whether an abridged phylogenetically based test list could be used in the weed's native range to quickly screen the host specificity of candidate agents. Ten plant species were used to test the host specificity of a promising candidate for the biological control of Sonchus oleraceus in Australia, the gall midge, Cystiphora sonchi. No‐choice and choice tests were carried out in the native Mediterranean range of the midge. The results showed the midge has potential to threaten native Australian species, as those species showed high infestation levels in no‐choice tests and produced significantly higher numbers of galls in choice tests. As a result of this approach, C. sonchi was rapidly discarded from the list of agents to be imported into Australian quarantines for further tests. This study demonstrates that testing a few key phylogenetically related species in the native range may save cost and effort in a weed biological control programme.
Expression level of long noncoding RNA H19 of normotensive placentas in late pregnancy relates to the fetal growth restriction
Authors: Tsunoda Youhei , Kudo Mitsuhiro , Wada Ryuichi , Ishino Kousuke , Kure Shoko , Sakatani Takashi , Takeshita Toshiyuki , Naito Zenya
Published: April 2020

Aim

Infants with fetal growth restriction (FGR) are at an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The long noncoding RNA H19 gene is expressed abundantly in placental villi and recent studies suggest that it regulates FGR. However, the role of H19 in the FGR placenta remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between H19 expression and FGR using normotensive placentas after 34 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues from human placentas collected from pregnancies resulting in small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns were used. The histopathological features of placenta tissues, such as villous stromal fibrosis, the numbers of terminal villi, villous vessels and cytotrophoblasts were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome staining and immunostaining. The localization and expression of H19 in the placentas were demonstrated by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), respectively. Moreover, the expression levels of H19‐regulated molecules such as IGF2 and decorin (DCN) were measured by RT‐qPCR.

Results

Histopathological features of the placental villous were not different between placentas associated with SGA and AGA. H19 localized to the villous stroma, endothelial cells and cytotrophoblasts. Moreover, the expression level of H19 in SGA placentas was significantly lower than that in AGA placentas. The expression levels of IGF2 and DCN in SGA placentas tended to be lower than those in AGA placentas similarly to H19.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential importance of regulatory events mediated by H19 in SGA placentas without histopathological abnormalities in late pregnancy.
Methodological considerations when measuring oral health–related quality of life
Authors: Reissmann Daniel R.
Published: April 2020

Background

Dental patient‐reported outcomes (dPROs) and their measures, dPROMs, are fundamental for evidence‐based dentistry. However when selecting, applying and evaluating an instrument with a focus on OHRQoL assessment for adults, several methodological considerations are essential to derive valid and meaningful results.

Methods

In this review article, criteria for selecting the appropriate OHRQoL instrument, aspects of administering the instrument and how to evaluate resulting scores of single and multiple assessments are presented and critically assessed.

Results

Oral disease–generic and dimension–generic instruments capturing the entire construct OHRQoL allow for best comparability of findings across different diseases, settings and populations, with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) being the most often used and methodologically best investigated one. It is available in several versions with the 5‐item version being the one with the lowest burden for the patient. Responses are given on a 5‐point ordinal rating scale, the recommended response scale for dPROMs. A 7‐day recall period allows for assessment of short‐term effects. Clinically relevant effects of item or instrument order or administration method on OHIP scores do not seem to be likely. OHIP summary and dimension scores can be compared to norms from general population or different patient populations. Change scores should be set into context with the minimal important difference of the instrument.

Conclusion

OHIP‐5 has greatest potential to be used across all settings for assessment and evaluation of OHRQoL in adults. It allows a comprehensive characterising of patients suffering from oral diseases and of this impact using OHRQoL dimensions.
Cystathionine gamma‐lyase aggravates periodontal damage in traumatic occlusion mouse models
Authors: Chen Liyuan , Lu Caizhu , Hua Yongmei
Published: April 2020

Background and objective

Though impacts of traumatic occlusion (TO) on periodontal tissues and roles of cystathionine γ‐lyase (Cth) gene in the regulation of bone homeostasis have been studied by many, no consensus has been reached so far on whether TO deteriorates the periodontium and precise roles of Cth in occlusal trauma. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impacts of TO on periodontal tissues and the involvement of Cth gene.

