bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgery Is Underused in Elderly Patients With Left‐Sided Infective Endocarditis: A Nationwide Registry Study
Authors: Ragnarsson Sigurdur , Salto‐Alejandre Sonsoles , Ström Axel , Olaison Lars , Rasmussen Magnus 
Published: September 2021

Background
Infective endocarditis is associated with higher mortality in elderly patients, but the role of surgery in this group has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of left‐sided infective endocarditis in elderly patients and to determine the influence of surgery on mortality in the elderly.

Methods and Results

A nationwide retrospective study was performed of 2186 patients with left‐sided infective endocarditis recorded in the SRIE (Swedish Registry of Infective Endocarditis), divided into patients aged <65 years (n=864), 65 to 79 years (n=806), and ≥80 years (n=516). Survival analysis was performed using the Swedish National Population Registry, and propensity score matching was applied to assess the effect of surgery on survival among patients of all ages. The rate of surgery decreased with increasing age, from 46% in the <65 group to 6% in the ≥80 group. In‐hospital mortality was 3 times higher in the ≥80 group compared with the <65 group (23% versus 7%) and almost twice that of the 65 to 79 group (12%). In propensity‐matched groups, the mortality rate was significantly lower between the ages of 55 and 82 years in patients who underwent surgery compared with patients who did not undergo surgery. Surgery was also associated with better long‐term survival in matched patients who were ≥75 years (hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24–0.54 [
P
<0.001]).

Conclusions
The proportion of elderly patients with infective endocarditis who underwent surgery was low compared with that of younger patients. Surgery was associated with lower mortality irrespective of age. In matched elderly patients, long‐term mortality was higher in patients who did not undergo surgery, suggesting that surgery is underused in elderly patients.
Problems and Processes of Restricting Navigation in Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
Authors: Kim So Yeon 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) are a form of marine conservation measure established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to protect the marine environment against damage caused by navigation. The politicisation of the PSSA designation process and the shortcomings of the 2015 IMO Revised Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of PSSAs have been inimical to improving the PSSA regime. This article first examines the law and practice of PSSAs and discusses the shortcomings of the 2005 Guidelines. It then explores how politicisation outside and inside the IMO has aggravated the institutional weaknesses of the PSSA regime in three aspects: the relationships between Associated Protective Measures (APMs) and existing navigational measures; the links between the ecosystems and PSSAs; and the lack of stringent APMs.
The Role of Performance Measurement in University–Industry Collaboration Projects as a Part of Managing Triple Helix Operations
Authors: Rantala Tero , Ukko Juhani , Saunila Minna 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
As part of contemporary Triple Helix operations, universities are more and more frequently asked to collaborate with other social actors to generate knowledge that supports their innovation and development activities and to foster economic growth. In addition to research and education tasks, universities are developing formal and informal collaborations with industrial organizations to fulfill the third mission of societal effectiveness and to receive funding from research grants. These university-industry research and development projects, at the societal level and from the viewpoints of policymakers and financiers, aim to create economic growth and to support the innovation and learning capabilities of the organizations, among other benefits. One key challenge to managing these collaborative activities between universities and other societal organizations is related to measuring and evaluating them. Therefore, this study focuses on supporting the future development of evaluation and performance measurement for the operational-level activities of university–industry–government relationships. The study explores the performance measurement practices currently used by universities and financiers and intends to increase the understanding of both current performance measurement practices and the challenges regarding university–industry (UI) collaboration projects. The empirical data for this study were gathered from UI research projects in Finland. As part of the management of university–industry–government relations and Triple Helix operations, the results of this study reveal some challenges in the evaluation and measurement of the collaborative projects in the three phases explored: before the project, during the project, and after the project. The study’s results indicate that UI collaboration projects’ performance evaluation practices are based mainly on the tasks promised in the projects’ applications. Furthermore, measurements are mainly used for external-reporting purposes. To support the future development of the evaluation and performance measurement of university–industry–government relations, some propositions for overcoming these challenges are presented, and the potential implications of the findings for scholars, university members, financier representatives, and policy makers are discussed.
Relationship between Wood Traits and Sound Frequency at Different Pitch Levels of Talking Drums (Gangan) Manufactured from Aningeria robusta Wood
Authors: Olaoye K.O. , Oluwadare A.O. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Wood is a unique material for making musical instruments and is used to make West African talking drums, whose pitch can be regulated depending upon how the player strikes the head of drum and changes its tension. Additionally, talking drum manufacturers have certain wood preferences, and in the absence of preferred species, they use supposedly unsuitable woods. Therefore, there is a need to examine wood traits in relation to the pitch of a talking drum. This study was designed to determine the existing relationship between selected wood traits and the frequency of talking drums made from A. robusta wood. Three A. robusta trees were obtained from Onigambari Forest Reserve. From each tree, three bolts of 50 cm in length were obtained from the base, middle, and top of the tree to determine selected properties (moisture content (MC), wood basic density (WBD), modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and manufacturing of talking drums). A spectrum analyzer was used to analyze the sound frequency of the talking drums at three pitch levels (high, medium, low). A completely randomized block design was used and the data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and correlation analyses at α
0.05. Sound frequency was not significant along sampling height, but was significant at pitch levels. Additionally, the correlation analysis between wood traits and sound frequency was not significant. Thus, wood cannot be recommended for talking drums’ optimal acoustic performance based on wood traits alone.
Frailty as a Predictor of Adverse Outcomes After Peripheral Vascular Surgery in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Schweitzer Christina D. , Anagnostakos John P. , Nagarsheth Khanjan H. 
Published: September 2021