Methods

Eighty C57BL/6 wild‐type (WT) mice and Cth knockout (Cth−/−) mice, 8 weeks old, were used in this study. The TO model was established using composite resin bonding on the left maxillary molar for one, two, and three weeks, respectively. Morphological and histological changes in the periodontium were assessed by micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Osteoclast‐related genes were analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Results

It was found that decreased alveolar bone height, expanded bone resorption area, and increased width of periodontal ligament (PDL) occurred in TO models, accompanied by an increased number of osteoclasts in a time‐dependent manner by micro‐CT and histological staining. Osteoclast‐related genes including Ctsk, Mmp9, Rank, Trap, and Rankl/Opg were also up‐regulated after one week of modeling. The up‐regulated expressions of Cth gene and its protein CTH were observed in TO mouse models. After 1, 2, or 3 weeks of modeling, WT mice showed more severe alveolar bone resorption, wider PDL, higher osteoclast count, and higher levels of osteoclast‐related genes Ctsk, Rank, and Rankl/Opg than Cth−/− mice.

Conclusion

TO causes a reduction in alveolar bone height and PDL morphological disorder with their severity increases in a time‐dependent manner. Cth aggravates periodontal damage caused by TO.
REM sleep behaviour disorder in essential tremor: A polysomnographic study
Authors: Bugalho Paulo , Salavisa Manuel , Borbinha Cláudia , Fernandes Marco , Meira Bruna , Barbosa Raquel , Mendonça Marcelo
Published: April 2020

Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of REM sleep behaviour disorder in patients with Essential Tremor, using video‐polysomnography and to compare REM sleep behaviour disorder features in essential tremor with those of patients with alpha‐synucleinopathies. Forty‐nine patients with essential tremor were screened with the REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder Screening Questionnaire. Patients scoring positive and those with spontaneous complaints of REM sleep behaviour disorder (n = 6) underwent video‐polysomnography. The clinical features of essential tremor were compared between patients with and without REM sleep behaviour disorder. Video‐polysomnography data were compared between patients who had essential tremor and Parkinson's disease with REM sleep behaviour disorder and those with idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder. Fourteen patients (23.5%) screened positive for REM sleep behaviour disorder, confirmed by video‐polysomnography in five (11.6%). All patients with essential tremor and REM sleep behaviour disorder had rest tremor, compared with 13 (34.2%) in the group with essential tremor but without REM sleep behaviour disorder (p = .009). In video‐polysomnography, patients with essential tremor and REM sleep behaviour disorder were similar to patients with Parkinson's disease with REM sleep behaviour disorder and presented worse sleep dysfunction and lower severity of REM sleep behaviour disorder compared to those with idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder. We found a high prevalence of REM sleep behaviour disorder in patients with essential tremor, associated with a predominance of rest tremor. Polysomnography data from patients with essential tremor and REM sleep behaviour disorder were similar to those in patients with Parkinson's disease. This suggests a relation between this subgroup of patients with essential tremor and the alpha‐synucleinopathies.
Why are Women More Religious than Men? Do Risk Preferences and Genetic Risk Predispositions Explain the Gender Gap?
Authors: LI YI , WOODBERRY ROBERT , LIU HEXUAN , GUO GUANG
Published: April 2020

Risk preference theory argues that the gender gap in religiosity is caused by greater female risk aversion. Although widely debated, risk preference theory has been inadequately tested. Our study tests the theory directly with phenotypic and genetic risk preferences in three dimensions—general, impulsive, and sensation‐seeking risk. Moreover, we examine whether the effects of different dimensions of risk preferences on the gender gap vary across different dimensions of religiosity. We find that general and impulsive risk preferences do not explain gender differences in religiosity, whereas sensation‐seeking risk preference makes the gender gap in self‐assessed religiousness and church attendance insignificant, but not belief in God, prayer, or importance of religion. Genetic risk preferences do not remove any of the gender gaps in religiosity, suggesting that the causal order is not from risk preference to religiosity. Evidence suggests that risk preferences are not a strong predictor for gender differences in religiosity.
Response of the bacterioplankton composition to inorganic nutrient loading and phytoplankton in southern Korean coastal waters: A mesocosm study
Authors: Park Bum Soo , Lee Minji , Shin Kyoungsoon , Baek Seung Ho
Published: April 2020

In Korean coastal waters (KCW), nutrient loading from the four major rivers usually peaks in summer, probably due to the large amount of water discharge in rainy seasons, but little is known about the responses of the bacterial community composition to inorganic nutrient loading. To gain deeper understanding of variations in marine microbial biodiversity and function with inorganic nutrient loading, a large‐scale mesocosm (1,000 L) experiment was conducted in southern KCW for 10 days in summer (July 27 through August 6, 2015) and the bacterioplankton community composition (BCC) was investigated using 16S rRNA amplicon pyrosequencing method. The bioassays established in the mesocosm were designed with the following each nutrient dosing treatments: nitrate (+N), phosphate (+P), and nitrate plus phosphate (+NP). Among the three treatments, the +NP and +N treatments exhibited the largest and second‐largest increases in phytoplankton abundance, respectively, whereas there was relatively less variation under the +P treatment. Enhanced growth of phytoplankton not only induced increases in pH and bacterial abundance (p < .05) but also led to changes in the BCC: the orders Flavobacteria, Micrococcales, Oceanospirillales, and Rhodobacterales exhibited increases in relative abundance, whereas Methylophilales, Puniceicoccales, SAR11, SAR116, and SAR86 showed a decreasing trend. Inorganic nutrients may directly contribute to variation in the BCC, as the relative abundance of Sphingobacteriales, containing members that undergo chemotaxis toward inorganic nutrients, was increased by the +N treatment. Given that these findings, changes in phytoplankton abundance due to nutrient addition may be the most crucial component resulting in variation in the BCC.
Mental health nurses' experiences of implementing a model to facilitate self‐empowerment in women living with borderline personality disorder in South Africa
Authors: Ntshingila Nompumelelo
Published: April 2020

In South Africa, various treatment models from abroad have been implemented for patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. This report is based on a South African model that has been developed, implemented, and evaluated for mental health nurses to use in facilitating the self‐empowerment of women living with borderline personality disorder.

The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of a model to facilitate self‐empowerment in women living with borderline personality disorder and to describe mental health nurses' experiences of implementing this model. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was used for the study. Participants were mental health nurses working in an inpatient psychotherapy unit in a mental health hospital. Findings revealed that mental health nurses experienced the model as a secure framework to assist women living with borderline personality disorder in making a shift to being self‐empowered. The mental health nurses found that they had to adapt the model's timeframe to the women's own pace. Through use of the model, the mental health nurses also gained self‐leadership. This report provides evidence from mental health nurses that the model was practical and helpful in working with women living with borderline personality disorder. The mental health nurses saw signs of self‐empowerment in women living with borderline personality disorder.
Small State Intelligence: New Zealand in SEATO Security Affairs
Authors: Kadıoğlu İ. Aytaç , Bezci Egemen B.
Published: April 2020

This article aims to shed light on how and why small states enter into cooperation alliances with greater powers. It does so by assessing the intelligence and security cooperation activities of New Zealand in the Pacific basin as a small state during the Cold War era. It also assesses its relationships with the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States, as well as its role within the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), an understudied international organization operating for collective defense. The article offers a threefold analysis involving financial costs, the quest for shelter and diversification. It argues that New Zealand utilized its alliance relationships with SEATO members to seek shelter and gain information with limited expenditure and less effort. Using original data from the archives of New Zealand and the UK, the article reveals that New Zealand's foreign and security policy commitments in the Pacific were shaped by the country's geographical remoteness and the limitations of its diplomatic capacity.
Liver transplantation for Gaucher disease presenting as neonatal cholestasis: Case report and literature review
Authors: Soudek Lucy , Siddiqui Iram , Guerin Andrea , Sondheimer Neal , Inbar‐Feigenberg Michal , Abuquteish Dua , Walia Jagdeep S. , Kamath Binita M. , Kehar Mohit
Published: April 2020

Background

We present a rare case of neonatal cholestasis in a female infant with Gaucher Disease (GD), who received liver transplantation. We review the relevant literature on similar disease presentations.

Methods

A chart review of the index case was performed. PubMed and Medline databases were searched to identify other cases.

Results

A 4‐day‐old female was referred with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Physical examination revealed icterus with hepatosplenomegaly and normal neurologic examination. The diagnosis of GD was confirmed through liver biopsy, low glucocerebrosidase enzyme activity, and two pathogenic mutations in GBA gene. Despite early initiation of ERT, the patient had worsening of her liver failure and underwent a left lateral segment liver transplant from a living donor at 7 months of age. She experienced improvement of her liver enzymes and coagulation, but passed away at 8 months due to the late onset of neurologic involvement. Nine other cases of GD presenting with neonatal cholestasis have been reported. Forty‐four percent (4/9) of cases received ERT and none were considered for transplant. Overall, the literature suggests a poor prognosis with death reported in 77% (7/9) cases.

Conclusions

Neonatal presentation of GD represents a poor prognosis despite early initiation of treatment. Diagnosis remains a challenge as the presentation is rare and multiple tests such as BM biopsy, liver biopsy with both light and electron microscopy, enzymology, and genetic testing may need to be completed to reach a diagnosis. Neurological sequelae may manifest later making the decision to proceed with liver transplantation a difficult one.
A case report—Two manufacturers SAB testing kits can reveal different HLA antibody profiles—Identifying prozone and denatured antigen
Authors: Battle Richard K. , Henderson Lorna , Phelan Paul J. , Latham Katy , Turner David M.
Published: April 2020