Background Frailty and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are each independently associated with adverse outcomes in patients who undergo lower extremity vascular bypass operations (LEOs). It is not known whether frailty imparts additional risk to patients with ESRD having LEO. Methods The study was a retrospective cohort study of 29 203 patients without ESRD and 1718 with ESRD who had LEO surgery between the years 2014 and 2018 extracted from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Preoperative frailty was assessed using a simplified frailty index based on a history of diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and functional status. Adverse outcomes measured were 30-day mortality, surgical complications, reoperation, length of stay, readmission, discharge destination, and any (“composite”) adverse outcome. Odds ratios (ORs) for adverse outcomes were calculated with logistic regression. Results Among patients with ESRD, the OR for having the composite adverse outcome was greater for frailty than for any of the other preoperative risk factors studied (OR 2.191, CI 1.569-3.061, P < .001). Adverse outcomes occurred in 84.3% of frail patients with ESRD, but in only 39.6% of the non-frail patients without ESRD. Conclusions Frailty imparts additional risk for adverse outcomes to patients with ESRD undergoing LEO.
Correlates of anxiety and depression in a community cohort of people who smoke methamphetamine
Authors: Duncan Zoe , Kippen Rebecca , Sutton Keith , Ward Bernadette , Agius Paul A , Quinn Brendan , Dietze Paul 
Published: September 2021

Objective: Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health disorders experienced by Australians. These disorders are commonly found in people who use methamphetamine; however, much of this research has involved participants recruited from treatment settings who inject methamphetamine. We therefore explored (1) the prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety and depression in a community-recruited cohort who smoked methamphetamine and (2) examined potential factors associated with moderate to severe anxiety or depression in this cohort. Method: Data were derived from baseline surveys of 725 participants of the prospective ‘VMAX’ study, recruited from metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of Victoria, Australia, via snowball and respondent-driven sampling. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 instruments. Independent associations between moderate to severe scores on these measures and demographic, socio-economic, substance use and other health and social characteristics were examined using multivariable logistic regression. Results: More than half (60%) of the participants were classified as experiencing moderate to severe anxiety and/or depression. In the multivariable models, having poor/very poor self-rated health, methamphetamine dependence and being unemployed were associated with higher odds of experiencing both moderate to severe depression and moderate to severe anxiety. Living in a large rural town, identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and smoking methamphetamine were associated with lower odds of experiencing moderate to severe depression. Being female was associated with higher odds of experiencing moderate to severe anxiety. Conclusion: The high rates of anxiety and/or depression found in the VMAX cohort were associated with demographic, socio-economic, substance use and other health and social factors. The prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety is a novel finding that warrants further study. Further work is needed to determine how anxiety and depression change over time among people who smoke methamphetamine, to help identify key intervention points.
Comparison of Display Modality and Human-in-the-Loop Presence for On-Orbit Inspection of Spacecraft
Authors: Weiss Hannah , Liu Andrew , Byon Amos , Blossom Jonathan , Stirling Leia 
Published: September 2021

Objective To investigate the impact of interface display modalities and human-in-the-loop presence on the awareness, workload, performance, and user strategies of humans interacting with teleoperated robotic systems while conducting inspection tasks onboard spacecraft. Background Due to recent advancements in robotic technology, free-flying teleoperated robot inspectors are a viable alternative to extravehicular activity inspection operations. Teleoperation depends on the user’s situation awareness; consequently, a key to successful operations is practical bi-directional communication between human and robot agents. Method Participants ( n = 19) performed telerobotic inspection of a virtual spacecraft during two degrees of temporal communication, a Synchronous Inspection task and an Asynchronous Inspection task. Participants executed the two tasks while using three distinct visual displays (2D, 3D, AR) and accompanying control systems. Results Anomaly detection performance was better during Synchronous Inspection than the Asynchronous Inspection of previously captured imagery. Users’ detection accuracy reduced when given interactive exocentric 3D viewpoints to accompany the egocentric robot view. The results provide evidence that 3D projections, either demonstrated on a 2D interface or augmented reality hologram, do not affect the mean clearance violation time (local guidance performance), even though the subjects perceived a benefit. Conclusion In the current implementation, the addition of augmented reality to a classical egocentric robot view for exterior inspection of spacecraft is unnecessary, as its margin of performance enhancement is limited in comparison. Application Results are presented to inform future human–robot interfaces to support crew autonomy for deep space missions.
Quantitative differentiation of tendon and ligament using magnetic resonance imaging ultrashort echo time T2* mapping of normal knee joint
Authors: Okuda Miho , Kobayashi Satoshi , Toyooka Kazu , Yoshimizu Rikuto , Nakase Junsuke , Hayashi Hiroyuki , Ueda Yu , Gabata Toshifumi 
Published: September 2021