Recent reports have identified that the presence of non‐native conformation HLA to which antibody can bind upon Luminex HLA Class I single antigen beads, can vary in levels between different manufacturers kits and that the prozone effect may also be specific to particular products. We present a case in which both prozone and non‐native HLA reactive antibodies were observed, which raises important questions on how SAB assays are utilised, especially in the post‐transplant monitoring setting. A 56‐year old, highly sensitised female patient awaiting a regraft received a HLAi renal transplant. Post‐transplant monitoring showed discordant results between two SAB manufacturers assays, with one assay identifying a potential de novo HLA DSA. HLA Class I antibody reactivity was observed which was directed towards the Bw6 public epitope, which is present upon HLA molecules encoded for by numerous HLA‐B alleles. However in the day 19 post‐transplant sample reactivity spread beyond the Bw6 epitope. To investigate the possibility of a prozone type effect influencing the testing kit the day 19 post‐transplant sample was diluted 1:10 with PBS and reanalysed. After dilution the Bw6 reactivity was observed again, however the suspect de novo DSA still persisted. An analysis of the mismatched epitopes identified one manufacturer's assay as being confounded by the presence of denatured reactivity as well as prozone.
Socioeconomic associations of poorly controlled epilepsy in the Republic of Guinea: cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rice Dylan R. , Sakadi Foksouna , Tassiou Nana Rahma , Vogel Andre C. , Djibo Hamani Abdoul Bachir , Bah Aissatou Kenda , Garcia Alex , Patenaude Bryan N. , Fode Cisse Abass , Mateen Farrah J.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To explore the socioeconomic factors associated with epilepsy in the Republic of Guinea.

Methods

People living with epilepsy (PLWE) were prospectively recruited at Ignace Deen Hospital, Conakry, in 2018. An instrument exploring household assets as a measure of wealth was designed and administered. Multivariate logistic regression models with fixed effects were fitted to assess the associations of sociodemographic and microeconomic factors with self‐reported frequency of seizures in the prior month and regular intake of antiseizure medications (ASMs). Participants were stratified by age group: children (<13 years), adolescents (13–21) and adults (>21).

Results

A total of 285 participants (mean age 19.5 years; 129 females; 106 children, 72 adolescents, 107 adults, median household size 8) had an average of 4.2 seizures in the prior month. 64% were regularly taking ASMs. Direct costs of epilepsy were similar across income strata, averaging 60 USD/month in the lowest and 75 USD/month in the highest wealth quintiles (P = 0.42). The poorest PLWE were more likely to spend their money on traditional treatments (average 35USD/month) than on medical consultations (average 11 USD/month) (P = 0.01), whereas the wealthiest participants were not. Higher seizure frequency was associated with a lower household education level in adolescents and children (P = 0.028; P = 0.026) and with being male (P = 0.009) in children. Adolescents in higher‐educated households were more likely to take ASMs (P = 0.004). Boys were more likely to regularly take ASMs than girls (P = 0.047).

Conclusions

Targeted programming for children and adolescents in the households with the lowest education and for girls would help improve epilepsy care in Guinea.
New empirical evidence on CEE's stock markets integration
Authors: Boţoc Claudiu , Anton Sorin Gabriel
Published: April 2020

The main aim of the study was to explore the integration of CEE’s stock markets (Central, South‐East and Baltic) with those of the developed ones (Germany, USA and the UK). Using daily data from 20 October 2000 up to 20 October 2016, the static analysis indicates a long‐run cointegration relationship between CEE markets and all three counterparts considered. The dynamic analysis indicates several short‐run episodes of cointegration, which are influenced by nondomestic factors. When comparing among the counterparts, one can highlight that the US stock market is less integrated with emerging markets, which could be considered for portfolio diversification. Furthermore, the contagion effect is not rejected, given that the dynamic pairwise correlations are likely to be affected by herding behaviour and significant break dates.
Clindamycin resistance of skin derived Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is higher in dogs with a history of antimicrobial therapy
Authors: van Damme Catharina M.M. , Broens Els M. , Auxilia Silvia T. , Schlotter Yvette M.
Published: April 2020

Background

In the Netherlands there is a lack of data regarding resistance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius to the systemic antimicrobial drugs used for the treatment of superficial pyoderma.

Objectives

To assess antimicrobial resistance, with emphasis on resistance to clindamycin and meticillin, in clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius isolated from dogs with superficial pyoderma. Results were compared between dogs with and without a history of systemic antimicrobial therapy during the previous year.

Animals

A retrospective study of 237 referral cases presented to an academic teaching hospital between 2014 and 2019, with the clinical and microbiological diagnosis of superficial pyoderma.

Methods and materials

All clinical isolates were identified primarily by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested either by an agar diffusion method (2014–2016) or by broth microdilution. Antimicrobial history in the preceding year was obtained from medical records.

Results

Meticillin‐resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) was isolated from 8% of superficial pyoderma cases. Within the meticillin‐susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) population, clindamycin resistance was significantly more common in isolates derived from dogs with histories of antimicrobial treatment (37.7%) compared to dogs with no histories of exposure (21.7%; P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Given the high prevalence of clindamycin resistance in MSSP isolated from dogs with prior antimicrobial exposure, it is recommended that bacterial culture and susceptibility testing be pursued before prescribing systemic antimicrobials. Clindamycin should be regarded as the preferred treatment option if susceptibility is confirmed, due to its narrow spectrum and reduced selective pressure for MRSP.
A Reflection of the Spiritual Leadership’s Status in a Transfer of Ritual Process
Authors: Sharaby Rachel
Published: April 2020

This article presents a phenomenon of ritual dynamics, which Langer et al. (2006) called “transfer of ritual,” and the manner in which it influenced the “transfer of spiritual leadership.” The article focuses on old spiritual leaders (kessoch) of immigrants from Ethiopia in Israel and their role in the Seged ritual. The Seged is a pilgrimage holiday of the Jews of Ethiopia, celebrated on November 29. It is a day of fasting, purification and prayer, during which the spiritual leaders read from the Torah and prayed for redemption. The findings show that since the early 1980s, the kessoch, who were excluded by the religious establishment, were pushed aside from their status in determining the meaning and character of the Seged. Since the 1990s, young social-political leaders, who were the dominant stream in the community, led changes in the Seged. The intergenerational role inversion in conducting the Seged had significant implications for the contents of the ritual, its structure and the kessoch’s status.
Extrinsic Motivators and Contextual Performance of Communication and Media Teachers in Chinese Colleges and Universities
Authors: Hao Danna , Li Zhongwu
Published: April 2020

Communication and media teachers are a special group in Chinese colleges and universities, and it is essential to stimulate their positivity toward and enthusiasm for work. In this study, a model based on the extrinsic motivators of college communication and media teachers has been built to analyze the significant effect of the extrinsic motivators of college communication and media teachers on each element of contextual performance. It was found that salary and benefits have no significant effect on surrounding contextual performance, while organizational environment and personal development are positively related to surrounding relationships, and extrinsic motivators are positively related to organizational dedication performance.
Frequency Failure Causes Analysis of Pressure Vessel and Piping Equipment: Case Study of the Alberta Petrochemical Industry
Authors: Esouilem Mohamed , Bouzid Abdel-Hakim , Nadeau Sylvie
Published: April 2020

In recent decades, many accidents involving pressure vessels and piping components (PVP) have occurred in North America. Several studies have been conducted to understand their causes and find suitable solutions to reduce their frequency. Most of the researches have focused on the technical causes of these accidents and the subsequent implementation of safety management strategies. These researches highlight that the main technical causes are leak and rupture. From this standpoint, it is important to deepen the study of these causes to better understand the risk of accident in PVP applications. In Alberta alone, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) showed that more than 15 root causes initiated leak and rupture failures in PVP since 1990. This paper presents an analysis of the frequency of accidents, their severity, their causes, and the risk associated in the Alberta petrochemical industry from 2008 to 2017. This study proposes an exponential decay function to estimate the frequency of accidents involving PVP and identifies the most important causes based on a severity analysis. The results based on the frequency model show that there is a good agreement between the predicted and observed accidents frequency from 2008 to 2017. The severity analysis results shows that the main factors contributing to accidents are corrosion, construction deficiency, and overpressure. Finally, the proposed model of frequency and severity of observed and predicted PVP failures, is a useful tool for risk assessment and prevention program implementation.
A Forecasting Method of District Heat Load Based on Improved Wavelet Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Zhongbin , Liu Ye , Cao Lihua , Si Heyong
Published: April 2020

Energy conservation of urban district heating system is an important part of social energy conservation. In response to the situation that the setting of heat load in the system is unreasonable, the heat load forecasting method is adopted to optimize the allocation of resources. At present, the artificial neural networks (ANNs) are generally used to forecast district heat load. In order to solve the problem that networks convergence is slow or even not converged due to the random initial parameters in traditional wavelet neural networks (WNNs), the genetic algorithm with fast convergence ability is used to optimize the network structure and initial parameters of heat load prediction models. The results show that when the improved WNN is applied to forecast district heat load, the prediction error is as low as 2.93%, and the accuracy of prediction results is improved significantly. At the same time, the stability and generalization ability of the prediction model are improved.
Performance and Emission Analysis of Compression Ignition Engine With Neem Methyl Ester Mixed With Cerium Oxide (CeO2) Nanoparticles
Authors: Kapoor Mayank , Kumar Narendra , Verma Ajay Singh , Gautam Gaurav , Padap Aditya Kumar
Published: April 2020