Background Ligaments and tendons are difficult to differentiate on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ligaments and tendons are different histologically, and tendon graft ligamentization is known to occur after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Purpose To quantify and differentiate the ultrashort echo time T2* (UTE-T2*) values of normal knee ligaments and tendons using a 1.5-T MRI scanner. Material and Methods The right knees of 12 healthy volunteers (6 men, 6 women; mean age = 30.8 ± 9.6 years) were scanned using a UTE-T2* sequence and the UTE-T2* values of the proximal, middle, and distal portions of the ACL, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and patellar tendon (PT) were evaluated. Two doctors manually drew the regions of interest four times and intra- and inter-observer reliability were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients. Results The UTE-T2* values of ACL at the proximal, middle, distal, and mean were 12.0 ± 2.3, 11.3 ± 2.3, 12.3 ± 2.6, and 11.9 ± 2.4 ms, respectively. The UTE-T2* values of the PCL at each site were 6.9 ± 1.5, 9.0 ± 1.8, 8.8 ± 2.4, and 8.3 ± 2.1 ms, respectively. The UTE-T2* values of the PT at each site were 7.1 ± 1.7, 4.3 ± 1.7, 4.3 ± 1.8, and 5.2 ± 2.1 ms, respectively. Both intra- and inter-observer reliability showed high agreement rates. There were significant differences among the ACL mean, PCL mean, and PT mean, with a P value <0.01 in all cases. Conclusion This study confirms that UTE-T2* mapping can quantify the ACL, PCL, and PT, and tendons and ligaments can be differentiated using the UTE-T2* values in normal volunteer knee joints.
Clinical assessment of nutritional status using the modified quantified subjective global assessment and anthropometric and biochemical parameters in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Macao
Authors: Peng Hongquan , Aoieong Chiwa , Tou Tou , Tsai Tsungyang , Wu Jianxun 
Published: September 2021

Objective Malnutrition is widespread among patients undergoing hemodialysis and is linked to high morbidity and mortality rates. We evaluated the nutritional status and malnutrition markers in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Macao. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 360 patients in a hemodialysis center. The modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA), anthropometric indices and related biochemical test data were used to evaluate nutritional status. Results The sample's mean age was 63.47 ± 13.95 years. There were 210 well-nourished (58.3%), 139 mild-to-moderately malnourished (38.6%) and 11 severely malnourished (3.1%) patients. Older patients had a higher incidence of severe malnutrition, but there were no significant differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Mid-arm circumference (MAC); mid-arm muscle circumference; body mass index; triceps skin fold thickness; serum albumin, creatinine and urea; and hemoglobin were all valid for assessing nutritional status. MAC and the serum albumin and creatinine concentrations significantly negatively correlated with MQSGA. Conclusions Malnutrition is commonplace in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Macao, but their nutritional status is not affected by diabetes. Serum creatinine, serum albumin and MAC, and especially pre-dialysis creatinine concentration, represent effective, readily available, and easily remembered screening measures of nutritional status for patients undergoing maintenance dialysis.
National Emotions and Heroism in King Vajiravudh's Anti-Chinese Propaganda Writing
Authors: Wongsurawat Wasana 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe royalist nationalist propaganda writings of King Vajiravudh Rama VI—acclaimed author of the infamous Jews of the Orient, published originally in Thai since 1914—represent some of the finest examples of Anti-Chinese propaganda penned by major nationalist leaders of Thailand in the 20th century. Vajiravudh was a prolific author who produced more than a thousand fictional and non-fictional pieces within his lifetime literary oeuvre. A significant portion of these works was intended as political propaganda, many of which could be justifiably categorized as anti-Chinese pieces.As much of Vajiravudh's writings also serve as the core texts in much of Thailand's nationalist propaganda campaigns through much of the early-20th century, it has also come to define the problematic relationship between the Thai conservative ruling class and their ethnic Chinese financial patrons. This makes for very complex national emotions—despise of ethnic Chinese capitalists while venerating royalist conservative political leaders, most of whom, in fact, are of Chinese descent. This also unavoidably bleeds into the realm of everyday social values and relations between ethnic Chinese and non-Chinese commoners in Thai society, their own interpretation of nationalist propaganda, and their own adapted emotions toward each other. This article provides a textual and historical analysis of such writings.
Emotional clashes and female public nudity in Thailand
Authors: Thaweesit Suchada 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis article revisits cultural controversies over female public nudity in Thai society. It uses Songkran's topless dancing in 2011 and a bare-breast painting performance on the ‘Thailand's Got Talent Show’ in 2012 to explore cultural and emotional clashes in Thailand's 21st century. It shows that these two cases of public female nudity drew deep and divergent emotional responses from different groups in Thai society. These cases clearly revealed a clash in viewpoints with regard to Thai notions of feminine respectability associated with national identity and women's sexual expression. On the one hand, the controversies prompted moral panic and backlashes against women's sexual rebelliousness. On the other hand, they set off counter-backlashes against hegemonic discourse that tends to normalise oppressive sexual culture, nationalism and totalitarianism.
Piperacillin–Tazobactam-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report
Authors: Kiliaki Shangwe 
Published: September 2021

Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia is an isolated thrombocytopenia caused by accelerated platelet destruction from drug-dependent, platelet-reactive antibodies. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is the most common drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia. Common implicated antibiotics for drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia include ceftriaxone, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, and penicillin. The platelet nadir can be less than 20 × 10 (9)/L and typically occurs within 1 to 2 weeks of exposure to the inciting drug. Although rare, drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia can be fatal. Diagnosis is made by excluding other causes of thrombocytopenia. Laboratory testing for drug-dependent antiplatelet antibodies is often helpful but not required. Thrombocytopenia typically improves within 1 to 2 days of drug discontinuation and platelet count returns to normal within a week. Identifying and discontinuing the implicated medication is key to prevention of serious complications. A patient case of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia is described after initiation of empiric piperacillin–tazobactam for refractory right foot cellulitis in the setting of right fourth toe diabetic ulcer.
The effects of the inclusion of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives into the main chains of the polyurethane urea exposed to UV radiation
Authors: Oprea Stefan , Potolinca Violeta Otilia 
Published: September 2021

Linear polyurethane urea containing 1,2,4-triazole segments was obtained by polyaddition of the 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole (DATA) to urethane prepolymer. Also, three crosslinked polymers with different crosslinkers (2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP), glycerin (Gly), castor oil (CO)) were synthesized. Thermogravimetric analysis, of the obtained polymers, indicated good thermal stability up to 310°C. The polyurethane urea chemical structure was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of these polymers, measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were found in the range of −52°C to −56°C. These values were not significantly influenced by the structure of the hard domain and the intermolecular interactions. The tensile testing showed that the inclusion of 1,2,4-triazole in polyurethane structure substantially improves the tensile strength up to 58 MPa. The obtained polyurethane urea presents surface slight hydrophobic and low interfacial tension. The positive effect of the 1,2,4-triazole segment from the polymer main chain in the UV aging process of these polymer materials has been studied. After exposure to UV radiation, few changes were observed in the molecular structure, in the surface morphology and the mechanical properties.
Method for increasing the speed of an electrodynamic shaker for vibration test of rolling stock equipment
Authors: Wang Peng , Deng Hua , Liu Yue , Wang Yi-ming , Zhang Yi , Tang Zi-di 
Published: September 2021

The velocity required in IEC 61373 for long-life random vibration testing of Category-3 rolling stock equipment in the vertical direction is 2.7821 m/s, but the maximum velocity of existing electrodynamic shakers falls in the range of 2–2.5 m/s. In this study, an electrodynamic shaker with a velocity satisfying the requirements for vibration testing of Category-3 rolling stock equipment was developed. First, mechanical and equivalent circuit models of an electrodynamic shaker were developed. On this basis, reducing the impedance of the armature coil was identified as the best option for increasing the velocity of the shaker. However, owing to the impact of the back electromotive force of the armature coil, a decrease in the input impedance of the armature coil at low frequencies leads to an increase in its input impedance at high frequencies. To reduce the input impedance at high frequencies, a shading coil was incorporated into the circuit. The shading coil-incorporated new design was modeled using equivalent circuits and simulated numerically. The results showed that the improvement measures—incorporating a shading coil, increasing the cross-sectional area, and reducing the number of turns of the armature coil—effectively reduced the input impedance of the armature coil, thereby increasing the armature coil current and the velocity of the shaker. Finally, a shaker with a maximum velocity of 3.2 m/s was fabricated based on the new design and was validated to satisfy the high-velocity requirement for the long-life vibration test of Category-3 equipment in the vertical direction as specified in IEC 61373.