This paper depicts Box-Behnken design (BBD) approach to optimize the performance and emission characteristics of adjustable compression ratio, single- cylinder diesel engine with nanoparticle-blended biofuel. Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles and diethyl ether (DEE) are mixed with neem methyl ester (NME) in corresponding ratios as per BBD experimental plan. Engine performance characteristics brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and NOx, CO, HC, and CO2 emissions have been analyzed. To study the influence of input parameters, quadratic models are developed on each output response using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Desirability function approach has been used to optimize the performance of multi-response parameters. The results revealed that nanoparticles mixed blends of NME and DEE enhances the performance characteristics and reduce the harmful emissions.
Uncertainty Quantification of Spalart–Allmaras Turbulence Model Coefficients for Simplified Compressor Flow Features
Authors: He Xiao , Zhao Fanzhou , Vahdati Mehdi
Published: April 2020

Turbulence model in Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations has a crucial effect on predicting the compressor flows. In this paper, the parametric uncertainty of the Spalart–Allmaras (SA) turbulence model is studied in simplified two-dimensional (2D) flows, which includes some of the compressor tip flow features. The uncertainty is quantified by a metamodel-based Monte Carlo method. The model coefficients are represented by uniform distributions within intervals, and the quantities of interest include the velocity profile, the Reynolds stress profile, the shock front, and the separation size. An artificial neural network (ANN) is applied as the metamodel, which is tuned, trained, and tested using databases from the flow solver. The uncertainty of quantities of interest is determined by the range of the metamodel and the database samples from the flow solver. The sensitivity of the model coefficients is quantified by calculating the gradient of quantities of interest from the metamodel. Results show that the high-fidelity data of the quantities of interest cannot be fully enveloped by the uncertainty band in regions with separation and shock. Crucial model coefficients on the quantities of interest are identified. However, recalibration of these coefficients results in contradictory prediction of different quantities of interest across flow regimes, which indicates the need for a modified Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model form to improve the accuracy in predicting complex flow features.
Submonolayer epitaxy growth of fractional monolayer CdSe/ZnSe quantum dots
Authors: Sutara Frantisek , Basilio-Ortiz José Carlos , Hernández-Calderón Isaac
Published: April 2020

A heterostructure containing several sheets of CdSe fractional monolayer quantum dots with nominal coverages of 0.5 and close to 0.25 of a monolayer (ML) embedded in a ZnSe matrix was successfully grown by a combination of submonolayer epitaxy and molecular beam epitaxy. Due to surface reconstruction properties of cation- and anion-terminated surfaces, one complete Cd–Se alternate source exposure cycle produces a submonolayer saturation coverage of around 0.5 ML of CdSe. To obtain specific coverages lower than 0.5 ML, it is necessary to work with an unsaturated Cd surface, then the control of Cd exposure time becomes crucial. To determine the appropriate Cd exposure times, a careful study of the adsorption process and knowledge of the time to obtain the saturation coverage are required. Four separated sheets of CdSe fractional monolayer quantum dots with coverage Θ  ≃ 0.5 ML were deposited in the first section of the heterostructure to analyze the surface reconstruction streaks in the reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) patterns. The analysis performed during the adsorption process to reach a Cd saturated surface (nominal coverage Θ  = 0.5 ML) suggests that the large Cd atoms produce strain-induced disorder in the underlying layers during the initial stages of the Cd chemisorption process. The results of the RHEED study were employed to estimate the Cd exposure time for the growth of the last sheet of CdSe fractional monolayer quantum dots with Θ  ≃ 0.25 ML. The low temperature photoluminescence spectrum presented two intense and narrow excitonic peaks at energies of 2.750 eV and 2.778 eV, corresponding to the CdSe fractional monolayer quantum dots with nominal coverages of 0.5 ML and ∼0.25 ML, respectively, with narrower linewidth for lower CdSe coverage.
Effects of vowel coproduction on the timecourse of tone recognition
Authors: Shaw Jason A. , Tyler Michael D.
Published: April 2020

Vowel contrasts tend to be perceived independently of pitch modulation, but it is not known whether pitch can be perceived independently of vowel quality. This issue was investigated in the context of a lexical tone language, Mandarin Chinese, using a printed word version of the visual world paradigm. Eye movements to four printed words were tracked while listeners heard target words that differed from competitors only in tone (test condition) or also in onset consonant and vowel (control condition). Results showed that the timecourse of tone recognition is influenced by vowel quality for high, low, and rising tones. For these tones, the time for the eyes to converge on the target word in the test condition (relative to control) depended on the vowel with which the tone was coarticulated with /a/ and /i/ supporting faster recognition of high, low, and rising tones than /u/. These patterns are consistent with the hypothesis that tone-conditioned variation in the articulation of /a/ and /i/ facilitates rapid recognition of tones. The one exception to this general pattern—no effect of vowel quality on falling tone perception—may be due to fortuitous amplification of the harmonics relevant for pitch perception in this context.
Auditory brainstem responses during aerial testing with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Effects of electrode and jawphone locations
Authors: Mulsow Jason , Finneran James J. , Accomando Alyssa W. , Burkard Robert F.
Published: April 2020

Transmission of sound to dolphins during electrophysiological hearing screening is conducted out of water in certain cases (e.g., strandings). This necessitates that sound be delivered using a contact transducer either pressed against the skin or affixed to the jaw using a suction cup (i.e., “jawphones”). This study examined how bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, n = 3) auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) varied with electrode and jawphone location during aerial testing. Stimuli were tone bursts with center frequencies of 28 to 160 kHz. Regression-based thresholds were lowest with the jawphone on the posterior and middle parts of the mandible. Thresholds based on later ABR peaks—recorded using an electrode immediately behind the blowhole—suggested more similarity between the thresholds for the anterior tip of the rostrum and the posterior/middle mandible than those based on earlier monaural waves recorded near the meatus. This was likely a result of a summation of responses from both ears as opposed to a more efficient acoustic pathway to the ear. These patterns were independent of frequency. These findings provide guidance for jawphone and electrode locations when examining dolphin hearing and when interpreting relative acoustic sensitivity of the head in similar testing situations.
Rapid Facial Cryotherapy for Combat Sports: A Comparison of Materials and Methods for Cooling Facial Tissues in 60 Seconds or Less
Authors: Beauregard Tyler A. , Vaile Jade , Whitney Lucas , Merrick Mark , Moody Valerie
Published: April 2020

Context: Athletes in combat sports who have sustained facial hematomas during competition have traditionally been treated with an enswell. These treatments take place between rounds of the competition and generally last less than 60 seconds. The efficacy of this modality has not been studied. Other modalities may provide a more effective cryotherapy treatment in this timeframe. Objective: To compare the efficacy of different forms of rapid cryotherapy to cause surface temperature changes of the face within 60 seconds of application. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Eleven healthy men (age 21.73 [1.42] y, mass 82.1 [5.6] kg, height 177.2 [7.0] cm). Interventions: A 60-second treatment using chilled surgical steel enswell, copper, commercial cold pack, aluminum, brass, ice cube, ice pack, and saltwater pack. Main Outcome Measures: Preintervention and postintervention surface facial temperatures. Results: The ice bag, cold pack, ice cube, saltwater pack, and stainless-steel enswell caused statistically different temperatures preintervention to postintervention. The ice bag and saltwater pack cause statistically greater cooling than the other materials tested. Conclusions: This study does not support the clinical use of an enswell to provide short-duration cryotherapy treatments to facial tissue, as ice packs are more effective.
A Review of Research on Ethic of Care in Physical Education and Physical Activity Settings
Authors: Li Yilin , Li Weidong
Published: April 2020

Purpose: The authors conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on caring in physical education and physical activity settings with a goal of identifying the status, gaps, and future trends of research on ethic of care in our field.Methods and Data Analysis: The authors identified and coded 16 peer-reviewed and data-based articles with a coding template from six databases. For each of the coding categories, frequencies and percentages were calculated.Results: Physical education teachers valued the importance of being caring. The perceived caring climate or perception of caring behaviors was positively related to a number of motivational, cognitive, and emotional variables in physical education or physical activity settings.Discussion and Conclusion: Research on caring in our field is still in its infancy. Noddings argues that caring is the end in and of itself. This philosophical belief of caring as an end in and of itself needs further examination. The review of literature showed that the majority of studies had solely focused on caring as a means to an end. This is misaligned with the work of Noddings. More experimental research with a rigorous design and appropriate statistical modeling for data analysis are needed. Future research shall also examine other students’ behaviors and learning outcome variables. The teaching pedagogies and practices identified in these qualitative studies can help guide physical education teachers to enact a caring-based curriculum.
Supraclavicular left neck mass: an unusual presentation of metastatic testicular cancer in two older men
Authors: Law Chinnoi , AlshiekhAli Zainab , Taylor Nicholas , Howlett David
Published: April 2020

Two male patients, aged 55 and 75 years, were referred to the ENT and haematology team respectively, with an asymptomatic left supraclavicular neck mass. Investigations revealed metastatic primary testicular seminoma. CT contrast study of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis demonstrated an additional left para-aortic nodal mass in both cases. The initial presentation of a solitary left neck lump from a metastatic testicular seminoma is extremely unusual, especially in an older age group. The pattern of metastatic spread to the supraclavicular neck nodes from a single para-aortic lymph node is also an interesting finding. Although the majority of seminomas present in younger patients in the early stages when confined to the testis, seminoma can also occur in older patients and can present in an atypical manner. The ability to recognise an atypical presentation in an older patient is invaluable for prompt diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of disease. This case also highlights the importance of a multisystematic structured and an open-minded approach to investigating and diagnosing a neck mass.
Development and validation of an early pregnancy risk score for the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese pregnant women
Authors: Gao Si , Leng Junhong , Liu Hongyan , Wang Shuo , Li Weiqin , Wang Yue , Hu Gang , Chan Juliana C N , Yu Zhijie , Zhu Hong , Yang Xilin
Published: April 2020

Objective

To develop and validate a set of risk scores for the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) before the 15th gestational week using an established population-based prospective cohort.

Methods

From October 2010 to August 2012, 19 331 eligible pregnant women were registered in the three-tiered antenatal care network in Tianjin, China, to receive their antenatal care and a two-step GDM screening. The whole dataset was randomly divided into a training dataset (for development of the risk score) and a test dataset (for validation of performance of the risk score). Logistic regression was performed to obtain coefficients of selected predictors for GDM in the training dataset. Calibration was estimated using Hosmer-Lemeshow test, while discrimination was checked using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the test dataset.

Results

In the training dataset (total=12 887, GDM=979 or 7.6%), two risk scores were developed, one only including predictors collected at the first antenatal care visit for early prediction of GDM, like maternal age, body mass index, height, family history of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, and alanine aminotransferase; and the other also including predictors collected during pregnancy, that is, at the time of GDM screening, like physical activity, sitting time at home, passive smoking, and weight gain, for maximum performance. In the test dataset (total=6444, GDM=506 or 7.9%), the calibrations of both risk scores were acceptable (both p for Hosmer-Lemeshow test >0.25). The AUCs of the first and second risk scores were 0.710 (95% CI: 0.680 to 0.741) and 0.712 (95% CI: 0.682 to 0.743), respectively (p for difference: 0.9273).

Conclusion

Both developed risk scores had adequate performance for the prediction of GDM in Chinese pregnant women in Tianjin, China. Further validations are needed to evaluate their performance in other populations and using different methods to identify GDM cases.
Trajectories of early to mid-life adulthood BMI and incident diabetes: the China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Lv Jiali , Fan Bingbing , Wei Mengke , Zhou Guangshuai , Dayimu Alim , Wu Zhenyu , Su Chang , Zhang Tao
Published: April 2020

Introduction

This longitudinal study aims to characterize distinct body mass index (BMI) trajectories during early to mid-life adulthood and to explore the association between BMI change from young adulthood to midlife and incident diabetes.

Research design and methods

This study included 7289 adults who had repeatedly measured BMI 3–9 times during 1989–2011 and information on incident diabetes. Latent class growth mixed model (LCGMM) was used to identify different BMI trajectories. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the association between the trajectory group membership and incident hyperglycemia, adjusting for covariates. The hyperglycemia group included individuals with prediabetes or diabetes. The model-estimated BMI levels and slopes were calculated at each age point in 1-year intervals according to the model parameters and their ﬁrst derivatives, respectively. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of model-estimated levels and slopes of BMI at each age point with incident hyperglycemia. The area under the curve (AUC) was computed from longitudinal growth curve models during the follow-up for each individual. Prior to the logistic regression analyses, quartiles of total, baseline, and incremental AUC values were calculated.

Results

Three distinct trajectories were characterized by LCGMM, comprising of low-increasing group (n=5136), medium-increasing group (n=1914), and high-increasing group (n=239). Compared with the low-increasing group, adjusted HRs and 95% CIs were 1.21 (0.99 to 1.48) and 1.56 (1.06 to 2.30) for the medium-increasing and the high-increasing group, respectively. The adjusted standardized ORs of model-estimated BMI levels increased among 20–50 years, ranging from 0.98 (0.87 to 1.10) to 1.19 (1.08 to 1.32). The standardized ORs of level-adjusted linear slopes increased gradually from 1.30 (1.16 to 1.45) to 1.42 (1.21 to 1.67) during 20–29 years, then decreased from 1.41 (1.20 to 1.66) to 1.20 (1.08 to 1.33) during 30–43 years, and finally increased to 1.20 (1.04 to 1.38) until 50 years. The fourth quartile of incremental AUC (OR=1.31, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.66) was significant compared with the first quartile, after adjustment for covariates.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the BMI trajectories during early adulthood were significantly associated with later-life diabetes. Young adulthood is a crucial period for the development of diabetes, which has implications for early prevention.